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Noucamp99's rumours posts with other poster's replies to Noucamp99's rumours posts
16 Dec 2025 11:56:14
Few articles on Twitter claiming the club did want Bruno to go in the summer, but didn't have the stomach for the decision. Seems to be his own words.
Bit of a difference from the view at the time that they'd left it totally up to him.
1.) 16 Dec 2025 13:53:14
It would always look better for the club if Bruno had said 'Yes, I want to leave', rather than for the club to accept an offer and try push him out.
ED002, did say that runo had previously turned down a January transfer off from SA. Perhaps this summer Bruno will move.
One thing is certain, he is clearly miffed at the situation. Could he be angling for a move in January now? Doubtful, yes possible.
2.) 16 Dec 2025 15:39:35
I put a post in reply to a thread on the banter page explaining why I think he’s got to go. We need to cash in, his stock is still high as his stats are good, it’s a WC year and it’s makes sense for Saudi to want him.
I have no idea of his net book value but I would assume it’s zero as he’s fulfilled his first contract.
Sell him and spend whatever it takes on Anderson. That’s the RCM position sorted along with part of the midfield opposition runners issue that’s constantly costing us.
We can then sort the LCM position either in the summer or pull the cash forward and buy someone else in Jan (Baleba, Stiller or Wharton) . I’d love to see Anderson and Wharton together in our midfield, two prem proven players who cover good amounts of ground with slightly different but complementary attributes.
3.) 16 Dec 2025 16:39:15
Assuming this is actually coming from Fernandes I find it odd, the fact he has done it and the timing.
As club captain this is not something I would expect within the season
Whether something has gone on behind the scenes and he is now looking for an exit in January. just all very odd and not sure the hierarchy will be pleased.
4.) 16 Dec 2025 16:55:54
I’d like to see Bruno with Wharton and Anderson as a midfield. Elite.
5.) 16 Dec 2025 17:19:02
Get rid and take the 57 million, he's going to be nearly 32 by the start of next season.
Buy two proper central midfielders that can actually play there.
We have more than enough creativity in the team now with Mount, Amad, Mbembo and Cunha.
6.) 16 Dec 2025 22:33:19
Do we though, Simo?
I'd say Bruno probably has more assists than those four combined, this season. Probably more goals than two or three of them put together as well.
7.) 17 Dec 2025 01:26:41
I hear the argument about selling Bruno at his peak but in terms of creativity Wharton and/or Anderson are nowhere near his level. yet
I remember Madrid fans calling for Modric to leave but he stayed four more years and played at a very high level and it might be argued that they have not found a better replacement.
Let his value run down I don't care. The Board should find a way to finance transfers of midfielders coming in without selling our best asset
I want Bruno to stay. Get better midfielders to defend and work alongside him and let him do his best work. attacking the opposition.
8.) 18 Dec 2025 16:02:33
I love Bruno and think he's been our best player of the last decade by some distance.
Yet it's as obvious as the sun in the sky on a cloudless day that he doesn't naturally fit into this team. While his age means that he isn't someone to build around, and you don't get the best out of him unless you build around him.
The problem is that he was still by some margin our best player last season. It'd be a brave decision to force him out at the start of a rebuild and with no guarantees that you could adequately replace him. So I understand why the club left the decision up to him, that way at least they mitigate the backlash if things don't work out immediately.
Yet forcing him out last summer would probably have been the best decision. Him gone for a large fee, a fee that could have been spent on Baleba or someone similar would have meant we had a more balanced team this season and would probably have moved us further along the rebuild. But that's the benefit of hindsight.
If I was the club I'd be looking to force the issue this summer if he isn't interested in moving under his own volition. Because ultimately this teams ability to grow and adapt is being restricted by his presence.
9.) 19 Dec 2025 17:24:34
I keep hearing that we need to sell Bruno to find midfielders, I think we need to buy midfielders to release Bruno up into his favoured position.
