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And so will Lampard. England's golden age hey? Even now you can't separate them.

We got rubbished after putting two absolutely pathetic premier league campaigns in a row. We deserved the majority of what we got, I really don’t understand why fans need to get so precious over it? We spent the entire season last year thoroughly miserable what exactly did the national media have to get behind? I could barely even work out what I was supposed to be cheering half of the time. Winning a throw in? Stringing more than 5 passes together? A blocked shot? We even pretended to score a goal at Crystal Palace FFS the gallows humour cannot get any worse than that! When we were competitive under Farke at the start of 19/20, we won plenty of plaudits despite being 20th. Yes the run in to that season left an incredibly sour taste in the mouth but we were a very well liked side up to then. So it’s not some national conspiracy that everyone hates us, not some weird agenda because apparently some sections of our fanbase agree (what on earth are you chatting @hogesar?), it’s simply a reflection of how poor we became and how poor we continued to be in the second season. We had totally unravelled as a footballing side, lost all of our previously-appreciated identity, couldn’t score for toffee, and broke records for being **** for nearly a season and a half of premier league footy. Bournemouth have lost 9-0, embarrassing yes, but so did Southampton (twice) without being relegated. Early days for them to call anything but they certainly still have some way to go before they trump our recent ‘efforts’ for premier league safety… Although it would be nice to see someone else struggle as badly as we have. The media will go for them too if they end up like we did, I am sure of that.

I think Sinani has done enough the last few weeks to be allowed an off performance- Hernandez is just the same every week.

Your reply is a good example lol

And that is the problem. Whatever Truss et al may say about renegotiations, the reality is that Tory party policy is being driven by the hardliners of the ERG and the DUP. And the DUP in particular has not interest in renegotiating the protocol. It regards that as pointless since its stated objective is to scrap the border in the Irish Sea. If there is no border then there is no need for a protocol. The obvious problem with that is that Northern Ireland would have to stop being a de facto member of the single market. The EU, and by the EU I do not mean some bureaucrats and Macron, but pretty much every country, large and small, simply cannot and will not allow open entry into the SM. If the Irish Sea border goes then so does NI's membership of the SM. Which has helped the province's economy to prosper compared to the rest of the UK apart perhaps from London. The business community in NI would like some minor changes to the protocol (which the EU is likely to agree to) but is horrified by the prospect of the DUP and the ERG getting their way.

0-0 at half time, very evenly matched. A couple of lengthy injury stoppages, but everyone emerged unscathed. Steward reckons the attendance is around 350, which is a record for the women's team!

Didn't Fulham beat some team 10-1 in the 60s. And who was it that lost 0-9 to man u. In the 90s? Cole scored 4 or 5, I think, and could have had another half dozen. Too lazy to Google. Someone on here will know. Probably a lower league team who had a short spell in the top flight.

Some of the Sargent comments here from just two weeks ago. I'm starting to worry there won't be any egg left for my face for some of my anti-Dean Smith comments.

Aye...it's all the Green's fault. Nothing to do with the whole energy market system. There's lots of articles explaining exactly why our costs are so much higher. For once it isn't mainly to do with Brexit. Still, you are right in us not being self sufficient and also about the pressure because of the Ukraine war. But you've nicely ignored our privatised market. Overseen by a pathetic regulator. https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/19/energy/energy-prices-uk-europe-explainer/index.html As I've mentioned before you're someone who 'gaslights'. You tell others (posters) they've got it wrong because the truth hurts you to accept it. Gas lighting is an even more apt word to describe some of the stuff you post given the subject of gas prices too (yes I will accept your reluctant or more likely, sarcastic handclap for my attempt at dry humour). Keep telling yourself that all greens will be happy. Greens are the scum of the earth don't you know. Like those nasty left wingers too.

