Other Games 2025-26

[brontebilly]

Nobody seems to be mentioning how mind buggeringly shit their defending was for Liverpool's winner. It's like the whole of the right side of their back four suddenly vaporised

It was more Elanga didn't drop in I thought. Right back was tracking another forward but Elanga stood watching the whole play.

[Monty]

Like or loathe Newcastle’ style of play but you can’t argue that it’s been pretty successful and they’ve consistently put themselves amongst the contenders for a European place since Howe was appointed.

There’s a perceived right way to play but it’s a results business, by and large Newcastle get results.

But it shouldn't, is my point, because half the tactics involve breaking the rules. Nothing to do with 'perceived' notions of the Corinthian spirit - it's that, if you give a team a reputation as a bit rough, paradoxically referees let them get away with more because they start grading on a curve. 'Not that bad for Newcastle' becomes 'not that bad in general' real fast, and they get away with stuff that anyone else would be pulled up for.

[paul_e]

Like or loathe Newcastle’ style of play but you can’t argue that it’s been pretty successful and they’ve consistently put themselves amongst the contenders for a European place since Howe was appointed.

There’s a perceived right way to play but it’s a results business, by and large Newcastle get results.

I thought it was noticeable last night that the first piece of passing, composed football Liverpool played  after they scored their second just after haft time resulted in the winner 55 minutes later.

but the point people are making is that a lot of what they do is given as free kicks and/or bookings against other teams but Newcastle have largely been allowed to push, pull, kick and shithouse their way through games for years, especially at home.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Like or loathe Newcastle’ style of play but you can’t argue that it’s been pretty successful and they’ve consistently put themselves amongst the contenders for a European place since Howe was appointed.

There’s a perceived right way to play but it’s a results business, by and large Newcastle get results.

I thought it was noticeable last night that the first piece of passing, composed football Liverpool played  after they scored their second just after haft time resulted in the winner 55 minutes later.

but the point people are making is that a lot of what they do is given as free kicks and/or bookings against other teams but Newcastle have largely been allowed to push, pull, kick and shithouse their way through games for years, especially at home.

Everyone likes a shithouse but not when they play for the opposition. They, perhaps or do, take it too the limit but as you suggest until it’s pulled up by the official or the higher powers why should they stop, very much like Man City’ rotational fouls before the opposition can get into a promising position.

I suppose I’m saying if it were us playing like Newcastle it wouldn’t be an issue.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Also Slot and Guardiola can do one when they moan about anti football, getting it launched and set pieces. Their teams struggle against those tactics so why not use them.

[Monty]

Man City's shithousing is annoying but only a bit more than the norm. I like a bit of edge, and not just when it's Emi for us but when it's Chiellini or Sergio Ramos or whoever, cracks me up. That's not the issue.

What we're saying about Newcastle is that it's the whole gimmick. They don't do a bit of cheeky whatnot - the entire style is based on getting away with shit other teams are punished for. That's why they're the worst. And yes, it's on the referees, but I don't see why that should stop me disliking the sportswashing fucks as well!

[paul_e]

Man City's shithousing is annoying but only a bit more than the norm. I like a bit of edge, and not just when it's Emi for us but when it's Chiellini or Sergio Ramos or whoever, cracks me up. That's not the issue.

What we're saying about Newcastle is that it's the whole gimmick. They don't do a bit of cheeky whatnot - the entire style is based on getting away with shit other teams are punished for. That's why they're the worst. And yes, it's on the referees, but I don't see why that should stop me disliking the sportswashing fucks as well!

Yep, exactly.

[Smirker]

so you’re saying that in the last 61 league games Watkins has played He’s only scored 17 times
naa that can’t be right

I promise you it is pal.

17 in 54 last season, ended the season before without scoring for five games and he's got no goals in two games this season.

The fact you don't believe it says it all. Everyone knows it's not good enough.

[Monty]

I quite like 75 in 186 though. That strikes me as good enough.

[Smirker]

Also it’s cutting stats to best suit your argument, which is why it’s better to look at his record in his time at the club. He scores his goals at better (and quite a bit better) than a goal every three games. That’s really good, and when you add his assists (and general play) - which really matter - his record is exceptional.

It's a period of 18 months. A perfectly reasonable sample size.

If his goal record was really good you wouldn't need to keep adding assists to it. Every time you do it you hammer another nail into your own argument.

[VILLA MOLE]

Man City's shithousing is annoying but only a bit more than the norm. I like a bit of edge, and not just when it's Emi for us but when it's Chiellini or Sergio Ramos or whoever, cracks me up. That's not the issue.

What we're saying about Newcastle is that it's the whole gimmick. They don't do a bit of cheeky whatnot - the entire style is based on getting away with shit other teams are punished for. That's why they're the worst. And yes, it's on the referees, but I don't see why that should stop me disliking the sportswashing fucks as well!

Gosh certainly don’t like them , but i admired the energy and never say die attitude last night .  Although it was a bit funny they lost 😃

[Martyn Smith]

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league-called-investigate-unacceptable-32350849?utm_source=reach_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=special_analytic5_newsletter&utm_content=&utm_term=&ruid=d87c9bfe-164e-4d49-90a8-0cf88fc68c21&hx=8503f669516879f641cca205fc9d5d6feceb0a32583ff788513201cad91c4512

I must admit I didn't notice this, although as with most games on TV not involving Villa, I was only half-watching. But it didn't seem a problem. And the notion that the game didn't represent decent spectator value as a football match I find utterly bizarre

[paul_e]

Also it’s cutting stats to best suit your argument, which is why it’s better to look at his record in his time at the club. He scores his goals at better (and quite a bit better) than a goal every three games. That’s really good, and when you add his assists (and general play) - which really matter - his record is exceptional.

It's a period of 18 months. A perfectly reasonable sample size.

If his goal record was really good you wouldn't need to keep adding assists to it. Every time you do it you hammer another nail into your own argument.

and if you argument didn't rely on ignoring everything but goals you wouldn't keep refusing to acknowledge that Watkins brings more to the team than just goals. Also cherry picking a date date/subset of games to fit your view is also a sure sign of a very weak argument.

[danno]

so you’re saying that in the last 61 league games Watkins has played He’s only scored 17 times
naa that can’t be right

I promise you it is pal.

17 in 54 last season, ended the season before without scoring for five games and he's got no goals in two games this season.

The fact you don't believe it says it all. Everyone knows it's not good enough.

John said league games.
(26 in his last 61 premier league appearances).

[Somniloquism]

Smirker is obviously forgetting ignoring that the one season he actually thinks Watkins did well (the 19 leagues goals scored), he was scoring a league goal every 170 minutes of play. Last season, he was scoring a league goal every 163 mins of play because he didn't start as many or play 90 mins in as many. Instead now he is picking the last 5 games of one season to bulk out stats he wants*.

I will add on ALL matches, the goals per minutes do not compare, but in my opinion the opponents also do not compare because it was minnows of Europe he was scoring his goals against in 23/24, and he still contributed the same amount of goals to the team but of course, assists don't count for smirker.