Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
The inevitable equaliser.
The TT Football Club
- Thread starter Ross K
- Start date
Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil
Talk Tennis Guru
Should have killed the game off. A piece of me dies whenever someone gets a draw after a late goal that was their only shot on target.
Luckily another 0-0 Old Trafford draw wouldn't be harmful.
Luckily another 0-0 Old Trafford draw wouldn't be harmful.
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
I dunno about that. When you see on the news things that happen in France, Sweden, London, throughout Germany etc.. Then it happens to you. It's bound to have a greater impact mentally than some gas pipe explosion or one off unhinged nutter.
TheAssassin
Legend
Once again Manchester United make it difficult for themselves. I would definitely blame Mourinho for this and I don't like doing that very often. Come on, you are dominating a relatively weaker side plus you don't have the incredible defensive wall you had in your previous clubs anyway. Score another, make the second leg just a formality. You complained about how much we have to play, well a better result today would have made it easier.
Same 1st leg result as the one against Rostov in the previous round, not an awful one, but it could have been so much better and safer. Not to mention that the other results tonight were good. Ajax won 2-0 against Schalke, I'd always fear Germans more than the Dutch. Celta won 3-2 at home so if Genk beat them in the 2nd leg, Europa League would have a Belgian side in the semifinal, and I'd always fear Spaniards more. Lyon barely won 2-1 at home against Besiktas so they have a dangerous trip to Turkey, anything can happen. Unfortunately Manchester United aren't safe either.
Same 1st leg result as the one against Rostov in the previous round, not an awful one, but it could have been so much better and safer. Not to mention that the other results tonight were good. Ajax won 2-0 against Schalke, I'd always fear Germans more than the Dutch. Celta won 3-2 at home so if Genk beat them in the 2nd leg, Europa League would have a Belgian side in the semifinal, and I'd always fear Spaniards more. Lyon barely won 2-1 at home against Besiktas so they have a dangerous trip to Turkey, anything can happen. Unfortunately Manchester United aren't safe either.
Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil
Talk Tennis Guru
There should be a thread "Once again, Manchester United's draw evaporates in 2 days".Once again Manchester United make it difficult for themselves. I would definitely blame Mourinho for this and I don't like doing that very often. Come on, you are dominating a relatively weaker side plus you don't have the incredible defensive wall you had in your previous clubs anyway. Score another, make the second leg just a formality. You complained about how much we have to play, well a better result today would have made it easier.
Same 1st leg result as the one against Rostov in the previous round, not an awful one, but it could have been so much better and safer. Not to mention that the other results tonight were good. Ajax won 2-0 against Schalke, I'd always fear Germans more than the Dutch. Celta won 3-2 at home so if Genk beat them in the 2nd leg, Europa League would have a Belgian side in the semifinal, and I'd always fear Spaniards more. Lyon barely won 2-1 at home against Besiktas so they have a dangerous trip to Turkey, anything can happen. Unfortunately Manchester United aren't safe either.
But it's true, even when presented with great opportunities we make it hard for ourselves. We are the Andy Murray of football.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Man United would have never taken care of the Wimbledon final the way Andy Murray did last year. Would have been a 180-178 in the fifth set win. What an insult to Andy.
Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil
Talk Tennis Guru
The GOAT Fa Cup goal turns 18 today.
Slice'n'dice
Hall of Fame
A bomb's a bomb frankly. Terrorism comes from all forms and ideologies, Islamic terrorism is just the most reported, and as you allude to, when they perpetrators aren't Muslim they tend to be identified as disturbed mentally ill people. LIke that guy who murdered Joe Cox last year, by every definition that is terrorism.
But the point is if you are nearly killed by a deliberate act be it terrorism or something else it's going to be traumatic, The particular reasons for being targeted are irrelevant, do you think survivors of IRA bombs for instance in decades gone by would be any less traumatised?
Anyway, don't want to go too much into this wouldn't want the long standing football thread to get deleted for what might be construed as political talk which they hate around here but I felt I needed to make the point.
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
Of course not, because that was the dominant threat to the British way of life at the time. Just as Dortmund played the game after being told they were targeted by the group who's threatened theirs. Same effect.
TheAssassin
Legend
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Spurs hot again today. Yes, yes, I'd love United to play like Spurs.
Vcore89
Talk Tennis Guru
Better than shipping away Rooney.
Vcore89
Talk Tennis Guru
If only they didn't betray Joe [sour grapes, yes? No!]. Feña14 should understand...my heart bleeds Blue.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Wear your sixpad with pride, mate.
Vcore89
Talk Tennis Guru
Should I be wearing them with manliner like Ronaldo and The Undertaker?! If you say so!
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Should I be wearing them with manliner like Ronaldo and The Undertaker?! If you say so!
The world is not ready for such a combination.
