The Premier League and lower leagues

Quoted from alffy

Bill, I picked Place as a kid and and I'm kind of stuck with them lol.

1990 FA Cup?! I was on a stag do last month with a few Palace fans and one of the lads brought that top for an ill-advised 5-a-side kickabout on a hangover. Beautiful top, though.

My boys United are looking a little shaky right now at the back. On the bright side, we've lost 2 league games and are still above City. We can't afford to be so charitable at the back if we want to win anything this season.

I agree that Chelsea are looking good in results but wonder if they'll keep it up with that congested midfield and a misfiring Torres. Fernando is in my Dream Team, too, the bitch.

Quoted from Andrew

I was on a stag do last month with a few Palace fans and one of the lads brought that top for an ill-advised 5-a-side kickabout on a hangover. Beautiful top, though.

WTF? Is this even English?

I don't understand anything going on in this thread.

You boys behave -- if a melee breaks out in here amongst you belligerent footy fans, I probably will not even recognize it.

Quoted from bert

WTF? Is this even English?

I don't understand anything going on in this thread.

Haha. You need to ditch that Gridiron and bring some proper football into your life, bert...

Quoted from bert

You boys behave -- if a melee breaks out in here amongst you belligerent footy fans, I probably will not even recognize it

Perhaps someone can link a terrace chant to bamboozle him? :)

Andrew, Lee Martin broke my wee heart! I loved that shirt too; Fly Virgin I believe? Palace wore the black and yellow one in the replay, which did your friend own?

Utd look very shakey this season. Personally I think they're lucky to have the points they've got. Defence looks dodgy but with RVP and Shrek up front you'll at least bag a lot of goals.

Any room for a Scotsman? Although, the SPL has gone downhill over the decades and my team, Dunfermline, are currently in the Scottish First Division - atleast Rangers were caught cheating.

As for English football, I watch all the games weekly. My favorite teams in England are Man U and Everton (due to the manager connections with Dunfermline). Glad to see Everton doing so well - hope it continues.

I think Rodgers will get Liverpool going - it just takes time.

I think Hughes is vastly overrated and QPR will struggle - same as Houghton at Norwich. I think Wigan will survive again and Martinez will be snatched up. Lambert has inherited a mess (much like Rodgers), but I think he'll keep Villa up.

Look for QPR, Norwich and maybe Southampton for relegation.

United and City for the EPL; Chelsea/Aresnal battling for the Champions League.

Hey Andrew i could always dig up the "we're gonna have a party, when suarez gets a penalty " You guys know about that :D

Mark

Hey MacDuff, I think the whole Rangers thing has just about killed off the Scottish league. QPR aren't as good as they think they are and quite frankly I hope they go down. lol

Mark, I think Suarez gets a bum deal nowadays, he'll never get a penalty unless he's beheaded or something lol

Yo Macduff! There's a Scottish dad at my kids school, he's a Killie lad. So we have a good chat about football and stuff.

I have Scottish roots too, from Invergarry - my last name is McDonell. Two brothers came out here in 1862, and I'm descended from.

Have followed the English football since 1978. Saw Villa playing Man U on tv, liked their strip and the rest is history. My brother is an Arsenal fan.

Am reading a book at the moment called 'Why England Lose'. It's a tongue in cheek look at applying logic and stats to explain various parts of football culture and things like penalty kicks.

Wait a min... stevie and coop both villa fans and both move to down under... now they're not that bad are they?.. :D

Mark

Quoted from irish eyes

Wait a min... stevie and coop both villa fans and both move to down under... now they're not that bad are they?.. :D

Mark

Hey, hold up there Mr.Bickle!! I'm a dinky di Aussie not a ring-in like da Coop man!

What a great idea for a thread, Alffy. Good stuff.

Quoted from alffy

Relegation tip, got to be Villa. lol

And so it starts!

Quoted from stevie

The Villa to smash Spurs his week, lol!

Definitely!

Quoted from irish eyes

Steve coop is a villa fan... so make fun all u want :)

Peeps are picking on me already! I’ll let you off lightly, you’re Irish after all and who knows if you were sober when you wrote this? ;D

Quoted from bert

WTF? Is this even English?

I don't understand anything going on in this thread.

Funny! :)

Quoted from stevie

I'm a dinky di Aussie not a ring-in like da Coop man!

I’m sure Stevie has a dinky… nah not gonna go there! ;D Yeah, Stevie’s the proper Oz, I’m just another pom enjoying the fine beaches and beer. Heck, it beats the damp mornings I was used too. ;D

So prediction time!

Man U for the title. They’ve lost two but still are third in the table. And watch them do the usual and hit their stride come Christmas – When Rooney and Van Persie start playing together more, it will be hard to stop them. But they do need to stop leaking stupid goals – Ferdinand was like a rabbit caught in headlights when Bale came running at him last weekend, he’s past it I’m afraid to say.

Chelsea has started well but I fully expect them to falter come the second half of the season, just one injury in the centre of the park and they’re in trouble. But I have to admit that Hazard is a wonderful player who could win player of the year come the end of the season.

City just has too many problems for me at the moment and this down to Mancini who constantly changes the players and tactics. He should go back to last year’s formation and stick Toure, however good he is going forward, back with Barry in the centre. This is why they're conceding so many goals lately.

Arsenal – wonderful footballing side but no chance of the title for me, they’ll come 4th.

I’m going to pick the toffees to finish top of the rest, like where Moyes is going with this team and if they can stay clear of injuries, should do well.

Relegation – Norwich & Reading (definitely) and I might go for Swansea. Good start but I can see the pretty football they play being their downfall – they don’t seem to have a plan b.

Villa will come 12th which is an improvement and with Lambert at the helm, we’ll improve every year. We just need stability now.

Liverpool to finish 17th! ;)

And here’s a chant for all you Suarez fans.

He cheats!
he dives!
he hates the Jackson Five!
suareeezzzzz! Suareeezzzzz!

Feel free to add you chants here, just for fun of course. :)

Okay so I can't win Jack shit at the bookies but here's my predictions for the weekends Premiership matches.

Man City V Sunderland = City win
Chelsea V Norwich = Chelsea win
Swansea V Reading = Draw
West Brom V QPR = West Brom win
Wigan V Everton = Wigan win
West Ham V Arsenal = Draw

I predict I get no more than two right lol.

Quoted from alffy

Hey MacDuff, I think the whole Rangers thing has just about killed off the Scottish league. QPR aren't as good as they think they are and quite frankly I hope they go down. lol

Yeah - it's too bad - in the 80's, Scottish teams were regularily fighting for UEFA Cup and Cup Winners Cup medals... it's too bad.

Quoted from stevie

I like Kilmarnock - and honest team. Reminds me of that Proclaimers' song. I believe I've been through Invergarry - when I was but a wee child. I think my family was taking a trip to Skye. Beautiful part of the country. I'm a Wadwell. Not many left in Scotland, but lot's of descendants in Australia too.

Here are mine:

Man City V Sunderland = City win
Chelsea V Norwich = Chelsea win
Swansea V Reading = Draw
West Brom V QPR = Draw
Wigan V Everton = Draw
West Ham V Arsenal = Arsenal win
Southampton V Fulham = Draw
Liverpool V Stoke City = Draw
Tottenham V Aston Villa = Spurs win
Newcastle V Man Utd = United to squeek out a win

Quoted from alffy

Yeah, that was the one - it was the home shirt. Lovely piece of kit, that.

Ahhh, Lee Martin! Think that was the only goal he ever scored?!

Quoted from irish eyes

Hey Andrew i could always dig up the "we're gonna have a party, when suarez gets a penalty " You guys know about that :D

Mark

Mate, I'm still to recover from the end of the season! No football parties until we win the league again! Suarez is looking bang on form this season, though.

Quoted from alffy

It's funny, 'cos I was about to suggest trying to beat Lawro if anyone's up for it?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19795970

ONE point for a correct score, and THREE for correct result...

For me:

Man City v Sunderland 3-1
Chelsea v Norwich 2-0
Swansea v Reading 2-1
West Brom v QPR 2-2
Wigan v Everton 1-0
West Ham v Arsenal 1-3

SUNDAY
Southampton v Fulham 1-2
Liverpool v Stoke 3-0
Tottenham v Aston Villa 3-2
Newcastle v Man Utd 1-2

I've just realised I've proposed an inordinate amount of goals...

Okay Andrew I'll take up the challenge and try to beat Lawro.

Man City V Sunderland 3-2
Chelsea V Norwich 3-1
Swansea V Reading 1-1
West Brom V QPR 1-0
Wigan V Everton 1-0
West Ham V Arsenal 2-2
Southampton V Fulham 2-1
Liverpool V Stoke 1-1
Tottenham V Villa 2-0
Newcastle V Man Utd 3-2

That last prediction will annoy you lol.

Quoted from Andrew

It's funny, 'cos I was about to suggest trying to beat Lawro if anyone's up for it?

Definitely up for beating Mr. Lawrenson.

Here’s my pick:

SATURDAY
Man City v Sunderland 2-0
Chelsea v Norwich 5-1
Swansea v Reading 1-1
West Brom v QPR 3-0
Wigan v Everton 1-2
West Ham v Arsenal 2-2

SUNDAY
Southampton v Fulham 1-0
Liverpool v Stoke 2-1
Tottenham v Aston Villa 3-1
Newcastle v Man Utd 1-2

Anything to beat Lawro

Saturday
Man City v Sunderland 3-0
Hellsea v Norwich 2-0
Swansea v Reading 1-1
West Brom v QPR 1-2
Wigan v Everton 0-0
West Ham v Arsenal 1-2

Sunday
Southampton v Fulham 1-1
Liverpool v Stoke 2-0(more hope than anything)
Tottenham v Aston Villa 35-0(but probably closer to 4-0) :)
Newcastle v Man Utd 2-0(more hope than anything)

Mark

So my Saturday predictions were awful again lol. I would like to say, Palace are 4th in the Championship! Another great comeback, I'm genuinely excited by Palace at the moment.

Currently watching West Ham V Arsenal and I really don't know why Brendan Rogers was so quick to dump Andy Carroll, he's a monster and Liverpool could do with him right about now.

Not to shabby 5/6 for correct results.. 1 correct score though...

Quoted from Alffy

Currently watching West Ham V Arsenal and I really don't know why Brendan Rogers was so quick to dump Andy Carroll, he's a monster and Liverpool could do with him right about now.

He finished strong last season and should have been giving a chance... Apparently he didn't fit into Rodgers style of play... which seems to be, pass 5 times the amount of your opponents and still get beat.

Mark

Just finished watching MOTD - some good stuff today.

Going into Sunday, then, the leaderboard goes a little something like this:

Mark - 7
Andrew - 5
Alf - 4
Coop - 4
Lawro - 4

In yer face, Lawro.

Mac gets 5 for correct results! Get your predictions in to get on the meaningless leaderboard!

Palace flying - time for the Eagles to land back in the Prem.

