This is only gonna go really well or really badly . I'm cautiously optimistic, though I will wait to see what signings we make before making my mind up.

Don't worry, Ibra is United-bound.

#331395 Old Trafford Lounge

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23 May 2016 10:39:26

By Ninja | On 22 May 2016 - 20:43 PM BST

But I very highly doubt Mourinho is licking his lips at some of them, least of all Memphis. Other than the fact he's a bit shit, at least based on what we've seen of him so far, I struggle to see Mourinho accommodating a lazy, work-shy show pony who thought he'd hit the big time the second he rocked up in Manchester. If he doesn't make flogging him the first order of business, which would be harsh but probably deserved, he would have to change his game considerably to fit in. The author makes the example of Hazard and Ronaldo, but both of them are players you would make far greater concessions for, and even Hazard had to fight to fit in.

You're talking about a man who once bought Quaresma. I'm sure he'll at least try to make something out of Memphis.

#331266 FA Cup 2015/16

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22 May 2016 13:11:57

Won't matter as they'll just mail it in again like last year.

#330968 The Night Thread Mk. IX

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20 May 2016 02:15:49

By BR. | On 19 May 2016 - 22:10 PM BST

How did it go?

Needed 11 correct answers, I'm sure I got 8, might've gotten one or two more. Would be surprised if I passed.

#330798 The Night Thread Mk. IX

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19 May 2016 02:21:10

I have roughly eight hours to learn a third of a maths course before an exam this afternoon and I have not slept for over 30 hours.

I genuinely hate myself.

#329935 Euro 2016 Squads

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12 May 2016 19:29:23

France and Belgium announced their squads today:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/rKZOPSkBGyA85jUlcJccKubLWS0cWJHJ0nPDUuGy.jpg

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ZqJFHdsNTRDxiguaFKUwh4ZxL73I5UGjuDo2Y1qK.jpg

Shame Ben Arfa didn't make the France squad, and I have no fucking idea why they chose Mangala over Umtiti.

We announced our squad yesterday:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/I6HcZlymZ9bzx2hJIDO0lOLgBK5LzZQIGmBDi9bQ.jpg

You know the squad is just as everyone thought it would be when the biggest surprise is Pontus Jansson beating out Jonas Olsson as the 4th centre back in the squad thanks to Alexander Milosevic's injury, Not a single name there that's really unexpected. Only brining one right back is a bit of a gamble though, I suppose.

#329834 Europa League 2015/16

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12 May 2016 01:56:02

By King Luis | On 10 May 2016 - 03:06 AM BST

No i get what you are saying, but saying they were never going to be put up for sale doesn't mean its not a poor decision on Uefa's part to put a major European Final in a stadium with such a small capacity.

The bloody Johnstone's Paint Trophy had an attendance of nearly 60 thousand this year ffs, and the EL will only have 36 odd its a joke.

Did you even read the article posted earlier? Sevilla aren't even expected to sell out their tickets. A club with the away following of Liverpool playing in an Europa League final is an extreme anomaly, and from a business perspective playing in a smaller stadium that is filled to 100% capacity is much more desirable than playing in a big stadium that has 20.000 empty seats because Braga and Villareal made the final.

When you're hosting an event, ticket scarcity is desirable. It's why Juventus significantly downsized their new stadium and why Milan were looking to do the same with theirs.

#329833 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

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12 May 2016 01:47:52

Can't imagine much of this Newcastle squad will follow them down to the Championship.

#329448 Europa League 2015/16

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09 May 2016 19:00:59

By The Platypus | On 09 May 2016 - 07:48 AM BST

I think it's the sponsor tickets that go to touts? Maybe I'm misunderstanding something.

Exactly. The tickets given to "event partners" are the main source for touts.

By King Luis | On 09 May 2016 - 03:04 AM BST

So basically its okay to have all these tickets for neutrals because they end up going to touts who in turn sell them to the clubs fans?

Your reading comprehension sucks.

#329366 Europa League 2015/16

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08 May 2016 22:13:12

By Suffolk Seasider | On 08 May 2016 - 10:41 AM BST

How do you work that out? Liverpool had 10k, the UEFA lucky dip gave 9k to neutral fans and I don't think you can count the 8k going to sponsors, local organising committee, etc as going to Liverpool fans!

10k <17k

Counting them as tickets for neutral is just as wrong. They were never going to be put up for general sale (instead they'll end up in the hands of a ticket tout near you, but that's an entirely different issue).

#329188 Europa League 2015/16

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07 May 2016 16:09:47

By Ninja | On 07 May 2016 - 12:22 PM BST

Hows that fair? If you don't have the infrastructure you don't host games, that seems fairer to me.

They have a category 4 stadium, that is the infrastructure required.

By Carroll. | On 07 May 2016 - 00:53 AM BST

Not over fans of the teams, and it's not just locals if the definition of it is correct.

Liverpool already have more tickets than neutrals were offered. I cannot see how you could possibly spin that as neutrals being prioritised over the fans of the clubs.

#329102 RIP Patrick Ekeng

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06 May 2016 22:07:39

Cameroon international collapsed seven minutes after being subbed on for Dinamo Bucharest and couldn't be revived. Ekeng was only 26 years old.

#329084 Europa League 2015/16

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06 May 2016 20:27:25

By King Luis | On 06 May 2016 - 00:07 AM BST

Stadium is only 38k which is dumb, Uefa go on about teams taking the EL seriously then put the final in a stadium that only seats 38 thousand

It would never be hosted outside of the big 5 nations if the capacity requirement was higher and they already rotate the CL final between each other, it is only fair that smaller countries get an opportunity to host the lesser European final, besides, among recent finalists Fulham would never fill the Camp Nou and the likes of Braga and Alaves sure as fuck wouldn't fill Wembley.

This isn't some new development either, the UEFA Cup and the Europa League have always been played in smaller stadiums.

By Carroll. | On 06 May 2016 - 13:38 PM BST

Load of shit that, especially given how little it sits (read stuff saying 35k and stuff saying 38k?). Wtf is this bullshit of selling it to supporters around the world? I can sort of understand the sponsors and all that last section SS just posted, but load of shit with selling it to other fans.

Locals should be able to attend a sporting event that takes place in their own fucking city.

#329061 The Night Thread Mk. IX

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06 May 2016 20:14:40

By Jonas | On 05 May 2016 - 23:34 PM BST

/PSG. Where is he now anyway?

He cut off all contact with everyone from here when he left afaik. Doubt anyone knows what he's up to.

His trajectory as a poster on here was pretty incredible in retrospect, from being someone everyone admired and was almost jealous of because of his model looks and hot girlfriend to a universally disliked whiner, all in just a few months.

#328020 Euro 2016 Tickets

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01 May 2016 17:43:21

By K3VO | On 01 May 2016 - 13:09 PM BST

Unlikely

Couldn't get tickets!!!

That's a shame!

#326397 The Night Thread Mk. IX

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21 Apr 2016 20:55:42

By Ninja | On 21 April 2016 - 21:24 PM BST

Unless you've posted the words 'Taps Aff' on social media over the past few days of moderate sunshine and double digit weather I'm not sure they'll accept you.

The Generalissimo does not do social media.

#326377 The Night Thread Mk. IX

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21 Apr 2016 19:57:52

By Ninja | On 21 April 2016 - 19:26 PM BST

You're not Scottish Franck.

Although now I mention it, a couple of neds were sitting on the bus behind me today. Literally the only word I could understand either of them say was 'fucking'. How on earth they were conversing I do not know.

I have read Trainspotting, I think that qualifies me as an honorary Scot.

#326184 Euro 2016 Tickets

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20 Apr 2016 08:03:07

Got my tickets delivered today.

Will I be seeing you at the Stade de France Kev?

#326167 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

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19 Apr 2016 23:18:49

By Weiry | On 19 April 2016 - 23:51 PM BST

tbh I think Spurs will end up winning the league they're the best team in the league atm imo. Could see Leicester losing their last 3 games

They've lost 3 of their last 34 league games, and you think they'll lose 3 of their final 4 matches? Fuck off.

#325984 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

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18 Apr 2016 18:11:27

By Poe | On 18 April 2016 - 12:09 PM BST

Does anybody actually like Jamie Vardy?

As a person or as a player?

#325808 Scottish Football Thread

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17 Apr 2016 18:20:46

By Jonas | On 17 April 2016 - 18:52 PM BST

Final nail in the Deila coffin this.

Has to be.

#325798 Scottish Football Thread

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17 Apr 2016 17:48:20

Hope Hibs can break their Scottish Cup Final curse.

#325793 Scottish Football Thread

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17 Apr 2016 17:30:41

So I suppose Deila is getting sacked now?

#325792 The Night Thread Mk. IX

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17 Apr 2016 17:26:38

By Shola | On 14 April 2016 - 22:33 PM BST

Oh God, embarrassing watching people defend him. They just attack 'Murdoch's journalists'

He's using Miners' compensation to fund his lifestyle ffs. Teflon prick.

Who's your MP?

#325791 The Night Thread Mk. IX

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17 Apr 2016 17:25:51

By Ninja | On 13 April 2016 - 21:22 PM BST

Guess who's starting a PhD next year?

Yer maw?

#323628 Transfer Rumours 2015/16

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02 Apr 2016 17:11:12

By Suffolk Seasider | On 28 March 2016 - 21:54 PM BST

Well, according to Sky's "Swedish Football Expert", Zlatan doesn't want to live in Manchester but would like to join a club in London. Suggesting Arsenal (although available on a free, don't see them matching his wage demands), Chelsea (would match wages, but maybe not European requirements)...or West Ham! Now, that is a shout. With the money coming in from the new Premier League pay outs, potentially qualifying for Champions League and moving into the Olympic Stadium I would actually love to see this happen and agree it is actually a possibility!

As I understood it the "expert" was Olof Lundh, who has a terrible relationship with Zlatan. He doesn't know anything more about Zlatan's intentions than any man on the street does.

#323442 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

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01 Apr 2016 07:20:06

By Ninja | On 31 March 2016 - 23:51 PM BST

I was about to reply a similar thing to him, but I don't know how true it is. There's no doubt they've done very well to identify good players playing in shit divisions and league and players looked over by bigger clubs but I don't know if theres anything at all to suggest they're using a moneybag or sabremetric like approach or just some very good, old fashioned scouting.

When Arsenal poached one of their analytics guys earlier this year there was a bit of talk about how analytics focused Leicester are. As I understood it their scouting department and analytics department are one and the same.

Naturally though, this isn't the kind of thing clubs would spend a whole lot of time talking to the media about, got to protect those trade secrets after all.

#323393 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread

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31 Mar 2016 19:46:51

By Number 1 | On 30 March 2016 - 19:30 PM BST

Villa were screwed the moment they decided to replace Benteke and Delph with what they did.

I know the ideas behind Moneyball and using sabremetrics to spot cheap players that can be superstars are good n all and work in other sports, but maybe its time to not use that philosophy.

You do realise that the Leicester side that currently tops the table was built on that philosophy, right?

#322106 What Was The Last Film You Saw?

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25 Mar 2016 18:57:22

I guess expecting a film to have actual characters, not cardboard caricatures makes me an idiot.