The English Football Thread

[Vesper 31,180]

12 minutes ago, Laylabelle said:

Nahhh you still gotta play games and win against other teams who are in the same competition as you..and cause some aren't the usual lot makes it harder...

we have done quite well in it at times

I would rather have it than no Europe at all

[Fulham Broadway 17,810]

6 changes for the gooners. Psychological by Arteta, if they fucked up with a full strength team it would severely dent their confidence for their next encounters with City

[Vesper 31,180]

2022-23 English FA Cup, Fourth Round

Manchester City
Arsenal

https://www.mysocceraustralia.com/sports/2023/fa-cup-manchester-city-vs-arsenal-s1/

Edited January 27, 2023 by Vesper

[Vesper 31,180]

[Blue Armour 4,759]

12 hours ago, Vesper said:

we have done quite well in it at times

I would rather have it than no Europe at all

Exactly what I've been saying.

No to conference league, because that is a massive waste of time.

But Europa, no problem.

[Laylabelle 9,754]

18 hours ago, Vesper said:

we have done quite well in it at times

I would rather have it than no Europe at all

Exactly that's what I'm saying it's silly to look down on it as a lesser competition cause even if it is a step down you're against other teams in the same postion and no better then them. If in it might as well try win it

[Fulham Broadway 17,810]

Konate should have been sent off forearm smash on Mcallister with goalscoring opportunity - oh hang on its liverpool, play on then

[Fulham Broadway 17,810]

...and now Fabinho scrapes his studs down Fergusons achilles - but its ok just a yellow, its liverpool

[Fulham Broadway 17,810]

Justice in injury time, no way the vermin can come back from that

[OneMoSalah 9,122]

Mitoma what a finish. Has had TAA on toast all game, talk about composure there.

Would it be fair to say De Zerbi is taking Brighton to another level? They look as if they’re getting better every time I see them. 

Edited January 29, 2023 by OneMoSalah

[nyikolajevics 2,851]

Just now, OneMoSalah said:

Mitoma what a finish. Has had TAA on toast all game, talk about composure there.

Very special player, on and off pitch. Joy to watch. 

 

[Fulham Broadway 17,810]

Mo Salah has been on the kebabs by the looks No Salad

[Vesper 31,180]

[OneMoSalah 9,122]

Dyce in at Everton, 2.5 year deal.

Actually think this is the best appointment Everton have made in a long long time, he will cut the bullshit and get rid of the big boys in there who aren’t performing.

Has shown at times with Burnley he can get them punching above their weight and I do remember there was an 12-18 months where they were a pretty solid team who played some alright stuff considering his reputation. Lack of investment killed them and his chances of improving that though. Suppose we will see what he can do with more cash at Everton if he keeps them up.  

[Vesper 31,180]

3 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

Dyce in at Everton, 2.5 year deal.

Actually think this is the best appointment Everton have made in a long long time, he will cut the bullshit and get rid of the big boys in there who aren’t performing.

Has shown at times with Burnley he can get them punching above their weight and I do remember there was an 12-18 months where they were a pretty solid team who played some alright stuff considering his reputation. Lack of investment killed them and his chances of improving that though. Suppose we will see what he can do with more cash at Everton if he keeps them up.  

lol, the Ginger Mourinho rides again

[Vesper 31,180]

 

[Vesper 31,180]

I am looking at Citeh, and they have some issues, the type that will only get worse if not addressed (they still have some insane assets, best on planet assets though)

if no Ederson, they are semi fucked at GKer

they need a rebound from Dias and Rodri and for Stones to keep playing his best football of his life

they are fucked at FB IMHO

they have MF issues due to age and the likely leaving of Bernardo and Gundogan

at winger, Mahrez is ageing, and Grealish has been a semi bust, but Foden is a monster (well can and should be), they only have those 3 (unless you play the probably leaving Bernardo at RWer)

Ederson  great GK
Stefan Ortega meh backup GK
Rúben Dias  slumped wee a bit this year, not the clear best CB on the planet like he was
Aymeric Laporte he will only go downhill from here, soon 30 and never fully recovered from his bad knee injury
John Stones  had a great year, can he keep it up?
Nathan Aké had a decent year
Manuel Akanji had a decent year
Sergio Gómez  shit
Benjamin Mendy rapist shit
Kyle Walker  turns 34 at the end of next season
Rico Lewis    not sold 100% on him at all, and he is smallish, in his favour, he is only 18, so mad potential
Rodri    like Dias, slumped a bit
Kalvin Phillips    injuries have fucked him so far, can he still be the player he was?
Máximo Perrone    this lad COULD be a steal, could be the next Enzo, will be key to Citeh storming back in the future, if he is the real deal
Ilkay Gündogan   probably gone and he turns 33yo in October
Kevin De Bruyne  turns 33yo right after next season ends, so he will eventually slow down
Bernardo Silva  likely gone
Cole Palmer    not sold on him yet
Jack Grealish  sort of a bust IMHO, especially for a 100 million quid
Riyad Mahrez   will turn 33yo next winter
Erling Haaland    Monster, but he cannot one man carry them, look at thsi season, he will score 50 plus goals and they may not win shit
Julián Álvarez   soon to be WC backup

[NikkiCFC 8,529]

United have 10 games in 33 days starting tonight. So stupid from them to play close to best team in already done leg. 

[Laylabelle 9,754]

Does feel weird us not having the chance to come away with runner up medals at Wembley this season

[Vesper 31,180]

Folarin Balogun sends fresh Arsenal message and overtakes Kylian Mbappe in league goals

Folarin Balogun is flourishing in France after joining Reims on loan from Arsenal - scoring more league goals than Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus combined this season

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-balogun-mbappe-psg-reims-29110264

Arsenal talent Folarin Balogun scored a hat-trick to help loan club Reims beat Ligue 1 rivals Lorient 4-2 on Wednesday evening.

Reims recovered from two goals down after Balogun found the net three times at the Stade Auguste-Delaune II. The 21-year-old has now scored 14 Ligue 1 goals this term - making him the top scorer in the division ahead of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi.

Balogun's scoring exploits mark a splendid turnaround for the youngster. His Arsenal future seemed in doubt after he was sent on loan to Reims at the beginning of the season, but manager Mikel Arteta will now be looking forward to his return in the summer.

"Before I moved, Mikel said he wanted me to develop as a man," said Balogun told reporters last September. "It was kind of like an open answer and for me to interpret what me meant by develop as a man. But by moving abroad, I’m starting to learn what he meant.

"It doesn't just mean on the pitch but also off the pitch. I think by the time I go back I’ll be in a better place to compete than I was before I left."

Balogun expanded on this during an interview with L'Equipe. He said: "Arsenal is my family. For me, the club represents brotherhood and unity. There, I learned always to push my limits. I remember from training the permanent desire to progress on a technical level."

He added: "I think by the time I go back I’ll be in a better place to compete than I was before I left. I realised there were certain things I would struggle with, but I think that’s a good thing. It helps you to manage stuff you’re uncomfortable with which is important."

Speaking last March, Arteta insisted Balogun has a big future at Arsenal. He said: "You can see how he is developing. This is going to give us more detail about what is the next best move for him to keep developing... we want him to be part of our future.

"He needed a pathway, he needs that exposure. He needs to go through good and difficult moments, and he needs to be able to adapt and find himself in the dressing room."

Balogun was spotted talking to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry ahead of Reims' 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday night. The emerging star scored a last-minute equaliser and copied one of Henry's iconic celebrations after finding the net.

Edited February 2, 2023 by Vesper