Football 16-17

[kaosmark2]

First time I've seen a Newcastle win in person. Great experience. Slightly frustrating to be in the home stand but contained myself and had an amazing time regardless. Just got back from the pub and so glad I went.

[The Nal]

Moyes is a wave of positivity isn't he? First game in.

Asked what his response would be to fans who fear another survival scrap, Moyes said: "Well, they would probably be right because that's where they've been every other year for the last four years, so why would it suddenly change?

"I think it will be, I don't think you can hide the facts, that will be the case, yes. People will be flat because they are hoping that something is going to dramatically change - it can't dramatically change, it can't."

Err David?!

[TheGayTent]

He's just trying to be clever isn't he. Don't blame him for a second. 

[The Nal]

1 minute ago, Scruffylovemonster said:

Although I take your point, if he'd have come out and said "look at Leicester, I don't see why we couldn't do the same this year," he'd have been laughed outta town.

Indeed. But a "aiming for top half of the table" would've done. Accepting a relegation dogfight after 1 game is nonsense. 

[eFestivals]

9 minutes ago, TheGayTent said:

He's just trying to be clever isn't he. Don't blame him for a second. 

and yet his use of 'they' was very unusual - it's him separating himself from the team he's responsible for.

It's not what managers do, and I don't doubt that it's been noticed by the S'land hierarchy and they won't be impressed.

[The Nal]

10 minutes ago, Scruffylovemonster said:

Could he be trying to pressure board to get some players in? I dunno, but just a thought. 

They are looking for players. He doesn't seem to be have been told otherwise. Just thought it was a very weird thing to say in August.  

[eFestivals]

10 minutes ago, Scruffylovemonster said:

I read the "they" as to mean the fans, not the team.

at least one of the 'they's is about the club, not the fans.

[TheGayTent]

28 minutes ago, The Nal said:

Indeed. But a "aiming for top half of the table" would've done. Accepting a relegation dogfight after 1 game is nonsense. 

He hasn't accepted a relegation dogfight. 

[TheGayTent]

22 minutes ago, eFestivals said:

and yet his use of 'they' was very unusual - it's him separating himself from the team he's responsible for.

Nothing of the kind. At best you've misunderstood. 

[eFestivals]

6 minutes ago, TheGayTent said:

Nothing of the kind. At best you've misunderstood. 

re-read it - he might have meant it how you're understanding it, but that's not what the words actually say.

After all, it's not the fans who are in a relegation battle, is it?

[TheGayTent]

16 minutes ago, eFestivals said:

re-read it - he might have meant it how you're understanding it, but that's not what the words actually say.

After all, it's not the fans who are in a relegation battle, is it?

Watch the interview, including the question, it's quite clear. 

[eFestivals]

24 minutes ago, TheGayTent said:

Watch the interview, including the question, it's quite clear. 

i heard the snippet on the radio, and yep it was clear - just as it is when reading the words.

[TheGayTent]

24 minutes ago, eFestivals said:

i heard the snippet on the radio, and yep it was clear - just as it is when reading the words.

Agreed  

[kaosmark2]

lol West Ham

[TheGayTent]

Last time we lost to Astra we had a very enjoyable season. 

I'm gutted. 

[kaosmark2]

It's that it's Astra again that amuses me most.

[pink_triangle]

I think it's unfair these new guaranteed places for the top leagues. Italy have doubled the guaranteed places and will end up taking places off smaller teams. 

[kaosmark2]

I'm fine with no qualification for top places, but I feel the bottom team from each league that gets a CL place should have to go through at least one qualifying round. If teams in other leagues improve and can beat the English 4th/Italian 3rd/etc. then they should get that chance.

In other news, Arsenal spending big on a striker and a CB rather than more attacking midfielders? Wow.

[sdvruxk]

Also known as panic buying. The fans have got what they want. Not sure it'll do them any favours though. 

[lost]

I wonder if the story in the mirror is true, that the Arsenal scouts looked at Martinez last month and decided he wasn't good enough. They then found out that Steve Walsh rates him and quickly backtracked and made a bid. 

I also be interested to see how Mustafi does. Saw him once for Everton reserves and I can see why Moyes released him. He just didn't seem strong enough to be a centre back

Edited August 27, 2016 by lost

[LJS]

Away from the bright lights & mega millions of the premier league, my team is kicking off it's 150th birthday celebrations...

 

[kaosmark2]

Beating Brighton is huge for us. That's a great result against a top Championship team, and we looked fairly dominant for a lot of it. After that shaky start things are definitely looking positive for the season ahead. Lots of transfer business but we now look like we have a balanced squad with some depth to it, a fair whack of Championship experience and some talented youngsters that will hopefully be Prem quality if/when we get back up.

Shame about Krul being shipped out on loan, but for the first time I've seen a game this season Sels has looked imperious, and I guess Krul needs game time, fitness, and to regain his Dutch place playing in Europe/top league. Most of our other departures seem like good business for us though.

[TheGayTent]

Zaza on loan with an obligation to buy after 16 games for €28m. 

That €28m is quite safe, no doubt he'll be injured long before then. 

[lost]

Very early days I know but I'm wondering if normal service has resumed after Leicesters heroics last season. Top 3 already looking very strong and the rest fighting over 4th?

[TheGayTent]

Allardyce is a twat - nothing new there obviously