Coffee_Johnny

I have these conversations quite a bit—I live in Manchester—and Man Utd banter has replaced the kind of Sunderland ‘ribbing’ that used to occur when I was in the North East and they were in the same league (literally and figuratively). Most ‘dans la Manc’ seem to feel slightly more optimistic now. Some are still seething/can’t adjust to the change that has occurred, have a “We are Manchester Utd” impenetrable (by the facts) ego. Inflated by phenomenal, but past, successes. MUFC had their worst points return (in the Premiership/League era) last season. 1.53 points per game; not normally enough to finish 6th (1.61 ppg is average) but they did. Prior to that they’ve only been out of the top six once (2013-14 but with a better points return). I think Man U realistic goals, especially given the shit-show soap-opera that has been stinking-up the place, are making sure they don’t fall to a new (modern) low. Man City and Arsenal are much better/out of reach, Liverpool will overtake you. So you are competing with Brighton and Spurs, maybe even with Chelsea and Newcastle. Though mainly competing with your expectations and the weight of the past, through trying to maintain a better performance this season that’ll put you in and around the top six mix. Unsurprisingly, I still fancy us to finish above you though. Not bothered if it is 6th over 7th, or 4th over 5th (or 3rd over 8th, who knows ?‍♂️) and I’d gladly trade it in for beating you in the League Cup (final preferably)

I’m just wishing you’d taken the preseason bet I offered about us finishing above you.

Based on who who have left, and home/away variation, I reckon we’ll win another 12, draw 5 and lose 5. 41 pts added to the 33 banked. My guesstimate is 74 points this season.

Nice to see you. Hope all is as fine and dandy as the footy.

Southampton and Everton are in the mire for me.

Our beautiful Brazillian!

A thing of beauty, right out of the Wyn Davies playbook!

Just finished watching (delayed start). Well, well, well! ?

…ish ?

Keep away from radios/phone/people who are watching… oh! and newspaper billboards— remember The Likely Lads!

I thought you were on about arriving back overweight after excessive Maccy Ds… it’s been a long day.

Perhaps his own bed was ‘occupied’ ?‍♂️

Sven Botman: thunder-bastard header at the end of normal time.

There was a time when that kind of take was prevalent re Cole. Unjustly then, I think, as well.

Destroyed by true Geordie king, Keegan, in previous cup final, destroyed by actual Geordie in next. Flash forward twenty years and one of the final nails in league champions campaign hammered in by another Geordie, Fenton, at Blackburn. Boo! To the fickle finger of fate.

Well said. Not his team; we are Newcastle United… ah shit, does that make anyone else anxious again?

Probably speaks for itself, but I can’t really remember the specifics re his actual play, beyond he looked an elegant passing type centre back. Can’t remember whether he read the game well, had good timing, was quick … just recall his poorly finger stopping play! What a legacy! ?‍♂️

? it’s a wonder he joined us!

We’ve defaulted to natural pessimism ?

I’d rather someone else knocked Man City/Liverpool out, if it was free pick. Though with a more pessimistic slant, think I’d rather go out/lose, if we are going to, in a QF rather than a semi or final. Still bear the emotional scars of the latter two, QF defeats don’t stay with you as much. So Liverpool at home please. Actually, scratch that. I want Man Utd in the final. Let them boost their swagger by beating one of the big two next, avoid them in the semi and serve the beginnings of some deliciously cold revenge at Wembley.

I beg your pardon?! ‘Excited-nerd’ alert, Shirley?

The average/mean points per game for 4th place, over the last 28 seasons of Premier League, is 1.80. Median 1.79, mode (most usual) 1.76. Highest 2.08 (2013-14) lowest 1.58 (2003-4).

Wasn’t convinced by Thurman, though only seen World Cup minutes and haven’t done any ‘Wise’ scouting, but might have room for significant improvement and just on his international status anything south of £40m looks like a great gamble.

Glad you survived!

Let’s put them to the knife ?