**Official** English Football Season 2024/25

[duffer]

My brother is a sports medical doctor. He actually did pitchside dr duties for some professional clubs. He told me of one instance when a certain player he did a medical for, ahead of signing for a club was supposedly 28 years old but he suggested was likely around 4 years older than that. It should be said that said player was from an African country.

Kanu?

 

[Chin Music]

Kanu?

No.

 

[Molehill]

When Yakubu signed for Portsmouth he was the oldest looking 21 year old I've ever seen. That his International career finished when he was only '30' doesn't altogether surprise me.

 

[sledger]

I think Celestine Babayaro was thought to be "very dubious" in that regard also.

 

[Chin Music]

I actually can't remember the name of the player whom my brother referred to, but it was post Kanu for sure.

 

[andruid]

I remember a story of a Nigeria based football agent that supposedly mounted a copy of his own death certificate in his office to signal that he was on to the shenanigans players and rival agents were up to

 

[Ali TT]

Rashid Khan?

 

[MW1304]

Never in my life have we so consistently had the wood over a top team like we do with Arsenal right now. Absolutely love it.

 

[Skipper Pup]

Stay humble, eh

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Stay trophyless

 

[Niall]

Interesting to see how long Newcastle hang onto Isak.

Newcastle are good but just not sure they can mount a serious title challenge in the next few years.

 

[MW1304]

I have always wondered why winning the Championship doesn't count as a domestic trophy when people reel off these stats about how we haven't won anything in 50-odd years. It quite plainly is one.

But yeah I'd rather have a cup trophy obviously.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Stay humble, eh

Cos the none of the Arsenal fans on here have ever indulged in any gloating?

 

[Skipper Pup]

Interesting to see how long Newcastle hang onto Isak.

Newcastle are good but just not sure they can mount a serious title challenge in the next few years.

It's as if they got halfway through the project plan and either the owners lost interest to invest, or FFP has restrained them.

Forwards are really good, midfield is (in my opinion) the best in the league, defence is meh. Squad depth is average to poor. I rate Howe but I'm not convinced he's a world beater or capable of covering the weaknesses with elite coaching.

It all adds up to a team that will compete for top 4 and domestic cups.. not much more.

We're being linked to Isak now. Of course will never happen with FSG but I can dare to dream haha

 

[BoyBrumby]

My brother is a sports medical doctor. He actually did pitchside dr duties for some professional clubs. He told me of one instance when a certain player he did a medical for, ahead of signing for a club was supposedly 28 years old but he suggested was likely around 4 years older than that. It should be said that said player was from an African country.

Taribo West? When he signed for yer Rams he was officially 28 but the knock is he was 42. His career definitely wound down thereafter when, as a CB, one would've expected him to be in his prime.

 

[Chin Music]

Taribo West? When he signed for yer Rams he was officially 28 but the knock is he was 42. His career definitely wound down thereafter when, as a CB, one would've expected him to be in his prime.

Way later than that, so I'd be shocked. As I say I really don't remember the person concerned and with respect, I don't really want to expose who my brother is!

 

[Skipper Pup]

Comfortable win there.

Bit surprised Slot opted to rotate Macca and Diaz but we never really needed to get out of 2nd gear. Even managed to give Mo and Virgil an early shower. Ange will get blasted in the press for the tactics but in reality they were never going to lay a glove on us with our big names back. This team isn't like the old Klopp sides that give away chances - we put our foot on the ball, control the game and don't give opponents a sniff.

On to Anfield South (Wembley) now. Won't enjoy the physicality of Newcastle's midfield but we should have more than enough to get the job done.

 

[Molehill]

Comfortable win there.

Bit surprised Slot opted to rotate Macca and Diaz but we never really needed to get out of 2nd gear. Even managed to give Mo and Virgil an early shower. Ange will get blasted in the press for the tactics but in reality they were never going to lay a glove on us with our big names back. This team isn't like the old Klopp sides that give away chances - we put our foot on the ball, control the game and don't give opponents a sniff.

On to Anfield South (Wembley) now. Won't enjoy the physicality of Newcastle's midfield but we should have more than enough to get the job done.

Yeah, don't get the Ange bashing on this one. He's playing against the top team in the league who literally have no real injuries, with a team down to its bare bones. What did people expect to happen?

 

[Furball]

When Yakubu signed for Portsmouth he was the oldest looking 21 year old I've ever seen. That his International career finished when he was only '30' doesn't altogether surprise me.

It's not a coincidence that African countries became less successful at age group level once FIFA introduced bone testing in the late 90s/early 2000s.

Also, Saudia Arabia's U16 World Cup winners from 1989, presented without comment:

 

[sledger]

I had honestly, never heard about this before, but... wow