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Reply | Sunrise, sunset – Report
at 08:31 2 Mar 2026
Top report, I wasn’t at the game so only had the highlights to go on, but felt exactly like midweek.
Instead of getting to LR, I was at Stevenage where they played Stockport as both battled for the play offs.
I was put next to Neil Banfield who’s gone in as a coach to basically pass the time locally, the other side of him was a budding analyst with an ear piece and mic to the bench.
As the game went on Neil basically just spoke constantly, explaining everything and anything that he saw whilst the analyst frantically relaid this back to the bench.
I’ll be honest I was a bit struck by how much he was seeing and even more impressively could see coming. He would call overloads 4 or 5 plays before it happened. Was honestly insane, I know the average match going fan can see the game but this was like nothing I’ve heard or seen.
So if we’re sitting here, French cup winner JS, who took Strasbourg to sixth in Ligue 1, doesn’t know players are xrap and that a left side of Esquerdinha, Saito, (the returning) JCS and Varane is ropey… believe me he does and he can show you 10x more reason why it’s xrap.
What also struck me was the intensity and passion, not just from Banfield but also the manager, the analyst the players. People’s livelihood's and mortgages at risk. How they speak to each other, what they demand from each other. Even from the Stockport bench (inc a Mr Clint Hill) it was so intense and demanding.
Matt Phillips got MOTM on his first game, Jamie Reid (Northern Ireland Intl) was alongside him up front. Charlie Goode sat at the back with Ollie Norwood in midfield (and ran the show) for Stockport.
On the play trading side, every penny counts. You’re going to outlay X, you NEED to return Y. The money isn’t there for speculative shots. A lot of agents in football think their DoF is a nightmare, mainly because he won’t just play ball on what they want. Even if that means often losing out.
Everyone is held accountable.
One of the players said after the game that Phillips had given a talk on the standards he expects and what’s needed to make the play offs and every players output has gone up by 10%.
Why’s it okay to be pumped by 3+ so regularly? Who’s holding the standards throughout the club? Why are some players finishing games at Loftus Road then driving straight to their local gym to do more work?
So coming back to QPR you have to seriously look at this player availability thing, but also the standard of the players that are being brought in as speculative shots.
We talk about some of them needing loans, other than Morgan and Kolli (maybe), I don’t think any of the others get game time in League 1 - so why are they here?
You can hammer Les Ferdinand for keeping players around like Ozzy Kakay and Charlie Owens when you’re bringing in a truckload of Aussie and Americans to warm the bench but be miles off it.
Edwards and Saito are great but say you went for a liberal guess of 6m outlay on the pair, are you making that 3x in the next few years? Both great players but with clearly weaknesses that certainly make them playing in the PL a long shot.
Maybe it’s just been a bad week, but when you see something like that so up close, then think back to us half throwing away games and being told about not seeing your favourite players it does make you think. |
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Reply | (No subject) (n/t)
at 17:21 6 Feb 2026
EDIT: Not sure how this happened. Pocket post. [Post edited 6 Feb 17:23]
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Reply | Support for Paul Smyth
at 08:34 6 Feb 2026
I think people would be stunned at the level of abuse players receive and I literally mean stunned.
I work with a major player at one of the biggest clubs in England and he made the admission that “Every single second, of every single day, I get a notification on Twitter telling me I’m shit at my job.”
He missed a penalty and he was inundated with abuse which just snowballed into his pregnant fiancé being sent threats about r*ping her and killing their unborn baby.
I saw Merson on STF saying people wouldn’t believe how much he gets for getting predictions wrong or whatever and the panel all said similar.
Another player I know was on a shoot for a brand, and someone came over for the 5mins he was left alone asking for a photo. He agreed. After the photo was taken, the guy asked the player “Why was he such a useless lump of sh*t” for his FPL team - whilst then videoing the reaction.
People are scum.
On another slightly linked topic, the mental health epidemic in football at the minute is off the charts, they’re all in therapy or taking some type of meds. |
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Reply | Kolli
at 14:02 12 Jan 2026
Was absolutely different gravy yesterday, think it will be a huge moment for him.
To do what he did to Todibo, turning him inside out, Todibo has played for France - this guy can seriously play.
Also, he's actually one of our own. Here since the age of 8, he still is down Goals in Isleworth (where he played all summer) every Monday night watching his brother (also a player). This isn't someone we've picked up as a late team, he's actually done it all with us.
