Man City weren’t at their brilliant best today, but they still came away with a convincing 4-0 win via a little help from VAR and some truly awful defending by NUFC.
We were denied one of the most blatant penalties you will see all season in the first half, with VAR ignoring Ederson’s blatant foul on Fraser, however we can’t expect anything other than a heavy defeat if we defend like that against the league leaders; even if it would’ve been nice to see referees do their job for once!
A calamitous piece of defending by Ciaran Clark gifted Dias and early goal, which was followed by a thunderbolt from Cancelo just before the half-hour mark.
We had the odd moment through Joelinton – who was our best player by a mile in a box-to-box midfield role – but City bagged two more after the break through Mahrez and Sterling.
The fans inside St James’ Park never stopped singing, however it was the nightmare before Christmas for Eddie Howe, with yet another heavy defeat featuring more horrific defending and a fifth yellow of the season for Isaac Hayden; meaning he’ll now miss next Monday’s clash with Man Utd.
Howe made FIVE changes from Thursday’s 3-1 defeat at Anfield, seeing Clark, Murphy, Willock, Almrion and Wilson replace Schar, Manquillo, Lewis, Shelvey and Saint-Maximin.
Worryingly, both Shelvey and Manquillo were missing from the entire squad, which meant Toon teenagers Elliot Anderson and Joe White were named on the bench.
STARTING 11: Dubravka – Murphy, Lascelles, Clark, Ritchie – Hayden, Willock -Almiron, Joelinton, Fraser – Wilson.
SUBS: Darlow, Schar, Hendrick, Krafth, Anderson, Saint-Maximin, Gayle, S Longstaff, White.
It was never going to be easy, but there were huge pre-match concerns regarding our back four’s ability to cope with Mahrez, Sterling, Jesus, De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva, with us forced to play two out-of-form centre-backs and two wingers at full-back in a four-man defence.
One thing we had to cut out, not just in this game but in general, was stupid errors. We’ve made so many mistakes that have led to goals this season, and we did exactly that barely five minutes into this one.
As Cancelo found space to hook a high ball back into the box, an amateurish lack of communication between Clark and Dubravka meant neither took charge of the situation and Dias headed home from just a couple of yards out.
1-0 City and a truly calamitous start, proving once again why Ciaran Clark should not be playing Premier League football anymore. Some will say Dubravka should’ve come out to claim it, but Clark HAS to deal with that when he doesn’t get the shout – not leave it for a tap-in!
It then got worse 27 minutes in, although this time via a piece of Brilliance from Cancelo. He was given too much space to get the shot away and should’ve been closed down quicker, but his 20-yard strike gave Dubravka no chance, flying into the top left corner to make it 2-0.
Then, just a few minutes later we were denied one of the most stone-wall penalties you’ll ever see, as Ederson clattered into Fraser just after Cancelo had taken the ball from his path. It was bad enough that Atkinson didn’t give it, but the fact the video assistant didn’t then get in his ear and demand a penalty be given is honestly beyond belief. Just like at Anfield a few days ago, we had been well and truly shafted by VAR here.
It’s quite incredible that VAR will disallow goals for a toenail making someone inches offside, yet can’t look back at incidents like this and give a penalty!
So, in we went 2-0 down at the break. We actually gave Man City a decent game in parts, should’ve had a penalty and could’ve scored from a Hayden header from five yards out, yet another stupid error at the back, a moment of brilliance and some embarrassing officiating proved costly. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it!?
It must be said that Joelinton was outstanding in that first half. He was almost playing on the left side of a midfield three and was like a battering ram, dominating that area of the field, driving us forward and proving a real handful for City midfielders who couldn’t cope with his physicality.
The second half kicked off and we’d made one change, with Allan Saint-Maximin replacing Joe Willock; meaning Joelinton would drop in alongside Isaac Hayden in the final 45.
52 minutes in and City very nearly made it three. Cancelo hung a ball up to the back post, Bernardo knocked it back across goal and Jesus looked all set to head home…only to be denied by a brilliant save by Dubravka.
Howe made a second change on the hour mark, bringing Sean Longstaff on for Isaac Hayden – who was walking a tightrope after a first half booking that’s left him suspended for our upcoming clash with Man Utd on the 27th.
A few minutes later, it was 3-0. Zinchenko picked out an unmarked Mahrez at the back post and the Algerian guided it into the bottom corner. The offside flag went up initially, but VAR replays showed Lascelles was keeping him onside and the goal was given.
