TFF chit chat 3rd, 4th and 5th March

[morganb]

Assuming the snow doesn’t cause too much disruption to the fixture schedule…


Saturday 3rd March

Burnley 12:30 Everton

Fortress Turf Moor hosts Saturday’s early fixture. Everton are the visitors and they are on a poor run of form at the moment. Burnley are too, but surprisingly it hasn’t affected their league position. I'm under the impression that Barnes has had quite a good goal return in recent matches.

Leicester City 15:00 AFC Bournemouth

The first of the 3 o’clocks sees the Cherries travel to the King Power to take on the Foxes. Vardy is currently playing well and Mahrez appears to have got his mojo back. Bournemouth have been battling bravely recently and should survive another year in the Prem.

Southampton 15:00 Stoke City

Southampton have been poor this season, both from a TFF point of view and in the League proper. The visitors today are the Rufty Tufty Namby Pamby Boys of Stoke who are in even deeper trouble than the Saints. Anything could happen!

Swansea City 15:00 West Ham United

The Welsh Wizards from Wales have been on a good Cup run but now need to turn their attention to the Prem. A win here against fellow strugglers West Ham could lift them clear of the relegation zone. Jordan Ayew is probably the pick of the bunch.

Tottenham Hotspur 15:00 Huddersfield Town

Spurs had a midweek FA Cup win last week then have an all-important Champions League game next midweek so there is a possibility of some squad rotation here. Uddersfield have start to put a few results together and Mounie has discovered some form of late.

Watford 15:00 West Bromwich Albion

Since Troy Deeney returned to the first team the Hornets have put together a good string of results. WBA are rock bottom and are being set adrift from the rest of the relegation candidates so will need to get something from today's game.

Liverpool 17:30 Newcastle United

Klippety’s men have the form trio of Salah, Firmino and Mane, and in Saturday’s late match Liverpool are up against one of their old managers. Dwight Gayle knocked in a brace last weekend and will be hoping to do the same today.


Sunday 4th March

Brighton & Hove Albion 13:30 Arsenal

Sunday’s early fixture sees the Gunners travel down to the South Coast to take on Brighton. The Seagulls have picked up a couple of wins and a couple of draws in their last few matches and Murray is scoring well (though reports say Locadia is looking sharp too). Arsenal are struggling in 6th and lost again in midweek.

Manchester City 16:00 Chelsea

Blue is the colour… for both teams! Sunday’s late fixture is also this weekend big match. High flying City will be looking for another win here against reigning champions, Chelsea. Chelsea have been blowing a bit hot and cold of late but Hazard and Will.i.an are doing OK.


Monday 5th March

Crystal Palace 20:00 Manchester United

The MNF and final fixture of the weekend sees Man Utd travel to Selhurst Park to take on Palace. All things considered, Lukaku has probably been United’s best player this season. Is Phil Jones likely to still be out for this one? Palace are still struggling near the foot of the table.


If you are planning transfers it might be worth bearing in mind that the following 7 teams are still in the FA Cup (CL denotes the team is also in the Champions League):

Brighton
Chelsea (CL)
Leicester
Man United (CL)
Southampton
Swansea
Tottenham (CL)

[murf]

Swansea and Southampton games at most risk from snow/ice/travel conditions/H&S/cowardice


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/43256340

[Eddie Elbows]

We didn't know you did impressions. Barnes has scored two in seven since his return to the starting XI.

[morganb]

We didn't know you did impressions. Barnes has scored two in seven since his return to the starting XI.

That was my impression of someone who couldn't be bothered Googling but knew he's scored last week

I think your impression of an Alexa was better - "Eddie, how many goals has Ashley Barnes scored recently?" - you reply with the voice of Terry-Thomas: "Barnes has scored two goals in seven competitive matches since his return to Burnley's starting XI."

[Clueless65]

Alexa? This forum is awfully middle class at times.

"I'm sorry. I am not programmed to comment on Association Football."

Howay man, ye've got ter know aboot the footie! Send her back!

[murf]

Alexa? This forum is awfully middle class at times.

Ashley Barnes was born in Bath


....to English parents.... but has represented Austria (U20s for 17 minutes)

[robot]

Swansea and Southampton games at most risk from snow/ice/travel conditions/H&S/cowardice


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/43256340

Heads up for next weekend onwards, weather predicting more than 5 days out is notoriously difficult but those in the know seem to think were in for something special!

https://www.netweather.tv/forum/topic/8 ... /?page=119

Well my BBC (from Meteo now?) prediction says a min of just 0°c for me over next 10 days. For Cumbria in February that is a heatwave.

1-0 to me in this prediction comp murf

[murf]

robot 1 v 0 BBC/meteo

Not even reached as high as 0°c here in days!

