So who do we want as the new boss,do we really want Mick McCarthy again ?
In other news Roy Keane Released Back Into Wild
http://waterfordwhispersnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/shutterstock_1189028452.jpg (http://waterfordwhispersnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/shutterstock_1189028452.jpg)
I think McCarthy is about the best of what is on offer. I don't think Kenny is the man, having zero big-game experience (unless you count a Europa League first qualifying round double header vs the 4th placed team from the liechtenstein league) and god help us all if Allardyce gets a go at it.
Hopefully whoever it is won't take the "We're not good enough to actually play soccer" view of things again and actually get fans excited again because I know myself it has been more of a sentence than anything watching them the last while.
This article in the Irish Independent quoting Niall Quinn talks a lot of sense in my opinion https://goo.gl/DXv7Kn (https://goo.gl/DXv7Kn)
The structure of Irish football is not even broken, its non existent.
I've been to a good few Cork City games over the last few years, the standard is pretty low compared to what gets pumped into every pub with Premier League and Champions League. For an island our size what more should we expect perhaps? Probably a bit more than can be seen from a cold stand in the autumn around the country.
The model has been and probably in John Delaney's mind will always be, export them to English clubs, let them turn them into functioning pro's and then bring them back here to play for the national team. Why try to make a functioning model in Irish football when you can piggyback and get a few scraps from the functioning English football pyramid
I'd say give the job to Stephen Kenny and support him if they do. Give him time and resources to attempt to make it work.
Mick McCarthy's been there, done that, he's a fine coach that is under appreciated got what he's done with lower level teams in England. But in a way he is the past, not the future.
I doubt we would have qualified for Euro 2020 with O'Neill at the helm. Maybe its time for some hard reality and accept maybe it won't happen whoever is in the hotseat, and chasing a month in the sun for 'the lads' in not the be all and end all of Irish football, and should not be.
Getting the whole show right via a few Stalin style 4 year plans might be more beneficial (without the attendant famines, but maybe a bit of purging where required), think more toward Euro 2024, World Cup 2026, get things right and get there to make a go of it.
Looking at a country like Iceland and what they have managed with their resources, one could only say, what the fuck has been going on in Irish football, and if jumping on a bandwagon like that would improve the lot of Irish football from top to bottom, that is only to be applauded and could only lead to improvements.
But that is much too slow for anyone's liking.
So it won't happen.
Snd we're condemned to watching a ball of shite on tv for qualifying campaigns, a shell shocked team if it manages to qualify. And hiding behind the couch for the whole lot because you have no confidence in the ability of the players on the pitch or the man on the sideline
I would accept not making a couple of tournaments if the standard was to improve along the way. Because what we have at the moment is just painful. It will take a long time no matter what because we don't have the players, or as you point out, we don't have the structure at national level.
It's all a big fuckin shitheap at the moment.
Hey Leo,some fair points raised.
Shame we didnt try someone else and be a bit more adventurous with our appointment as McCarthy is a backward step I feel.
Not sure what to make of Robbie Keane as his number two either if rumors are true?
Quote from: astfgyl on November 22, 2018, 08:31:12 PM
I think McCarthy is about the best of what is on offer. I don't think Kenny is the man, having zero big-game experience (unless you count a Europa League first qualifying round double header vs the 4th placed team from the liechtenstein league) and god help us all if Allardyce gets a go at it.
Hopefully whoever it is won't take the "We're not good enough to actually play soccer" view of things again and actually get fans excited again because I know myself it has been more of a sentence than anything watching them the last while.
Kenny got Dundalk to the group stages of the Europa league,do you have any idea how difficult that is given the tiny budget irish sides have,?
In the group stages did you watch any of the matches?,Dundalk played a brand of football ,especially away from home that i have never seen before from any Irish side,and i include the great jack charlton era in that.
Go back and watch the matches,Dundalk gave as good as they got against sides on budgets vastly bigger.The knocked out Bate Borisov (turn over €40 million) in Qualifying,Were desperately unlucky in tbe Aviva against Legia Warsaw (turn over €60 million)after that ,In the group stages they had .Zenith st Petersburg ,budget in 2016 was €170 million,Dundalks would have been€2 million,AZ Alkmar and Maccabie Tel aviv also in the group.Dundalk didnt look out of place.They had a good side and Kenny had them playing with no fear,none of this sit and defend bollox we're used to.
I like Mick,but this is a sideways move,the fai are desperate
To qualify for 2020 given theres games penciled in for Dublin,they went with mick because he was available and he does what it says on the tin.
Irish football needs a massive overhaul,,a new young manager with the correct philosophy.Kenny would have been a risk,but id rather take a risk that go back to the tried and tested usual bollox.
An oppertunity missed imo.
McCarthy to be confirmed later today, apparently.
Finding it difficult to drum up much enthusiasm for this appointment, I don't see how Mick is the right man to get us playing a decent brand of football while also improving our results.
Quote from: Paul keohane on November 24, 2018, 03:44:36 AM
Quote from: astfgyl on November 22, 2018, 08:31:12 PM
I think McCarthy is about the best of what is on offer. I don't think Kenny is the man, having zero big-game experience (unless you count a Europa League first qualifying round double header vs the 4th placed team from the liechtenstein league) and god help us all if Allardyce gets a go at it.
Hopefully whoever it is won't take the "We're not good enough to actually play soccer" view of things again and actually get fans excited again because I know myself it has been more of a sentence than anything watching them the last while.
Kenny got Dundalk to the group stages of the Europa league,do you have any idea how difficult that is given the tiny budget irish sides have,?
In the group stages did you watch any of the matches?,Dundalk played a brand of football ,especially away from home that i have never seen before from any Irish side,and i include the great jack charlton era in that.
Go back and watch the matches,Dundalk gave as good as they got against sides on budgets vastly bigger.The knocked out Bate Borisov (turn over €40 million) in Qualifying,Were desperately unlucky in tbe Aviva against Legia Warsaw (turn over €60 million)after that ,In the group stages they had .Zenith st Petersburg ,budget in 2016 was €170 million,Dundalks would have been€2 million,AZ Alkmar and Maccabie Tel aviv also in the group.Dundalk didnt look out of place.They had a good side and Kenny had them playing with no fear,none of this sit and defend bollox we're used to.
I like Mick,but this is a sideways move,the fai are desperate
To qualify for 2020 given theres games penciled in for Dublin,they went with mick because he was available and he does what it says on the tin.
Irish football needs a massive overhaul,,a new young manager with the correct philosophy.Kenny would have been a risk,but id rather take a risk that go back to the tried and tested usual bollox.
An oppertunity missed imo.
Sort of puts me back in my box reading that. Sort of, because Kenny wouldn't have been under the pressure of unrealistic expectations while achieving those results against bigger teams. It would be the times we are losing to the likes of Georgia that would really be the test of his mettle.
Anyway, we will find out soon enough.
It is a bit of a pity that the premier league is going to be another procession for city this year.
I would be amazed if they lost 2 games this season while everybody below them drops points too regularly to keep any pressure on them.
As I've a soft spot for Chelsea I hope they get a result at the weekend if only to give Liverpool a chance to keep it interesting.
Remember the old top 4? It's more like 2nd to 4th place race these days.
Quote from: Paul keohane on November 24, 2018, 03:44:36 AM
Go back and watch the matches,Dundalk gave as good as they got against sides on budgets vastly bigger.The knocked out Bate Borisov (turn over €40 million) in Qualifying,Were desperately unlucky in tbe Aviva against Legia Warsaw (turn over €60 million)after that ,In the group stages they had .Zenith st Petersburg ,budget in 2016 was €170 million,Dundalks would have been€2 million,AZ Alkmar and Maccabie Tel aviv also in the group.Dundalk didnt look out of place.They had a good side and Kenny had them playing with no fear,none of this sit and defend bollox we're used to.
Dundalk should have qualified from that group. Gartland made a couple of crucial errors which cost them.
Utd are absolutely woeful to watch for some time,I was initially happy with the JM appointment but he his football is awful to watch.The sooner this season is over and we part company the better.
Dreadful stuff from United.
Since the plucky performance at Anfield, Everton have been stinking the place out and we're lucky to get the two home draws they did get. Supporting the blues has never been easy and Monday mornings at school were usually slagfests in the 90's, so I'm hoping this 'blip' is short lived. Watching the Watford game at 1-0, went out to make a cup of tea and came back to 1-2. Sucks the soul clean out of ya.
It's been a great season so far. Granted, I say that as a Liverpool fan but still. Huge game tomorrow! I remember on the MI thread a few years ago, lads were convinced Liverpool had the league wrapped up. All until that fateful game against Chelsea. City are a more formidable side the last 18 months and to see them chasing is fantastic to behold. It's too early to get my hopes up. I'd happily take a draw. My only concern is Liverpool haven't had their blip in the league yet, and you'd feel it has to happen, realistically. When the Champions League kicks on again it could really scupper all the good work done in the League. I don't think they'll even reach the final of CL so I'd love the premier league to take precedence.
I'm an Arsenal fan but I wouldn't begrudge Liverpool winning it. They've sold and bought well, given Klopp the time and backing he needed and now it's all coming together for them.
The only problem will be how fucking unbearable the ex-Liverpool pundits will be, but they're insufferable as it is already
As a Chelsea fan it's interesting to see our squad in transition, where can we go from here etc some frustrating moments along the way for sure but nothing that's fryed the brain too much the Everton game I was even at prob takes it even though others would prob point to the losses but especially given how much Everton collapsed over Christmas or after that freak winner for Liverpool really, we should not have been dropping points against them at home.
I think Liverpool should win the league particularly if they beat city although keeping Van Djik injury free could be crucial, the standard in it is the worst in a long while and it didn't happen overnight afterall City won it by a considerable distance last year. Watched a streak of games over Christmas not one to get excited about for the neutral really even with an invested interest in Palace Chelsea that stunk the place out. The noteworthy result was Pool against Arsenal but that was no way competitive and seemed no surprise either,watched an unimpressive Man City need a few bits of fortune but deservedly saw off Southampton, Everton go down 1 nil at home to Leicester in a game played out like a pre season friendly. Spurs Cardiff followed a game that was over just after 25 mins (and switched off :laugh:)
On the otherhand anytime I've tuned into the championship lately I've gotten great entertainment from football, Forest v Leeds yesterday had bags of atmosphere that was missing from the prem game I mentioned I'd watched prior (Everton/Leicester) and was a fantastic game to boot.
Yeah they were certainly in some sort of fucking transition v Southampton there tonight. The ball in transition from left to right in front of 10 men behind the ball. Chelsea really need to change something up front. And not just blaming Morata, either. He gets fuck all good service from anywhere on the pitch. That goal was also not offside. Very frustrating stuff altogether.
Declan Rice.
I'm not going to argue the toss about his decision, he says he is a proud Englishman and fair play to him and all that, but it is really ridiculous that a player can change allegiance like that after turning out for a country. Ireland have loads of foreigners on the team for years and years so we can hardly complain but it is still a stupid setup.
Quote from: astfgyl on February 14, 2019, 10:29:15 AM
Declan Rice.
but it is really ridiculous that a player can change allegiance like that after turning out for a country.
I have absolutely no problem with players switching countries. Having teenagers make a decision on their nationality and forcing them to stick with it for life is ridiculous
Fookin English cnut.
Quote from: Trev on February 14, 2019, 11:42:57 AM
Quote from: astfgyl on February 14, 2019, 10:29:15 AM
Declan Rice.
but it is really ridiculous that a player can change allegiance like that after turning out for a country.
I have absolutely no problem with players switching countries. Having teenagers make a decision on their nationality and forcing them to stick with it for life is ridiculous
Ah come on, did you not know what nationality you were as a teenager?
I wish we could go back to the days of real Irishmen turning out for the team, like Tony Cascarino
I think if you play anywhere from the 21s up to even a senior friendly, that should be that. When you're on the cusp of a full senior call up, by that point it should be too late to switch.
The rules for rugby are even more farcical in a way, but he should have refused the call-up if he had even the slightest doubt. It was only going one way once he said he needed time. Gary Linekers tweets about it in the intervening period wound me up even more than the decision.
Whats the rule in rugby?,is it if youre playing in the country 3 years you can play with the national side?.
Yeah.
Any thoughts on Rodgers leaving Celtic for Leicester? Could have been immortal if he'd seen the next couple of seasons through, even this one. I have a feeling he may come to regret it.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on February 27, 2019, 06:37:06 PM
Yeah.
Any thoughts on Rodgers leaving Celtic for Leicester? Could have been immortal if he'd seen the next couple of seasons through, even this one. I have a feeling he may come to regret it.
gone are the days of anyone staying loyal to any club,the money is too vast in the game,plus you can only take a club like Celtic so far in the current era in Europe.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on February 27, 2019, 06:37:06 PM
Yeah.
Any thoughts on Rodgers leaving Celtic for Leicester? Could have been immortal if he'd seen the next couple of seasons through, even this one. I have a feeling he may come to regret it.
Watching their fans lose their shit has been funny as fuck.
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on March 01, 2019, 07:02:35 AM
Quote from: Caomhaoin on February 27, 2019, 06:37:06 PM
Yeah.
Any thoughts on Rodgers leaving Celtic for Leicester? Could have been immortal if he'd seen the next couple of seasons through, even this one. I have a feeling he may come to regret it.
Watching their fans lose their shit has been funny as fuck.
Don't get why they're so pissed off about the whole thing, any half decent manager Celtic get in should be able to stroll to the title
Quote from: Trev on March 01, 2019, 09:23:54 AM
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on March 01, 2019, 07:02:35 AM
Quote from: Caomhaoin on February 27, 2019, 06:37:06 PM
Yeah.
Any thoughts on Rodgers leaving Celtic for Leicester? Could have been immortal if he'd seen the next couple of seasons through, even this one. I have a feeling he may come to regret it.
Watching their fans lose their shit has been funny as fuck.
Don't get why they're so pissed off about the whole thing, any half decent manager Celtic get in should be able to stroll to the title
They're headcases. We had one guy at work ranting on how Leicester have done fuck all in Europe compared to Celtic, finally shut up when it was pointed out that the last time Celtic got as far as Leicester in the Champions League, it was still called the European Cup, and he wouldn't have been born for another fifteen years after that. (1980 - and the only reason they got that far was they barely managed to hang on against Dundalk in the previous round)
How long before United buy Solksjaer out of his Molde contract?
Delaney Out!!!! 8)
Delaney and the whole board of the fai need to be fucked out!
Good riddance alright. Mind you, this other post they conveniently created for him is as typical of Ireland as you could imagine.
After a nuclear holocaust, the only things left will be the cockroaches, and they will be led by Delaney.
Man Utd stun Barcelona to only lose 4-0 on aggregate.
Ole won't last long, the honeymoon is over, as much as he has been a breath of fresh air.
That City - Spurs game, holy shit.
I'm glad City won't win the Champions League but now they're free to focus on the premier league. Liverpool on the other hand are still in with a shout to win either/both but will possibly be spread too thin and win fuck all. Hopefully not, however. If Spurs take points off City it'd be super but City are going to play with a vengeance for their remaining games.
City had the breath sucked out of them tonight. Screw them and their rancid oil money. Spurs do things the right way and it's good that either they, or Ajax will be in the CL final.
Yep, would love if City won nothing
It was a great game,delighted for Spurs.Pity it wont be an Ajax Spurs final .
For one night only.. C'mon Utd!
Quote from: Emphyrio on April 24, 2019, 08:09:25 PM
For one night only.. C'mon Utd!
That worked out well. Hahaha....
Be hilarious though if it was Brendan Rodgers who sneaks some points off City in a couple of weeks and becomes the Anfield legend he always craved to be.
City have it now, Liverpool threw it away earlier in the season. Utd are woeful, they need massive changes.
Utd are in free fall,Ole is probably the wrong appointment yet again and still no director of football appointed.
Boils my piss when the likes of Phil Jones and Young get new contracts.
Quote from: Pedrito on April 25, 2019, 07:30:05 AM
City have it now, Liverpool threw it away earlier in the season.
Sadly, I think that this is correct. I knew that the West Ham and Leicester draws would come back to haunt them.
Liverpool just have to play their own game now but they have Barcelona twice in a week either side of Newcastle and I'd be wary of Wolves too.
Yup, at this stage I'd save the best 11 for Champions League. City not gonna slip up now.
What an absolute game of ball!
Quote from: Emphyrio on May 07, 2019, 10:00:31 PM
What an absolute game of ball!
I think that my heart is finally coming back to its usual rhythm.
Christ almighty.
That corner for the fourth goal....
I thought at first he was kicking it out of frustration or acting the fool. Crazy night.
That Champions League is quite tasty, isn't it?
Great football last night. Well done Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp. Good luck in the final.
Not a Liverpool fan but damn that was unbelievable stuff. That corner was insane!!
Spurs!!!! Two nights of fairytales coming true!
Another mad night. Was hoping Ajax would get to the final. Spurs will be a tough game in the final
As a Spurs fan I'm quite happy with the madness :D
Big night of football in Madrid tonight. Hope for a great game.
Whopper!
Quote from: Kurt Cocaine on June 01, 2019, 06:48:47 PM
Big night of football in Madrid tonight. Hope for a great game.
Fair play to Liverpool and all that but it truly was an awful game of football. Can't argue though as the quarters and semis were unbelievably entertaining.
Delighted that Liverpool won but by Christ that was a brutal game of ball.
Quote from: StoutAndAle on June 04, 2019, 02:56:09 PM
Delighted that Liverpool won but by Christ that was a brutal game of ball.
In fairness the 3 week wait didn't help and the heat and humidity certainly didn't help either.
Finals can be cagey affairs at the best of times and the fact that it was two rival teams from the same league probably meant it was never going to be a classic at all.
The semi's though, hehehe......
Whey-hey.... Dundalk are roaring around Europe again. They beat Riga on penalties after a 0-0 aggregate score. Delighted for them.
Qarabag of Azerbaijan up next for Dundalk,theyll be up against it there.
Just renewing the Fantasy Premier League for all those interested. It ran very close last year with first, second and third changing nearly weekly.
The code to join is 46w2mc - https://fantasy.premierleague.com/
Newcastle a disaster. How can you go from Rafa to Bruce? And it looked like Rafa really might have done something there with some backing. The fans need to stop turning up.
My brother-in-law is a Geordie - born and bred. Dyed in the wool, black and white. He's had a season ticket for nearly 40 years, since he was 3 when his grandad took him to his first match. When they were over at Christmas he told me in no uncertain terms that Ashley et al. have ruined the club. Himself and a lot of his friends (also season ticket holders) now go to see and vocally support Spennymoor Town instead because "it's just football".
H'on Ireland....
Anyone go or watch Keane Neville on off the ball?
Love him or loath him Keano is an interesting character.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_yckmKqazE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_yckmKqazE)
Watched a good chunk of it. He's a prick but he's entertaining. I admire that he really digs in principle-wise but he's very hypocritical. He lambasted Arter and Waters for the same thing that that McCarthy pulled him on before Saipan. His bluster blinds him so much that he can't see his double standards. But, much like Eamonn Dunphy it's very entertaining waffle.
Thought it was great. How refreshing to have someone truly speak their mind in this day and age of absolute arseholery
As expected Ireland under Mick doing nothing different to Ireland under Martin. The likes of Dunphy can harp on all he wants, but unless you have really top quality players like we had in the past you'll always be struggling. Hard to watch.
I think your being a bit harsh,theyve definitely resembled a football team this campaign so far.The swiss are in the top 10 in world rankings,we were never going to dominate them.I was expecting zero points from our games against them,i thought we played well against Georgia in Dublin and put in a credible away performance in Denmark.
No doubt we're lacking a bit of quality,but people have short memories if they think this campaign has been shite.
The problem under Trap and O Neill is that we looked scared shitless playing teams of similar standard or lower,we were always going to struggle against top sides.
Richard Keogh and the Derby boys some craic..like something out of the Hangover.
I wonder how long Ole has left in charge of Utd,we could be in the zone after liverpool :o
Think its finally liverpools year for the title.
And the award for most batshit decision of the season 19/20 goes to Spurs for firing Mauricio Pochettino...
...no... wait. They've upped their game.
Wait in the name of fuck is the thinking there? Fair enough, it's a poor start to the season but Mourinho is not the answer here. Pochettino did wonders with relatively little.
Daniel Levy famous for not spending money vs. Jose Mourinho infamous for overpaying for players and then falling out with them.
If nothing else, this is a blaze in a fireworks factory waiting to happen.
Reckon Solskjaer has got to be looking over his shoulder now til Poch gets hitched somewhere
Expect to see silverware finally at Spurs. Whatever they say about Mourihno, he's a winner. Won't last more than 3 years though.
I reckon that Pochettino is being measured up for Lederhosen as we speak. He could become a hero at Bayern Munich or be nothing more than a link in the chain at Manchester United.
Emery got the boot cant say I'm surprised but still amazed Silva is in charge of Everton.
Emery should've been gone before the last international break, he even seemed surprised he still had a job the last few weeks
Really hoping they get Poch in, partly because he's a great coach, partly because it'd be absolutely hilarious
Ya, that was coming. Silva is next.
I hope he is Eoin, but the terrifying spectre of Moyesis hovering around. I used to adore the man, made being an Everton fan exciting after 4 years of that Walter Smith buying every overweight has been he could get his hands on and wondering why we were shit every year.
But not again, he's yesterday's man. I'd take Big San over him, and that hurts to say.
Ah jaysus, ye'd never go for Moyes, surely? There was a nice few quid spent and the squad, you'd imagine, should be aiming top 6. Especially as other clubs are in disarray.
It's a talented squad, no doubt about it. But what Moyes did very well, god bless him, was shop around and get savage deals on gems like Arteta, Cahill, Nigel Martyn (better than Southall even) Coleman, Baines etc and made a team out of them. There was huge passion for the man, and he repaid us in kind.
He seems like a different man now. Sullen, self aggrandising and realising Man U needed a pigeon to take the inevitable Post Sir Alec decline. Fucking Kenwright still loves him, so it might happen.
Sean Dyche strikes me as a tailor made manager for Everton,
Silva gone in the morning. Actually thought Everton might throw a spanner in the works.
I've been an Everton fan for 30 odd years, and this is just the latest humiliation. I was 5 when an uncle of mine got me a top from the Goodison shop, told me about Sheedy, Ball, Labone, Reid and Southall. I used to get the piss taken out of me in hurling training for wearing Everton shorts ( I pulled hard on them, obviously). But this is the lowest of the low ebbs.
The Moshiri sugar daddy dream is a nightmare now. I don't even blame Silva. There is no plan, just hire some flavour of the month like him or koeman or Martinez and sign off on duff transfer after duff transfer.
I've received about 30 WhatsApps in the last 10 minutes having the pure piss out of me. So thank you Eoin, you're the only Liverpool fan with my number who hasn't 😂😂
I figured I'd enjoy the moment on a public forum!
Had a Liverpool lad I met in the mountains in Scotland at Easter say 'your lads played like ladíns' earlier. Totally forgot about making fun of his shitty footwear and saying ' ah here they are only a ladíns boots lad' . Can't even enjoy that minor victory now.
As the Shels fans sung for years:
"They always cheat, they always lie. Fuck Delaney and the FAI."
Bye bye Limerick.
I'd love to see the FAI and IFA both folded, they operate their own fiefdoms with total corruption.
Any Celtic fans here??
I like Celtic alright, the amount of stick I get for it is a bit OTT :) Their going well makes up for my other team, Everton , stuttering and stumbling every year.
I like Celtic. It was nice of them to give Sevco a sniff of the title just after Christmas. And now, just wiping them away like a watery snot.... Hahaha.....
The ultimate cruelty :laugh:Gerrard looks like some prick now for his antics at parkhead in December!
Man City banned from the Champions League for two years :laugh:
Delighted for them, Oil FC :laugh:
Great news
Does it kick in from next season? If so, Pep is definitely not gonna hang around.
Think the league should set an example and relegate them, like what happened to Juve after the Calciopoli scandal
I'd be surprised if that stood on appeal. Few donations to the UEFA poor box should at least get it down to a year. This season really is a Liverpool fan's fever dream. I can barely laugh too much at this as one myself, terrified of some weird football karma.
It's still pretty fucking funny though. Crystal Palace for the CL 5th place spot?
Nah, United are a shoe-in.
Sheffield, obviously.
Quote from: Emphyrio on February 15, 2020, 03:54:24 PM
Nah, United are a shoe-in.
Sheffield, obviously.
Sheffield, of course!
No idea why I said CP.
Be gas to see Barca rock up to Bramall Lane next season.
Quote from: Airneanach on February 15, 2020, 03:29:41 PM
I'd be surprised if that stood on appeal. Few donations to the UEFA poor box should at least get it down to a year.
A year? More like it'll end up being a year ban from the transfer market, which of course won't kick in til the've had a couple of transfer windows to stock up on players. This is UEFA we're talking about.
Preston continuing their march towards another play-off final defeat. To be fair I've almost forgotten what it feels like, it will be even better to combine it with being smashed in Heathrow airport afterwards.
Football twitter is certainly interesting this evening
Quote from: Kurt Cocaine on February 15, 2020, 09:59:44 AM
Man City banned from the Champions League for two years :laugh:
Delighted for them, Oil FC :laugh:
All the Financial Fair Pay rules are doing is baking in the advantage the established elite already have. The big clubs selling millions of t-shirts in China and collecting their Champion's League cash every year already have a massive advantage in terms of what they can spend. This is a rule by the big clubs for the big clubs, making sure that no nouveau riche can elbow in on their monopoly. It's bullshit and anti-competitive.
The Man City ban is cool. Being a United supporter though I would much rather get into top 4 and win a trophy this season, as opposed to get into Champions League by coming 5th and win nothing.
If only that kid from Donegal had written that letter to Klopp at the start of the season...
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on March 04, 2020, 11:59:33 PM
If only that kid from Donegal had written that letter to Klopp at the start of the season...
Can see them having a shit month, still will win though.
2 more wins. Whopper!
That Ederson spastic...
Liverpool winning the league in March, MARCH! The nice Lasagne I had for tea tastes like the arse of a can that someone has been tipping fag ash into as a result.
Rangers continued struggles perk me up slightly though :)
United :-* :abbath:
Thirty years we've waited and the run in is not against opposition teams but the potential of the winning game being behind closed doors. Mental.
Looks like we'll just about make it against Everton or Palace. I can see City flubbing again against Arsenal, to be honest. Torn on it. Either do it at home or Goodison. The funniest fucking shit ever.
Aside from the hilarity of winning it at your biggest rivals' ground, surely Anfield would be better? A full house who have waited thirty years would be much better than a sea of empty blue seats. I remember United winning the league away a couple of times and it was weird seeing them lift the trophy in front of an empty stadium.
Caught some of the MLS last night and the Seattle fans sure make some noise. Fair play to them but listening to the commentators talk about football is something that will just never sound right.
Great to see Liverpool back where they should always be. They´ re a very very very good team, but I think the talk has gotten a little over the top this year i.e. them being the greatest team ever in PL history etc. That said, I'm really looking forward to seeing them lift the torphy though I'm not so sure if they'll do the CL again. What a year it's been for them all the same, and if the World Club Cup could just be played between the only two teams with a chance of winning it i.e. South American & European, then I think they would be far fresher now. Was great to see Milner back yesterday, really himself and Henderson are so underrated in that set-up, completely unselfish pros who run for the badge in the same way the likes of Keane used to. That clearance off the line was exceptional.
United, I was greatly impressed with yesterday. I haven't enjoyed watching them since Fergie left and they have the makings of a really good team. If they could go on a run from now to the end of the season, I'd say back Ole, and I was extremely sceptical. I'd have grown up following the Pool and I'd still shout for them from a distance, but I think the Premier League is always better with a good Utd, and they're a great club to watch when they're rocking like yesterday.
Apart from that Chelsea looked interesting yesterday and I think we'll see a big push next year from the traditionally powerful teams like them Utd, Liverpool of course, City and possibly Arsenal.
My second team Newcastle..Steve Bruce has defied all the odds. Love seeing them win a game or scraping a draw. Hopefully they'll stay up now.
Spurs falling apart, Mourihno the wrong fit, he needs a team like Athletico Madrid, a bunch of dogs who will throw themselves on a hand grenade for him. Don't see him lasting and Spurs might take a few years to get back anywhere near where they were a year or 2 ago.
Winning the title at Anfield would be amazing but there's a part of me that would love to win it at the Etihad. Just to see the head on Sterling. Wouldn't be the same buzz winning at Goodison, apart from the lolz at Caomhaoin's expense.
If United buy well in the summer, they could be a top 3 team. The jury's still out on Ole. I think he's out of his depth but this is his second good run so we'll see.
When I was trekking in Scotland last year I met a scouser, serious Liverpool fan and he didn't view Everton as anything other than a pity case. Cheeky bastard! And now the Trekkie is confirming that it's widespread!
I actually have a lot of respect for Everton, Kev. Even when they're shite. Better than the likes of Chelsea and City anyway.
As I say, I'd take greater joy City providing the guard of honour.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on March 09, 2020, 07:28:20 PM
When I was trekking in Scotland last year I met a scouser, serious Liverpool fan and he didn't view Everton as anything other than a pity case. Cheeky bastard! And now the Trekkie is confirming that it's widespread!
I'd love to see them back challenging like in the 80's. If any man can do it it's Ancelotti but he'll need about 10 good players to.add to the squad.
Arsenal and City cancelled tonight, after the Olympiacos owner was confirmed with coronavirus and he was at the Emirates two weeks ago
I reckon it's only a matter of time before the rest of the league is postponed
The Premier League, like the Six Nations, will hang on until the grim death before cancelling the whole thing. They have too much money wrapped up in it to think otherwise, as infuriating as that is.
Atletico Madrid had a great win over Liverpool the other night.
Quote from: MGZT on March 13, 2020, 10:02:34 AM
Atletico Madrid had a great win over Liverpool the other night.
They're the most cuntish team ever but they had a game plan and it worked. Karius II didn't help matters, of course.
And now the future of the league is in doubt. Talk about it being declared null and void, postponed, calling league positions as they currently stand. Mad stuff.
Athletico well deserved that, the other night. Klopp's 'proper football' comments can GTF as well. They were beaten, simple as.
As a Liverpool supporter, "Would you take the league title under conditions of a global pandemic?" gives whole new meaning to those start of season "I would have bitten your hand off for it" scenarios.
Premier League's binned until 3rd April anyway. Quite surprising, as I thought they would have simply suspended it all together.
The fact that it's coming from the highest levels down that our lockdowns are only going as far as the end of March hopefully gives a bit of a clue as to when they believe this thing will calm down by.
Can you imagine if it was called null and void? I dislike Liverpool intensely but even I couldn't take too much joy from that, t'would be an absolute injustice.
I would have imagined they're over the finish line anyway so keep the results and finish it as it is.
Would have understandably caused huge fuss on the relegation/CL spot end of things though!
They can't just hand it to them either, despite it being 99.9% certain they will win the league, it would be tainted for all time, plus as you say, you can't relegate lads before the fat lady sings.
Quote from: Emphyrio on March 13, 2020, 10:26:36 AM
Quote from: MGZT on March 13, 2020, 10:02:34 AM
Atletico Madrid had a great win over Liverpool the other night.
They're the most cuntish team ever but they had a game plan and it worked. Karius II didn't help matters, of course.
And now the future of the league is in doubt. Talk about it being declared null and void, postponed, calling league positions as they currently stand. Mad stuff.
I live in Madrid and it's interesting how the outside world perceives football here. Real Madrid remind me of Kerry in the GAA, or at least their approach to football. Players are expected to want to die for the club and the boos come when the crowd feel like someone isn't shaking a leg. There is also an expectancy that you will push to the last moment, you don't give in etc. Lots of boggers and posh gits follow Real but it's not all negative. I worked in the area of the Bernebeu and from talking to people who work in the club I began to admire the way they think, Florentino Perez gets a lot of shit in the media but anyone who works there says he's a very decent guy. Of course there's the arrogance that comes off the club and the British/Irish media really have it in for La Liga and Spanish football in general, which, in my opinion, has a far higher skill and coaching level than most of what we're seeing in the Premiership.
The Premiership is only catching up in that regard by basically buying in all the talent from the likes of Spain and it's definitely had a very posiyive effect. Athleti should be the team I follow, but I found the whole 'modus operandi' of the club and supporters to be against what I look for in a team/club. It a kind of small man envy, they'd prefer to win dirty, get lads sent off, approach the game in a negative fashion instead of dying on their shields. I remember watching the Champs league final where they were winning until that last 30 seconds..if they had had guts they could have gone 2 up but Madrid just kept fighting and you had to admire it. That's why they're know as 'Patheti' here.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on March 13, 2020, 12:12:52 PM
They can't just hand it to them either, despite it being 99.9% certain they will win the league, it would be tainted for all time, plus as you say, you can't relegate lads before the fat lady sings.
It'll be back again, behind closed doors or something. Too much money involved.
Quote from: Pedrito on March 13, 2020, 12:13:31 PM
Quote from: Emphyrio on March 13, 2020, 10:26:36 AM
Quote from: MGZT on March 13, 2020, 10:02:34 AM
Atletico Madrid had a great win over Liverpool the other night.
They're the most cuntish team ever but they had a game plan and it worked. Karius II didn't help matters, of course.
And now the future of the league is in doubt. Talk about it being declared null and void, postponed, calling league positions as they currently stand. Mad stuff.
I live in Madrid and it's interesting how the outside world perceives football here. Real Madrid remind me of Kerry in the GAA, or at least their approach to football. Players are expected to want to die for the club and the boos come when the crowd feel like someone isn't shaking a leg. There is also an expectancy that you will push to the last moment, you don't give in etc. Lots of boggers and posh gits follow Real but it's not all negative. I worked in the area of the Bernebeu and from talking to people who work in the club I began to admire the way they think, Florentino Perez gets a lot of shit in the media but anyone who works there says he's a very decent guy. Of course there's the arrogance that comes off the club and the British/Irish media really have it in for La Liga and Spanish football in general, which, in my opinion, has a far higher skill and coaching level than most of what we're seeing in the Premiership.
The Premiership is only catching up in that regard by basically buying in all the talent from the likes of Spain and it's definitely had a very posiyive effect. Athleti should be the team I follow, but I found the whole 'modus operandi' of the club and supporters to be against what I look for in a team/club. It a kind of small man envy, they'd prefer to win dirty, get lads sent off, approach the game in a negative fashion instead of dying on their shields. I remember watching the Champs league final where they were winning until that last 30 seconds..if they had had guts they could have gone 2 up but Madrid just kept fighting and you had to admire it. That's why they're know as 'Patheti' here.
Do you think the appointment of Diego Simeone in 2011 was mainly responsible for the 'small man envy,preferring to win dirty,get lads sent off,negative approach' etc.
Or has that always been the Atleti 'modus operandi'.All I know is that they beat Liverpool both home and away in the last 16 of the Champions League.
They must have a little bit of class about em to do that.
I'd also say Real are well known for their shithousing and trying to get players sent off. Sure they had Ronaldo and Ramos playing together for 10 years! 😂
Going to be interesting seeing how the PL goes. I mean, I'd find it absolutely hilarious if it was voided and stopped Liverpool winning. But it would also mean Arsenal finishing out of Europe when they've been playing well and have a good chance of making it, especially with Jose doing his third season act after three months with Spurs. If European football still goes ahead next season...
Then there's the timing of when they could be played with a lot of players contracts up in June, and if transfers could go ahead with a season still in play
I think it will have to be voided.Playing games behind closed doors won't matter,when you already have players and managers infected.
As a Liverpool supporter, they simply can't void the season. Naturally the majority won't agree but fuck y'all.
Quote from: Emphyrio on March 13, 2020, 04:14:45 PM
As a Liverpool supporter, they simply can't void the season. Naturally the majority won't agree but fuck y'all.
As a Celtic fan I agree - both teams are top far ahead to not be handed the league if no more games are to be played
Quote from: Emphyrio on March 13, 2020, 04:14:45 PM
As a Liverpool supporter, they simply can't void the season. Naturally the majority won't agree but fuck y'all.
Yeah but it wouldn't be totally fair to relegation teams, Euro qualification and consider promotion in the championship with some teams needing to play play-offs. It's a messy decision.
Give every team with a game in hand one point and call it. Just give the fuckin title to Liverpool, basically.
You can sense the mild alarm among Liverpool fans that it's going to be torn out of their grasp by an Evertonian/Sir Alec inspired biological attack. Not enough to cause a zombie apocalypse, but sufficient to derail sport long enough to have them cancel the season.
The unintended secondary effect would be that Stevie G might wreck Celtic's 10 in a row after all...
:laugh:
Quote from: Caomhaoin on March 13, 2020, 04:52:24 PM
You can sense the mild alarm among Liverpool fans that it's going to be torn out of their grasp by an Evertonian/Sir Alec inspired biological attack. Not enough to cause a zombie apocalypse, but sufficient to derail sport long enough to have them cancel the season.
The unintended secondary effect would be that Stevie G might wreck Celtic's 10 in a row after all...
And with Leeds missing out on promotion as an additional bonus, it's clear there is only one option available to the authorities. Scrap it all now.
For anyone suffering from withdrawals, there are several of the Central and South American leagues going strong.
I'm seriously considering O'Higgins v Antofagasta in the Chilean Primera Division at 9 o' clock.....
Edit: Ah fuck it's actually postponed but Curico Unido v Union La Calera is coming up at half 11
Quote from: astfgyl on March 16, 2020, 08:55:52 PM
For anyone suffering from withdrawals, there are several of the Central and South American leagues going strong.
Is there anywhere with a load of match uploads from somewhere like Scandanavia/Easter Europe? Somewhere I don't know whose going to win and can pick a random team to root for. A whole days entertainment.
Feck liverpool, null and void.
Quote from: CorkonianHunger on March 17, 2020, 01:30:22 PM
Quote from: astfgyl on March 16, 2020, 08:55:52 PM
For anyone suffering from withdrawals, there are several of the Central and South American leagues going strong.
Is there anywhere with a load of match uploads from somewhere like Scandanavia/Easter Europe? Somewhere I don't know whose going to win and can pick a random team to root for. A whole days entertainment.
If you get an account for any of the bookies you'll be ashamed at what you find yourself watching.
European leagues have been give a June 30th deadline to finish.
Another week or two and all these Belarus Premier League players will be household names. :laugh:
The league still going in Belarus? Lovely, I'll get on that as soon as.
Last time I checked livescore all there was to check out was the FIFA Quaran-Team tournament. It was bleak to see. The Irish teams weren't doing great either
Did you watch any of it by the way and is it any good?
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on March 28, 2020, 11:25:53 PM
Another week or two and all these Belarus Premier League players will be household names. :laugh:
I've loved seeing people piling into that league purely as a way to continue gambling.
Classic Liverpool Champions League hames on Virgin Media Sport on atm.
Looks like Ashley is finally on his way out of Newcastle, while managing to time it so their fans can't go out and party when he leaves...
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on April 14, 2020, 10:37:14 PM
Looks like Ashley is finally on his way out of Newcastle, while managing to time it so their fans can't go out and party when he leaves...
Dreadful news to be honest. Saudi wealth fund... Brokered by Staveley around £300 million.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52284645
Quote from: Kurt Cocaine on April 15, 2020, 09:00:11 AM
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on April 14, 2020, 10:37:14 PM
Looks like Ashley is finally on his way out of Newcastle, while managing to time it so their fans can't go out and party when he leaves...
Dreadful news to be honest. Saudi wealth fund... Brokered by Staveley around £300 million.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52284645
By dreadful I mean another oil rich fuckwit of a club inflating transfer/wages again.
It will be strange seeing Newcastle becoming challengers again but as a Chelsea supporter I can't say much about it. I suppose if every team were to be bought out in similar fashion it would level the playing field and the league would become wildly unpredictable and probably good fun to watch. Either that or the League of Ireland will start to look a lot more attractive, which would be no bad thing either. I know some of ye lads here watch it as it is, but the lack of glamour and hype has always made it seem a bit boring to me. Shallow I know
Of course if FFP was properly applied it would sort a lot of the issues around billionaires simply throwing money at any old club
Much prefer LOI precisely because of that, everybody who is there gives a fuck. Last time I was at Old Trafford I was in the north stand and was just surrounded by people who didn't have any desire to sing, cheer or scream; the only time they stood up was to get a photo with their backs to the pitch. The Stretford End is great and parts of the East stand too but I've been to plenty of PL grounds and I'd take 2,000 in the Jodi or Tolka any day over ten times as many at pretty much any PL ground.
Quote from: astfgyl on April 15, 2020, 11:27:58 AM
It will be strange seeing Newcastle becoming challengers again but as a Chelsea supporter I can't say much about it. I suppose if every team were to be bought out in similar fashion it would level the playing field and the league would become wildly unpredictable and probably good fun to watch. Either that or the League of Ireland will start to look a lot more attractive, which would be no bad thing either. I know some of ye lads here watch it as it is, but the lack of glamour and hype has always made it seem a bit boring to me. Shallow I know
Of course if FFP was properly applied it would sort a lot of the issues around billionaires simply throwing money at any old club
Billionaires are the only ay you'll get any variety. Too many clubs have baked-in financial advantages now which FFP ony reenforces. Once the money is in, it's not going away (like this fucking virus) and money fucks up sport.
Actually you're right there, bar the odd team punching above their weight for a season here and there it's the same few have any chance of doing something all the time. What does FFP do then? Does it just keep the status quo and prevent another Chelsea or Man City popping up?
Yep, the successful teams are the ones which sell millions of t-shirts in China. How is that sporting chance in Western Europe? FFP is by the already big clubs, to protect the already big clubs.