He is not a central midfielder.
Has he done a job, yes.
Could he do better, yes
Has he been at fault for a number of goals against, yes
I'd be selling the likes of Ugarte before Bruno. Upgrade the stock we already have.
10.) 20 Dec 2025 14:09:38
Jimbob, I don't think selling Bruno is about raising funds, although that would be useful.
The issue with Bruno is that he isn't a natural fit in any position in this team under Amorim.
The inside forwards are typically players who progress the ball through running with it, that isn't something Bruno is particularly good at.
While the midfielders tend to be more athletic, water carrier types who plug holes and again carry the ball through lines of pressure before making a simple pass. Again that isn't Bruno's strength.
To get the best out of Bruno you give him a free role higher up the pitch. You let him drift into pockets of space and you have the rest of the team adapt around him to plug those gaps.
The problem is that you can't afford to build around one player if you want to compete for major honours, and you definitely can't do that when that player is over 30 and could start to decline soon.
So we are left with a player who doesn't have a natural position within the team, but he is still our best player and captain. Making it virtually impossible to drop him.
While Amorim is our manager and Bruno is still in the squad we will have to choose between two poor options.
1. Drop him and deal with the public and media backlash that will ensure simply because we are Manchester United so everything gets blown out of proportion.
2. Try and crowbar him into the team by playing him in a compromise position. Knowing full well that we won't get the best out of him, and that the team will have a flaw that cannot be mitigated.
Which brings us back to the simple solution, move on a player whose best days are behind him and allow the team to evolve and grow.
We have to remember that players come and go, they are and never can be more important than the team as a whole.
Most of the fans who don't want to see Bruno leave are the same ones complaining that Mainoo isn't getting enough football. Hopefully they can step back and see the irony of holding both of those opinions at the same time. Now I'm not saying Bruno leaving means Mainoo suddenly gets in the team, but it certainly opens the door a little more. While Mainoo isn't a perfect fit for what Amorim wants he is still a more natural fit than Bruno both in midfield and in the more advanced positions.
I'll be sad to see Bruno leave, but if we are to fully embrace moving on and becoming a serious title challenger again then it's something that will have to happen sooner or later.
11.) 23 Dec 2025 07:45:57
I take your points Shappy, however, we will be weaker without Bruno.
Having him floating across the front, much like Mbeumo and Cunha are capable of doing makes a lot of sense. His ability to create something out of nothing is worth keeping him around. Mount can do the same, as can Zirkzee.
That's 5 into 2 positions, assuming we don't invest further in these roles or promote from youth.
Whilst Bruno and Casemiro have done okay in the middle, they are without a doubt, a weakness.
I am in two minds though as you quite rightly state he is going to be 32 soon and is now if course injured. Will that continue to be a persistent injury, who knows. Would having him in the ranks be positive or negative, especially if he is sidelined by say a pairing of Anderson/Kone and Mainoo/Wharton. Or would his experience as a squad player be worth keeping him.
This is all without mentioning his salary and how that would assist if it was off our books.
23 Jul 2024 21:05:23
Hi, Ed002. I seem to remember a while back you maybe mentioned that Chalobah might be a player we were interested in. With news that Chelsea are looking to sell, is this something that Utd might still be interested in, or have we definitely moved on? Thanks as usual.
{Ed002's Note - Not first or second choice at least.}
1.) 23 Jul 2024 22:31:46
Cheers, Ed002 ?.
2.) 24 Jul 2024 09:27:57
ED001 said he would be an excellent choice.
3.) 24 Jul 2024 14:37:04
I like him, Hatter, that's why I mentioned it. Thought he could be a good option if Everton insist on silly money for Braithwaite.
4.) 24 Jul 2024 21:37:00
NouCamp99,
He wouldn't be expensive either.
5.) 25 Jul 2024 07:18:17
I would happily see Maguire and Lindelof moved on, with De Ligt and Chalobah coming in.