That commercial cracks me up for some reason. We have Messi on a plane with Kobe Bryant and then we have this with Ronaldo. I think it might just say it all. Depends if you want to dig deeper. I don't care. I'm just amused.
TheAssassin
Legend
Comeback win against Sporting Gijon away, crowned with a 90th minute winner by Isco. A lot of crucial late goals for Real this season, I like it.
Barcelona won their match as well, so it's a 3 point lead for Real who have a game in hand. Next weekend we have Real Madrid-Barcelona. Excited!
Barcelona won their match as well, so it's a 3 point lead for Real who have a game in hand. Next weekend we have Real Madrid-Barcelona. Excited!
Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil
Talk Tennis Guru
No way in hell are Barcelona beating Juventus (by 3+ goals) or Real Madrid, for several periods this season they have been absolute garbage. Messi should win this year's Ballon d'Or just for keeping them relevant until this point with all of his goals and general contribution.
TheAssassin
Legend
Real Madrid also have Sevilla and tricky Valencia after El Clasico, which comes after the 2nd leg against Bayern. They haven't been in incredible form like at the beginning of the season so nothing is a guarantee. Beating Barcelona would finally seal the title though.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Good start from United. Delicious counter attack goal.
Herrera
Red 'neutral' Nev sounding so enthusiastic in the commentary box.
Herrera
Red 'neutral' Nev sounding so enthusiastic in the commentary box.
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TheAssassin
Legend
Pleasantly surprised with that result. I thought this would be a low scoring draw due to our poor home record recently, or a narrow Chelsea win as we didn't beat them in quite a while. Always a delight winning points that you weren't expecting before the game.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
It was superb.
Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil
Talk Tennis Guru
Herrera is insane, I'd think he is some long time supporter of this club from Manchester judging by how much he fights for it. Amazing how much he as well as our academy boys pressed the opponents, they couldn't do anything.
I hope Mourinho will outsmart Pep and Wenger when we travel at their grounds as well (not optimistic against Spurs though), this was brilliant. Not a single shot on target by the league leaders, while we had opportunities for more.
Moving on to Anderlecht, God I hope we won't make a mess of the 2nd leg like we did of the 1st.
Four and a half freaking years! I was afraid I'd be telling my children about our last win over Chelsea, so frustrating!
I hope Mourinho will outsmart Pep and Wenger when we travel at their grounds as well (not optimistic against Spurs though), this was brilliant. Not a single shot on target by the league leaders, while we had opportunities for more.
Moving on to Anderlecht, God I hope we won't make a mess of the 2nd leg like we did of the 1st.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
On to Anderlecht tomorrow, mate. Time to smoke a funny cigar and savour the win. Tonight is the time to wind some Chelsea mates up. They give so they can take.
But yes, it worked well today. Right decision starting Rashford. All about his pace. woooo
But yes, it worked well today. Right decision starting Rashford. All about his pace. woooo
TheAssassin
Legend
By beating Chelsea, Jose Mourinho has now registered at least one win over all 34 Premier League opponents he managed against. Nice collection you got there, Special One.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Fired Chelsea managers have a knack for making Blues eyes crying in the rain.
A very nice Redemption for the early Boxer's Day present just a year and a half ago.
Ranieri took more than a decade to cash in his ticket for a dish served cold and it was along the way to earning a title so that will always be special. Today was nice, just not extra nice.
A very nice Redemption for the early Boxer's Day present just a year and a half ago.
Ranieri took more than a decade to cash in his ticket for a dish served cold and it was along the way to earning a title so that will always be special. Today was nice, just not extra nice.
Slice'n'dice
Hall of Fame
If your life is threatened it's pretty irrelevant. Watching from afar you might have a point(although I doubt it somehow if bombs are going off in your town then that's a more significant factor). But if you're there it's more about the fact "i could've died" or whatever.
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Slice'n'dice
Hall of Fame
Chelsea looked pathetic on Match Of the Day, Alonso that important eh?
Title well and truly back on then, makes it interesting I supose, shame they couldn't start the choke job a week later.
Title well and truly back on then, makes it interesting I supose, shame they couldn't start the choke job a week later.
rainingaces
Legend
Meaningless match, manu will finish 5th and probably win the Europa League to qualify for the Champions league and Chelsea will beat Tottenham next week.
Slice'n'dice
Hall of Fame
Pretty much on the money, although I think Spurs could win the semi-final. Their run in looks tougher too so chances are it's still gonna be Chelsea, still makes it a bit more interesting though.
T
Tiki-Taka
Guest
So Chelsea failed to register a single shot on target in a Premier League match, for the first time since September 2007. Man United stopped them back then as well.
Glad to see this result, it wasn't expected, it made the title race a bit interesting. Mourinho's squad have shown potential, this match should be their guidance for the future.
Winning the FA Cup semifinal could give the winner some momentum and make the loser shaky, so that's the match that shouldn't be missed.
