"Back of the net!": The Football Thread

1283284286288289523

Comments

  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    Wenger's brain really doesn't operate by normal standards of logic. What level of sanity can make him decide to not play Aubameyang from the start?

    Why are you resting your best player and a bloke who can't even play on Thursday?

    All the mug fans cheering from the rafters that he's a genius for putting the shambles that is London Utd to the sword when the decision not to start Aubameyang shows what an absolute joke of a manager he has turned into.*

    *Obviously I brought Aubameyang into my fantasy team and clown Wenger has just killed my title challenge stone dead.

    From what I read from the press conference earlier this week, he wanted to start as many as possible of those who are eligible for EL play on Thursday, like Lacazette, for example.*
    The same guy who's spent donkeys years whining that it's not fair when his players are expected to play on a Sunday after a Thursday game? But now suddenly it's best practice to have your players playing two games a week?

    In fairness Lacazette can probably do it no problem the amount of big matches he's been left rotting on the bench himself.
  • Posts: 17,753
    But this wasn't a game that came after playing on a Thursday, though. Arsenal's last game was a week ago. This selection was about playing time. Aubameyang will of course play next weekend.
  • Posts: 7,507
    Rosenborg struggled against a Start team that parked the bus at Lerkendal this evening. Rosenborg did not impress, but managed a 2-0 win in the end, climbing up to fourth place on the league table. "Little brother" Ranheim won too, and have placed themselves third, with one less game played than Rosenborg. Just incredible.


    Just for everyone's information, Ranheim has a budget of roughly 1m £! Needless to say it is by far the lowest of any team in the Norwegian first division. Some of the players need part time jobs. Now they are joint second in the league with 4 out of 5 wins! Makes your heart warm that such things are still possible!
  • Posts: 17,753
    jobo wrote: »
    Rosenborg struggled against a Start team that parked the bus at Lerkendal this evening. Rosenborg did not impress, but managed a 2-0 win in the end, climbing up to fourth place on the league table. "Little brother" Ranheim won too, and have placed themselves third, with one less game played than Rosenborg. Just incredible.


    Just for everyone's information, Ranheim has a budget of roughly 1m £! Needless to say it is by far the lowest of any team in the Norwegian first division. Some of the players need part time jobs. Now they are joint second in the league with 4 out of 5 wins! Makes your heart warm that such things are still possible!

    It really does! Let's not forget the financial troubles the club went through just two years ago, either. What a way they've done things since then!
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,114
    Napoli just reopened debates in the Serie A by winning 0-1 at Juve. Juve’s lead is just one point now. Apparently the only big competition that still hasn’t been decided yet.
  • 001001
    Posts: 1,575
    Liverpool's Mohamed Salah named PFA Player of the Year
    Hopefully the champ can help us win the UCL

    mo-salah-liverpool-pfa-player-of-the-year_4290377.jpg?20180423002819

    Salah and De Bruyne have been the standout players during the campaign, which has seen Pep Guardiola's side clinch the league title with five games to spare, but the Liverpool man secured the most votes from his peers after scoring 41 goals in 46 appearances for the Anfield club.

    The 25-year-old, who was signed for £34m from Roma, is the first Egyptian to win the award, presented at Grosvenor House in central London on Sunday evening.

    "Hopefully I'm not the last one," said Salah. "I'm very proud to win and I've worked very hard.

    "It's a big honour."

    Salah, who follows Luis Suarez, in 2014, as the last Liverpool player to earn the accolade, is a pivotal reason behind the club's run to the Champions League semi-finals and helping Jurgen Klopp's side all but secure a top-four spot in the league.

    Salah became the first person in Premier League history to claim three Player of the Month awards in the same season, winning it in November, February and March, and was the only member of Liverpool's squad to be named in the PFA Team of the Year.

    http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/11342884/liverpools-mohamed-salah-named-pfa-player-of-the-year
  • Posts: 19,339
    Everton v Newcastle tonight....dead rubber really,both teams safe,i will look in on it but not really bothered.
  • Posts: 17,753
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Everton v Newcastle tonight....dead rubber really,both teams safe,i will look in on it but not really bothered.

    Ayoze Pérez has been sharp for Newcastle lately, if anything. Shelvey is out of the picture for making the England squad I take it?
  • Posts: 19,339
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Everton v Newcastle tonight....dead rubber really,both teams safe,i will look in on it but not really bothered.

