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Posted by: Mack. 16th June 2021, 08:28 AM

The 2021/2022 season of the Barclays Premier League starts on Saturday 14th August 2021.

• Replacing the three relegated teams are Norwich City, Watford and Brentford
• Managerial changes have occurred at Wolves. Crystal Palace, Everton and Tottenham are looking for a new manager.

Posted by: Mack. 16th June 2021, 08:38 AM

Odds: (Coral)

Man City 4/6f
Liverpool 9/2
Chelsea 5/1
Man Utd 7/1
Leicester 33/1
Tottenham 40/1
Arsenal 66/1
Everton 100/1
West Ham 100/1
Aston Villa 150/1
Leeds 150/1
Wolves 200/1
Brighton 500/1
Newcastle 500/1
Southampton 500/1
Burnley 750/1
Crystal Palace 750/1
Brentford 1000/1
Norwich 1000/1
Watford 1000/1

Posted by: Mack. 16th June 2021, 08:43 AM

Opening Fixtures

Brentford v Arsenal
Burnley v Brighton
Chelsea v Crystal Palace
Everton v Southampton
Leicester City v Wolverhampton
Manchester United v Leeds United
Newcastle United v West Ham United
Norwich City v Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City
Watford v Aston Villa

Club by club fixtures


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57482122

Posted by: Dobbo. 16th June 2021, 09:05 AM

No excuses at all for Ole this season with that very kind first set of fixtures. A poor start like last season simply isn't acceptable.

City & Chelsea have tough starts.

Posted by: Rooney 16th June 2021, 09:26 AM

Some fun opening day fixtures!

Spurs vs Man City
Man Utd vs Leeds
Brentford vs Arsenal
Norwich vs Liverpool

Not sure how many games get picked for TV, but suspect these will all be on there!

Posted by: Houdini 16th June 2021, 09:40 AM

You just know Tottenham will lose that first match against Manchester City haha. Interesting that Brentford's first match is at home and against Arsenal in what will be a London derby, the probable road back to the Championship begins against Liverpool just like it did in the 2019/20 season. I would be surprised if Man United's match against Leeds will not be a Super Sunday match at 4 PM on Sky Sports.

Posted by: Rooney 16th June 2021, 09:56 AM

Depends - I think BT get 2nd choice pick, suspect they will go for Utd vs Leeds.

Posted by: Suedehead2 16th June 2021, 05:07 PM

Brentford's last top flight match was against Arsenal so I suspect this fixture is not a coincidence.

Posted by: Houdini 16th June 2021, 07:54 PM

Apparently Rafa Benitez is close to becoming the new manager of Everton!

Posted by: Rooney 16th June 2021, 09:11 PM

I really like Benitez but he doesn't half make some silly decisions. Everton fans are fuming

Posted by: steve201 16th June 2021, 10:17 PM

He’s a good manager imo!

Posted by: Mack. 16th June 2021, 10:56 PM

The same reaction for Rafa if he joins Everton a la Chelsea 2013?

Posted by: Dobbo. 17th June 2021, 09:02 AM

I wouldn't be complaining if I was an Everton fan. Benitez is about as good as there is out there atm and has a lot of experience in the PL. I think he'll do better than Ancelotti next season actually.

Posted by: Rooney 17th June 2021, 10:33 AM

It will be worse than that, Everton have a nickname amongst Liverpool fans as "bitters" This is from a fanbase where they genuinely have large sections who won't even wear Red they're that bloody mad. Has anyone seen the video of Richard Keys and Andy Gray discussing it on Bein Sports?



Keys genuinely looks like he's going to start crying the great big melon

Posted by: Mack. 17th June 2021, 11:09 PM

Tottenham's managerial search took another twist on Thursday after the club broke off talks with Paulo Fonseca.

Posted by: Houdini 30th June 2021, 02:55 PM

Rafa Benitez now confirmed as Everton's new manager.

Posted by: Suedehead2 30th June 2021, 03:17 PM

I think they are now in talks with Matt Hancock.

Posted by: Mack. 4th July 2021, 01:47 PM

Nuno confirmed as Tottenham manager the other day.

And Crystal Palace have appointed Patrick Vieira as their new manager.

Posted by: Flatcap 4th July 2021, 07:27 PM

Patrick Vieira's appointment.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57707859

Appointment of Rafa Benitez: -

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57660542

I remember the fuss amongst my neighbours when Paul Lambert was appointed Ipswich boss, brave move.

Nuno's appointment at Tottenham: -

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57669973

Posted by: Dobbo. 7th July 2021, 08:45 AM

Considering he was their 500th choice, Nuno is a decent snag for Spurs all things considered.

Vieira at Palace meanwhile I've no idea how that'll go. If he can last 5 games in charge then he'll already have done better than De Boer.

Posted by: Rooney 13th July 2021, 09:45 PM

Rashford is having shoulder surgey - out for 2/3 months.

Posted by: LewisGT 19th July 2021, 10:25 PM

Yikes

I saw the rumours on Saturday but thought they were just rubbish. It’s an Icelandic Everton player incase you didn’t see it over the weekend.

Posted by: Rooney 20th July 2021, 09:47 AM

It's pretty wild - best not to speculate too much about anything as there's potential for legal hot water. Everton FC have released a statement about the player being suspended upon investigation.

Posted by: Quarantilas 20th July 2021, 10:06 AM

Big big yikes.

I did wonder why I was seeing things about him and that Sunderland nonce

Posted by: Houdini 20th July 2021, 10:47 AM

For me he is innocent until proven guilty. I also saw rumours about this story a few days ago but I chose not to believe it. From a footballing point of view he would be a big loss for Everton especially with how good he is at free-kicks.

Posted by: Mack. 2nd August 2021, 12:28 PM

Harry Kane has not shown up for training having been due to return on Monday morning.

Posted by: Dobbo. 2nd August 2021, 12:29 PM

What's the bet this is all for the paper talk. Can see him staying at Spurs tbh. Are City really gonna spend 150M+ to get him on top of the £100M for Grealish?

Posted by: Mack. 2nd August 2021, 12:44 PM

Premier League 21/22 preview: Aston Villa

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/02/premier-league-2021-22-preview-no-2-aston-villa

Posted by: Mack. 2nd August 2021, 12:47 PM

Premier League 21/22 Preview: Arsenal

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2021/aug/02/premier-league-2021-22-preview-no-1-arsenal

Posted by: Rooney 2nd August 2021, 01:24 PM

Kane will try and force a move through to City. I can't say I have much sympathy for him as he signed a massive contract. Villa fans seem to reckon Grealish is staying there this year despite the contact/bid.

Posted by: Dobbo. 2nd August 2021, 01:38 PM

Well if Grealish doesn't happen then City will definitely move mountains to try and buy Kane. Grealish to City would be a bad move anyway, he'd become bench fodder like Bernardo Silva, Torres & even Sterling last season!

Posted by: Mack. 4th August 2021, 12:06 AM

Premier League 21/22: Brentford:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/03/premier-league-2021-22-preview-no-3-brentford

Posted by: Mack. 4th August 2021, 12:09 AM

Premier League 21/22: Brighton

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/03/premier-league-2021-22-preview-no-4-brighton

Posted by: Mack. 4th August 2021, 12:11 AM

Premier League 21/22: Burnley

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/04/premier-league-2021-22-preview-no-5-burnley

Posted by: steve201 6th August 2021, 09:21 PM

Just a heads up the Charity Sheild is on tomorrow evening not the usual Sunday!

Posted by: Suedehead2 6th August 2021, 09:32 PM

And it's live on ITV. Of course, that probably means Matterface.

Posted by: steve201 6th August 2021, 09:34 PM

Yeh be fun to have it on terrestrial though!

Posted by: steve201 7th August 2021, 04:29 PM

Nice city away top that!

Posted by: Mack. 11th August 2021, 04:44 PM

Phil Foden will miss the start of Manchester City's Premier League title defence with the foot injury he picked up during Euro 2020.

Foden, 21, is likely to miss City's first three league games - against Tottenham, Norwich City and Arsenal.

The midfielder is also a doubt for England's 2022 World Cup qualifier against Hungary in September.

Posted by: Houdini 12th August 2021, 01:34 PM

It's that time of the year again when the BBC pundits make their predictions for the new Premier League season. 20 of them made predictions this time and interestingly none of them said that Manchester United or Liverpool will win the title.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58141017

Posted by: Rooney 12th August 2021, 03:23 PM

It's no surprise really. Whoever wins the season before is normally the big favourites with the pundits, City have the best squad although it will be interesting to see how the cope with crowds back. I know it's only pre-season but Liverpool seem to be playing a much more agressive pressing game, which was missing last season with no crowds. I still do think City benefitted massively from the lack of fans. Be interesting to see what happens if they don't get Kane too.

As for Chelsea, I think Lukaku will turn them in to a great side but I've listened to a few podcasts and a few journalists have said there is a lot of recency bias with Chelsea and Tuchel is still in the honeymoon period.. which I would subscribe to.

Posted by: Houdini 12th August 2021, 04:05 PM

I think with Chelsea it's more the idea that the Champions of Europe will automatically go on to be Champions of England when it doesn't always turn out that way. I don't see much difference with what Tuchel is doing compared to what Roberto Di Matteo did as Chelsea manager, Chelsea are more of a cup team than a league team. They were quite fortunate to win the Champions League last season, everything fell into place for them at the right time.


It's the battle to avoid relegation that I'm most looking forward to this season as I think it will be very open and it will be intriguing to see how Brentford perform in their first season in the Premier League. They've got a lethal goalscorer in Ivan Toney who won the golden boot in the Championship last season and with a packed home stadium I think they will cause quite a lot of surprises.

Posted by: Mack. 12th August 2021, 05:56 PM

Marcelo Bielsa signs new one-year contract at Leeds United through to the end of the 2021/22 season.

Posted by: Mack. 13th August 2021, 11:17 AM

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has signed an extended contract with the club. The new contract runs until the summer of 2025.

Posted by: Houdini 14th August 2021, 02:29 PM

I wish we could play Leeds at Old Trafford every week , a hat trick for Bruno and 4 assists for Pogba. A great start to the season!

It was a great result for Brentford last night as well and from what I saw of that match it was fully deserved.

Posted by: Quarantilas 14th August 2021, 02:40 PM

Top of the league


Ive been out today but recorded it and looking forward to seeing the game tomorrow

Posted by: steve201 14th August 2021, 03:09 PM

If United don’t win the league I would be shocked with the investment over the last number of years!

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds 14th August 2021, 04:02 PM

A fantastic start to the season for Brentford, that must really give them a morale boost going into the next few weeks. Leeds, on the other hand...

Posted by: Suedehead2 14th August 2021, 04:41 PM

Crystal Palace and Arsenal in the bottom three. I'd settle for that at the end of the season

Posted by: steve201 14th August 2021, 06:23 PM

Only The second time in premier league history that 2 of the 3 promoted clubs have won their opening day fixtures.

Posted by: RabbitFurCoat 14th August 2021, 06:32 PM

Brentford were superb last night, hope they can continue and think they'd certainly be able to finish well clear of trouble. Interesting results today, Leicester fortunate by the sounds of it, and good win for Watford. Again, the side that came up was better than the one which went down so staying up a definite possibility, but summer business typical Watford randomness so never really sure what to expect.

Posted by: Flatcap 14th August 2021, 08:47 PM

I hope Brentford can continue as well. When they got promoted, I was hoping for a few close results and giving the big 6 a fright. I certainly wasn't expecting a win against Arsenal.

Posted by: Mack. 14th August 2021, 09:27 PM

Fantastic to see fans back at full capacity.

Posted by: steve201 14th August 2021, 09:30 PM

Yeh OT was rocking today!

Posted by: Mack. 14th August 2021, 09:32 PM

Got me thinking does anyone remember that 39th game proposal from a few years ago?? That was bizarre.

Posted by: Mack. 14th August 2021, 09:35 PM

Wow what a result and so good to see the fans back in the grounds again. Well played Man United!

Posted by: Suedehead2 14th August 2021, 09:38 PM

I can see it rearing its ugly head again some time.

Posted by: steve201 14th August 2021, 09:42 PM

It’s a bizarre idea made up in greedy businessmen’s heads! Probably happen though!

Great to see Wrighty on MOTD after being on itv this summer.

Luke Ayling scored a cracker today as was the ball by Pogba for Greenwood’s goal!

Posted by: Mack. 14th August 2021, 09:48 PM

An decent start to the season for Watford with that win against Villa.

Posted by: steve201 14th August 2021, 09:51 PM

Sarr is a amazing player!

Posted by: Mack. 14th August 2021, 10:00 PM

At least it wasn't five conceded against Liverpool for Norwich City. Norwich does anyone see them surviving relegation this season?

Posted by: steve201 14th August 2021, 10:07 PM

I don’t to be honest unless Burnley’s luck runs out!

Def think Palace are down without Hodgson unless they get rid of Viera early doors!

Posted by: Mack. 14th August 2021, 10:08 PM

It could be another Frank de Boer reign for Crystal Palace.

Posted by: steve201 14th August 2021, 10:19 PM

Yeh they could be saved if he continues to lose early doors but for my BJ predictions I just went with them in the bottom 3, why he got rid of Scott Dann and Gary Cahill il never know with the experience they bring(albeit Danns very injury prone)!

Posted by: steve201 14th August 2021, 10:23 PM

Adam Armstrong keeping his good goal scoring form from Blackburn up for Southampton today!

Posted by: Mack. 14th August 2021, 10:24 PM

You do wonder what is Southampton's philosophy in regards to making progress up the league, what do you make of Rafa at Everton?

Posted by: steve201 14th August 2021, 10:27 PM

Yeh I worry about Southampton’s defence with Vestegaard gone seems a bit make shift, maybe they will struggle but they have a decent manager but he’s one of them ones that either loses 10 in a row then wins 10 in a row.

With regard to Rafa - I still love him and as a mone Liverpudlian Liverpool support don’t have the hatred of Everton until we face them on the pitch so fair play to both!

Posted by: steve201 14th August 2021, 10:49 PM

Aubameyang and Lacazette out ill and that’s all Arsenal will say….

Posted by: steve201 15th August 2021, 05:19 PM

City and Watford ruining the predictions this week!

Posted by: steve201 15th August 2021, 05:27 PM

City should be loaning Grealish to Spurs to get Kane

Posted by: Houdini 15th August 2021, 05:28 PM

No team has go on to win the Premier League after losing their first match since the 2012/13 season. Man City are going to have to break an 8 year old curse to do that now.

Posted by: Rooney 15th August 2021, 05:56 PM

I thought most of the results yesterday spoke for themselves, pretty much what I expected everything to be with the exception of Watford vs Villa. Impressive win for Man Utd yesterday- hard to read too much in to it though as Leeds' midfield was bloody awful. Without Phillips in their team they've always been as much use as a chocolate fireguard. But still, it's impressive nethertheless.

The Spurs result didn't surprise me too much at all really, I thought Spurs might be able to spring a result today. City are way behind in pre-season, Spurs' fans were really up for it today and that 100% had an effect on City, they kept losing their shape. Still think City will win the title but Jesus wept, playing Ake/Mendy every week is not going to win them the league

Posted by: steve201 15th August 2021, 06:10 PM

Was screaming at Son to take on Ake the two times he was 1-1 with him!

