Lucas

18th 16th

Arsenal to win, BTTS 15/8 Bayern to win, BTTS 11/8 £10 wins £68.28

12th 27th

Yeah, not bad to be fair. I do think it's time we looked at revamping things so we can get the best out of the competition for everyone.

Granted, we've had some absolute fruitcakes on here that are remembered for being absolute twats, and they will always stick in people's minds for the wrong reasons. But it's a bit sad how easy people that were actually genuinely nice and class posters that contributed to making the community what it's really about, get lost and forgot about amongst the controversy. I couldn't give a flying fuck about half those names mentioned, they were daft and on the wind up. But I'd genuinely have loved a beer with half that never get mentioned, so here's to them.

Actually I did see a Twitter rumour on that, but I'd be very surprised if it happened. Pretty sure he was linked to us, Leicester and Southampton before we all made different appointments in the Summer, so can't see how a 20th placed Stoke get him in. As much a disaster as the Chelsea situation was, and it probably tainted his profile, he's got enough credit in the bank for me to have another PL job. He was touted as a potential England manager at one point. He's definitely got a mid-table club vibe to him.

Maybe its time to seed the Third Round. You have 44 teams enter the competition for the first time at a point where 20 other clubs have played at least two games to get to that point, and if you're a Non-League team, qualifying rounds on top of that. You kinda feel they have earnt the right to a big home draw, and being honest, it's what we want to see from the competition. Wouldn't be hard to do would it. 20 clubs that have participated so far are in one pot, drawn out accordingly and given home draws whilst the 44 other clubs are drawn from another. Once those ties are sorted, the remainder becomes a free draw. You have 24 clubs left made up of Premier League and Championship, so 12 ties that could still potentially throw up all Premier League clashes or a Sunderland v Newcastle/Millwall v West Ham scenario. Then from the 4th round, just do a free draw. Simple.

If Cooper does inevitably go, I can't help but feel they go Potter. He's sitting there waiting for the right opportunity and you feel that will come from any club that fits in around that 10th to 17th mark. Just seems the perfect move on paper to me. The panic would be if someone like a Palace parted ways with Hodgson and it forced Forest to act quick or face competition. I see it a bit like the Dyche situation last year. You knew Saints, Everton, Leeds and Leicester were all going to change manager at some point and Dyche was the one out of work you'd most likely turn to. Everton were the one's that took that chance.

Don't worry mate, we are in no rush to see it

Ah man, really? Marseille coasted in. Thought when Barca got it back to 1-1 they'd go on and win that way the game was going. Even Second half they had so much of the play but that third Girona goal killed it. Gotta love this game haven't you.

19th 16th

I've missed most the games but I'll still have a punt on this double tonight please. Never know, might come in, worth a go for the sake of minus £10 again. Barca to win, BTTS 6/4 Marseille to win, BTTS 5/2 £10 wins £87.50.

13th 18th

Typical, just as we play them next week. Nee bloke will be in for his first home game v us on a midweek game. Just know that's gonna be doubly difficult now, had the same thing at Rotherham the other week. Considering he took over last year and led them to playoffs, it feels harsh to me. He deserved backing in the January window for sure because it's not as if they were even playing bad football. Sunderland are a top striker away from having a real Top 6 side for me. They have a young squad anyway but they basically have kids to choose from upfront and are heavily reliant on Jack Clarke. They create a lot of chances, they just miss that talismanic striker, be it a permanent or loan. But the owners have panicked. I think they feel a bit of pressure to go up this season or it will just get harder and harder and they can't afford patience. Ultimately, it might work for them if they back the new guy but I think it will hurt a lot of members of Sunderland's squad seeing Mowbray go.

Pretty sure the following will be on TV Sunderland v Newcastle Arsenal v Liverpool Wigan v Man Utd Middlesbrough v Aston Villa Gillingham v Sheff Utd Peterborough v Leeds (Kinda think we're seen as a good draw still and shock potential)

Yeah not shocked at all, called that back in September earlier in the thread. Looks like it could be Chris Wilder coming in. Kinda a no lose situation for him really. He'll probably get a bit more out the players but it won't be enough, they are miles off it.

15th 11th

Ok, I'll take a punt. Leverkusen to win, BTTS 6/4 Man City to win, BTTS 11/8 £10 wins £59.38

Cancel this. Bayern postponed so it will be void. I'll look elsewhere.

Going for a Sky Boost of the following... Kane, Saka and Mbuemo 2 SOT each. 7/1, £10 wins £80.

Cheers lads. Unfortunately my fiance and I broke up after an 8 year relationship unexpectedly, my father was diagnosed with cancer, I had a car crash and my the company I worked for over 17 years with made me redundant due to financial reasons all over a two week period. Unbelievable really. I needed some major help that saved me from doing a stupid thing, had some great support since which I'm forever in debt to, but Christmas really isn't for me this year. That said, I'm happy to turn a negative to a positive and help others. There's always people worse off than yourself and when you strip it all back, I'm thankful for what I do have.

I quite like Christmas but it'll be the first one in about 8 years where I'll not be looking forward to it at all this year sadly. Dreading it infact. So instead, I've volunteered to work the Christmas day lunch at a kitchen near me to serve people who are either homeless or can't afford a hot meal on the day and I'll pop in and see family in the evening.

14 21

So, how does this actually work? Do you just bet a fiver on that one and a fiver st the weekend? Or a Tenner on that one as 'one leg' and then puck another at the weekend but they both have to win to count?

I'll take that, could have been worse.