I get that. But we absolutely should’ve been more competitive than we were even accounting for the huge financial challenge it was for us. We spent the first 2/3s of the Farke season having spent f-all making a good go it and winning appreciation from the neutrals. If we’d stayed like that lots of the media would’ve continued to be positive. We then had another go, and actually spent a good chunk of money, but couldn’t muster together a vaguely competitive side. The model is a restriction, of course it is, but not to the extent we saw on the pitch. That was on us. Case in point being Brentford, under a similar model and level of spend, how on earth did they leap frog us so easily in the space of 4 months given we’d gotten about 12 points more than them the prior season? We can moan all we want about the chasm between the top and the bottom of the prem, and I agree there is one and it’s getting worse, but ultimately that cannot be our undoing when we did not even do enough to compete with the clubs in our sphere. That is what earned our criticism and that is why I don’t feel particular insulted by it either.

Can she play left back?

Yep, that was the one. I played "are you crazy Barry" and he decided I was Barry😂 Happy days! I miss all that.

Congrats to Pockthorpe every little counts and hard luck to The Wolf.

You're missing the point. They are, but not enough where it makes one jot of difference to their ability to succeed or fail and the likelihood of him getting sacked by Villa is infinitely higher than him getting sacked by Brighton. It's a gamble not worth taking, he can only lose.

If only it was that easy.

In some games last season when he was on the pitch it was like we were playing with 10 men.

Agree with Worthy on this, there is no objective criteria that makes Villa significantly bigger than Brighton. An additional 10k capacity doesn't move you into the next level, neither does the passion of your fans (ask the Hammers, Sunderland, Everton, Leeds etc). The key is global name recognition, number of plastics, eyeballs in Asia. Anyone outside the big six + Newcastle now are one bad transfer window from the Champs.

Its a bigger club but doesn't necessarily mean its a better club.

Is it? I think nowadays you have the top 6, then Newcastle coz of the money (pains me to say that), then at a push Everton and then everyone else. Villa are no more likely to break in than any other team and are just as likely to get relegated. I'm not convinced.

Like you , I'm still unconvinced as to whether we're now sitting 4th because of/in spite of Smith....or whether its just a plain bad standard of league. If we're honest most competent managers should really have our squad of players at the top end of this league The fact that we're allowed 5 subs really cannot be underplayed either. It really is a huge (unfair) advantage to a club like ours in this league if used correctly, which Smith is learning to make the best use of....its the equvilent of Man City being able to being 5 quality attacking players on at their level

