The 2026/27 Football Season

[Blackpool Rock]

It's quite apt that Newcastle's first premier league game after Kevin Keegan's passing is against Liverpool, a hero for both sides.

I hadn't put 2 and 2 together but yes good point and i'm sure both sets of fans will give him a fitting farewell 

[daviemac]

I hadn't put 2 and 2 together but yes good point and i'm sure both sets of fans will give him a fitting farewell 

Newcastle's 'Wor flags' have something special lined up, not sure what or if Liverpool fans will be involved.

Correction, both sets of fans will be involved as well as both teams wearing special shirts for the warm-up.

Tributes to the late Kevin Keegan will take place at St James' Park on Sunday when two of his former clubs, Newcastle United and Liverpool, meet in the Premier League.

The former England manager died in July aged 75 and both clubs will come together to celebrate his remarkable playing and managerial career.

The teams will warm up in special shirts and wear black armbands during the match.

Among several other tributes, a minute's applause will take place before kick-off and a display by Wor Flags will include both home and away supporters.

Fans have been asked to arrive early for the 16:30 BST kick-off.

[TomTank]

yesterday was definitely a reality check for those United fans getting carried away thinking a tilt for the title might be on ..... and I don't mean the result, I mean quite a few worrying aspects of the performance and players

Bringing Rashford back in has sealed Carrick's fate ..... absolute fucking poison that Michael Jordan wannabee

[mr.bluesky]

Bringing Rashford back in has sealed Carrick's fate ..... absolute fucking poison that Michael Jordan wannabee

It does make you wonder why Aston Villa and Barcelona didn't take up the option of signing him 

[john122350]

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[TomTank]

It does make you wonder why Aston Villa and Barcelona didn't take up the option of signing him 

as in it doesn't make you wonder at all  .... an absolute cretinous poisonous big nosed wanker - the powers that be at OT should be ashamed of themselves forcing him on Carrick; they've destroyed 9 months of progress .....

[Blackpool Rock]

Bringing Rashford back in has sealed Carrick's fate ..... absolute fucking poison that Michael Jordan wannabee

You're obviously closer to it than I am but exactly how has Rashford cost you that 1st game 

I get that there was a falling out with a previous manager (can't remember now if it was Ten Hag or Amorim or perhaps both) and he threw his toys out the pram and seemed to stop playing but he was one of England's better players when he played and when he's in good form he's surely a great asset 

Is he viewed as being disruptive in the dressing room and therefore affecting the other players morale 

[Blackpool Rock]

So of the 3 promoted sides to the prem Hull and Ipswich managed wins, sorry Mr Bluesky looks like your horse fell at the 1st but as meatloaf would have said.......


 

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[Rick2468]

In the Championship, West Ham lose at home to Charlton who were tipped for relegation but won their first two games. West Ham have got 1 point from their opening fixtures, although the first match was away to Burnley who also just got relegated. I still expect West Ham to get promoted, probably at Champions, but if they did fluff this season it feels like such a West Ham thing to do.

Really looking forward to MOTD tonight, always excited for the first week of the new season.

[mr.bluesky]

So of the 3 promoted sides to the prem Hull and Ipswich managed wins, sorry Mr Bluesky looks like your horse fell at the 1st but as meatloaf would have said.......


 

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We have Hull City as our first home game. We were banking on a win to get our season started. A rethink me thinks

[Blackpool Rock]

Just seen the late kick off result - Brentford 3 Spurs 0
So much for spending money (for a change) and being contenders this season 

Spurs appear to have had the majority of possession at 58.9% with far more passes and better pass accuracy than Brentford but it appears to be the classic having the ball and doing fuck all with it 

26 shots for Brentford Vs 9 for Spurs with 8 on target Vs 4

[mr.bluesky]

In the Championship, West Ham lose at home to Charlton who were tipped for relegation but won their first two games. West Ham have got 1 point from their opening fixtures, although the first match was away to Burnley who also just got relegated. I still expect West Ham to get promoted, probably at Champions, but if they did fluff this season it feels like such a West Ham thing to do.