Posted by: Mack. 15th August 2021, 09:47 PM

Who'd have thought that £100m wouldn't buy you a win at Spurs.

Posted by: Quarantilas 15th August 2021, 09:51 PM

Well it depends who they pay the 100m to. If the UEA pumps a few extra oil barrels this week maybe they can give Spurs 100m and stand a chance in the reverse fixture

Posted by: Mack. 15th August 2021, 10:16 PM

Good win for West Ham. Newcastle have some decent players and that was not a foregone conclusion so credit where its due

Posted by: steve201 15th August 2021, 10:40 PM

Was a great game to watch similar to the one at the end of last season!

Posted by: Dobbo. 16th August 2021, 02:40 PM

Totally. Imagine playing them 2 when you've got Stones & Zinchenko right there...

Posted by: Sarah 21st August 2021, 09:57 PM

It was sooooooo good being back at the Amex earlier watching Brighton win with a very good performance.. Our first opening back to back wins in our history of being in top flight football
Great seeing Duffy back and scoring, especially from a corner.. We do need to do more with set pieces and scoring so hopefully we can keep this going!

Posted by: Mack. 21st August 2021, 10:07 PM

What was the atmosphere like?

Posted by: Mack. 21st August 2021, 10:15 PM

Only two teams - Leicester in 2001-02 and Wigan in 2010-11 - have had a goal difference worse than Norwich's of minus eight two games into a Premier League season.

Posted by: Sarah 21st August 2021, 10:57 PM

It was brilliant.. Where I was most people were singing, waving flags, just happy to be back.. Also didn't hear any booing while the players were taking the knee which was good!

Posted by: steve201 21st August 2021, 11:17 PM

Can’t imagine that reaction in a city like Brighton!

Posted by: Suedehead2 22nd August 2021, 08:33 AM

Brightonians don’t do that sort of thing!

Posted by: Rooney 22nd August 2021, 07:01 PM

How much pressure must Arteta be under already? I know Chelsea are an elite team, but their current team is so bad and the one actual good defender they have looks like he may be injured. Doesn't get any easier next weekend..

Posted by: steve201 22nd August 2021, 07:36 PM

Yeh they will have 0 points from 9 for the first time in 67 years next weekend with a long international break to wait for points. The only good players they have are Tierney, Saka and Smith-Rowe. The later is a huge shining light as he is that good already he’s leading the team in every attack.

Chelsea looking pretty good!

Posted by: Houdini 22nd August 2021, 08:13 PM

I will be surprised if Arteta lasts the whole season as Arsenal manager. Really he should have been sacked before last season ended!

Posted by: Rooney 22nd August 2021, 09:06 PM

I like Smith-Rowe but I'm not sure he is a top player. He looks good but his stats aren't that good. Saka is the player with a much higher ceiling imo. I mean hyperbole aside, I will say losing at home to a good Chelsea side is not a bad thing, the same could easily happen to Liverpool next week for example. But I'm not even sure where the goals are coming from for Arsenal never mind the points!

Posted by: steve201 22nd August 2021, 10:00 PM

I think Saka and him are different players and Saka has a season ahead in terms of progress, Smith more like Mason Mount, we shall see I guess.

Yeh Chelsea will be slight favourites for me, should be an interesting game though.

Posted by: Mack. 25th August 2021, 02:05 PM

Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson has signed a new deal with the club which runs until the summer of 2026.

The 27-year-old Scotland captain joined the Reds from Hull in July 2017 for an initial fee of £8m and has made 177 appearances for the Anfield club.

Posted by: Rooney 25th August 2021, 02:24 PM

All our money has gone on contracts this summer Was needed though.

Posted by: Quarantilas 26th August 2021, 08:39 AM

Fraudiola is leaving the blue scum at the end of his contract

Posted by: Dobbo. 26th August 2021, 09:17 AM

Wonder if revealing that now will have a detrimental effect on the players now? Sure hope so, everyone wants a closer title fight this season regardless of who you support.

Posted by: Rooney 26th August 2021, 09:48 AM

No surprise Pep is leaving in 2023 is it? Just as I suspect Klopp will leave Liverpool in 2024 too. Not quite sure we have that new generation of managerial talent coming through so it will be interesting to see what happens. Not even sure who City would go for as their whole set-up has been built for Pep for the last 5 years.

Posted by: Dobbo. 26th August 2021, 10:05 AM

They should get Arteta back

Posted by: Houdini 26th August 2021, 10:52 AM

It will be good riddance to Pep when he leaves, nothing personal against him but hopefully that will mark a decline for Manchester City. 2023/24 season looks like it will be an interesting one for them. That will be 10 years after Manchester United had their own similar situation and everyone knows what happened there.

Posted by: steve201 27th August 2021, 07:23 AM

Haha loving the United fans reaction 😂, maybe this will give us all a chance!

Pep says he wants to manage an international team then, and especially in the Copa America!

Posted by: Mack. 28th August 2021, 12:02 PM

Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with rape and sexual assault.

The 27-year-old defender is accused of four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault at his home in Cheshire.

Posted by: steve201 28th August 2021, 08:23 PM

Chelsea looking the real deal this season, will be looking forward to seeing them vs the Manchester clubs!

Posted by: Rooney 28th August 2021, 08:56 PM

It's very early days, they are a good team undoubtedly though and well coached. If that game is 11 vs 11 then it could have gone either way today. Mount and Havertz are so good though!

Posted by: Mack. 28th August 2021, 09:46 PM

A 11th red card of his career for Xhaka.

Posted by: Mack. 28th August 2021, 10:03 PM

Chelsea were sublime at times but showed their ugly and devious side once James was sent off.

Posted by: Mack. 28th August 2021, 10:05 PM

It was a great chance to win for Liverpool but they blew it.

Posted by: Mack. 28th August 2021, 10:14 PM

Posted by: Mack. 28th August 2021, 10:38 PM

Thought Norwich were solid but unfortunately suspect they're just lacking a little quality up top and will make just enough mistakes at the back. Same as last time really.

Posted by: Mack. 28th August 2021, 10:41 PM

Not sure what Vieira told Crystal at at halftime, but they definitely turned it up a bit, and maybe the Hammers faded too.

Posted by: Mack. 28th August 2021, 10:50 PM

I'd like Bruce to explain dropping Wilson for Joelinton... if he has faith in him to get goals, then what a nice chap.

Posted by: Mack. 28th August 2021, 11:03 PM

What a great addition Brentford are to the Premier league. Non stop exciting football against a good Villa team

Posted by: Mack. 28th August 2021, 11:32 PM

Spurs are now only team to have 100% record and we only played 2 games .

Posted by: Houdini 29th August 2021, 10:51 AM

I'm not on board with all the Chelsea hype, everywhere I look all I see is Chelsea getting mentioned as major title contenders. It's only been 3 games so far for them and they were expected to beat Crystal Palace & Arsenal, also getting a draw against Liverpool is not a ground-breaking and historic result. They were in the lead and they threw it away and Lukaku didn't do anything during the match. By February/March Chelsea will be fighting for top 4 and you can quote me on that!

Posted by: Dobbo. 31st August 2021, 09:55 AM

Man City always seem to be connected with these problem players following Ched Evans & Adam Johnson!



This really surprises me. He's always been a decent player but never more than that. Never scored more the 10 goals in a PL season (I know he's had his injuries but he's always played 20+ games a season). So this remarkable turn in form has to go down as one of the shocks of the season.



I think they are contenders as they probably have the best defence in the league. A point away at Anfield with a man down for a hour is impressive. Liverpool blew that game not Chelsea imo.

Posted by: steve201 31st August 2021, 12:59 PM

I don’t think they have the best defenders but have the best defence.

Posted by: Dobbo. 31st August 2021, 01:29 PM

Agreed. The squad is definitely more than the sum of its parts. Wouldn't say any single player other than Kante is the best in the world in their respective position but here they are as Champions of Europe. Jorginho was their highest scorer last year with a hefty 7 so adding potentially 20+ goals from Lukaku makes them one scary prospect.

Posted by: steve201 31st August 2021, 06:04 PM

Yeh that’s why I put them as title contenders!

Posted by: RabbitFurCoat 31st August 2021, 08:22 PM

I think if any team are going to take the title off City Chelsea are definitely the most likely to do so, they've deep squad and the fewest weaknesses.

Posted by: Rooney 31st August 2021, 10:24 PM

The thing with Chelsea is their strength currently is the system. Surely they have to move away from their 3421 formation they have got going though? They've too many inside forwards and midfielders now. I think Chelsea will be there or thereabouts, but City are still the team to beat.

Posted by: Mack. 1st September 2021, 02:03 PM

Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy will remain in custody ahead of a potential trial on rape charges after a bail application was refused.

Posted by: Mack. 1st September 2021, 02:04 PM

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has signed a new contract with the club, extending his stay at Etihad Stadium until 2026.

Ederson, who joined in 2017, has won three Premier League titles at City and has played 194 games for the club.

Posted by: Mack. 3rd September 2021, 11:10 AM

Cristiano Ronaldo will wear the number seven shirt for Manchester United, the club has confirmed.

The 36-year-old takes the number, which he wore in his first stint at Old Trafford, from Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani - who moves to number 21.

Posted by: Houdini 11th September 2021, 04:14 PM

Viva Ronaldo!


I always knew he would score today, the man is a machine and the most proven goalscorer in the world. Give him the golden boot now I say! I'm glad Lingard and Bruno got on the score sheet as well as it is a team game after all and what a goal it was from Bruno. Newcastle defended well for most of the match though, especially in the 1st half and despite not scoring Allan Saint-Maximin & Miguel Almirón caused us quite a number of problems.


Pretty gutting for Brentford to lose by conceding a 90th minute goal against Brighton who themselves have made a good start to the season. In other news Arsenal finally win a match

Posted by: steve201 11th September 2021, 05:36 PM

Ugh United fans are gonna be awful to listen to this season, come on City and Chelsea!!

Posted by: Quarantilas 11th September 2021, 05:38 PM

Hes Home. The oldest player in Prem history to score a brace.

Posted by: steve201 11th September 2021, 06:33 PM

Giggs?

Posted by: Quarantilas 11th September 2021, 07:13 PM

Apparently not!

Giggs is still United’s oldest prem goal scorer

Posted by: steve201 11th September 2021, 07:16 PM

Was gonna try and find that picture of Keane face when he was like ‘No Giggsy’??

Posted by: steve201 12th September 2021, 01:43 AM

Some rugby tackle by Tandanga on Zaha in the Palace Spurs game!

Posted by: RabbitFurCoat 12th September 2021, 07:30 AM

Teddy Sheringham has the record for oldest PL hat trick and he was nearly a year older than Ronaldo, so it might be technically the oldest brace, but also a slightly misleading stat!

Posted by: Rooney 12th September 2021, 08:49 AM

Yes of course they are - and no offence to the many Utd fans in here - but the fanbase are massive sellouts.

Massive media attention, one of the Glazers in attendance and guess what.. not a single protest in sight It was never about the Glazers really, it was about not winning things and signings.

Posted by: steve201 12th September 2021, 09:55 AM

Hahaha exactly what I was thinking watching MOTD!

Posted by: steve201 12th September 2021, 10:13 AM

I was thinking of Teddy too as he was class for West Ham until he was 39! But as you say it’s a misleading stat as I didn’t think of the fact someone older may have scored a hattrick

Posted by: Houdini 12th September 2021, 11:24 AM

Why would fans protest on a day like yesterday? club legend returns and scores twice on his 2nd debut in a 4-1 win. If wanting the team to win makes us sellouts then we're happy to be that. Also Liverpool fans were an ABSOLUTE JOY to listen to 2-3 seasons ago

Posted by: steve201 12th September 2021, 12:05 PM

Considering I had waited all my life (38 years) to see my team finally win a league title I was much more restrained than I would have been in my teens, I was quietly satisfied. Yous have been without a league title for 8 years and it’s like football is dead or something!

All we are doing is highlighting the hypocrisy of the fans in their actions last season.

Posted by: Quarantilas 12th September 2021, 12:27 PM

There was glazer out chants during the match but that’s a pesky fact that doesn’t suit your agenda not to mention that there was a special event somewhat taking importance for a single match. That the fanbase still wants rid of the nasty leaches from Florida is wildly known and accepted as fact.

Apologies for our fans not storming the pitch and cancelling Cristianos homecoming but at least you still got to have a moan at United fans for not doing something you would have moaned about had they done it. #HatedAdoredNeverIgnored

Posted by: Rooney 12th September 2021, 12:30 PM

Why wouldn't you protest if your fans hate the Glazers so much? Most media attention on a game, which was the exact same rationale for doing it against Liverpool, to hurt the owners pockets. First time one of the Glazers is at a game in 2 years too - the absolute perfect opportunity if we're applying the same logic.

Like Steve says, we're merely pointing out the hypocrisy. Fans are well within their right to be happy but I've got zero sympathy the next time anyone moans about how the Glazers are destorying Man Utd. The protests were not about your owners, they were about signings and not challenging for the league. Can't have the cake and eat it.

Posted by: Rooney 12th September 2021, 12:35 PM

A few chants is hardly the same as an organised protest, not having that as an excuse. First time a Glazer is there and so much media attention, can't have the cake and eat it. You fans will only moan against the Owners when it suits the agenda and there's a game against Liverpool. If your fans wanted rid so badly, yesterday was the perfect opportunity.

Posted by: Houdini 12th September 2021, 12:38 PM

Liverpool should be more concerned about Leeds tbh and what Dan James & Co might do to them today!

Posted by: Rooney 12th September 2021, 01:11 PM

I'm not in the slightest bit concerned, it's only one game. Leeds played us off the park in the 2nd half at Elland Road last year, but at least we have CBs this season. I've only seen the highlights of yesterdays game from Utd, but everything that I suspected would happen with Utd, happened.

Only pisses me off because the protest could have so easily derailed Liverpool's season last year. An opportunity to protest was too good to be missed, but everyone was so far up Ronaldo's backside nobody can even see the hypocrisy. Could have had 90 minutes making the most out of getting the Glazers out of the club and making it uncomfortable for him. The next time those green and gold scarves come out the rest of the league will be laughing. And to top it all off, the club even invited Giggs along for the ride too in the exec box and didn't even bother to hide him out of the way, absolutely bonkers.

Posted by: steve201 12th September 2021, 02:20 PM

I am concerned tbf but that’s the type of fan I am, always think they will get beat 😂

Posted by: steve201 12th September 2021, 02:28 PM

I don’t have an agenda only that I’ve grown up hating United since I was 7 yo when I saw some of my friends at school support Liverpool until the changed to United when they won the first league title and even my 7 yo self was annoyed at this disloyalty and bandwagon jumping, but that’s just my personal experience.

I am just pointing out the nature of the fan base and how they change opinions so quickly.

It seems the facts about wanting rid of the Glazers only matters when it suits so is it a fact at all….I’m not sure sometimes.

Posted by: Houdini 12th September 2021, 03:44 PM

Liverpool ended up winning the match when it got played and finished in the top 4. They got what they wanted. Not that Liverpool's best interests should be Man Utd's focus anyway.

Besides Ronaldo is an old man who is not the same as 10 years ago so therefore by that logic shouldn't be a threat or a problem to anyone.

Posted by: steve201 12th September 2021, 04:23 PM

Flip me Liverpool should be 0-4 up here at half time, the missed chances will come back to haunt them in the second half!

