The English Football Thread

[Atomiswave 6,072]

Ohh what happened, did bruno cantona not play? No pen no party.

[Jase 43,479]

12 hours ago, Vesper said:

It's not a stretch to say that Crystal Palace have a very old squad. 

And while their contracts aren't expiring this summer, players like Zaha turn 29 and Ayew 30 later this year. They could be in serious relegation trouble in the coming seasons. 

[Jase 43,479]

 

[Vesper 28,366]

Wednesday March 3 2021 Matt Law's Chelsea briefing

Tuchel needs goals — the question is where they should come from By Matt Law, Football News Correspondent Erling Haaland is the name on the lips of many Chelsea supporters as thoughts begin to turn to the summer transfer window. Goals have been in short supply during Thomas Tuchel’s unbeaten start to life as the club’s head coach, so it is natural that Haaland should be a target. But there is a growing argument that Chelsea lack any genuine guile or craft and it may well be that Tuchel needs to add an assist king to his squad. Chelsea’s squad has plenty of pace and dynamism with the likes of Timo Werner, Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Reece James and Marcos Alonso, but where is the genuine passer? Werner is top of Chelsea’s assists chart, having set up six goals, ahead of Mount and Kai Havertz on five. Tuchel sees Havertz as a “hybrid” player between a number 10 and a nine, and it may well be that the German eventually evolves into a regular chance creator. But the fact that Chelsea’s central midfielders of Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante have managed just five assists between them this season points to a problem. Jorginho is often too deep and looks sideways too often to make the most of his ability in possession, as his one assist proves. Hakim Ziyech was creating goals under Frank Lampard, but the Morocco international has not benefited from Tuchel’s change of formation and misplaced far too many passes against Manchester United. It is not just the final ball for the striker that Chelsea have been lacking. A genuine passer could open up space for those on the flanks to create more opportunities with their pace and crossing ability. It is interesting to rewind seven years, to 2014, when Chelsea were considering how best to try to replace the club’s record goalscorer Frank Lampard. Former technical director Michael Emenalo knew it would be virtually impossible to find another midfielder who could guarantee the team 20-plus goals each season. Samir Nasri, then at Manchester City, was considered and the Frenchman had shown, both at City and Arsenal, that he was capable of hitting double figures from an advanced midfield position. But Emenalo and the manager at the time, Jose Mourinho, were in complete agreement that Cesc Fabregas was the man to go for, even though the Spaniard would not be expected to hit the back of the net. Emenalo and Mourinho reasoned that the goals Fabregas would provide for others, such as Eden Hazard and Diego Costa, would compensate for the loss of Lampard and so it proved. Fabregas finished his first season, in which Chelsea won the Premier League, with 24 assists in all competitions. And, two years later, when the club won the title again Under Antonio Conte, he managed 15 assists. Conte had initially opted for the power of N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic in the centre of his midfield, but gradually realised that he could not do without the craft of Fabregas. Chelsea may find themselves in a similar position now. The obvious solution to their problems appears to lie in signing a new striker who has the killer instinct to regularly score over 20 goals a season. But, whether it be Haaland or anyone else, one has to presume that any striker Chelsea may sign this summer is not going to be able to create chances for himself. Get in touch on Twitter @Matt_Law_DT or by emailing [email protected]

[ZAPHOD2319 4,416]

Spuds with Kane, Son, Dele, Bale.....that is a lot of fire power if they all are in form.

[MoroccanBlue 5,281]

Ruben in a nutshell with that chance. 

[killer1257 3,282]

Ruben is playing pretty well. Won all his dribblings 

[ZAPHOD2319 4,416]

Spuds have too much going forward. Deli Alii heating up could mean Jose becomes more aggressive.  Spuds 1-0

[MoroccanBlue 5,281]

4 minutes ago, ZAPHOD2319 said:

Spuds have too much going forward. Deli Alii heating up could mean Jose becomes more aggressive.  Spuds 1-0

Doubtful. He'll always opt for three holding/defensive midfielders. 

[Atomiswave 6,072]

It was a bloody own goal as well

[ZAPHOD2319 4,416]

I don't think that should be an own goal because it touched a defender. It was originally listed as a goal by Dali Alii and they changed it to own goal. 

Edited March 4, 2021 by ZAPHOD2319

[Fulham Broadway 16,705]

Fulham sneaqualiser ...

disallowed 👎

[ZAPHOD2319 4,416]

Sigh... header for Everton. It hurts to see us in 5th, now we move down unless West Brom can do something. We need to do something today!!

[Laylabelle 9,341]

That disallowed goal..what a load of crap

[Atomiswave 6,072]

15 minutes ago, Laylabelle said:

That disallowed goal..what a load of crap

Just saw it again and what an absolute travesty of a decision, that was no handball. Footy is not footy anymore

Edited March 4, 2021 by Atomiswave

[Milan 17,849]

We are screwed either way. We fucked up in the first half of the season.