Really looking forward to MOTD tonight, always excited for the first week of the new season.

Leicester City loosing 2-1 at home to Burton Albion. Only 1 pt from their first two games. If you're going to fall from grace then fall hard 

[timsussex]

early days and all that but there will be some smiles on Tyneside reading the BBC  report of Spurs game  and Tonali

Sandro Tonali: Desperately poor debut for Spurs' £100m signing. Ironic cheers for one first-half effort and did not exert any serious influence on the game. 4 out of 10

[daviemac]

early days and all that but there will be some smiles on Tyneside reading the BBC  report of Spurs game  and Tonali

Sandro Tonali: Desperately poor debut for Spurs' £100m signing. Ironic cheers for one first-half effort and did not exert any serious influence on the game. 4 out of 10

Doesn't surprise me about Tonali, first year for us he was banned, he had a good second season but last year he didn't do much. Bruno got injured and he was supposed to be the one to step up but he failed, I think he really wanted out then.

Still £40m profit even though he didn't want to sign for Spurs, he wanted to go back to Italy, but nobody could afford him. His Mrs had a lot to do with the move London being second best.

[stampjones]

Spuds 🤣🤣🤣
300 million and they're just as shite as last year.
And they have a kid as captain

[TomTank]

You're obviously closer to it than I am but exactly how has Rashford cost you that 1st game 

I get that there was a falling out with a previous manager (can't remember now if it was Ten Hag or Amorim or perhaps both) and he threw his toys out the pram and seemed to stop playing but he was one of England's better players when he played and when he's in good form he's surely a great asset 

Is he viewed as being disruptive in the dressing room and therefore affecting the other players morale 

He's absolute poison and created a toxic dressing room, along with his mates Pogba, Lingard, and Bailly.
PR and tweets were far more important than football and he was nicely aligned with the Glazers' right hand man, Ed Woodward, who also didn't care about football.

Previous managers caved in to him and his obnoxious brothers, who are his agents, and they somehow managed to blag Woodward into giving him £300k a week.

Amorim did well to clear him and a few others off, but it looks like money is talking again and Carrick has been forced to play him.
I don't think it's any coincidence that we were looking very good and balanced in all our pre-season games, until he came back into the squad and played a part in the Milan friendly.

He is PR and brand mad, and doesn't give a shit about football and certainly not United, and does not make any effort in games. He's also vastly over-rated.

Here's an example of what a waste of a human being this cunt is:

External Link/Members Only

[mr.bluesky]

He's absolute poison and created a toxic dressing room, along with his mates Pogba, Lingard, and Bailly.
PR and tweets were far more important than football and he was nicely aligned with the Glazers' right hand man, Ed Woodward, who also didn't care about football.

Previous managers caved in to him and his obnoxious brothers, who are his agents, and they somehow managed to blag Woodward into giving him £300k a week.

Amorim did well to clear him and a few others off, but it looks like money is talking again and Carrick has been forced to play him.
I don't think it's any coincidence that we were looking very good and balanced in all our pre-season games, until he came back into the squad and played a part in the Milan friendly.

He is PR and brand mad, and doesn't give a shit about football and certainly not United, and does not make any effort in games. He's also vastly over-rated.

Here's an example of what a waste of a human being this cunt is:

External Link/Members Only

So you're not in his fan club then 

[FiveKnuckles]

He's absolute poison and created a toxic dressing room, along with his mates Pogba, Lingard, and Bailly.
PR and tweets were far more important than football and he was nicely aligned with the Glazers' right hand man, Ed Woodward, who also didn't care about football.

Previous managers caved in to him and his obnoxious brothers, who are his agents, and they somehow managed to blag Woodward into giving him £300k a week.

Amorim did well to clear him and a few others off, but it looks like money is talking again and Carrick has been forced to play him.
I don't think it's any coincidence that we were looking very good and balanced in all our pre-season games, until he came back into the squad and played a part in the Milan friendly.

