General Football Nonsense

[dazthegooner]

Talking of Mickey Mouse competitions. Bayern Munich's opening Club World Cup opponents, Auckland, are facing a major crisis after several of their players failed to get time off work to play in the tournament. :sarcy:

[Letters]

Talking of Mickey Mouse competitions. Bayern Munich's opening Club World Cup opponents, Auckland, are facing a major crisis after several of their players failed to get time off work to play in the tournament. :sarcy:

:haha:

I know that in some sense all football competitions are made up, but this one is the madeupest and a clear attempt at a cash grab

[dazthegooner]

What makes it worse.
Bayern Munich’s first Club World Cup opponent are Auckland City

The club are semi pro and the players don’t even earn a salary.

Auckland City are ranked 5,074th globally. For comparison, lower league Macclesfield, England’s lowest-ranked club, are around 2,900th.

Some couldn’t make the trip to the U.S. due to day jobs. The squad includes a teacher, a hairdresser and a real estate agent…

What could we be about to watch ��

[HCZ_Reborn]

Auckland have done amazingly well at keeping it to 6 frankly

If they avoid losing by double figures that’s almost a win

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It's 7-0 now.

13-0 was in my head prior to this one starting.

I'm not watching any of this tournament, FIFA can go fuck themselves.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

8-0. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

9-0. :rose:

[Letters]

Stop, stop he’s already dead and so on

[HCZ_Reborn]

10-0 pity

This tournament is a golden dog turd

[Letters]

10-0 pity

This tournament is a golden dog turd

Spurs would still have an open top bus parade if they won it

[HCZ_Reborn]

Spurs would still have an open top bus parade if they won it

Spurs would have to win the European cup to even be in it surely?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Ten. :lol:

[Letters]

Spurs would have to win the European cup to even be in it surely?

I’ve literally no idea what the criteria were for the invite.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I’ve literally no idea what the criteria were for the invite.

Basically it was champions league winners - Bayern, Chelsea, Real Madrid and City plus teams that had scored a high UEFA coefficient

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Inter Miami were invited. :lol:

Charity just for Messi probably.

[Letters]

Basically it was champions league winners - Bayern, Chelsea, Real Madrid and City plus teams that had scored a high UEFA coefficient

Auckland have a high UEFA coefficient? :blink:

[HCZ_Reborn]

Auckland have a high UEFA coefficient? :blink:

Specifically for European teams I should have said. The rest I think either won their own equivalent of the champions league for their own confederation or performed well. Oceania has its own confederation so a team with non league attendance at games can be the top representative, largely because Australia belongs to the AFC (Asian confederation).

[HCZ_Reborn]

The premier league fixtures due out tomorrow have been “leaked”. Only issue is loads of the fixtures don’t make sense, like Forest playing twice on the same day and Leicester City included

Apparently our opening fixture was meant to be away at Leeds. So will see who we actually play when the fixtures released tomorrow

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Starting off with Leeds brings back funny memories from the O'Leary days.

Who would have thought that with all the ambition they showed during his days they'd become a yoyo club (and not even a good one for that matter).

[HCZ_Reborn]

Starting off with Leeds brings back funny memories from the O'Leary days.

Who would have thought that with all the ambition they showed during his days they'd become a yoyo club (and not even a good one for that matter).

Ambition has to be sustainable

They ended up in the position they did because Peter Ridsdale was mortgaging the clubs future on title runs and qualifying for the champions league. They failed to get into the CL in 2001 and it spiralled from there, they frankly couldn’t afford to spend what they were spending, and the player sales couldn’t cover the costs of the debts he accrued. They were actually quite fortunate not to have been put out of business.

[Letters]

Ambition has to be sustainable

They ended up in the position they did because Peter Ridsdale was mortgaging the clubs future on title runs and qualifying for the champions league. They failed to get into the CL in 2001 and it spiralled from there, they frankly couldn’t afford to spend what they were spending, and the player sales couldn’t cover the costs of the debts he accrued. They were actually quite fortunate not to have been put out of business.
I saw some thing about that - some documentary or something. And yeah, Leeds spent big to break in to the CL places and...didn't. They then went double or quits, spent big again assuming they'd get the CL money the following year and...they didn't qualify the following season either. So then they were in all kinds of shit financially and sank like a stone.

[Letters]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c8rpxjgr8mjo

This competition continues to be a roaring success.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Our first game of the season is away at Old Trafford

Whilst clearly not the daunting fixture it was, also not the fixture you’d want to start the season with

[HCZ_Reborn]

First three away fixtures are

United (A), Liverpool (A), Newcastle (A)

We finish the season away at Palace

[HCZ_Reborn]

So fixtures of note up to the end of the year

Liverpool (A) - August 30th - likely to be moved to lunchtime or evening of that date or Sunday afternoon of August 31st

Man City (H) - September 20th - as above

Newcastle (A) - September 27th

Tottenham (H) - November 22nd

Chelsea (A) - November 29th


Aston Villa - Play them twice in December, away the first weekend in December and at home provisionally on December 30th (a Tuesday)

[HCZ_Reborn]

This the same Santo that got sacked after 10 league games by Spurs, and the same one that managed to get one point from their final four home games for Forest in the season just gone. Or is it his far smarter twin brother?

[Mac76]

This the same Santo that got sacked after 10 league games by Spurs, and the same one that managed to get one point from their final four home games for Forest in the season just gone. Or is it his far smarter twin brother?

It's the Santo that was giving everyone a good thrashing until other teams got the hang of Forest's tactics and stymied them, plus I think Forest ran out of puff

Could Santo have counteracted that? perhaps, but still it was a very good effort overall with what he had

and tbh he doesn't have to be faultless to be smarter than another manager, Arteta or otherwise, it's a question of degree

[HCZ_Reborn]

It's the Santo that was giving everyone a good thrashing until other teams got the hang of Forest's tactics and stymied them, plus I think Forest ran out of puff

Could Santo have counteracted that? perhaps, but still it was a very good effort overall with what he had

and tbh he doesn't have to be faultless to be smarter than another manager, Arteta or otherwise, it's a question of degree

Intelligence is relative you’re right. When I call you stupid it’s not that I think you’re the same intellectual level as some of the poor bastards who can’t wipe their own backsides, it’s more that you’re a fairly good example of the Dunning-Kruger effect.