Hendrick came on for his first appearance under Howe with 10 minutes remaining and our first shot on target followed soon after, when Wilson had a header well saved by Ederson after an inviting cross from Fraser.
Sterling then made it four with five minutes remaining, tapping in at the back post after Jesus skipped past Murphy with ease and put it on a plate for the England international.
Full time, Newcastle 0, Man City 4. The crowd never stopped signing, but an onlooking Amanda Staveley must realise what a huge month awaits for this football club.
Next up, a meeting with Man Utd at St James’ Park a week tomorrow…providing it’s allowed to go ahead!
That should be a red for Kane. He always does that and never gets called on it.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
A high tackle, studs up, from kane and he always gets away with it. If that had been Shelvey he probably would have got 2 red cards and his golf clubs taken away for a month.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
It is the same bias by the Refs as it is to us. They NEVER punish Kane and he is a very dirty player. England captain so he gets away with murder. It used to be the same with Steven Gerrard. He could maim a player and only get a yellow.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I am getting the impression that all English Refs are ****, even the younger ones. Kane’s was a clear red card and then Jota gets pushed over in the box and nothing is given. I still think there is a bias towards NUFC but when you combine that with incompetence and old age, we have the deck stacked against us.
Dean 53
Atkinson 51
Fat Boy Moss 51
Marriner 51
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
They are actually saying at half time that was a red for Kane and the reason it wasnt called is that he is Harry Kane. Remember that would be a 3 match ban as well for as straight red. Could VAR look at it? Or is that only if a yellow is issued and they upgrade to red? I am not sure on that rule, but it shows again that Refs interpret the rules differently for certain players and certain teams. We always knew this. All you ever had to do was look at the number of pens Man U got and the notoriious “Fergie Time”.
Klopp is having a real go at the Ref in the tunnel at half time.
I dont really want to talk about our result 🙂 🙂 🙂
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Klopp’s going to do his nut 🙂 Robertson sent off for not having the last name Kane.
Not really, it probably was a red, but you get what I mean 🙂
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I remember Kane making that exact same tackle against us a few years ago and not seeing red. It may have been in that last game before we were relegated.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Sorry to bang on about Spurs/Liverpool but it another VAR failure so is relevant to all teams. Kane WAS given a yellow which means VAR could check for red. The pundits here at half time said it was red. The co-comm over here said it was not red, then during the 2nd half changed his mind. So everybody thinks it was a red. The Guardian commentary said Kane’s reputation might have saved him. Screw that! He is often a dirty player and it is only because he is England Captain and the press have canonized him as Saint Harold of Kane that he gets away with it. He IS “that kind of player”!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I watched the after match reactions. It is not only Eddie who is mad at Refs and VAR. Klopp is livid. I think he might get fined. Tuchel is still seething that his game was not called off. Fage, the Wolves manager, was asking what VAR actually does.
There is a groundswell of opinion now from Managers that the Refs and VAR are not good enough and that the rules are not clear – for VAR and for Covid. We have known this for ages. Now it is happeneing to their teams, other Managers are finally speaking out.
It is the quality and age of the Refs that is making this problem worse and we have known this all along. Plus bias. Letting Mike Dean Ref Liverpool is a joke.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
It comes from weak leadership at the top of the PL. It was always bad but look who is in charge now! They had Hoffman for a year and pushed him out. I think Masters was the PR guy and got the role by default after someone else had turned it down.
The so called big 6 are not even happy when these lackies tried to do their bidding. They knew about project Big Picture and did nothing and how could they not know about the European Super League?
No, the cartel are mad because they let the NUFC takeover through. But they had no choice. All of their dirty laundry would have come out in open court including Spurs and Liverpool trying to influence the decision and I bet also it would have come out how much they were cow-towing to Qatar.
The weak leadership translates to allowing these ancient refs to continue, to confusing rules on Covid and not sanctioning these idiots who make mistakes with VAR in virtually every game.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
The pool for PL refs is only about 15. Remember also that you cannot Ref a European game if you are over 45. How about this bunch of old goats who are charged with keeping up with super-fit athletes and also making VAR judgements. I am not sure if they could decide whether they want whole milk or skim on their porridge.