He is PR and brand mad, and doesn't give a shit about football and certainly not United, and does not make any effort in games. He's also vastly over-rated.

Here's an example of what a waste of a human being this cunt is:

External Link/Members Only

Looked good in the World Cup on the Left and Saka on right.  Many thought not bagging Vini, we'll just grab Rash for under 50m but his wage demands would kill the dressing room.  We now have Tzolis who looks a bargain at £34m

[shaft10]

He's absolute poison and created a toxic dressing room, along with his mates Pogba, Lingard, and Bailly.
PR and tweets were far more important than football and he was nicely aligned with the Glazers' right hand man, Ed Woodward, who also didn't care about football.

Previous managers caved in to him and his obnoxious brothers, who are his agents, and they somehow managed to blag Woodward into giving him £300k a week.

Amorim did well to clear him and a few others off, but it looks like money is talking again and Carrick has been forced to play him.
I don't think it's any coincidence that we were looking very good and balanced in all our pre-season games, until he came back into the squad and played a part in the Milan friendly.

He is PR and brand mad, and doesn't give a shit about football and certainly not United, and does not make any effort in games. He's also vastly over-rated.

Here's an example of what a waste of a human being this cunt is:

External Link/Members Only

Agree with all of this ... problem is no other club wanted him, even at an affordable £25M (says it all really). They'll probably just run his contract down for the next 2 seasons if they cant move him on ..

Its a shame because he has/had the talent to be much better, but as you allude to he's just a lazy cunt. Too much money at a young age, saps the desire out of most players when you're pocketing £100k per week by the time your 20 yrs old.

[Blackpool Rock]

He's absolute poison and created a toxic dressing room, along with his mates Pogba, Lingard, and Bailly.
PR and tweets were far more important than football and he was nicely aligned with the Glazers' right hand man, Ed Woodward, who also didn't care about football.

Previous managers caved in to him and his obnoxious brothers, who are his agents, and they somehow managed to blag Woodward into giving him £300k a week.

Amorim did well to clear him and a few others off, but it looks like money is talking again and Carrick has been forced to play him.
I don't think it's any coincidence that we were looking very good and balanced in all our pre-season games, until he came back into the squad and played a part in the Milan friendly.

He is PR and brand mad, and doesn't give a shit about football and certainly not United, and does not make any effort in games. He's also vastly over-rated.

Here's an example of what a waste of a human being this cunt is:

External Link/Members Only

I do note however that Rashford didn't come on until the 46th minute yesterday however you were already 2-0 down at half time

[shaft10]

I do note however that Rashford didn't come on until the 46th minute yesterday however you were already 2-0 down at half time

Nothing to do with Rashford IMO, Utd didnt' turn up. They need to realise (and fast) that 110% effort is required in every minute of every game .. simple as.

We all know theres no easy games in the Premier League ... (except maybe Spurs home & away) 

[TomTank]

Nothing to do with Rashford IMO, Utd didnt' turn up. They need to realise (and fast) that 110% effort is required in every minute of every game .. simple as.

We all know theres no easy games in the Premier League ... (except maybe Spurs home & away) 

Nothing to do with Rashford IMO, Utd didnt' turn up. They need to realise (and fast) that 110% effort is required in every minute of every game .. simple as.

We all know theres no easy games in the Premier League ... (except maybe Spurs home & away) 

His actual performances have been okay - after all he wouldn't dare revert to the obnoxious laziness shown in that Luton clip (yet), now that he knows nobody wants him.

A major part of the reason United didn't turn up is him being back in the squad - just letting him through the doors at Carrington last Monday has set us back to the non-football culture of the Ten Hag era.
Even if nothing specific has happened or been said, it will be in the back of the minds of players, who saw him rightly ostracised, but now welcomed back in, because United can't possibly allow an asset to depreciate.

And the fucking irony of him taking to social media to announce to the world that he is just going to focus on his football.
Cancel all your social media accounts then you little prick.

