Football

[DarloRich]

What on earth has gone on there

No idea. Pick from one or more of the following unsubstantiated rumours:

Training ground bust up
players drinking when they shouldn't be
breach of rules
fall out with senior players ( insert random player name)
player (mainly Ayala seems to be mentioned) not really being injured/not as badly injured as he makes out
Questioning desire/motivation of players
he has been offered the Valencia job

Something has been wrong for a while: They have won 3 in 11 and should really be running away with the league. I think Karanka has lost several key players somehow.

Boro were awful yesterday at Charlton. Anthony Vickers in the Evening Gazette refers to the game like this:

Evening Gazette:

Shapeless. Spineless. Shambolic. Chaotic. Abject. Inept. Brittle. To see a team crack apart so easily under the pressure like that was just shocking.

The rest of the article is cutting: http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/...ickers-shapeless-spineless-shambolic-11034132

My mate who went to the match described the performance thus: $h!t. I haven't heard from him since - not one of the Boro fans i know has a bad word to say about Karanka and they are very shocked by it all. They think promotion might have gone.

 

[Antman]

No he shouldn't.



No he didn't.



Yup, though it was hilarious to listen to Owen and Scholes bang on about Martial's toe-poke as though it was the equivalent of Maradona's second goal against England.



I think there's quite a way yet before it becomes untenable- nobody takes any notice whatsoever of Piers Moron or the mouth-breathers at Arsenal Fan TV. But it's not good right now. The big question is not whether Wenger should be sacked, it's whether we can replace him with someone better.

Both Liverpool and Manchester United are great warnings about what happens when a dynastic manager isn't replaced properly. The retards holding up the banners ought to be careful what they wish for.

For me Payet's dive was as clear as the foul that lead to the Man Utd goal and as Payet had already been booked he should have been off, I don't like much like either club so I've got no vested interest.

Why are those with the polite Wenger out flag "retards"? Whether you agree with them or not they are entitled to their opinion. The situation at Man Utd was totally different, Wengers record of two FA Cups in the last 12 years is abysmal for a club of their standing and Jose Mourinho's specialist in failure jibe was spot on. If Wenger isn't going to do the decent thing he should be sacked, they may well have got Pep before he agreed to go to Man City.

 

[Tetchytyke]

they may well have got Pep before he agreed to go to Man City.

The only person who genuinely thought that seems to be Piers Morgan. Which says it all really.

Why are those with the polite Wenger out flag "retards"? Whether you agree with them or not they are entitled to their opinion.

They're absolute weapons. It isn't the opinion so much as how they express it. You get the feeling they're ecstatic every time Arsenal lose, just so they can shout rubbish on Twitter. Some fans.

Two years ago they were hailing Martinez as the saviour to take over, yet Everton fans want shut of him. Koeman is this week's saviour. It's just depressingly gormless.

Wengers record of two FA Cups in the last 12 years is abysmal for a club of their standing

Given the circumstances, I actually disagree. Keeping Arsenal in the Champions League, given the financial constraints, was a pretty big achievement. It's something Louis van Gaal can't manage even after spending £200m. It's an achievement Brendan Rodgers could only dream of. Newcastle and Leeds were qualifying for the CL back when Wenger started, I wonder what their fans think now. The fact Mourinho fixated on Wenger says a lot about how good Wenger was, I'd say.

That said, I think Wenger's time is drawing to a close, it'd be nice to see him move on with dignity. He doesn't seem to be able to do anything with the extra money he now has, now the stadium is sorted, as though he's got too used to shopping in the bargain bin.

This year was wide open for an Arsenal title win, they were clear at one point, and they've blown it. And that's the frustration- they keep blowing the easier games in exactly the same way. The question is who we replace him with. None of the names suggested by the Wenger Out lot exactly fill me with confidence. They are seriously suggesting Brendan Rodgers- a failure at Championship Reading- as a sensible solution. Give me strength.

 

[Minilad]

'Arry in talks to be director of football at Derby

I need some popcorn

Brown envelope sellers in Derby anticipate big profits

 

[bb21]

I think there's quite a way yet before it becomes untenable- nobody takes any notice whatsoever of Piers Moron or the mouth-breathers at Arsenal Fan TV. But it's not good right now. The big question is not whether Wenger should be sacked, it's whether we can replace him with someone better.

Both Liverpool and Manchester United are great warnings about what happens when a dynastic manager isn't replaced properly. The retards holding up the banners ought to be careful what they wish for.

Frustrated much?

'Arry in talks to be director of football at Derby

I need some popcorn

Brown envelope sellers in Derby anticipate big profits

Derby pressing the self-destruct button and heading for bankruptcy?! hock:

I don't believe it.