Mike Dean 53
Atkinson 51
Marriner 51
Fat Boy Moss 51
Kevin Friend 50
Lee Mason 50
Graham Scott 53
I know they have to pass fitness tests but when you watch them you know they cannot keep up in real life.
They all must have been Pals for so long as well so I bet there is an inherent reluctance to overturn the decisions via VAR and contradict their mates. We are seeing it every game with obvious errors. I watched 2 games today and there was the Kane red card, the Jota penalty and the Fraser penalty that were so obvious a 5 year old would have given them. Then again the 5 year old would have better eye-sight.
This is a public disgrace.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
The refereeing is either totally corrupt, or totally incompetent or both, either way it’s very worrying. It is just so obvious to everyone yet nothing is done. Shocking. Kane should’ve been off. We should’ve had a penalty. That’s just today.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
A back 4 of:
Murphy Lascelles Clark Ritchie
We were lucky to get away with only 4 nil.
The problem is that that is all we had. I think Eddie said even Schar was fatigued. I think that was code for he is saving him for Man U if that goes ahead.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Gilly: i watched the full Klopp interview and he is fuming. He barely held himself back but did say the Ref and VAR were wrong. That usually means a fine. They are just meant to grin and bear it I assume.
Kane “is that type of player”. I remember he did the same to one of our players and nothing was done. Lejeune, maybe?
I wouldnt like to be Jurgen’s dog when he gets home.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Yep Legeune Eric, put him out for the season didn’t he. Kane is a dirty player or simply cannot tackle.
And THIS
KEITH HACKETT
@HACKETTREF
Man City GK wipes out Newcastle forward. Nailed on Penalty Kick. Nothing given by Ref Atkinson, VAR Pawson clearly thinks it’s not a clear and not vicious error. Shocking decision.
kimtoon(Quote)
Seems we are now looking at Dan Ashworth from Brighton as our DoF! I know nothing about him but Brighton are certainly doing well and have some cracking players.
And Lingaard no longer of interest. He wants to stay at manure!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Well I don’t really know what to say about the last few games. Every bit as tough as we thought but we have been on the wrong end of decisions imo. I see some early signs that they’re slowly moving towards understanding what Howe wants. I think we have to accept we will make mistakes at the moment but need to carry on.
Could do with a Covid break of a few weeks to get us through transfer window 😀
I think we need 2 centre backs, a right back, a left back, a centre midfielder and a striker. So basically a new team…
Still not over. We are only 6 points off Southampton and we have only won one all season. Says it’s a bad league to me.
Stuart79(Quote)
Gilly – it really should be that difficult to get a DoF. My preference would be Michael Edwards who has already said he’s leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.
They have signed someone up to help Howe through January, so waiting for Edwards won’t be an issue.
If we want to follow the example of an club in the league, the Liverpool model would be my preference. Yes they spent big on VVD and Alison – but they also bought cheap in Robertson and have brought players through their academy.
Go get Edwards for me.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I listened to a BBC podcast and the 3 guests agreed it WAS NOT a penalty on Fraser. They touted the PL Ref line that the ball had moved away. Wouldnt that make it worse, since there was no chance of getting the ball when he cleaned him out. It was obvious dangerous play and you can be sent off for off-the-ball incidents. If Andy Carroll elbowed someone in the centre circle when the goalie had the ball he could be sent off. 2 of the guests were Carlton Cole and Nigel Reo-Coker and they made idiots of themselves.
Reo-Coker said NUFC fans will be happy if we are relegated because league position doesnt matter to us now that we have new owners.
I am beginning to think there is a conspiracy of dunces consisting of ex-players and Refs.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
NUFC are making a formal complaint to the PL about refereeing decisions. I hope it includes VAR which in my opinion is even more culpable. I know I am a stuck record, but part of this is that about half the Refs came into the league together and are 50 or older. They cover each others’ @rses and wrongly stand behind the rule that there must be an obvious error, because even when there is an obvious error they hardly ever call it.
It needed a high profile manager like Klopp to come forward and he is giving cover to some of these pundits who would normally never questions the authorities.
These over-50s Refs cannot Ref in Europe where the retirement age is 45. Why can they do so in the PL? As a compromise I would make the retirement age 50. That would get rid of Mike Dean, Fat Boy Moss and 5 others. Hopefully they wouldn’t be replaced by more mini-me’s like Paul Tierney. I think Klopp will be fined for what he said about him. He basically called him incompetant.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
And it is not just the age or becoming Refs together. I think they consciously or subconsciously have each others backs, for better or mostly worse. They go on these retreats to talk about new rules etc. I bet they all go out to dinner together and have a right laugh at when Harry Kane was let off for a leg breaker because he is England Captain.
