Football

[fowler9]

Man City won at Sunderland at the 4th attempt, no beach balls this year.

Give it after Christmas and the top 4 will be the same as usual, Chelsea, City, Utd & Arsenal with southampton & west ham slipping to 6th/7th

Surely the beach Ball incident was the Liverpool game.

 

[Antman]

Surely the beach Ball incident was the Liverpool game.

It was indeed Liverpool and Pepe Reina.

Looks like Southampton's bubble has burst, it probably will be the same top four come the end of the season Chelsea Man City Man Utd and Arsenal in that order, Tottenham suffered their customary defeat at Stamford Bridge

 

[61653 HTAFC]

We beat Derby on Saturday, deserved result and great atmosphere but leads me to question the quality of the league.

Hang on... As I recall, Leeds haven't had the best of runs up until a couple of weeks back (and as a Huddersfield fan, I know a bad run when I see one!) but now that you've beaten the leaders you're questioning the quality of the entire division?

Of course the Championship isn't the Premiership, you only have to look at last season's promoted teams to confirm that... But one of the great things about the division is that any team can beat any other, on their day. The Derby side you beat at the weekend was lucky to get the three points from us a few weeks back, so there's no danger of them running away with the title.

Teams are in the division they're in on merit (with the exception of Franchise Dons) so like it or not you're a second-tier club because that's how good you've been in the previous season. The only way to change that is to win promotion. Of course Leeds have the potential to be an established top flight club based on actual and potential fanbase, but need to achieve on the pitch before that can be realised.

Questioning the quality of the entire division based on one good result just seems arrogant to me, and unlike many of my fellow Huddersfield fans, I don't really take any pleasure in the misfortunes of your lot off the M621.

 

[Clip]

Is it not the Players rather than Pardew that lack consistency ?

A lot of teams lower down would swap their points haul for yours

We have a lot of good players but I would say after watching the games the tactics he sends them out to play are not how the players seemingly want to play and at times look a little lost. Its all fine going out guns blazing in the second half trying to get something but you should be stamping your authority on the game from the outset - not after 45 minutes.

 

[SS4]

The top is the fast becoming the predictable snoozefest we all know and love but the bottom is very interesting. We are 4 places ahead of West Brom but only three points ahead!

 

[Tetchytyke]

Looks like Southampton's bubble has burst, it probably will be the same top four come the end of the season Chelsea Man City Man Utd and Arsenal in that order

Arsenal will finish ahead of Man United, who are rubbish.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Arsenal will finish ahead of Man United, who are rubbish.

Based on what you say above being true, that is nothing to be praised, as it is a reflection that Arsenal consider themselves as being slightly above the stated "rubbish" benchmark, but does not say how Arsenal are to be viewed when compared to the "excellent" teams currently at the top of the Premiership.

A point therefore to ponder upon is when Arsenal had home advantage against such a "rubbish" team, why were they deafeated by such a stated lesser side?

 

[CC 72100]

Arsenal will finish ahead of Man United, who are rubbish.

As demonstrated by the current league position, despite the fact that we currently have:

- no fit left back
- no fit right back
- 2 injured central defenders (2 of the 'good 4' and yes, I am including Smalling in the 'good' category) We have given two central defenders debuts this season (Blackett / McNair)
- Daley Blind (who had settled in really well) out injured
- Carrick missing for many games so far
- A new manager
- A new system, on certain occasions - which seems to have now been dropped, thankfully.

Yeah, you're right actually, we're really crap! :roll:

 

[SS4]

As demonstrated by the current league position, despite the fact that we currently have:

- no fit left back
- no fit right back
- 2 injured central defenders (2 of the 'good 4' and yes, I am including Smalling in the 'good' category) We have given two central defenders debuts this season (Blackett / McNair)
- Daley Blind (who had settled in really well) out injured
- Carrick missing for many games so far
- A new manager
- A new system, on certain occasions - which seems to have now been dropped, thankfully.

Yeah, you're right actually, we're really crap! :roll:

What happened to Di Maria? I've not heard from him for a while - is he on the injury list too?

---------------

I have to wonder at how expectations can cloud a team's reality. I'd be ecstatic if Villa were in the top 6 but to an Arsenal fan it's a disappointment to be there.

Perhaps Man City and especially Chelsea should serve as a reminder of the influence megabucks has on a club...

 

[CC 72100]

What happened to Di Maria? I've not heard from him for a while - is he on the injury list too?

Di Maria is yes - only been a few games mind and so I didn't include him in the list.

Arsenal will be in the top 4 this year. Wenger will do it - he always does, and to be honest I can't see anybody having the staying power to remain in the top 4 unexpectedly and be there at the end of the season, not at Arsenal's expense at least. I think Man Utd are good enough for the top 4 - we just need to get through Christmas without any more injuries.

People underestimate the challenge of getting consistent champions league football, and minimise Wenger's achievements. Champions League football is not a right, nor to be taken for granted, but a prize in its own right. I can tell you that based on my experiences as a result of last season

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

What happened to Di Maria? I've not heard from him for a while - is he on the injury list too?

