Football

[Xenophon PCDGS]

This whole thing stinks of a set-up. The connections of one tribunal member (of three) with Ferguson, the whole timing, and the complete lack of verified evidence makes the process a farce.
As for "bringing the game into disrepute" - the game has been in disrepute for so long, one more sin couldn't push it much deeper.

Has the Luis Suarez affair taught us anything about supposed "cultural differences"? I tend to remember the old adage..."When in Rome, do as the Romans do". Luis Suarez is not exactly a child and should have been aware of how racial matters in British football have been subject to a sustained campaign of eradication for many years now. This is a duty of his agent and advisors.

Had this matter occurred in a less minor league than the Premiership, would the Uruguayan view of racist terminology have been so well publicised? Why should exceptions be made for such people.

It is all well and good to have opinions on the disciplinary panel, but we should always remember that it was the transcripted statement where admission was noted of the terminology that was the crux of this matter. Are we to let our views on this panel cloud our judgement of the offence actually committed in the first place by Luis Suarez.

 

[Oswyntail]

The problem here is that the use of intent in assessing such incidents has been replaced with perception, a can of worms. Suarez admitted to using the word "negro", he says neutrally, and Evra claimed he found it offensive. Recently we have had Alan Hansen being criticised for using "coloured" by someone who claimed to be offended by the term because he is "black". I recall reading that the term "nig***s" was being used with pride by radical afro-americans. I myself have referred to a Jewish girlfriend in the past - at her suggestion - as "my little yid", as a term of affection.
I would not suggest that genuine racists should be allowed to spout their venom unchecked. But i do believe that society has been taken down a very dangerous path (highlighted by calling this sort of thing "hate crimes" - does no one learn from reading at all?). To rely on the perception of the effect of the action removes much of the possibility of defence from the "offender", and that, I believe, is very, very sinister indeed.

 

[DarloRich]

Another insatlment in the Darlo saga today. We lost 1-0 to Gateshead with the last kick of the game. By the sound of it that kick could be the last ever

 

[Ivo]

Everton are top of the 2012 Premier League

Note that I said "2012" and not "2011-12". It won't last long

 

[Oswyntail]

Another insatlment in the Darlo saga today. We lost 1-0 to Gateshead with the last kick of the game. By the sound of it that kick could be the last ever

Despite being a football-hater, i am really sorry to hear the state of the club. Mrs O (Luton fan) says she was always made welcome at the Tin Shed, and that the Darlo fans were among the few groups that could match Luton for singing and banter. Too much wrong with the sport generally

 

[SS4]

Sunderland 1 - 0 Dollars

 

[valenta]

Sunderland have just beaten Man City in the final minute of added on time, though a faithful Newcastle United supporter, I must say that I am pleased they were beaten!
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SS4 beat me to the post!

 

[MidnightFlyer]

A catastrophic end to a woeful Fantasy Football gameweek. Luckily the next round begins tomorrow

 

[SS4]

A catastrophic end to a woeful Fantasy Football gameweek. Luckily the next round begins tomorrow

Speak for yourself Walters and Van Persie saved my bacon.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Luton have just beaten Kettering 5-0 in the BSP for the second time in six days. Elsewhere, Fleetwood beat Southport 6-0, after a 2-2 draw with them on Boxing Day.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Stalybridge Celtic 1...Hyde FC 3


My non-league side, Hyde FC, as league leaders, really deserved this win away from home in the "top-two" Christmas/New Year reverse fixtures match which has widened the gap between first and second considerably at the top of the Blue Square North League....which is really the "Conference North" league

 

[DarloRich]

I have put some pictures of Darlo up on flick entitled portrait of a dying football club - it sums up how i feel right now

http://www.flickr.com/photos/darlo2009/

 

[Ivo]

How much did the new stadium cost?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

£18,000,000

 

[Darandio]

I think Reynolds paid something like £18m at the time which isn't bad at all for what is a fantastic stadium.

Problem is, Reynolds was a short sighted crook with big ideas way beyond his means, his reign was the start of the end unfortunately.

 

[DarloRich]

I think Reynolds paid something like £18m at the time which isn't bad at all for what is a fantastic stadium.

Problem is, Reynolds was a short sighted crook with big ideas way beyond his means, his reign was the start of the end unfortunately.

No he didnt - that is what it SHOULD have cost but thanks to adminstration it coast a fraction which weas very bad news for everyone involved

Reynolds wasnt the start of the problems either. For me you have to go back fruther to the days of Reg Breirerly and Steve Morgan and then Mike Pedan.