And there is interaction at every game. There is the Ref, the 4th official and the VAR Ref. They are comfortable in their own little bubble and you cannot tell me that this and their retreats doesnt make them biased and comfortable in their bias. WE have seen it.
Finally, there doesnt seem to be any job appraisal. Hardly any of them ever get demoted and they never get sacked. They are assured of this cushy little number where they get paid 70,000 a year plus appearance money which is 1,000 per game. Then, when they evetually do retire (10 years too late) they will get columns and jobs at the tabloids and even on TV.
I believe it is all a little clique which causes them to think alike (group-think) and cover for their buddies knowing there will be no consequences. Indeed, any consequences fall on any manager who citicizes them and gets hit with a massive fine.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
It is all middle-class white males of roughly the same age with at least 7 entering the league at the same time (the 7 over 50s). They chat together and I am sure socialize before and probably after games and definately at the retreats of which I am sure there are more than 1 per year. It is perfectly set up for group-think but even more so for bias because they dont want to go against their mates.
I bet they talk on the phone, but probably burner phones so nobody can trace it!!! Imagine! That would be the most boring Whatsapp Group ever 🙂
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Gilly – also, if Lingard decides to stay at Man Utd then he deserves to have the failed career he’s destined to have.
He showed last season just what he’s capable of at a club that gave him game time – Man Utd have overlooked him for years, and yet he’s considering staying on in January in hope of a new contract.
He may well get a new contract – but why does he think that would come with more game time?!.
It would be a stupid decision & a wasted career imo. An eventual look back on various substitute appears & touchline warm ups in the background.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Well I suppose we will see just how ambitious the new board is from next month. It’s a big job sorting this squad out. It’s terrible and 3 or 4 players won’t be enough.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham – I don’t think it’s a measure of ambition from our position unfortunately.
I have to say, firstly I’ve not been impressed one bit with our new owners so far. They’ve made a right pigs ear of the managerial appointment – I think Howe is definitely the right man, but they got their more by mistake than good process.
To not have a director of football in place yet either is a bit amateur as well in my opinion – not only that, turning to a recruitment agent to draw you up a shortlist ??♂️.
I think in light of that they are probably right to get this guy in short term over January – but is he really there to work on longer term deals or solely focus on loans & inexpensive transfers to get us through this season?!.
That aside. We sit second bottom of the league. Our ambition could be to make Europe, but our reality is survival – and how many players does that attract?!.
The owners ambition can’t really be measured until the summer imo – but again, it will depend on which league we find ourselves in then ??♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So PL decide not to postpone games over xmas, if a club can field 13 players and gk their game goes ahead.
Hmm well that somewhat favors the big clubs doesn’t it.
kimtoon(Quote)
The PL reach an agreement about not doing a pause because they know they would not start up again until the numbers peak. This does not mean the Govt will not shut them or the grounds down. If the expected Govt measures go through I cannot see them letting fans in.
Brits cannot go to France or Germany but thet can pack 76,000 into Old Trafford!
I dont know where this is all going but there are so many contradictions, especially with so many matches called off. However, a positive Covid test does not mean someone is ill. We should know who has symptoms and how many are players. This is what Jurgen Klopp is calling for so there is a bit more clarity.
I still dont get any of this. If Chelsea had 7 positive tests then they should isolate but also what about the tracing? They were obviously with their team-mates in training and on buses so shouldnt they be isolating?
