Football

[61653 HTAFC]

James Vaughan, it seems, can only score penalties that were unjustly awarded!

As for The Shay, must've been a strange game for supporters: Halifax take the lead after 3 minutes only for Woking to reply with 3 in 7 mins! Then nothing for a good while until Woking add a fourth on 73mins only for Halifax to pull a goal back a minute later. Then, the home side go down to 10 men only a minute after that but still manage to score a third on 81mins to leave Woking hanging on for the last 10.

 

[familyguy99]

Oldham 1-1 Mansfield FA Cup Second Round

Fair draw and Mansfield did played quite well, we were poor today and our passing was poor too, now we have to play at Field Mill on 17/18th December and can we win that replay? possible be probably be hard game.

If you think you team lose badly today and not played well then think yourself lucky you don't Selkirk fan tonight as they lose 11-2 to Spartans FC today in Scottish Lowland Football League.

I see Blackpool lose 5-1 to Derby this afternoon but they had two players sent off and it mean that they had five players sent off in spare of two matches. (Three on Tues night against Yeovil and two today against Derby)

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Fort William 4...Rothes 4

In this epic bottom-of-the-table Highland League match at Claggan Park, both sides featured their trademark poor defending, which left the forwards of both teams the chance to actually score a good number of goals for a change.

 

[familyguy99]

I see England World Cup opening game against Italy will now kick off at 11pm on Saturday 14th June instead of 2am, here full lists of game that have change times for World Cup.

Saturday, 14 June

Ivory Coast v Japan, 02:00 (from 23:00) in Recife

England v Italy, 23:00 (from 02:00) in Manaus

Wednesday, 18 June

Cameroon v Croatia, 23:00 (from 20:00) in Manaus

Spain v Chile, 20:00 (from 23:00) in Rio de Janeiro

Sunday, 22 June

United States v Portugal, 23:00 (from 20:00) in Manaus

Belgium v Russia, 17:00 (from 23:00) in Rio de Janeiro

South Korea v Algeria, 20:00 (from 17:00) in Porto Alegre

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25281867

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Now that Scottish football has decided on the number of teams that play in each division and have a new name structure for the second, third and fourth league senior level divisions, can someone inform me as the the current Scottish football administrator's position of the bottom teams in the lowest division at the end of each season.

England have a recognised system for relegation to the Skrill conference with promotion for two clubs in that league, Why cannot the champions of the Highland League and the Lowland League be promoted and the lowest two league clubs be relegated ? Surely this would be an incentive for the league clubs to motivate themselves in order not to be relegated and would most certainly be an incentive for the clubs in both the Highland League and the Lowland League. I am aware that ground suitability and the meeting of required standards will have to be adhered to.

Just look at how the English lowest senior league has been invigorated and refreshed since the current system came into force.

 

[Johnuk123]

If anybody is unsure what to buy their mates this Christmas get them a Manchester United lamp -
it looks great in the middle of the table.

 

[CC 72100]

If anybody is unsure what to buy their mates this Christmas get them a Manchester United lamp -
it looks great in the middle of the table.

Very good

Regarding our current form, I don't know what to say, but I can't get away from the point that we've only won 5 league games this season. 15 played, 22 points - carry on like this and we're going to struggle to get 60, which is arguably what you need for the Europa league.

We've had 'irreplaceables' leave in the last 5 years - Ronaldo, Scholes, Giggs as a young man and Sir Alex. The replacements just aren't good enough. Too much deadwood and mediocrity (midfield especially.)

 

[richw]

Very good

Regarding our current form, I don't know what to say, but I can't get away from the point that we've only won 5 league games this season. 15 played, 22 points - carry on like this and we're going to struggle to get 60, which is arguably what you need for the Europa league.

We've had 'irreplaceables' leave in the last 5 years - Ronaldo, Scholes, Giggs as a young man and Sir Alex. The replacements just aren't good enough. Too much deadwood and mediocrity (midfield especially.)

I have two theories;
1) Sir Alex knew this was coming and jumped ship to avoid being dragged down with it.
2) It shows the quality of Sir Alex to get such results to win the league last year out of such a average squad.

Regarding Rooney, I am surprised how well he is playing, it was well publicised about his and Moyes having legal disputes against each other a few years back, unless he is performing to encourage prospective transfers in January.

 

[Johnuk123]

Very good

Regarding our current form, I don't know what to say, but I can't get away from the point that we've only won 5 league games this season. 15 played, 22 points - carry on like this and we're going to struggle to get 60, which is arguably what you need for the Europa league.

