brummie

With Maresca, I think the interesting thing is that, even though he just got them promoted, Leicester fans don't seem that bothered - a bit like you'd be if Steve Bruce just got you promoted. Even taking into account the fact that almost all Leicester fans are a bunch of weird, whiney voiced, confused semi-yokels who point at planes and don't know how to do their shoe laces up, there's got to be something in that.

To be fair, it has worked for most of their history.

Kompany must have an incredible agent.

I live within spitting distance of Coventry, very close, and have done for twenty years now. It’s about 30 miles to Birmingham City centre and 8 to Cov. Until this season I reckon I had actually seen people wearing Coventry shirts about ten times in all that time. I reckon I’ve seen three or four times as many since they reached the semi final, very often young kids and fair play to them. Its good to see them claiming fans in their own back yard. Even though they loathe us, our fans genuinely not even remotely interested in Coventry, and I wanted them to win that semi final. Normally around here see plenty of Villa, the occasional other midlands club (Wolves, Albion even Blues sometimes) and odd ones from around the country which are clearly transplanted natives. However there are a depressing amount of Liverpool mostly, slightly fewer Man United, the occasional Chelsea. Pretty much zero Man City. i loathe glory hunters. We were on the M40 yesterday and there were loads of Man United scarves flying from cars (barely any Man City). Genuinely triggered me to the extent the Mrs was practically crying, it annoyed me so much. the only way I could hate them more would be if I supported another United team and had to put up with hearing them say they “support United” like you’re meant to automatically know which one they mean. I always make a point of asking them to specify even if it’s obvious they mean Man United. I would genuinely much rather my kids supported Blues or Albion than be glory hunters. I can think of fewer things I’d less like to see my kids become. Criminals, Tories. That’s about it, though.

Had a bell cunt. That cunt with the bell. Him. That cunt.

It's more than a bit depressing in one way, but it is also an indicator in differing mindsets. Even though we've finished way above them in the league, and had a good season, they've been absolutely fucking shit all season, but they've still managed somehow to win an FA Cup - a thing we haven't done since 1957, which for their fans is utterly routine, almost underwhelming, but for us would mean absolutely tons. It's deeply, deeply annoying.

Just found myself thinking - and this is absolutely valid for you lot too - after years of US doing the shit managerial appointments (and sackings), it is particularly pleasant to see others doing it instead.

That’d be so deliciously funny.

genuinely excellent news, I had started to think they’d be a real threat next season. good to see the batshit stuff prevails.

For clarity - Tielemans cost £0, Harvey Barnes cost £38m. Tielemans is a whopping 7 months older than Barnes. I appreciate Tielemans will have a higher salary because that's what happens with free transfers, but I am sure Barnes isn't on poverty wages. So if Tielemans is a bad signing in terms of future options, what does that make Barnes at 38m more?

Started slowly, did very well towards the end. he turned 27 last week, cost us nothing and is a very good player. I'm gobsmacked as to how that's an example of buying a player who is hard to shift (even if we wanted to).

Tielemans cost nothing, lest we forget. Moreno was 14, so, not exactly huge. Morgan Rogers was up to 14m with add ons, is 21 and has been superb since we signed him. I totally disagree with the first line. If they are good enough to play, they play. If they are not, they go. Aaron Ramsey - 15m Cameron Archer - 19m Not good enough for us, but that's a lot of money. And of course, Grealish, Chukwuemeka. And who says using the profits to buy 26+ players is 'the plan'? Kamara is 24, Diaby is 24, Torres is 26. They're not exactly pensioners. I am also not sure how Tielemans has poor release value - he's 26. You've just landed on one player who is getting on, who we will probably lose money, and who was bought by the genius of Gerrard.

We, and you, are going to have to work the system. Our (ours and yours) fans are going to have to realise it will be about smart transfer moves, too, not just spunking money everywhere. Also, I've seen Barkley play for us already. TBF, I reckon Emery could turn me into a decent PL player, and I can't run further than the end of the road.

How is producing decent academy players short term thinking? I'd disagree entirely. It's long term, clever thinking and absolutely essential these days. It's one big difference between you and us. We've been doing very well out of it, I can't remember the last time you sold a home grown player for decent money. Unless I'm missing someone. I also don't get the point about Digne - he's been superb for us this season whilst Moreno has been largely injured, but Moreno too is decent. Carlos is shite, but someone will buy him. He has attributes, just not the ones Emery likes. Gerrard signing. Worth remembering, Emery has signed Moreno, Diaby, Zaniolo (loan), Pau Torres (absolutely immense and vital to how we play) and Morgan Rogers (looks a snip at 15m). He hasn't done a huge amount of business, but they've all looked the part, bar Zaniolo, and we'll be sending him back whence he came. Although tbf, Gerrard did sign Kamara, and him doing his ACL had a huge negative effect on our season.

I really hope this is true. What an astute signing. We're going to have to work with FFP and he's exactly the sort of player Unai improves hugely. He tailed off for us but watching (on telly, bad Covid season) him and Grealish rip Arsenal a new one at the Emirates was marvellous stuff. Would add squad depth, I hope it happens.

We were genuinely the better side in the second half. Owned the ball. They're just very good up front, and we were the most on the beach and injury / have a rest depleted side I've ever seen play for us.

No idea.

To be fair, we've got almost an entire starting XI out and are clearly the dictionary definition of on the beach. Diego Carlos needs to go next year, though.

Man City clinching the title in front of a home crowd who sound entirely unbothered. The occasional barely audible, half hearted Blue Moon, and that's about it. The cheating, scientific, financial strangling of the game at work.

I was also pondering the SIX POINTS we took off Arsenal this season.

I was just thinking the same thing, that would be beautiful.

Does Sunderland fall under 0191 too? Ha ha I didn’t know that. That must be kind of annoying on a civic pride level.

Yeah but his face looks like it's from a tumble-down outside toilet in some place on the edge of Burnley that makes Burnley itself look like Barcelona.

Not celebrating while scoring against a team he hadn't actually signed for yet. Great days.

He's like a northern Pol Pot, the wanker.