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As the closest thing EoFF has to a Leicester fan, I just want it smurfing done xD I don't care when or how it happens. I've experienced a certain other team I support throwing away too many titles at the last hurdle. All the other fans I know IRL are the same, they don't care how it happens.
Ahem. :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
I think this season is the most active I've been on this thread, and it is all because of Leicester. :p
I think Psy has been supporting Leicester longer than anyone here by some distance, even if it's not his #1 club. I think most of us here (and in the footballing world) are Leicester fans, but a true supporter is the one who is pumped for the team when they're below their normal standards, not rocking them. xD I'd be surprised if anyone was a supporter of them last year outside of him.
But yeah, I'd have Psy as the closest we have to a true Leicester fan.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36183247 - :')
I was mostly joking, but I concede the point. But Leicester will definitely be on my radar though. Southampton has been as well, and Bournemouth.Quote:
Originally Posted by Loony BoB
EDIT: By the by, Mane is killing it for Southampton against Man City.
I'll see you at the parade I guess :p
Also yeah weirdly enough I was more of a fan when they were trout rather than this season. Steve Claridge 1996 is still the ultimate moment for me.
Just checked the score. Damn. Now I have to keep hoping. Over to you, Arsenal?Quote:
Originally Posted by Formalhaut
What exactly has been Man City's problem this season? They've really flagged in the past few games. They appear very beatable. Not to knock Southampton, they're a very good team, but Man City is a cash-guzzling behemoth.
Perhaps what we've learned this season is that you can't buy a League winning team.
You can buy a good one, though.
To be fair, backing up the stats posted earlier: Kompany wasn't playing.
The entire focus for us is on the Champion's League and has been for a while now. The line up for this game was nowhere near our strongest, because we've got probably our biggest game of the season thus far against Real Madrid on Wednesday and that is the only priority for us right now. This season has pretty much gone as you would have expected it to go for us considering we've got a bunch of pensioners for full backs, Yaya has gone right off the boil and they made the fantastic decision to announce Right Guardiola as our new manager halfway into the season which pretty much confirms for at least a few players that they're on their way out at the end of the season. Add that to the fact that our most important players have been regularly crippled over the course of the season and it's gone pretty well all things considered.
Except for the fact that we've won it twice in the last 5 years, Chelsea have bought 4 league titles and Man United have bought 13, sure. :wacky:Quote:
Perhaps what we've learned this season is that you can't buy a League winning team.
These days you can pretty much argue that every other club in the world "buys titles". Chelsea, PSG and City are just the clubs that had the most sudden changes regarding cash injections. Still, Real Madrid makes even those three look poor when it comes to their spending habits.
I mean, Leicester bought their players too, so...
Aye, it's all relative, really.
http://www.football365.com/news/van-...reporters-hair
Yup, that seals it: LVG is my smurfing favourite. Don't you dare get rid of him. Sex masochism you know xD
No arguing with sex masochism. :D
I totally linked that quote in this thread yesterday. xD I guess nobody clicked.
You know, I really do feel that game just underlined everything I pointed out when discussing reasons to keep LVG over taking Mourinho. We are really starting to shine and I feel it's going to be back to square one again if we change manager - and coaching staff - all over again.
Remind me how much Giggs, Beckham, Scholes, Butt and the two Nevilles cost us again? I forget.Quote:
Originally Posted by DK
Chelsea vs Spurs is on now. Ugh. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I want Chelsea to stymie Spurs.
And it's done. Football is truly the beautiful game. :)
...he said after watching half a dozen two footed desperate lunges from Spurs players.
Great stuff.
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Thank **** for that.
Even worse than if they'd won from United. Now the (maybe) only league championship they'll have won will have been celebrated with no fans present, and the team not even playing.
Hooray... *throws confetti*
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But my goodness, they've done it. I don't give a smurf if they received help from Chelsea, the success of Leicester winning the title began from the start of the season. Winning it in this way doesn't diminish what they've done. They and the fans can now enjoy the last two games as a victory lap.
But about the game: my God how brutal was it! Full of shoving, gouging, melee... I suppose it is a derby, but still.
Do you honestly think they'll care?Quote:
Originally Posted by Aerith's Knight
Hey...hey you guys...
