The 2026/27 Football Season

[Blackpool Rock]

It would be good if Harry Kane won it but he won't.

Logically it will go to a World cup winner so IMO Rodri in with a good shout 

[Charliehutton]

What the fucks going on at Leicester City, not so long ago Premier league and FA cup winners, now languishing near the bottom of League 1 after successive relegations. Not that as a Coventry fan I have any sympathy for them 
Thumped 4-0 at home by the mighty Oxford Utd 

Oh, Mr B.

(I love your new avatar, by the way )

So many reasons, but appointing a manager with a proven record of abject failure in Russell Martin was even more absurd than paying twenty million quid for Oliver Skipp.

We haven't hit rock bottom yet, believe me.

[Stevelondon]

Millwall v The Toon

No VAR…… so no penalty given to Newcastle 🤷🏼

I would have said it’s because the ref didn’t  see it. But I think he was telling Schar he just didn’t think it a pen……

Once again……… I wonder if that was a Man City, Arsenal or Liverpool player having his shirt pulled 🤷🏼


Just saying that all 😂

[Stevelondon]

A win……….  But certainly not a display from us I would want to see again.

[webpunter]

A win……….  But certainly not a display from us I would want to see again.

Early doors cup round banana skin city
I wouldn;t read much into it
After a crap performance there is usually some bounce-back-ability & a better performance the next match
B O Llocks you're at Bell End 
As a neutral usually i like the underdog to win
Not on this occasion the south east london scumbag hooligans can off you fuck

[john122350]

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[john122350]

After CL Matchday 1! All PL teams secured a win.

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[shaft10]

Lewis Hall is going nowhere ....


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[mr.bluesky]

Lewis Hall is going nowhere ....


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Just means he won't be leaving as a free agent when his original contract expires.

[webpunter]

Just means he won't be leaving as a free agent when his original contract expires.

You must know something we dont
No exit clause
A whopping pay rise which utd will have been tempting him with which his agent will have shared with StJP, obvs

[daviemac]

Just means he won't be leaving as a free agent when his original contract expires.

In June 2029     He signed a 5 year contract in 2024 so just under 3 years left on it, nowhere near leaving for free, not even close to us having to cash in before that happened.

It's only a 2 year extension but on much better terms.

Shed was right though he has signed for United. 

[daviemac]

You must know something we dont
No exit clause
A whopping pay rise which utd will have been tempting him with which his agent will have shared with StJP, obvs

It makes me laugh, he signed a 2 year extension with a massive pay rise and all of a sudden it's all in case he could leave for free. 

Reminds me of when Shearer knocked Man U back.

"Hall said it was a "really proud moment" to extend his stay as a boyhood supporter of the club.

"It's an absolute pleasure to play for this club and to represent the supporters," he said. "I know how much it means to them.

"To be able to bring joy to their faces, it's a big thing for me. I obviously have a family connection with the club, which is incredibly important to us all.

"One of the main reasons I play is to make my family proud, and I know how much it means to them to watch me playing for Newcastle United."

[webpunter]

It makes me laugh, he signed a 2 year extension with a massive pay rise and all of a sudden it's all in case he could leave for free. 

Reminds me of when Shearer knocked Man U back.

"Hall said it was a "really proud moment" to extend his stay as a boyhood supporter of the club.

"It's an absolute pleasure to play for this club and to represent the supporters," he said. "I know how much it means to them.

"To be able to bring joy to their faces, it's a big thing for me. I obviously have a family connection with the club, which is incredibly important to us all.

"One of the main reasons I play is to make my family proud, and I know how much it means to them to watch me playing for Newcastle United."

