2024/ 2025 football season

[mr.bluesky]

I know we still have the Euros ongoing but the new Premier league fixtures are released tomorrow. ( tuesday) It will be interesting to see the first few fixtures for the promoted clubs like Ipswich and Southampton.  A few games against the big clubs could see them having to play catch up early into the season.
Surprisingly the Premier league fixtures are out before the Championship,  League 1 and 2 fixtures,  they are usually released first.

[WARSZAWA16]

Ipswich host Liverpool on Premier League opening weekend:
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The Championship, League 1 and League 2 fixtures will be announced on Wednesday 26 June at 9am.

[southcoastpunter]

It will be interesting to see the first few fixtures for the promoted clubs like Ipswich and Southampton. 

ah, an easy game for us - away at St James' Park!!
(haha - are any away games easy these days??)

[mr.bluesky]

ah, an easy game for us - away at St James' Park!!
(haha - are any away games easy these days??)

At least it's a Saturday game to make the long journey and not a mid week game in February 

[southcoastpunter]

At least it's a Saturday game to make the long journey and not a mid week game in February 

True, i wouldn't like that. Not the long journey midweek but having to look at all those Gordie lads with no shirt in mid February!! Now if the girls did that......

[mr.bluesky]

True, i wouldn't like that. Not the long journey midweek but having to look at all those Gordie lads with no shirt in mid February!! Now if the girls did that......

If they believe in sexual equality then they should do that 

[daviemac]

True, i wouldn't like that. Not the long journey midweek but having to look at all those Gordie lads with no shirt in mid February!! Now if the girls did that......

Try the Big Market on a Saturday night, it's 'illegal' for them to wear coats no matter what the weather is. 

No doubt they'll give us a midweek game for the return leg.

[JontyR]

It will need to be one hell of a game to stop Forest vs Bournemouth being last on the first MOTD

[shaft10]

Well my money will be on City for the league (again) .. could be Pep's final season, 5 in a row to sign off ?

[mr.bluesky]

Well my money will be on City for the league (again) .. could be Pep's final season, 5 in a row to sign off ?

A lot could depend on the 115 charges against them , they may be hit with a massive points deduction if found guilty  that's if they ever get around to reaching a verdict on them 
There was something I read online the other day saying with so many clubs owned by Americans they want to do away with promotion and relegation and have the Premier league as a ring fenced league. Promotion and relegation is a concept that doesn't exist in American sports and they have trouble getting their heads around it. They would have to break away from the FA and football league for this to ever happen so not likely.

[Fac51]

There was something I read online the other day saying with so many clubs owned by Americans they want to do away with promotion and relegation and have the Premier league as a ring fenced league. Promotion and relegation is a concept that doesn't exist in American sports and they have trouble getting their heads around it. They would have to break away from the FA and football league for this to ever happen so not likely.

Let's hope this NEVER happens here

[chrishornx]

A lot could depend on the 115 charges against them , they may be hit with a massive points deduction if found guilty  that's if they ever get around to reaching a verdict on them 
There was something I read online the other day saying with so many clubs owned by Americans they want to do away with promotion and relegation and have the Premier league as a ring fenced league. Promotion and relegation is a concept that doesn't exist in American sports and they have trouble getting their heads around it. They would have to break away from the FA and football league for this to ever happen so not likely.

They do have trouble with the concept but at the same time there are only 32 pro football teams in the whole of the USA. To have a credible relagtion/promotion system  they would have to first of all produce a credible second league with a similar number of new teams and the financial risks are too high for that to happen. you can't really have relegation when there are no teams standing by to get promoted.

[timsussex]

Most USA sports dont have promotion relegation
1) All of the big teams also own a team in the lower league - with strict rules about moving players between the two teams
2) the feeder for players is the College system
3) In the ultimate example the NFL - where playing lives are pretty short - the bottom teams get first pick of the new players (or compensation in $$$$) No1 team picks last
4) Strictly enforced salary cap none of this FFP nonsense. Tom Brady earned a lot less than some QtrBacks because he wanted the money spent on getting the best players around him - could you imagine Mbappe doing that ?
5) Franchises can - and do - regularly move cities - apart from Wimbledon/MK does it ever happen here ? Whats the biggest English city without a PL/champ team ?

all of these tend to even up the squads 

[JontyR]

4) Strictly enforced salary cap none of this FFP nonsense. Tom Brady earned a lot less than some QtrBacks because he wanted the money spent on getting the best players around him - could you imagine Mbappe doing that ?

Actually yes, I can.

I can't imagine his agent being agreeable though.

[timsussex]

Actually yes, I can.

I can't imagine his agent being agreeable though.

Perhaps I should have used CR7 as an example !

