The 2022-2023 Football Thread

[Scepticalscribe]

And words do fail me for the next story, also from the Guardian:

Apparently, (in 2021, around six months before he was subsequently sanctioned as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine), Everton was funded by the oligarch Alisher Usmanov while he was barred from travelling to the UK, an action said to have been "personally directed" by Priti Patel, apparently because his presence was “not deemed conducive to the public good”.

The thing is that - according to today's report - the existence of the travel ban was known to Everton's board, knowledge - needless to say - that was not shared with the public or with their fans.

The Guardian rightly remarks that this "raises further questions about whether English football’s due diligence processes are fit for purpose."

 

[Apple fanboy]

Sam Allardyce has been confirmed as Leeds manager for the remaining four games of the season, - their third manager of the season - and, according to the Guardian - has been offered what they refer to as an "incentivised" package, reportedly around £3million if he steers them to safety, avoiding relegation.

Words almost fail me.

Really don’t think they would have been worse off if they had stuck with last year’s manager!

 

[Apple fanboy]

And words do fail me for the next story, also from the Guardian:

Apparently, (in 2021, around six months before he was subsequently sanctioned as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine), Everton was funded by the oligarch Alisher Usmanov while he was barred from travelling to the UK, an action said to have been "personally directed" by Priti Patel, apparently because his presence was “not deemed conducive to the public good”.

The thing is that - according to today's report - the existence of the travel ban was known to Everton's board, knowledge - needless to say - that was not shared with the public or with their fans.

The Guardian rightly remarks that this "raises further questions about whether English football’s due diligence processes are fit for purpose."

Due diligence check template for Premier League.

1. Does the perspective owner have enough money?
If yes it’s a pass.
If no it’s a fail.

You have now completed the Premier League due diligence test.

Congratulations and welcome to premier League ownership (insert name of dictator or gangster here).

 

[Sal09]

Opting to watch Master Chef over Footie.

Goodluck. #COYI

 

[Apple fanboy]

Opting to watch Master Chef over Footie.

Goodluck. #COYI

Can’t agree with your choice of program, but can agree with your support!

No KDB gives me a small amount of hope. But ruins my FF points!

So far so good!

 

[Sal09]

Can’t agree with your choice of program, but can agree with your support!

No KDB gives me a small amount of hope. But ruins my FF points!

So far so good!

And no Ederson. #COYI

 

[Sal09]

Big Sam has spoken. Leeds are going to beat Manchester City and all.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

It is not often that this thread will be witness to a post from me which reads: "Come on, you Irons!"

And this is written with fervent feeling, no less.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Impressive defence by West Ham in the first half, which ended (at home to City) at nil all.

Damn.

A goal to City in the 50th minute.

 

[Apple fanboy]

It is not often that this thread will be witness to a post from me which reads: "Come on, you Irons!"

And this is written with fervent feeling, no less.

Sorry. We kept them at bay for the first half. Now a goal down.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Sorry. We kept them at bay for the first half. Now a goal down.

You did exceptionally well in the first half, and at the Etihad, no less.

That was unfortunate, to concede when you did.

Now, come on you Irons, claw one back.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Impressive defence by West Ham in the first half, which ended (at home to City) at nil all.

Damn.

A goal to City in the 50th minute.

Not looking for excuses but when you have a sickness bug take out 4 players and have to name 2 goalkeepers in your substitutes, you know it will be a tough night.

Now if only we were allowed to play 2 goalkeepers.....

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Not looking for excuses but when you have a sickness bug take out 4 players and have to name 2 goalkeepers in your substitutes, you know it will be a tough night.

Now if only we were allowed to play 2 goalkeepers.....

No, you did very well in the first half; impresive and focussed defending.

I read about the sickness bug, and, given the difference in resources - not to mention that Manchester City are playing at home - West Ham have done exceptionally well so far.

(Better than we did, it must be said).

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Another injury for West Ham....

Ouch.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Another injury for West Ham....

Ouch.

And another Halland goal....

 

[Apple fanboy]

Now City bring on the subs that would have started for most other teams in the PL. Must be nice to have some strength in depth!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

And another Halland goal....

Unfortunately.

I cannot celebrate - leaving aside the effect this will have on Arsenal's title hopes - either the goal or the breaking of the Premier League scoring record; nothing about Haaland - and the circumsatnces that have him gracing City's team - inspires me to generosity.

And Antonio has been taken off, I am sorry to see.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Now City bring on the subs that would have started for most other teams in the PL. Must be nice to have some strength in depth!

A strength in depth matched by few other teams, and deployed intelligently.

Unfortunately.

West Ham need feel no shame tonight (unlike some other, far better resourced teams); with meagre - nay, deeply stretched almost threadbare - resources - they held the strongest team (I won't quite say best team, for City were not the best team for much of the season) but the strongest team, for 50 minutes, and have kept fighting, with pride and passion both.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Now City bring on the subs that would have started for most other teams in the PL. Must be nice to have some strength in depth!

Yes, their bench is horribly strong, and their strength in depth unsettling.

They could afford to sell Gabriel Jesus and Zinchenko - two excellent players, who have made a significant differnce to Arsenal - to us, and not feel their absence.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Oh, dear.

Three nil, now.

And that is no disgrace to West Ham.

 

[Silencio]

city are a machine designed to grind down your hopes and dreams, reducing you to a sickly pale shade of blue cynicism about football and the world at large.

 

[pachyderm]

Maybe City will rest everyone against l**ds ...?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

city are a machine designed to grind down your hopes and dreams, reducing you to a sickly pale shade of blue cynicism about football and the world at large.

Increasingly, I find myself in complete agreement with you.

At this stage, and not just because of Arsenal, I want anyone - everyone - to defeat them in every single competition in which they make an appearance.

Above all, the Champion's League.

 

[Silencio]

Increasingly, I find myself in complete agreement with you.

At this stage, and not just because of Arsenal, I want anyone - everyone - to defeat them in every single competition in which they make an appearance.

Above all, the Champion's League.

And certainly at Wembley.

I get a strong feeling it will be up to us to deny them the treble.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

And certainly at Wembley.

I get a strong feeling it will be up to us to deny them the treble.

Amen to that.