Despite my many differences with Arteta I don’t question his intelligence (although like you, he’s no where near as intelligent as he thinks he is).

Plus Nuno hasn’t had to work under a shoestring at Forest, he’s done better there than Steve Cooper managed, just as he did well at Wolves. But those kind of clubs are about his level, a bit like in reality how Emery’s level is Aston Villa.

Is Arteta good enough to win the major prizes at Arsenal…I have significant doubt, but he’s not totally out of his depth at a big club clearly

[HCZ_Reborn]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c628d92wnr9o

That’ll learn them :rolleyes:

[Niall_Quinn]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c628d92wnr9o

That’ll learn them :rolleyes:

I think that's very unfair. They have mistaken a delay of kick-off for their typical style of play. Same thing could happen to us.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I think that's very unfair. They have mistaken a delay of kick-off for their typical style of play. Same thing could happen to us.

:lol: quite apt.

[Mac76]

A team that consistently delays KO should have a player (chosen by the opposition manager) sent off for every minute of delay

[HCZ_Reborn]

A team that consistently delays KO should have a player (chosen by the opposition manager) sent off for every minute of delay

Or smacked in the knee with a polo mallet. For entertainment purposes

[Ollie the Optimist]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c628d92wnr9o

That’ll learn them :rolleyes:

they got fined 2 million last year so clearly fines are doing the trick!

[HCZ_Reborn]

Chelsea lose 3-1 to Flamengo. You love to see it

[Niall_Quinn]

Chelsea lose 3-1 to Flamengo. You love to see it

I actually love not to see it. Bet it ws painful to watch, as a neutral I mean. Bullshit, nothingball.

[Niall_Quinn]

A team that consistently delays KO should have a player (chosen by the opposition manager) sent off for every minute of delay

And cheerleaders could show us their knickers as the player walked off. Love it! Let's do it!

[Niall_Quinn]

Of course if men were still available, the game would be so different. But we only have queers. Make do I suppose.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I actually love not to see it. Bet it ws painful to watch, as a neutral I mean. Bullshit, nothingball.

Christ. I was talking figuratively. I wouldn’t ever encourage anyone to watch that torrent of diarrhoea tournament

Well done ? I guess

[Niall_Quinn]

Christ. I was talking figuratively. I wouldn’t ever encourage anyone to watch that torrent of diarrhoea tournament

Well done ? I guess

Won't stop the media whores writing you up as a glowing endorsement for the latest, greatest, "sporting" extravaganza.

[dazthegooner]

Cazorla leads Real Oviedo back to LaLiga
Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has led boyhood club Real Oviedo back to LaLiga for the first time in 24 years - at the age of 40.

Cazorla has been playing for the club on the lowest wage allowed by the Spanish regulations since returning in 2023.

The two-time European Championship winner scored a penalty as Oviedo bounded back from a 1-0 first-leg defeat to beat Mirandes 3-1 on Saturday to secure their top-flight return via the play-offs.

Oviedo had been beaten by Espanyol at the same stage last season but ensured they went one better this time around, with Cazorla equalising from the spot after Joaquin Panichelli had fired their opponents in front on the night. :scarf:

[Mac76]

Santi :bow:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

If any of our ex players deserved their dreams coming true, he'd definitely be top of my list.

Congrats Santi :bow:

[Letters]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cy7ng4vj8leo

Merde!

[Mac76]

I was hoping, for Palace's sake, that Textor selling his shares would be enough, this must be gut-wrenching for Palace fans

[Ollie the Optimist]

can't have clubs like Crystal Palace playing in Uefa competitions. much easier to enforce rules on them rather than the likes of City who have been cheating for years with no punishment

[Letters]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/clynqpvg783t#Report

roflcopter

[Mac76]

yeah funny but I'd have preferred it if they'd got to the final and lost after ET and pels (with a few injuries along the way)

[HCZ_Reborn]

yeah funny but I'd have preferred it if they'd got to the final and lost after ET and pels (with a few injuries along the way)

Nah, that would still have been quite a successful outing for them as they and Chelsea are making quite a bit of money out of this tournament and presumably the further into the competition they get the more money they get.


FIFA far from trying to stymie financial doping, seem to want to actively facilitate it

[Marc Overmars]

The prize money is comparable to the CL and you get it for playing far fewer games too. The whole thing is just a cash cow and while it’s a tournament that rightfully most don’t give a shit about, those competing in it will benefit greatly.

[Mac76]

i'd like to know what the TV audiences are, if they're as poor as the attendances I can't see how this thing is sustainable - it's just Infantile's egotrip

[Letters]

Tell you what. Pep and the managers of other clubs taking part had better not bloody whine about fixture congestion next season, having hauled their teams off on a money making exercise all summer.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

yeah funny but I'd have preferred it if they'd got to the final and lost after ET and pels (with a few injuries along the way)

Definitely better they go out early, though TBH I woke up pretty surprised at the news.

Also, apparently Rodri picked up a knock again, so he might be out for a while once more

[HCZ_Reborn]

Definitely better they go out early, though TBH I woke up pretty surprised at the news.

Also, apparently Rodri picked up a knock again, so he might be out for a while once more

I only watched the highlights but both sides looked atrocious defensively, I think for many of the goals the original shot gets blocked but it doesn’t get cleared and there’s someone there to pounce

[Marc Overmars]

Diogo Jota has died in a car accident. Fucking hell.

https://news.sky.com/story/liverpool-star-diogo-jota-28-killed-in-car-crash-report-13391751

[HCZ_Reborn]

Diogo Jota has died in a car accident. Fucking hell.

https://news.sky.com/story/liverpool-star-diogo-jota-28-killed-in-car-crash-report-13391751


Absolutely terrible

RIP

[Letters]

That's awful :rose:

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Fuck.

He only got married a couple of weeks ago as well.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Diogo Jota has died in a car accident. Fucking hell.

https://news.sky.com/story/liverpool-star-diogo-jota-28-killed-in-car-crash-report-13391751

This is terrible news.

Mentioned Reyes recently and the similarities are truly upsetting.

I pray for a bit of comfort to his family in this awful time.

[HCZ_Reborn]

This is terrible news.