I believe he currently has a hamstring injury.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Perhaps Man City and especially Chelsea should serve as a reminder of the influence megabucks has on a club...

Chelsea have spent a billion pounds on players in the decade that they've had the Petrodollar doping, and Manchester City aren't that far behind them. Man City have gone from a team that was in great danger of getting relegated, and only managed to survive after Manchester City Council gave them the Council House for free, to winning the league in a couple of years. Chelsea weren't all that much better, getting the odd good cup run and not much else, and were probably even closer to going bust, when they were bought by Abramovich.

Competing with that, I think third or fourth (where Arsenal now usually finish) is an achievement. I know Wenger is mocked for once talking about fourth as a "trophy", but when you look at the regular Champions League (UEFA Cup as was) contenders when he took over- Newcastle, Spurs, Liverpool, Villa and Leeds United- you see just how keeping Arsenal there or thereabouts is a huge achievement. It also goes to show just what a genius Ferguson really was, the (redacted).

I think Man Utd are in a battle for fourth with Liverpool and Tottenham. Man Utd have had some very jammy wins- Arsenal and West Ham immediately spring to mind- and if those games had gone the way they deserved the table would look very different.

Meanwhile, I'm expecting my team Bradford City will be humiliated at home on Sunday by Dartford in the FA Cup 2nd round.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Not altogether unexpectedly, the FA have charged Balotelli over the recent Instagram that he posted without seemingly understanding the dual connotations contained therein.

 

[Antman]

Based on what you say above being true, that is nothing to be praised, as it is a reflection that Arsenal consider themselves as being slightly above the stated "rubbish" benchmark, but does not say how Arsenal are to be viewed when compared to the "excellent" teams currently at the top of the Premiership.

A point therefore to ponder upon is when Arsenal had home advantage against such a "rubbish" team, why were they deafeated by such a stated lesser side?

Not only have Man Utd beaten Arsenal (somewhat fortuitously) they have also beaten the mighty Stoke City, Hull City and Crystal Palace

 

[fowler9]

Not altogether unexpectedly, the FA have charged Balotelli over the recent Instagram that he posted without seemingly understanding the dual connotations contained therein.

Feel a bit sorry for him there. Looks like it was originally an anti racist picture that was doctored. I would however be made up if everyone who shares Britain First posts on Facebook got done by their employers. That would help stamp out racism.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

....A point therefore to ponder upon is when Arsenal had home advantage against such a "rubbish" team, why were they deafeated by such a stated lesser side?

My cousin, a Man Utd fan, went to the game at the Emirates. He said Arsenal were "unlucky" not to be three up by half time and that Utd were "very lucky" to have won.

A team being lucky does not make them good in the same way that a team being unlucky doesn't make them bad.

 

[CC 72100]

My cousin, a Man Utd fan, went to the game at the Emirates. He said Arsenal were "unlucky" not to be three up by half time and that Utd were "very lucky" to have won.

A team being lucky does not make them good in the same way that a team being unlucky doesn't make them bad.

Wholeheartedly agree - steal of the century. Still, as illustrated by our second goal, the key is taking the (limited) chances you have, Arsenal for all their possession were not clinical enough. (Although arguably one of the 3 best keepers in the league right now also had a key role to play).

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

My cousin, a Man Utd fan, went to the game at the Emirates. He said Arsenal were "unlucky" not to be three up by half time and that Utd were "very lucky" to have won.

A team being lucky does not make them good in the same way that a team being unlucky doesn't make them bad.

Before I offend any believers in "Lucky Cornish Piskies" and the like, there is no such thing as luck in football. You either score goals in your opponents net or the opposition or your teams poor finishing prevent you from doing so. I remember watching Oldham Athletic play Southport in a Christmas League fixture very many years ago in 1962 on Boxing Day, when Oldham won 11-0 and hit the crossbar four times and both uprights with shots. An Oldham supporter near to the dug-out was heard to say that Southport were lucky not to lose 17-0, but I was near enough to hear the Oldham manager berate that supporter by stating that it was poor finishing by the Oldham Athletic players that the reason why the opposition was not more heavily defeated.

If as you say, Arsenal were not three goals in the lead at half-time, the sole blame solely lies the Arsenal highly-paid footballers charged with goalscoring. If Manchester United went on to win, I would say that their players scored enough goals to win that game, whereas the Arsenal players did not emulate that same feat.

One may well draw a comparison to the FA Cup match last night between Hartlepool United and Blyth Spartans.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

You see Butts. This is what I meant about consistency from Pardew. First half again we looked terrible and couldn't play football and in the second half it was like a whole different 11q had been put on the pitch.

He needs to get the balance right - and it shows that he hasn't seeing how we haven't scored in the first half now for 14 games!

Newcastle United 2...Chelsea 1

Feel any better now?

 

[flymo]

Newcastle United 2...Chelsea 1

Feel any better now?