We've had 'irreplaceables' leave in the last 5 years - Ronaldo, Scholes, Giggs as a young man and Sir Alex. The replacements just aren't good enough. Too much deadwood and mediocrity (midfield especially.)

I believe Moyes will turn it round eventually although it might mean any players who are stirring it like Ferdinand will be got rid off.

If Arsenal win today Man U. will be 15 points behind and that would be impossible to catch so Champions League will be Moyes's target.

 

[Liam]

Now that Scottish football has decided on the number of teams that play in each division and have a new name structure for the second, third and fourth league senior level divisions, can someone inform me as the the current Scottish football administrator's position of the bottom teams in the lowest division at the end of each season.

England have a recognised system for relegation to the Skrill conference with promotion for two clubs in that league, Why cannot the champions of the Highland League and the Lowland League be promoted and the lowest two league clubs be relegated ? Surely this would be an incentive for the league clubs to motivate themselves in order not to be relegated and would most certainly be an incentive for the clubs in both the Highland League and the Lowland League. I am aware that ground suitability and the meeting of required standards will have to be adhered to.

Just look at how the English lowest senior league has been invigorated and refreshed since the current system came into force.

This is the Lowland League's first season and there will be no promotion or relegation in season 1. From next season (14/15) the winners of the Highland and Lowland League will playoff against each other, the winner to play the team bottom of League 2 for a place in the next seasons League 2. Previously admittance to the league was theough election, either due to expansion or if a team left the league. A teams full membership was also downgraded to associate membership if a team finished bottom of League 2 three years in a row they would then enter the re-election process.

The issue is clouded somewhat by the large system of junior football, where there are many clubs who would be welcomed into the senior leagues. However, in the summer (2013) only a handful of the 160 junior clubs expressed an interest in joining the senior ranks.

 

[CC 72100]

I have two theories;
1) Sir Alex knew this was coming and jumped ship to avoid being dragged down with it.
2) It shows the quality of Sir Alex to get such results to win the league last year out of such a average squad.

Regarding Rooney, I am surprised how well he is playing, it was well publicised about his and Moyes having legal disputes against each other a few years back, unless he is performing to encourage prospective transfers in January.

I'm more inclined to go with theory two - also it is worth remembering that it wasn't just Sir Alex that went, it was the whole backroom staff including some very good coaches, and the chief exec too.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I believe Moyes will turn it round eventually although it might mean any players who are stirring it like Ferdinand will be got rid off.

I agree. Long run I have faith in Moyes, I just didn't expect the transition period to be so.. well... poor.

A lot of changes either have to take place or will take place. Giggs will retire, same for Rio, Evra will most likely move on, Vidic is no spring chicken anymore, same for Carrick (arguably our best midfielder at the moment!)

Next it's getting rid of the deadwood : Nani, Anderson, Young - all have had their time and haven't impressed enough. Question marks remain over Cleverley, Welbeck, Valencia and even Hernandez.

Then it's looking to the future : a Yaya Touré type figure, preferably under 25 is needed. Add to that a Carrick replacement. And a left back. Long term has Welbeck got it? - RVP is 30 and Rooney will be soon too.

In fact, the irony is that one of the most criticized players in recent years, David de Gea, is looking in pretty good shape for years to come and has now settled down rather well.

 

[SS4]

For those (like me) who cannot stand ITV's commentary and live in the West Midlands: BBC WM have the game live on the radio. The less said about events at Craven Cottage the better for now

 

[Liam]

For those (like me) who cannot stand ITV's commentary and live in the West Midlands: BBC WM have the game live on the radio. The less said about events at Craven Cottage the better for now

Radio commentary is almost always better than TV commentary. I usually listen to Radio Scotland and watch the TV on mute, even if they are slightly out of sync. 5 Live is the possible exception, but thats just because I dislike Alan Green and Jonathan Pearce very much. Can't beat a bit of TMS though.

 

[SS4]

Radio commentary is almost always better than TV commentary. I usually listen to Radio Scotland and watch the TV on mute, even if they are slightly out of sync. 5 Live is the possible exception, but thats just because I dislike Alan Green and Jonathan Pearce very much. Can't beat a bit of TMS though.

