Going into the season it was widely predicted Hull City were going to be one of the surest shots for a relegation spot, so calamitous was their offseason. But with 2 wins in 2, including the opener over the champions, they are sitting pretty at 3rd, in what surely even the most optimistic of their fans would never have envisioned. There's a chance the Cinderella story will end tomorrow though, as they host the ogres of Man United. The Red Devils are looking composed and hungry under Mourinho, and though many questions remain (Rashford still not making it off the bench being one of them), the big uncertainty about Ibra's role does not seem to be one of them.

The early game has Spurs-Liverpool, which feels almost impossible to predict at this early stage, seeing how inconsistent both teams have already been. Spurs seem to have made good business in the transfer window, but it was just 2 years ago that the Reds came to WHL and whupped them 3-0 at the start of the season, so over-confidence is not in order just yet. For Liverpool defense is shaping to be a key worry, but the return of Sadio Mane will be a huge relief, so good has he been in his limited action with the team.

Bayern start their inevitable march toward a 5th consecutive title tonight against Werder Bremen. But with Dortmund actually out-spending them this offseason, and 'Gladbach putting together a very decent team, it might not be a cakewalk this time.

Sat 27 Aug 2016
07:30 Tottenham - Liverpool FC
10:00 Chelsea FC - Burnley FC
10:00 Crystal Palace - Bournemouth
10:00 Everton FC - Stoke City
10:00 Leicester City - Swansea
10:00 Southampton - Sunderland AFC
10:00 Watford FC - Arsenal FC
12:30 Hull City - Manchester United

Sun 28 Aug 2016
08:30 West Bromwich - Middlesbrough
11:00 Manchester City - West Ham

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

neuer
lahm-boateng-hummels-alaba
sanches-alonso-vidal
robben-lewa-ribery

with costa-muller-coman-thiago-martinez-kimmich on deck.

yikes. carlo bout to feast.

in other news: arsene finally splashes the cash, stunts on his haters.

ARE YOU NOT TRANSFERTAINED

___

it is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. - sherlock holmes

That is going to be a filthy team, too, with Goetze, Reus, Aubameyang, Dembele, Schuerle, Kagawa, Bartra, Castro and Weigel are all excellent and so much faster of a team than Bayern. It will be an interesting two horse race.

He left our bench (where he was the heir apparent), to go to their bench.

His dad made some comments the other day about Thiago coming back to Barça. Sounded like he was just trying to put that out in the universe.

--

"You can't beat white people. You can only knock them out."

wonder if he follows Pep. Barca doesn't have a spot for him, not now and not in the foreseeable future with Gomes and D. Suarez (and Alena coming up).

still should get time rotating in, but damn.

-----------
you think we playing chess, but i'm playing mad-making. Basaglia

and though many questions remain
>(Rashford still not making it off the bench being one of
>them)

there just arent enough games at the moment. mkhitaryan's barely played. depay hasnt. schneiderlin hasnt.

rashford will start getting some mid-September.

<--- Big Baller World Order

>rashford will start getting some mid-September

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

Jose wife (why do i know this lol) put a depth chart on social media back when we were still playing coy about Pogba in July (he was already on the lineup) and if i remember right it had this on it for the positions

LW - Martial, Depay
ST - Ibra, Rashford

i dont see Martial as an up top striker either.

<--- Big Baller World Order

>i dont see Martial as an up top striker either.

Of course Rooney's production is going to be questioned, which could open up a spot, but I was just surprised the Rash hasn't played a single minute.

Not saying it's what keeping Utd fans up at night, just threw that in as a mildly relevant thing I noted

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

all straight into the group stage. i dont think it's that big of a deal but ppl seem outraged about it just in the forums i read. the rich get richer.

http://www.espnfc.us/uefa-champions-league/story/2937658/uefa-agrees-to-extra-champions-league-spots-for-top-leagues

i also thought this bit was interesting as well.

