tmonkey

Also why buying strikers from that league is a mug's game (suarez/ibra aside) Agree with the sentiment given some of the failures (De Jong, Kuyt, Kezman, Huntelaar) but at the same time the two big Dutch clubs have been insanely good at spotting and developing young talent both domestically and in South America, which is why you can add Ronaldo (Brazilian), Van Nistelrooy, Kluivert, Bergkamp, Romario and van Basten to Suarez/Ibrahimovic. Quite a list tbh, makes it's worth a gamble when you do see someone who looks like they have talent.

Really want Leeds to get promoted. A club like that has no business being outside of the Premiership.

Most mansgers in the game are strict disciplinarians who dont appreciate or know how to handle gifted flair players with attitude problems or teamwork issues. Jealousy amongst footballers is also a huge issue which needs strong man management skills. That's why the likes of Sir Bobby and Keegan are so rare because they had the abilities to handle players like this for the good of the club, and why there's way more Pardews and Sounesses who'll hang the likes of Ben Arfa out to dry at every opportunity. For example when Beresford complained to Keegan about Ginola not tracking back, Keegan told him to not worry about what Ginola does because Ginola would win more games for the team. Basically a "stfu and get on with your job". A lesser manager would've tried to "fix" Ginola and then bench/exile him for "not listening" when these players' personalities are part of what makes them the players they are. Of course some genius flair players are going to have poor attitudes, their arrogance and ego is very much what drives their playstyle. On top of that players like Ben Arfa are generally not good or consistent enough for the bigger sides to bother with. They can get players of a similar ability level without the flaws. Ben Arfa needed to be at a "sleeping giant" type of club who can't attract players of his ability level without the flaws, clubs where its worth putting up with the flaws or compensating for them through tactics/teammates (and telling those teammates to stfu when they whinge) because the player can propel them to heights it's otherwise very hard to achieve. When Hatem hit good form for us in a formation that allowed him more freedom to attack and less defensive duties, we finished 5th, and we've not had a player anywhere near as good since. We should have had the side built around him, but again, a manager who couldn't handle him was in charge. Unfortunately most managers would rather work with a Ritchie or Atsu than a Ben Arfa. So odds were always against Ben Arfa establishing himself over a long term. Needs both right club and right manager in place. For us it was right club, wrong manager. For PSG it was both wrong. For Nice it was both right. For France he never stood a chance with a disciplinarian like Deschamps. He's just unlucky he never found the right combination for long enough, and the buggest blame on him should be his choice of club/manager to sign for. Had he signed for Barca instead of PSG I suspect the latter part of his career would've been different.

Clock is ticking. Transfer deals are already starting to be confirmed, and no doubt other PL clubs are tapping up the more desirable players (especially ones with clauses to exploit) behind closed doors. And yet here we are, not only not bothering to do anything but not even having a manager secured yet. Whether or not Rafa stays the longer Ashley draws things out the less of NUFC's own cash gets spent on transfers because the pool of players worth spending money on is always shrinking. Best thing for Ashley would undoubtedly be Rafa walking towards the end of the month and NUFC taking weeks to hire a replacement - by then there'll be even less players to spunk the clubs vast sums of cash on and more for himself to withdraw as loan repayments! Guess who wins again?

If it means we sign Rondon, all the better. Get in Stear you beautie.

Saviour of the High Street tho.

I called this after the first leg. Barca have a terrible defense. They shouldve sold Pique around when Puyol retired.

Lionel Floppsi tonight so far.

I command you to do this to your boner right now.

Messi got the "Sergio Ramos Salah" treatment from Liverpool tonight. Some right cheeky fouls on him designed to give him a few bruises on the sly. Milner's was ridiculous, he knew the ball was out of play and still went for a shoulder into Messi's chest. Don't think the tie is completely over yet, we've seen some ridiculous comebacks in recent seasons and this Barca defense definitely did not look solid.

If Lionel Messi turns up, Barca win. If Lionel Floppsi turns up, Liverpool win.

I like the picture on BBC Sport's web page of Aguero celebrating with Sane and Bernardo Silva. In the background you can see Sterling smiling. I would be smiling too if I was getting carried to titles and people thought I was a great player because I get 30 opportunities every game to do something with tonnes of quality movement around me.

Another trophy in his cabinet.

Lmao that penalty.

The Man Utd Way.

Designer soft forrin fanny.

Sterling received ball in a good position, runs at Young, gets tackled. Sterling in space on the wing because City have flooded the box and defenders have no choice but to back off him, shit aimless cross floated to far post. Sterling played through with ball over the top, crap touch whilst looking like a T Rex Godzilla love child. Repeat and rinse over and over again till Sterling eventually beats a man and sticks it into the corner and everyone calls him world class.

Sterling has been shiite so far, as per usual. Probably score a decent goal later, easier to do when you get carried by lots of quality around you giving you time and space in good positions.

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2040757-mike-ashley%E2%80%99s-house-of-fraser-served-notice-to-quit-town-centre-store Looks to be the real reason he bought HoF, as some predicted.

Almiron just wants to go on holiday early.

Ashley must be grinning ear to ear at this. "Look at what happens when you spend money".

Nice finish for them.

Ki is a decent sideways passer and that's about it. Not bad for a squad player but is missing a good forward pass or decent shot in him in. Massive shame Shelvey has gone backwards this season, either through injury or attitude or both. Championship season and first half of last season he got himself really fit, showing a surprising amount of pace which allowed him to cover more ground quickly which in turn allowed him to compensate for being weak defensively. Might still be a possibility that he turns it around especially if he's rusty and unfit due to recurring injury problems, but with Longstaff looking like he's the future of our CM I think that's it for Jonjo at NUFC.

Class.

Last man with a professional foul. But cos it's NUFC it's not a red card.