6.) 25 Jul 2024 13:20:24
He'd be an interesting squad option, providing cover at RCB, RB and possibly at CDM occasionally.
However, is that the limit of his ambitions?
Is he happy to be a bit part player, filling gaps here and there for Manchester United, or does he want to stake his claim as a regular starter for a side and really show what he can do?
I suspect he doesn't want to be a bit part player, which he's probably communicated with Chelsea and they've decided to sign other options and let him go.
Personally I think he's good enough to start for a side in the Europa league, an EPL side that will finish between 8th and 4th. But I'm not sure he's shown yet that he is good enough to be a regular starter for a title challenger. Maybe with more regular football he steps up to that level.
Will he get that at United? Probably not.
7.) 25 Jul 2024 15:36:44
Well, Shappy, you did describe United at the moment ?.
8.) 26 Jul 2024 11:22:48
Trololo, yeah, at the moment but not where we are aiming to be.
9.) 26 Jul 2024 12:12:50
Thats not what you wrote Shappy, but okay!
17 Nov 2023 18:08:39
Something that worries me a bit at the moment. Stems from a reply from Ed002 on the other page, where he mentions ETH will be aware he probably won't be here next season.
Hopefully ETH's professionalism will come through, but can't help thinking it doesn't bode well for the rest of the season. If he knows, it's probably fair to say the players do too.
1.) 17 Nov 2023 19:11:42
If it’s correct, sooner the better he is gone for all concerned, I think they will know that too, because 100% they need champs league and atm that’s quite a way away.
2.) 17 Nov 2023 20:56:17
I think a lot of people including players am on ngat others are thinking Thier time may at United be coming to a close.
3.) 17 Nov 2023 21:00:36
Is it quite a way away Rangersred? We are 5 points off fourth place after one of our worst starts to a season in decades.
There are 26 games remaining and we haven't really got out of second gear. I'm not saying we are a top four team based on current form, but let's get some perspective.
In regards to ETH it would be a shame to see him go. He never really had a chance and I don't think there are any out there available I would want to see him replaced with. Especially if the Potter rumours are true.
4.) 17 Nov 2023 21:07:38
4/ 5 points, not quite a way at all! In fact to keep in the pack with our injuries is excellent imo! Don’t listen to the media, our injury record this season is phenomenal and has clearly had a detrimental effect on performances! To still be there or thereabouts is huge positive!
5.) 17 Nov 2023 23:47:06
I agree, Chris. But with the weak mentality in a fair portion of our players, I do worry a little that they'll act to form. No real concerns about ETH. I think his professionalism is there for all to see.
6.) 18 Nov 2023 00:09:09
Alot of players need to go before eth. If he had decent support we wouldn't be 6th we would be up around top.
7.) 18 Nov 2023 09:03:01
Ten hag will be utd manager next season, who on earth would they get if he left? Seems nonsense to sack him, everyone and his dog wants him sacked. With everything that's going on behind the scenes his been extremely professional. Jose and Co would have had a meltdown by now.
8.) 18 Nov 2023 09:12:05
Noucamp
Which page are you reffering to. I wpuld be disappointed and its a mistake imo.
9.) 18 Nov 2023 09:37:51
Discussion page Ahmad.
10.) 18 Nov 2023 10:24:59
Very possibly Nagelsman -short term contract with Germany - was the flavour of the month there a short time ago, according to the media don't miss out on this guy everybody loved him.
11.) 18 Nov 2023 10:29:52
It's something that so many people have been dismissive of but the instability hanging over the club due to the sale process will have 100% effected everyone at the club and their performances both on and off the pitch. It's completely normal.
I was speaking to my ex-manager yesterday from the school I was working at last year. She was saying how since the headteacher handed hi notice in at the start of the school year that it's affecting everyone at the school. How the confusion over the leadership and the direction the school will head when a new headteacher is appointed has everyone nervous and unsure.