    Ayoze Pérez has been sharp for Newcastle lately, if anything. Shelvey is out of the picture for making the England squad I take it?

    You never know with England,Torg.
    He still has time to jump on the plane.
  • edited April 2018 Posts: 17,753
    barryt007 wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Everton v Newcastle tonight....dead rubber really,both teams safe,i will look in on it but not really bothered.

    Ayoze Pérez has been sharp for Newcastle lately, if anything. Shelvey is out of the picture for making the England squad I take it?

    You never know with England,Torg.
    He still has time to jump on the plane.

    Looking at that midfield, the options aren't that many, are they? Lallana still out, too?
  • Posts: 19,339
    Forget Lallana,even if he makes it he wont be match fit or up to speed for an EFL League 2 game let alone a WC.

    Shelvey can influence a game but maybe not from the start,and his discipline is a worry,.
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Shelvey can influence a game but maybe not from the start,and his discipline is a worry,.
    He certainly can - by getting sent off.

    Is the cupboard really so threadbare? I'm not a fan but if Wilshere can even hop he has to be on the plane? The likes of Delph and Carrick must be fancying their chances.

    Surely it's worth Gareth calling Milner and begging him to come out of retirement? Versatile, dependable, experienced and was possibly the best player on the park across the two CL QFs.

    Is anyone else worried about Kane looking a bit out sorts too? Vardy and Rashford really aren't going to be decisive in a world cup knockout match are they?
  • edited April 2018 Posts: 19,339
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Shelvey can influence a game but maybe not from the start,and his discipline is a worry,.
    He certainly can - by getting sent off.

    Is the cupboard really so threadbare? I'm not a fan but if Wilshere can even hop he has to be on the plane? The likes of Delph and Carrick must be fancying their chances.

    Surely it's worth Gareth calling Milner and begging him to come out of retirement? Versatile, dependable, experienced and was possibly the best player on the park across the two CL QFs.

    Is anyone else worried about Kane looking a bit out sorts too? Vardy and Rashford really aren't going to be decisive in a world cup knockout match are they?

    Yep thats what i said,Wiz.

    But Delph is one i have been thinking about recently as well....one of my my most positive players at the moment is Welbeck who seems to have that England touch ala Crouch,always scoringfor England( why not Crouch as a last 10 mins panic button ?) .
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    edited April 2018 Posts: 9,117
    barryt007 wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Shelvey can influence a game but maybe not from the start,and his discipline is a worry,.
    He certainly can - by getting sent off.

    Is the cupboard really so threadbare? I'm not a fan but if Wilshere can even hop he has to be on the plane? The likes of Delph and Carrick must be fancying their chances.

    Surely it's worth Gareth calling Milner and begging him to come out of retirement? Versatile, dependable, experienced and was possibly the best player on the park across the two CL QFs.

    Is anyone else worried about Kane looking a bit out sorts too? Vardy and Rashford really aren't going to be decisive in a world cup knockout match are they?

    Yep thats what i said,Wiz.

    But Delph is one i have been thinking about recently as well....one of my my most positive players at the moment is Welbeck who seems to have that England touch ala Crouch,always scoringfor England( why not Crouch as a last 10 mins panic button ?) .

    Delph? Really? To see him coming on for England is pretty much the dictionary definition of underwhelming.

    If you want a nuclear option then Carroll instead of Crouch. Last 10 mins and launch it. I've never seen anyone better in the air.
  • Posts: 19,339
    barryt007 wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Shelvey can influence a game but maybe not from the start,and his discipline is a worry,.
    He certainly can - by getting sent off.

    Is the cupboard really so threadbare? I'm not a fan but if Wilshere can even hop he has to be on the plane? The likes of Delph and Carrick must be fancying their chances.

    Surely it's worth Gareth calling Milner and begging him to come out of retirement? Versatile, dependable, experienced and was possibly the best player on the park across the two CL QFs.

    Is anyone else worried about Kane looking a bit out sorts too? Vardy and Rashford really aren't going to be decisive in a world cup knockout match are they?

    Yep thats what i said,Wiz.

    But Delph is one i have been thinking about recently as well....one of my my most positive players at the moment is Welbeck who seems to have that England touch ala Crouch,always scoringfor England( why not Crouch as a last 10 mins panic button ?) .