Posted by: Rooney 12th September 2021, 04:31 PM

Yes they did end up winning, but it would have been better to played when it was originally should as iirc we ended up having to play every 3-4 days and United tried their best attempt to gift Leicester Top 4 too as a by-product of a protest against the owners, which only seems to happen when they play Liverpool.

Nobody is saying Ronaldo won't be a threat, but he is a complete vanity signing. United's problem isn't scoring goals, it's breaking teams down and being defensively sound in midfield. A better side than Newcastle scores at least another goal. United should be winning the league this year but they won't.

Posted by: steve201 12th September 2021, 04:51 PM

Elliot unlucky to break his leg there I don’t think it was a nasty challenge but the ref gave the Leeds man a red prob based on the outcome of the challenge but they aren’t showing the replay.

Posted by: Quarantilas 12th September 2021, 05:49 PM

That looked extremely nasty. I hope he recovers well and doesn’t try and rush himself back. Speaking from experience, it’s an injury that needs time and respect

Posted by: Rooney 12th September 2021, 05:49 PM

Broke his ankle it looks like I think - the ref just carried the game on, was only because the physio ran on the game stopped. Elliot the first casualty of this "let the game flow" mentality. I don't know if it was a red card challenge as I haven't seen it back, but there are some horrendous tackles going about at the moment across all the games.

Posted by: steve201 12th September 2021, 06:09 PM

Klopp trying his best to be non emotional in the interview afterward. It wasn’t a awful challenge the only thing you would say it’s from behind him. But the safety of the opponent was endangered so he maybe deserved a red. Not sure when the ref heard what to do or not!

Posted by: Rooney 12th September 2021, 06:13 PM

It wasn't an awful challenge but he's gone in with a scissor kick from behing guessing whether he will get the ball or not - think it's a bit like Mane on Ederson or Son on Gomes - neither were that bad challenges iirc but when you end up causing bad damage to the opponnent, I'm not sure what else they can do. I don't think it would have changed the game either way. Suspect they will appeal but will be interesting to see whether it gets overturned.

Posted by: steve201 12th September 2021, 07:50 PM

Yeh a bit like Spurs got it rescinded with the Son challenge on Gomes last season, I suspect as I said above the fact it was from behind Will mean he will get a ban.

Klopp on the pitch and all talking to the ref was interesting!

Posted by: Rooney 12th September 2021, 11:28 PM

I've seen it a few times and while there is no deliberate action there, unlike say Richarlison vs Thiago last year, think it is a definite red card and I'd be surprised if it gets overturned. Contact is with his other leg as an accident but Struijk makes the tackle whilst he is airborne and has no control over his actions. Feel for the player as he didn't mean it, but there is no control in his actions and it's left to a serious injury.

Feels weird after 4 games the Top 4 are all in the Top 4 as well, seems very ominious for the season ahead.

Posted by: Suedehead2 13th September 2021, 05:36 AM

With Brighton leading the resistance

Posted by: Dobbo. 13th September 2021, 09:21 AM

What a BEAUTIFUL sight that was to see Ronny score and the stadium respond with the iconic SIU! Just incredible.

I've got tickets for the West Ham match next Sunday, hopefully a similar scoreline beckons.

Posted by: steve201 13th September 2021, 09:32 PM

Amazing comeback from Everton tonight and some unreal goals by Townsend in particular!

Posted by: Houdini 18th September 2021, 04:23 PM

Norwich might as well start preparing for the championship now. It's quite fascinating how them and Fulham can never be in the same place at the same time recently. They'll continue to pass each other on the escalator every year

Posted by: Ho-Lee Smokes 18th September 2021, 04:48 PM

city were lucky to leave with a point

Posted by: Rooney 18th September 2021, 05:38 PM

Palace were really good today, think Liverpool just did enough for the victory but the scorline doesn't reflect the game. Really impressive under Vieria - totally different than under Roy. They have the makings of a really good mid-table outfit who could do a bit of a "West Ham" in a season or two. Gallagher is gonna be someone Chelsea make another easy £20-25m from.

Posted by: steve201 18th September 2021, 06:15 PM

Yeh Gallagher is a quality player, really good last year too.

Thing with Norwich is that although they would like to stay in the premiership the way their income is it isn’t disasterous, same with West Brom!

Posted by: steve201 19th September 2021, 08:45 AM

Don’t know how that Benteke pen wasn’t given yesterday and the Walker one too!

Posted by: Houdini 19th September 2021, 03:32 PM

The ref tried to screw us over by giving West Ham a penalty seconds after denying us a clear penalty for a foul on Ronaldo but De Gea saved us in the end. It was an up & down performance from Man Utd, not so good in the beginning but better after we got the equaliser.

Posted by: steve201 19th September 2021, 03:39 PM

Woulda been hilarious if Noble had scored that because the Zouma one was so obvious, don’t know how var can’t see that?!

Posted by: Rooney 19th September 2021, 03:47 PM

Ronaldo was already on his way down before the contact was initiated, otherwise it was a stonewaller. And he was probabaly a victim of crying for about 3 penalties. West Ham should have had a penalty earlier for the Wan Bissaka challenge. Anyway, justice was done as that Shaw penalty was not a penalty either. Good 3 points for Utd, J Lingz to the rescue.

Posted by: steve201 19th September 2021, 03:53 PM

Messi and CR7 on for United today!!

Ronaldos diving prob meant they didn’t give his one, has t forgotten how to do that!

Posted by: steve201 19th September 2021, 03:57 PM

Anyone else notice how the camera stopped at Kane during the moments applause for Greaves when he had the picture of Greaves just behind him?

Posted by: steve201 19th September 2021, 05:12 PM

Chelsea looking like a well oiled machine here, United will score goals and Liverpool looking good if they don’t get any injuries. City will be about but maybe drop more points!

Posted by: Rooney 19th September 2021, 05:18 PM

It's still way too early to make any assumptions, it's a long season and anything can happen. I think you have 4 really strong teams who are comfortably better than the rest of the league. The key will be whoever has the least off-days as possible, probably avoid key injuries, and get good luck too. Chelsea have played well 2nd half, but Spurs found a way to cause them problems in the 1st. The head to head games will be key, but it does look like 90 points as a minimum will be needed to challenge.

Posted by: steve201 19th September 2021, 05:20 PM

Aul bast*rd Rudiger ruining my BJ predictions with that third!

Think it happened last week too!

Posted by: Boycie 19th September 2021, 05:38 PM

15 PL defeats in a row for Norwich now. With all due respect to Watford, it's exactly the kind of fixture they would have been pinning their hopes on getting something from.

Posted by: Houdini 19th September 2021, 05:41 PM

He did the same for me as well!


It's kind of annoying listening to Gary Neville constantly tossing Chelsea off after every match that they play by saying they look "ominous" and mentioning needing to finish above Chelsea to win the league. It's still very early in the season and we've seen a team make a strong start like this in the past over the years but not all of them managed to last until the end of the season. For me personally I'm still not getting absorbed in the Chelsea hype, if they're like this by February time or if they build a large lead in the table over everyone else then it would be a different story.


Looking at the fixtures there will be at least one match every gameweek between teams in the traditional top 7 until early December (including Leicester in this). So the top teams will start dropping points more often soon. What I can't believe though is that Arsenal who were in the relegation zone with 0 points before the international break are only 4 points behind Manchester City now which could get cut to 1 if City lose to Chelsea & Arsenal beat Tottenham next week.

Posted by: Boycie 19th September 2021, 05:46 PM

The Football Association is to investigate the post-match clash between Burnley and Arsenal fans at Turf Moor on Saturday.

Supporters goaded each other over the barrier separating the away section from an area housing home fans after the game, which Arsenal won 1-0.

Missiles, including bottles, were also thrown by both groups.

An announcement to clear the area initially went unheeded, with crowds dispersing after around 10 minutes.

Posted by: steve201 19th September 2021, 05:57 PM

They look very hard to beat once they get ahead which is worrying but as you say there’s a long way to go!

Posted by: Rooney 19th September 2021, 06:53 PM

Chelsea are well capable of winning 9-10 games in a row. You do that and you set youself up to win the league. I actually think they are more likely to struggle against the 'worse' teams on paper with the set up that they have, but they're going to be there or thereabouts.

Posted by: Suedehead2 19th September 2021, 07:13 PM

I assume you mean the current top four

Posted by: steve201 19th September 2021, 07:30 PM

Potter is a great manager, no coincidence they have started so well, could be this seasons surprise and finish top 10!

Posted by: Rooney 25th September 2021, 01:57 PM

Imagine whining to the media that you don't get penalties anymore, despite getting way more than most teams, getting a penalty and then blasting it in to Mars Never change Ole, never change.

City absolutely destroyed Chelsea today too.

Posted by: steve201 25th September 2021, 04:32 PM

City needed that win!

Posted by: steve201 25th September 2021, 06:23 PM

Great game that Brentford Liverpool one!

Posted by: Houdini 25th September 2021, 06:35 PM

A good day for Man City after Chelsea & Man Utd both lost. Liverpool can't be excited either after bottling the lead twice and drawing with newly promoted play off winners Brentford, it could have been worse if VAR didn't intervene.


Brighton will be top of the table if they beat Crystal Palace on Monday.

Posted by: Rooney 25th September 2021, 06:36 PM

Really good game for the neutrals, less so if you're a Liverpool fan Some of our defending was terrible and we really struggled against two strikers up top. Got a bit unlucky with all their goals, especially the 2 in ths second half with where they were bobbling to and lucky second bounces, but there will be games like this throughout the season and we still took our time to miss loads of chances

Posted by: Rooney 25th September 2021, 06:39 PM

Not too excited, but could be worse. I fully expected us to lose the game in the end despite blowing Brentford off the park. Was one of those games where we had no control. Could have been worse, least we didn't lose at home

Posted by: steve201 25th September 2021, 06:45 PM

Yeh would be much more annoyed being United losing at home. Liverpool didn’t deserve to win so fair play Brentford and other teams will struggle to go there and take three points imo! We didn’t play them off the park they went toe to toe with us imo! We’ve had a decent start though.

Brighton could be the big winners if they win on Monday night 😁

Posted by: Suedehead2 25th September 2021, 06:46 PM

That gives the Palace v Brighton match a new meaning. Of all the teams who could stop Brighton going top of the league for the first time ever, it had to be Palace

Posted by: steve201 25th September 2021, 06:51 PM

Haha have Brighton never been top before even in the 70s/80s when Jimmy Case was flying into tackles for yous?

Posted by: Suedehead2 25th September 2021, 08:20 PM

Jimmy Case is one of the best I saw play for Brighton. However, even he couldn't get to the top of the league.

Posted by: steve201 25th September 2021, 09:06 PM

He wasn’t half bad for us either!

Posted by: Mack. 25th September 2021, 09:41 PM

Credit where credit is due… Brentford deserved that! Well played!

Posted by: steve201 25th September 2021, 09:57 PM

Yeh was a great performance and Liverpool played their part in a great game against an excellent and well run club!

Posted by: Mack. 25th September 2021, 10:36 PM

Russian space station has just reported seeing the ball from Bruno's penalty go past

Edit: My 40,000th post!

Posted by: steve201 25th September 2021, 11:01 PM

I love how Martinez was daring Ronaldo to take the pen!

Posted by: steve201 26th September 2021, 05:52 PM

Arsenal excellent there today!

Posted by: Rooney 26th September 2021, 06:29 PM

Good win for Arsenal, it's amazing how quickly the doom and gloom can change. Still think Arsenal aren't very good though, Spurs were dreadful and there for the taking on the counter loads of times. Crazy how far these two have fallen behind the rest of the Top 6.

Posted by: DannyTorn2 26th September 2021, 07:12 PM

Arsenal and TTH are two my favorite teams in EPL, bro how just tth came to bare crosses on Lucas every game..

Posted by: steve201 26th September 2021, 09:48 PM

Spurs were awful in the first half hour, no aggression, no passion no midfield, literally pumping balls upfront from Dier and Sanchez!

Posted by: Rooney 26th September 2021, 10:03 PM

They've got a bang average side, with their stars being Son and Kane. I know this is going to come up time and time again, but not selling Kane in the summer is honestly a colossal screw up from Levy. I will never know why they didn't sell at £150m and re-invest in the team. It's hardly like City and Spurs are title rivals these days either. Levy's ego got the better of him when he would have been way better selling and re-investing.

Posted by: Dobbo. 26th September 2021, 11:04 PM

After 3 games Spurs were top of the league and Arsenal were bottom. 3 games later and Arsenal are now above Spurs in the table.

Posted by: Rooney 27th September 2021, 11:12 AM

The hyperbole is absolutely crazy. There's an article now on BBC Sport about how Arteta could become the next Wenger 3 games ago, he was close to the sack. Think all Arsenal fans would say their first XI is pretty decent, but an injury or two and they are mid-table at best (as shown by the early season results). This season already we've already had Chelsea and Man Utd as title winners for example! Singular games in isolation are so hard to bring judgement in to, as teams can just have off days, some teams can raise there game massively or just change up their tactics- classic example in the Brentford vs Liverpool game at the weekend.

Posted by: Dobbo. 27th September 2021, 11:26 AM

Calling anything this early into the season is utter lunacy. Look at City last season, midtable at Christmas then won the league at a canter. Football in general suffers from knee-jerk, social media-fuelled overreactions to any single result these days.

Arsenal always turn up to the home games against Spurs, look at their results the past few years. Let's see if they can keep it up for a long run of fixtures. They have good players but there's also have a tendency to their heads to drop when something doesn't go their way in a game.

Posted by: Houdini 27th September 2021, 12:44 PM

Yeah it's true, Arsenal always beat Tottenham at home. It was obvious that it was going to happen again yesterday and you just know that Tottenham will beat Arsenal in the reverse fixture later in the season. None of those teams seem to be able to win a north London derby away from home. Sometimes it feels like winning the North London derby or finishing above the other team is more important than trying to build consistency overall. I still remember Arsenal fans on AFTV celebrating wildly when they pipped Tottenham to 2nd place on the last day of the 2015/16 season.

Posted by: steve201 27th September 2021, 08:57 PM

You got to love to hate aul Maupay goading the Palace fans when he scored!

Posted by: Mack. 29th September 2021, 02:32 PM

Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera has been ruled out for up to five months after sustaining a hamstring injury.

The 20-year-old, who will have surgery this week, was injured in last week's EFL Cup loss to Tottenham just minutes into his competitive debut for Wolves.

Posted by: Mack. 29th September 2021, 02:33 PM

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka will be out of action for three months due to a knee injury sustained in Sunday's victory against Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal said the Switzerland captain, 29, has a "significant injury" to his medial knee ligament.

Xhaka was replaced after 82 minutes in the 3-1 win at Emirates Stadium.

An Arsenal statement said: "A specialist consultation took place on Tuesday evening which has determined that Granit does not require surgery."

Posted by: Mack. 30th September 2021, 01:47 PM

Posted by: Mack. 3rd October 2021, 09:57 AM

Watford sack head coach Xisco Munoz after less than ten months in charge.

