Sheaf Saint

Ah bugger. Just gave them acres of space down our left there. Can't do that.

Not a chance in hell we will finish above Liverpool this season.

I can already see the objections though. Imagine a situation where let's say Ings challenges for a header and has to be subbed off even though the club physio thinks he's OK. Then 10 mins later we get a penalty, but our 1st choice pen taker has been subbed off, and the player who takes it misses. I loosely agree with the reasoning, but it could get very messy.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55360210 Players are "overwhelmingly in support" of continuing to take a knee to highlight racial inequality and fight discrimination, says the Professional Footballers' Association. The players' union consulted members on whether they wanted to continue the gesture after some fans booed it. Members were asked whether an alternative should explored, but they wanted to continue with "this act of solidarity" before kick-off. "The results were clear," said the PFA. "Players overwhelmingly support continuing this act of solidarity despite any adverse responses that may be received."

Might as well try and eke out some humour from this situation.

First 3 episodes of The Expanse season 5 on Amazon Prime now. I can't love this show enough. Watched the first new episode last night, and while it was just a scene-setter with very little actually happening, it just looks amazing. The visual effects, which were already excellent, have been stepped up a level, and it looks incredible in 4K. Really looking forward to the rest of the season.

I think you're reading too much into this. Knowing the high standards he sets for himself, it's more likely he's just frustrated that he's still getting his match sharpness back and has so far not been able to reach those standards. Seriously, how many top players (let alone strikers) come back from over a month out after surgery and manage to re-find their best form immediately?

No we weren't. When I checked before the game they had has at 12/5 with Arsenal at 11/10.

Slightly disappointed not to get the win, on the overall balance of play. But we didn't really do enough to deserve it. I think if people are going to claim we should have had a penalty then they should also have had one in the first half, the incidents were quite similar. FWIW, I think the ref and VAR got both calls right - not enough contact to really impede either attacker. You can point to Redmond's effort against the bar, which was a lovely move, but they had the header off the bar late on as well. Ultimately, for all our tidy possession and neat passing, we didn't create any other clear chances because they defended well. Our goal came about from a delightful through-ball and calm finish from Theo; theirs came from a superb mazy run from Saka and an excellent, pinpoint finish from Aubameyang. Draw was a fair result.

Phew.

Cedric coming on. Reckon we should push JV up and hot it long to him against Cedric every time we get the ball.

I went for a waz and missed the red card. What happened?

I'm not sensing that at all. They've been very complimentary about us tonight.

Bugger. Saka did really well there though.

I wouldn't say he's added nothing. He's made a couple of decent driving runs forward to get us into their box.

Very cheap giveaway from Armstrong there to set up that Arsenal attack. Can't keep doing that.

That's JB's first yellow of the season? That surprises me.

Worked an absolute treat! 😂

Yeah, like an undulating hum. It's quite annoying.

I wonder if Emirates fly there?

Why on earth did they sign Cedric if he can't even get in the starting lineup when their 1st choice RB is unavailable? Have they cottoned on to how bad he actually is?

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/08/brexit-backers-tate-lyle-set-to-gain-73m-from-end-of-eu-trade-tariffs Brexit backers and Tory donors Tate & Lyle in line to be the sole beneficiaries of rule changes on importing raw cane sugar post-Brexit, and will save £73m. And I'm sure it's just pure coincidence that David Davis used to work for them.

Ralph has gone a lot greyer in those two years. Although I suspect much of that happened on a certain Friday evening in October last year!

Because Billic wasn't actually doing too bad a job with what is arguably the weakest squad in the PL this season (a creditable draw at City last night), and Allardyce is never a good long-term option.

So it looks like WBA have panicked and pressed the Big Sam button.