Exactly
There will have been contract talks which if they didn't progress would have likely seen him leave in the January window
Shearer 2.0 indeed

Its like Utd thinking they could sign KP
Going to Manchester & wearing a blue shirt was fine
Be seen in a red shirt & KPs grannie would have strung him up by his balls from the washing line

I wasn't expecting to see niagra falls so early into the season at TTONM & it wasn't just the 100 or so feet waterfall from the roof of the stand
It was also leaking inside the stadium where fans were stood in front of the boxes

[daviemac]

I wasn't expecting to see niagra falls so early into the season at TTONM & it wasn't just the 100 or so feet waterfall from the roof of the stand
It was also leaking inside the stadium where fans were stood in front of the boxes

Newcastle spent £10m on the stadium to improve the corporate matchday experience and it wasn't even leaking.     I would have though Man U could afford to stick a bit of gaffer tape over the holes.

[TomTank]

Newcastle spent £10m on the stadium to improve the corporate matchday experience and it wasn't even leaking.     I would have though Man U could afford to stick a bit of gaffer tape over the holes.

United haven't got a pot to piss in.
21 years of being raped, £2bn extracted, and counting ......

[mr.bluesky]

In June 2029     He signed a 5 year contract in 2024 so just under 3 years left on it, nowhere near leaving for free, not even close to us having to cash in before that happened.

It's only a 2 year extension but on much better terms.

Shed was right though he has signed for United. 

June 2029 ! What is he a time traveller 

[mr.bluesky]

Exactly


I wasn't expecting to see niagra falls so early into the season at TTONM & it wasn't just the 100 or so feet waterfall from the roof of the stand
It was also leaking inside the stadium where fans were stood in front of the boxes

Best demolish it asap and build that circus tent.

[daviemac]

June 2029 ! What is he a time traveller 

When he joined in 2024 he signed a 5 year contract add 5 years to 2024 means it runs out in 2029 where's the time traveling? 

Before this new contract he still had 3 years to run on his current deal, 2024 plus 5 years = 2029, 2029 - 2026 = 3 years.

In 2026 he's signed a new 5 year contract which ties him to the club until 2031 but as he was already contracted until 2029 it adds 2 years to his existing deal.

Have you forgotten your post I replied to?

Just means he won't be leaving as a free agent when his original contract expires.

His original contract was due to expire in 2029, if he hadn't signed a new deal it would have been 3 years before he could leave for free.

[mr.bluesky]

When he joined in 2024 he signed a 5 year contract add 5 years to 2024 means it runs out in 2029 where's the time traveling? 

Before this new contract he still had 3 years to run on his current deal, 2024 plus 5 years = 2029, 2029 - 2026 = 3 years.

In 2026 he's signed a new 5 year contract which ties him to the club until 2031 but as he was already contracted until 2029 it adds 2 years to his existing deal.

Have you forgotten your post I replied to?

His original contract was due to expire in 2029, if he hadn't signed a new deal it would have been 3 years before he could leave for free.

I misinterpreted how you worded it 

[FiveKnuckles]

Bruno G.     Hero to the Toon or a villain?  What a goal, then proceeds to bait the fans with small club sign 

[daviemac]

Bruno G.     Hero to the Toon or a villain?  What a goal, then proceeds to bait the fans with small club sign 

He's a cunt, worse than Tonali. He's gone from "I love the club and the area, my kids are Geordies, I want to be a legend at Newcastle United" to hiring one of the best agents in world football to get a move to Arsenal. Making a small gesture to the crowd at Sunderland following the abuse doesn't undo the fact he's walked away from the club he 'loved' without a backward glance.

Gordon went the right way about it, he made it known he wanted to move to Barcelona and he'd been learning the language from the Spanish goalkeeping coach.

With Tonali he never wanted to come to England, he wanted to stay at Milan but I think they knew the betting ban was coming. Going to Spurs was the lesser of two evils, he wanted to go back to Milan, his wife did as well because of her fashion business but they couldn't afford him so moving to London was better for her than staying in Newcastle. 

Nobody begrudges a footballer wanting to get the best out of a relatively short career but there's a right way to behave and go about leaving a club and a wrong way to leave.

[FiveKnuckles]

He's a cunt, worse than Tonali. He's gone from "I love the club and the area, my kids are Geordies, I want to be a legend at Newcastle United".

