Premier League — Matchweek 16

Not a very good first half at Forest.

Just seen the incidents at the end of the Wolves game. Couple of their players could be in real big trouble.

Having said that, I kind of hope they go down. Nothing really against Wolves, but after we lost there last season 3-0, we were in a pub after the game, waiting for the train back home, when some knobhead Wolves fan came storming in singing “You cheating Scouse bastards, you know what you are”, in reference to our 10-point deduction.

Bet he's not singing now!!

O'Neil sacked. Be interesting to see who they bring in.

I'm not even sure what that was all about.

Two matches in a row now.

The club will no doubt penalise the players, but I'm something will be handed down by the FA or Premier League on Wolves.

Maybe the FA will look at players from both clubs to see what started the kick off with possibly an Ipswich player getting a ban!

Can anyone enlighten me as to why Crystal Palace and Brighton is a derby?

It goes back to when Alan Mullery and Malcolm Allison were the respective managers.

The two of them abhorred each other and the venom was taken up by the fans, and it's never gone away... to the media at least.

That second Palace goal… talk about hanging one up to the far post! Classic.

Will this be 1-5 I wonder?

Thanks, Don.

Sky just explained it but they said it was Alan Mullery and Terry Venables… either way, a shit reason to call it a derby.

Don and Nigel, I did once see a clip of Mullery and Allison on You Tube, and correct Don, it's fair to say they didn't get on.

I was saying before the season started, we should have bought Sarr with the O'Brien money and not bothered with the Harrison loan. He's doing wonders at Palace and would have been a big upgrade for us.

Not great results for us this weekend with Ipswich and Palace winning away.

Palace and Brighton are at either end of the M25.

Okay, it's 58 miles between the stadiums and the M25 is only 19 of them but it is still called the M25 derby.

I know it is the ladies but who cares…

I never felt more like singing the Blues when Everton win and Liverpool lose 🎶🎶🎶

Everton 2-1 Man City
Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal

Now I've got that tune in my head, Phil. Thanks a lot.

Phil, A/M23? You have to cross the M25 that's all.

A23 and M23.

You cross over the M25.

Sorry - yes M23 derby. M25 is a little longer than 18 miles - like Infinity miles long (you can just keep going round and round and round).

Phil,

I thought the M25 had no 'ends', as you said… but it turns out there's a gap at the Dartford Crossing (Bridge and Tunnels), which becomes the A282 between M25 Junction 2 to the South and Junction 31 to the north.

some game this Celtic/Rangers

Ah, crap, late pen for United.

Great pen from ratboy - and good for my FPL team. And in other good news, Bhoys win.

Jesus, City really have become shite

Crap and a half. United flip the game. HATE seeing their fans celebrate anything.

City fans / Utd fans same thing - Manchester scum

Never seen as big a decline so quickly as Man City this season

What a hopeless corner from Grealish!

For a 'big team' like them with Pep, nor can I Chris.

He won't be there next season MK and nor will Haaland if this continues and KDB will be in Saudi.

Haaland has scored 3 in 11

Haaland seems to have offered very little for the last year. Defences have worked him out.

Don't worry Pep - you play us on Boxing Day.

If a team is on a bad run or a striker isn't scoring, you can guarantee Everton will help you out.

Down the bookies first thing tomorrow on City to win on the 26th and Haaland to score at least 3.

We are Everton!

I was listening to 5 Live as the game began and Leon was talking about the "Four in a Row" light show…

What's that pithy saying? Pride comes before a fall.

And what's this about a new stand at The Emptihad?

Suppose you said the same about yesterday, Phil. How much did you have on an Arsenal win?

Watching Man City is like watching Liverpool back in the '70s & '80s, ie, pass, pass, pass then back to the goalie. Boring as hell but at least the shite could score.

Pep looks like he's lost his mojo. He's got too many players, eg, Walker, Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Stones etc… who are probably past their best. And he's ruined the likes of Foden and Grealish with his robotic style. Not to mention Palmer, who probably saw the writing on the wall.

I think Dyche will try and frustrate them and nick a result. Manager and team are nothing to fear right now.

Rob, Phil has to double down after shooting his wad yesterday!

(Not too vulgar, I hope?)

Good of you to pop on with that little ray of sunshine, Phil divvy.

Chavs will be 2 points behind them if they win.

Porro not even on the bench.

Colin, yep, he hasn't brought through as many young 'uns, and his longtime allegiance to a small squad has finally caught up with him. No like-for-like replacements for injured mainstays like Rodri and Stones, playing people out of position... couldn't get away with that anymore.

Brent, Haaland may be the world's best finisher but doesn't create his own, and the long absence of De Bruyne has thrown him off stride.

Haha. Not falling for that one! 🙊

Spurs worst start to a season for 16 years.

Rob will be sad about that.

I'd be embarrassed to even win the league this season if I was a Liverpool fan, to be honest.

The competition is absolutely dross.

Stars unfortunately aligning for Liverpool, though there'll be twists and turns before the end of the season, I reckon, starting when we play Chelsea next week.

