Football

[Antman]

Well done Wigan who thoroughly deserved it, I still don't think its beyond them to beat Arsenal and Villa and stay up.

 

[Butts]

It's not that Man City have too many "average" players, it's that Mancini, for whatever reason can not inspire his players enough to get the best out of them on a regular basis. The best 2 managers who cold do that were Fergie (who's retiring) and Nigel Adkins.

Anyway, what do Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Swansea have in common?

They have all won more silverware than Aresnal in the last 8 years.

Or Everton - how come Moyes got the job

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Not this again...

He's an excellent manager, very much a successful apprentice, and one of the most consistent managers in Premier League history. Whilst this may not be reflected in silverware there is no denying he is one of the best the UK has to offer at the moment and also he also comes with Sir Alex's recommendation - you need to be good to get that kind of backing! You keep citing O'Neill and whilst he's won cups and what have you he has a record of being an awful buyer (unlike Moyes) and is very inconsistent. Further, any decent manager could have won cups and made a European final with that Celtic side, they were probably the best team they've had in the last 20 years or more. And let's be honest here, success in Scotland isn't a mammoth task, especially with a squad that was probably Premier League quality.

 

[Butts]

Not this again...

He's an excellent manager, very much a successful apprentice, and one of the most consistent managers in Premier League history. Whilst this may not be reflected in silverware there is no denying he is one of the best the UK has to offer at the moment and also he also comes with Sir Alex's recommendation - you need to be good to get that kind of backing! You keep citing O'Neill and whilst he's won cups and what have you he has a record of being an awful buyer (unlike Moyes) and is very inconsistent. Further, any decent manager could have won cups and made a European final with that Celtic side, they were probably the best team they've had in the last 20 years or more. And let's be honest here, success in Scotland isn't a mammoth task, especially with a squad that was probably Premier League quality.

I didn't mention O'Neill but as you did no one has taken Celtic to a European Final Since he did.

Do you not think it sad that Top English Clubs cannot muster an English Manager between them ?

You have to go back to Howard Wilkinson in the pre-premiership era to find an English title winning Manager.

Even further for a European Cup Winner in Bob Paisley or Joe Fagan

 

[richw]

Sam Allardyce has signed a new 2 year contract at West Ham

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22493480

 

[Phil6219]

First off I'd like to congratulate Wigan on their success today, I'd also like to mention that had they not been playing Manchester City I would have been in their corner cheering them on instead.

I have no issues with the match, we were beaten by the team that actually bothered to turn up. Hands down Wigan deserved to win no complaints from me.

What I will say though is that was it my imagination or was ITV's coverage a little too biased towards Wigan? Before you answer I will say that two years ago when it was our first time back in a final it was all about us (with only a little bit towards Stoke and their first final) but this time it was constantly going on about Dave Whelan (who granted may be a nice guy and whatnot but let's not forget his remarks about nasty tackles a few weeks ago). Was not surprised to see that once again ITV had brought out Roy Keane, was however shocked that he didn't seem biased against us for a change

The above isn't a complaint, more of an observation.

Costel Pantilimon should have started, he deserved that much at least given how he was the man between the posts in all of our cup matches on the way to the final. The fact Mancini "gave his word" that Costel earned his place in the final and would be selected to then go and change his mind reflects on what he is like, ironically Costel is taller than Hart and would have reached the winning shot... Let's not forget that a lot of people in Romania were expecting to see him in goal today, Ironic BBC Sport Article.

With regard to Mancini, I think sacking him is a bad idea but he does need to start getting the best out of his players and stop ****ing money on frankly crap players who barely get any time on the pitch. It would also be swell if he could stop making such stupid decisions as to who's actually in the team each week, today was a prime example - Nasri over Milner then taking Tevez off for Rodwell of all people... he should have gone one better and took Aguero off for Lescott, not to mention putting Dzeko on when there are 45 seconds at best of stoppage time. Actually I don't know, sacking Mancini will definitely make us feel better but it won't help the club in terms of stability.

I wish Moyes the best of luck (sort of obviously) in his upcoming new role at United, I don't see Roberto Matinez going to Everton though.

A final note, there could be a somewhat cruel sense of irony in that it could be Manchester City which send Wigan down & out of the Premiership, if Wigan somehow get 3 points and Norwich loose their next game then providing we stuff Norwich on the final day and Wigan win, Wigan would stay up on goal difference...

Either way, I'm not planning on showing my face on Wigan North Western any time soon

Phil :coo:

 

[CC 72100]

Phil)

Brief response as I've got plenty of work and revision to be getting on with - agree with you on the whole. I was disappointed to see Pantilimon not start after what Mancini has said and what he has done throughout the competition. As a manager you ought to stick to your word, and it is a shame that he hasn't done that. However, am I dreaming that in the last few days he's said (Costel) how he sees his long term future away from the club? Could that have played a role?