Don't know about anyone else but as a Toon fan, I certainly do.

 

[CC 72100]

Not only have Man Utd beaten Arsenal (somewhat fortuitously) they have also beaten the mighty Stoke City, Hull City and Crystal Palace

The same Stoke who are currently 2-0 up against Arsenal as I type this

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The same Stoke who are currently 2-0 up against Arsenal as I type this

Now 3-0
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I think Man Utd are in a battle for fourth with Liverpool and Tottenham. Man Utd have had some very jammy wins- Arsenal and West Ham immediately spring to mind- and if those games had gone the way they deserved the table would look very different.

If Arsenal and West Ham do not convert their goalscoring opportunities, it does seem rather strange to blame their team failings upon the opposition...:roll:

 

[SS4]

The day Mourhino blames either himself or the players is the day Satan will be ice skating to work. He is a whiny little prat who loves throwing his toys out of the pram yet the media still fawn over him *sigh*

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Not only have Man Utd beaten Arsenal (somewhat fortuitously) they have also beaten the mighty Stoke City, Hull City and Crystal Palace

These will be same Crystal Palace who beat Everton, the same Hull City who beat Tottenham Hotspur and the same Stoke City who held both Liverpool and Arsenal to drawn matches....and have defeated Arsenal 3-2 as I type this.

 

[richw]

The day Mourhino blames either himself or the players is the day Satan will be ice skating to work. He is a whiny little prat who loves throwing his toys out of the pram yet the media still fawn over him *sigh*

Todays transcript from JM.

My team lost the way I like to lose which is to give everything and being unlucky. Only one team played to win. After the second goal the team lost their emotional balance. A point was the minimum we deserved. There could have been 20 minutes stoppage time but the situation would have been the same because things were happening outside the four lines that the referee couldn't control. The referee can't punish the ball boy who disappeared with the ball, the referee couldn't punish the people in the crowd who kept the ball. I'm not obsessed with records and statistics, that's not for me, I want to win the league

How many more times is he going to say Only one team played to win. That's at least the third time this season.

 

[SS4]

Todays transcript from JM.



How many more times is he going to say Only one team played to win. That's at least the third time this season.

He still doesn't mention which team and the next sentence doesn't provide that much context IMO. Still doesn't change pundits fawning over him, in my experience at least

 

[richw]

He still doesn't mention which team and the next sentence doesn't provide that much context IMO. Still doesn't change pundits fawning over him, in my experience at least

There was just an extended version on Final Score. Its clear which team he was referring to and it wasn't the team that won.

Pardew to be fair did say Chelsea deserved to win.

 

[fowler9]

Before I offend any believers in "Lucky Cornish Piskies" and the like, there is no such thing as luck in football. You either score goals in your opponents net or the opposition or your teams poor finishing prevent you from doing so. I remember watching Oldham Athletic play Southport in a Christmas League fixture very many years ago in 1962 on Boxing Day, when Oldham won 11-0 and hit the crossbar four times and both uprights with shots. An Oldham supporter near to the dug-out was heard to say that Southport were lucky not to lose 17-0, but I was near enough to hear the Oldham manager berate that supporter by stating that it was poor finishing by the Oldham Athletic players that the reason why the opposition was not more heavily defeated.

If as you say, Arsenal were not three goals in the lead at half-time, the sole blame solely lies the Arsenal highly-paid footballers charged with goalscoring. If Manchester United went on to win, I would say that their players scored enough goals to win that game, whereas the Arsenal players did not emulate that same feat.

One may well draw a comparison to the FA Cup match last night between Hartlepool United and Blyth Spartans.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Newcastle United 2...Chelsea 1

Feel any better now?

Yeah but try telling a Man U or Everton fan that Liverpool weren't just lucky in the European Cup and you will get a completely different response.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The day Mourhino blames either himself or the players is the day Satan will be ice skating to work. He is a whiny little prat who loves throwing his toys out of the pram yet the media still fawn over him *sigh*

He would fit in very well making postings on the RailUK "Football" thread, providing he remembers to make the usual "obligatory" comments about Manchester United after he has made the posting about his own team, as this is a tradition that is jealously kept running by some of "the regulars" on here...

 

[fowler9]

He would fit in very well making postings on the RailUK "Football" thread, providing he remembers to make the usual "obligatory" comments about Manchester United after he has made the posting about his own team, as this is a tradition that is jealously kept running by some of "the regulars" on here...

Jealousy!

Manchester United don't even play in Manchester. None of their fans are from there. Yadda Yadda.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Jealousy!

Manchester United don't even play in Manchester. None of their fans are from there. Yadda Yadda.

I offer my congratulations to you for not claiming to state that they play in Salford, as some geographically-challenged posters on this this thread in the past seemed to think that is where they played...

I make my postings as an impartial observer of all things "Premiership" and I remain, for my sins, a supporter of Hyde who now play in the Conference North..
Hyde 1...North Ferriby United 0

Second league win of the season...