Re: Season 2017/2018
 

The Everton fans were booing him just before he scored so i don't really see it as disrespectful.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Well lets see how he gets on against the much more sterner defences.:p:

---------- Post added at 19:30 ---------- Previous post was at 19:29 ----------

l don't mind players celebrating but some sometimes go over that fine line.

---------- Post added at 19:35 ---------- Previous post was at 19:30 ----------

Personally l don't like supporters booing former players as it smacks of childish insularity IMO.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Lukaku's celebration today was not in the Addebayor class from a few years back.:)

---------- Post added at 20:16 ---------- Previous post was at 19:55 ----------

And I can remember seeing Rooney give the Everton fans the cupped ear on more than one occasion in the past few years.;)
Had Rooney scored I think his celebrations would have been muted, but he was cheered loudly by the United fans, Lukaku got plenty of abuse so had every right to retaliate IMHO.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

True but I would also say football's much faster, more elegant and more skilful than even 20 years ago. The stricter rules have been brought in to both protect players but also allow more fluid football too.

If you think back to the fitness of the players and the speed of the game then football now is very different and that plays a part. The foul for which Luiz was sent off for today was far more dangerous because of the speed of the two players involved.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

The speed of play has other consequences as well. Watching Goals on Sunday this morning showed that the speed at which Man City attacked was too fast for the linesman. Two of City's first three goals were offside.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

There are also a epidemic of players now who go down at the slightest contact who are IMO basically cheating as l am all for far more skilful football but sadly there are too many refs now who seem to want to hand out cards willy nilly for absolutely nothing and yet won't crack down on the simulation and cheating.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Rooney had been at utd years, lukaku was at Everton 5 minutes, isn't English, wasn't his first club and should hold no particular affinity towards them, people not celebrating scoring for no reason other than they spent an odd season on loan there diminishes the gesture for others that have a real reason for not doing it imho

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Not bad for the second string, should have had 6 or 7 in first half. 😎

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

By heck those birds are flying high currently...;):D

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

How did your lot get on then Den?

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

The usual...;)

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

You mean get out early, concentrate on the league .:)

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

By heck Jim is sharp today.;):p:

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Er Den.......:D

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Its not pink though.;):D

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

:p:

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

:D:D

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Newcastle once again enter takeover talks, non-disclosure deals signed and price set to £380 million.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Mourinho parks the bus for the second half.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

It will be interesting to see who the potential buyers are.

---------- Post added at 17:01 ---------- Previous post was at 17:01 ----------

Perhaps you should have a quiet word with Jim.;)

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Hopefully no report will suggest that Manu didn't play well which is tediously what usually happens when a so called bigger side is outplayed by a so called smaller side.

Simple fact is Southampton were all over them in the second half and they were forced to defend in numbers.

If we had a Lukaku the score would have been quite different.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

How on Earth was that a penalty, 50/50 challenge, justice done.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Utterly shocking decision and l am not being biased about it.:(:td:

---------- Post added at 19:10 ---------- Previous post was at 19:03 ----------

This from Terry Butcher on 5 live.:td:

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

About time too.

https://www.theguardian.com/football...ations-england

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Stonewall penalty, even if Rodriguez got up and had a shot ref should have booked Mustafi and given a penalty. :confused:

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

There's no advantage from what I could see, so it rules that out even though you'd instantly blow and not offer advantage unless he had an open net.

Ultimately yes, it's a stonewall penalty, not even a hard one if you just watch Mustafi all the way. I can only assume the ref's completely missed Mustafi and because the player has recovered almost instantly and got the ball that they came together mutually. :confused:
All that's done is encourage players that they have to flop and roll to get the decision, genius stuff.

I hate to be that guy, but the standard of refereeing has been getting more and more shocking as the years have went on. Yet we're all told by the FA to respect and whatnot. There's been some stinking cards handed out, some stinking challenges missed, my own team included in that which led to retrospective action instead, and a whole host of questionable decisions and we're just over a month in. I don't care anymore, for the love of god just bring Video assistance in fully fledged.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Shocking yet again sadly.:td:

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

That's a penalty to Arsenal for the challenge on Monreal. As soon as you wrap your arms around a player like that you've fouled him, what is the point in that rule if it's enforced in half a dozen games out of 38? Corners are shocking for it. All it takes is a week upon which every single infringement from a corner is punished with a penalty or a freekick if it's against the opposing team and they'd quickly stop doing it. The amount of times I see target men being wrestled before the corner has been taken is ridiculous.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Sheer inconsistency again adzii.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

There's another on Sanchez, he's got a handful of his shirt. Literally what I just spoke of above :rolleyes:
Can forget about the first penalty now because Arsenal should've had two.

