Futbol Talk

[JWags85]

Congrats Harry Kane, officially added to the list of players that won a trophy once they left Spurs.

Also, this top 5 race in England is incredibly entertaining. Makes up for a poor title race and a poor relegation race.  The top 6 race in the Championship was also kind of a dud IMO, but the playoffs always seem to deliver

Eric Dier too.  Leaves Spurs for Bayern and immediately gets a trophy

[The Sultan]

Congrats Harry Kane, officially added to the list of players that won a trophy once they left Spurs.

Also, this top 5 race in England is incredibly entertaining. Makes up for a poor title race and a poor relegation race.  The top 6 race in the Championship was also kind of a dud IMO, but the playoffs always seem to deliver

Parachute payments are a problem. Recently relegated teams have such a strong financial advantage that it takes a lot of the intrigue out of the promotion battles. Of the last six teams relegated prior to this year, five have been promoted again (and two have been re-relegated). Since 2021-22, Burnley has been promoted or relegated each season.

That's why I hope a Sunderland, Coventry or Bristol City get through the playoffs rather than a Sheffield United squad that I'm sure will be relegated again next year...only to be replaced by Southampton.

[Its DJOver]

Parachute payments are a problem. Recently relegated teams have such a strong financial advantage that it takes a lot of the intrigue out of the promotion battles. Of the last six teams relegated prior to this year, five have been promoted again (and two have been re-relegated). Since 2021-22, Burnley has been promoted or relegated each season.

That's why I hope a Sunderland, Coventry or Bristol City get through the playoffs rather than a Sheffield United squad that I'm sure will be relegated again next year...only to be replaced by Southampton.

Yea I was hoping Blackburn could complete the late season surge.  They had a chance, especially since Sheffield has been spinning their tires since they knew they couldn't catch Leeds or Burnley. 

Getting some new blood in and hopefully sticking for a few seasons would be a nice change of pace after the last few years.  It's kind of incredible how poorly some of the Prem teams have been run, but still been able to stay up just because the newly promoted are at such a disadvantage. That's why it's nice to see your Forests/Brightons/Brentfords compete for Europe.

[JWags85]

Parachute payments are a problem. Recently relegated teams have such a strong financial advantage that it takes a lot of the intrigue out of the promotion battles. Of the last six teams relegated prior to this year, five have been promoted again (and two have been re-relegated). Since 2021-22, Burnley has been promoted or relegated each season.

That's why I hope a Sunderland, Coventry or Bristol City get through the playoffs rather than a Sheffield United squad that I'm sure will be relegated again next year...only to be replaced by Southampton.

And all 3 of those clubs have interesting storylines.  Sunderland would complete the climb back after the shambles of the last decade and change.  Coventry hasn't been in the EPL since the 90s and was all the way down in League 2 a few years ago (screw Frank Lampard, but he's done a good job).  And Bristol City hasn't been to the top since King Charles was a bachelor and William hadn't been born.  It would all be much more fun than Sheffield coming up to finish with 20 points again.

[drewm88]

I'm sure it's been discussed here in various places, but if you haven't watched Sunderland Til I Die, do. 2 seasons came out about 5-6 years ago, and then a mini season last year.

[Its DJOver]

The new US pinstripe away kit is the best one since the 2014 bomb pop (and very possibly even better), and nothing else is even close. Been a very long time since there was a "must buy" US kit, but this is it.

[The Sultan]

Look at Spurs winning a trophy.

And a well-deserved qualification to the Champions League next year.   

[Pakuni]

Look at Spurs winning a trophy.

And a well-deserved qualification to the Champions League next year.   

Very undeserving of them to qualify by doing exactly what it takes to qualify.

[jesmu84]

Spurs win a European trophy, qualify for champions league and then (likely) fire their manager

So poetic for that org. So spursy

[JWags85]

Spurs win a European trophy, qualify for champions league and then (likely) fire their manager

So poetic for that org. So spursy

Win a trophy and qualify for the CL...in a year they have their worst ever PL finish, and worst in the top division since the mid 70s.

