Late one today, because I gave myself a serious bout of fruit-juice poisoning yesterday. I’ve been leaving it behind radiators to make my own Hooch. Doesn’t taste like the stuff we were drinking as kids in the park let me tell you.
A FEW COMPLAINTS TODAY.
Firstly, would the whole of Scotland just grow the fuck up about Brendy leaving Celtic for a better life? The pathetic whimperings of the Scottish media and the English journalists who found out 23&Me that they are 0.00002% Scottish are absolutely unbelievable.
I get it, it’s really f*cking hip to make out you have a connection to a dog shit league, but come on, can anyone really blame any manager with a bit of ambition wanting to leave a country that just burgled his house because he enacted his right to take a better job? Not me. I am a really big believer in employment law.
Here’s the other thing. The romantic notion of Scottish football is a total myth. The entertainment value, the working class vibes, the lack of money… MONEY?! Are you kidding me Celtic fans? Average yearly wage at Celtic is £865k, at Rangers £466k, and at Aberdeen £138k. Celtic are possibly the most pound for pound (literally) dominant European club in their own league (I didn’t do the sums, total hyperbole). They’ve won the league every season since 2011. Other clubs have absolutely no chance. Celtic are a lightweight boxer beating on children, then romanticising the notion after an 8-year unbeaten run.
As for entertainment? Sure, I’ll give that to the SPL, the league is unpredictable… but the football is extremely poor. Even the Old Firm Derby is Championship Level (taking out the top 6 of the Championship).
Why would Brendan Rodgers want to continue in a one club league? What prestige is there in utterly dominating the most uneven playing field world football (hyperbole)? Leicester has an ambitious board, they have some great players, they have a really good setup and they’ve won the league in the last 5 years. It’s a great move.
Also, how fucking bad is the SPL when they’re crying over losing a guy who is one of the hottest memes in the game?
My second BEEF is with journalists identifying something fans have always done and lambasting it as a social ill. The latest one I’ve been reading about is blame culture in the game. Yep, there’s a select few old romantics who remember the game as it once was, devoid of passion, reasoned and balanced in critique. There was apparently a time when fans didn’t unfairly bully refs.
Are you fucking kidding? This eulogizing of yesteryear from 30 somethings is beyond embarrassing. I am a thirty-something, my first memory of football was asking my dad what a ‘wanker’ was because the whole stadium was viciously singing it at a referee. Remember, I am an Arsenal fan, a member of the Highbury Library, my entire football upbringing was spent listening to hilarious abuse from the stands. If I can remember it always being this way, no doubt every other thirty-something supporting other clubs must have witnessed it louder.
The over-analysis of football was always there, it just happened behind the scenes. The Whatsapp group used to be aggressive football chat over the phone (I’d call 5 or 6 people from work after a big game, back when it was socially acceptable to pick up the phone). Twitter was just shouting at people in bars. Transfer news was 65p a minute sent to TeamTalk. The social media didn’t make anything more intense, it just documented it and made it global.
As for blame culture in the game… it has gone on FOREVER. That is what sport is. Winners, losers and fat scapegoats sitting in the yard taking a whipping by fat fans in tight replica shirts.
Don’t even get me started on journalists getting angry at fans bantering the opposition… or being rash in their analysis.
The game is built on passion, stupid opinion and the constant back and forth dialogue about whether 27 is 28, whether pink boots are acceptable if you’re a shit player, whether Denilson shared DNA with a crab, whether Almunia really did have a thumb injury, or whether Tom Cruise and JET was the mightiest on pitch partnership that never really happened.
Blame culture is a social ill? WEST HAM FANS BURNED A BECKHAM EFFIGY FOR A RED CARD! BARCA FANS THREW A PIG HEAD AT FIGO! COLOMBIA ASSASSINATED A PLAYER FOR A MISSED PENALTY!
Football is about obsession (obvs not supporting assassinations). Slow motion replays. Disgust at BIAS refs. The Fergie referee corruption conspiracy. Wenger’s handbrake. Theirry’s light leg stroke of Jamie Carragher. Always has been, always will be.
If you find it uncouth… turn off your Twitter. No one will miss you.
Right, that’s me done, BIG LOVE x
P.S. What about the mighty Ajax last night? That’s a club with a philosophy and a plan to enact it. So many brilliant young players. Arsenal won’t be able to harvest their own youth like that in the short term, but we should be snapping up elite 17-23-year-olds and growing a team that looks similar. Also, fuck the ‘Madrid are shite’ commentary… that was Ajax being hungrier and more aggressive.
Kid is shit hot.
Poch a decent shout for Madrid, Marc.
Jamie
I had it down as a cert but the last week or so is beginning to make me think it’s going to be Allegri.
I’ve only just realised that the Poch’s two match ban will fall on Southampton and Liverpool both away. We could genuinely see the Spud’s miss out of top 4 this season.
Tuchel is KING for now… would love extra time.
jwl
“According to you, Ajax have created a system where players just land in their lap and managers, coaches and other support staff are unnecessary. Overmars might have answer on how to create such a system for Arsenal.”
