Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Hmm, I'll bet Russ is over the moon about this. The Donkey to return :D

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Indeed you are quite right that as there is no coq au vin or beef bourguignon for us this season :Yes: but the way it is going it seems your beloved will be dining on iffits soon enough as its quite clear the present menu list is becoming increasingly unpalatable even for the diehards of the theatre of dreams or shall l say the theatre of nightmares.:Yikes::eeek::redcard:

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

This will cheer you up Jim on those cold winter nights watching your beloved red devils.:D:D

http://www.skysports.com/football/ne...mier-predictor

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

More bad news for utd, the badge has gotta go :Yikes:

http://southendnewsnetwork.com/news/...otes-satanism/

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

^^^^:D:angel:

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Oh dear what is happening to the blue side of Merseyside.:D:D

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Chelsea making a statement. Eden Hazard is back. Those stats are ridiculous, there was no game here, this is a lopsided demolition. Everton are yet to strike the ball... When Hazard is firing on all cylinders he's the best player in the Premier League by a mile.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Conte was certainly one of the good managerial appointments during the pre season.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

They've looked just as awful at times, I don't think Conte deserves all of it, it's been a case of the players picking themselves up and an argument of no European football. Something which Mourinho is once again struggling to cope with.

Teams in Spain/Germany/Italy/France can all cope with it but it seems to be coming a struggle for teams in England a lot more now. It shouldn't but I think it's just down to this league being more competitive than any of the others. Barcelona can play midweek then easily shift 8 players around and still do a number over some minnow at the weekend. We might have had that same luxury at one point but even the bottom half of the Premier League are finding themselves with far bigger spending power than many of the top half teams of those other leagues. Just look at how much Newcastle can afford to spend in the Championship. One of the biggest wage bills in England undoubtedly nevermind the Championship alone. Speaking of which, we stay rooted top as we cruise to our 7th win in a row. #TheChampionshipIsHard

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Sorry but Chelsea were a utter shambles last season and what Conte has done is that he has got them playing as a cohesive unit again which takes some doing after the disasters of last season.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Mike Ashley gives Newcastle United the go ahead to foot the bill of operating the Metro service on boxing day. Combined with the ever lowering ticket prices and changes to season tickets alongside his profit model. Newcastle are moving away from being half French and moving towards a German style running of the club. Theres now suggestion Newcastle will look for a deal with the local transport outlets on making travel free for those that produce a matchday ticket next year.

A year ago I was contemplating the end of this club.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

A half decent performance from England last night, just a pity they decided to do a mannequin challenge twice in the last six minutes.:rolleyes:

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

LOL

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Well surely Southgate can't be as bad as what came before him in the England managerial musical chairs.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Sure he can, it's English rules, the next is worse than the last.

Who am I kidding though, it's just a vicious cycle

New Manager > Wins loads of friendlies > dominates qualifying group > flops in tournament > New Manager > Wins loads of friendlies > dominates qualifying group > Flops in tournament.

Also note the manager prestige gets slightly worse each time. From Sven and Capello to Hodgson to Allardyce to Southgate. :erm:

Next manager might just be your local bin man.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Or perhaps you or our wise sage Jim.;)

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Anyone that had the balls to tell the team how rubbish they actually are and how minuscule they really are now to the elites would get my vote. I honestly believe the England team still believe they're gods, up there with the Germans and co when it comes to major tournaments. Yet we've just been shown up by Wales...

Not taking a dig at Wales there for a great achievement.

I support a team that was in denial for a good 10 years since losing out on a Premier League title. The club is quickly becoming something else, something positive, something that's gotten fans to accept their place but also dream of what can come next. If only that could be applied to England. Put them in their place, get all the fans on the same level regarding expectations, get a great manager and go from there.

We're also producing nothing close to the talent other nations are either, that's a serious problem.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

The manager isn't the problem (why do we always assume it is?). The Premier League is and the stupid amount we pay to watch foreign players/teams that have nothing to do with us at all. England will never win the World Cup again, or come anywhere close. Still smarting from 1990, we really could have won it then. Wales is our best hope, yaccy da etc.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Shocking.

---------- Post added at 14:18 ---------- Previous post was at 14:02 ----------

:woot:

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

As usual Man Utd's porous defence lets them down.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Arsenal were very poor, only one shot on target the whole game. A very undeserved point. Looked like a clear penalty in first half, I was right behind it.Still it means Arsenal have now won only one league game in 13 v United.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

The question is will Jose still be there at the end of the season if CL qualification is not forthcoming Jim?.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

LOL poor but not undeserved of a point. Valencia hit out at Nachoman just before his arm came out. I don't think there was enough in it to call it. The records pathetic!

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Why wouldn't he be ?

