The English Football Thread

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

Hot take incoming.

 

 

Outside of scoring Jackson offers more to a team than Haaland👀

[Vesper 31,181]

Saliba and Gabriel bossed Håland all game

[Vesper 31,181]

especially Saliba, he is a HUGE reason for Arsenal's climbing up

[MoroccanBlue 5,408]

One thing that is guaranteed about Arsenal is that they will always come to each and every game with 100% intensity. 

We don't match or better their intensity next Saturday it'll be a long game. Gallagher is a must. 

[NikkiCFC 8,529]

10 minutes ago, Laylabelle said:

Arsenal and Spurs the only unbeaten sides so far..

Well deserved. 2 best teams in the league so far.

 

5 minutes ago, Laylabelle said:

Do think if Arsenal can keep their lot injury free they'll do it this year. 

Unlike last season this time they actually have good depth. They just beat best team on planet without best player Saka. Solid bench.

 

14 minutes ago, Vesper said:

Citeh drop off a lot without Rodri on the pitch

All 3 losses. Newcastle, Wolves, Arsenal. Their most important player. But also I predicted before season they will have more struggles in attack after transfer window.

They let Mahrez, Gundogan leave they were scoring regularly. Grealish is out of form again, KDB is out... New players like Nunes, Gvardiol and Kovacic offer nothing in attack. Palmer also left.

10 minutes ago, Sir Mikel OBE said:

Hot take incoming.

 

 

Outside of scoring Jackson offers more to a team than Haaland👀

About Haaland he is often missing in big games. Every very good defense can stop him with ease. He is very dependable from service.

Deserved win for Arsenal. Pep very defensive.

[Fulham Broadway 17,810]

19 minutes ago, Vesper said:

especially Saliba, he is a HUGE reason for Arsenal's climbing up

Definitely, a gooner beast

[OneMoSalah 9,123]

48 minutes ago, MoroccanBlue said:

One thing that is guaranteed about Arsenal is that they will always come to each and every game with 100% intensity. 

We don't match or better their intensity next Saturday it'll be a long game. Gallagher is a must. 

Still got a lot of mistakes in them, City were very very poor by their standards. But how Arsenal nearly won a title with Zinchenko playing every week at LB is mind blowing. Never seen someone who looks so likely to give the ball away in his own half so much when pressed, he’s good technically and suits that inverted fullback role at times but he also can be so sloppy. Raya didn’t look very confident either and they kept passing the ball back to him every 15 passes. 

They will always bring intensity and not surprised when you’ve got that jumped up prick Arteta on the sidelines, he’s about 5000 times more animated than Conte was, guy needs to lay off it a bit. He would be a much better manager for it. Taking the emotional side of things out of the game is going to be their downfall with Arteta. He gets too caught up in the moment. Teams look to their managers for inspiration and a bit of guidance not gonna get it with him marching about at 200mph to contest stupid small decisions like a throw in or corner.

You could see they cracked under pressure too last season. Everyone says they ran out of steam but for me they cracked. Yea they maybe got a but of fatigue but their too emotional as a team and needed a coach who’s influence could calm and steady the ship a bit.

Pains me to say it but Spurs been best team so far. Still may concede chances but their ability to bounce back from bad moments and Ange Postecoglu as a whole (big fan of what he did in up in Glasgow in terms of rebuilding and transforming the mood at Celtic), think the way they’ve started and against who they’ve played. They couldn’t have asked for a better start.

[Fulham Broadway 17,810]

45 minutes ago, OneMoSalah said:

Still got a lot of mistakes in them, City were very very poor by their standards. But how Arsenal nearly won a title with Zinchenko playing every week at LB is mind blowing. Never seen someone who looks so likely to give the ball away in his own half so much when pressed, he’s good technically and suits that inverted fullback role at times but he also can be so sloppy. Raya didn’t look very confident either and they kept passing the ball back to him every 15 passes. 

