The 2026/27 Football Season

[Vice Admiral]

After Matchweek 4

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It's quite a strange table – stranger even than the usual table after just a handful of games.  But doubtless it'll look rather different by 30 May 2027.

Meanwhile, it’s nice to see three “non yo-yo” clubs in the top six of the Championship – Swansea (last in the Premier League in 2017/18), QPR (2014/15) and Charlton (2006/7).

How about Coventry, Villa and Sunderland for relegation, and West Ham, QPR and Charlton for promotion – with the result that there’d be nine London clubs in the Premier League next season!

[webpunter]

How about Coventry, Villa and Sunderland for relegation, and West Ham, QPR and Charlton for promotion – with the result that there’d be nine London clubs in the Premier League next season!

Spursey & Villa for me would be hilarious
There is already coverage in the footy media about how long Spursey will allow no wins [goals would be a good start] before they jettison DZ
As for Villa the risk is that Emery thinks fuck it & decides to leave
As opening at a top La Liga team could be an opportunity to good to turn down

[southcoastpunter]

How about …..  and West Ham, QPR and Charlton for promotion

Sorry VA , Southampton will be among them - if we had our 4 points back we would be second to West Ham on GD! I know you don’t want to hear that as a closet Pompey fan but we will be in the playoffs at least!

[Stevelondon]

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

On last nights showing Mr B.
That game could be the start of the blues revival 🤷🏼

[Vice Admiral]

Sorry VA , Southampton will be among them - if we had our 4 points back we would be second to West Ham on GD! I know you don’t want to hear that as a closet Pompey fan but we will be in the playoffs at least!

I am indeed a closet Pompey fan, although I'm also a closet fan of three other football clubs.  But I keep my football affiliations close to my chest.  Writing here about my sexual adventures?  No problem.  Revealing my full football private life?  Hors de question, as they say in Paris, Marseilles and Clermont Ferrand.

In spite of my "semi-affiliation" with Portsmouth, I've always semi-supported Southampton too – and having three South Coast clubs in the Premier League again would be nice.  It's just a pity that Portsmouth won't be one of them.

Indeed hell will freeze over before that next happens...

[TomTank]

 Neville has red tinted glasses the same for Carragher tho he's not as klevva at hiding it

You've got to be fucking kidding.
Sunday was the first time I can ever recall him sticking up for us (*) .... his money grabbing nose is so far up the ABU nation's arse, most United fans I know can't stand the cunt

* I'm sure one of the usual ABU clowns on here will find other irrelevant instances

[nwluvit]

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

It was MEN v boys!!
Not a great night for the Toon. My Leeds mate is laughing at how bad we were!
Lacking a midfield enforcer.

[toon972]

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.

I am in Pattaya and watched the game 2.0 in the morning. There was also a Leeds fan sitting right in front of me jumping all over the place after each goal or attack. Could not have went better for me. 

[webpunter]

I am in Pattaya and watched the game 2.0 in the morning. There was also a Leeds fan sitting right in front of me jumping all over the place after each goal or attack. Could not have went better for me. 

 
The Leeds fan must have been cream crackered by the end of the match

[webpunter]

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Dominic Calvert-Lewin sends message to Premier League over 'scandalous' Leeds vs Newcastle decision 

Taking the goal off him after his header saw the ball bounce off the top of Bogle's head & into the net

At the start of the 2nd half the ref gave DCL the news his face was a picture like WTF 

[mr.bluesky]

On last nights showing Mr B.
That game could be the start of the blues revival 🤷🏼

In that case it has 0-0 written all over it because we couldn't score in a brothel at the moment.

[mr.bluesky]

It's quite a strange table – stranger even than the usual table after just a handful of games.  But doubtless it'll look rather different by 30 May 2027.

Meanwhile, it’s nice to see three “non yo-yo” clubs in the top six of the Championship – Swansea (last in the Premier League in 2017/18), QPR (2014/15) and Charlton (2006/7).

How about Coventry, Villa and Sunderland for relegation, and West Ham, QPR and Charlton for promotion – with the result that there’d be nine London clubs in the Premier League next season!

