leffe186

I mean, we’re either in it or not. If we’re working to restrict competition - and we obviously are, we don’t want owners to spend whatever they want - then we’re not in it in name only, we’re just in it. If you think we don’t deserve to be in it because we haven’t won much then that’s a different question. I’m happy to say yes, we don’t deserve to be called a cartel club if it means you all stop doing so

Apologies for being so voluble and pugnacious tonight . My wife is Villa and I studiously avoided mentioning the game at all in the run-up, during and after - as is the deal we have organically decided upon over the years. As we were getting into the car after visiting Bletchley Park today (with the kids and in-laws) she swore violently - her mum asked her what was up, she said bloody Spurs, scored yet again (it was our third). I said the only words I have uttered about it today. “That’s just how we roll”. Going to be the couch tonight.

That word. I’m not sure it means what you think it means. If it’s just a description of where teams are going to finish then it’s probably Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool…and it’s not a cartel, maybe an elite? If it’s an actual cartel of teams then either it’s the original CL ones (Arse, Liv, Man U, Chels) or the ones that didn’t want new owners to be able to spend whatever they want (add us) or the ones that wanted an ESL (add Man City). If you’re saying we’re in the cartel in name only then it doesn’t mean anything and I’m very happy to agree we’re not

Maybe. Last summer we bought an amazing-looking young Korean guy who’s hopefully going to be “the next Son” or at least quite good. We pray. Joins us in January IIRC.

I think he’s the classic example of a player where only if you watch him week in and week out do you see what he brings. He’s arguably been our second best player this year after Kulu. When we were first looking at him I had no idea if he was good or not. A couple of Bournemouth guys said he was the cornerstone of their team, that 442 guy said he was perfect for Ange. Sure. Now I see it. He never stops running, his pressing is clever and incessant, he can hold the ball up, decent pace, good distribution, good in the air, strong, good finisher. He can basically do - and is doing - everything. Just nothing flashy or out of this world. Perfect for us tbh.

He was absolutely brilliant against West Ham. His legs haven’t gone, he just needs more recovery time. We’ve got to manage his minutes and hope he doesn’t play a million games for South Korea.

Sure. Only was the last paragraph of the BBC report on the Arsenal game. Seems fair. I don’t listen to pundits much because I’ve been a footy fan for decades. You’re an old lag as well, aren’t you? . Just…occasionally they’re not all out to get you

You’re CL rivals too, aren’t you?

That’s what they do. There’s some stat somewhere about the teams that take longest to get it back into play and they were well up there. We were either the quickest pr second quickest IIRC and some fans were definitely saying we should be a bit more…shithousey.

That is so close

We all tried. Mendes wanted Chelsea.

You can get at Chelsea, you really can. So many clubs in the Premier League playing that way now it’s fun

Chelsea looking really good tbh.

Absolutely brilliant calm play by Palmer.

You’re wrong.

Actually looked like he went down really awkwardly.

Well done ref.

Is that Arsenal? Don't miss Arsenal ffs.

Watching the Edinburgh derby. Craig Gordon just made a save from Dwight Gayle. What year is this again?

Love MOTD for breakfast That Wolves equalizer. Four on one and the Brighton player does literally the one single wrong thing out of several thousand possibilities. Amazing.

Not sure how Man City’s xG was only 2.73. Haaland’s alone should have been close to 4.

That first half booking for the Southampton player (and Russell Martin) was ludicrous. Perfectly good tackle, right in front of the ref.

Tbf he made a couple of great saves before that last rick. Does seem like his confidence is shaky as fuck. Might have been the best MOTD match highlights I’ve ever seen though . Just brilliant. Such a pity Delap’s late shot didn’t go in. Wasn’t convinced about the second yellow as I thought he might have got a touch and the vid was inconclusive. Feels like that’s the end of Ipswich though.

Absolute screamer from Sheff Wed to win their game.