Frederick Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 On Wednesday, December 07, 2016 at 3:54 PM, Michael* said: This of course means that it's now time for Januzaj to finally stand up and be counted. The lad clearly has ability, but we need him to show that he wants to play for us, or at the very least show Jose that it would be worth taking him back at the end of the season. All things considered, I'm predicting either a wonder goal, red card or season ending injury at Swansea next week. Considering he's sleepwalked through the last two years, Januzaj should certainly be keen. He got a pretty good kicking after his inglorious loan to Dortmund and yes, he was powderpuff of the highest order but really he's barely out of nappies, which is easy to forget seeing as he's been around for a while. You don't want to see the lad wake up one day, a 29 year-old millionaire with funny ears, six moves into his career, wondering why he's stuck on the bench at Hamburg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael* Posted December 11, 2016 Share Posted December 11, 2016 It would be a real shame if people remembered Januzaj as a wasted talent, because there's certainly a good player in there somewhere. He has quick feet, dribbling ability and can thread the ball through the eye of a needle, but at the moment he looks to have all the upper body strength of a newborn baby. I get the impression that he's still in a huff with everyone because he never made it at United, so much so that Moyes, the one manager who unquestionably rates him, doesn't seem to think it's worth starting him. Overall, a bad day at the office yesterday, but we have to hope that it was just a one-off and not a more permanent return to the dismal form of earlier in the season. Chelsea in midweek is a write-off, which means we'll be needing something at home to Watford on Saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frederick Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 Couldn't see Arsenal and Bayern getting drawn together, could you? Regarding Benfica, I suppose it's a good draw but it's hard to know what shape we'll be in by mid-February. Can still be a purring sportscar going forward but can as often be turgid and error prone. I can see a fair few goals over two legs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael* Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 Finish top of the group and draw Bayern, finish second and they would have had Barca. Oh, to be Arsenal in the Champions League. Still, I wouldn't write them off just yet, a much worse Arsenal side only went out on away goals to a much better Bayern side. I could perhaps see Monaco springing a surprise against Man City, Jardim has a well organised team at his disposal and one that capitalises on the sort of clangers that Stones and friends have been repeatedly dropping all season. And, the wonders will never cease, Falcao seems to have sorted out his shooting boots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frederick Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Aston Villa yesterday announced an extension to its corporate partnership with Rock Bottom. The personal despair specialists have forged a close alliance with the Villains in recent years as CEO Chris T. Weir-Orfell explained from a misery filled coach in Norfolk. "With Aston Villa we are redefining what Rock Bottom means all the time. We took the product to Preston a few months ago and our focus group told us, 'Yes, that's Rock Bottom!' but tonight we've reached another level. I'm delighted." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael* Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 I'm not crying, it's just been raining. On my face. Dreams come true ?? The heart-warming meeting of Murtaza Ahmadi and #Messi in Qatar ?? #FCBinDoha #ForçaBarça https://t.co/riKC0AAS77 — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 13, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stromboli1 Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 Zlatan is amazing, he should've gotten a straight red though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael* Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 33 minutes ago, Stromboli1 said: Zlatan is amazing, he should've gotten a straight red though. I was just reading about Ibra in Alan Shearer's 'ones to watch' list. Apparently, the lad is new to the Premier League but keep an eye on him, he could be decent. But in all seriousness, I'd say the referee got it just about right. It felt like one of those challenges where, although you know it's a bit worse than a yellow card, it's perhaps not quite bad enough to be a red one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frederick Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 15 hours ago, Michael* said: I was just reading about Ibra in Alan Shearer's 'ones to watch' list. Apparently, the lad is new to the Premier League but keep an eye on him, he could be decent. Even by the standards of tedious piffle he usually spouts Big Al's obsession with 'world class' and who is and who isn't is eye watering in it's bizarro grumpy anti-logic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael* Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 7 hours ago, Frederick said: Even by the standards of tedious piffle he usually spouts Big Al's obsession with 'world class' and who is and who isn't is eye watering in it's bizarro grumpy anti-logic. My teeth still grind at the memory of Wor Al's "we'd have nothing to talk about in the pub afterwards" argument against the use of video technology in the game, but he is mad keen on Newcastle and therefore, perhaps deserves more sympathy than most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frederick Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 18 hours ago, Michael* said: My teeth still grind at the memory of Wor Al's "we'd have nothing to talk about in the pub afterwards" argument against the use of video technology in the game, but he is mad keen on Newcastle and therefore, perhaps deserves more sympathy than most. Usually it's the tag team of Hoddle and Owen that gets me reaching for the cyanide capsules but I got lumped watching John Hartson and Kevin Kilbane a few weeks ago and felt very much like God was punishing for being too efficient ahead of Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stromboli1 Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Rumor is James to PSG, Chelsea, or ManU. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael* Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 14 hours ago, Frederick said: Usually it's the tag team of Hoddle and Owen that gets me reaching for the cyanide capsules but I got lumped watching John Hartson and Kevin Kilbane a few weeks ago and felt very much like God was punishing for being too efficient ahead of Christmas. Michael Owen all day for me. How a man who relies so heavily on the 'say what you see' style of punditry, basically reiterating what we've all just watched onscreen without offering any kind of insight or depth, could so consistently manage to talk such absolute rot is a genuine mystery. Nice chap though he obviously is, you wonder why Kilbo Baggins even bothers. He doesn't appear to get any particular enjoyment out of it, and goodness knows he’s not bringing much to the table. Hoddle is another constant source of irritation, but you at least get the impression that, if he wasn't so lazy, he'd be capable of more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frederick Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 8 hours ago, Michael* said: Michael Owen all day for me. How a man who relies so heavily on the 'say what you see' style of punditry, basically reiterating what we've all just watched onscreen without offering any kind of insight or depth, could so consistently manage to talk such absolute rot is a genuine mystery. Show up, produce dead eyed smile for the cameras, collect money, go home and think about horses: the Michael Owen playbook since 2005. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael* Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 RIP Graham Taylor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frederick Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 20 hours ago, Michael* said: RIP Graham Taylor Feels terribly trite to say but he truly was 'one of the good guys'. There haven't been many outright great decisions made at Aston Villa in the past thirty years but his appointment was one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael* Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 On 13/01/2017 at 3:20 PM, Frederick said: Feels terribly trite to say but he truly was 'one of the good guys'. There haven't been many outright great decisions made at Aston Villa in the past thirty years but his appointment was one. If I'm honest, I feared message boards and comments sections nationwide would quickly degenerate into jokes about turnips and Carlton Palmer when the news broke, but it's actually been really heartening to read so many warm tributes to a guy who genuinely deserved them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael* Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Records are made to be broken, except the one about Sunderland never winning when Jack Rodwell starts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frederick Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 On 14/01/2017 at 10:20 PM, Michael* said: Records are made to be broken, except the one about Sunderland never winning when Jack Rodwell starts. Fair to say the lad has exceeded the statute of limitations on dining out as a top flight starter because you once bagged a brace against Exeter in the League Cup. Still no idea what he is, a poor man's Steve Sidwell? Meanwhile, sub human football at Molineux from Bruce's Villa. We sold the comically limited but occasionally useful Gestede, only to be left with a Blobonlahor/McCormack front line while Kodjia's away. I've seen greater goal threat from a ballet shoe wearing Tony Hibbert than these two rotund chuckleheads. Zabaleta in central midfield, eh, Pep? And to think Joey Barton was available on a free a little while ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SympathysSilhouette Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 You know you've lived a good life when even those who usually readily dispense copious amounts of snark are quite tender in their reminiscence. RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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