Edit: Bobby Madley is the ref, doesn't surprise me at all, this is the same nugget that sent Kyle Walker off for the phantom elbow.

---------- Post added at 20:49 ---------- Previous post was at 20:35 ----------

Arsenal defend really poorly at times, a better team would've taken advantage of these by now.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

It’s a bit like watching Liverpool defend, West Brom should be in front on clear chances.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

West Brom were luckless. The main focus still appears to be on their denied penalty shout, which is strange given the two Arsenal were denied in the same half. The decision levelled itself out. Monreal is denied a clear penalty, Sanchez is then denied one.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Here l am this morning agreeing with everything you say Jim.:nworthy:

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Here we go with the so called experts thinking they know more then the managers do.:td::(

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Erm, Den......swallow at 12.00 o’clock.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Be careful as they have a vicious bite if upset.:p:;)

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

And they come pairs,.....for now.

---------- Post added at 21:05 ---------- Previous post was at 20:15 ----------

I cannot believe how bad this CSKA side are, defensively appalling. Making United look far better than they are TBH.

Begs the question, how bad are Benfica?

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Don't moan as the real tests will come when you have to face one of the Galactico's.;):D

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Benfica where rated as second favourites for this group, 5-0 down to Basel and lost at home to CSKA.:confused:

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

You will be fine Carlos this afternoon.

http://www.skysports.com/football/ne...ter-psg-defeat



No you won't.:(:td:

http://www.skysports.com/football/ne...ter-psg-defeat

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

I thought CSKA where very poor last night but BATE are even worse.:rolleyes:

But at least Arsenal are defending as per usual. ;)

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

So you are against playing these smaller sides Jim?.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

After they beat Benfica away I was expecting more from CSKA as one of the top teams in Russia, United didn’t have as easy a game as last night throughout the Europa Cup last season.

---------- Post added at 20:30 ---------- Previous post was at 18:50 ----------

Kamikaze defending from both teams at Goodison.:shocked:

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round tomorrow, are we excited ? I am ! £7,500 at stake, which for my team is big money !

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

One always get excited by the little minnows Mr K.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Palace are a goal down and now have to commit men forward to prevent a 7th straight loss.

As I'm typing, the inevitable happens. This could be another long day for Palace.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Indeed it is and there are still 40 minutes to go.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Guess you were right Den, our number 9 is a waste of money. It took him 86 minutes to score his 11th goal in 10 games.:p:

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

The opposition will significantly improve Jim so perhaps then you can make a fair judgement.;):p:

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Draw and a replay. At least we're in the hat for the final qualifying round. It was a tense and nervy game with both sides desperate not to lose. The road to Wembley is still open ;) Please not penalties, my BP is dodgy enough....

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Agreed, having sleepless nights about the next big game on the 21st October.:D

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Non disclosure agreement in place but it's understood Newcastle United are subject to a takeover bid from Chinese investors, waiting for an agreement on price it appears with around £380 million expected.

I did mention it a few posts back but with the sudden offer of an extended contract for Benitez out of the blue it all starts to come together.

The Mike Ashley era is nearing it's end.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

l can see the Geordies now singing hallelujah , hallelujah.:)

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

l think Mr Koeman must be having sleepless nights given the way they splashed the cash in the summer.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Amanda Staveley at St James' Park as part of Qatari investment group aiming to takeover Newcastle United. It's believed it's a race between Chinese investors and Qatari investors, the latter are desperate to get a hold of a Premier League club.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Well according to you he did clear out some rubbish up front. :p:

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

One suspects if the player was refused a move he would have downed tools and strike would have followed. ;):p:

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Every day is Christmas Day for this Liverpool ‘defence’. :D

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

He was gonna miss that too. Just perfect.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Perhaps you and adzii should be our centre back pairing.;)

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

On a more annoying note, I am not getting email notifications again. :(

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

There must be a bug somewhere Jim.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

I heard it was called Liveritis. :angel:

A half decent set of forwards would have punished Liverpool today but Newcastle where pretty dire going forward. Mind you 17 attempts at goal but only 2 on target doesn’t say much for Liverpools attack either. :(

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

All nicey nicey that is for sure but without that sharp dagger to kill off the opposition..

