Leaderboard

I'm typing this poolside in Gran Canaria. We've never done a sun holiday at this time of year before because the prices are generally ridiculous as everyone has the same idea (and indeed Gatwick yesterday was chaos, 30-minute queues just to get into Wagamama and all), but I'm a couple of hours into a good book and the weight of the world is already starting to lift. Dust off the fedora and get on it next year, you won't regret it.

Fucking Sutcliffe the younger even publicising his murderous timetable now. Cockiness is always their downfall.

Amorim is a good coach, but Ratcliffe has brought him in at a time where he's on a hiding to nothing. They should have binned Ten Haag at the end of last season. He gets his squad back from the international break and has a game every three days from then on. You can't impart new ideas or strategies when your training work is all about keeping match fitness up for the next game around the corner. At this point all he can do is rely on individual moments of brilliance which is all ETH every did and they've not got their most reliable provider of those for the match against us because Fernandes is banned. Ratcliffe is proving to be a fucking joke of an owner/chairman/whatever he actually is. An absolute skinflint with no understanding of how to handle the optics of being a big football club or any idea how to turn the ship around. Short changing his lowest paid staff constantly, disrespecting the clubs history all whilst pissing away millions on players chosen by a manager he doesn't want, only to fire the bloke and replace him at the worst time of the season to do it. He's Mike Ashley on Ozempic, trying to "businessman" his way out of a hole.

I’m just bumping this thread to point out that once again, we fucking humped these. Cheers.

Doc had finger up G's arse and he's got prostatitis (or something) it's probably a misdiagnosis tbh, and he's actully got an ingrowing cock which accounts for its chinese mouse like appearance. Since diagnosis Toontastic's self proclaimed man of steel has suffered adverse effects from his calpol.

You two sound like the sort of people that would keep working if you won the lottery. "I said I like the routine. What did I say Betty?" "You said you've got no fucking imagination is what you said, wypoopie"

I think your both right tbh. Physical addiction means withdrawals. When I ended up in hospital I was certainly close to that. Or I felt I was, but I wasn't. My electrolytes were shot to shit and my heart wasn't functioning properly, it was horrific. Mainly potassium depletion. The docs told me even then though that I was definitely not physically dependent - you need more than 2 weeks for that, and need to drink a lot more, I had just basically abused my body and a lot of my symptoms were starvation. I hadn't eaten in 2 weeks. Almost at all. Insane dangerous period of my life when I fell apart completely. They were brilliant fixing me up but ateod not interested or equipped to do the MH stuff I later needed and didn't get. Later had all the scans and blood tests and I'm okay. Better than average I fact as one poster once said. Physical dependency is terrifying, from what I've read. I really pity those souls. Behavioural problems/psychological dependence/addiction are also truly bad, though imo not in the same league. Those (physically dependent) people have to drink to live, if they don't, they might well die in agony. Fucking hell. Seizures, delirium tremors, strokes, brain haemorrhage. Lives completely revolved around acquiring drink so you don't literally die. And death through liver failure is coming for you anyway. And stopping in that state is nigh on impossible with the lack of service here. But in the binge state, you can end up dead pretty quickly if you do something stupid and still otherwise wreck your life. And worse, others. And that's where I am at. It's an interesting discussion anyway. I'm okay for now I think, I'll repeat I don't want to be having this discussion (personally I mean) in 2025. I think Smart recovery might be my next port of call. Seems to be the best option from what I can make out (for abstinence or professional moderation). I'll keep an occasional update on here.

The state of this thread man like Mumsnet for middle aged blokes who are dropping to bits

Three of my mates suffer from it. Condolences man, it sounds horrific. I recently moved to the second tier of middle age. I was queuing to get into a rave the other week and the chat as we were waiting to get in to the venue was all perimenopause, colonoscopies and prostrate exams. Bring back the mundane house prices and home improvement chat

Nothing wrong with me but I hate this time of year. The main event is over and NYE is for the young and it’s just an endless period of people being off with nowt much to do and crappy weather. Everything is a little out of sync and I don’t like it. Bored with food, bored with football on the wrong days, bored with bin men on the wrong days. Roll on Spring

I'm coming out of my flu, it's definitely not as bad although I've still got the the remnants of a cough that is actually hurting my chest. Anyway, it seems on it's way out now after spoiling Christmas totally but today, and yesterday I'm starting to get peer pressure to go for an all dayer down shields being called all sorts if I don't go and stick from the missus for even mentioning/considering it. (I just said if I felt completely better I'd go out but that's enough for her to think I'm definitely out on the piss despite me insisting I'd have to be tip top to go out on the piss). So now I'm kind of huffing mates and the wife. As the housemartins once said, 'fun, fun, fun....fun, fun, fun'. It literally never starts.

Honestly can’t decide if this is going to be an era defining 8-0 victory or 1-0 loss to a stonewall non penalty. Going 8-0 victory I think

This is utterly GLORIOUS https://bsky.app/profile/duanepongo.bsky.social/post/3lehi2jiy3c27

He’s gonna need a bigger patio

Women who can handle themselves ✅

My wife really did buy this record and it makes me laugh every time I hear the phrase.

Misogyny - Reported

Nope and of course it does if it is to the detriment of NUFC. And please explain how revelling in the failure of one of your (supposed) team's best players makes you a better person? Your logic is flawed, Ahmed,

There's worse than that on the list for this antibiotic. Mental health problems, including suicidal thoughts for one - it specifically says you will not realise this is happening, so it's essential you inform friends and family you're on these tablets, so they can spot the behavioural changes. Also tendinopathy. It also helpfully says that some of this may be permanently disabling and may not even come on until months after you've stopped taking them. I mean fucking hell. When I told the doc what was happening to me, he tried to convince me to just stick with them, until I pointed out that this side effect was one of the ones in the bold boxed off section on the guidance, which specifically said stop taking them immediately and contact the doctor. He then goes "well hopefully the thing with your hands and feet clears up then". Aye hopefully.