[timsussex]

not really about this year but as it was repeated last night and I watched it again

The story of Brian Clough & Leeds - Damned United

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[mr.bluesky]

not really about this year but as it was repeated last night and I watched it again

The story of Brian Clough & Leeds - Damned United

External Link/Members Only

This was a great film , Michael Sheen was excellent in the role of Brian Clough and Colm Meaney ( of Star Trek next Generation) was good as Don Revie

[WARSZAWA16]

2024-5 Championship fixtures club-by-club guide:
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2024-5 League 1 fixtures club-by-club guide:
External Link/Members Only

2024-5 League 2 fixtures club-by-club guide:
External Link/Members Only

[mr.bluesky]

2024-5 Championship fixtures club-by-club guide:
External Link/Members Only

2024-5 League 1 fixtures club-by-club guide:
External Link/Members Only

2024-5 League 2 fixtures club-by-club guide:
External Link/Members Only

Burnley and Luton two of the Premier leagues relegated teams face each other on the opening day of the season.

[Thephoenix]

The Liverpool Echo is reporting negotiations between Liverpool and Newcastle for Anthony Gordon's transfer to Liverpool where he originally played in the academy alongside Trent Alexander Arnold and Curtis Jones.
It's hard to believe Newcastle would want to part with such a promising young player other than for financial implications relating to PSR rules.

Despite Gordon moving to Everton aged 11, we'd be happy to forgive him for that.

[daviemac]

The Liverpool Echo is reporting negotiations between Liverpool and Newcastle for Anthony Gordon's transfer to Liverpool where he originally played in the academy alongside Trent Alexander Arnold and Curtis Jones.
It's hard to believe Newcastle would want to part with such a promising young player other than for financial implications relating to PSR rules.

Despite Gordon moving to Everton aged 11, we'd be happy to forgive him for that.

Not sure that needs to happen now, we've sold Elliot Anderson to Notts Forest for £35m and Yankuba Minteh to Brighton for £33m so that covers us for the PSR limits.

[mr.bluesky]

I'd be surprised if they would sell him after only one season especially as he had a decent season for Newcastle .

[timsussex]

Not sure that needs to happen now, we've sold Elliot Anderson to Notts Forest for £35m and Yankuba Minteh to Brighton for £33m so that covers us for the PSR limits.

Reports were that Newcastle needed to find around £30 million to meet PSR so they were sensible enough to have several irons in the fire and I'm pretty sure losing Gordon/Isak/Guimares was at the bottom of any list

I assume they now have £38 million to spend - presumably on a goalkeeper or central defender - although I must say I thought Dubravka did a decent job as understudy

[Thephoenix]

I'd be surprised if they would sell him after only one season especially as he had a decent season for Newcastle .

Reading reports in local media it was apparently a serious option and it was Newcastle who first approached Liverpool with the idea.
Newcastle wanted Liverpool defender Jarel Quansah as part of the deal, but Liverpool's new manager Arne Slot didn't want to part with him so the negotiations broke down.
As Davie said Newcastle have apparently found alternative options.

It's also rumoured that Newcastle are interested in signing Liverpool's reserve keeper
Caoimhin Kelleher which would be a good purchase IMO.

[jackdaw]

Reading reports in local media it was apparently a serious option and it was Newcastle who first approached Liverpool with the idea.
Newcastle wanted Liverpool defender Jarel Quansah as part of the deal, but Liverpool's new manager Arne Slot didn't want to part with him so the negotiations broke down.
As Davie said Newcastle have apparently found alternative options.

It's also rumoured that Newcastle are interested in signing Liverpool's reserve keeper
Caoimhin Kelleher which would be a good purchase IMO.

Would you prefer Kelleher to Pope? He won’t come to be no 2, gut feeling.

[shed]

I would have thought that a move to Liverpool for Gordon would have been  a very uncomfortable option for him and his family back to Merseyside. Having played for Everton and moving across the city to their biggest rivals. At times it's just media crap. Gordon has been transformed at Newcastle. If they did need/want to sell then a deal with one of their main rivals would seem senseless

[daviemac]

Reports were that Newcastle needed to find around £30 million to meet PSR so they were sensible enough to have several irons in the fire and I'm pretty sure losing Gordon/Isak/Guimares was at the bottom of any list

I assume they now have £38 million to spend - presumably on a goalkeeper or central defender - although I must say I thought Dubravka did a decent job as understudy

The money from Anderson is pure profit as he came through the academy whereas we paid about £7m for Minteh but I think we're ok as far as the current PSR period is concerned.

It's rumoured we're looking at Forest goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, don't know how true it is though.

Dubravka's not a bad 'keeper we'll see how he does this afternoon against England, but is it a coincidence that we conceded far more goals without Nick Pope? had we not conceded as many we might have got more draws and finished a bit higher.