It's completely normal that impending change impacts people and their performances at work.
For our club that cloud has been hanging over everyone for a year now.
As for EtH I would be disappointed if the new ownership situation led to his departure. In my opinion he's been our best manager post SAF and has handled everything very well. However, I also appreciate that if he isn't the right man for the new direction the club will be heading in then I'd rather his departure be sooner and on good terms than drawn out and messy.
Hopefully he has the character and mentality to want to do his best regardless of the situation. While it's probable that the new people will want a different manager it's not guaranteed.
If I remember correctly EtH was the manager Rangnick supported and thought was the best option. This was around the same time that he was suggesting Paul Mitchell would be a good person for the club to bring in. With the pair spotted at a few youth games together.
Hopefully that means Paul Mitchell holds EtH in the same high esteem as Rangnick. If he is to be the one to come in as DoF then I would hope he'd give EtH a chance.
However, we also have to respect that the club will be run under a new structure, and that will likely impact the managers position/ role at the club. Most likely taking some powers/ control away from the manager. Reducing their control over some aspects of the club. There is every chance that EtH decides that he isn't happy with that and doesn't want to stay under the new structure. Which is also completely understandable.
So until the new people are in and everyone can sit down and talk everything through then unfortunately everything will be up in the air so to speak.
Everyone just needs to be as professional as they can and do their job to the best of their ability until things become clearer.
Those that cannot do that will most likely be the first out the door. As why would the new management team want to keep people who cannot act professionally.
If you're worried about your job, then you need to show how excellent you are at it, prove that you should keep you place. It's that simple.
Worst case scenario you still lose your job, but at least you've proven to any future employer how professional you are.
12.) 18 Nov 2023 15:22:33
If we now comparing united to a school, at least we got the right headmaster in ETH, seems he good at that part! Sancho is still in detention as we speak and had his lunch time breaks taken away!
Doubt very much now RR holds ETH in high esteem anymore as it was ETH that would not work with him!
Whichever way it goes ETH is gone by the very latest end of the season, if not before which I certainly would not lose any sleep over neither will many of the current squad.
13.) 18 Nov 2023 17:10:50
Quite away. We not exactly falling down the table are we.
14.) 18 Nov 2023 19:04:45
But be realistic, look who we have played and even the ones we beat was scraping by, everytime we come up against half decent sides they beat us without too much trouble, which also means our hardest games are too come which to me is very concerning, but on the plus side will give SJR legitimate reason to get rid of the school teacher no not you Shappy the other one!
15.) 18 Nov 2023 21:05:43
I really really don't get the short term lack of patience with ETH. He has been fighting fires since he arrived and with one hand tied behind his back because of the inadequacy of those in charge of the club.
He has inherited a poor squad. Got rid of dead wood where he could and generally his signings have been good (Anthony is the only one who so far has flopped in my opinion)
He has not had a settled defence and that is the bedrock of any successful team.
Give him time at least another two years if he is backed properly and then judge.
16.) 18 Nov 2023 22:01:13
Rangersred, still not your turn with the family brain cell I see?.
17.) 19 Nov 2023 02:45:58
It’s him again Shaps, your stalker back for more.
18.) 19 Nov 2023 14:52:04
I know, utterly infatuated with me it seems.
Living rent free in their head.
I'm no doubt the last person they think of as they fall asleep and the first person they think about as they wake.
08 Jul 2021 19:34:01
Ed002, I see rumours surfacing about Saul to Liverpool. Can you cheer me up and tell me this is complete nonsense? Cheers.