Glad to see this result, it wasn't expected, it made the title race a bit interesting. Mourinho's squad have shown potential, this match should be their guidance for the future.
Winning the FA Cup semifinal could give the winner some momentum and make the loser shaky, so that's the match that shouldn't be missed.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Yeah, I was glad United won. but also glad it kept the gap at only 4 points for the neutral in me. Already mentioned above, but I see Spurs slipping up. I guess it is just the natural order. Maybe they will change it. I know Chelsea have bounced back well before. Could be going to the well once too many.
Slice'n'dice
Hall of Fame
That result also means Chelsea no longer can break the points record, which they did theoretically still have a chance of doing. Still not convinced of Spurs mentally though, pundits keep saying how much better they look on that front, but it wasn't until late in the season the cracks showed last time. Fair play to them though/
Liverpool also won today, it was good. Pretty boring match but West Brom a tough place to go, any win will do. See Tony Pulis trying to defend his style after the match, Tony when nearly half of your goals come from set pieces, characterising you as a set piece specialist team is pretty fair mate.
Meanwhile Alberto Moreno has demonstrated the trajectory of his career.
Going from this -
To this -
Nice one Alberto.
Liverpool also won today, it was good. Pretty boring match but West Brom a tough place to go, any win will do. See Tony Pulis trying to defend his style after the match, Tony when nearly half of your goals come from set pieces, characterising you as a set piece specialist team is pretty fair mate.
Meanwhile Alberto Moreno has demonstrated the trajectory of his career.
Going from this -
To this -
Nice one Alberto.
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
It's human nature to be be affected by whatever the main threat may be to your way of life, be that terrorism today, climate, diseases back in the day etc.. If our ancestors weren't honest with themselves about it, we wouldn't be here today.
Interesting, you didn't think it was expected? Man Utd haven't lost a game in the league for 20+ matches. A draw would of been a pretty good result, but yeah, having to make 3 changes to the back 6 just before kick off made it difficult.
You have to expect those things though, so no excuses. I've said all year that not strengthening in January would cost us at some point, Moses was injured for 2 games and the whole balance of the team was thrown out, same again with Alonso today. 1 player in the entire squad for a key position will always end up hurting you.
As for the title race, it doesn't really change much in my eyes. This was a hard run for Chelsea (Palace in great form fighting to avoid relegation, Bournemouth are strong at home and in the same boat, Man City, Man Utd). Tottenham had a safe Watford at home, Bournemouth who are abysmal away, a slumping Burnley and their toughest game, Swansea away (which they were losing for 91 minutes).
They have Palace away, Arsenal, Man Utd and Leicester away coming up to close the season. Once we get through the Southampton and Everton games it's a relatively easy schedule like Spurs have just had. Big picture not a whole lot has changed.
T
Tiki-Taka
Guest
I know they are on a long unbeaten run but a lot of them were draws, some of those barely rescued. Also I was aware that Chelsea have had good results against Man United in the past few years.
Chelsea still in control and will win it IMO but it's nicer that it's a 4 point difference than 10+ which was the case a month or two ago. Back then it was Chelsea running away and the other five teams fighting for the Champions League spots. Reminded me a bit of the situation that's going on in Bundesliga now and that is not something the football audience would want to see.
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
Yeah they've been a tough team to beat, which is why going in I was looking at a draw being a decent result. It's a shame about those late changes and shuffling the whole back line around, we just never really got going. Man Utd played well and could still of won, but it's a shame it wasn't really a contest in the end.
Well the newspapers and media are certainly hyping it up! Haha. It is good for the league I suppose, but realistically there's a handful of games left and the team who's 4 points clear have the easier fixtures so it doesn't really mean all that much. Makes next year more interesting though for sure, if the season were starting now you could take your pick from 4 teams realistically to win it.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
COYS!
Very happy to see Brighton getting promoted to the top flight for the first time in 34 years. Since then they've nearly fallen out of the football league and gone out of business, and they've had a few playoff defeats over the past few years.
Hughton seems like a guy nice and he is clearly a very good manager. Over the years has done very well at Newcastle before being very harshly sacked, Birmingham in difficult circumstances when their owner was facing money laundering charges, Norwich and now Brighton.
Hughton seems like a guy nice and he is clearly a very good manager. Over the years has done very well at Newcastle before being very harshly sacked, Birmingham in difficult circumstances when their owner was facing money laundering charges, Norwich and now Brighton.
Mourinho has won the league title during the second season of each of his past 5 managerial positions; Porto in 2003 (or 2004 in his second full season as he joined midway through 2001/2002), Chelsea in 2006, Inter in 2010, Real Madrid in 2012 and Chelsea again in 2015.