Posted by: Flatcap 3rd October 2021, 03:01 PM

Indeed they have.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58778752

Posted by: steve201 3rd October 2021, 06:11 PM

Salah - what a player, that is all

Posted by: Rooney 3rd October 2021, 06:15 PM

Definitely, he's gone up a level, but he's also after that new contract

Foden seems to be the one getting all the hype from the media, but I thought Bernardo Silva was incredible for City today, ran the show. Unfortunate with Trent being injured, as I don't think that 1st half happens with Trent playing instead of Milner. City targeted him the entirity of that first half and Trent is key to us creating attacks down the right. But definitely a point gained, both teams below their peaks of 2 years ago, but an incredible second half of football!

Posted by: Houdini 3rd October 2021, 06:33 PM

A point gained? Liverpool were leading the match twice and didn't win at home, it's a better point for Man City. Really though it's better for Chelsea and it makes yesterdays results feel even worse. It was a great game though between Liverpool and City.

Posted by: Rooney 3rd October 2021, 06:55 PM

Did you see how bad we were in the first half!? We should have been at least a goal down. City are going to be the team to beat, they did the same to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Difference is 2nd half we fought back. Rodri with a smashing clearance at the end, but City deserved a point. It's tight at the top, but feel City are going to break away at some point and will be hard to catch. The only thing for certain is Utd are going to be nowhere near the title under Ole. They can sign anyone and make them look terrible under him

Posted by: steve201 3rd October 2021, 07:36 PM

I see what you did there in the last sentence!!

Yeh two best teams in the league for me and although a point at anfield Is better for City the way we played in the first half I was happy with a point and gutted we didn’t get all three. What a goal the Salah one was though took on 6 men and smashed it past ederson, Messi like!

Felt sorry for Milner though today putting him against Foden like with Henderson not exactly helping much. That’s the problem when trents out we don’t have anyone else although I would have had Gomez or even Robertson at right and the Greek guy at the left side.

Chelsea will also be close but have to play in a defensive way to beat us and city and have 1/6 points against us in the two games this year so they will come behind city and maybe us if we keep out first team fit. United will be fourth but you never know with them Ronaldo will keep getting them out of jail so they won’t be that far off, guess that’s what happens when you can fire £ at the Ronaldos of this world each season. Pity your manager will hold yous back from winning the big trophies.

Posted by: steve201 3rd October 2021, 10:30 PM

Just keep watching that Salah goal over and over again…..

Posted by: Houdini 4th October 2021, 01:56 AM

This weekend has shown some of the knee jerk reactions in pundits and the media that were mentioned here in this thread not too long ago. One entertaining game of football and now suddenly for the first time in Premier League history there are 2 champions and not just that but in early October. On Saturday as part of build up for the match I saw a statistic that said Man City and Liverpool have accumulated the most points in the Premier League since 2017/18. What relevance does that have to this season? they talk about them being the best 2 teams over the past however many years as if last season was a dream and Liverpool didn't lose 6 games in a row at Anfield to teams like Fulham and Burnley whilst finishing outside the top 2. This is part of why I don't take any of their opinions seriously any more, best thing is just to let the league table in May do the talking. They're going to be very sad when at least one of them doesn't actually win the league at the end of the season like they said they will.

Posted by: Rooney 4th October 2021, 08:06 AM

The stat is meaningless and pointless, but it's used to show a measure of how dominant the two teams have been (although it does make me a little sick that City have 2 titles in that period). Liverpool have had one massively bad patchy form over the last 3 years, which is when our luck was completely out and we were playing midfielders at CB because we had no CBs. The old saying is form is temporary, class is permanent. The pundits are mainly useless I will agree, nobody had Liverpool anywhere near the title in the summer, all because we hadn't signed a shiny new toy. I don't think Liverpool will win the league this year for what it's worth.

Posted by: Dobbo. 4th October 2021, 08:21 AM

Only saw the second half but picked the right one to watch, great game and very happy with that result.

The only concern for us so far is we haven't played any of the other top 3 teams yet whereas they've already played each other and are all still ahead!

Posted by: steve201 4th October 2021, 11:30 AM

^^ It is true in football anything could happen, with CR7 it wouldn’t surprise me either! Let’s see how things unfold!

Posted by: Houdini 4th October 2021, 12:10 PM

Even though they're unlikely to win the league you could say Everton, Brighton & Brentford are in the title race now, the gap between 1st and 13th place is only 8 points and teams have played just 7 matches so far. No team has a divine right to win the league, it's solely based on results which is why it's best to just let the league table do the talking. If a team like Brentford won every remaining game of the season they would be champions and it's not completely impossible for something like that to happen. So many of these people on TV just keep changing their minds constantly after every match because they're afraid of being wrong, every week there's a different narrative.

Posted by: steve201 4th October 2021, 12:16 PM

On paper you are correct of course but the pundits are paid for their opinions and they use history, players, managers to make their predictions!

Posted by: Rooney 4th October 2021, 08:10 PM

United tend to do well in the games they're not favourites for, usually because there is loads of space for them on the counter. They will take points off some of the big teams guaranteed. But are they going to win 7 games in a row against these teams? Highly unlikely.



Oh totally, you see it all the time, it's recency bias. You can't just look at a single result in isolation and make sweeping statements, you've got to look at the patterns, of which I would say:

-Liverpool have the best attack
-Liverpool lack the control they used to have
-City have the best defence
-Chelsea are a well oiled machine, but they don't function as effectively without Mount
-Utd look like a team which are poorly coached
-Utd are having lots of shots but low xG

So it's only very early, but you can already see patterns emerge, what you cannot attest for is lack of form and injuries to key personnel. Both City and Chelsea have a favourable run of fixtures on paper now, so will be interesting if they begin to pull away slightly or drop silly points here and there.

Posted by: Suedehead2 4th October 2021, 08:29 PM

And Claudio Ranieri is their new manager.

Posted by: Mack. 6th October 2021, 12:50 PM

If it had been January they may have gone for Big Sam, Watford.

Posted by: Flatcap 6th October 2021, 01:42 PM

Confirmation of Ranieri's appointment.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58778757

An article about whether he is the right man for Watford.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58789903

Posted by: Dobbo. 6th October 2021, 02:12 PM

He's a specialist at being sacked. And Watford have a brilliant track-record of sacking managers. If he lasts the season that'll be even more unlikely than when he won the league with Leicester.

Posted by: steve201 6th October 2021, 03:23 PM

Yeh I would tend to blame the Watford board for that rather than Ranieri. But your right he will likely get sacked. Love the man though, he’s a legend!

Posted by: Mack. 7th October 2021, 12:00 AM

A Saudi Arabian takeover of Newcastle United is close to being agreed.

Approval from the Premier League could possibly come in the next 24 hours after a consortium proved the Saudi state would not have control of the club.

Instead the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is set to provide 80% of funds for the £300m deal, will be seen as separate to the state and therefore allow the takeover to pass the Premier League owners' and directors' test.

It was believed that a resolution came after Saudi Arabia settled an alleged piracy dispute with Qatar-based broadcaster beIN Sports, which own rights to show Premier League matches in the Middle East.

Posted by: Mack. 7th October 2021, 12:00 AM

A Saudi Arabian takeover of Newcastle United is close to being agreed.

Approval from the Premier League could possibly come in the next 24 hours after a consortium proved the Saudi state would not have control of the club.

Instead the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is set to provide 80% of funds for the £300m deal, will be seen as separate to the state and therefore allow the takeover to pass the Premier League owners' and directors' test.

It was believed that a resolution came after Saudi Arabia settled an alleged piracy dispute with Qatar-based broadcaster beIN Sports, which own rights to show Premier League matches in the Middle East.

Posted by: Rooney 7th October 2021, 10:42 AM

A complete joke, if anyone thinks the Saudis and the PIF are seperate entities then I wish I was that naïve through life! Let's hope Newcastle get relegated now.

Posted by: steve201 7th October 2021, 10:48 AM

When moneys involved the rules don’t matter!

Posted by: Mack. 7th October 2021, 03:20 PM

We'll get the 'wishful thinking' fans that big names will join Newcastle United. Wasn't it Venkys with Blackburn Rovers where they tried to get Raul, David Beckham, Ronaldinho?

Posted by: steve201 7th October 2021, 03:33 PM

Hah yeh, do they have £ like the City owners do?

Posted by: Rooney 7th October 2021, 05:18 PM

They're already the richest club in the Premier League now. This is different to the Venkys as Newcastle are owned by a State now, similar to PSG and Man City. Easy attempt to sportswash. I think it will take them a while to be competitive at the top, but it really not surprise me if this again pushes either a salary/wage cap in to football or the European Super League rears it's head again. Love to see how Liverpool, Man Utd, Spurs and Arsenal react to this.

Posted by: Suedehead2 7th October 2021, 05:34 PM

If the "fit and proper person" test cannot exclude a consortium led by someone implicated in the murder of a journalist (and countless other human rights abuses), what exactly is the point of it?

Posted by: Houdini 7th October 2021, 05:49 PM

How long do y'all reckon it will take Newcastle to win the Premier League after this?

Posted by: Rooney 7th October 2021, 08:07 PM

Well it took Man City 4 years, I'd suggest at least double that, they need a complete new team and manager. They might get lucky in that Pep/Klopp are leaving in a couple of years. Anyone that goes there currently is a mercenary, they're not gonna be getting Mbappe or Haaland. Suspect they will get someone like Coutinho/Draxler in January on massive wages. I

Posted by: Suedehead2 7th October 2021, 08:16 PM

With luck, their first task will be to get Newcastle back into the Premier League after relegation this season. Ideally, they will be firmly in the bottom three by the time the transfer window opens in January.

Posted by: Rooney 7th October 2021, 10:16 PM

Fingers crossed, although I can't see Bruce lasting too long to be honest. Just not sure how they will be able to cook the books as easily as Chelsea/Man City did to get a big name in.

Posted by: Houdini 8th October 2021, 12:05 AM

Yeah I agree that any player that goes to Newcastle now is a mercenary. It was a similar situation with Man City though, in the season they got taken over Robinho was the only star player that they had and he joined at the same time oil money hit the club's bank account. They didn't qualify for any European competitions in the 2008/09 season but they were still able to get Carlos Tevez, Kolo Toure, Patrick Viera and Emmanuel Adebayor the following season. Europa League qualification was good enough to get David Silva, James Milner and Mario Balotelli amongst others in the season after that and the rest is unfortunate history for English football.


With Chelsea when Roman Abramovich took over they had already qualified for the Champions League and had a good squad that would win the odd cup here and there. Which is probably why the success was more instant for them.

Posted by: Rooney 8th October 2021, 08:00 AM

Yeah but let's not forget too that Robinho signed for City by mistake as well. They will sign someone big in January, but I can't see it being a star player or someone who all the other big clubs want. Success will come as it's proven that it does with the oil money, but I'm not sure Newcastle can cook the books as easily as City did in the early days.

Posted by: Dobbo. 8th October 2021, 08:41 AM

City after the oil money came in was like a bimbo after having won the lottery, their transfers were utterly laughable for the most part.

Posted by: Brett-Butler 9th October 2021, 09:26 AM

Newcastle fans - "I wish we could be rid of the ownership of the terrible Mike Ashley."

*finger of monkey paw goes down*

Posted by: Houdini 15th October 2021, 11:36 AM

Arsenal defender Ben White is currently trending on Twitter for saying that he doesn't watch football. I think it's a concern if a professional footballer doesn't watch their own sport. It would be like a movie actor or actress not watching any movies to pick up useful techniques or information.

Posted by: RabbitFurCoat 15th October 2021, 01:10 PM

I don't really see why it should make any difference, ultimately football is a job and there's nothing to say someone doing that job has to enjoy or even take an interest in it outside of that. He's made a huge season-on-season career progression and clearly learned a lot from doing that as well as putting in the work and dedication required to make it to the top level. There's no reason why he needs to have any interest in watching Everton v Villa and Spurs v Newcastle on Sunday whilst his team isn't playing over pursuing other things.

I'm sure an actor would learn from others and watching other performances whilst researching for a role, but it'd be fine for them to have no interest in going to the cinema or spending evenings watching Netflix in their own time.

Posted by: Dobbo. 15th October 2021, 01:32 PM

Benoit Assou-Ekotto was like that, even more so. Hated football but it was a job and he got paid a lot to do it and that was that.

Posted by: Houdini 15th October 2021, 01:57 PM

I suppose it's good for rival teams that he doesn't watch football. I wouldn't want him to know the weaknesses of the likes of CR7, Paul Pogba & Bruno Fernandes prior to a trip to the Emirates Stadium

Posted by: steve201 15th October 2021, 07:22 PM

Who was the Aussie Blackburn player who didn’t like football, used to like breaking players legs?

Posted by: Houdini 15th October 2021, 07:59 PM

Lucas Neill?

Posted by: Mack. 16th October 2021, 10:06 PM

Liverpool were on fire today.
Poor Watford, I hear their owners have already started interviewing potential new managers.

Posted by: steve201 16th October 2021, 10:08 PM

That’s the man!

Posted by: steve201 16th October 2021, 10:22 PM

Why was Cannavaro at Vicarage are today?

Posted by: Mack. 16th October 2021, 10:23 PM

Wolves are only the third team in Premier League history to score three goals from the 80th minute onwards to overturn a 2-0 deficit and win 3-2, after Reading in 2013 and Wigan in 2010.

Posted by: Mack. 16th October 2021, 10:29 PM

Brentford didn’t deserve to lose that game, the better team on the day lost. Chelsea very lucky.

Posted by: Mack. 16th October 2021, 10:31 PM

Not a great start to the run of tough fixtures coming up. Big problems for Ole.

Posted by: Mack. 16th October 2021, 10:35 PM

Perhaps he'll be Watford's next manager

Posted by: steve201 16th October 2021, 10:36 PM

it’s true like!

Fair play to Wolves, didn’t see that comeback coming there!

Posted by: Mack. 16th October 2021, 10:44 PM

If Sterling supposedly left Man City, where would he go?

Posted by: Mack. 16th October 2021, 10:47 PM

Much needed 3 points for Saints.

Posted by: steve201 16th October 2021, 10:49 PM

Some saves by Mendy today - sums up why I think Chelsea will do well as they seem hard to beat when they take the lead, Kante is important for that though!

Posted by: steve201 16th October 2021, 10:50 PM

Arsenal?

Posted by: Mack. 16th October 2021, 10:59 PM

Why on earth don’t Norwich play Billy Gilmour?

Posted by: steve201 16th October 2021, 11:01 PM

I don’t understand it, he’s a decent young player. I did think he played more than not though but haven’t been taking notice!

Posted by: Rooney 17th October 2021, 08:38 AM

As usual, an away defeat against Leicester is not a bad result. A defeat in isolation is not a bad thing, all teams get beat. However, he obviously played Maguire when he was nowhere near ready, he’s spent an absolute ton of money and his team are barely coached in attacking patterns of play. He’s dreadful and should be sacked, although I hope they don’t sack him as he’s the gift that is always going to keep delivering.

Big win for Chelsea yesterday too. Still don’t think they’re quite as good as City or Liverpool, but they have a good run of fixtures now to build some steam up so let’s see what happens come the next international break.

Posted by: RabbitFurCoat 17th October 2021, 10:28 AM

Ultimately Man Utd's squad will never reach its potential with OGS as manager. There are times where he's done a decent enough job and their squad has continued to improve during the time he's been there (even if the wrong areas have been unnecessarily prioritised), but when competing with the top 3 managed by Guardiola, Klopp and Tuchel there's a limit to what they can achieve. It does now feel like he won't be there much longer. He's got a decent record in big games so it wouldn't be a surprise to see them get a decent amount of points from the upcoming tough run, but 1 point from Villa, Everton and Leicester just isn't a particular surprise at all.