Okay, a little behind on actual results. Here are my picks for Sunday:

Southampton V Fulham = 2-2
Liverpool V Stoke City = 1-1
Tottenham V Aston Villa = 2-1
Newcastle V Man Utd = 1-2

:-)

I was going to say WBA would win over QPR, but decided that QPR would sneak a draw. That would have been 6 for 6.

Time for the bookies, me thinks!

Quoted from irish eyes

Tottenham v Aston Villa 35-0(but probably closer to 4-0) :)

The first score looks about right! :)

Quoted from alffy

So my Saturday predictions were awful again lol. I would like to say, Palace are 4th in the Championship! Another great comeback, I'm genuinely excited by Palace at the moment.

Mine wasn’t too bad but I just couldn’t get the right score, was close with a couple.

Good on Palace, what a thriller that game was. I heard there was some racism going on in the championship yesterday but I wasn’t surprised to hear where it came from.

Quoted from Andrew

Going into Sunday, then, the leaderboard goes a little something like this:

Mark - 7
Andrew - 5
Alf - 4
Coop - 4
Lawro - 4

Thanks for putting Lawro last, Andrew. Mark top! I want a recount. ;D

Quoted from CoopBazinga

I heard there was some racism going on in the championship yesterday but I wasn’t surprised to hear where it came from.

That's why most football hooliganism films are about Millwall. No smoke without fire, as they say.

I know this is the premier league and lower leagues thread but it’s all about football in general right.

So in saying that, just thought I would throw out a prediction for what is probably the biggest showdown this weekend… El Clasico.

The big one between what are probably the two best teams in the world at the moment who happen to have the best two players as well in Messi and Ronaldo.

I’m going for Barcelona to win 3-2 even without any recognizable central defenders (believe upon writing this that it will be Mascherano and Song as the pair at the back)

I just think the little Argentine magician will prove too much and they will scrape over the line. Either way, this fixture normally is something special so it’s too bad I’ll be tucked up in bed – almost 2 in the morning here by the time it starts.

Villa 0-0 at half-time so maybe it will only be 30-0 by full time, Mark. ;D

Quoted from CoopBazinga

Just thought I would throw out a prediction for what is probably the biggest showdown this weekend… El Clasico.

I’m going for Barcelona to win 3-2 even without any recognizable central defenders (believe upon writing this that it will be Mascherano and Song as the pair at the back)

Looking forward to this match, my third of the day lol.

Yeah I'm top.... This was for money right?.... Please make all cheques(I even used the english spelling) out to the " Mark Moore school of drinking" it helps young kids get off the streets and into bars where they belong.

Mark

Checks in the post, Mark. :(

Quoted from irish eyes

Mark Moore school of getting off in the streets where I belong. Yeah, I'm all top for the English

I'll be sure to send it first class, looks like you could do with the money. What's worse is you seem to like the English. ;D

Well done, Mark - I did pretty rubbish but at least Villa didn't lose 35-0.

It's now an International break so will have to wait a few weeks to get the predictions going again.

Speaking of 35-0, England playing San Marino this weekend. Every strikers dream opponent. ;D

Quoted from Coop

England playing San Marino this weekend. Every strikers dream opponent

I would love to play England every week too :D

Mark

Quoted from irish eyes

I would love to play England every week too :D

touché!

I remember watching England play San Marino back in '93, I think, and they scored after about 8 seconds. I remember it well, very well, I was a school kid but I remember it. I said 'For F+#ks sake!' very loudly. lol.

Quoted from alffy

Yeah, I remember that game too, Alffy. England ended up winning 7-1 but if I remember correctly they had to win by 7 clear goals so the only word you could really say was... bollocks! ;D They also had to hope either Holland or Poland lost I think. Suffice to say that England never went USA 94.

England lost in Holland 2-0 but Koeman, who scored, should have been sent off for a professional foul on David Platt. I'm still bitter. lol

Only good thing was Graham Taylor got sacked. USA 94 was my favorite World Cup, despite us not been there. It started the day, actually night, of my last exam. Sleepless nights followed as the matches were on at like 2am.

Quoted from Alffy

USA 94 was my favorite World Cup, because of us not been there

c'mon Alffy, you gotta support your own country :D:D

Mark

Quoted from alffy

Yeah, the 94 WC was great, alffy. If not for the utterly dull final I would rate it in my top 5.

Great win for England against the plumbers, carpenters and shoe salesmen.... :D
We held the Germans for 32 minutes then realised how crap we are and it all went downhill. :(

Mark

Well done to Bales, err, Wales. Beat a poor, poor Scottish team who should have walked the game. Clueless manager to blame for this one. Wales were a one-man team and he managed to beat us.

Road to Rio over before it even began. Sigh.

Don't worry MacDuff we're right there beside you.

Mark

Quoted from CoopBazinga

Germany playing Ireland this weekend. Every strikers dream opponent. ;D

Quoted from irish eyes

I would love to play Ireland every week too :D

You aren’t wrong, Mark. :D A new record I believe, congrats! ;D

Quoted from irish eyes

Hey Alffy, you're the greatest :D:D

Mark

The '94 World cup did have the worst final but some great games and moments along the way.
Diana Ross missing THAT open goal.
Hagi and Stoichkov playing awesome for Romania and Bulgaria.
Germany get dumped out at the quarters by a baldie.
Brazil winning.
Campos' crazy keeper attire.
John Aldridge swearing like a docker live on TV.(actually this ranks as one of my favourite things ever)

Double post, sorry.

Puts in perspective when England beat a bunch bankers 5-0 and Germany beat Ireland 6-1, away!

Good win for Wales and Scotland seemed to have stuffed it already, sorry Stewart. 2 points from 3 games isn't great.

Hey Alffy, we've always been crap at putting away easy opposition. Having said that we don't do the others easy either....in fact anybody, any time, ever.

And still the powers seem to rank us something silly like seventh in the world. Work that one out.

Quoted from irish eyes

Not so fast, Marky Mark.. the Mac took this one!

My cheque went to the winner :)

Quoted from irish eyes

Don't worry MacDuff we're right there beside you.

Mark

I think a drink in misery is needed, my friend.

Or a few.

Quoted from alffy

Good win for Wales and Scotland seemed to have stuffed it already, sorry Stewart. 2 points from 3 games isn't great.

Typical Scotland. Best squad they've had in years, the perfect schedule to start (playing the 3 teams ranked lower than them) and they've messed it up.

Why am I even a bit shocked?

Quoted from coop

You're never wrong Mark :D

Thanks Coop

Quoted from Alffy

John Aldridge swearing like a docker live on TV.(actually this ranks as one of my favourite things ever)

Good times.... Old Jack Charlton days.... If his granny owned an Irish wolfhound he was qualified to play for us :D :D

Quoted from Andrew

Not so fast, Marky Mark.. the Mac took this one!

I won my default... Mac picked his scores AFTER the matches were over :D

Quoted from MacDuff

I think a drink in misery is needed, my friend.

Or a few.

I'm with you buddy... It's gonna be a long World Cup... Especially if England win it... I can't believe 4 english men on this thread and not one has mentioned 1966 :D

Mark

Quoted from irisheyes

I won my default... Mac picked his scores AFTER the matches were over :D

Nein, Señor!

Quoted from irish eyes

It's gonna be a long World Cup... Especially if England win it.

What the hell are you taking? I want some! :D

This is literally impossible... I remember going into the 2010 World Cup with so much hope. We're rubbish at the big tournaments but it normally makes for some funny jokes. ;D

"The England team went to visit an orphanage in South Africa this morning, "its so good to put a smile on the faces of people with no hope, constantly struggling, and facing the impossible" said Jamal Omboto, aged 6."

Quoted from the Coopster

"The England team went to visit an orphanage in South Africa this morning, "its so good to put a smile on the faces of people with no hope, constantly struggling, and facing the impossible" said Jamal Omboto, aged 6."

:D:D:D:D:D:D That's funny

Mark

Quoted from irish eyes

:D:D:D:D:D:D That's funny

There's more where that came from. Poor old Rob Green...

"Robert Green tried committing suicide today by jumping in front of a double decker bus - fortunately the bus slipped right underneath him."

"My computer's got the Robert Green virus. It can't save anything."

But he didn't get a Pizza Hut advert like Southgate, Waddle and Pearce! :D

Who will take the fall next?

The England game is so boring, I've taken to the internet.

Why, oh why, is it so boring to watch England?

And can we please do away with these awful blue shirts. Horrendous.

Andrew,

I have a theory, which is...England are only good to watch when we have gone a goal behind early in the game. That way we have to attack and break free of the silly shackles we seem to inherit on the pitch.

Not always true, but a few of the great games, eg Germany 5:1 started that way.

As soon as we go ahead, especially early on, you just know the rest is going to be back foot, irrelevant of who we are playing.

Quoted from Andrew

The England game is so boring, I've taken to the internet.

Why, oh why, is it so boring to watch England?

And can we please do away with these awful blue shirts. Horrendous.

We're really bad to watch because we're actually pretty bad. Our players have little skill when on the ball which is why our best tactic is to bore the oppostion. We can't pass over 10 yards and have very few players who look comfortable on the ball.

Glad to see Roy grow some balls and sub Rooney. He hasn't played well for England for about 5 years!

Not sure I subscribe to the theory that are boys are simply not good enough. In the past few years, we've had some top, top players who prove their quality with their clubs consistently. I'd say that part of it is mentality, part of it ridiculous media coverage, part of it unrealistic expectations, and finally, part of it is poor management at crucial times. The players don't gel for a mixture of those reasons, I think.

What's been clear to me, however, is we made a big error in choosing Hodgson over Redknapp. Redknapp would've had us playing football and would've zeroed in on this fragility of confidence in their ability as a team, the caution that automatically sets in once we're up a goal and the obvious lack of collective purpose.

As a wise man once said: "Defeat is one thing, disgrace is another".

Awww you guys are sooo cute discussing why your crap....

I have a theory too.... It's because your crap :D:D:D

Yeah.... We beat the Faroe islands ..... So I can say that.... It might have taking us to the 2nd half to score... But we won :D:D:D:D:D:D:D and probably the only game we will win.

Mark

Crap? We ain't that good.

What are your thoughts on this Trappatoni bother?

The Irish are getting tired of him... his tactics are so defensive... but we are a limited country when it comes to players, a few good ones here and there, but nothing like the Jack Charlton era.... Houghtan, Aldridge, Mc Grath, O'Leary and so on... But I think it's time for him to move on... As big Jack used to say"Ill stay as long as the people want me"... Well nobody wants Trapp

Mark

Quoted from alffy

We're really bad to watch because we're actually pretty bad.

I disagree, I blame the wet pitch. It meant we couldn’t get into our normal high pressure game which makes for an attacking style which we all love to watch, and what England normally produce… Right? ;D ;D

Quoted from Andrew

In the past few years, we've had some top, top players who prove their quality with their clubs consistently.

