The Rounded Keeper - FPL Pub Talk & Matchday Banter 26/27

[Dr. Giggles]

Leeds close in on Bard.

Perhaps it's Erik from Skinwalker Ranch.

[forestfan]

Taxi for forestfan

Chariot, surely?

[forestfan]

Leeds close in on Bard. Poetry in motion, or a Shakespearean tragedy waiting to happen?

Had never heard of this guy. A left-back, apparently, joining on loan for a year. Looks a bit like a French Kieran Trippier. Hopefully plays like him too.

Hopefully his debut doesn't end up being a comedy of errors.

A trip to Shropshire in the Cup perhaps? Taming of the Shrews…

[forestfan]

Drugryk to Spurs

[raoul]

Leeds close in on Bard. Poetry in motion, or a Shakespearean tragedy waiting to happen?

Had never heard of this guy. A left-back, apparently, joining on loan for a year. Looks a bit like a French Kieran Trippier. Hopefully plays like him too.

Hopefully his debut doesn't end up being a comedy of errors.

might work out as you like it?

[raoul]

Drugryk to Spurs

Spurs seem to be adopting the Chelsea strategy of buying anything that seems to be on sale, either because some of it will surely work out, or perhaps because with current player price inflation it makes sense to buy absolutely everyone then sell at a profit in 6 months.

Or perhaps Spurs are planning some fan marketing in Ukraine.

Or more likely they have no clue what they are doing and after years of failing to buy have now swung the other way in compensation mode.

Whatever the situation it is hilarious to watch so many clubs ripping Tottenham's stadium profits away. I wonder if it might even appear on that "scammers" tv show. Can see it now, room full of people watching the computer screens yelling "hang up now, you are getting fleeced!!!"

[Smurphy Paw]

On a technicality I think the casuals reference was about people selling Bruno before his haul (I may be wrong). Having x2 Arsenal defenders isn’t a casual play. But other mods intervened and we will again if it gets heated[/color]

Correct and my original comment was about owning Gabriel who I still think is mainly owned by the casuals; the engaged managers saved a few mil and bought his defender teammates instead. I did have a few concerns about the Arsenal defence during pre-season, but those comments were made before the Community Shield.

it won't happen often so I will seize the opportunity to say...

I agree.

Yes, a reasonable point, reasonably stated without any baiting of fellow regulars. More of that please BLOCKHEAD

[forestfan]

Drugryk to Spurs

Spurs seem to be adopting the Chelsea strategy of buying anything that seems to be on sale, either because some of it will surely work out, or perhaps because with current player price inflation it makes sense to buy absolutely everyone then sell at a profit in 6 months.

Or perhaps Spurs are planning some fan marketing in Ukraine.

Or more likely they have no clue what they are doing and after years of failing to buy have now swung the other way in compensation mode.

Whatever the situation it is hilarious to watch so many clubs ripping Tottenham's stadium profits away. I wonder if it might even appear on that "scammers" tv show. Can see it now, room full of people watching the computer screens yelling "hang up now, you are getting fleeced!!!"

It’s a no-commitment loan it seems, so I guess both they and Chelsea could benefit if it comes to anything.

[forestfan]

Everton’s move for Balogun fell through. Rumours of a Trump intervention are unconfirmed…

I only found out yesterday that he’s only American by accident of birth, given his parents (Nigerian and living in the UK) were visiting New York. Exactly the sort of US citizenship the President is trying to stamp out!

[Malrom]

Cody Gapko still in Liverpool or do I miss something here?

[arnold]

On a technicality I think the casuals reference was about people selling Bruno before his haul (I may be wrong). Having x2 Arsenal defenders isn’t a casual play. But other mods intervened and we will again if it gets heated[/color]

Correct and my original comment was about owning Gabriel who I still think is mainly owned by the casuals; the engaged managers saved a few mil and bought his defender teammates instead. I did have a few concerns about the Arsenal defence during pre-season, but those comments were made before the Community Shield.

it won't happen often so I will seize the opportunity to say...

I agree.