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Rules on isolating that seem relevant. Caveat : these are Not my rules, not my views of what the rules should be and not my interpretation of whatever the correct .gov.uk words are. I quote them from the bbc news website
“People must isolate for 10 days – regardless of vaccination status or a negative test – if anyone in their household tests positive for Covid”
“They must also isolate if they’ve been in close contact with someone from another household who’s tested positive, and take a PCR test (if it’s negative and they are double-vaccinated, they can end isolation)”
There are obvious flaws in the guidance .. not least because you don’t seem to have to present evidence of testing or the result. Looking at that I would say if you associate with someone who is positive for covid you don’t need to isolate assuming you claim a negative test and double vax
Ref the crowds .. being outside seems to mean do what you like as all guidance seems to be specific to indoors
re; views on refs there may be something in the diversity angle. The uk footballing authorities have long been a backward looking old boys network. IMO it runs through football generally .. one outcome of which is the dreadful punditry on football that draws so much attention on this blog
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Looks like the game against Man U is on at the moment. We have a chance against them but we will have to see how the Refs contrive to give them a penalty and deny us one. They have spent all of that money but have an unbalanced team and that is reflected in the fact that De Gea has been their best player. I watched them against Norwich and they were **** and lucky. If we can press them and use our pace we can exploit some of their weaknesses. We have our own problems but I wont go there!!!
They have a very talented and EXPENSIVE forward line but they do not know what to do with them all. Cavani is unsettled and so are Lingard and Martial. Ronaldo and Fernando want to be in the same space so Bruno seems lost at times. Rashford is out of sorts and Sancho hasnt settled yet. What better team than NUFC to play against in order to get firing again 🙂 no, seriously, Rangnick has a lot to sort out here.
Then there is their midfield. Must be the worst in the top 10. McFred are not exactly Scholes and Keane.
Look at how much money they have spent on that defense. Wan Bassaka looks clueless and Shaw has regressed. We can get at Tugboat McGuire if we can use our pace and Baily has a mistake in him.
All that said, on paper they should beat us but they really have not been playing well.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Then there is Pogba. He is out but still causes a distraction. He was rehabbing in Dubai and Rangnick has already said that will not happen again on his watch. DIS-TRAC-TION. He is the Mike Dean of footballers – it’s all about him.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
It seems like the most likely course of action soon after Christmas is a return to “step 2” measures. This means restricting outdoor gatherings to 6 people. If this happens then there is no way there could be crowds in football grounds, but you never know. The Boris Govt are currently abdicating their (ir)responsibility on public health and safety to Premier League suits, Managers and Captains. YCMIU. They are letting the people with most to gain make the rules. Not to mention, that if the PL gets it’s way it will go against everything that is happening in wider society.
What else would you expect from Boris and Chums where there is one rule for the privileged and another for the rest of us. And all in the PL, top to bottom, are certainly privileged.
Britain’s Public Health Policy brought to you by Sky Sports and the Premier League! Stay tuned for a Sky Special with Jim White bringing you latest Covid numbers and of course we will have our Sky Reporters at all major hospitals bringing you up to the minute news. Instead of the countdown clock like on deadline day we will have a sort of doomsday closck giving you the latest days’ death toll. We will also have interviews with Roy Keane and Graeme Souness giving their scientific opinions on the pandemic.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
We now hand you over to Keith Downie at the RVI.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I know we have a terrible record against Man U but they were bad against Norwich. They dropped both the fullbacks and played this team on December 11th.
Dea Gea
Dalot Lindelof McGuire Telles
Fred McTom
Sancho Rashford
Ronaldo Fernandes
They mostly have big reputations but they have not been playing up to them. The fullbacks arent any better than the players they ousted. McGuire has been very inconsistent and making mistakes. McFred are just not good enough for the usual Man U standard. Both Sancho and Rashford are out of form. They try to press but Ronaldo doesnt join in and gets in Fernandes’ way.
When we play them they will not have played for 16 days. We dont even know who had Covid and how bad it was. We know what happened at Leicester but this is another one of those games where if you had to pick a time to play them then this would be it. Assuming we cannot wait until after the Jan window.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Well. I have got the nightmare scenario. My brother and his girlfriend arrived at my mother’s from Thailand. He now has Covid. He is isolating in his bedroom in me Mam’s house with the windows open. I havent had a chance to really talk about what the plans are but me mam is currently taking him cups of tea whilst wearing a mask and gloves.
The problem is that my mother is 79. I think he should move to a hotel but I have to let them decide as I am 4.000 miles away. My brother isnt even speaking to me because I said he was a bad father for letting his son get finger tattoos.
I think his girlfriend should look after him and my mother should stay far away. The problem is that she could catch it and she only had the booster yesterday.
Not good!!!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
aye mate thats very very risky 👿
icedog(Quote)
Thanks for the concern Ice. My brother has an underlying condition as well, asthma. I hope they are smart enough to be leaving his food and cups of tea on a tray outside his door. Luckily, me Mam has an upstairs where he is so can stay clear of him. It still has me worried.
