Football – 2023/24 Season

Well the Berkshire Behemoth is off and running now with a with a complete annihilation of Cheltenham (Pop 200).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66502508

Chelsea sign yet another player. Even as a Chelsea supporter this whole situation is just unreal. Bonkers

Even if you ignore the actual amount spent (which is dodgy state level) the wholesale spend in January was mad, the unloading in the earth suggested a reality check, which has been completely negated by the last few days.  Mad and depressing

Even as a Chelsea supporter this whole situation is just unreal. Bonkers

The net spend over the last 12 months is utterly insane! I just can’t work out how you can possibly even hope to stay within the FFP rules.

They were talking about this on the Monday Night Club last night. Apparently if you’d have been in the champions league this year you’d have been in contravention of the latest UEFA rules which the FA haven’t implemented yet

You’re apparently getting round it by Boelly structuring players contracts to get round the existing FA rules, but then Citeh have been making a mockery of ‘the rules’ for years anyway

I’m just jealous, obviously, at the concept of having owners putting money into a club, rather than taking as much as possible out of it

As for the players you’ve signed… are you employing Jurgan Klopp as a scout? 😂

The thread is about 2023/24 season but it is deeply depressing and concerning that the few posts about mason greenwood didn’t gain more traction.
As for his employers – amoral, emotionally cold, money before principle, duplicitous, despicable, panderers to the lowest common denominator who are racists, misogynists and bigots.
A football club with no moral compass.
As for the thread and the season, my team is and always has been NUFC; first time at St James’ was when Wyn Davies was playing centre forward so I go back a very long way.
Money corrupts – and allows those in possession of it to make ‘difficulties’ go away.

few posts about mason greenwood didn’t gain more traction.

We all know what a disgusting individual Greenwood is and maybe this is worthy of its own thread as a deeper societal issue with some young men and exacerbated if they are famous, an asset and very wealthy but i see this thread as being a more lighthearted football banter one, similar to the rugby thread but with a big sport.

On a positive note, 3 of the people who will apparently decide his fate are playing in a World Cup semi-final in a couple of hours. A lot more than he’s ever managed.

We’ve already covered how disgusting it is that they’ve been put in that position in the first place, but I hope they win this thing, come home victorious, then say “Mason who…? Tell him to **** off, the vile wife-beating ****!’

I’m just jealous, obviously, at the concept of having owners putting money into a club, rather than taking as much as possible out of it

Uh huh…

https://www.football365.com/news/transfers-premier-league-five-year-net-spend-man-utd-man-city

Spending money badly still counts.

Oh god, not this again.

*sigh*

Yes, I’m well aware they’ve spent inordinate amounts of money (really, really, really badly).

The point is that you’re hardly likely to find Manchester United’s owners being pulled up for potentially breaching Financial Fair Play rules. Why? Because a huge chunk of the enormous revenues generated by the club are paid in share dividends and consultancy fees to our absentee owners and in servicing the enormous leveraged debt that they loaded onto the club, which stands at exactly the same now as it was when they ‘bought’ it.

The latest ruse of pretending to sell the club was just a way of establishing a valuation, which they can then use to essentially remortgage the club and load it with even more debt, while pulling yet more hundreds of millions out for themselves

So…. yes, I am a bit jealous of clubs who’s owners not only want to plough ALL their revenues back into the club, but more besides

My god. I’m trying, I really am, but women’s football is verging on the unwatchable. The problem is that the gap in quality from what we’re used to in the men’s game is massive, so watching it is just all a bit meh..

What men’s football do you mean/do you watch? If you mean Champion’s League or Premier League then of course. OTOH I’ve seen Reading twice recently at the bottom of the Championship and now in the EFL1, and while the pace and power is different class, the technique and precision isn’t much different, and because it isn’t being played at a million miles an hour it’s an easier watch for me. Lower league stuff can be dreadful. For sure, Reading would probably put 10 past either of these sides, but that’s not the point….it’s two evenly matched sides playing a decent, structured game.

Tell me James’ goals against China aren’t quality.

My god. I’m trying, I really am, but women’s football is verging on the unwatchable.

Whilst I agree there is a difference in quality between the men’s and women’s games, I wouldn’t say it is unwatchable. There’s been a few really nice long balls from both teams early on in today’s game (no idea of players involved as I have sound muted and it’s a small screen) and throughout the tournament, there’s been some cracking goals, great ‘keeping and great spirit shown by all teams.

“The point is that you’re hardly likely to find Manchester United’s owners being pulled up for potentially breaching Financial Fair Play rules.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66203315#:~:text=Manchester%20United-,Man%20Utd%20fined%20%C2%A3257%2C000%20by%20Uefa,minor’%20Financial%20Fair%20Play%20breach&text=Manchester%20United%20have%20been%20fined,place%20between%202019%20and%202022.

Manchester United have been fined 300,000 euros (£257,000) by Uefa for a “minor” breach of Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. They were one of a number of clubs sanctioned by Uefa under FFP rules in place between 2019 and 2022.

Maybe check the facts before posting? United proven to have breached FFP. City cleared of doing so by CAS.

Nice goal.

@dazh – can you tell me that was unwatchable?

Unwatchable

Sorry, I meant unstoppable! Top bins!

That was a blinder.

BBC reporting Laporte to Al-Nassr

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66519408

can you tell me that was unwatchable?

It was a decent goal. My problem is not that, it’s the general pace of the game. By the same measure I have major trouble watching Italian or Spanish football. For me what makes football a great sport to watch is the pace and the low margin for error, and that’s what’s missing from the women’s game.

Well watch Formula 1 then

Anyway, I think the women’s team have a very good chance of winning the WC. They at least don’t seem to have the fear of winning that the men’s team have.