    Delph? Really? To see him coming on for England is pretty much the dictionary definition of underwhelming.

    If you want a nuclear option then Carroll instead of Crouch. Last 10 mins and launch it. I've never seen anyone better in the air.

    Nah,Crouch has the experience against top countries....you cant rely on Carroll..someone farts near him and he is out for 6 months.
  • edited April 2018 Posts: 17,753
    Wilshere was injured again ahead of the game against West Ham. Need to be very careful if he plans to be on that plane.

    Doesn't Milner have som crazy stats in CL this season? Most assists, or am I wrong?
  • Posts: 19,339
    Wilshere was injured again ahead of the game against West Ham. Need to be very careful if he plans to be on that plane.

    Doesn't Milner have som crazy stats in CL this season? Most assists, or am I wrong?

    England should never beg or go cap in hand to any retired player.
    It's embarrassing ,especially over someone like Milner.
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Wilshere was injured again ahead of the game against West Ham. Need to be very careful if he plans to be on that plane.

    Doesn't Milner have som crazy stats in CL this season? Most assists, or am I wrong?

    England should never beg or go cap in hand to any retired player.
    It's embarrassing ,especially over someone like Milner.
    Agreed. But when the options are Shelvey or Delph then sod it.
  • edited April 2018 Posts: 17,753
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Wilshere was injured again ahead of the game against West Ham. Need to be very careful if he plans to be on that plane.

    Doesn't Milner have som crazy stats in CL this season? Most assists, or am I wrong?

    England should never beg or go cap in hand to any retired player.
    It's embarrassing ,especially over someone like Milner.
    Agreed. But when the options are Shelvey or Delph then sod it.

    Think Southgate will give him a call?

    Speaking of the World Cup, who do you guys think will be the defenders on the plane? And will Pope be one of the goalkeepers?

    Lascelles must be one to watch in the years to come. Already made captain at Newcastle.
  • Posts: 19,339
    Pope no...and i hope Cahill no....i am sick of his panic stricken sad face whenever we lose,when deep down he doesnt give a shit.
  • Posts: 17,753
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Pope no...and i hope Cahill no....i am sick of his panic stricken sad face whenever we lose,when deep down he doesnt give a shit.

    Think Hart will be on the plane instead of Pope? Pope's been brilliant this season. Surely there must be better options than Cahill, though. What about Smalling?
  • Posts: 19,339
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Pope no...and i hope Cahill no....i am sick of his panic stricken sad face whenever we lose,when deep down he doesnt give a shit.

    Think Hart will be on the plane instead of Pope? Pope's been brilliant this season. Surely there must be better options than Cahill, though. What about Smalling?

    They will bottle it with Pope...he should have played in part of the friendlies...Hart is a 'safe PC' option.

    Smalling is on form but still a very average player.
  • Posts: 17,753
    barryt007 wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Pope no...and i hope Cahill no....i am sick of his panic stricken sad face whenever we lose,when deep down he doesnt give a shit.

    Think Hart will be on the plane instead of Pope? Pope's been brilliant this season. Surely there must be better options than Cahill, though. What about Smalling?

    They will bottle it with Pope...he should have played in part of the friendlies...Hart is a 'safe PC' option.

    Smalling is on form but still a very average player.

    Hart's been horrible this season, though. Wouldn't surprise me if that one save from Ramsey this weekend puts him on the plane.

    Smalling might be average, but he had no trouble with Kane this weekend! :D
  • Posts: 19,339
    barryt007 wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Pope no...and i hope Cahill no....i am sick of his panic stricken sad face whenever we lose,when deep down he doesnt give a shit.

    Think Hart will be on the plane instead of Pope? Pope's been brilliant this season. Surely there must be better options than Cahill, though. What about Smalling?

    They will bottle it with Pope...he should have played in part of the friendlies...Hart is a 'safe PC' option.

    Smalling is on form but still a very average player.

    Hart's been horrible this season, though. Wouldn't surprise me if that one save from Ramsey this weekend puts him on the plane.

    Smalling might be average, but he had no trouble with Kane this weekend! :D

    Personally i think Kane is over-rated..he can be easily marked out of a game.
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    edited April 2018 Posts: 9,117
    I simply cannot see how you can justify Hart going ahead of Pope on any grounds apart from he's been to a World Cup before. But so have I and I'm not expecting a call.