Looking back Reynolds was by no means the worst we have had, although as i have said since we built that white elephant - the ground will kill us.

 

[FGW_Lad]

I have put some pictures of Darlo up on flick entitled portrait of a dying football club - it sums up how i feel right now

http://www.flickr.com/photos/darlo2009/

Really feel for you from a Reading fan, really annoys me when I hear our fans complaining about John Madjeski our chairman, not throwing millions at strikers to replace Shane Long, when he is year after year making sure our club is soundly run.

Hope all goes well for you, if the worse happens I'm sure you'll come back bigger and stronger

 

[blackettstreet]

Sunderland have just beaten Man City in the final minute of added on time, though a faithful Newcastle United supporter, I must say that I am pleased they were beaten!

i dunno whether to be happy or sad... who do i like less: man city or the mackems?

....actually its definitely the mackems!

 

[SS4]

The trouble with us is that we got a result at Chelsea largely by counterattacking which doesn't work quite so well at home. I still think we can turn over Swansea at home, we got a point at the Liberty although it was completely overshadowed by Gary Speed's death
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For ****'s sake :@

 

[MidnightFlyer]

The trouble with us is that we got a result at Chelsea largely by counterattacking which doesn't work quite so well at home. I still think we can turn over Swansea at home, we got a point at the Liberty although it was completely overshadowed by Gary Speed's death
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For ****'s sake :@

To your credit you held out for 4 minutes!

 

[Minilad]

So was the Chelsea game a false dawn then. Probably !!

 

[SS4]

Sounds like Chelsea are being filthy barstewards again. I bet if it were a Wolves player he'd be taking an early bath.

One rule for big clubs, another for everyone else
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Mick McCarthy is going to be furious and justifiably so by all accounts
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Also wtf is McLeish thinking? If he's thinking at all!!

 

[YorkshireBear]

CHelsea are behaving disgracefully. But the mighty owls are 2-0 against tranmere and with sheffield united losing we are back to 2nd for now

 

[MidnightFlyer]

0-2 to Swansea anyone?

 

[SS4]

Ashley Cole and Lampard team up to score when neither should be on the pitch
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McLEISH OUT!!

 

[MidnightFlyer]

When was the last time 4 PL games kicked of and ended together, all 4 features away wins, all 4 saw the winning team score two, and 3 saw the opposition scoring one?

 

[Minilad]

McLEISH OUT!!

erm excuse me, thats my line

 

[balne-wonderer]

Seeing as all of the football ground enthusiasts seem to have come out today, what's your favourite ground you've ever been to? Mine would have to be Ashburton Grove. The worst? Selhurst Park.

Best - Elland Road obviously.......apart from there. The Emerates is a nice ground, lovely seats (not that I sat in it much) but massively, massively expensive.

Nottingham Forest's away end is superb, because the roof to the tier above is so low it has amazing acoustics. Leeds fans always make more noise than any fans away from home but at Forest 4,000 fans sounds like 70,000. Amazing

Worst - Probably a toss up between Kennilworth Road, Luton and the Withdean at Brighton & Hove Albion. I've been to Brighton's new ground (more about that in a minute) but the Withdean was an appalling hole. If anyone has been to Kennilworth Road then the away end is something to behold. You have to walk through a house to get into it.

What I really hate is these new soulless stadiums that are being built everywhere. At Leicester, Hull, Coventry, Brighton, Derby and a few more. They are all pretty much the same, bland and boring. Single tier crap. I'm sure all they do is change the colour of the seats and that's it, horrible.

Old Trafford is a pretty crappy place as well. You get the feeling there that it's 1% locals and 99% out of towners that only support Manchester United for one reason.

I didn't mind Villa Park on my vists but I was always amazed how quiet it was. People in the famous Holte End seemed to sitting through most of the game, I just couldn't ever imagine Leeds fans in the Revie End sitting and being quiet during the game.

Wolves is a strange place, there always seems to be a toxic feeling in the air like things could get nasty at any minute.

When Leeds were in League 1, the visits to St James Park, Griffin Park and Memorial Ground had a nice retro feel to them.

 

[Barton Keyes]

Ashley Cole and Lampard team up to score when neither should be on the pitch

Absolutely. What with this and the Milijas and Song decisions Wolves have clearly been hard done by lately. Dreadful refereeing for the Joey Barton incident today too so QPR can also feel aggrieved.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I see that the 3rd round FA Cup tie between Liverpool and Oldham Athletic has been brought forward to Friday evening.