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

I think I know the very player you need. ;)

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Alright l expect you to turn up tomorrow at 6 for your first training session trial and we will see if you measure up.;):p:

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Fair do’s...the player I had in mind was rather keen to get out of Liverpool anyway. :D

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Well if one can double their money and be double the trouble then that sounds like a good deal to me.;):D

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

I've said this before, it's still early days and we've not yet had a proper 'big' test yet so I'm not getting my hopes up at the moment about United being 'back' but it does feel like the fear factor of the SAF era is slowly returning. I won't complain about that :)

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Tickled me. :D

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-41473443

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Amanda Staveley holds takeover talks with Justin Barnes regarding the sale of Newcastle United. She's said to be looking at three clubs but has favoured Newcastle first. I can only assume in terms of what's already there and what can be built that the other two would surely be West Ham and Everton? West Ham makes complete sense and Everton to Liverpool are what City were to United beforehand.

She's not part of the NDA either, there's still two parties, Chinese and Middle Eastern in talks to buy the club.

Naturally if Amanda Staveley managed to acquire Newcastle they'd be backed by Middle Eastern money anyway. Again it's understood she's the buyer not the broker this time around and is being backed by multiple middle eastern investors to purchase a PL club asap. So keep an eye out for her at other grounds, give us some idea to which way the deal is going here.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

More info as it comes.

Staveley and co want the takeover completed by December so they can unload in January. It's now believed she's being backed by investors in UAE and the state of Qatar. Staveley will be setting up a meeting with Ashley. Arab News are plugging the deal as a 'if the price is right it's done'

In non takeover news, Newcastle lost their high court appeal over the HMRC case and the investigation can now continue. It's still expected to be a massive botch job though :erm:

So er, Robinho to Newcastle in January at the ripe age of 33? £60 million? Or maybe Kaka? How's he doing? Be a weird position to be in for a change and not always a good position as seen with City's first season with money behind them. Robinho, Jo, Nigel De Jong. Zabaleta and Kompany were absolute steals but anyone could've had the pair of them.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Greed, nothing else :mad:

They really didn't like Leicester winning the Prem did they?

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Thankfully l don't think it has a hope in hells chance of ever going through.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

It might do. From what I understand over half the teams would actually receive more revenue. The idea may be to benefit the massive clubs but the solution is for 35% of the cash to be allocated by league position leaving less for those who finish towards the bottom but more for those above.

I'm split. Part of the strength of the Premier League is that the teams further down are more competitive than their counterparts in other leagues. Spain has the two huge clubs, then a couple of big clubs but by the time you get half-way down it drops in quality considerably. This is in part because the lower clubs have greater income due to the Premier League model.

On the other hand 35% being spread out on performance isn't a massive injustice especially since the top clubs have a point that it's they who are the draw for international audiences.

This is how the domestic revenue is shared out, partly on performance, why should it be different for foreign revenue?

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

A truly awful performance from England, I didn't realise Kane was even on the pitch until he scored. :(

Scotland have it in their own hands now as well, can't keep Liverpool defenders past or present out of the limelight ATM. :D

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Well one will always want our national team to do well but one has to be in a state of delusion if they think we are going anywhere under Gareth Southgate and as for next years World Cup we have not got a hope in hells chance.

---------- Post added at 05:04 ---------- Previous post was at 05:02 ----------

Well your pink swallows seem to be generally in the headlines most days of the week Jim.;):p:

Your new avatar is very apt as well.:tu:

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Thanks Den, I get the swallow but TBH still haven't worked out why you insist on a pink one?

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

England are a work in progress according to Southgate. England have been a work in progress over the past 15 years and they've only declined as each manager appointed is worse than the last. Call me out of course but is there actually progress to be made? There's simply not enough games nor time to make 'progress' The Premier League is set up and plays out in such a way that it's one of the most tactically diverse leagues in the world and it reflects on the England team in which you're lucky to get pockets of players on the same page instead of an entire 11. I used to be cheerful and optimistic watching England but honestly that died off when Capello was essentially forced out of the job.

All Gareth Southgate can show is that there's very little interest in taking the England job. The persistence for an English or maybe British born manager only makes that pile ultra thin.