Posted by: steve201 17th October 2021, 11:26 AM

Yeh can see them doing well against Liverpool and City and dropping points against poorer teams. It’s a pity the flaws are clear now as I wanted him there on the 6 year contract. As a Liverpool fan I know he’s not the answer, the improvements have came mainly because they throw money at things every year!

Posted by: steve201 17th October 2021, 04:34 PM

A medical emergency stopped the first half of the Newcastle Spurs game after someone in the crowd needed CPR.

Posted by: Suedehead2 17th October 2021, 08:57 PM

Apparently the man is now recovering in hospital which is good news.

Posted by: steve201 17th October 2021, 10:28 PM

Yeh good to see!

Posted by: Dobbo. 18th October 2021, 07:42 AM

I don't want to see Ole sacked cos I could then see them going for Conte, which would be a complete disaster.

Let's see where we are after the next 3 games, we seem to turn up for those.

Chelsea were super lucky to beat Brentford, very unconvincing.

Posted by: Quarantilas 18th October 2021, 08:37 AM

Great news! And great fast reactions from the Spurs players to stop the game and get a defib to the bloke asap

Posted by: Suedehead2 18th October 2021, 09:42 AM

I suspect that swift action, along with the presence of a defibrillator and someone who knew how to use it, saved his life.

Posted by: Rooney 18th October 2021, 11:30 AM

Even if you get a result in the next 3, it masks the massive elephant in the room that Ole doesn't know how to be a top class coach. So it's rinse and repeat constantly.

Posted by: steve201 18th October 2021, 11:10 PM

Rooney did you write the script for Monday Night Football tonight 😂?

Posted by: RabbitFurCoat 19th October 2021, 09:07 AM

It's just sort of obvious really. Michael Cox wrote a great article on The Athletic about United yesterday too. Ronaldo basically doesn't move (his pressing activity is significantly the lowest of the leagues forwards, half that of the next lowest) which is the player he is these days, understandable at his age and with the amount of games he plays. It's fine if you have a plan but they certainly don't, not yet anyway, and it's reducing the impact of Fernandes who is their best player.

With Ronaldo, I was both shocked but also not at all surprised that he played 90s mins for Portugal against Luxembourg last week, absolutely no need for him to be playing in that but got to pad that record out further with another hat-trick against minnows.

Posted by: Rooney 19th October 2021, 10:07 AM

Nope, but I have seen some summaries about it. Neville just proves why he shouldn't ever commentate on United games, he takes emotion to a whole new level. Pretty sure he said United's best formation was the one he then said had too many attacking players in! Ronaldo was a complete vanity signing, there was absolutely no need. Sure he's a great finisher and will score a shed load of goals but he's a passenger and has to play every minute of every game. Liverpool should tonk them about 5-0 at the weekend, but I suspect we will probably get beat.

Posted by: Mack. 19th October 2021, 04:34 PM

Premier League clubs have voted to temporarily block teams agreeing lucrative sponsorship deals linked to a club's owners after the Saudi Arabia-backed £305m takeover of Newcastle.

Eighteen clubs voted in favour of the ban at an emergency meeting on Monday.

Newcastle voted against and Manchester City abstained, with both questioning the legality of the move.

It means a temporary one-month ban on deals linked to club owners while the issue is debated further.

Posted by: Mack. 19th October 2021, 04:38 PM

Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has sustained a foot injury but will not require surgery, the club has said.

The Frenchman, 28, suffered a "stress response in a bone in his foot" during Sunday's 1-0 home loss to West Ham in the Premier League.

Everton's medical team is currently assessing the extent of the injury.

Posted by: Quarantilas 19th October 2021, 05:42 PM

Let’s make it permanent and retroactive please.

Let’s see how long City can sustain itself when the UAE state oil fund is cut off. I’m rooting for bankruptcy x

Posted by: Ho-Lee Smokes 19th October 2021, 05:42 PM

oh wow

Posted by: Houdini 19th October 2021, 06:34 PM

It would serve Newcastle's owners right if Newcastle went down to The Championship this season.

Posted by: Rooney 19th October 2021, 08:04 PM

I did find it funny when City abstained from the vote and their lawyer suggested the clause is not watertight. Funny that

Think the other Premier League clubs will find a way to stop Newcastle at least creating loads of fake sponsorships. Clearly they are very pissed at the lack of transparency from the Premier League.

Posted by: steve201 20th October 2021, 07:29 AM

Yeh Carragher was winding him up about saying 5 upfront doesn’t work at the start then chosing just that at the end of the show for the combined team. I suspect Ole will get a big performance on Sunday from them and we are playing like our 17/18 team this year so should be a good game!

Posted by: Rooney 20th October 2021, 10:53 AM

Bruce has gone, in a shock to no-one! Sounds like the Saudis haven't got their ideal candidate in place yet.

Posted by: Houdini 20th October 2021, 11:05 AM

They should have just put Steve Bruce out of his misery straight away instead of giving him false hope that he would stay as manager.

In his own words: "I think it might be my last job. It has been very, very tough. To never really be wanted, to feel that people wanted me to fail & saying I would fail, that I was useless, a fat waste of space, a tactically inept cabbage head”.

Posted by: Mack. 20th October 2021, 11:08 AM

Next Newcastle United Manager Odds: (Dorsal)

Paulo Fonseca 4/7f
Eddie Howe 3/1
Lucien Favre 4/1
Frank Lampard 10/1
Graeme Jones 12/1
Roberto Martinez 14/1
Steven Gerrard 14/1
Antonio Conte 16/1
Brendan Rodgers 16/1
Wayne Rooney 16/1
Zinedine Zidane 16/1
Unai Emery 18/1
Graham Potter 22/1
Jose Mourinho 22/1
Rafa Benitez 28/1
Roberto Mancini 28/1

Posted by: Mack. 20th October 2021, 11:10 AM

Good luck to Bruce in the future and a happy retirement.

Posted by: Dobbo. 20th October 2021, 11:37 AM

At least they had the courtesy of giving him his 1000th game.

But yeah that was a marriage that was never ever going to work out so actually it's a blessing for him this takeover to get out of it earlier than under Ashley where he'd have been literally bottled out the stadium by the fans eventually.

Absolutely hilarious seeing Gerrard, Lampard & Rooney in that odds list amongst actually serious contenders.

Posted by: Mack. 20th October 2021, 11:40 AM

True, who do you think they'll get?

Posted by: steve201 20th October 2021, 12:04 PM

Bruce has been involved as either a player or manager/coach every season since 1979-80 season which is a record of 42 years.

Posted by: Mack. 20th October 2021, 12:08 PM

Quite an remarkable longevity there for Bruce.

Posted by: Mack. 20th October 2021, 12:23 PM

Paulo Fonseca a contender to take over at Newcastle.

Posted by: Dobbo. 20th October 2021, 01:03 PM

That would be a very bizarre appointment but s'pose the new regime has to start somewhere!

Posted by: Brett-Butler 20th October 2021, 01:33 PM

“Inept Cabbage Head” is going to follow Bruce around for the rest of his career if he does continue managing, really shouldn’t have mentioned that, even if it was really said to him.

Posted by: Rooney 20th October 2021, 02:00 PM

They're gonna get a very underwhelming manager in whoever they get. They're deep in a relegation battle and none of those names scream out to me as relegation battlers. Honestly think they would be better just getting an interim manager in until the end of the season and assessing things in the summer. Think I read that they don't have their football hierarchy set up properly and usually in the early days of new owners, this is where they can be very il-advised and make some terrible decisions.

Posted by: Dobbo. 20th October 2021, 02:02 PM

They could definitely do worse than Eddie Howe. Very well accomplished with relegation battles (ok he did lose one yes) and not the prima donna manager that's gonna kick up a fuss if they don't immediately start winning.

Posted by: Mack. 21st October 2021, 05:38 PM

Newcastle United's new owners have held talks with former Roma manager Paulo Fonseca as they continue their search for Steve Bruce's replacement.

Several candidates are being considered by the Saudi-backed consortium.

Former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, ex-Borussia Dortmund coach Lucien Favre and Belgium boss Roberto Martinez have all been linked with the job.

Posted by: Mack. 22nd October 2021, 07:47 PM

Mohamed Salah says he wants to spend the rest of his career with Liverpool.

The 29-year-old Egypt forward has scored 137 goals in 214 games for the Reds since a £34m move from Roma in 2017, including 12 goals this season.

His current Liverpool deal runs out at the end of next season.

Posted by: Houdini 23rd October 2021, 01:40 PM

Mason Mount scores a hat trick as soon as I take him out of my fantasy team!

Posted by: Mack. 23rd October 2021, 03:51 PM

Everton falling apart against Watford.

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds 23rd October 2021, 04:07 PM

Looks like Leeds were lucky to scrape a point in that game! One is better than zero though I guess...

Posted by: Rooney 23rd October 2021, 04:09 PM

The bottom of the table looks very ominious down there, that was a massive win for Watford as their upcoming schedule is brutal. Leeds are lucky there's probably 3 worse teams than them, although if Raphinina is out for a while I'd be worried!

Posted by: Houdini 23rd October 2021, 04:37 PM

Very impressive turnaround for Watford to win 5-2 away after being behind.


The state of this Man City away kit..... how can you wear a shirt like that when your opponents are also wearing blue?

Posted by: steve201 23rd October 2021, 09:08 PM

It did look like a training top!

Posted by: Mack. 23rd October 2021, 09:50 PM

Great win Watford, what a way to forget last week’s result.

Posted by: steve201 23rd October 2021, 09:52 PM

Josh King had a point to prove today!

Posted by: Mack. 23rd October 2021, 09:54 PM

He certainly did, 133 minutes in sub appearances, returns to Everton and scores a hat-trick.

Posted by: steve201 23rd October 2021, 09:59 PM

I always thought he was decent!

Norwich where is their midfield like?

Posted by: Mack. 23rd October 2021, 10:00 PM

Norwich suffered their joint-heaviest defeat in Premier League history against Chelsea, they also lost 7-0 to Manchester City back in November 2013.

Posted by: Mack. 23rd October 2021, 10:13 PM

God that “Man City” kit is ugly as hell.

Posted by: Mack. 23rd October 2021, 10:30 PM

A battling point for Sean Dyche's Burnley earned by a pair of cracking goals from Maxwell Cornet,their record signing. They will be the happier of the two sides today after this.

Posted by: Mack. 23rd October 2021, 10:37 PM

A point for Palace though they will be kicking themselves about not taking more chances than they did. Benteke scoring one and had another ruled out for a foul by Guehi.

Posted by: Mack. 23rd October 2021, 10:45 PM

Insightful from Bielsa and his translator there.

Posted by: steve201 23rd October 2021, 10:52 PM

Some performance by young Gelhardt today to win the penalty!

Posted by: Suedehead2 23rd October 2021, 11:23 PM

Blatant cheating by Man C which should mean that Brighton are awarded a 3-0 win,

Posted by: Quarantilas 24th October 2021, 08:40 AM

Literally all of the Puma clubs have an exact same version of that shirt. Gladbach have one too (and wore it v Hertha) and it’s honestly repulsive.

Posted by: steve201 24th October 2021, 10:46 AM

Yeh I’m not a fan!

Posted by: Mack. 24th October 2021, 04:21 PM

Embarrassing first half for Man United.

Posted by: Houdini 24th October 2021, 04:32 PM

Very embarrassing. It's the same as the 1st half against Atalanta, we play more reckless football and are being punished for it. This is why I wasn't too excited for the win in midweek because we won't always be able to get ourselves out of trouble in these kind of situations.

Posted by: steve201 24th October 2021, 05:31 PM

Literally just everything everyone has been saying about United since last year, a team of absolute individuals. While Liverpool weren’t even at their best but are a TEAM.

United didn’t cover themselves in glory either with ill discipline when behind with the Pogba challenge which was awful. Then some United fans clapped him off and booed Keita who was being stretchered off ffs!

Posted by: Dobbo. 24th October 2021, 05:48 PM

Well shit...

Posted by: Rooney 24th October 2021, 05:59 PM

Did not expect that!

Don't want to rub salt in the wounds too much of the Utd fans on here as it's horrible to lose to your biggest rivals in such an horrendous fashion. Just exactly what I have been banging on for ages, Utd are dreadful, they are not coached and until Klopp/Guardiola goes they are getting nowhere near to the title. That Pogba tackle was embarrassing. Surely Ole can't last too much longer, but suspect he's going to revert back to counter attacking football very shortly. The weird thing is I don't even think we played partcularly well in the 1st half!

Posted by: Mack. 24th October 2021, 09:56 PM

This might be one of the most shameful days in Manchester United’s history. How is Ole still the manager??

Posted by: Mack. 24th October 2021, 10:15 PM

That first time through ball from Tielemans, quality. He's gonna have plenty of teams after him next summer if he doesn't extend with Leicester.

Posted by: Mack. 24th October 2021, 10:27 PM

A fourth successive London Derby defeat for Tottenham, who were sluggish throughout and looked second best for much of the time.

Posted by: Rooney 24th October 2021, 10:38 PM

I think part of it is because he can easily be controlled, it's like if they get Conte/Zidane in, they will likely get some short term success, but it won't be long before it all ends in tears. Loads of pundits are now picking up on the coaching/positioning piece. They are built to be counter attacking team, but to take that step up to win a title you have to dominate teams, just don't think Ole knows how to do that. Still makes me laugh they spent the best part of 2 years courting Sancho and he can't even get his backside off the bench!

Posted by: steve201 25th October 2021, 12:48 PM

My favourite take by Jonathan Wilson from the Guardian on Sundays United-Liverpool game:

"So what comes next? For three years, United have been driven by the logic of the theme park but at some point, very soon, even the nostalgists must surely accept that there is need for a change of leadership. After all, however much the punters may love Mickey Mouse, nobody expects him to run Disneyland.

This is where the true nature of the club will be revealed. Are they even about winning football matches and trophies any more? Or has the business of content production taken over? Because whoever takes over, whenever that transfer of power happens – and there was no sign before Sunday it was imminent – the new manager will have to deal with the problem of Ronaldo. Perhaps there is a way he can be used as a weapon to devastate lesser sides, or as a last-throw-of-the-dice substitute in bigger games, but he has no place as a guaranteed starter against high-class opponents."

Posted by: Rooney 25th October 2021, 05:01 PM

That line was genius I do like Wilson, he is a good writer. Problem is he took so much flack for saying Ronaldo was a terrible signing, he's pretty smug when it comes to him failing. Not sure the reason they didn't play a defensive mid/low block was because of Ronaldo though. But he has largely been annonymous/terrible in the teams against the better and bigger teams for a good few years now, even in Serie A. Think there is a very solid case for rotating him in the bigger games.

Posted by: Rooney 25th October 2021, 09:00 PM

Looks like Ole is going to get the chop tomorrow, farewell sweet prince. Conte to the rescue no doubt.. Carrick as mananger in 2023 then!

Posted by: Dobbo. 25th October 2021, 11:16 PM

I was just reading that both Moyes and Mourinho were sacked the Tuesday after a Sunday loss so some amusing consistency in that if so.