Remember when Utd were good?? Do you remember??
It's OK, we'll buy Mahrez, King, Schmeichel and Vardy next year and we'll be back on top!Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubba
5000-1 to champions! That might be even more unbelievable than ANYTHING in the thread's initial poll!
Wow, wow, wow! Of course, the only thing that would make it better was if they just won the thing outright at home this weekend. Still, now the fans can all go and celebrate, regardless of outcome and just soak in the moment.
Well done to Leicester! The days of the "Big 4" could be once and truly over now and the league is all the better for it.
Take care all.
Nah
Liverpool will sign Vardy for £30M and he'll be a flop. Mahrez will go to Madrid, play 8 games then rot in the reserves for two years. Leicester will go back to obscurity. Congrats.
You know in my FIFA 16 Career as Portsmouth I won League 2 (yay!) and then immediately my board was like "OK our goal for the season is to win League 1".
I'm going to blame this on Leicester setting unrealistic expectations
Judging from the avalanche of party photos and videos my phone got bombarded with from a friend who lives in Leicester city centre, I can categorically state nobody minds at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aerith's Knight
I love football.
And yes, don't worry. I have indeed purchased a Joe Allen Liverpool shirt, which is currently in the post (though apparently these '100% genuine official Premier League' shirts from a bloke in Indonesia can take a while to arrive). I'm feeling dirty already :colbert:
Could be worse. At least a certain MOtD presenter will have to embarrass himself as well. I wonder how many dares and bets like this were made between people? Oh the stories!
https://vimeo.com/165083670 have a watch of this and tell us if it mattered! Excellent scenes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aerith's Knight
Don't be so sure. I think these guys will at least stay together one year to play in the Champions League. Plus, the EPL is about to give all their clubs crazy amounts of cash, so Leicester will be more than able to give their players raises.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubba
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...-title-7887077
Take care all.
As if there wasn't enough money in the BPL already. Ah well, as long as I can watch it, I'll be alright with it. Makes all the other competitions kind of trivial though. Except for 1 or 2 teams in the Bundesliga and La liga.
And Pep stuffs it in the semis once again. It's been a great week for football.
http://i.imgur.com/VshfmIO.webm
can't begin to tell you how hard i came to that. Love this little Europa adventure, even if we are now facing basically the team that smurfing owns the Europa league trophy full time.
I wasn't aware of who you were facing, but I love that based on this line, I was right on first guess.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
Indeed. Also nice to know that Liverpool were the one team to stop two all Spanish finals and the only non-Spanish team to beat one this season. I have a theory that because the Spanish TV money system is smurfing broken and skewed in favour of the two slimy troutwaffle clubs, the rest of them take Europe really seriously because it's the only way they can actually get any money.
Man, United is playing terrible. And that's no wonder, since Martial, Rashford and Blind are missing. Gods sake, did he take out ALL strikers of value?
Boring as smurf.
Jesus titty-smurfing Christ. Worst acceptance of a league title in the history of football.
Pfft, as if Man United could get Andrea Bocelli to show up!
He isn't fit to lace Russell Watson's boots.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
Which would almost be true if Russell Watson wasn't a poor man's Alfie Boe.
I wish I knew who the hell you guys are all talking about. Boe? Watson?
Anyway, I do want to ask, the celebrations were planned now. But what if the hotspurs had won? Would they still have planned for the win?
Yes. Spurs will likely have approached their local council about planning permission for a victory parade for example.
Don't be an ass, Psy. You are that for Steve far too often anyway. :bigsmile:
I meant that if the Spurs would've won last week, would the victory celebration still have been planned at Leicester?
I'm not, I just misunderstood your question. You mean would the Premier League trophy be presented today if they had won? No.
If it went down the last day of the season they would have multiple copies of the the trophy, one at the Spurs game and one at the Leicester game.
I know, I just wanted to make that joke. But no Andrea Bocelli then, I guess? Still would've been funny if Everton won by a landslide and then they have the ceremony. Awkward.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6jSFtbP8fQ
Fairly incredible.
No chance of that happening when you're playing Everton in their present state.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aerith's Knight
Feel a bit bad for Pellegrini.
