Football (Soccer) Thread

[mongers]

Genuinely impressed by the Championship's show of backbone over ths:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/19/southampton-kicked-out-of-championship-playoff-final-docked-four-points-for-spying

I've got a friend who is a Saints fan who was basically saying they should do this and there needed to be real punishment - but not sure if that's a widespread view in the fanbase.

 

Most clubs will do this, Saints just employed a thicko.

[Josquius]

Surprising to see such action. Wasn't expecting anything to come of it at all.
Hull are the winners here.
I'd love to see Boro promoted but must be hard for them not knowing if their season is over or if they have to play Saturday or in the future or....

[Sheilbh]

Most clubs will do this, Saints just employed a thicko.

I don't know if they do - and there was a fair bit of outrage (for less important games) when Leeds did it. In such a way that I got the sense other clubs didn't and it was genuinely seen as wrong.

Although I have to be honest I saw breaking news flash about photos of the Southampton spy being emerged. And I didn't think he was going to be Smiley but I did expect something a bit more "spy-y"

[Zoupa]

Arsenal won the league today. Spurs are still not safe.

An astonishing stat: Spurs did not get a penalty in 37 league games this season. Over the last 3 seasons, we got a grand total of 5 penaltys awarded. Man City got 24 

It's a real mystery. I guess in over 3000 minutes of play, nobody ever fouled a Spurs player in the box. 

[mongers]

Arsenal won the league today. Spurs are still not safe.

An astonishing stat: Spurs did not get a penalty in 37 league games this season. Over the last 3 seasons, we got a grand total of 5 penaltys awarded. Man City got 24 

It's a real mystery. I guess in over 3000 minutes of play, nobody ever fouled a Spurs player in the box. 

So you're saying sometimes, by accident, Spurs players find themselves in the opposition box?

[HVC]

What's the most plausible explanation, a league wide conspiracy against the spurs, or the fact the suck so much they can't even manage to flop in the box?

[Josquius]

If you want a conspiracy against penalties it's Sunderland you need to look to.
Brobbey is fouled all the damn time. But because he is so big and strong and can just shrug off basically any attack he doesn't get the decisions.

I will hold off until the final table but I think my start of season predictions might have been right in a few places. Certainly I had arsenal to win....
Though I also had spurs doing well 

[Norgy]

Forest have had the rub of the green with VAR in a few games, most importantly away at West Ham. Then there was the obvious handball at Old Trafford where the ref stood by his mistake after watching the replay. 
Thankfully, it was a meaningless game.

Bournemouth, to me, has been the surprise over-achievers. The signing of Rayan may very well be one of the best in years.

So, excitement into the very final matchday, but in the wrong end of the table. 

[Josquius]

Hipster-Workers knocking out the business men?
Approval.


My prediction for the year. Check back in a year to laugh at me:

1. Arsenal
2. Liverpool
3. Man City
4. Chelsea
5. Aston Villa
6. Brighton
7. Al Skunqua
8. Man United
9. Spurs
10. Nottingham Forest
11. Crystal Palace
12. Fulham
13. Everton
14. Bournemouth
15. West Ham
16. Sunderland
17. Leeds
18. Brentford
19. Wolves
20. Burnley

Oh I posted it here.
Some key errors... Though happy to be wrong ones.

[Norgy]

I think everyone saw Keith Andrews' Brentford doing far worse after losing a) the manager and b) some key players.
Surprise no. two, in a positive sense. You were almost spot-on with Brighton, though.

Next season will be hard for Forest, as Anderson's had his head turned, and will probably leave for silly money. Murillo might leave, but he has been slightly less impressive this season, mostly due to injuries. MGW is under contract, but probably at least wants European football. Apparently, Juve wants to buy Igor Jesus. The one factor tilting the balance slightly in Forest's favour is actually good old Crazy Evangelos Marinakis. 

I'd love to keep most of the squad, apart from the elderly Willy Boly, and I'd be happy to see Dan Ndoye go. But who'd want him after this season.