March 31 Gamethread
- Thread starter candylandriots
- Start date
Has there ever been a manager who managed two different teams in the same season and both teams be relegated? Although I’m still holding out hope for Lambo to work some magic.
The Newcastle/Huddersfield match is a low quality affair. Neither side looks like they have a goal in them.
I hope not.
Sadly.... yeah probably.
Edit- also a problem is, unless the owners sell, it's a surprisingly unattractive position. Yes a huge stadium, but interfering chairmen and not really much money available, Mario who has been key today is not going to be bought (no chance Sullivan pays the agreed on fee). Fans are unsettled.
Flip side is that if the owners get forced out it becomes attractive quickly.
Huddersfield keeper makes a poor palmed clearance and Newcastle score. Huddersfield have been poor in attack, poor in general, i reckon they might run out of gas and go down this season.
It's amazing they aren't bottom of the table, they are by far the least talented squad in the league
They've got a decent manager and they are a spirited bunch, but aye, they are low on quality. Different type of side but they remind me of Blackpool a few seasons ago, who had a decent start to the season but really ran out of gas towards the end.
I haven't seen the team sheet, but i'm assuming City rest a few players with the big midweek CL match against Liverpool in mind...so, what's an acceptable result for Everton who have absolutely nothing to play for?
Avoid a drubbing?
How is there, “not that much money available”? That stadium was practically given to them.
Edited to add: I believe what you say is correct. I’m just surprised a London club with their pedigree is so dire. Especially one with a brand new stadium.
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Debt. Sullivan and Gold took over on the cheap because the Icelandic owners were deep in debt. S&G then LOANED the club money, and continue to do so at 6-7% interest. Selling Boelyn got rid of the bank debt.
On top of that, they make almost nothing on outgoing transfers, and pay absurd wages to aging players. Sullivan decided the best way to recruit was to pay smaller fees but bigger salaries (which was stupid) and now the books are littered with players who don't play but have big wages, and "loyalty fees" they had to pay to get players to accept a transfer out to someone who wouldn't be able to match their massive wages. And it's likely only to get worse as Sullivan was just dinged for 780,000 pounds for tax evasion in one of his "loans" to the club.
TL
R- Sullivan (and to a lesser extent Gold) are both incompetent managers and thieves.
This Everton V City match is like City on tour in the USA and it's a warm up match versus a college side, prior to the big exhibition game. City are passing the ball about for fun, Everton can't get a kick and aren't trying to. If City had their shooting boots on, and if they can get their shooting boots on this could be a cricket score.
Toffees had little chance but fans are rightly pissed that they showed no fight today. 18% possession. Chasing shadows.
Rooney is a problem. He can pass all right from a deeper midfield position against Huddersfield but he gets torched by good teams there. Silva and KdB made him look like a traffic cone. The prodigal son story, great. You’re too slow.
I was watching him thinking, shit man, it's not gonna be a gradual decline for Rooney. He might hang up his boots in a season and become a full time pundit. Some players can lose a yard or two and still make it work in the right team, but I fear not so for Wayne. I reckon he's not taken as good care of his body as Giggs or even Scholes. I'd hate to see Rooney in a Stoke shirt.
When you add it all up it makes sense that he should retire young. He’s been playing professional football for more than half of his life, he likes a drink, he played a balls to the wall style for the first 10 years of his career before pacing himself and becoming more of s tactical player. His body type doesn’t lend itself to a graceful decay, particularly if you aren’t obsessed with fitness.
He’s my favorite player ever, but I’ll be glad when his playing days are over. Every year that he continues on people will start to forget how good he was when he was younger. From 2005-2008 he was considered on the same level as up an comers Ronaldo and Messi. Sadly those were his best seasons. Prime of his career from age 20-24, which I guess makes sense since he was playing professionally at 16.