[Thephoenix]

I would have thought that a move to Liverpool for Gordon would have been  a very uncomfortable option for him and his family back to Merseyside. Having played for Everton and moving across the city to their biggest rivals. At times it's just media crap. Gordon has been transformed at Newcastle. If they did need/want to sell then a deal with one of their main rivals would seem senseless

It's surprising how quickly we can forget the rivalry for the right players.

There was Tom Whyllie in 1892.

Seriously... there's been quite a few successful transfers between the clubs since I've been watching Liverpool.
eg. Dave Hickson, Johnny Morrissey, Kevin Sheedy, David Johnson, Peter Beadsley, Gary Ablett, Nick Barnby,

[daviemac]

It's surprising how quickly we can forget the rivalry for the right players.

Geordie Lee Clarke left Newcastle for Sunderland, he got transferred out though after being photographed in a Mackem monkey shirt.   

[daviemac]

It's also rumoured that Newcastle are interested in signing Liverpool's reserve keeper
Caoimhin Kelleher which would be a good purchase IMO.

It's been confirmed we've signed goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos from Forest, don't know how much we've paid though.

[timsussex]

It's been confirmed we've signed goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos from Forest, don't know how much we've paid though.

that should sell lots of XXL shirts 

[JontyR]

that should sell lots of XXL shirts 

Whenever he has been mentioned on commentary I always have to say "and Pliers"

[mr.bluesky]

Not sure that needs to happen now, we've sold Elliot Anderson to Notts Forest for £35m and Yankuba Minteh to Brighton for £33m so that covers us for the PSR limits.

I'd love to know how a club like Forest who have also been investigated for infringing the PSR rules can splash out £35 million on a player 

[mr.bluesky]

Whenever he has been mentioned on commentary I always have to say "and Pliers"

I thought he was someone from Homers iliad. ( All Greek to me )

[shed]

,,

[Blackpool Rock]

I know we still have the Euros ongoing but the new Premier league fixtures are released tomorrow. ( tuesday) It will be interesting to see the first few fixtures for the promoted clubs like Ipswich and Southampton.  A few games against the big clubs could see them having to play catch up early into the season.
Surprisingly the Premier league fixtures are out before the Championship,  League 1 and 2 fixtures,  they are usually released first.

As Reply #1 says Ipswich play Liverpool in their 1st game however i'd say that this is probably the best time to play the big teams as early season form can be a bit iffy for the big sides until they get back into their stride and hit their real consistent form around Xmas, also the newly promoted teams will be on a mental high 

I do bet on footy and for the last few seasons I was betting on the exchange for the big teams "Not to win" when they were odds on favourites and I could get 4/1 or better on them not to win.
What I have noticed is that I tend to make money in the 1st half of the season but lose money as the season goes on, the same was true last season and I did at the start think that I should have a cut off around Xmas but didn't and lost out as a result

[Blackpool Rock]

Just to state that while I will post about Man Utd in this thread I don't intend to post anything to take the piss this season, i'm wondering if others will also accept the challenge 

Anyway, looks like Ratcliffe is sweeping clean like a new broom and looking to shed (no pun intended) 250 jobs that are deemed to be "Non essential" out of 1150.
You have to hand it to the guy as he is a fantastically successful businessman and knows how to shake things up and get results, perhaps this is the start of their revival with a focus on getting the core things right and less people but the right people 
It also appears he wants people in the office not WFH which will be a shock to many who have become used to it

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[Jumping Jack Flash]

Just to state that while I will post about Man Utd in this thread I don't intend to post anything to take the piss this season, i'm wondering if others will also accept the challenge 

Hell no 

[mr.bluesky]

Just to state that while I will post about Man Utd in this thread I don't intend to post anything to take the piss this season, i'm wondering if others will also accept the challenge 

No way,  more chance of me giving up punting, eating , breathing, sleeping than taking the piss out of Wankchester Utd.
Roll on the new season. 
( talking of all things Wankchester,  what's happened to webbie, has he secretly eloped with shed , or has shed got him locked in his shed.  )

[Blackpool Rock]

No way,  more chance of me giving up punting, eating , breathing, sleeping than taking the piss out of Wankchester Utd.
Roll on the new season. 
( talking of all things Wankchester,  what's happened to webbie, has he secretly eloped with shed , or has shed got him locked in his shed.  )

I was wondering the same myself, perhaps on a European trip for a month or so watching England; playing golf and hide the sausage in some of the local whores 

Last logged in June 13th

[mr.bluesky]

I was wondering the same myself, perhaps on a European trip for a month or so watching England; playing golf and hide the sausage in some of the local whores 

Last logged in June 13th

My thought also, probably playing hide the sausage with some young Frauleins and let's be honest he's not going to see his team Leeds Utd playing in Europe for a long time 

[timsussex]

