The Round Ball Game - II

[Edgy 2]

Paisley Buddies 1 - Aberdonians - 0.
Big Jim off the mark with a coupon buster.

Well pleased for big Jim Goodwin

[johncorrigan]

Well pleased for big Jim Goodwin

First win against Aberdeen in the league for over 8 years, Rob, although we were elsewhere for a bit of the time.

[antongould]

Toon 0 Gunners 1

Cloughers mate says we can take a lot of positives ..... not sure where we can take them yet .....

[cloughie]

Toon 0 Gunners 1

Cloughers mate says we can take a lot of positives ..... not sure where we can take them yet .....

Positivity anton, cf goal difference with Chelsea, West Ham and Norwich, or even Watford!

[LMcD]

Positivity anton, cf goal difference with Chelsea, West Ham and Norwich, or even Watford!

… let Fort William be your benchmark team, anton!

[cloughie]

… let Fort William be your benchmark team, anton!

Wise words LMcD, but maybe not of great comfort!

[Stanfordian]

Some thoughts - Premier League - Matchday 1 of 38

I watched with interest Miguel Almirón playing for Newcastle United. He was so ineffective and lightweight he looked to me as if he had won a competition. I really hope he proves me wrong.

The camera flicked several times to Andy Carroll who was, surprise, surprise, sat in the crowd not even fit enough for the bench. So Newcastle have not only signed a player a shocking injury history but one who is currently injured.

By contrast how good and fighting fit does Burnley striker Ashley Barnes look! Although a relatively unfashionable player I think he could play effectively and score goals in any Premier League team.

People have been talking about David Luiz having a mistake in him. But against Man Utd his replacement Kurt Zouma was busy demonstrating many of the mistakes he has in his locker.

Harry Maguire looked the part on his Man Utd debut. Hardly putting a foot wrong and he seemed to relish the challenge. He’s a born leader and I believe he will be made captain. I think he’s the sort of player who will improve and improve. Just what Man Utd needed. It seems Pogba has nicknamed Maguire as 'The Beast'.

Excelling too for Man Utd on his debut was right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka. If Wan-Bissaka becomes half as good as Liverpool right back Trent Alexander-Arnold (he of such superb crosses) he will be a great success.

I release that Liverpool were excellent on Friday evening, but I have a feeling that Norwich City are in for an extremely long hard season. Relegation candidates for me.

It’s hard to believe that Liverpool persevered with goalkeeper Simon Mignolet for so long before selling him last week to Club Brugge. Adriane is far more experienced and is a safer bet.

Owing to the injury to Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson there is a rumour on social media that Klopp is planning on recalling Loris Karius from his loan spell at Besiktas. Surely, surely not!

I arrived some 6 minutes late at Mill Farm, Wesham for AFC Fylde’s home game against Ebbsfleet United. For some reason there is no score board in the stadium and it was half time before I realised that Fylde was winning 1-0 thanks to scoring a penalty after 4 minutes. The same thing happened to me last season.

[LMcD]

Well, after gaining only 38% possession and committing 25 fouls, the Tractor Boys are out of the EFL Cup, so they can concentrate on winning promotion!

[antongould]

Hangers 2 AFC Fylde 2 ....... not very good at hanging on seemingly

[teamsaint]

Hangers 2 AFC Fylde 2 ....... not very good at hanging on seemingly

Hmm

Guess you'll just have to hang on in there AG.

[cloughie]

It may not last but after 2 matches Truro City 100% record at top of Southern League and Owls 100% record at top of Championship - may not last as bragging rights never last long!

[teamsaint]

It may not last but after 2 matches Truro City 100% record at top of Southern League and Owls 100% record at top of Championship - may not last as bragging rights never last long!

Nice.

[Stanfordian]

Salford City v Leeds United, Carabao Cup - last night.

The Leeds United fans were singing about Leeds-born Jimmy Savile: "Jimmy Savile, he's one of our own".

I was told that one Leeds fan, wearing Savileesque shell-suit, blonde wig and big cigar, was hoised onto fans shoulders.

[Edgy 2]

Stockport County 3 Barrow 2 It seems we always have to concede the first goal before we decide to play,first win of the campaign

Gutted to see that the plastic dons knocked Wimbledon out of the league cup

[teamsaint]

First game of my fiftieth season watching the Super Saints......and all so reassuringly familiar.

Ref sees European champions in more favourable light than unfashionsble provincial team and proceeds to give them almost all the decisions, including a dubious and game changing yellow for Romeu, and missed a pull by Salah Prior to the mess we made for the first goal, which it has to be said, was a beautiful strike from Mane.

Other familiar elements include a series of defensive mistakes, a catalogue of missed chances, including one that Ings missed which defies explanation

Welcome to season 19/20.

(Liverpool looked a bit out of sorts, but had accurately identified the areas to get at Saints leaky back five, long balls in behind, and always have enough to do you. Best player today, VVD.)