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The 2018-2019 Football Thread

Interesting that the positive and empowering and liberating revolution inspired by OGS does not seem to have touched Sanchez to the same extent as some of the others who have improved so dramatically under Solskjaer.
 
Dirty Ramos gets a ban for purposely getting a yellow card in order to reset his card count in the Champions League. Another cheat in a long list of cheats from a remarkably talented yet irredeemably dirty player.
 
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In a piece of news that will surprise nobody, Man City managed to knock Newport County out of the FA Cup. Credit to Newport for keeping a clean sheet for the first half.

I watched a rather dull Millwall win 1-0 against an even duller AFC Wimbledon. Very small stadium though, I could hear every curse uttered by the fans and wayward shots tended to fly right over the stands. Fun.
 
Lord Blackadder said:
In a piece of news that will surprise nobody, Man City managed to knock Newport County out of the FA Cup. Credit to Newport for keeping a clean sheet for the first half.

I watched a rather dull Millwall win 1-0 against an even duller AFC Wimbledon. Very small stadium though, I could hear every curse uttered by the fans and wayward shots tended to fly right over the stands. Fun.
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Newport did astonishingly well in the first half - holding City to 0-0 at half time - (something achieved by very few Premiership teams this season) and could well have scored in the first half.

I used to love the romance (of the possibility) of those "giant-killer" results that the FA Cup matches occasionally produced. This happens less often nowadays, but one can still hope.
 
JamesMike said:
I was satisfied with Man U's win over Chelsea. It looked like Chelsea's play was a bit confused.
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More than a bit confused: Out-thought, out-fought, and out-played. No contest, really.

However, to my mind, even more than Sarri's rigidity re his "system", (and Chelsea knew what they were getting before they recruited him), there is also the uncertain situation re the position of the owner of the club.

Since the UK tightened up residency requirements and regulations, - and Mr Abramovich cannot meet those requirements - he has lived abroad, and has not attended a single Chelsea match this season. Moreover, it is thought that he is seeking a buyer for the club, given that he is not really in a position to devote as much time to it as he may have wished. All f the can only add to the uncertainty surrounding the club.

Apple fanboy said:
I’m sure you were! Finishing 4th and a cup win would be a very successful year when you consider where you were under Mourino.
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This is true, but - PSG apart - Manchester United have yet to be seriously tested; both Sari and Emery enjoyed a good spell earlier in the season, but were unable to sustain it.

However, the flowering and liberation of Pogba under OGS has been both a revelation and a joy to behold.
 
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I listened to the Man City match and I'm glad they were able to get the win. Two dubious penalty decisions and a sending off made a mockery of the evening. Especially when VAR was not working because the screen was broke! Please, this is the champions league! Can someone have a whip round for a new TV!

Elsewhere with Man City and Chelsea not playing this weekend, I've had to swap out a few players for the old Fantasy Football (wild card).
Hoping my colleagues don't remember at work because I really need to close the gap!

Screenshot 2019-02-20 at 23.05.10.png
 
Apple fanboy said:
I listened to the Man City match and I'm glad they were able to get the win.
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I've been ambivalent about Man City's success for years - neither like nor dislike. It was good to see a new team winning things after Man Utd's dominance of the league and Chelsea nipping in for a few titles.

But now, with Man City poised to dominate for years to come, I want to see them beaten occasionally by genuine rivals (and not Man Utd - they've had their turn on the podium). I of course want to see Liverpool winning things, but it would also be nice to see Arsenal and even Spurs up there. And maybe a surprise or two in the cups.
 
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Lord Blackadder said:
I've been ambivalent about Man City's success for years - neither like nor dislike. It was good to see a new team winning things after Man Utd's dominance of the league and Chelsea nipping in for a few titles.

But now, with Man City poised to dominate for years to come, I want to see them beaten occasionally by genuine rivals (and not Man Utd - they've had their turn on the podium). I of course want to see Liverpool winning things, but it would also be nice to see Arsenal and even Spurs up there. And maybe a surprise or two in the cups.
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I'd personally Like to see Spurs do well out of the clubs up there, but they lack the strength in depth.