[Blackpool Rock]

Brighton 4-0 up against Villa after 31 minutes, JJF will be climbing the walls  Early season form 

Also Bournemouth 1-0 up at half time away at City, obviously a long way to go and I can see City running out 3-1 winners but are the other big teams stumbling at the 1st hurdle and letting Arsenal get a flyer 

[Iamforreal]

I was very impressed with Brentford yesterday and their new guy Sangare, he looks the real deal.
I remember Villa few years ago losing 4-1 to Newcastle in the 1st match, but still had a very good season, early days obviously, but loads of unexpected results, starting with Man United yesterday, unfortunately.

[mr.bluesky]

Villa offloading all their best players which brought them sucess last season and now it's coming back to bite them
 Better hide all the sharp implements from Jumping Jack. That means Coventry will be above them in the league table 

[mr.bluesky]

Brighton 4-0 up against Villa after 31 minutes, JJF will be climbing the walls  Early season form 

Also Bournemouth 1-0 up at half time away at City, obviously a long way to go and I can see City running out 3-1 winners but are the other big teams stumbling at the 1st hurdle and letting Arsenal get a flyer 

Man City snatching victory from the jaws of defeat

[john122350]

So According to some reports, City got spurs to pay more for Savinho and pay less on the marmoush deal to avoid  paying Frankfurt certain sell-on clause. 🤷

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[timsussex]

In the 6th of 5 added minutes FFS

[daviemac]

In the 6th of 5 added minutes FFS

Apart from the daft penalty we gave away I was pleased with the performance, I'm quite hopeful for the rest of the season if we keep going like that.

[timsussex]

Apart from the daft penalty we gave away I was pleased with the performance, I'm quite hopeful for the rest of the season if we keep going like that.

Well he certainly was looking for a penalty but thats football these days
 
Can't fault the commitment, Wissa had more good moments than the whole of last season put together, looked good as a 10 and then as a 9 when Osula went off
Good substitutions - a minute earlier freshening midfield might have avoided first goal   
Picked up too many soft yellow cards though   

[Malvolio]

In the 6th of 5 added minutes FFS

In the sixth minute of a minimum of five added minutes

[timsussex]

In the sixth minute of a minimum of five added minutes

Fully aware of that thankyou - I also noted that Schar replaced Wissa during the first 5 added minutes - so some extra was justfiied

 a case of oh no yet again a last minute goal  than a complaint against the ref

[shed]

Keegan would have been pleased with that result. A draw with two sides he had great passion for. Have to say the send off at the game today was memorable 

[toon972]

Dont like those late substitutions, what is the point when time gets added on. Anyway got to be happy with a draw overall. Liverpool had more possession and looked dangerous though we scored two great breakaway goals.

[webpunter]

IMO the match was all but over
Less than a minute left
The supposed tactical substitution to waste time achieved the opposite
More was added & play disrupted
Newcastle could have got the ball up the pitch & played at the other end
Its not hindsight at the time i was thinking Newcastle were steady as a unit & pretty much in control
Small margins

[webpunter]

Spuds 🤣🤣🤣
300 million and they're just as shite as last year.

300 & counting

And they have a kid as captain

No idea who you support however that kid's next club is likely to be in Spain, one of two destinations
Sadly not returning to Bell End despite the family ties
Too expensive
The kid the youngest ever captain in the prem
It wouldn't surprise me if Spuds are doing shite that a bid arrives in the January window
Next summer deffo
At the right club with the right development he could be the next Bellingham maybe not quite as good but not far off
Bayern could be the next stepping stone especially if Arry stays
The higher ups @ Bell End failed to include a sell on clause when selling to Spursey
Its not hard at the end of negotiations include 10% or 20% 

[stampjones]

300 & counting

No idea who you support however that kid's next club is likely to be in Spain, one of two destinations
Sadly not returning to Bell End despite the family ties
Too expensive
The kid the youngest ever captain in the prem
It wouldn't surprise me if Spuds are doing shite that a bid arrives in the January window
Next summer deffo
At the right club with the right development he could be the next Bellingham maybe not quite as good but not far off
Bayern could be the next stepping stone especially if Arry stays
The higher ups @ Bell End failed to include a sell on clause when selling to Spursey
Its not hard at the end of negotiations include 10% or 20% 

Definitely not questioning his ability or potential but I think it's a bit of a risk to make him captain given where they are as a team. Maybe give it to someone who's proved himself a leader or at least has a bit of experience? If he's the best they have in that sense then they're in worse trouble than I thought.