Yes, a reasonable point, reasonably stated without any baiting of fellow regulars. More of that please BLOCKHEAD

Quote from page 383 in The rounded Keeper pub 2025/26 season on 9 August 2026 at 14.55 .Blockhead

Arsenal conceding for fun again and Gabriel remains 26.5% ownership , It is unbelievible how easy it is to beat the casuals at this game ,

He never mentioned picking other Arsenal defenders and saving a few million you are liar Blockhead and not a very nice person either . I would also like an apology from Blockhead attacking me and calling me a moran on my diary page yesterday .

[Dr. Giggles]

I would also like an apology from Blockhead attacking me and calling me a moran on my diary page yesterday .

Was it Kevin, Steve or Andrew??

[forestfan]

First man sent off in an FA Cup Final. That’s Moranic…

[murf]

Cody Gapko still in Liverpool or do I miss something here?

Yes. Liverpool wouldn't sell him without someone coming in (besides Barcola)

[MoSe]

not fooball

Indy Car officially names Zanardi Corkscrew

football

Enzo rejoins with Maresca

also, I began the season without City players
now I gained one, doing nothing: Ndiaye

[RomynPG]

(just pinning this to the pub notice board)

5AS H2H is open for registration.

New players always welcome - interested? just post in the recruitment thread . If no spaces open in existing teams then new teams can be formed.

Cheers

[Malrom]

not fooball

Indy Car officially names Zanardi Corkscrew

football

Enzo rejoins with Maresca

also, I began the season without City players
now I gained one, doing nothing: Ndiaye

you mean the racing course was named after Zanardi or this is just Zanardi's name now?

[MoSe]

Only the famous Corkscrew chicane, where he overtook Herta in last lap cutting on the dirt ("The Pass") to win the championship (now the maneuvre would probably be illegal)
Now officially named The "Zanardi" Corkscrew, with a plaque uncovered in a dedication ceremony

BTW he passed away this year on May 1st, same day as Senna

[MoSe]

Although he did have kinda pirate mug, fit to sport a corn pipe like Popeye, and Cork would be a fitting nickname

[MoSe]

Transfers:
Woltemade and Beto moved to Italy
(do we have a Topic?)

[forestfan]

Everton now have only one striker, after Trump’s favourite accidental American failed to complete his move.

Moyes is the sort of manager who might bring back the old-school 90s “stick a big centre-back up front” desperation ploy…

[Malrom]

Cody Gapko still in Liverpool or do I miss something here?

Yes. Liverpool wouldn't sell him without someone coming in (besides Barcola)

A good choice for my EPL Fantasy Team or my TFF teams?

[Malrom]

Only the famous Corkscrew chicane, where he overtook Herta in last lap cutting on the dirt ("The Pass") to win the championship (now the maneuvre would probably be illegal)
Now officially named The "Zanardi" Corkscrew, with a plaque uncovered in a dedication ceremony

BTW he passed away this year on May 1st, same day as Senna

I saw it on TV or Youtube back in May, very interesting move from Zanardi. He was lucky then, but later not su much

[Malrom]

Everton now have only one striker, after Trump’s favourite accidental American failed to complete his move.

Moyes is the sort of manager who might bring back the old-school 90s “stick a big centre-back up front” desperation ploy…

Barry wil take care of the missing goals

[murf]

Only the famous Corkscrew chicane, where he overtook Herta in last lap cutting on the dirt ("The Pass") to win the championship (now the maneuvre would probably be illegal)
Now officially named The "Zanardi" Corkscrew, with a plaque uncovered in a dedication ceremony

BTW he passed away this year on May 1st, same day as Senna

Remember watching that move live (on telly). Phenomenal. What a man.

[Edgeways]

I've posted the below in the FISO Draft Divisionals 2026/27 Thread. Could you please visit that thread to make any interest known.

"I did say on a different thread that I would be happy trying to pick up organising these leagues from TT.

It's proving tricky as I can't find anywhere to tell me who took part last time, what division they were in or where they finished. I can't even remember what division I was in or where I finished!

But I'm happy to run new leagues with a fresh start if others are comfortable with this.