[The Sultan]

Win a trophy and qualify for the CL...in a year they have their worst ever PL finish, and worst in the top division since the mid 70s.

More trophies than Arsenal and City combined this year - unless you are counting the Community Shield.

[Its DJOver]

Congrats to Spurs.  Think it's probably fair to say that Ange was coaching for his job. Can't really fire him now, but next year will be real interesting.  Lot of areas that could use improving.

[JWags85]

The Championship playoff to get the final promotion spot to the EPL is fun, but I personally love the Bundesliga set up.  The 16th place team in the Bundesliga (3rd from last) club plays the 3rd place in Bundesliga 2 in a home and home, and the winner plays in the Bundesliga next year.  The loser either gets relegated (or stays down).

[Billy Hoyle]

Sunderland are going up to the EPL. Quite a run after dropping to to League One just a few years ago. Getting a 27 year old Neopbaby owner certainly changed their fortunes. Hopefully they won't yo-yo like this season's promotion clubs.

[JWags85]

Sunderland are going up to the EPL. Quite a run after dropping to to League One just a few years ago. Getting a 27 year old Neopbaby owner certainly changed their fortunes. Hopefully they won't yo-yo like this season's promotion clubs.

Thoroughly outplayed most of the match but turned it on when it counted.  Also, in a fun quirk, Watson, who scored the game winner and most important Sunderland goal in the last decade, just signed for Brighton the other day, so it was basically his last moment in a Sunderland shirt and won't even be part of the squad next season.

Related, have a few buddies in London for the long holiday weekend.  None are big soccer fans, but obviously figured out what the buzz was about yesterday/into today.  Tried to find a pub to watch it at.  Headed to one near the hotel, tons of Sheffield United supporters.  Said they were kind of aggressive, not the good kind of rowdy, and frankly standoffish douchebags to them.  So they left, found the other pub they were considering.  Happened to have a chunk of Sunderland supporters, made a passing comment about how they were pulling for the Black Cats when getting a round, and said they practically got dragged over to join the contingent.  Got a pic during the second half of one of my buddies wearing a Sunderland kit someone had extra and given them to wear and one family had two pre teen aged boys who were obsessed with thinking the naive Yanks needed football nuances explained to them and making sure they knew the right way to celebrate.   Needless to say they were amped about the outcome.

[Billy Hoyle]

Thoroughly outplayed most of the match but turned it on when it counted.  Also, in a fun quirk, Watson, who scored the game winner and most important Sunderland goal in the last decade, just signed for Brighton the other day, so it was basically his last moment in a Sunderland shirt and won't even be part of the squad next season.

Related, have a few buddies in London for the long holiday weekend.  None are big soccer fans, but obviously figured out what the buzz was about yesterday/into today.  Tried to find a pub to watch it at.  Headed to one near the hotel, tons of Sheffield United supporters.  Said they were kind of aggressive, not the good kind of rowdy, and frankly standoffish douchebags to them.  So they left, found the other pub they were considering.  Happened to have a chunk of Sunderland supporters, made a passing comment about how they were pulling for the Black Cats when getting a round, and said they practically got dragged over to join the contingent.  Got a pic during the second half of one of my buddies wearing a Sunderland kit someone had extra and given them to wear and one family had two pre teen aged boys who were obsessed with thinking the naive Yanks needed football nuances explained to them and making sure they knew the right way to celebrate.   Needless to say they were amped about the outcome.

Really cool experience for your buddy!

I might go back and rewatch Sunderland Til I Die. It was bizarro "Welcome to Wrexham." A club and fanbase that kept experiencing new lows. Nice to see their loyalty rewarded.

[The Sultan]

Really cool experience for your buddy!

I might go back and rewatch Sunderland Til I Die. It was bizarro "Welcome to Wrexham." A club and fanbase that kept experiencing new lows. Nice to see their loyalty rewarded.