{Ed002's Note - Saul Niguez (CM) Nobody will pay his release clause but Atletico could look to a very high fee for a player who has a contract that runs for years in order to get his €300k weekly wage off the books. Bayern Munich's first choice to add for midfield and his agent has spoken with several sides as Atletico want to make very significant savings on salaries and could be forced in to a corner by the player and his agent. But Bayern see his cash price at €60M (or €75M on terms) and wages of €300k as too high and will want to negotiate - they will almost certainly turn elsewhere. He is being offered to the usual suspects who have money - Manchester United (who would need to offload Pogba), Juventus, Manchester City, PSG, Chelsea as a Kovacic replacement - many of which are looking to add a player in his position but his wages are a major issue for most. Atletico have signed his replacement. I am not aware of any approach from Liverpool at this time but he would be an excellent choice but a lot more expensive than other options.}
1.) 08 Jul 2021 20:05:20
Hi Ed, do United retain any interest on their side as one of the few sides who could afford it (if Pogba were to go) or is it more from his representation offering him around?
{Ed002's Note - Sure but they are intent on keeping the hostage and no moving forward right now.}
2.) 08 Jul 2021 20:39:54
Club need to look at the options unless Pogba is willing to sign a new contract (unlikely and if he did it would be astronomical) . No player especially someone like Pogba will give 100% in the final year of contract through fear of injury stopping the next big payday.
Bite the bullet, either use him as part exchange for Verane or sell to PSG. Then bring in someone like Saul as a replacement or top quality holding midfielder.
3.) 09 Jul 2021 10:08:10
gotta say, a midfield of Bruno, Saul and Camavinga would be awesome. With donny, Fred, McT and Matic as backup. Replace Matic and Fred over the next 2 windows with Garner and Mejbri and we are set for 5 years.
4.) 09 Jul 2021 03:37:27
Question for Ed002, if you’re around. You mentioned that the club can’t profiteer from a sale of Pogba due to having extended his contract, but how exactly would things work if they swapped him for someone like Varane? Would we still have to declare the ‘value’ of the deal and then negotiate with his agent or would it just go through like any other swap?
{Ed002's Note - All transfers have a value - even if they are exchanges.}
5.) 09 Jul 2021 12:49:45
Isn’t that why Barcelona and jive did the Arthur - pjanic swap at ridiculous prices.
6.) 09 Jul 2021 13:09:08
Ultimately all players have a "asset value" If United extend Pogba's contract only to use that to get a player in exchange then United will have profited to the tune of the value of that player.
So if Varane is valued at 50m then technically United have profited 50m from extending Pogba's contract.
The whole point about profiteering is that by extending Pogba's contract you are denying him and his agent the chance to earn a huge signing on fee.
Thus the club will have to agree to pay a large sum to Pogba and his agent if he is to leave this summer either for cash or as part of a player exchange.
7.) 09 Jul 2021 22:16:03
Cheers for the reply, Ed002.
8.) 12 Jul 2021 19:47:14
Isn't Varane in a similar contract situation to Pogba. In which case a swap would seem reasonable regardless of the nominal price attached. The profiteering aspect would presumably apply either to both sides or to neither.
{Ed002's Note - Real Madrid want cash, not cast offs.}
04 Sep 2015 22:04:29
Creme de la menthe! Parlez-vous Norn Iron?
How to speak Norn Iron (very funny)
1.) 05 Sep 2015 14:34:03
Cheers Eds for the accompanying video. I've never felt sympathy for the French before, but God help them if we do the unthinkable, and actually bloody qualify.
2.) 05 Sep 2015 15:00:27
Stickin out stevie
Noucamp99's banter posts with other poster's replies to Noucamp99's banter posts
09 Mar 2026 18:42:17
Ed033, do you have any pages open for Cheltenham chat and tips?
Cheers.
{Ed033's Note - We have a site called football rumours bets but the Ed that runs it for Cheltenham and the Grand National Meeting is in hospital.
1.) 09 Mar 2026 19:41:21
No problem, mate, thanks. Hope they're ok. ?
25 Feb 2026 18:07:44
Just like it soon became common knowledge that De Gea was suspect at crosses in the early days, and opposition teams targeted him as a result, word will soon get round that Lammens is very good in the air.