However, the coefficient system will be revamped with clubs judged only on their own records and historical success in European competition also acknowledged.

<--- Big Baller World Order

hopefully at least it tones down the big clubs' "Super League" aspirations, for a little while.

Then again I'm the kind of person who holds antiquated ideas like hoping they'd only allow 1 (max 2) clubs per country (it's called the CHAMPIONS league, rah-rah) in the first place

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

brilliant strike from Alonso to open the scoring

Amazing how high Hummels is positioned

edit: Alonso's goal
https://streamable.com/kqbs

Lewandoski 3mins later
https://streamable.com/xnxh

a bad defending clinic from Bremen so far

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

>
>Lewandoski 3mins later
>https://streamable.com/xnxh
>
>a bad defending clinic from Bremen so far
>

___

it is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. - sherlock holmes

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

Most players put that into the upper deck.

--

"You can't beat white people. You can only knock them out."

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

Gonna have an idea how serious we are. our attack has been very Spursy so far: doing all the right things but not producing. We should be able to put at least 2 goals on Liverpool in WHL. If we don't, there's a real hangover effect from the collapse and the Euros.

And motherfucker DON'T BENCH DELE ALLI.

----
bshelly

"You (Fisher) could get fired, Les Snead could get fired, Kevin Demoff could get fired, but I will always be Eric Dickerson.” (c) The God

Liverpool's backline is suspect. Janssen/Kane should have plenty of chances to keep Mignolet busy all game

----------------------------------------------------------------
respect the gift.

----
bshelly

"You (Fisher) could get fired, Les Snead could get fired, Kevin Demoff could get fired, but I will always be Eric Dickerson.” (c) The God

or we really need dembele back.

or both.

are eriksen's contract talks getting in the way? he's been awful this season so far.

He's either tired from the euros or pressing because of the contract. Either way he has a complete lead foot right now, no touch or accuracy at all

----
bshelly

"You (Fisher) could get fired, Les Snead could get fired, Kevin Demoff could get fired, but I will always be Eric Dickerson.” (c) The God

<--- Big Baller World Order

<--- Big Baller World Order

long range passing, positioning, link-up play, tackling, intercepting were all fabulous. ideal partner for santi in central mid.

___

it is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. - sherlock holmes

>long range passing, positioning, link-up play, tackling,
>intercepting were all fabulous. ideal partner for santi in
>central mid.

I really hope he doesn't bring Ramsey back into the lineup straight away, which of course Wenger probably will. There's definitely something promising there with xhaka and cazorla in deep behind Ozil

I'd also like to see Gnabry get a run on the flank over Walcott and the Ox. That's got to be the main reason Wenger off-loaded Campbell

His understanding/awareness combined with his technical skill makes him such a good link between our holding and attacking play...it was beautiful seeing him cover and then shooting making the quick pass on the ground or picking out a long ball to start the attack. Makes it so much easier for everyone around him, same reason I love Mesut.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

Also, dare I say it? Walcott putting in that work.

On the other side, I think the ox might need to find somewhere else to reset his career.i just don't know if it will ever click for him. With gnabry and Lucascoming into squad. Iowbi too. Also squeezing in Jack and Ramsey... I see his minutes dwindling substantially. Shoot, welbs only a couple of months away... Loan is probably the best thing for him, but doubt that happens

i like the chemistry he's showing w/ bellerin. really hoping he solidifies that wide right spot. he's got a chance to entrench himself there. if he plays to his capabilities, he's really the best option on that side.

___

it is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. - sherlock holmes

The inconsistency of his play, particularly when he switches off defensively, doesn't seem to be getting any better. As much as I like the kid, that fact and his already significant injury history have me thinking it may be time to sell high on him.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

>Also, dare I say it? Walcott putting in that work.

this season, theo's won 8 tackles in 270 total minutes. in all of last season, he won 11 tackles in 1375 total minutes.