I suppose there would be extreme opposition to any sort of general spending cap then by the same already big clubs. Say 150 million for example, and clubs can choose to blow it on one Neymar or 3 players for 50 mil apiece. Something like that might be fairer but it would have to be across every league worldwide or all players would just head off to the UAE or China or wherever throws the most money at them. Like some clubs will always be bigger than others but they would have to be capped in some other way to introduce competition in leagues.
So yeah it's basically let all premier clubs be bought out by billionaires and let them do what they want actually seems the fairest way to keep it competitive.
On a fairly unrelated note, but one thought led to another; I was watching the old Liverpool European final on VM Sport a couple of weekends ago and when the winning penalty was struck Alan Kennedy's celebration was so much more honest looking than the way goals are celebrated these days. It seemed more plain unbridled joy than "everybody look at me, I'm the best". Maybe that was a one off I dunno it just stuck out at the time. Jumpers for goalposts and all that
I agree totally about the celebrations. The way lads used to celebrate, it'd make your hair stand on end. You still see that in GAA.
Nowadays? It's often narcissistic posing. The heart gesture with the hands...sweet mother of jaysus give me strength...
'Trademark' celebrations have to be the gayest thing in the planet. Shearer wth the paw up, I can accept that. But Bale, Pogba et al...Fuck off ye gang of cunts, seriously.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on April 15, 2020, 05:48:21 PM
I agree totally about the celebrations. The way lads used to celebrate, it'd make your hair stand on end. You still see that in GAA.
Nowadays? It's often narcissistic posing. The heart gesture with the hands...sweet mother of jaysus give me strength...
'Trademark' celebrations have to be the gayest thing in the planet. Shearer wth the paw up, I can accept that. But Bale, Pogba et al...Fuck off ye gang of cunts, seriously.
Don't really mind the whole trademark celebration thing too much, it's the fucking shite of not celebrating if you score against a former club that pisses me off
Ah Kev, you can't bate the Sturridge!
Quote from: kiehozero on April 15, 2020, 01:06:35 PM
Much prefer LOI precisely because of that, everybody who is there gives a fuck. Last time I was at Old Trafford I was in the north stand and was just surrounded by people who didn't have any desire to sing, cheer or scream; the only time they stood up was to get a photo with their backs to the pitch. The Stretford End is great and parts of the East stand too but I've been to plenty of PL grounds and I'd take 2,000 in the Jodi or Tolka any day over ten times as many at pretty much any PL ground.
same,the standard of the loi might not be as good,but there are no event junky types at games,everyone in the ground gives a fuck.Ive been drifting from football at the heighest level for years because of the way its gone.The atmosphere at some premier league games is diabolical because fan bases are so diluted with day trippers.
Quote from: Paul keohane on April 15, 2020, 06:22:26 PM
Quote from: kiehozero on April 15, 2020, 01:06:35 PM
Much prefer LOI precisely because of that, everybody who is there gives a fuck. Last time I was at Old Trafford I was in the north stand and was just surrounded by people who didn't have any desire to sing, cheer or scream; the only time they stood up was to get a photo with their backs to the pitch. The Stretford End is great and parts of the East stand too but I've been to plenty of PL grounds and I'd take 2,000 in the Jodi or Tolka any day over ten times as many at pretty much any PL ground.
same,the standard of the loi might not be as good,but there are no event junky types at games,everyone in the ground gives a fuck.Ive been drifting from football at the heighest level for years because of the way its gone.The atmosphere at some premier league games is diabolical because fan bases are so diluted with day trippers.
The atmosphere at a Dublin derby is worth the 15 euro entrance fee alone - the standard of soccer isn't always great but the passion in the stands is something else. Was at Turners Cross to see city and Derry good Friday about 4 yrs ago - place was wedged on account of the pubs being closed. Never seen an atmosphere like it and I've been a season ticket holder for Ireland with the last four yrs. Its a pity more people don't support it tbh.
Quote from: Bogmetaller on April 16, 2020, 11:40:11 AM
Quote from: Paul keohane on April 15, 2020, 06:22:26 PM
Quote from: kiehozero on April 15, 2020, 01:06:35 PM
Much prefer LOI precisely because of that, everybody who is there gives a fuck. Last time I was at Old Trafford I was in the north stand and was just surrounded by people who didn't have any desire to sing, cheer or scream; the only time they stood up was to get a photo with their backs to the pitch. The Stretford End is great and parts of the East stand too but I've been to plenty of PL grounds and I'd take 2,000 in the Jodi or Tolka any day over ten times as many at pretty much any PL ground.
same,the standard of the loi might not be as good,but there are no event junky types at games,everyone in the ground gives a fuck.Ive been drifting from football at the heighest level for years because of the way its gone.The atmosphere at some premier league games is diabolical because fan bases are so diluted with day trippers.
The atmosphere at a Dublin derby is worth the 15 euro entrance fee alone - the standard of soccer isn't always great but the passion in the stands is something else. Was at Turners Cross to see city and Derry good Friday about 4 yrs ago - place was wedged on account of the pubs being closed. Never seen an atmosphere like it and I've been a season ticket holder for Ireland with the last four yrs. Its a pity more people don't support it tbh.
Cork city season ticket holder donkeys years myself,a huge part of live football in general is about the atmosphere in the ground.Sky sports and a remote control is embedded within irish sporting culture.
Having said that i wouldnt change the league here for anything,id actually hate it if all of a sudden the grounds started to fill up with utter cunts.
It seems to be the same pretty much anywhere outside of the Premier League to be honest. I think England's combination of all-seater stadiums, high ticket prices and the day-trippers can mute the atmosphere, but there's probably a million different things; German football is a decent contrast of all those factors, and the atmosphere in South American grounds is just a different planet.
I don't begrudge anybody supporting a PL club, no matter where they are in the world or what reason they give, I just wish that because you pay a third of the price to watch a lower-league team, it doesn't mean that you only get a third of the entertainment or skill value. The frustrating thing is being an English lad in an office of Dubs and being the only LOI fan. When it comes to football they're happy to slate their own league and sit watching Sky Sports at home instead.
These days I'd compare a Premier League crowd at one of the 'big' clubs to that of a rugby union crowd at the RDS or one of the English clubs: lots of middle class people who don't see it as the done thing to get amped up. I've been a season ticket holder at Old Trafford, Deepdale and a non-League team and what becomes clear is that every club has a hardcore support, but the atmosphere is dictated by the number of people who aren't in that hardcore. There aren't many tourists watching Preston North End or Burscough, plus those clubs know that if someone doesn't turn up, they don't have a replacement supporter ready to fill the seat.
Quote from: kiehozero on April 16, 2020, 12:03:32 PM
It seems to be the same pretty much anywhere outside of the Premier League to be honest. I think England's combination of all-seater stadiums, high ticket prices and the day-trippers can mute the atmosphere, but there's probably a million different things; German football is a decent contrast of all those factors, and the atmosphere in South American grounds is just a different planet.
I don't begrudge anybody supporting a PL club, no matter where they are in the world or what reason they give, I just wish that because you pay a third of the price to watch a lower-league team, it doesn't mean that you only get a third of the entertainment or skill value. The frustrating thing is being an English lad in an office of Dubs and being the only LOI fan. When it comes to football they're happy to slate their own league and sit watching Sky Sports at home instead.
Yeah i wouldnt begrudge anyone supporting the PL,i watch it most weeks and have been to games.I think clubs here are going in the right direction,its just they've had virtually no help or guidance,the FAI have never given a shit about the league.So if the people that are ment to be driving the league dont care its an up hill battle.
I've only been to one league of Ireland game, and that was when I was a kid when Kilkenny City were still a thing.
The new generation of stadia dilute traditional football atmosphere substantially. I have been to see Atletico Madrid twice this season in their shiny new box of a ground. Absolutely no comparison to the Calderón which would be hopping for every game, the pitch and fans are in close proximity. Plus, it's in the middle of fucking nowhere, which means driving through horrendous traffic. There is a metro stop but but it's ages away from the city centre where I live.
Best grounds for atmosphere? From the ones I've been to, the Maracana in Belgrade or Easter Road in Edinburgh. I'd like to say Goodison but I've heard the following chants 'where's your famous atmosphere' and 'is this a library?' there, so it's hit or miss to be honest. Some scouser I met on holidays in Scotland last year referred to it as 'Woodison' which is fair enough 😂
Quote from: Caomhaoin on April 16, 2020, 01:10:22 PM
I've only been to one league of Ireland game, and that was when I was a kid when Kilkenny City were still a thing.
The new generation of stadia dilute traditional football atmosphere substantially. I have been to see Atletico Madrid twice this season in their shiny new box of a ground. Absolutely no comparison to the Calderón which would be hopping for every game, the pitch and fans are in close proximity. Plus, it's in the middle of fucking nowhere, which means driving through horrendous traffic. There is a metro stop but but it's ages away from the city centre where I live.
Best grounds for atmosphere? From the ones I've been to, the Maracana in Belgrade or Easter Road in Edinburgh. I'd like to say Goodison but I've heard the following chants 'where's your famous atmosphere' and 'is this a library?' there, so it's hit or miss to be honest. Some scouser I met on holidays in Scotland last year referred to it as 'Woodison' which is fair enough 😂
i was over in Belgrade about 15 years ago for a Champions league qualifier between Red Star and Cork city,fuckin insane atmosphere!.I could only imagine the atmosphere if they were playing a big established European side!.
Yeah a fella i go to games with said the exact same thing about the new Atletico ground,soulless!.
The likes of Man utd,City,Liverpool and a host of other PL clubs are swamped with day trippers from all over the world,it totally dilutes the atmosphere. Unfortunately thats the way its gone.
It's mental alright, the ultras 'delije' direct everything. I was at a Belgrade derby and the Red Star boys shouted out something in unison, and the whole stadium stood up, even parents making their kids get up. I asked my Serbian buddy why we were standing, he goes 'They say whoever doesn't stand up is a shiptar (Albanian)😂😂
They are even more so at basketball. Playing a Croatian crowd from Split, and the handful of fans that were brave enough to come got the most ridiculous amount of abuse 'kill them all, kill them all!' Etc .
:laugh: :laugh:
Definitely agree on the new grounds. Highbury was great, the crowd were practically on the pitch. The Emirates isn't as bad as the reputation makes it out, but it's utter shit compared to what it was
Was over in Warsaw for another Cork city game against Legia 2 years ago,absolutely crazy cunts too!
Quote from: kiehozero on April 16, 2020, 12:03:32 PM
I don't begrudge anybody supporting a PL club, no matter where they are in the world or what reason they give, I just wish that because you pay a third of the price to watch a lower-league team, it doesn't mean that you only get a third of the entertainment or skill value. The frustrating thing is being an English lad in an office of Dubs and being the only LOI fan. When it comes to football they're happy to slate their own league and sit watching Sky Sports at home instead.
I'd be different there - I do begrudge people supporting English teams beciase most of them will want Englands national team to lose when they play or will be singing about the Ra in the pub - if you're going to do the latter don't be hypocritical in supporting an English team. The amount of gowls in this country that are guilty of that beggars belief.
Its like a few years back, when our pubs were packed for the champions league final all roaring on Liverpool,wanting Jordan Henderson to lift the trophy.A short few months later same fellas were roaring at the tv hoping he'd miss a spotter in the world cup against Columbia.
Ive always found it bizarre,
For the record here ,ive been a Coventry supporter all my life,and was delighted when Dion Dublin got an England call up back in the 90s.
Quote from: Paul keohane on April 15, 2020, 06:22:26 PM
Quote from: kiehozero on April 15, 2020, 01:06:35 PM
Much prefer LOI precisely because of tha.
same,the standard of the loi might not be as good,but there are no event junky types at games,everyone in the ground gives a fuck.Ive been drifting from football at the heighest level for years because of the way Coventry City have gone.
Fixed that for ya Paul ;)
I wonder if the Airtricity League was shown on telly with the same production values as the EPL, would the likes of me think better of it?
I knew one fella who used to go to Cork City games and he always maintained it was right fun but there isn't a local team where I am so it never really caught on around here. Regarding the supporting of English clubs by the Irish, there is a large amount of hypocrisy associated with that. From a personal point of view, I picked a team to follow as a kid and it just stuck over the years to the point where I found myself roaring at the telly over it.
Quote from: Snare on April 17, 2020, 11:01:46 AM
Quote from: Paul keohane on April 15, 2020, 06:22:26 PM
Quote from: kiehozero on April 15, 2020, 01:06:35 PM
Much prefer LOI precisely because of tha.
same,the standard of the loi might not be as good,but there are no event junky types at games,everyone in the ground gives a fuck.Ive been drifting from football at the heighest level for years because of the way Coventry City have gone.
Fixed that for ya Paul ;)
well your not wrong,coventry moved into a soulless new ground after Highfield road,and are owned by gangsters.So yeah they are a prime example why i fell out of love with the whole thing.
Quote from: astfgyl on April 17, 2020, 11:20:03 AM
I wonder if the Airtricity League was shown on telly with the same production values as the EPL, would the likes of me think better of it?
I knew one fella who used to go to Cork City games and he always maintained it was right fun but there isn't a local team where I am so it never really caught on around here. Regarding the supporting of English clubs by the Irish, there is a large amount of hypocrisy associated with that. From a personal point of view, I picked a team to follow as a kid and it just stuck over the years to the point where I found myself roaring at the telly over it.
My father brought me to Cork city matches when i was a kid,i just stuck with it since,ive had some unbelievable memories from supporting the club!,unbelievable highs and lows.The league of Ireland has always had potential ,but the powers that be never cared,hopefull that will change.The league gets a lot of stick,but its mighty craic!,some of the worst games imaginable some weeks,but some absolutely gloriously nights too!.
I support a English club and watch games on tv every week,but i never lost sight of what a football a supporter is,someone who supports where there from.
I told both my sons,i dont give a fuck who you support in England,but you have to support Cork city first and foremost.
Quote from: Paul keohane on April 17, 2020, 11:55:45 AM
Quote from: astfgyl on April 17, 2020, 11:20:03 AM
I wonder if the Airtricity League was shown on telly with the same production values as the EPL, would the likes of me think better of it?
I knew one fella who used to go to Cork City games and he always maintained it was right fun but there isn't a local team where I am so it never really caught on around here. Regarding the supporting of English clubs by the Irish, there is a large amount of hypocrisy associated with that. From a personal point of view, I picked a team to follow as a kid and it just stuck over the years to the point where I found myself roaring at the telly over it.
My father brought me to Cork city matches when i was a kid,i just stuck with it since,ive had some unbelievable memories from supporting the club!,unbelievable highs and lows.The league of Ireland has always had potential ,but the powers that be never cared,hopefull that will change.The league gets a lot of stick,but its mighty craic!,some of the worst games imaginable some weeks,but some absolutely gloriously nights too!.
I support a English club and watch games on tv every week,but i never lost sight of what a football a supporter is,someone who supports where there from.
I told both my sons,i dont give a fuck who you support in England,but you have to support Cork city first and foremost.
I have to ask you a question - were you at Kreator in the academy December a few years back? The atmosphere in the mosh pit was one of love peace and good will - anyway you'd be hammering lads and then you'd take a break and have a chat - I got talking to someone and somehow a cork city membership card was produced from a wallet 😂😂
Quote from: Bogmetaller on April 17, 2020, 12:25:19 PM
Quote from: Paul keohane on April 17, 2020, 11:55:45 AM
Quote from: astfgyl on April 17, 2020, 11:20:03 AM
I wonder if the Airtricity League was shown on telly with the same production values as the EPL, would the likes of me think better of it?
I knew one fella who used to go to Cork City games and he always maintained it was right fun but there isn't a local team where I am so it never really caught on around here. Regarding the supporting of English clubs by the Irish, there is a large amount of hypocrisy associated with that. From a personal point of view, I picked a team to follow as a kid and it just stuck over the years to the point where I found myself roaring at the telly over it.
My father brought me to Cork city matches when i was a kid,i just stuck with it since,ive had some unbelievable memories from supporting the club!,unbelievable highs and lows.The league of Ireland has always had potential ,but the powers that be never cared,hopefull that will change.The league gets a lot of stick,but its mighty craic!,some of the worst games imaginable some weeks,but some absolutely gloriously nights too!.
I support a English club and watch games on tv every week,but i never lost sight of what a football a supporter is,someone who supports where there from.
I told both my sons,i dont give a fuck who you support in England,but you have to support Cork city first and foremost.
I have to ask you a question - were you at Kreator in the academy December a few years back? The atmosphere in the mosh pit was one of love peace and good will - anyway you'd be hammering lads and then you'd take a break and have a chat - I got talking to someone and somehow a cork city membership card was produced from a wallet 😂😂
No wasnt me! :laugh: ,did the bloke have a skin head?,,im 99% sure its a fella i know,Jer.
The fella I was on about going to the Cork City games fits the bill for that quite nicely as well if he does have a skinhead. Not originally from Cork either.
Anyway just having a look there, the nearest team to me is in Waterford, around an hour and a half drive. Well Cork would be about the same length of time but geographically farther. I wouldn't be prepared to put in the effort being honest about it. When I was a young fella, I gave a couple of weeks staying in a place near Tolka Park and from the balcony I could see a corner of the pitch. That was as close as I have come to ever attending. They were playing some crowd I'd never heard of in an early European qualifying round and fair enough I didn't go but there was a decent enough buzz around the place before and after the game. More than I would have thought to be fair to them.
Quote from: astfgyl on April 17, 2020, 03:52:46 PM
The fella I was on about going to the Cork City games fits the bill for that quite nicely as well if he does have a skinhead. Not originally from Cork either.
Anyway just having a look there, the nearest team to me is in Waterford, around an hour and a half drive. Well Cork would be about the same length of time but geographically farther. I wouldn't be prepared to put in the effort being honest about it. When I was a young fella, I gave a couple of weeks staying in a place near Tolka Park and from the balcony I could see a corner of the pitch. That was as close as I have come to ever attending. They were playing some crowd I'd never heard of in an early European qualifying round and fair enough I didn't go but there was a decent enough buzz around the place before and after the game. More than I would have thought to be fair to them.
Ah yeah if youve that much of a trek to the closest ground fuck it.
If you get the right game it can be amazing,the likes of Turners Cross,Tallaght,Derry,Sligo,Waterford are decent grounds,far from shit holes.Theres no event junkies in these grounds only out and out diehards,proper football people.
The European nights can be great,most games in Europe league of ireland clubs are underdogs,so the crowd really get engaged.
Its not for everyone,and theres a lot wrong with football in this country,but i wouldnt change a whole lot either.
I have to ask you a question - were you at Kreator in the academy December a few years back? The atmosphere in the mosh pit was one of love peace and good will - anyway you'd be hammering lads and then you'd take a break and have a chat - I got talking to someone and somehow a cork city membership card was produced from a wallet 😂😂
[/quote]
No wasnt me! :laugh: ,did the bloke have a skin head?,,im 99% sure its a fella i know,Jer.
[/quote]
Ya I'd say that was him alright - I think that show was 2014? Long time ago now :( Amazing the things you can end up talking about at a metal gig when inebriated.
Dutch League just got null and voided. No Champions, no relegation.
Quote from: Paul keohane on April 17, 2020, 10:53:11 AM
Its like a few years back, when our pubs were packed for the champions league final all roaring on Liverpool,wanting Jordan Henderson to lift the trophy.A short few months later same fellas were roaring at the tv hoping he'd miss a spotter in the world cup against Columbia.
Ive always found it bizarre,
For the record here ,ive been a Coventry supporter all my life,and was delighted when Dion Dublin got an England call up back in the 90s.
Ha, not many Sky Blues fans anywhere never mind on here :laugh:
I was born there so they have always been my team in England. The one positive thing about this virus is Coventry have been top of the table for weeks, it's fucking surreal.
There'll surely be repercussions. Wasn't UEFA sanctioned, and I don't think the majority of clubs' wishes were taken on board.
Is it just the Eredivisie so far?
I'm not a Liverpool supporter but in the event of something like this happening to the EPL I think Liverpool should be handed the title. The points per game scenario seems by far the fairest way to do this and decide everything. There is nobody anywhere who doesn't know that Liverpool will win the league, and they have been by far the most entertaining and effective team in it and fully deserved champions. The only problem I see here is that relegation is far from as clear cut as the title and those teams at the bottom would make a very different case as to the fairness of the whole situation.
Quote from: Juggz on April 24, 2020, 07:52:35 PM
Quote from: Paul keohane on April 17, 2020, 10:53:11 AM
Its like a few years back, when our pubs were packed for the champions league final all roaring on Liverpool,wanting Jordan Henderson to lift the trophy.A short few months later same fellas were roaring at the tv hoping he'd miss a spotter in the world cup against Columbia.
Ive always found it bizarre,
For the record here ,ive been a Coventry supporter all my life,and was delighted when Dion Dublin got an England call up back in the 90s.
Ha, not many Sky Blues fans anywhere never mind on here :laugh:
I was born there so they have always been my team in England. The one positive thing about this virus is Coventry have been top of the table for weeks, it's fucking surreal.
Ha only spotted this now,yeah they've been great this season,watched a good few of their games,be a fuckin travesty if they dont get promoted!
PSG awarded the title in France. Liverpool next?
Quote from: Emphyrio on April 30, 2020, 05:12:58 PM
PSG awarded the title in France. Liverpool next?
In a way I hope, and a totally selfish and schadenfraude way, that it is. That big asterisk beside the 19/20 season victory for Liverpool would be the gift that keeps on giving down the virtual pub with the lads on video call :)
Ya, I'd much prefer it to be finished behind closed doors. That manky asterisk would always be there.
I dunno, cancelling the season would save me from the forfeit in my PL Fantasy league so I'm torn about the whole thing
What's the forfeit? We had no cash in college, so a housemate of mine had to drink 5 shots of 80% absinthe in 5 minutes my brother bought for me in Prague as a forfeit for losing at a version of 21's we used to play. Better than getting a few bar, believe me ;)
Zero to demented in less than 20 minutes.
The last forfeit was downing a pint of vindaloo and I escaped by 1 point. Lol that's like 1 yellow card over the course of a full season. Last thing yer man said before letting it back was "I should have kept Dele Alli".
This one is supposed to be Croagh Patrick in the bare feet and I am miles adrift.
'A pint of vindaloo' 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 FFS🤣🤣🤣
It gave me great pleasure to see the lad take his medicine because he is a right jammy cunt. Going to the Indian takeaway to get the pint of sauce was a good laugh as well.
"You want just the sauce"
.. yeah my girlfriend is vegetarian.. will there be around a pint in it? I need about a pint of the sauce
"We can do a vegetarian one"
.. No she wants to put her own veg in it..
"hang on is this for some sort of a bet or something?"
.. no it's just that I can never make my own as nice as your sauce is all..
"Ok I'll tell the chef so"
.. Grand, and can you tell him make it extra hot as well? I mean as hot as he can possibly make it. I do love the sauce you do here but it isn't ever as hot as I want it.
"Ohh ok then I'll tell him"
..Proper roasting now don't go easy on it, thanks.
Worst I ever had to do was have a 'Russian Breakfast' in Amsterdam. Cornflakes with vodka instead of milk.
As revolting as you can imagine, kept it down but. 15 odd years ago but I can still taste it. I don't even remember the reason for the forfeit. I tried to weasel out of it, no mercy though. Vodka was poured for me,, no skimping. The hotel staff didn't give a shit, my pleading eyeballing if them didn't help either.
Lol the more I think about that the worse it seems. I must get that into the lexicon of forfeits. So simple and yet I imagine it being terribly effective
We were talking about the asterix next to Liverpool's potential title yesterday actually. I honestly can't see many Liverpool fans bothered after thirty years of waiting to win the league if they, y'know, win the league. Denials the first stage of grief, chaps.
Anyway, we'll be even more unbearable if we're robbed of it. The kop end are already nicking the biggest sails at port and mother's biggest bedsheets for a few decades of WE TOLD YOU WE WON IT banners.
Getting this on the record books anyway, anyhow at this stage is going to be a massive outcome in and of itself, even if I have to take the alcohol seizure on the roof of my house. Won't have much to cry about if we somehow pull it off, in all honesty.
As a Liverpool fan, that asterisk could be horrible. Think about those cuntish United fans. Regardless of Liverpool likely being on their way to a record point tally, and what was shaping up to be the earliest title win in history, unfortunately the asterisk would top all that.
I would add: If the table was to be wrapped up on an average points per game, Liverpool would have 107 points. If there was an asterisk beside that, I'd take it.
The season was over at Christmas. Nobody is going to say that Liverpool didn´t deserve the title, and if they do so what, the trophy is given and it goes in the record books. I think they should just do it and be done with it. The bigger issue is the lads down the bottom of the league who are going to kick up a fuss if they´re relegated.
Quote from: Pedrito on May 01, 2020, 01:05:18 PM
The season was over at Christmas. Nobody is going to say that Liverpool didn´t deserve the title, and if they do so what, the trophy is given and it goes in the record books. I think they should just do it and be done with it. The bigger issue is the lads down the bottom of the league who are going to kick up a fuss if they´re relegated.
Yep, Villa have a game in hand and if they win that they're out of the relegation zone.
If Villa were good at winning games they wouldn't be in the relegation zone.
Quote from: Juggz on May 01, 2020, 01:38:28 PM
If Villa were good at winning games they wouldn't be in the relegation zone.
:laugh:
Technically speaking, Liverpool are the only team in the league who can't be relegated. The gap between 2nd place and the relegation zone is 30 points with 10 games for most teams left to play.
Also, they (Liverpool) are the only team to qualify for next season's CL (whenever that will be?). So all those hoping for a void season might get their wishes slapped back in their face. :laugh:
LFC 18 - CV19.
PL clubs had a meeting today....
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/may/01/premier-league-clubs-united-in-desire-to-find-way-to-finish-season-after-meeting
So every club wants to get going again apart from poxy Brighton, and Kun Aguero which doesn't surprise me. No matter what plans people have in life, be it building the pyramids or the Eiffel tower or filling a pothole there's always some naysayer.
14 clubs needed to give the go ahead. Would be grand to have a few games to watch again.
What's Brighton's issue with it?
Quote from: astfgyl on May 06, 2020, 09:05:33 PM
What's Brighton's issue with it?
That if the games are played at neutral grounds they'll lose their 'advantage' of not getting to play their home games. This is the same 'advantage' they've had all season which sees them 2 points above the relegation zone and 5 points adrift of the team above them (Southampton).
All teams will play in neutral grounds as it will help keep fans from attending outside the grounds if the teams were playing in their own stadium.
Yeah that is pretty ridiculous. Sure it will be the same advantage lost for every other team. I wonder is there some other reason like if the season is scrapped relegation won't apply or something along those lines
They would have played City, Arsenal, and a couple other big teams at home..Liverpool and Utd I think. Hopefully they get stuffed and go down along with Karen Brady and West Ham who was the first to jump on the bandwagon.
Fuck em, sure everyone else has to get on with it. I'm sure the teams vying for European places could make a similar argument
Ya, I'd love to see West Ham go down after that gowlbag Brady.
Right job for them would to add an extra relegation place. It wouldn't be fair or serve any purpose but there would be more exciting games for the neutral to watch, televised from empty neutral venues.
Here we go ten in a row 🇮🇪☘️
The dreaded *
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on May 18, 2020, 08:39:28 PM
Quote from: Bogmetaller on May 18, 2020, 05:36:57 PM
Here we go ten in a row 🇮🇪☘️
You mean ten in a row *
It'll be 11 and 12 in a row as well so you can shove the asterisk up your hole
https://youtu.be/izcaQWE9_l8
Stevie G having his say on Celtic becoming champions.
How anyone can watch Scottish football is beyond me. Dire.
It's better than it's given credit for, and the for such a small population, they put us to absolute shame with their match attendance. Per capita, it's higher than in England. The atmosphere at matches is as good as anywhere. Not being smart, but how many matches have you watched outside Old Firm derbies?
The problem is a lack of competitiveness, and there is no getting away from it. Way too top heavy, and a lot of halfwits tar the name of genuine Rangers and Celtic fans. The extreme, widespread drunkenness of Celtic fans at Easter Road last year was startling!
You have clubs with the potential to break the duopoly. Hibs, Aberdeen, Hearts (a basket case at the moment, granted) have great stadiums and a large support base. A bit of that greasy Saudi money and you'll have a serious league.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on May 19, 2020, 02:09:04 PM
It's better than it's given credit for, and the for such a small population, they put us to absolute shame with their match attendance. Per capita, it's higher than in England. The atmosphere at matches is as good as anywhere. Not being smart, but how many matches have you watched outside Old Firm derbies?
The problem is a lack of competitiveness, and there is no getting away from it. Way too top heavy, and a lot of halfwits tar the name of genuine Rangers and Celtic fans. The extreme, widespread drunkenness of Celtic fans at Easter Road last year was startling!
You have clubs with the potential to break the duopoly. Hibs, Aberdeen, Hearts (a basket case at the moment, granted) have great stadiums and a large support base. A bit of that greasy Saudi money and you'll have a serious league.
Some very good points there but it's hard to see a rich tycoon taking over any Scottish club realistically. Scotland lacks the perceived glamour of London. Then again so does Manchester but its a different situation really.
On another note, I've firmly believed for years that if Celtic joined the Premier league (even though that would take 4 years in itself as we would have to start in League 2) we would be in the top 5 biggest clubs in the world within 15 years.
That's certainly a possibility, but I don't like this idea of the Globalisation of football. It's the kind of precedent that these fuckers are looking for to make a European Super League. That'd suck the soul clean out of the game. Just as bad sacrificing great old school cauldrons like Upton Park and the Calderón for a horrible shopping centre in an industrial state to 'get to the next level'. Maybe I'm overly nostalgic, but with VAR and the obscene salaries and agents fees, it's gone about as far as I can tolerate in England and Spain. I followed the SPL closer than any other competition over the last few years as a result.
The Champions League in its current format is separating the 'elite' clubs from the 'common or garden' type, which is sad. You get the odd abberation like Montpellier winning in France a few years back, Leicester of course, or Porto winning the CL. But what are the chances of seeing the likes of Steau Bucharest, Malmo, Nottingham Forest or Red Star Belgrade building teams and getting to European finals again? Very very slim indeed.
It does seem to be the case that the SPL doesn't attract much serious investment, bar the extremely dodgy variety like Hearts got from Lithuania. It's a pity really, as the atmosphere is much more visceral there, less of a product and more of an old school professional league.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on May 19, 2020, 01:18:38 PM
https://youtu.be/izcaQWE9_l8
Stevie G having his say on Celtic becoming champions.
Love the way he switches to common sense re Liverpool 🤣 And what would have been required for Newco to win instead 😂
Yeah, I know it's a cheap shot, but reading this thread reminded me of a great Two Ronnies line from back in the day. Given by Ronnie Barker;
'More football later, but first, highlights from the Scottish First Division'
:laugh:
Quote from: Caomhaoin on May 19, 2020, 03:42:51 PM
It's a pity really, as the atmosphere is much more visceral there, less of a product and more of an old school professional league.
This is what live in the flesh football is ment to be,investment has fucked football in a lot of cases so it no always good.The standard of the SPL may not be the same standard as the premier league,but id rather go to an Edinburgh or Glasgow derby over most premier league games.
Definitely. The quality of the Belgrade derby, for example was pish, ( bar a 35 year old Nenad Miljas dominating midfield, ex-Wolves), but fuck me what an atmosphere. I nearly shat myself a few times.
I'll give the english one thing though, their pisstaking and comments at matches, some laugh. Here are a few I've heard at Goodison over the years....
'Steve Gerrard, Gerrard, the baby's not yours,
Its Joseph Yobo's,
Steve Gerrard, Gerrard'
After a late equalizer by Lee Carsley years ago, lad behind me goes 'Carsley mate, if I came home from work and found you in bed with my wife, I'd tuck you in lad'
Saw them against Blackburn in 2007, and as all the away lads were getting off their coaches, a steward was laying down the law, finishing his speech with 'any questions'?
A young lad of about 12 walking past shouts out 'what's the capital of Peru'? Hahahaha.
Yeah banter over in England is top class to be fair!
David Luiz you idiot.
Good to see some things haven't changed after three months
First day back and another VAR farce. Like electronic voting machines, just an unnecessary irritation.
You can't celebrate a goal wholeheartedly anymore. If it worked I suppose you could live with it in the spirit of fairness, but they make a hash of it as often as right a wrong.
You would think something like VAR would clear up all the doubt around decisions, but it's looking now like Sepp Blatter was bang on in his resistance to it.
:abbath: :D
Quote from: Emphyrio on June 25, 2020, 10:08:37 PM
:abbath: :D
I never thought I'd be celebrating the title on me own but fuck it, my poor neighbours!
Sickening. Although all this BLM stuff has put right off the premier league, therefore lessening the gutwrench somewhat :)
What a night. Not how we would have wanted it, granted, but in the throes of ecstasy it didn't seem to actually matter all that much once I was jumping and roaring around the house with the Redmen TV stream on one screen and Dalgligh and Klopp bawling their eyes out on another. I'm over the moon, and very much relieved. It's on the books, the curse has been lifted and that's all that matters. On to the next one.
Well said.
Yeah, Chelsea really needed those 3 points to keep a bit of distance between them and United. Glad to see ye are all as chuffed about it as I am
I know its been a long time for Liverpool,but Its a diabolical way to win/celebrate a title.The players and fans were robbed of proper euphoria.winning it on a match night in a city centre with the bars rammed to capacity etc.
Best team by a mile,fully deserved.
Jack Charlton Rip. Shite buzz
RIP. Shed tears this morning for the first time in years over that. Terrible.
Ah feck. He put Ireland on the football map and gave us great memories.
Very good documentary about Jack's time with Ireland hosted by Colm Meaney if anyone fancies a bit of nostalgia.
https://youtu.be/y4OA2Ihm68w
Yeah very upset to read that this morn. I guessed he was unwell when his current wellbeing was ignored on the recent RTE shows.
14 year old me will be eternally grateful to him for how his work lifted our country out of the hum drum doldrums. Himself and Attenborough - two damn excellent English men
What a great man. The things he did for our country were incredible.
With all the tributes this morning whilst lauding his managerial career were more about what a nice person he was. And that is a lovely way to be remembered. At the final whistle when we bet Italy in 1994 when everyone started celebrating he went to protest at 2 New Jersey cops who had manhandled 2 Irish supporters who had ran on the the pitch. He loved the fans and we loved him. RIP.
Absolutely. I listened to the off the ball broadcast today, and fair play, they had a load of people talking about him, and from McAteer to Hogan from the Indo, you could hear the emotion in their voices. They adored him. And so did we. The bird thought I'd gotten bad news from home the way I welled up looking at the phone this morning.
northern england and scotland aren't that far away culturally from ireland so jack was able to bridge a lot of mistrust and suspicion in a way a manager from southern england might not have been able to.
the abandoned match at lansdowne road seems like only yesterday to me, but it's a while ago now. This getting older thing is fairly shit
Quote from: Caomhaoin on July 11, 2020, 10:52:12 AM
Very good documentary about Jack's time with Ireland hosted by Colm Meaney if anyone fancies a bit of nostalgia.
https://youtu.be/y4OA2Ihm68w
Ah, nice one lad! This is going to be some deep nostalgia alright.
from maradona in 86 to euro 96, all the culture blended together, all the sporting events had a feeling too. The barcelona olympics slotted in nicely between two great football tournaments, and probably the last interesting hw boxing era
United breaking my heart again, we'll be back with a good run and Leicester at the end of the season though.
Utd hitting a great run of form. Defence is still ropey but they have enough to finish top 4 easily enough. Leicester on the other hand are the ones most likely to miss out.
As a Chelsea supporter I feel that the sharty nature of the 3 contenders for the 2 places makes for a fairly nail biting finish to proceedings, especially in light of Man City getting away with it
I've been an Everton fan for 30 years and I am at the point of just bending over and letting all these emphyrio and the lads have their way,,ye won. I'm like the confederacy. Romantic and handsome and bested by power chording Picard lovers. (Not aimed at you Eoin it's just fuck this it's the apocalypse)
:laugh:
Quote from: Caomhaoin on July 14, 2020, 07:12:43 PM
I've been an Everton fan for 30 years and I am at the point of just bending over and letting all these emphyrio and the lads have their way,,ye won. I'm like the confederacy. Romantic and handsome and bested by power chording Picard lovers. (Not aimed at you Eoin it's just fuck this it's the apocalypse)
You're more like ol Dixie after she was burnt down if you ask me :laugh:
Fans celebrating their biggest European win:
Liverpool Fans: "That night in Istanbul"
Man United Fans: "That night in Barcelona"
Chelsea Fans: "That night in Munich"
Man City Fans: "That day in Court"
Liverpool doing a great Arsenal impression against Arsenal.
Yeah, that was nerve-wracking, but hilarious, still holds on for some faint hope at making Europe next season
Crazy finish to the Championship today.
Notts forest,what a cluster fuck! :laugh:
Championship is a great league,always some bonkers shit happening!
Newcastle just can't get out of Mike Ashley's clutches, can they?
Anthony Taylor played an absolute blinder for Arsenal yesterday the blind cunt
It's also a bit fucking thick that VAR can check every possible red card offence except a second yellow.
Quote from: astfgyl on August 02, 2020, 11:47:13 AM
Anthony Taylor played an absolute blinder for Arsenal yesterday the blind cunt
It's also a bit fucking thick that VAR can check every possible red card offence except a second yellow.
Thought he was pretty even for both teams. Red card was a bit of joke, but then Azipilicueta should have been off for the penalty, didn't book Giroud for his spectacular dive either
I thoroughly enjoyed it!
No way was he even. Every 50/50 went Arsenal's way. What I will say though is that Arsenal played a lot better than Chelsea for 3/4 of that game and did deserve the win. Taylor is still a blind and biased cunt.
"Crowd noise is being piped" - What a fucking bag of shit :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Are they're ego's that fragile that can't play without hearing it? :laugh:
"Nigel Pearson fears gimmicks such as piping in crowd noise to legislate for absent fans at grounds risks turning the Premier League into an "American sitcom". - YEAH!
Bolingoli you absolute goon. What kind of a fuckin' eejit is that lad at all? Heads off to Spain Monday, comes back the next day...That's spasticated in itself, he's getting matches postponed and the ire of the whole league....and all for the square root of fuck all.
Sounds like an utter spanner the lad
Must still be serious money in dem fag runs though?
:laugh:
Quote from: Caomhaoin on August 11, 2020, 08:07:34 PM
Bolingoli you absolute goon. What kind of a fuckin' eejit is that lad at all? Heads off to Spain Monday, comes back the next day...That's spasticated in itself, he's getting matches postponed and the ire of the whole league....and all for the square root of fuck all.
Not sure of the viability but clubs should be docked the points rather than postponing the games where gross neglect is to blame. Lucky he won't be seeing fans in stadiums any time soon. Judging by Lennon's reaction lucky he's still alive!
I wonder if the internal disciplinary procedures will lead to parting ways by mutual consent or confined to reserves til he's out of contract? Hard to see it just being a fine.
Robbie Keane is related to Morrissey :laugh:
https://www.the42.ie/robbie-keane-morrissey-837724-Mar2013/
Quote from: Snare on August 11, 2020, 11:12:30 PM
Quote from: Caomhaoin on August 11, 2020, 08:07:34 PM
Not sure of the viability but clubs should be docked the points rather than postponing the games where gross neglect is to blame. Lucky he won't be seeing fans in stadiums any time soon. Judging by Lennon's reaction lucky he's still alive!
I wonder if the internal disciplinary procedures will lead to parting ways by mutual consent or confined to reserves til he's out of contract? Hard to see it just being a fine.
I'm a celtic fan and I agree 100percent that we should forfeit any games that can't be played because of that gowl. I've been beyond livid since the news broke - like one of the comforting things in life right now is seeing your team back playing and now some idiot has fucked that completely. Pure idiocy /selfishness and the fans have rightly turned on him - we all want him gone because he has created an unnecessary obstacle for winning the 10 as well as depriving us of a comfort in this pandemic.
Barce-LOL-a. :laugh:
Some awful trimming
What a spanking. Manager will be getting the bullet presently.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on August 14, 2020, 10:00:13 PM
What a spanking. Manager will be getting the bullet presently.
Must be great being a manager at a big club, can do an absolutely shite job and end up with a giant payoff
It's a racket :)
Who'd be Gareth Bale? Poor chap. The British press have him down as some angsty poet warrior type, misunderstood and persecuted by all and sundry, especially those rotten Spic bastards who gave us so much trouble at sea for all those years. 600k a week and expecting him to have learnt to string a couple of sentences of Spanish together after 6+ years. The cheek of them!
'Angsty warrior poet' 🤣🤣🤣🤣
So Arsenal brought a lawyer in to the board last, week, started investigating "financial irregularities" over the Pepe transfer this week, and then sack Raul Sanllehi from his position as director of football today
At least it's never dull supporting this shambles of a club
I kind of admire the balls of bale. The audacity to tell the team who are paying you 600k a week to fuck off is inspiring.
Yeah he's not though. He's a cunt really. If a Spanish player was doing similar in the UK he'd be hounded out of the country. Alexis Sanchez a prime example.
On an upbeat note, City out of the CL. Delighted.
Quote from: Pedrito on August 15, 2020, 10:06:33 PM
On an upbeat note, City out of the CL. Delighted.
In fairness to City, they've surely set the record for the most expensively assembled squad ever to win the Carabao Cup.... :laugh:
The hype train was derailed last night. How does a team that loses their local league by 20 points suddenly become the favourites for the Champions League?
Kevin de Bruyne wins Premier League player of the season.He won ahead of Sadio Maine,Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson of Liverpool.Danny Ings Southampton,Vardy Leicester and Nick Pope of Burnley.Well deserved he is pure class.
