Football

[Chew Chew]

But that doesn't affect 99.9% of English football.
Just 3 or 4 clubs at the top end who the vast majority of fans in this country would have the least sympathy for.

To be fair I never said it would affect everyone in English football but it would, never the less, impact on English football.

 

[SS4]

A question for you:
Who will occupy the top 3 of the premier league next year?

That answer should not be able to be guessed with any degree of certainly in a competitive, exciting league
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To be fair I never said it would affect everyone in English football but it would, never the less, impact on English football.

That's how you define football. For example my definition involves tacking and fair referees neither of which exist for away teams in Manchester

 

[EM2]

It will impact on the English teams co-efficient.

Not enough to lose places though, granted.

If either Manchester team gets through the next two rounds of the Europa League, it's better for England's co-efficient than them going out in the next round of the CL.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The match next Monday between Chelsea and Manchester City will be interesting, seeing how far away (in points terms) Chelsea are from mounting a title challenge, boosted by their win and qualification in the Champions League, whereas Manchester City will still be smarting from elimination from the Champions League (despite beating Bayern Munich in the last group match) and may feel that they have a point to prove to the other teams in the Premier League about their pedigree as a team that can react from adversity.

 

[SS4]

The match next Monday between Chelsea and Manchester City will be interesting, seeing how far away (in points terms) Chelsea are from mounting a title challenge, boosted by their win and qualification in the Champions League, whereas Manchester City will still be smarting from elimination from the Champions League (despite beating Bayern Munich in the last group match) and may feel that they have a point to prove to the other teams in the Premier League about their pedigree as a team that can react from adversity.

That does sound interesting. I wonder if Chelsea will essentially abandon the title to go all out in the Champions League?

 

[Ivo]

That does sound interesting. I wonder if Chelsea will essentially abandon the title to go all out in the Champions League?

When Chelsea lost the Final in '08 (and possibly even before then) I told some people I know that Chelsea need to learn that being a team, and not individual quality (and money), are the most important things in the Champions' League, unlike the Premier League. Whether this is still true with the events of the last couple of years is not as clear-cut, but look at Barca for instance - their outgoings on transfers and the like are a fraction of that paid by Real Madrid, Chelsea and others, and now we can add Manchester City to that list. Of course, with them having failed anyway, maybe they will learn? Or maybe they'll bully everyone in the "Mickey Mouse League" instead, en route to an all-Manchester final.

Or preferably not.

 

[blackettstreet]

That does sound interesting. I wonder if Chelsea will essentially abandon the title to go all out in the Champions League?

it will be easier for them in the CL now the manchester teams are out....i think barcelona are going to win anyway though so maybe there's no point. but then city are looking very likely to win the PL.....arsenal did beat barcelona last season (in one leg, anyway) so it can be done, i'd say therefore that they might as well go for the CL. they have more of a chance than with the PL, anyway.

 

[Minilad]

I hope Chelsea don't win the CL as it would mean we could no longer taunt the glory hunters with a fine rendition of "Have You Won The European Cup"

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Nice to see all the Premier League games are 1500 kick-offs today.

It is the first round proper of the F A Trophy today, with many good matches in this draw. Guiseley have beaten F C United of Manchester 2-0 in this round, which shows that even the team originally set up by their own disgruntled supporters are prone to similar results of their bete noir

 

[SS4]

Nice to see all the Premier League games are 1500 kick-offs today.

It is the first round proper of the F A Trophy today, with many good matches in this draw. Guiseley have beaten F C United of Manchester 2-0 in this round, which shows that even the team originally set up by their own disgruntled supporters are prone to similar results of their bete noir

Agreed although it's a shame there are two games missing. Then again with only one game when everyone kicks off at the same time in an entire season it's to be expected

 

[Badger]

So Wolves are being hammered 4-1 at Old Trafford, with Rooney's first two goals in nine games... To be expected I guess, but Wigan are beating West Brom, that's just not right!

 

[blackettstreet]

newcastle are losing 3-1 at norwich with a man off... perch and simpson at centre back was admittedly never going to work!

 

[SS4]

newcastle are losing 3-1 at norwich with a man off... perch and simpson at centre back was admittedly never going to work!

3-2 thanks to Ba (my fantasy captain so here's hoping he gets a hat-trick!)


We're 2-1 up against Bolton and nervous doesn't even begin to describe it...

 

[blackettstreet]

3-2 thanks to Ba (my fantasy captain so here's hoping he gets a hat-trick!)

my thoughts exactly

 

[Badger]

4-2 now on Norwich-Newcastle; pretty shocking really.