Hopefully, that helps with situation where players crowd round our keeper in the box at corners.
As an ex-keeper, I really like what I see with him, just as I had my doubts about Obama from day one.
Real cool customer for a young lad.
{Ed025's Note - im not sure the ex-president of the USA was much of a keeper Noucamp.. :)
1.) 25 Feb 2026 18:36:53
I shouldn't probably be typing while I'm cooking, Ed. Mind you, I'd fancy Obama between the sticks over the other one. ?
{Ed025's Note - absolutely Noucamp, enjoy your dinner mate..
2.) 25 Feb 2026 18:45:33
I'd back Michelle over him too.
{Ed025's Note - but he did get Barack,d a bit Key.. :)
3.) 26 Feb 2026 01:49:35
Remember watching Stoke assaulting DDG on crosses, and he got no bloody calls at all. They would just plough into him, and then people would say he was rubbish on crosses. Crazy. I've been impressed with Lammens. What Everton were doing was anti-football.
I can't believe the ref doesn't just blow up for the foul and grab control of the game. Who wants to watch that nonsense. The stupid thing is that they have big players who would probably score if they just attacked a decent old-school corner.
4.) 26 Feb 2026 06:13:03
Of their 10 corners, 5 should have been blown for a free out for us. It's the only way to stop it; favour the goalkeeper and defending team. It would stop the silly battles. The Yoro push should have been a yellow for Tarkowski and a free out.
5.) 26 Feb 2026 07:35:25
It's all getting a bit silly, as is the time taken to take throw-ins, what with drying the ball. The authorities are useless. The laws are there today, but referees seem not to want to use them.
6.) 26 Feb 2026 08:13:45
The corners - it's clear obstruction on the keeper every time. This isn't American football, where you can block players; even in rugby, I don't think they can block players, yet the utterly useless authorities are letting GK be blocked.
They are not leading on this. (Like they are not on VAR.) Are they worried it might upset Arsenal? Simply instruct the referees: blocking the keeper is obstruction; give a free kick to the defending team every time.
7.) 26 Feb 2026 12:18:56
We do it too, Redman, and Jane only scored 2 less than Arsenal at set pieces, so we are just as guilty.
8.) 26 Feb 2026 13:45:24
Tumble, because it's allowed and has been successful, everyone is doing it. The pushing, shoving and holding is ridiculous. It's really impossible to determine who's at fault, the attackers or the defenders. It's the complete antithesis of the beautiful game.
It will continue until the authorities find a way to stop it. A rule change at the end of the season should be regarded as a priority. No attackers on the goal line, and a limit of, say, 3, in the goal area before a corner or throw in is taken.
9.) 26 Feb 2026 15:30:03
Arsenal have been getting away with crowding the goalkeeper and blocking them too. Hopefully, after the Everton game, officials will start to punish those offenders from now on.
10.) 26 Feb 2026 16:07:48
It's gone crazy, but I don't agree with that suggestion at all in terms of a limit on people in the goal area. You'd swear some never saw Joe Jordan play. It's been happening since football started, but it's not to a crazy level.
I'm not sure how to stop it, but it starts with refs. Keepers are over protected, imo, it's a bit of a conundrum. You could award 3 pens and 3 free outs for offences at every corner kick.
11.) 26 Feb 2026 18:25:48
It's totally crazy how refs are letting it go. It's become a total joke, even if we do it. Refs should just blow the whistle and award a free kick, book the offender with a straight yellow, and on the 2nd time send them off. It needs to be stamped out. It's like tuning into wrestling, and it's been getting worse.
It has got to be stopped! Refs need to be told to deal with it. They are looking straight at it most of the time, but VAR is just as bad; they watch it too. Love to see the excuses for why they're letting this go on.
12.) 26 Feb 2026 20:36:57
Scrap corners. Fixed.
