British Football Thread (all divisions)

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Mackems are at home to Norwich and a draw simply won't be enough, they need to start winning games but failure to do so could see them relegated after the next two games.

And that'e exactly what happened....went 1-0 up then missed a penalty only to concede a goal near the end

[Jimbuna]

Sunderland draw 2-2 with Reading despite leading 2-1 and find themselves six points from safety with only nine points left to play for.

TOON are live on Sky today playing host to Arsenal, HWTL.

[Jimbuna]

TOON win 2-1

[mapuc]

It was, what I would call a positive surprise.
Had set my mind on least draw and perhaps a defeat.

Now it is 110 % sure they will be in Premier League next year too, I hope their manager will take on his spending trousers and buy some great players.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

^ Not yet mathematically certain Markus, TOON are 13 points above a relegation place and there are 15 otential points remaining.

I doubt a bookmaker would even lay you odds on that happening though

[Jimbuna]

[Jimbuna]

[Jimbuna]

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to leave at the end of the season after 22 years at the club.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43834283

[Threadfin]

In like a lion, out like a sham.

Overdue, yes, but the interesting thing will be what happens from here. Le Professor will get his farewells and plaudits and everyone will talk about how awesome he is (was). Fair enough, he deserves most of it.

As poor as he has been recently, I wonder what becomes of the club. Who takes the position? Arsenal are an unbalanced side, with holes all over the pitch. No Champion's League and possibly no Europe at all.

There is a chance that things turn out well, with the right manager at the helm and the right signings to address the squad's shortcomings. But there is also the very real chance of it all going horribly wrong.

The Premier League is no longer the top 4 and everyone else. Arsenal no longer have a guaranteed place at the adult table, and they could easily find themselves mired in mid-table mediocrity next season. They are two points ahead of freakin' Burnley for crying out loud.

Personally I hope for a crash and burn, but suspect they'll come good. Just depends on who takes the job.

So who will that be?

Low? After this summer's World Cup I can see him stepping down and looking to make a name in club management. This one has legs.

Simeone? Maybe. He could feel he is ready for a higher profile club. But the grass isn't always greener, and he is Atletico. 50/50

Ancelloti? Too safe, but maybe that's what they'll need for the transition and to avoid a Ferguson>Moyes repeat disaster.

Vieria? Not yet. I can see him here down the line though.

Arteta? See above

Tuchel? Yes, this is my guess. He seems a good fit, the right sort of manager for Arsenal.

Brendan Rodgers? No. But wait, yes! This is who they will actually appoint, because it's Arsenal.

[Jimbuna]

You forgot to include Pardew and Carver

[Threadfin]

And Curbishley's gotta be at least 7-1

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Threadfin

And Curbishley's gotta be at least 7-1

That got me thinking "Never hear much about him, wonder what he is doing now?" Then I came across this three day-old article: https://thesetpieces.com/interviews/alan-curbishley/

[Threadfin]

Well, it doesn't help his case to have sued his last employer.

The days of the recycled English manager are going to end. Prove you can do the job and you'll get another chance. Keep mucking it up and have fun being a pundit.

Pardew, Allardyce, Woy and guys like this keep getting hired despite never achieving much of anything. Those days are coming to an end. Clubs are more open to young, unproven managers, especially foreign.

[Jimbuna]

A DIY shop in Sunderland is selling SAFC wallpaper for 10p a roll with a notice saying "not guaranteed to stay up"

[Jimbuna]

Well, that just about sums it all up as far as Sunderland are concerned, 84 minutes played and leading 1-0 only to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory yet again and go down 1-2 and relegation into the third tier.

Looking forward to the TOON away to Everton on Sky tomorrow night.