City fans didn't. They all buggered off before the final whistle. :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by charliepanayi
They'll still get fourth place though. We're guaranteed to smurf it up in our final two games.
That's why I felt sorry for him!
Ahh, I see. Sorry!
It's pretty shocking from City fans though. Last home game of the season Utd fans always stay behind, even if we haven't won anything.
It has been determined that West Ham fans are still, indeed, West Ham fans.
West Ham chairman: "If you check the coach there won't be any damage to it."
http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experie...06c3ae0d61.jpg
xD You sure, Dave?
EDIT: Not optimistic about this game, though. West Ham will be desperate for a win in their last Upton Park game. The place is clearly rocking, and I think both home and away sides will feel it. Hopefully not so much the ref, but you never know.
Come on United, grow a pair. Villarreal smurfing loved it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOXt4DiT1j8 Well, the video suggests they loved it. Their performance seemed to suggest otherwise.
Also Boleyn Ground: Who cares? (apart from all 6 West Ham fans) It's not a particularly great or interesting ground and they're not a particularly great or interesting team. Maybe I'm just jaded because they've now got a superb modern stadium free of charge, funded by the taxpayer.
Those six West Ham fans are making a lot of noise. xD I predict someone will get injured or sent off in this game if the intensity keeps up. Surprised at the lack of yellows being given out with how many fouls are being made, often involving sliding or high speed tackles... certainly not looking good for us at the moment.
Glad West Ham could sign off from Upton Park with a cracking win. Proud that we played a part in it. I would have been embarrassed to qualify for the champions league with the awful season that we've had. City have plenty of faults but they are far more deserving of a top four place.
And we learn the lesson once again. Don't rest your bloody players when they're in a groove. Blind played terrible today (just like the other defenders, but for them it's normal), and I barely saw Rashford. Martial at least is doing what he's paid for.
Bad game for De Gea as well. But I agree with Bubba, Man. City is the right choice for the Champions league, if you talk about representing England.
Well that was depressing.
Totally disagree about wanting City in it instead! Screw that, I want to see my team play against Europe's best. And screw being glad to be part of a nice day for West Ham, that's loser talk! I wanted to upset their party and smash them. Especially after what happened with the team bus.
That said, we were pretty bad and they deserved the win.
All the relegation is done and dusted - boring!
I guess we can laugh at Newcastle anyway.
I'll laugh at Mike Ashley sure, I feel bad for the fans though. Norwich and their fans can get to smurf!
Also laughing at this:
https://twitter.com/TheAnfieldChat/s...91499864043520
Oh I think I know who is responsible for this abomination. Is it a coincidence that two football thread regulars have Stormtrooper avatars? I think not.
Never said I wanted them in, they just deserve it more than us. Play more attacking football, clearly better in Europe. Our current squad would be embarrassed in the champions league next season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crop
A mixed bag. League table totally wrong. Maybe the Arse can come third and United will come fourth to save me some face. At least I got Aston Villa and Everton being trout right although I got Villa staying up wrong. I was right about Payet and Mitrovic. And Firmino. After a slow adjustment period I've seen enough to say he's at least better than Coutinho. Aguero would be top scorer but for the fact that he is made out of Daniel Sturridges.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
You astutely made sure not to mention Leicester at your start of season predictions.Quote:
Originally Posted by PsychoticA mixed bag. League table totally wrong. Maybe the Arse can come third and United will come fourth to save me some face. At least I got Aston Villa and Everton being trout right although I got Villa staying up wrong. I was right about Payet and Mitrovic. And Firmino. After a slow adjustment period I've seen enough to say he's at least better than Coutinho. Aguero would be top scorer but for the fact that he is made out of Daniel Sturridges.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
But not bad, really. You definitely called Everton imploding. Seriously, what has been up with their season?
Well, I did say this about Leicester. :shobon: I think we can safely say I was right about them finishing above Swansea, and after Garry Monk got fired and Ranieri is going to be manager of the year we can say my bitch slap was a metaphor.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
Kinda like we were this season.Quote:
Originally Posted by BubbaNever said I wanted them in, they just deserve it more than us. Play more attacking football, clearly better in Europe. Our current squad would be embarrassed in the champions league next season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crop
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As we say in s. Wales, "duneeeewwwwww"
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Originally Posted by Old Manus
"I'm so sorry Jonjo, my life is abject misery without you in it, I forgive you unconditionally. Please come home. Sheeps and Daffodils, James M. Hornby."
