4 hours ago, est1874 said:

Say what you want about their achievements, how good and stacked they are, what a good coach he is, their football bores the **** tits off me.

At least Liverpool, as unbearable as their fans are, are mightily exciting to watch. Their dynamic counterattacking football will beat out Pep's endless plodding passing for entertainment value all day long. 

I find the same with Arsenal - which was why the 0-0 bore draw between Pep and Pep Jr on the weekend was tame and timid.

In the top 5, Liverpool, Spurs and us play the more entertaining football.

I'm not sure I understand the vitriol towards Unai, nor the expectation around this one.

• Arsenal couldn't beat Citeh at the Etihad.
• Liverpool couldn't beat them at home
• Man City have not lost a game since.... checks records ... us!
• The team that last beat Man City (us, btw) retained only 1 of the front 6 that defeated them - largely due to injuries and suspensions

And after all that - I still think it would have been a closer game had we not gifted the 2nd by a simple error. And this while fielding a young and mostly 2nd string side!

I'm disappointed with the result, but excited for where we are heading.

Rodri the difference. Foden's finishing was great.

From our lot, only Chambers concerns me. Would be happy to see him leave. The rest did well all things considered - the 2nd goal was the killer.

Chambers

Actually a really nice goal from Citeh. Can't fault anyone there - Rodri a little lucky with a fortunate bounce from the challenge.

Unfortunately, Luiz needs to come off. Can't afford a 2nd yellow and with the amount of defending we are doing it seems inevitable.

Jump & twist: Not how you react in a wall.

.... this is going to hurt, isn't it.

In the few minutes I have watched:

• Diego can't do a simple clearance
• Irog turns it over under little pressure
• Olsen kicks the ball to no-one
• Zaniolo can't make a 5 metre pass
• Rodri scores

Well... that was comfortable. Great result

3 things I learned:

• Moreno probably needs a spell. Digne is well in front, imo.
• I usually count the amount of times Zaniolo retains possession on 1 hand. Today was the opposite. Good signs.
• That was probably the tamest "derby" I can remember. We were supremely comfortable despite their early possession.

Southgate to ManUre?

When we finish above them this season....

... it's going to be fun seeing the gap widen the next!

2 hours ago, spiezels said:

West ham ffs.

Where in Sydney are ya, are there ever any meet ups? If we get conference final for example.

Am working in sydney until July.

A bit off topic but:

I'm unaware of any meetups, sadly. Perhaps any other posters from Sydney can help there.

One thing I do know: Getting to a pub to watch Villa in the conference final will be difficult. Firstly, it's waaaay low on the radar here as far as sport goes. You'd more likely see a repeat of an NRL game from the previous weekend. Secondly, if it's played at a similar time as our games against Ajax - that's 7am down here. Most places aren't even open yet.

Mings has "gone viral" down here, apparently.

In his recent upload of his workout, there were 2 NRL jersey's on the wall (for Manly -  traditionally the club everyone loves to hate - and one for Newcastle)....

... but here is what the mainstream media had to say down here (emphasis mine):

Quote

Fans lose it at Aussie detail in Premier League star’s viral video

Social media users have been left in disbelief over one detail in the background of a football star’s video that whipped around social media.

English Premier League star Tyrone Mings has gone viral after posting an update in his recovery from a horror ACL injury.

The West Ham United centre back suffered the nightmare knee injury in August when the club fell to Newcastle.

.... I am so ashamed to be an Aussie

They got it right by the end of the article, mind. Full article here (not worth reading): https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/fans-lose-it-at-aussie-detail-in-premier-league-stars-viral-video/news-story/8bd2c441a2a4e393c00742990fe6a194

9 minutes ago, colhint said:

I think we should look at overseas refs and offer them positions. A bit like teams transfers.  A prem ref makes over £100k a year up that by 50% it'll cost the FA less than a couple of mill. If the league buys the best players from around the world, why not the best officials.

Also employ more technicians in the var room. At the moment it's a bit like watching a  granddad using tiktok.

... our ref against Wham _was_ from overseas.

Good point away and a decent performance all things considered.

3 things I learned:

• Duran is a talent, but he's not a starter. Yet.
• Zaniolo does have something to his game. ....Maybe.
• There's credit cards, PayPal, cheques and ApplePay - but Konsa is not a suitable substitute for Cash.

Gillet will give this. Since when do you ask a ref to check handball?

off Soucek's arm

Of all the possible people it could fall to in the box.... Konsa.

Just now, AV82 said:

Has no options.

He has Martinez. Always

Konsa starting to annoy me with his dithering on the ball

Thought we started well, but after 20 minutes the back 5 (including Martinez) have been inventing ways to turn over possession casually/lazily/stupidly.

The shining example being Konsa's appalling "free kick" to Lenglet. It was only 2 more passages of play and they scored.

Duran: I score, or the keeper sacrifices an arm trying to stop me.

MannsVerk. Yellow early in the first leg then consistent fouling thereafter - gets away with it.

Karma. See ya.

In a match with a card happy ref....

... not sure Duran will see out the last 60 minutes

Diaby looking sharp!

Watkins down, season over?