With the strength in depth of Man Utd's squad already, including a lot of talented young players, and the fact that they will inevitably spend a lot of money over the summer, and I think that there is an excellent chance that he will continue that trend next season. I still think that they have underachieved in the league this season as they should have been closer to title contention with their squad and options, but I'm sure that they will be the real deal next season.
Regarding the title race this season, I would love to see Spurs overhauling Chelsea, but I think that Chelsea will win enough points from their remaining games to hold them off. Spurs look so well balanced combining exciting attacking play with a rock solid defence, and I really hope that Pochettino stays there for a long time to come.
With the strength in depth of Man Utd's squad already, including a lot of talented young players, and the fact that they will inevitably spend a lot of money over the summer, and I think that there is an excellent chance that he will continue that trend next season. I still think that they have underachieved in the league this season as they should have been closer to title contention with their squad and options, but I'm sure that they will be the real deal next season.
Regarding the title race this season, I would love to see Spurs overhauling Chelsea, but I think that Chelsea will win enough points from their remaining games to hold them off. Spurs look so well balanced combining exciting attacking play with a rock solid defence, and I really hope that Pochettino stays there for a long time to come.
TheAssassin
Legend
They made a mess of this league season, those numerous frustrating draws could have been avoided. But so far Man United aren't going in a bad direction. Youth is given a chance and great players are being brought.
Yes even in the early stage of the season when they were drawing at home to the likes of Burnley, there were still clear signs of improvement from the LVG era, i.e. getting the ball forward with more speed and creating a lot of chances, rather than sideways passing and struggling to get any shots on target.
But regardless of their league finish, if they end the season having won both the Europa League and League Cup, which would give them more major trophies this season alone than Liverpool in the last 11 years (and more than Spurs won from 2000-2016), then I think it's been a success overall. And unlike finishing 4th, I think that winning the Europa League would give them a direct passage into the Champions League group stage without having to play qualifying round.
But regardless of their league finish, if they end the season having won both the Europa League and League Cup, which would give them more major trophies this season alone than Liverpool in the last 11 years (and more than Spurs won from 2000-2016), then I think it's been a success overall. And unlike finishing 4th, I think that winning the Europa League would give them a direct passage into the Champions League group stage without having to play qualifying round.
TheAssassin
Legend
Agree on that. More direct, more creative, it simply felt alive most of the time. If Mourinho sets up the perfect tactics more often in the future as well like he did against Chelsea then it's a very promising future.
About the bold part, that is correct, and the only thing that would change that is Leicester winning the Champions League. If that happens, then Manchester United, assuming they finish outside top 4 but win the Europa League, would have to play the final qualifying round, while the 4th team in England would miss out on Champions League completely.
Ah ok thanks for the information there. I have to admit that this sort of thing always confuses me !
Regarding Leicester, since they won their first 6 matches under Shakespeare to pretty much guarantee league survival and overcome Sevilla, I think that overall it's been a successful season for them. As long as they avoided relegation, it was far more important for them to have a good run in their one and only season in the Champions League and make the most of this big dream, than it was to finish a few places higher up in the Premier League.
They have done something which Man Utd and Chelsea haven't achieved since 2014 (3 years without a deep CL run is a long time for clubs of that size), Spurs haven't since 2011, Arsenal haven't since 2010 and Liverpool haven't since 2009, reach a Champions League quarter-final. Yes they had a easy group, but then again they've had a noticeably weaker squad and smaller wage bill than those other clubs so it all evens out. And many of those bigger clubs have messed up in easy Champions League groups over the years anyway.
TheAssassin
Legend
Honestly I don't follow the rules myself, this is just something I read accidentally while going through football news.
It has been a good season and after their miracle league win you couldn't blame them for whatever they did after it anyway. Shame that Ranieri got sacked, managers just can't have any breathing space in today's game.
Those were great days when English teams were regular in final stages of CL. Maybe you ignored them on purpose but since we are talking about English teams, City reached the CL semifinal last season. Didn't think they played impressively that season at all but a newly born project like them will take all the positives from that deep run I guess.
I did ignore City on purpose due to their SF run last year, but overall the fact that they've only progressed beyond the last 16 once in the their 6 attempts is poor, given how much money they've spent on transfers and wages.
Yes they've had some tough draws, not least being drawn in the same group as Bayern, Barcelona or Real Madrid in 5 of those 6 years, but still I think they should have made more of mark in the competition by now. The Barcelona team that beat them in 2014 for instance weren't exactly unstoppable.
Overall since Chelsea's success in 2012, the record of Premier League teams in the Champions League has been very poor given their financial power. Assuming Leicester don't overcome Atletico, it would be just 2 semi-final appearances by Premier League teams in the past 5 years.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Come on Real
Come on Atletico
Gambling is bad, but I couldn't resist the 7-1 double.
MON.
Come on Atletico
Gambling is bad, but I couldn't resist the 7-1 double.
MON.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Get in.