(I shouldn't be so mean towards old Harry really, but he's a good sport I'm sure.)

 

[DarloRich]

'Arry in talks to be director of football at Derby

I need some popcorn

Brown envelope sellers in Derby anticipate big profits

bring on the administration............

 

[Minilad]

Frustrated much?



Derby pressing the self-destruct button and heading for bankruptcy?! hock:

I don't believe it.

(I shouldn't be so mean towards old Harry really, but he's a good sport I'm sure.)

It won't be "Arry's fault whatever happens.

It will be his dog that did it

 

[Tetchytyke]

Frustrated much?

Oh yes. Credit to Leicester and whatnot. But this should have been Arsenal's title.

Still, there's always the Champions League. Oh

 

[DarloRich]

it appears the unthinkable has happened. Aitor Karanka has resumed first team duties with Middlesbrough:

BBC SPORT: Aitor Karanka to stay as Middlesbrough manager, club says

and

But a Middlesbrough statement on Monday said he "will be resuming first-team duties with the club with immediate effect".

 

[richw]

For me Payet's dive was as clear as the foul that lead to the Man Utd goal and as Payet had already been booked he should have been off, I don't like much like either club so I've got no vested interest.

Why are those with the polite Wenger out flag "retards"? Whether you agree with them or not they are entitled to their opinion. The situation at Man Utd was totally different, Wengers record of two FA Cups in the last 12 years is abysmal for a club of their standing and Jose Mourinho's specialist in failure jibe was spot on. If Wenger isn't going to do the decent thing he should be sacked, they may well have got Pep before he agreed to go to Man City.

Payet's wasn't a dive, but nor was it a foul, if you Clip someone's heels whilst they're running, they will fall down. There is no question his heel was clipped.

I believe Arsenal are over achieving. They are not top 4 quality. Look how terrible they are playing against anyone top 6 or Europe. They just pull consistency against the bottom 14, resulting in decent points collection, I suspect if Arsene goes they will collapse far worse than man Utd did when fergie retired,

 

[Kite159]

Come on Leicester!

---

I agree with you Rich, reference Arsenal collapsing when Wenger eventually goes, how many years have they gone out of the champion's league at the round of 16 stage now?

 

[Antman]

Payet's wasn't a dive, but nor was it a foul, if you Clip someone's heels whilst they're running, they will fall down. There is no question his heel was clipped.

I believe Arsenal are over achieving. They are not top 4 quality. Look how terrible they are playing against anyone top 6 or Europe. They just pull consistency against the bottom 14, resulting in decent points collection, I suspect if Arsene goes they will collapse far worse than man Utd did when fergie retired,

Well surely if his heel was clipped forcing him to go down it should have been a penalty? Blatant dive for me though.

You really think Arsenal are over achieving? I don't think their fans who are paying top dollar would agree with you. I think Wenger should have gone years ago.

 

[richw]

Well surely if his heel was clipped forcing him to go down it should have been a penalty? Blatant dive for me though.

You really think Arsenal are over achieving? I don't think their fans who are paying top dollar would agree with you. I think Wenger should have gone years ago.

It doesn't matter how much their fans are paying. It isn't being reinvested in the playing staff, Arsenal fans don't deserve him, and I look forward to them dropping to mid table when Arsene does go.

 

[Antman]

It doesn't matter how much their fans are paying. It isn't being reinvested in the playing staff, Arsenal fans don't deserve him, and I look forward to them dropping to mid table when Arsene does go.

We'll see, I expect the exact opposite to happen when Wenger goes
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Come on Leicester!

---

I agree with you Rich, reference Arsenal collapsing when Wenger eventually goes, how many years have they gone out of the champion's league at the round of 16 stage now?

Almost there now Leicester??????, not exactly a classic but what the hell

 

[Lankyline]

All I can say to the Villa fans on here is, welcome to Deepdale next season

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

All I can say to the Villa fans on here is, welcome to Deepdale next season

I know that we have at least one keen Oldham Athletic supporter on this website who is aware that Oldham Athletic were founder members of the Premier League and noticing recent comments about Aston Villa, I looked the results of the first two season's Premiership league meetings between those two teams:-

Season 1992/3
Oldham Athletic 1...Aston Villa 1
Aston Villa 0...Oldham Athletic 1

Season 1993/4
Oldham Athletic 1...Aston Villa 1
Aston Villa 1...Oldham Athletic 2

 

[Clip]

I never expected anything from the Leicester game but we looked better than we have so I can go into the derby with a little confidence. Shouldnt have waited so long to sack tufty and get rafa in though seeing as it was a done deal. That extra day couldve made the difference.

 

[Cletus]

Just in from Dover Athletic 4-1 Lincoln Lumps.