Exactly! We have top players, not world class players. Apart from Rooney, where are England’s superstars now, who are not above 30?

Quoted from Andrew

we made a big error in choosing Hodgson over Redknapp. Redknapp would've had us playing football and would've zeroed in on this fragility of confidence in their ability as a team, the caution that automatically sets in once we're up a goal and the obvious lack of collective purpose.

I agree with you, Redknapp would have been a great man manager bringing, not only immediate confidence, but also attacking football.

However, I think we would need to look at the other side of the coin, which is that Redknapp only has one game plan 4-4-2 and attack. This may have been excellent for games against teams like Poland, although I feel that he would lack the criteria to bring down a bigger nation.

Hodgson was the safe choice with lots of International experience and a better tactician but he’s lacking when it comes to entertaining football, and sometimes that is all the public wants me thinks.

THis is lawros predictions

Tottenham v Chelsea
1-2
Fulham v Aston Villa
2-1
Liverpool v Reading
2-0
Man Utd v Stoke
3-0
Swansea v Wigan
1-1
West Brom v Man City
1-2
West Ham v Southampton
2-0
Norwich v Arsenal
0-2

SUNDAY
Sunderland v Newcastle
1-1

QPR v Everton
1-1

Good shout.

We going again, boys?

I'll say:

Tottenham v Chelsea
2-1
Fulham v Aston Villa
2-0
Liverpool v Reading
3-0
Man Utd v Stoke
3-0
Swansea v Wigan
2-2
West Brom v Man City
0-2
West Ham v Southampton
2-1
Norwich v Arsenal
0-3

SUNDAY

Sunderland v Newcastle
1-0
QPR v Everton
3-2

My predictions

Tottenham v Chelsea
1-1
Fulham v Aston Villa
1-1
Liverpool v Reading
2-0
Man Utd v Stoke
1-0
Swansea v Wigan
1-2
West Brom v Man City
1-2
West Ham v Southampton
2-2
Norwich v Arsenal
1-4

SUNDAY
Sunderland v Newcastle
1-1

QPR v Everton
1-2

Mark

Only one score matters:

FULHAM 0 ASTON VILLA 4

;D

Spurs v Chelsea 2-2
Fulham v Villa 2-1
Liverpool v Reading 1-0
Man Utd v Stoke 4-0
Swansea v Wigan 2-1
West Brom v Man City 2-2
West Ham v Southamton 2-0
Norwich v Arsenal 0-3
Sunderland v Newcastle 1-1
QPR v Everton 2-1

Lets see how badly I do this weekend lol.

Throwing my tips in just in time

Tottenham V Chelsea 2-1

Fulham V Aston Villa 1-1

Liverpool V Reading 3-0

Man Utd V Stoke 3-0

Swansea V Wigan 1-2

West Brom V Man City 2-2

West Ham V Southampton 2-0

Norwich V Arsenal 0-4

Sunderland V Newcastle 2-1

QPR V Everton 3-2

Strange how everyone picked Arsenal to win easily....funny old game.

Come on you Reds (liverpool that is, since many teams are red)

Back to back wins, who cares if there are one nil!!

Quoted from Bill

Come on you Reds (liverpool that is, since many teams are red)

Back to back wins, who cares if there are one nil!!

We'll take what we can... and 3 clean sheets in a row :D

Mark

I'm back online. We going again this weekend?

A Villa vs Norwich 2-2
Arsenal vs QPR 2-1
Reading vs Fulham 1-2
Stoke City vs Sunderland 2-1
Wigan vs West Ham 1-1
Man City vs Swansea 3-0
Everton vs Liverpool 1-1
Newcastle vs West Brom 1-1
Southampton vs Tottenham 1-3
Chelsea vs Man Utd 1-1

The two matches I'm really unsure about is the Stoke v Sunderland game and Newcastle v West Brom game.

My head says that Everton will beat Liverpool, but my gut says that the good Liverpool side will turn up... but I wouldn't be surprised to see a late winner by the Toffees.

Same with Chelsea/Man U game. I thought about an odd-goal winner to Chelsea, but settled for the draw.

Let's see how it plays out.

Stew

Ill give it a go

A Villa vs Norwich 0-1
Arsenal vs QPR 3-0
Reading vs Fulham 1-1
Stoke City vs Sunderland 1-2
Wigan vs West Ham 1-1
Man City vs Swansea 3-1
Everton vs Liverpool 0-2
Newcastle vs West Brom 2-0
Southampton vs Tottenham 1-1
Chelsea vs Man Utd 2-1

Mark

Did anyone tot up last weeks games? Not sure who won that.

Villa v Norwich 2-1
Arsenal v QPR 2-0
Reading v Fulham 1-0
Stoke v Sunderland 0-1
Wigan v West Ham 1-1
Man City v Swansea 3-0
Everton v Liverpool 3-2
Newcastle v West Brom 2-1
Southampton v Spurs 1-3
Chelsea v Man Utd 2-2

Just wanted to say...

Quoted from irish eyes

Everton vs Liverpool 0-2

Hoorah ;D

Quoted from alffy

Everton v Liverpool 3-2

Boooo >:(

I don't know enough about the rest, but i will go for

Chelsea v Man u - 1-2
Man city v Swansea - 2-2
Arsenal v QPR - 3-1

Villa - who? :o

Here's my tips...

Villa v Norwich 2-1
Arsenal v QPR 3-1
Reading v Fulham 1-1
Stoke v Sunderland 2-0
Wigan v West Ham 1-1
Man City v Swansea 4-0
Everton v Liverpool 2-2
Newcastle v West Brom 2-1
Southampton v Spurs 1-2
Chelsea v Man Utd 2-1

Quoted from Marky Mark

A Villa vs Norwich 0-1

C'mon, mate. ::)

Quoted from Bill

Villa - who? :o

They're one of only 5 English teams to win the European cup. ;) I know it doesn't mean much now but hey, we have to hold onto something. ;D

Alffy,

Sorry to hear about Mr. Freedman - packed his bags and is off to Bolton. And you had started the season so well. I think you might start dropping down the table now...

Quoted from CoopBazinga

Alffy,

Sorry to hear about Mr. Freedman - packed his bags and is off to Bolton. And you had started the season so well. I think you might start dropping down the table now...

Can only think he went for the money. Bolton are struggling and Palace are doing well with a young team. What's worse is that he came out two weeks ago and said he wouldn't leave a challenge unfinished...so Palace are the finished article? Just hope Palace finish above Bolton now.

Quoted from Alffy

It's like Torres leaving us for Chelsea, or Villa losing one of their top players... like ahhmmm somebody help me out here.

Mark

Quoted from coop

C'mon, mate.

Sorry Coop

Aston villa 0-4 Norwich ;D;D

It's actually 1-1 as i'm watching it with villa down to 10 men and it's been all Norwich.. 6 mins to hold on

Mark

Palace win at Leicester!! C'mon the Eagles. Who wouldn't want to manage us?

Quoted from Marky Mark

It's actually 1-1 as i'm watching it with villa down to 10 men and it's been all Norwich.. 6 mins to hold on

Mark

We were holding on with 90 mins on the clock. ;D Honestly - one of the worst performances in a long time, well, last year anyway. :)

Wonder what everyone makes of the Chelsea v Man Utd match on Sunday. Racist Refs and all the yellow card for diving that wasn't a dive and an offside goal too. It was certainly controversial but man was it entertaining.

Talking of entertaining, the Reading v Arsenal match wasn't too boring either. Arsenal 40 down after half an hour and then win in extra time 7-5!

Quoted from alffy

And Villa through to the League Cup qtrs too.

alffy, a dad at school is a Gooner and he didn't realise they won that game v Reading! Said he didn't bother checking after they were down 4-2 in the 75th min, lol. When I said you won 7-5 he didn't believe me

Quoted from stevie

Stevie, good to see Villa up against Lambert's old boys (Norwich) again. Arsenal game was amazing, I thought they were doomed at 4-0 down but like they say 'it's a funny old game'. My mates a Gooner and I was about to start the text mockery, glad I never did now. lol.

Another good game last night, Chelsea 5 -4 Man Utd.

Quoted from stevie

And Villa through to the League Cup qtrs too.

You watch us go on and win the league cup and be relegated just like the scum a few years ago. It wouldn't surprise me. ;D

Villa beat Sunderland.

Ok, they're shite as well, but much needed points.

Villa on a bit a run.... Woohoo :D

The pool are up against it.. it'll be a shock if we beat Newcastle

Mark

Who cares? United back where we belong...

Quoted from Andrew

Who cares? United back where we belong..

All I've got is memories of saying that :D:D

Mark

Haha. You boys will be back amongst it sooner rather than later. Do you think Rodgers is the man to do it?

I think he has what it takes... But he needs to be giving time and money(especially in jan)

He got rid of all the dead wood in the summer and hopefully 90,000 a week joe cole in january

Mark

Rogers with money? I think he spent badly with Allen and Borini and it was just stupid to let Carroll go out on loan.

Good win for Villa but Sunderland are in free fall.

Utd outclassed an average Arsenal team in what was a bit of let down game, where was the passion?

Anyway who cares, Palace up to third and Ollie at the helm.

Seems we missed the predictions this week. We should get back on this next week.

Quoted from Andrew

Who cares? United back where we belong...

For a week anyway, AA...

The rampaging Villa will see to that next weekend. :o

Lol

Quoted from stevie

For a week anyway, AA...

The rampaging Villa will see to that next weekend. :o

Lol

Ha, Stevie have you been on the funny fags? If Villa beat Utd I'll eat my own hair.

Quoted from alffy

Ha, Stevie have you been on the funny fags? If Villa beat Utd I'll eat my own hair.

Can't wait to see that on FB, alffy. You never know, man...you just never know

To be fair, Rodgers has to be given time. FSG made their bed. If I'd been a Liverpool fan, I'd have wanted Rafa back, but while I agree with alf about his own dubious buys and rash Carroll decision (made worse by Dempsey debacle), he's been left an awful, awful legacy from former King, and now simply, Kenny. Naturally, I can't stand Liverpool, but its fans are amazing, and it's a proper football club.

Lambo must be delighted with yesterday's result. Eases pressure on him. What do you think of the regime there, stevie? All seems a little odd to me. Villa is never any easy game, and with us having a soft underbelly right now, it'll be a tough game.

Alf, I'd love to see the legend that is Ollie take Palace back up.

Quoted from Marky Mark

Villa on a bit a run.... Woohoo :D

Yeah, great times! Two wins consists of a run for us. ;D Looking forward to this weekend when we make it three... ::)

Quoted from Andrew

Villa is never any easy game, and with us having a soft underbelly right now, it'll be a tough game.

I have to disagree. In fact, United probably would love to play Villa every weekend as Villa Park is almost their second home. In 20 years of the PL, I think it's three wins in total over United.

2 at home - one of them a special goal from Mr. Atkinson in 92 and the other was the opening day win in 95 with Alan Hansen famously saying afterwards that "you'll never win anything with kids" That guy knows his stuff. ;D

And then the one win at Old Trafford a few years back when Gabby scored.