More likely that Fulham and Crystal Palace will be joining Coventry in the Championship. West Ham looking certs to bounce strsight back up

[Blackpool Rock]

I previously posted about Raheem Stirling crashing his Lambo and how he felt forgotten etc, looks like he's finally admitted dangerous driving, twat 

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[mr.bluesky]

I previously posted about Raheem Stirling crashing his Lambo and how he felt forgotten etc, looks like he's finally admitted dangerous driving, twat 

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No wonder English won't touch him with a barge pole. Blokes an idiot 

[john122350]

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[webpunter]

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They mentioned this on Talk Sport
Chelsea & Barca chasing after him
I wonder how long before Real show their hand too
I'm presuming he's taken some pukka advice given his young age
Seems to me to be a sensible thing to do 
Spain a great footy environment to develop
& Chelsea have sister clubs where he could play in the 1st teams
Better than the toxic TONM

[webpunter]

Footy players & car crashes

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The crash happened on a little residential road where houses

Had he been driving at even slightly above the speed limit no way the car would roll over

No chance whatsoever i do hope the rozzers interview him & hear his version of events that should make for interesting listening

There could have been pedestrians kids on bikes on the road

What a fucktard 





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[TomTank]

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He will end up at city, where he can flourish in a world class set up focussed on football ..... and his dad will be driving a nice new Rolls Royce next week

[webpunter]

He will end up at city, where he can flourish in a world class set up focussed on football ..... and his dad will be driving a nice new Rolls Royce next week

You may well have your crystal ball polished
Less upheaval for him & family
I'm thinking a Bentayga & something sporty
It is some set up at the noisy ...
Is Carrington still the same as when CR7 was @ Utd ... the first time ? 

[TomTank]

You may well have your crystal ball polished
Less upheaval for him & family
I'm thinking a Bentayga & something sporty
It is some set up at the noisy ...
Is Carrington still the same as when CR7 was @ Utd ... the first time ? 

It's not just about facilities, it's everything, objectives, culture, philosophy ..... city's is all focussed on managing football, United's is all focussed on managing assets
Ironically we ended up with our owners because we had been so well run, and they ended up with theirs because they'd been a joke

[Charliehutton]

In that case it has 0-0 written all over it because we couldn't score in a brothel at the moment.

Ah, Mr B, your comment takes me back two seasons...I witnessed every minute of Leicester City losing nine consecutive home league games without scoring a single goal. This was in the Premier League, but it was the only time this feat had ever been achieved at any level in the history of English professional football.

And then, when we thought things couldn't be any worse, we appoint Russell Martin...

[timsussex]

Footy players & car crashes

Here's another one:  External Link/Members Only
.....

I do wonder what the Insurance loading for a prof. footballer is ?  probably only a few minutes pay for them though

If there was a PL training ground at the end of my road i would be very worried especially as the Hull player had his "accident" at 08:30 just when kids are walking to school !  Heavy night perhaps ?  or was he also on N2O ?

[webpunter]

Ah, Mr B, your comment takes me back two seasons...I witnessed every minute of Leicester City losing nine consecutive home league games without scoring a single goal. This was in the Premier League, but it was the only time this feat had ever been achieved at any level in the history of English professional football.

And then, when we thought things couldn't be any worse, we appoint Russell Martin...

However the fox in the box did break the record for consecutive goals in prem matches 
He comes across so well in the netflix documentary
A proppa lad at the start of his career

When your lot won the Prem they became most neutrals 2nd team willing them on

Then they engaged in financial fiddles all teams try to max it Leicester way way beyond it
Seems they have stabilized in League 1 still loads of players paid far too much producing fuck all
They must be close to breaching SCR FFP rules whatever they are in this division and a further points deduction could sink them
Relegation & they implode

Leicester went straight back up cheating their way to promotion
As a result Leeds didn't though with the benefit of hindsight they weren't quite ready
The following year finished top steam rollered the oppo & one of my favourite seasons
Better than getting spanked in the prem week in week out

[stampjones]

Speaking of youngsters, that first goal by max dowman tonight was beautiful

[stampjones]

Also that's the first time I've seen Conor Cody as a pundit. I thought he was really good. One of the better ones

[webpunter]

I do wonder what the Insurance loading for a prof. footballer is ?  probably only a few minutes pay for them though

If there was a PL training ground at the end of my road i would be very worried especially as the Hull player had his "accident" at 08:30 just when kids are walking to school !  Heavy night perhaps ?  or was he also on N2O ?

