The General Football Thread

The other two would have been just as difficult. Six London clubs left, plus Brighton and Southampton so there's a chance someone from the South will reach the final.

 

They should have sold Messi when they could. But sports management is one of the rare instances where democracy is a very silly idea, and Laporta ran for the position on the promise to basically ignore their mounting financial cataclysm and keep the gang together, which was popular with Barca members but not even remotely realistic.

There's also a deep, deep irony given his reputation here that the reason they want to turf Koeman is that he's too committed to using what is almost definitely a lost season to try and bring through their kids, rather than relying on the superannuated stars of yesteryear.

 

Be interesting to see how many tickets we take. Expect it'll depend on prices but hopefully at least 3k.

 

I'll be going. Stamford Bridge under the lights is pretty cool.

 

In the Carabao you have to play the big teams at some point and probably better to play them earlier when they won’t go full strength, still be a tough ask though

 

Their player recruitment has been rather indifferent as well, as evidenced by signing the injury prone Aguero, for example and paying wy over the price for Dembele, Couthinho and Griezmann.. They still have Busquets, Pique and Alba from the era when they were great, and I am not sure that is entirely beneficial to them in planning for the future. IMO, I feel it won't do them any harm to reduce their massive wage bill, and gradually replace the old timers with younger faster players from their academy and with those bought for a relatively low price. In contrast, Real Madirid have been doing this for several seasons now, Eden Hazard apart.

 

Chelsea have some easy games before and after our cup tie, so might well go full strength against us;

Malmo H
Norwich H
Saints H
Newcastle A

 

I hope this gets followed up, West Ham should complain.

 

I know Barca are screwed, but they still shouldn't really be drawing 0-0 with Cadiz...(and Ron got sent off too).

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-58672469

Well done Bolton

 

Koeman looks to be getting sacked at Barcelona. I love to see it. Surprisingly enough, 83 crosses a game and a bunch of direct hoofing it to a big, static forward has ticked everyone off. Even if results had been good (they haven’t), his style of football was always going to have him in trouble there.

 

He’s been angling for it, I think, as he knows it’ll cost them a fortune (plus he paid the Dutch FA personally to get out of the contract on the basis that he’d get reimbursed if Barca sacked him within 2-3 years ). Good planning I’d say!!

 

Napoli look quite good on BT Sports

 

RIP Roger Hunt
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58717157

 

Ah, another of the Boys of '66 has passed.....R.I.P. Roger...

 

Another of my childhood football heroes passes.

RIP Roger

 

Sholing went to the top of the league with this home win against Slimbridge on Saturday and they scored yet another fantastic goal from 30 yards by Rob Nicholls.

 

KDB could be in a bit of trouble here.

 

Think De Bruyne is fortunate to escape a red card there.

 

That is Messi at his best. Stunning.