Keep an eye on Chelsea, Brian.

Ah, Porro is on the bench.

Wow! That was quick.

Maddison first minute.

Great ball from Michael Keane for Maddison

Nothing embarrasses that shower Jim.

Anyone heard about "The Terrace"?

A bar with rooftop terrace opening right opposite Bramley-Moore Dock.

I heard one of the derelict buildings was to be converted into a bar, Brian, the one opposite where the coaches will drive into. Didn't know it would have a rooftop bar though.

There's also a derelict building on the corner of Blackstone Street which has had planning permission granted to be converted into a hotel.

That's one, Brian, we need at least another 12.

Can't beat regeneration.

Spuds 2-0.

Son 2-0

3

0-3 !

3-0.

3-0

Wow, Saints fans leaving after 14 minutes.

Are spurs 3-0? 😄😄

Those bars will make a fortune, not just on match day but when there's concerts and the like being held at The Dock!

Well Man Utd came from behind to win.

You never know.

Final score predictions anyone?
I'm going 1-5.

Brian, gigs won't be that often, and two months of no footy.

Paul Hewitt has predicted that we will beat Chelsea 2-1.

I'm going 0-3, Brian.

Well Paul everyone's entitled to an opinion etc etc 😱

4-0 Spurs.

Us losing at Southampton has to be our worst result in a decade.

How did we fail the score against this lot??

And on it goes…

0-4

Can I be the first to say 5-0?!

Ah shite.

Russell Martin has to be fired tonight or tomorrow – shocking defending.

Spurs have scored more goals this season already than we'll probably score all season, lol.

Spurs fans must be gutted, travelling all that way for a late Sunday game and not seeing anything approaching a game of football.

Southampton have lost two Premier League games in the last 5 years 9-0.

I think a third should result in an FA punishment, lol.

Leicester?

And who was the other 9-0?

Man Utd at Old Trafford in the lockdown season, Paul.

Ah yes, thanks Jim.

Tyler Dibbling is one we should be looking at .

At least Saints are giving it a go now.

Chelsea 1-0.

Cucurella.

The away fans have been moved at Southampton right?

Unless he costs about £100, Paul, we won't be able to buy him.

500/1 for Saints win if anyone fancies a flutter!

Yes, Paul. Other corner of the ground.

Like Jim Bennings, how did we lose to Southampton?

I think the reasoning was they can have a bigger gap between the away fans and the home fans behind the goal.

Not that that would be a problem tonight!

5-0. Maddison again.

Three more to go for that 9-9-9.

That's one fecking great goal!

Sorry getting ahead of myself. 4.

Maths not your strong point then, Brent?

The quality of university profs is fucking appalling in the UK

About sums it up, Rob

Appalling emeritus, Paul.

I don the title with pride.

Emeritus? Isn't that what they give you for voluntary redundancy Brent?

This season could be the lowest total ever to stay up. Southampton might set a new record, Wolves are shipping comedy goals. Ipswich have heart but no quality.

If you were ever going to commence a rebuild under new ownership and management without risk of going down... this would be the season.

I wonder how the Southampton fan who predicted a 3-0 victory by Spurs is being treated on "SaintsWeb" tonight?

A few "Optimistic bastard" shouts... no doubt.

Southampton are gone, kaput, so I really don't see any point in sacking their manager.

Might as well save themselves a few quid in compensation!

The amount of Saints supporters that are leaving, there will be more Spurs supporters than Southampton!

Spurs joint top scorers in the Premier League and their goal difference is one less than the shite's and they are 10th.

The 606 Saints callers have wanted him gone for a while, Rob. I like the way he wants to play footy but it isn't working. He needs a word with Dyche.

We beat Ipswich,
Ipswich beat Spurs,
Spurs beat Southampton,
Southampton beat us.

Funny old game innit?

Paul, I took early retirement years ago (and went straight back on a 1-year 2-day part-time contract, alongside similar for UW Validation Unit!)

Smart move that Brent. You were at the University of Wales? What the feck is a Validation Unit? Are you Southport born and bred until you moved to be with the inbred?

Getting a new mattress delivered this afternoon and then we're gonna test it - know what I mean lads?

Saints will score.

In order to try and improve their very fragile confidence, Southampton are trying to arrange a behind-closed-doors friendly against Man City.

“Let's face it, if we can't beat Man City, then we can't beat anybody”, said Russell Martin, the Saints manager!

Paul, brought up in the Old Roan (district, not pub – that followed later) but Maghull was the "hunting ground" of choice from about 17 on when I was at home.

University of Wales at Newport was the full-time role, part of the federal UW with its HQ in Cardiff. I did a lot of work for the Validation Unit of the central UW which "franchised" degrees all around the world to about 120 other colleges and unis - chairing course (re)approval panels, acting as external examiner and moderator for a lot of them over the years.

Brilliant, Rob. Southampton almost back in it but ruled offside.

Is there no justice in this world?