Mentioned Reyes recently and the similarities are truly upsetting.

I pray for a bit of comfort to his family in this awful time.

I don’t know anything about the accident that killed Jota and his brother

As sad as it is to say, JAR was driving extremely recklessly (220km per hour in a 120km zone)

But they of course both died in Spain and travelling with family members

[HCZ_Reborn]

Ok following on from this I did read about Jota’s accident. Tyre blowout which caused him to lose control of the car and upon impact the car burst into flames

To say the least grim.

[Letters]

Yes, the early indications are he wasn't being particularly reckless.
Reyes was. Still a tragedy but as a friend is wont to say, you play silly games you win silly prizes.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Yes, the early indications are he wasn't being particularly reckless.
Reyes was. Still a tragedy but as a friend is wont to say, you play silly games you win silly prizes.

Also known as FAFO

[Letters]

Also known as FAFO

Ha. Had to Google that. But yes, basically.

[Mac76]

Diogo Jota has died in a car accident. Fucking hell.

https://news.sky.com/story/liverpool-star-diogo-jota-28-killed-in-car-crash-report-13391751

only just found out about this - what awful news

RIP :rose:

now just seen his brother died also :rose:

[Letters]

only just found out about this
Really?
Interesting. I was talking to someone about this earlier because in general - and you seem to be the exception which proves the rule - everyone knows everything immediately these days.
Back in the day news percolated far more slowly. A notable counter example, I was about 16 when Thatcher resigned and that news spread like wildfire. Bearing in mind this was before mobile phones or the information super-highway.

[Mac76]

Really?
Interesting. I was talking to someone about this earlier because in general - and you seem to be the exception which proves the rule - everyone knows everything immediately these days.
Back in the day news percolated far more slowly. A notable counter example, I was about 16 when Thatcher resigned and that news spread like wildfire. Bearing in mind this was before mobile phones or the information super-highway.

well, I was busy with a work deadline and really wasn't checking my phone

[Letters]

:good:

You don't need to justify yourself. It's just interesting because these days it's almost impossible not to hear about things almost immediately.

[Mac76]

:good:

You don't need to justify yourself. It's just interesting because these days it's almost impossible not to hear about things almost immediately.

sure, was just explaining :)

i was really shocked when I saw it though

the family will be devastated

[HCZ_Reborn]

:good:

You don't need to justify yourself. It's just interesting because these days it's almost impossible not to hear about things almost immediately.

I was in a departmental meeting all day a couple of weeks ago, and was hot desking somewhere else so left my phone there on charge. And so it wasn’t until a few hours after it happened that found out about that crashed Air India Dreamliner

[Letters]

England Women lost their opening game 2-1 vs France.
Got thumped really - had an early goal chalked off by VAR, very marginal offside. After that it was all France really.
We got a goal back with about 5 minutes left which raised the possibility of an improbable draw. It was all too little, too late and a point would have flattered us.
Work to do if we're going to progress.

[The Wengerbabies]

Nobody gives a fuk

[Letters]

Nobody I don’t gives a fuk
Don’t reply then. :good:

[Mac76]

:lol:

[Letters]

Sadly much like Reyes I think we're heading for FAFO

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn4l1n45l1xo

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Sadly I think it was always likely with him "overtaking", on a motorway, in a Lamborghini, in the early hours.

[Mac76]

not to speak ill of the dead specifically, but it's a shame most footballers always want these dick-extension cars, i always liked the way Klinsman drove an old 2CV :lol:

[dazthegooner]

Heard he was trying to overtake someone when the tire burst, apparently he was only driving because he was advised not to fly due to lung issues so was taking a ferry back.

[Letters]

not to speak ill of the dead specifically, but it's a shame most footballers always want these dick-extension cars, i always liked the way Klinsman drove an old 2CV :lol:

Young men are, by and large, idiots. Give them more money than they could possibly spend then what else is going to happen? :shrug:

[HCZ_Reborn]

Always feels awkward to say something after someone has bought it, but yeah it seemed to me that whilst the tyre burst could have just been caused by debris in the road, that he must have been going at a fair old rate for the impact to have caused the car to catch fire the way it did.

If this is confirmed, it’s his own recklessness that left his wife a widow and his kids without a dad

[HCZ_Reborn]

Young men are, by and large, idiots. Give them more money than they could possibly spend then what else is going to happen? :shrug:

Lightening the subject (arguably inappropriately) if money was no object what’s people’s car of choice ?

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Somewhat cliche, an E type Jag. But with modern innards so it'd you know, work.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I’m at odds whether to get retro with Aston Martin DBS

Or just go completely out there with a Bugatti Chiron

[Letters]

Lightening the subject (arguably inappropriately) if money was no object what’s people’s car of choice ?

Couldn’t give a shit about cars.
But there is a road near me with literal mansions on. I do wonder what the hell the people do who live there, and sometimes daydream about having a place like that.
Although in practice I would only actually use a tiny fraction of the rooms

[Mac76]

Young men are, by and large, idiots. Give them more money than they could possibly spend then what else is going to happen? :shrug:

pretty much, yeah

[HCZ_Reborn]

Couldn’t give a shit about cars.
But there is a road near me with literal mansions on. I do wonder what the hell the people do who live there, and sometimes daydream about having a place like that.
Although in practice I would only actually use a tiny fraction of the rooms

Im not big on cars either but at same time if money no object why not get the best things

Either the DB6 or the DBS that Lazenby drives in On her Majesty’s Secret Service

Or something silly and impractical

Houses never been of big interest to me, especially ones with more rooms than I’d know what to do with. My cousin’s husband who is a paint and decorator was doing up some guys place who wanted to turn one of his rooms into a home cinema. It’s a nice idea but I think I’d get bored of it after a while.


As I get older I appreciate Gardens far more than I ever used to, although I still wouldn’t know one plant from another

[Mac76]

Couldn’t give a shit about cars.


Me neither, my main aim is not having anything people would want to steal

[Letters]

Im not big on cars either but at same time if money no object why not get the best things
If I had the infinite money cheat turned on then I’d definitely have a nicer car, but sports cars leave me cold. It just makes me laugh when I see boy racers or people having a midlife crisis driving round town at 20 miles an hour in a stupidly loud sports car. Always makes me think they must be compensating for something

With 2 kids I need a family car. So yeah, I guess I’d get a better one but I’m not interested in fast cars.