Oops.  We shall see on his return to SJP.  Seen a few insta-reels where Geordies said they cut him slack after that goal and celebration.
Wifey definitely loving her move to London.  Adidas X Arsenal have been so fashionable over the last few years. 

[Blackpool Rock]

Miss of the season has surely already been decided in yesterdays game between Derby and Birmingham 

Luis Vasquez was given an opportunity to make the game safe in the last minute with Birmingham 2-1 up but skied a rebound that can only be described as "An absolute sitter" 
Birmingham went on to win the game 2-1 anyway but imagine if Derby had put in an equaliser 

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[daviemac]

Oops.  We shall see on his return to SJP.  Seen a few insta-reels where Geordies said they cut him slack after that goal and celebration.

That's around 21st November, I don't know anyone who thinks the way he went about leaving is alright, why didn't he come out and make a statement along the lines of he's loved his time at the club but didn't think it's going in the direction he'd hoped and felt at his age it was time to move on? 

He went to the world cup as club captain, adored by the fans and without a word hired a new to him 'super agent' to get a move away. I think the only reason he didn't go on strike like Isak was he didn't need to because he was away from the club due to world cup involvement.

Was Bruno's celebration because of his love of a club he no longer plays for or in response to the constant abuse he received from Sunderland fans? I would say the latter.

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[Stevelondon]

Bruno reacted to the boos and abuse he was getting from the Mackem fans. That’s all. 🤷🏼


Now…………. About that ridiculous penalty decision in favour of Sunderland. All I saw was a foul in favour of Arsenal. Yet a ref and VAR saw differently.

There is a way of stopping all this fucking pulling and pushing in the penalty area when corners are being taken. This was not one of those ways.
Pathetic 🤷🏼

[webpunter]

Miss of the season has surely already been decided in yesterdays game between Derby and Birmingham 

Luis Vasquez was given an opportunity to make the game safe in the last minute with Birmingham 2-1 up but skied a rebound that can only be described as "An absolute sitter" 
Birmingham went on to win the game 2-1 anyway but imagine if Derby had put in an equaliser 

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Saw that yesterday & i was thinking a defender would be proud of that as a clearance

Its the kind of miss that Barn Door Bamford has in his locker & then on another occasion score a banger

Sheffield Utd featuring three ex Bell End players, BDB KP & Joe Rothwell it works for them they don't need to move house

[threechilliman]

Miss of the season has surely already been decided in yesterdays game between Derby and Birmingham 

Luis Vasquez was given an opportunity to make the game safe in the last minute with Birmingham 2-1 up but skied a rebound that can only be described as "An absolute sitter" 
Birmingham went on to win the game 2-1 anyway but imagine if Derby had put in an equaliser 

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Yep, a shocking miss.

[ulstersubbie]

Terrible result for Coventry today, down to ten men for most of the second half. Hope things get better for the sky blues MrB, it's been a really difficult start to the season for your boys.   

[mr.bluesky]

Terrible result for Coventry today, down to ten men for most of the second half. Hope things get better for the sky blues MrB, it's been a really difficult start to the season for your boys.   

Thanks ulstersubbie, I think our visit to the Premier league is going to be very brief on that sort of performance  and to cap a miserable day returned to the car to find a parking ticket slapped on the screen 

[Stevelondon]

Decisions made during the Manchester derby today were verging on the ludicrous.

Bruno kicks Foden (sort of) ……. Foden reacts a tad. But it’s only one player that gets a card. 🤷🏼

As for the NO OFFSIDE goal………… no words. 🤷🏼

[shaft10]

Decisions made during the Manchester derby today were verging on the ludicrous.

Bruno kicks Foden (sort of) ……. Foden reacts a tad. But it’s only one player that gets a card. 🤷🏼

As for the NO OFFSIDE goal………… no words. 🤷🏼

VAR was meant to be the saviour .. but all its done is introduce more 'human error' traps. The officials cannot interpret their own rules. Surely if they come out straight after (any) game and say we got it wrong, the goal should be struck off 

Decisions like this, and they'll be more every weekend, can and no doubt will, affect where the title goes. I'm sure Arsenal fans will be as equally peeved off as Utd fans.