Two Farmers league teams will meet in the final,the sheer arrogance of some football people in the UK is staggering.
The hype is ridiculous. I was well up for Liverpool winning last year and was great to see them win the CL. That said, the hype around them is ridiculous. They're a very good side but far from 'great'. Maybe they will get there in the next few years. They would need to win more titles though. City have been an excellent side but I'd wonder at the level of competition they have had in the PL. Highly overrated, so many poor, poor teams in the league. I think the league was a tonne more competitive back when Chelsea and Utd were battling it out for CL finals. You look at how strong the top 3 or 4 teams were in Spain up until recently also, there's no comparison. Great to see the Gernans and French shut them up.
Really enjoyed the round of matches, I'd love if they kept the knockouts to one leg ties in the future but there's no way UEFA would choose excitement over money
I thought Dundalk's chairman was putting in a strong bid for being the craziest chairman of the year award (Wanting to put out a team without a keeper, hiring a kid's summer camp coach as manager, etc), then Bury's chairman releases an official statement on the future of the club - which then takes a right turn into lunacy.
https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/latest-statement-07-08-2020/august/club-update/
He's on the money about the BBC though, I'll give him that.
Some farce last night for Celtic, Lennon must have been on the nippy sweeties playing a team with zero strikers. He's getting it all ways today.
I dunno what all the fuss is about tbh. They would have ended up in the Europa League by January at best anyway
Maybe, but there is 30m bar at stake, and they've fucked it up for the third year in row. Celtic Park under the lights on European nights is very hard to beat too.
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on August 27, 2020, 05:24:33 PM
I thought Dundalk's chairman was putting in a strong bid for being the craziest chairman of the year award (Wanting to put out a team without a keeper, hiring a kid's summer camp coach as manager, etc), then Bury's chairman releases an official statement on the future of the club - which then takes a right turn into lunacy.
https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/latest-statement-07-08-2020/august/club-update/
Bonkers stuff!,once theres board interference in team selection things only go one way.
Delighted Doherty has moved to Spurs, the Irish link is a bonus.
nice boost for Bohs as well with £1.5m sterling (assuming the 10%) is included in the £15 fee reported).
Levy did great business there, final fee is less than 14 Sterling, no add ons.
Celtic back in business today. I wasn't pleased with the starting line up, he started without a striker again, but it came together in the second half to a degree. A couple of hard cases are needed in central defence, Ajer is a very talented boy but he's too wishy washy in the aerial duels. Cash in I say.
Could be one for the pet peeve thread, but the absolute joyless pricks that give out about teams celebrating too much, or not the right way
Most recent was the charity shield, I know its basically a fairly meaningless friendly, but beating a mostly full strength Liverpool who had an extra few weeks preparation is a good achievement, and adding more silverware is only going to help the confidence of a team starting a rebuild.
Definitely. 2 pieces of silverware in his first year is great for Arteta.
The Messi situation is going to be interesting. If he goes to City the prem league will be great next year. The idea that he would go to Juve with Ronaldo is mouthwatering but doubtful it will happen. Would love to see them play together though.
Quote from: Pedrito on August 31, 2020, 09:31:10 AM
Definitely. 2 pieces of silverware in his first year is great for Arteta.
The Messi situation is going to be interesting. If he goes to City the prem league will be great next year. The idea that he would go to Juve with Ronaldo is mouthwatering but doubtful it will happen. Would love to see them play together though.
"La Liga "We're not biased in anyway towards the big two."
Also La Liga when they hear Barca's big money generator wants out: "Nooo, the Messi get out clause is ineligible. He must stay in Barcelona (and in la Liga) as a result." After all, remember how la Liga tried to block Neyamar's move?
It'd be funny if Messi decided to join Bale on the golf course for the season.
And Rovers get Milan in the Europa League, in an empty Tallaght.
Messi to Arsenal I say, they're owed one after the whole Fabregas debacle!
I'm still not sure though how much is him actually wanting out, and how much is him just trying to force the Barca president to step down
Paddy Power twitter: "An absolute dream tie against a European giant, considering some of the less prestigious opponents they could have drawn such as B36 Torshavn, Lincoln Red Imps, or Spurs."
Messi is only actin the bollix I think, but maybe he will be suitably enraged by La Liga's endorsement of the club's stance to actually go through with playing for Man City
Man Utd just got away with daylight robbery, Van De Beek for 40m. Great signing and far more necessary than Jadon Sancho I reckon.
Good price alright,They still need a winger Dan James isnt the answer.
There's rumors Sancho's agent wants 50 mill so not sure if they will pay that to him along with a transfer fee.
Just re-upping the fantasy league for those interested again;
https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/5tx2qs
Refreshingly adventurous line-up from Kenny tonight. No Glen Whelan and the like, finally. Very interesting viewing ahead tonight.
Praise be!
Decent result. Plenty of chances and Connolly looks like a real player. Duffy is such a warrior, it's a coup for Celtic to get him in.
Ya, coulda been worse. Midfield was weak enough, yet around 60% possession is impressive. Connolly is a little terrier.
Midfield lacked cohesion, and they were what you would have expected solidity from. Brave call in Idah and Connolly, both played well. Does he throw in a Molumby on Sunday in the McCarthy role? It's really just finding their feet for Slovakia, but he has to continue with the forwards, they are class.
Idah's hold up play was great but you need willing attacking midfielders. That should be Hendrick's role but he hasn't been great in ages. O'Dowda is a lovely baller but a bit too prancy. I dunno how to get Coleman and Doherty on the same pitch but it seems a waste either of em being on the bench.
Aye midfield wasnt great. O'Dowda had a great game. It was just so refreshing to see us passing the ball. At long last.
Mick tried Doherty on the right wing, granted only for the one game, but it was a bit of a damp squib. He's not as tenacious as Coleman but he's clearly the form player of the two. Seamie in for tougher games away maybe, but it's a hard call. Doherty did nothing wrong last night but the expectation is that he be as explosive as he is for Wolves with significantly weaker players with Ireland.
McCarthy flattered to deceive, although he hasn't played in ages so maybe he'll tighten up if he'd stay off the physio table.
If they could convince that Mikey Johnstone from Celtic to declare, he'll be a right player once he matures. Pity about those two wankers 'UP THE RA' Rice and that Ponce from Villa. Conversely, the stealing of that lad Sykes from the North, causing spluttering fury and not even putting him in the squad? Ah lad, an almond magnum and an ice bucket full of Erdingers out in the back garden with the bird away at her mothers wouldn't be as satisfying :)
I thought it was a good start. Surely another false dawn with the squad we have, but encouraging nonetheless. I was enjoying what they were trying to do even before DUFFY!!!!! AIEEEEEEE!!!
Yeah I do honestly get that excited even during a nothing game like that. Actually, the Nations League idea has made nothing games like this a bit more something to be fair to it.
In PL news, Chelsea are putting together a decent looking few gringos for the coming season
Jesus lads were ye watching the same game as me? Duffy way off the pace and at fault for the goal, hourihane looking like a league of ireland player, Mccarthy was absolutely goosed when he came off(to be expected I suppose), Hendrick an absolute disgrace in an Ireland jersey yet again, O dowda is soft as fuck. Connolly and Idah the only bright lights - Randolph was solid and dependable as always too actually. That being said it was our first game in a long time but we played Bulgaria in the Aviva about a year ago and destroyed them. They are fucking woeful.
The Bulgarians are mostly well into their season though, most of our lads are in pre-season mode, so we can't be too harsh on them. Whatever Duffy did or didn't do earlier on, he's a JCB in the box and he came up with the goods again when it mattered.
Oh I'm a huge Duffy fan and I'm absolutely ecstatic we have signed him for the year at Celtic but he was way off the pace - but then again there was videos going around of him swamping pints in Derry not too long ago so that might explain it. I'm willing to give them a pass with it being the first game under Kenny but you'd be hoping for a lot more ingenuity against Finland later on today.
As a Celt, I threw in the Celtic symphony when I heard he signed ( turn that shit down you Irish wanker from the bird) :)
Quote from: Pedrito on August 17, 2020, 06:12:48 AM
The hype is ridiculous. I was well up for Liverpool winning last year and was great to see them win the CL. That said, the hype around them is ridiculous. They're a very good side but far from 'great'. Maybe they will get there in the next few years. They would need to win more titles though. City have been an excellent side but I'd wonder at the level of competition they have had in the PL. Highly overrated, so many poor, poor teams in the league. I think the league was a tonne more competitive back when Chelsea and Utd were battling it out for CL finals. You look at how strong the top 3 or 4 teams were in Spain up until recently also, there's no comparison. Great to see the Gernans and French shut them up.
The league was also way more boring though in the 00s. Liverpool/Man Utd/Arsenal/Chelsea kept taking all the titles, cups and CL spots, no one else got a look in, and most promoted sides just ended up as cannon fodder. I know people complain about the current 'big six' but the situation is way more interesting and fluid than it was in the days of the Sky Four. Also some of the promoted teams seem willing to have a go at pushing the bigger clubs now (Wolves, Sheff Utd) and in the case of Leicester actually win the league a few seasons after being promoted.
I'd take a league lower on quality but higher on competition any day over one that's the other way round.
It's a good way to look at it and Leicester and Wolves for example have been great to watch. The only issue is, they're often 2 or 3 sales away from a relegation battle. If Vardy had left Leicester and Traore Wolves along with jimenez for example then things don't look nearly so rosey. Leicester have managed it very well in fainess, but they still have that warm afterglow from the league win keeping them going.
Wolves have serious financial backing which should keep them competitive in relative terms, along with their Jorge Mendes links. Unsure about Leicester but holding on to CL qualification last season would have helped. They had injury issues but Rodgers really got found out IMO as well. His sides go on great winning runs but once they lose momentum it all falls apart.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on September 06, 2020, 10:04:12 AM
As a Celt, I threw in the Celtic symphony when I heard he signed ( turn that shit down you Irish wanker from the bird) :)
Haha brilliant!! Duffy to Celtic is great news for Celtic but I'm not sure it's a great move from an Ireland perspective.
Brilliant signing for Celtic. It ticks all the boxes from both sides :)
That game wasn't the best yesterday...
It was fucking shit and I'm still pissed off with it. Granted Finland have improved and we are in transition but to lose so meekly at home to them is galling. Just because we are going the in vogue passing/possession route doesn't mean we can forget about the other endeavours, the ones that actually win you football matches - tenacity, pressure on the ball/opponent, forcing mistakes, capitalising on those mistakes, not making mistakes yourself, prudent play, knowing when to press/foul /go long or in behind, or keep ball...... Etc etc etc.
These lads who think simple 'passing' is going to turn us in to Brazil do my head in. Football number one is about not giving up soft chances to the opposition and after that you graft a goal or two yourself. On an international level only the likes of Germany and Spain are sexy passing it into the net.
Expecting Ireland to do well as a passing team is the greatest delusion in world football.
Tony Pulis' Stoke team would have smashed us
Nice to see United helping their fans avoid the ever present possibility of U-Boat attacks with that new kit of theirs.
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on September 08, 2020, 02:42:29 PM
Nice to see United helping their fans avoid the ever present possibility of U-Boat attacks with that new kit of theirs.
Jesus it's the worst kit I have ever seen - and I think we all know there has been some absolutely putrid ones down though the years
Yeah its an horrendous kit.
Jaysus that's bad,Zebra in a car crash
It's one of the nicest United shirts in a good few years
Still better than City's paisley yoke, but a bad year for Manchester jerseys
I had to look up the city one there. Wow. Actual paisley. Like an oul fella's jocks. Make you wonder how these things get produced with the amount of money that must be involved. You'd think someone in a boardroom somewhere would say ah here, but that is probably the point of these designs, as no publicity is bad publicity.
And as shit as they are, Chelsea's Palace rip off is in a way worse because of the lack of imagination but Nike have a habit of crap ideas so no surprise
I like the United shirt, it beats the hell out of the last couple of years efforts (Snakeskin one, the pink monstrosity, anyone?) But the blurb that Adidas spewed out is ridiculous, even by most kit manufacturers standards these days.
Quote"the stripes represent the safety shutters within the stadium which were perfectly encapsulated by designers Inigo Turner and Chris Barnard."
What will they come up with next? "The particular shade of red used in the new Arsenal shirt draws inspiration from the fire extinguishers at the Emirates."
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on September 09, 2020, 10:26:40 PM
What will they come up with next? "The particular shade of red used in the new Arsenal shirt draws inspiration from the fire extinguishers at the Emirates."
You're not actually too far off, apparently the away kits based on the old marble halls in Highbury, just looks like Patrick Bateman has done a job on it though
Really good day of football yesterday. Liverpool showed their class when the chips were down, ramping up the intensity to win..good oul game. Watched a good bit of Arsenal too, exciting team. They won't win the PL but there could be some silverare there.
My forever second team Newcastle were excellent too. Some great signings by them, plenty of good players. Callum Wilson an excellent signing. Great to see Steve Bruce doing well, what a gent.
Really great to see Leeds back. Hope they do well.
Missed the first 33 mins of the Liverpool game. I was disgusted. The rest of the game was still exciting tbf. Leeds are a lovely team to watch. They'll take a few scalps before they get tired in spring.
Agreed about Newcastle. Hopefully it'll help Hendrick get back to his best.
Everton were really good yesterday. I hadn't watched Spurs in a while. Even at their height under Poch I always felt they had a certain weakness to them, but they were certainly an entertaining watch. What I saw yesterday was quite shocking in a way. They looked woeful. Back passing constantly. No drive, no touch of quality to get them sparked off. I'd say Mourihno will be gone soon and it's not all his fault. The signings etc just aren't going to do anything for them. Kane should bail asap.
Everton on the other hand show what an amazing coach can do when he is backed with a few quid. If I was an Everton supporter I'd be very excited. James is a brilliant player, he was ostracised by Zidane but he is still something very special. They looked great yesterday. Good times coming for the club.
Delighted for Ancelotti. He had chelsea playing their best stuff in the last 20 years and got the boot. Badly shafted and Everton are lucky to have him now
I think Everton are gonna do well this season. Good squad now, great manager. Be grand to stop Caoimhaoin's whinging too.
Spurs are goosed. Doubt they'll get top 6. José will lose the dressing room by November and he'll be out on his arse when they lose to Liverpool, as has happened for his 2 previous premier League sackings. Good times.
Yeah I don't think he will last the season either. He just can't do it without unlimited funds and it doesn't seem even that is enough going by his stint at united. I think that as revolutionary as he seemed in the beginning, he is as far or farther out of touch now. Football has moved on and he doesn't have the players for the style his teams play.
Quote from: astfgyl on September 14, 2020, 03:22:27 PM
Yeah I don't think he will last the season either. He just can't do it without unlimited funds and it doesn't seem even that is enough going by his stint at united. I think that as revolutionary as he seemed in the beginning, he is as far or farther out of touch now. Football has moved on and he doesn't have the players for the style his teams play.
Kane isn't fit, fair enough, but you get the ball even near him and he'll.still make something happen. You can see the likes of Son who always played with a smile on his face is just scratching his head and Dele Alli too. Mourihno wants blood and guts but Tottenham never ever played blood and guts. He'll be gone by November as you say.
The times have completely passed him by. And him being a stubborn cunt, it's unlikely he'll even try to adapt. He's a master tactician for one off games but over a season he can't do it. Gonna watch the Spurs doc on Amazon, All or Nothing. The city one was great but they're all cunts. The Spurs one covers Poch's exit and Jose's hiring so should be entertaining.
He's a great manager, and as we can see witb Ancelotti, when the entire thing comes together they are greats for a reason. Utd wasn't right, Spurs definitely isn't right for him. He needs a team that is on the rise, with lads that want to die for him and not the playboy type footballers. Pogba, Dele Alli, them kind of lads will never do well with Mourihno. He nearly killed the Madrid team the year they won La Liga here. It was the same 11 all season. I remember looking at Xabi Alonso some nights thining how is this lad still walking? But they were immense that year. He needs proper hateful bastards in his team, lads that want to win at all costs, none of your hugging and kissing. I'm not even sure that exists in England right now. All that said, I reckon there's a Champions League left in him still, he just needs the right mix.
As for Ancelotti, pure class. Probably the greatest manager out there if you really look at his record. People harp on about Guardiola etc but I'd take Ancelotti any day of the week. Old school, the man understands football on levels none of us could ever even imagine. Everton must be pinching themselves.
Definitely agree about Ancelotti. He was a bad loss for Chelsea. Some of the stuff they played in his 2 years was just brilliant. Speaking as a Chelsea supporter, I'll always have a soft spot for Jose, but I think the game has moved on a lot and the sort of hateful bastards he needs are becoming less common as time goes on. Pogba has to be the type of player that Mourihno hates the most. A grand player when it suits him but no real character. Thinking of the Chelsea team Jose had, with Cech, Carvalho, Terry, Makelele, Lampard, Drogba and even Duff and Robben it was something special. Won the league in his second stint as well not to be sneezed at. I still feel like he is done if he doesn't change his ways somewhat though
What team even has the quality of that Chelsea team in them currently though? Liverpool might come close, City no, and the rest definitely not. They were an immensely talented team as much as I couldn't stand them at the time.
Look at that squad, holy shit:
https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/chelsea-fc/2006/2/
Fuck how did I forget James and Phil Younghusband!? Shame on me.
Unreal squad though and were willing to get stuck in all the time and grind out the single goal victories at the same time as having all that talent.
Jose hasn't been the same since Real Madrid, that job seemed to screw with his head. I agree that he's got a CL left in him, but at this point I think he should seriously consider international management just for his own sake.
Ancelotti is a major coup for Everton, I agree that he's probably one of the best ever. Chelsea and Real Madrid were fools to sack him.
I said Tottenham would do nothing but what a difference a signing could make. The thoughts of Bale and Kane terrorizing defences is mouthwatering. Not a fan of the club at all but a shedding of some sort touches like Dele Alli and a tougher, more Mourihno-like approach could be something special indeed. Only if they can keep them lads fit though.
Thiago to the Pool is going to be a great kick in the hole for them. They badly needed a lad like him.
I think it'd be great for the league if Bale went to Spurs. Thought he'd go to City or Utd. Must be a few nice golf courses in London.
Quote from: Pedrito on September 17, 2020, 09:19:38 PM
I said Tottenham would do nothing but what a difference a signing could make. The thoughts of Bale and Kane terrorizing defences is mouthwatering. Not a fan of the club at all but a shedding of some sort touches like Dele Alli and a tougher, more Mourihno-like approach could be something special indeed. Only if they can keep them lads fit though.
Thiago to the Pool is going to be a great kick in the hole for them. They badly needed a lad like him.
Yeah if he can stay fit.
There was an interesting theory about the climate in Spain suiting him better as he didnt have as many injuries as he would get in England so those winter pitches will be a good test for his hamstrings :)
Gets well cold in Madrid but the humidity in England, the wet weather definitely won't help. Expecting his hadicap to suffer also.
I think Bale is exactly what Spurs need. Mourihno's tactics call for quick counters and if Bale can keep the pace up it will fit perfectly with that. Knowing Jose he will probably play him at the back though!
José now says he has too many players on his squad. He's some gas cunt.
According to all sorts of stuff I've read over the years from his former Chelsea players everything he says has an exact point to it. Can't figure it out myself though as to me he always sounds like he is just whingeing about something.
Managing Madrid changed him, added 10 years onto his life. There's a reason they change managers so often. I'm not sure if people realise the trouble he caused and the war he created with Barcelona while he was in Madrid. It was a sight to behold. I saw them a couple of times that year. The BBC thing was something else to behold and I'm not talking about pornhub. By the end of it I think even Madrid supporters had had enough of the venom that he spat at Barcelona..everyone breathed a sigh of relief when he left, but it was amazing to watch.
I watched loads of Under The Cosh, Simon Ferry, OTB and the like over the lockdown, and this was one of the funniest football stories I've ever heard. About Brian Clough, naturally.
Mark Crossley should be a comedian, he's fuckin' gas.
https://youtu.be/5W5ZEK9jnwg
That is fuckin brilliant. Took the £50 outta his wages n all. Classic.
This one is as good, another Crossley tale, featuring Clough and Vinny Jones :)
https://youtu.be/beNb9OcJ5LE
Ah jaysus, brilliant.
I guess we'll be seeing a load of penalties retaken this season.
Watched Utd today. How anyone can argue they're any better than when Mourihno or even Moyes was there is beyond me. A shambles
One positive is Van De Beek. The lad is purr quality. Him and Fernandez the future, they need to get rid of a lot of deadwood even still.
Evra'll be the next to get the chop from Sky, after bringing up the old "Zaha fucked Moyes' daughter" rumour.
I hadn't heard that rumour at all, but I'd say it's not much fun round Moyes' gaff watching the Crystal Palace highlights!
Really looking forward to Chelsea Liverpool today. If the pool don't blow them away in the first 20 minutes I can see it being a great game. Pity for Chelsea they have to play with no keeper though.
Great tackle by Christensen. Wrong sport, unfortunately.
The second half should be a harrowing experience for the chelsea back line after that. Will surely kill it as a contest really given how dominant in possession liverpool have been so far.
Jaysus that goalie is a clown! 70 million bar this lad cost, unbelievable.
Tying in with the simple pleasures thread, went to the pub for this. Everything about it was fantastic. Pints and ball. Bliss.
Everything except the abject nature of the Chelsea performance!
This season's been brilliant fun so far. The Premier League's pure ballyhoo anyway, so I'm not overly fussed with the English media's current narrative over the handball rule/what's happened our game etc. The season's just decided to go along with the collective madness of 2020 and be as drunk as possible. It makes up for empty stadiums somewhat, at least.
Another crazy weekend in the premier league. Love it. Leicester starting off again really well.
I wonder what odds you'd get on Pep being the first manager sacked this year.
I know fuck all about odds but I wouldn't even be committing to a fantasy league this time around. I fully expect West Brom to be in the top four for Christmas day.
I wonder how players are finding this, actually? Dawned on me there that making your millions and getting your game time without thousands of English yobs either cheering you on or slagging you off might actually be a kind of heaven for them.
Missed the Liverpool game last night. Saw the highlights. They looked in good form, the report in The Guardian says the same. Few people on Twitter grumbling about complacency and how it should have been a bigger win. Hard to see from the snippets I watched.
I have to say the Machiavellian bit of business that Athletico Madrid/Luis Suarez did is gleefully tremendous in a comic sort of way. We can all sit back to watch himself and Diego Costa absolutely shithouse the entire La Liga season. If only they'd sign Mario Balotelli before the window closes.
Twas a good game. Arsenal have come on a long way in fairness to them.
Teams have to play full whack for 95 minutes to get a result against Liverpool. That beats most of them before they even set foot on the pitch.
Liverpool fully deserved it alright, could have been a different game if Lacazette finished off his one on one with the keeper though. Still, the aim is top 4 this season and that's not going to be decided with games against Liverpool away, I was happy just to have it knocked off the fixture list so early
Pep splashing the cash on his defence against. An embarrassing amount of money spent so far.
Wonder how important Arteta was to the coaching set up at City. He was managing to make Mustafi look like a proper defender at Arsenal, while Pep is back to throwing millions around to try and fix his problems
Quote from: Trev on October 01, 2020, 01:17:11 PM
Wonder how important Arteta was to the coaching set up at City. He was managing to make Mustafi look like a proper defender at Arsenal, while Pep is back to throwing millions around to try and fix his problems
Good point. Arteta is making Arsenal look a lot stronger as well, but can he succeed where no one else has and make a defender out of David Luiz?
In short, no.
Wow are they dragging the arse out of the CL draw. Is it always this bad?
I'll listen to the news at 6 and get it. Couldn't be dealing with the pointless ceremony of it all.
I should have done the same. Really painful stuff
I've a bad feeling for Celtic this evening over in Bosnia this evening. Failure to qualify for the group stages would be a disaster. Dundalk have a great shout, playing a Faroese outfit.
I gave up and turned it off after half an hour of utter pointlessness. Rather read the Coronavirus thread from top to bottom than watch any more of those odious presenters.
Dundalk got the handiest route to the group stages ever for an Irish side,they havent been great this sesson but should have enough to win tonight.
Great result for Dundalk.
https://twitter.com/CRO_Scout/status/1311734704740225025
Might not be the best goal scored tonight, but it's gotta be the funniest. (Unless you're a Copenhagen fan)
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on October 01, 2020, 10:46:05 PM
https://twitter.com/CRO_Scout/status/1311734704740225025
Might not be the best goal scored tonight, but it's gotta be the funniest. (Unless you're a Copenhagen fan)
Fuck that is one of the best goals I've seen in a while. It isn't even the finish it's the two lads falling over each other before he takes the shot
A comedy of fuckups. Brilliant.
Brother sent me there yesterday, quality.
Arsenal and Dundalk drawn together in tbe Europa! Better be crowds back by that point
Horrible group for Celtic. Hard to see them repeating the heroics against Lazio from last year, especially considering how sluggishly they have started the season.
What's Evra at on Sky?
Football, eh?
Some freak results today. The games are gone like training matches.
Utd look to be in serious trouble, going to be a long season.
Quote from: Blizzard Beast on October 04, 2020, 11:02:16 PM
Utd look to be in serious trouble, going to be a long season.
And in the last few minutes before the deadline, after they fail with an increased (by 50p) bid for Sancho, Ed Woodward will announce the signing of Gunnersaurus on a free.
Poor old Gunnersaurus,what a shit thing to do.Arsenal must be hard up.
Wonder what is the story with Rudiger being frozen out at Chelsea. He seems to me a much better defender than Christensen. Hope they don't sell him to Spurs as is rumoured.
Who will do the biggest bit of business today? Or the silliest? My money is on United for both
I've spent a long time laughing at Utd as the whole thing is embarrassing. But now I nearly feel sorry for them. A once great club.
Still, there is that element of comedy.
Spent a long time enjoying United's plight myself, although liking Chelsea as I do it's a bit of a fall from grace for both to be challenging for 4th place rather than leagues.
Ah jaysus, fuckin Chelsea. We've one of those cunts at work too.
Quote from: Emphyrio on October 05, 2020, 04:10:06 PM
Ah jaysus, fuckin Chelsea. We've one of those cunts at work too.
:laugh: :laugh:
I laughed way too hard there at your disgust
Another shower of cunts who had many glory days while Liverpool wallowed in mediocrity.
Whatever about your covid views, the Chelsea thing is unforgiveable
100%
Even if I say it was since 1993/4 season?
50% so
I'll take it!
Is the covid going to work in the favour of the nation just this once? I think no, but the false hopes always keep me going when it comes to the boys in green
It's the hope that kills you.
Lol, every single time!
Total dogshit so far from both teams (as expected).... :laugh:
:( :( :(
best attempt at actually playing soccer I've seen from them but alas...
Quote from: astfgyl on October 08, 2020, 10:28:02 PM
best attempt at actually playing soccer I've seen from them but alas...
The better team lost.
Ah lad. And it would have been against them from up the road if we'd have won it, for fuck sake. That's a sickener.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on October 08, 2020, 10:31:54 PM
Ah lad. And it would have been against them from up the road if we'd have won it, for fuck sake. That's a sickener.
Pewer hai....
Quote from: astfgyl on October 08, 2020, 10:27:17 PM
:( :( :(
It's like Man Utd. You get a guy in who has no experience at anything near the level you're playing at, and, throwing all reason out the window, he's expected to introduce some sort of Cryuff system into Irish football that has never existed at Youth, U21 or senior level, and somehow it doesn't work. Give me a break. Bring back Big Mick or time to call Big Sam for fuck sake.
Quote from: Pedrito on October 08, 2020, 10:43:15 PM
Quote from: astfgyl on October 08, 2020, 10:27:17 PM
:( :( :(
It's like Man Utd. You get a guy in who has no experience at anything near the level you're playing at, and, throwing all reason out the window, he's expected to introduce some sort of Cryuff system into Irish football that has never existed at Youth, U21 or senior level, and somehow it doesn't work. Give me a break. Bring back Big Mick or time to call Big Sam for fuck sake.
I fully agree with all of that. they were never going to do it. it only really hurts because it was penos. Never expected them to win tbh. On the plus side, as I was saying to the young lad, at least they had a go at playing soccer for a change but being Ireland they will never actually do anything.
Quote from: Pedrito on October 08, 2020, 10:43:15 PM
Quote from: astfgyl on October 08, 2020, 10:27:17 PM
:( :( :(
It's like Man Utd. You get a guy in who has no experience at anything near the level you're playing at, and, throwing all reason out the window, he's expected to introduce some sort of Cryuff system into Irish football that has never existed at Youth, U21 or senior level, and somehow it doesn't work. Give me a break. Bring back Big Mick or time to call Big Sam for fuck sake.
A stop ffs!,Kennys had fook all time with this squad,we've had 20 years of mick McCarthy/sam Allerdice style performances.We resembled a football team last night for the first time in a long while.Theres a bigger picture here lads.
Some of the attacking play was sublime, the Browne and Hourihane chances, great stuff. I'll agree with you Paul about the grand scheme but it is a very sore one all the same.
Take a look at some of our u21 performances since kenny took over ;we did fuck all at that level for years.Go back to 2016 when Dundalk were in the group stages of the Europa league,some fucking unbelievable performances away from home against vastly superior opposition.I breaks my heart to see fellas pine for managers like Big Sam!
Quote from: Caomhaoin on October 09, 2020, 07:32:49 AM
Some of the attacking play was sublime, the Browne and Hourihane chances, great stuff. I'll agree with you Paul about the grand scheme but it is a very sore one all the same.
Yeah it was a bitter pill to swallow for sure.
I'll take it back, was taking the piss a bit with that comment.
Quote from: astfgyl on October 08, 2020, 11:52:02 PM
Quote from: Pedrito on October 08, 2020, 10:43:15 PM
Quote from: astfgyl on October 08, 2020, 10:27:17 PM
:( :( :(
It's like Man Utd. You get a guy in who has no experience at anything near the level you're playing at, and, throwing all reason out the window, he's expected to introduce some sort of Cryuff system into Irish football that has never existed at Youth, U21 or senior level, and somehow it doesn't work. Give me a break. Bring back Big Mick or time to call Big Sam for fuck sake.
I fully agree with all of that. they were never going to do it. it only really hurts because it was penos. Never expected them to win tbh. On the plus side, as I was saying to the young lad, at least they had a go at playing soccer for a change but being Ireland they will never actually do anything.
sorry, I said I agreed with it all, I should have stopped at the big sam thing. I agree with the fact that they can't be expected to suddenly play some sort of total football after 3 matches and the fact that it hasn't been the culture at any level to play that type of ball in this country. Taking into account that the opposition were no great shakes either, it's painful to go out on penos but not unexpected that they weren't going to make it. Jury is out on whether Kenny is out of his depth or not but I'd be interested to see how they would get on against the likes of a Spain or Germany playing this sort of game. The benefits of the new approach are there to see, looking at what they did last night and I'd much rather them lose that way, with a bit of football played, than going the shitkicker route and still losing.
I dont think we could play against a top nation playing like that.For me our biggest downfall over the last 15 years is that we were scared shitless against teams of a similar or lower standard to ourselves.Look we'll dig in against sides like Spain and Germany,ride our luck etc.We've failed to qualify more often than not because we couldn't win the bread and butter games in our groups.Managers instilling fear into our players,we're not world beaters,but we should be playing a lot better than we have been in recent times.
Yeah it will be refreshing to see them not treating games like the Alamo every now and again. Sure what is the expectation for our team? Get to a tournament every now and again, and provide some memorable moments and get past the group stage is what I'd hope for. If we can do it using this approach and be half decent to watch most of the time, I'm in.
100% on everything Paul said. Tough to go out like that but positive signs for the future.
Marcus Rashford nominated for an MBE there 🤣
Ah she's messin' now god bless her.
Luis Suarez mentioning over the weekend that he was nearly reduced to tears because he wasn't allowed to train with the Barcelona first team.
I'm nearly reduced to years every time I read that he was paid €340,000 a week at Barcelona.
He also said that he had to take a drop in his wages to continue his dream of playing football in Spain - a paltry €190,000 a week.
Oh and a €14 million contract release pay-off from Barcelona.
Quote from: StoutAndAle on October 12, 2020, 11:43:41 AM
Luis Suarez mentioning over the weekend that he was nearly reduced to tears because he wasn't allowed to train with the Barcelona first team.
I'm nearly reduced to years every time I read that he was paid €340,000 a week at Barcelona.
He also said that he had to take a drop in his wages to continue his dream of playing football in Spain - a paltry €190,000 a week.
Oh and a €14 million contract release pay-off from Barcelona.
He just wanted his pound of flesh.
I guess the Glazers want to be hated by everyone in football now, not just United fans, by hopping on board with FSG's Big Picture plans.
Everton v Liverpool and Celtic v Rangers kicking off at the same time (early tomorrow). Jaysus lads it's Christmas :)
Everton have a good chance tomorrow of their first Merseyside Derby victory since about 1937.
Should be a bonanza for FPL managers. I expect goals goals goals.
So get in yer defenders for the inevitable nil all..
Quote from: Emphyrio on October 16, 2020, 05:57:29 PM
Everton have a good chance tomorrow of their first Merseyside Derby victory since about 1937.
10 years and 22 matches without a win, and the last time was against Roy Hodgsons crowd. Easy win aswell, Liverpool were shit that year. Didn't see the groanathon coming.
Quote from: astfgyl on October 16, 2020, 06:30:37 PM
Should be a bonanza for FPL managers. I expect goals goals goals.
So get in yer defenders for the inevitable nil all..
I have Digne, Keane, Van Dijk and Salah , 0-0 will do lovely after the carnage In the last round of games.
Didn't take me long to be proven wrong there!
Yip, another mad weekend mayhap
Celtic were absolutely rubbish! That Klimala can fuck off back to whatever tractor factory in Poland he was signed from. A fraud. Shocking 'performance' all round.
That Chelsea keeper will have his own dvd for Xmas at this rate
Now that I've had a few drinks, fuckin shambles of a VAR decision. I thought it was only gonna be ruled offside if it was obvious.
Just saw that VAR decision. Jesus fucking Christ, are they gone demented?
liverpool disallowed goal was bad alright but they have had plenty of luck over the last year also with var.
Has VVD done his cruciate?
Lads, you just had to drink in Klopp's frustration, the sheer injustice he felt in the interview. He kept his cool but you could see he wanted to flip a table over.
'Dominated' is a stretch though, Everton had their moments, and plenty of them.
Everton are gonna do well this season. They look really good.
First time in years I'm optimistic. Top 6 is definitely doable. Just one win in a Merseyside derby though, please!
Rovers champions, and Cork are back in the Graveyard.
Ancelotti a genius, always has been, but an oul injury or 2 will confine Everton to top 6 unfortunately. I'd love to see them go on a run Leicester style though. Be like being a young lad and watching Graeme Sharp, Neville Southall, Kevin Sheedy and the boys. They were class back then and the Liverpool rivalry was something to watch.
Being an Everton fan at school was painful, the Wally Smith era with his legion of pensioners, has-beens and never weres. Only when Moyes came in we came out of the doldrums.
Only for that senile auld bastard Colina Everton would have been in the champions league group stage in 2005 too.
I tell ya a win this afternoon and I might start to believe. But as Pete says, it's a squad vulnerable to injury, and you take out Calvert-Lewin, Digne or two midfielders and things will look decidedly less rosy.
It's good to see Everton doing well I have to admit. City still aren't at the races which is even better to see.
Watched the Chelsea match earlier and the beauty of watching it with actual fans in the stadium can't be underestimated. Made me feel a bit sad, but the 4 nil softened the pain somewhat
Lennon has to be on extremely thin ice. Shocking performance against a weakened Prague. The defending, if you can call it that, was very poor. Idiotic to go gung ho like that with two artics for centre backs.
Wonder what the summer skills school manager was thinking, sticking McCarey in goals tonight?
Everton are shite again after all.
The top of the table celebration champagne must've went to their heads (and legs) a few weeks ago. :laugh:
Quote from: Emphyrio on November 07, 2020, 02:28:50 PM
Everton are shite again after all.
Fuck sake. Celtic shite, Everton pish again, Ireland out of the running, Liverpool dishing out slaps, the prods one game away from laughing at us again. Kilkenny almost had a 16 point lead clawed back by a rotten Dublin team last weekend. I thought I'd at least get Trump, but no, I have the preponderant fisher king with the philosophy degree from Hollywood Upstairs Radical Univeristé to rub my beautiful nose in it and explain my white fragility to me.
Sound.
That Delaney documentary. Cunt needs to be in jail.
Hopefully this will provide some entertainment for the evening. Probably total shite and a 2 nil for England but you'd never know they might be well up for this. Lack of a crowd will probably dampen it a bit either way
Lol I can really hear how badly the players know the national anthems with no crowd
Even Hopeless Harry Maguire scored against us. You're some dreamer boyo.
You've got the 2-0 scoreline right so far through astfygl pal...
60 minutes gone, not a shot taken and nothing resembling a cross put into the box either. No pressure on the ball, England players walking around in possession. Safe to say this one is over..
Remember the venom a game against England used to inspire..god be with the days!
Will today be the day that Jeff Hendrick justifies his place...
Well that was as depressing as usual. Hard to enjoy the endeavour of a team allergic to scoring.
I know it's a results based business but in fairness they're playing a bit of ball. Playing with enthusiasm at least. Hendrick offers very little though.
I see Ray Clemence died. Even I remember him playing for Spurs at the end of his career. His list of honours with Liverpool alone is astonishing:
'The personal trophy tally when he left Liverpool was five titles, three European Cups, two Uefa Cups, the FA Cup and the League Cup over 665 first-team appearances'.
He won an FA cup and Uefa cup with Spurs aswell.
Quote from: Emphyrio on November 15, 2020, 09:50:55 PM
I know it's a results based business but in fairness they're playing a bit of ball. Playing with enthusiasm at least. Hendrick offers very little though.
Some of the passing out from the back was a massive improvement on the kick and rush stuff we have previously seen but we badly need more in attack. Sure once we drop a few more levels down in the nations league we can develop the new philosophy a bit more, and I'm not even taking the piss saying that it's what will have to happen if this road is to be taken.
Mike Dean.... :laugh:
https://youtu.be/J5RAwDqCQ-M
Irish team in absolute dire straits, I don't have much hope against Bulgaria tonight tbh.
They've had shit luck in the squad so it's hard to really assess their progress in a fair manner.
And yet, despite the likelihood of the hope being a killer again, I think the tide will turn and we'll get 2 goals tonight. And no, I haven't started drinking early.
I'm keeping the faith for now.
Also, it's not that early:)
Aye, tis dark out o'clock.
Ah jaysus another blank. I didn't get the chance to watch it but I guess I missed nothing
Grim.....
https://www.balls.ie/football/the-dire-world-cup-qualifying-permutations-for-irelands-draw-to-bulgaria-tonight-454102
Grim is the word. Anyone feel like going back to kick and rush yet? Just joking but something badly needs to be done about scoring goals.
Quote from: astfgyl on November 19, 2020, 03:32:41 PM
Grim is the word. Anyone feel like going back to kick and rush yet? Just joking but something badly needs to be done about scoring goals.
Well I for one want to see him given time. The quality of play is light years ahead of what is was under previous managers. We need to hope and pray the Parrot kicks on. We have enough in defence and attack to have a decent enough team. We just need some strikers.
I agree, he's getting them playing decent football for the first time in the guts of 20 years. Lack of a proper finish and pure rotten luck are contributing to the poor results. His record is putrid looking, but he deserves at least one full qualifying campaign with the bulk of his best personnel available before he judgement.
It's the striker issue for sure. Dunno what we have up and coming but something is needed
There's a young lad at Arsenal, Jordan McEneff, who's well thought of. Think he's about 20 so hopefully he'll kick on in the next couple of years
I do hope so because I'd hate to see the idea of transitioning to a different style of play shelved due to a few bad results. It isn't as if the lads that are there can't pass the ball it's just they have been strongly discouraged from it forever.
If we go back to muck football I'm out. Since Euro 88 I've watched some fucking awful shyte masquerading as football. McCarthy 2002 world cup played a bit of ball. Kerr to a degree too. But spineless fucks like Trappatoni and and O'Neill can go and shyte. Charlton without the ball. Fucking amazing. In your face. No nonsense. If he only realised we had ball players too that team would have actually done better. First half in Euro 88 against one one the best Russia teams ever we played them off the park. This manager actually believes we can play. He unfortunately doesn't have the players. But hopefully he turns it around and even if he goes, the philosophy, and more importantly the belief to pass a fucking ball will stay.
Well said.
I agree with all that except for the part where if we go back to the other shit I'm out. I'll doubtless continue to torture myself no matter how it goes but I hope something comes of this even if it takes 10 years to come together
Quote from: astfgyl on November 19, 2020, 09:47:07 PM
I agree with all that except for the part where if we go back to the other shit I'm out. I'll doubtless continue to torture myself no matter how it goes but I hope something comes of this even if it takes 10 years to come together
Yeah thats the problem, I've invested 30 odd years into following what has, for the most part, been mind numbing shite. Its like Stockholm syndrome at this point
At least the few high points have been glorious
Quote from: Ollkiller on November 19, 2020, 08:55:01 PM
If we go back to muck football I'm out. Since Euro 88 I've watched some fucking awful shyte masquerading as football. McCarthy 2002 world cup played a bit of ball. Kerr to a degree too. But spineless fucks like Trappatoni and and O'Neill can go and shyte. Charlton without the ball. Fucking amazing. In your face. No nonsense. If he only realised we had ball players too that team would have actually done better. First half in Euro 88 against one one the best Russia teams ever we played them off the park. This manager actually believes we can play. He unfortunately doesn't have the players. But hopefully he turns it around and even if he goes, the philosophy, and more importantly the belief to pass a fucking ball will stay.
spot on.