Loading = loads
8.30am i didn't realise this
Hull released a statement
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"The club is aware of images of Sorba’s car circulating on social media and can reassure supporters that he has sustained no injuries and emerged from his vehicle completely unscathed."
Nice to see the club's priorities what a relief that it is 
No mention that more importantly no one else injured or worse
What a bunch of cunts they've had a good start for a newly promoted team & then their self centered response hope their balloon pops & they sink like a lead one
Lets see what the Hull rozzers manage to uncover 

[timsussex]

yes I also thought the Hull FC response was verging on callous - must have scared the shit out of anyone who actually saw it let alone anyone who was walking on the pavement. Lets hope he is a marked man as far as the cops are concerned and I havent seen a statement along the lines of the driver passed a breathalyzer at the scene

[shaft10]

He will end up at city, where he can flourish in a world class set up focussed on football ..... and his dad will be driving a nice new Rolls Royce next week

Is it to do with the facilities or is it more to do with game time? Utd upgraded their facilities last year which was well publicised.

Plenty of reports surfacing his father is driving this ... seeing him as a very marketable 'asset'. We've seen this type of churlish behaviour before with young footballers getting ahead of themselves (or influenced by greedy family members), Pogba and Rashford come to mind ... it rarely ends well.

If hes a cocky little cunt at 15, he's best off out the way ...

[Jumping Jack Flash]

The game is littered with promising youth team players who look like world beaters at 15 but then don’t make the grade and are released before they’re 18. On one hand I don’t blame his family for seeking the best “deal” for their offspring, then you have the club that’s developed him since he was in short trousers losing out.

Pushy parents, just like the ones you see at the side of the pitch in junior football on Sunday mornings, they spoil it for everyone.

I know a family whose eldest son was in WBA’s academy from the age of 8. He then moved to Birmingham before moving to Walsall at aged 14, no money changed hands and no cars were brought for the family etc. He moved because the pressure on the coaches at the higher level clubs to produce the next superstar is high and this pressure is passed on to the kids. He wanted to play the game for pleasure and his parents wanted him to be happy.

He’s now 21 and playing in the Australian league in Sydney, he lives a block from the beach and has an enviable lifestyle but most importantly he’s happy.

[TomTank]

I've already said it's not just facilities, and it's not just game time.
Even Butt and Scholes have said they wouldn't join United as a youth player the way things are these days.

The football issues will be big factors, but probably mostly his dad - he's a bit of a tosser, used to have a company called A Star Ballerz Coaching, which tells you all you need to know about him.
He will have been made an under the table offer he can't refuse.

[daviemac]

I've already said it's not just facilities, and it's not just game time.
Even Butt and Scholes have said they wouldn't join United as a youth player the way things are these days.

The football issues will be big factors, but probably mostly his dad - he's a bit of a tosser, used to have a company called A Star Ballerz Coaching, which tells you all you need to know about him.
He will have been made an under the table offer he can't refuse.

He can't just up and leave without the consent of Man U, well in saying that he can but he can't play for anyone else if he did. Man U hold his registration with the FA.

Fron the age of 9 academy players are tied to the club in the same way as the pros, it's just they don't get paid until a pro deal is signed.

[mr.bluesky]

He can't just up and leave without the consent of Man U, well in saying that he can but he can't play for anyone else if he did. Man U hold his registration with the FA.

Fron the age of 9 academy players are tied to the club in the same way as the pros, it's just they don't get paid until a pro deal is signed.

I have read in one of the papers he's refused to train until he get his move. Arrogant tosser, I don't know who is adviser is (probably his old man who's acting as his agent) but he's way out of order, who does he think he is. It's bad enough when established players do this but not a spoilt brat 15 year old who has yet to establish himself in the sport. I hope his career drops like a lead balloon. 

[FiveKnuckles]

How long does De Zerbi have?  Spuds v Villa this weekend could see someone get chopped before the international break

[Jumping Jack Flash]

I have read in one of the papers he's refused to train until he get his move. Arrogant tosser, I don't know who is adviser is (probably his old man who's acting as his agent) but he's way out of order, who does he think he is. It's bad enough when established players do this but not a spoilt brat 15 year old who has yet to establish himself in the sport. I hope his career drops like a lead balloon. 

His dad is his advisor, an ex lower league player who has a couple of international caps for the Republic of Ireland, Joe O’Cearuill.

No me neither.

[timsussex]

I have read in one of the papers he's refused to train until he get his move. Arrogant tosser, I don't know who is adviser is (probably his old man who's acting as his agent) but he's way out of order, who does he think he is. It's bad enough when established players do this but not a spoilt brat 15 year old who has yet to establish himself in the sport. I hope his career drops like a lead balloon. 