 

[Donny Dave]

Another bad day at the office for Scunthorpe United, this time going down 2-1 at home to Carlisle ....

Yes, they scored very early (3rd minute), but after that it was mostly Carlisle, although to be fair they did get their 2 goals following yet more defensive mistakes .... Oh, only 1 sub used out of the 5 named, shows how much faith Alan Knill has in the squad ....

On the bright side however, another reasonable day in Fantasy Football, with a couple of big scoring players to come (if they actually play)

 

[YorkshireBear]

Paul by all accounts you didnt deserve to lose 2-0 and were worthy opponents. 2-0 final score.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Paul by all accounts you didnt deserve to lose 2-0 and were worthy opponents. 2-0 final score.

Proof, if needed, that your away record is better than our home record.

I have no confidence in Oldham Athletic playing well at home next week in the FA Cup replay against Southend United.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Proof, if needed, that your away record is better than our home record.

I have no confidence in Oldham Athletic playing well at home next week in the FA Cup replay against Southend United.

Match report says, oldham failed to take chances in a first half they controlled, but our first goal was stunning by all accounts.

 

[Ivo]

I have no confidence in Oldham Athletic playing well at home next week in the FA Cup replay against Southend United.

Try again - mesa thinking that the wheels have come off the metaphorical wagon. No losses in 17 and now a net 5-1 loss across two games. You might yet be heading to Anfield...

 

[richw]

plymouth argyle possibly aiming for most red cards in a season, 5th red in last 7 games today! on the plus side we are off the bottom of the league

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

News from La Liga

It was "crunch time" with the top two playing each other and Real Madrid had home advantage. They had a great start, going 1-0 up after only 23 seconds, but then Barcelona found their feet.

Final score : Real Madrid 1...Barcelona 3

 

[DarloRich]

Darlington knocked out of the FA Trophy (which we won last year) away at Grimsby. Lost 3-0, no right back, no centre forward, played a centre half up front, 8 kids in the match day squad, players not being paid, chairman has had enougth. I think we are slowly dying :cry::cry::cry:

Roll on Christmas

 

[YorkshireBear]

Darlington knocked out of the FA Trophy (which we won last year) away at Grimsby. Lost 3-0, no right back, no centre forward, played a centre half up front, 8 kids in the match day squad, players not being paid, chairman has had enougth. I think we are slowly dying :cry::cry::cry:

Roll on Christmas

Saw story on sky sports about it, hope it all works out, is there any sign of a light at the end of a tunnel or is it all just doom and gloom?

 

[DarloRich]

Saw story on sky sports about it, hope it all works out, is there any sign of a light at the end of a tunnel or is it all just doom and gloom?

I cant even see the tunnel wall let alone the daylight at the end of it! The light i think i can see coming is attached to a speeding locomotive of destruction and unpleasentness!

I think we have had it this time :cry: There are strong rumours the chairman is just going to pull the plug either very soon or at the end of the season. Players have been got rid of, pay cuts demanded, those players who have not taken a cut, it is alleged, have not been paid since and will be chucked out during the transfer window.

Oh and we have no manager!

 

[YorkshireBear]

I cant even see the tunnel wall let alone the daylight at the end of it! The light i think i can see coming is attached to a speeding locomotive of destruction and unpleasentness!

I think we have had it this time :cry: There are strong rumours the chairman is just going to pull the plug either very soon or at the end of the season. Players have been got rid of, pay cuts demanded, those players who have not taken a cut, it is alleged, have not been paid since and will be chucked out during the transfer window.

Oh and we have no manager!

Got to agree with you, but you never know, someone may come in at the end when they can get it for the cheapest price....

surely theres a lamp at the end of the tunnel if not a light?
Although its a black lamp with a crack in and thats all.

 

[Ivo]

Oh and we have no manager!

Can I be the manager please?

 

[Donny Dave]

Although Spurs lost away at Stoke, I've just spotted a big howler in the BBC match report ....

But Harry Redknapp replaced Assou-Ekotto and Lennon with Sebastien Bassong and Defoe, switching his formation from 4-4-1-1 to 3-5-1-2, and the move paid off.

No wonder Spurs got back into the game seeing as they were able to sneak an extra player onto the pitch

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16021626.stm

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Blackburn Rovers, with all points precious to them in their current predicament in the Premier League, must have thought that a welcome three points were theirs, then proceed to concede two goals in the last six minutes to lose 2-1.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

There was no way Rovers were going to come away with 3 points, they didn't attack at all after the goal! Sunderland thouroughly deserved their win.