My guess is that he caught it on the plane. It is a blo0dy long flight from Thailand.
It makes me feel even stronger that they need to be closing football grounds again. It has backed up all of my fears and I really believe the PL and Sky are keeping going purely for the money. It is not about players or fans. As I have said a few times they fear that if they shut down it will not start up again for months. I saw an interview with the Ipswich Chairman and he said exactly that, so they know!!!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Things changed in the last couple of days in Chicago as well. Before everything looked contained but now the positivity rate has gone from 4% to 8%. That is the threshhold where they consider stopping indoor activity. It will most likely get worse. What does this mean for the UK? I think if everybody/country is moving in that direction then there is no way that Boris can keep the football grounds open. The Netherlands has a lockdown and France and Germany will not let Brits in. I think Scotland just closed their grounds.
I have been saying all along that this would happen. Boris and Co cannot just put their fingers in their ears and go la la la la. The PL are in it purely for the money so they cannot police themselves. The fox really is in charge of the henhouse in their case.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Man U have begun a “staggered return” to training. This is fcn 6 days before our game and their squad cannot all be together because of Covid. I am sorry, that is not good enough, whatever the PL and Sky rules are. I dont care if they test negative, if they cannot all train togther then there is still worry.
I am pretty sure there will be something announced soon but knowing Boris he will wait until after Christmas because he doesnt have a spine/clue.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
BORIS is in a world of his own,i can see himm losing his leadership after the hols
icedog(Quote)
We will not win the Manure game. The referee is Craig Pawson. The very one who thought Maddison deserved a pen in VAR, and the VAR guy who thought Fraser didn’t deserve one vs City. I expect at least a red card for one of our players and very likely a penalty for manure or one denied to us yet again.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
You know that number being bandied around by all and sundry that we have 50 million to spend in the transfer window. THAT MAKES NO SENSE. We will spend a lot more to ensure PL survival. Let me explain.
First of all we are not limited by FFP rules or Sponsorship monies. The PIF can put in whatever they want.
Next, they say that promotion to the PL is worth about 150 mil. So that would mean it would cost us about that if we are relegated LESS parachute payments. If you only stay in the Championship 1 year you get 40 million. Cost of relegation = approx 100 mil.
We would be crazy not to spend at least that amount to stay in the PL. We have the money and a years delay for plans is a year wasted. Even if we fail, that expenditure is a drop in the bucket to the PIF. It would be madness not to try.
If we have a couple of ducks in line like Trippier I think others will follow. Even if we overpay it will not be by 100 million.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Oh, I forgot the fact that most transfers are on staggered payments over 4 or 5 years. It was Ashley who thought he would get a bargain by paying it all up front. Who knows what the new owners approach will be but we dont necessarily have to come up with the full fees in Jan.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Sorry to go on, but what also tells me they are ready to spend big is the guy they hired who worked at Reading and Celtic is a transfer negotiator, not a DoF. He could be kept on in that role but more likely it is short term and the new DoF will bring in their own pick.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
What I have found on Blogs and Podcasts is that people do not follow logic. Some journo pulls a number out of their @rse like 50 million it and gets repeated so many times that it becomes accepted as fact. It is a PR gameplan and Goebbles used it and nowadays it is Trump’s only tactic, to spread a lie and repeat it so often it becomes accepted. This is what the bloggers and podcasters are doing. They do not question where the number came from or if it is even remotely close to the truth.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I hope your brother and mam are ok and aren’t too badly effected by this stupid bl00dy virus ??.
Also I hope you and your brother patch things up. If this virus has taught us anything, life’s too short to fall out over silly little arguments.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’ve reconsidered my position on our link with Dan Ashworth. Brighton have progressed leaps & bounds in the last 2 years – since he went in. Their hiring of Potter & some of the players they have signed have been really impressive – and it’s been with a very limited budget.
Maybe he is just the man we need at this stage in the growth of our club.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I watched a YouTube clip from Talksport earlier where Darren Ambrose was on about it being important we sign the likes of Trakowski and Mee and we have the money to ensure it happens – he was asked how much money?
Ambrose replied – pay them £150k a wage to make sure they come ?.
We definitely need to strengthen our CBs – but we are doing something seriously wrong if we have Ben Mee on £150k a week mind.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: thanks. Ashworth was also at the FA when they overhauled the England youth set up and that is now paying dividends.