There are plenty of bad role models at ManU so perhaps a change of venue might do him some good otherwise; if he doesnt disappear without trace; then I forsee an expensive car crash in his future
 

[TomTank]

He's already been at 4 academies, and his dad is a cunt.

It doesn't matter what the rules are, it's obvious his dad has been made an offer and doesn't want to wait any longer .....

[daviemac]

He's already been at 4 academies, and his dad is a cunt.

It doesn't matter what the rules are, it's obvious his dad has been made an offer and doesn't want to wait any longer .....

The fact is he can't play for another academy if Man U don't release his registration.

[webpunter]

How long does De Zerbi have?  Spuds v Villa this weekend could see someone get chopped before the international break

You can get odds of up to 7-1 for him to be the next to depart
Lampard as low as 11-4
Its when you see the odds nose dive that the bookies find out something that shift the odds & also coz punters dive in
Difficult to figure who would be replacements
Not a scooby for Spursey no point chucking up names
Dyche would stabilise both clubs tho this would be Spurs well & truly pressing the panic button
More of a fit for Cov & a good manager for falling back into the Championship planning ahead
I'll be pleased if & when Bell End get to 42 points [relegation inflation from 40] relax a bit coz there is always the potential for making it squeaky bum time for the fans

[Charliehutton]

The Carabou cup gives parents who have no chance of getting tickets for Premier League games the chance to take their kids to see their team play live.

It's invariably a second string team, but in most cases it doesn't matter. A seven year old Ipswich Town fan, for example, is unlikely to know or care whether the players are first teamers or not, they're just thrilled to be there.

But tomorrow night it's different. The Etihad will be packed with kids wanting to see their heroes, one in particular. Haaland is arguably the biggest star in world football right now. I just hope that Maresca will at least give him half an hour, to give the kids a night to remember.

[timsussex]

Great win for Sunderland back in Europe while commiserations to our Coventry fan (I think we only have one ) - its the faint hope that hits you hardest!   one down then level & looking good only to lose 3-1
Meanwhile our ManU fans wont be happy as in the first time for 50 years that they lose after being 2 up and really could have been more - still as noted above the Carabo cup is a great way for kids to realise what being a ManU fan is all about; you can leave early and still make bedtime!

[webpunter]

The Seagulls just shat on Utd   

[Jumping Jack Flash]

Mr Blue Sky I thought you would beat us tonight, we are a work in progress and our confidence is low.

You had some chances but didn’t take them and you controlled the game at times. Defensively you’re naive and your defenders don’t play as a unit, we scored some very easy goals from set pieces. In attack, again there seemed to be a lack of communication between players at times, with the same forwards going for the same ball.

You gave us the opportunity to give new signings game time and I’m happy with what I saw, we were largely untroubled.

What was all of the empty seats about? I thought that this would be a sellout.

I’ve no axe to grind with Coventry - we’re not rivals despite what many of your fans may claim, it’s a faux rivalry - but from what I saw tonight you will do well to beat Derby’s unwanted record.

[mr.bluesky]

Mr Blue Sky I thought you would beat us tonight, we are a work in progress and our confidence is low.

You had some chances but didn’t take them and you controlled the game at times. Defensively you’re naive and your defenders don’t play as a unit, we scored some very easy goals from set pieces. In attack, again there seemed to be a lack of communication between players at times, with the same forwards going for the same ball.

You gave us the opportunity to give new signings game time and I’m happy with what I saw, we were largely untroubled.

What was all of the empty seats about? I thought that this would be a sellout.

I’ve no axe to grind with Coventry - we’re not rivals despite what many of your fans may claim, it’s a faux rivalry - but from what I saw tonight you will do well to beat Derby’s unwanted record.

You have hit the nail on the head jumping Jack, woeful defending from the two corners. We have spent over  £120 million on new signings, none of them look like they are going to make a big difference. It's going to be a long hard season ahead for us. The only bright spot tonight was Victor Torps free kick goal otherwise a night to forget.
Doug King should have reduced the prices for this match, he got that badly wrong. Good turn out by the Villa fans who filled the away end so hats off to you 

[webpunter]

The Carabou cup gives parents who have no chance of getting tickets for Premier League games the chance to take their kids to see their team play live.

It's invariably a second string team, but in most cases it doesn't matter. A seven year old Ipswich Town fan, for example, is unlikely to know or care whether the players are first teamers or not, they're just thrilled to be there.

But tomorrow night it's different. The Etihad will be packed with kids wanting to see their heroes, one in particular. Haaland is arguably the biggest star in world football right now. I just hope that Maresca will at least give him half an hour, to give the kids a night to remember.