___

it is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. - sherlock holmes

https://vine.co/v/5eM3jXMP3OL

___

it is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. - sherlock holmes

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

Fellaini and Rooney playing the full 90 vs a team that isn't even trying
Whatever the fuck you call what Pogba is doing today. I can't imagine he's playing this passively on his own. That isn't who he is
Rooney taking all the corners even though he's Godawful at them
Didn't even use all the subs

2 pts dropped I place squarely on him.

And martial needs to fix his life. Hes wack on and off the field right now.

<--- Big Baller World Order

I will spare rooney criticism at least until the next game

<--- Big Baller World Order

>vs a team that isn't
>even trying

great team defending from Hull, I can't say United didn't deserve the 3pts because they were much better in the 2d half and pushed constantly, but a tie wouldn't have been outrageous

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

Phelan's been absolutely fantastic as Hull's caretaker so far.

---------------------------------
Photo zine(some images NSFW): http://bit.ly/USaSPhoto

"This (and every, actually) conversation needs more Chesterton and less Mike Francesa." - Walleye

i thought we were in for him this season.

inter quietly had a good window this year. thank god because they looked below mls level when i saw them in charlotte.
#Banega - free
#Ansaldi - 2m + Laxalt
#Candreva - 22m payed over 4y.
#JoaoMario - 10m loan + 35m obl.
#Gabigol - 25m

<--- Big Baller World Order

But part of me still wants him to play so that there can be no pleas copped when Jose baptized Pep into the epl

<--- Big Baller World Order

Absolute perfect match between these two....Pep is the exact type of structured coach Raheem needs in order for his mental understanding to catch up to his technical ability.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

san mames + mateo lahoz = risky. arda looks revived as a LW, D. Suarez could be great in a few years, messi as distributor is just unfair. Luisito was off, tho...gotta get back into scoring form and umtiti + MaTS both generally played well but had a couple mistakes that thankfully didn't cost the team but could have.

I'm sorry, what?

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

Martial started at striker (with Giroud on the wing) and just scored against Italy, with a nice cold-blooded finish

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

<--- Big Baller World Order

Martial goal https://streamable.com/3zjj

Pelle answers (and sons Varane) https://streamable.com/58if

Giroud wants in on the fun https://streamable.com/dkzr

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

It's not an easy deflection there for the defender but that's one any high level defender should be getting a piece of which pretty much cuts out any chance of a scoring opportunity.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

you can tell the back three today (Ventura the new Italy gaffer is a fan the 3-5-2 formation apparently) does not feel quite comfortable yet, with Astori in the middle.

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

<--- Big Baller World Order

Spanish press seems waaay more into this story than its French counterpart, which tells you who needs him more right now. He'd be a good option to have for if Kosc gets old or Zouma doesn't pan out, but he's definitely not guaranteed anything atm.

If it matters so much to him to play for Spain then so be it, I try not to judge these choices too harshly since there's a huge element of chance involved. Hopefully for every Mahrez you get a Kante

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

Young'n'golo got eaten alive by Eder on that play, and unfortunately it was not the only time it happened
not a good showing at all for him

Varane was good to great otherwise
fun game overall

probably following Dede's instructions, and considering how much of an impact Pogba+Matuidi were having, not that big a deal. He's been playing well at Chelsea, he'll be fine

Kurzawa has been having a nice little start to the season. Patrice who?

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

but yeah, he's been lethal on the offensive end, which makes up for it
that goal yesterday was really smart

as for NGolo, he was definitely too low. No need to track back that far when you have technically proficient center backs like Kosc and Varane behind you. Keep that for when Rami is playing (which is not gonna happen too often at this point).

of course the sample size is very small, but based on the first few games it doesn't look like Emery will have him focus on defense as much as being an extra winger. Which is very standard it seems these days, but yeah we'll have to see how that works out in the qualies. Speaking of which Holland lost at home to Greece yday. So perhaps the real test for us is gonna be Tuesday at Belarus?

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets