The TT Football Club

[Gizo]

Folks if you're going to talk sandwiches at least keep it Portuguese and make it about bifanas.

I do like a good Bifana, and have that pretty much every time I go to Portugal. The Prego is good as well, though I first shocked when people were eating that as a dessert.

I can't stomach the Francesinha though as that is too heavy and gut busting for me !

 

[Gizo]

It will be weird to be at the Braga-Sporting match in person on November 10th with Amorim in the Sporting dugout, before he is then officially in charge at Man Utd the following day. Hopefully his time at Sporting ends strongly. Normally I would want my football manager team Braga to beat anyone in Portugal, but I would quite like to see Sporting go on to defend their title, so the more points on the board before Amorim leaves the better.

I was happy that Sporting negotiated this approach to Amorim's departure (maybe he was completely happy with it from the start), as if any club is going to lose their manager and 5 members of his backroom team to another club mid-season, it's fair enough for there to be some sort of notice period to help ease the transition as much as possible.

A couple of other things. I'll miss Amorim's press conferences in Portuguese before and after Sporting games. There are some managers whose press conferences are great, and there others whose conferences are more tedious than reading a drilling manual while waiting for a dentist appointment. He is definitely in the first category. He speaks excellent English, but purely due to my own personal preference, I think that he should conduct all of his press conferences at Man Utd in Portuguese.

Also people such at those at Sky and the like (actually paid to cover football) continually and incorrectly referring to Sporting as 'Sporting Lisbon' is pretty poor. The word Lisbon / Lisboa isn't even in their title, so it's both wrong and inefficiently and unnecessarily adding an extra word at the same time.

 

[Feña14]

Folks if you're going to talk sandwiches at least keep it Portuguese and make it about bifanas.

He’s trading in Bifanas and Pastel de nata’s for a cheese cob and a Chorley cake

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Come on prosciutto e funghi is such a classic pizza type.

Just something that will never ever agree with me. Even the smell of them is enough to make me feel sick.

 

[SempreSami]

I do like a good Bifana, and have that pretty much every time I go to Portugal. The Prego is good as well, though I first shocked when people were eating that as a dessert.

I can't stomach the Francesinha though as that is too heavy and gut busting for me !

lol yes I remember someone telling me that Portuguese food isn't as refined even compared with say, their neighbours in Spain, and I thought 'whatever could they mean?' after which I was shown what the Francesinha was.

 

[bezs]

Don't recall United ever playing with three at the back, will take some getting used to.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

 

[optic yellow]

Just something that will never ever agree with me. Even the smell of them is enough to make me feel sick.

Well you are British so realistically I can't judge.

 

[optic yellow]

It's all official now. Ruben Amorim announced as new Manchester United manager, oops, getting that wrong again, our new head coach. Yeah, the first time we've had the head coach title at Man Utd, Yeah, I know, semantics, Lex, but still worth a mention to keep things right. His duties begin November `11th.


That's where I'd have to improve, I never leave myself in position to make more than one free sub, maybe I've got it to 2 once in history, so hoping the replacements can do something. Cost myself 12 points this week. Still holding on to Luis Diaz, he did contribute vs Arsenal, but I need my big guns out there every week.

USA USA USA USA

What is the publicly stated reason for this change?

 

[Poisoned Slice]

USA USA USA USA

What is the publicly stated reason for this change?

I'd be thinking it is Ineos' way of letting us know Man Utd are finally moving into the 21st century. Not much details really , it feels like standard practice now with the head coach title. Letting us know they have the structure in place now so Ruben can concentrate on the training field. It's a bit like me on football manager, I've been doing it for years, click delegate and leave tactics to me, but everything else to other people. If I'm really struggling to find players or something then I'll put somebody else in charge of that as well.

Delegate delegate delegate.

 

[Gizo]

I'm starting to become concerned by our away form, but hopefully he can continue the strong home form against Sheffield Utd today. Against Watford last week, we contrived to lose a match that we probably should have won fairly comfortably.

It still feels weird that we've had so many matches moved from the standard Saturday 3pm slot for TV coverage this season, including this game at lunch-time.

