The Football Thread

[pierrelm]

I struggled to engage too much with the Europa Final. Ajax looked overwhelmed and nervous prematch during the anthems and never really settled - I'm sure they will have a lot more to offer in future and at least their fans kept up their support. Manchester United won without ever really needing to worrying about upping into third gear. Pogba was seemingly incapable of measuring any sort of pass - the long balls played in the general direction of the isolated Rashford were more wildly optimistic hoofs than insightful defence splitting passes. Underwhelming - and the weakest Man Utd side to collect a trophy in recent years, even more so than the last of SAF's title wins. Given the context, I suppose the result is more important.

Meanwhile, it's not even FA Cup Final Day and already the poor overworked pros of Liverpool and Everton have needed to go to Australia to play. And they want a winter break? The game continues to bring itself into disrepute with the nonsensical handwringing and shameless self promotion.

Still, Arsenal in the Cup Final - question - are the clubs fans now classed as 'spectators' or 'voyeurs'?

[old alal]

pierrelm, as you know I am a Manchester United fan, but thanks for your insightful comments. I just wish they weren't accurate

Your second paragraph is even more true, poor things running and sweating all the way to the bank!

I wonder if 5 English teams will fare better than 4.

[footstep]

I was neutral but heart for Manchester, given the context.
Mou' tactic was clear : suffocate Ajax , score then manage.
Avoid communication to Dolberg.
Lyon was surprised in half.
Congrats to Manchester and also to Ajax young generation.

[Old Jud]

Originally Posted by pierrelm

....and the weakest Man Utd side to collect a trophy in recent years, even more so than the last of SAF's title wins.

My sentiments (and many other United supporters) exactly. Far too many mediocre signings over the past three or four seasons, hopefully this will now come to an end.
With a virtually unlimited transfer pot, and a manager who wants big names at the club, we should see a tangible improvement next season.
The added attraction of champions league football should help in the recruitment of quality players.

Two trophies is a good start for the 'special one' just a shame they are both 'second tier' trophies that we have scorned in the past.

[Motorboater]

Originally Posted by pierrelm

I

Meanwhile, it's not even FA Cup Final Day and already the poor overworked pros of Liverpool and Everton have needed to go to Australia to play. And they want a winter break? The game continues to bring itself into disrepute with the nonsensical handwringing and shameless self promotion.

Everton aren't in Australia. There's a joke in my post. Liverpool dominated Sydney so easily, it reminded me of a Merseyside derby

[pierrelm]

Bollocks!

Or, being more positive, just when there was a spark of sunlight creeping through the LS11 cutains, once again I can rely on Leeds to let me and the rest of their long suffering supporters down. Cellino gone...huzzah! Then, a whole ruddy, optimism-filled two days into the golden dawn of a bright new ownership regime and? Our best manager for years bloody well resigns. The portents would have him heading for the bright lights of Croydon and Palace to replace BFS. Along with, I suspect, anyone remotely half decent from our first team...and, as night follows day, back to mid table medicority we plummet. Although once Wood has gone, we may struggle to finish above, er anybody.

Update: the clever money (not that there is such a thing at Elland Rd) has the new manager of Leeds as being the man who made Muddlesbrough the sparkling byword for attacking flowing football which so enthralled their supporters last season: Ay-Ay Karamba.

Bollocks!

[Red Imp]

Gary Monk resigns as Leeds United manager. - Strange times again at Elland Road !!!

[snowy25]

The Yorkshire Evening Post say Monk was unhappy that new owner Andrea Radrizzani was only going to activate a 12-month extension to his present deal - rather than hand him a lengthy new contract. Monk was said to be keen on a substantial commitment and was disappointed by the offer from Leeds.

Yet it seems there was an offer, a 3 year deal is mentioned elsewhere but Monk refused to discuss terms. So right now its hard to tell what is going on. Depending on what source you read its the new owners fault or Monks.

On another note West Ham have offered to help the homeless man who helped those affected after the bombing in Manchester to 6 months free rent. They are also contacting local charities to help him with clothes and finding work. Some people are complaining its too little on social media but West Ham didn't have to do anything. Neither of the big clubs close to him or the smaller ones around him offered any help. West Ham did so it seems odd for people to say its too little.

[pierrelm]

Originally Posted by snowy25

...new owner Andrea Radrizzani was only going to activate a 12-month extension to his present deal - rather than hand him a lengthy new contract.

Monk was said to be keen on a substantial commitment ...

Oh goody. We have exchanged one clueless 'fit and proper' Italian, for another.

The more things change, the more they stay the same...

I shouldn't let this sort of thing get me down, not after 50 years supporting them, but you still do, don't you?

Bollocks!

[snowy25]

Yes but as I wrote later a 3 year deal was supposed to have been on the table but Monk showed no interest in sorting out terms. I guess this is going to be one of those who do you believe stories that often happen at Leeds.