I feel happy for those people.

[JWags85]

Absolute dominance and demolition from PSG.  What a way to break the curse with flair.

How crazy, in the last 15 years since oil money took a decent but notable French club and launched them into a mega club, they've had the who's who of stars. Neymar, Messi, Zlatan, Mbappe, Buffon, Ramos, etc... legendary managers.  Now without a true global superstar, unless you count Dembele...they do it in absurd fashion

[Its DJOver]

Absolute dominance and demolition from PSG.  What a way to break the curse with flair.

How crazy, in the last 15 years since oil money took a decent but notable French club and launched them into a mega club, they've had the who's who of stars. Neymar, Messi, Zlatan, Mbappe, Buffon, Ramos, etc... legendary managers.  Now without a true global superstar, unless you count Dembele...they do it in absurd fashion

I just can't stop laughing at Mbappe. He's young enough and at a club where I'm sure he'll get one, but at the same time, the timing of everything is absolutely hilarious to me.

[JWags85]

I just can't stop laughing at Mbappe. He's young enough and at a club where I'm sure he'll get one, but at the same time, the timing of everything is absolutely hilarious to me.

The literal year after he left...and with a Barcelona man as the manager to boot.  You're right, it is hilarious.

It was really something.  If there is any a situation where a billion dollar juggernaut club could be an "plucky underdog" this was it.

First French winner in 22 years, only the second ever.

First big trophy in a decade for Luis Enrique who had kind of been in in the wilderness since that incredible 2015 season with Barca, despite marquee coaching gigs.  And add in his personal tragedy which made it all the more compelling.

The celebrations and jubilation with the 4th and 5th goals were really something.  It was exuberant catharsis in a game that was already well decided. Just so fun to watch

[The Sultan]

Man, this Club World Cup thing looks like it's going to be a dud. Some of the big clubs (like Madrid), and big games, are selling fine, but the Athletic is reporting that the opening night game with Inter Miami in Miami is tens of thousands short of a sell out.

I guess things may get better in the knockouts, but putting something like this in huge American stadiums was probably not a smart thing to do.

[JWags85]

Man, this Club World Cup thing looks like it's going to be a dud. Some of the big clubs (like Madrid), and big games, are selling fine, but the Athletic is reporting that the opening night game with Inter Miami in Miami is tens of thousands short of a sell out.

I guess things may get better in the knockouts, but putting something like this in huge American stadiums was probably not a smart thing to do.

I love high level club soccer, but this is just stupid and an unnecessary money grab.  Its just a mini Champions League with cannon fodder from the other continents   Maybe a punchers chance from the South American clubs, but nobody wants to watch Mamelodi Sundowns or Auckland City get obliterated.  And the international capped players that play for these top teams have too many games going already, its ridiculous.

It was fine when it was like 6 clubs, champions from each continent.  But this expansion is silly.

[Its DJOver]

Big Ange sacked. Was going to be a bad look either way.  "Why didn't you sack a manager that only got you 17th in the Prem?", or "How could you sack a manager that finally got you a trophy?".  I thought he would have been safe. Apparently targeting Thomas Frank.

[Pakuni]

Big Ange sacked. Was going to be a bad look either way.  "Why didn't you sack a manager that only got you 17th in the Prem?", or "How could you sack a manager that finally got you a trophy?".  I thought he would have been safe. Apparently targeting Thomas Frank.

#Levyout

[JWags85]

Big Ange sacked. Was going to be a bad look either way.  "Why didn't you sack a manager that only got you 17th in the Prem?", or "How could you sack a manager that finally got you a trophy?".  I thought he would have been safe. Apparently targeting Thomas Frank.

I think they kind of had to.  2 years ago was pretty bad, last year was decent, and this year was a domestic disaster.  I'd be surprised if he wasn't still in the Prem in a few years.  I think he'd be a great hire for a lower table club.

Part of the reason why it makes sense is cause there are two amazing candidates down the road, both Frank and Glasner at Palace