As for property, I’d probably want a nicer rather than much bigger house. With you on the garden. Ours is small but nice thanks to the efforts of the previous owner which we are still reaping the benefits of.
Met up with my cousin recently. She’s got a place up in Berkhamsted with a bloody great garden and the field next door is theirs too.

Sometimes I feel like I’m doing it wrong!

[Mac76]

If I had the infinite money cheat turned on then I’d definitely have a nicer car, but sports cars leave me cold. It just makes me laugh when I see boy racers or people having a midlife crisis driving round town at 20 miles an hour in a stupidly loud sports car. Always makes me think they must be compensating for something



totally

always remember being sat outside a pub on a sunny day on the corner of a crossroads in London somewhere - the lights were red and some balding guy drew up in his shiny red sportscar and sat there revving the engine

but when the lights changed he stalled it - everyone just fell about laughing :lol:

[Letters]

:haha:

Brilliant.

[Marc Overmars]

Yeah cars aren’t my thing at all either. Any disposable income I have I put into my house or a holiday.

[Mac76]

I remember that Stan Bowles saying " I spent most of my money on booze, horses and women - the rest I wasted"

[The Wengerbabies]

Sadly much like Reyes I think we're heading for FAFO

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn4l1n45l1xo

This was obvious to me from the start but I don't like to speculate before more facts are known.

[Letters]

This was obvious to me from the start but I don't like to speculate before more facts are known.

You definitely do.
But it did always seem the most likely thing.
Which doesn’t actually make it less of a tragedy.

[Letters]

I saw something on FB this morning, it was a graph of Jota's transfer value over time, which obviously dives to 0 following recent events.

The AI feature on FB smashed another one out of the park with its first suggested question "Can Diogo Jota recover from this setback".

I'm going to go out on a limb and say...no.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I saw something on FB this morning, it was a graph of Jota's transfer value over time, which obviously dives to 0 following recent events.

The AI feature on FB smashed another one out of the park with its first suggested question "Can Diogo Jota recover from this setback".

I'm going to go out on a limb and say...no.

Just needs the services of a decent necromancer

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

I saw something on FB this morning, it was a graph of Jota's transfer value over time, which obviously dives to 0 following recent events.

The AI feature on FB smashed another one out of the park with its first suggested question "Can Diogo Jota recover from this setback".

I'm going to go out on a limb and say...no.

:haha:

[Letters]

England ladies beat the Dutch 4-0.
This is the best result against the Dutch since Euro ‘96 :cool:
Their ‘keeper is hilariously slow to move and react

[HCZ_Reborn]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c7vrj58560go

I’ve always hated this kind of shit, I know it’s only one match but it’s bullshit. How is it the Italian league being played in fucking Australia. Want to reach out to fans in Australia? Play an exhibition match in the off season

[The Wengerbabies]

England ladies beat the Dutch 4-0.
This is the best result against the Dutch since Euro ‘96 :cool:
Their ‘keeper is hilariously slow to move and react

Nobody cares.
No it's not.
What did you expect?

[Letters]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c7vrj58560go

I’ve always hated this kind of shit, I know it’s only one match but it’s bullshit. How is it the Italian league being played in fucking Australia. Want to reach out to fans in Australia? Play an exhibition match in the off season

It's more meaningful if it's a competitive game, like the NFL games here.
It's a pretty blatant money-grab and marketing opportunity, but that's not news in the modern game.

[HCZ_Reborn]

More meaningful?

Don’t blame us because no one outside of Australia is remotely interested in Aussie Rules football. But they’ve got their own shit, greedy antepodeans

[Marc Overmars]

My problem with the idea of playing league games abroad is that you can’t maintain the integrity of playing home and away. Unless you do the return fixture abroad too but that seems very unlikely.

[HCZ_Reborn]

My problem with the idea of playing league games abroad is that you can’t maintain the integrity of playing home and away. Unless you do the return fixture abroad too but that seems very unlikely.

That’s not my only problem with it, but it’s definitely one of my problems

[Letters]

More meaningful?

Don’t blame us because no one outside of Australia is remotely interested in Aussie Rules football. But they’ve got their own shit, greedy antepodeans

Well, yeah. It’s a competitive game. Are you more bothered about league games during the season or preseason friendlies. I’m not saying this is a good idea…unless they’re trying to generate as much money as possible. Which they are.

MO’s point makes sense, but since when to clubs care about integrity when there’s money to be made?

[HCZ_Reborn]

Well, yeah. It’s a competitive game. Are you more bothered about league games during the season or preseason friendlies. I’m not saying this is a good idea…unless they’re trying to generate as much money as possible. Which they are.

MO’s point makes sense, but since when to clubs care about integrity when there’s money to be made?

I’m not disagreeing with you


I’m saying fuck what’s more meaningful. They should consider themselves lucky if they get to watch them play friendly games

[Mac76]

It's more meaningful if it's a competitive game, like the NFL games here.
It's a pretty blatant money-grab and marketing opportunity, but that's not news in the modern game.

the trouble is the Kroenkes will I'm sure be among those pushing for a PL game or two in the US, to make $$

and if they want it to be successful then it means a big game, e.g. Liverpool or Citeh which would be disgraceful for home fans to miss it

[dazthegooner]

They're always going on about players needing rest no doubt having to play a few games in a different time zone won't do them much good.

[Mac76]

good point

[Marc Overmars]

Palace demoted to the Conference League, while Forest are bumped up to the EL.

Punished because they can’t play in the same competition as Lyon who have the same owner.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Palace demoted to the Conference League, while Forest are bumped up to the EL.

Punished because they can’t play in the same competition as Lyon who have the same owner.

Load of shit when you think UEFA allow Man City and Girona in the same competition, by just fudging the ownership structure

Feel for Palace. Like with FSR, it feels the richest clubs are allowed to get away with whatever they want and only the smaller clubs are forced to play by the rules

[Letters]

They're always going on about players needing rest no doubt having to play a few games in a different time zone won't do them much good.

Any manager who dragged his side to the Club World Cup and then moans about fixture congestion this season can do one.