[webpunter]

From the joke thread i'm copying & pasting
Has anything changed ? 

Spurs announced Dulux as a commercial sponsor
Various suggestions including ⬇️ to which Dulux replied 



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[webpunter]

Definitely not questioning his ability or potential but I think it's a bit of a risk to make him captain given where they are as a team. Maybe give it to someone who's proved himself a leader or at least has a bit of experience? If he's the best they have in that sense then they're in worse trouble than I thought.

Fair enuf 
Worse trouble indeed
Is that the best that the super highly paid manager can come up with ?
Shows what the other players are about
No one puts their hand up
A bit like taking pens AG will be the 1st to put his hand up when others shrink away
& so it is on being captain
His Leeds mates past & present will have been in touch offering support
Like you are so much better than that disparate lot
I like to think it will be a sliding doors moment
You never know if Leeds make european quali this season 
Back down to earth [too early  ] thats being selfish he's got it in him to be the next Rapinha

[daviemac]

Spuds 🤣🤣🤣
And they have a kid as captain

Jamaal Lascelles was only 22 when Rafa made him club captain in 2016 and what a great job he did, even at that age he called all the senior pros out for a lack of effort when we got relegated, leadership qualities Rafa recognised.

He was so well thought of even though he'd hardly played and was no longer captain Bruno called him over to join him and Kieran Trippier so the three of them could lift the league cup.

[Stevelondon]

Overall a good start to the season. Great performances from two of the newly promoted clubs.
Would have loved to have been at the Newcastle game. Emotional. Let’s just hope we carry that spring in our step forward. It’s only Spurs next innit.
No idea who that new bloke with the crew cut is. The one up front for City. 🤷🏼

Man U…………They definteiy have not started the season in the same way they finished the last one. Fourth favourites to win the title apparently.

[Jumping Jack Flash]

Villa offloading all their best players which brought them sucess last season and now it's coming back to bite them
 Better hide all the sharp implements from Jumping Jack. That means Coventry will be above them in the league table 

It’s been a strange close season and the next week before the window closes will be interesting. There’s a couple more to come in and Emery will sort them out.

My only concern is that it takes some players several months to adapt to Emery’s methods so that could be an issue come October. For now, I’m just hoping we stumble blindly to the international break and see how the squad looks then.

[Thephoenix]

Keegan would have been pleased with that result. A draw with two sides he had great passion for. Have to say the send off at the game today was memorable 

He would have been pleased with the result but would have preferred 6 - 6 scoreline.

It was a great send off , and well deserved. 

[FiveKnuckles]

Was I the only person thinking Isak was going to take the ball and boot it over the goal    Absolutely chicken shit for not taking that pen

[Thephoenix]

Liverpool had more possession and looked dangerous though we scored two great breakaway goals.

From Liverpool's point of view that was worrying to see how easily the defence was taken apart.
I take nothing away from Newcastle. Liverpool's back four were left for dead for both goals.
Iraola's got some difficult decisions to make, not least of all in relation to Van Dyke, who's sadly lost so much pace and is much less reliable in defence.

Also where's this world class striker we bought off The Geordies for £125 million?
Watching him up to now, I wouldn't pay much more the £1.25. 

[mr.bluesky]

Also where's this world class striker we bought off The Geordies for £125 million?
Watching him up to now, I wouldn't pay much more the £1.25. 