They will always bring intensity and not surprised when you’ve got that jumped up prick Arteta on the sidelines, he’s about 5000 times more animated than Conte was, guy needs to lay off it a bit. He would be a much better manager for it. Taking the emotional side of things out of the game is going to be their downfall with Arteta. He gets too caught up in the moment. Teams look to their managers for inspiration and a bit of guidance not gonna get it with him marching about at 200mph to contest stupid small decisions like a throw in or corner.

You could see they cracked under pressure too last season. Everyone says they ran out of steam but for me they cracked. Yea they maybe got a but of fatigue but their too emotional as a team and needed a coach who’s influence could calm and steady the ship a bit.

Pains me to say it but Spurs been best team so far. Still may concede chances but their ability to bounce back from bad moments and Ange Postecoglu as a whole (big fan of what he did in up in Glasgow in terms of rebuilding and transforming the mood at Celtic), think the way they’ve started and against who they’ve played. They couldn’t have asked for a better start.

Spurs are guaranteed to go 'Spursy' at some point, Arsenal like West Ham will fade and die, still City for me 👀

[OneMoSalah 9,123]

1 hour ago, Fulham Broadway said:

Spurs are guaranteed to go 'Spursy' at some point, Arsenal like West Ham will fade and die, still City for me 👀

I think City have got it in them to go on a 9, 10, 11, 12 game run again when it really matters. They haven’t started well for many reasons but yeah, still rate their chances higher than Arsenal. Plus Haaland is going to do his usual and go on a big run at some point, de Bruyne when he comes back gives them exceptional quality in the final third. 

I think Spurs shouldn’t be underestimated. Yes there is the whole Spursy thing but I’ve always like what Big Ange is about and how he comes across. I can remember when he went to Celtic nobody knew him, people were even laughing at his appointment in Scotland and after a tricky start, doubts remained but he showed lot of resilience and character whilst sticking to his principles. At a club where the scrutiny and fan pressure is absolutely massive, go to Glasgow and see what the fans think when Celtic aren’t winning games - it’s frightening. I mean you think its bad down the road, it is absolutely crazy in Glasgow.

Whole appointment turned out pretty exceptionally in terms of how Celtic went from absolutely falling off a cliff, needing to completely restructure upstairs in terms of management and reshape their squad to playing arguably some of the best football in terms of style, goals, clean sheets over that period without a doubt. If he manages to get that sort of character and resilience into Spurs over a prolonged period, they will definitely be in the top 4. Some of the football they are playing, the goals they are scoring without Harry Kane, I don’t think many expected it. Even the Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd games - big moments and phases of the game went well beyond them but unlike where they would of capitulated, they managed to see it out and then flipped those games on their heads with moments of quality. Still early days yet but Mourinho and Conte’s Spurs would of shit the bed in most of those moments. 

I genuinely am concerned that if we don’t start going on a run the next batch of games, that we will end up with a huge gap already with certain teams and won’t claw it back. And I am afraid that we still don’t have enough proven quality or cohesion with the starting 11 to guarantee that we can go on such a run that the likes of Spurs or Arsenal are on/City or Liverpool can do.

Also thats without mentioning the likes of Villa, Brighton, West Ham and Newcastle yet. 

Edited October 8, 2023 by OneMoSalah

[Fulham Broadway 17,810]

7 minutes ago, OneMoSalah said:

go to Glasgow and see what the fans think when Celtic aren’t winning games - it’s frightening. I mean you think its bad down the road, it is absolutely crazy in Glasgow.

Got a mate who's living up there at the moment working as ana account manager - he;s sent me regular vids of the sectarianist marching outside his apartment - fucking mental, and every time he goes out theres someone playing the bagpipes. 🤣Stereotypes I know but its always lively.

[Laylabelle 9,754]

Sad that we're wayyy below the top lot. I know we've pulled a few performances out so far but having it in us to get maybe top 7? Who knows. Competition is a lot more now and we're a little left behind.

