The 2025-2026 Football Thread

[Scepticalscribe]

Bradley’s injury appears to be significant, so the squad continues to thin.

Ouch.

Arteta and Slot each (to their credit) responded in a measured manner.

While Martinelli has contacted Bradley - and apologised - this was by no means his finest hour; a mad - and inexcusable rush of blood to the head, and very poor judgment on his part.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

While Martinelli has contacted Bradley - and apologised - this was by no means his finest hour; a mad - and inexcusable rush of blood to the head, and very poor judgment on his part.

It was not a good look, but clearly he didn't know he was actually hurt. A byproduct of all the fakery in the game these days. A yellow card was a fair punishment, and that's the end of it as far as I'm concerned.

But Bradley could be out a while. Nervous wait to see the results of the scan. If Liverpool lose any more defenders Slot will be dipping into the youth team.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Their decision - and it is not as though they lack funds, monies, or access to bottomless financial resources - to refuse the (perfectly reasonable) request of cash-strapped Exeter City a greater share of the gate receipts from their forthcoming FA Cup clash with City - speaks volumes for their ungenerous, greedy, entitled and contemptuous attitude to less favoured opponents.

The irony of sportswashing is that, in the context of team ownership, you can be greedy, ruthless, and mean, and you'll be seen as a 'well-run club.'

 

[Scepticalscribe]

The irony of sportswashing is that, in the context of team ownership, you can be greedy, ruthless, and mean, and you'll be seen as a 'well-run club.'

Only by the proverbial bean counters.

Yes, City can seek refuge in excuses such as 'established practice' - whereby gate receipts are shared - for not acceding to the request for a greater share of gate receipts, but, they could also make an exception for a cash-strapped, lower division club, (not only without incurring any significant penalty themselves, - and it is not as though they lack funds, - but such a display of generosity could also generate some small degree of goodwill), a club, moreover, that in marked contrast to City's repellant state ownership model, is actually (rather impressively) owned (well, they comprise the majority shareholders) by a supporters' trust.

 

[MBAir2010]

I deeply dislike Manchester City - and detest their ownership model (while reluctantly conceding that Pep Guardiola has excelled as their manager).

when Chelsea FC played Man Citeh in the early 2010's we at our football pub called that match "El Plastiço!"
Kevin De Bruyne was a great player for them tho.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Hmm, with Crystal Palace going out of the cup against Macclesfield, I wonder if Marc Guehi would be TOO good a fit in the current Liverpool defense….

 

[Apple fanboy]

Nobody expected an Exeter win, letting in 10 is not great in any game.

Wolves give themselves a confidence boost putting 6 past Shrewsbury.

 

[daneoni]

That Exeter result kinda left a bitter taste in my mouth. Especially in context of Exeter's rejected request.

Basically a £1bn squad bullying a £6.2m squad

I'd be ok if City didn't win a trophy this season but thats unlikely

Also kinda comical that we still don't have an outcome for the 115 charges

 

[Apple fanboy]

That Exeter result kinda left a bitter taste in my mouth. Especially in context of Exeter's rejected request.

Basically a £1bn squad bullying a £6.2m squad

I'd be ok if City didn't win a trophy this season but thats unlikely

Also kinda comical that we still don't have an outcome for the 115 charges

Those charges are certainly dragging on aren’t they?

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Those charges are certainly dragging on aren’t they?

The rules are different for the rich….

 

[mvdrl]

That Exeter result kinda left a bitter taste in my mouth. Especially in context of Exeter's rejected request.

Basically a £1bn squad bullying a £6.2m squad

I'd be ok if City didn't win a trophy this season but thats unlikely

Also kinda comical that we still don't have an outcome for the 115 charges

As a City fan (pretty lonely in this chat!), I don't think "bullying" is a good description. I've been on both ends of scores like this one, and in my opinion, I'd rather the opponents who are kicking my butt continue to play their best, and even celebrate their goals. I don't approve of taunting or trash talk in any way, which to me would be bullying, but I thought the City players behaved appropriately and professionally. As a (hockey) goalie, I felt bad for the Exeter keeper, who didn't have his best game I'm guessing!

 

[daneoni]

As a City fan (pretty lonely in this chat!), I don't think "bullying" is a good description. I've been on both ends of scores like this one, and in my opinion, I'd rather the opponents who are kicking my butt continue to play their best, and even celebrate their goals. I don't approve of taunting or trash talk in any way, which to me would be bullying, but I thought the City players behaved appropriately and professionally. As a (hockey) goalie, I felt bad for the Exeter keeper, who didn't have his best game I'm guessing!