[Letters]

Like with FSR, it feels the richest clubs are allowed to get away with whatever they want and only the smaller clubs are forced to play by the rules
Is that news to you?

[WMUG]

Any manager who dragged his side to the Club World Cup and then moans about fixture congestion this season can do one.

Do they have much choice in the matter?

It's not like there was some big push from clubs for this bollocks competition, it was imposed from on high by a corrupt organisation guzzling Saudi cash.

They could've refused to participate I guess, but that's above the manager's pay grade and who knows what sanctions could've been imposed.

[Letters]

That’s probably fair, I doubt it’s the manager’s decision.
I don’t know how much they can or would push back on that sort of thing

[Mac76]

I don't think it's about sanctions, most club owners would want to do it for the money plain and simple, even if it's short-sighted because it damages their following season

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Chelsea 2-0 PSG. :lol:

Football. :rose:

[Marc Overmars]

Ugh. :sick:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

3-0 Joao Pedro.

[Globalgunner]

3-0 Now

[Marc Overmars]

Joao Pedro makes it 3

Football. :lol:

Just always finding new ways to inflict misery.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Joao Pedro makes it 3

Football. :lol:

Just always finding new ways to inflict misery.

:gp:

[Letters]

Joao Pedro makes it 3

Football. :lol:

Just always finding new ways to inflict misery.

Couldn’t give a monkeys. It’s a nothing tournament

[dazthegooner]

Yeah but somerhing that Chelsea will gloat more than the spuds did when they won a tin pot cup.

[Letters]

Yeah but somerhing that Chelsea will gloat more than the spuds did when they won a tin pot cup.

They can if they like. And I guess you could argue the strength of opposition is higher.
I just can’t take it seriously as a competition.
Haven’t watched a minute of it.

[Letters]

England women 5-0 up against Wales in the Euros by the way :lol:

[Letters]

Finished 6-1. Think we are playing Sweden next

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Well Chelsea have won it....and they just had to win it in this sort of fashion to make it more annoying.

Hopefully we get some good news this week in the transfer market...we really need to make this upcoming season count.

[Mac76]

Finished 6-1. Think we are playing Sweden next

I think the English population outnumbers the Welsh by about 20 to 1, so Wales did quite well really...

[The Wengerbabies]

Pretty cool photo though

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GvxPmqsXoAE95xR?format=jpg&name=large

[Mac76]

literally what the whole thing was about

there's no way i'd stand in that photo with that ****

oh and should anyone care that the trophy isn't actually a cup?

[Letters]

there's no way i'd stand in that photo with that ****
Harsh on Reece James.

[Letters]

I think the English population outnumbers the Welsh by about 20 to 1, so Wales did quite well really...

That's not really how football works though, is it? By that logic China and India should be dominating...well, everything.
I think it's fair to say the women's game is a lot more mature in England than in Wales - and than most countries, actually. Notable counter-example being the US, I think "soccer" is regarded as more of a girl's game there anyway.

[Mac76]

Harsh on Reece James.

:lol:

[Mac76]

That's not really how football works though, is it? By that logic China and India should be dominating...well, everything.
I think it's fair to say the women's game is a lot more mature in England than in Wales - and than most countries, actually. Notable counter-example being the US, I think "soccer" is regarded as more of a girl's game there anyway.

well I wasn't being serious and sure, success at football or any sport is partly down to how much of a priority it is to the country concerned - look at NZ and rugby for example

[HCZ_Reborn]

That's not really how football works though, is it? By that logic China and India should be dominating...well, everything.
I think it's fair to say the women's game is a lot more mature in England than in Wales - and than most countries, actually. Notable counter-example being the US, I think "soccer" is regarded as more of a girl's game there anyway.

It kind of does work a little bit that way (not totally), but when you look at the winners of the World Cup both men and women they generally more often than not come from the more populous countries that have footballing interest. India ? They are cricket mad to the exclusion of everything else, China I think if they put in as much money into football as they have with the Olympics it wouldn’t take them long before they were on the same level as Japan and South Korea and beyond.

Of course with football you do get countries like the Netherlands and Belgium punching above their weight somewhat, same with Croatia (although it’s a fragment of the former Yugoslavia which also did reasonably well in football tournaments)

[Letters]

I don't think population is either irrelevant or the be all and end all. Obviously if you've got a bigger pool of people to pick from then it helps, but the level of interest and investment in a sport are big factors, I'd argue bigger than population.

[HCZ_Reborn]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cn5kpd4y2yvo

See I get how this could be seen as insensitive, but at the same time Dwarves aren’t in indentured servitude. These guys offer their services for private events.

For me this reminds me a little bit about the row about the girls in skimpy costume at the Darts or the F1.

And as you might expect, the performers themselves didn’t see the problem.

[Marc Overmars]

We got a dwarf for my best mates stag do and it was hilarious tbf. He was a good sport and earned a lot of money out of us.

No different to hiring a clown for a party tbh.

[Mac76]

For me it depends on whether there's a loss of dignity or whatever, if not and it doesn't encourage negative attitudes then I guess it's ok

Out of curiosity, what did the dwarf do at the stag do exactly?

[IBK]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cn5kpd4y2yvo

See I get how this could be seen as insensitive, but at the same time Dwarves aren’t in indentured servitude. These guys offer their services for private events.

For me this reminds me a little bit about the row about the girls in skimpy costume at the Darts or the F1.

And as you might expect, the performers themselves didn’t see the problem.

The usual expression of outrage at something that might not be politically correct or to many peoples' taste, but that ultimately doesn't really hurt anyone, and wouldn't be a thing unless a celebrity was involved. Personally, I feel a little bit uncomfortable about 'exploiting' sterotypes here, but the performers have a business entertaining at parties and if that is what they want to do...

[Letters]

We got a dwarf for my best mates stag do and it was hilarious tbf. He was a good sport and earned a lot of money out of us.

No different to hiring a clown for a party tbh.

It was nice to meet you <_<

(Before anyone else starts)

[Marc Overmars]

For me it depends on whether there's a loss of dignity or whatever, if not and it doesn't encourage negative attitudes then I guess it's ok

Out of curiosity, what did the dwarf do at the stag do exactly?

