Off Topic Non-Sunderland games

They were always gonna qualify in the European places etc and compete but there’s no denying Howe has done a class job, as much as we don’t like it. They’ve spent a lot of money of course but it’s not exactly a whole new team. I’d love it if they fell away but they’re so hard to beat currently.

 

"Stoke City supporters have gone into the World Cup break in a furious mood following a deflating defeat at West Bromwich Albion."

That's such a shame ...

... lovely club, top supporters and a great manager.

Neil left Sunderland, on principle, because he wouldn't accept working with a technical director and wanted total control of transfers. Ironically Stoke have just appointed a technical director 'who will be responsible for player recruitment, scouting and analysis' ... both he and Neil have to report to the chairman.

Never mind, they're two points clear of the relegation zone, big enthusiastic crowds and the transfer embargo won't last forever.

 

Not liking it in a rivalry sort of way, doesn't really come into it for me. They're not a real club anymore. They're not our old rivals, they're the Saudi Arabian regime. Anything that happens is inevitable. There's no room for nuance or credit, everything that happens up there comes on the back of the suffering of others. The minute you look past what they are to how they're performing, you've let the sports washing win.

 

On the subject of sports washing, the below is fascinating. Man City's new Asian betting partner 8xbet appears to not exist and all of the traffic leads back to UAE. Their website attracts an average of 170 viewers a day (compared to millions on official betting sites), many of which appear to be bots. There's shell linkedin profiles and actors pretending to be executives. This is how you get around FFP to give the appearance of playing by the rules. It's an absolutely mad rabbit hole to go down but it really makes you wonder why they need to go to such lengths to hide the truth.

https://josimarfootball.com/ghost-in-the-machine/

 

Potential cracker today in burnley Blackburn

 

Been terrible so far. Hopefully a better second half.

 

That should liven it up

 

Peach of a cross that

 

Fully deserved from Burnley. Blackburn haven’t looked like scoring at all.

 

Didn’t think they were anything special when they beat us, Diaz has had zero service today

 

These could be 2 good games in the PL as well. I'll go for 2 home wins.

 

1 nowt Brighton already.

 

Dreadful defending Blackburn

 

Canny good burnley like

 

Very good side. Blackburn have been punching above their weight this season though based on what I’ve seen.

 

The league’s absolutely wide open it’s brilliant

 

Fans starting to turn on their Oatcake forum. Would be absolutely delighted to see Neil get sacked after we thump them 4-0 at the SOL in March

 

Translation - "We've been ****e for years, so the fact we are still ****e isn't my fault"

 

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I can see Kompany at Everton by Christmas.