Apart from me and about 6 other people, I can't imagine there's a big demand for Blackburn games to be on TV.

 

[Gizo]

Another routine day at the office for Gyokeres with 4 more goals, a penalty in-between 3 very well taken finishes and 2 nice assits by Trincão. That's just the 66 goals in 65 games for him at Sporting now. Maybe a story will emerge about how he was close to joining Blackburn in the past, but he got stuck in traffic on the motorway and missed the transfer deadline or something.

I read stats that Amorim's time at Sporting with now end with a 22 match winning streak in home league games, and a 27 match winning streak in all domestic home games (including 5 in the cups). Not bad ! And they still have a 100% record in the league this season, though yesterday's game was more competitive than the scoreline suggested. I forgot that Nani was still playing, and when he came on for Estrela the Sporting fans rightly game him a standing ovation.

While Amorim clearly wants a few Sporting players to join him at Man Utd, he has pledged that he / Man Utd will not come in for any of them in January, which again I think is a sensible and practical goodwill gesture. He also said that he asked Man Utd whether he could instead make the move in the summer, but understandably they said no and that it had to be immediate (well after the notice period), not wanting to repeat the situation from 3 seasons with Rangnick as the caretaker manager and having no authority before Ten Hag came in.

 

[Feña14]

I'm starting to become concerned by our away form, but hopefully he can continue the strong home form against Sheffield Utd today. Against Watford last week, we contrived to lose a match that we probably should have won fairly comfortably.

It still feels weird that we've had so many matches moved from the standard Saturday 3pm slot for TV coverage this season, including this game at lunch-time.

Apart from me and about 6 other people, I can't imagine there's a big demand for Blackburn games to be on TV.

I believe a lot of them are on that Sky Sports + channel?

Something like each team gets 24 games, guaranteed. Which sounds pretty good to me!

If you’re not a Man Utd or Liverpool fan, you’re lucky if you get 20% of your teams games shown.

And let’s be honest, the coverage for the rest of the teams is pretty poor. Take tomorrow for instance.. how much attention are Spurs, Villa and Chelsea going to get? It’ll be 5 hours of wall to wall Yanited coverage with Neville and Keane, as per usual

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Lol @ Arsenal

 

[Gizo]

A pretty sobering defeat today. Sheffield Utd didn't have to get out of 2nd gear to beat us, and our lack of quality, especially on the wings, was telling, with next to so service for Ohashi.

Makhtar Gueye's most notable contribution so far has been stupidly getting sent off against Burnley. He has looked poor and off the pace, and at the moment I don't see what's he actually contributing.

Joe Rankin Costello's attempted clearance for their opening goal summed things up.

Sheffield Utd, alongside Birmingham City, are one of the clubs that aren't local rivals that I have an irrational dislike for. Bramall Lane is a pretty uncomfortable and horrible ground to go to as an away fan (unlike Hillsborough which is great), and we have habit of being 'roughed up' and bullied by then whenever we play them.

 

[Fabresque]

Arsenal FC 2024/25: Title Charge

 

[Gizo]

I believe a lot of them are on that Sky Sports + channel?

Something like each team gets 24 games, guaranteed. Which sounds pretty good to me!

If you’re not a Man Utd or Liverpool fan, you’re lucky if you get 20% of your teams games shown.

And let’s be honest, the coverage for the rest of the teams is pretty poor. Take tomorrow for instance.. how much attention are Spurs, Villa and Chelsea going to get? It’ll be 5 hours of wall to wall Yanited coverage with Neville and Keane, as per usual

Yes all midweek and bank holiday Championship games midweek, plus those on the final day of the season, are automatically televised and can be watched using the red button which is great. Sometimes it sounds like they've picked out the commentators from the nearest pub, but that can't be helped !

It's funny that because we're in the Championship, more of our games on televised compared to if we were in the Premier League - another reason to support our 'deliberate' 12 year plus boycott of the Premier League ! It's kind of absurd that it's more difficult to watch your team on TV nowadays if you're club is the Premier League, especially if they aren't one of the giants.

