Rorshach

Okay. Today Bryne FK had their first playoff match for qualification to Tippeligaen. We were facing IK Start away, from Kristiansand, a team we lost to three weeks ago on the same ground. So a hard match. Still, a big mobilization from the supporters. 500 went to see the game (which is *a lot* for us - away stand in normal games show between 5 and 30 supporters). Some anonymous benefactor had bought train tickets for the supporters (not sure how many, but a lot there too), rumour has it said supporter also scored a goal today. Anyway, a big deal, a lot of people had looked forward to the game. I was doing a mental countdown before watching on my PC at home. And then - the game is cancelled. Turns out IK Start are having some economic challenges, and decided earlier this week not to turn on the heating under the field. Given that the temperature was supposed to drop below zero celsius, this might seem a gamble, and - indeed - the ground was frozen. Not medically advisable to play there. Have to say, that's one of the more brain dead desicions I've seen. Now, Start is a bigger club than us, but this *should* see us advance to the next playoff stage by default. And, for the record, we have no business in Tippeligaen whatsoever. So promotion would mean a year of losing before getting relegated.

Given the thread title and the discussion so far, I'm partial to this argument. Basically it argues that the press should cover Trump's crazyness more. Because:

Bit of a different track, but I think it's within the thread's remit: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/19/opinion/rich-billionaires-philanthropy-covid.html?unlocked_article_code=1._kw.j4r6.uMQvF5OS8VZ_&smid=url-share (should be a gift link).

As I understand it, the relegated clubs seeking damages will have to go through the same system or commision that brought this punishment. It was for some reason (can't remember where I saw it) applicable through the courts. I may be wholly wrong on that.

By the way - I'm not going to defend Everton on this. We screwed up, as far as I'm concerned, and we're getting hit with a punishment. Fair game.

Well, I'm looking forward to seeing the FFP rules applied equally to all members of the PL /s We might survive this easily, but such a ruling - in a just world - should absolutely terrify the likes of Chelsea and City.

Well, I'm opening the article and finding the sentence "secret payments that may have breached football’s strict ‘financial fair play’ rules" and I thought to myself "mhm". But they're welcome to join us on 12 points less than currently displayed.

I have failed quite a bit in keeping you up to date on the progress of Bryne FK. I sincerely apologize. Today, as it happens, was the last game of the season, away to Raufoss, and Bryne produced a fine display away from home, controlling most of the match and winning it through a well-taken header from a free kick. I hear you're clamoring about who scored - it came from our defensive mid, Christian Landu-Landu. Well done him! Now, that win meant we climbed to sixth in the table, leaving us with a playoff spot. Now, this team is nowhere near Tippeliga standard (that's PL for those who wondered, shame on you for not knowing), but considering we've been fighting relegation the first two seasons we've been at OBOS-liga level, that's quite an achievement. Terrific work from our manager, Kevin Knappen. Small ETA: We passed Sogndal this last game. Sogndal have an up-and-coming, though I reckon, completely unknown manager (outside Norway) named Tore André Flo.

Well, with Schär also out, you look a bit decimated. ETA: He's going for a lengthier absence, smart play.

How we won this game, I'll never know. We continue doing the silly thing - falling deep whenever we score, and today Palace came back twice. After the second comeback, I feared we'd get done, as Palace were clearly better, but for reasons unknown to man or beast, Gana suddenly popped up with a goal. I mean ... that's even more unexpected than Maupay scoring. Also, Mykolenko scoring for a second consecutive game, taking his Everton tally to three. Weird, but I'll take it.

If Chelsea had been even semi-competent, they would have been out of sight before half time. But Sterling has never been good at timing his runs. To leave that kind of space for a speedster, though, that's simply laughable. Though, of course, Chelsea were for reasons unfathomable unable to capitalize on it.

This Chelsea team is not really all that good, but I think even they can't screw up this lead. So I'm going to bed. He said, as Tottenham almost score.

Guys, I don't think Tottenham mean to win this match.

So, just to put my suggestion out before I reveal the content - Bxc6 looks like a free pawn. I'd play that.

Not having everyone stop playing to claim a handball does help. Play until the ref blows his whistle.

That counter is Klopp's bread and butter, his salt, pudding, steak, everything. That Liverpool don't defend it better is strange. They know how it works better than anyone.

Given that we'll probably be deducted quite a few points, I absolutely need Liverpool to win this. So if Klopp could put on a striker, that would be nice.

Still inclined to disbelieve it, tbh.

This has to be fake news. Also, replays at the break suggest Gravenbech handled when he deflected a free kick in the area. Personal opinion is that those accidents aren't handball, but by the letter of the law, I guess it should be? Though that would include VAR working.

Had to watch the games late last night, eldest was playing floorball. So, on the biggest topic of discussion - yes, it was a bit aggrivating to see the ball riccochet of Young and over Pickford, and more aggrivating still to see us try to contain the game for 80 minutes (considering we came close than Brighton in the final 10 minutes, when the score was 1-1, we absolutely could have played more on the front foot), but hey - can't win 'em all. Mykolenko has been consistently excellent lately, which is nice to see, and Doucoure / DCL work nice up front. Shame Onana was rested, but he probably needs it. Him being out clearly shows the difference between him and Gana, though, as Gana does a lot of good work in front of the defense very well, but he's quite useless on the ball compared to Onana. Which may very well contribute a bit to how low we were pressing, and how anemic we were for a lot of the game trying to move the ball out. I only watched about half of the Newcastle - Arsenal game, but I was a bit surprised the goal stood. Thought Gabriel would have cleared it, if he hadn't had Joelinton pushing him.

You saying he should be Sakhed?

Well, it was Burnley on the other half, but 3-0 looks good any day. And different people scoring is also nice. Neither has scored a lot for us so far. We won't progress further, I guess, but it's nice not just crashing out at the first hurdle.

My boycott of the WC seems to get a sequel, then.

Why do you hate him?

Well, I'm happy with today. Generally in control, a very well taken goal by DCL and Branthwaite keeps looking better and better. To think we started the season with Keane when Branthwaite was there all along...