The Kraken

Yeah I’ve heard that before and it’s a bit too basic.

For me, this is a massive fault of the offside rule. I think that goal should be disallowed. Simply because, when the ball comes in, as far as Forster in concerned, all of those players are in play and active. The keeper doesn’t know exactly where it will drop so has to take into account all players. I’m not saying that what’s caused the goal in this case, but as far as I’m concerned, that offside player is interfering with play as he causes the keeper to think about him as an potential attacking threat. The current rule expects the keeper to judge who is onside and who isn’t, which he obviously can’t do. I think it’s a bad rule and today shows a little why.

Don’t know if it’s just me, but I think Guardiola is trying to play mind games with his whole ‘best game ever’ mantra. I think he feels enormously hard done by, but doesn’t want to say what it is. He was a bit of a prick to the sky and bbc commentators and had a spat with Ralph after the game. I think he is absolutely fuming about something but won’t say it on camera. The penalty that didn’t get given (fair IMO) and the Armstrong foul (red card IMO) really got to him. I’d love to hear what actually went on with him and Ralph between the game and after the whistle, sky showed a little but but didn’t ask too much afterwards, certainly not of the bald stroppy one. I love the idea of little hairband Jacky Grealish waiting in the tunnel for Romeu 🤣

I thought it was a red card. No intent to harm from Armstrong but in todays rules I’m surprised he didn’t go. Ralph taking him off immediately and confirming it was to protect him also said a lot for me. Very glad var didn’t give it,nhs it l8kely may have made the difference.

Cuco?

Jack Grealish is the ultimate “hold me back” prat who literally nobody is trying to hold him back.

Hope Ralph nutted Pep there.

This. He doesn’t seem like the brightest star in the sky though.

Goal of the season contender that. From our own box to theirs in a lovely sweeping move. Reminded me of the Channon goal against Liverpool at the dell.

This has got to be one of the dimmest posts I’ve ever seen on this board. And it’s a low benchmark.

Scarily spot on ffs 😳

I don’t think they can sell him in January to anyone else (or recall him) without both parties agreeing. You’d like to think we wouldn’t agree to that this January! At the moment it’s obviously a perfect arrangement for both clubs. Chelsea have enough options already and he’s a potential for them in future. Given that he’s a Chelsea player and has been with them for many years through his youth, You can’t imagine anything else other than that his heart is set on breaking through for them. As it should be. So anything we can do to keep him beyond next summer is a bonus.

Lambert, Mane, Pelle, Ings

This. J-Rod was rarely the main striker, he and Mane were very similar in roles.

34m.

It’s not out of the question we could do a Livramento-type deal with Chelsea having a set price buy back. They did that when they sold Tammy Abraham to Roma, 68m buy back but he has to serve a minimum of two seasons with Roma before it comes into effect.

It’s a fair point. In Tella’s case I’d say yes just about, insofar as from what I understand he was told at Arsenal that he wasn’t being taken on any further and had a few trials before we picked him up. I can certainly understand why it might be suggested otherwise though and that he should be considered a signing. I’d just say that part of an academy, aside from bringing through players of our own from a younger age, is identifying young players at other academies (either successful players or dropouts) and bringing them into our fold to bring them through. So in that mind he’s definitely a success story of the academy IMO.

I would, no doubt whatsoever.

Portsmouth. Oh.

The game has already gone to shit. The second booking was soft as shit but it was an absolutely brainless decision by Valery to put himself in the situation. The Saints players mostly didn’t react all that much to it on the pitch as they knew he was a goner(Armstrong I think had a word but gave it up quickly). Valery himself has admitted he takes responsibility for it, and I haven’t seen Ralph come out and say anything about it yet. Football is littered with decisions like that, and while it’s extremely soft, it’s crap defending and gave the ref no real option after obafemi went down.

looks like Yan Valery thinks you’re wrong.

Some of the camera work was way off too. Overall it was extremely shoddy output. Can understand why Charlie liked it, I suppose.

🤣

So long as we can bring players through like Tella, it’s worthwhile and I wouldn’t say it’s not delivering. Just difficult to churn out a PL player year after year. Also you have the likes of Obafemi who get sold (reported at £1.5m to £2m) which helps offset costs. Theres a consensus that we seem to hold onto some young players for too long, and I maybe agree with it. Like you say, maybe the new/future setup with other clubs may provide a better solution.

Stephens RB probably the right shout. Though I thought his distribution today was very sloppy at times. Like you I don’t like JWP not in the middle, I like Diallo but we are better with JWP in there.