At least 20 of our league games this season were automatically guaranteed to be televised due to the Sky Sports + arrangement, and we've already had a few 'main event' weekend games already, so our final tally will be pretty high come the end of the season.

Last season 25 of Leeds' league games were televised. With this new Sky Sports + arrangement, with so many of their weekend games moved for TV coverage as they're clearly the biggest driver of ratings outside the Premier League, I'd assume they’ll have around / at least 35 televised games.

 

[Feather]

Liverpool back on top ..

Arsenal, Man City lost..

Hope Palmer scores two goals against United tomorrow.. he is my captain

 

[Feather]

@Feña14

Sir, you have Salah and Palmer combo.. felt happy to see that..you played wildcard, I suppose

 

[Feña14]

Yes all midweek and bank holiday Championship games midweek, plus those on the final day of the season, are automatically televised and can be watched using the red button which is great. Sometimes it sounds like they've picked out the commentators from the nearest pub, but that can't be helped !

It's funny that because we're in the Championship, more of our games on televised compared to if we were in the Premier League - another reason to support our 'deliberate' 12 year plus boycott of the Premier League ! It's kind of absurd that it's more difficult to watch your team on TV nowadays if you're club is the Premier League, especially if they aren't one of the giants.

At least 20 of our league games this season were automatically guaranteed to be televised due to the Sky Sports + arrangement, and we've already had a few 'main event' weekend games already, so our final tally will be pretty high come the end of the season.

Last season 25 of Leeds' league games were televised. With this new Sky Sports + arrangement, with so many of their weekend games moved for TV coverage as they're clearly the biggest driver of ratings outside the Premier League, I'd assume they’ll have around / at least 35 televised games.

It sounds pretty good to me! It’s been talked about for awhile, having something like that for the Premier League. A Netflix style kind of thing. I can understand some of the reasons they don’t want it, people more likely to attend lower league games and all that.. but let’s be honest, that’s a load of rubbish. It’s a money thing at the end of the day.

Fortunately I have “the stick”, the second half of the 3pm games is always incredible! Last week was pretty special with the Brentford/Ipswich 4-3 with the injury time goals and the late comeback for Wolves.. but today was good too. Was flicking between watching Liverpool try and cling on, Man City try and come back, Leicester with the late come back, drama for Everton against Southampton etc.. you never know where to look.

It’s crazy that people in the UK haven’t got to see any of that the last few weeks.

I know Man Utd get a lot of coverage, but can you believe they didn’t get to see ETH’s last game in charge last Sunday? Maybe they’re grateful for that, but it just doesn’t seem right.

 

[Feña14]

@Feña14

Sir, you have Salah and Palmer combo.. felt happy to see that..you played wildcard, I suppose

You’ve inspired me!

The only issue is I need to catch you up, and now our teams look more similar, which makes that more difficult.

I didn’t use the wildcard, I sold Haaland. It’s actually crazy the things you can do without him. I feel like a billionaire with all the funds going spare.

Just for fun, have a play around with trying to fit Haaland into your team. Obviously don’t press confirm, but I think you’ll be pretty shocked by how weak the rest of your team is with him in it.

Gives you a good idea of what our opponents, the people we are hoping to beat are working with. Know your enemy and all that

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Up the Arse title challenge is quite frankly taking it up arse. Pardon the crudeness. Enjoy your evening.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Shame on me, I almost forgot.

ArTEtA OUt!

 

[Feña14]

Up the Arse title challenge is quite frankly taking it up arse. Pardon the crudeness. Enjoy your evening.

I’d love to know how you managed to get that posted as you intended. It always censors my attempts

We played Newcastle twice in the last week.. they’re a tough team. Was going to be a struggle for Arsenal, or any top team.

I think they’re missing Odegaard like crazy. As I’ve said before, Saka is a fantastic mortal being.. but he’s not an elite player. He’s not going to produce a moment of magic, he’s a complimentary piece to an alpha. One of the minor Avengers, but an Avenger nonetheless. Then the rest of the team is just very workmanlike and picked because they’re 6’3 and can win a duel. Not a great formula for success.

