Football

Yeah it's nice to be back amongst the big 8

Except Everton

Hardly, more like Swansea and West Brom

Swansea's third goal was smashing from defense into attack in six or seven passes, and a lovely final pass into de guzman's path.

Benteke's first for Villa was lovely, and they looked like they'd be in no trouble in that match in the first half, making a load of chances, looking in on them, you'd struggle to see how they are in the relegation mire.

If I was a fulham fan I'd be worried though, they don't seem to be able to steal a result recently, and seem to be slipping back to that relegation struggle as well...

Can see why we were in for Remy, looks quick, got his eye in after being caught offside twice and then stuck his one chance away. Nothing from him after that, but wasn't someone upthread saying he'd been injured/out of sorts at Marseille...

Anyway I'll be in the Effra hall for the big matches sunday, and I'm nervous, pundits give us more than a punchers chance, and we're never any good when we're favourites, though thats something we'll have to get over, if we want to push on and challenge consistently.
Mine's a blackcurrant and soda water by the way.

It's your round...

Two more years for Ashley Cole, nice.

sigh of relief

Also been seeing quite a few rather flattering profiles of AVB heading into this match. Talking up his ability to man manage, how the team is playing well for him as his ideas on meritocracy take hold and how players feel if they perform well in training they'll get a chance to show it on match day.

It feels a bit two faced if I'm honest and I'm sure if we go on a bad run the story will be spun back to paint AVB in a bad light. But for right now it's nice to see his qualities as a coach getting a good airing, and the transitional period be has oversee being put into context, as we're still in the CL places even after losing Modric, VDV, and having kaboom, Benni and Parker injured for the first half of the season.

He's got more to overcome with Sandro now gone for the season after knee surgery, and Adebayor off to the African Cup of Nations, but it can also be viewed as a chance for others to impress him and stake their claim for a starting place...

Two more years for Ashley Cole, nice.

big relief. come on frank, sign da ting

There isn't any'ting for him to sign.

Frank should move.
No "respect" shown to him.

Don't understand why Ashley didn't go to real? Does he think he'd get done in on a weekly basis? Or does he see the project crumbling?

"He believes in Rafa as their future..."

Probably just wanted to stay with what he knows.

snow keeps falling, any word on Super Sunday: Payback abandonment. I don't want my plastic ability to watch football in a pub, to be stopped by the inclement weather..

£1 billion industry.
Would be daft if they failed to put investment into pitches and keep their producct available to all who are investing?

Or is that too cynical?

Newcastle have had a bit for Yanga-mbiwa - that should help to shore up their defence. Still 3 players short

Who gives a fuck? They're going back down anyway.

Pep wants to make ratface his first signing for Bayern

#crossesfingers

Great first half there for us.
Where was the free kick?
Wasn't a penalty.

Chelsea only winning 2-0 at home?
What is Benitez doing? Is this in spite at the home supporters?

Fuck me, another couple of goals and Arsenal will be below Liverpool, if Wenger doesn't get sacked now, he never will.

If it ends 4-0 Arsenal and Liverpool are level on points, GD and GS. What's the next tiebraker?

Damo?

According to the internet:

Playoff at neutral venue (if for title, relegation or Euro qualification, otherwise: teams share position)

So we'll be up to 6th if Chelsea score at least 2 more, ideally 3

IRWT

Oh fuck, Arsenal scored while I was working that out.

So now it needs to be 3 clear goals.

Wait, we need to find some more straws for you to clutch...

Nice to see Torres in amongst the goals again
#rafastays