…Essentially yes. Ajax is a well established philosophy in world football.
Overmars cannot just bring the Arsenal mould – he would have to rethink a lot and adapt to different circumstances. .
*Overmars cannot just bring the Ajax mould – he would have to rethink a lot and adapt to different circumstances. .
I would hope who ever we bring in as technical director does not bring any sort of mould what so ever – I’d include fungus in that as well.
Pedro
When do away goals lick in? Full time or after extra time?
Lukaku on fire just before they play Arsenal…..
My hope for our game is dissipating every minute.
azed
He’s never come up against Super Sok before!
41 years Buffom should retire. The first goal, he moved way too slow. The second goal, he spilled the ball .
Le grove begging for injuries to give us a chance of beating United.
I have an idea, how about playing our most talented creative players( Mhkitaryan and ozil)as that seems to have worked for the majority of the season when our manager decides he needs digging out of another hole that he has dug for himself.
If Man U win 3-1, will that mean extra time or because they scored 3 away goals to PSG’s 2, they’ll go through?
Pierre
Mikki will start – Ozil no chance he won’t offer anything other than getting caught on the ball and having lumps kicked out of him.
I get you like the player but you really need to stop this “he’s the solution to all our problems” bollocks.
Pierre
These days your contributions tend to be … a noun, a verb and Mesut Ozil
Do you have Ozil posters plastered everywhere in your home?
Danny
“If Man U win 3-1, will that mean extra time or because they scored 3 away goals to PSG’s 2, they’ll go through?”
I think United go through because they would have scored more away goals than PSG.
Dissenter
“I think United go through because they would have scored more away goals than PSG.”
Yes but I think it only counts after extra time.
Yes but I think it only counts after extra time.
———————–
Never heard that one before but thanks.
Danny
Heavy bias on the “I think”
At this point if the aggregate score is equal United will move on. No possibility of going to penalties with the current scoreline.
Emery is such a breath of ocean breeze fresh air. He’s not one to make excuses and just gets on with his work. When asked about the busy schedules; “This is a very important match for us. My opinion is to respect the Premier League, they decided the schedules for our matches and we prepare for the days we can have”. “‘Above all the habit is to play a lot of matches. If you ask if I prefer more time to prepare? Then maybe yes.” “‘But for this match we don’t have an excuse because we have had time to… Read more »
Marc
If the 3-3 draw came from a 3-0 win from both teams, then yes.. extra time.
In this case there are away goals that will make a difference.
OK I’ve just googled it and away goals count after the 90, therefore extra time or pens cannot be played tonight.
How do we play against united. They sit back and are a counter attacking team these days?
We sat back against spurs and counter attacked. If we play the high press players like Rashford will burn our wingbacks. Luckaku is on a little run of form at the moment.
The pressure is on the forwards to take their bloody opportunities. How confident are you guys on that?
I’m sure if Auba scores once he will score again. It’s a must 3 points. Hate United.
Dissenter
They are / have been competitions where the away goals rule only kicks in after extra time hence the debate. Under the current CL rules the only way it could’ve gone to extra time is a ManU 2 nil win.
Manure plays some backups; Dalot, McTominay, Pereia and Fred.
0-2 to united was the only scoreline that could have led to extra time and penalties… That’s no longer a possibility I think unless the rules have changed this season
Feel like United will score another after all.
Nelson
When tonight or Sunday?
Draxler kicked the ball too hard off a defender’s face and injured himself.
Marc
Today’s game started on 3 pm ET
Nelson
Mate I’m in the UK and the match kicked off at 8pm GMT.
Manure plays youngsters. Who is this Greenwood?
Penalty?
VAR handball????
Penalty!!!!
OK guy’s I’m not watching the match – who to? what happened?
Jam United. It’s hit his han.
Wow.
The player is not facing the ball. The ball hit his arm.
I really need an update – please!
Really didn’t look a penalty even on replay.
Bullshit ref!
Some decision that. I mean that’s a decision right there
Manure scores
Cunts
PEA would have missed that.
But I thought Tuchel was the second coming of the Lord himself. Christ… Could he be as shit as Emery
An unbelievable decision that.
At least we’ll stop hearing about how great Tuchel is till the end of the season
TYAG
I said earlier lose tonight and he’ll be sacked in the summer.
Let’s just hope between tonight and the Southampton game ManU have used up all their cheating fund I mean luck.
Honestly if this is what VAR is for then wow. Really can’t justify that penalty there. It was a speculative long range effort and arm was down. Just handing United a quarterfinal berth.
Wow….PSG on another bottle job.
Tuchel is utterly sauceless. How do you cock that up
Trask
Yes my point exactly. Emery was slated by Pedro and others for fucking up against a Barcelona team. Tuchel has lost to a team of reserves. Still want Tuchel guys
Ole has to get the job now. He has no competition.
Let’s hope Man U get the Scum in the quarter finals, that will be great for us.
Receding
I’d do it!
Fucking hell…
OGS, get him a statue.
He is the sauce master.
Danny
Why?
I’d prefer them to get At Madrid and Barca.