13.) 26 Feb 2026 21:20:59
Chelsea had a tactic that seemed to work against Arsenal for corners. They had several of their players sprint out of the box as the corner was about to be taken. It forced several Arsenal players to go with them, as they couldn't risk the ball breaking to them, since they would have had 5 vs 3.
The other advantage is that, with fewer defenders in the box, the ref has less to observe and will see the fouling of the keeper much more easily.
14.) 27 Feb 2026 00:47:44
What if the attacking team surrounds the keeper in a circle and links arms? Is it a foul? At some point, common sense has to take over and say that these anti-football tactics are bad for the game. No one has been shouting about 1 player standing with the keeper unless they push into them and foul them. Standing and fighting for your own space is fine. Jumping and challenging the keeper without wiping them out is fine (and often keepers are overprotected). I think the issue is when the attacking team builds a wall of players around a keeper in a box, and then they all push under them to affect their jumping, coupled with inswinging corners.
I quite like limiting the number of attacking players allowed in the 6-yard box before the kick is taken. 1 would be fine. Once taken, the players can run in if needed, but the space is already there and the keeper has room to breathe. We might see a few more towering headers from 10 yards out, which seem a rarity these days.
15.) 28 Feb 2026 13:37:39
Dodgy, common sense would be that any attempt to block or impede the keeper without a clear attempt at winning the ball is a foul.
To be completely honest it can still be a foul even when you are attempting to win the ball.
I think the biggest problem this tactic creates and ultimately relies on is that it's always been hard for officials to see every single infringement of the rules in the melee that often happens at corners and freekicks from wide areas. The Ref only has one set of eyes and he can't be watching 14 different players at the same time.
This tactic of swamping the keeper makes it almost impossible for a Ref to see what is happening amongst the flurry of bodies.
In terms of how the FA deal with it, I could see a rule coming into force next season that attempts to deal with it. Whether it's a redrafting of existing rules with greater emphasis placed on protecting keepers, or whether it's an entirely new rule (something like only one opposition player is allowed within 2 yards of the keeper when a corner is taken) who knows. But something will be changed ahead of next season.
Until then managers will have to find ways to deal with it.
Whether that is allowing crosses into the box rather than blocking them and giving away the corner.
Pushing more of your players out of the box when defending corners, forcing the opposition to react and making it easier for officials to see infractions against the keeper.
Using your defenders to act as blockers and clear a path for the keeper.
Instruct your keeper to be theatrical and go down with every touch (knowing that if the keeper goes down 99% of the time the Ref will give the foul).
Or resulting to the dark arts, "accidentally" stepping on Gabriel's achilles tendon with your studs as you follow him in for the corner, a sly elbow, or Vinnie Jones greeting. Sure you might give away a penalty, but if they are going to score from a corner anyway you might as well make sure they don't want to use the same tactic again.
If two or three teams ends up injuring key players for teams using these tactics then it both reduces their ability to use those tactics while the player is out injured, and makes teams less inclined to keep using tactics that are getting their players injured. Also as we get closer to the end of the season and with a World cup just months away players will be less inclined to put themselves at risk of an injury.
I'm certainly not a fan or the dark arts or over exaggerating contact to win the foul. But if that is the only way to overcome this awful tactic (at least until the authorities can adapt the rules) then so be it.
09 Feb 2026 19:37:39
RIP Liam Miller.
Taken far too young.
{Ed007's Note - ???
06 Feb 2026 17:00:04
Currently sitting in the Old Nag's Head, nursing a pint of Guinness with my boy.
Bar full of guys who were at OT today for the memorial service.
The songs are being sung, and the craic is mighty.
Raising a glass to the young men cut down in their prime.
1.) 06 Feb 2026 17:56:23
Lovely boy, hear hear!
24 Jan 2026 20:55:03
I know Glasner and Iraola are two names that have come up in the discussion.
Not overly a fan of either, though probably more keen on Iraola if you twisted my arm. But watching the game tonight, Bournemouth could have sat back those last few minutes and been happy with the draw.
