Sandman40

Coutinho to be sold after Barcelona's UCL horror show, Valverde fate uncertain - sources pl/ 1:13 8 May, 2019 Moises Llorens Sam Marsden Philippe Coutinho is "not a Barcelona player" and will be the first casualty of their shambolic Champions League exit to Liverpool, while the board are set to meet to decide coach Ernesto Valverde's fate, sources have told ESPN FC. Sources also confirmed that a number of the coaching staff are disappointed with Coutinho's performances this season. The Brazilian is the club's record signing at €160 million but his displays against his former side across both legs of the semifinal strengthened the idea that his time at Camp Nou is up "Coutinho is not a Barcelona player, that's been made clear," a club source told ESPN FC. The ex-Liverpool playmaker started the season well but his form and confidence have fallen off a cliff since an injury in October. He's been unable to re-find his best form since and the source bemoaned that "he has added nothing. He will leave in the summer." ESPN FC first revealed in March that Barcelona were ready to listen to offers north of €105m for Coutinho and his performances against Liverpool have done nothing to change their plans. He was taken off before the hour mark in both matches, jeered by Barca fans last week and Liverpool supporters on Tuesday. The Catalan club made a huge effort to sign him but there's now an acknowledgment that things have not worked out. While the reaction in the heat of the moment has seen Coutinho singled out inside the club, the board, headed by president Josep Maria Bartomeu, will try to deal with the fallout from the Liverpool loss in the coming days in a more cool-headed manner. Diario Sport called the 4-0 defeat the "biggest embarrassment" in the club's history and Bartomeu says there will be time to reflect on how they recover from a second successive European humiliation. They also surrendered a three-goal lead against Roma last year. "There will be time for a deep reflection and to give explanations," he said after the game. "There's a Copa del Rey final to play in three weeks [against Valencia on May 25]. "Last year, in Rome, the same thing happened and it's not easy to explain. We will try to do so internally. We have to pick ourselves up and apologise to all the Barcelona supporters." The board will talk in the coming days and Valverde's future will be up for debate. The former Athletic Bilbao boss has won back-to-back league titles but those who are most critical of him at the club point to the fact this is the second time in a year that Barcelona have chucked away a huge advantage. However, as suggested by Bartomeu, the board do not want to rush into making a decision. But there will be talks to see if they can respond to a question which they still don't have an obvious answer: who could replace Valverde? There are not many options available who would be capable of leading the required regeneration. Barcelona's starting XI at Anfield included seven players aged 30 or over. "We have to see how Valverde deals with this tricky situation," a club source said on Wednesday. "The fans are really upset and disappointed with what happened and on Sunday there's a league game against Getafe. It will be interesting to see how the supporters react."

Didn’t say. Also think it’s odd the entire test lasted 6 minutes!

Lad on the TAW page claims he tests English in Manchester and these were who came in this week...and passed

I hope you are sitting down when you read this...it is being reported he picked up a knock

As long as he promises to boot three players into the air during stoppage time to continue his tradition.

BBC article showing that Everton is top. Swansea City charging mascots Premier League prices By Matt LloydBBC Wales 7 hours ago Share this with Facebook Share this with Messenger Share this with Twitter Share this with Email Share Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES Image captionSwansea City charge up to £478 for a match-day mascot experience Swansea City may play in football's second tier but they are charging parents Premier League prices for children to be mascots. It costs up to £478 for a match-day mascot "package" at the Championship club, research by BBC Wales found. Only three teams in the Premier League charge more, while the experience is free at most of the top clubs. Cardiff City charge £255. Swansea City said prices were reduced this year following relegation. Consumer groups have branded the higher prices as "outrageous". For many youngsters, the chance to walk out onto the pitch with their football heroes is a dream come true. Indeed many clubs tell parents the package is the "ultimate gift your child will never forget". Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES Image captionMany clubs sell the experience as "once in a lifetime" Yet while many of the biggest clubs in the country, including Premier League champions Manchester City, do not charge for the opportunity, others are cashing in more than £700 per child. Most packages include full kit, match tickets, photographs and autographs as well as walking onto the pitch before kick-off. But a £270 deal at Fulham does not include kit while a £185 package at Bournemouth does not come with a ticket to the game. Martyn James, of consumer website Resolver, said: "It's absolutely outrageous that some richer kids can effectively buy their way to the top of the mascot list. "When I was younger, being a mascot was a reward for super loyalty or for having been through a great deal. The Premier League's oldest mascots? Mascot to wear 'Swansea City legs' "Charging any money for these packages is unacceptable - and it's pretty unknown too. "It makes a mockery of all the things that our national game is supposed to represent." Supporters on fan forums have slammed the prices as "unfair" and "scandalous". Swansea City said the "truly once in a lifetime experience" includes four hospitality places, a meal and half-time penalty competition on the pitch. A spokesman added: "We've reduced prices this year following relegation, from £450 plus VAT to £399 plus VAT for weekend, and £349 plus VAT for weekday matches. "We also give one space free to charity every match and this was brought in this season." Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES Image captionSwansea City give one free mascot place to charities and good causes each game Mascots at the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are picked at random from their junior fan club and are free. Cardiff City offer the chance for children aged between four and 10 to turn "dream into reality" for £255 and have sold out for many of their most popular home fixtures. Claire Blake, of Penarth, arranged for her eight-year-old son Cian to be a mascot before the Bluebirds' game against champions Manchester City as a birthday gift in September. "We were lucky to get such a big game but I'm not sure we would be happy paying the same amount for games against other teams," she said. "Cian got a kit, signed photos and met Neil Warnock and had a great time, but the seats were poor and it was a bit rushed meeting the players." Image copyrightFAMILY PHOTO Image captionCian Blake had "a great time" as a Cardiff City mascot this season Season-ticket holder Tracy Morgan paid for her eight-year-old son Leo to be a mascot. She said: "It was very expensive but it was worth every penny to see my son's face - and my husband's." Ryan Moore bought a mascot package as a Christmas gift for his six-year-old son Niall. He said: "It's free for some big clubs like Liverpool but a money-making scheme at others and there are so many mascots that it dilutes the experience. "But we were pretty happy with the whole day. Niall loved it - apart from the team being hammered 4-1." Premier League mascot prices Everton £718 West Ham United £700 Leicester City £600 Tottenham Hotspur £405 Wolves £395 Crystal Palace £375 Brighton £350 Burnley £300 Fulham £270 Cardiff City £255 Watford £250 Bournemouth £185 Free: Arsenal, Chelsea, Huddersfield, Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Newcastle United and Southampton. Clubs have been urged to find a "good deal" for fans. The Football Supporters' Federation said: "Clubs should speak to their supporters about what they think represents a good deal for parents and if fans have specific concerns, we'd be happy to look into it. "Our campaign focus will primarily remain on affordable ticket prices - particularly fair concessionary and fair young adult prices."

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-sponsor-sportpesa-anger-fans-15610398 Oh, Everton...

I don't support Lids FC I support HAL FC.

Give it Jose!

Can I stop worrying about relegation yet?

Really? That was dire.

I thought that they were resting him because of his “injury”...make Jürgen happy?

I don't know...they are no Rennes though...

Cheers! Missed that. I'm sure it has nothing to do with those mean Mancs...

Karrius not even on the bench?