Not convinced on City..early but they can be stopped..but then they can go nuts and beat everyone so who knows..just hope sometime soon hopefully not too many years we'll be in a race again. Even if only for a while 

Edited October 8, 2023 by Laylabelle

[Blue Armour 4,759]

7 hours ago, Fulham Broadway said:

Spurs are guaranteed to go 'Spursy' at some point, Arsenal like West Ham will fade and die, still City for me 👀

Lol..the Spusry aspect is the only thing that makes me question them.

Their football though, is getting rave reviews and they seem to have a lot of steel about them.

But I guess it also depends on who you talk to. I know Arsenal fans who think they got away with one in the game against them, and clearly they got away with one against Liverpool.

And they've already been knocked out of the league cup. So who knows 🤷‍♂️

Edited October 9, 2023 by Blue Armour

[OneMoSalah 9,123]

7 hours ago, Fulham Broadway said:

Got a mate who's living up there at the moment working as ana account manager - he;s sent me regular vids of the sectarianist marching outside his apartment - fucking mental, and every time he goes out theres someone playing the bagpipes. 🤣Stereotypes I know but its always lively.

I was in Glasgow for college when Lennon wouldn’t resign after they didn’t get the fabled 10 in a row. Fuck me it was crazy, like every week until he resigned there was protests etc. Then have went to 3 games with a few mates under Big Ange and the atmosphere at Celtic Park was something else. Like polar opposite from what it was previously with Lennon. 

Proper football though, the passion for the Old Firm is next to unrivalled, well maybe the Italians and Germans are on a similar par to a degree but its a lot more football than “tourism” which unfortunately the PL has become - which again is mainly due to the huge spectacle of it, these teams and how far their fan bases reach.

Being Scottish its a shame to think that the financial gap between Scotland and England in terms of TV deals etc is so large because I think some of these clubs with a bit more cash flow injection could definitely up their levels a bit. Lot of young Scots who have and will go on to have good careers. Or guys who play there for a stepping stone.

The sectarianism is a shame as it hugely clouds what should be an intense, passionate game of football. Religion being used as a stick to beat a certain group with has no place in football. Same with racism and all the other things.

[Fulham Broadway 17,810]

2 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

Being Scottish its a shame to think that the financial gap between Scotland and England in terms of TV deals etc is so large

Definitely. bit of a travesty that -and is obviously deliberate, and then thats reflected in the level of players attracted to the respective leagues.

2 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

The sectarianism is a shame as it hugely clouds what should be an intense, passionate game of football. Religion being used as a stick to beat a certain group with has no place in football. Same with racism and all the other things.

Yup. Again used to have two Rangers mates who came down to SB in the 80s and 90s. They were only driven by the supposed Protestantism 'Blues Brothers' stuff, again linked to the BNP at the time. They couldnt understand my luke warm apprach to it, which I saw, and still do as ridiculous.

[Vesper 31,181]

Aston Villa

https://thedailybriefing.io/i/137887255/aston-villa

• Nicolò Zaniolo and Sandro Tonali have been questioned by authorities. This happened after the Aston Villa and Newcastle players were accused about possible involvement in illegal betting. Both have left Italy’s training camp after speaking to the police.

•  

  Italian Federation statement on the accusations of possible illegal betting involvement for Tonali and Zaniolo. “The Federation announces that, in the late afternoon of today, the Public Prosecutor's Office of Turin has notified investigative acts to footballers Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo, currently meeting with the national team at the Federal Technical Center of Coverciano. Regardless of the nature of the acts, considering that in this situation the two players are not in the necessary condition to face the commitments scheduled in the coming days, the Federation has decided, also to protect them, to allow them to return to their respective clubs.”

  

[TheHulk 2,680]

No arabs for United, let's fucking gooo.

[Vesper 31,181]

4 hours ago, TheHulk said:

No arabs for United, let's fucking gooo.

The Qataris have to divert mad money to their Hamas clients.

[Fulham Broadway 17,810]

Jim Ratcliffe to buy 25 per cent of Manchester United for £1.3bn ...protests against the Glazers continue...