Can you believe, Brent, growing up in Crosby, I don't think that I have ever been to Maghull? Now The Old Roan, I know.

Interesting Brent. I bet you did a fair bit of travelling mate. I was at Newport for the 1-1 in 1983 and 5-1 a couple of years later. It's a dump isn't it? But boss for heroin.

Joe Strummer lived in Newport for a while: Pentonville, if memory serves.

My lad went to the school in the Pentonville area. Magistrates court opposite (I was told!). Got a job in Newport after 4 years in Oz, intending to stay in Newport 2 years and then head back north.

35 years later, I was still there. Some nice roads out of Newport, as they say! Loved the globe-trotting, even the likes of Bangor, Anglesey etc!

Cucurela red carded I think at the end.

He misses next Sunday.

Who said 5-0?

Ouch: 'RM get out of our club'.

Cucurella red carded after the whistle.

Thank God we don't have to watch that prick.

You're right Jeff, 98th minute!

Moyes for the Saints.

Saint Moyes... Paul #116

I think you have to perform miracles first but hold on!

Good news Ernie. 114. He's horrid. Cheat, rolling about holding his ugly face, and that Barnet..well.

It was for his second yellow.

I did not see what he done but deserves a red nearly every game he plays.

Should be sent off every time he rocks up with that hideous hair. Bloody health hazard.

He lives near me and was at my gym one recent Wednesday midday with his personal trainer.
He’s tiny.

Ah well, there you go, Southampton sack Martin Russell.

You don't see many of those nowadays.

The good old fashioned sacking straight after a humiliating loss.

Lopetegui will probably be gone tomorrow night.

Just heard former New Zealand cricketer Grant Elliott confess to being a Blue on the radio.

Always knew I liked the fella.

Lopetegui back to Wolves, Moyes to West Ham and anti-vaxxer for Matt Le Tiss to Soton.

That should suit us quite nicely.

Simon – have you seen his missus? She is a doll.

He scored a cracking headed goal today that DCL could only dream about.

His antics got a Brentford player booked near the end and I expect that there were strong words spoken after the final whistle that led to the second yellow.

Ed, his missus was at our gym as well.
In Lycra……
Muy guapa!
Xxx

West Ham 1 up

Feel there's a Bournemouth equaliser coming...

Brilliant free-kick from that bloke!

Good response to a cruel VAR penalty.

Two very poor teams, Bournemouth mugged them like they did us in the last few minutes but they are really a relegation standard side as West Ham are. I believe that our squad is better than either side tonight and we should be well clear of them.

I would like to know how Kavanagh could be 100% convinced the ball touched the Bournemouth defender's hand?

They need a “Snick-o-Meter” like they have in cricket!

Martin #134,

Bournemouth haven't really been in danger of relegation for the past two or three seasons and currently they are 6th.

But Everton should be well clear... Champions League position then. Seriously?

This game was quite entertaining if only because the defenses were all over the place. The finishing was poor and a draw was a good scoreline keeping West Ham in reach of us and we have the game in hand for what it is worth.

We can beat Chelsea if we get enough dead-ball situations.
It's sad to see that only Southampton (bottom) have scored fewer goals than the Blues.

Defensively, we are keeping some good clean sheets with a little luck here and there and it should be noted that we are the first team to stop the Gunners scoring at the Emirates in all games this season.

Rob,

Sadly, I could see on the replayed video clip that there was a visible difference in the trajectory of the ball before and after it passed his raised hand. This is probably what Kavanagh saw too. Hence the decision.

If you're saying you didn't see it… well, err… perhaps we'd better not go there!

Brendan @136.

Appreciated… but I believe that we have better players, that Bournemouth are over-performing, and we are under-performing.

I agree, Martin. I don't buy into this narrative that Dyche is working wonders with this squad.

With a couple of exceptions, we have a decent, mid-table squad. We're surviving despite Dyche, not because of him.

I'm torn between keeping him on to the end of the season or replacing him before the window with a new man with at least a Plan B. At least a Plan B that gets Calvert-Lewin more chances – we'll miss him when he's gone and scoring for his new club.

Last night's game between West Ham Utd and Bournemouth was between two very poor teams but both at least played with a positive formation that gave a possibility of scoring, even if it was going to be lucky.

I say that Everton's squad is significantly better than both these sides but our massively negative narrow game with no fast wingers or overlapping full-backs means that we need acts of God to score, not just luck.We're also making a top-class player in Calvert-Lewin look bad.

I hate the concept of "accepting mediocrity" but, if we are happy to accept this turgid anti-football, then this must be a form of accepting mediocrity? Accepting Dyche as head coach is surely the ultimate in accepting mediocrity.

Bournemouth are in 6th place now and the reason is that they have a go and have a Plan A and a Plan B with multiple substitutions.

I for one will never mentally accept this managerial mediocrity being an acceptable option for our once proud club. I'm getting boring on this now and need to stop letting this dinosaur bother me. Like flying to Australia, it is painful but eventually it ends and you get there.