It fuckin amazes me the reaction this current situation is getting,youd swear we were dismantling teams for the last 15 years and now thats come to a grinding hault under Stephen Kenny.This is going to take a campaign to get right.For all the shit this goalless streak has brought,ive actually seen positives.
Id rather see this through for a few years than be stuck with another dinosaur of a manager that has us scared shitless going into games.
This is all stemming from the shit show that is the fai,irish football is broken,its going to take years to fix.
Ireland back in the day were a great watch. The 1990 qualifiers. The world cup itself. There was great intensity and a masive desire to win. Yes there were some shite games but nowhere near as shite as these bunch we're watching now. The idea that we never played good football is total nonsense. We were brilliant at the 2002 world cup. 2012 was a low point and things needed changing but they did really well for the lack of any real outstanding talent at 2016. I won't be holding my breath tbh. I think we should have stuck with McCarthy. How anyone can think a run of goalless losses is a good thing is beyond me. If any other manager had the same streak he would have been hung and quartered.
Were not exactly overflowing with top league players at the moment, this is going to be a long term plan and its going to take a while for all the players to fully buy into this style of play. Its not like he can just go out and buy a few quick fixes in the transfer window.
Quote from: Pedrito on November 20, 2020, 09:54:50 AM
Ireland back in the day were a great watch. The 1990 qualifiers. The world cup itself. There was great intensity and a masive desire to win. Yes there were some shite games but nowhere near as shite as these bunch we're watching now. The idea that we never played good football is total nonsense. We were brilliant at the 2002 world cup. 2012 was a low point and things needed changing but they did really well for the lack of any real outstanding talent at 2016. I won't be holding my breath tbh. I think we should have stuck with McCarthy. How anyone can think a run of goalless losses is a good thing is beyond me. If any other manager had the same streak he would have been hung and quartered.
if McCarthy was any good we would have qualified out of the group,it was in our own hands,we literally beat Gibraltar,Georgia over the last two years.
If people can't see that the squad is absolutely decimated atm i dont know,we need our strongest players available for us to have any chance.
No ones happy with the situation,but the bulk of genuine irish football fans have had enough of the cave man football under various managers.I dont get the outcry tbh,are we in a rush to appoint another Sam Allardyce type manager and hope we armwrestle our way out of a group?.Im done with that shite,no one is looking for Pep Guardiola type football,we just want to see basic football,some bit of possession and build.
McCarthy and his ilk are done,yeah 2002 was amazing,but we had a good squad full of premier league players that could hold onto the ball.Right now we're down to the bare bones,Jack Byrne from Shamrock rovers looked our best ball player in the games he was involved on,no disrespect to him (i am a league of ireland fan)but that says it all about our strength and depth right now.
Let kenny develop/work with young players over the next two years and see where we're at.
At no point in the next 3 or 4 years, at least, should people be asking for a return to drab football, in the hopes of a 1 in a 100 all star performance where we beat a big team. Let's get the basics right of a proper philosophy, where what the youth squads are doing feeds into the senior squad. Kenny has experience with the youngflas, this can only bode well for the future. But after 20 years of muck, where fairly solid lads were told they were basically too shite to actually play ball, it's gonna take a while for a bit of confidence to return. Slow and steady, but we can't go back to the Trap O'Neill shitshow, ever. Fuck Allardyce and Pulis and all those settle for scraping-by cunts.
Lads it's all beautiful idealism but if you don't have good players you can't play good football. They need an approach, a system, something different. If everyone and their granny is now playing posession, pressing football AND they have better players, well I'm sorry to say you're screwed. It's all very honourable, die on your katana stuff, but it'll go nowhere. If a boxer keeps fighting and losing against better boxers then he's a journeyman. That's why they build them up slow and let them get some easy wins under their belt. You don't throw an underskilled and untested boxer into world championship fights. We're expecting some sort of miracle here and it ain't going to happen.
Most international teams are fairly ordinary. Granted some might have one world class gem, like Bale with Wales etc but by and large, apart from maybe the top 10-15 teams, there's not a whole lot doing. We also have more players currently in top flight football than we've had in years. With the right philosophy, and having a full squad we should be able to have a right go.
Diego M :'(
https://youtu.be/N8yPN-KEppE
Thanks for those goals against England.
Jayziz! Was he the best ever? Possibly.
Sad, very sad. That documentary 'Hero' with Michael Caine narrating about the '86 World Cup is your only man for a bit of nostalgia lads.
Quote from: Emphyrio on November 25, 2020, 05:09:31 PM
Jayziz! Was he the best ever? Possibly.
He was. He didn't stay at the peak for as long as Ronaldo and Messi have, but at their peak Madonna was the best. His movement, allied with insane close control was a joy to watch. He carried that Napoli team as well.
Suppose it's impossible to say who was they best ever, but his name will always be up there
The documentary on him from last year is well worth a watch
Quote from: Trev on November 25, 2020, 09:33:15 PM
Suppose it's impossible to say who was they best ever, but his name will always be up there
The documentary on him from last year is well worth a watch
yeah great doc,some fuckin lifestyle he had in Naples back in the 80s!
What an unbelievable character really. He was on a different level altogether in terms of scale, the drama, the size of his personality. There have been amazing players since but nothing has come close to the pure theatre he created. In 1986 he transcended the sport and then 1990 was drama of international proportions. They beat Brazil and a class Italy team to get to the final where they just imploded. Awful final to top off an incredible tournament. The Germans were a class team..Matthaüs, Kilnsmann and Brehme, the Inter Milan trio..class. We had Italian football every Monday night on telly and on Sunday morning there was a show about it too on Channel 4. I was glued to it. Serie A was so interesting back then to everyone. It's never reached those heights since. Then 1994, the drugs ban. All the craic with mafias, him shooting at journalists. Unreal stuff. There has never been or never will be anyone like him again in football. He transcended the sport, similar to Michael Jordan..everything else just pales in comparison.
https://youtu.be/9LezxSVOrvk
Watched a couple of "best moments" vids today. Definitely reminded me why I was so into football as a wee lad.
What a truly terrible year 2020 has been.
We've lost the world's two best attackers in the space of a couple of weeks. Diego Maradona and Peter Sutcliffe. RIP
:laugh: fuck sake
Mate of mine sent me this last night and it's the best thing I've watched in ages. Even if it's just to see how the world used to be before technology and globalisation took over, it's worth watching.
https://youtu.be/SFdypI0w-oc
Quote from: Pedrito on November 26, 2020, 04:17:19 PM
Mate of mine sent me this last night and it's the best thing I've watched in ages. Even if it's just to see how the world used to be before technology and globalisation took over, it's worth watching.
https://youtu.be/SFdypI0w-oc
YouTube account closed boyo....
Weird my brother says he can't see it either. Type Maradona HBO documental into youtube and you should be able to see it. Or maybe it's a country thing?
IF United beat Liverpool today, City will win the league.
I'm really surprised to see United in the mix at this stage given the apparent disarray they were in at the start of the season. A run in the Europa league could see the wheels come off their title bid. Hopefully.
All still very open but I think Liverpool or City will come out on top. Certainly won't be fuckin Chelsea anyway
Yeah for the halfway stage it's still really tight at the top half, something like 9 points between 1st and 9th.
Although I stuck on tenner on Arsenal to make top 4,and another on Aubameyang for golden Boot and I know I'm never seeing that money again
Might get the top 4 as it seems no one else really wants it.
As for the golden boot, hard luck.
If it's any consolation, I thought Werner was a strong candidate for it and he is having a real Torres of a time so far
Damp squib, as the man with the wet fireworks might say.
Yeah it was pretty shit. Good result for city
How does Neil Lennon still have a job? This season has lurched from shaky, to disappointing to completely shambolic in the last 5 months, and this lad is talking a load of unhinged nonsense to reporters.
Rangers 20 points ahead with on paper, a significantly inferior squad.
'Nadir' by Abaddon Incarnate for this evenings listening.
Who would have thought Burnley would have ended liverpools unbeaten home record :laugh:
Quote from: Blizzard Beast on January 21, 2021, 09:58:33 PM
Who would have thought Burnley would have ended liverpools unbeaten home record :laugh:
Just keeps getting better. GGMU
Brought a smilín to the face that :)
7 hours without a goal,hard to believe given the firepower they have up top.
I've given up on the premiership this year as its basically a basket case...the crowds are missed desperately...they are like a 12th player....
Quote from: Paul keohane on January 22, 2021, 08:50:06 AM
7 hours without a goal,hard to believe given the firepower they have up top.
Especially given they have the most goals in the league currently. I feel like I've been watching the same game for a month.
Quote from: Paul keohane on January 22, 2021, 08:50:06 AM
7 hours without a goal,hard to believe given the firepower they have up top.
Their full backs havent been great this season and injuries havent helped either.
Everton and Spurs could over take them yet :)
Fucking Kepa.
It just had to be that man.. Fernandes is a hero.
Its a joke that the champions haven't bought a CB
Chelsea showing a touch of class as usual sacking the manager mid season. Gimps.
Too many egos in the team. Tough job to get em all on side.
They dont waste anytime.
Interesting to see how Tuchel does.
Quote from: Emphyrio on January 25, 2021, 08:54:01 PM
Too many egos in the team. Tough job to get em all on side.
I actually thought for once that a manager had gotten on top of the ego situation. I haven't heard much of players agitating. Tuchel will get on like them all, gone the first full season that they don't win the quadruple. Piss poor as usual from Chelsea. And to think I used to enjoy following them when an oul tilt at the fa cup and a top half finish was considered a decent season. Fun is gone out of it with the business element of following a team with lofty ideas.
Chelsea played well today with the shake up in the formation. Usual new manager effect, but it got me thinking about how inflexible a lot of managers are. Lampard appeared to persist with the 4-3-3 even when other teams had obviously figured out the weak links and it was his downfall. He isn't the first manager to fall on his own sword and won't be the last and what I was thinking was, is that inflexibility a good or a bad quality in a manager or is it the fault of the players for not thriving in the system or what? I think that managers in this day and age, and especially at Chelsea, should be able to figure out the best tactics for whatever players are handed to him by the board and get on with it that way but it just had me thinking was all.
Hard to say if twas the new manager bump or what but Chelsea looked good. With the squad ye have ye should be in or around top 3 without any bother. Funny aul season though. Liverpool kinda getting back to a bit of form.
Yeah agreed about the squad. In a way that is what I was getting at with the manager thing. If it is to be the day and age of managers getting squads handed to them/foisted upon them by boards with more business and marketing sense than football sense, does the modern manager simply have to adapt to what he gets and make the best of it (assuming most of the squad is half decent players) and be open to playing any style at all, given the opponent, as long as it works to win? So 3-4-3 in one game, 4-4-2 the next, back to 3-4-3 etc, instead of developing an exact thing like Conte did at Chelsea, along with Sarri, Mourihno, Lampard and more? I was thinking of it from the perspective of managing Chelsea in particular, as it seems to apply to every single manager there that they are at odds over signings but shouldn't they know that when they take the job?
Good win for Liverpool this evening. They really needed to win that to get a bit of momentum. I feel like it's city's to lose now but the only team might pip them is Liverpool. United can get as many penos as they want but it's only a pipe dream that they could win it this year.
Quote from: astfgyl on January 31, 2021, 09:38:53 PM
Yeah agreed about the squad. In a way that is what I was getting at with the manager thing. If it is to be the day and age of managers getting squads handed to them/foisted upon them by boards with more business and marketing sense than football sense, does the modern manager simply have to adapt to what he gets and make the best of it (assuming most of the squad is half decent players) and be open to playing any style at all, given the opponent, as long as it works to win? So 3-4-3 in one game, 4-4-2 the next, back to 3-4-3 etc, instead of developing an exact thing like Conte did at Chelsea, along with Sarri, Mourihno, Lampard and more? I was thinking of it from the perspective of managing Chelsea in particular, as it seems to apply to every single manager there that they are at odds over signings but shouldn't they know that when they take the job?
Good win for Liverpool this evening. They really needed to win that to get a bit of momentum. I feel like it's city's to lose now but the only team might pip them is Liverpool. United can get as many penos as they want but it's only a pipe dream that they could win it this year.
Most be in a minority as most Utd fans I know had no expectations of a title win this season.
If City beat liverpool next weekend I think they will be very hard to catch.
I think with Cavani Utd should be way more confident and make a go of it. It's intsresting that they went on that run after he came to the squad. They realise they were strolling. So many good players in their squad, the mindset needs to change though.
Quote from: Blizzard Beast on February 01, 2021, 01:45:54 PM
Quote from: astfgyl on January 31, 2021, 09:38:53 PM
Yeah agreed about the squad. In a way that is what I was getting at with the manager thing. If it is to be the day and age of managers getting squads handed to them/foisted upon them by boards with more business and marketing sense than football sense, does the modern manager simply have to adapt to what he gets and make the best of it (assuming most of the squad is half decent players) and be open to playing any style at all, given the opponent, as long as it works to win? So 3-4-3 in one game, 4-4-2 the next, back to 3-4-3 etc, instead of developing an exact thing like Conte did at Chelsea, along with Sarri, Mourihno, Lampard and more? I was thinking of it from the perspective of managing Chelsea in particular, as it seems to apply to every single manager there that they are at odds over signings but shouldn't they know that when they take the job?
Good win for Liverpool this evening. They really needed to win that to get a bit of momentum. I feel like it's city's to lose now but the only team might pip them is Liverpool. United can get as many penos as they want but it's only a pipe dream that they could win it this year.
Most be in a minority as most Utd fans I know had no expectations of a title win this season.
If City beat liverpool next weekend I think they will be very hard to catch.
To be fair, I don't know a single United supporter who gave them any hope of a title win this year, it was just the media getting excited when they hit that top spot. Agree on City, if they beat Liverpool it's as good as done.
Quote from: Pedrito on February 01, 2021, 02:19:11 PM
I think with Cavani Utd should be way more confident and make a go of it. It's intsresting that they went on that run after he came to the squad. They realise they were strolling. So many good players in their squad, the mindset needs to change though.
Brilliant singing. Supposed to be a beast in the dressing, won't let other players slack off. You can see him telling the other players where to put the ball. Runs more per game than Martial. Martial should be watching Cavani like a hawk in training to see how a pro does it. Wish we'd signed him years ago.
Quote from: Ollkiller on February 01, 2021, 02:32:01 PM
Brilliant singing. Supposed to be a beast in the dressing, won't let other players slack off. You can see him telling the other players where to put the ball. Runs more per game than Martial. Martial should be watching Cavani like a hawk in training to see how a pro does it. Wish we'd signed him years ago.
His movement is great, and when the likes of Greenwood score he's telling him things during the celebration. Underrated, needs a better wide player to provide for him.
Martial is robbing a living at Utd. Cavani has been a great signing.
Quote from: CorkonianHunger on February 01, 2021, 03:01:29 PM
Quote from: Ollkiller on February 01, 2021, 02:32:01 PM
Brilliant singing. Supposed to be a beast in the dressing, won't let other players slack off. You can see him telling the other players where to put the ball. Runs more per game than Martial. Martial should be watching Cavani like a hawk in training to see how a pro does it. Wish we'd signed him years ago.
His movement is great, and when the likes of Greenwood score he's telling him things during the celebration. Underrated, needs a better wide player to provide for him.
Need a right winger full stop. Greenwood is a striker, not a winger but does an ok job on the right. Hopefully Diallo can come in but probably need an experienced right winger. Traore or Boden would fucking do at this stage.
I'd say Cavani couldn't believe the piss taking when he walked into the place. I'd say they work hard enough but nowhere near the levels of Utd of old or the likes of the top clubs in Europe. I'm sure they needed a more seasoned figure in there in fairness to them..maybe you just need a kick in the hole sometimes. They got rid of Jesse Lingard..about time too. Loads of talent but a spoofer. They're definitely going in the right direction.
Evra here on what it was like going to Juve. Hardcore.
https://youtu.be/Z426qbhDlXY
I see Chelsea Ladies' manager Emma Hayes is under consideration for the Wimbledon job. She has done well enough with the Chelsea team so I'd be curious to see how it would translate. Hopefully we will get to find out.
How far do we all reckon we are away from a mixed league? It will surely happen sooner or later the way the world is going and will in a lot of ways ruin the game as we know it but leaving that argument out, how far away?
Quote from: astfgyl on February 01, 2021, 09:33:20 PM
How far do we all reckon we are away from a mixed league? It will surely happen sooner or later the way the world is going and will in a lot of ways ruin the game as we know it but leaving that argument out, how far away?
About 500 years.
Do you reckon? What would be the non-sexist argument against it?
As in 5 or 6 women out of 11 players on the field?
You may as well have 5 people in a wheelchair playing. If it's inclusivity you're looking at, at least that'd be better entertainment.
Imagine it, Liverpool v United top of the table clash with 4 or 5 women and at least one of the trans goalies in a wheelchair. Lad Person with 2 fake legs up front and they/them are fuckin unreal. Sure the real life version happened lately and was less exciting than that sounds.
I agree with what you are saying but I still see it happening as the logical conclusion
The way PC-ness has gone, I can see where you're coming from. Gender quotas and all that nonsense. But football is a product, a very lucrative one due to it being largely regarded as arguably the most entertaining sport in the world (that's up for debate of course). It would be impossible for the quality not to be diminished by adding women to a men's team. Elite footballers would never be on board with it. They want to play with and against the best.
Quote from: Emphyrio on February 01, 2021, 09:53:52 PM
As in 5 or 6 women out of 11 players on the field?
You may as well have 5 people in a wheelchair playing. If it's inclusivity you're looking at, at least that'd be better entertainment.
:laugh:
Would be the equivalent of Coca Cola substituting dogshite for sugar in their soft drinks.
Quote from: astfgyl on February 01, 2021, 10:10:16 PM
Imagine it, Liverpool v United top of the table clash with 4 or 5 women and at least one of the trans goalies in a wheelchair. Lad Person with 2 fake legs up front and they/them are fuckin unreal. Sure the real life version happened lately and was less exciting than that sounds.
I agree with what you are saying but I still see it happening as the logical conclusion
They only talk all that bollox when money isn't on the line. The dollar will win out in the end and thank fuck for that. It means we have to endure uppity arsehole US female players spoofing on about equality every 4 years but nobody, in all reality, is listening. I've seen better 5 a sides than the lastwomen's world cup games and so have all of you even though you mightn't want to admit it.
I watched a good few games and it was chronic
Quote from: Pedrito on February 01, 2021, 10:21:11 PM
Quote from: astfgyl on February 01, 2021, 10:10:16 PM
Imagine it, Liverpool v United top of the table clash with 4 or 5 women and at least one of the trans goalies in a wheelchair. Lad Person with 2 fake legs up front and they/them are fuckin unreal. Sure the real life version happened lately and was less exciting than that sounds.
I agree with what you are saying but I still see it happening as the logical conclusion
They only talk all that bollox when money isn't on the line. The dollar will win out in the end and thank fuck for that. It means we have to endure uppity arsehole US female players spoofing on about equality every 4 years but nobody, in all reality, is listening. I've seen better 5 a sides than the lastwomen's world cup games and so have all of you even though you mightn't want to admit it.
Women are roughly 2 or 3 divisions behind their male compatriots. That's just the reality. You're quite correct, the financial aspects will win out.
Quote from: astfgyl on February 01, 2021, 10:23:59 PM
I watched a good few games and it was chronic
Muck, pure and simple and them fucking yanks..nobody wants to see that. It gets hyped beyond belief but I'd seriously question the numbers of supposed viewers. And hey, in fairness I'm all for women's sports. Love the 100 metres, the long jump, watch the women in MMA but mixing it up is only making a nonsense of it.
They have fuck all viewers, surely.
Women's soccer taken in direct comparison with its male counterpart is unwatchable, pathetic shite and it's only visible as a product because of the current times we are living in.
I dunno if I ever mentioned this here before but if you are ever betting on women's football then bet on the team with the most lesbians in it.
I watch a fair few of the Arsenal women games, nothing wrong with the quality. You're just as likely to see an utterly shite Premier league or Championship game. The idea of Fulham v Brighton is hardly going to set pulses racing
There might not be the same technical level, but then it's decades behind the men's game, goalkeeping coaches have only started to become standard in the last few years for example
As for mixed teams? Can't see it happening at all. There's no clamour for other sports to start mixing (that I've heard anyway) and don't see football being any different
You musta missed the trans athletics? Huge girls with even huger willys!
And now the Chelsea women's team manager rejecting the Wimbledon job as beneath her. Then comes out with this:
"Fran Kirby, Pernille Harder, Beth England, Magda Eriksson, Millie Bright, Maren Mjelde – do you want me to keep going? These are world-class players, and women's football is not a step down from anything."
Wonder what the score would be if Wimbledon played against her world class players?
They are world class players (I suppose, I've never heard of any of them) as long as they are playing other women. Where speed, strength and stamina are required, it's an impossibility that women can compete with men who in sport, but sure we're pretending all kinds of other facts of life are not in fact facts, and shut up about it or you hate women.
I remember seeing Terry Christian on one of those early morning shows and they were talking about women being able to play against men, specifically the woman's England team which apparently at the time where doing very well or won something.
He quite frankly stated without coming across as sexist or patronising that as good as the woman's team are, a men's division 2 team would absolutely destroy them
Division 2? Ehhh not even close. More power to women playing football, I wish them all the best, but there's a reality to the situation that I don't think people fully grasp.
https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/a-dallas-fc-under-15-boys-squad-beat-the-u-s-womens-national-team-in-a-scrimmage/
I think it's just worth watching and enjoying it for what is instead of comparing it to the mens game. I don't watch say the women's athletics and go "ah yeah, she's pretty fast but Usain Bolt would destroy any time she gets"
Plus the Arsenal women's team are great and actually have a chance of picking up trophies so it's a nice alternative!
Yep, the best way to watch it. Definitely not calling for them all to be burkhad up either :laugh:
If they sorted the goalies out it would make a big difference to how I see it. Every time I see a goal scored no matter how good, the keeper is at fault. A few years in the mixed league should improve things.
Quote from: Ollkiller on February 01, 2021, 02:32:01 PM
Quote from: Pedrito on February 01, 2021, 02:19:11 PM
I think with Cavani Utd should be way more confident and make a go of it. It's intsresting that they went on that run after he came to the squad. They realise they were strolling. So many good players in their squad, the mindset needs to change though.
Brilliant singing. Supposed to be a beast in the dressing, won't let other players slack off. You can see him telling the other players where to put the ball. Runs more per game than Martial. Martial should be watching Cavani like a hawk in training to see how a pro does it. Wish we'd signed him years ago.
I think tonight proves this, game was done at half time, but you could see the attack with and without him tonight. That being said, what a result!
And only 2 red cards and a peno, light by utd standards!
Jaysus, that's a ridiculous scoreline.
Three top flight 9-0 games in the past thirty years, and United and Southampton both involved in two of them.
Salah > Fernandes captaincy going well for the FPL top ten managers so far
Fully expected to be retracting that after the second half, shocking stuff
I think that's all she wrote in terms of the title. Liverpool just too up and down this year. Hard to keep that intensity going, especially after literally jumping from one season to the other. They were making massive news the other day about signing some lad from Preston..clutching at straws a bit. Van Dyck irreplaceable. I think a bit of coming back to earth will suit them and I'd say next year will be bananas in terms of them and City smashing all before them, something like 2 years ago.
Ya, that's it for Liverpool. Hard to predict next season. City will still be flying high, Liverpool too hopefully after this season's disappointment, but I think United will be stronger, Chelsea will too. I think the top 4 or 5 will be streets ahead of the posse behind them, not like this season.
Very disappointed to see that liverpool game this evening. I was hoping it would all stay tight to the end but now even beating city won't be enough. The top 4race should still be decent with very little consistency among the candidates
There's Seagulls in the Pool lads!
Quote from: Emphyrio on February 03, 2021, 10:25:06 PM
Ya, that's it for Liverpool. Hard to predict next season. City will still be flying high, Liverpool too hopefully after this season's disappointment, but I think United will be stronger, Chelsea will too. I think the top 4 or 5 will be streets ahead of the posse behind them, not like this season.
It could either way with Utd. They're very up and down still. Honestly, the league is like it is always. A couple of top teams and then some teams like Spurs(as usual) that look great for a while a d then start firing blanks. I think Liverpool from last year would beat this City team but it's a wonky enough oul season tbh.
Liverpool have missed jota the last while. He could have made the difference in a good few of their games
Absolute shite
Jota?
I think the league is going to be even more open next season. They've gone from having the league broken up last year, finishing it out over the summer, straight into this season with trying to finish it around the usual time, and then it'll be on to the Euros
I was reading an article a while back that injuries are up about 25% than the average over the last few years, by the middle of next season half the players will be walking dead the way they're being pushed
Its looking like liverpool are in a top 4 fight now as league looks to be gone. I think City will beat them at the weekend as their confidence looks shot also.
Losing VVD was a huge loss as he is the lynchpin of that team , they could cope with injuries to their forwards but not him it seems. Plus other injuries have shown how weak their squad is.
They also look a bit burnt out as they have been really good for 3 years but that must surely take its toll mentally and physically.
Looking forward to Chelsea v spurs. Hopefully this will be the night Werner gets the monkey off his back.
You'd be banned from twitter if you wrote that
:laugh:
Quote from: Pedrito on February 04, 2021, 08:09:16 PM
You'd be banned from twitter if you wrote that
You say that like it's a bad thing. :laugh:
Quote from: Pedrito on February 04, 2021, 08:09:16 PM
You'd be banned from twitter if you wrote that
:laugh:
Shocking game tbf but a desperate 3 points for Chelsea
Well that's the end of me looking forward to things.
At least Werner got the monkey off his back. It's clawing at his face now though
A bad dogs beating
Ok who's the smart arse who triple captained Gundogan this week?
Quote from: Thorn on February 15, 2021, 02:50:00 AM
Ok who's the smart arse who triple captained Gundogan this week?
He's playing very well and on a great scoring run in fairness.
United really do break my heart. Shambolic defending.
Finally! Just sent a text to my brother slagging just two kids aged 9 and 6 who support Liverpool.
Class act :)
About fecking time ye won there.
https://www.footballcritic.com/news/what-is-the-europa-conference-leaguec-europes-third-club-competition-and-how-it-will-work-24289-36808-37107-98901/3083
Sounds rough enough, but probably a chance for the FAI clubs to do something in Europe
I've just lost all interest in European football at this point, adding another competition to try and boost UEFAs overflowing bank accounts isn't going to encourage me to go back to watching it
They should just bring back the Cup Winner's Cup instead.
And I see Daniel Kinahan's now decided to get involved in football. Mino Raiola will be either pleased that he'll no longer the most hated agent in football, or terrified that MTK will decide give him an offer he can't refuse to take some of his clients.
It's probably overkill, the third competition and I doubt I'd watch any of it unless some of the Irish teams are going well in it.
Who is going to do business with Kinahan? Diego Costa is already spoken for...
Quote from: astfgyl on February 23, 2021, 04:22:33 PM
https://www.footballcritic.com/news/what-is-the-europa-conference-leaguec-europes-third-club-competition-and-how-it-will-work-24289-36808-37107-98901/3083
Sounds rough enough, but probably a chance for the FAI clubs to do something in Europe
Sounds awful and pointless, really. Some of the pitches in the Europa are in worse shape than my back garden, I can't imagine what a tier down would look like :laugh:
Chelsea looking decent again this evening. The decision to give Frankie the road appears to be a good one so far. Still need a bit of work up front but making plenty of chances
I'm ignoring this thread for the foreseeable.
Liverpool? On the bright side, they look like doing their best to avoid the europa league or the dreaded conference (although I dunno how teams even end up in that conference thing).
Last time Chelsea had a season like that, it did them the world of good without the european distraction and they won the league handy with Conte in charge
A new low for Ireland. Wow!
Shocking.
Muck.
This will be the moon landings of our times, complete with several theories that it never actually happened.
Mongtastic......
There was no saying it months ago. No Irish manager has ever gotten so many passes. Kenny miles out of his depth. The idea that league of Ireland is anywhere near the calibre required is a joke. You can pass all you want but if you can't bear Luxembourg it's time to call.it quits.
Quote from: Kurt Cocaine on March 27, 2021, 09:39:46 PM
A new low for Ireland. Wow!
Not sure on that given some of the shite results over the years
Total football = total mess
Give him 4 more years......
Quote from: Trev on March 27, 2021, 10:48:54 PM
Quote from: Kurt Cocaine on March 27, 2021, 09:39:46 PM
A new low for Ireland. Wow!
Not sure on that given some of the shite results over the years
Luxembourg lad. Population 600,000.....
We've never been anywhere near this low. Absolute shite and intentional looking past all the failings of the current management because somehow this lad knows better than the likes of Martin O'Neill, Giovanni Trapatonni, Mick McCarthy, Charlton, who all managed at top clubs in top leagues and knew tge limitations we possess and worked with them to try and win fukin games. But everyone's an expert nowadays. Pure delusion.
Quote from: Kurt Cocaine on March 27, 2021, 10:49:53 PM
Quote from: Trev on March 27, 2021, 10:48:54 PM
Quote from: Kurt Cocaine on March 27, 2021, 09:39:46 PM
A new low for Ireland. Wow!
Not sure on that given some of the shite results over the years
Luxembourg lad. Population 600,000.....
1-0 against Gibraltar, population 33,000
2-1 against San Marino, that needed a last minute winner with a team including Duff, Keane, Dunne, Kilbane...doesn't matter that they won, that was the real low point for me
It will be hard to get any manager above the level of mick mc carthy or even to his level to take over the Irish squad now. Poison chalice
Meself and the brother were talking about the San Marino result earlier too and there's a strong argument for that being as bad. The nil nil with Liechtenstein has to be up there as well though. That cut deep at the time
Cyprus
Luxembourg are all professionals,this was never going to be the walk in the park some expected.This is the weakest and most depleted Irish squad i can remember,this goes way beyond managers.This is the result of decades of neglect by the FAI,theres a long hard road ahead for Irish Football.To many people getting caught up in results and Kenny etc,its way bigger than that.
Quote from: Paul keohane on March 27, 2021, 11:55:59 PM
Luxembourg are all professionals,this was never going to be the walk in the park some expected.This is the weakest and most depleted Irish squad i can remember,this goes way beyond managers.This is the result of decades of neglect by the FAI,theres a long hard road ahead for Irish Football.To many people getting caught up in results and Kenny etc,its way bigger than that.
I get that and I don't disagree with you either. It isn't as simple as blaming Kenny or the players for being what they are
Quote from: Paul keohane on March 27, 2021, 11:55:59 PM
Luxembourg are all professionals,this was never going to be the walk in the park some expected.This is the weakest and most depleted Irish squad i can remember,this goes way beyond managers.This is the result of decades of neglect by the FAI,theres a long hard road ahead for Irish Football.To many people getting caught up in results and Kenny etc,its way bigger than that.
Spot on in fairness
Quote from: Paul keohane on March 27, 2021, 11:55:59 PM
Luxembourg are all professionals,this was never going to be the walk in the park some expected.This is the weakest and most depleted Irish squad i can remember,this goes way beyond managers.This is the result of decades of neglect by the FAI,theres a long hard road ahead for Irish Football.To many people getting caught up in results and Kenny etc,its way bigger than that.
If only the Luxembourg FA CEO had spent the organisation's money on James Bond themed birthday parties instead of player development.
This delusion is incredible. Ah Cyprus, San Marino blah blah. Luxembourg haven't won an away game in qualifiers in 13 years. We have a manager who hasn't won in 10 games trying to implement a brand of football that only works when you have top quality professionals playing for you who are used to doing it week in week out. Everybody thinks they can be Barcelona now..nonsense. They have a culture of that way of playing that was implemented all through the levels going back to Johann Cryuff. We don't, and expecting it to suddenly begin to work when players are already in their 20's is ridiculous. There are many ways to play the game and winning breeds confidence, not how many passes you can put together.
Quote from: Pedrito on March 28, 2021, 12:52:07 PM
This delusion is incredible. Ah Cyprus, San Marino blah blah. Luxembourg haven't won an away game in qualifiers in 13 years. We have a manager who hasn't won in 10 games trying to implement a brand of football that only works when you have top quality professionals playing for you who are used to doing it week in week out. Everybody thinks they can be Barcelona now..nonsense. They have a culture of that way of playing that was implemented all through the levels going back to Johann Cryuff. We don't, and expecting it to suddenly begin to work when players are already in their 20's is ridiculous. There are many ways to play the game and winning breeds confidence, not how many passes you can put together.
While all that is fair, the problem is the structures that have been neglected for all of Delaney's reign and before. There's more cohesion between the levels now I think. The underage setups seem to be doing well. I think it'd be silly for the youth teams to be playing modern football and our first team to be playing Trap/O'Neill muck. It'd defeat the purpose of youth squad development if they then have to learn caveman football when they get to senior squad.
There's two outlooks: 1) You want to start getting positive results immediately, even if it means reverting to type or 2) you're willing allow time to let the philosophy of this more possession based game take hold.
I'd be in the second camp. I don't want the likes of Pulis or Allerdyce etc. coming in and playing muck again anyway.
It's sort of evident from the last 2 games that we don't have the players, besides everything else. It will be a long long time before we see an Irish team reach a tournament again, regardless of whether they kick and rush their way to defeat or pass their way to defeat.
I don't think for a minute you have to resort to Pulis or the likes. There's an effective middle ground to be found. We should play to our traditional strengths. It's clear the players don't have the basic skills that Portuguese, Spanish or French players have. You just have to walk around any estate in Ireland these days and there's a fraction of kids playing football than there were when we were kids. The basics are not there and that translates into the adult game. Tiki taka works when kids are playing football constantly in the street and then bringing that to their clubs at the weekend where a philosophy/style of football is adhered to across the board. You look at a lad like Diogo Jota..we have nobody comes even close to him.
Luxembourg have won 5 games in World cup history. We're their biggest ever scalp.
There's no quick fix and we may as well forget about traditional strengths. We've always had a good defence, with many players at a high level. We don't even have that anymore so we need to figure out if we have any other strengths. It could be argued that currently we don't. We played well vs Serbia, but players got tired. That bled into last night. This is a consequence of our squad being decimated.
The only way we'd be likely to win these days is hoofball but that's not a fix. I'd like Kenny to stick to his guns. I'd be hopeful, if not entirely confident, that when players return and get used to the system, things would look better. We should have a strategy to play on the front foot and another one to play to our "traditional strengths" against teams who are clearly better.
The long and the short of it, Pedro, is that I can't argue with any of your points. I'm just trying to keep a more optimistic spin on it, even if it does take a while to get there.
Yeah, it's no harm being able to pass the ball but some flexibility in our approach would be no harm either. It's not even the fact that Luxembourg beat us for me. It was the manner of the defeat because they were far better than we were and could have won it by a couple. In the normal run of things we still could have been beaten by them while missing a host of chances or cracking the crossbar a few times or their keeper having the game of his life etc but it wasn't like that at all. Our best player was the goalie... in a defeat to Luxembourg.
Aye, there were simply no positives to take from that game. As I said earlier, muck.
Optimism is fine as long as it's not delusion and it's clear that people have made up their mind about giving Kenny a chance when most of the evidence is to the contrary. Whatever you might think about Martin O'Neill, the man had played and managed at the highest level and yet everything he did was held under a microscope and shredded to pieces. The same rule is not applied to Kenny who is nowhere near as successful as O'Neill was.
In a team that dosn't have quality full backs you cannot expect to play 3-5-2 and get away with it. If we think we are going to play Portugal using 3-5-2 we are going to be murdered..literally dismembered. John Giles always says it and he's 100% right..you have to earn the right to play that way. You don't just start tiky takying and hey presto it all falls into place. Maybe they can use this campaign to try and put some order on what they're trying to do, but starting with a proper system, get the defence right before trying to become Liverpool might allow us to grab a 1-0 here or there.
Yup, we're not ready for 3-5-2. I'd fully agree there. What I would disagree with you on is O'Neill. His constant reference to Clough and that method of management..... Time has moved on. That was painful stuff.
O'Neill is yesterday's man, but he was highly successful with Leicester, Celtic and to an extent, Villa.
Kenny failed at Dunfermline, where according to ACSOM, the players didn't rate him at all. Paddy McCourt said he did a good job at Derry, and he has done great in the LOI in general, but he seems incapable of anything at a higher level.
Quote from: Pedrito on March 28, 2021, 12:52:07 PM
This delusion is incredible. Ah Cyprus, San Marino blah blah. Luxembourg haven't won an away game in qualifiers in 13 years. We have a manager who hasn't won in 10 games trying to implement a brand of football that only works when you have top quality professionals playing for you who are used to doing it week in week out. Everybody thinks they can be Barcelona now..nonsense. They have a culture of that way of playing that was implemented all through the levels going back to Johann Cryuff. We don't, and expecting it to suddenly begin to work when players are already in their 20's is ridiculous. There are many ways to play the game and winning breeds confidence, not how many passes you can put together.
no one has said or expects us to play like Barcelona,we just want to see us play in a more positive fashion.
I stopped travelling up to Ireland games during the O Neill era,i consider myself a very keen Irish football fan.Not in it for any glory,but The Trapp/ O Neill eras sucked the enthusiasm out of me.I just couldn't do it any more,i can take a defeat no problem,but trudged performances time after time was enough.
88 and 90 were actually the downfall of Irish football,the Fai thought they didnt have to do a tap because we were top of the world.The game changed in England ,our players were getting less chances in Uk academies.The Fai never developed the game properly here,the chickens are coming home to roost with years now.
The Luxembourg league is ranked 37th in Europe,the League of Ireland is ranked 35th,says it all.Treating our own league like a parasite has caught up with us.
We also need a bit of luck in terms of a once in a generation player,one world class player would make a world of difference to a side like Ireland.
Not trying to rub salt into wounds here. The only thing that strikes me is that we used punch above our weight. We used the granny rule, we were smart, we got decent managers in. And of course, we had amazing players. 1 top.player makes a huge impact but needs 5 or 6 very decent players behind him to make things happen.
If you're Jack Grealish or Declan Rice, what about Stephen Kenny would attract you to come onboard? Now some will.say fuk them the Brits blah blah blah, but I'm sure John Aldridge and the likes needed a reason to play for us back in the day. It just doesn't seem very enticing. And we need to remember that pre 88 we weren't even this bad. We fell short but we had top top players in the team. I have a feeling Paul above is right. This didn't just happen overnight, it must come from years of letting the game slide. I get the feeling that Kenny is part of that slide rather than the answer to the equation though.
Im 25 years working with my local club and for the last decade or more we have had little to no investment or help from the FAI in fact i would say the complete opposite.
I know you might laugh but we wouldnt even get a football from them which might seem like something silly to say but kids pick up on this and parents definitely pick up on this. We fundraise for nearly everything and put our own hands iinto our own pockets several times a year just to get the basic things for the kids. And i am sure we are not alone in that sense
I would agree with you Pedrito on all that you have said and I feel people at the FAI have let the grassroots down which again would have a knock on effect for kids getting involved and committing to the sport and in turn this hugely impacts talent coming through and helping clubs educate young players. In most cases young players pin their hopes on defecting to one of the larger established clubs like home farm, cherry orchard etc just in the hope of getting a trial with a league of ireland youth set up or to a club in England
Thats just my own two cents on it, from someone who has committed to my local club in the hope of contributing to my community and to try and help kids enjoy the game and to have aspirations and it feels good to get that off my chest
Both my kids are in the academy of my local club,im a shareholder at Cork city fc years. Personally i think there is no joined up thinking/strategy between all the local leagues,league of Ireland clubs, and the Fai.Everyone was just fighting their own corner,i do think that its changing though.
There was no clear path for an up and coming prospect,its was totally disjointed.The Fai need to fully focus on how an academy player gets from his local club up to elite level.
Lads i could tell ye stuff about dealings with the FAi from Cork city fc meetings that would floor you.Getting rid of Delaney and some of his cronies will hopefully change things,but like I said this wont be fixed over night.
You're right, it will be a long time. We are deceiving ourselves if we think a tactical tweak or two will get us winning again. There is a massive difference these days too with the UK clubs not being as interested as they were in the last century, so we'd have to be looking at a system which develops our own players up to a half decent standard before anyone takes an interest in them, and for all the best intentions of local clubs and whatnot, it hasn't really been there up to now.
Another thing about this country is the Hurling and Football. Me own lad plays all 3, and the GAA sports don't clash with each other, but he regularly has to choose between those and the soccer due to training/fixture clashes. A bit of collaboration that way at the junior levels would be a massive help in that regard as well and let them specialise when they are teenagers but there is precious little of that where I am and loads of the young lads are scalded with it on a regular basis. If that gets replicated across the nation, how many potentially decent players are slipping through the net on a regular basis? I would say plenty. And conversely, how many potentially decent GAA players are missed by choosing the soccer after having to make a choice by the time they are 12 and floundering away there on the subs bench when they might be decent with a hurley? That's what it's like in Tipp anyway and I'd be surprised if the wasn't the story countrywide.
Every country has issues. Bottom line, if you don't have talented players then you need to adapt to the opposition and find other ways to win instead of jumping on the posession football bandwagon. Tighten up and try to dig out sone results. A 0-0 would be an amazing result against a team like Portugal even if we never had a shot on goal.
Quote from: Pedrito on March 29, 2021, 11:55:46 AM
Every country has issues. Bottom line, if you don't have talented players then you need to adapt to the opposition and find other ways to win instead of jumping on the posession football bandwagon. Tighten up and try to dig out sone results. A 0-0 would be an amazing result against a team like Portugal even if we never had a shot on goal.