We really are doomed if we actually get Conte might as well just write the season off now if so.

Posted by: Quarantilas 26th October 2021, 06:07 AM

Anyone who thinks Conte is the answer is a pea brained moron.

A bigger part of the issue for me is that a lot of the back room coaching staff have heehaw experience at all. But Conte‘s style is gonna be awkward to stamp onto this team. Playing three at the back, when we’re so forward heavy in talent terms is a bit ehhhh.

Posted by: Rooney 26th October 2021, 08:35 AM

Conte is fairly pragmatic as a manager, his Juventus team played attacking football, he adapts to the side rather than having a specific philosophy, at least he used to. Problem is, I don't see the appointment working out, the higher powers will run in to the same problems experienced with Mourinho. I do think he could deliver some short term success though, he's obviously keen for the job.

Seems Ole is going to last until the City game at least though.. some odd journo briefings going on from all the different camps and everyone is pointing the blame at a different person.

Posted by: Dobbo. 26th October 2021, 08:48 AM

It'll be Mourinho all over again imo. People can say what they want about Ole, but he was the first manager post-Fergie under which I actually looked forward to watching the games. Defensively shite yes but so many thrillers and tonnes of goals scored.

Also Conte would butt heads with Ronaldo/Pogba etc. and the harmony we had in the dressing room will be quashed again.

Posted by: Rooney 26th October 2021, 08:57 AM

I think the harmony in the dressing room has already gone. Reading briefings on Twitter, seems some players have already thrown Ole under the bus. Don't think that is good at all, but obviously a problem when you have so many egos in one dressing room. Suspect Conte would butt heads with Ferguson/Fletcher/your DoF - Conte will want an input on transfers, but I don't think that's how it works at Utd currently. As always, resembles absolutely nothing as a plan from the people that run the club and long may it continue. Only way Conte makes sense to me is if he was brought in on an interim basis to the end of the season.

Posted by: Mack. 29th October 2021, 01:25 AM

West Ham have been granted planning permission to increase matchday capacity at London Stadium to 62,500.

An extra 2,500 seats will be made available on completion of the safety certificate application.

Enhancements to the Bobby Moore and Sir Trevor Brooking stands would see London Stadium become the biggest Premier League stadium in London.

The expansion is part of long-term plans to reach the stadium's full capacity of 67,000.

Posted by: Dobbo. 30th October 2021, 04:05 PM

Palace the ultimate bogey team for City, long may this oddity continue.

Posted by: Rooney 30th October 2021, 05:13 PM

They are like City's kryptonite, a bit like how Brighton under Potter are seemingly Liverpool's! Brighton well deserved the point today, one too many games for our midfield. Not gonna win many games with Henderson, Jones and Ox in there unfortunately.

Posted by: steve201 30th October 2021, 06:50 PM

Potter will be the next England manager!

Posted by: Rooney 30th October 2021, 07:12 PM

Too good for that, think he will get a big job somewhere in a couple of years. Could easily see Spurs/Arsenal going back for him at some point.

Posted by: Mack. 30th October 2021, 07:24 PM

Ole survives another week.

Posted by: Suedehead2 30th October 2021, 07:49 PM

After Liverpool and Brighton's results last weekend, I was a little nervous about today's match Looks like I needn't have been.

Posted by: Rooney 30th October 2021, 07:56 PM

You played well against City and had Bissouma back- he makes such a difference. Our midfield was just weak as pish, one of those things. Potter worked out that our midfield couldn’t function properly after the Keita injury and he rightly went for it. Take it and move on to the next one.

Posted by: Houdini 30th October 2021, 08:09 PM

Let's see if Sky Sports YouTube channel will upload a million videos about today's Man United match......

Posted by: Mack. 30th October 2021, 09:57 PM

A day to forget for the defending Champions as City were stunned at home. Laporte, at fault for the opening goal,then saw red for a last man foul on the tricky Wilfried Zaha. Not a good day.

Posted by: Mack. 30th October 2021, 10:10 PM

Tottenham were terrible today.

Posted by: Mack. 30th October 2021, 10:19 PM

Posted by: Mack. 30th October 2021, 10:34 PM

Ramsdale with the best bit of goal keeping I’ve seen in a game in a long time.

Posted by: Mack. 30th October 2021, 10:40 PM

Newcastle United remain a broken club and the January window may come too late with the Saudi takeover.

Posted by: Mack. 30th October 2021, 10:46 PM

Burnley got their long-awaited victory but even their fans would admit they didn't expect this result. Take nothing away from their victory but Brentford were their own worst enemies because they probably thought playing Burnley was going to be a walk in the park.

Posted by: Mack. 30th October 2021, 11:03 PM

Two wins from three for Southampton in the League, this one earned by a Che Adams cracker in the first half. They looked lively throughout and maybe should have added to it but ultimately the single goal was enough.

Posted by: steve201 30th October 2021, 11:52 PM

I fully expected them to have a two hour post match discussion on the problems at Spurs like they did on Sunday….

Posted by: HeadlessJockey 31st October 2021, 10:47 PM

West Ham seem to be playing some fantastic football with a swagger about them.

Posted by: HeadlessJockey 31st October 2021, 10:50 PM

A fourth successive loss for Villa, thought they were playing OK until the sending off.

Posted by: HeadlessJockey 31st October 2021, 11:09 PM

Daniel Farke has not won any of his past 20 top-flight matches - since a 1-0 victory over Leicester on 28 February 2020. Andrew Omobamidele's header against Leeds was only their third league goal of the campaign.

They have not scored more than once in any of their past 28 top-flight games and at the other end of the pitch, Norwich have lost their past 33 Premier League matches when conceding the first goal.

Posted by: Dobbo. 1st November 2021, 10:00 AM

Nuno sacked.

Never a great sign when he was their 9th choice to replace Moruinho but even I thought he'd get a little bit longer. Hardly a disaster where they are in the table. Not ideal thought when Kane clearly can't be bothered this season.

Posted by: HeadlessJockey 1st November 2021, 10:22 AM

Not sure what Spurs were expecting from Nuno..

Posted by: Houdini 1st November 2021, 11:29 AM

I think Nuno will be better off away from Tottenham in the long run. It feels like people wanted him out from the get go, really they're just on a bad run of form. They were top of the table after the first 3 matches and are now only 5 points off the top 4 with 10 games played. Not sure what the board of that club were expecting from this season to make this decision.

Posted by: Rooney 1st November 2021, 11:35 AM

I don't think Spurs were in that bad a position considering he was way down the pecking order for choice and came in late. It was a bizzarre appointment in the first place to be honest. Seems like they will probably go all-in for Conte now you would imagine? Think the problem with Nuno is he'd got himself in to a bit of a rut and he didn't know how to get out of it. The bigger problem they have there is not selling Kane in the summer, standard Levy behaviour.

Posted by: Dobbo. 1st November 2021, 12:19 PM

Conte looking good for Spurs, which is good as it means he won't be coming to us.

To be fair, he's a manager who'd actually have the balls to drop Kane.

Posted by: Rooney 1st November 2021, 12:33 PM

Can't see him dropping Kane, who else have they got? I'm not sure Kane has downed tools like most people think he has, I think his head is just not there and Nuno wasn't the right coach to re-focus him. Sounds like Spurs pulled the plug on Nuno to get Conte. Heard some rumours that Conte is only flirting with Spurs to see if it forces Man Utd's hand.. doesn't appear that way anymore. Long live Ole!

Posted by: Dobbo. 1st November 2021, 12:43 PM

I think Kane has definitely downed tools, doesn't want to be at the club that's clear and didn't get his ticket to City in the summer. What's his motivation anymore?

Posted by: Mack. 1st November 2021, 03:53 PM

Next Tottenham Manager Odds:

Antonio Conte 1-14f
Paulo Fonseca 10-1
Graham Potter 12-1
Ryan Mason 20-1
Roberto Martinez 25-1
Brendan Rodgers 33-1
Eddie Howe 33-1
Mauricio Pochettino 33-1
Jurgen Klinsmann 33-1
Erik Ten Hag 33-1
Ronald Koeman 33-1
Steven Gerrard 33-1
Sergio Canceieao 40-1

Posted by: steve201 1st November 2021, 06:03 PM

Would be strange considering all the club has done for him!

Posted by: Quarantilas 1st November 2021, 11:31 PM

Conte now confirmed at spurs according to Fabrizio (it got a here we go so it’s nailed on)

Posted by: Mack. 2nd November 2021, 10:58 AM

Apparently Emery set to be Newcastle United manager.

Posted by: Dobbo. 2nd November 2021, 11:40 AM

Mr Gud Ebening coming back? Hell yeah. Not sure why he' want to leave Villareal for Newcastle though (as badly as their doing this season so far).

Posted by: Houdini 2nd November 2021, 01:50 PM

No doubt Conte will end up like the other managers at Tottenham. They are a sacking club after all.

Posted by: Rooney 2nd November 2021, 01:54 PM

Not sure, he is a really good manager, but an 18 month contract just seems really dodgy. He must easily be the 3rd highest paid manager in the league you would expect. I think it's more likely he gets tapped up to go somewhere else than Spurs firing him.

Emery to Newcastle is a mad one too. Not sure he's the manager they need to keep them up..

Posted by: Rooney 3rd November 2021, 01:41 PM

Emery has turned down Newcastle Sounds like from reading between what various journalists have mentioned, he was not keen on the set up.

Posted by: Mack. 6th November 2021, 07:56 PM

Norwich have sacked Farke.

Posted by: Suedehead2 6th November 2021, 08:34 PM

That must have been an interesting meeting. “Come in Daniel, sit yourself down. First, well done on the first win of the season. Second, you’re sacked”.

Posted by: Mack. 6th November 2021, 10:57 PM

After 25 winless Premier League matches in London, Norwich City finally registered their first top-flight win in the capital since April 2012

Posted by: steve201 6th November 2021, 11:07 PM

Interesting to see what happens Norwich now!

Posted by: Mack. 7th November 2021, 01:01 AM

Next Norwich City Manager Odds:

Frank Lampard 4/7f
Enrico Maaßen 9/1
Russell Martin 10/1
Steve Bruce 12/1
Kjetil Knutsen 16/1
Lucien Favre 16/1
Nuno Espirito Santo 20/1
Pascal Jansen 20/1
Sam Allardyce 20/1

Posted by: Flatcap 7th November 2021, 07:37 AM

Strange timing on the part of the team that is local to me. I know 3 supporters who live on the same street as me, would love to hear their views on this..

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59194369

Posted by: Ho-Lee Smokes 7th November 2021, 08:01 AM

I mean it's an attractive job but I don't see Lampard going there considering they are most likely going to get relegated this season.

I think the majority of the Norwich fans are frustrated by the sacking, they have so much potential as a team and some great youngsters but they lack depth and attacking options.

Posted by: Rooney 7th November 2021, 10:24 AM

They must have decided go sake Farke after the Leeds defeat last weekend. Not an unreasonable decision, but they have a massive job on to not get relegated. They must have someone lined up surely!

Posted by: Ho-Lee Smokes 7th November 2021, 01:47 PM

villa have sacked dean smith

poor decision imo, I know they are on a bit of poor form but he deserved more time to turn it around, he's constantly over achieved with them.

Posted by: Mack. 7th November 2021, 01:50 PM

He did deserve time to turn it around for them. Apparently the Farke decision was done on Tuesday..

Posted by: steve201 7th November 2021, 01:55 PM

Ridiculous to sack Smith!

Posted by: RabbitFurCoat 7th November 2021, 02:52 PM

I don't think it is. He's just not very good and shown no ability to turn around poor form. Lost two members of his backroom staff over the summer and consistently can't get a tune out of a team that doesn't contain Grealish. I don't think there's any chance Smith will be appointed by a team in the PL.

Posted by: Suedehead2 7th November 2021, 03:32 PM

With the Villa job now vacant, that's all the more reason to hope Eddie Howe doesn't go to Newcastle. He's on a hiding to nothing there (sacked if they go down, replaced by a bigger name if they stay up) but would surely have better prospects at Villa.

Posted by: Flatcap 7th November 2021, 04:14 PM

International break means managerial merry go round? Article confirming Dean Smith's departure.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59186010

Posted by: steve201 7th November 2021, 05:03 PM

Howe was at the Newcastle game yday with the owners!

Posted by: Rooney 7th November 2021, 05:37 PM

The Villa fans had turned on Dean Smith, you feel they could have stuck with him, but if you're going to make a change then now is the perfect time to do it. Meanwhile, at Old Trafford, Ole still has a job! He must be laughing himself to sleep!

Posted by: steve201 7th November 2021, 06:48 PM

Great win that for West Ham to be fair they were excellent in the second half!

Posted by: Rooney 7th November 2021, 06:55 PM

They took advantage of our poor defence. Moyes has done a good job there, I'm sure he will get lots of plaudits, but today was just one of those games. We've got to lose at some point and it has been coming. They defended well, I thought we were the better side, but we lacked control. We were shocking at set pieces and Mane missed 2 sitters. On another day, their 1st goal doesn't stand and they have 10 men for the majority of the game. It wasn't Craig Pawson's fault we lost today, but Christ, he was absolutely dreadful. All game him and his team got calls wrong for both sides. Genuinely don't know how Creswell did not get sent off, it was a dreadful tackle.

Posted by: steve201 7th November 2021, 10:16 PM

Yeh was at least a yellow but it happens!

I don’t think we will win the league this year just something not quite right or perfect and with Salah and Mane away all January that will be the killer blow. Origi was decent when he came on, should really have started against that West Ham defence for a different alternative upfront!

Posted by: Rooney 7th November 2021, 11:02 PM

The problem is we just don't have the balance, reminds me a bit if 17-18. We're playing Trent further forward, but it means we're way more susepticle at the back. That being said, we're 4 points off the top, clearly a few things for us to work on, but I trust Klopp to get it right. Not sure any team will run away with the league this year, think 85-82 points will do it this season.

Posted by: Houdini 7th November 2021, 11:27 PM

West Ham are being mentioned as possible title contenders by some people and I think they have to be considered as contenders at the moment based on how the table looks now, the question is how long can they keep up their current form. I certainly wouldn't begrudge them winning it. If a team manages to go on a winning streak of 15+ games they will probably be the ones who end up winning the title. Going on such a long winning streak seems to be a full proof way of becoming champions as it has happened every season since after Leicester won the league.

Posted by: Rooney 7th November 2021, 11:57 PM

West Ham are not winning the league. Win 10 games in a row and you win the league, easy as pie. One of City, Liverpool or Chelsea will get there and do that at some stage and get an 8+ streak going. Right now, I’d say it’s going to be City as they’ve the fixtures. But I do think them not being in the League Cup this season anymore will hamper them.

Posted by: Houdini 8th November 2021, 12:30 AM

They most likely wont win it but they have to be considered as contenders right now otherwise you could say Man City who are level on points with them and Liverpool who are behind them aren't contenders either. Teams can't be discriminated when the table is as close as it is now, really no one knows how things will play out until it has actually manifested. Leicester taught everyone that a few years ago!

