Re: The Football Thread - 10/11 (II)

by skully Mon 02 May 2011, 05:51

EPL Rule - "Thou must be an absolute qunt as a manager to succeed"?

by Henry Mon 02 May 2011, 05:59

Pretty much.

by beamer Mon 02 May 2011, 13:20

Nobody deserves the title this season really... Man Utd's away form isn't much better than Blackpool's, Arsenal have shown a self-destructive streak that is remarkable even by their own standards and Chelsea put forward the case for the winter break by effectively taking a couple of months' Christmas holiday and still being in contention. And Man City with their quarter of a billion or so in spending still can't get close to them (and will probably be a lesser side without Tevez next season even if they spend a similar amount).

Certainly makes it interesting but all the top clubs will have some big decisions to make about their playing staff and in some cases management over the summer.

by Henry Mon 02 May 2011, 14:37

I've got a feeling Liverpool will finally get their act together again and win it next season.

by beamer Mon 02 May 2011, 14:45

Would still need a remarkable turnaround. Remember the chances are they still won't have Champions League football to attract players with over the summer. Can see them getting back in the top four next season though, question is who misses out?

by Henry Mon 02 May 2011, 14:48

From what i've heard, Wenger will have a bit more money than usual available to him over the Summer, City are loaded but they;ll need a new Manager to go any further, imo. City to be out of the top 4.

by Lara Lara Laughs Mon 02 May 2011, 15:04

Jagielka to Arsenal a done deal apparently. It's a step forward.

by beamer Mon 02 May 2011, 15:41

Henry wrote: From what i've heard, Wenger will have a bit more money than usual available to him over the Summer

He won't spend it though. What he does spend will be much the same amount as usual, on another 5' 7" attacking midfield clone and a crap centre back who looked reasonable in the Dutch league. Every season that passes I think he's more determined to prove people wrong and win trophies by sticking to his principles.

Hard to tell how City will progress, as nobody has any idea who will be playing for or managing them next season. Without Tevez I don't think they would have got close to the top 4, and they will almost certainly be without him next time around. They need to start signing players more on character than raw talent, but that's been the case ever since their unlimited funds arrived, and as a result they're still a collection of individuals rather than a team.

by Chivalry Augustus Mon 02 May 2011, 19:01

JKLever will be delighted - Cardiff's implosion at home to Middlesbrough has virtually handed Norwich promotion. They might not win tonight at Portsmouth, but a win against either Portsmouth or Coventry will see them in the big time. With Cardiff away at Burnley on the last day, and Cardiff being the king of the bottlers, they probably won't need to win any. I guess in theory Swansea could still sneak in but I doubt it somehow.

by Basil Mon 02 May 2011, 20:13

Add in thoe posibility of a points deduction being imposed on QPR, and I'd say that Norwich were home and hosed.

by JKLever Mon 02 May 2011, 20:45

ah fair play to them.... they deserve it

gits

by G.Wood Tue 03 May 2011, 00:24

Zat wrote:Once again, Spurs get stiffed by the officials in a crunch game.
If they finish 2 points out of Euro qualification, they should take legal action against the ref and linesman in that Chelsea match, seeking redress for the loss of earnings from a Champions League campaign next season.

Chelsea's second goal was offside to boot.

Still, can't complain about something that's bad for both Manure and Spurs

by taipan Wed 04 May 2011, 21:51

Comfortable win for United's reserves.

by beamer Wed 04 May 2011, 22:21

Hard to see how they are going to beat Barcelona, because the centre of midfield is where they are weakest and that is their opponents' greatest strength, along with the genius of Messi of course.

Carrick may have been made to look like Xavi by a really poor Schalke last week, but still doesn't mean he will be able to compete against the genuine article. And they don't even really have a "destroyer" to employ Mourinho or Holland WC final type tactics. So how they get a grip on the game is anyone's guess, although it's a one-off match and they have at least home country advantage I suppose.

by JGK Wed 04 May 2011, 22:24

Looks like I am going to go to London for the final.

by skully Thu 05 May 2011, 05:58

JGK wrote:Looks like I am going to go to London for the final.

Qunt!!

BTW, has there ever been a sh!tier side than Schalke to appear in a Champions League semi? Fark they were awful.

by Bradman Thu 05 May 2011, 06:18

Zat wrote:Once again, Spurs get stiffed by the officials in a crunch game.
If they finish 2 points out of Euro qualification, they should take legal action against the ref and linesman in that Chelsea match, seeking redress for the loss of earnings from a Champions League campaign next season.

I'd say "game in hand" Zatty but I've just realised so do Man C. Maybe one day?

by Bradman Thu 05 May 2011, 06:21

sh!t! And I've just realised who they're playing.

by beamer Thu 05 May 2011, 19:07

All it's going to cost them is 5th place to Liverpool, and the poisoned chalice of a Europa League campaign.

by Basil Thu 05 May 2011, 19:19

If QPR beat Leeds, they'll be handed the Championship trophy. If they are then deducted points, and lose first place, the trophy will then go to Norwich - bizarre, or what?

by beamer Thu 05 May 2011, 19:23

Yeah, won't be decided until Monday at the earliest now, and they are saying the play-offs won't be delayed. The words "piss up" and "brewery" spring to mind. We could have the scenario where following an appeal either the winner of the play-offs isn't allowed up, or they have to replay the play-offs from scratch, or have 21 teams in the Premier League next season.

Perhaps the only sensible solution would be to say that as this season is complete, any penalty would apply to next season, so they start on -10 or -15 or whatever and it just makes it harder for them to stay up. Then they will have to pay smaller clubs ridiculous amounts of money for players to give themselves a chance so football may gain financially! But this is the FA, so far too sensible an idea to be considered...

by JGK Fri 06 May 2011, 08:00

OK, flights and accom are booked - I get to London on the 26th of May staying for 5 nights.

Woo hoo.

I'll put a few grand on Barca to win as well - should pay for the trip.

by skully Fri 06 May 2011, 08:58

Are you being allowed to go alone? Cool

by Big Dog Fri 06 May 2011, 09:07

JGK wrote:OK, flights and accom are booked - I get to London on the 26th of May staying for 5 nights.

Woo hoo.

I'll put a few grand on Barca to win as well - should pay for the trip.

Lock up your Grandmothers!!

by Big Dog Fri 06 May 2011, 09:08

JGK wrote:OK, flights and accom are booked - I get to London on the 26th of May staying for 5 nights.

Woo hoo.

I'll put a few grand on Barca to win as well - should pay for the trip.

Lock up your Grandmothers!!

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