I'd love to know how a club like Forest who have also been investigated for infringing the PSR rules can splash out £35 million on a player 

I have just realised something - which I dont think has been mentioned before

A couple of people have mentioned that sale of a homegrown player is pure profit from a PSR point of view but if you sell someone you bought within the last 3 years surely that is also pure profit from a PSR point of view ?
While the original transfer fee for all players sold is deducted for PSR purposes but if the player was bought in the last 3 years then you also remove that cost off the books

Forest have done a lot of buying and selling - unfortunately not many at a profit and this might explain why (according to the press) Newcastle were prepared to sell Gordon to Liverpool

[daviemac]

I have just realised something - which I dont think has been mentioned before

A couple of people have mentioned that sale of a homegrown player is pure profit from a PSR point of view but if you sell someone you bought within the last 3 years surely that is also pure profit from a PSR point of view ?
While the original transfer fee for all players sold is deducted for PSR purposes but if the player was bought in the last 3 years then you also remove that cost off the books

Forest have done a lot of buying and selling - unfortunately not many at a profit and this might explain why (according to the press) Newcastle were prepared to sell Gordon to Liverpool

It get's complicated because the transfer fee paid is divided over the duration of the contract, that's why Chelsea were trying it on and giving player 8 to 10 year contracts. I think the maximum now is 5 years.

There never has been any outlay for players coming through the academy.

[timsussex]

It get's complicated because the transfer fee paid is divided over the duration of the contract, that's why Chelsea were trying it on and giving player 8 to 10 year contracts. I think the maximum now is 5 years.

There never has been any outlay for players coming through the academy.

Complicated doesnt do it justice and yes FA and EUFA rules over length of time to write off player costs have changed clearly an 8 year contract was crazy esp for a 25 year old but that is outside of PSR which just looks at 3 years so is there a difference between players bought within the last 3 years compared to those bought 37 months ago ?

[Blackpool Rock]

I had read about yet another way to fiddle / get around the rules by selling academy players, presumably the selling club get to account for the full transfer fee here and now but can spread the buying cost over a number of years

So club A buys an academy player from club B for £30M even though they may only be worth £3M

Club A amortises the £30M fee over 3 years @ £10M a year while club B gets an immediate £30M in their coffers

By a stroke of luck club B also takes an academy player from club A for £30M who is only really worth £3M so club A gets £30M here and now while club B amortises the fee over 3 years @ £10M a year

Both clubs swap players they weren't necessarily going to play or didn't actually need in their squad at the moment but are instantly £30M better off 
Just taking the piss and kicking the can further down the road 

[daviemac]

I had read about yet another way to fiddle / get around the rules by selling academy players, presumably the selling club get to account for the full transfer fee here and now but can spread the buying cost over a number of years

So club A buys an academy player from club B for £30M even though they may only be worth £3M

Club A amortises the £30M fee over 3 years @ £10M a year while club B gets an immediate £30M in their coffers

By a stroke of luck club B also takes an academy player from club A for £30M who is only really worth £3M so club A gets £30M here and now while club B amortises the fee over 3 years @ £10M a year

Both clubs swap players they weren't necessarily going to play or didn't actually need in their squad at the moment but are instantly £30M better off 
Just taking the piss and kicking the can further down the road 

Wouldn't be allowed under the fair market value rules. Everything is scrutinised now that's why Man City have taken the FA to court.

[catweazle]

Wankchester United have just exercised their option to extend Ten Bob Note's contract for a further year.  So we can expect 8th place in the PL, 30 points behind the Champions, and Thursday night European football, then.

[jackdaw]

Wankchester United have just exercised their option to extend Ten Bob Note's contract for a further year.  So we can expect 8th place in the PL, 30 points behind the Champions, and Thursday night European football, then.

Jeez, were they in danger of losing him to Real Madrid?

[mr.bluesky]

A number of rule changes are likely to be introduced to the Premier league next season including automated off side checks as used in the Euros,  also team captains will be the only ones allowed to talk to the referee (again something that has been bought into the Euros.)  Goalkeepers will now be allowed eight seconds with ball in hand instead of six before being forced to play the ball. This one seems a bit ridiculous as it will encourage more time wasting by goalies, not that the Six second rule was ever enforced .

[timsussex]

A number of rule changes are likely to be introduced to the Premier league next season including automated off side checks as used in the Euros,  also team captains will be the only ones allowed to talk to the referee (again something that has been bought into the Euros.)  Goalkeepers will now be allowed eight seconds with ball in hand instead of six before being forced to play the ball. This one seems a bit ridiculous as it will encourage more time wasting by goalies, not that the Six second rule was ever enforced .

Apparently the FA wankers experts think it is more likely to be enforced. I did see a proposal to make it a throw in rather than a free kick as it was that that  would lead to more enforcement !