The fact is that Man City haven't bought wisely this year. I'm sorry but Scott Sinclair and Jack Rodwell are not good enough at your level - the very, very top. A Liverpool or Tottenham - perhaps they could make an impact there (obviously the latter wouldn't have gone there), but I don't think they're up to scratch for City.

(Midn you, it'll be interesting to see how 15 million pound Zaha does for us... not had such a great second half of the season from what I gather)

 

[WatcherZero]

What I will say though is that was it my imagination or was ITV's coverage a little too biased towards Wigan? Before you answer I will say that two years ago when it was our first time back in a final it was all about us (with only a little bit towards Stoke and their first final) but this time it was constantly going on about Dave Whelan (who granted may be a nice guy and whatnot but let's not forget his remarks about nasty tackles a few weeks ago). Was not surprised to see that once again ITV had brought out Roy Keane, was however shocked that he didn't seem biased against us for a change

The above isn't a complaint, more of an observation.

It was quite heavily featuring Whelan (even from the point of view of a Wigan supporter) however the media likes a story and his return after breaking his leg in previous FA Cup final was the human story of the buildup. They even self referenced the bias 'In the spirit of balanced reporting we should say Sheikh Mansour has zero previous FA Cup appearances'.

 

[Phil6219]

However, am I dreaming that in the last few days he's said (Costel) how he sees his long term future away from the club? Could that have played a role?

He has indeed recently said in an interview that he is looking for first team football elsewhere, which is a shame as he is an excellent goalkeeper and really should feature in more games for us. In part a reason Hart has made some silly mistakes this season is because he had become a little complacent, if Pantilimon got a few league games it would inspire Hart to get back on form (especially had Costel started today in such an important match).

The fact is that Man City haven't bought wisely this year. I'm sorry but Scott Sinclair and Jack Rodwell are not good enough at your level

Very true, and two signings that I was aiming my little rant at, both were excellent players at their previous clubs but have not produced anything for us. Garcia has shown a few signs of promise but hasn't really had time on field, Maicon is still one of those signings I just can't wrap my head around. The only decent signing we made this season was Nastasic, who really does show the signs of becoming a top class defender along the lines of Kompany and Zabaleta (who sadly got sent off today - but most City fans, including myself think he is one of the best players we've ever had).

It was quite heavily featuring Whelan (even from the point of view of a Wigan supporter) however the media likes a story and his return after breaking his leg in previous FA Cup final was the human story of the buildup. They even self referenced the bias 'In the spirit of balanced reporting we should say Sheikh Mansour has zero previous FA Cup appearances'.

I must have missed that bit whilst nipping to the fridge for another pair of beers, I agree about the human element and the media needing a story.

I actually muttered to myself at one point about how "this is going to go the way of those cheesy American sports films where the team who has the saddest story overcomes the big & brutish b*stard team to win the cup"...

It is also ironic that two out of my three weekend predictions have come true, the first was my mate would let me down and not turn up to watch OMD last night, the second was that City would loose the cup to Wigan and the third is that I will somehow end up breaking D9016 tomorrow - I really hope the last one doesn't happen as I'll never hear the end of it

Phil

 

[WatcherZero]

Yeah, should add for detail

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22480798

Interestingly they didnt allow subs in those days (were first allowed in 1965) so Blackburn had to play the rest of the match with ten men, they lost 3-0. Whelans career was ended by the break and he used the £400 he recieved in compensation to start a market stall in Blackburn before going on to buy JJB in Wigan. He didnt even recieve a medal because he didnt finish the match.

 

[TOCDriver]

Arsenal after today need to beat Wigan which I'm sure they can do with ease,SS4 is panicking unecessarily

Something like that was said last season before Wigan paid them a visit.

 

[Phil6219]

He didnt even recieve a medal because he didnt finish the match.

One of the segments during the build up was a look at his runner up medal, he joked saying the only thing wrong with it was that it said "runner up".

he used the £400 he recieved in compensation to start a market stall in Blackburn before going on to buy JJB in Wigan.

The rest they say is history...

Though it would be interesting to think of what would have happened had his missus not talk him out of buying man united...

Phil

 

[WatcherZero]

I was sure he didnt get one automatically, did he get one through dispensation?

 

[Butts]

How wonderful to be watching Aston Villa v Chelsea on Match of the Day after suffering those clowns on ITV this Afternoon with their amateurish production and interminable advertisement breaks.

John Motson who has forgotten more about football than most modern day commentators are ever likely to learn is at the helm.

The sooner the FA Cup comes back to the BBC the better.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Benteke was lucky to last as long as he did there, that first yellow he got could easily have been a red, nasty little elbow there.

As for that goal-line scramble thing, wow, that was tight. We're talking millimetres there...

Also, a big shout out to Lampard, 203 goals is quite phenomenal and he deserves all the credit he gets. Certainly England's best midfielder over the last decade.