Posted by: Rooney 8th November 2021, 12:42 AM

They're contenders in the sense that they're there or thereabouts right now, not even a third of the way in to the season. By that logic Arsenal have a shot of the title too! The title race doesn't really kick in until February unless a team has already run away with it. As good as Moyes has West Ham, they just do not have the squad to cope. They deserve their win against Liverpool and the luck of the green, but there is always so much hyperbole with the Premier League- 2 weeks ago City were out of the title race and 6-7 weeks ago Arsenal were getting relegated. West Ham are not going to get the sort of luck they had today every week. Leicester was a one-off, all the starts aligned for them. Can't see Leicester winning at Stamford Bridge, Etihad and Anfield, which they'll probably need to do in at least one of those games.

Posted by: Dobbo. 8th November 2021, 09:39 AM

5 managers sacked already and we're only just into November, going for a record this season surely?!

Unless he was in control of transfers, the Smith one is very very harsh. 100M for Grealish and they've pissed it away. Ings is good but back to his injury-prone self. Buendia hasn't been half the player he was at Norwich & Bailey has barely been given a chance.

Posted by: Rooney 8th November 2021, 09:45 AM

Well if the rumours are led to be true, Rodgers wants the Utd job and would be willing to take over-mid season, so that would be another 2 managers added to the pile if it happens!

Posted by: RabbitFurCoat 8th November 2021, 12:02 PM

West Ham have done far better than I imaged they would with their Europa schedule, you often see teams who aren't used to competing in Europe not be able to cope with the increased schedule but they have smashed it so far. There's no reason why they can't keep up and qualify for the Champions League but I'd expect Arsenal to push very hard for that now, Man Utd looking weaker all the time.

You'd think that Man Utd are the only other team who'd be likely to sack their manager, although Villa linked to a couple in post in Hassenhuttl and Frank, and you can never discount Watford from changing twice.

Posted by: Dobbo. 8th November 2021, 12:48 PM

If Arsenal get slapped by Liverpool next week the picture will change again and it'll be Arteta out, such is the fickle nature of the game! Think we play them ourselves in a few weeks so'll be interesting who's where by then.

Other sackings? If Howe doesn't get off the ground he'll be gone in no time. Watford yes, can't see Ranieri lasting the season. Thomas Frank if Brentford get pulled into the relegation battle. Viera & Hassenhuttl are only a bad run away from pressure. Even Dyche isn't immune if they're still in the bottom 3 come Xmas.

Posted by: Flatcap 8th November 2021, 05:07 PM

Eddie Howe appointed as new head coach at Newcastle.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59172217

Posted by: RabbitFurCoat 8th November 2021, 05:09 PM

I'm still somewhat unsure about Eddie Howe. I feel that this is about as good a job as he could hope for, and I'm not sure Newcastle were realistically ever going to appoint better.

Posted by: steve201 8th November 2021, 09:23 PM

I think Dyche and Frank have a lot of credit left with board and fans, would be very surprised if they got sacked!

Posted by: Mack. 9th November 2021, 12:59 AM

Good luck Eddie. You're going to need it.

Posted by: Mack. 9th November 2021, 01:28 AM

Chelsea's Premier League game against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on 2 January will mark the return of standing to the English top flight after nearly 30 years.

Premier League clubs Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea and Championship side Cardiff have all had their applications to be part of a safe standing trial approved.

Since 1994, grounds in the first and second tiers of the English football pyramid have been required by law to be all-seaters.

"I'm pleased to approve these five clubs as early adopters of licensed safe standing areas for the second half of the season," said sports minister Nigel Huddleston.

Posted by: Dobbo. 9th November 2021, 10:10 AM

Chris Wilder had about as much credit as you could ever want at Sheff U yet didn't stop him getting axed.

Posted by: steve201 9th November 2021, 11:25 PM

This is true and it’s the premier league we are talking about so nobody is safe tbf!

Posted by: Mack. 11th November 2021, 02:53 AM

The Premier League has blocked its clubs wearing their away kits at home on Boxing Day to raise awareness around homelessness.

Homeless charity Shelter hoped to get the support of clubs for the #NoHomeKit initiative on 26 December.

However, while the clubs were supportive of the idea, the Premier League says it would break its rules around kits.

Posted by: Mack. 11th November 2021, 10:33 AM

Aston Villa have appointed Steven Gerrard as manager on a three-and-a-half year deal, ending his three-year reign at Rangers.

The former Liverpool captain, 41, leaves the Scottish champions having guided them to a first league title in 10 years last season.

Posted by: Flatcap 11th November 2021, 10:48 AM

Indeed he has. Interesting to see what reaction he gets on his return to Anfield on the 11th December.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59238635

Posted by: Mack. 11th November 2021, 11:09 AM

Surprised Gerrard left Rangers for Villa.

Posted by: Rooney 11th November 2021, 11:44 AM

I'm not surprised he left for Villa. Realistically this was about the sort of level he was going to go to. He knows their MD from his time at Liverpool, he's obviously been promised money to spend and Villa are a decent sized club who he could easily get in to Europe. They have so many U18-21s coming through, I suspect his time as youth coach at Liverpool has also swayed the board there too.

It's a good appointment, I think he is a decent manager and providing he brings his backroom team with him, I think he will do OK at Villa. He's never going to get the Liverpool job in 2024 unless he proves himself and even then, I just don't think Liverpool will appoint him out of sentiment.

Posted by: Dobbo. 11th November 2021, 11:55 AM

It's a massive risk, more for Gerrard than for Villa but definitely he had to jump at the opportunity like Rodgers did. Needs to get results straight from the off though or else he could easily drown and damage his credentials like Lampard.

Posted by: Mack. 11th November 2021, 09:07 PM

Gerrard has got to at least finish in top six and do well in the cup competitions to even be considered for the Liverpool job.

Posted by: Rooney 12th November 2021, 03:16 PM

True, but even if he fails at Villa he will still get another mid-table job or a top Championship job. See Lampard too- the same could probably be said for Ole when he leaves United too. I'm interested to see how he does, not sure a better club was going to come along for him that has a good set up, plenty of cash and a good youth system too.

Posted by: Houdini 13th November 2021, 11:35 AM

Apparently Dean Smith who was sacked by Aston Villa last week is set to become the new manager of Norwich.

Posted by: Dobbo. 15th November 2021, 09:37 AM

Always find it pretty embarrassing when you nick a manager who's just been sacked like 2 weeks before, reminds me of Nigel Adkins going to Reading after being sacked by Southampton. But I think he could be a shrewd appointment for the Canaries. At least they have a chance of finishing 19th now instead of last.

Posted by: Ho-Lee Smokes 15th November 2021, 09:41 AM

dean smith is a great appointment at norwich

Posted by: Flatcap 15th November 2021, 10:00 AM

It has been on the news websites for a couple of days that he was about to sign the contract. Waited until pen to paper before this. Craig Shakespeare joins him at Norwich. Also a bit of history, his last match was the defeat against Southampton. First match for Norwich is against the same opponents.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59274626

Posted by: Dobbo. 15th November 2021, 10:02 AM

That's pretty coincidental re Soton, chance for instant revenge!

Posted by: daniel chris 16th November 2021, 01:31 PM

yes agreed

Posted by: daniel chris 16th November 2021, 01:32 PM

Chelsea have been backed to beat Manchester City and Liverpool to the Premier League title.

Posted by: Mack. 16th November 2021, 01:53 PM

Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has been charged with two further counts of rape.

Mr Mendy, of Prestbury, has been summonsed to appear at Stockport Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old footballer, who remains in custody, is now facing six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

The charges relate to four complainants over the age of 16 and are alleged to have taken place between October 2020 and August 2021.

Posted by: Mack. 16th November 2021, 01:54 PM

Current Odds: (Coral)

Man City 8-11f
Chelsea 11-4
Liverpool 9-2
West Ham United 50-1
Arsenal 66-1
Man United 66-1

Posted by: Mack. 18th November 2021, 11:56 PM

Jesse Lingard's Manchester United future is in doubt after talks over a new contract collapsed.

The 28-year-old's present deal expires next summer and United hoped to extend the England midfielder's time at Old Trafford following an excellent loan spell at West Ham in the second half of last season.

Lingard opted to stay at Manchester United this season even though six clubs asked about his services, believing manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would provide him with more game time.

Instead, Lingard has started just one game all season, the EFL Cup defeat by West Ham in September. He has also made seven substitute appearances, totalling 76 minutes

Posted by: Quarantilas 20th November 2021, 05:01 PM

I didn’t even bother recording this coz I was out and that appears to have been the right decision. (The 3pm kick offs are on TV here)

Posted by: Houdini 20th November 2021, 05:35 PM

I think the international break should have been extended! It felt refreshing last weekend not having any Premier League football taking place.

Posted by: Mack. 20th November 2021, 05:36 PM

Ole went over over to fans to clap it’s almost to say bye. He’s gone now.

Posted by: Rooney 20th November 2021, 06:24 PM

I've said it for ages, Ole is dreadful. Surely there is no way he survives this - he should have been sacked after the Liverpool game.

Posted by: Flatcap 20th November 2021, 06:50 PM

Was just thinking that, or just before the international break at the latest. Losing to two of the team's biggest rivals isn't going to help your cause...

Posted by: Mack. 20th November 2021, 07:04 PM

Man United are holding an emergency meeting to discuss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's future following the chastening defeat at Watford.

Posted by: steve201 20th November 2021, 07:54 PM

Ah Jesus hope they give him a new contract….

Posted by: Rooney 20th November 2021, 08:22 PM

The funniest part about this is who potentially sacks a manager AFTER the international break. Such a poorly run club, he should have been sacked after the City game if they wanted rid of him. There's a massive game for them midweek against Villareal as well.

Posted by: Mack. 20th November 2021, 08:30 PM

Posted by: Mack. 20th November 2021, 08:42 PM

Future still undecided apparently on Ole.

Posted by: Ho-Lee Smokes 20th November 2021, 08:54 PM

i think they will get rid after chelsea and have intern against Arsenal, after that they have an easy run

Posted by: Mack. 20th November 2021, 10:34 PM

Is Maguire still cupping his ears?

Posted by: steve201 20th November 2021, 10:35 PM

What the hell was Fernandes thinking with that pass for the penalty then Sarr had to retake it for United players encroaching??

Posted by: steve201 20th November 2021, 10:38 PM

What a ball by Sancho for the United goal

Posted by: steve201 20th November 2021, 10:39 PM

Also awful by Maguire!

Posted by: Mack. 20th November 2021, 10:49 PM

Is Maguire still cupping his ears?

Posted by: Mack. 20th November 2021, 10:50 PM

This again was painful to watch that Man United performance.

Posted by: Mack. 20th November 2021, 11:00 PM

Posted by: Mack. 20th November 2021, 11:10 PM

Arsenal got off light...if the ball hadn't hit Ramsdale a few times Liverpool could have had twice as many..

Posted by: Mack. 20th November 2021, 11:12 PM

Leicester have been awful since they beat Man Utd, its almost like they put all their effort into that game and have given away points continually since.

Posted by: Mack. 20th November 2021, 11:26 PM

Newcastle scored some goals at least, now they need to sort out their defending.

Posted by: steve201 20th November 2021, 11:37 PM

What a strike by Maxwell Cornet for Burnley in that entertaining match at Turf Moor!

Posted by: Mack. 20th November 2021, 11:49 PM

Certainly was a great strike from Cornet.

Posted by: Mack. 20th November 2021, 11:51 PM

Dean Smith exacts swift revenge on Southampton having lost his final game as Villa boss by winning in his first game as Norwich boss.

Posted by: Quarantilas 20th November 2021, 11:53 PM

Same story as always. Watford won’t win another game now this year

Posted by: Quarantilas 21st November 2021, 10:35 AM

Carrick is caretaker until they appoint an interim to reach the end of the season

Posted by: Flatcap 21st November 2021, 10:39 AM

Indeed. Another article here. The expected has happened.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54826343

Posted by: steve201 21st November 2021, 10:47 AM

Thanks for everything Ole it’s been a wonderfully hilarious few years

LFC

Posted by: Rooney 21st November 2021, 10:57 AM

Carrick is in charge, the fun doesn't stop yet Such a badly run club, they don't even have an interim lined up. Genuinely feel they could appoint Roy Hodgson at this point.

Posted by: RabbitFurCoat 21st November 2021, 10:58 AM

Ole has largely done quite well, much better than I imagined, he's managed to bring Man Utd back towards the top but once there is when he's been seriously found wanting. Last season was a season where it was just enough to be satisfied whereas this season they have been completely woeful and he's continuously shown he can't turn it around. I do sort of think though that whoever's there will struggle to some extent with the structure which is in place.

Posted by: Quarantilas 21st November 2021, 11:02 AM

Ole has turned the sinking ship around. The internal belief and squad are now better than at any point since Fergie left and there is a better squad now than the one Moyes inherited.

I am sad it didn’t work out and the wheels fell of this year

Posted by: Houdini 21st November 2021, 11:42 AM

It's sad that it came to this but it is probably the right decision. Still for what he did on the pitch as a player he will always be a hero to me, so many people who don't support Man United are still traumatised by what Ole and the teammates around him achieved as well as Sir Alex all those years ago. The winning goal in the Champions League final, scoring 4 goals in one match against Nottingham Forest, the last minute winning goal against Liverpool in an FA Cup match and everything else. A lot of these people care more about Man United than the team that they actually support and Ole was a major part of that, he also had some positive memorable moments as manager so his legacy will never be diminished or forgotten.

Posted by: Houdini 21st November 2021, 12:03 PM

What's more hilarious is the fact that after 30 years of not winning the league the one year when Liverpool actually managed to do it they lifted the Premier League trophy in an empty stadium and didn't get to parade it around the streets of Liverpool.

Posted by: Quarantilas 21st November 2021, 12:07 PM

And yet they still had more people there than for any of the city trophy presentations

Posted by: Rooney 21st November 2021, 12:12 PM

Be careful what you wish for though, will soon be 10 years since Man Utd last won the league, nobody thought that in 2013. Just like it will soon be 20 years for Arsenal as well.

Posted by: Mack. 21st November 2021, 02:35 PM

Newcastle are 12 games without a win from the start of the season. They become only the 7th club to do that in the Premier League era. Of the previous six, 2 stayed up and 4 went down.

12 games – Everton 1994/95: Survived

13 games – Derby 2000/01: Survived
13 games – Norwich 2004/05: Relegated

15 games – Swindon 1993/94: Relegated

16 games – QPR 2012/13: Relegated

17 games – Sheffield United 2020/21: Relegated

Posted by: Mack. 21st November 2021, 02:45 PM

So apparently Blanc is being talked about as the Man United interim manager.

Posted by: steve201 21st November 2021, 04:59 PM

Do I look like I care

Posted by: steve201 21st November 2021, 05:00 PM

You do know people feel like that because of the way United fans act when they are successful? That’s why there are loads of my friends and family that are ABU.

Posted by: Rooney 21st November 2021, 09:37 PM

Yeah people hate United now because of their success in the 90s and 00s, it's the same why lots of people in their late 30s and 40s especially hate Liverpool because they were so successful in the 70s and 80s. Success breeds hate!

That 4th spot looks really up for grabs. Personally, I think Blanc would be a terrible interim appointment. I don't know what this obsession is with getting an ex-player. Even someone like Hodgson would at least make them harder to beat, as awful as he would be too. Really do feel Arsenal or Spurs could make a push for it or maybe even a left-field choice like West Ham or Wolves.