[Vesper 31,181]

6 hours ago, Fulham Broadway said:

Jim Ratcliffe to buy 25 per cent of Manchester United for £1.3bn ...protests against the Glazers continue...

what a farce

just wow

[Vesper 31,181]

THE BEN JACOBS COLUMN

 

EXCL: Paul Mitchell under consideration for a Manchester United role

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking into bringing the former Monaco man to Old Trafford

https://thedailybriefing.io/p/exclusive-paul-mitchell-under-consideration

Paul Mitchell is a leading name under consideration for a sporting director role at Manchester United should Sir Jim Ratcliffe prove successful in his bid.

Ratcliffe's offer for 25% of the club will be put to a board vote next week. He is now likely to succeed after his main rival, Sheikh Jassim, withdrew from the process.

Ratcliffe's INEOS want an initial stake worth around £1.4bn and an eventual path to control. And as part of the deal, the British billionaire wants sporting control straight away. How this is given, and how legally binding it is, remains unclear. But it's believed Ratcliffe, if successful, will undertake a 100-day review and be extremely hands-on at Manchester United.

Since February, INEOS have been considering various football experts to lead on the sporting side, from both within INEOS and outside. INEOS Sports CEO Jean Claude Blanc, who joined from PSG in February, is expected to be one key figure. Dave Brailsford is also likely to have significant input.

Outside of INEOS, Paul Mitchell is a name under strong consideration. Mitchell recently left Monaco and is very keen on a role. He was also considered by INEOS for Nice previously. And although INEOS haven't been able to make guarantees or advance anything during the process, they have felt for some time that Mitchell would be a good fit for the group regardless of what happens at Manchester United.

Mitchell has recently moved into a new house in the north-west of England and has wanted to move to the Premier League for almost a year. He was also very open to a role at Chelsea, but the club chose his ex-Monaco colleague Laurence Stewart for a co-sporting director role alongside Paul Winstanley.

Ratcliffe, much like Sheikh Jassim, is also open to involving ex-Manchester United players. Many of Manchester United's former stars have been reluctant to come out publicly and back a particular bid, waiting instead to see who wins before seeking direct involvement. David Beckham made it clear to all parties that he would only discuss some form of ambassadorial role after the process concludes.

 

EXCL: Man Utd takeover bombshell, latest on stars who could leave Old Trafford, and could Barcelona snap up this important Brighton player?

FABRIZIO ROMANO

·

15 OCT

Read full story

It is unclear how quickly Ratcliffe can influence the club if he is successful, but those close to his group insist the long-term plan is for a staggered route to a majority stake and control, and that investment in the club, stadium and community are an essential part of his vision. 

In the meantime, Ratcliffe expects to be heavily involved on the football side and a visible presence at the club should his deal be approved. There are also plans to engage directly with supporter groups, but sources stress Ratcliffe is first focused on the process and is taking nothing for granted yet.

When entering the race for Chelsea last May, Ratcliffe bypassed Raine Group and made a public statement declaring his intent to buy the club when Clearlake-Boehly were already in an exclusive period which irked many directly involved.

This time, 70-year-old Ratcliffe has been sure to follow and respect the process and has impressed those running it. It means he's kept largely out of the spotlight and avoided making any further statements after officially declaring he had made an offer.

There are still plenty of questions he'll have to answer, including what INEOS plan to do with Nice, who are currently second in the table. Even as a minority investor to begin with at Manchester United, Ratcliffe would have to consider restructuring things with the Ligue 1 club, especially if he has some form of binding sporting control. UEFA sources have revealed they would seek clarity. 

Those close to Ratcliffe had originally indicated they wanted control by 2026 but it remains to be seen how quickly he can get to a majority stake and whether he'll have an obligation to buy or simply an option. 

Ratcliffe is hoping for clarity and a resolution to the process in time to impact the January window, which is a realistic time frame should he receive board approval next week.