I watched a lot of Shelvey at Liverpool and the guy is briefly impressive in small flashes but his overall game is Championship tier.
I wouldn't say Championship tier. His occasional brilliance is frequent enough to make him worthy of a berth in a PL team, it's just when he's not being brilliant he is rubbish. He's better now than he was at Liverpool. Definitely not the kind of player with the nuts for a relegation fight, though, and that's why he hasn't lit anything up at Newcastle. I'd take him back if he wasn't such a cock about leaving the Swans. Can see somewhere like West Brom taking a punt on him in the summer. Classic Swansea curse in action again.
It is also true that I sign off all letters and emails with 'sheeps and daffodils'.
What does the M stand for? Morfydd?
I said it when he signed for Swansea and I'll say it again, he can easily become a solid Kevin Nolan level Premier League player with a good 15 year career in the top flight if he wants. But he strikes me as having a problem many young English footballers have of having lots of talent but the wrong attitude. See Morrison, Ravel. Or even Wilshere and Sterling and their love of smoking/hippy crack respectively.
Meredydd (sometimes Meirion)
Still got it :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
We barely surged this time round! Spurs just totally s**t the bed, looks like they picked that up from us. I mean how easy do they want us to make it for them?
Finishing second despite being awful for half the season, hang your heads in shame everyone bar Leicester.
With the season now over (barring United v Bournemouth rematch) let's have a look at the poll options.
Sterling plays less than 10 games for City and promptly moves to Stoke for £9m
He's actually played 42 games for City and after a bright start has now found himself on the bench. However, no matter how bad he gets he isn't going to be sold as City desperately need English players to fulfill the homegrown quota. A reminder that Richard Wright - yes, that Richard Wright - is still on their books as a first team squad member for exactly this reason. He has yet to make an appearance in four years, even in the League Cup. Must be great work if you can get it.
Benteke has a decent season for Liverpool, issues come get me plea to Real or Barca
Benteke had a god awful season for Liverpool, issued a staying and fighting for my place statement, West Brom and West Ham both rumoured to be interested.
Rooney refuses to play until he's given a new £400,000 p/w contract
Rooney has barely played at all with injury. Rumours are that Chinese clubs will offer him this level of money and it'd probably be good for both United and Rooney if he took them up on that offer. And can you imagine his bright red face huffing and puffing in the heat?
Wenger buys 5 French 14 year olds, Arsenal fail to compete, Board refuses to do anything
Yep.
Big Andy stays crippled most of the season, appearing only for his traditional butchering of Swansea
He did indeed stay crippled and apparently felt kind to Swansea and let them off this year. However, the closest thing to Swansea in terms of play style is Arsenal and Big Andy went to war on Arsene's boys, getting a hat trick.
Chelsea player racially abuses opposition, is not charged due to being an ENGLISH LIONHEART!!
Almost. A player who played for the champions who wear blue racially abused a man in a casino and nobody cares because he's an ENGLISH LIONHEART and did you know 5 years ago he was playing in the CONFERENCE?! You probably didn't, it's not like it's ever mentioned or anything. JT for his sins was due to miss his last Chelsea games after being hilariously sent off but has now been offered a new contract.
Steve tries to convince us he's a spurs fan by predicting Tactics Tim takes Spurs back into the EDL.
True story time. Myself and DK were playing the majestic Rocket League with Steve and he is excited that Spurs may win the title. "Who do you reckon Spurs' best player has been this year Steve?" I ask, because while Kane and Alli get the plaudits I am firmly on Team Alderweireld and wonder what a real Spurs fan has to say.
An awkward silence occurs as Steve is unable to name a single Spurs player, let alone pick out who has been the best this season. After much goading we eventually say "surely you know Harry Kane" and he says "yes of course I knew him all along I was just trolling you." And there you have it. For me, Clive, this is the winning poll option.
The worst thing about that list is that I don't get to play with you guys. :cry:
And whose fault is that?
Off out to the Leicester parade in a couple of hours. I'll pass on EoFF's regards.
Will they let you back in Liverpool if you go there?