He was handcuffed to my mate and came out drinking and mingling with us all night. I can’t say it was completely dignified but as I said he was a good sport and none of us were disrespectful to the point of making him feel uncomfortable and none of us went on to hold negative attitudes towards dwarfs. :lol:

[HCZ_Reborn]

I’m not really sure how one can hold a negative attitude towards a Dwarf, unless the Dwarf was a prick and then that would be about them being a prick, not about being a Dwarf. I’d pretty much guess none of us have the attitude towards Dwarfism that Tywin Lannister holds at any rate :lol:

I think as a lot of people here have said, it’s about how they are treated when hired out. Don’t take the piss, they are people not props. Poor bastards often have lifelong medical problems to deal with unlike Midgets, but if they themselves are available to hire for entertainment and it all stays within agreed guidelines, not an issue.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf.

I guess it depends which side the dwarf picks to fight in the race war.

[Mac76]

He was handcuffed to my mate and came out drinking and mingling with us all night. I can’t say it wasn’t completely dignified but as I said he was a good sport and none of us were disrespectful to the point of making him feel uncomfortable and none of us went on to hold negative attitudes towards dwarfs. :lol:

:lol: well again he must have known what he was letting himself in for

[Letters]

England 2 - Sweden 2
Currently in extra time.
2-0’down and looking dead and buried before 2 quick goals made it level.
:scarf:

[Letters]

Looking like pels

[Letters]

It is :popcorn:

[Letters]

Hampton saves the first Swedish pel!

[Letters]

And then we immediately have the next one saved :doh:

[Letters]

Oh fuck off. Our 3rd one saved too

[Letters]

Sweden hit the post! So we are level again!

[Letters]

Oh fuck OFF!
Another awful pel from us. Easily saved

[Letters]

We have to score this one or we are out

[Letters]

Which she does. But Sweden can still win it with their final pel

[Letters]

:haha:

Their ‘keeper takes one and does a Waddle.

Sudden death :lol:

[Letters]

Fucking hell another awful pel saved.
Sweden another chance to win it

[Letters]

SAVED!

This is the worst penalty taking I’ve ever seen

[Letters]

Oh! We actually scored one!
Now Sweden have to score

[Letters]

:haha:

Blazes it over. England through

[HCZ_Reborn]

That’s possibly the shittest bunch of pels I’ve ever seen.

Their keeper made four saves, yet they blazed over twice and hit the bar :lol:

[Letters]

:lol:

I said the same to a couple of mates.
Definitely the most inept penalty shootout I’ve ever seen.

[Mac76]

I'd say Sweden were better in the first 90 mins, but taking Blackstenious off just before pels and then the goalie taking the fifth one was so suicidal it makes me wonder if their coach had put a few krone on England...

[Letters]

The ‘keeper taking one that early was odd.
5 out of 14 penalties scored :haha:

[Mac76]

The ‘keeper taking one that early was odd.
5 out of 14 penalties scored :haha:

I haven't watched any of the other games and i realise England and Sweden are ranked 5th and 6th, so clearly there's four teams which are better, but on the basis of that game women's football hasn't progressed as much as I thought, but then you could say the same about the men's game if you spent any time watching Man Ure or Spuds last season :lol:

The first England goal was real quality tbf, as were some of the pels which were actually scored

[Letters]

There's a clear gulf in class - not just the physical aspect, men being faster and stronger, but the skill level is still very much a work in progress in the women's game. But it is definitely getting better as there's more interest and therefore investment in the game.
I have watched all the England games but no others.
I guess the fact I've done that tells you something about the rise in profile of the women's game.

I roll my eyes at men who go out of their way to denigrate it - if you're not interested then fine, you don't have to be, just don't watch.
But I equally roll my eyes at the narrative that the two games are equivalent when they clearly aren't. Interest in it has to grow organically - and has done, all Arsenal's WSL games will be at The Emirates this coming season. The attempts to force it are silly.

[Mac76]

yes, definitely needs to happen organically, am going to try to get to one or two of the games if i can this season

[Letters]

Why are we in black and Italy in green? :unsure:

[Letters]

1-0 to Italy. Piss.
Awful defending, as per

[HCZ_Reborn]

Last minute equaliser

[Letters]

We deserved it, I reckon.
Much better in the second half but didn’t look like it was going to happen.

Hope it doesn’t to to pels. Or I hope they’ve been practicing if it does

[Letters]

Pel. Saved, obviously, but the rebound bundled in. We deserve it tbh

[Letters]

Finished 2-1, we made hard work of it but we’re through to the final.
#ItsStayingHome

[WMUG]

Perfect mirror of the men's 2021 semi with the penalty scored on the rebound.

[Mac76]

I was out but good to see it was the Arsenal girls who again got it over the line

Is Agyemang the new Aubameyang? (ok, ok, someone had to do it... :getcoat:)

Germany v Spain tonight - might actually watch that...

[Letters]

This evening I will be mostly not laughing at the German Number 6 being called Minge

[Letters]

Spain edge it 1-0 in extra time.
So same final as the men’s, I suspect we’ll get the same outcome.

[Mac76]

Good goal to win it tbf

[Letters]

Good goal to win it tbf

A mate reckons it was a cross. I don't think so. She had a look before hitting it, I think she meant it.
It was a really good game, the women's game is definitely getting more entertaining.

[Mac76]

A mate reckons it was a cross. I don't think so. She had a look before hitting it, I think she meant it.
It was a really good game, the women's game is definitely getting more entertaining.

yeah that's BS, I hate it when people say that - she clearly saw the gap and it was a great shot, it doesn't remotely look like a cross, some people just refuse to accept quality when they see it

[Letters]

Nobody gives a fuk

Incorrect :)

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jul/23/england-euro-2025-semi-final-win-itv-highest-viewing-figures-of-year-italy

[HCZ_Reborn]