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Man Utd seem to have been trigger happy regarding the P45's these past few seasons they have been handing out as first it was Moyes then it was LVG and by all accounts there is increasing discontentedness in the dressing room by all accounts by his criticism of certain players in public as SAF would have criticised his players but he would have done it privately and add to that poor results and one can only see the pressure building on the great man.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

In my opinion Moyes was never the right man for the job and Van Gaals style of football sent people to sleep. Jose Mourinho will be given time , the luck will change United were easily the best side today but couldn't quite get the result the effort deserved.

As for discontent in the dressing room I wouldn't believe everything you read in the press.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Porous????

They have been playing with a makeshift back four for weeks due to injuries and have conceded 14 goals in the league, funnily enough Liverpool must also have a porous defence. :p:

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

l have never denied repeated failings regarding our poor defence Jim.;)

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Going to have to be careful tonight, just seen pictures of around 6,000 Feyenoord fans who have been drinking for several hours in Manchester city centre.

The police are going to close Deansgate and march them to the ground.

The big problem is that only 3,000 have got tickets and their fans do have a seriously bad reputation for violence. :(

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Just be careful Jim and watch yourself.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Safely on the tram home. Massive police presence, well marshalled. Good performance, glad see Henri Mick having a good game. 😎

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Yes a nice performance and to get home safely is all you want and it was nice to see the talented Henri Mick play for once as well.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Nice to see Man Utd have started off in their usual form again.:D

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Getting monotonous now, 4th home league game on the bounce when the opposition keeper is MOM. Not seen Randolph before but he made some outstanding saves. 68% possession, 17 shots, 8 on target, someone at OT must have run over a black cat. ;)

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

or perhaps they're just crap? and like the manager about as much as the fans do?

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Just back to my hotel from the Emirates

That's a very nice stadium, padded seats!! Luxury.

I see the semi final draw maintains the usual " keep the so called "big sides" apart" theme....

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Well a Hull v Saints final would have the advertisers queuing round the block for sure. :D

Still surprised to see Arsenal put out such a weak side for a quarter final?

The recent torrent of shots on target at Old Trafford finally broke the dam tonight.

Henri Mick was my MOM. :)

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Good luck for the Semi's Julian and may the best team win.:)

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

A Freudian slip there perhaps :D

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

l think it is too early in the morning for that TD.;)

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Nothing surprising this happens year in year out Wengers not that interested and probably sees it at a hindrance in the league. A top 4 finish is more important than the league cup.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Glad to see Forest and Newcastle fans alike agreeing they just witnessed one of the most horrible displays of refereeing they'd ever seen.

I've never been gobsmacked by such a lopsided refereeing display since Chelsea were robbed by Barca.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Yes there were certainly some poor decisions adzii.:td:

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

A few commentators asked that until they realised Southampton had also made changes from their previous starting 11.;)

Strength in depth huh? :)

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Perhaps I should have said such a weak display. :D

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Well you must be happy with the weak display of your bigger City neighbours this dinnertime.:)

---------- Post added at 14:26 ---------- Previous post was at 14:24 ----------

Utterly shocking behaviour here as it has all kicked off with 2 Man City players being sent off.:td:

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

That challenge from Aguero...hopefully people will start to realise how dirty a player he is. Far worse than Costa imo but because the media love him it barely gets mentioned

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Absolutely disgusting challenge from Aguero, Chelski much the better side in second half.

Aguero entirely to blame for the fracas.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Yes there are simply no excuses and l hope the FA throw the book at him.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Not the first time Aguero has done something like that to Luiz either https://streamable.com/3pm3

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Hopefully the FA will give him a substantial punishment.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Deserves more than his mandatory four game ban for that. Another great example of such loyalty to your team by getting yourself sent off in the 96th minute... completely intentional too. Hope he remembered to seal it with a two finger salute to the fans. :erm:

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Oh dear Julian's team is not having a nice time this afternoon.:D

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Sadly West Ham seem to be struggling at their new stadium since they have moved there.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

:woot:

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Yep Den dire display gifting three points to a very poor palace side.

Sooner some side takes fonte the better.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

That Aguero assault gets worse every time you see it. Pointless claiming its a challenge because it isn't. Its horrific in every way possible and anyone that has every intention of doing that should be suspended for way more than 4 games. You see the intent on his face too, going to be an interesting Monday for Man City.

Should be no different than a similar length ban for biting or spitting as we've seen before. 8-10 games even. I mean he just tried to break someone's leg and thankfully a few factors prevented it. Undefendable.

Pep too. Aguero isn't to blame for the following fracas... Er logic dictates if he doesn't try to cut Luiz in half then the fracas doesn't happen, solid logic there Pep. Annoys me when managers sugar coat their players.

