timeEd32

Apparently credentialed journalists have to pay $20 for a press meal, which is a sandwich and bag of chips (crisps). I don't know if the WC is the same but this seems second rate as is everything about the tournament.

On Dec. 2 we were 5th (3 points off 2nd) having beaten Chelsea and Man United the previous week, plus being robbed in Paris. By the end of the month we were 9th, out of the League Cup, and out of the Champions League. This past season Liverpool were second on Oct. 28, a point behind City. By Christmas they were 12 points ahead of City and 6 ahead of Arsenal having also beaten Leverkusen, Real Madrid, and Girona in the CL and advancing to the LC semifinal. It was Nov/Dec when City completely fell apart last season. I think it's a key stretch when you've already been through a couple months of multiple games a week and all that comes with it.

After the November international break is the following month: City (h) Champions League Everton (a) Spurs (h) Burnley (h) Champions League Sunderland (a) League Cup (possibly) Chelsea (h) Lots of home games thankfully, but that's when the wheels came off last time.

The worst thing about this tournament — and there are many things wrong with it — are all the neighbors and acquaintances being completely shocked that I’m not taking my kids. Like not going to see Haaland or Mbappe in this tournament is akin to child abuse. I’m gonna pass on lining Infantino’s and Chelsea’s pockets, thanks.

We may never sign a player again.

100%. PIF bailed them out because this was going to flop without significant incentives.

With abominations like this I'm sure they'll be able to buy more. “Don’t make a choice between your love of Chelsea and your passion for the NFL…put both on display with this official Nike Jersey”

After the Minteh/Anderson mess last summer it became pretty clear that there wasn't much money to spend. This summer is not at all the same. There's zero question we'll be buying players. Also not sure why people have one foot off the ledge when all the press have done so far is name players we've been previously linked with.

You mean you're not excited for City v. Wydad AC and Bayern v. Auckland City?

FIFA is going to ruin club football if no one stops them: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jun/11/fifa-48-team-club-world-cup-europe

I beg people to stop talking about transfers without considering wages and annual cost.

American flag football, almost certainly.

He's right at the top for me, though partially a victim of circumstance. I still had misguided hope at the time he was manager. The day he left felt like things could turn and then somewhere during Carver/McClaren it became clear to me how pointless it all was. I barely enjoyed Rafa and didn't really care at all during Bruce -- there was only one real villain at that point. I hate that there are good memories attached to Pardew -- Tiote and the 4-4, Ba/Cisse/Ben Arfa, and my first time at SJP.

In terms of maximizing our budget selling Pope to Leeds or somewhere makes a lot of sense. That puts a lot on Trafford though and carries risk. Will be interesting to see what we do.

I doubt we’ll sign him but the idea he’s not a good guy because he likes a drink / some fun is silly. He may have taken the fun too far and ruined his career post-treble, but that doesn’t make him a “dickhead.”