I know his family get involved and are a little outspoken, but at this point after that performance you've probably got to give him his props.
On Kone, not sure what people are expecting. He's still learning the Championship and he's up against the likes of Max Kilman. I thought when he brought it down from a goal kick and spun, playing in Kolli was top drawer, just a little too much on the pass. To find space and get infront of AWB, we're not talking about amateurs here.
Ps... I think Kollis brother was released by West Ham in the summer so maybe it was personal for him. |
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Reply | Ronnie Edwards
at 10:44 9 Jan 2026
Find him signing utterly bizarre, would have looked for the 'next' Ronnie Edwards potentially on loan with view to perm now or even just let Morrison fill in until the end of the year. Then go and get someone in the same vein as Kone/Burrell.
Playing for your family club on loan whilst taking home your Premier League money for 6 months is very different to being here on a perm and I cannot fathom how you make serious money back on his investment.
I hope I'm wrong and I'm not paying it so why does it matter but think we have been here with Saito and this team is crying out for a physical No.8 that can get around the pitch. |
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Reply | Ilias Chair
at 14:54 26 Nov 2025
Well the fact they’ve been waiting to drop this interview since end of last season but they’ve strategically waited till he was back playing and now playing well (goal at the weekend). The fact it’s in the personal managers office and was shot there makes me assume it wasn’t signed off by the club.
The fact it’s dropped on a game day would be a big no no for most clubs too again assume that they were out of the loop. There’s also no real reason to do it, let sleeping dogs lie. Unless you want it on public record for clubs that everything is done and wrapped up. It’s not like there was any other depth to it - it literally just sets the record straight.
His socials and his use of fonts in captions including bolds and italics makes me think he’s not sitting on the coach doing it but his team have got people in. Could almost guarantee that he’s employed an analytics company to build reports too. |
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Reply | Ilias Chair
at 14:30 26 Nov 2025
Yeah not the biggest green flag this. Would take the use of “personal manager” wording and his improved use of socials recently that his team are looking for a move in the summer. |
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Reply | The Harvey Vale Conundrum
at 12:10 22 Oct 2025
I don't think he can play wide on the right long-term but wouldn't be against seeing him as a left wing-back (not convinced he could be a fullback) or on the left side of a 3 in centre midfield. |
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Reply | Harvey Vale
at 15:24 18 Sep 2025
I think this is another prime example of why Warbuton loved academy boys so much. But he's mixed it with a spit and sawdust loan with Bristol Rovers and Joey Barton of all people as his manager.
Three years ago he was captaining an England side with the likes of Carney Chukwuemeka, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens in (Ronnie Edwards also played I think). I think he also captained them as winners the U19s EUROs.
He won Chelsea Academy Player of the Year which has been won by the likes of Reece James and Mason Mount. Livramento won it the year before. He's an elite level footballer, you just hope that it can click for him. |
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Reply | Is Saito a future 10?
at 15:05 18 Sep 2025
I think if Chair was to move up the food chain he would have gone by now, it doesn't seem it's ever been his creativity or ability to effect games but more his stature that has put clubs off.
He's 28 next month and if it hasn't happened by now then it probably won't but who knows.
That being said, he does seem to be injured a fair bit recently which definitely won't have helped his cause. Either way, I think Saito will stay wide. For me his main strength is getting his defender 1v1 or driving with the ball, both a rarity really as a 10 but can have a field day as winger. |
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Reply | The QPR summer transfer rumours thread
at 19:36 1 Sep 2025
Not sure if its a QPR thing or just a wider football issue, but today seemed absolutely painful for so many reasons.
The clout chasing across social media by people that clearly knew nothing, yet instead of having a bit of awareness decide to double down. There's a *massive* difference between being told something and being 'ITK', but the hyperbole and rush to be the one today that tweeted first that Edwards/Dieng had signed or was "close". No one knew anything - neither were anywhere near.
Grown men, rushing to be the one that breaks transfer news so they can put it with a hashtag and "Remember who told you first kids", ignoring the fact they've spent the whole summer firing enough sh*t at the wall in the hope something sticks. It's beyond embarrassing.
Some of the fan accounts (not LFW!) on there are so toxic, the way they speak to people and the comments are ludicrous but I don't mind them so much as I imagine/hope/pray they are kids. But the grown men arguing over who knew more on a deal that didn't even happen.