Quoted from Andrew

Lambo must be delighted with yesterday's result. Eases pressure on him. What do you think of the regime there, stevie?

May I answer? Oh well, I'm going to anyway. ;D The regime is correct, cutting costs (wages) and getting in younger, more hungry players but it's going to take time for this idea to come to fruition. We're never going to crack the top 4 like this but we'll hopefully become a solid top 10 team breaking into Europe on the odd occasion.

The problem will be that we'll become a selling club... sorry, actually we've become a selling club (Barry, Milner, Young and Downing) over the last few years alone. But it's necessary for us to to become a financially stable club and we have a great youth set-up which is producing some solid players.

I just wish they hadn't wasted last year on Mcleish which has set us back badly. Lambert always had a difficult job to lift the gloom of last year but he's getting there slowly.

Quoted from CoopBazinga

I have to disagree. In fact, United probably would love to play Villa every weekend as Villa Park is almost their second home. In 20 years of the PL, I think it's three wins in total over United.

2 at home - one of them a special goal from Mr. Atkinson in 92 and the other was the opening day win in 95 with Alan Hansen famously saying afterwards that "you'll never win anything with kids" That guy knows his stuff.

And then the one win at Old Trafford a few years back when Gabby scored.

Yeah, we have a decent record there, but we have a decent record almost everywhere. Always a tough game and like last year's 1-0, I think it'll be close. Although I'd love for it not to be.

Quoted from CoopBazinga

May I answer? Oh well, I'm going to anyway. The regime is correct, cutting costs (wages) and getting in younger, more hungry players but it's going to take time for this idea to come to fruition. We're never going to crack the top 4 like this but we'll hopefully become a solid top 10 team breaking into Europe on the odd occasion.

The problem will be that we'll become a selling club... sorry, actually we've become a selling club (Barry, Milner, Young and Downing) over the last few years alone. But it's necessary for us to to become a financially stable club and we have a great youth set-up which is producing some solid players.

I just wish they hadn't wasted last year on Mcleish which has set us back badly. Lambert always had a difficult job to lift the gloom of last year but he's getting there slowly.

Yeah, McLeish was a weird one. Never quite understood why Martin O'Neill left. No doubt they've been prudent, but with no star names to service wages for and a very healthy crowd each week, I do wonder whether the money is simply making ends meet or becoming profit. I don't know, but am curious. In today's climate, it makes sense to be prudent but it also makes for a boring football club. Villa used to be a big club - it's sad to see how they've become. Old Doug was the same, if not worse, for killing little Villans dreams.

Randy Lerner put quite a bit of money in to Villa when he took over, didn't he? I remember them spending a lot on Darren Bent and Charles Nzogbia, though I think Downing and Young's money paid for them? Then they got players in like Shay Given and Richard Dunne. Perhaps he's had enough of putting money in and getting little in return?

Recently it seems they are happy to sell off bigger players and bring in younger, less expensive replacements. Perhaps Lerner has lowered his ambition and is happy with a financially stable but less successful club.

Quoted from Andrew

O'Neill left because they wouldn't give him the money from the Milner deal and they basically told him that it was time to cut costs. He knew for sure that meant losing his prized assets like Young so he jumped ship - I didn't blame him.

The biggest surprise came the next January when Lerner decided to give Houllier 30 million for Bent and Moukoun, if he had offered this money to O'Neill then I think he would have stayed on for at least another couple of seasons, and then maybe we would have been able to keep players like Young and Downing.

Deadly Doug had his moments of splashing the cash, he made a right effort in the late 90's when Villa spent quite a bit under Gregory but we could never push on for an entire season and would normally finish around 6th or 7th.

The funny thing about Mr. Deadly Doug was Villa had their most successful period in-between his two stints as chairman when we won the league and European cup in the early 80's. I don't know if that means anything but it certainly doesn't look good on paper for him.

Quoted from alffy

Lerner has certainly put money into Villa, no doubt. Just looking at the Bodymoor Heath training complex shows there is loads of investment behind the scenes. And the players you've mentioned above is also evidence but the major problem came when O'Neill signed older players on big wages who didn't even play. Luke Young, Beye, Reo-Coker, Sidwell, Knight, Harewood and Heskey to name a few. Some of these guys were late 20's to early 30's which meant they would never have any sale on value and were given massive 4 year contracts on bumper wages - it was just a massive loss.

On the same note, maybe Lerner himself has financial troubles as he recently sold the Cleveland Browns which obviously set-up the rumors about him trying to sell Villa as well. This could be another reason why he's hesitant to invest at the moment and just break even.

Now watch us thrash United this weekend! ::)

We up for tipping this weekend? Here’s Larwo’s tips

Saturday

Arsenal v Fulham                 2-0
Everton v Sunderland           2-0
Reading v Norwich               1-1
Southampton v Swansea      2-1
Stoke v QPR                        2-0
Wigan v West Brom              2-1
Aston Villa v Man Utd            0-2

Sunday

Man City v Tottenham           2-1
Newcastle v West Ham          2-0
Chelsea v Liverpool              2-0

Mine:

Saturday

Arsenal v Fulham                  3-1
Everton v Sunderland            2-0
Reading v Norwich                 2-1
Southampton v Swansea        1-2
Stoke v QPR                         1-1
Wigan v West Brom               1-1
Aston Villa v Man Utd             1-4

Sunday

Man City v Tottenham            2-2
Newcastle v West Ham           1-2
Chelsea v Liverpool                3-1

I’m betting against Villa with my head and not heart this weekend… we should get smashed over the next few weeks.

An extra special tip for Alffy.

Peterborough v Crystal Palace 1-2

You’ll be top come Saturday night if they win. Good luck to your boys. :)

Coop, way to go on the Palace prediction! Shame you haven't done too good with the premier league games lol.

Seen as I've missed the early games here my prediction for the Villa v Utd game:
Villa 5 Utd 0. I wish lol.
Villa 1 Utd 3. Unfortunately I think this is more likely.

Right, lets see if I can get the predictions going again.

Saturday's games

Sunderland v West Brom 0-2
Everton v Norwich 2-1
Man Utd v QPR 3-1
Stoke v Fulham 0-0
Wigan v Reading 2-2
Villa v Arsenal 1-3

Sunday's games

Swansea v Liverpool 2-1
Southampton v Newcastle 1-0
Chelsea v Man City 2-2
Spurs v West Ham 2-0

Sunderland v West Brom 1-0
Everton v Norwich 2-1
Man Utd v QPR 3-1
Stoke v Fulham 2-1
Wigan v Reading 1-2
Villa v Arsenal 1-1

Sunday's games

Swansea v Liverpool 1-1
Southampton v Newcastle 0-1
Chelsea v Man City 1-2
Spurs v West Ham 2-0

My tips:

Saturday's games

Sunderland v West Brom 0-1
Everton v Norwich 2-1
Man Utd v QPR 5-1
Stoke v Fulham 2-2
Wigan v Reading 1-1
Villa v Arsenal 1-2

Sunday's games

Swansea v Liverpool 1-2
Southampton v Newcastle 2-2
Chelsea v Man City 3-2
Spurs v West Ham 1-1

Was anybody else surprised by the sacking of Di Matteo? I know Abramovich has a habit of pulling the trigger but this guy won the clubs first European cup 6 months ago and they were top of pile until recently. Tough for any manager to succeed at Chelsea it seems.

Less shocking was the sacking of Hughes - Rangers have been awful!

Di Matteo's sacking was ridiculous in my eyes. He won the FA cup and Champions League but gets the boot for a bad run of results. Roman should take a look at Arsenal and Man Utd and notice how long they kept their managers. Fergie was nearly sacked at Utd but they gave him time and look at them now. Pep won't go there as his reputation will be bashed if he's sacked after 6 months and lets be honest, I could pick a Barca team that would win most games.

Totally agrre, alffy. Fucking ridiculous!

The Chelsea players should've got togehter and threatened a boycott in support of RDM.

I agree with that the sacking of RDM is a disgrace...

But as far as Rafa taking over I honestly wish him all the best, he did a great job for us and was poorly treated by 2 clueless owners... , He needed to work, and he deserves to work at a club with good players - but in taking the Chelsea job he's also signed on with the devil. It really is a shitty classless club.

Mark

Quoted from alffy

Although I agree with you, Alffy and I don't want to defend Chelsea because it isn't great that they've had 9 managers in 9 years under Abramovich.

But you have to admit that when they do sack a manager mid-season, it does normally do the trick and they end up winning a trophy come the season's end. Just look at Di Matteo after he took over from AVB last season or Hiddink who led them to the F.A Cup when he took over halfway through a season. Even Avram Grant got them to a European Cup final.

And let's be honest, most clubs and fans would jump at the chance of a trophy every season if it meant sacking the manager mid-season - in fact, I hope Villa follow this model from now on as it can't get any worse for us.

Lambert out - I've heard there's a little Italian fellow who just the European Cup who's come available. ;D

I think Di Matteo got sacked to try and the lift the team for the City game. Rafa is hated by the Chelsea fans so it seems an odd appointment by Roman but I guess he thinks Pep will be in charge at the start of next season.
Di Matteo didn't help his own cause though when playing Juventus without a striker. They are struggling for forwards but they're happy to loan them out at the start of the season...another weird decision.

No tips this weekend - Oh, well.

Villa now unbeaten in 3 games and marching up the table.

Palace continuing their good form.

And I've got a tip - Benitez to be out of Chelsea before the new year. ;D

Benitez, Mancini and Wenger all under pressure.

I forgot to get my predictions in again, life's not been good these last few weeks which explains my lack of visits to SS but as I started this thread I should keep it goingl. No excuses lol.

With no midweek league games I'll get my weekend predictions in early and lets see if we can get a few more to participate....

Villa on a roll at the moment, Coop but think they should have gone for the win on Saturday. I think they'll be safe enough come the end of the season.

It was all a setup

:D:D:D:D

Mark

Lol, good one, Mark.

Quoted from alffy

Villa on a roll at the moment, Coop but think they should have gone for the win on Saturday. I think they'll be safe enough come the end of the season.

I do hope so, mate. Really I do.

Quoted from irish eyes

It was all a setup

:D:D:D:D

Mark

Good one, Mark.

But would Torres really ruin his reputation to bring down Chelsea though? Everyone’s laughing at him. ;D

Okay guys come on lets chime in this weekend with some predictions.

Here's my picks:

Saturday
Arsenal v West Brom 3-2
Villa v Stoke 1-1
Southampton v Reading 2-1
Sunderland v Chelsea 0-2
Swansea v Norwich 1-1
Wigan v QPR 2-1

Sunday
Man City v Man Utd 1-3
Everton v Spurs 1-2
West Ham v Liverpool 2-0

Monday
Fulham v Newcastle 1-1

I think I'll probably get 1 right, lol.

Villa and Palace will win big, alffy!

NOTHING ELSE MATTERS MATE!! ;D

My picks

Saturday
Arsenal v West Brom 2-0
Villa v Stoke 2-1
Southampton v Reading 2-0
Sunderland v Chelsea 1-1
Swansea v Norwich 1-1
Wigan v QPR 0-1

Sunday
Man City v Man Utd 1-0
Everton v Spurs 0-0
West Ham v Liverpool 0-2

Monday
Fulham v Newcastle 1-1

Arsenal v West Brom 3-1
Villa v Stoke 0-2
Southampton v Reading 2-0
Sunderland v Chelsea 0-1
Swansea v Norwich 3-0
Wigan v QPR 1-2

Sunday
Man City v Man Utd No idea - No idea (joked last season that the City Utd game could be 6-0 either way... couldn't believe I was only 1 goal off. Too many unpredictables. But hoping for a Utd front line masterclass)
Everton v Spurs 1-1
West Ham v Liverpool 0-2

Monday
Fulham v Newcastle 0-0

(But apparently the most important game is the bottom of the championship clash between Wednesday and Bristol City... If the Owls get a win (hahahahaha) they have a chance to escape the relegation zone. I'm conflicted. While I have a couple of mates who go to Hillsborough, it amuses me to see grown men weep.)

I did have some tips ready but with the site down, couldn’t post them.

I had the Manchester derby down as 2-2 but Van Persie spoiled it. I can’t begin to tell you how pissed off I would have been if I’d put some money on it.

Villa continued on their unbeaten run and deserved to win. I have to say that Stoke is the worse footballing team I’ve seen all season. We are not a good team at the moment but at least we try to play – Stoke hit high and direct balls continuously and look for the long throw into the box every time they go forward…dire to watch.

Liverpool got lucky with some bald thug and a bloke called Joe Cole (remember him) winning the game for them. :D

And bad luck to Palace, they conceded late on and had to settle for a point.

But on the bright side, it seems like it’s going to be a great Christmas down at Selhurst Park unlike at QPR where Mr. Redknapp has cancelled the festive period.

Here is the Crystal Palace cheerleaders (I’ve seen better) just for you, Alffy. ;D

Liverpool - Reds on a role - back to back wins. Only 4 points off fourth, but that's only because its a bit bunched

Still...it's better

Missed prediction weekend again. Dammit.

Some cracking games though. Hopefully a good sign as the games will be coming thick and fast over the festive period.

Ill try and remember for this upcoming weekend, haha.

Quoted from Bill

Liverpool - Reds on a role - back to back wins. Only 4 points off fourth, but that's only because its a bit bunched

Still...it's better

Should be 3 in a row after next week Bill... we play the almighty... Villa :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Put your bets on Coop

Mark

Quoted from irish eyes

Should be 3 in a row after next week Bill... we play the almighty... Villa :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Put your bets on Coop

Mark

A true test of friendship!!!

Quoted from coop

What a great fan I am! Didn't even know Villa played last night until I read this.

But yeah, you're right. 4-1 is a cracking result and with Arsenal also dropping out - you never know...

Villa might just win it!

I moved it into the right thread for you... but it doesn't seem to matter where I put it... It's still freaking funny :D:D:D:D:D

Just concentrate on saturday

Oh yeah

Mark

Quoted from irish eyes

I moved it into the right thread for you...

Thanks, mate. Now that I've found the right thread to babble on - let's get this back on track...

Quoted from irish eyes

Put your bets on Coop

I don't wanna take any of your hard earned money. ;D

Quoted from irish eyes

Just concentrate on saturday

I am, but I'm really looking forward to the Sunday newspaper headlines as well - here's a preview of one just for you. :D

Haha That was funny... the fact that you pulled that one from the archives of 76/77 season just to find an emphatic win over us :D:D:D:D:D

and just as funny.. we're top the league, those were the days

Mark

A Villa and Niners winning double this weekend - you fucking little ripper!!!

Quoted from irish eyes

I just hope Suarez is fit and able to play because I've heard that Rodgers is getting desperate for another striker. :D

Predictions for this weekends games.

Saturday:
Newcastle V Man City 1-2
Liverpool V Villa 1-0
Man Utd V Sunderland 4-0
Norwich V Wigan 2-2
QPR V Fulham 2-1
Stoke V Everton 0-0

Sunday:
Spurs V Swansea 2-2
West Brom V West Ham 3-1

Monday:
Reading V Arsenal 1-1

Probably won't get any right again lol.

Well, well, well...

What is there to say, really.

I'll let this little snippet do it for me for now. :P

Try to enjoy your weekend, buddy. ;)

Quoted from CoopBazinga

Well, well, well...

What is there to say, really.

I'll let this little snippet do it for me for now. :P

Try to enjoy your weekend, buddy. ;)

WOOHOO!

Its 424 am and I woke up before to check the result on the IPod. You bloody beauty!

Villa are in good form right now.

Next up, a Niners win over the Pats

OUCH OUCH... :(

I hold my hands up... You deserved it... We suck huge balls

Mark

Got a shock when I saw the Villa result, never saw that coming at all! Great result and Brendan must feel a bit stupid now as last week he was going on about how Liverpool had turned the corner and he was looking up the table. Turn round and look behind you, Brendan.

lol lol and more lol at the 'pool.

Ouch even more Anthony and Maz...
I see you're all ganging up on my club.

This was me yesterday after getting Coop's pm

:(:(

Mark

Hey mark, just store it for another day when we can give it back...well let's bloody well hope so.

Quoted from Bill

Hey mark, just store it for another day when we can give it back...well let's bloody well hope so.

When you say give it back, do you mean Downing? Cuz I would gladly give him back.

Mark

Right, Villa stitches up Liverpool...now, next on the list...let me see...ah yes...

The Niners to stitch up the Pats in a few hours.

Bring it on!!

Mark, I'm no position to mock anyone here....I support Palace, and although we're having a decent season, there's time for it all to go tits up. lol

Quoted from irish eyes

Ouch even more Anthony and Maz...
I see you're all ganging up on my club.

This was me yesterday after getting Coop's pm

:(:(

Mark

I took it easy on you this week – I expect the same courtesy when you crush us later in the season, buddy. ;D

As for this week’s predictions:

Saturday

Wigan v Arsenal                  1-3
Man City v Reading           4-0
Newcastle v QPR           2-1
Southampton v Sunderland  1-1
Tottenham v Stoke           1-0
West Brom v Norwich          2-1
West Ham v Everton            1-1
Liverpool v Fulham              2-0

Sunday

Swansea v Man Utd            1-3
Chelsea v Aston Villa          2-0

The Palace tip:

Crystal Palace V Huddersfield  3-1

I hope I'm wrong about Villa and we keep this good form up.

At least we got Bradford in the cup semi so hopefully that means a trip to wembley...I said hopefully! :P

Let's hope for a great festive period of football. :)

Quoted from irish eyes

Ouch even more Anthony and Maz...
I see you're all ganging up on my club.

This was me yesterday after getting Coop's pm

:(:(

Mark

Not sure if I've missed a mention of this already, but that picture accompanies one of my favourite Twitterers: @RAWK_Meltdown. The account description: "Conspiracy theories, delusion & bitterness of the Red & White Kop forums."

A couple of examples of its genius:

"If we scored one of our early chances against Villa id say the result would be similar to Chelsea's one"

"Refs don't like Scousers"

"(Lucas Leiva) I can't believe I ever doubted this guy couple years ago, Feel sick when I think about it."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20789688

And mine:

Everton 3 Wigan 1
Fulham 1 Southampton 0
Manchester United 4 Newcastle 1
Norwich 1 Chelsea 1
QPR 2 West Brom 0
Reading 1 Swansea 3
Sunderland 0 Man City 1
Aston Villa 0 Spurs 1
Stoke 2 Liverpool 2

Jump in if you can get there in the next hour!

"Conspiracy theories, delusion & bitterness of the Red & White Kop forums." Hell Ya :D

I'll give it a go.

Everton 2 Wigan 1
Fulham 0 Southampton 1
Manchester United 1 Newcastle 1
Norwich 2 Chelsea 1
QPR 2 West Brom 0
Reading 1 Swansea 1
Sunderland 1 Man City 2
Aston Villa 1 Spurs 1
Stoke 1 Liverpool 2

Mark

Quoted from Marky Mark

This has been me all over the Christmas period - 15 goals conceded and none scored. It has been horrendous.

But with the new year comes new optimism and we finally scored a couple of goals last night...too bad we conceded a couple as well. ;D

But a point is better than none. :)

Here's hoping for a better second half of the season.

Got feel for Villa and their fans over Christmas. Unlucky yesterday not to get 3 points but honestly they should have been 5 down after 15 minutes so a points not that bad, especially with goals they're shipping in. Hope the kids they're playing keep their heads up and don't hide. If they stay up they will have learned a lot this season.

Quoted from alffy

If we can stay up and not get raided by the top clubs, we will win the title in 4 years, then the CL the next season ;D

It's nice to dream Stevie, it's nice to dream lol

Hey Steve, strange but I almost feel Lpool fans can understand. A v recent better run but hey, considering the history etc, life hasn't been great for a while.

QPR have a gun trained on their head and you are still above the bottom three section. Could be worse :-/ :-/ :-/

Quoted from bill

Could be worse

Yeah, could be a Palace fan :D:D:D

Mark

Quoted from stevie

If we can stay up and not get raided by the top clubs, we will win the title in 4 years, then the CL the next season ;D

I'm optimistic of great future but I don't live with the fairies like you, Stevie. ;D

Maybe add another couple of digits to that number and you'll closer to the mark.

Although I agree that we have to keep hold of our younger players who will be stronger for this season that will hopefully come to fruition in years to come...

Quoted from CoopBazinga

My wife's brother is gay but we don't live with him ;D

Quoted from stevie

My wife's brother is gay but we don't live with him ;D

Good one! ;D

Quoted from irish eyes

Yeah, could be a Palace fan :D:D:D

Mark

WTF!!!

Totally below the belt comment. Going for a sulk in the corner now.

Alright fellas?

Its been a while since I've been around here, just a lot of boring real life stuff got in the way.

But now I'm back and I'm delighted to see there's a thread to discuss the beautiful game.

As a Spurs fan, at the start of the season I would of been happy with top 6, selling our best player (Modric) and a change of manager I was expecting a transition period to put us back a few steps. But now it seems things are going pretty well and I'd be gutted not to get top 4.

Alffy, as a Palace man I was wandering what you can tell me about Zaha? I know his name from Football Manager (anyone else play the game more addictive than crack?), but I haven't seen much of him in real life. A lot of big teams are rumoured to be interested, just want an inside scoop.

Merry new year and all that.

Firstly, great to see back, Roy, it’s been a while.

Quoted from ArtyDoubleYou

I know his name from Football Manager (anyone else play the game more addictive than crack?), but I haven't seen much of him in real life. A lot of big teams are rumoured to be interested, just want an inside scoop.

I was pretty addicted to this Football Manager (Champ before) for a long time, have calmed down over the last few years but still play it on the odd occasion – completely took over my life at one stage. ;D

I’ve heard a lot about Zaha also but I just think it’s the same old tale of hyping up a young English player – he’s got potential no doubt but seriously…what is his record in over a hundred games for Palace…

Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Crystal Palace
2009–10
Championship
1 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 0
2010–11
Championship 41 1 1 0 2 0 — 44 1
2011–12
Championship 41 6 0 0 7 3 — 48 9
2012–13
Championship 25 5 0 0 2 0 — 27 5

Career totals 108 12 1 0 11 3 0 0 120 15

Hardly great statistics for a striker but Alffy will know better than me what he contributes to what is quite a successful Palace team this year.

I never understand why players like Zaha move to clubs like United, Chelsea or Arsenal just to sit on the bench and get 10 minutes here and there and of course the experience of playing in the League cup.

Why not move to a middle of the row club like yes, Villa (although we’re not middle at the moment) or a Stoke. Get the premier league experience and make the next big move up in a couple of years.

Anyway, good to see you back around the boards, Roy, even if you are a Spurs fan. ;D

Take it easy.

Quoted from steve

Why not move to a middle of the row club like yes, Villa

If your middle, I'd hate to see the bottom :D

Quoted from Alffy

WTF!!!

Totally below the belt comment. Going for a sulk in the corner now.

Sorry Alffy, we finally won 2 games in a row, so now I can get cocky... until sunday when non league Mansfield knock us out of the cup :D

ROY WTF where have you been hiding? I notice how you come back after spurs started winning... Could you imagine if Coop did that with Villa, he would disappear off S.S. forever :D:D:D:D

On a side note... I've finally finished the new pilot of loserville and submitting it this week :D

Mark

Zaha plays on the wing and he is quality. great feet, speedy and can finish. He'll get better but hope he doesn't go and warm a bench at a big club. If he picks England, he'll be on the plane to Brazil...if we get there. lol

Ooooh Robin van Persie....

What a player. Almost supernaturally good.

IF he can stay fit this season, United have got a great chance of winning some stuff....

Quoted from Marky Mark

If your middle, I'd hate to see the bottom :D

Could you imagine if Coop did that with Villa, he would disappear off S.S. forever :D:D:D:D

I couldn’t agree with you more, we’re a bad side but what does that say about the teams that we’ve beaten recently? Have a think about that one. :P

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films

IF he can stay fit this season, United have got a great chance of winning some stuff....

He really has saved United a lot this season - was a big price for a 29 year old with a terrible injury record but you can't argue with his record so far...

You have a feeling that United would probably be 7 points behind City at this stage and maybe even out of all the cup competitions even it wasn't for RVP.

Top, top player.

Quoted from coop

I couldn’t agree with you more, we’re a bad side but what does that say about the teams that we’ve beaten recently? Have a think about that one.

Touche :)

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films

Ooooh Robin van Persie....

What a player. Almost supernaturally good.

IF he can stay fit this season, United have got a great chance of winning some stuff....

They always talk about Liverpool being a one man team with Suarez, but where would United be without RVP... amazing player

Mark

I think I'm one of those rare people who doesn't support United but I have a lot of time for them. RVP's goal last night was just fantastic. The ball from Giggs was on a penny, not to mention the touch and finish from RVP. The first touch is my favourite of all the footballing skills and when it's performed to that level of perfection it honestly delights me, more than any step over ever could.

While writing that it made me think of Bergkamps goal against Argentina in the World Cup, which then got me thinking about some of my favourite goals, which has then lead me to ask this question...

What is your all time favourite goal or goals?

I personally have a top 3...

Van Basten vs USSR (do I need to say more?). He had no right to even think about doing it, let alone actually try it and pull it off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMIFWM2yJW8

Dennis Bergkamp vs Newcastle. I should hate Bergkamp as he was an Arsenal man, but this goal was beautiful. Stunning touch around the defender, a bit of strength and a cool finish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPzgP6Is3H8

Dennis Bergkamp vs Argentina. Seriously, I should hate him, but with a first touch like he shows on this goal I just can't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsZkCFoqSBs

Get thinking gents.

ps Mark, you've got my e-mail address so send me over a copy.

What about Bergkamp's goal against Leicester?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEZQzGGFQl0

My personal favorite was from last year; Darren Ambrose at Old Trafford...screamer!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=716yrt_cSpg

Some good ones also include;

Roberto Carlos...THAT free kick against France '97.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crSkWaJqx-Y

Maradona against England, the second goal not the handball.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk-kXwjASEE

Michael Owen against Argentina.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV7XxkqLjDE

And one that always makes me smile is Dumitresco for Romania against Argentina in '94. Wonderful team goal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sThn7OkTvk
Annoying vid but the only one I could find.

This ain't bad either
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tzxSfeaUfk

and this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEX9SShOJno

Peter Withe. 1982 European Cup Final ;D ;D 8)

Djimi Traore liverpool o.g VS Burnley :D

Mark

The Bergkamp goals already mentioned are definitely up there on my list. What a great player.

Others, just to name a few:

The legend that is Mr. Dalian Atkinson against Wimbledon.

The pure genius of Eric Cantona – his strut celebration afterwards is great. He’s like “yeah, that’s right – I’m the best””

How about Matt Le Tissier who scored some of the very best even though he was overweight and one of the laziest footballers around.

Here’s the re-enactment of that goal on the much missed, Phoenix from the flames:

The list could go on really…

Quoted from irish eyes

Djimi Traore liverpool o.g VS Burnley :D

That was a good one. But I always felt for poor old Frank Sinclair…I think he was in double figures of own goals when he retired. ;D

Stevie G vs West ham Fa cup final 3rd goal

I miss phoenix from the flames, that was so funny.

Mark

Mark, funnily enough I was having a discussionwith a friend about 'Phoenix from the Flames' the other day. Fantasy Football League was a top programme.

I actually brought up the question 'what ever happened to Sonny Pike?' Do you remember him? He was the new wonder kid of English football and was signed up by Ajax as youngster but when the hype faded he disappeared and I found out that he basically never made it and ended up playing non-league football. Such a shame for the kid as he must have thought he had the world at his feet.

Good defensive game by Swans today, Chico and Williams were un-fucking-believable. Laudrup's side didn't do much going forward but it looked like they would have sold this one for a point before the game so I'm sure they're pleased with the result.

Not a great by Michu this time - save the chip on the crossbar - but that guy's been the signing of the season. 2 million pounds? Jeez. RVP has been exeptional as well - might even have done better than Michu - but you'd expect that from a player of his caliber, probably why SAF paid so much money for him. So pound-for pound Michu all the way.

Got to say Villa look doomed. Can't see them getting away from the bottom with their current players.

Palace seem to be chucking it away too :(

On a lighter note, anyone see this vid? Who says Barcelona are the best team in the world?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/video/2013/jan/07/greek-children-goal-video

I think Villa will go too. They just haven't replaced the good players they've let go, which is a shame because I've got nothing against Villa.

Arsenal on the other hand...

Amazing comeback from Reading though.

What about the big games tommorrow?

Man scum 0 vs 3 Liverpool

Man City 1-2 Arsenal

:D:D:D

Mark

Coop, that's a great link with Dalian Atkinson! I mean, Dalian Atkinson! Right back to my youth. he must've been in my Panini sticker album back in the day! Oh, and that Cantona goal just never gets old! I love that man just as much as I did in the '90s! And you see his eyes light up when he speaks about Sir Alex. Which nicely segues me in to tomorrow and my predictons for the 2 games:

Man Utd 3 Liverpool 1
Arsenal 1 Man City 0

It could just be wishful thinking...

I remember my school days, carrying a huge wad of panini swapsies round the playground trying to fill the sticker book. great days :)

Hope Liverpool play the game of their lives today and beat Utd. Sorry Andrew but I can't stand Fergie's face, I just want to slap the smug bastard lol.

Liverpool seriously need to bring in some quality midfielders, someone who can actually create something on their own. Allen, Henderson, Downing, Sterling all seem to have been concieved from the same mediocre pool of genes. I hear Sneijder's available.

Comfortable victory by United. Fairly easy actually, save a few minutes in the second half.

Sneijder would be a great addition for Liverpool but I doubt he'll be for it. Saw a stat today that showed Dalglish had a better points record than Rodgers.

Never say never. I heard Inter had accepted an offer from Galatasaray and for the life of me I just can't see Sneijder going to Turkish football. The only obstacle I could see stopping him from joining Liverpool would be his wage demands.

Doesn't surprise me that Dalglish had a better points record than Rodgers do now. But in reality, that isn't really saying much. I think Liverpool needs to stick with Rodgers for at least a couple of seasons more in order for him to bring together a squad that is perfect for his philosophy. However, I do think he needs to add a little more directness to his game, this passing the ball around for ages only work when you have Xavi, Iniesta and Messi to do the unexpected.

Joe Allen proving he's not worth 15 million let alone 5. Sterling and downing are hopeless... the only plus side... Sturridge who scored again.

The difference with dalglish and rodgers, is that Kenny was given over 200 mill to spend and Rodgers has been getting rid of his dead wood. i really wanted to see Kenny have one more season.

Mark

Quoted from alffy

Got to say Villa look doomed. Can't see them getting away from the bottom with their current players.

Hard to disagree with you, Alffy. We were actually the better side against the Saints but missed opportunities and a dive by Rodriguez has cost us – it was a dive! But no excuses frankly, we haven’t been good enough all season and need points desperately. 5 wins out of the last 38 games tells the story – that’s just terrible form.

If only we could play Liverpool every weekend. ;D

Have to admit that the Rodriguez dive was ridiculous. Players who do things like that should get banned for 3 matches; it's the only way to stamp it out. At the end of the day it could cost a team their Premiership place.

On a different note, I found this news unbelievable!
It was all over the news that Man City fans had to pay £62 to watch their team at Arsenal on Sunday, that's almost what Wigan had to pay a couple of weeks ago. After the match one of the linesmen was heard saying to City players something like this during handshakes, 'You should go and see your fans who had to pay £62 to watch you today'. A real nice gesture from the official who wanted the extremely well paid players to acknowledge the people who help,pay their wages. Today it was confirmed that THAT official had been stood down from matches tonight. I'm guessing this is a punishment for his suggestion.

Arsenal's ticket prices are madness. Having seen them lose in the last minute at Highbury, I feel I'm good.

Quoted from alffy

On a different note, I found this news unbelievable!
It was all over the news that Man City fans had to pay £62 to watch their team at Arsenal on Sunday, that's almost what Wigan had to pay a couple of weeks ago. After the match one of the linesmen was heard saying to City players something like this during handshakes, 'You should go and see your fans who had to pay £62 to watch you today'. A real nice gesture from the official who wanted the extremely well paid players to acknowledge the people who help,pay their wages. Today it was confirmed that THAT official had been stood down from matches tonight. I'm guessing this is a punishment for his suggestion.

There was also a report that the police were telling the fans to take down their banners. Why? It should be their right to have that, just like when the Chelsea fans had the "Rafa Out" a few weeks ago. Arsenal have become a disgrace with their ticket prices.

Actually, here is the story.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-city/9800503/Manchester-City-protest-banner-at-Arsenal-ticket-price-of-62-removed-by-police-at-Emirates-Stadium.html

Thought I'd throw down some predictions for the weekend...

Liverpool 2-1 Norwich

Man City 4-0 Fulham

Newcastle 1-1 Reading

Swansea 1-0 Stoke

West Ham 0-0 QPR

Wigan 3-2 Sunderland

West Brom 2-0 Aston Villa

Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal

Tottenham 2-2 Man Utd

Southampton 1-2 Everton

Here are my predictions:

All game postponed due to snow! lol.

Liverpool V Norwich 1-0
Man City v Fulham 3-0
Newcastle v Reading 1-2
Swansea v Stoke 2-0
West Ham v QPR 1-2
Wigan v Sunderland 1-0
West Brom v Aston Villa 2-2
Chelsea v Arsenal 1-2
Spurs v Man Utd 3-2
Southampton v Everton 2-1

And I predict I'll get 1 correct score lol.

Time to crash and burn again...

SATURDAY

Liverpool v Norwich
3-1

Man City v Fulham
2-0

Newcastle v Reading
1-1

Swansea v Stoke
2-0

West Ham v QPR
0-1

Wigan v Sunderland
2-1

West Brom v Aston Villa
1-0

SUNDAY

Chelsea v Arsenal
1-2

Tottenham v Man Utd
1-3

MONDAY

Southampton v Everton
1-1

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21066660

Still not quite sure what to make of Guardiola's move to Bayern. Part of me thinks he's angling for the United job and taking Bayern as a stepping stone. Bayern is obviously a wonderful club - a massive club. Far bigger and more important than Chelsea over the history of football, and yet somehow it seems much less glamorous and a bit of a damp squid. My hunch is that he could be on a hiding to nothing by going to Bayern.

Quoted from Andrew

Still not quite sure what to make of Guardiola's move to Bayern. Part of me thinks he's angling for the United job and taking Bayern as a stepping stone. Bayern is obviously a wonderful club - a massive club. Far bigger and more important than Chelsea over the history of football, and yet somehow it seems much less glamorous and a bit of a damp squid. My hunch is that he could be on a hiding to nothing by going to Bayern.

I think he would have been on a hiding to nothing if he went to Chelsea! Why any manager would take that job, I have no idea.. probably the pay check, it does nothing for credentials.

But then again, I'm still not convinced with Pepe... He took a over a Barcelona side that had Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol and also had Eto then bought Ibram and then Villla. How can you really go wrong?

Bayern are the best team in Germany, with the best players(although Dortmund is close) and for me it's just another safe route, I don't think he could last with the ruthlessness of the premiership

Mark

Might need to change my Southampton prediction now they've sacked Adkins. I now hope they lose and get relegated as I can't understand this decision at all. They're not bottom and I believe it's only 2 defeats in 10 or something and they came from 2 down to draw at Chelsea. Madness.

The premier league is ruthless Anthony... Brought them up 2 divisions, 15th in the league and undefeated in the last 4 away matches. I feel bad for him

Mark

I see Fergie has blamed the officials as to why Utd didn't beat Spurs and it had nothing to do with the fact that they were outplayed. He gets my blood boiling; the red nosed dictator should naff off.

On a lighter note, great win for Liverpool and a decent point for Villa despite being two up.

And you know nothing will get said to him... utd own the media
spurs 25 shots utd 5 shots

Sturridge looking the part 3 in 3 not bad

Mark

Hey Mark - 5:0 and now seventh - whats that about? I could almost start to get silly ideas of a top 4 place, ok that is silly.

I was shocked to see Liverpool had the same points as Arsenal. If Rodgers brings in a few before the transfer window closes they could challenge for Champions league place.

We could be singing coutinho from inter this week

Mark

C'mon Villa turn it around... Give my old shipmate Coop something to cheer about.. : D

Mark

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Dear Mr Lambert, your P45's in the post.

Quoted from Bill

Hey Mark - 5:0 and now seventh - whats that about? I could almost start to get silly ideas of a top 4 place, ok that is silly.

Sorry Bill, I didn't see this.

We have to get past our top 8 hoodoo, we haven't beaten anyone above us yet... City and Arsenal next

Poor Villa, Bradford is a top side :D:D:D:D

Mark

Quoted from irish eyes

C'mon Villa turn it around... Give my old shipmate Coop something to cheer about.. : D

Quoted from alffy

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Dear Mr Lambert, your P45's in the post.

Quoted from irish eyes

Poor Villa, Bradford is a top side :D:D:D:D

Not much cheer about at the moment.

These are indeed very dark days at Villa park and I can only hope that we stay up.

Things have been getting worse and worse... I can't believe the board and their lack of action in pulling out the cheque book.

We're in deep need of some quality players, if we go down then I can see it being a few years before we find out feet again. It almost seems like this is what they're setting up for with all the younger players and lower wages.

Just depressing.

I know you feel buddy

Recently we were beaten by a team of very low standards, inexperience and crap players... ohh wait that was Villa. :D

Cheer up Coop it's not all bad.. You could be a liverpool fan

Mark

Interesting to hear what people make of Hazard's attack on the swansea Ball Boy.

Personally I'd say the Ball Boy was taking the piss by falling on the ball and smothering it and deserved a ticking off but there are NO excuses for kicking the lad to get the ball back, no matter how frustrating it is.

More info now and it turns out the ball boy is 17 and tweeted before the game that he was going to time waste...deserved a kicking as he clearly didn't do a 'Hazard' check.

I'm torn on the subject of 'Ballboygate'. I agree with Robbie Savage that they're both to blame. As a profeesional footballer Hazard should know better, but then again the ball boy deserved it for being an ass. He's basically a man himself and also should have known better. He certainly made the most of it though, I feel like he's been watching too many big names rolling around like little girls.

More bad news for Villa last night, out of the FA cup to Millwall and another goal conceded from a corner. I spoke to a Villa supporting friend of mine the other day and he believes the Villa higher ups are, and have been planning for relegation for a while. He said they mainly have Championship level players and are just trying to get them used to playing together before the inevitable and they go down. I also read that Lambert won't lose his job even if they do go down, interesting to hear some of you boys thoughts on that.

Read that Lambert rested Benteke from the cup tie, saving him for the more important League game v Newcastle.

That's good management. The FA Cup sadly is almost an irrelevance these days.

I'm confident we can stay up now we can concentrate on the league. As long as we beat the other crap teams around us, we should scrape enough points.

Quoted from alffy

Deserved it just like that fan at Selhurst Park.

Quoted from Andrew

Deserved it just like that fan at Selhurst Park.

Ha, Cantona was crazy. The fan probably desered a slap but a karate kick?

Quoted from alffy

Yes, it wasn’t a ball boy, more ball man with motive. Why the hell is a 17 year old doing a ball gig – his parents must be so proud. And the antics after, pretending like he’d been kicked by Bruce Lee was just laughable.

I think Hazard was wrong but he kicked the ball, not the boy(man). I hope he only gets the three match ban and nothing more.

But more importantly, forget the Bradford league cup tie or the F.A cup. The important game is tonight when Villa host France, I mean Newcastle. This one is a six pointer so get behind the Villains because we need a victory. There is apparently no money to spend so the current players better get their heads out of the sand and start getting some results together.

At present it's Villa 0-1 France, not good.

Just incase you didn't see it Coop

:D:D

Mark

Quoted from irish eyes

Just incase you didn't see it Coop

:D:D

Mark

Yeah, I saw it and wasn't impressed. I've always hated the French! ;D

Villa were terrible in the first half for what was a massive match for us - they were completely devoid of passion and I was about ready to throw in the towel...

But the second half, we played a lot better and probably deserved a point in the end.

Football is sometimes about luck - 5 minutes before that Cabaye goal which made it 0-2, N'Zogbia hit a stunner which crashed back off the post. If that goes in then who knows but it wasn't to be.

Oh well, an easy three points against Everton this weekend. :-/

Yeah we gave up a 2-0 advantage and still can't beat any team in the top 8

Mark

It's rare that I'm gutted Liverpool didn't win, wish you could of held on to beat the scum. But saying that it took another moment of magic from my man crush Gareth Bale to get a draw at Norwich, so we stay four points ahead of the Gooners.

I will be supporting Villa at the weekend, Everton are getting a bit too close for comfort for my liking.

I felt a bit gutted for Liverpool too, I thought they played well but they still have players who I think aren't good enough.

What is happening to Chelsea?  Letting a 2 goal lead slip again.  This would have been unheard of a few years ago.

I'm also getting a little miffed by Palace's loss of form.  I think we'll be lucky to stay in the play-offs in this form.

Again I'll say; Villa look doomed.  They've played some 'must win' games lately and not won them.  Dark days a looming.

Not the Premier League but...get in England! Not often we turn over the Brazilians.

You know Alffy Ireland beat Estonia and you dont see me rubbing it in..:D

Mark

Quoted from alffy

Not the Premier League but...get in England! Not often we turn over the Brazilians.

Brilliant! I can see the papers this morning, England are going to win the World Cup next year. Frank Lampard who scored our winning goal, how old is he going to be when the World Cup comes around next year - 37 I think?

I'm sorry but this was a weak Brazil team, I can't believe how bad they are now. Apart from the potential of Neymar, Oscar and Moura, they look like an ageing team. I didn't even know that Ronaldinho was still playing and there he is. They have a suspect defender in Luiz and a goalkeeper who plays for a team bottom of the premier league.

I guess it was a friendly after all but I always feel a little indifferent about jumping on the England bandwagon - they just let you down.

Neymar was shite last night and did naff all in the Olympics either. I really can't see him making it in Europe in this form.

It's funny how when England got stuffed by Sweden it was 'only a friendly' but we beat Brazil and 'we beat the five time world champions'. lol

This thread has gone quiet, ever since Liverpool started kicking ASS.

Oh yeah bitches :D:D:D

and what are we gonna win this season?... sweet FA

F$$K ALL that is

Mark

You boys are staring down the barrel of many barren years! Oh the shame!

What are the views on tonight's games, then? I can't see past United going through, but then again, I'm bound to say that. United 2-1.

Will be watching Man U/Real in the morning. It's on live here on free to air at 530 am

Reckon Man U will go through but you never know. Ronaldo is in decent form.

Villa were plucky against Man Shitty this morn but no result. At least we didn't do any further damage to our goal diff which could be vital at the pointy end of it all. Must win games coming up against fellow strugglers Reading and QPR.

And we still have return games v Man U and Chelsea. Will be a tough gig but I reckon we can stay up.

