The Soccer Thread (Version 13) — Winter World Cup Edition

Yup. During the pandemic, I played Football Manager and got Charlton back to the Premier League. I was very proud of myself.

 

Even though they've more than proven otherwise over time, there's a part of me that still considers clubs who were nowhere near Premier League when I first started following in the 90s - Brighton, Brentford, Fulham, Bournemouth, for example - to be tinpot chancers who don't belong.

Whereas Nottingham Forest, and yes, Leeds, "feels right". So would Sheffield Wednesday if they ever got their shit together. Chelsea's collapse this season feels right too. They were mid-table in my early days following English soccer. So was Spurs.

 

Millwall is just what the doctor ordered for English football. Just like Trump is just what the doctor ordered for American democracy.

 

Kenilworth Road is an absolute shambolic dump, even by Championship standards.

I've only been inside two EFL stadiums -- Vicarage Road and Loftus Road. The latter is sort of just dumped into the neighborhood by Shepherd's Bush in West London. The away seating/ingress/egress was claustrophobic to say the least. If I was any bigger, I don't think I could have actually gotten through the turnstile to get to my seat. The ground itself is fine once you're to your seat, but trying to get a beer or a pie at half was not fun.

 

Sounds like Messi at PSG is over. I guess playing footsie with the Saudis was too much for them.

 

Messi was at PSG to win the Champions League and look good at the Qatar World Cup as a PSG player. On the second, he (and M’Bappe) did everything they were asked to do. Once they were knocked out of Europe, he served no real purpose at PSG

 

Interesting that "Messi to Saudi Arabia" rumors are ramping up as "Ronaldo wants out of Saudi Arabia" rumors are starting.

 

Championship playoff spots being decided on ESPN+.

 

Question for you more knowledgeable folks:

Why do Brits not wear caps or hats that would shield their eyes and heads from the sun?

In matches under bright sun, fans are squinting and putting a hand on their forehead. Some wear sunglasses. But few, relative to the overall crowd, have a billed cap.

What gives?

 

Coventry gets their point against Boro and will face Boro again in the playoff semifinals. The other semifinal will feature Luton and Sunderland. The Black Cats scored three in 11 minutes of the second half to win away at Preston, clinching sixth when Millwall blew a 3-1 lead in the second half at home to Blackburn. Rovers bagged an 86th minute winner, but they finish seventh on goal difference, as would have Millwall with a draw.

 

Anyone but Blunderland.