Just talked to a friend here who works in an office with only 2 other people one of whom’s husband just got diagnosed with Covid today. He was telling me about talking to another friend who had 3 friends infected. Then there was a shreik. The girl whose husband had it was on the phone and another friend of theirs was just diagnosed.
I looked at the numbers in Chicago and they doubled since last week and have got to the point where they might shut down indoor gatherings.
Also, read in the Guardian that there might be a rebellion in Britain if they do that again.
What a mess.
I am trying to get my mother and his girlfriend to smooth things out with my brother.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
In the US a lot of people are getting tested because they are flying at Xmas. I guess that will not matter in the UK as everywhere is banning you – Holland, France, Germany. The US has just banned arrivals from Spain. I know this because the same friend who was telling me about Covid cases was there last week. I think they would have let him back in but I am not sure they will be even flying in a week.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Looks like the vaccinated are not getting as sick but are still testing positive. I just dont see how they can possibly keep football grounds open to fans. It is inevitable that games will only be played behind closed doors, if at all.
Boris will probably declare a vacation from Covid like in that Movie “What about Bob”. Bill Murray’s shrink, Richard Dreyfus, said Bob needed to take a vacation from his obsessive compulsive disorder. I expect Boris will be giving similar advice as the NHS suffocates.
It is very funny if anybody hasnt seen it and will cheer you up in these perilous times.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Eric – the vast majority of people I know are double jabbed and boosted, and those who have caught COVID since have had a mild flu/cold but lost their smell & taste. After a few days the cold/flu clears up but the los of taste/smell lasts about a fortnight.
But, a neighbour of my mother in law – 36 year old anti vaxxer so had no jabs at all. He tested positive on Saturday & died on Tuesday – and as far as his family knew he had no underlying health problems. He didn’t even make it into hospital.
I currently have 2 aunties in hospital on ventilators with 100% oxygen. 1 we were told would need a miracle but 5 days after being told that she’s still there – no improvement, but she’s still there.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So sorry to hear that Sharpy. These people I talked about did have vaccinations. I dont know how mild or severe their symptoms are because I only heard about it today. I was just thinking about the bans for Brits going to other European countries. It is just so contradictory to see that and have full stadiums.
Seriously man, I have no more information than anyone else and dont pretend to. Anything I have said is just an educated guess.
I really did think the worst was behind us before omnicron hit. I even booked a trip to Tuscany in May.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Also Sharpy: it boils my p!ss to see people making light/fun of this. There are a few doing it on Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News. Preaching to the choir for ratings and not caring about the consequences. Trump was even at a rally very recently and said he had a booster. The crowd booed him.
None of these stories seem to deter these folk. There have been 3 right wing anti-vax talk show hosts who have died of Covid and said they wish they had got vaccinated on their death beds.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I don’t know what it’s like over there mate, but over here I think the media certainly doesn’t help either way.
Ultimately, above everything else it’s common sense that is/will get us through to a point where we find a way to live through this virus (globally). It isn’t ever going away, it’s just finding how we minimise it.
I think the vast majority are on that page to be fair.
Sharpy17(Quote)
2 more games off but also Rafa asked for a postponement with only 9 outfield players fit and the PL denied it.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I dont want to make this a Covid blog but there are developments:
1. The Everton/Burnley game is off putting our Thursday game in doubt.
2. Boris said there would be no changes to protocols before Christmas. This means that they will be talking over the weeked I think. My guess is that they will want Boxing Day games to go ahead. Monday will be the day they make a decision and our game is at 8pm. I would not be surprised if there are restrictions just before that.
3. Conte has said the PL had already made up its mind before the Managers meeting and they really had no say. What a surprise!
4. The impact of Omnicron is now being felt in the US with quite a spike in the last week. Same with France where levels are getting closer to UK levels.
5. The anti-vaxxers who went to serve Shearer with “legal papers” went to the wrong house.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
just want to wish all the lads and lasses on the blog a happy xmas,and hope better times are ahead
all the best
and Olly to and thanks for the great threads you write for us
icedog(Quote)
Thanks mate.
Wishing you all a lovely Christmas and a happy new year. Let’s hope 2022 is much better for us all; both on and off the pitch!
Appreciate your support.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
In case I don’t get on tomorrow I wanna wish each and everyone of you a very merry Christmas and a happy healthy new year.
