Paullow

Lucy Ward. Usually does the BT/ TNT Saturday 12.30pm matches.

Those overseas will be about 20/30 seconds ahead of the UK Amazon viewer, so that could be quite interesting regarding this thread. Nothing unusual for those who usually watch via dodgy streams though.

Deserved to be fair.

It's still bizarre and unfortunate though. Up until a few years ago and the recent push and promotion, the Olympics would have been seen as one the biggest events on the women's side and where the players would probably get most attention. Full strength squads, not the U23 rule like in the men, and a medal on the line, and a sense of national pride to gather casual interest. That was definitely when I paid most interest to the women's side, especially 2012 and just before the home Olympics kicked off. Granted it might have changed with more widespread interest in the Euros and World Cup these days, but most would still want to play if given the option. I see neither are playing, but it would have been weird for the likes of Kim Little and Caroline Weur in recent years ago could be expected to start for GB (not sure if the former us still involved with the national team).

Scotland vs England in the women's Nations League tonight. Olympic place on the line for the group winner - England were nominated for Team GB and would have to win and have a better goal difference than Netherlands, if they were to beat Belgium as well. About 90% of the potential GB Olympic squad would be English, but if there are 2 or 3 talented Scots then they can effectively cost themselves a chance of going to the Olympics by picking up a result, so it's a bizarre huge conflict of interest.

I was having a quick browse on a few 'Champo' forums to see what the general view was was from rival fans, and this made me laugh on the Stoke board. I bet his mrs is well happy. Imagine having an unemployed Tony Mowbray sat across from you for Christmas dinner He always comes across a canny bloke, a bit like Peter Reid. They've had some awful ones, like the obvious, but they've also had some that you can't help but like, despite who they manage.

Aye, there was definitely some talk of bringing a new manager in out of nowhere, but quickly went away.

I'd honestly be more annoyed if the club badge changed than the stadium. If they can stay reasonably central, increase to 70/75,000, and no need to reduce capacity during construction then I'd be in favour of moving. Maybe billy big bollocks stuff, but it was always great having the clear second biggest attendances in the country in the early 2000's and, especially as we can definitely justify it, it would be great to have similar again.

Barcelona vs Atleti, or Napoli vs Inter?

Not a bad weekend overall. If we're in a mini league with Villa, Spurs, Brighton, Man U and Chelsea for 4th or 5th then 4 of those dropped points (although one obviously got an excellent / unexpected point).

The only bookies, as most have us 5/4 or 6/5, but PPs have us odds on to finish top four at 10/11. Close between a few others, and you have to factor in margins, but looks far too small to me. https://www.paddypower.com/english-premier-league?tab=outrights

That might wake Man City up.

Didn't realise that. The table I always look at never has F or A just GD: https://fulltime.thefa.com/index.html?league=872938 But aye, 8 clean sheets in 9, and the only goal conceded was against Stoke in a 3-1 win (was 2-0 at the time of conceding). Good going.

Haaland has not got his shooting boots with him today. I'm kind of torn whether to want another goal to pretty much put it to bed, or to keep the actual match as a contest going a little, given it's in the prime 4.30pm slot, but then more chance of an unwanted result.

Yeah, totally agree with that, although Man City taking the lead early would have been the worst thing from a televised fixture POV.

From a Newcastle perspective?

A surprise, but the best thing to happen to this game from a competitive POV. Hoping Man City come back mind.

I know what you mean in general, but Chelsea just the other week.

Happy enough with those 2pm. Wasn't sure what I wanted in the Chelsea match (home or draw), but a Brighton away win would have been by far the worst, so that's fine. Shame Villa got a late draw, but at least it's not another win for them, especially given how strong they are at home. Not massively concerned with West Ham, but if they won it would have been 3 wins in a row and back to within 3 points of us, so them dropping points at home to an obvious non threat is never a bad thing - it also means we can more hope they get something against Spurs in midweek (if that makes sense). Shame Liverpool won, but as I say, I don't think they're a massive direct rival to us this season - it's more Villa, Spurs, Man Utd, Brighton, maybe Chelsea, and to a lesser extent West Ham. Finish above at least 5 of those teams and we'll have more than met our objectives for this season. Hopefully a routine win for City here, and 4 defeats in a row for Spurs.

Important win, 1-0. Not at their best, but could have easily petered to a 0-0. Top of the league.

Aye, especially when against someone who shouldn't be a threat to us.

I'm not that fussed with Liverpool, I'm sure they, Arsenal and Man City will be in the top 3, but hope Villa don't get a winner. That would be most annoying.

Fergie! 86th minute.