Comfortable win & back up to 4th.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Tonight's game in the Premier Academy Cup semi-finals:

Huddersfield Town U21s 0 - 0 Hull City U21s
(aet, Hull City won 3-4 on penalties).

As exciting a goalless draw as I've seen in a while, with plenty of goalmouth action as Frankie Bunn's "kids" finally saw their cup run come to an end in their third successive game against an academy side from a higher level. A disappointment but the future is bright...

 

[Minilad]

All I can say to the Villa fans on here is, welcome to Deepdale next season

I will be there. One of about 7 grounds I need in the championship. How many tickets will we get?

 

[DarloRich]

Two good wins for Darlington this week:

5-0 away at Matlock on Saturday
4-1 away at Stamford last night

Suddenly we are second to Blyth, four points adrift with 3 games in hand. We were 12 points behind a fortnight ago. We are 2 points ahead of Salford in third but have played 4 games less. It is getting tight at the top!

Last night at Stamford half the team was stuck in traffic and we kicked off with a reduced number of subs with several reserves starting out of position. It was a difficult night and the lads done well in the circumstances.

 

[Clip]

Oh get you and your fancy high flying football team pfft

 

[DarloRich]

Oh get you and your fancy high flying football team pfft

as a Darlo fan with 30 plus years service in the pursuit of footballing mediocrity I am entitled to be happy!

(until the FA did us over I saw 3 promotions and one FA trophy in 30 years. Christ. Why do it?)

 

[Clip]

heh heh heh

 

[familyguy99]

Oldham 1-0 Blackpool

Massive win this for Oldham which sound like it was heading for boring 0-0 draw until Palmer score winner goal, this win for Latics have move them above Blackpool and now level on points with Doncaster who sit above drop zone.

I know that we have at least one keen Oldham Athletic supporter on this website who is aware that Oldham Athletic were founder members of the Premier League and noticing recent comments about Aston Villa, I looked the results of the first two season's Premiership league meetings between those two teams:-

Season 1992/3
Aston Villa 0...Oldham Athletic 1

Didn't Aston Villa need to beat Oldham to keep title race going to last day but with Oldham beating them handed Man Utd Premiership title?

 

[Minilad]

Oldham 1-0 Blackpool

Massive win this for Oldham which sound like it was heading for boring 0-0 draw until Palmer score winner goal, this win for Latics have move them above Blackpool and now level on points with Doncaster who sit above drop zone.



Didn't Aston Villa need to beat Oldham to keep title race going to last day but with Oldham beating them handed Man Utd Premiership title?

Yep. That defeat basically sealed the Championship for Yanited :cry:
And the rest is history

 

[Drogba11CFC]

Southern League time...

Taunton Town 1...Didcot Town 1

Tiverton Town 1...Bishops Cleeve 1

Slimbridge 0...Cinderford Town 2

Current table:

1. Cinderford Town P31 77pts
------------------------------------------
2. Banbury United P35 75pts
3. Swindon Supermarine P34 71pts
4. Winchester City P32 70pts
5. Taunton Town P32 68pts
------------------------------------------
6. Evesham United P34 63pts
7. North Leigh P32 57pts
8. Didcot Town P35 55pts
9. Tiverton Town P32 55pts

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Champions League

Bayern Munich 4...Juventus 2

With the first leg in Italy finishing at 2-2, Juventus applied some early pressure and were 2-0 up after 28 minutes. Bayern pulled one goal back mid-way in the second half, but were still trailing when extra time after 90 minutes play came into effect, but then scored an equaliser in that extra time added period.

However two quick goals in succession in extra time saw Bayern Munich proceed through to the next stage.

 

[Lankyline]

I will be there. One of about 7 grounds I need in the championship. How many tickets will we get?

A max of around 6500
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Oldham 1-0 Blackpool

Massive win this for Oldham which sound like it was heading for boring 0-0 draw until Palmer score winner goal, this win for Latics have move them above Blackpool and now level on points with Doncaster who sit above drop zone QUOTE]

Cracking result, another nail in the lasher's coffin

 

[bb21]

Meanwhile in other news...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35836919

Aston Villa chief executive Tom Fox resigns amid board changes

Aston Villa chief executive Tom Fox has stepped down with immediate effect.

He worked closely with owner Randy Lerner, who put the club up for sale last May but is yet to find a buyer.

The resignation of American Fox after 18 months at the Premier League's bottom club follows the departure of sporting director Hendrik Almstadt and three new appointments to the board.

Fox said "it makes sense for me to seek another challenge" following the changes in the Villa boardroom.

Villa are nine points from safety at the foot of the league and Fox and Lerner have been the target of fans' anger over their struggles.

...