Wow never heard of that side effect. That sounds nasty. Hopefully these get you over the line and you can soon have a cheeky bum wank again.

I quite like the break and the kids are still at school. The youngest two still believe in Santa, possibly for the last year. So it’s nice spending a bit of time with them and so on. Went for a few drinks with Tooj last night. Good chance to catch up. But despite having plenty leave left and there being cover I’m going into work. I’m off later in the week but I just fancied going into work to do some of the stuff I never normally get the chance to do. But also to have a break from the eating and drinking. Like you I just get a bit bored of it all

You know what. If I did win some money (I don't do the lottery anyways) I would travel etc, but I would certainly try and volunteer to do stuff. I do some work for a homeless charity locally and do get a lot of enjoyment out of it. Just chatting to em you learn a lot and it keeps you grounded and makes you realise how very lucky you are

Currently watching the snowman west end show with extended family. I’ll leave it at that but you can guess the mood

I think the most I've been into Italian football, other than maybe the 90s and channel 4 gazetta etc is the darkest days of Ashley where it was depressing watching anything that reminded me of how shit the PL was, competition wise, and how shit a position Ashley had us in, strangling us but not completely finishing us off. Italian football took my mind off it a bit and was easy to access for me at the time. It's a strange league these days and it drives me mental seeing teams wearing whatever strip they fancy on a week by week basis even at home they'll sometimes just wear an away shirt, it's a bit mental.

Been on it this morning for a bit. Just settling down to it again. I'm telling you, it's hours of fun.

Yeah, I think their science-guided approach should suit the way you think about things quite well. And if nothing else, it'll get you used to talking about things out loud and examining your actions with a bit of rational distance (as indeed you already do when you're not bogged down in it all), which can be really helpful in terms of internalising this stuff. Whatever you end up doing next, I really hope it gets you a step or two forward, you deserve a good run.

Amorim looks like a massive mistake to me. A world class manager needs to adapt to the players he has and he won’t do that. The squad he has inherited is far from what he needs and he won’t have the resources to overhaul it. When Howe first came to us he wasn’t playing the sort of football we are now but after a few weeks he implemented tactics that got us winning then we saw the big changes after a full pre-season. Amorim is too arrogant to that and whether he survives the rest of the season remains to be seen.

Man United have not been relevant in a long time and that will continue to put a smile on my face. I think most of their fans when Ratcliffe got involved felt that their fortunes would turn around quickly and even more so when they got Amorim. Granted, neither one has had that long of a time to really make a mark yet, so fuck knows what will happen in the future. However, their is clearly from my perspective, a lot of turmoil happening on and off the pitch and we need to capitalize on that and get these 3 points. I think we will.

Every time they show Ange stood with his arms folded staring, it feels like they should be playing the Hamlet advert music over it. Bentancur suspended for our game against them too.

Volume is another factor too. You can’t just kill multiple people at a party and not expect to get caught.

I noticed that as soon as I posted and edited it straight away, but of course, some cunt on here ( you ) was faster.

I'm a heavy flow don't you know

Does TNT not know of the damage they are doing? FYI Atalanta equalised in the closing minutes, interesting game and lots of bad Italian footballer hair styles - it's the league that just keeps giving in that regard.

I was going to put that up but it's a piss take. Ashley must be foaming he didn't think of something similar?

You’re too old for that carry on. Have a sherry and be happy.

Everton reckon their new stadium will be worth an extra £40 mill a year to them, compared to the old one. Might have some baring on our future plans?

I think the unfortunate, uncomfortable truth is that genuine alcoholics can't just have the odd one or two and be in control of it. And if you set out to try and do that, then the inevitable outcome will sooner or later be another three or four day bender that started with the intention of just having one or two and being in control of it. Complete abstinence has to be the goal. Even that comes with no guarantees, but it's at least an acceptance of the reality of the situation. Apologies if I sound like a pontificating cunt, but there you go.

exercise is your friend. 100%. half my mates are on antidepressants or in therapy, or both. It’s a good way to keep the demons at bay. For me, training helps provide “balance”. I could probably do with the former too but unlike you I’m too afraid to admit I have addiction problems. Mainly because a life without occasionally getting of my nut is too depressing to contemplate. It’s a crutch I’m not prepared to let go. I’m addicted to exercise too but at least it’s a positive thing to channel that part of my personality into. Lean into it. Total abstinence is the only workable solution for some people. It may be that is the case for you, it may not. From what you described, I don’t think it’s as bad as you think it is and that you actually sound like you’re fully aware that you have a problem with addiction and are doing very well at managing the situation. Things are rarely as bad as they seem inside your own head man. Hangxiety doesn’t help with that either. I’ve been through a bit this year which has helped me come to terms with that. We’re all our own worst critics when the reality is the people who we worry we might have offended aren’t giving half as much headspace to our actions. Just keep on trying and don’t beat yourself up too much when you fall off the wagon. And remember you always have this group of faceless online friends to sound off to.

He was in his local when he heard the news

Alan Brazil's up in arms, but I suspect that's cos it's interfering with his beer money.

You’d imagine a certain ex manager may be about to stage an intervention about this….

Well this aged well.

Not if I take my rabbits foot, horseshoe and lucky white heather Kev 😒

Got to say no football today and no football on New Year’s Day is fuckin abysmal. Is this down to what Geoff fuckin Bezos wants?… Sky and TNT have gazumped the cunt for the foreseeable but I don’t hold out any hope that much will change. We should also be playing in the FA cup third round next Saturday, not the following one. Fuckin cunts. In fact cunts makes them out to be fuckin useful etc etc….