leffe186

Not good enough to play for us at the moment, let alone England. It's definitely a terrible decision not to let someone else have a go in goals for a nothing friendly. What better chance to get some experience?

Ahh fuck. Don't want Liverpool to get any more money tbh. Would rather Suarez stayed there, poisoning the well.

Pretty much why they won't do it. Remember what happened last time Rooney got too close to a mic on the pitch? You'd have players Fing and blinding on TV at 2pm on a Sunday, you'd have awkward questions about why big team's players weren't getting booked and sent off and I think footballers are too thick and entitled to learn to speak to the ref like rugby players even after repeated punishment. Plus a load of ex-pros will write op eds about how it's a man's sport and swearing is part of the game. It was horrific when they last tried it (early 90s, wasn't it?) - the abuse was extraordinary. TBH, I'd be happy for them to try it again. You don't need to broadcast it live at first, but eventually it could become like rugby. We're talking about grown men here, they should be able to rein themselves in.

Interesting, but seems a bit random. Lots of Chelsea and Liverpool too, sadly. Impressed that Pritchard got mentioned though, tbf.

Even harsher Adebayor's hardly played, after (a) not being our player anyway, then (b) being injured. Every time he's been on the pitch we've looked better. It's the age-old question with Defoe - do you play him for the goals and sacrifice the all-round play? Away against City, I agree with AVB. Actually, I'd have been tempted to play Ade and Defoe and drop Dempsey, but there you go. Can you see them both playing together successfully? On paper there's potential for a quality 4-4-2 with your lot, what with Bale and Lennon on the wings. But then again 4-4-2 is frowned upon nowadays. Well we presumed that Dempsey's position was as a sort of very attacking midfielder who can score and dovetail with Bale and Lennon. The problem is that he's been a bit rubbish, and Sigurdsson has flattered to deceive. Ade has been dropping deeper to great effect, and so there is an argument for putting him there. I just don't fully know what AVB expects of someone in that position. Like you say, it looks more like a 442, but that really is't such a bad idea.

Even harsher Adebayor's hardly played, after (a) not being our player anyway, then (b) being injured. Every time he's been on the pitch we've looked better. It's the age-old question with Defoe - do you play him for the goals and sacrifice the all-round play? Away against City, I agree with AVB. Actually, I'd have been tempted to play Ade and Defoe and drop Dempsey, but there you go.

Silva back today. Bollocks.

So, Chelsea in "profit" then: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/20270934 I presumed this was thanks to "commercial" deals like that Gazprom one, but Yet the article states that in the given time period they bought Hazard, Mata and Cahill, among others, "without any major sales." Am I missing something here?

We sent a kid on loan to Ipswich. Mick McCarthy became their manager last week, then came up with this little gem: Boss Mick McCarthy said: “Massimo has gone back. He's a good footballer, but you'd expect that coming from Tottenham, but I need a different type of player." I love McCarthy, but that's a classic old-school manager quote. "He's a good footballer, but I want someone who can kick people." I may have paraphrased that slightly.

Still no Adebayor or Lloris *sigh*

MON couldn't give a fuck about being outplayed though, he'll just want to hit you on the break. I think Pardew might have it right.

Most of us want to see Naughton given a run. Problem is, Gallas is starting to hit the buffers, so we'd prefer Vertonghen at CB, and Naughton seems to be our othercover at LB. Hopefully either BAE or Kaboul get back soon. I'd even like to see Adam Smith given a chance (England U21 right back). What about Danny Rose? I'd actually heard that he's doing far better now. God, if we get a decent LB out of him I'd be fucking elated - he's totally underwhelmed me so far.

Most of us want to see Naughton given a run. Problem is, Gallas is starting to hit the buffers, so we'd prefer Vertonghen at CB, and Naughton seems to be our othercover at LB. Hopefully either BAE or Kaboul get back soon. I'd even like to see Adam Smith given a chance (England U21 right back). It was good that you mentioned that, so we knew you weren't talking about the 18th century economist. Well that was partly why I said it, as I've heard that joke far too many times. Now heard it one more than far too many .

Most of us want to see Naughton given a run. Problem is, Gallas is starting to hit the buffers, so we'd prefer Vertonghen at CB, and Naughton seems to be our othercover at LB. Hopefully either BAE or Kaboul get back soon. I'd even like to see Adam Smith given a chance (England U21 right back).

Oh only Friedel, Dempsey and Defoe. My heart bleeds. Point taken, but it's set up for more AVB media bullshit. Started already: The author, Sami Mokbel, has previous (myriad pro-Arsenal articles). I hate that this winds me up so much, because it's facile.

No Dembele, Lloris and Adebayor (plus some kids) on the bench. Not looking forward to this.

Was going to say exactly this. There are periods of time when I start to like him - or at least forget why he deserves derision - then he comes up with shit like this.

So, since everybody is clearly bored by the actual football:

The fans were chanting ooo-ooo-ooo-urns.

Jesus. We had 23 in our last match alone (mind, it was Villa).

his son was out there, I think he's entitled to overreact a bit Personally agree that they should be nailed for this. Can't stand pathetic, weak punishments FIFA make me nervous. There's still that little part of me that can see them punishing us as well, despite that clearly being the wrong decision.

Talk of actually paying teams for fielding eligible under-21s: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/premier-clubs-may-be-paid-for-playing-young-british-talent-8210359.html Seems faintly insane, and is certainly a little sad.

Our NOvember is along the same lines.

It defies logic that they let countries join an international tournament between countries?

If either of the Old Firm were playing it could be really difficult to find a place showing Spurs. When I was there, there was only one pub in Glasgow that would always have the English game on at least one TV.