I'm surprised a certain Goooner hasn't been on regarding their win in the Europa league tonight!
 
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Apple fanboy said:
I'd personally Like to see Spurs do well out of the clubs up there, but they lack the strength in depth.

I'm surprised a certain Goooner hasn't been on regarding their win in the Europa league tonight!
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Cough.

Ahem.

Firstly, I wasn't actually expecting all that much and thus, secondly, I allowed myself to become distracted (reading books, and reading about Brexit), and so, wasn't paying all that much - ah - attention to this match. Mea culpa.

But, yes, I'll take a win when and where I find it with no complaints.
 
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Interesting news today with Chelsea receiving a two window transfer ban from FIFA (a ban they intend to appeal); no matter which way one views this, it cannot but add further stress to the cub and the management of the club.
 
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Scepticalscribe said:
Interesting news today with Chelsea receiving a two window transfer ban from FIFA (a ban they intend to appeal); no matter which way one views this, it cannot but add further stress to the cub and the management of the club.
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Also if it stands will seriously cause them issues in their search for a new manager.

West Ham 2-1 Fulham.
 
Lord Blackadder said:
FIFA bans are ALWAYS voided or reduced on appeal, they are a joke.
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I would be surprised if this transfer ban was entirely voided - it may well be reduced - but I do think that the intention is to send a strong signal, and make Chelsea suffer a bit of pain - (even if only temporarily); the thing is, Chelsea are already somewhat unsteady, and the unstable position of the manager, and distant and detached position of the owner who cannot operate from the UK and who is said to be seeking buyers for the club, cannot but add to the tension and stress the club is already enduring.
 
Scepticalscribe said:
Burnley defeat Spurs by two goals to one.

A very good result for Burnley, who defended well and kept their focus.
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And that man Zaha is helping Crystal Palace to victory against Leicester.
Although I enjoyed our victory, I’m not a big fan of Friday night football. Makes Saturday/Sunday less enjoyable. Still MOTD will be part of my evening plan.
 
Apple fanboy said:
And that man Zaha is helping Crystal Palace to victory against Leicester.
Although I enjoyed our victory, I’m not a big fan of Friday night football. Makes Saturday/Sunday less enjoyable. Still MOTD will be part of my evening plan.
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Not a fan of Friday night football, myself, either.

Yes, Palace are once again ahead against Leicester.
 
Apple fanboy said:
Indeed. Puts 6 points between Palace and the trap door. Makes them safe in my mind given the teams below them. Zaha is worth his wages and then some in that team.
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Oh, yes, agreed.

I'd argue that Palace are relatively safe, as well, at this stage.

can't see Huddersfield surviving the drop, and Fulham look to be in trouble as well - it is unlikely that they will manage to amass the points they will need by season's end.

Southampton are not doing well, while Cardiff have put together a few good results in recent weeks, although they are not yet clear of trouble. Likewise, Brighton's recent results would be a cause for some concern.
 
Scepticalscribe said:
Oh, yes, agreed.

I'd argue that Palace are relatively safe, as well, at this stage.

can't see Huddersfield surviving the drop, and Fulham look to be in trouble as well - it is unlikely that they will manage to amass the points they will need by season's end.

Southampton are not doing well, while Cardiff have put together a few good results in recent weeks, although they are not yet clear of trouble. Likewise, Brighton's recent results would be a cause for some concern.
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Well if Southampton are doing so badly, I’d expect you to sweep them aside tomorrow! I could do with an Aubameyang hat trick for my Fantasy team! MOTD time.
 
Apple fanboy said:
Well if Southampton are doing so badly, I’d expect you to sweep them aside tomorrow! I could do with an Aubameyang hat trick for my Fantasy team! MOTD time.
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Actually, I expect the Gunners to wobble and stumble and make Very Hard Work of things.

Thus, while I think Southampton are quite weak, I am not so sure that Arsenal have the confidence and clinical focus to deal with them appropriately.
 
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