Ah yeah, we shouldn't have to be suffering the ignominy of a defeat to a far superior Luxembourg side or anything like that regardless of what problems there may be at development levels. I suppose a lot of us here were around in the 90s and 2000s when things were good and we could hope for a result against any side, and our domestic setup was in as much trouble then as now. World Cup 2002 for example when we only went out to Spain on penos after losing Keane and we played some soccer as well as digging in, with a manager who both believed in our abilities as well as knew our limitations. We had far better players though. One the one hand, no one wants to see the Trappatoni stuff coming back and I don't think anyone is enjoying the Kenny stuff either. Pity Mick didn't stick around for another bit.
I thought Mick was doing a very good job too but he's not Hollywood enough for the Irish media.
Mick was hired to qualify for the upcoming tournament. If he'd been given a longer term contract I think he'd have brought in a few of the younger fellas instead of reverting to the "let's scrape results" with the old guard just to get to qualify. So ya, sticking with Mick would likely have been better.
Id have to disagree,McCarthy was stealing a living as Irish manager,We beat Gibraltar and Georgia in that campaign?,was it?.He was paid just shy of €3m for that Campaign,not his fault ,but no manager of Ireland should be getting anywhere near that.
The problem for me over the last 15 years is we approached every game the same,with fear in our eyes!.I can take a backs to the wall effort to get us over the line against one of the big sides,Spain,Germany,Italy etc. But we went into games against teams of similar standard to ourselves or lower and absolutely looked like we were going to shit our pants.Soul destroying performances,no one expects us to turn up and walk through decent sides,but we've been playing cave man stuff for 15 years now.
Theres been thousands of fans have walked away from going to the Aviva because of Trapp,McCarthy and O Neill.Not plastic event junky fans either,proper Irish supporters that just had enough.
Quote from: Paul keohane on March 29, 2021, 12:37:13 PM
Id have to disagree,McCarthy was stealing a living as Irish manager,We beat Gibraltar and Georgia in that campaign?,was it?.He was paid just shy of €3m for that Campaign,not his fault ,but no manager of Ireland should be getting anywhere near that.
Ya but Paul, he stuck to the old reliables for that campaign cos it was more likely to be a "safer" option. If he had a longer term he could have taken more risks with players and got them to play a bit of ball. In hindsight that campaign looks really bad but he was only hired for that one quick fix to qualify us.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/feb/24/mick-mccarthy-cardiff-city-championship-football
:(
I know it isn't the same setup, but I'd have loved to see Mick at the helm for at least another qualifying campaign. We only missed out by a playoff last time. And surely no one here can say going to tournaments is worse for development than tapping it around to little or no effect for 20 years. Big games create big game players and inspire the next generation to boot. Ah well, it isn't like I don't want Kenny to do well or anything either. I'd take no pleasure in his failure.
Quote from: Emphyrio on March 29, 2021, 12:41:18 PM
Quote from: Paul keohane on March 29, 2021, 12:37:13 PM
Id have to disagree,McCarthy was stealing a living as Irish manager,We beat Gibraltar and Georgia in that campaign?,was it?.He was paid just shy of €3m for that Campaign,not his fault ,but no manager of Ireland should be getting anywhere near that.
Ya but Paul, he stuck to the old reliables for that campaign cos it was more likely to be a "safer" option. If he had a longer term he could have taken more risks with players and got them to play a bit of ball. In hindsight that campaign looks really bad but he was only hired for that one quick fix to qualify us.
May be so,but id be very sceptical of McCarthy blooding players if he was there longer.Kenny may not be the answer,but we need to move away from dinosaurs managers too.
Quote from: Paul keohane on March 29, 2021, 12:45:59 PM
Quote from: Emphyrio on March 29, 2021, 12:41:18 PM
Quote from: Paul keohane on March 29, 2021, 12:37:13 PM
Id have to disagree,McCarthy was stealing a living as Irish manager,We beat Gibraltar and Georgia in that campaign?,was it?.He was paid just shy of €3m for that Campaign,not his fault ,but no manager of Ireland should be getting anywhere near that.
Ya but Paul, he stuck to the old reliables for that campaign cos it was more likely to be a "safer" option. If he had a longer term he could have taken more risks with players and got them to play a bit of ball. In hindsight that campaign looks really bad but he was only hired for that one quick fix to qualify us.
Kenny may not be the answer,but we need to move away from dinosaurs managers too.
Absolutely.
Was gonna say a friendly with Qatar is just the ticket but they beat Azerbaijan and Luxembourg! in their last 2 friendlies so could be another shitshow. O'Doherty and Stevens out. O'Doherty has been poor overall and Stevens is no loss with his shit passing.
Richard Dunne bang on the money here. You need to set up to get the most out of the players you have, not try to impose a system that should work if only you had the players to make it work. That's management. We have structural issues but should still be able to take on and beat a minnow country like Luxembourg. A properly drilled team playing within their capabilities is well capable of beating them at home.
https://youtu.be/UKWnr5n9u10
Quote from: Pedrito on March 29, 2021, 11:07:37 PM
Richard Dunne bang on the money here. You need to set up to get the most out of the players you have, not try to impose a system that should work if only you had the players to make it work. That's management. We have structural issues but should still be able to take on and beat a minnow country like Luxembourg. A properly drilled team playing within their capabilities is well capable of beating them at home.
https://youtu.be/UKWnr5n9u10
Was actually listening to it in the car this evening, very knowledgable guy and as you say spot on
There was absolutely nothing wrong with this style of football. Well drilled, effective, passionate. But of course the fantasy football bunch know better.
https://youtu.be/gVkhtit5wHw
Well drilled for sure, but didn't much of any style of football, that's just an example of a team under the kosh for 90mins. Granted we got lucky.
Watched that Jack Charlton documentary. Great stuff. No disputing the success he brought but he really did not like ball playing lads. We could do with a Dave O'Leary now. And Paul McGrath, what a legend.
John Aldridge, despite his Liverpool thing, was my favourite player of the period in an Irish shirt. He's a gas man too, 'we'd wear bin liners inside our kit on training every Wednesday'
'Why'?
'Ten pint Tuesday' :)
Quote from: Pedrito on March 29, 2021, 11:07:37 PM
Richard Dunne bang on the money here. You need to set up to get the most out of the players you have, not try to impose a system that should work if only you had the players to make it work. That's management. We have structural issues but should still be able to take on and beat a minnow country like Luxembourg. A properly drilled team playing within their capabilities is well capable of beating them at home.
https://youtu.be/UKWnr5n9u10
Basically the difference between Tuchel and Lampard, and it shows in the results
Quote from: Pedrito on March 29, 2021, 11:24:55 PM
There was absolutely nothing wrong with this style of football. Well drilled, effective, passionate. But of course the fantasy football bunch know better.
https://youtu.be/gVkhtit5wHw
Ah come on,you know full well games like that against the world champions any fancy stuff goes out the window.Great night but we were fuckin haunted.
I could put up 20 clips from games against the likes of ,Wales,Denmark,Bulgaria,Gibraltar,Georgia,etc etc where we were utter dog shit using the same tactics.
No one is saying we want total football,especially against top sides,we just want to see something that resembles football some times,its not much to ask for.
I get you want kenny gone,but championing the utter shit we've had to put up with for the last 15 years isnt right either.A balance can be struck but its going to take time.
Dreadful, I know it was a friendly but Christ almighty.
:laugh:
::)
Brian Kerr is some gimp. Match wasn't great either but that seems to be a feature of soccer in general lately
What do we all make of the Euro Super League? My own view is that there is no need for it but I'd be interested to see what anyone else thinks
Absolutely zero interest in it, a closed off league with no promotion or relegation just seems far too stale and safe to me. All about a money making exercise over genuine competition. Saying that I've very little interest in the Champions League either these days though
What I would ideally like to see, which will never happen because there wouldnt be as much money, but sure...
-CL sticks to just league champions in a straight knockout, give smaller clubs at chance at getting further with a few favourable draws
-Direct a huge chunk of the CL money to the Europa League to spread the cash around more
-Reinstate the Cup Winners Cup, always loved that competition
Yeah, it's a bag of shite I think. Good suggestions there as well, I still buzz off the CL, but it'd be pretty exciting revamped as a straight knockout with 2 legs per round.
Gary Neville isn't pulling any punches and I have to say I agree with his take on it for the most part... https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/12279748/gary-neville-disgusted-by-premier-league-clubs-involved-in-breakaway-european-super-league-plans
It will kill nearly everything that makes the game great. No youngsters coming through, no romantic European wins/losses, no Championship sides coming up and earning a CL place or even the league (Leicester). It will undermine the domestic leagues and history more or less will be brushed over.
Quoterelegate Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal because those three clubs are the history of this country and they should be the ones that suffer most.
"They should know better.
He's pretty spot on, but this is just ignoring the fact that the owners are all Americans who mostly view their clubs as another asset in their portfolio.
And its hilarious that Arsenal are included, and I say that as a fan. One Cup Winners Cup trophy 27 years ago followed by decades of underachievement in Europe, but they're an "elite European club"...
I'm pretty disappointed that Chelsea are gone in for it as well, but they have a certain lack of class about them a lot of the time so I shouldn't be surprised. I hope the arse falls out of it before it gets going.
A sad day for football if this comes to pass,we all knew it was coming,but still a bit of a shock.
Be interesting to hear what players have to say,
Jose sacked from Spurs.
His PR team are suggesting that he was fired earlier today for refusing to take the first team out for training in protest after hearing that Tottenham Hotspur elected to become a founder member of the European Super League.
Not that Spurs are 7th and have one win in the last 6 games.
The man shovels more horseshit that a Cheltenham caretaker.
Quote from: StoutAndAle on April 19, 2021, 11:08:59 AM
Jose sacked from Spurs.
His PR team are suggesting that he was fired earlier today for refusing to take the first team out for training in protest after hearing that Tottenham Hotspur elected to become a founder member of the European Super League.
Not that Spurs are 7th and have one win in the last 6 games.
The man shovels more horseshit that a Cheltenham caretaker.
Wouldnt surprise me if he pulled that stroke as he was a dead man walking and it was only a matter of time before he was sacked.
The new super league can go and fuck itself. Hopefully the backlash will kill it. If it goes ahead I won't be watching it. It's the very antithesis of sport.
Yeah the more I think about it the more annoying the idea is. I know the sport is awash with money as it is but this is a special type of greed and I suppose it's the inevitable consequence of all the foreign investment that the shareholders don't give a fuck about the league they are destroying
Quote from: Blizzard Beast on April 19, 2021, 01:30:27 PM
Quote from: StoutAndAle on April 19, 2021, 11:08:59 AM
Jose sacked from Spurs.
His PR team are suggesting that he was fired earlier today for refusing to take the first team out for training in protest after hearing that Tottenham Hotspur elected to become a founder member of the European Super League.
Not that Spurs are 7th and have one win in the last 6 games.
The man shovels more horseshit that a Cheltenham caretaker.
Wouldnt surprise me if he pulled that stroke as he was a dead man walking and it was only a matter of time before he was sacked.
Exactly
Why anyone would want the poisonous cunt as a manager I'll never know. His glory days are well behind but clubs keep throwing money at him.
I dont know will there be any middle ground found here,the 12 seem determined to plough on.A few things-
The owners of these clubs wont give a fuck if they are booted out of their domestic leagues.,theres a huge pay day with this new SL.
Players banned from international football,i think huge numbers of them wont be overly bothered. Representing your country is less and less of a draw compared to years back.
Fans of these clubs that boycott wont make a tapp of difference,gate receipts are only peanuts in all this.This is about TV revenue,sure traditional football fans in Europe might not watch it.But half of Aisia,India,China etc will tune in , driving this.
If a deal is struck where these clubs can still play in their domestic leagues,the games will be a farce.Imagine the weakend teams these clubs will put out for regular premier league games?.It will totally devalue domestic competition.
I love football,but ive been drifting from giving a fuck about it at the highest level for a long time now.The game was never going to come out looking good once American and oil money got into the English game.
They can super league it all they want..if no one watches/pays for it on tv...and no one turns up at the ground when fans are let back that will soon sort it out....
As a Liverpool fan..I hope we get turfed out of every other competition if it goes ahead...
As a Spurs fan I had to laugh at their statement last night where they considered themselves and Arsenal to be top European clubs. Why exactly? Jesus wept, barely qualified for Europa last year, knocked out by a "lesser" team, and will be lucky to qualify this year. Much rather see non "top 6" teams qualify ahead of them.
Other "top 6" teams haven't much to crow about either, but yet seem to think they should be at the top table sneering down on better teams in England and elsewhere.
Re Jose, guess they feel fine to fire him now that SL money will cover the buy out. Couldn't wait a week to see how the final went, pathetic. Pep must be dreading how to set his team up against a Ryan Mason team, could be a long sleepless week.
Quote from: The Heretic on April 19, 2021, 03:36:19 PM
They can super league it all they want..if no one watches/pays for it on tv...and no one turns up at the ground when fans are let back that will soon sort it out....
As a Liverpool fan..I hope we get turfed out of every other competition if it goes ahead...
Fans not turning up at stadiums wont make a tapp of difference,its small money in the scheme of this.There will be a string of fans willing to go to these games regardless of the initial reaction over thr last 24 hours.
The Asian and American audiences will make up for any loss of traditional support.
" the Spurs motto is "To Dare Is To Do" - Mourinho leaves having done very little daring or doing in his 17 months at the club."
:laugh: Well put by Phil McNulty in BBC Sport.
City, Chelsea, Barca and Atletico supposedly pulling out, Agnelli and Woodward are gone.
Been an interesting last couple of hours, hasn't it?
Mad to see CEOs fall on their swords. Twas a ridiculous idea but didn't expect this kind of fallout.
If Woodward handles his departure and payoff the same way he handles transfer negotiations, he probably won't actually leave United til late July, and then with only the original amount he was offered.
Yeah it seems a bit fucked at the moment but Perez insists that the contracts are binding so it will run for a bit yet
Seems that Chelsea might have a tiny bit of class after all. What a crazy few days so far
Chelsea saving football. The world is truly fucked!
Not too surprised at City and Chelsea leaving, they're both pretty much vanity projects for the owners and don't think they would have risked losing a shot at the Champions League.
Everything else that's gone on this evening though...
I said Chelsea might be showing a bit of class, but watching this game v Brighton I'm not so sure
Can't believe Ed Woodward is gone, absolutely delighted. 15 years of his tripe.
Glazers next.
A statement of a different style from the Milan ultras.
Milan supporters group Curva Sud released a different kind of statement that hit out at the world of football in general.
"Honestly, it makes us laugh to see all those people in the control room of football suddenly claim we fans are first and foremost.
"The Super League is just the latest in a long line of innumerable manoeuvres over decades that has made football into a business.
"The birth of this new competition would certainly be another shove to the football of old, which is by now a distant memory, and will inevitably obscure the tradition of the various national leagues, robbing football of the undeniable principle of sporting meritocracy.
"But the thing that most leaves us indignant is the hypocrisy of all those who contributed to making this sport nothing but a business, those who today stand up in name of the fans, but only because they saw their remunerative and seemingly untouchable project fall apart.
"Football did belong to the people until the 1990s, when the Champions League was born, destroying the old European Cup. From that moment, an unbreachable chasm has been created between the big and small clubs.
"Football did belong to the people even when nobody lifted a finger to stop the increase of ticket prices that was imposed by some Presidents.
"Football did belong to the people even when nobody stepped in to stop the rise of the super agents, who took player salaries to ever more astronomical figures, which could only be sustained with TV rights, the same TV companies that imposed increasingly chaotic fixture lists, with games on improbable days and kick-off times.
"Football did belong to the people even when rules were imposed to stop any rapport between the players and the fans.
"Football did belong to the people even when Supercoppa Finals were played on other continents or the dates of some games were changed a few days before kick-off, damaging those fans who had booked trains or planes to get to the stadium.
"Football did belong to the people even when some clubs were allowed to circumvent Financial Fair Play, while others with less influential Presidents were penalised.
"Football did belong to the people even when the World Cup was forced to Qatar in 2022, despite moving the entire calendar and disregarding human rights violations.
"We could list numerous other examples to show the absolute hypocrisy of the words we're hearing from the football chiefs over the last 48 hours.
"The Super League is just the latest disgusting step, but those who took football to this point are no less grotesque, so save us these ludicrous performances of rhetoric and morality.
"Now that the money is running out, feel free to fight it out between yourselves, but don't you dare name the fans. PIGS!
Quote from: Ollkiller on April 20, 2021, 11:32:54 PM
Glazers next.
If everything settles they'll stay in and just replace Woodward with another pawn. Hopefully more pressure and sanctions and they're gone and we can have a fresh start next season. If that means no big signings so be it.
They should learn from the Germans and do the 50+1 fan ownership.
Quote from: CorkonianHunger on April 21, 2021, 12:31:08 PM
Quote from: Ollkiller on April 20, 2021, 11:32:54 PM
Glazers next.
If everything settles they'll stay in and just replace Woodward with another pawn. Hopefully more pressure and sanctions and they're gone and we can have a fresh start next season. If that means no big signings so be it.
They should learn from the Germans and do the 50+1 fan ownership.
Supposedly they are keeping Woodard on till the end of the year to get the club sold. Here's hoping anyway. And yes all English clubs should adopt the German model. Only way to keep the game honest going forward.
What happened with Real and Barca? Thought they're fan owned so did the presidents just go rogue and sign them up to it?
Barca signed on the provision that season ticket holders would vote to decide, so that was there out. No idea about Franco FC.
Isn't the situation with Real is the members just vote for the president, and he makes all the decisions for the length of his term?
And funny how Perez came up with this thing because Madrid's debt makes United's look small. He then announces the superleague, figures loads of money will be coming in, so Madrid agree a deal with Alaba for 400k a week, then it all falls apart. :laugh:
Some of the quotes from Perez over the last few days are off the wall,what a deluded fuck.He actially thinks people will feel sorry for some of these clubs because they are up to their eye balls in debt..
Real are in massive debt and yet have announced a 90m "free transfer" 5 year contract with Bayern's Alaba. Nothing will change.
I'm delighted that it's really hurting Real. Fuckers.
No surprises here re Euro 2020 games in this country https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021/0423/1211580-dublin-euro-2020-group-games-moved-to-saint-petersburg
That's what happens when you have a ball-less government.
That red card against west ham today 🙈
Quote from: Doctor Crippen on April 24, 2021, 10:42:47 PM
That red card against west ham today 🙈
Did the manager give you a ticking off?
Quote from: Doctor Crippen on April 24, 2021, 10:42:47 PM
That red card against west ham today 🙈
I saw that and I thought it was the finest in real time and looked bad on the slo mo.
Quote from: astfgyl on April 24, 2021, 11:08:07 PM
Quote from: Doctor Crippen on April 24, 2021, 10:42:47 PM
That red card against west ham today 🙈
I saw that and I thought it was the finest in real time and looked bad on the slo mo.
I think if they slow down a lot of it, it would look bad, similar incident in the game later in against rudiger and they didnt even check it, this var stuff is up and down
It's way too inconsistent in how it's applied. I was all for it at first but having had it tried out for a season it's a non runner imo
Quote from: astfgyl on April 24, 2021, 11:39:58 PM
It's way too inconsistent in how it's applied. I was all for it at first but having had it tried out for a season it's a non runner imo
It's beypnd a joke. It's like that Arsenal non-penalty the other day. Don't mention the fact it was a blatant dive (and one the FA should retroactively ban the fucker for), because that would make the ref look bad for falling for it, so we'll decide the tip of his elbow was offside instead.
I'm still in favour of VAR. If it goes cheating for penos etc will be back with a vengeance. The problem isn't the technology. It's the fucking idiots who seem to lose all common sense when interpreting an image on a screen. Like the West ham red card.
Even with VAR people are still arguing over the calls and the wrong decisions are still being made. The only difference now is waiting to see if a goal will actually be allowed. Its bollocks, get rid
Quote from: Ollkiller on April 25, 2021, 02:51:38 PM
I'm still in favour of VAR. If it goes cheating for penos etc will be back with a vengeance. The problem isn't the technology. It's the fucking idiots who seem to lose all common sense when interpreting an image on a screen. Like the West ham red card.
100%. That red card decision was a joke. Absolute morons.
The offside calls are getting ridiculous. Unless it's clearly offside, the advantage should go to the striker. This getting out the coloured lines is nonsense.
The game is all about the game, reviewing millimetre offsides and looking at a follow through as a foul is ridiculous really. Its meant to be a physical game based around skill and stamina. The issue really in football is cheating for penalties and trying to get people sent of for innocuous fouls .
This is a foul https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=36cRFUUqp9Y
Yep, blatant handball there.
Bit of a mess at Old Trafford today, to say the least.
Anyone listen to Michael Martin interview on Newstalk Off The Ball this evening? Thought he didn't come across too bad in it and didn't seem to be overly prepared for the questions but didn't dodge any of them. Some good stuff raised around PE in schools and FAI league funding. An interesting question at the end re holding a pro boxing match in Dublin, to which he answered that the Gardai have deemed it unsafe and fair enough it's a tangent but does anyone know what that meant? He didn't mean the covid by the way, it was particular to boxing. We have international games of all sorts here and gigs of all sorts so what gives with the boxing?
About the Old Trafford incident, I guess the United fans weren't prepared to take both the ignominy of a loss to Liverpool being the final straw in City winning the league and I wouldn't blame them for doing everything possible to avoid that double whammy. That, and the illusion that the Chelsea fans' protest at Stamford Bridge had some effect on the outcome of the ESL maybe makes the fans think that they have some sort of say in things and the clubs give a flying fuck what they think might have galvanised some of them.
that Madrid team are chronic and lucky not to lose by 5 or 6.
I'd imagine the boxing relates to Kinahan issues? Besides The Regency, wasn't there serious issues outside an arena since? Take it up in a boxing thread maybe!
Quote from: Snare on May 06, 2021, 04:43:57 PM
I'd imagine the boxing relates to Kinahan issues? Besides The Regency, wasn't there serious issues outside an arena since? Take it up in a boxing thread maybe!
Yeah it was a tangent. It was explained to me by the first fella I asked in real life and it seemed kind of obvious then why the Gardai would say that. I also know fuck all about boxing.
Fred is George Weah's Brazilian cousin.
Top 4 race got a lot more interesting with last night's result. Chelsea's season could be about to crumble in the space of a couple of games too.
Quote from: astfgyl on May 14, 2021, 02:52:18 PM
Top 4 race got a lot more interesting with last night's result. Chelsea's season could be about to crumble in the space of a couple of games too.
You love to see it. Chelsea are a team I've despised for a long time due to how boring their matches usually are and their tactics have not changed since the mourinho era.
That Howe lad should already have been announced by Celtic. We've suffered enough this season without this interminable waiting for a manager. Guys if three months now.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on May 14, 2021, 04:28:31 PM
That Howe lad should already have been announced by Celtic. We've suffered enough this season without this interminable waiting for a manager. Guys if three months now.
Bring back John Barnes.
Quote from: Blackout on May 14, 2021, 04:17:05 PM
Quote from: astfgyl on May 14, 2021, 02:52:18 PM
Top 4 race got a lot more interesting with last night's result. Chelsea's season could be about to crumble in the space of a couple of games too.
You love to see it. Chelsea are a team I've despised for a long time due to how boring their matches usually are and their tactics have not changed since the mourinho era.
Well that simply isn't true. I can understand people despising them, due to their perceived arrogance and lack of class (whatever that is in the modern era) but at least do it with facts. Tommy Tuchel's tactics are very un-Mourinho, as were Carlo Ancelotti's. In fact the stuff they played under Carlo in doing the double is the best stuff I've seen out of them. Frank Lampard was attempting something akin to Klopp's Liverpool but he had neither the tactical nous nor the players for it. The most Mourinho-like was probably Conte, and they won the league with it. Mourinho's first Chelsea team were an absolute powerhouse and a joy to behold the talent in that team even though he had them playing like stoke against inferior opposition a lot of the time. His second stint he actually came out with an attacking intent but by christmas he had reverted to type and ground out one of the most painful league wins I've seen so that was boring but the point you make isn't based on anything factual. Scolari and also Villas Boas tried to do different things as well.
Anyway, with the relegation and league winners sorted out it makes for an exciting finish to proceedings one way or the other and as a Chelsea supporter (pre-Abramovich, yes) I would let them throw the cup final for a league win vs Leicester. I feel like both teams will have their minds on the fourth place rather than the now almost meaningless cup. It's a pity the way the cup has gone for potential CL qualifiers but it's the way of it.
Delighted for Leicester but feck me that offside was so close.
Delighted to see Leicester win against those gits.
https://twitter.com/areyou_foreaal/status/1393641306245771267
:laugh:
Thought Leicester deserved the win yesterday. Chelsea were poor all over the pitch but they were robbed with the offside at the end. Still, Leicester looked like they simply wanted it more so fair play to them. Great strike for the winner as well.
Looks like liverpool have wormed their way into champions league for next season.
Some stuff at the end there. I only listened to it on the radio but by all accounts they were blessed. The other two teams in the mix have far harder run ins now too and have to play each other so Liverpool would have to shoot themselves to miss out now
Quote from: astfgyl on May 16, 2021, 08:32:17 PM
Liverpool would have to shoot themselves to miss out now
I wouldn't rule that out!
Personally, I'm hoping Leicester will have the FA Cup medals to console them on missing out, and I'd take Chelsea getting in to next years CL with a CL win. Being honest though, I'd fear for that Chelsea team vs City if they have anything resembling an off day so hoping Leicester and Liverpool are hungover after their respective heroics this weekend.
Also, what a finish from Alisson. As good a header as you'll see. Have always had a soft spot for the pool when they come up against anyone but Chelsea
Tuchel seems to have the measure of Pep so I wouldn't count them out in the final. I also think Leicester will lose to Chelsea. They've got their silverware now.
H'up de Sevco 2012
Glasgow was some mongfest too the weekend. :laugh:
Fuckin' knackers.
Who let the dogs out?
Grand to have the crowd back in to some extent. The only downside is that I can feel the terror enveloping the Chelsea support
I also fucking despise VAR. A stain on the game. Remember how many things happened for it to be called for initially? Well there are twice as many things since it has been implemented.
You must really hate it now lad! T'was handball though
Ah yeah it was a certain handball. Bad technique from werner and his first was a mile offside as well. I have a feeling chelsea won't get the win here. 1 nil leicester is my prediction. It isn't missing out on the CL that's the problem either, it's the getting into the Europa League is the problem.
Hoping for a draw. Best result for Liverpool.
Quote from: Blackout on May 18, 2021, 09:07:41 PM
Hoping for a draw. Best result for Liverpool.
And here was me thinking you were a Chelsea man..
Stand by my VAR assessment and this peno shows why. Jorginho's balls are gigantic though.
Werner may be the dumbest man in the premier league.
Great shootout there and nice to have a few fans in for it. Had to turn off the celebrations though, as unfortunately everybody turned into covidiots at the final whistle amid shameful scenes of flagrant disregard for public health advice and also for United fans. The Villareal fans should have taken the burden of disappointment along with the Old Trafford Faithfuls and been role models for the spirit of togetherness, but there they were celebrating like the selfish cunts they are.
Absolutely devastated.
Quote from: CorkonianHunger on May 27, 2021, 12:48:36 AM
Absolutely devastated.
United fan? They were hard done to go out like that to be fair to them. 21 great penos taken in that shootout.
One of the worst matches in recent memory completely turned around by a sensational penalty shootout. Every one of those penalties Villa Real took where beauties.
Best shoot out I've ever seen. That Utd lost is an added bonus.
Quote from: Emphyrio on May 27, 2021, 09:53:12 AM
Best shoot out I've ever seen. That Utd lost is an added bonus.
I'll bet my last dolla you're a Liverpool fan :laugh:
And from Limerick. Bad dose.
As a Limerickonian Liverpool fan I have suffered long.
Seriously high standard of spotters,Luke Shaw haunted with his one though!.
You could tell by DeGeas body language and run up he was going to miss.
Utd should have had enough to win that game in normal time,great for Villareal though.
Quote from: Paul keohane on May 27, 2021, 03:01:42 PM
Great for Villareal though.
Arsenal fans must be gawking again today.
That CL final was entertaining.
Well deserved Chelsea.
Yep fair play Chelsea and in particular Tuchel, another great job done on City.
I wonder if City will ever win it at this stage.
If they nab Kane then yeah I think they will but out from that , no.
Poor enough CL this year.
Jaysus I enjoyed that. Was a great game for 70 mins and a bit of squeaky bum time at the end but I reckon the better team won.
Just seen that Matt Holland strike vs Cameroon was 19 years ago today. I remember staying up all night on the sauce before the game at 7 a.m. and I was fuckeyed by the time the thing kicked off. Decent goal as well.
Quote from: astfgyl on June 01, 2021, 05:20:16 PM
Just seen that Matt Holland strike vs Cameroon was 19 years ago today. I remember staying up all night on the sauce before the game at 7 a.m. and I was fuckeyed by the time the thing kicked off. Decent goal as well.
Aye great goal. If both Keane and McCarthy copped the fuck on we could have made a run at winning that World Cup. And I'm serious when i say that. With Keane we were as good as anyone else that year.
I honestly believe we had a chance at winning that World Cup as well. It hurts to think what might have been and also that we will never get anywhere near it again. Well we might but I'll be too old or dead to give a fuck
That team we had in 91/92 was the only comparable one. If only we hadn't fucked up on the last night, Euro 92 would have been a serious opportunity.
Are France the most obvious favourite after the first round of matches? I thought they'd a good handle on Germany last night and should have won by more.
France are just unreal at the moment, even a team made up of the players that weren't selected would have a good shot at it
I'd say it's a toss up between them and Italy who've been in great form since Mancini took over
I liked the look of Belgium in the first game but ya, Italy look a very good side too. They're the top 3 teams for me. I find some of the French players hard to like. Griezmann in particular.
Haiti's keeper in their World Cup qualifier against Canada last night:
https://twitter.com/onesoccer/status/1404985296505147394
Oops.
That fella's bank account needs to be investigated!
Quote from: Emphyrio on June 16, 2021, 12:55:41 PM
That fella's bank account needs to be investigated!
Well, the keeper was born in Montreal. Sleeper agent?
100%
And because it's so obvious he'll get away with it.
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on June 16, 2021, 12:25:29 PM
Haiti's keeper in their World Cup qualifier against Canada last night:
https://twitter.com/onesoccer/status/1404985296505147394
Oops.
Definitely the worst I've ever seen.
2 brilliant games yesterday. What a performance by the Swiss. I've never rated Xhaka but he had the game of his life last night. And that striker for the 3 all equalizer. Brilliant turn and finish.
Cheating tans, fucking hate them. Of course they would qualify with an OG and a diving penalty rebound. And in Wembley and all.
One of the biggest robberies in football history. I hope the Italians hammer the cunts.
Second ball on the pitch too.
VAR is not fit for purpose.
"Might have had a toe offside? Marginal, let's check that, and give the correct decision. Ref gets it badly wrong? Nope, have to back up the ref."
Lads you'd wanna have listened to the itv commentary. It was sickening.
Seen there too, laser in Schmeichel's eyes during the pen too.
Quote from: Blackout on July 07, 2021, 11:34:22 PM
Lads you'd wanna have listened to the itv commentary. It was sickening.
The bias was ridiculous.
I thought it was a ridiculous decision to give the penalty,im tired of people screaming 'there was contact',football was once a contact sport.Just on the English diving etc,we need to keep in mind the Italians were at it big time in the 2nd half the other night against Spain. This 'shithousery' has been accepted in football with a long timr now,most depressing thing is VAR hasn't improved the situation.
Overall ive really enjoyed this tournament,i dont care who wins it,but probably lean towards Italy when it kicks off,ive enough of this 'its coming home shite' :laugh:
Haven't seen a single pass or goal of this tournament, but saw this and proper laughed:
"Leaving aside Cromwell, the Black and Tans, and all that, this is a likeable England team," Liam Brady :laugh: :abbath:
I hope football does go home, and all the tans go home with it, and fucking stay there, the obnoxious cunts.
Bit of a tangent but I was recently speaking with a lady from London, living here for years and she says to me "I've only just found out that I'm a Tan". So I told her it was a term of endearment and then she told me she had only found out what all the rebel songs were about. I just laughed at that.
Anyway that was never a penalty but they were still the better team on the night and I'd fancy them to win it although Italy did hold out well vs Spain so never know
70 odd minutes away from Ragnarok.
Say yer prayers boyz.
Ronnie Whelan commentating makes this even more insufferable
2nd Lieutenant Robertson will be delighted to see General Southgate get his knighthood if it all goes Pete Tong. They'll give that fanny a statue, guaranteed. Hopefully it'll get fucked in the canal like that other lad in Bristol.
YES, fucking yeees!!Come on now, just one more and get those kneeleing asswipes sent home crying.
Italy lost to Djokovic earlier, they deserve this to make up for it :)
Quote from: Caomhaoin on July 11, 2021, 09:33:44 PM
Italy lost to Djokovic earlier, they deserve this to make up for it :)
Would be the only fair thing, ya know :)
And Djokovic really is something else, respect.
He didn't do that three fingered Serb salute, but he did eat some of the grass at the end . Strange man.
Chiellini did what he had to do there at the end, cynical as you like.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on July 11, 2021, 09:58:50 PM
He didn't do that three fingered Serb salute, but he did eat some of the grass at the end . Strange man.
Chiellini did what he had to do there at the end, cynical as you like.
Djokovic "could" show three finger salute if he wanted to, he is still a mix of Montenegro and Croatian :)
Chiellini started a fire unnecessarily. He should have just kicked the ball out of the field, he was closer to it after all.
You guys love claiming Djokovic, Prosinecki and Tesla but never Princip!
If that fanny Grealish wins it for them I'm off to the kitchen to hack my head off with a big knife.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on July 11, 2021, 10:18:32 PM
You guys love claiming Djokovic, Prosinecki and Tesla but never Princip!
If that fanny Grealish wins it for them I'm off to the kitchen to hack my head off with a big knife.
That's how it goes, we claim their, they claim our people. It's all the same crap if you ask me.
Except for the Viennese Squires up there in Ljubljana :)
Quote from: Caomhaoin on July 11, 2021, 10:25:01 PM
Except for the Viennese Squires up there in Ljubljana :)
I don't know anything about the Viennese Squires in Ljubljana, to be honest. Slovenians and people on the Croatian side near the border to Slovenia are a different species anyway :)
Hahaha ha. Fuck ye cheating scummy bastards.
Football's coming Rome
Might be seeing it through my Arsenal tinted glasses but it was absolutely fucking mental to give the decisive penalty to the youngest player on the pitch, where was Sterling to step up?
Still though, delighted at the result
Feckin great stuff!
England were pitiful in that game.
Quote from: Trev on July 11, 2021, 09:10:49 PM
Ronnie Whelan commentating makes this even more insufferable
He's a fucking dick!!
Definitely I'm among those who are mainly glad they lost because they have one of the worst fan groups in the world.
And god be with the days of aul Psycho strutting up to take his shot from the spot!
https://youtu.be/4loc1kPh1fo
Ingerlund fans. The worst of the worst. :laugh:
I see some melts have been pointing out that the 26 man Italian squad had no POC in it.
Based Italy. And guess what..?
They Won.!!
Sore losers much? :laugh:
https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/mp-calls-out-chiellini-over-saka-grab-in-euro-2020-final-1156963.html
And, naturally, he's a Tory.
Doesn't matter what party they're in any more. They're all the same, cunts!
They have an online petition of over a 100,000 signatures to have the final replayed as both centre backs should have been sent of.
I have nothing against this england team as I support Utd but the the scummy fans they attract and the media wankfest drive people nuts,its no wonder people cant warm to them.
Quote from: Blizzard Beast on July 14, 2021, 09:24:30 PM
They have an online petition of over a 100,000 signatures to have the final replayed as both centre backs should have been sent of.
I have nothing against this england team as I support Utd but the the scummy fans they attract and the media wankfest drive people nuts,its no wonder people cant warm to them.
I frequent a Liverpool FC forum and about 80% of the lads on there are English and every one of them bar two lads were delighted that Italy won.
They despise the England set up and the circus that surrounds it.
But then again, you have the 'We're not English, we are Scouse' thing too...
I couldn't take any Irish lad seriously if he was rooting for England in football or Rugby.
Quote from: Kurt Cocaine on July 14, 2021, 09:35:19 PM
Quote from: Blizzard Beast on July 14, 2021, 09:24:30 PM
They have an online petition of over a 100,000 signatures to have the final replayed as both centre backs should have been sent of.
I have nothing against this england team as I support Utd but the the scummy fans they attract and the media wankfest drive people nuts,its no wonder people cant warm to them.
But then again, you have the 'We're not English, we are Scouse' thing too...
There was less of a feeling of that this time, for whatever reason. I'd say it'll be business as usual soon enough though.
Quote from: Blizzard Beast on July 14, 2021, 09:24:30 PM
They have an online petition of over a 100,000 signatures to have the final replayed as both centre backs should have been sent of.
That's as embarrassing as the Irish reaction after the Henry handball
Quote from: Trev on July 14, 2021, 10:10:28 PM
Quote from: Blizzard Beast on July 14, 2021, 09:24:30 PM
They have an online petition of over a 100,000 signatures to have the final replayed as both centre backs should have been sent of.
That's as embarrassing as the Irish reaction after the Henry handball
But I don't think we'll see Mark Bullingham trying to shake UEFA down for a few million afterwards.
Quote from: Kurt Cocaine on July 14, 2021, 09:35:19 PM
Quote from: Blizzard Beast on July 14, 2021, 09:24:30 PM
They have an online petition of over a 100,000 signatures to have the final replayed as both centre backs should have been sent of.
I have nothing against this england team as I support Utd but the the scummy fans they attract and the media wankfest drive people nuts,its no wonder people cant warm to them.
I frequent a Liverpool FC forum and about 80% of the lads on there are English and every one of them bar two lads were delighted that Italy won.
They despise the England set up and the circus that surrounds it.
But then again, you have the 'We're not English, we are Scouse' thing too...
I was talking to only one English person since the game and they also said they were happy England lost. And as they have been living here a long time they also said Declan Rice was a "dirty turncoat cunt" and were delighted to see him crying at the end. She is also a 50 something old Londoner so I would have thought she'd be more patriotic but then maybe she is...
A PETITION! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Fucking pathetic. They lost fair and square and there should be no chance of a rematch, especially after what their fans did that should compound it.
It's like Cowan asking for us to the 33rd, 'special' team at the World Cup after the Henry débâclé. Cringe.
Meanwhile, not to be outdone by the English in the pathetic stakes, Serie A are banning teams from wearing green after this season. Apparently Italian tv cameras are that bad they can't distinguish the players from the grass. :laugh:
117th minute winners are always great. Especially when it's against El Tri.
Lukaku to Chelsea for sick coin. I've never really rated him but hopefully I'll make a dramatic u-turn after the first game.
Messi to PSG as well. I'm sort of failing to be any way excited about that either
Quote from: astfgyl on August 10, 2021, 08:48:42 PM
Messi to PSG as well. I'm sort of failing to be any way excited about that either
Yep not much excited over that. Would have preffered in PL even if at City just to see him up against the likes of Wolves or Leeds. He bottled it.
How did he bottle it? PSG were probably the only ones willing to pay his wages. Barca are the bottlers for fucking up their club with mountains of debt and having to let him go when he wanted to stay
Quote from: astfgyl on August 10, 2021, 08:48:42 PM
Lukaku to Chelsea for sick coin. I've never really rated him but hopefully I'll make a dramatic u-turn after the first game.
He's a proven goalscorer but that's crazy money for him. That's elite money. Chelsea never afraid to spend a few quid though. They'll probably go for Haaland next summer.
An absolute scandalous amount of money for Lukaku and I think he will flounder at Chelsea. See Giroud.
Quote from: Trev on August 10, 2021, 09:38:58 PM
How did he bottle it?
He could have signed for Stoke, and proved he could in fact, do it on a cold rainy night there. But he chickened out. :laugh:
Its kind of depressing that one of the richest footballers ever still chasing the dollar,why not go to a club where you might actually make a massive impact,a different challenge etc
How much more money do these cunts need?
I'd have preferred to see him go to MLS
Quote from: Paul keohane on August 10, 2021, 10:27:31 PM
Its kind of depressing that one of the richest footballers ever still chasing the dollar,why not go to a club where you might actually make a massive impact,a different challenge etc
How much more money do these cunts need?
It's not that simple. The club will make an absolute fortune on merchandising, marketing, advertising etc just by having Messi in the team. He is a global brand, not just a football player therefore he should negotiate a contract that befits what he is worth to the Club.
I see PSG's ridiculously good team on paper and it just fails to excite me in the least. It's probably something to do with the overall weak standard of Ligue 1 and knowing that team is put together with the sole purpose of winning the CL. The PL should be an interesting proposition this year though with City, United, Liverpool and Chelsea all thinking they have a strong chance of winning it.
I reckon United might be the ones, but I hope the wheels come off before Christmas. Liverpool looked fucked last year and hopefully Klopp hasn't ran the shit out of them too much the last couple of years for them to maintain a challenge, although Van Dijk's return is massive. City are City, have at least 2 squads there and will probably end up with Kane up top, and Chelsea are lacking something that I can't quite put my finger on, but which I reckon Lukaku won't be the answer to.
Darren Randolph left out of the Ireland squad. I know he's not getting his game at West Ham but a safe pair of hands all the same.