He’s my favorite player ever, but I’ll be glad when his playing days are over. Every year that he continues on people will start to forget how good he was when he was younger. From 2005-2008 he was considered on the same level as up an comers Ronaldo and Messi. Sadly those were his best seasons. Prime of his career from age 20-24, which I guess makes sense since he was playing professionally at 16.
I don't like this Stoke away kit. It feels a bit too French for my liking and suggests that they are a team that can play football with a little flair and gusto.
No atmosphere in the Emirates. Burnley pushing Arsenal for 6th spot, Leicester also in form. Maybe Arsenal saving themselves for the midweek match.
No atmosphere in the Emirates. Burnley pushing Arsenal for 6th spot, Leicester also in form. Maybe Arsenal saving themselves for the midweek match.
Rooney was still pretty darn good until 2012 or so. He won player of the year in 2010 (perhaps not deserved, probably should have been Lampard) and was probably United's best player when they almost won the title in 2012.
Part of the issue with Rooney is that Messi and Ronaldo have set the bar so high that everyone looks disappointing by comparison.
I have this on in the background while getting some work done and as a neutral I don't much care about the result but I'm reminded how much I love Shaqiri as a player. He's so creative and not afraid to try some crazy shots and passes that sometimes work. I always wondered how well he would do surrounded by better teammates the last 5 years or so but if he was on a better team he might not have the same freedom to try some of this stuff. Also he's a professional athlete shaped like me which I can always appreciate.
I also appreciate Peter Crouch because he's shaped the complete opposite of me and that's funny to watch too
I also appreciate Peter Crouch because he's shaped the complete opposite of me and that's funny to watch too
Aubameyang scores from the spot - bit of a soft penalty decision but they all are these days. And then he gets another 'proper' goal from open play to make it look like Arsenal played well and Stoke aren't a steaming pile of shite. Stoke were set up for a 1-0 loss and a pained post match interview from Lambert, but they didn't quite get there in the end.
3-0 now, a scoreline that flatters Arsenal. But then Stoke are an awful watch. Has Pardew managed Stoke yet?
3-0 now, a scoreline that flatters Arsenal. But then Stoke are an awful watch. Has Pardew managed Stoke yet?
Wheels coming off Stoke , they are gash. Plus, their strip reminds me of England’s home strip circa ‘82
I have one of those 'never gonna happen' fantasies of seeing Kante in a Liverpool shirt. For that fantasy to continue Chelsea have to finish 5th and Conte leave the club...so a Spurs win would help. But, Spurs might be content with a draw and end up losing to the odd goal. Chelsea look pretty good...
Oh and Morata scores. Hmmm...not good.
Oh and Morata scores. Hmmm...not good.
I just saw that out of the corner of my eye walking by a restaurant with my wife and her friend and stopped them to watch the replay. Made it to a bar for the 2nd half and finally some alone time thank god.
Edit: now just saw the arsenal score. It was 0-0 for so long and I only root for them about 2-3 times per year, so glad they didn’t disappoint in the end
I guess it makes me feel better to see that the likes of Chelsea give up leads at home in important games as well.
Edit: though only seeing this game literally starting with the Eriksen goal, Spurs deserve every bit of the lead.
Edit: though only seeing this game literally starting with the Eriksen goal, Spurs deserve every bit of the lead.
Dele again!
Lord Arlo of White, you're jumping the gun declaring this game over. Spurs are fully capable of blowing this 2-goal lead.
Lord Arlo of White, you're jumping the gun declaring this game over. Spurs are fully capable of blowing this 2-goal lead.
Guess give him a little (relatively) low pressure run around after the long layoff?
Last gasp effort at the golden boot?
Alli has rounded into form the last month; good sign for fans of the English.
Yeah I guess Hazard is too.
Edit: ironic if Vertonghen was the one to wreck Belgium’s hopes for Russia.
That should put an end to Chelsea's top 4 hopes. I wonder if Conte get the sack? Not that it matters as the horse is out of the barn.
Yeah, i was thinking that as well. Got to think next season's starting XI for Chelsea will look quite different.