[southcoastpunter]

What annoys me is that VAR keep getting it wrong when to many others , it is fairly obvious. Not that he is one of my favourite co-commentators but Gary Neville said almost immediately after the incident and still well within the game itself , that he was sure that the football referee body ( whatever they are called nowdays) would be issuing an apology - and of course they have now!
If the likes of him can say that and all of us mere mortals can also immediately think that is just wrong - it makes you wonder if something is going on behind the scenes!!

VAR is more of a problem than it solves.

[southcoastpunter]

Or is the complicated rules and official guidelines making it much more difficult than it needs to be ! Taken from the BBC  sports page:

“There is one key part of the offside law which applies to Fernandez here. A player is offside if they are:
"Clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent."
Both parts of that clause must be met. It is possible for a player in an offside position to attempt to play a ball and not commit an offence – there must be impact on an opponent too.
As the ball came in, Fernandez threw himself to try to head it, with Martinez directly behind him.
Video assistant referee Matt Donohue should ask himself if Fernandez's action would have influenced Martinez.
In other words: If Fernandez had not jumped for the attempted header, would Martinez have made a different decision over playing the ball?
If the ball had been out of reach for Fernandez, or for Martinez, then there is an argument to give the goal.
And also: There would have been no offside had Fernandez made no attempt to play the ball.
But he did. And as it went just a yard in front of Martinez too, it is very difficult to argue Fernandez did not commit an offside offence.
There is also an argument that the actions of Fernandez influence the positioning of goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
However, the goal was originally ruled out for offside against Haaland - which was incorrect. So that decision had to be overturned.
And then, the VAR should have sent referee Michael Oliver to the monitor for the subjective offence by Fernandez.
It would have created the odd situation where a disallowed goal was reviewed to remain ruled out - but this is what should have happened.
It was a clear offside offence by Fernandez and will go down as a VAR mistake.
Was the VAR too concerned with a possible touch by Fernandez?
If so, did the VAR forget that Fernandez was offside, and not consider the subjective offence? It seems to be the most logical explanation.”

So it’s all down to “was he interfering with play” - I remember years ago Brian Clough ( I think it was him) saying if a player isn’t interfering with play, then what the (bleep) is he doing in the pitch!!

[Blackpool Rock]

Decisions made during the Manchester derby today were verging on the ludicrous.

Bruno kicks Foden (sort of) ……. Foden reacts a tad. But it’s only one player that gets a card. 🤷🏼

As for the NO OFFSIDE goal………… no words. 🤷🏼

As Shaft says VAR does seem to create it's own problems, i'd probably say it does solve some issues but agree it also creates others and when it does they are glaring.

Watched this game out and let's face it there were a lot of man Utd fans none of which agreed with the goal decision but as one bloke pointed out they'd have accepted it the other way round (and claimed the decision was right) but none of them were complaining about the sending off.

FWIW I didn't think the goal should stand and frankly the offside rules are a joke and need to be changed, all this interfering with play shit means things become subjective and they need to change it so that any / every player is either onside or offside, VAR could seemingly cope with that.
Brian Clough once quoted along the lines of what's a player doing on the pitch if he's not interfering with play 

Foden's kick out was something of nothing really although I guess even slight contact of studs around someone's middle must hurt but 10/10 for the acting as if he's going to have Alien bursting out of his guts, remarkable how he made such a quick recovery 

Ha ha, only just seen Southcoastpunters post, great minds eh 

[FiveKnuckles]

The fact that the keeper dived to his left as Enzo swept in to head and missed from his off side position, shows he interfered.  His gloves then had to attempt a reactive save to his right.
It was the same situation in the Manchester derby in united favour.  You'd think ProRef learnt from the previous.