But they kept going forward.
I think I saw recently that they're one of the top teams for getting a result in the 2nd half.
I like the idea of a manager who thinks that way rather than settling for a draw against one of the big 6.
1.) 24 Jan 2026 21:53:37
They also leak a lot of goals with their approach, but you could shore that up. Not helped of course by them losing 75% of their back 4 last summer.
2.) 25 Jan 2026 01:24:50
Or 80% of their back 5 Jimbo. Iraola is doing an excelent job . He should be high on our list, with Enrique and Hoenes.
3.) 25 Jan 2026 02:00:43
If the next appointment is the one to take us to where we need to be, for me it is Tuchel or Enrique.
4.) 25 Jan 2026 08:39:40
Nou
Iraola is a very impressive coach.
I go back to a point I made years ago, what is our structure going to be? Is it with option 1. a manager or option 2 a coach with a true DOF behind him? RA said he was manager.
Why is it important? The more senior managers like a Tuchel would likely want to be manager, controlling the direction of the football side of the club, whilst others may be happy to be a coach of the first team. Where does Iraola sit? Probably not senior enough to command the club, but certainly right there as a coach. That’s a dilemma.
5.) 25 Jan 2026 11:58:07
Lots of good coaches out there. Good coaches been here before. We do need to change some of the players no doubt but there is a few very good players in or squad a couple who you think could show some improvement.
For me there has to be a full changing if the old guard. Players have been here for years that Jane not been able to gel into a winning team. Good players in their own right but not been part of a consistent team.
Dalot Shaw maguire casimero I think should all be released/sold.
I think bruno will have his release clause met by possibly a few clubs and will have his choice we could possibly see an OTT bid from Saudi so I think he will move on rather than be moved on.
Add rasmus rashford mount onana bayindir ziekzee ugarte to that list and imo we can then begin to heal and really move forward.
Shaw might survive for a year and bruno will have to make his own choice but the rest are offering nothing much imo.
Our keeper situation looks sorted with videk lammens and Heaton.
Rb maz plus new (? )
Lb shaw/new (? ) Leon amass dorgu
Cb deligt martinez heaven yoro new (collins)
Cm mainoo new (wharton) new (baleba) kone
Attack mbeumo amad chuna new (palmer) lacey
St sesko obi new ( evanilson)
6.) 25 Jan 2026 17:33:15
Nice Ken,
I'd not go for Palmer and focus on upgrading the backline. I would go as far as to say MDL is now too injury prone to command a spot. Martinez one last season.
If Bruno goes then we have the likes of Lacey to infill. potentially.
21 Jan 2026 01:42:26
Feck me, what I'd give for a prime Kante in this team.
16 Dec 2025 22:33:19
Do we though, Simo?
I'd say Bruno probably has more assists than those four combined, this season. Probably more goals than two or three of them put together as well.
11 Nov 2025 21:52:52
Get Olmo in a straight swap, and we'll call it quits ?.
02 Oct 2025 22:08:49
Did RA not say he would just that, Eric? Or words to that effect at least.
08 Aug 2025 01:11:39
Bollocks, German. Yoro walks into any team. Best defender I've seen since Rio.
20 Mar 2026 22:56:44
Wharton has always reminded me a bit of Carrick. Wouldn't be too bad.
20 Mar 2026 22:54:23
I loved Always Look on The Bright Side of Life, for the short time it was used.
18 Mar 2026 22:33:35
I fancy us to beat anyone at home. Leeds, Chelsea, no problem.
It's the away games against the likes of Bournemouth, I worry about a lot more.
12 Mar 2026 21:22:25
So, hold on, Jsu. You constantly complain about the level of the players we have and the ones we're looking at, but you don't think we can buy top ones either? Who do you want?
12 Mar 2026 21:18:13
Danny, I was reading that and just gearing up to mention the stick Moyes got for the Fulham game. Then I saw your last paragraph. ?