Agreed, right down to the dislike of Alan Green and Robot Wars Jonathon Pearce

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Barnsley vs Hartlepool or Coventry
Yeovil vs Leyton Orient
Liverpool vs Oldham or Mansfailed
Nottingham Forest vs West Ham
Bristol City vs Watford
Southend vs Millwall
Middlesbrough vs Hull
West Brom vs Crystal Palace
Kidderminster vs Peterborough
Doncaster vs Stevenage
Stoke vs Leicester
Southampton vs Burnley
Newcastle vs Cardiff
Rochdale vs Leeds
Wigan vs MK Dons
Charlton vs Wrexham or Oxford
Man Utd vs Swansea
Port Vale vs Plymouth
Norwich vs Fulham
Aston Villa vs Sheffield Utd
Macclesfield vs Sheff Weds
Sunderland vs Carlisle
Bolton vs Blackpool
Blackburn vs Man City
Everton vs QPR
Brighton vs Reading
Arsenal vs Spurs
Birmingham vs Bristol Rovers or Crawley
Grimsby vs Huddersfield Town
Ipswich Town vs Preston North End
Derby County vs Chelsea
Bournemouth vs Fleetwood or Burton Albion

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Oldham 1-1 Mansfield ... FA Cup Second Round

Fair draw and Mansfield did played quite well, we were poor today and our passing was poor too, now we have to play at Field Mill on 17/18th December and can we win that replay? Possibly, be probably be a hard game.

The incentive of an away fixture at Liverpool in the third round should provide an extra incentive in the replay for both sides.

 

[familyguy99]

Liverpool vs Oldham or Mansfield

The incentive of an away fixture at Liverpool in the third round should provide an extra incentive in the replay for both sides.

A good draw for both Mansfield and Oldham and last season Liverpool played Mansfield at Field Mill and won 2-1 and then lost to Oldham in fourth round, the replay will be hard as Mansfield and there fans will be up for it special with Liverpool waiting in third round but I'm hopefully it be third year in row that Latics will be playing Liverpool. Other good thing is that replay may be on TV mean more money for Oldham, sad thing is I can't watch it if it on BT Channel as I haven't got BT so hopefully ITV will do me a favourite and show it but I don't think they allowed to show First and Second round replay matches.

I bet that Man Utd v Swansea will be on TV knowing is not best of draws special when you got, Arsenal v Tottenham, Derby v Chelsea, Blackburn v Man City and even Rochdale v Leeds and Macclesfield v Sheff Wednesday but I'm show ITV will still show Man Utd v Swansea as one of there games.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Not surprise about this that Oldham Athletic have suspend midfield Cristian Montano for match fixing.

http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/article/20131208-montano1-1223541.aspx

 

[fowler9]

An interesting draw and a good week for Merseysides teams.

 

[Robinson]

Interestingly John Hughes is now the manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, while Terry Butcher is the manager of Hibernian. Just 4 years ago, Hughes was the Hibs boss, and Butcher was in the Inverness hotseat.

The dictionary definition of "managerial merry-go-round" right there ladies and gentlemen

 

[Butts]

Interestingly John Hughes is now the manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle, while Terry Butcher is the manager of Hibernian. Just 4 years ago, Hughes was the Hibs boss, and Butcher was in the Inverness hotseat.

The dictionary definition of "managerial merry-go-round" right there ladies and gentlemen

Who had the upper hand in their meetings in the previous incarnation ?

 

[Eng274]

Who had the upper hand in their meetings in the previous incarnation ?

There was only one meeting between John Hughes and Terry Butcher, a 1-1 draw at Easter Road in September 2010. This was due to inverness only getting promotion back to the SPL in the 2010-11 season, and yogi was emptied before they could play another tie, in October 2010.

John Hughes has certainly ridden the merry go round many a time, having done the rounds at Falkirk, Hibs, Livingston, and now inverness. Given his unorthodox style and the fact he hasnae got a clue (cracking player though) I can see inverness going into free fall. Bizarrely, the fans AFAIK are still optimistic.

 

[andrew bell]

Barnsley vs Hartlepool or Coventry
Yeovil vs Leyton Orient
Liverpool vs Oldham or Mansfailed
Nottingham Forest vs West Ham
Bristol City vs Watford
Southend vs Millwall
Middlesbrough vs Hull
West Brom vs Crystal Palace
Kidderminster vs Peterborough
Doncaster vs Stevenage
Stoke vs Leicester
Southampton vs Burnley
Newcastle vs Cardiff
Rochdale vs Leeds
Wigan vs MK Dons
Charlton vs Wrexham or Oxford
Man Utd vs Swansea
Port Vale vs Plymouth
Norwich vs Fulham
Aston Villa vs Sheffield Utd
Macclesfield vs Sheff Weds
Sunderland vs Carlisle
Bolton vs Blackpool
Blackburn vs Man City
Everton vs QPR
Brighton vs Reading
Arsenal vs Spurs
Birmingham vs Bristol Rovers or Crawley
Grimsby vs Huddersfield Town
Ipswich Town vs Preston North End
Derby County vs Chelsea
Bournemouth vs Fleetwood or Burton Albion

Games highlighted in bold are my TV predictions for the 3rd round

 

[61653 HTAFC]

...
Grimsby vs Huddersfield Town
...