But yes, much like Chelsea got unlucky in being the first team to face Man Utd post ETH. It looks like Odegaard will be returning for Arsenal next week, where they play? Yep, you guessed it!

 

[Gizo]

In the space of a few weeks, it seems that Souness has questioned whether Arsene Wenger and Jason Wilcox are real ‘footballing men’.

That club is clearly more restrictive than I thought. Maybe he’ll next have doubts over whether Carlo Ancelotti and Vinícius Jr fit the bill as well.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

I’d love to know how you managed to get that posted as you intended. It always censors my attempts

We played Newcastle twice in the last week.. they’re a tough team. Was going to be a struggle for Arsenal, or any top team.

I think they’re missing Odegaard like crazy. As I’ve said before, Saka is a fantastic mortal being.. but he’s not an elite player. He’s not going to produce a moment of magic, he’s a complimentary piece to an alpha. One of the minor Avengers, but an Avenger nonetheless. Then the rest of the team is just very workmanlike and picked because they’re 6’3 and can win a duel. Not a great formula for success.

But yes, much like Chelsea got unlucky in being the first team to face Man Utd post ETH. It looks like Odegaard will be returning for Arsenal next week, where they play? Yep, you guessed it!

It must be the classy word play.

I like that comparison. Ladies and gentlemen, we're delighted to announce that Bukayo Saka has signed a new 5 year contract with +1 possibility.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

I was listening to the new head coach talking. Yes, it's clear, he doesn't talk in anagrams like Erik Ten Hag. He made it clear that it was kind of a now or never situation, maybe that;s a bit extreme, but INEOS wanted him right now while he wanted to stay at Sporting until the end of the season. He said he wouldn't try to raid Sporting in January. Time will tell. Who knows about the future though, since United have been following those 6 players.

 

[Feña14]

I was listening to the new head coach talking. Yes, it's clear, he doesn't talk in anagrams like Erik Ten Hag. He made it clear that it was kind of a now or never situation, maybe that;s a bit extreme, but INEOS wanted him right now while he wanted to stay at Sporting until the end of the season. He said he wouldn't try to raid Sporting in January. Time will tell. Who knows about the future though, since United have been following those 6 players.

January will be interesting! You’d think other clubs will sense blood in the water, but I don’t think there’s any need for them to sell. The players will still be in demand in the summer, more likely to get a bidding war then too.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

@Federer and Del Potro Arsenal title challenge.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Another lousy day for Prat FC. No luck at all because Van De Ven is out, but Kilman is sub 2 (1 point) while Livramento is sub 3 (6 points) Grrr. Then we have Evanilson on the bench as well. I have some players remaining but nobody that can really help me catch anybody.

Fans saying I'm afraid to drop Haaland and I'd have to say they are right. I have no defense here. You're right.

''This one more week policy will leave us over 1000 points behind before we hit Christmas! Casemiro out.''

 

[Feña14]

Another lousy day for Prat FC. No luck at all because Van De Ven is out, but Kilman is sub 2 (1 point) while Livramento is sub 3 (6 points) Grrr. Then we have Evanilson on the bench as well. I have some players remaining but nobody that can really help me catch anybody.

Fans saying I'm afraid to drop Haaland and I'd have to say they are right. I have no defense here. You're right.

''This one more week policy will leave us over 1000 points behind before we hit Christmas! Casemiro out.''

I’ve just listened to Goldbridge’s take on the games today.

He’s a fan of a City defender called Vardy-El. Scored today, apparently. Might be worth a look!

As for Badge In FC. It’s been a decent couple of weeks. I’ve gone from 6th to on the coattails of the leading 2. @Feather and @Gizo are just out of reach at the moment, but all to play for!

 

[Poisoned Slice]

I’ve just listened to Goldbridge’s take on the games today.

He’s a fan of a City defender called Vardy-El. Scored today, apparently. Might be worth a look!