I think the term for that is " you were mugged" Newcastle fans singing " there's only one greedy bastard" everytime he touched the ball 
If you would like to waste another £125 million we have Ellis Simms or Haji Wright available or perhaps we could do an offer £125 million for the pair of them- a bargain

[Blackpool Rock]

From Liverpool's point of view that was worrying to see how easily the defence was taken apart.
I take nothing away from Newcastle. Liverpool's back four were left for dead for both goals.
Iraola's got some difficult decisions to make, not least of all in relation to Van Dyke, who's sadly lost so much pace and is much less reliable in defence.

Also where's this world class striker we bought off The Geordies for £125 million?
Watching him up to now, I wouldn't pay much more the £1.25. 

They didn't seem to have any pace but also didn't look like they could be arsed actually trying to run back or tackle either, think it was the 1st NU goal where there were 4 players just running back surrounding the attacker but not tackling him until he passed it to someone to score.
For the 2nd goal there were 2 or 3 players casually strolling back and making no attempt to get back or involved in actually defending, it's like they just gave up and looked like knackered asthmatic pit ponies at the end of their shift 

Apparently Iraola wants to play the same Klopp style of high intensity "heavy metal" football however on this showing which follows on from last season under Slot he simply hasn't got the players
It took Klopp a few seasons to get the players he needed and also playing the way he wanted and the new guy will be the same

[daviemac]

Also where's this world class striker we bought off The Geordies for £125 million?
Watching him up to now, I wouldn't pay much more the £1.25. 

Deja vu mate remember Andy Carrol, like Isak excelled in Newcastle's style of play but couldn't adapt to the way Liverpool play.

Be interesting next Saturday to see what sort of reception Tonali gets and more interesting what happens with Bruno when we play Arsenal in November.

On Kevin Keegan that was some achievement by the fan's group 'Wor flags' to put a display of that size on, every seat in the stadium, including the away end were part of it.

The centre piece on the pitch was made out of the tributes left outside of the ground.
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There's been a very moving letter published as well.

Dear Newcastle United fans and the incredible city of Newcastle.

The past couple of weeks have been some of the hardest that our family has endured, saying goodbye to our husband, father, and grandfather, Kevin.

Despite living outside of the region, your love and warmth from the North East has reached our hearts and filled us with so much comfort during these difficult days. The empathy, compassion and warmth of this extraordinary club and community have shone through; the outpouring of love has been truly overwhelming.

Having seen the tributes outside St. James’ Park, members of our family came home to Newcastle to see the memorials in person. The sea of black and white shirts and scarves, alongside colours from so many other clubs, reminded us how much Kevin meant to the footballing world. It was a sombre moment that reminded us of our pain and loss, yet matched with immense pride and love as we read so many personal and heartfelt messages.

Kevin always shared his love for Newcastle United, Geordies, and the city, captivating us with stories told with his infectious smile. Seeing these tributes brought those stories to life for Kevin’s grandchildren, showing them how deeply their grandfather was loved in return. It also allowed us a quiet moment to reflect on many fond memories of Kevin’s incredible career and the incomparable bond he shared with Newcastle.

Your football club, city, and community show a passion that truly embodied Kevin as a footballer, manager, and family man. We will be eternally grateful for the adoration and strength you have given our family when we needed it most.

Newcastle, thank you for your love.

The Keegan Family.

[Stevelondon]

Moving is the word Davie.
Brought a tear to my eye.

[Vice Admiral]

On an episode of The Chase that I watched last night I learnt something I never knew before – but I dare say that others have long known – namely that Everton were the original occupiers of Anfield.

Wikipedia tells us more:

Opened in 1884, Anfield was originally owned by John Orrell, a minor landowner who was a friend of Everton member John Houlding.  Everton, who previously played at Priory Road, needed a new venue owing to the noise produced by the crowd on match days. Orrell lent the pitch to the club in exchange for a small rent.

In 1892, negotiations to purchase the land at Anfield from Orrell escalated into a dispute between Houlding and the Everton committee over how the club was run. Events culminated in Everton's move to Goodison Park. Houlding was left with an empty stadium and decided to form a new club to occupy it. The new team was called Liverpool F.C. and Athletic Grounds Ltd.