leffe186

Liverpool are really good though. If they could cut some of the fouling out they could run Citeh close

Oh and to be clear, the free kick they got to set up the passage of play for their goal was a terrible decision too and should never have been given.

Agree. It was insane what Fabinho got away with, and everyone knew it. I’m 50. If I hear one single Liverpool fan anywhere in my vicinity complain about refs my laughter in their face will echo through the generations.

I thought it was like the Chelsea one. I’d have given him a yellow and a final warning. Could see both. Like you said at the time, it looked like he was kinda doing that thing where you step over the ball to shield it, and Bissouma was too quick. And that’s the thing. He was too quick. And if you do that sort of tackle, and if you’re late, it (a) looks horrible on the replay and (b) is dangerous play. It could so easily have completely fucked Bissouma. And the other thing is, it’s not a coincidence that they keep getting reds. They play this way - little cynical fouls, leaving a boot in, being a bit reckless. I’ve seen McAllister make a couple of really questionable tackles, and Robertson genuinely seems a nasty piece of work. It’s just that they got away with it most of the time…and today they didn’t. Goes around comes around. It’s just taken ages to come around.

Just rewatching the game now. Going to count the cynical fouls and yellows that the red didn’t give. Just got to the bit where Diaz elbows Romero clean in the face.

We’re at the build them up to knock them down stage. Ange has had a truncated off season and most of one transfer window. We weren’t expecting anything this year and were actually trying to make sure people didn’t get on Ange’s back when we lost a few games. So far we’ve had a relatively easy start to the season and also had a few breaks. It won't last. They’re overreacting now, and they’ll overreact when things go awry. It’s what they do. I will say that you’re wrong when you say we’re not at all what we’re being built up as though. We’re really good, man. Short in maybe one position. The big issue is the drop-off when we make a sub, and at this stage of our transition that’s a minor miracle and very encouraging. We’ll work on that over the next couple of windows.

Good idea, my wife wants to check Durham out too.

They’re not going to be fussed about the football itself, it’s the experience they need. That’s why I’m put off by the Gateshead stadium. Would rather have an old-school local ground.

Just checked - it’s South Shields v Blyth Spartans on Boxing Day. Worth a trip?

Going to be in Northumberland for Christmas with friends from America. Would like to take them to a footy match, and obv the chances of getting tickets for Newcastle are slim. anyone got recommendations for a local game around that time? I’d have said Gateshead but the stadium is so anodyne. Would like a good non-league experience but with a decent crowd. Was thinking Blyth Spartans but open to any recommendations. Also didn’t know whether they were still in the same ground.

Wednesday pressing better at least. Sunderland average age now down to 21.8 . Really impressive tbh.

Average age 23. Only three players over 24. Think Pritchard is still a kid in my head and he’s comfortably the oldest at 30.

Would have been interesting to see what Ange would have made of him. Jesus this Sunderland team looks young. Anyone know their average age? (Before I go and laboriously work it out).

When there are consequences. I mean, if.

I don’t think anyone knows. The guess is that it’s a lot though as we spent a fair bit initially and supposedly Sunderland were asking a ton for him in the summer because of it. And, you know, Levy.

Wife away for the night so watching this with a beer or two. Wish it was a better match tbh but each time I’ve seen Sunderland this season they’ve looked good. Tbf, Wednesday look a mess anyway.

Spurs.

We’ll get a chunk of the fee if they do. They are absolutely pissing this. Pritchard has always been classy but Bellingham looks terrific too.

He’s not one to blow his own horn.

Forgot this complete weapon existed:

Think this is why I don’t do general football podcasts. I so rarely give a shit about the given discussion points

More capitals sacked than managers.

I mean, we had pundits saying a combined XI was all Arsenal players before the game. Merse said we’d be bottom half without Kane, then said Arsenal would destroy us. It’s all hyperbole. Build them up, knock them down.

Soz.

I thought Man U were excluded temporarily (they made the changes eventually) but only Newcastle were given a permanent exemption because the local authority said they couldn’t think of a way to ensure spectator safety?