As for Badge In FC. It’s been a decent couple of weeks. I’ve gone from 6th to on the coattails of the leading 2. @Feather and @Gizo are just out of reach at the moment, but all to play for!

Vardy-El has been so important for City, what a player. I see you had your own sub problem today with Aina and his 15. looking like the battle over four fourth and fifth will be the main attraction for the league this season, although that might be too optimistic.

 

[Feña14]

Vardy-El has been so important for City, what a player. I see you had your own sub problem today with Aina and his 15. looking like the battle over four fourth and fifth will be the main attraction for the league this season, although that might be too optimistic.

Ahh, don’t remind me. I changed Lewis and Aina’s position in the team about 20 times this week. Obviously I stayed with the wrong option!

When in doubt, always pick the Cobham graduate, is my philosophy moving forward

Well you never know, hopefully you get 4th. 5th place gets a Conference League spot and you’ll have to travel to east Kazakhstan in mid December for an away fixture. No hot chocolate and Arthur Christmas for you next year, if that’s the case!

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Credit to the writer of this quality one-liner

''The gap between Liverpool and Arsenal is now so big you can fit a Forest in there.''

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Ahh, don’t remind me. I changed Lewis and Aina’s position in the team about 20 times this week. Obviously I stayed with the wrong option!

When in doubt, always pick the Cobham graduate, is my philosophy moving forward

Well you never know, hopefully you get 4th. 5th place gets a Conference League spot and you’ll have to travel to east Kazakhstan in mid December for an away fixture. No hot chocolate and Arthur Christmas for you next year, if that’s the case!

I don't want to disrespect @optic yellow by saying 4tth and 5gth because he can still challenge the top 3, so maybe it will be 5th and 6th, me and kralingen battling for the prestigious 5th.

Can hear what you're saying about Odegaard, then that lazy quote about Arteta being a Mourinho type, but even their defensive play is taking a hit, ''Saliba and Gabriel haven't been as good as last season.'' etc Not that I'm complaining. haha

 

[Feña14]

I don't want to disrespect @optic yellow by saying 4tth and 5gth because he can still challenge the top 3, so maybe it will be 5th and 6th, me and kralingen battling for the prestigious 5th.

Can hear what you're saying about Odegaard, then that lazy quote about Arteta being a Mourinho type, but even their defensive play is taking a hit, ''Saliba and Gabriel haven't been as good as last season.'' etc Not that I'm complaining. haha

I was thinking about him the other day. Someone mentioned Tottenham away is coming up in a few weeks. Last year he posted that Football Factory scene before the game

Then I got to post pictures of Jackson doing the Ronaldo back catalogue of celebrations after each of his goals.. saving the Siuuu for the hat-trick.. and started every post for a week with “I 4-1 think that..”

He also came to mind when I saw a post on Twitter recently. When Poch was announced as manager he said it was a good thing because his lack of coaching means players have to figure it out themselves, so chemistry will improve.

He knew all along.

 

[optic yellow]

I don't want to disrespect @optic yellow by saying 4tth and 5gth because he can still challenge the top 3, so maybe it will be 5th and 6th, me and kralingen battling for the prestigious 5th.

Not after today I can't

 

[Fabresque]

Arteta year 5 into the “proyect” and the only trophy he won still remains the FA Cup which he coached half the games with Unai Emery’s squad.

Elite coach, though.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

 

[Fabresque]

Been known for years.

 

[Feña14]

Arteta year 5 into the “proyect” and the only trophy he won still remains the FA Cup which he coached half the games with Unai Emery’s squad.

Elite coach, though.

His real name is Mike. He just likes unnecessary L’s.

 

[Gizo]

I had a poor weekend. I thought that Chris Wood and Gvardiol with their yellow warning signs wouldn't be playing (I read expected line-ups with neither of them in there) so I subbed them out, and they both scored ! Of course there are always going to be 'managerial mind games' regarding whether certain players are going to start, so can it be tricky there.

I dropped Isak a long ago and he was overpriced relative to his output for a long time,, and he's looking to be finally picking up as well. On that same theme, I'm expecting another player that I used to have, Garnacho, to score a hat-trick against Chelsea today or something. I'm very reliant on Jackson and Palmer (and Salah) right now for points.