I'm thinking something along the lines of:

1. Everyone who initially wants to play joining one big qualifying division. The teams might be weak due to the numbers involved but it will give us a starting point to measure them against each other.
2. The division runs until each team has played every other one once.
3. The first mini leagues will then be set up based on the teams' positions at this point. The top 6 will play in division, the next 6 in division 2 and so on.
4. We can offer new players the opportunity to make up the bottom league to 6 teams at this point.
5. The leagues will then run with promotion and relegation as before. Whether we get 2 or 3 mini "seasons" in 2026/27 will probably depend on the size of the initial league. But at least we'll have a basis for getting back to 3 seasons per year in future.

If anyone likes my proposal can you please register your interest in the thread below. Let's put a deadline of this Friday 4th September to register interest then aim for a draft next week."

This is another plug for the H2H Draft Divisionals. If you are keen on playing could you please visit the thread noted above and make your interest known.

It is a slightly different experience to the standard FPL competitions and I and others have always enjoyed playing in the past.

If want to finalise numbers and start getting organised this weekend, so if you are interested could you please let me know asap.

Thanks

[arnold]

Everton now have only one striker, after Trump’s favourite accidental American failed to complete his move.

Moyes is the sort of manager who might bring back the old-school 90s “stick a big centre-back up front” desperation ploy…

Michael Keane is a good finisher he could come on as a sub when Barry tires at the end of the game .. Years ago Mick Lyons was CB who often was used as CF in those days you only had one sub . The teams near the bottom of the league in those days had a better chance of winning or drawing. matches with one sub unlike today when City and Arsenal can have five outfield players who be regular starters for teams outside the top 5 or 6 in the league

Some teams used to have super subs like David Fairclough who played for Liverpool .

[forestfan]

Everton now have only one striker, after Trump’s favourite accidental American failed to complete his move.

Moyes is the sort of manager who might bring back the old-school 90s “stick a big centre-back up front” desperation ploy…

Michael Keane is a good finisher he could come on as a sub when Barry tires at the end of the game .. Years ago Mick Lyons was CB who often was used as CF in those days you only had one sub . The teams near the bottom of the league in those days had a better chance of winning or drawing. matches with one sub unlike today when City and Arsenal can have five outfield players who be regular starters for teams outside the top 5 or 6 in the league

Some teams used to have super subs like David Fairclough who played for Liverpool .

Chris Sutton started as a defender didn’t he? And I remember Paul Warhurst(?) for Sheff Wed back in the day.

In the one-sub (or even two-sub) era I guess the proper utility player had more value. We had David Phillips in the ‘90s who played pretty much everywhere except striker or goalkeeper!

[White Tiger]

Everton now have only one striker, after Trump’s favourite accidental American failed to complete his move.

Moyes is the sort of manager who might bring back the old-school 90s “stick a big centre-back up front” desperation ploy…

Michael Keane is a good finisher he could come on as a sub when Barry tires at the end of the game .. Years ago Mick Lyons was CB who often was used as CF in those days you only had one sub . The teams near the bottom of the league in those days had a better chance of winning or drawing. matches with one sub unlike today when City and Arsenal can have five outfield players who be regular starters for teams outside the top 5 or 6 in the league

Some teams used to have super subs like David Fairclough who played for Liverpool .

Chris Sutton started as a defender didn’t he? And I remember Paul Warhurst(?) for Sheff Wed back in the day.

In the one-sub (or even two-sub) era I guess the proper utility player had more value. We had David Phillips in the ‘90s who played pretty much everywhere except striker or goalkeeper!

Further back, in the 70s, we had the late great Paul Madeley at Leeds. Played everywhere, apart from keeper. Phenomenal player!

[raoul]

BBC squad depth charts post the window - anyone else seen these? They seem to appear within individual team analysis articles (wish they were all in one place...).

They look rather useful diagrams but how accurate they are must be up for question?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/te ... tle-united

Example above (sorry I have never worked out images on fiso...)

I had Pardo as a winger and Wissa as the more likely CF but what do I know!