If we get pumped by Portugal and Serbia and/or fail to impress against Azerbaijan, Kenny may fuck off back to Shelbourne or wherever he came from. I know he only has the players he has, but Michael O'Neill got to the Euros with an arguably worse squad with the Nordies. Luxembourg was unforgivable, total humiliation, and unless he pulls off two and a half miracles over the next fortnight, he should be liquidated with maximum prejudice. We'd be as well of with Roddy Collins or Big Ron at this stage. At least with Trap and O'Neill there were results. This lad should be juggling, an out of his depth clown at this level.
I couldn't face looking at Trap/O'Neill misery again. In fairness to Kenny, he's had zero luck so far. It's hard to accurately gauge the progress or lack thereof.
Is he as inept as Staunton? Probably not, and he certainly has an inferior squad. Nevertheless, the stats don't lie, and I can't remember being mesmerised by the play either. Granted I probably repressed the Irish team into the depths of my mind with memories is pissing myse...well, you get the idea.
In a fortnight I'm sure this thread will be quite lively either way.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on August 26, 2021, 10:42:12 PM
Is he as inept as Staunton? Probably not, and he certainly has an inferior squad. Nevertheless, the stats don't lie, and I can't remember being mesmerised by the play either. Granted I probably repressed the Irish team into the depths of my mind with memories of me pissing myse...well, you get the idea.
In a fortnight I'm sure this thread will be quite lively either way.
The football played by Ireland under Kenny is light years ahead of what Trap and O'Neill did, problem is he doesn't have the players Trap and O'Neill had. And that pair didn't have the players McCarthy and Charlton had.
Will C(h)ristiano turn into Judas?
I hate the sight of Cristiano Ronaldo. He has incredible skill but the worst traits found in footballers.
Big shitty head up on him when things are going his way. Cry-wanking and play-acting when they're not.
I hope City sign him and then someone like Gary Cahill or Issa Diop fucking halves him in a 50/50.
Ronaldo to United.
Didn't see that coming at all
Anything is better than him going to City. God they are above Liverpool and just below Rangers and the NI national team in the 'wishing them ill' stakes. Good man Christy Brownaldo, win them the league!
Shows he is no soft shite anyway, heading back to the shitkicker league to get the shins kicked off him for a year or two rather than taking the easy PSG option of a CL campaign and fuck all else
SIIIIIIIIIUUUUU
That was one of the most one sided matches I have seen from Utd in ages ,an absolute miracle they got anything today as Wolves were robbed.
Varane looked good.
Celtic should have had at least a point off Rangers, who in fairness to them are much more solid and settled and hence the better 'team'.
But we appear to be on the up after ending last season in ruins and the rest of this season will be very interesting as Rangers will likely not meet the consistency of last term.
But fuck, I'm sick of these Glasgow Derby defeats now. Badly,badly need a result next time out.
I figured with a full preseason, no midweek European matches, and his own players in, Arteta should get to Christmas and see how he's doing, but fuck me if he doesn't turn it around sharp then off he goes
Quote from: Grim Reality on August 29, 2021, 10:26:00 PM
Celtic should have had at least a point off Rangers, who in fairness to them are much more solid and settled and hence the better 'team'.
But we appear to be on the up after ending last season in ruins and the rest of this season will be very interesting as Rangers will likely not meet the consistency of last term.
But fuck, I'm sick of these Glasgow Derby defeats now. Badly,badly need a result next time out.
Edouard should be sold, he hasn't been at the races at all going back to last season. You could see the difference when Kyogo was put through the middle. I was pissed off at full time, but on reflection, away from home and with an 'unfinished' squad, they didn't play poorly (although Eddy and Turnbull did).
Reasonable positive for the rest of the season, with the caveat that we've been beaten three times away from home and we are not yet in September.
Quote from: Blizzard Beast on August 29, 2021, 09:08:59 PM
That was one of the most one sided matches I have seen from Utd in ages ,an absolute miracle they got anything today as Wolves were robbed.
Varane looked good.
There wasn't one result I was happy about at the weekend. Wolves must feel very hard done by.
30 mins in and this is sort of encouraging stuff. Fair enough we will probably get done but there is some good defending mixed with actual attempts to get up the pitch so fair enough Kenny
2nd half is going to hurt
10 minutes to go and whatever happens now it's easily been the best Ireland have played in a long, long time.
I said it would hurt
Edit: I posted that right before the Portuguese equaliser.
At least we will always have the moral victory to rely on
Fuck. So close.
Yup
Ha, I thought you must have had it typed this ages and were just waiting with the finger hovering over the button such was your promptness
And that is ,again, why Ron is the best player of our generation bar none.
That was one of the most deflating I have experienced. Went over the time in both halves.
Quote from: Thorn on September 01, 2021, 09:45:18 PM
And that is ,again, why Ron is the best player of our generation bar none.
I agree with that. I'm a Ronnie man myself.
And I eh..may have had a small bet on Portugal to win 2-1. Did I celebrate? Slid across the floor on my knees 8)
Betting against your own team is on a par with marrying your cousin in my book.
Nevertheless, always happy to see the bookies rinsed, enjoy the few bar :)
I know, I know..just haven't built up any sort of affinity for this Irish team but that was definitely a step in the right direction tonight
Ah here I can't condone that ever since I watched Kickboxer sorry I meant AWOL. I'm so scalded with the 2 late Ronnie goals that I can't think straight
Lousy.
That was a truly awesome performance by Ireland. Hopefully buy Kenny time to keep this going. Ronaldo is Ronaldo. The ref was the biggest wet towel of a man I've seen in a while. Bottling prick afraid to give any decision of note against Ronaldos team or blow the game up when it's over.
Got done in the most painful way possible
It's going to happen forever. The highs and lows etc but didn't deserve that
That fuckin ref!,
Watching that last night reminded me why I both love and hate international soccer. The officials were pathetic to say the least.
Need to follow last night with a result on Saturday. A negative one and the calls for Big Sam will be back. Heroic performance, signs of a team able to play a bit of ball and a young average age bodes well. Ireland have been known to let me down, however.
I'm still scalded over that game last night
I was in the car last night so I could only check the score every few minutes. 87 0-1, 96, 2-1. Chastening.
Yeah that was a serious kick in the balls. That being said it's the most promise the Ireland squad has shown in a long time.
It was great to see Ireland playing that way but it also being effective. We could have scored a couple and it was almost a great scalp
Jaysus the Hungarian fans are giving it extremely tight to England players kneeling down 😂😂😂😂
I love to see it. There was nothing wrong with the "Let's kick it out" campaign, but it was sidelined for being too inclusive
I don't disagree.
They've backed themselves into a corner with this bullshit. They know themselves it's totally cringeworthy but 'if we stop doing it are we racists again' is a bit of headscratcher for these idiots.
I have to say I enjoyed Idah, McGrath, O'Shea and Bazunu. Coleman and Duffy doing the usual too.
What kind of handicapped defending was that? Good strike but for fuck sake he had an eternity. Lose this and Kenny can kiss any goodwill from the last day goodbye.
I'm baffled by Kenny's starting lineup today tbh, he put a squad together on Wednesday that competed against Portugal, and then chopped and changed the squad and formation today.
McGrath didn't even get a lookin despite being of the best players on Wednesday, Parrott isn't proven at any level never mind starting in International football, McClean shouldn't even be on the squad.
I just don't get it, there's a decent squad in there somewhere but he seems to think you have to give every single player their game.
McClean and Horgan were shocking today. Doherty had one of his better games, generally most of them did well but fuck sake should be winning that game.
I disagree about McLean, I think he still has something to offer, particularly off the bench. He's still quick, and he's so passionate in that jersey, he lifts the crowd when he is direct.
I assume the changes were made because of the quick turnaround and the more daunting task facing us next week, nevertheless replacing key players out is a big no-no, especially so if, like McGrath, they have momentum.
Ireland dominated the second half, and they were probably unlucky to go in behind at half time (Christ I couldn't believe all three of those clowns just standing off yer man). It's Azerbaijan at home though, it's the most winnable game left this campaign and it's another failure.
I simply cannot see this working out. I felt sorry for Kenny tonight, and it was nice to see him get a little succour and respite with the goal. Sadly, not for me, Jeff.
Pity the couldn't follow up the Portugal performance with a win. I still want Kenny kept though. With the group of players we have now if we had a Trap or O'Neill we'd still have shyte results but with shyte football. As least it's watchable and there are small signs of progress. Hopefully they put in a performance against Serbia.
Bazunu is some prospect, just hope he doesn't get dicked around at City and set on constant loans for years
Kennys got a reprieve for another few matches anyway, decent performance but need to build on it and not just let it be a one off
Grand to have the CL back. Laughed hard at United last night.
Chelsea game was drivel though
Three defeats out of three on the road for Celtic this year. Concerning to say the least. At least Rangers ballsed up at home, thankfully. I really like Postecoglu, adventurous manager and seems like a good lad. Notwithstanding, a bit of flexibility wouldn't go astray ya Aussie prick.
Chelsea playing a blinder so far. Fuckers. Ronaldo also doing what Ronaldo does. Another fucker. Gonna be tight up at the top for the whole season I'd say. At least City haven't hit their stride. Yet...
Quote from: Caomhaoin on September 19, 2021, 08:40:31 PM
Three defeats out of three on the road for Celtic this year. Concerning to say the least. At least Rangers ballsed up at home, thankfully. I really like Postecoglu, adventurous manager and seems like a good lad. Notwithstanding, a bit of flexibility wouldn't go astray ya Aussie prick.
Dunno why you seem surprised. Even Gretna's last win at the Spaghettihad is more recent than Celtic's last win there. :laugh:
Fucking ridiculous var.
Again.
Now that Mohammed Bin Salman owns Newcastle, how long before Steve Bruce loses his head?
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on October 09, 2021, 05:09:54 PM
Now that Mohammed Bin Salman owns Newcastle, how long before Steve Bruce loses his head?
Yup, he'll be given the heave-ho for sure. But talk about two ends of the spectrum, Ashley to Arab.
Great win last night. And enjoyable to watch.
Surely they will hold onto Bruce for a small bit longer? He probably won't have a say in transfers but they're hardly getting big names next year especially without Champions League.
I doubt it. I think they said their ambition is to win the league in ten years but privately I'd say they're aiming at 5. They'll defo get a manager with pedigree, and sooner rather than later. Maybe they could lure Ole 😂
New manager before the January transfer window I'd say.
He's the Mark Hughes of the current era, no way he survives more than a few months, if that. It's a surprise he hasn't gotten the bullet already, he's a mediocre manager.
Talk of Stevie G taking over. I thought the premier league might have learned its lesson with appointing Rangers coaches (any Everton fan over 35 will remember the grim drudgery of Wally Smith). He will bomb spectacularly if he goes. I'd love to see it personally :)
That win felt good. Actually played a bit of ball.
Missed it as I was up in the in laws place.
Spank Luxembourg and put it up to those handsome Portuguese (the women not so much, strangely) and we might give him another run at it.
Yeah I'd be happy with 4 points in the next two, surely would get us third which was the aim at day one.
Meanwhile, the US somehow managed to beat Costa Rica thanks to an own goal. Absolute joke of a campaign. In the six games they've played in the qualifiers, 25 players have made their debuts. Never mind the fact there's already been the CONCACAF Nations League, and the Gold Cup this year, nah, let's start bringing players through during an actual qualification tournament that means something. And then wonder why we lose to Panama. Oh wait, bcause we're more interested in playing our third rate MLS players than the guys who actually play in proper leagues in Europe.
Get qualified first, then you can start pissing around handing Chuck Kickaball his debut.
Steve Bruce gets the chop - hardly suprising, not entirely without reason but yet I feel the man is a bit hard done by. Seems most NUFC fans had the knives out from the start - hard for a local boy to deal with but he also managed Sunderland at one point so...
Some deluded lads on Twitter reckon that Zidane is on his way there. Can't see it.
In other football news - Liverpool tried their best to give me a heart attack again last night. Serious nerve from the referee to reverse the penalty decision.
This statement from Newcastle about the fans wearing Arab headdress at matches is not surprising, but absolutely pathetic.
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021/1020/1254897-newcastle-ask-fans-not-to-wear-arabic-clothing/
😃
Are there any Utd fans knockin around at all?
I saw one brave soul knocking about town today in his Utd top.
The misfortune. Pity he isn't on here.
Some spanking handed out. The only plus side to the axis of evil all playing well is that it might make for a decent dash for the line in April/May.
That United Liverpool game was one of the funniest things I've seen. As soccer goes
Just watching the Liverpool/Athletico game on BT and once again I'm thinking ( that means' I'm feeling' , if you're a young one), Steve Mc Manaman is probably my favourite co-commentator these days, down to earth, objective, humorous ,knowledgable, and a touch of the scally. I'm not a Pool man either.
Quote from: Thorn on November 03, 2021, 09:50:28 PM
Steve Mc Manaman is probably my favourite co-commentator these days, down to earth, objective, humorous ,knowledgable, and a touch of the scally.
Not too often someone actually comes out and admits they should be sectioned.
Either that or you've been kidnapped and are trying to alert people without your kidnappers noticing.
Bring back Big Ron
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on November 04, 2021, 03:49:13 PM
Quote from: Thorn on November 03, 2021, 09:50:28 PM
Steve Mc Manaman is probably my favourite co-commentator these days, down to earth, objective, humorous ,knowledgable, and a touch of the scally.
Not too often someone actually comes out and admits they should be sectioned.
Either that or you've been kidnapped and are trying to alert people without your kidnappers noticing.
Care to say what's wrong with his commentary or are we wearing our Manc tinted glasses today?
He has an awful reputation as a pundit in general. I too actually like him but it's probably a biased opinion on my part.
He's grand, he's not a dry shite or a box ticked like some of the cretins they have on.
Celtic on the dodgy box this evening v Ferencvaros. Win and they might even qualify.
Quote from: Thorn on November 04, 2021, 05:27:12 PM
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on November 04, 2021, 03:49:13 PM
Quote from: Thorn on November 03, 2021, 09:50:28 PM
Steve Mc Manaman is probably my favourite co-commentator these days, down to earth, objective, humorous ,knowledgable, and a touch of the scally.
Not too often someone actually comes out and admits they should be sectioned.
Either that or you've been kidnapped and are trying to alert people without your kidnappers noticing.
Care to say what's wrong with his commentary or are we wearing our Manc tinted glasses today?
"Yep, ah, um, yep" Watches Luke Shaw almost tear someone's leg off :"Oh, nothing wrong with that." Watches replay, where it turns out Shaw uses a chainsaw. "okay, maybe a yellow." Nothing to do with the team he played for, his inane shit just wrecks my head.
One thing that he has in his favour is... he's not Robbie Savage.
To be honest, BT and Sky were quick to offer red button services for fake crowd noise actual noise, why can't they do that for commentary as well? I'd say people would probably be more than willing to pay an extra fiver a month if they never had to hear Martin Tyler ever again.
Steve is the least annoying commentator but sure that's like saying he's the nicest guy in prison.
Nice to see the clusterfuck the Saudis are already making with Newcastle, could still be a long while for them to start challenging at the top, if ever
Give me Brian Kerr any day. Tells it like it is and comes out with some great one liners.
Stevie G leaving the 'Gers in the lurch a bit there, happy days :)
Let's see how the boyz get on tonight.
And his contract expires the same time as Klopp's...
Big gamble from Villa, I mean he hasn't been that extraordinary at Rangers. Celtic were a mess last season, and as Chris Sutton pointed out, St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson won more than he did last year with a fraction of the resources.
Good performance from Ireland. Great to see.
It was a good performance alright. Maybe I'm being greedy but I'm disappointed it wasn't a win ;D
While it turned out to be a bit of a damp squib of a game, Ireland played well. Hard to gauge really as Portugal didn't have much to play for. The game on Sunday will be an accurate measurement of the progress we've made.
Dos a Cero.
Again. :laugh:
Enjoyed that match, even though the boyz looked shaky for the first ten minutes of the second half. When we didn't punish the comedy defending it looked ominous but fair play, some good goals and Kenny has a bit of goodwill for the contract extension talks.
Quote from: Emphyrio on November 11, 2021, 07:25:56 PM
And his contract expires the same time as Klopp's...
I can see him wanting the Liverpool gig. Can I see him being successful at it? No. In fact, I think that it would be a disaster. Perhaps I'll be proven wrong. I would love for him to do well.
It'll be interesting to see how he goes at Villa.
2024 is defo too soon for him to get the role. I'd like Pep Lijnders to take over after Klopp. Would be an easy enough transition too.
I'm glad he has gone to villa tbh. We don't need another lampard situation.
Where does Klopp go after the Pool?
He wants the Germany job apparently.
Another depressing day for United fans. Two horrific results for them.
More than 2 shocking results for em! Ole will be relieved of wheel duty presently, I reckon.
He's been getting sacked in the morning for a good 6 weeks at this stage. How many certified plum ducks have they appointed since Ferguson now? Liverpool pulled out all the stops to get the man, and haven't looked back. United are at least on a equal footing in prestige (although that is evaporating rapidly) so choose the right man, and sort it out. Extremely retarded policy at this stage.
Having Ferguson in the background isn't helping.
Liverpool binned Shankly once Paisley was appointed. Barred him from the training ground actually, and look at the dividends that move paid off....
It's a cutthroat business.... :abbath:
Bit of reality check for where Arsenal are, although yearly bollockings at Anfield aren't anything new. Still though, young team, seem to be moving the right way, just hope Ole is still in charge for the match in a few weeks
Quote from: Trev on November 20, 2021, 09:13:16 PM
Bit of reality check for where Arsenal are, although yearly bollockings at Anfield aren't anything new. Still though, young team, seem to be moving the right way, just hope Ole is still in charge for the match in a few weeks
Ole will be binned in the morning... :abbath:
He's going to be the Norwegian Steve Staunton, remembered more for overseeing total shite as a manager rather than a glittering playing career.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on November 20, 2021, 08:54:34 PM
He's been getting sacked in the morning for a good 6 weeks at this stage. How many certified plum ducks have they appointed since Ferguson now? Liverpool pulled out all the stops to get the man, and haven't looked back. United are at least on a equal footing in prestige (although that is evaporating rapidly) so choose the right man, and sort it out. Extremely retarded policy at this stage.
it wont matter who they appoint, well be seeing the same shit in a couple of years again.
Utd need structural changes at the top as well as a good manager otherwise it will be rinse and repeat.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7G8qH00n9og
So Chelsea are getting little yellow stars on the jerseys.
Champions of the world
The Worst Perfect Hat-trick :laugh:
Grief
New Zealand defender Meikayla Moore scored three own goals and was substituted before half-time in a heavy defeat by the United States at the SheBelieves Cup.
Moore, who plays for Championship leaders Liverpool, scored twice at the wrong end in the first six minutes.
Things got worse for Moore when she poked another one past goalkeeper Erin Nayler before half-time.
Ashley Hatch and Mallory Pugh also scored for the US in the second half.
Moore's hat-trick of own goals - scored with her left foot, right foot and a header - came before she was substituted in the 40th minute and it contributed to New Zealand's second defeat at the SheBelieves Cup.
Jesus that's right up there with Jon Walters' 100th game spectacular vs Chelsea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbSPx2FOq5E
Any predictions for the massive massive final today?
Fair play to Chelsea for bringing on Kepa. Mickey mouse cup but better to have it than not.
I missed the shootout. Yeah it's Mickey mouse but would have taken it after going to the bother of reaching the final
Great final for a 0-0
Best 0-0 game I can remember. Could have gone either way and sher a shootout is a lottery.
It appears Woody Johnson wants to buy Chelsea.
Please let this happen.
I don't know who woody Johnson is. What's his buzz
Well done to benzema for sickening PSGs shit this evening. PSG really did only have themselves to blame for the way they shat the togs as soon as they let in the first one because Madrid were no great shakes for most of that game either
Any of ye ever go to Celtic Park for a match? I'm in Glasgow for the weekend of 8-10 of April but they are sold out for the match that's on. Hoping I can do a Croke Park on all Ireland final day and get one off a chancer on the side of the road.
Let me know boyz.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on March 20, 2022, 09:50:00 AM
Any of ye ever go to Celtic Park for a match? I'm in Glasgow for the weekend of 8-10 of April but they are sold out for the match that's on. Hoping I can do a Croke Park on all Ireland final day and get one off a chancer on the side of the road.
Let me know boyz.
Aye lad, sorted...
Poor old Italy. :laugh:
And a 0-0 draw in the Azteca? I'll take it.
Italian lad I play football with lost his marbles altogether yesterday 😂
If someone understands Italian he goes to me on the WhatsApp yesterday
vaffaculo sono dei cani malati
Quote from: Caomhaoin on March 25, 2022, 07:09:07 AM
Italian lad I play football with lost his marbles altogether yesterday 😂
If someone understands Italian he goes to me on the WhatsApp yesterday
vaffaculo sono dei cani malati
(https://pet-happy.com/files/up/2011/07/take-dog-body-temperature-740x493.jpg)
Quote from: Caomhaoin on March 20, 2022, 09:50:00 AM
Any of ye ever go to Celtic Park for a match? I'm in Glasgow for the weekend of 8-10 of April but they are sold out for the match that's on. Hoping I can do a Croke Park on all Ireland final day and get one off a chancer on the side of the road.
Let me know boyz.
Where are you sitting big lawd?
It's against St Johnston, isn't it?
Yeah St Johnstone. Yer man with the season ticket didn't tell me where the seat is yet :)
Probably outside beside a bin :laugh:
He's your fuckin' buddy so I hope he's not in the nosebleed section!
He's not called Honest Abdul for noothin hey...
Joke of a draw. Rigged as fuck.
Chelsea v Madrid was a decent game even if Mendy fucked it up a bit. Fancy Madrid to finish it off but at least away goals are gone
Chelsea threw that game away last night. They'll be kicking themselves...
Is there any United fans knocking around at all?
I'm sure there are but they don't have a lot to cheer about. Like all clubs they have gone through a rich seam of winning trophies with the eventual collapse and rebuild. Liverpool went through it at the end of the 80's. Look at Barcelona now. Peaks and troughs.
Aye United fan. Worst display ever last night. Keep De Gea, Elanga and Sancho and fuck everyone else out of the club. Kip of a club atm
I hate Liverpool but they are an unreal team, nobody could have lived with them last night. United weren't great, but they weren't allowed to be any better. The way they were cutting them to shreds at will in the first half. Awesome performance.
Aye Klopp knows how to put a team together. Brilliant patterns of play and relentless when they lose the ball. United trying to close teams down is the most painful thing to watch. Jogging and afraid to pit the fucking boot in. Was men against boys last night.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on April 20, 2022, 04:33:58 PM
I hate Liverpool but they are an unreal team, nobody could have lived with them last night. United weren't great, but they weren't allowed to be any better. The way they were cutting them to shreds at will in the first half. Awesome performance.
While it was a great performance, it has to be said that United were absolutely atrocious. As good as Liverpool have been for the season they didn't have too many games as easy as last night. Liverpool were in third gear for large parts of the match. United were worse than any team in the midst of a relegation battle.
The worst United side I have ever seen. Carragher said it perfectly last night about how even when Liverpool weren't very good the last ten years, their worst days weren't as bad as what we see from United this season.
Good to see Ralf say it how it is. Looks like he has undertaken the later role early on as some long term scouts walked this morning.
Watching the Chelsea game last night and fair enough they were fucking chronic at the back but what's the point of var if it can't pick up that the striker is pulling the defender down by the arm? Surely a free out and a yellow for simulation is in order there? I just wonder what's the fucking point of looking at it at all if it's going to be ignored anyway.
On another note there has been some cracking memes from the Liverpool v United game the other night
Azpilicueta was all over Saka, no doubt it was penalty. I'd be more wondering what the point of var since Mount was allowed stay on the pitch after a studs to the shin tackle on Cedric
VAR seems to be more concerned with protecting refs. If the ref makes a major, major fuck up, var sees nothing, no action. Always.
Marginal decision, though? Oh yeah, but we're just helping the ref here, wasn't his fault he missed it.
And sooner Pogba and his agent fuck off and infects another team, the better. Fucking vermin. And a few more out the door behind him.
Quote from: Trev on April 21, 2022, 03:59:48 PM
Azpilicueta was all over Saka, no doubt it was penalty. I'd be more wondering what the point of var since Mount was allowed stay on the pitch after a studs to the shin tackle on Cedric
How is it a pen when the defender gets dragged down by the arm? Could say clever play by the striker (given azpilicueta was on the wrong side of him) if there was no var but there is. Not sour grapes either, Chelsea were stone useless and deserved the loss especially with the team they put out but that pen was stupid. Then again look at the shit that goes on in the box for every free or corner and var has no interest in any of it. I supported it being introduced too but I don't think it's working because instead of arguing about ref decisions it's arguing about var. Maybe it'll iron itself out but it's not great fun as it is.
And you're right about mount as well
Jaysus those Everton fuckers are some bais.
Happy to see Liverpool win that one. Keeps the league interesting although a lot can happen in a few games
I still think City will win their last games but it makes it interesting alright.
Liverpool will probably win theirs too.
I think it's hard to see either losing or drawing. I'm hoping Liverpool do it but if they do that well and still come second then it can only be well done city.
Hopefully they'll be too distracted to think about the fa cup
Reece James asking for Ronaldo's shirt during the game last night was pretty funny
Mino Raiola has actually died for real this time. Haaland's price tag probably just dropped by 30 million.
What happened to him, heart attack?
Surprised there's no quadruple talk as it's looking very possible they are going to pull it off which was unthinkable and an unbelievable achievement.
As much of a brilliant story it would be, I don't see City "slipping up" vs Villa. If it were to happen, I think Stevie G's reaction would end up as iconic as Aguerro's goal when City pipped Utd. Still, 2 trophies already is a superb achievement and I fancy them against Real.
Here's hoping Frankfurt can piss on the Rangers parade this evening.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on May 18, 2022, 05:50:43 PM
Here's hoping Frankfurt can piss on the Rangers parade this evening.
Tremendously satisfying to see Rangers denied victory by a man dressed in orange
It was worth staying up for. I wouldn't fancy being a street cleaner in Seville this morning.
Well done to Everton for avoiding relegation. Fair play.
Shame Villa couldn't do Leeds a favour last night... very nervy Sunday ahead.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on May 19, 2022, 07:23:06 AM
It was worth staying up for. I wouldn't fancy being a street cleaner in Seville this morning.
Did u see the footage of the rioting. Mad stuff.
Quote from: Emphyrio on May 20, 2022, 08:26:36 AM
Well done to Everton for avoiding relegation. Fair play.
I thought they were gone at 2-1. Laughed hard at this
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTKckqOWIAAB0vw?format=jpg&name=small)
And still at the end of it all they're probably happier than Chelsea supporters at the end of the season
😂
Can't be too long before the fences go back up at football grounds.
Ya, what's the story with all the pitch invasions lately? Seems to be all the shit teams too with not really much to be celebrating.
Jaysus your worse than my brother in law got the bone too subtle Everton jabs today lad :)
Ah, he finally rears his head. And there I was thinking it was all for nought! 😃
I made a cunt of that post whilst in the car but sure lookit :)
This thread has been unusually quiet since yesterday. When coutinho got the second, I really started to believe the pool could do it.
Where's all the city fans gloating on the thread? Oh yeah there aren't any!
Carragher Vs Liam Gallagher was a bit of fun though. I remember sky trotting out Gallagher one morning to talk about city and his lack of football knowledge was embarrassing. He couldn't name 3 players off the team
The boyz still to sick to even look at this thread :)
Good to see Forest back in the top flight. Been a while.
Poor auld Andy Goram. Figure of ridicule for Celtic fans but some shock being diagnosed and told he has six months to live. Fine goalie in his day. Only 58.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on May 29, 2022, 05:47:52 PM
The boyz still to sick to even look at this thread :)
And even sicker now, although that goal was questionable for offside so I'd be sick myself. Last 2 seasons, 2 jammy teams winning it. Wonder who'll be the jammiest next year
Chelsea again probably.
Quote from: Emphyrio on May 31, 2022, 03:10:24 PM
Chelsea again probably.
Please God. They should've beaten Madrid this year before getting done by city in the semis
https://mobile.twitter.com/sid_lambert/status/1531524812899753984
What a time to be alive
https://mobile.twitter.com/sid_lambert/status/1533544777798631424
Watched that with my housemate in college while cleaning the gaff out before summer holidays. Great memory. Got the cans in very early and had to clean up again the next day.
Jaysus they were great times.
It nearly brought a tear to my eye showing that to the young lad. He'll never know the beauty of it
Two fantastic performances in a row from Ireland.
An even better one from the Magic Magyars :)
Quote from: Ollkiller on June 14, 2022, 10:12:09 PM
Two fantastic performances in a row from Ireland.
100%
The previous 2 results really scuppered us though. The table doesn't paint a great picture. Is it the runner up that gets a playoff?
And England... Jaysus what's going on there.
Quote from: Emphyrio on June 15, 2022, 07:38:20 AM
Quote from: Ollkiller on June 14, 2022, 10:12:09 PM
Two fantastic performances in a row from Ireland.
100%
The previous 2 results really scuppered us though. The table doesn't paint a great picture. Is it the runner up that gets a playoff?
And England... Jaysus what's going on there.
Ya the first 2 games banjaxed us. But I'd be happy with that level of performance in the last 2 games and then bring that form into the European qualifiers. Would have a good chance of qualifying.
As regards England. Lol.
Between the Nations League and Euro qualifiers I dunno how it works but fuckit. Hopefully we can keep that form come September. Even with a depleted team they were very good yesterday.
I forgot Ireland were playing last night. That's pretty disillusioned as it goes for me. Hopefully things will get a bit cheerier
Just imagine if we had gotten 3 points off Armenia and even scraped a draw in the first Ukraine game. Would have been a brilliant go at it.
Quote from: Emphyrio on June 15, 2022, 07:38:20 AM
Quote from: Ollkiller on June 14, 2022, 10:12:09 PM
Two fantastic performances in a row from Ireland.
100%
The previous 2 results really scuppered us though. The table doesn't paint a great picture. Is it the runner up that gets a playoff?
And England... Jaysus what's going on there.
I just wish they'd waited until the World Cup itself to show this form.
Usually they flatter to deceive in the qualifiers and it all go tits up in the tournament proper. Maybe it's going the other way now...
https://www.chelsea-news.co/2022/06/i-can-reveal-fabrizio-romano-names-potential-romelu-lukaku-replacement/
The story is the usual silly season crap but the video of Hazard's top 5 Chelsea goals on the page is something else.
As for Lukaku, good riddance. I called it when they bought him. He's a fucking donkey.
Anyone else enjoying Madrid and their La Liga puppets absolutely losing their shit over Mbappe?
They are not used to rejection.
In just under ninety minutes, Old Trafford will officially be clear of the Pogbavrius.
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on June 30, 2022, 10:34:36 PM
In just under ninety minutes, Old Trafford will officially be clear of the Pogbavrius.
Longest hour and a half of my life.
Wonder how sterling will fit in at Chelsea? Never could stand him but I suppose I'll start saying he's great soon. Koulibaly looks like a good signing for them too but I think the table will look the same at the top as last year when it comes down to it with arsenal Tottenham Chelsea United vying for the 3rd and 4th. I think Liverpool will struggle to overtake City but if anyone will it'll be them. All very early but I don't see anyone making that one signing to really change things. Erikssen should do well at United but they need a real striker to go with him. City will be fearsome with Haaland too.
Won't be long now anyway
Another Brian Clough story from Mark Crossley. Fuckin' brilliant :)
https://youtu.be/ZJRcf3Ne2K0
Chelsea looking to sign Kounde and Kimpembe after having Koulibaly.
The KKK
I wonder who's getting sacked in the morning?
Yehoo. Brilliant result. Delighted for Ten Hag, totally justified benching the walking bin truck and Ronaldo.
Liverpool second best all over the pitch. Forgot what it was like to be on the other side of the banter. Cunts.
United were bound to have a reaction to their first two games. I had predicted a draw, thought they'd both be cagey. At least it wasn't Leeds flogging Chelsea level of bad but Liverpool did appear to be missing something I couldn't quite put my finger on.. oh wait, it was Van Dijk, that's what was missing.
Barca Bayern Inter all in the one group. Viktoria Plzen will be rubbing their hands
Edit: State of Spurs' group
Liverpool got Rangers. I'll be a red for those two games :)
So strange to see Rangers in the Champions League. The Europa Conference seems more their bag.
Chelsea look in trouble already. Poor defending, poor midfield and poor up front is not a good combo. Saints should have done em about 4-1 the result flattered Chelsea
Tuchel looked very despondent in his post match interview. Buying all around them but they've had a few very poor results already.
The signs were there towards the end of last season. No real game changer in the squad and it's hard to see where the goals will come from unless they bought a striker, but they won't buy one. Missing a good creative midfielder too. I think they will struggle and 7 points from 5 games without a decent win is probably going to be typical of their season
Transfer deadline didn't exactly set the world on fire this year. Chelsea look to have spent plenty on not a lot but defenders are expensive these days. Aubameyang hopefully will do something but I've never really been mad about him.
City will walk the league anyway so it's all about those other three cl places really and there's 5 teams with designs on them. Arsenal should fall away by Christmas but
it could go any way really
Can't see Auba doing much at Chelsea, he was fairly shite at Arsenal for about a year before he was shipped out
Yeah I agree, arsenal look far better without him too.
As a Chelsea supporter I have to say that decision to disallow West ham's equaliser was fuckin awful and symbolic of the ball of shit that is var.
Celtic swatted Rangers aside, similar to February. Real Madrid will get a game on Tuesday.
And yeah, what are VAR at. Spastics.
Liverpool really struggling this season. Can't even beat shit teams like Utd and Everton.
Second best to Everton and United :)
Quote from: Caomhaoin on September 03, 2022, 05:15:50 PMCeltic swatted Rangers aside, similar to February. Real Madrid will get a game on Tuesday.
And yeah, what are VAR at. Spastics.
More than one absolutely terrible decision today at the hands of var. It's a bad system as it is for sure.
Tuchel got the road. Not the smartest move but that's the way things are at short term Chelsea. He wasn't boehly's man anyway so I'd a feeling it'd come sooner or later
Potter confirmed as Chelsea manager. It gets harder to give a fuck about each one but fair play to him he'll get a great payday when he gets the road in time. Good coach for Brighton, but who knows how anyone will do at Chelsea.
Hopefully Postecoglu won't be swayed by the arcades and the ball of money in Brighton.
Pretty bummed out with the no matches today
Quote from: astfgyl on September 10, 2022, 02:15:59 PMPretty bummed out with the no matches today
And apparently only because they were afraid there could be repeats of the scenes at Tynecastle and Tallaght.
Lads - do ye know of any good websites for match reports/news/analysis of the European leagues incl England. I have a love/hate relationship with the BBC football online coverage. It often irritates me, but I don't know of many other places to check.
Cheers.
Liverool are a fuckin shambles
State of Darwin Nunez and his celebration
Ireland have a horrible group for Euro 2024 qualifying. Not a hope.
Quote from: astfgyl on September 08, 2022, 04:38:00 PMPotter confirmed as Chelsea manager. It gets harder to give a fuck about each one but fair play to him he'll get a great payday when he gets the road in time. Good coach for Brighton, but who knows how anyone will do at Chelsea.
Only 3 more Chelsea managers until Christmas.
Ireland are doomed in that Euros group. Couldn't be any worse.
Shame for Kenny, there's been an element of naivety there but he's been really unlucky in a lot of other respects and his stint has never really gotten any traction. No getting away from the fact that although the football is easier on the eye the results (Especially against weaker opposition) have been poor. The draw couldn't have been any worse, so I've a feeling he'll be on his way leaving everyone wondering if any genuine progress has been made over the past few campaigns.
He's had the worst of luck so far, and this draw is about as bad as it could get. You'd feel sorry for him.
I genuinely do anyway, there was so much hype around his appointment and we've seen flashes of potential. The away game to Portugal particularly where the team was able to make a decent stab at giving them a game, but the pattern has usually been an embarrassing defeat after a game like that.
I really shudder to think who they'll replace him with after this.
As long as it's not a Big Sam type!
I think that's all there is. I remember he was definitely on the last shorlist, Chris Hughton was there too. Grim.
Quote from: The Butcher on October 10, 2022, 09:31:04 AMQuote from: astfgyl on September 08, 2022, 04:38:00 PMPotter confirmed as Chelsea manager. It gets harder to give a fuck about each one but fair play to him he'll get a great payday when he gets the road in time. Good coach for Brighton, but who knows how anyone will do at Chelsea.
Only 3 more Chelsea managers until Christmas.
Ireland are doomed in that Euros group. Couldn't be any worse.
Aye they really do fly through the managers over there. I knew Tommy's card was marked when Boehly cleared out the staff above him.
As for Ireland, they may forget about it and the best we can hope for is to be entertained on our way to not qualifying for yet another tournament. I'm not getting my hopes up in any way this time because it's the hope that kills me in the end
Irish women's team with a savage win to get to the World Cup. Scotland have a better team but Ireland had a game plan and it worked.
Celtic should have been two nil up at half time. End up losing by the same margin and out of the tournament already. FFS.
Fair play to the women. Better watching them than Liverpool these days!
Grand the way the women's team can qualify for something. Hopefully the men will catch up soon.
Looked at the highlights from the cl this morning. Celtic did as expected when one plays on the practice setting for most of the season and jumps up to top player mode every now and again for the craic. They definitely should've been ahead all the same.
Chelsea got blessed with the sending off which was actually a sending off by the book, as harsh and fortunate as it was but home and away wins v Milan is grand given how unlikely it looked a couple of weeks ago. I put it down to the new manager effect where everyone plays up to try for a chance on the clean slate.
Madrid game dominated by var which oddly got all the decisions right with minimal fuss. Why is var less ridiculous in the cl than the pl?
I have tickets for Real Madrid v Celtic at the Bernabeu and the arse has fallen out of that completely now. Best case scenario, finish third and get into one of the Mickey Mouse euro leagues. How many chances do they need to put one away? One up at home and the crowd could have roared them home. They've beaten Barcelona twice, once under Neil Lennon with George Samaras up front and current Dundee United Romeo Tony Watt scoring the winner!
Potter could be the man for Chelsea, but he'd want to keep his mouth closed if things get tough. New bosses seem nippy as fuck.
O'Herlihy as the ringmaster with Giles, Brady, Dunphy as the clowns.
We will never see the like again. Absolutely spoiled.
Watching Liverpool and Napoli and all I can think about is Firmino's teeth. If you put Robert Firmino into Google, the third most predicted search appears to be his teeth. I fucking hate him and his stupid, ridiculously white teeth. I hate most footballers to be honest, I hate them and their stupid neck tattoos. Fucking retards. Remember when tattoos used to be cool? Fucking footballers have them ruined now with their stupid sleeve tattoos. Arseholes.
Chastening (and expensive) night at the Bernabeu. I had to comfort my young f'la a few times as the goals went in, nearly started crying. Thank fuck they scored the last goal, made it a bit more paletable. Fair play to the players, they stayed to applaud the travelling support and nobody booed or left early. Spirits were high on the way out.
Vinicius Junior is a quality player, but the play acting and shithousery out of the fucker is unreal.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on November 03, 2022, 05:50:50 AMChastening (and expensive) night at the Bernabeu. I had to comfort my young f'la a few times as the goals went in, nearly started crying. Thank fuck they scored the last goal, made it a bit more paletable. Fair play to the players, they stayed to applaud the travelling support and nobody booed or left early. Spirits were high on the way out.
Vinicius Junior is a quality player, but the play acting and shithousery out of the fucker is unreal.
They really need to change the handball rule. Neither was a penalty. Its ruining the game. Celtic had their chances but game was ruined by those 2 penalties and Celtic being too open. The second one was an outrageous decision.
Great free kick all the same
Quality. They had a few shots, but all very limp and tame.
The 2 pens fucked em really. They would most likely still have lost but more like 2-1 or something respectable looking. Once they were 2 down they didn't know whether to go for broke or try shut up shop. Waited til it was 4 nil to stop caring and have a go. Hey at least you didn't travel from Scotland!
Yeah, but I was rushing from work and couldn't use public transport. The traffic was like Bangladesh or Jaipur. Some amount of Celtic fans absolutely langers all over the gaff :)
Caoimhin Kelleher has won more penalty shootouts than any other keeper in the history of Liverpool FC
Still undefeated against England in World Cups. :D
1-0 to the Great Satan!
England doing that daft kneel down gesture and the extremely black Senegalese team look on bemused ha ha ha class. Pump them to Dakar and back, boyz!
That Neymar c**t is looking more and more like Butthead every day
France will stuff England surely?
Please Jaysus. The ITV/BBC pundits are managing to be St.Bernard vanilla ice cream bland and insufferably smug at the same time. Out out out!
Thought the Brazilians were a disgrace tonight with their dancing around in front of the South Koreans , the Croations won't be long putting the boot in.
My money has been on Argentina from the off so ,yeah, probably biased against Brazil anyway and want to see them gone. The sight of Neymar prancing around with the World Cup ...just, no.
Also I think it far from certain France will do England, all the way to pens probably
I think on paper they're a much stronger team Mbappe has the potential to really make a show of Maguire etc. France have serious eye for goal, England as usual have had a soft run of it.
Hmm, I actually think if you take Mbappe out of it then England are, man for man and including the bench, stronger overall. I'd doubt they'd leave Mbappe to Maguire, probably have Kyle Walker do a man for man on him.
I've always had a soft spot for Brazil so I hope they win it out. The dancing is a bit lame alright, no question. After that game against Germany in 2014, I thought they might leave that off til they actually won the thing. It looks a bit stupid in the first knockout game.