    Still I suppose why wouldn't you want his valuable big match experience of being raped out of the group after 2 games in 2014 and throwing goals in against Wales and Iceland in 2016.

    Yes he's a title winner but that's a fair while ago and generally getting on the plane and playing for West Ham aren't things that go together.

    Cahill - no thanks
    Smalling - not keen
    Jones - no thanks
    Stones - always got a mistake in him

    To be honest I'd could live with the Burnley back four.

  • Posts: 19,339
    I simply cannot see how you can justify Hart going ahead of Pope on any grounds apart from he's been to a World Cup before. But so have I and I'm not expecting a call.

    Still I suppose why wouldn't you want his valuable big match experience of being raped out of the group after 2 games in 2014 and throwing goals in against Wales and Iceland in 2016.

    Yes he's a title winner but that's a fair while ago and generally getting on the plane and playing for West Ham aren't things that go together.

    Cahill - no thanks
    Smalling - not keen
    Jones - no thanks
    Stones - always got a mistake in him

    To be honest I'd could live with the Burnley back four.

    I'm not sure they are all English (havent checked) but i see your thinking and agree .
  • Posts: 17,753
    barryt007 wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Pope no...and i hope Cahill no....i am sick of his panic stricken sad face whenever we lose,when deep down he doesnt give a shit.

    Think Hart will be on the plane instead of Pope? Pope's been brilliant this season. Surely there must be better options than Cahill, though. What about Smalling?

    They will bottle it with Pope...he should have played in part of the friendlies...Hart is a 'safe PC' option.

    Smalling is on form but still a very average player.

    Hart's been horrible this season, though. Wouldn't surprise me if that one save from Ramsey this weekend puts him on the plane.

    Smalling might be average, but he had no trouble with Kane this weekend! :D

    Personally i think Kane is over-rated..he can be easily marked out of a game.

    Can see teams making a point of marking him out. Will create space for other players, possibly.

    Tarkowski, Lowton and Mee are English. Striker Ashley Barnes surprisingly represents Austria! Did not know that!
  • Posts: 19,339
    barryt007 wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Pope no...and i hope Cahill no....i am sick of his panic stricken sad face whenever we lose,when deep down he doesnt give a shit.

    Think Hart will be on the plane instead of Pope? Pope's been brilliant this season. Surely there must be better options than Cahill, though. What about Smalling?

    They will bottle it with Pope...he should have played in part of the friendlies...Hart is a 'safe PC' option.

    Smalling is on form but still a very average player.

    Hart's been horrible this season, though. Wouldn't surprise me if that one save from Ramsey this weekend puts him on the plane.

    Smalling might be average, but he had no trouble with Kane this weekend! :D

    Personally i think Kane is over-rated..he can be easily marked out of a game.

    Can see teams making a point of marking him out. Will create space for other players, possibly.

    Tarkowski, Lowton and Mee are English. Striker Ashley Barnes surprisingly represents Austria! Did not know that!

    He hasnt commited to them yet.
  • TheWizardOfIceTheWizardOfIce 'One of the Internet's more toxic individuals'
    Posts: 9,117
    Theo on the plane?
  • Posts: 17,753
    Theo on the plane?

    Could do worse!
    barryt007 wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Pope no...and i hope Cahill no....i am sick of his panic stricken sad face whenever we lose,when deep down he doesnt give a shit.

    Think Hart will be on the plane instead of Pope? Pope's been brilliant this season. Surely there must be better options than Cahill, though. What about Smalling?

    They will bottle it with Pope...he should have played in part of the friendlies...Hart is a 'safe PC' option.

    Smalling is on form but still a very average player.

    Hart's been horrible this season, though. Wouldn't surprise me if that one save from Ramsey this weekend puts him on the plane.

    Smalling might be average, but he had no trouble with Kane this weekend! :D

    Personally i think Kane is over-rated..he can be easily marked out of a game.

    Can see teams making a point of marking him out. Will create space for other players, possibly.

    Tarkowski, Lowton and Mee are English. Striker Ashley Barnes surprisingly represents Austria! Did not know that!

    He hasnt commited to them yet.

    Oh, I see. He has represented Under-20's, though.
Sign In or Register to comment.