I don’t especially care for women’s football, I’ve never been able to watch a game for more than twenty minutes (although in fairness I’ve only ever really tried in the last few years, it was more a case of dismissive humorous misogyny to amuse myself before). It doesn’t feel right, and what I mean by that is not that women shouldn’t be playing (obviously a ludicrous statement) or even the lack of technicality and pace but it’s not even those things it’s the lack of height. Goalkeepers im constantly thinking should be doing better with goals but actually no if they are on average 5 or 6 inches shorter and don’t have the arm length than no they probably couldn’t be doing any better. Crosses feel strange as well, rather than something being headed away it often feels like the ball sinks.
After a while it feels like im watching a men’s game whilst either drunk or having suffered a head injury
That and the relative lack of pace and technique makes it less interesting (a bit like how a lower league game is less interesting to me than a premier league game)
It goes without saying that they are all clearly miles better than me or even better than I could ever hope to be. But I’d get thrashed on court easily by Serena Williams, doesn’t mean she wouldn’t massively struggle against any of the top 200 men’s players (is she actually retired now, surely she must be)
I watched extra time and the pels against Sweden, and obviously I hope England retain the European championship (though I think they will struggle against Spain who I think are better than them from what I saw in the World Cup final). I just can’t really motivate myself to watch more than a tiny bit of a match.
Then again surely can’t be any worse than the soul destroying excuse for football put on by the England men’s team last summer

[Letters]

I don’t especially care for women’s football
Which is fine.
Personally I feel it has gone a lot better over the last decade and my interest in it has grown with it - that and the fact it has become more mainstream.
I don't like efforts to force it to become regarded as equivalent to the men's game - there are obvious physical reasons why it won't ever be.
But that doesn't mean that it can't be as good to watch and actually both semi-finals I really enjoyed as spectacles.

I get irritated at people pretending the games are equivalent, but I get equally irritated by the fragile masculinity of people who go out of their way to denigrate it (which I don't think you are, for the record).

It does feel similar to the men in that we have somewhat blundered our way through and I fear the outcome will be the same, but we'll see.

You mention tennis. There was a time when the serve-volley game was king that I actually preferred the women's game. The men's game just didn't have many rallies, it got a bit boring. That was an example where men's greater strength actually made it worse as a spectacle.
It is lots better now they've changed the surface.

EDIT: Venus is still going!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c4g8nzzze1mo

[Marc Overmars]

My girl has just started to play with our local team and she’s really enjoying it, so I’m glad the women’s game has more of a mainstream feel to it now as youngsters should be able to look at the sport as a genuine career path. Leah Williamson is a bit of a local hero where I’m from and she visited last year and it was like Messi or Ronaldo had turned up, was great to see these girls having someone they can relate to and take inspiration from in a way they perhaps couldn’t do in the past.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Which is fine.
Personally I feel it has gone a lot better over the last decade and my interest in it has grown with it - that and the fact it has become more mainstream.
I don't like efforts to force it to become regarded as equivalent to the men's game - there are obvious physical reasons why it won't ever be.
But that doesn't mean that it can't be as good to watch and actually both semi-finals I really enjoyed as spectacles.

I get irritated at people pretending the games are equivalent, but I get equally irritated by the fragile masculinity of people who go out of their way to denigrate it (which I don't think you are, for the record).

It does feel similar to the men in that we have somewhat blundered our way through and I fear the outcome will be the same, but we'll see.

You mention tennis. There was a time when the serve-volley game was king that I actually preferred the women's game. The men's game just didn't have many rallies, it got a bit boring. That was an example where men's greater strength actually made it worse as a spectacle.
It is lots better now they've changed the surface.

EDIT: Venus is still going!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c4g8nzzze1mo

Yeah I can’t say I watch highlights of past matches involving Pete Sampras or Boris Becker if I’m being honest

Though did watch a documentary about Goran Ivanisevic who at his best had an unplayable serve. But apparently played through most of his 2001 win at Wimbledon in agony with his shoulder and was living off painkillers, repetitive strain injury from his monster serve.

You were most likely to find the most entertaining tennis from late 80s through to early 00s at the French open, Moyà, Brugera and Kuerten were the forerunners to Nadal in the way they played and how hard they hit the ball, but they could never deal with the serve volley style on grass and other surfaces. Just as Sampras, Becker, Edberg etc never really got anywhere at Roland Garros because the surface slowed down their serve and allowed baseline returners to do them with passing shots

[The Wengerbabies]

I get irritated at people pretending the games are equivalent, but I get equally irritated by the fragile masculinity of people who go out of their way to denigrate it (which I don't think you are, for the record).




Lol no one is trying to denigrate it it's just not very good and the forcing it upon us is just tiresome. Nobody gives a fuk.

Women's sports are generally poor quality, not all but when there is a technical aspect they just suck.

A lot of women's Track and Field events are very watchable, women's pole vaulting may just be the greatest spectator sport in the world. But women's football? Nah it's crap.

[Letters]

Lol no one is trying to denigrate it it's just not very good
:haha:


Nobody gives a fuk.
No, you don't give a fuk. Which is fine, you don't have to, But you are confusing yourself with other people:


England’s European Championship semi-final win over Italy on Tuesday night delivered ITV’s highest viewing figures of the year.
A peak audience of 10.2 million was watching when Chloe Kelly converted a penalty rebound in the final minutes of extra time to take the Lionesses to their third successive major final.The dramatic semi-final averaged 8 million viewers across the 120 minutes. This was ITV’s highest average audience of the year among adults and in the 16-34 age range.

So...youre wrong. That's not an opinion, it's just numbers

[Mac76]

My girl has just started to play with our local team and she’s really enjoying it, so I’m glad the women’s game has more of a mainstream feel to it now as youngsters should be able to look at the sport as a genuine career path. Leah Williamson is a bit of a local hero where I’m from and she visited last year and it was like Messi or Ronaldo had turned up, was great to see these girls having someone they can relate to and take inspiration from in a way they perhaps couldn’t do in the past.

Yeah a mate of mine's daughter plays in a team and has won competitions. I think that's a big reason to be positive about it all, ok so it's not PL quality (though quite a few PL games are shite anyway tbh) but it's good enough to be entertaining and inspire others to follow in the players' footsteps

[HCZ_Reborn]

Liverpool lose 4-2 in Hong Kong to AC Milan

[Letters]

Liverpool lose 4-2 in Hong Kong to AC Milan

Title’s ours tbh

[Letters]

1-0 to Spain at half time. Poo.
Good goal.
Haven’t seen all of it but Spain very dominant in the part I have seen.

[Mac76]

Spain 1-0 up at HT, we started well though, Kelly on early due to an injury but Agyemang still in reserve

[Letters]

1-1! Come on!