Croatia were dead on their feet against Japan and the age profile is against them. Brazil got their work done in 45 mins and coasted after.
Apart from Mbappe, England probably have a squad who, on paper at least, are better than France, but Mbappe is just lethal. If he's on form I'm not sure if any defence can deal with him.
Quote from: Emphyrio on December 06, 2022, 07:38:26 AMI've always had a soft spot for Brazil so I hope they win it out. The dancing is a bit lame alright, no question. After that game against Germany in 2014, I thought they might leave that off til they actually won the thing. It looks a bit stupid in the first knockout game.
Croatia were dead on their feet against Japan and the age profile is against them. Brazil got their work done in 45 mins and coasted after.
Apart from Mbappe, England probably have a squad who, on paper at least, are better than France, but Mbappe is just lethal. If he's on form I'm not sure if any defence can deal with him.
Croatia got among the best 8 teams in the world. That is an incredible and enormous achievement, I'm happy with that as it is, there's nothing left to lose.
I'm not really following what is going on to be honest, and have no idea in what kind of shape most of the teams are in.
England have gotten away with murder, the Iran, Wales and Senegal games were so soft.
Ignore Frances defeat to Tunisia as they put out a B team, Denmark was the key match there as they actually gave them a game and I was impressed how France dug in and found a way to win. A stark contrast to the USA England game where England ran out of ideas fairly quickly.
Surely, considering the big names, a Brazil v Argentina semi final and Portugal v Argentina final would make for the biggest matches of all time, nearly ever?
Bonus points if Santos kept Ronaldo on the bench for said final. Imagine his face.
Ramos?
Fernando Santos
Ah the coach. The two legged variety, not the multi wheeled one.
Quote from: Emphyrio on December 08, 2022, 12:33:25 PMBonus points if Santos kept Ronaldo on the bench for said final. Imagine his face.
No, he starts, Argentina go 1-0 up without any Messi involvement in the goal. Ronaldo gets subbed with ten minutes to go, his replacement scores twice, and then Messi misses a last minute penalty. Imagine both their faces.
Saucy!
bye, bye Brasil, dancando lambada.....
Quote from: warhead on December 09, 2022, 09:07:35 PMbye, bye Brasil, dancando lambada.....
Stuff on em..annoying cunts..hope Argentina go the same way!
Quote from: The Heretic on December 09, 2022, 09:27:15 PMQuote from: warhead on December 09, 2022, 09:07:35 PMbye, bye Brasil, dancando lambada.....
Stuff on em..annoying cunts..hope Argentina go the same way!
I REALLY loved Argentina all my life. Caniggia is the best ever. But hate them in recent years. They got a bit of an English attitude, thinking they're a god given, undisputed designated best in the world. Sore losers midgets too, on top of it.
But have to be fair to Brasil, I really do think no other country could match their raw talent.
Caniggia played for Rangers so he's dead to me.
I used to love Argentina too, after I got the video of the 86' World Cup when I was a boy (still by far the best documentary on any World Cup), but now? Nah. Croatia have a good chance.
Couldn't help laughing when the Serb fans audibly chanting upi shiptare (kill the Albanian)at Xhaka and Shaqiri, although they were saying the square root of fuck all at the end. I've been at the Red Star Belgrade stadium a few times and when the ultras get bored they begin ordering the rest of the stadium to get on their feet, and whoever doesn't is an Albanian. Everybody obeys.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on December 10, 2022, 06:51:17 AMCaniggia played for Rangers so he's dead to me.
I used to love Argentina too, after I got the video of the 86' World Cup when I was a boy (still by far the best documentary on any World Cup), but now? Nah. Croatia have a good chance.
Couldn't help laughing when the Serb fans audibly chanting upi shiptare (kill the Albanian)at Xhaka and Shaqiri, although they were saying the square root of fuck all at the end. I've been at the Red Star Belgrade stadium a few times and when the ultras get bored they begin ordering the rest of the stadium to get on their feet, and whoever doesn't is an Albanian. Everybody obeys.
I see your point regarding Caniggia, but I forgive that guy for all of his shortcomings 8)
Can't recall watching the documentary on the 86 world cup, but can vividly remember watching it religiously while it was happening. I loved Mexico at that time, Hugo Sanchez was my fave player and the reason why I started supporting Real Madrid.
Croatia will be an outsider at this stage of the cup, no matter who'll they be playing against. But I do agree there's a chance for the positive outcome against Argentina.
I am so tired of all the nationalistic shit, have to tell you, from all sides involved.
Here is the '86 documentary, complete with the dulcet tones of Michael Caine to accompany you in your enjoyment.
https://youtu.be/3eDZV-p9DiI
As regards the nationalistic shit (and this goes for ridiculous displays of petulance from professional footballers etc), seeing grown men behave like children is fascinating to me. It's sometimes highly entertaining :)
Quote from: Caomhaoin on December 10, 2022, 07:58:13 PMHere is the '86 documentary, complete with the dulcet tones of Michael Caine to accompany you in your enjoyment.
https://youtu.be/3eDZV-p9DiI
As regards the nationalistic shit (and this goes for ridiculous displays of petulance from professional footballers etc), seeing grown men behave like children is fascinating to me. It's sometimes highly entertaining :)
Thanks for the link, I might give it a go when having a slow shift at work.
Fuck, I had to google petulance. It sounds like a word used in Doom lyrics.
It's interesting to see the contrast of Michel Platini in 1986, possibly the most elegant player of the time, impossibly good looking, a pure French swagger about him, chatting in Italian to his German counterpart etc etc and how the cunt turned out. A corrupt, money grubbing cave troll. I guess the fannies dried up so he needed to compensate.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on December 10, 2022, 08:16:25 PMIt's interesting to see the contrast of Michel Platini in 1986, possibly the most elegant player of the time, impossibly good looking, a pure French swagger about him, chatting in Italian to his German counterpart etc etc and how the cunt turned out. A corrupt, money grubbing cave troll. I guess the fannies dried up so he needed to compensate.
Ahh, dunno......you shouldn't be surprised. Being a great player and educated doesn't prevent you from being a cunt. One of the biggest Croatian players, Suker made it to his own level of cuntiness.
I loved that '86 cup, by the way. I might be remembering it through the pink tainted glasses, but......the defenders were still not butchers at that time. '90 cup was when things started changing rapidly. Maradona was massacred that year. Have a feeling that strength and physique started taking over raw talent from '94 on.
The Danes kicked Francescoli up and down the pitch in '86. And that Elkjaer? All elbows and big boots, a beast of a striker.
But you are right, Laudrup, Enzo F, Socrates, Platini, Maradona, Barnes etc. Golden generation there.
A lot of people speculate about how well Yugoslavian national teams would have been if what happened didn't happen. Were they that good in 90? They beat Spain but they also got hammered by Germany. Stojkovic and the best player to ever smoke cigs Prosinecki etc. A Croatian (or was he half Croatian)who won the European cup playing for Crvena Zvezda Beograd. I think our grandkids grandkids will be old men and aliens will have landed before that ever happens again :)
I was hoping it'd go to extra time cos that was very enjoyable. All games in the quarters were to be fair.
Quote from: Emphyrio on December 10, 2022, 09:02:44 PMI was hoping it'd go to extra time cos that was very enjoyable. All games in the quarters were to be fair.
I'm small minded enough to be unable to relax until they've been sent homewards (tae think again). England winning the World Cup just doesn't bear thinking about.
Predicted giroud to score the winner not 2 mins before he did. Would've liked to see it go to pens all the same
Edit: also chasing a winner and bringing on mount is terrible management. A player who doesn't score or assist and is having a shit season with his club
potential carnage throughout France the day of the semi-final, whatever the result!
The Moroccans weren't shy when they knocked Spain out either.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on December 10, 2022, 08:49:38 PMThe Danes kicked Francescoli up and down the pitch in '86. And that Elkjaer? All elbows and big boots, a beast of a striker.
But you are right, Laudrup, Enzo F, Socrates, Platini, Maradona, Barnes etc. Golden generation there.
A lot of people speculate about how well Yugoslavian national teams would have been if what happened didn't happen. Were they that good in 90? They beat Spain but they also got hammered by Germany. Stojkovic and the best player to ever smoke cigs Prosinecki etc. A Croatian (or was he half Croatian)who won the European cup playing for Crvena Zvezda Beograd. I think our grandkids grandkids will be old men and aliens will have landed before that ever happens again :)
I was asking myself and a lot of my friends the same question......what could have been if Yugoslavia stayed together as a country, with sooo much talent going around. And we came to the conclusion nothing would have happened, as Serbian players were always favored, and as we know, they never did anything when it comes to football. German and Italian teams for example are regularly getting their own asses handed on a plate to them by Croatian team.
What Crvena Zvezda did in the Euro cup is hard to repeat. I was always a Partizan fan in those times, so....... :)
The partizan stadium is like 100 meters from the Red Star one, yet the fans hate each other. Most of the Serbs I know are CZ fans, except one guy who supports RAD (supposed to be the big scary firm). If you go into the kafana attached to the stadium, the staff happily tell you that Arkan was shot dead there! His silly wife Ceca's house is just across the street.
I guess Hajduk and Dinamo hate each other too, but at least that makes sense, two distinct cities. Someone told me that Tudjman tried to change the name of Dinamo to Croatia Zagreb but failed. Dunno, sounds like bullshit.
Edit - It's true!
England's Out - Beautiful.
Knocked Out By France - Even Better :laugh:
Quote from: Caomhaoin on December 10, 2022, 09:55:27 PMThe partizan stadium is like 100 meters from the Red Star one, yet the fans hate each other. Most of the Serbs I know are CZ fans, except one guy who supports RAD (supposed to be the big scary firm). If you go into the kafana attached to the stadium, the staff happily tell you that Arkan was shot dead there! His silly wife Ceca's house is just across the street.
I guess Hajduk and Dinamo hate each other too, but at least that makes sense, two distinct cities. Someone told me that Tudjman tried to change the name of Dinamo to Croatia Zagreb but failed. Dunno, sounds like bullshit.
Edit - It's true!
Yes, Rad fans have a reputation of being the most dangerous firm in Serbia. I was in Belgrade on the night some Croatian generals were pronounced innocent in Den Haag. A group of Rad fans went into the club I was at, have to say I didn't feel indifferent to it :-X
Yes, Dinamo was called Croatia for a while. But they were called Gradjanski before they changed the name to Dinamo by the commie politicians after the end of WW2. So, when Croatia gained independence in the early '90's, the president Tudjman changed the name back to Gradjanski, and then to Croatia after couple of years. But the fans were used to the name Dinamo and were always pushing for the name to go back to that, which finally happened after Tudjman dropped dead.
You couldn't make this up :)
Edit: CZ fans were more nationalistically orientated, while people rooting for Partizan were more pro-Yu orientated. But guess that changed during the decades.
Woudnt be surprised if we see a France v Croatia final again.
Croatia looked very tired but Messi was class. Deserved result in the end. Fair play to Croatia for getting so far yet again. Presumably a France-Argentina final.
Delighted for some of the teams like Croatia and Morocco getting so far but especially regarding Croatia it does once pose the question about our own national team. Plenty of countries with similar population getting to the business ends of tournaments. Think it's going to be a grim qualifying campaign come March
We are a bit diluted by rugby and GAA, but Croatia also have a strong basketball team so the argument bends under scrutiny.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on December 14, 2022, 10:56:23 AMWe are a bit diluted by rugby and GAA, but Croatia also have a strong basketball team so the argument bends under scrutiny.
It's the GAA. We would have a far better team if the Gaa didn't exist. Now in the next 20 years we should produce better soccer players as the underage coaching they get nowadays is light years ahead of what was there in the 80s and 90s.
It's every cunt supporting and funding British teams. There's fuck all money going to the FAI and Irish clubs to develop young players. We fund the fucking English team. Realistically, everyone with any professional potential has to emigrate to an academy abroad while local lads parade around Ireland in poxy Man U and Liverpool shirts. There's very limited scope for anyone to develop as a professional footballer and stay in Ireland.
Quote from: Bürggermeister on December 14, 2022, 04:00:54 PMIt's every cunt supporting and funding British teams. There's fuck all money going to the FAI and Irish clubs to develop young players. We fund the fucking English team. Realistically, everyone with any professional potential has to emigrate to an academy abroad while local lads parade around Ireland in poxy Man U and Liverpool shirts. There's very limited scope for anyone to develop as a professional footballer and stay in Ireland.
It's how the funds get allocated too, the head of the FAI's salary is twice what the LoI winners get, that's absolute bollocks. Until clubs start getting proper funding in its just going to get harder and harder for player development
Yes the funding is bollocks in ireland for the soccer. My point was that the coaching for underage is light years ahead of what it was back when I was playing. Most clubs have people with Fifa badges now. So, as you say, players will still have to go abroad. Just they will be way better coached in the years they spend here, giving them a better chance of making it over there.
Quote from: Emphyrio on December 14, 2022, 07:15:37 AMCroatia looked very tired but Messi was class. Deserved result in the end. Fair play to Croatia for getting so far yet again. Presumably a France-Argentina final.
Argentina were just better this time. Croatia needs a proper striker.
Quote from: warhead on December 15, 2022, 12:34:27 AMQuote from: Emphyrio on December 14, 2022, 07:15:37 AMCroatia looked very tired but Messi was class. Deserved result in the end. Fair play to Croatia for getting so far yet again. Presumably a France-Argentina final.
Argentina were just better this time. Croatia needs a proper striker.
Croatia and Morocco. Both good teams with awful strikers.
Moroccan fans seem to be acting the absolute cunt all over France and Belgium.
Hooligans, not particularly more the Moroccans than the French. Plus instances of black-clad armed ultra-right groups being arrested in (that I've seen) Paris, Lyon, Nice, Montpellier, and Strasbourg. Even the right-wing press are reporting it:
https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/paris-lyon-nice-des-militants-d-ultradroite-interpelles-apres-des-violences-en-marge-de-la-victoire-des-bleus_AN-202212150282.html
https://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/mondial-40-proches-de-l-ultradroite-interpelles-a-paris-pour-port-d-armes-prohibees-20221215
Guess your sources are even more to the right, eh? :)
Quote from: Black Shepherd Carnage on December 10, 2022, 09:11:00 PMpotential carnage throughout France the day of the semi-final, whatever the result!
Quote from: Caomhaoin on December 10, 2022, 09:15:49 PMThe Moroccans weren't shy when they knocked Spain out either.
Sorry, hadn't actually seen your reply. I already had in mind the potential clash
between French and Moroccan hooligans. Thankfully, in the end, things were far less heated than they could have been. Maybe that's thanks to so many French ultras getting themselves arrested! :)
'Linked with far right groups'? What does that even mean? It's the usual conflation of nationalism and extremism.
Why don't they mention the number of Moroccans arrested?
If you understand what "armed" means, that should be good enough.
Anyway, usually would have watched at least a handful of matches by this stage of a World Cup, but not one, not even a goal. Can't bring myself to get into it. But I'm not one of the real fans of the sport anyway, so I know it's just too huge a thing to resist for them, not preaching at all. From what I'm hearing there's been good games. Maybe a Croatia-Morocco final would have tempted me though :laugh:
Quote from: Black Shepherd Carnage on December 15, 2022, 08:21:45 PMIf you understand what "armed" means, that should be good enough.
Anyway, usually would have watched at least a handful of matches by this stage of a World Cup, but not one, not even a goal. Can't bring myself to get into it. But I'm not one of the real fans of the sport anyway, so I know it's just too huge a thing to resist for them, not preaching at all. From what I'm hearing there's been good games. Maybe a Croatia-Morocco final would have tempted me though :laugh:
It's the world cup I've given the least of a fuck about since Mexico 86 and all I can remember of that is the mascot. I don't know if it's them or me but there we have it anyway. I also wanted to see a Morocco/Croatia final but only to hammer home how bang average the whole thing feels in every possible way. Might be a sign of the times too because everything is cheapened to fuck these days or it might be some sort of jilted lover syndrome because Ireland are not only not in it but are also so far away from it that I find it difficult to imagine Ireland doing anything at all in a WC other than maybe possibly getting to it and getting mauled in every game (like the euros with Trappatoni) in my lifetime.
Why does she have to go with HIM when I'm the one who would really appreciate her and love her? Just because he's more skilful and better looking doesn't mean I don't deserve to get a chance to show her how much I truly careThat sort of jilted lover shit for the Irish and the WC
Actually, edit: I don't even know who the fucking mascot is for this shit
Messi = 🐐
The FIFA guy and the Qatari guy were creepy as fuck, getting Messi to don the sportswashing robe.
70 minutes of a boring game, suddenly turned into maybe the best final ever?
Mbappe is some player all the same. Messi made it anyways fair play to him. The robe thing was strange.
Also, Emi Martinez is some prick.
France were muck for 70 minutes so delighted they lost. Why didnt yhey play like that from the start. Would have won the game easily. Messi was class as usual.
That was a great game of ball. Even when France were doing fuckall, it was an absorbing contest. Deschamps with seemingly mad substitutions, then France roar into life, that outrageous Mbappe goal, end to end extra time. Brilliant. Diego Simeone will no doubt try to sign Martinez. He is absolutely his type of player.
Great final, cringey medal ceremony indeed. Resisted most of the tournament but kids were into it and enthusiasm was infectious.
Ended up being the tournament I've watched the most of since the 90s, weirdly.
Excellent tournament in footballing terms. Poor in terms of location, which felt incredibly generic. Usually world cups are pretty awash with the local culture, but this one had none of that. Also slightly disappointing in that it didn't feel like a tournament of stars or great teams. Only really Messi, Mbappe, and Modric as the real star power, and arguably none of the traditional heavyweights have a classic team right now bar maybe France (who, if they'd decided to show up from the start, would have crushed Argentina...)
Congrats to the Argies though, arguably the two best players in history and the best kit ever.
Thank god we're back to the real soccer tomorrow
Yup, fantasy football 8)
Watching Chelsea v Bournemouth here with no commentary and it's actually pretty decent for a change
I see Pele has had his chips
My old man seen him play here in the early 70s, every 60+ year old bloke in Dublin will probably be claiming they were there now he's dead.
Quote from: ldj on December 29, 2022, 07:14:40 PMMy old man seen him play here in the early 70s, every 60+ year old bloke in Dublin will probably be claiming they were there now he's dead.
Without a doubt they will. I've often wondered about the psychology behind bullshitting like that I mean do they not feel stupid in their heads doing it
Been trying to keep my expectations down, but Arsenal really are in with a shot at the league
Quote from: Trev on December 31, 2022, 09:28:28 PMBeen trying to keep my expectations down, but Arsenal really are in with a shot at the league
Don't do it to yourself
Jesus Chelsea are fucking awful to watch. They're winning and might even stay that way but they are really fucking bad
Potter needs a good transfer window or he could be out of a job soon 2 wins in 7..
It's amazing how many players on the team look very average when Kante is out. Too many Danny Drinkwaters. Really need proper cover for James too because Azpi can't cut it anymore. Knowing Chelsea they'll probably go all in for another winger!
Poor auld Luca Vialli dead. Great striker in his pomp, very young man RIP
Quote from: Caomhaoin on January 06, 2023, 09:57:19 AMPoor auld Luca Vialli dead. Great striker in his pomp, very young man RIP
Chelsea legend from my youth. RIP.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on January 06, 2023, 09:57:19 AMPoor auld Luca Vialli dead. Great striker in his pomp, very young man RIP
Remember watching him in Serie A when Channel 4 used to show the games. Unreal player.
Anthony Stokes, what is this bellend at now? If he's not hanging around with the RIRA, he's getting nabbed with a bar of bonnie prince charlie after driving away from the cops. This cunt had the lot, and had the talent to have even more.
Scottish Cup Final 2016 he made pricks out of Rangers almost single handed. Now he's in Crumlin Road slopping out.
What an eejit. There's so few Irish players that ever get anywhere near anything as well
Big Sam to Everton?
Sean Dyche I'd say.
The problem with Everton is they'll expect whoever they get to over achieve completely. Would nearly be better to go down and rebuild. No financially of course.
Is it worth more to stay up or go down in the short term with parachute payments?
I remember reading some article at the end of last season by some statistician, who had been doing some work on football, and the gist of the article was that for the last couple of years Everton have been on the exact same trajectory (on and off the field) as Sunderland were a few years ago.
They were going places with Ancelotti. Fucked now.
Yeah no idea why they scrapped Carlo
Quote from: CorkonianHunger on January 24, 2023, 06:17:47 PMYeah no idea why they scrapped Carlo
Didnt he leave for Madrid again.
He quit when Madrid wanted him back, smart choice
Suppose thats fair enough. Graham Potter in an ideal world pre-Chelshit would have been ideal.
Chelsea have been rather busy this window. Surprised at jorghino to arsenal but a few quid rather now rather than nothing in a few months is probably prudent. Thought he was decent for Chelsea until Kante became perpetually injured. Talk of them selling Conor Gallagher before the deadline which I think isn't the greatest idea. Also ziyech to PSG on loan is a bit unexpected too. Thought they'd stick with him until summer
Quote from: astfgyl on January 31, 2023, 07:41:39 PMChelsea have been rather busy this window. Surprised at jorghino to arsenal but a few quid rather now rather than nothing in a few months is probably prudent. Thought he was decent for Chelsea until Kante became perpetually injured. Talk of them selling Conor Gallagher before the deadline which I think isn't the greatest idea. Also ziyech to PSG on loan is a bit unexpected too. Thought they'd stick with him until summer
They've too many players I'd imagine.
Far as I know they can't register the new lads for the champions League without moving some on but I might be getting that wrong and it could be the homegrown thing that's causing that trouble. Can't even remember where I was reading about it now.
Anyway, came across this rather silly story while reading up the transfer speculation:
https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/rumor-the-fa-open-investigation-chelsea-star-mykhailo-mudryk-reports?key=scoopdragon
Part I found odd was reading about the other players who got done for old things.
All charges dropped in the Greenwood case.
Not the news United wanted to hear, I'd say.
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on February 02, 2023, 03:27:51 PMAll charges dropped in the Greenwood case.
Not the news United wanted to hear, I'd say.
Don't know, still can't see him coming back. Bad PR. Don't know if ten Hag would fancy him as a character, regardless of charges and what not. That being said he was such a good finisher. Shame he pissed it away being a cunt.
Man City in a bit of trouble.
I see talk of points deductions etc. Would put a bit of a stain on arsenal's forthcoming title win but I'm sure arteta won't give a shit
Marsch out, thank fuck.
Who's the Everton player suspended for child porn investigation?
Quote from: astfgyl on February 08, 2023, 05:17:55 PMWho's the Everton player suspended for child porn investigation?
[/quotQuote from: astfgyl on February 08, 2023, 05:17:55 PMWho's the Everton player suspended for child porn investigation?
Is that from a while back or recent. Isn't it Glyfi Sigurdsson?
Yeah it was him.
Only heard of it today. Scabby cunt if he did
He did do it. Fuckin knacker.
Ah jaysus the rotten fuck
Predicting Chelsea to win the Champions League this year. All the omens are there.
Must go down and put a few quid on it
Around 14/1 that. Yeah , I'd keep it to a FEW quid!
Quote from: Thorn on February 15, 2023, 05:12:49 PMAround 14/1 that. Yeah , I'd keep it to a FEW quid!
Honestly I'm thinking about 20 quid but I do have this feeling that they will do it this year.
Doing shit in the league, manager change mid season and written off for winning it. Pressure is off them in a way
"I'm sure they'll be going all out to win it"
Jaysus you don't say
Fuck sake
Quote from: astfgyl on February 15, 2023, 11:52:11 AMPredicting Chelsea to win the Champions League this year. All the omens are there.
Must go down and put a few quid on it
Still predicting this to happen
Quote from: astfgyl on February 15, 2023, 09:57:25 PMQuote from: astfgyl on February 15, 2023, 11:52:11 AMPredicting Chelsea to win the Champions League this year. All the omens are there.
Must go down and put a few quid on it
Still predicting this to happen
Gonna put the 50 on it now the odds should be better
:laugh: good luck!
Quote from: Thorn on February 16, 2023, 03:51:06 PM:laugh: good luck!
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I know, deep down there somewhere I know
It's all a big fuckin shitheap at the moment. (https://vidmateapp.win/in/). (https://vidmateapp.win/). (https://vidmateapp.win/vidmate-2015/).
How good were Real last night,I dont see chelsea stopping them ;)
Quote from: Blizzard Beast on February 22, 2023, 07:25:45 AMHow good were Real last night,I dont see chelsea stopping them ;)
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Good win for Utd today even if they were playing in second gear.
Thankfully they look to be going in the right direction under ETH.
Quote from: Blizzard Beast on February 26, 2023, 08:21:23 PMGood win for Utd today even if they were playing in second gear.
Thankfully they look to be going in the right direction under ETH.
Second gear alright. Newcastle created next to nothing from all their possession. United just happy to pick them during the game. What Ten Hag has done in such a short space of time is miraculous. Top manager.
He's no Graham potter :laugh:
Ten Hag is massive. He's built not only a capable grouo of players, but made ones from last season do a job. This is just the start.
I have been impressed with what he's done and I'm one of those lads that loves to hate United as the cartoon villain
Shels beat Bohs and Liverpool humiliated Man Utd
Great weekend
https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1632464483648954371?t=_GQkR-d44s3RuzI4DLjNmg&s=19
Quote from: DISRUPTER on March 06, 2023, 02:52:15 AMShels beat Bohs and Liverpool humiliated Man Utd
Great weekend
How long before Bohs decide football's just not worth bothering with, and turn into a full-on NGO instead?
Quote from: astfgyl on February 16, 2023, 05:32:35 PMQuote from: Thorn on February 16, 2023, 03:51:06 PM:laugh: good luck!
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I know, deep down there somewhere I know
Havertz with balls of steel this evening. Bit squeaky in the end but Chelsea should have been about 6-1 on aggregate really. Maybe 6-2.
Tough oul draw for Chelsea in the next round.
I think they're using their league form to lull Madrid into a false sense of security.
Anyway, thought Todd Boehly's reaction to fans outside after the Everton draw was funny
"Fucking shit game"
Well, here we are at the beginning of another campaign for Kenny. I think on the whole he's probably lucky to still have the gig, he has had more than his fair share of bad luck but there has also been some calamitous performances too with the usual behind the scenes drama resulting in speculation and backroom staff coming and going.
I really like what he's trying to do and seeing young players being blooded in that can actually string a couple of passes together is certainly more appealing to watch. The performances against the likes of Portugal, Serbia Ukraine for example have been admirable but we're failing to grind out results against the poorer teams. That last campaign was over before it begun, and the nations league was very frustrating.
There are no "poorer" teams in this group, it could be grim reading in terms of points at the end of this qualifying process. The thing is, I don't think there's anyone out there that has the passion for the job that Kenny clearly has. People mention Hughton and so forth but that's moving backwards.
As usual, it'll be the hope that kills me.
I'll watch it anyway
They are trying bless their souls. We've gone from launching balls forward to passing balls sideways...seems to be no in between..can we just for once...not be too predictable?!
Actually the first ireland game in a long time which I'm enjoying.
But christ who is that doing the commentary, sounds about 12.
Annoying.
The gulf in class between both teams shows how good a performance that was by Ireland. What a save from that Collins header at the end.
Very very unlucky
:( :( :(
Quote from: Hellyeah on March 27, 2023, 09:04:45 PMActually the first ireland game in a long time which I'm enjoying.
But christ who is that doing the commentary, sounds about 12.
Annoying.
Stephen Kelly and Maloney. Utter shite, get Hamilton back in there.
Great effort from the boyz.
The last 20 mins in particular made me feel like they could really have the grit and ability to it.
Not the predicted massacre.
The traditional moral victory but this one hurt
Quote from: Caomhaoin on March 27, 2023, 09:45:42 PMStephen Kelly and Maloney. Utter shite, get Hamilton back in there.
Kelly's voice is turgid. Not even gonna start on Maloney. Hamilton, oh you sexy dulcet toned bastard. Led us through our youth. Rte you bastards. Bring him back.
Yeah Hamilton was the best. Unfortunately he has been banished to the bowels of lyric FM.
Back to the match, if we can keep that energy and determination into future matches we'll be OK.
Dare I say we may have turned a corner. Hope so. Time will tell.
Quote from: Hellyeah on March 27, 2023, 11:04:34 PMYeah Hamilton was the best. Unfortunately he has been banished to the bowels of lyric FM.
Back to the match, if we can keep that energy and determination into future matches we'll be OK.
Dare I say we may have turned a corner. Hope so. Time will tell.
RTÉ sports punditry used to be the envy of the anglophone world. Proper characters, Hook, Bill, Dunphy, Brady, Brolly, Spillane, O'Rourke, Anthony Daly, Loughnane,Tom McGurk. The sky and ITV cunts took a leaf out of our book and this gimp head of sports at RTÉ has assembled a parade of boring bastards with nothing to say. Sadlier is a bit mental so he's half worth watching, but the new dynamic youthful panels? Nearly as bad as the ads.
If we can exploit the weaknesses in the Dutch side and turn over the Greeks, who knows?
Good match, did themselves proud. But it'll be the games in June that will prove if we've made progress at all. Should be looking at 4 points minimum. That Greek fixture in the heat does not sound appealing one bit.
When Damien Duff is a member of the panel I feel like I'm watching somebody trying to force out a large shit.
He is so do dour, zero charisma and just plain beige.
Shay Given whilst being affable seems just happy to be there.
The blonde fella that was on last night.....
It's not much better on Virgin.
QuoteThe blonde fella that was on last night.....
You mean Kevin Doyle?
Sacking Tommy Tuchel for Graham Potter?
Priceless
Edit: Potter is starting to look the same colour as Moyes did at United. The colour of being completely out of one's depth.
Lastly, the way that the commentary team are pushing the propaganda by refusing to criticise the fact that mudryk is overpriced shit is making me want to never watch soccer again. Sickening stuff entirely even if he comes good you have to call out propaganda when you see it and this is an egregious example of same, just like every other Ukraine themed thing on this side of the world.
I've never seen anything like it.
Anyway back to the soccer, I feel a bit bad for potter because if this Chelsea team had a striker today they'd have won by a cricket score but anyway they're shit
Quote from: astfgyl on April 01, 2023, 07:16:14 PMSacking Tommy Tuchel for Graham Potter?
Priceless
Edit: Potter is starting to look the same colour as Moyes did at United. The colour of being completely out of one's depth.
Lastly, the way that the commentary team are pushing the propaganda by refusing to criticise the fact that mudryk is overpriced shit is making me want to never watch soccer again. Sickening stuff entirely even if he comes good you have to call out propaganda when you see it and this is an egregious example of same, just like every other Ukraine themed thing on this side of the world.
I've never seen anything like it.
Anyway back to the soccer, I feel a bit bad for potter because if this Chelsea team had a striker today they'd have won by a cricket score but anyway they're shit
The Mudryk stuff is weird. Arteta has been pretty spot with all his signings in the last two years or so, but I haven't seen anything from Mudryk to make me see why he was so set on signing him.
Maybe he's intentionally playing shit so Arsenal can get him cheap in the summer!
Arsenal are going to win the league. I thought they'd fall away handy after Christmas like they always do but no arteta is doing a great job there fair play to him.
Chelsea are fucking hapless
Quote from: astfgyl on April 01, 2023, 07:16:14 PMSacking Tommy Tuchel for Graham Potter?
Priceless
Edit: Potter is starting to look the same colour as Moyes did at United. The colour of being completely out of one's depth.
Him going on about those retarded xg stats should have gotten him sacked on the spot.
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on April 02, 2023, 04:57:11 PMQuote from: astfgyl on April 01, 2023, 07:16:14 PMSacking Tommy Tuchel for Graham Potter?
Priceless
Edit: Potter is starting to look the same colour as Moyes did at United. The colour of being completely out of one's depth.
Him going on about those retarded xg stats should have gotten him sacked on the spot.
100% xg has ruined soccer
Brendan gone from Leicester. Not much love for the man leaving Celtic the way he did, but he's been undermined by a reluctant and half arsed board.
Potter gone aswell. Probably best for all parties.
Quote from: Caomhaoin on April 02, 2023, 08:44:13 PMPotter gone aswell. Probably best for all parties.
I just found that out from you.
Metal Warfare - Your First For Trusted News
:laugh: :laugh:
Wonder if Chelsea will have the no manager bounce tonight?
Time is flying by this year already, only 4 more Chelsea managers until Christmas!
Side note bizarre hilarity - my fantasy footy team name 'Sons Of Pitches' got flagged :laugh:
"Dear Premier League User,
Your team name was deemed offensive and was renamed to "Change Name". Please change it to something more suitable.
Please note that if a name could potentially be considered offensive by others in the game then it will be changed.
If you repeatedly choose names which are deemed offensive then your account will be deleted, please keep this in mind
when choosing a name for your team. We will not enter into correspondence over individual names."
Wow. The shite people get 'offended' by these days. God I miss the eighties.. Even the nineties.
Wimps and wussbags everywhere you look now.
That's priceless. :laugh: :laugh:
That name is fantastic. :abbath:
I think the name was shit anyway but definitely not worthy of being censored for.
Lampard back to Chelsea?
May as well have kept potter.
Must be the great job he did at Everton :laugh:
Yeah bizarre move.
As a Villa fan I haven't had much reason to celebrate for a long long time but I'm smiling today! What a win!
Chelsea
All I can do is
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :)
Edit: they are the new Metallica album of teams at this stage and I haven't even listened to the new Metallica yet
Good oul lampard continues his great run of form. Best job in the world.
As a long suffering everton fan I believed we had turned a corner after the spurs game. Back knee deep in it after today. :'(
Speaking of Chelsea, i watched a documentary about them a couple of days ago.
Quote from: Cailleach on April 16, 2023, 09:24:27 PMSpeaking of Chelsea, i watched a documentary about them a couple of days ago.
Hard luck, I hope it didn't have you feeling as badly as their general play has me feeling
I like Milan a lot, but am sad Napoli are not moving forward. Guess they are a limited team when compared to the top dogs and do need a bit more experience for bigger things.
So, Spurs sack the manager, and put his assistant in charge, then sack him, and put his assistant in charge....
..And it looks like Chelsea are going to snag Poch to compound the Spurs misery
Quote from: Thorn on April 24, 2023, 08:47:20 PM..And it looks like Chelsea are going to snag Poch to compound the Spurs misery
He will be a bad fit for Chelsea
In fairness I don't know who would be a good fit under that clown Boehly
Quote from: Thorn on April 25, 2023, 08:06:00 AMIn fairness I don't know who would be a good fit under that clown Boehly
That's a very fair point that I was missing there. It feels like he's the sort of owner who wants to pick the team
That was a good semi- final last night. I can't see either of the other two teams troubling City or Madrid in the final.
That was a pretty convincing win from city last night,made Real look very ordinary,particularly that first half display.
Ange Postecoglou gone to Spurs. Very disappointed to see him go, but sure it was probably an opportunity he couldn't turn his nose up at.
Cut throat down there though, he won't be given time if it doesn't start like a house on fire.
Both goal of the season and save of the season were rather unspectacular. Gives the impression it wasn't a great season for screamers
Lukaku what a miss
Inter put up a decent fight.
In my eyes, this 'treble' never happened though :laugh:
https://twitter.com/ufcfooty/status/1668576561367318528?t=1njDl1SIt2tecf3fh_54qw&s=19
Grealish
Some bellend
Jaysus we are dogshit.
Didn't watch it but Irish soccer Twitter are not impressed. Was it really that bad?
Very poor. Clueless stuff.
You'd think with all the Nigerians we have at this stage that we should've come good by now.
I actually thought the polski boys would be coming through by now as well but they're not great at it.
Hopefully the Somalians will buck the trend in a few years
Took me days to recover from Friday's escapade. Just when you think we can't stoop any lower.
The 2-1 scoreline really flattered Ireland, could've been in deep shit very early on. I really wanted the Kenny thing to work out but it's been three years and nothings changed. This is the third campaign that's over after two games. His bold statements are Staunton-esque in their naivety and when you see the end result completely baseless. "We're targeting first place in the nations league" or "We've given ourselves a mountain to climb"
I think he'll be given his marching orders no matter what happens tonight.
Wow, this is extremely bad from Ireland. Staunton era stuff is like 1986 Argentina in comparison.
A few more hours and Kenny will be out. It's a shame how it's panned out I think most of us were dying for him to get going
Please take Joanne Cantwell, Darragh Moloney Ray Houghton and all the other tedious boring bastards from RTÉ with you Stevie.
Anyone got a code for FPL league this year?
Quote from: Thorn on August 02, 2023, 03:37:31 AMAnyone got a code for FPL league this year?
https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/dudfms MW League 23/24
Heading to the balkans on holidays there next week, Red Star Belgrade at home to Partizan is some atmosphere. I've been to a lot of stadiums but the best laugh I ever had was at Easter Road, Hibs. Amazing when they can get close to filling the gaff.
Any stadium stories?
Crazy seeing all these people losing their shit about the "satanic" United third kit. :laugh:
This Ferguson lad is looking seriously elite, hat trick against a Champions League team at 18, mad stuff.
Quote from: ldj on September 02, 2023, 09:47:52 PMThis Ferguson lad is looking seriously elite, hat trick against a Champions League team at 18, mad stuff.
Yep, we should be excited. Only problem is Mitoma isn't Irish..
Pity Chelsea didn't offer the 110 mill for him instead of fucking Caicedo.
They were pathetic again yesterday for want of a striker. Also why did pochettino play 4-2-3-1 in pre season and look good doing it, only to revert to essentially 7 defenders vs Forest and look exactly like last season again. I feel it's going to be a long season flitting between the middle and lower half of the league. For all that money, they haven't really bought well at all.
Of course none of it matters too much outside of cl qualification anyway because city are going to walk the league once more
Great to see the moral victory in full swing. Staying plucky at 2 nil down
Had hoped for a goal for morale but didn't deserve it due to being inferior in general. Keeper was chronic for the second as well. No real positive to take from any of it tbh and will probably be similar vs Netherlands. Ah well, there's always World Cup 26 to look forward to not qualifying for if I'm lucky enough to be alive to witness it
Anyone putting themselves through this craic this evening
Ah yeah, I'll tune in later. Realistically Kenny's last outing, can't see them beating the Dutch. There were some encouraging performances in Kenny's other campaigns but France home aside this one has been dreadful.
If they put in a shift they might scrounge a draw
Quote from: Pagan Saviour on September 10, 2023, 04:13:31 PMIf they put in a shift they might scrounge a draw
That's the realistic take for sure and yet somehow I always manage to convince myself that they might do something. Well until the first goal goes against them that is, because I can never see them scoring more than once.
Would it be worse to win this evening in terms of the future if it continues kennys run at things? Tbf he's probably gone regardless but there's a lot of things going against him from the start and it's mostly the quality of player available. Very hard for any manager to do much with that
Well no real surprises there. Maybe next time lads
The hope kills you. We got the gift of the penalty and played well, but they're just better. At the end of the day, we have never played for a good draw or beaten teams we should be beating. So cementing third would have been a success for most people I'd imagine.
Also, I wouldn't say he's the best manager, but Kenny gets a lot of unfair stick. I think he's done decent with what he's got, hasn't had much easy games either. Some of these young fellas play much better football than the shite pre-Kenny.
I think that's fair enough. Kenny probably isn't as bad as the results would suggest and he has been a bit unlucky at times but the quality just isn't there. Not many managers have had to make do with the lack of quality players as he has and it's not like they look like they've downed tools or anything, they're just not up to the standard to be competing with the likes of the Dutch and the French. The Greece game was the one that killed it really. I'm torn about Kenny really because I dunno what manager would have done much better with what he has. They are passing better than they were under the likes of Trappatoni and O'Neill but I guess it's results that matter and we never really look like we'll score at all either. As you say, the gift of the early penalty gave us a little hope to be dashed and dashed it was, as usual.
I think Ireland's best hope is a style somewhere between Trap's and Kenny's. It's about knowing when to use which, Kenny has tried the same thing for 3 years and the result is always the same, a narrow defeat.
I don't think Kenny is a bad guy or manager and he's tried to change a style which we've been entrenched in for decades, no easy task. But it's probably time to see if there's someone else out there that might be able to get a bit more out of an admittedly average set of players.
If they could convince Anthony Gordon to choose us over England, and with Evan Ferguson looking so good, there'd be two players to build a team around. They're not world beaters, but decent enough to give a bit of hope at qualifying for something
Quote from: Pagan Saviour on September 11, 2023, 09:46:25 AMI think Ireland's best hope is a style somewhere between Trap's and Kenny's. It's about knowing when to use which, Kenny has tried the same thing for 3 years and the result is always the same, a narrow defeat.
That's what I've been thinking - we are too predictable when a manager decides it's either 100% possession football or 100% long ball nonsense. There was a good few times in that Dutch match where a long ball scenario should have been tried, esp since Ogbene and Idah seemed to cause them a bit of bother up front. Mix it up ffs :laugh:
Duffy and Doherty lead us to way too many costly mistakes, both at fault for not being aware of their surroundings. Cullen has been shocking too with a lot of his passing. And what pisses me off is the complete lack of risk taking, once someone loses it up front there's no one rushing in from behind to nab the ball back, instantly gave the Dutch the full counter press.
Bournemouth blasting out Enter Sandman coming out for the second half here
https://twitter.com/sid_lambert/status/1707279314834674002?t=Vxj5CabjX_x2A3PQxkgF3A&s=19
Ah innocent times. Back when E's were good
Liverpool not impressed with var after yesterday, saying they're going to escalate it etc. Reckon they're pissing into the wind tbh
Fair play to them, it's been a fucking disaster since it was brought in so its about time the clubs started pushing back
I'm still pissed Brentford were given a goal against Arsenal because the VAR official forgot to draw the offside line, quite literally the only thing they had to do. Could have changed the whole title race
I dont see Var being the issue. I see the idiots making the var decisions the problem. You'd swear they knew nothing about football.