I think it's fair to say that the only folk more disappointed with that draw will be the Grimsby fans themselves! I remember playing against them in our previous spell in the second tier of English football. We both fell rather dramatically not long afterwards, thankfully we didn't fall as far and have now bounced back.

What sort of crowds have Grimsby been getting in the Conference this season? They seem well-placed for a push at returning to the league...

 

[richw]

Games highlighted in bold are my TV predictions for the 3rd round

why Forest vs. west ham in your prediction? Bolton vs Blackburn, and spurs vs arsenal would be my predictions, the rest of the games are quite a boring set of ties, no conference vs premier league

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Games highlighted in bold are my TV predictions for the 3rd round

I'd also expect Man Utd v Swansea to creep into it somewhere - IIRC they have quite a prolific habit of being televised in the FA Cup...

why Forest vs. west ham in your prediction? Bolton vs Blackburn, and spurs vs arsenal would be my predictions, the rest of the games are quite a boring set of ties, no conference vs premier league

I think Forest v West Ham is one of the better ties in the draw (my flatmate said the same at the time of the draw), it's a very good prospect; certainly more so that a lot of the all-PL ties.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur is a London derby of long standing and note and surely must be regarded as a fixture that will be attractive to the broadcasting companies.

 

[Butts]

Wheres SS4 ?

Looks like it was a false dawn for Villa following the Fulham performance and result.

Martin Jol may have kept his job if they'd played Villa a week earlier

 

[andrew bell]

why Forest vs. west ham in your prediction? Bolton vs Blackburn, and spurs vs arsenal would be my predictions, the rest of the games are quite a boring set of ties, no conference vs premier league

Potential upset, Forest playing well at home, West Ham struggling in PL. Bolton v Blackburn is a tasty tie don't get me wrong, but doesn't wet the appetite enough to go on tv, but if they did show it I suspect it would be instead of Macclesfield v Sheff Wed
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I'd also expect Man Utd v Swansea to creep into it somewhere - IIRC they have quite a prolific habit of being televised in the FA Cup...

Yes I do think that too, but the ties I picked is what I think would be good ties to watch, if that tie was in Swansea I can see it being on TV quite quickly.

 

[83G/84D]

Barnsley vs Hartlepool or Coventry
Yeovil vs Leyton Orient
Liverpool vs Oldham or Mansfailed
Nottingham Forest vs West Ham
Bristol City vs Watford
Southend vs Millwall
Middlesbrough vs Hull
West Brom vs Crystal Palace
Kidderminster vs Peterborough
Doncaster vs Stevenage
Stoke vs Leicester
Southampton vs Burnley
Newcastle vs Cardiff
Rochdale vs Leeds
Wigan vs MK Dons
Charlton vs Wrexham or Oxford
Man Utd vs Swansea
Port Vale vs Plymouth
Norwich vs Fulham
Aston Villa vs Sheffield Utd
Macclesfield vs Sheff Weds
Sunderland vs Carlisle
Bolton vs Blackpool
Blackburn vs Man City
Everton vs QPR
Brighton vs Reading
Arsenal vs Spurs
Birmingham vs Bristol Rovers or Crawley
Grimsby vs Huddersfield Town
Ipswich Town vs Preston North End
Derby County vs Chelsea
Bournemouth vs Fleetwood or Burton Albion

A long trip from Cornwall to Vale Park wasn't quite what I was hoping for! Lets hope the run doesn't end there as if Argyle can up their game a bit from the Welling game they could get a tasty 4th round draw.

I just hope with Stoke City at home the game isn't changed to a Friday night or worse a Sunday afternoon. Pain in the backside travelling by train on a Sunday with engineering works etc.

 

[familyguy99]

Good news Oldham game against Mansfield in Second round replay will be show live on BT Channel on Tuesday 17th December and both clubs will get £36.000 for broadcast fee, problem for me is that I haven't got BT Channel so I wouldn't be watching that match.

Arsenal game against Tottenham in FA Cup Third round will be show live on ITV1 channel on Saturday 4th January and both clubs will get £144,000 for broadcast fee.

http://www.thefa.com/thefacup