Conversely it’s the ability to play at pace that makes the lower level of the men’s game hard to watch, the pace overcomes the ability and it just degrades

Well watch Formula 1 then

Oh that’s low.

Great goal by Kerr.

That last England goal was a good example of what I’m talking about. There were three australian defenders and they didn’t pick up the single English runner, and then the shot from Russo should have been saved easily. It’s schoolboy stuff.

That last England goal was a good example of what I’m talking about. There were three australian defenders and they didn’t pick up the single English runner, and then the shot from Russo should have been saved easily. It’s schoolboy stuff.

The goalkeeping I agree with – she was slightly out of position, but the build-up from Hemp was fantastic. When she had the ball on the centre-circle I was wondering what the hell she was doing (as she looked slightly out of control and was going to give it away) but, great credit to her, she got the ball under control and made a fantastic, defence-splitting pass to Russo. What was the defence meant to do? Put a boot in and give away a free-kick in a very dangerous position? I am not sure you fully understand the game @dazh.

BBC reporting Laporte to Al-Nassr
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66519408

Another player heading off to semi retire early.

Regarding Chelsea, is their scouting technique to basically just sign anyone they fancy then work out if they want to keep them?

PrinceJohnFull Member
BBC reporting Laporte to Al-Nassr
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66519408
Another player heading off to semi retire early.

Regarding Chelsea, is their scouting technique to basically just sign anyone they fancy then work out if they want to keep them?

In the words of  General Melchett: Great Scott! Even you know it!

What was the defence meant to do? Put a boot in and give away a free-kick in a very dangerous position?

At 2-1 down probably yes, but equally letting her take the shot on you hope the keeper would have the angle right anyway. It wasn’t a glaring error but one “she’d be disappointed to concede”

The England ladies would get smashed by any semi-pro mens team. Just by their sheer physicality.

It’s a contact sport after all.

However, that doesn’t mean that it’s not entertaining to watch 2 skillful, evenly matched teams. There were 3 very good goals in that last match.

but equally letting her take the shot on you hope the keeper would have the angle right anyway. It wasn’t a glaring error but one “she’d be disappointed to concede”

I agree (as I said in my post) – she didn’t quite have her angles covered, but then I don’t think she was expecting that defence-splitting pass.

Regarding Chelsea, is their scouting technique to basically just sign anyone they fancy then work out if they want to keep them?

Thats how all football clubs work.

Clubs like Man UTD. They pay lads at 16, £1,000 a week. 1-10 of them might make it, but its cheaper to pay 10 kids £1,000 a week and get 1 that succeeds in the end , than it is to buy 1 player in their early 20’s that costs them millions!

My god. I’m trying, I really am, but women’s football is verging on the unwatchable. The problem is that the gap in quality from what we’re used to in the men’s game is massive, so watching it is just all a bit meh.

Hmm – just watched some of it with my son. We agreed that the quality wasnt great in todays game (and the tournament so far), but then when have England mens ever played good quality football in cup competitions. They are always more scrappy.

Yes women’s football isnt as physical, but the technical ability does equal the mens, just go and watch a few games. The mens game could learn a lot from the womens game, and I think will have to in the long run if it isnt to loose some popularity to the womens game. Women respect the referee a lot more, tend not to go down in hard tackles and the environment / culture of the games are just so much nicer.

Yes women’s football isnt as physical, but the technical ability does equal the mens, just go and watch a few games. The mens game could learn a lot from the womens game, and I think will have to in the long run if it isnt to loose some popularity to the womens game. Women respect the referee a lot more, tend not to go down in hard tackles and the environment / culture of the games are just so much nicer.

I have to agree with this.

I hate mens football, like really hate it. I never watch it and take absolutely no interest in it whatsoever. I can’t stand the fanning about and rolling on the floor trying to win free kicks and penalties along with the shit attitude towards the ref that players had last tine I watched a match.

The women’s game may not be as physical but there seems to be a high level of skill and none of the pathetic theatrics of the men’s game.

The men could learn a thing or two from them, I’d suggest.

That was definitely a very watchable match with good skills and great attitude.

There is a separate thread dedicated to the Women’s world cup.

I can’t stand the fanning about and rolling on the floor trying to win free kicks

The women’s game may not be as physical but there seems to be a high level of skill and none of the pathetic theatrics of the men’s game.

This is what I used to think, but my son now plays to a very high level, and I hate to say it, but you can see why on occasions in the men’s game why they end up going down. The mens game is brutal. for example my son is a striker and sometimes he comes home with his legs studded and chest etc bleeding/bruised from people trying to pull him down. He is strong and powerful and at the moment doesnt go down. But we know that will count against him in future. Theres been times when hes finished a game and his coaches have told him he should have gone down as it would have got them a penalty.

Women are still very physical but IMO much more respectful of each other and the game.

We agreed that the quality wasnt great in todays game (and the tournament so far), but then when have England mens ever played good quality football in cup competitions. They are always more scrappy.

Its not just Engerland. The standard of football played in international tournaments is generally absolutely bloody awful from all involved. Its not a patch on the Premier League or Champions League

Towards the end of my stellar career i played in a sunday morning league and the standards then were pretty awful and the stink of Stella Artois was even worse.

Aaaaah… them we’re’t days. I miss watching my mates projectile vomitting on the halfway line after breaking into an ill-advised, hungover run

Maybe they could enliven world cup matches by making the teams pull a massive all-nighter session the night before? Dodgy pills, 3am kebabs, the lot….

😀

Definitely, that’s grass roots football.

@binners Good news!

Looks like your favorite centre back is staying to “fight for his place”.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66520737

All this arriving in air-conditioned coaches too…..when the correct transport is near MOT failures and a transit van full of builders materials.