Lets hope there are better times ahead for the whole world and we can get a grip on this virus and go back to some normality.
Lew’s carer is off for 10 days since her hubby has covid likely caught from her daughter son in law and kids. My guess is she is also incubating it which could mean me and Lew are too 🙁
Eric, hope your mum is ok with the covid issue in her house, you must be very worried . Anyway hope all’s well.
kimtoon(Quote)
Olly, special shout out to you mate, sterling work from you with the threads which are appreciated.
kimtoon(Quote)
Chucking it down here all day. I put a pond in my garden a month back but have not filled it up yet, thought I would leave the rain over winter to do it for me, it was quarter full this morning , suspect it will nearly be full by tomorrow if this keeps up, it’s relentless, not very festive.#wouldratherhavesnow.
kimtoon(Quote)
Ice – will you get to see pup and his lot this Christmas mate?.
Agree with all of your above, and hope you and the family have a good one mate.
Merry Christmas you lot ??????
Sharpy17(Quote)
Brother’s girlfriend just tested positive and is off to hospital to get PCR test. I texted me Mam and said if it was me I would move to a hotel. At the very least, they should stay upstairs and me Mam should sleep on the couch downstairs.
But I have no say in this.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Totally agree with what everybody else is saying about Olly. Excellent articles. Merry Xmas.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Eric, that’s concerning mate, she shouldn’t have to leave her own home at xmas, but it’s now impossible for the relatives to go due to isolation.
kimtoon(Quote)
I am pretty mad now. As soon as my brother tested positive they should have moved to a hotel to isolate. Now his girlfriend has tested positive and has been mixing with me Mam who so far has tested negative. The damage has been done now and I doubt it would help to move out. Just keeping my fingers crossed. I put the notion into my Mams head that they still should move to a hotel, even now. But, as I said, there may be no point.
If I talk directly to my brother we will fall out for the rest of our lives. The second he tested positive he should have been in a hotel. My mother is 80 in March FFS.
My brother’s son is 24 and is a great lad and adores his grandmother. He has done some shopping for her and left the groceries at the front gate. His dad is inside the house but he wont go in.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Kimtoon: the girlfriend who is very smart and who I like for the most part took a taxi to get the PCR test. I dont know what else she was supposed to do but that is dangerous for the taxi driver. This stuff is so confusing. Sharpy said that people he knows that have it have mild-flu like symptoms but he also says he has 2 Aunts in hopsital and a 36 year old un-vaxed neighbour just died within 3 days and didnt even have a chance to go to hospital.
From what you said about the carer, from my experience, from what Sharpy has said and also the friend of mine I taled to yesterday, this is spreading like wildfire. It may be anecdotal, but the stats back it up.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Should get to football, although it is hard to. PL want our game to go ahead but there will be some announcement on Monday from the Govt and the game is not ’til 8pm so I think it is really touch and go. But what team should we play?
We will see Shelvey, Schar and Manquillo back.
If Hayden wasnt suspended I think Willock would be a sub. He still may be. ASM will start. Here’s what I think:
Dubs
Manquillo Schar Lascelles Ritchie
Shelvey Willock Joelinton
Fraser Wilson ASM
The only spot I question is Willock or Miggy. I think that is a toss up.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Eric – the craic over here is this variant is less likely to hospitalise those who have been jabbed up – but is clearly a fast spreading variant than Delta and other variants. Hopefully that’s good news for your family ??.
I can understand you being frustrated with your brother.
I hopefully it’s more a case of really unfortunate circumstances rather than your brother being inconsiderate. I’m sure he & his missus feel bad about the situation they have put your mam in – and your mam is too polite to suggest the hotel.
Anyway, I’m not going to talk like I know your family or the dynamics of the relationships mate – I just hope they are all ok.
Sharpy17(Quote)
no mate wont see pup ime sad to say,,hes on the fraud dept now with bank so hes everywhere but does a lot from home as well but never home all the time,plaesed my nose is clean lol,have a good one mate,still have to walk the dog xmas eh lol
icedog(Quote)
pleased
icedog(Quote)
Merry Christmas everyone
lets hope we all a decent new year
PremAndUp(Quote)
Thanks again guys, that’s nice of you to say, Eric, Kim and Ice.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Merry Christmas everyone .
Sidekick(Quote)
Merry xmas to all !!
georgio(Quote)