Liverwho? He's already got his KP Stadium season ticket ready for the autumn.
Do we like heartwarming stories? Of course we like heartwarming stories.
Manchester United fan from Sierra Leone has dream trip ruined … and then improved
From the Guardian. My favourite bit about this incident is how some Manchester United fans were drawing comparisons about it towards their season in general. Gave me a chuckle.
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I am in this picture, see if you can spot me.You'll be pleased to know I refused to cheer Nathan Dyer when he was presented to the crowd out of spite to you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Manus
A really wonderful and happy day for the whole city, football is incredible.
In other news, I recently received a package...
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It's arrived...
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I can feel my voice cracking into a Mersey cadence already.
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Would you believe it, I think this cheap South East Asian knockoff might actually be kosher. It has a reflective New Balance seal sticker on it and everything.
Attachment 68085
I don't have a frame big enough to fit the entire shirt so squeezing it in to a medium sized one will have to do. Joe Allen takes pride of place amongst my holiday canvas prints in the lounge. Apologies for the shaky camera work. I was being physically repelled from what was taking place.
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Bollocks to the lot of you.
Easy, look for someone inside the mass surrounded by empty space, as people edge away from him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
Of course, this is a liverpool rally. There might be more such spots.
Legendary post.
Also yeah it looks legit to me.
Also also if you want rid of the thing I'm happy to PayPal you what you paid and postage costs and you can send it my way if you want!
I've got a lot of respect for that kind of integrity, Manus.
Great way to end the BPL. Own goal by Smalling. :facepalm:
You could actually see De Gea smack his head against the pole.
John Terry decides to stick around for another year. The season gets even worse!
Don't go doing anything out of guilt, Psybeans, I still have the tags on it and it won't be too difficult to offload... Though if you do genuinely want to buy a Joe Allen shirt you are more than welcome.
I've also had a brief look at page 1 and given the season we've had there are some absolute pearlers in terms of pre-season predictions that went begging spectacularly. This shall be a fun read.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/wp-cont...o-be-upset.png
Even this isn't helping me tonight.
...am I really taking trout from a Man Utd fan about A) losing in the Europa and B) not qualifying for the Champions League?
'cause
uh
Someone seems to have forgotten how badly they got put in their place.
Yeah, I tried to delete the second picture as it's just as painful for us. Then it thumb-nailed so I was gonna delete the post but then realised you'd still be able to see it.
I then just left it. Your response is justified.
In that case, let's hug and weep.
Nah, let's just reflect on the fact that your 3-1 aggregate win in the Europa League was meaningless. However, our 4-1 aggregate win in the league resulted in a six point difference securing us fifth place and automatic entry into the donkey league of Europe and... and...Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
...yeah, let's just hug and weep.
Mate, Europa isn't even donkey league. It's really fun if you give it a try, I promise. But then maybe don't give it a try because Sevilla will just win it anyway!
I just don't like Spanish teams in general. I would weep and hug for Liverpool, but they played like slightly damp doormats in the second half and deserved to lose.
Yep, absolutely wilted. I want to be angry at the ref for the handballs and Sevilla for the usual Spanish-team-in-Europe timewasting and diving antics but even without that trout I can't say we put in enough of an effort to deserve to have gotten anything out of that game.
Sevilla seem pretty good at this Europa League stuff.
Meanwhile over here, AFC Wimbledon (formed 14 years ago) are one game away from making it to League One, which would be a great achievement. And it would mean them playing MK Dons next season, which I'm sure they'd enjoy.
Well, they're in the CL now, not Europa. But then they'll probably get third in their group, and rejoin Europa.
EDIT: According to Wikipedia, this is the first time since 1997 that a previous winner of the Europa League / UEFA Cup has got to the final and lost (obviously it would have happened regardless of who won).
Yeah, two out of those three handballs I reckon were definite penalties. Shame for you guys the ref was weak. I do agree with him overruling the linesman for their third goal though. Clearly came off the defender. I'm sure I'll get into the Europa League next season it's just I'M NOT USED TO US BEING CRAP.
I was more annoyed by all the time-wasting. But that's just my despise of spanish football. Ref gave out two yellow cards, should've been like 5.
Brendan Rogers heads to Celtic.