[Letters]

1-1 FT

Extra time it is then.
We’ve been good in the second half.

[Mac76]

1-1 FT, into ET :popcorn:

A mistake to take Russo off IMO

[Letters]

1-1 at half time of ET.
Spain should have scored. No idea what the Spanish girl was doing

[Letters]

Ugh. Pels. :sick:

Spain all over us in ET, but we defended resolutely.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Mead scores (she’s either got a thyroid problem or a double chin)

Oh she’s got to re-take it

[Letters]

:doh:

First one went in but declared a double kick so she took it again and it was saved.

[Letters]

1-0 Spain.
Our ‘keeper heroically dives out of the way as it goes down the middle

[HCZ_Reborn]

Spanish player with aggressive eyebrows scores

[Letters]

1-1

[Letters]

Saved! Stays 1-1

[HCZ_Reborn]

Greenwood squeezed it in….interesting as she looks like someone who has smuggled in something to her boyfriend in prison in an intimate place

[Letters]

2-1 England. Come on!

[HCZ_Reborn]

Goalkeeper doesn’t even bother with our third penalty

[Letters]

Saved again! 2-1 England!

[Letters]

Oh fuck OFF!
Saved again. 2-1 but they now have a pel in hand

[Letters]

Spain miss! :haha:

[HCZ_Reborn]

Spanish coach looks like a relative of Professor Yaffle

Goalkeeper makes big save

[Letters]

Pel to win it :sick:

[HCZ_Reborn]

Kelly does pole vault run up and smashes it home

[Marc Overmars]

Well done ladies. :bow:

[Letters]

Spanish coach looks like a relative of Professor Yaffle

Reference for the kids, there :lol:

[Letters]

Ugh :sick:
They do put us through it.
We rather blundered our way to the trophy.

[Letters]

Actually a really good penalty to win it, after a lot of ineptitude before that.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Ugh :sick:
They do put us through it.
We rather blundered our way to the trophy.

It was hard work what little I watched but defensively anyway they are very good when the backs to the wall

That Lucy Bronze is one of those you would say enjoys defending, probably to the point of being slightly masochistic…doesn’t feel like she’s had a proper game unless she’s had to strap or tape something up

It’s hard to tell how talented they are going forward because my only point of reference is the men’s game but they are on the whole a team that would be frustrating to play against if they have something to preserve

[Mac76]

Spain were the better side and had chances to win but the striker called Paella (or something) was dreadful, missed a couple of chances and put her pel wide

Kelly's our best player but weird she doesn't start games, it's presumably why we always go behind

Hampton was good too, one of the pel saves really was excellent

[HCZ_Reborn]

It’s an amalgam of paella and parallelogram or something like that

[Mac76]

Meanwhile...

England men's team :pal:

[HCZ_Reborn]

It was hard work what little I watched but defensively anyway they are very good when the backs to the wall

That Lucy Bronze is one of those you would say enjoys defending, probably to the point of being slightly masochistic…doesn’t feel like she’s had a proper game unless she’s had to strap or tape something up

It’s hard to tell how talented they are going forward because my only point of reference is the men’s game but they are on the whole a team that would be frustrating to play against if they have something to preserve

I didn’t quite mean it literally when I said Bronze was a masochist, but she’s been playing with a fractured tibia (shin bone). Which is a pretty reckless thing to be doing….not just risking what’s left of her career but risking long term health problems including crippling arthritis or mobility issues

[Letters]

It was hard work what little I watched but defensively anyway they are very good when the backs to the wall
This. Spain were dominant but had very few clear chances and that is thanks to how good we were defensively.

[Letters]

Nobody gives a fuk.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4g0q076591o

:tiphat:

[Letters]

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Aix25MciW/

:lol:

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

I didn’t quite mean it literally when I said Bronze was a masochist, but she’s been playing with a fractured tibia (shin bone). Which is a pretty reckless thing to be doing….not just risking what’s left of her career but risking long term health problems including crippling arthritis or mobility issues

Her middle name is literally Tough :lol:

Almost cartoonish

[HCZ_Reborn]

Her middle name is literally Tough :lol:

Almost cartoonish

Well I’m sure she will think it all worth it when she can’t even walk before she reaches 60 because of crippling osteoarthritis arthritis because of the unnecessary strain she put on the leg, but hey.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Well I’m sure she will think it all worth it when she can’t even walk before she reaches 60 because of crippling osteoarthritis arthritis because of the unnecessary strain she put on the leg, but hey.

Her other middle name is Limp

[HCZ_Reborn]

Will be permanent limp within 20 years

[Letters]

Nobody cares.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/t9P4d-NH4DU

D'oh! :)

[Mac76]

was in town today for a bit and saw a load of people on their way back - they certainly seemed to care... ;)

[Letters]

I did consider going up but had loads of meetings this morning so didn't make it. Looks like they got a decent crowd.

[Letters]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvg0pee5l05o

Son to leave Spurs

[dazthegooner]

Think he would have announced he was leaving before but the spuds needed him for their tour of ASIA.

[Mac76]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvg0pee5l05o

Son to leave Spurs

good, although ironic that it's one season too late - he's thrown away his career on that loser club but annoyingly just helped them undeservedly back into the CL in the process

[dazthegooner]

Daniel Levy has said Tottenham don’t have to win the premier league this year (well that’s alright then) but must win trophies ASAP :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell; Wharton, Kamada; Eze, Sarr, Mateta
Subs: Benitez, Lerma, Clyne, Hughes, Esse, Edouard, Sosa, Devenny, Cardines

Liverpool: Alisson; Frimpong, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Subs: Mamardashvili, Endo, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Elliott, Robertson, Nyoni, Doak, Nguhoma

-----

Community Shield time.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

0-1 Ekitike.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

0-1 Ekitike.

If I was a Newcastle fan I'd be pretty bitter at the moment.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

If I was a Newcastle fan I'd turn all media off for the whole season.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Pelanty for Palace!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

1-1 Mateta!

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

If I was a Newcastle fan I'd turn all media off for the whole season.

:lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

1-2 Frimpong fluker.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Wirtz has been a delight to watch...I'm green with envy.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Liverpool looking pretty vulnerable.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-2 Sarr!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

That should be a pel.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Just a corner. :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Salah should score.