Fernandinho also, using the bite logic above.. He grabbed Fabregas by the throat.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Yes l really fancied that the Saints would at least get something from that game so it was a pretty disappointing performance from the Southampton side.

l hear Fonte is being watched by the club that Sir Alex built and the club that is now sadly only a shadow of what it once was which of course rings true for several other clubs as well.;)

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Did someone mention a porous defence.:D

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Well being a wise old sage l think not l did mention our poor defence in several posts before.:td::(

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Anyone else stay awake long enough to see Ibra's goal? :(

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

:Yes:

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

That just about sums it up, a dire match ended by a really dire player, the sooner Fellaini and Rojo are shipped out the better.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

It seem you are just as disgruntled as l am Jim.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

I have gone on record many times regarding Fellaini, I can forgive David Moyes for most things but saddling us with that jackass is not one of them. I have also said that both Rojo and Blind are neither centre backs or fullbacks but at least Blind can read the game and pass the ball well. Rojo should have been sent off in the first few minutes, thank god Eric Bailley is back in contention.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

:LOL:

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Aguero escapes with a four game ban. Wonder if Costa or Suarez would get a standard ban for that.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Pretty lenient IMO as he should have got double that.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Agreed. It wasn't just the challenge. It was the complete intent which then made it plain assault rather than an attempted tackle. He had ever intention of doing what he did when Luiz came in. He tried to injure another player which should warrant more than the mandatory ban.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

The novelty wears off for Leicester. Back down to earth they come crashing.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

tbf they made 10 changes from their usual side for a game they gad no interest in.
UEFA need to do something to stop that as it was totally unfair on Copenhagen.

That moron dele ali is in severe danger of wrecking a promising career by being a complete asshole yet again. Deliberately kicking the ball over the goalkeepers head after play had been stopped for his feigned injury. :rolleyes::td:

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

The odds must be shortening by the day on whether they can keep themselves in the Premiership as once you get stuck in the relegation quagmire it extremely hard to get out of it as we all know.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

There's multiple factors, call me scrooge but last year was a fluke, it was a combination of them having a relatively good season but those you'd expect to win the title had awful seasons.

What happens then? pre-season, you're still Leicester City and you still don't have the financial means of fielding two strong sides (5-0 Porto) and you've fielded your strongest side in the other 5 UCL games but then suffered for that in the league. Even the biggest teams suffer from the same issue so you can imagine City are struggling more than them.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Nice to see a ex player score against Arsenal.:D

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

? When did he play for Arsenal?

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

A ex Liverpool player Jim.:)

Good grief Man City seem to be doing a Man Utd or Liverpool here.:D

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

The stats are even more ridiculous.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

No, really. :P

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

The constant criticism by ex footballers of their former clubs.:(:td:

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Well not quite the dominance achieved against Stoke, Burnley, Arsenal and West Ham but a well deserved three points at Old Trafford today. Spurs offered very
little TBH. Hope Henry Mick isn't too badly injured, just starting to play really well. :(

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Yes Micky was the best player on the park but l think he will be out for a few weeks at least Jim.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Latest report, he is likely to miss next two games, not as bad as first feared.:)

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Spurs are not good enough to compete with the big boys still. And why Poch took of Son off is beyond me kept Kane on.

Kane was poor today. And the one thing that really annoyed me, was the constant whistle blowing an the diving of the Manu Utd players, looking for a free kick or a penalty.

I think personally that if Real Madrid is after Poch. Then Levy let him go if he doesn't kick the players up the rear.

I am a lifelong Spurs fan, and we have always been second best to Arsenal. I think that will happen again this year

We need a Manager like Mourinho, who was constantly ranting at his players - what was Poch doing. Nothing but pointing his fingers about.

Playing against United you need to play 100%

spur's put on second rate rate

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Mind the gap Arthur

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Well its 4 out of the top 6 for the Champions league spots Arthur and l fear your team and my team might be the odd ones out come the end of the season Arthur.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Isn't this typical of Spurs though? A relatively good season followed by a drab one, sack the manager, have another good season then fall apart again and sack the next manager. :erm:

Don't be silly and read articles properly :D. What would a team 6 points clear at the top, Champions League winners and 35 games unbeaten want with a Spurs manager? Answer: They wouldn't. It's the other Madrid... Atletico

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Arsenal get Bayern again.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

So much for finishing top of the group.:rolleyes:

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

The joy yay!

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Yeah they should've come second and got....

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Pep's new rules for Association Football. It will now be called touch or tap football. There will be no tackles allowed, you must touch or tap the opposition player who will then give you the ball. :D

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

You never know our beloved teams might be able to win something then.;)

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Well there was plenty of tackling at Goodison last night.:D

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Yes it was certainly interesting.:)

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

About right...

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38353762

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

:D

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Great picture of Lingard recoiling in fear in the Telegraph, Zlatan just practising for his later assault on Dawson, both him and Brunt should have walked for those dangerous challenges. Good result all the same.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Yes sadly the officials must have been looking the other way again as yes both of them should have walked.

Re: Football Season 2016/2017
 

Not looking good for Wenger's lazy rangers here.:D