“But I thought Tuchel was the second coming of the Lord himself. Christ…”
Nah …. thats Arteta. Tuchel is John the Baptist.
Pedro
He’ll get the job full time and go full on Cardiff next season!
If only dreams came true.
@Marc
I was mistakingly looking at next weeks schedule. Next weeks game will start at 4 pm ET.
Wow. PSG still playing old man Buffon as GK. Doing flicks when they were on top. NEYMAR wearing all the earrings his ear can carry!
@Azed
Hahahahaha oh yes. Sorry
Great news for us… at least United have distractions.
I’d be delighted if Ole got the job. Honestly I see them running out of steam inside a matter of months of him getting the job
Neymar another over rated Brazilian like robinho
Imagine that Emerys PSG was slated for going out to Barcelona after a healthy lead. I hope Tuchels PSG are treated the same way.
Consistency and all.
The other game will go on extra time.
Wow. PSG still playing old man Buffon as GK. Doing flicks when they were on top. NEYMAR wearing all the earrings his ear can carry!
Brilliant. Just about sums up PSG honestly
One less stick to beat Emery with.
azed
Well as long as he ends up the same.
And That’s how you get properly robbed by the ref’s by the way. Still think VAR will change anything? It’s just like the NFL.. VAR still gets decisions wrong all the time.
Looking good for PL teams though.. in the CL.
Hope these Tuchel love quotes on this site will finally end. Dude tanked at Dortmund.
That’s a far worse failure from Tuchel than any alleged failure Emery was ever responsible for at PSG.
Which isn’t to say Tuchel is a poor manager. He’s not. But it points to how bogus and unfair some of the criticism of Emery has been.
Also, people need to accept the fact that Solksjaer is doing an excellent job at United. The guy is good, and he has them playing well.
Got to be the flukiest fucking win I’ve ever seen. Solsjkaer and United make me sick with their luck. They barely put any pressure on in the last twenty mins, it’s as if they knew lady luck would come to the rescue. Not a penalty in a million years.
Rashford absolute shit all night as well. Him and Solsjkaer are a match made in heaven with that shoot on sight fluke policy.
I’ll be expecting Valentin’s post on how Tuchel is a fraud….
That’s even worse than the Barca fuck up….How can you lose to essentially the second string
Tuchel deserves a sack. Players too cocky. Forgot it’s champs league.
I don’t want to gloat but I do hope Tuchel gets the full “tanked at PSG” treatment. He just lost the second leg at home with a two away goal head start.
The Emery insecurity is rife this evening.
Guys, it’s ok, no one is taking him away.
Yes I look forward to Valentin’s post as well. Never have I seen a poster go to such lengths to discredit a man.
Woah, Marc… steady on.
Fergie’s several decades of cheating ended up with a brain tumour – the talk is he’s back involved behind the scenes.
I fully expect the football God’s to balance things out by the end of the year. I sit bad form to both spit and piss on someone’s grave at the same time, at the funeral?
That’s the problem with VAR as well. Completely takes context out of the equation and looks at things in a robotic black and white way. Common sense can’t be applied.
Pedro
You probably shouldn’t read the last comment I made then!
“He just lost the second leg at home with a two away goal head start.”
With Mbappe and Cavani.
Lost to a team with Scott McF*** Tominay in midfield.
Guys do you think we should fear this united team on Sunday
They seem to have Lady Luck now on there side
Arsenal have to beat united
This VAR thing is fucked up. Last night with Ajax and now this.
Is this really the new reality?
Lol at everyone trying to defend Emery. Bunch of cheerleaders.
This result is actually good for Arsenal as far as our upcoming game and us being able to finish in the top-four are concerned.
Our players need a reminder that they can’t take ManU for granted even if they decide to field their reserve team.
That’s the problem with VAR as well. Completely takes context out of the equation and looks at things in a robotic black and white way. Common sense can’t be applied
The ref looked at it and some people in a room somewhere watched it and they deemed it a pen. Context had nothing to do with it it was just an utterly incompetent decision. One thing’s for sure that ref ain’t doing another champions league game again
Emery defenders at the ready.
If Emery isn’t to blame for player errors do tell what Tuchel can do about two fuckups and VAR having a giggle…
Thomas, it’s a bit embarrassing.
Propping your manager up because another won lost isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement.
“Maybe all the talk in France that it was Emery’s fault will quieten down now. What a shocking result for Tuchel.” – Charles Watts
@Thomas
Noone is defending Emery. None of us on here think he’s the next gaurdiola, but the way certain posters have masturbated over Tuchel being some sort of footballing god, when the reality is he’s average. Tanked at dortmund too
“Lol at everyone trying to defend Emery. Bunch of cheerleaders.”
More like putting things in perspective than defending Emery.
It’s a good thing for us for sure. Between the champions league and the FA Cup United will surely drop some points in the league
Wow, Henry Winter is a believer.
“This is the real Manchester United, playing with belief, youth, commitment, playing for each other, playing for the shirt, making light of absentees, refusing to be overawed by famous opponents. Never, ever giving up. The United of Solskjaer is the United of Ferguson.” – @HenryWinter