Football

36 minutes ago, Michael* said:

So, how exactly will Arsenal mess this one up?

January 1st - "I am delighted to welcome back Abou Diaby. I believe he has the quality and mental stwength to help us fight for this title."

January 2nd - Abou Diaby hit by an asteroid

Etc etc

I suppose it would be quite Arsenal to finish above City, United, Liverpool and Chelsea, but come second behind Leicester.

It would be the most Arsenal of Arsenal seasons if that happened.

Someone will also need to explain to me how the reward for failing miserably with Chelsea is the Manure job?

It's probably because he's mates with Fergie, although, having influenced the United board to choose David Moyes as his replacement, you'd think he would have learned to mind his own business by now.

Jack Rodwell suspended for the City game. Best Christmas ever!

Fabio Borini to break Jamie Vardy's consecutive goalscoring record in 2016. Each and every strike a consolation effort in a three or four goal defeat.

Looking forward to El Crapico: Ecks vs. Sever on Saturday, Michael? 

On 30/12/2015 at 2:32 PM, Frederick said:

Looking forward to El Crapico: Ecks vs. Sever on Saturday, Michael? 

At last, the resistable force meets the moveable object.

Pros: it might be helpful for the BBC's scheduling people, who won't have to put any thought into what goes last on Match of the Day's running order this Saturday.

Cons: any game involving Sunderland at the moment is one that I dread. Big Sam has essentially staked his reputation on keeping us in the Premier League, but I wouldn't trust this lot to beat anybody as far as I could throw Jeremain Lens.

In my rational heart I know it's probably just Coventry fans hacking Geocities and fiddling the sums but still, my New Years Resolution is to stop gawking at the endless supply of grim stats tables that always have us bottom, whether chronicling the last five minutes or previous fifteen thousand years. What you trying to say about my Villa, eh? 

We were outplayed for long periods on Saturday, but having an expert finisher (albeit one whose best days are behind him) can cover for so many deficiencies. Unfortunately, looking at the rest of our team, there's a hell of a lot to cover and if we lose to Swansea then really, you'd have to say we're back to square one. The positive spin is that we're no longer cut adrift with the prospect of some significant changes in personnel over the transfer window. That being said, bearing in mind the total lack of quality in most of our recent investments, the jury is going to be out for a while yet.

For what it's worth, I thought the Villa fans were excellent, bringing plenty of support and getting behind their team. It's a shame that such a well supported club has been let down by its ownership.

José, having cleared his dance card and flashing an obscene amount of ankle is getting mightily impatient with Manure's apparent lack of attention.

On 05/01/2016 at 2:29 PM, Michael* said:

We were outplayed for long periods on Saturday, but having an expert finisher (albeit one whose best days are behind him) can cover for so many deficiencies. Unfortunately, looking at the rest of our team, there's a hell of a lot to cover and if we lose to Swansea then really, you'd have to say we're back to square one. The positive spin is that we're no longer cut adrift with the prospect of some significant changes in personnel over the transfer window. That being said, bearing in mind the total lack of quality in most of our recent investments, the jury is going to be out for a while yet.

 

For what it's worth, I thought the Villa fans were excellent, bringing plenty of support and getting behind their team. It's a shame that such a well supported club has been let down by its ownership.

I went to scout er I mean prepare for Villa's future no, sorry, watch a League 2 game instead of engaging with the game. Can't believe I didn't have a flutter on Jermain Man to score, free money! 

Just sat my little lad down. Broke the news as gently as I could. He bawled his eyes out, bless him. Naturally, he's off school today. 

"But father, Jermaine Jenas was my favourite player."

Following on from Jermaine Jenas, I would also like to officially announce my retirement from professional football.

We won! Hennessy, you delicious fool, no wonder you're in my fantasy team! 

To think, we swapped Jozy Altidore for Jermain Defoe. Sorry Toronto!

Michael presumably stabilising his blood pressure somewhere after the devastating departure of Danny "Fifty Shades Of" Graham.

Sunderland won 100% of games in which Danny scored. Talisman!

Shame to see old 'Golden' Graham leave us, as he probably could have come good had he been given a bit longer. Some players don't reach their full potential until they're in their mid-fifties, and this could easily come back and bite us in 25-30 years' time.

It'll be interesting to see who Big Sam decides to bung on the left wing now on Saturday. John O'Shea, perhaps?

If a tree falls in the woods but there's nobody there to hear it, do Sunderland still beat Newcastle 6-0?

Perhaps we should start playing all our games behind closed doors.

Currently being treated to the so-called experts on Sky Sports News discussing player ratings from 'Football Manager'. Absolutely fantastic.