 

[WatcherZero]

Mmm, thinking more perhaps I was misremembering that Subs didnt get the players medals if they hadnt had time on the pitch.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

A somewhat belated observation, as matters conspired to keep me offline for some time for most of Saturday afternoon onwards, but I am pleased to see that Martinez has made the playing of a passing game an integral part of the Wigan game rather than the "long-ball game" espoused by some of the lesser clubs. This was well reflected on the pitch at Wembley. It will be sad to lose a team playing this style of football from the Premiership, should this happen.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

What a finish. Watford 3-1 Leicester, with a finish almost identical to Brentford v Donny: Leicester miss a penalty (which I'm told was a blatant dive and never a spot kick in a million years) and Troy Deeney goes immediately up the other end and scores. It's unbelievable Jeff!

 

[richw]

What a finish. Watford 3-1 Leicester, with a finish almost identical to Brentford v Donny: Leicester miss a penalty (which I'm told was a blatant dive and never a spot kick in a million years) and Troy Deeney goes immediately up the other end and scores. It's unbelievable Jeff!

indeed a very blatant dive, Watford scoring most would say was Karma!

 

[Butts]

What a finish. Watford 3-1 Leicester, with a finish almost identical to Brentford v Donny: Leicester miss a penalty (which I'm told was a blatant dive and never a spot kick in a million years) and Troy Deeney goes immediately up the other end and scores. It's unbelievable Jeff!

Yes amazing , I was watching Sky Sports News as it unfolded. Stelling nearly had a coronary

 

[MidnightFlyer]

indeed a very blatant dive, Watford scoring most would say was Karma!

I don't tend to buy into that karma carry on but at least it does prove, even if only one in hundreds of cases, that cheats don't always prosper.

Does anyone know if there a highlights of this on the BBC / Football League Show planned? Would hate to miss seeing the 2 minutes or so!

 

[Butts]

I don't tend to buy into that karma carry on but at least it does prove, even if only one in hundreds of cases, that cheats don't always prosper.

Does anyone know if there a highlights of this on the BBC / Football League Show planned? Would hate to miss seeing the 2 minutes or so!

Does not appear to be on tonight - Final Score on BBC2 today at 3.45pm may show a bit.
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Bad news for Wigan - as Spurs have beaten Stoke 2-1 Arsenal definitely need the win on Tuesday

 

[Qwerty133]

#pearsonout twice in 3 years we have been knocked out of the playoffs due to a frenchman missing a penalty.

 

[SS4]

I knew results wouldn't go our way. Let's hope Arsenal buck that trend.

 

[balne-wonderer]

gotta laugh at that man utd goal. evra goes in studs up but its a man utd free kick. yep. course it is!

 

[SS4]

gotta laugh at that man utd goal. evra goes in studs up but its a man utd free kick. yep. course it is!

Not seen it but wouldn't surprise me. Nothing can be allowed to rain on Manchester United's parade.

5Live have just cut off from the Sunderland game simply because it's half time at Old Trafford :roll:. Did I mention Di Canio's encroachment onto the pitch was taking place?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
4-0 to Norwich at Carrow Road. What happened to WBA?

 

[balne-wonderer]

Not seen it but wouldn't surprise me. Nothing can be allowed to rain on Manchester United's parade.

5Live have just cut off from the Sunderland game simply because it's half time at Old Trafford :roll:. Did I mention Di Canio's encroachment onto the pitch was taking place?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
4-0 to Norwich at Carrow Road. What happened to WBA?

its sickening mate. sickening

 

[richw]

Although others dont look safe, due to Wigan and Villa playing each other, only Wigan, Villa or Sunderland can now be relegated. BBC are saying goal difference mean Southampton,and Fulham can still be caught, but by my reckoning they cant be caught unless they lose by double figure scorelines.
If Villa lose they will have 40 points with goal difference will go worse than their present -22. Fulham and Southampton safe unless lose by 10 goals and 12 goals respectively. Wigan will be on 41 points safe.
Wigan win at Arsenal and lose to Villa will be on 38,Fulham and Southampton safe.
Sunderland 39 points at present, a draw will see them safe due to their goal difference regardless of Wigan Villa result.

 

[Mr Spock]

gotta laugh at that man utd goal. evra goes in studs up but its a man utd free kick. yep. course it is!

Just happened to see that in passing and from what I saw both players went in the same way but Evra got to the ball first so free kick given his way. Still would not expect anything different from you.

 

[Butts]

Great scenes at Old Trafford for the Ferguson Retirement / Championship celebrations. (I'm not a supporter)

Wonderful to see Steve Bruce (with Bryan Robson) carrying the pot on. For younger members they may not be aware Steve Bruce scored the goals that won Fergies first title -he's certainly bulked up a bit since

Ryan Giggs 13th Title - a record that will never be beaten........

Should Steve Bruce be Manchester Uniteds new Manager ?