Ah well. After 2 surprisingly good weekends, my luck was inevitably going to run out !

In my work team league, one of my colleagues is completely out of sight - he has a habit of each week always subbing in a player that goes on deliver and earn him a lot of points !

 

[Gizo]

I just saw that Napoli-Atalanta which could be fun is an early kick off in Serie A. Atalanta one day winning the Scudetto would be unbelievable, and something that I'd love to see happening. If they can't do that this season, I'd prefer Napoli to win it over Inter and especially Juve.

I also hope that one day Roma, going through a turbulent time, can become title contenders again - better them than Lazio who I dislike a lot.

Napoli's 4-2-3-1 system under Conte looks to be increasingly clicking, and they've quickly recovered after the shambolic opening day defeat against Verona.

 

[Feña14]

I had a poor weekend. I thought that Chris Wood and Gvardiol with their yellow warning signs wouldn't be playing (I read expected line-ups with neither of them in there) so I subbed them out, and they both scored ! Of course there are always going to be 'managerial mind games' regarding whether certain players are going to start, so can it be trick there.

I dropped Isak a long ago and he was overpriced relative to his output for a long time,, and he's looking to be finally picking up as well. On that shame theme, I'm expecting another player that I used to have, Garnacho to score a hat-trick against Chelsea today. I'm very reliant on Jackson and Palmer (and Salah) right now for points.

Ah well. After after 2 surprisingly good weekends, my lukc was inevitably going to run out !

In my work team league, on my of colleagues is completely out of sight - he has a habit of each week always subbing in a player that goes on deliver and earn him a lot of points !

I was going to ask how the work league was going! Still a long way to go, don’t give up hope yet.

In my family league, my sisters boyfriend always gets off to a lucky start. He has players you wouldn’t really pick on the bench, who get subbed in for the players in his team you shouldn’t really have.. on the day they score last year he was getting Lamptey 18 pointers here, Luton back up goalkeepers coming off the bench for 10 pointers there.

Took me until Christmas to finally catch him, but I beat him by around 200 in the end. I actually remember the game it turned. Solanke scored a few on Boxing Day, which finally got me ahead. He knew the game was up then

 

[Gizo]

I was going to ask how the work league was going! Still a long way to go, don’t give up hope yet.

In my family league, my sisters boyfriend always gets off to a lucky start. He has players you wouldn’t really pick on the bench, who get subbed in for the players in his team you shouldn’t really have.. on the day they score last year he was getting Lamptey 18 pointers here, Luton back up goalkeepers coming off the bench for 10 pointers there.

Took me until Christmas to finally catch him, but I beat him by around 200 in the end. I actually remember the game it turned. Solanke scored a few on Boxing Day, which finally got me ahead. He knew the game was up then

That was a nice turnaround ! You overtook him way before it turned in a tense battle during the home stretch of the season. Good luck to you there this season.

The guy winning my work league by miles (and someone else is firmly in second place) happens to be Burnley fan as well, and Burnley fans winning anything is never good !

A couple of people in my work league including the guy in 2nd place have Haaland, Salah and Palmer, and then a bench full of Southampton / Ipswich / Leicester players as a result. I thought that 2 out of the 3 were necessary but all 3 is too heavy ont he budget !

 

[emkayenaim]

We have a rival for Neymar being injured before his sister's birthday.

 

[bezs]

Atalanta doing well against Napoli.

Shaw pretty much plays international matches only at this point.

 

[optic yellow]

Fans saying I'm afraid to drop Haaland and I'd have to say they are right. I have no defense here. You're right.

A victory for justice.

Gvardiol

He is the light in the darkness for my side.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Not after today I can't

I've removed fantasy football, no fun anymore and I'm a sore loser. lol Prats have been deleted and cancelled.

Hopefully, I can go on and enjoy some real football now. That is the Amorim hope.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

One change from Erik Ten Hag's last game. Ugarte comes in for Eriksen.