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Reply | The ultimate World Cup thread
at 00:07 6 Jul 2026
The manner of the defeat -- out-passed more than 2 to 1, two-thirds possession for Norway -- will sting just as much as fact of being knocked out for Brazilian public and media.
Norway coach changing wingers at half-time really worked.
Brazil still had more than enough chances to win however as shown by XG stats (not the most reliable metric, we all know).
Brazil XG of 2.73, Norway 0.84. |
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Reply | Paraguay
at 05:01 5 Jul 2026
On the Fox live coverage of the game here in the USA, Dr Joe Machnick, the FIFA-friendly refereeing analyst said that World Cup refs have been told to ignore fouls in the pursuit of 'game flow'. That's been very clear from watching the games. The Uzbek ref followed those orders in a dreadful display where he booked 3 French players and unbelievably none from Paraguay. He had no control and let the dark arts flourish.
FIFA's policy of letting some fouls go is dangerous and will eventually increase the danger of serious injuries. Also, this policy has not been publicly announced by FIFA or debated by anyone as far as I am aware. While it has helped the spectacle and cut down play-acting and feigning injury in many games, the downside of it was shown in France v Paraguay. In the earlier game, Canada v Morocco, Michael Oliver dished out 7 yellow cards in a very Premier League style ref performance. Don't think it was a dirtier game.
Finally, did not agree with BBC Sport headline characterizing the game this way: "France survive Paraguay's 'disgraceful' and 'embarrassing' dark arts". What are Paraguay supposed to do? Just let King Kylian and his teammates run all over them? That's why you need strong refs and consistent enforcement, not unannounced, covert guidance to referees to turn a blind eye to certain offences. |
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Reply | 3 albums without a bad track on them
at 05:42 28 Jun 2026
Abandoned Luncheonette - Hall & Oates
Songs in the Key of Life - Stevie Wonder
Brazilian Love Affair - George Duke
best live album: In Person at El Matador - Sergio Mendes and Brasil '65 |
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Reply | Three on the spin for resurgent Rangers – Report
at 19:13 5 Apr 2026
Did not think Smyth was yanked too early. Been away on international duty and on yellow card. Also Watford not posing much of a threat. Harvey O'Vale who was also away on international duty subbed just before the 80 min mark. Both set to play on Monday. |
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Reply | Rest of the Championship thread 25/26
at 01:08 5 Apr 2026
Had not realized until I read it that Southampton were on 14 match unbeaten run going into cup tie, including that lucky home win over the Super Hoops. Look well coached and parachute money helps as you have a stockpile of quality players. They don't look like they miss Ronnie Edwards do they? Always love Championship teams beating Premier opposition. And, yes shows what QPR should do and actually try in cup games. |
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Reply | Let’s face it, Portsmouth were the better side yesterday!
at 18:37 22 Mar 2026
Thanks for posting.
Actually have to take issue with something Coach Stephan said...
'Sometimes football is very strange - we didn't score during four games and then the last two games we score three against Leicester and six today, with the same players and the same instructions'.
NOT the same players! Smyth and Kolli in and Saito and Varane out as starters. |
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Reply | Let’s face it, Portsmouth were the better side yesterday!
at 17:40 22 Mar 2026
Some unbelievably harsh comments on here. I thought the key moment was at 1-0 up when Walsh made that really good save down to his right from a Swift free kick, 1-1 there and rest of game would have been very different. To quote Brian Moore in World in Motion 'We want goals'. We got goals. They were wide open at the back and that's something a team battling relegation simply can't be if they want to stay up. |
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Reply | Eze....wallop
at 02:17 18 Mar 2026
Thanks for posting as this one works for us poor expats!
Wonderful goal. |
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Reply | Same Time Next Year
at 18:48 12 Mar 2026
Competence is all we want and we never get it. Agree with posters that recruitment has been promising, though in retrospect a bit too reliant on getting players with no or little Championship experience. Best ability is availability and if you're not match fit, you're just wasting space on the pitch. I end up being admiring and jealous (god help me) not of teams like Millwall, Brentford or Fulham, but of teams with far less like Oxford and Charlton who fight and fight again and organize and battle and make the best of things and make sensible, smart decisions. We are soft and always seem to regress to this state whatever the manager.
Current Nourry set up needs to be blown up because it sinks 'performance' and leads to injuries. Fire him and all his underlings and make a fresh start with a promising (on paper) squad. |
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Reply | All A Hard Watch & Struggle
at 03:22 9 Mar 2026
100 per cent this. Looked haunted and grim just before kick off and his comments post match in media room were sad and defeatist. No member of the media asked why Cook didn't play and should have. Have sympathy for him at a basket case of a club but whatever the reason he is 'broken'. |
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Reply | Sunrise, sunset – Report
at 19:08 2 Mar 2026
Words from our 'coach' to the effect of 'I'm Just the Manager' to 'happy for Sam Field playing well at Norwich' show we are back in the recurring nightmare of wondering who is calling the shots, who is in control. But loved his sudden honesty saying let's just get mathematically safe. Also credit to the journalist at the press conference who was asking the right questions...people who follow these post-match sessions posted by WLS know this is not very often the case.
Personal view but I would always pick Cook and Mbengue if fit enough. |
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Reply | Pony Up: Dunne's a Pro, Blades for show Fred
at 16:20 28 Feb 2026
SNAP JUDGEMENTS:
Boy, we miss Madsen.
Esquindera is still not ready for prime-time.
Total lack of movement by midfield and attack for centre backs to pick a pass.
Shef U not out of second gear in 2nd half. Easy, easy, asy.
What's the point of Varane at this point? Sam Field gets assist, plays 94 mins for Norwich today. |
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Reply | Blackburn Reflection
at 19:39 15 Feb 2026
Except Bennie for Smyth, think there were no surprises in line-up. Dunne and Cook are not 'clowns' as said earlier in this thread. They have been two of our best players in recent weeks but they were caught out badly here and reason looks more tactical than anything else with Blackburn pressing high and playing with spirit.
Blackburn were no Oxford or even Charlton and will now survive quite easily. Loved Warburton and his dismissal is sliding doors moment in recent Rangers history but worry we are in 'no Plan B ever' territory. 3 in midfield is not heresy you will get burned at the stake for and if you do not rate Sam Field as is the case with Stephan and Twitterati, you don't understand Championship football fully yet.
While we're at it, people should be sticking up for Mbengue. He makes us better on the field. I like him as a player not because he is a nutter but despite that. He is a f-ing good footballer who, um, has some 'judgement' issues. He races forward. Don't get me wrong, he did cost us Wrexham game. But Saito cost us Blackburn game with his first half hero turned villain act. |
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Reply | FourFourTwo top 10 Championship players
at 23:21 13 Feb 2026
Name is Harry Amass and now on loan at Norwich and he is good. Another v good player switching from MLS is Patrick Agyemang of Derby, classy attacker. |
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Reply | FourFourTwo top 10 Championship players
at 23:16 13 Feb 2026
Agree with this. Centre back came from MLS and is the real deal. Also from Boro Aidan Morris and Tommy Conway. And like Lewie Coyle as he is having a good season for Hull. |
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Reply | Sammy Sammy Field Sammy Sammy Field
at 19:16 12 Feb 2026
Most sorry I felt for Sam Field was being played out on the right wing by Critchley in a home game.
Also, even more off topic, Casey Wasserman is head of the LA 2028 Olympics organizing committee and has faced calls for his resignation over the Epstein files from a series of LA politicians. The board of LA 28 yesterday issued a vote of confidence in him. |
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