Also, don't get me started on SSN, having reporters outside the ground who know as much as anyone else before rushing to some pleb outside Selhurst Park who says: "There's been an update..... Marc Guehi could be on his way to Liverpool". Christ, what a turn up for the books. Didn't see that coming.
SSN said earlier about sources had told them a player that came off injured in a PL game yesterday, had a scan on his hamstring and it was better than expected. The player was came off because of his ankle and was sitting waiting for the scan to take place. Perhaps it's just one of them days but wow, hopefully we can put a pin in some of this lot now. |
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Reply | CONTRARY to FIRM BELIEF
at 11:21 1 Sep 2025
I think he's okay, not sure why he gets so much stick. That being said I really rate Field and don't always see it with Varane - which going off Twitter is a reason to be hung.
That first time pass to Smyth, on a rolling ball, was ludicrous and he clearly has a bit about him. It's just a shame he runs like he's trying to stop a colostomy bag from leaking (and that's from someone that would know) and has p*ss running down his legs if he has to go in for a 50-50 or header.
Also, think sometimes with him the bar is so low that a few glimpses get over hyped but he did okay on Saturday. Can understand why he gets minutes, he's the only player in the team that can actually pass (Chair/JCS exempt). [Post edited 1 Sep 2025 11:22]
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Reply | Out of the darkness – Report
at 11:15 1 Sep 2025
Great read Clive, thought Charlton had the (much) better of it and 3-1 flattered us but a win is a win.
Now onto deadline day, can't wait to see Alfie Gilchrist link up with our new ball-playing No.8 Hayden if rumours on Twitter are to be believed! |
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Reply | Kone MOM?
at 11:14 1 Sep 2025
The guy is absolutely class, particularly liked him giving Jones some as well. Even when Esquerdinha over complicated a throw on late in the game he told him "What the f*ck are you playing at?! Just throw it down the line".
Honestly think he could be gone next summer so enjoy whilst he's here, he's quite a rare profile. |
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Reply | Joey Barton
at 18:51 19 Jan 2024
Barton is a pr*ck and if you socialise with him as well then you must be a fairly similar character.
Was a midfield Robert Earnshaw, stood out in the Championship but was crap to underwhelming in the Premier League. |
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Reply | Dozzell
at 18:47 19 Jan 2024
Definitely hid and a shurker but would have him in the team over Colback all day, every day.
What's worse, is he has *some* level of ability, you can't just lose him. But if they lose him and go and sign Myles Peart-Harris on loan from Brentford then that will
just be about the final straw.
Not sure how much more p*ss taking the board can do and then they think that one up. |
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Reply | Jordan Henderson to Ajax
at 16:17 17 Jan 2024
No I get that, I was more saying the point the press definitely are as the 700k has grabbed headlines. Apologies wasn't saying the take home was peanuts. |
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Reply | Jordan Henderson to Ajax
at 14:59 17 Jan 2024
The money is obscene regardless but to be fair to him, it's no where near 700k. There's also a lot of tax implications so his take home, especially now he's leaving will be no where near the numbers reported. He lives in Dubai and flies over for training and matches (but make sure you do your recycling pls).
Some other players have been looked at this window and they've openly rejected really good moves because of the tax issues and how much you have to pay back should you leave the country. The Saudis aren't going to be stupid with their money, you're not going to be able to come over nick silly money and then disappear in a few months.
I don't think he's anywhere near relevant for England anymore, so hoping that doensn't come off but he tried to get a move to Spurs on deadline day in August but there was no chance he was going to be allowed to go in the same window. |
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Reply | Jack Diamond
at 11:14 10 Jan 2024
I recently attended an 'after-party' event with a number of west London based footballers. We walk into this room and I kid you not, 100+ females were just sitting on chairs waiting for the footballers to come in. It was like a meat market. At about 3am I ended up chatting to one of the women who was just sitting there, asking why she was still there, talking to no one at 3am. She said she was an office admin assistant and had to be up for work at 6 but wanted to shoot her shot.
It's basically they sit there, try and start a convo with a player in the hope it'll go somewhere. Utterly insane.
There was another instance where a player had a bit of controversy around an OnlyFans girl, however, his mother that had never left Senegal before, arrived on the morning it broke. The sheer panic as he realised he would have to explain to a very traditional thinking African middle-aged that you can go on your phone and buy explicit videos and images of females you like the look of. |
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