Posted by: Houdini 21st November 2021, 10:50 PM

Finishing 4th gets the same reward as finishing 2nd or 3rd so whoever does finish there will be practically be on the same level as two out of Tuchel/Guardiola/Klopp who fail to win the league this season. For all that we hear about how those 3 are so much better than the rest the cold hard fact is that two of them will end up as losers in the Premier League this season but maybe the goalposts will be moved for them and finishing 2nd or 3rd will be viewed as having a great season in the Premier League alone.

Posted by: steve201 21st November 2021, 11:07 PM

It really depends on how many points the teams amass, if they are in the title race and end up with decent points it will be looked at as a success. If they are third 20 points behind it won’t. Only one team can win the league at the end of the day.

Posted by: Rooney 21st November 2021, 11:25 PM

That's a totally mad shout Houdini - only one team can win. City should be winning the league every season with the amount of money they spend. Finishing 2nd, 3rd or 4th can be viewed has having a good season, it all depends on the context. Ole got plaudits for taking United to 2nd last season and took all the credit, of course forgetting Liverpool lost all their CBs halfway through the season and Chelsea had Frank Lampard in charge for half of it! It all depends on how close it is, not sure it can be close between 3 teams- suspect City and Chelsea will pull a way a little. As much as we will give it a good go, just think we have too many injuries already and that will inevitably catch up with us again.

Posted by: Houdini 21st November 2021, 11:50 PM

Ole didn't really get that many plaudits for finishing 2nd, last season was still seen as a disappointment and the previous season where we finished 3rd was seen in the same way. The point is if Chelsea/Man City/Liverpool are the top 3 then the two teams out of those who fail to win the league will end up achieving the same thing as whoever finishes 4th. It doesn't matter how far ahead in points the top 3 are. If you finish 2nd or 3rd you'll have no trophy to show for it, just Champions League qualification like 4th place. Whoever finishes 2nd this season will achieve exactly what Ole did last season.

Posted by: Rooney 22nd November 2021, 12:31 AM

He got loads of plaudits for finishing 2nd. He did well and took advantage of the situation that was presented to him through the other teams. Of course, everyone forgets that the obsence amount of penalties Man Utd used to get, made up for his own coaching skills. 1 penalty this season and they got something like 18 last year. Of course that's not the only factor. There are a few others, but the big elephant in the room is still Ronaldo. He's completely upset the balance of the team, which anyone who is a neutral/hates Utd can see. There's no trophies but if you're 1-2 points behind the winner compared to 10-12 points, that historically tells us that the gap can easily be closed the following season with the right recruitment and luck, so yes it is disappointing and there is no trophy, but it also means you can see the bigger picture and realise you can't win everything all the time.

Posted by: Dobbo. 22nd November 2021, 10:48 AM

I'm really sad. I know there wasn't really any way he could continue after yesterday (and the trend of results over the past 2 months) but the result yesterday was not on him at all. Everyone kept saying he's useless for continuing to pick Pogba & Fred well neither of them played yesterday and nothing changed. It was firmly on the players yesterday, did Ole get Maguire sent off? His only sin has been continuing to pick the useless lump all season. And I always hate it when any team for that matter sacks the manager without an immediate replacement in mind, just makes things worse.

The defence really has been the problem all year. I don't think any of Southampton, Leicester or Palace would take Shaw, Maguire or AWB back even if we paid them. That alone says everything you need to know.

No idea where we go from here but I won't look forward to the matches anymore. And that was the best thig under Ole, I always looked forward to watching the matches way more than under LVG or Mourinho. And funnily enough this year is an exact mirror image of 3 years ago. Finish second, hype for the next season followed by absolute crisis and the manager's gone before the year is out. So we're in this perpetual 3 year cycle of starting from scratch, gaining some momentum but ultimately... winning nothing.

I think we need to write off the league campaign and focus wholly on the CL for what it's worth! If we do an Arsenal last year and finish outside the European spots that might prove very helpful next season depending on who's in charge.

Actually it was a Watford player who was encroaching (Femenia who scored the follow up). But that rule doesn't make any sense at all. How can it be a retaken penalty when it's the attacking team in the wrong? Should have been a free kick to us.

Posted by: Rooney 22nd November 2021, 12:49 PM

Dobbo - you've touched on a bigger problem, they have got rid of Ole but kept the coaching staff. I think Ole was well liked and had the majority of the dressing room, but the major problem is still there with Carrick/Fletcher and the others. Are they going to change their plan overnight? I'd highly doubt it. The big problem right now is the defence, it is not solid enough and the rot has to stop, even if that's a 0-0 draw. Gerrard did somethign similar at with Villa at the weekend. On the whole, he likes to play more attacking but you just need to not concede and be solid. It's why I don't even think someone like Nuno or Hodgson is that bad an interim choice as they will at least make you harder to beat. Maguire for example looks amazing in an England shirt, but like a pub player in a United shirt and that surely can only be down to the fact he cannot be exposed in the same way say Dias or Virgil can be.

Posted by: Dobbo. 22nd November 2021, 02:56 PM

Oh please no I don't wanna go back to the dark days of LVG playing 6 at the back at home to scrape 0-0s. Rather we lose 4-3 every week than that utter dross. We don't even have the team to do that anyway. Getting Varane back to fitness is a must, every time we've been embarrassed he's not played which is telling. Then he comes back and we play our best game of the season against Spurs a few weeks back. Hodgson though come on, harder to beat? You were nearly relegated under him!

Reports than Poch is interested in the role and tbh if that actually happens I think he's the best fit out there for us right now. Be very surprised to see him leave PSG mid-season but stranger things have happened.

Posted by: Rooney 22nd November 2021, 04:17 PM

Hodgson would be fantastic Just don't leave him in control of transfers!

Pochettino would be a good appointment, although I would highly question his bottle if he is willing to throw the towel in at PSG. I can understand his frustration at having to play Neymar, Messi and Mbappe every game, but it's not like it is going to be that much easier at United with Ronaldo!? He's a good coach though, I certainly think United could do a lot worse. Seems to be Pochettino flirting with United rather than United wanting Pochettino, which is worrying when it seems the board is influenced by managers rather than having a clear succession plan or strategy.

Posted by: Quarantilas 22nd November 2021, 06:38 PM

I don’t think that’s entirely the case. Their plan for a little while seems to have been just get to the end of the Season and then swap coaches. Poch and tenHaag are supposedly favoured on the basis that neither are available until the end of the season - that’s how we got the talk of interim in the press statement.

Dislike moving without a plan, because what they’ve done is take the figurehead off, who is held in extremely high regard by the fans, but kept his entire structure in place. Think in hindsight Ole was wrong to not accept the advice to change the Backroom team as there is some coaching issues at play that aren’t resolved by this. Carrick might have some other ideas but fundamentally, nothing is going to change tomorrow or At the weekend and won’t until a new set up arrives

Posted by: steve201 22nd November 2021, 11:35 PM

The Poch would be the one imo!

Posted by: Mack. 24th November 2021, 03:04 AM

Manchester United have contacted former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde about the role of interim manager.

Posted by: Dobbo. 25th November 2021, 04:25 PM

So we're set to appoint Ralf Rangnick. Must admit I've never heard of him before.

Posted by: Mack. 25th November 2021, 04:44 PM

No I'm not familiar with him either. I think he took Schalke to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2011.

Posted by: Rooney 25th November 2021, 04:47 PM

I'm sure you will have, he is quite eccentric loves a good disagreement. I think he is a fairly good appointment, maybe less so on a managerial perspective, but it sounds like he is staying in on a consultancy basis for 2 years afterwards (not so sure this is a Director of Football position, but he might be able to advise how to set up football operations I suppose). I think he will be a good appointment, but he likes a good press and not so sure he is going to have much time to implement it or where that leaves Ronaldo.

Think the key will be if he gets on with the board as I just can't see him accepting signing players for commercial gain if they do not fit with the football philosophy.

Posted by: steve201 25th November 2021, 08:04 PM

Don’t know how they can appoint someone like him and not give time to implement his successful methods?

Posted by: Dobbo. 26th November 2021, 08:42 AM

Ah Okay yes I remember this game very well. That was the game that put Manuel Neuer on the map!

Posted by: steve201 26th November 2021, 07:46 PM

Was that not the World Cup in 2010!?

Posted by: Mack. 27th November 2021, 11:32 PM

I'm guessing Marcelo Bielsa has no interest in learning English.

Posted by: Mack. 28th November 2021, 01:04 AM

Posted by: Mack. 28th November 2021, 01:23 AM

A point's a point. A clean sheet is also... *ahem*! Possibly a better result for a below-par Wolves, but surely a more valuable one for Norwich...

Posted by: Mack. 28th November 2021, 01:44 AM

Newcastle look like being the richest club in the championship. I can’t see how they stay up. They’re awful

Posted by: steve201 28th November 2021, 02:55 AM

They are!

There’s a lot of riches in the championship tho, only found out last week Alexander Mitrovic is on 100k a week at Fulham!

Posted by: steve201 28th November 2021, 01:40 PM

The Burnley vs Tottenham Hotspur game at Turf Moor has been postponed due to heavy snowfall.

Posted by: Rooney 28th November 2021, 08:35 PM

All Newcastle need is a win and they will be right back in the mix. It looks very even out there down the bottom, loads of teams in poor and yo-yo form. The reality is, all you need is a small piece of form and they will be ok. Still think Newcastle will go down though, but everyone thought Norwich were dead certs a few weeks ago and they've given themselves a chance at least now.

Posted by: steve201 28th November 2021, 09:30 PM

Yeh and Brighton haven’t won in 6 games now as they are evening out.

Good result that at Stanford Bridge today.

Keane and Carra were like Rooney and Dobbo argueing about Ronaldo after the game!

Posted by: Houdini 28th November 2021, 09:46 PM

I didn't even know this but apparently no team that has had 6 points or less after 13 games played has survived relegation so it doesn't look good for Newcastle. I always have the feeling that they will avoid it though but maybe that's because of Newcastle's history in the Premier League, a bit like Leeds in the early 2000s before they eventually got relegated.


Chelsea really should have beaten us today as they dominated every area of the match. They had 24 shots and had to rely on a penalty to get their goal, no one can say a draw was a good result for them.

Posted by: Rooney 28th November 2021, 10:19 PM

Like I have always said, Ronaldo is one huge part of the problem. Not the full problem, but he is a massive part of why Man Utd are so poor. But, happy with Man Utd taking a point at the Bridge!!

Posted by: Mack. 28th November 2021, 11:20 PM

At least Cresswell didn't do a Phil Babb on the post. If you know, you know.

Posted by: steve201 29th November 2021, 12:03 AM

Newcastle have been relegated twice in the last decade have they not?

Posted by: Houdini 29th November 2021, 01:35 AM

Yes that's true. I was thinking more of them being in the Premier League almost every season since it's been known as the Premier League. They managed to get promoted straight back both times after they were relegated.

Posted by: Dobbo. 29th November 2021, 10:01 AM

Toon have 2 very favourable home fixtures next and I wouldn't at all be surprised to see them win both especially with the honeymoon period of Howe still about so it's far too early to say anything about relegation. They'll be able to splash the cash somewhat in Jan too unlike the other teams down there.

A very spirited game from us yesterday. 2 extremely fortuitous goals for both teams!

Re Ronaldo the only reason there's such a media circus when he gets benched is because he's Ronaldo. He can't and won't start every game and Chelsea away (whom he has a curiously bad record against anyway) is about as perfect a game as you'd want to rest him ahead of a more favourable run of games in which he could be banging goals in. Sancho is growing into some form which is pleasing to see.

Most of all, the game showed me that Maguire is definitely not undroppable and should have been dropped way earlier this season when his head was all over the place.

Posted by: Rooney 29th November 2021, 11:26 AM

Ole was one of those managers who had his favourites, clearly there were players who were undroppable no matter how patchy their form was. Guess it happens with most managers, and he is the club captain I suppose. Just always baffled me with Ole's reluctance to play certain players (VDB, Bailly, even Sancho to some degree).

I watched the Keane and Carragher debate and it was laughable. Ronaldo has come to United to win the FA Cup yeah right! He was a vanity and commercial signing. He will score goals against the crap teams as his quality shines through, but he's a complete passenger mostly in the big games as he doesn't press anymore. Benching him against Chelsea was the right call, I didn't watch the game, but most people have said United looked better as a team without him on the pitch.

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds 1st December 2021, 02:04 PM

A 1-0 win for Leeds over Crystal Palace with a stoppage time goal - not the ideal situation but a win's a win I guess!

Posted by: Rooney 1st December 2021, 02:07 PM

It's gonna be a battle at the bottom, so many terrible teams. I watched the Newcastle-Norwich game and it was mostly dreadful. Thought Leeds got a little lucky with the win too, but definite penalty. I do love this time of year though as there is so much football, but teams look gassed after 70 minutes at times!

Posted by: steve201 1st December 2021, 02:18 PM

Good luck next season with this seasons last game on 22/5 then an early start next then breaking up for the World Cup in November!

Posted by: Rooney 1st December 2021, 10:47 PM

It's going to be brutal, but for once I think most players will get a good summer break and a full pre-season together.

Posted by: Dobbo. 2nd December 2021, 08:24 AM

Surely Rafa is going to be sacked? Everton in a relegation battle at this rate.

Wouldn't surprise me if they bring in Nuno.

Posted by: Rooney 2nd December 2021, 09:22 AM

The problem isn't necessary Rafa though, it is the board. I don't think he has been helped by losing his best player for a long time now, but the few years of really poor investment and strategy is really shining through now. Think he will probably be the fall guy, but whoever goes there isn't gonna have much money to spend.

Posted by: Dobbo. 2nd December 2021, 10:31 AM

Rafa definitely isn't the problem but the manager always pays the price for poor results, no one else.

Having to play Rondon up front every week who has the attacking threat of a ham sandwich isn't what he deserves.

Posted by: Ho-Lee Smokes 2nd December 2021, 10:46 AM

I think Watford, Burnley and Southampton could go down but it wouldn't surprise me if Everton went down if I'm being honest they have such a week team that is being shown now. I bet you Rafa wishes he never took it and returned to Newcastle for ££££££

Posted by: Dobbo. 2nd December 2021, 10:54 AM

If Newcastle are still in the mire come January it also wouldn't surprise me to see them bin off Howe and beg for Rafa to come back.

Posted by: Rooney 2nd December 2021, 11:24 AM

I thought he was OK last night for a spell. He's clearly past it, but he's physical and can cause some problems. It's all so tight down there, a bad spell of 3-4 games and the teams are down in trouble. Only the top 4 have a positive goal difference, so I think that tells you everything you need to know really. I genuinely think any from about 10 teams could go down this year. They key will be to making sure you don't get cut adrift by more than 6-8 points.

Posted by: Dobbo. 2nd December 2021, 11:29 AM

Yeah the GD stat is madness. Top 3 just giving out hammerings left, right and centre. Turing into a La Liga 5-10 years ago with a big 3 and the rest lambs to the slaughter!

Posted by: Rooney 2nd December 2021, 11:51 AM

Must be something that the statisticians have looked at. I know Liverpool for example, we have massively worked on our attacking patterns of play and massively go for risk vs reward. Definitely a noticeable difference in that regard, which I put down to us struggling against low block defences. My worry is City have a really nice run of fixture and they are just going to go on a massive run and coast away, can't see when they might drop points next where as I suspect Chelsea aren't too far away and I know Liverpool will.