West Ham Online

EVERTON vs LIVERPOOL (1230)
The Toffees may have squeezed themselves out of the bottom three, for now, but the league leaders and their lovely neighbours have too much to keep them out of trouble. Away win.

ASTON VILLA vs SOUTHAMPTON (1500)
A couple of months ago, Villa were top of the table. Now they’re in eighth, one place below Forest. Things change. The Saints should give them a decent opportunity to return to the Champions League places. Home win.

BRENTFORD vs NEWCASTLE UNITED (1500)
Two sides that have experienced changing fortunes of late. An impressive draw against Liverpool on Wednesday should have given the Magpies a boost as they head to west London. Away win.

CRYSTAL PALACE vs MANCHESTER CITY (1500)
City have returned to winning ways at last and should back that up with a visit to another side that has two wins from their last six. Away win.

MANCHESTER UNITED vs NOTTINGHAM FOREST (1730)
The Red Devils have made a highly encouraging start under their new boss. Despite a midweek turnaround against Arsenal, they should manage another three points against a side that sits six places above them. Home win.


SUNDAY

FULHAM vs ARSENAL (1400)
Fulham are still in with a shout for a Champions Lague place, but Arsenal with three wins on the trot are likely to prove too strong today. Away win.

IPSWICH TOWN vs BOURNEMOUTH (1400)
The Cherries have been impressive this season and are likely to prove too strong for the struggling Tractor Boys. Away win.

LEICESTER CITY vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (1400)
Having demolished us a few days ago, Leicester will be bouncing under Ruud van Nistelrooy as the host high-flying Brighton. Draw.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs CHELSEA (1630)
Chelsea have quietly climbed up the standings and go into the weekend in second place. They’re unlikely to still be there by the time the whistle goes to start this one at Spurs, but don’t bet against them. Away win.


MONDAY

WEST HAM UNITED vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (2000)
Lop’s still in the hot seat, although many thought he’d be gone by the time he faces his old side this evening. So a point to prove for the Spaniard? You can say that again. It’s more than one point we could do with tonight. The foot of the table is getting disconcertingly close. Home win.

EVE v LIV
AST v SOU
BRE v NEW
CRY v MCY
MNU v NFO

FUL v ARS
IPS v BOU
LEI v BHA
TOT v CHE

WHU v WOL



CHAMPIONSHIP

Once again, the Championship is deserving of at least half of one of your eyes, as both top and bottom are gearing up for a long and compelling battle. At the top, Sheffield U remain in pole position with second-placed Burnley missing the chance to overtake them having only managed a draw against Middlesboro last night. Ambitious Burnley are a place behind while Leeds and Sunderland are snapping menacingly at their posteriors. Leeds have the opportunity to follow suit at home to Derby in today’s early kick-off, and Sunderland can do the same to Stoke also at lunchtime. Millwall, 10th, will mourn former manager John Docherty as they host Coventry in 16th. At the less desirable end of things, Hull, QPR and Pompey go into the weekend occupying the bottom three places and take on Blackburn (8th), Norwich (9th) and Bristol C (11th) respectively. Cardiff have appointed Omer Riza as interim boss until the end of the season. You may recall that Riza was on our books at the turn of the century, although without making a senior appearance.

Fixture news -- the games at Cardiff (H Watford) and Plymouth (H Oxford) are postponed, as are all Saturday's football and rugby games in Wales, due to a storm. Watch out, boyo.
 

Massive Attack" wrote: ↑08 Dec 2024, 16:15 Arsenal's 8th Set-piece goal this season leading the way and their 23rd Set-piece goal since the start of last season. The beautiful game. Shame it still isn't going to be enough to win the League once more.

Arsenal's 8th Set-piece goal this season leading the way and their 23rd Set-piece goal since the start of last season. The beautiful game. Shame it still isn't going to be enough to win the League once more.

Gunner Lee is a funny fucker “ Decline Rice “

I proper laughed my bollocks off when they chalked that Gooner goal off. Karma's a bitch you time wasting cheating wankers!

Fucking hate Arsenal these days so much the way they carry themselves. Bottling it yet again...

Only if the dwarf keeps lopetegui. As soon he goes we will pick up similar to Aston villa. If steitden picks the replacement. 

If we contrive to lose to wolves tomorrow we are definitely among the relegation contenders 

Massive Attack" wrote: ↑08 Dec 2024, 15:19 Boring, boring Arsenal...

Set-piece bores F.C.

Boring, boring Arsenal...

Set-piece bores F.C.

Pulis
Allardyce
Arteta

All cut from the same cloth.

Fill the side with giants and hoof it into the box.

Diop is a calamitous defender.

SUM A DING WONG" wrote: ↑08 Dec 2024, 14:36 I’ve just noticed that C.Chaplin scored for Ipswich at home v Bournemouth.

I bet that silenced the away support.



 

twoleftfeet wrote: ↑08 Dec 2024, 14:48 I like the look of that Diop chap at Fulham, sort of player we need.

I like the look of that Diop chap at Fulham, sort of player we need.

I’ve just noticed that C.Chaplin scored for Ipswich at home v Bournemouth.

I bet that silenced the away support.

 

twoleftfeet wrote: ↑08 Dec 2024, 13:03 Apparently it’s all to do with Amorin, the majority wanted him but Ashworth wanted Southgate. What a fucking idiot.

As shit as we are, we're only four points behind Man U with a game in hand.

Apparently it’s all to do with Amorin, the majority wanted him but Ashworth wanted Southgate. What a fucking idiot.

, wrote: ↑08 Dec 2024, 12:21 ManU experiencing the “Ineos effect” whereby Ratcliffe buys into a sporting franchise, Sky cycling and Mercedes F1 for example, and what ensues is a gradual deterioration within their peer group.

ManU experiencing the “Ineos effect” whereby Ratcliffe buys into a sporting franchise, Sky cycling and Mercedes F1 for example, and what ensues is a gradual deterioration within their peer group.

Massive Attack" wrote: ↑08 Dec 2024, 09:28 Man Utd's Sporting Director Dan Ashworth has just got the Spanish archer after just 5 months in post.

Took them ages to get him in the first place once Newcastle placed him on gardening leave. Weird.

Blimey, there's never a dull moment at that club, and there was me thinking that we had the monopoly on all the drama 

Man Utd's Sporting Director Dan Ashworth has just got the Spanish archer after just 5 months in post.

Took them ages to get him in the first place once Newcastle placed him on gardening leave. Weird.

Mike Oxsaw" wrote: ↑08 Dec 2024, 04:27

Manuel wrote: ↑08 Dec 2024, 03:40 Edwin Howe must be coming under some pressure now? Seems a bit of a strange situation up there in the frozen north. How ambitious are the owners? Have they lost a bit of interest? Did they not fully understand PSR, etc? 

Not just Newcastle though. Look at some of the results we've had so far this season - it's bordering on crazy: many more "bankers" not coming in as their history, league position or current form would suggest.

I can just about accept that we were never going to "Go for it" this season as we've had too many changes (except, of course, for the ones we need to be able to move on), but you could be forgiven, when looking at the current PL table, thinking that you may have woken up in some sort of parallel universe.

Manuel wrote: ↑08 Dec 2024, 03:40 Edwin Howe must be coming under some pressure now? Seems a bit of a strange situation up there in the frozen north. How ambitious are the owners? Have they lost a bit of interest? Did they not fully understand PSR, etc? 

Edwin Howe must be coming under some pressure now? Seems a bit of a strange situation up there in the frozen north. How ambitious are the owners? Have they lost a bit of interest? Did they not fully understand PSR, etc?