That's the Saudi holiday sorted for the upcoming international break

[mr.bluesky]

What annoys me is that VAR keep getting it wrong when to many others , it is fairly obvious. Not that he is one of my favourite co-commentators but Gary Neville said almost immediately after the incident and still well within the game itself , that he was sure that the football referee body ( whatever they are called nowdays) would be issuing an apology - and of course they have now!
If the likes of him can say that and all of us mere mortals can also immediately think that is just wrong - it makes you wonder if something is going on behind the scenes!!

VAR is more of a problem than it solves.

VAR has ruined football with it's ridiculous offside decisions , I was happy it wasn't used in the championship last season, they recently had a vote for it not to be introduced again. As you say it creates just as many problems as it solves.

[timsussex]

Its NOT a VAR problem
VAR correctly over rules the Vikings offside call - no blame to the linesman it was literally millimeters
The problem is the subjective offside, Fernandez attempted header is clearly interfering with play as the goalkeeper moves to be in position to save; it would have been a difficult decision if he hadnt dived because he had already drawn the defender away from Haaland
Was that interfering with play ??
It used to be simple any player offside = no goal (even one lying injured on the ground;  similarly with handball nice and black and white 

[southcoastpunter]

Its NOT a VAR problem

You are splitting hairs here - ok the concept of VAR was not at fault but the way it actually works is a problem! Human errors in the running of VAR causes as many problems (errors) as it solves. Yes the football rules and refereeing guidelines are much too complicated but VAR was meant to eliminate mistakes made by the on field officials not add additional mistakes!

[timsussex]

You are splitting hairs here - ok the concept of VAR was not at fault but the way it actually works is a problem! Human errors in the running of VAR causes as many problems (errors) as it solves. Yes the football rules and refereeing guidelines are much too complicated but VAR was meant to eliminate mistakes made by the on field officials not add additional mistakes!

No every detailed review of VAR that I have seen confirms that it corrects many errors, misses a few and incorrectly reverses very few 
Its not perfect but undoubtedly leads to more correct decisions
I posted this detailed review before
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or more recently
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Across Match Round 2, there were 21 Referee KMIs, with the panel deeming 76 per cent of on-field decisions to be correct. Following VAR intervention 90 per cent of decisions were deemed correct.

VAR isnt perfect but it means more correct decisions are being made

[TomTank]

Bitter UTMBP Rock is wrong.
I and a few other United fans I know, don't think it was a red.
The rules of physics and human physiology dictate that Foden's feet could only fall in the direction they did, and he didn't actually kick out.
Yellow for both players for the scuffling.

I'm in favour of VAR because we usually end up with more correct decisions, but humans can still fuck it up and take too long.
Apparently the VAR official was from Denton, so either a city fan, or a United fan trying to seem impartial (like Neville and Anthony Taylor).

I don't think it would have made any difference anyway.
City weren't great, but looked better than us, and we haven't looked right since Carrick welcomed Rashford back in, which was a sure sign that the owners are still only interested in money and not football.

[timsussex]

Bitter UTMBP Rock is wrong.
I and a few other United fans I know, don't think it was a red.
The rules of physics and human physiology dictate that Foden's feet could only fall in the direction they did, and he didn't actually kick out.
Yellow for both players for the scuffling.

........

I agree; a few years ago probably the outcome but as an impartial observer (!) would that have been a more likely outcome without the Fernandes masterclass in drama ?

[webpunter]

Bitter UTMBP Rock is wrong.
I and a few other United fans I know, don't think it was a red.
The rules of physics and human physiology dictate that Foden's feet could only fall in the direction they did, and he didn't actually kick out.
Yellow for both players for the scuffling.

I'm in favour of VAR because we usually end up with more correct decisions, but humans can still fuck it up and take too long.
Apparently the VAR official was from Denton, so either a city fan, or a United fan trying to seem impartial (like Neville and Anthony Taylor).

I don't think it would have made any difference anyway.
City weren't great, but looked better than us, and we haven't looked right since Carrick welcomed Rashford back in, which was a sure sign that the owners are still only interested in money and not football.