Bloody Palace, unable to hold on to a lead.
And Mourinho at Man Utd? Ugh, ugh and ugh again.
It's nice winning trophies. Wouldn't you agree... any club that won a trophy this year?
That'll end well, I'm sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by charliepanayi
See you in the Charity Shield final. :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Bubba
United's next three league finishes are now confirmed with the arrival of Jose: 4th, 1st, 10th. RIP the career of Marcus Rashford. Also I'm preparing myself to fall out of love with Zlatan now.
Really concerned with the appointment of Mourinho. Many see him as instant success, I see him as someone who performed incredibly worse than LVG this season, lost the plot regarding his staff and is infamous with disregarding youth. If he can get results, treat people respectfully, take responsibility for losses instead of blaming medical staff of all people and continue to play the likes of Lingard and Rashford, then I'll naturally consider my concern gone.
Also, so much lack of class by whoever leaked the story. Totally disrespectful.
Ugh my head hurts.
Worth it though FA cup champs, great game, couldn't handle the tension at times. As per my tradition since I hate the transfer window with a passion, I'll worry about my club and the manager situation next season. For now it's all soaking in the win and of course about the Euros!
And so, Manchester United's journey to transform entirely into everything about football they spent the last 20 years chastising is complete.
We're still promoting youth, though!
...please, Mourinho, please, if you're manager, don't screw that up too. :(
EDIT: SAF declares Clattenburg worst referee in the history of the game, Pardew claims suspicious envelope.
That's it, he's gone!
?
"English media said.."
"Reports by english media announced.."
"English media expects the news to come from the club in two days..."
Seriously? Repeat something often enough and it becomes true? I mean, sure, it'd be no surprise. But at least wait for the actual announcement.
Ah crap, Hull are back.
And that CL final ended in the worst way possible, curse you Atletico!
At least AFC Wimbledon went up, into the third tier 14 years after being formed, great achievement. And Millwall didn't go up.
Stick a fork in this season thread, it's done! Thank god for that.
So, it's that time again...
OFFICIAL EOFF PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON 2015-16 MOMENTS OF THE SEASON, brought to you by this reminder that EFL wasn't just a bad dream
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Originally Posted by Worst prediction of the season (Old Manus, 5 Aug)
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Originally Posted by Easiest prediction of the season (Psychotic, 5 Aug and 24 days before Mitrovic received his first red card of the season)
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Originally Posted by Biggest testament to the sheer reach of JimmyXBroady's grip on world sport (Psychotic, 6 Aug)
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Originally Posted by Already yearning for the days when his team was winning things (DK, 10 Aug)
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Originally Posted by Longest bedtime reading list (Crop, 25 Aug)
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Originally Posted by Not realising that all they needed was one man from Swansea and they can win the league (Psychotic, 1 Sep)
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Originally Posted by Most semantically suspect metaphor (Formalhaut, 14 Sep)
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Originally Posted by Biggest surprise of the season, far eclipsing even Leicester's shenanigans (Psychotic, 23 Sep)
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Originally Posted by The Robbie Savage award for thinking he's sticking his neck out but actually isn't (Bubba, 26 Sep)
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Originally Posted by Most initially surprising but on further thought maybe not so much post (Formalhaut, 10 Aug)Oh gosh I actually attended that event. It was... okay? Fairly standard 'born again' affair. Seemed like a nice enough guy. The curry was great.Quote:
Originally Posted by DK
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Originally Posted by Most naive hope (The Captain, 10 Sep)
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Originally Posted by Proof that Mr. Mansour reads the football thread (DK, 17 Dec)
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Originally Posted by Again and again, BoB! Will you ever learn? (Loony BoB, 19 Jan)
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Originally Posted by ...Uh...(Bubba, 24 Jan)
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Originally Posted by Image of the Season
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Originally Posted by gif of the season
Also seeing as a fair few of us were sad enough to construct final league standings predictions, I have come up with a crude and ineffective way of ranking them by simply totting up the +/- final positions and seeing what comes out (a score of 0 would therefore be a perfect score).
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Originally Posted by Old Manus
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Originally Posted by Bubba
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Thank you gentlemen and it's been emotional.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Captain
I'm getting all misty eyed. I'm impressed I managed to get a few mentions in your awards, Manus. And don't forget it was I who broke the EPL logo story! Ugh, what a crap logo.