[Fulham Broadway 16,705]

21 minutes ago, Laylabelle said:

That disallowed goal..what a load of crap

Clearance smashed by Sancho three yards away. His arm is by his side, if it hits his hip, thigh any other part of him its a goal. Most stupid decision/rule ever

[Vesper 28,366]

Rhythmically peppering suggestions with words like 'eff' and 'jeff'    A lost rag, earlier. Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA Scott Murray BATTLE FIVER The manager of Pope’s Newc O’Rangers has, historically speaking, been prone to the odd emotional outburst. Take the way Jock Wallace used to rhapsodise about the Battle Fever. Or the manner in which Walter Smith would give journalists beneficial advice, rhythmically peppering his kind suggestions with words like “eff” and “jeff”. Or the elegant grace with which Graeme Souness would plant his studs in an opponent’s fruit bowl, or upend urns of hot water before being offered out by the tea lady for a square go. Volatility seemed to be part of the job spec. Rangers' Steven Gerrard rages at referee as Morelos earns late win at Livingston Read more But times change, and current incumbent $tevie Mbe is cut from a markedly calmer cloth. As long-time followers of Liverpool will attest, when things go wrong, his go-to response is to stand around frowning quite a lot. That’s been his stock reaction to adversity as a manager, too, and on the whole it’s stood him in good stead. However, everyone has their tipping point, and his tinderbox was finally located on Wednesday night when Alfredo Morelos was brought down by Livingston keeper Max Stryjek, only for Alfredo Morelos’s Reputation to get booked. It was a clear penalty, and those words may have been among the colourful assortment that fell out of Mbe’s face when he ran on the pitch at half-time to question the actions of referee John Beaton in Smithsonian style. Beaton has clearly been watching how the officials in the Premier League comport themselves, for he waved away Mbe with the kind of high-handed disdain that would make Mike Dean look like a half-cut rag-week student offering charity cuddles for 50p. Two yellow cards in quick succession meant Mbe had to watch from the stand as Morelos gained 87th-minute vindication to put O’Rangers within four points of One In A Row. Should the SFA decide to process the referee’s forms quickly, Mbe may also be forced to watch from the stand when his team rock up at Queen’s Celtic Park on 21 March hoping to throw an ever-so-slightly-combustible title party. Not ideal, but at least he’ll get a panoramic view of the 22-man-plus-benches brawl when it inevitably breaks out. LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE! Join Michael Butler from 6pm GMT for MBM coverage of Fulham 1-3 Tottenham in the Premier League, before Scott Murray takes in Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea. QUOTE OF THE DAY “Well done … c’mon Crooksy, can you open the legs son? Go on. Go on … ooh, go on then. Now then, Freddie. Make a name for yourself, make a name for yourself. No. Keep going … ohhhhhhhh” – now we’ve transcribed this, it reads like something from Weird Uncle Fiver’s newest subscription service. But it’s actually former Miller John Breckin’s co-commentary as 10-man Rotherham break away and score a 97th-minute winner at fellow Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday. It’s the real good stuff. Unless you’re an Owl, mind. | 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑒: 96 mins on the clock at Hillsborough and Wednesday have a corner against the 10-man Millers. Let's be honest, we're all waiting for them to break our hearts with another last minute goal.@JohnBreckin, take it away...#rufc |#ForeverTogetherForeverProud pic.twitter.com/FUR9Lzxwop — Rotherham United (@OfficialRUFC) March 4, 2021 RECOMMENDED LISTENING Football Weekly, on a Thursday, but not ‘Extra’. Blame a Friday pod. Here you go. FIVER LETTERS “I will admit I am a simple man. After all, I read The Fiver every day. So might I suggest a simple solution for offside. Seeing as we play football, why can’t the offside rule be feet? At the moment, if your eyebrows are too long or your sleeve is fluttering in the breeze, you’re offside. As I said, it’s a simple solution but I don’t think the rule makers like it simple any more” – Larry Jones. “Never mind the pitchside effing and jeffing on the TV (yesterday’s Fiver). There was plenty in front of my TV last Sunday during Palace v Fulham” – John Thompson. “Chris Wilder on the sidelines shouting ‘Bashy!’ (yesterday’s Fiver). That’s as good an excuse as any to re-watch the brilliant Kids in the Hall sketch with a guy yelling ‘Lopez!’ at an empty house. Enjoy” – Mike Wilner. Send your letters to [email protected]. And you can always tweet The Fiver via @guardian_sport. Today’s winner of our prizeless letter o’the day prize is … John Thompson. NEWS, BITS AND BOBS Phil Chisnall, who in 1964 became the last player to be transferred directly between Manchester United and Liverpool, has died aged 78.  RIP Phil. Photograph: PA This season’s Women’s FA Cup will resume later this month after a pandemic-enforced shutdown, while Liverpool’s Big Cup last-16 second leg against Leipzig will again be in Budapest. Chelsea and Manchester City have one foot in the quarter-finals of Women’s Big Cup after 2-0 and 3-0 first-leg wins over Atlético Madrid and Fiorentina, respectively. Newcastle’s players and staff have been reminded of the need for discretion after details of some heated training-ground shenanigans between Matt Ritchie and Steve Bruce were leaked. Neil Warnock, who once planned to retire aged 55 and is now 72, will be extending his stay in charge of Middlesbrough for another season. “When you read the news nowadays, there’s always somebody popping their clogs younger than me,” he declared. “I don’t want to die on the job, if I’m honest, so I’d like to finish on a high and I would like to see a little bit of what me and [wife] Sharon love.” And that coffee waste kit didn’t help calm things between Forest Green and Colchester last weekend; the pair have been charged by FA suits with failing to control their players during some scenes that everyone no one likes to see. Always risky with caffeine after 3pm, in our experience. STILL WANT MORE? Boca, Brighton and barbecues: it’s Alexis Mac Allister getting his chat on with Jacob Steinberg. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s music festival guest turn, plus Gennaro Gattuso and Lorenzo Insigne losing the run of themselves. Another quiet midweek in Serie A, as Nicky Bandini explains.  Sport being stuck to, apparently. Photograph: Ettore Ferrari/EPA Andy Hunter sets the scene for Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea. Remembering West Ham’s unlikely title tilt of 1985-86. By Steven Pye. Oh, and if it’s your thing … you can follow Big Website on Big Social FaceSpace. And INSTACHAT, TOO! GET READING THIS