Norwich City 1, Actonians 0 (H-T: 0-0). Attendance: 389. Starting XI: Williams; Larkins, Flye, Johnston, Parker; Knights, Russell, Smith; Todd, Cook; Snelling. Fantastic weather at The Nest this afternoon as Norwich City Women looked to maintain their 100% start to the season. Warm and sunny with a cooling breeze, and a bumper crowd in attendance with dozens of flags provided by the guys at Along Come Norwich to add to the atmosphere. The first half was a cagey affair, punctuated by a few lengthy injury stoppages, although thankfully all the players involved managed to continue after treatment. The majority of the early exchanges were played in midfield, with plenty of tough but fair sliding challenges flying in, and space at a premium as both sides struggled to make incisive breakthroughs in the final third. There was plenty of positive intent, excellent technique and good movement on display, but defences were definitely in the driving seat as it became clear that the two sides were extremely well matched. Last week's hat-trick hero Tash Snelling was being closely marshalled by the Actonians centre-backs, with buccaneering runs from Megan Todd on the right and Olivia Cook on the left looking most likely to make a breakthrough. Cook in particular was all-action, linking up well with full-back Alice Parker and causing plenty of problems without quite having enough support around her to create anything meaningful. At the other end, Actonians started to assert their authority on the midfield battle as the half progressed, but the only real save Bryony Williams had to make was from a blistering strike from 30 yards, which she impressively held at the first attempt as it flew towards the top corner. A couple of injury stoppages and a drinks break didn't help the flow of the game, but it burst into life just before the interval with flashpoints in both penalty areas. First, a teasing ball into the Norwich area resulted in Williams punching clear but colliding with a Norwich defender and an Actonians forward, with all three players going down in a heap. Thankfully a Norwich defender was on hand to prevent the loose ball ending up in the net with a heroic sliding clearance. Once the colliding players were all patched up, the play immediately went down the other end, with an energetic high press from the Canaries forward three resulting in a Norwich player (possibly Tash Snelling?) diving into a full-blooded challenge with the Actonians keeper, but the ball was cleared as it spun loose in the area. Half time: Norwich City 0, Actonians 0. After the interval, Actonians flew out of the traps, asserting their authority on the midfield battle and spending long periods camped in the Norwich half. As they turned the screw, shots started flying in on the Canaries' goal; however, Bryony Williams's handling was impeccable, fielding three powerful shots that flew at her, including one that bounced awkwardly just in front of her. With about 20 minutes to go, Norwich were still struggling to keep Actonians at bay, fighting tooth and nail for every loose ball and showing impressive commitment. Time and again, robust challenges stopped opposing attackers in their tracks as Norwich refused to bow in the face of the visitors' pressure. However, the game changed on a single moment of incredible quality. Midfielder Becca Russell worked a little bit of space for herself 35 yards from goal, took a touch to set herself and ripped an unstoppable shot into the top corner, with the Actonians keeper clutching at air. The crowd of almost 400 – easily a record for a women's match at The Nest – went wild, and a renewed sense of belief surged through the Canaries team. Despite a couple of close shaves in the area, and a couple more pieces of textbook handling from the impressive Bryony Williams, Norwich rarely looked like relinquishing the lead that they'd pinched against the run of play, and the final whistle sounded to joyous celebrations from the Norwich players and supporters. Full time: Norwich City 1 (Russell 72'), Actonians 0. This was the hardest of hard-fought victories, and it'll be a tough ask for the players to go again in just two days as they face Wymondham at the FDC in Bowthorpe on Tuesday night. Overall this was a brilliant advert for the women's game, and a fantastic springboard for our girls to bounce off for the rest of the season. Player of the match is a really tough call, but for her sheer energy throughout the whole 90 minutes, I thought Olivia Cook just about got my vote. Next Sunday the girls are at home again against London Seaward; let's see if we can tip that attendance over the 400 mark!

I was in Benidorm this week and got talking to a Villa fan, says Gerrard is a poor manager and will be gone soon. Villa fans couldn’t understand why he bought Coutinho when Buendia was playing well, why he gave a new contract to Young and that he has already alienated a lot of fans as he’s just like Lampard and living off his playing reputation. He has been told it’s top 6 or he’s out this season by the owners too apparently. He also said they never wanted Smith out, he was doing a good job considering he’d lost their best player in Grealish. He also said Smith will get us promoted and that Aaron Ramsey will be a top player too, he should be in their first team

King's Cross, Pet Shop Boys Mile End, Pulp And Amy Winehouse had a very High Barnet

What MacKenzie completely, and knowing his history deliberately, ignores is that its Politicians that create wars and we, as people, have fcuk all to be grateful for. Most people, that doesn't include Sun readers, do not want wars, conflicts, weapons or beligerence.

What’s most likely to happen @Diane once MA breaks the 30% barrier, he’ll be obliged to make the same offer all the existing remaining shareholders, at the best price he’s purchased at. It will then be up to the shareholders whether they accept, or not, until he reaches a 90% threshold. Then they are required to sell out, just as happened previously at Arsenal and Manchester United.

...says the guy in the big group on the forum that shouts down and ridicules anyone who puts a different perspective.

Remember Herman, those libertarian freedom fighters on the right will defend to the death your right to free speech...but only as long as your free speech agrees with the utter tripe they spout of course...all other non-approved free speech is treasonous, leftist bile which must be clamped down on. 🤔🤪🤣 Apples

Great 0-0 draw away to one of the planet's best teams. Unbeaten in four as well. Obviously won't continue as we've been reliably informed by plenty on here that he's useless in a top league.

This quote rang out; "And the Labour chair of the Commons business committee, Darren Jones, predicted that the incoming government would be forced into offering across-the-board handouts because it lacked the data and IT systems to target help effectively." In all the years of penny pinching austerity, wages stagnating and tax hikes there is nothing, absolutely zero, to show for it. They have spent nothing on updating or improving the infrastructure of this country and have left us in the most vulnerable position since probably the last war.

