Fred Bojangles
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fredbojangles.bsky.social
Fred Bojangles
@fredbojangles.bsky.social
Dad (boy and cat) husband, avid NUFC supporter, PS5 & retro gamer and lover of all things amusing.
A bit of law every now and again.
Likes or follows are not an endorsement.
Here for the larks!
Tynedale, Northumberland.
Wot no Pope?
November 30, 2025 at 9:29 PM
We have to give him more minutes even if one of the big boys misses out, or he ends up being another Anderson - sold for PSR headroom then coveted by the top 4 once he gets a regular start.
November 29, 2025 at 8:59 PM
If only the keeper's arms were a little longer...
November 29, 2025 at 6:07 PM
The club will put something out saying he had a slight strain in this or that muscle. Saves everyone's face (and if Ramsdale has a stinker, we can pivot back to Pope with the least possible fuss.) Privately EH has probably suggested it represents a chance for a bit of a mental reset.
November 29, 2025 at 4:50 PM
If he huffs after his recent form then he's both more arrogant and thicker than I would have ever thought.

There will probably be a 'slight thigh strain' or some such that the club will say has kept him out. Saves face for everyone.
November 29, 2025 at 4:49 PM
He doesn't but football clubs. Just big advertising hoardings in front of which some people get excited about lads kicking a ball about. Then he sucks out the joy. #nufc
November 28, 2025 at 12:02 AM
I don't know if you watch NFL but the number of plays those players have to memorise is insane. Modern football is not a million miles away. The reason they get paid millions more than players in League Two is that they've shown they have the capacity to absorb and execute that level of detail.
November 26, 2025 at 11:36 PM
But Barnes did score. You can't use the statistics of an actual game and ignore the things that happened in it. If Barnes hadn't scored I doubt the possession stats would look anything like that. Elite football is based on several differing gameplans which incorporate scenario based ideas.
November 26, 2025 at 11:35 PM
The problem came when Pope did Pope things. Heads drop, a raucous stadium comes alive and as much as these players thrive at home, Eddie has forgotten how to coach a team to shithouse an away fan base to the point of frustration.
November 26, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Burn would have been skinned alive by Greenwood.
November 26, 2025 at 11:06 PM
For me, 1st half was perfect. Don't risk back 4 w/ DB at LB. TL and JM as wing backs. Start intense. As soon as the early goal went in, divide the pitch into quarters without the ball. High press when the ball was in their D quarter. Low block in ours, middle Qs were transition. Innovative, imo.
November 26, 2025 at 11:05 PM
It would be such a low benchmark that it would be hard to tell. He's not the sharpest lad.
November 25, 2025 at 10:56 PM
I agree, although I defy anyone to go to Spurs and do anything consistently good. Iraola is a good shout (although the uncanny resemblance to early career Alfred Molina unnerves me) but I'm still in the stick with Eddie camp.
November 25, 2025 at 10:53 PM
He's not the kind of coach to publicly dig out players and anyone who expects managers to give an honest and impartial assessment of the game in media is deluded. Eddie is exceptional in his media interactions. He's got to pick these players up for next week. #nufc
November 25, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Had Frank not gone to Spurs in the summer, my head might have been turned.
November 25, 2025 at 10:32 PM
I'm still in the camp of money in the bank. After the run of coaches we've had since SBR, he's definitely the best. I'm also firmly of the view that there aren't many better options available. The Pope situation is definitely the biggest test of that loyalty though.
November 25, 2025 at 10:31 PM
You may well be right.

Listen, real life isn't football manager and these are actual human beings you have to work with week in week out. We've no clue what contracts say or assurances have been given, but what's the point of signing Ramsdale if that's the case? Dubs was a good backup.
November 25, 2025 at 10:14 PM
If Pope starts on Saturday, I'm definitely moving from Team Eddie to Team not so sure.
November 25, 2025 at 10:09 PM
He's just one of the least intelligent keepers I've ever seen. Great shot stopper, but not a footballer for me. No common sense and a liability with the ball at his feet.
November 25, 2025 at 10:04 PM
I agree.
November 25, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Everything goes down the pan when Pope does Pope things. Players' heads go.
November 25, 2025 at 9:35 PM