Thanks Manus for the round-up!
The off season is when I catch up on sleep.
Can't wait for next season. Then I'll make MY predictions. Which will be godlike.
Football season may be over but silly season has just begun. Gundogan, eh? I fancied him joining United a couple of years ago but since he has had all those injuries I've kinda gone off him. I'm sure because he has joined a non-United side that he will do very well. x( Doubt he'll be better than Yaya Toure though.
Better than 2015/16 Yaya Toure and that's what counts.
8 goals in 42 games for Yaya this season, while Gundogan has 3 in 40. I know the latter is far more defensive than Yaya (although Yaya, with the right motivation, is still probably excellent defensively), but I'm not sold on Yaya being a player that has suddenly become bad, even if he might have had a below par season by his standards. Now, value for wage money, that's a whole different beast!
I get the feeling Yaya just needs more personal motivation than he has been getting recently, and I question whether he'd be useful under Pep after their Barcelona relationship.
EDIT: Fun fact regarding leagues with European Cup / Champions League winning managers...
La Liga (Spain)
Zidane
Enrique
Championship (England)
Di Matteo
Benitez
Premier League (England)
Guardiola
Mourinho
A Group (Bulgaria)
Petrović
None for Italy, France, Germany or any other nation... although 70 year old Artur Jorge, who won the 1987 cup with Porto, might still be active at Algerian side MC Alger (not 100% sure if he has retired again), but he's not the manager as far as I can tell.
Hiddink, Van Gaal, Rijkaard and Ancelotti are all available winning managers as far as I'm aware.
You have to take into account that Yaya is a massive, physical tank of a player who just turned 33 years old. He's definitely already on the downswing physically, and he can't be expected to be a top level player anymore. Not that Gundogan is who I would ideally choose to replace him (not that I'm upset about it, mind), but he definitely needs to be replaced. Particularly with Plep coming in.
Glad to see we're getting into the market early again this season tho. Hope we can get stuff wrapped up nice and quick.
Oh god, we're after Vardy.
Was reading this interesting article:
The lost art of defending: how style has replaced solidity in England’s DNA
What do you think of defenders? Is it a 'sexy' position for youngsters/fans/pundits, and has defending become less about... well, defending?
More total football show-offs, less defending. When Rooney becomes one of the important defenders in your team, something has gone terribly wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by Formalhaut
Football has always been about the glamour and glory players, though. I'd say in England though the days of players like Stuart Pearce, Tony Adams and Sol Campbell are over as you're not allowed to tackle any more. Close ball skills and distribution are more valued in a modern centre half than being able to munch their striker and clear the ball up field. I'd also say it's better that way, and the FA coaching manual philosophy has for far too long been written by old men with 1970s stone-age route one hoofball aspirations. England have only just learned how to pass the ball, while the rest of Europe has been at it for decades now.
I mean reading that article sums it up. I don't know who the guy is but he's got it totally arse backwards. "The mentality has changed. Technical possession is the focus." "“There is a more technical emphasis. Defenders are expected to come out with the ball, to ask themselves: ‘What can I do with the ball?’". Then what exactly is this 'youth coach' teaching kids to do? It's not 1996 any more.
https://static-secure.guim.co.uk/sys...nounce-007.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by Old Manus
That's Paul Scholes in a Manchester United shirt. The England version wasn't very good. Not that he was alone in this, mind you. Indeed, the only footballers in history to be better for England than for their clubs are Peter Crouch, Darius Vassell and Andros Townsend. Danny Welbeck is in with a shout too.
The Whale was the best player on the pitch every time he pulled on the Three Lions, make no mistake.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychotic
Always seem to recall Owen Hargreaves being more of a tank for England than he was for his clubs as well, may be mistaken tho
I'm sure there'll be a thread for the new season after the Euros, but the fixtures are out now. Arsenal v Liverpool on the opening weekend, oh dear...
Aww man... our last three games of the season include away trips to Arsenal and Tottenham.
Not that we'll be challenging for anything at that point.
Normally we'd start the new thread now but with Euros still on, idk, maybe wait until they're done first.