A pukka observation 
Tickets not silly money & more important availability
Kids not interested in seeing a hard fought battle & narrow win
The want a goal fest
Even City with a reserve team [which will beat most prem oppo] should be capable of delivering
& bringing on Haaland deffo would be a good touch

I'm trying to think which cup match that Liverpool fielded nearly an entire 2nd team
Apart from breath taking striker Chiesa
You know the mousers are struggling in matches when they bring him on the oppo trembling
They get beat in the cup match & in the process they've disappointed so many kids who for maybe the 1st time they've been able to go to Anfield & there arent any players they were excitedly hopeful of seeing
Utter money grabbing cunts

[Jumping Jack Flash]

You have hit the nail on the head jumping Jack, woeful defending from the two corners. We have spent over  £120 million on new signings, none of them look like they are going to make a big difference. It's going to be a long hard season ahead for us. The only bright spot tonight was Victor Torps free kick goal otherwise a night to forget.
Doug King should have reduced the prices for this match, he got that badly wrong. Good turn out by the Villa fans who filled the away end so hats off to you 

Your owner didn’t look at all happy on the TV coverage, perhaps he’s thinking of getting rid of Lampard?

Unfortunately spending £120 million in the premier league isn’t enough anymore, you’ve  got to speculate to accumulate. Wolves received £117m in prize money last season for finishing bottom, if they don’t come straight back up they’ve got around another £110m in parachute payments over 3 years. If Coventry go straight back down I think you’d only get 2 years worth of parachute payments as they’re based upon how long you’ve been in the PL.

It’s extremely difficult get into the PL, it’s even harder to stay there and spending just £120m is akin to signing your own death sentence.

It’s a haves and a have nots league.

[shaft10]

The Seagulls just shat on Utd (again)  

Brighton's favourite away ground now I'd imagine. Utd were woeful ... but you could see it coming, no intensity whatsoever ...

[mr.bluesky]

Your owner didn’t look at all happy on the TV coverage, perhaps he’s thinking of getting rid of Lampard?

Unfortunately spending £120 million in the premier league isn’t enough anymore, you’ve  got to speculate to accumulate. Wolves received £117m in prize money last season for finishing bottom, if they don’t come straight back up they’ve got around another £110m in parachute payments over 3 years. If Coventry go straight back down I think you’d only get 2 years worth of parachute payments as they’re based upon how long you’ve been in the PL.

It’s extremely difficult get into the PL, it’s even harder to stay there and spending just £120m is akin to signing your own death sentence.

It’s a haves and a have nots league.

It really does show the gulf between the Championship and the Premier league. Last season we pissed the Championship by 11 points, top goal scorers and fewest goals conceeded. Leeds and Sunderland proved last season it's posdible to stay up if you invest in the team wisely. Unfortunately Coventry haven't. We are going to struggle to beat Derby County's all time low of 11 ponts. Maybe getting relegated and bouncing back stronger like Ipswich have is the way to go. Whether or not Lampard will still be in charge is another question 
Another thing is Coventry are a single owner club not a consortium so £120 million is a hell of a lot of money for a club like Coventry to spend. We have a team full of players with none or little Premier league experience but our signings are exactly the same.

[foreverchanges]

Great win in our first European tie since 1973 (and yes I can remember it ! ) Our finishing was as poor as usual but thought it was a good performance.

Genuinely amazed that we were the lead story on Look Newcastle ...sorry Look North this morning although they did redeem themselves by later announcing that in the Carabao 4th round draw Newcastle would be away to Everton and that they were the only North East team left in the competition ...you genuinely couldn't make it up.

[Stevelondon]

Great win in our first European tie since 1973 (and yes I can remember it ! ) Our finishing was as poor as usual but thought it was a good performance.

Genuinely amazed that we were the lead story on Look Newcastle ...sorry Look North this morning although they did redeem themselves by later announcing that in the Carabao 4th round draw Newcastle would be away to Everton and that they were the only North East team left in the competition ...you genuinely couldn't make it up.

You can make all sorts of things up 😂

Yes well done the Mackems. I’m all for North East football being up there.
I saw a few pundits were saying Sunderland might suffer in the league what with them being in Europe….. squad not large enough etc.

Don’t see it myself 🤷🏼

[Stevelondon]

Of course I just have to add. How is a Mackem kicking the back of an opponents leg ….. instead of kicking the ball. A penalty 🤷🏼