You've hit the nail on the head
Scuffling is an apt description
How the goal wasn't ruled out i have no idea of course Enzo was interfering with play, for starters he nearly got his head on it
& how many camera angles / feeds do VAR have ?
Its like they've been dropped into planet earth [their first view of football] & are given a manual describing their role as VAR 
As with most jobs trial & error at the start you pick things up as you go along & make improvements, not these idiots
They evidence the ability to fuck things up with considerable ease
Fans watching the match see a few replays slo-mo different angles & its simples to work out
The only positive was that the line technology picked up that Haaland was just onside
 

[webpunter]

After watching the match yesterday afternoon i was doing a few things & didn't change the channel
I happened to notice that a subsequent match on & there was a comment about how good the pitch was for the WSL Villa City match [@ Villa Park]
Gave it a watch for a few minutes
I'm not expecting there to be as many cameras as at a Prem or Championship match
Virtually all the coverage from high up from one side of the stadium
Occasionally a low down camera however this focused into whichever player it was
IMO the coverage was deliberately set up to avoid showing very empty sections of the stadium
& i'm not referencing where the stadium rebuild is happening !
It could be that only one [long] side of the stadium open [edit:to avoid the need for stewards who could outnumber fans on the other two sides if all sections open  ] & even this looked empty
One giveaway was when there was some announcement this echoed round the stadium which doesn;t happen when full as peoples bodies absorb the sound
I wonder what the motivations of Sky Footy & the WSL are designing the TV coverage like this are ? 

[Stevelondon]

Well it’s 3-0 at half time and I’m trying to come up with a reason NOT to watch the second half.

Leeds certainly the better side but let’s be honest. Newcastle aren't just bad. They are fucking terrible.
One shot I think. A defense that looks likely to let in another three second half with a collective that looks they have never played together before.
No plan.

I think we have serious problems coming up to be honest.

[daviemac]

Well it’s 3-0 at half time and I’m trying to come up with a reason NOT to watch the second half.

Leeds certainly the better side but let’s be honest. Newcastle aren't just bad. They are fucking terrible.
One shot I think. A defense that looks likely to let in another three second half with a collective that looks they have never played together before.
No plan.

I think we have serious problems coming up to be honest.

Can't believe how bad we are, are we making Leeds look good or are Leeds making us look bad, either way we need to sort it out.

[timsussex]

4-0  now  and could have been a lot more

Leeds much more combative in every area Calvert-Lewin putting in a proper English centre forward display although his elbow to Botmans face was probably in the "I've seen reds given" class

The two boys in midfield are playing against men - cant believe he didnt start with a mid more experience and muscle but its difficult to give anyone more than 3 out of 10

Commentator pointing out that Newcastle have conceded more shots this season then anyone else and perhaps their luck ran out 

[Stevelondon]

I decided to open a tin of paint I’ve found in the garage and just look at it.
It’s marginally better than watching The Toon tonight.

[mr.bluesky]

Can't believe how bad we are, are we making Leeds look good or are Leeds making us look bad, either way we need to sort it out.

Don't worry all you Newcastle fans you play Coventry soon at the CBS arena. You'll be back to winning ways .

[webpunter]

Leeds much more combative in every area Calvert-Lewin putting in a proper English centre forward display although his elbow to Botmans face was probably in the "I've seen reds given" class

No movement on his arm / elbow there was contact tho i dont think there was any intent
He doesnt strike me as a player who is like that
I like to think i'm not looking thru a bell end lense unlike Neville has red tinted glasses the same for Carragher tho he's not as klevva at hiding it
With no comparison in skills / goals by a million miles he's a bit like Arry in that he gets tangled up in things now & again it happens
There are players who are way more inclined to dish it out
Deffo a yellow & on another day with a different ref & more likely if the match at StJP could have been a red

On the subject of dishing it out Wissa somehow didn't get a yellow card
Today he reminded me of Ashley Cunt Young

To balance things up on another day Leeds could have had a pen in the 1st minute with a hand ball
The offending hand ways away from the body with the player trying to pull his arm away, which makes no difference
Had this happened later in the match more likely a pen

[john122350]

After Matchweek 4

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