[Darbyand]

The MNF and final fixture of the weekend sees Man Utd travel to Selhurst Park to take on Palace. All things considered, Lukaku has probably been United’s best player this season. Is Phil Jones likely to still be out for this one?

Yes

[murf]

Is that official or just the expectations (MEN?)

[LenH]

Got reeled in by midweek games and looking to make some moves but not much jumping out out at me at the moment it has to be said. Though my chasers in my sl will have to have burned subs and I have enough left to see me through but just need opportunities to take advantage of. My Vardy experiment hasn't done much so thinking of moving on to Firmino as I know my chasers have him even with them being out of the cup. Anything else fellow fiso'ers spotted or is it hold tight till City wrap up the league and start resting players?

Just realised Bram's site hasn't moved league games for fa cup teams so confused myself even more, hurray!

[SPR]

The MNF and final fixture of the weekend sees Man Utd travel to Selhurst Park to take on Palace. All things considered, Lukaku has probably been United’s best player this season. Is Phil Jones likely to still be out for this one?

Yes

I have the same question Murf has

Is that official or just the expectations (MEN?)

[Striker]

robot 1 v 0 BBC/meteo

Not even reached as high as 0°c here in days!

This was a TFF thread discussion. The relevance of Cumbria escapes me.

[Darbyand]

Is that official or just the expectations (MEN?)

Official https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/96957 ... 89986?s=19

[Joey Navinsky]

"Manager Sean Dyche says goalkeeper Tom Heaton is "very, very close" to being available after six months out with a shoulder injury." (BBC)

Interesting and possibly disappointing news for those of us he swapped to Pope when he got I injured

[murf]

Is that official or just the expectations (MEN?)

Official https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/96957 ... 89986?s=19

Ta. Still not sure what to do as I want to get Chelsea defenders back in but they are away to City!

[cnkp21]

Anybody else have Alonso and thinking of getting rid. I'm tempted to swap him for Mahrez. What do you reckon?

[SPR]

"Manager Sean Dyche says goalkeeper Tom Heaton is "very, very close" to being available after six months out with a shoulder injury." (BBC)

Interesting and possibly disappointing news for those of us he swapped to Pope when he got I injured

Will Pope be dropped though? He has a chance to play for England if he isn't...

[SPR]

Is that official or just the expectations (MEN?)

Official https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/96957 ... 89986?s=19

Think I'll be putting Ward in at 12:30 then.

[Jamjack]

Is that official or just the expectations (MEN?)

Official https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/96957 ... 89986?s=19

Think I'll be putting Ward in at 12:30 then.

Pity Jose didn’t tell us this last weekend.

Not a transfer I really want to be making at this stage but this injury feels like it could stretch on a bit

[SPR]

The only issue with Ward is no game on weekend of 17th. Need a defender though to replace Jones.

[Darbyand]

Maguire if you haven't picked him up already? Or even two Leicester defenders if you have?? Nice fixtures.

[ChrisD]

I notice the telegraph sent out their weekly email today focusing on remaining fixture difficulty. Certainly drew my eye to Leicester, easiest remaining fixtures (by position) and still in cup. Only issue is form. Not exactly on fire as a team. Anyone seen more of them to allay my fears..?

[SPR]

Yes, my issue with Leicester is not sure they'll get many cleanies and the Ward is cheaper and so gives funds for use elsewhere.

[Canaryfan]

I read the article and was interested to see one of Leicester's remaining fixtures is against Leicester!

[murf]

I notice the telegraph sent out their weekly email today focusing on remaining fixture difficulty. Certainly drew my eye to Leicester, easiest remaining fixtures (by position) and still in cup. Only issue is form. Not exactly on fire as a team. Anyone seen more of them to allay my fears..?

I bought a couple of Leicester blokes because of their good run but they have underwhelmed. Soon have the deckchairs out in the league too. Cup defeat would be bad and cup progress would make them care even less about the league.

Do I double up on Swansea defenders???

[Troopon]

Aguero to Lukaku looks good for Monday night. 4-1 if he plays in the cup.

[Eddie Elbows]

Is that official or just the expectations (MEN?)

Official https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/96957 ... 89986?s=19

Think I'll be putting Ward in at 12:30 then.

. . or possibly Tarkowski who my return?

[LenH]

Aguero to Lukaku looks good for Monday night. 4-1 if he plays in the cup.

Definitely considering this but isn't it just a 3-1 as Bram's site is showing they play cup on 17th and a league game the next day on the 18th which can't be right. This confused me earlier and for other teams.

[Darbyand]

Aguero to Lukaku looks good for Monday night. 4-1 if he plays in the cup.

Definitely considering this but isn't it just a 3-1 as Bram's site is showing they play cup on 17th and a league game the next day on the 18th which can't be right. This confused me earlier and for other teams.

Definitely a 4 for 1. Ignore both United and City's red squares on the cup weekend, both games have been postponed.