Fair.

Personally i think unless its a league or UCL game and you're chasing goal difference, after goal number 4 or 5, you're really just taking the piss especially against a lower league team.

At that point Manager should just make subs, switch to game management, and call it a day.

Granted no one owes Exeter anything and this is just my viewpoint.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Conor Bradley’s knee injury will require surgery. So Liverpool’s defense are ‘down to the bare bones,’ as Harry Redknapp used to say.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

That Exeter result kinda left a bitter taste in my mouth. Especially in context of Exeter's rejected request.

Basically a £1bn squad bullying a £6.2m squad

I'd be ok if City didn't win a trophy this season but thats unlikely

Also kinda comical that we still don't have an outcome for the 115 charges

Agreed.

Those charges are certainly dragging on aren’t they?

Ah.

An excellent point that had - inexplicably - slipped my mind, as other, more recent disasters and debacles (and not just of the footballing variety) had claimed my attention.

The rules are different for the rich….

So it would seem, unfortunately.

 

[daneoni]

Xabi Alonso exits Real Madrid by 'mutual consent'

Alvaro Arbeloa to take over

 

[Apple fanboy]

Paqueta looking to leave for pastures new. At least he prefers going back to Brazil than Spurs or Villa. Big difference in valuation though. Not even getting our money back.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Xabi Alonso exits Real Madrid by 'mutual consent'

Alvaro Arbeloa to take over

Surprised he lasted this long. It's always an embarrassing circus at Real Madrid.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Surprised he lasted this long. It's always an embarrassing circus at Real Madrid.

Or Manchester United
Or Chelsea.

😀

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Liverpool did as well today as I would expect. The scoreline flatters 'Pool but they got the job done.

 

[it wasnt me]

Bundesliga has already reached the "who cares?" point three games ago. Well, that's a time-saver.

 

[daneoni]

Carrick set to become interim manager at Utd

I was pondering earlier...

Utd are one of the few clubs (arguably the only club) who seem to have their ghosts of the past continue to haunt them.

Giggs
Ole
Carrick x2
RVN
Fletcher

Then the pundits Rio (less so nowadays), GNev, Keane, Rooney.

Liverpool have a similar effect. Albeit mainly punditry roles.
Previously - Graeme Souness, Alan Hansen, John Barnes, Phil Thompson, Mark Lawrenson, and Stephen Warnock
And now - Danny Murphy, Stephen Warnock, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen, Redknapp

I know both these clubs are the most successful in England but its also tiring to keep hearing 'When i was at Utd or When i played for LFC' and seeing the same faces.

At least we're getting some respite with Henry, Wright, Richards, Sturrigde etc...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Carrick set to become interim manager at Utd

I was pondering earlier...

Utd are one of the few club (arguably the only club) who seem to have their ghosts of the past continue to haunt them.

Giggs
Ole
Carrick x2
RVN
Fletcher

Then the pundits Rio (less so nowadays), GNev, Keane, Rooney.

Liverpool have a similar effect. Albeit mainly punditry roles.
Previously - Graeme Souness, Alan Hansen, John Barnes, and Phil Thompson, Mark Lawrenson, Stephen Warnock
And now - Danny Murphy, Stephen Warnock, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen, Redknapp

I know both these clubs are the most successful in England but its also tiring to keep hearing 'When i was a Utd or When i played for LFC' and seeing the same faces.

At least we're getting some respite with Henry, Wright, Richards, Sturrigde etc...

To my mind, the ex-United commentators are vastly more irritating, if, mainly, because the years of United's dominance on the football field - the Fergie years, in other words, - are considerably more recent, (whereas, Liverpool's years of dominance now lie the best part of 40 years in the past) and this somehow segues into those endless - and tiresome - efforts to resurrect the Ghosts of Triumphs Past, which often comes across as a sense of frustrated entitlement.

 

[Apple fanboy]

To my mind, the ex-United commentators are vastly more irritating, if chiefly because the years of United's dominance on the football field - the Fergie years, in other words, are considerably more recent, (whereas, Liverpool's years of dominance now lie the best part of 40 years in the past) and this somehow segues into those endless - and tiresome - efforts to resurrect the Ghosts of Triumphs Past, which often comes across as a sense of frustrated entitlement.

I find Wayne Rooney the worst. He needs a translator.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I find Wayne Rooney the worst. He needs a translator.

Indeed.

That, or sub-titles.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

The 'big-club' ex-player pundits are usually the ones who also have the biggest opinions. And are often wrong. But it sells.