Said it before but England actually look worse without Rooney. For all the criticism he received through.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Andres Iniesta 'signs' a lifetime contract at Barcelona, a day after a ludicrous rumour that Newcastle were set to offer £36 million for him. Not very well thought through by the person who started it, £36 million for a 33 year old player? alright.

Expect cack like this to continue throughout the current Newcastle takeover situation. As I said above, Robinho and Kaka next.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Well it was a draw, and a replay that we won ! 4th and final Qualifying round awaits, and a very winnable home tie.

The Wembley road is open, one game away from a match against a league side, 3 games away from a potential Premiership side.

Well done Wales against Georgia aswell; 1958 when they were last in the World Cup Finals, it might just be possible again. (Thank god for S4C, who needs Sky ? Didn't know what they were saying, but they sounded very excited. Coverage of the last game against R. of Ireland on Monday aswell).

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Mo Diame and Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles involved in a training ground fight that resulted in Shelvey suffering fractured fingers attempting to break it up.

Given that Diame is worse than Sissoko, here's hoping that he's played his last game.

You can't condone it obviously but Jamaal is right, he is lazy, as above he's just as awful as Sissoko. If someone is willing to call him out on it and fight the argument until it comes to blows then it's fairly obvious which player is committed to the cause.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Anyone know if Australia v Syria is on TV anywhere this Tuesday? It's a bizarre fixture but its for a place in the World Cup finals. Would have thought it would be on somewhere given the hundreds of channels we've got.

Syria played their home leg in Malaysia, just aswell for the Aussies !

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

l doubt it will be on any main TV channel in the UK Mr K as the first leg was not but try this as its the only info l can find.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/45950...k-off-time-tv/

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Ok thanks Den. Not sure I can bring myself to use The Sun website.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Don't cut your nose off to spite your face Mr K.:)

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Looking at the goals that Sweden are racking up tonight will make it nigh on impossible for Holland to qualify, with Argentina also looking to be in trouble there will be some big guns missing in Russia.

ATM I reckon the Dutch would need to beat the Swedes in their last match at least 10-0 already.

Correction, make that at least 13-0 now.:shocked:

14-0, Luxembourg are poor but the Swedish finishing has been awesome.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Amanda Staveley is trying to buy Liverpool now apparently. I don't really have a 'solid' source besides Mirror garbage but It's thought the third club is Spurs.

Nevermind, the source is in fact The Mirror :erm: So what we actually know is there's 3 clubs, we know one is Newcastle, it's not impossible for the other two to be Liverpool and Spurs but they seem like really hard deals to pull off.

Newcastle being the cheapest to pull off. Liverpool is plausible but a difficult deal. Spurs is probably the hardest out of the bunch but actually is the most attractive of the three clubs. New stadium coming along. Great talent on the pitch, London location and have been competing for titles recently.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Sorry adzii but that report about Liverpool is total and utter codswallop..

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Another diabolical England performance.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Loved the English fans shouting “it’s just like watching Brazil “ :D

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

You must feel like that when you watch your beloved.;)

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Thankfully even under Moyes and LVG, United never played as poorly as the current England team. :(

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

And given you are someone of rare football intellect what would you suggest Jim?.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Them's the rules :D

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

This is different. This is back to near McClaren levels of 'quality'

Anyone that thinks they're going places is absolutely mad. Key players go missing in tournaments for England. This time, they're already missing before we've even started. I've been more excited watching Moussa Sissoko.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

I ended up switching it over when Rashford was subbed off, wish i hadn't bothered watching up until that point. Even Crystal Palace have put on better performances than that this season.

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

You will have to re write rule 1 Russ, need to remove the Dutch from the list.;)

---------- Post added at 21:16 ---------- Previous post was at 21:11 ----------

PS, Nice to see Arthur lurking, have missed his diatribes.:)

---------- Post added at 21:31 ---------- Previous post was at 21:16 ----------

Send this lot. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41545920

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

I think England have been pathetic really. At this rate, we wont even get out of the group.

All the players think they can do is turn up, get paid, play and go back to getting thousands per week. While, we word our socks off. Pay good money each week to watch or pay Sky, or BT to watch crap football.

Southgate, I think should consider his future if this is all he can do

Re: Season 2017/2018
 

Apparently Gordon Strachan's excuse for Scotland not qualifying for the World Cup is that his players are too short ! He can talk at 5' 6" !