Premier League 2019/20

[Nelson]

2 hours ago, Twist said:

It was watching the Juninho episode of Premier League Legends that inspired the question. 97 was a real shitty year for Boro.

Was that the season where they were deducted points for postponing a game against Blackburn?

[Colly]

17 minutes ago, Nelson said:

Was that the season where they were deducted points for postponing a game against Blackburn?

I believe this sums up the season better than any of us could.

 

[Lineker]

Quote

Rafael Benítez says his decision to leave Newcastle was due to a lack of trust rather than the financial attraction of China.

Benítez left St James’ Park at the end of his contract this summer after three years in charge and took over at the Chinese Super League team Dalian Yifang, with a sizeable pay rise.

The Newcastle chief executive, Lee Charnley, said in the matchday programme for the game against Arsenal on Sunday that the Spaniard’s decision was entirely motivated by money.

However, writing in a column for the Athletic, Benítez hit back at the board. “I tried to do my best every day, even staying when we went down to the Championship and saying no to other offers – bigger offers than the one I recently accepted with Dalian Yifang, by the way,” he said.

“If I was only interested in moving ‘for money’, as Charnley stated, I could have done it much earlier.

“Newcastle’s board had a year to sort out my contract but, when we met after the end of last season, they didn’t make me a proper offer. They told me they didn’t want to invest in the academy or the training ground – if they like, I can explain the reason why Mike Ashley refused to do that.

“After that meeting, I knew they would not come back with a serious offer and, when it arrived, 19 days later, it was for the same salary as three years earlier and with less control over signings. After three years of unfulfilled promises, I didn’t trust them.”

[stokeriño]

"It was about trust, not money."

"After they only offered me a new contract on the same salary as before, I didn't trust them."

Okay, Rafa. Sure.

[Colly]

There's holes all over. For all that Ashley is a knobber Rafa isn't the first person to try to make himself smell of roses to our fans after leaving or acting unprofessionally. Joey Barton, Jose Enrique, Hatem Ben Arfa, they've all done it and it gets eaten up by a sizeable number of our fans, particularly the noisy Twitter ones.

[stokeriño]

"Let's just say I didn't trust them... TO PAY ME WHAT I WANTED!"

[Cymbols]

The Athletic is really really good by the way. Subbed for MMA, but the football stuff is class as well. Real interesting Ron Vlaar interview today for example.

[Kyle]

5 hours ago, stokeriño said:

I can't help but be reminded of Chelsea ruining this for Middlesbrough in 1997 and then again for Portsmouth in 2010.  

TBH if you're the kind of club that has experienced relegation a couple of times in recent memory anyway, the answer seems an obvious yes. I'd be intrigued to hear from the likes of Everton fans or similar.

I don't think I'd take it. Much as I'd quite like for us to win some silverware in my goddamned lifetime () I don't think I could take how irritating Liverpool fans would be if we got relegated.  

[DavidMarrio]

1 hour ago, Troy said:

I don't think I'd take it. Much as I'd quite like for us to win some silverware in my goddamned lifetime () I don't think I could take how irritating Liverpool fans would be if we got relegated.  

I don't want Everton to get relegated. You provide enough banter in the Prem as it is and I'd miss that. 

 

[Kyle]

7 minutes ago, DavidMarrio said:

I don't want Everton to get relegated. You provide enough banter in the Prem as it is and I'd miss that. 

 

Plus you're guaranteed at least four points every year.  

[stokeriño]

Manchester City have been fined £315,000 but NOT given a transfer ban by FIFA for breaches relating to international transfers and registration of players under the age of 18.

[Colly]

Finally seen that ruled out Wolves goal. Utterly horrific new rule. Not a single defender appealing. Did they just decide that throwing in a load of new shitty ones would distract us from VAR in general?

[Adam]

13 hours ago, stokeriño said:

I can't help but be reminded of Chelsea ruining this for Middlesbrough in 1997 and then again for Portsmouth in 2010.  

TBH if you're the kind of club that has experienced relegation a couple of times in recent memory anyway, the answer seems an obvious yes. I'd be intrigued to hear from the likes of Everton fans or similar.

I absolutely would not. I love the FA Cup and would really love to see Everton win it (more so than finishing 4th) but getting relegated could set the club back years, is embarrassing and just a massive, massive blow for a club like Everton. You have to be in the Premier League.

It's a no-brainer, and I really do love the FA Cup. Very fond memories of Saha's goal in the 2009 final, Jags winning the semi-final shoot-out and Lukaku waltzing round Chelsea in the quarters to knock them out a few years ago. But no, I'd never take that trade-off.

[FestiveJack]

Might've just heard the most bizarre reason for why Chelsea were so good first half and United so good second - the grass was longer in one half of the pitch.

[Lineker]

Adrian is a doubt for Liverpool's match against Southampton after he was injured by a fan during the Super Cup final. 

 

It's Lonergan time!

[Hobo]

Super Andy Lonergan!

[DavidMarrio]

The fan was definitely Lonergan

 

ITS MY TIME TO SHINE

[TCO]

More like its Caoimhin time! Hopefully he's fit. They gain nothing by playing Lonergan.

[Gazz]

Pretty sure James Milner is the third choice keeper.

[Colly]