Post of the week

Agree with the majority of these but I think slightly unfair on Hernandez, he was our main outlet in the first half and if it wasn’t for him providing relief getting forwards down that left side I’d hate to think how much more pressure we’d have needed to sustain at the other end. His end ball wasn’t always too bad either, he played it inside okay a couple of times to Sargent, he played a nice chipped semi cross to Nunez and he was unlucky with another. Much better to have him there, involved, but perhaps things not quite working out, than someone like Sinani who I’m genuinely not even sure if he touched the ball in the first half. Indeed Sinani’s failure to get involved was to the total detriment of Aarons too who barely managed to cross the halfway line except a couple of moments in the closing stages before half time.

Yep. For maybe 60 minutes we were largely outfought. Yet in that last half hour I would have been worried if I'd been a Sunderland fan. Their team was slowing down, had run out of wind, were looking less threatening on the break. Whereas Smith's subs came on and created a massive change in momentum. We began to camp around their 18 yard box....it's what we used to do in the Champs and often we find a way - and we did today. I love a 0-1 away win. So satisfying somehow🙂

The media knew they could get away with saying what they did about us because we had enough dim, vocal fans on social media who would agree with them

Frequently announced at home games , but a really big shout out to the 1000 or so that must have left our fine city at circa 4am to get to Sunderland. You deserve a special mention, thank you to each and every one of you 👍

Add our supporters who attended the game to the ‘winners’ list. Crazy time to start their journey this morning and still a few hours from getting home. The 3 points must have been all the sweeter for them.

Oh and one more loser to add... Mrs Hanley- I'm assuming certain activities are off the table for a couple of days after one of those blocks...

I agree. Germany and France are members of the EU, and that's where we should be. CPTPP is a trading bloc for Pacific countries and our attempt to join it is both laughable and transparently cynical. The Dept of Trade is hyping it beyond belief. In our arrogance we seem to think our membership is a foregone conclusion. But we're clutching at straws and the CPTPP knows it. They won't let us use it as a back door into the EU. Obama's phrase re. post-Brexit trade deals with the US "join the back of the queue" springs to mind.

I'm with you on this. Villa aren't as big a club as their fans like to think they are, but they are a bigger club than Brighton.

Things are going well in Germany for Farke and Kabak, but not so much for Pierre Lees-Melou in France...

Can't remember their name. Think they've gone out of business now, whoever they were.

Looked really nasty watching on Sky. Fortunately he’s probably at the age where his ligaments are still like rubber so probably not as bad as it could’ve been and will hopefully recover quick too. I couldn’t believe he even tried to play on after seeing the replay. I’m thinking 6-9 weeks. I have absolutely no evidence or life experience to back this opinion up.

Do you have any examples of this?

Both seasons just felt to me like, if luck could possibly go against us, Covid, injuries, decisions, it would always be against us. That first season in particular started with a real flourish, but then things turned and the fight was simply hammered out by cruel circumstances, and I do wonder whether the quicker collapse the second time around may have had a bit of PTSD to it for the players that were common to both seasons. I dunno, I think maybe it's better just to enjoy what we're doing now than worry about the Premier League.

Some of our supporters should get a chip for the other shoulder and provide a bit of balance.

Remember when Paul Moy kept telling that top economist Patrick Minford had made the case for Brexit?

Norfolk and Suffolk are both one club counties and the counties are 0 miles apart.

Apologies if it's been posted elsewhere but here are Leeds TV highlights Our front 3 were as last game Omotoye, Dickson-Peters, and Kamara. Kamara scored both our goals and both were set up by Springett who also had an excellent shot well-saved. I wouldn't be surprised to see Springett back in the first team squad soon - especially if Rashica moves on as I would expect given his current form - probably on loan as I doubt anyone will offer much money.

By contrast, all serious leave politicians argued that leaving the single market wasn't on the cards as it would be economic suicide. Ultimately, neither side actually articulated the realities of the situation. The referendum was a horrendous example of direct democracy, because the question didn't actually lay out the end result, it only asked for half the answer.