The VAR officials have the same sort of decision paralysis that I get when my wife asks me if I want Mexican, Chinese or Indian takeaway.
Well that was chronic again last night. Little bits of nice play here and there but nothing to get excited about at all. Ah well.
If they're not going to keep Kenny he should go now and give someone a chance to look over the squad for what games are left.
Ireland are back! Fantastic win against a team who haven't scored at all in the qualifiers. The new era starts here
VAR having another fine week, I see.
Jack Moylan is amazing. Sad to see him go but looking forward to seeing him do well in England.
Hope Duffer gets a new contract.
The Cartel kidnapped Luis Diaz' oul pair over in Colombia
SUPER JACKIE MOYLAN
What a nerve wracking finish to an exciting season
2 nil down at half time, 2-2 and a red for Drogs after 10 mins into the 2nd half.
2-4 win for the Duffers Aul Reds.
Pats to bean Bohs next week and we're going to Europe!
UTFR
Quote from: DISRUPTER on October 29, 2023, 12:01:37 PMHope Duffer gets a new contract.
For entertainment value, if nothing else. He's almost as mental as Ollie Horgan. :laugh:
anyone know where i can stream the spurs chelsea game. me fuckin dodgy box went dodgy this morning
https://rsoccerstreams.org/event/11352323
Mental game haha
sound man. yeah mental game i found a stream for the second half and to be fair hats off to tottenham, they actually could have won it with 9 other than rotten luck. very impressed with them and distinctly unimpressed with chelsea and their clinging on vs 9 men ways
Aye mental game. Spurs were brilliant in fairness. That new manager is class. Can see them getting top 4 at least.
Spurs got pretty scalded yesterday again. That finish for the first Wolves goal was class though. Chelsea v City this evening I suppose it'll be something akin to the fucking alamo
What a game, sort of like the alamo at both ends. Love games like that, both teams just going for it. Thought City had the better of the luck with the deflection but fair play to Chelsea for not crumbling and letting the heads drop.
If they keep this up it could be one of the most exciting mid table finishes in quite a few years
Irish game on here I dunno how they're not 4 or 5 down but they weren't far off 1 all a minute ago so you'd never know they might do something
Keeper played well. Way too slow in build up play. Browne making good runs all night and pass is never played. And 5 at the back is a system were shit at.
Ah god that was pitiful stuff so it was. Worst campaign I've ever seen ireland go through. Can come up with any amount of excuses and hard luck stories but two wins v Gibraltar providing our only points on the board is stark
The best thing about that whole sorry campaign was the little bit of Depeche Mode leading into the breaks there this evening. An inspired choice as "Ghosts Again" seems rather an apt description of the performances in general
FAI Cup final was class today.
Devastated for poor pul Shels. To lose on penalties is awful craic. Athlone are serious.
The ref having to call play back and awarding a penalty 2 full minutes after the incident in the Palace vs. Liverpool game is more VAR horseshit.
2 minutes after the tackle/foul and then the ref spent another 2 minutes watching the replay 8 times! Jesus wept.
And yet - NOBODY seems to be accountable for the errors. They called play back for a penalty on Saturday minutes after the fact but in the recent Spurs vs. Liverpool game it was just repeated mumblings of "Can't do nuffink. Can't do nuffink." even though the goal call was blatantly wrong and made on the spot!
Super League has reared its ugly head again.
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on December 21, 2023, 07:46:41 PMSuper League has reared its ugly head again.
Bayern Munich dead against it. If the premier league goes you cant play in the premier league if u play in that then it wont get off the ground. Hopefully anyway. Load of bullshit.
I don't see the fuss, to be honest. It's not as if football didn't sell it's hole a long time ago. The noble gesturing from "fans" is pathetic. Fucking slaves to a brand, nothing more. Every one of the businesses (fuck calling these greedy shams "clubs") involved is more preoccupied with selling tat in China than any sporting endeavour. It's the corrupt scum in FIFA, UEFA and the sub-leagues, who drink sour milk from their rotten tits and who fear the TV money will leave, who stand to lose from such a league. The reaction of the English businesses, once their customers turned against them, was fucking gas. They all still want in, despite every cowardly plea to the contrary. Let it rain on the cunts.
Great game, filthy durrrty business. It needs to die and start again.
That super league can go fuck itself.
On a lighter note, watching the league cup without var was wonderful and really show what a ball of shit it is
Quote from: Bürggermeister on December 22, 2023, 04:54:56 PMI don't see the fuss, to be honest. It's not as if football didn't sell it's hole a long time ago. The noble gesturing from "fans" is pathetic. Fucking slaves to a brand, nothing more. Every one of the businesses (fuck calling these greedy shams "clubs") involved is more preoccupied with selling tat in China than any sporting endeavour. It's the corrupt scum in FIFA, UEFA and the sub-leagues, who drink sour milk from their rotten tits and who fear the TV money will leave, who stand to lose from such a league. The reaction of the English businesses, once their customers turned against them, was fucking gas. They all still want in, despite every cowardly plea to the contrary. Let it rain on the cunts.
Great game, filthy durrrty business. It needs to die and start again.
Hilarious hearing Ceferin come out and say "football is not for sale"
Not for sale by anybody but him and his FIFA mates. Utter fucking cretins the lot of them
Grim news in that Carsley looks set to turn down the Irish gig. He was the best candidate by a mile. Hughton was fired over the weekend by Ghana who had an absolutely shocking tournament and the rest of the names in the pot are even worse. Lennon, Bruce, Allerdyce? I can't remember there ever being so little interest in the job or such a poor pool of prospective candidates.
The other side of that is Kenny's recent tenure wouldn't have done much in terms of advertising the job but surely there's someone out there that would fancy a crack.
Roy Keane has alluded to interest in the role, I'd take him over any of the above. But If I were the FAI, despite saying they'd like the post filled ahead of the March friendlies I'd hold off a month or two and see who else becomes available.
Dunno, I think we'd be doing well to get the likes of Lennon or Allerdyce. Can't do any worse than Kenny. Any manager would have an uphill struggle with the pool of 'talent' available. Football isn't where it used to be here at a grassroots level, and has fallen way behind GAA and rugby. Poor governance in the FAI has a lot to do with this, and they have to take a lot of flack for not developing the game.
QuoteDunno, I think we'd be doing well to get the likes of Lennon or Allerdyce
That really is desperate but you're probably right.
If we're serious about qualifying for things and we should be as all the FAI care about is $$$$$ they should be using more imagination than that. I do think we have young players playing at a high enough level so there could be a decent spine of a team to work with. Bazunu, Collins, Ogbene etc. We're light in midfield, we've lads that put in a shift but nobody to boss a game and upfront we have one potential A-Lister in Ferguson so not the absolute worst group to work with.
Was the missus winding me up when she said she heard they were going for a woman, namely that carrot looking yoke that does the women's team?
Twists and Turns, apparently Carsley is not off the table and the FAI remain confident he'll accept.
Great news as the more you look at the next best option which is apparently Lennon, the more desperate it seems.
Quote from: Pagan Saviour on February 01, 2024, 11:13:49 AMTwists and Turns, apparently Carsley is not off the table and the FAI remain confident he'll accept.
Great news as the more you look at the next best option which is apparently Lennon, the more desperate it seems.
exactly,id take Carsley over any of the others linked!
Shels looked all over the place last tonight during the 1st half. A poxy early OG and then a poxy 2nd yellow for Boyd in the 2nd half.
Happy to bring a point home after how strong Waterford started.
They played very intense football so they did. If they keep there up, they will stay up for sure.
Can't wait for next Friday, at home to Shamrock Rovers.
Shels haven't beat them cunts in donkeys years.
Tolka was electric last night.
It was the first time in 20 years that they bet Shamrock Rovers at Tolka & the first tie to bet them in the league in 19 years. Time sure does fly.
Shels 2nd goal was savage, an assist from Conor Kearns, what a pass, but that touch from Will Jarvis was something else. If Salah scored this at the weekend, the whole would would be talking about it, a think of beauty.
Starts around 3:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu2J_7ZgjQI&t=14s
Rory Gaffney is a frightening player. He runs at top speed for 90 mins non-stop. He is Rovers best player.
Quote from: DISRUPTER on February 24, 2024, 10:59:01 AMTolka was electric last night.
It was the first time in 20 years that they bet Shamrock Rovers at Tolka & the first tie to bet them in the league in 19 years. Time sure does fly.
Shels 2nd goal was savage, an assist from Conor Kearns, what a pass, but that touch from Will Jarvis was something else. If Salah scored this at the weekend, the whole would would be talking about it, a think of beauty.
Starts around 3:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu2J_7ZgjQI&t=14s
Rory Gaffney is a frightening player. He runs at top speed for 90 mins non-stop. He is Rovers best player.
That was a touch of class in fairness I watched it 4 times in a row for that touch
Quote from: DISRUPTER on February 24, 2024, 10:59:01 AMRory Gaffney is a frightening player. He runs at top speed for 90 mins non-stop. He is Rovers best player.
Hated him when he was with Mervue. :laugh:
FUCKIN CHELSEA FUCKIN USELESS SHOWER OF BASTARDS
Kelleher MOTM.
THINGS YOU LOVE TO SEE
LOL @ Pogba.
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on February 29, 2024, 09:24:49 PMLOL @ Pogba.
I was genuinely surprised given how shit he is vs his perceived quality. I mean if that's him on the good stuff he must be fair fuckin bad without it like
Anyway if he had any brains he'd just be diagnosed with asthma and be prescribed the appropriate steroid like Liverpool have been doing for years.
Or do the Pool just like signing asthmatic lads that can run all day long?
Maybe it's a diversity thing..
The away tickets to see Shels v Bohs sold out in a minute. I'm absolutely raging. I was online and at the portal and all and they were just gone in a flash. They are showing it up in the Tolka bar so I will catch it there
Pain in the hole but it's great to see these games selling out.
Is John O Shea getting the Ireland gig? Seems like nobody else wants it!
https://twitter.com/90sPlayers/status/1776614335957357031?t=xn_gUZp7gR61Zb4BKluK8Q&s=19
Anyone remember this craic? There's another in the thread of rangers v Liverpool as well.
It's not ringing any bells at all for me
It's going to be poxy City again
Quote from: Trev on April 15, 2024, 09:39:31 AMIt's going to be poxy City again
Liverpool Football Club are going to break my heart again.
They've been brutal for the past few weeks.
Should've been 3 or 4 up against Villa in the first half, now it looks like the usual City march to the title
Crazy to see the backlash against the team after one bad half after playing so well for the rest of the year. Its just that with City you need to be perfect to have any chance of winning which is mental. The sooner Pep fucks or something happens with the 115 charges the better
Quote from: StoutAndAle on April 15, 2024, 09:51:06 AMQuote from: Trev on April 15, 2024, 09:39:31 AMIt's going to be poxy City again
Liverpool Football Club are going to break my heart again.
They've been brutal for the past few weeks.
Yep, I cant fucking understand it at all, they cant score, give the ball away far too easily by times and in general looked completely tired out and fucked...
Would be funny if City got a points deduction a la Everton and Forest and lost it that way. Arsenal look the more likely to win in that scenario, Liverpool have been riding their luck this season and it looks to have completely run out at the exact wrong time.
Just imagine if Varane and Martinez hadn't been injured for most of the season.
Fuckin United after condemning Chelsea to the conference league
:laugh:
Ah jaysus lads the punditry on English speaking channels is gone to the dogs. Can't speak to the foreign ones because I don't know what they're saying but the stuff I can understand is all so fucking sterile. We just can't appreciate how lucky we were with Dunphy Brady Giles and the bould Bill O. I mean they were still talking shite but it was quality talking shite. I like Hamann but he needs an oul Souness or something at the same time to get it going. I'm obviously talking about the Irish stuff but the BBC with Lineker and Shearer and the likes are mock as well as well as the sky lads and it's all diversity with the women and all that whatever but could nobody find a woman or man who is even slightly entertaining? It's as if all the pundits are ai and set to boring mode. Like to be fair, yer one doing the O'Herlihy here isn't bad at all with the cues but Kevin Doyle and the one here with him are like 2 bits of sodden timber
Ah I haven't watched RTE coverage since those main men left, mostly watch the ITV coverage now 'cos of Keane but you're right it's all so anodyne and bland now that going to the kettle or the fridge at half-time will usually provide more stimulation. And don't get me started on the female invasion . ITV have this American doll they bring in now as a 'VAR expert' and it really is boot through the tv stuff. Jesus Christ how many more boxes need ticking?
Maybe the oul South American or a bit of African or Chinese commentary might be still good I dunno sorry I meant punditry but anyway it's fucked entrainment wise and I've not a bother with a woman on the panel at all just do it on merit.
Honestly, Kevin Doyle isn't there on merit either. No, some fresh legs are badly needed
https://www.rte.ie/archives/2020/0610/1146639-the-nation-holds-its-breath/
Will we ever live a moment like it again?
Each time I see this:
(https://logos-world.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/UEFA-Euro-2024-Logo.png)
I see:
(https://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2021/10/attachment-iron_maiden_powerslave_artwork_inset.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Can't wait for Thursday. European football is back in Tolka Park.
UP THE FUCKIN REDS
Quote from: DISRUPTER on July 08, 2024, 12:13:33 PMCan't wait for Thursday. European football is back in Tolka Park.
UP THE FUCKIN REDS
How will it compare to the joys of going to games in Jackman Park or Drom? :laugh:
25 minute half time shows, dynamic ticket pricing, kids getting trampled, yes a great advertisement and warm up for he soccer ball World Series.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c729vgyz9rdo
Quote from: Snare on July 15, 2024, 11:33:16 PM25 minute half time shows, dynamic ticket pricing, kids getting trampled, yes a great advertisement and warm up for he soccer ball World Series.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c729vgyz9rdo
Ah the state of that. Bet they'll learn nothing
in 2026, FIFA'll be doing their usual micro managing everything they do at every world cup, whereas COMNEBOL just basically went with "What'll make us the most money?"
Massive game in Tolka tonight.
Worried about the lack of Barrett & Wilson. I thought that the bans could have taken place for the Bray game 2 weeks ago.
12 games left.
UTFR
Watching Milan v Torino, think I've found my new favourite footballer, Vojvoda, pronounced, of course, Voivoda!
Looks like Dundalk are in deep shit.
Well in excess of €1m in debt apparently, and bottom of the league to boot :-X
As Haughey would have said, living well beyond their means :(
https://x.com/AdamMoynihan/status/1832458248688939083?t=Y_nafp7DnXSgo5H17vs-uA&s=19
For the week that's in it
Quote from: Snare on September 06, 2024, 09:06:05 PMWell in excess of €1m in debt apparently, and bottom of the league to boot :-X
As Haughey would have said, living well beyond their means :(
But don't worry, here's a 500k grant from the government for the pitch and the stadium, even though none of that will actually help keep the club running.
I think they're overreacting anyways, after all, if they do go bust, because it's a major football town, the FAI will do all they can to ensure there'll be a Dundalk 2025 team set up, and put them into the First Division next year. Then, a few months down the line, they'll buy the name and history of Dundalk FC from Ainscough, and as far as anyone's concerned, it'll always have been the same Dundalk. Happened with Galway, Cork, Derry, not yet with Limerick (but only because of O'Sullivan for now)
Kerry must be thinking "Holy fuck, we dodged a huge bullet there" with Ainscough, though. :laugh:
Kerry dodged a bullet big time with him!,the wolf never to far from the door at League of Ireland Clubs unfortunately.Some crazy wages been paid atm!.
Great start to the Champions League for Villa. Young Boys were piss poor though.
Cole palmer lads. Can't believe City sold him
Can't believe I got rid of him on the wildcard this week :(
Quote from: Thorn on September 29, 2024, 12:53:40 AMCan't believe I got rid of him on the wildcard this week :(
I'd have thought he was a definite pick but then I don't have Haaland and I am at the bottom of every fantasy league I'm in and I've followed chelsea for over 30 years
Just Hard to fit him in at the price when you need Haaland and Saka with their good fixtures. Today was painful but yeah, he's some player.
His free kick today was outstanding
Yup, jaw dropping even. And still painful.
What a performance by Villa last night. I thought they might have been overwhelmed by Bayern Munich but they stuck to their plan and kept their nerve. Duran's goal was top class. Emery has to be thinking about starting him ahead of Watkins.
My 6 year old has started watching the Arsenal matches with me. After the win against Leicester she proudly declared she's asking Santa for a jersey, I think this is great, she's finally come around!
Start looking them up and it's 60-70 for a kids shirt, over 100 if you want to add in shorts. I knew the adult prices had got out of hand, but I thought a child's version would be a bit more fucking reasonable
So which of you patriots did the Greece /Ireland double and where are ye drinking?
2 games to go
Please Shels, please don't break my heart
Seen the Shamrock Rovers fans dancing in Windsor Park - nearly as mental as loyalists and republicans marching together against immigrants 🫣
SHELBOURNE FC
ENJOYING OURSELVES
https://x.com/IrishPropaganda/status/1849865948255355030?t=x4owYhLL58NW_fzHE-78iA&s=19
Women's soccer is never going to be great unless something is done about the keepers. They are fucking shocking
Plenty of utter shite keepers in the men's game. Think the big problem is the insistence on having the same size goals, they need to be smaller. Men are going to be taller and quicker so better able to handle the larger size
No excuse on that video though, fucking shocking :laugh:
I think the outfield players are doing great and are a decent watch but the keepers are just so fucking bad. I don't understand what it is either I really don't
In fairness, the women's game has come along leaps and bounds. Nevertheless I wish BBC (surprise surprise) would stop clogging up the news feed with as if it has anywhere near the same appeal as the mens.
Ah yeah it's certainly being pushed and hopefully someday it'll be done on merit and all :laugh:
Quote from: Caomhaoin on October 26, 2024, 08:14:25 PMIn fairness, the women's game has come along leaps and bounds. Nevertheless I wish BBC (surprise surprise) would stop clogging up the news feed with as if it has anywhere near the same appeal as the mens.
The Ireland womens team has a far better chance of actually winning games than the mens team, nice to have some bit of positivity in regards to international football as opposed to the usual dourness :laugh:
My nephews wouldn't watch an Ireland match if you paid them (men's I mean), never miss a rugger game and they play the hurling.
I'm 41 and when I was their age you'd fear no one at Lownsdowne and we couldn't buy a win in the rugby, maybe every two years against Wales.
Down to the wire. I love the league of ireland. Up the fuckin reds
UP THE SHELS
Ah jaysus this is painful now :'(
Quote from: astfgyl on November 17, 2024, 06:38:58 PMAh jaysus this is painful now :'(
Where the fuck was our stone wall penalty on the pull down of ferguson. Var should have been all over it. But it's england and at Wembley so fuck no. Outrageous. Totally different game if we got the peno. And even the smidozics one I could see given.
We had a great first half. Shite second half but anyone of our standard can't play ten men against England. I'm actually positive about the future. We see to be slowly getting better. That ebolise is a nice find.
Definitely robbed out of a certain peno and going down to 10 men was a step too far indeed. I agree the first half was encouraging but it's an awful stinger to be getting the 5 nil bating off the English and trying to find positives
Just a wee reminder
Shelbourne FC won the 2024 Irish Premier Division
Shelbourne FC are the reigning champions of Ireland
Hope you have better luck than you did the last time you won the league. :laugh:
Picked up my Cork city season ticket, can't beat a bit of misery! :laugh:
Speaking of which,I was over ar the England game,fuck me!,talk about contrasting emotions!.We were well bullish in the ground at H/T,fuckin floored about 10 minutes later! :laugh:
Still! I'm a bit optimistic about things going forward.
Girl interviewing Enzo Fernandes at the end of the match there and she asked him what did it feel like to score his first goal for Chelsea.
Ah here, he already has a couple. Could somebody not have told her in the earpiece
Screenshot_20241210_181532_X.jpg
Any Spurs fans about? I'd say that was some stinger the other day. Then again, I know another lad who took his child to the United match so it could always be worse...
Hopefully shamrock rovers can put up a good show against Chelsea this evening. Great to see them play a good sized European game anyway, albeit the third tier competition. And they are doing well, too. Much better for teams like that than getting the fuck kicked out of them in the Europa league group stage
Fuck sake. Following Chelsea since 93 and all I felt this evening was like they were the embodiment of Cromwell himself against rovers. Hated that
Ah there was a gulf in class as expected, but Rovers will be kicking themselves with the individual errors.They worked extremely hard and limited the carnage as much as the could.
Premier sports said Chelsea had £270m worth on the pitch tonight!The top 5 leagues shouldn't be in this competition tbh.
I think Rovers have Molde next?
I'm a big league of Ireland fan all my life, there's been a big upsurge the last few years.Hopefully it keeps going in that direction.
Quote from: Paul keohane on December 19, 2024, 11:07:29 PMAh there was a gulf in class as expected, but Rovers will be kicking themselves with the individual errors.They worked extremely hard and limited the carnage as much as the could.
Premier sports said Chelsea had £270m worth on the pitch tonight!The top 5 leagues shouldn't be in this competition tbh.
I think Rovers have Molde next?
I'm a big league of Ireland fan all my life, there's been a big upsurge the last few years.Hopefully it keeps going in that direction.
I've never been an loi fan myself, instead taking the kings shilling of the Premier league for the better buzz that goes with it, but tonight I actually despised chelsea for 90 mins and I don't even like rovers. When they got that equaliser, i was squealing and the kids were hopping as well. Sad about the beating but seeing them playing games like this is brilliant as well
Quote from: Paul keohane on December 19, 2024, 11:07:29 PMAh there was a gulf in class as expected, but Rovers will be kicking themselves with the individual errors.They worked extremely hard and limited the carnage as much as the could.
Premier sports said Chelsea had £270m worth on the pitch tonight!The top 5 leagues shouldn't be in this competition tbh.
I think Rovers have Molde next?
I'm a big league of Ireland fan all my life, there's been a big upsurge the last few years.Hopefully it keeps going in that direction.
What do youthink about that planned third tier expansion the FAI announced last week? I'd say it'll be full of B teams and a few university teams. I don't know where they're going to get the 20 clubs to join from.
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on December 20, 2024, 06:43:18 AMQuote from: Paul keohane on December 19, 2024, 11:07:29 PMAh there was a gulf in class as expected, but Rovers will be kicking themselves with the individual errors.They worked extremely hard and limited the carnage as much as the could.
Premier sports said Chelsea had £270m worth on the pitch tonight!The top 5 leagues shouldn't be in this competition tbh.
I think Rovers have Molde next?
I'm a big league of Ireland fan all my life, there's been a big upsurge the last few years.Hopefully it keeps going in that direction.
What do youthink about that planned third tier expansion the FAI announced last week? I'd say it'll be full of B teams and a few university teams. I don't know where they're going to get the 20 clubs to join from.
yeah,a mix of B teams and scattering of LSL and MSL clubs.Its all going to come down to financing isnt it?.I don't trust the FAI one bit,but try it and see of it works I guess.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/dec/23/ivan-juric-sets-sights-on-death-metal-football-at-struggling-southampton
This could be interesting :abbath:
Yeah, I watch a lot of Serie A and you could never get through a Roma game without the commentator bringing it up that the man's favourite bands are Obituary and Carcass and leaving it hanging there so you could come to your own conclusion about what a psycho he is .
Only an agonising 30 more days until the league starts again.
It feels like it's been forever already
UP THE SHELS
I don't follow anyone but love the game. It'll be hard to top last season for entertainment. What's the feeling regarding Shels though, it'll be a big ask for them to repeat that, they haven't bought too well either?
I honestly don't see why they wouldn't go for it again. Nothing to lose and all to gain. 3 games in and the team looks like a title winning team. Keep her lit
Anyone else surprised as hell they found 67 teams willing to join that third tier the FAI are trying to set up?
I know, imagine irish teams 🤢🤢🤢🤢
Apparently the Mons have applied, so yeah, the National League is now a great idea. :laugh:
What the fuck was that tonight with VAR in the penalty shootout, Atleti must be raging, keep Real in Keep the ratings up
Find Shearer alright as a pundit, but he's fucking unbearable on commentary
Quote from: Trev on April 08, 2025, 08:44:33 PMFind Shearer alright as a pundit, but he's fucking unbearable on commentary
He's far from the worst, and that's saying something.
Neville and Carragher are the pits. Neville in particular is a dose.
Quote from: Pat Twisted Wrath on April 08, 2025, 09:19:13 PMQuote from: Trev on April 08, 2025, 08:44:33 PMFind Shearer alright as a pundit, but he's fucking unbearable on commentary
He's far from the worst, and that's saying something.
Neville and Carragher are the pits. Neville in particular is a dose.
Except for Torres v Barca
All is forgiven for that one
Edit:
https://youtu.be/SCmSJvT0Z1Y?feature=shared
Edit 2:
I made a worse noise
Edit 3:
https://youtu.be/VHcd_IST7aQ?feature=shared
3-0 against Real, couldn't give a shite who's commentating now :laugh:
Premium seats available for Shels games - 45 euro - what a time to be alive :laugh:
https://shelbournefc.ie/premium-seats-now-available-at-tolka-park/
That utd game last night was the craziest batshit game I've watched in years. :abbath:
Rio Ferdinand is awful as well, Ronnie Whelan and Ray Houghton are shit too.
Back to serious matters...Gwan the 'Pool!
Gob smacked
Poor old Crystal Palace. And all they wanted to do was avoid becoming the next Drogheda United...
Diogo Jota has died in a car crash, mental.
I'm gutted, my favourite Liverpool player, played his heart out for the club RIP, you will be missed.
I had never heard of him but sad stuff no doubt. His brother killed as well... fucking hell.
Joey O'Brien announced as the new Shelbourne manager
Shels 3-1 Cork City.
Shels 2 up after 6 minutes, thought they would have kept the pressure up and went for the jugular as Cork were absolutely desperate, but Shels have a wobble in them for sure.
Good to see Joey get his first win in his first home game and first game as manager.
Linfield on Wednesday, biggest game in Shels history regarding financial gains.
Haven't heard the champions league theme in Tolka since 2004. It will be emotional for sure. Linfield are Irish. Up the reds.
HE'S A LAD FROM PORTUGAL
BETTER THA FIGO, DON'T YOU KNOW
OH HIS NAME IS DIOGO
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Champions league football returns to Tolka tonight after 20 long years
Shels 1 - 0 Linfield
Was sitting right beside the away fans and it was nasty at times. Mipo got the goal and it shut them up for a good few minutes before they started back with more sectarian shit.
A lot of lads there that I've never seen in Tolka before, full of awful chants too, but over all it was good craic.
Linfield are shite, Shels atill playing cautious football and dropped off the moment we scored. Looking forward to the trip to Belfast next Wednesday.
UP THE FUCKIN REDS
Linfield 1-1 Shelbourne.
Shels progress to the 2nd round of qualifiers and play Qarabag in Tolka on Tuesday. Guaranteed 6 more European matches.
Electric atmosphere in Windsor Park, voice is gone this morning. Over the moon.
Bring Tuesday & bring on Baku.
Spotted that the Lionesses were getting beaten 2-0 so I tuned in to have a good laugh at them only to see one of the most entertaining matches I've seen in quite a while, still gutted that they won though :laugh:
Quote from: The Heretic on July 18, 2025, 09:36:38 AMSpotted that the Lionesses were getting beaten 2-0 so I tuned in to have a good laugh at them only to see one of the most entertaining matches I've seen in quite a while, still gutted that they won though :laugh:
Crazy game alright. That Lauren James that plays for England is the best female player I've ever seen play. Way better than everyone else on the pitch last night.
Go on the Shels
SHELBOURNE FC ENJOY OURSELVES
I'm not sure if there's any Arsenal fans in here but my brother just met Tony Adams and got him to do the Gyökeres celebration :laugh:
(https://i.ibb.co/1GtKRV66/IMG-20250807-WA0023.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hFJH25ff)
UP THE FUCKIN SHELS
Just curious, what bands are you into DISRUPTER?
Heya Thorn!
That is always a hard question haha I do fluctuate and bounce between bands and genres frequently ( ADHD ;D )
At the minute I have Mayhems De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas on a lot, they were the first extreme band to get my attention when I was younger. I love Abaddon Incarnate, Stoned Jesus, Incessant are class. I discovered Agriculture on this forum a few months ago, when they announced their Irish tour, and I have enjoyed their first release, it is something different and it is giving me that dopamine buzz!
I love grindcore bands like Wormrot and Magrudergrind. The european grindcore is also class, artists like Rotten Sound (saw them twice and told the vocalist that if you look up grindcore in the dictionary, it says Rotten Sound beside it haha)
I was also the prime demographic for nu-metal back 20+ years ago, so I will always have a soft spot for Linkin Park, Korn, and the first 3 Slipknot albums (guilty pleasures)
What ever really tickles my fancy is what I'll listen to. Outside of metal, I am a big fan of The Scratch, Kneecap, The Murder Capital. Ireland is unreal for bands right now, I feel it is my generations golden era that people of my parents age lived through (thin lizzy, u2, Horselips, Aslan etc) in my opinion.
I am always open to listen to any style or genre. What are you listening to at the minute? I'd love any suggestions :) :abbath:
Still buzzing from Wednesdays result and dreaming of a win or draw in Tolka on Tuesday. It is the stuff of dreams. It is what I used to cheat on football manager to see on the PC but it is real life. Can't believe it.
Home to Bohs tonight. If we get the 3 points, we are 1 point off 2nd, as Derry failed to win against a basically relegated Cork City, Drogs beating Bohs last week. The atmosphere will be lethal tonight. Can't wait.
UP THE FUCKIN REDS
Fair enough lad, only, I thought you may have been on the wrong forum seeing as I only ever see you here on the footy thread! You have a broad taste there for sure, I supposed what I'm listening to most at the minute are the two Sijjin albums and the brand new Malthusian and Ossuary, Malthusian of course being one of those great Irish bands of which you speak :abbath:
Linfield again
Last night was amazing. What a match
Ollie Horgan has died. A LoI legend and absolute gentleman. RIP.
Very sad news. I also thought he was much older than 57. RIP Ollie.
UEFA Conference league fixtures for Shels
Crystal Palace, Drita, & Hacken at home.
AZ Alkmaar, Celje, & Shkendija away.
The match on Sunday vs Galway in Tolka has been postponed for Ollie's funeral.
Unbelievable dogshit from Ireland this evening
Utter scutter :-X
Abysmal
A new low indeed, imagine what Portugal will do
That midfield... christ.
Just when you think they've hit their nadir I'll hand it to them, they find another level to sink to. Shambolic. None of them fit to wear the jersey
I knew it, happens every time, they have one good half and the talk start about the ship turning, then they go and embarrass themselves even more.
Same thing will happen against Portugal, they'll put in a decent effort, maybe a shite draw or hard fought loss, then get hockeyed by Armenia again.
Rovers would have better Armenia
I think so. There's no hurt in the players eyes when they lose. They talk the talk, but there's not a leader amongst them.
Collins is a liability, how he's a regular premier league player is baffling. Anyone remember the gift of a goal he gave the Greeks whilst we were chasing the game?
Collins plays well in the Brentford team as there's an actual midfield in front of him. Our midfield is fucking awful.
Also our pressing was shocking. Ferguson or Idah would press and no one behind him was pressing so there was an easy out ball every time. You have to press as a group. Basic stuff really.
No excusing Collins, he didn't even look fit last night. Completely gassed, beaten every time for pace come second half.
Ronaldo 40, 2 games back to back no issues.
This might work
(https://img.gifglobe.com/grabs/fatherted/S03E03/S03E03-Vsyd8dis.jpg)
Think we need more than prayers.
By the By - seeing a few articles on HH potentially being sacked and Ole's name floated about. D people know the game at all? The current Irish team are rotten to the core, no manager is going to be able to fix that. Also Ole hardly has a glowing track record as a manager?
Quote from: Pagan Saviour on September 10, 2025, 01:01:35 PMThink we need more than prayers.
By the By - seeing a few articles on HH potentially being sacked and Ole's name floated about. D people know the game at all? The current Irish team are rotten to the core, no manager is going to be able to fix that. Also Ole hardly has a glowing track record as a manager?
Finishing 2nd and 3rd with United isn't the worst. That Cardiff side in 2014 were going down with or without him.
I always thought he'd hold off for Norway if was to go international. Ferguson and Pep combined couldn't save this lot!
What a win for Shels. McEnroy with one of the goals of the season
The fight for the European spots has been great!.
Well, that felt like a dream. I my lifetime I've never seen Ireland beat a top tier team in a competitive game by more than one goal. Ronaldo getting sent off was the cherry on the cake, no more than he deserved. Ballbag carry on out of him in recent previous encounters.
Parrott was brilliant last night. And Seamus Coleman take a bow. Fucking armenia had 2 guilt edge chances to draw with Hungary. Gonna be some gsem Sunday id say.
Ebolisi when he came on was like somone playing football for the first time. God awful.
He really was shocking, giving it the welly out of play when there was no one near him. But wow, some performance and Parrot was the best show up front since Keane in his prime. That second goal was clinical. You couldn't write it though, after Ronnie saying he'd be a good boy, a tabloid dream that was.
Can we do it on Sunday? Evidence suggests they never have two big games in them but given what's at stake maybe it'll have the cup final vibe.
It's the hope that kills you.
Quote from: Emphyrio on November 14, 2025, 04:39:52 PMIt's the hope that kills you.
That's the first thing I said in work this morning at the mention of the next game lol
Well holy God.
My nerves. That was bananas.
Absolute madness! When all seemed lost...Parrott has been sensational. Can't remember the last time someone got 5 goals in 2 games for Ireland. Actually most likely Robbie Keane ;D
Absolute fucking lunacy of the best kind. What a finish. Parrott, take a bow son. :abbath:
One of the best weeks of Irish football for me. Probably the best results I've seen in my lifetime. Last one I can remember is beating Italy in the Euros, but even then this tops it I think.
Yeah definitely the best couple of results in my lifetime
Few firsts here
Beating a top 5 team at home by more than a goal.
Must be going all the way back to Malta away for our last 3-2 away having been 2-1 down. Hungary more formidable opponents too.
And an away Hat-trick? Must be a first.
Hope the draw is kind to us now. Getting greedy, before a ball was kicked all I wanted was for them to be involved going into the last game
With 15 minutes left i thought of the song Miracle by Jon Bon Jovi.. :laugh:
The most dramatic come back from an Irish team i have ever seen. Thank goodness Ferguson was injured. I have not seen Irish soccer fans celebrate like that in a long time
The 16th of November should be known as Troy Parrot day from now on.
A 2pm kick off with 2 young kids... :laugh:
I had to watch the 2nd half in a playground - me and about 4 other dad's just pacing around looking at the phone, occasional glance up and a shake of the head. Some celebration down by the swings at full time :laugh:
Quote from: Pagan Saviour on November 16, 2025, 08:48:34 PMYeah definitely the best couple of results in my lifetime
Showing my age here but I remember as an 8 year old watching Gary MacKay score against Bulgaria to put us through to Euro 88.
Ray putting the ball in the English net is by far the best highlight as it kickstarted years of bliss watching the ireland team.
But by far and away the best performance by an Irish team was the game against Russia in Euro 88. We battered them and should have won it. And that Russia team were savage.
Kevin Doyle appears to have upset a large part of the Liverpool fanbase. :laugh:
In front of Didi Hamman too
Ah I'd say Didi likes a spot of banter
Oul Bill would have had quite a chuckle to be sure
Biggest result for me (that I can remember) was Ireland beating Italy at World Cup 94. I can remember the stunned jubilation around that one well.
Also was pure joy that time Northern Ireland beat Spain in a qualifier with Healy scoring a hattrick. Unfortunately that one didn't lead anywhere, but in that moment it looked like it could. I always remember that lobbed winner towards the end and the NI commentators being so stunned all they could do was laugh.
Poland Wales Slovakia or Czechia, who do we want???
Looking at matches since 2022 you get a win rate of ->
Wales 35.7% (they had a very poor 2022 - if you exclude it they go up to 43%)
Poland 45.5%
Slovakia 47.6%
Czechia 51.6%
Quote from: Pagan Saviour on November 19, 2025, 07:07:53 AMPoland Wales Slovakia or Czechia, who do we want???
Wales all day long.
What I've liked about us in the past few games is the slight change in how we play - we are mixing it up more - yes still some of the dreaded playing from the back is going on but we are also going route 1 - long ball to try make it a 50/50 run on a counter. What I hated with the Trap/Kenny era was being so rigid to one style and teams could tactically rip us apart knowing what we were going to do. Now at least we can compete with average enough players but Troy obviously has to be mentioned as one to literally drag us to where we are now. As Richard Dunne said, if we qualify that's icing on the cake, least we have playoffs to look forward to. I think Poland are the ones to get from that pot and perhaps Wales next.
Don't want to derail but I've a lot of time for Trap. The football was indeed ugly but he got us back being competitive again. His first campaign was excellent. Beat the shit teams, draw with the big boys, no defeats. It's just a shame when we qualified for the Euros in 2012 that A we got a dreadful group with two of the eventual finalists and B He went with the same tactics. He should've probably gone then having taken us as far as he could have but of course the FAI saw the dollar signs and we had another feckin contract in place.
Quote from: Pagan Saviour on November 19, 2025, 03:29:07 PMIt's just a shame when we qualified for the Euros in 2012 that A we got a dreadful group with two of the eventual finalists and B He went with the same tactics.
Yes that draw was indeed disastrous :laugh: but yes 100% what was frustrating was his selections/repeating same tactics post qualification. Could never warm to O'Neill, he would get so tetchy with interviews, over the most inane questions too ;D
Our counter attacking ain't bad the past few games - the mixing it up more suits us better, just we lack leadership (obviously the skill/quality) in midfield and players having more of an instinct to try take a shot themselves. Draw is on tomorrow. I dunno if this is because of the past 2 games but I don't think I'd be too upset at getting any 1 of those 4 from pot 2.
28 minutes to the draw - no matter what happens it's exciting. Just hope we can put in another decent performance and at least put it up to whoever we get
So Czechia away. And if we beat them Denmark or North Macedonia at home. About as good as draw as you could get.
It's the hope that kills ya 😆
After reviewing the Campaigns - Czech was my preferred option. Won't be easy, and you never know what way the other game would pan out. Dane's likely on paper - we owe them one the arrogant cunts. I know they stuffed us 5-1 that one time but the other 3 games in the run up to that one were all draws, one of those nights. But the way they went on afterwards you'd swear they were Brazil.
Without counting chickens just yet, I'd love to batter Denmark.
Shels sign James Norris on a permanent deal from Liverlool. He was fuckin class on loan. Absolutely delighted
20 odd sleeps now til the play-off.
Anyone got any feelings on it? Personally I think it'll be a tall order to replicate the heroics of the last two games. I wish these games would've taken place in November. There's been a slew of injuries since then, and the form of some of the regulars has been questionable. Collins especially - hasn't gotten a start in the last few then comes on the other week to gift Brighton a goal.
On the other hand Kelleher playing every week, Azaz playing well and Parrott has still been banging them in.
I'm not hugely confident. And there's been loads of talk that it's almost a mere formality and more concerned with the cost of flights down the line. It'd be typical Ireland to have those previous heroics and then it all fall apart. It's the hope that kills you. But who knows, Parrott might step up again.
This time next week it'll all be over.
I'm feeling mixed about the squad announcement. Azaz is playing very well (Scored again the other night) Same for Parrot. Collins though has had a rough spell, dropped from the team, comes back gives away a howler. A lot of the players have had good game time but then it's also littered with players that are potentially injured which I think is alarming ; Idah, Lawal, Brady and then players with zero game time like Ogbene who's also back from injury. I think I would've preferred other names there. I'd give Coleman a pass because he's got the special sauce.
Maybe this has always been the way, I'm sure they'll give it a good go. Not impossible but it'll be tough.
Manning is playing well at Southampton as well so id have him starting before Brady at left back. Chances are 50 50 id say. I think the team turned the corner the last 2 games and are confident now which makes a huge difference. Probably Azaz left wing, but id stick him in the middle of the park like the last 20 mins against Hungary where he caused havoc.
Tbh we should play 4 2 3 1 with him in No 10 to get the best out of him.
Spot on with all that. I listened to a podcast on RTÉ there with a Czech journalist who gave some insight into their mood etc. They're bemoaning the lack of a midfielder that can change the game too, have like us had some embarrassing results - lost 2-1 away to faroe then some petulance and in fighting with a changing of manager too, so maybe some of those things might give us an edge
C'mon you Boys in Green. Its the hope that kills ya :abbath:
Fuck it all the way to the moon.
Fucking cruel. Fucking no brains in a few of those players, lack of discipline cost us hugely.
We were coasting and gave away a cheap cheap peno which threw them a bone, in my opinion that's what cost us
Quote from: The Butcher on March 26, 2026, 10:43:27 PMFucking cruel. Fucking no brains in a few of those players, lack of discipline cost us hugely.
Great teeth, though. Some of the lads have very expensive gnashers.
There's that hope, going around killing again
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1909447583012303
The Arsenal quadruple's going to end up being a City treble, isn't it?
:laugh: maybe so
Arsenal couldn't bottle it now....could they? Arteta will throw himself into the Thames if he doesn't win the league.
I think like most rational Arsenal fans I knew the quadruple was never going to happen, but I am starting to get a bit nervous about the league. The team looks like they're running on fumes at this point and haven't really put in a convincing performance since Spurs
Squeaky bum time for sure