I actually quite fancied Villa to get something last night. Those upcoming relegation 6 pointers are really, really massive games - arguably as massive as Arsenal Spurs at the weekend, in terms of what it means to the clubs financially. I do wonder if QPR have got the wind in their sails now, though.

I actually have a feeling QPR will do it. For the rest of the season, they've got some very winnable games (Sunderland, Villa, Wigan, Reading, Newcastle). The only clubs I see them definitely losing to are Everton, Arsenal and Liverpool.

I'll have my fingers crossed; would hate to see a London team relegated.

Agreed. They also have the man managing them that should be managing England, so they got a 'fox in the box'. Not a Francis Jeffers-type, either.

Yeah QPR will stay up with old Harry. They're starting to get results when they shouldn't be.

Real is on fire at the moment, I think utd will spend too much time on Ronaldo and play into their hands. Should be a great game though.

Poor villa, they put up a fight against city and should have got something. :(

Still we have the highest goalscorer in the prem... yeah we'll take anything :D

Mark

:D:D:D:D:D Utd out :D:D:D:D can't believe a decision went against them...
All the man u media papers will have a field day

Mark

I can't believe the uproar over Nani's red card. It says something when Roy Keane said IT WAS a red card. Like Utd never benefit from bad decisions. I couldn't believe Rio's clapping in the Refs face after the final whistle though...is he a kid in a school yard?

Come on, lads! That was an utterly shambolic decision. I'd say the same if Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City, etc suffered such a horror. Sure, I'd enjoy it if that fate befell one of those teams, but to argue it's a red is a bit obtuse and a major bending of the rules!

By all means enjoy it, but don't argue common sense! We all know it wasn't a red.

Being a Liverpool fan I should be smiling away but in Europe I always support the English team, whoever they are.

When that red card went up I was stunned. If I am not mistaken even the RM players didn't make too much fuss of the incident, and that says a lot.

Shame.

Yeah, exactly. No one in the ground expected the red card. The guy has a pretty awful record of sending off British and Irish players in his matches. It's obviously a conspiracy! But no, seriously, it's a bit dubious.

I have to be honest, at first I didn't think it was a red card, but when you see it again, especially from one of the angles, it's not a pretty challenge. There's no way Nani meant to do it, but when you see his studs rake down Arbeloas(?) ribs, it becomes understandable.

United were comfortable up to that point, couldn't see them losing, but when you go down to ten against a team that good you're going to get punished, and Madrid did exactly that.

Ronaldo didn't play particularly well, a bit like Bale against Arsenal at the weekend, but they both still scored important goals. Luka Modric showed his class as well, his goal was lovely, hard to see how he got voted La Ligas worst signing., but saying that I don't see a lot of Spanish football.

Still, I'm a bit gutted United went out, I like to support an English team in the Champions league but there's no way in hell I'll be hoping Arsenal can turn it around. I hoped they get tonked and they never sack Wenger.

Fair enough, but it wasn't a challenge in the sense of Nani going for a 50/50 ball and using excessive force. He'd already committed to to the ball before he even realised Arbeloa was there.

But I can moan about it all day and nothing will change. We have to swallow it and move on.

On the plus side, Ronaldo showed his undoubted class as player and person with the respectful celebration. Obviously still loves the club deeply and I said when he left that he'd be back. Still believe it.

Not a red. And that's coming from someone who normally despises MU :-)

Modric's goal was an absolute screamer as well. I was speechless when that went in, considering how mediocre he has been looking all season for RM.

P.S. What do we think the Juve/ Celtic score will be? Anyone think Celtic can make a ludicrous come back? (I'm going Juve 2-0).

Definitely not a red card. Yellow? Absolutely. Freekick? Obviously. If that's a red then how come Lopez isn't given a red (and a penalty awarded) when he comes out, misses the ball and punches Vidic in the head?

Poor decision. Completely changed the game.

What a cracker by Modric though. Boom.

What goes around comes around

Mark

Andrew, I do think it was harsh and deserved only a yellow card but I've seen a lot worse decisions in recent seasons. The thing got me annoyed was the players and managers reaction to it all. The decision was made so get on with it. Fergie chumping around on the touchline and Rio's reaction at the end was a disgrace.

It ruined the game and was the wrong decision by the Ref.

And the fact that Fergie was so distraught he refused to give an interview.... he's the only freaking manager that gets away with that shit.

Mark

In complete agreement with Andrew on this one -

An utter disgraceful decision that completely changed the game! United were comfortable to that point and certainly had their chances to win this game - that Van Persie miss in the first leg has come back to haunt them and wasn't Mr. V.P quiet.

Was anybody else surprised to not see Rooney starting?

On another note:

Quoted from Toby_E

I actually have a feeling QPR will do it. For the rest of the season, they've got some very winnable games (Sunderland, Villa, Wigan, Reading, Newcastle)

I really hope that feeling was just a stomach ache Toby! ;D I hope QPR go down not just because I'm a Villa fan but because they're such a poorly run side that has thrown stupid money down the drain and is no example to clubs that struggle at the bottom.

And for Mr. (I won't pull the chairman's pants down) Redknapp to give a 4 year contract on a hundred grand a week to a 29 year-old is just downright crazy.

You watch him walk away at the end of the season and leave that club in ruins...

Just like he did to both the south coast clubs, Pompey and Southampton.

Whether it was a red card or not coop... it's the reaction after and the fact nani stayed down for a few mins himself obviously  known  he did wrong

And that's coming from a non biased staunch Liverpool fan :D

Anyway onto sunday where another big game of 2 great footballing sides come together... and I think Utd are playing chelsea too... which is good as Utd are bringing out their 12th man Howard Webb for that one so that there's no more mistakes against them :D

Ok Roy,  57 year old Carragher will put your Bale in his place :)

Mark

I hope QPR go down too. The way they have spent money on countless transfers over the last two seasons has been a joke. How many players have they brought in?

I remember watching the QPR documentary made a few years ago when they were desperately trying to get promoted and it was ridiculous!

Plus 'wobbly head' Redknapp annoys me lol.

Quoted from alffy

Yeah, I won't disagree that their behavour was poor, but I won't say I wouldn't have done the same myself. That idiot cost the club a fantastic opportunity at winning the Champions League and millions in revenue. He deserves some grief, even though I agree it sends a bad message to the kids and is generally poor form.

United should've had that late penalty as well. I was totally pissed off that the red card spoiled this engrossing contest.

Quoted from irish eyes

Whether it was a red card or not coop... it's the reaction after and the fact nani stayed down for a few mins himself obviously known he did wrong

You're probably right, but I actually feel for Fergie with this one - it really did change the match and I wouldn't blame anybody for losing their bottle.

I would have done a Di Canio and pushed the fourth official over! ;D

It seems a lot of people are forgeting Rafael's handball that should have been a penalty and a red card. Okay I think I'll draw a line under this whole red card thing.

I'd like to say, even as a Palace fan, that I hope Spurs make it into the Champions League next season. I do think they're a striker short but I like the way they play and if they finish above Chelsea, it would be a big f=#k you from AVB to Roman.

Quoted from Alffy

I'd like to say, even as a Palace fan, that I hope Spurs make it into the Champions League next season. I do think they're a striker short but I like the way they play and if they finish above Chelsea, it would be a big f=#k you from AVB to Roman.

Totally agree... spurs are a great side to watch, just hopefully not on sunday.

Mark

p.s and I f##king hate Chelsea, Rafa sold himself to the devil

Mark, is Carragher still a footballer or is he just a fat guy now? I wouldn't mind him in the team on Sunday, he's scored a few own goals in our favour in previous fixtures. If I'm honest the game on Sunday is one of our remaining fixtures that I'm a bit worried about. Liverpool have hit a bit of form, we haven't played well in our last three games, plus we don't tend to get much at Anfield. Gareth Bale can win games on his own, but then so can Suarez.

I would love it if Spurs finish the top London club. Top four is priority, finishing ahead of Arsenal a close second. Can't remember the last time that happened. I've supported Spurs long enough to know we can quite easily balls it all up, we never make things easy. Would be great if we do finish above Chelsea too. AVB has done a great job so far, I like the fact he learnt from what went wrong at chelsea and he totally changed his approach. Harry who?

ps didn't Di Canio push the actual ref over, not the fourth official?

Quoted from ArtyDoubleYou

ps didn't Di Canio push the actual ref over, not the fourth official?

Yes, and he went do in installments as I remember. Laughable bad acting.

Tonight's a very interesting game. I fancy Spurs to turn Inter over...

Rooney to leave Man U??

Rooney to leave Utd for half the pricehe was valued at last year. He's been hit and miss for a while now. He's done alright for Utd but put an England shirt on him and I'd play Emile Heskey!

Spurs should beat Inter tonight. Inter aren't the team they were but Spurs need to stay positive and pen them back and they'll score goals.

And things go from bad to worse for Chelsea...

And better and better for Spurs...shame Bale can't stay on his feet.

watching this at the moment - 3-0. Looks like Bale could have played half the game on his back-side and still have embarrassed them.

Very impressive from Spurs. I criticised AVB earlier this season, but massive credit to him for the job he's doing.

Quoted from ArtyDoubleYou

ps didn't Di Canio push the actual ref over, not the fourth official?

Indeed he did. I don't even think fourth officials were around then. But I couldn't imagine Fergie running out on the pitch and pushing the ref.

Quoted from alffy

Yes, and he went do in installments as I remember. Laughable bad acting.

It was damn funny! ;D

THE GLORY OF THE VILLA WILL NEVER WANE!

THE BOYS WILL FIGHT TO THE END AND STAY UP FOR ANOTHER YEAR OF EPL MEDIOCRITY...LOL

Just 4 Premier League games today but some good looking relegation battles, anyway here's what I predict:

Norwich V Southampton 1-1
QPR V Sunderland 3-1
Reading V Aston Villa 2-2
West Brom V Swansea 2-0

As a football loving brit I thought it was about time I chimed in on this thread! As I'm typing, a weakened Wigan are currently beating Everton 3-0 in the F.A. cup, which looks like blowing my accumulator early :P

Anyway, here's my predictions for the weekend's Premier League matches:

Norwich V Southampton  1-1
QPR V Sunderland  1-0
Reading V Aston Villa  1-2
West Brom V Swansea  1-1
Liverpool V Spurs  2-2

Quoted from Marky Mark

Anyway onto sunday where another big game of 2 great footballing sides come together... and I think Utd are playing chelsea too...

Forget Sunday! The biggest game is today and in just under an hours’ time when Villa take on Reading! Absolutely massive, not to mention that we got QPR at home next weekend. I know they talk about season defining games but these two really are – lose these and we’re down! I can’t see the younger players recovering from it.

And what’s happening with Everton today?! 3 down to Wigan on their home patch in a cup quarter-final!

Nice one Coop 3 points and it looks like Harry Houdini working his magic again.

Mark

I fancy United to dish an out of sorts Chelsea a 3-0 hiding today. The Spurs Liverpool game promises to be very interesting. Arsenal right back in it if Liverpool can beat them. However, if Spurs get 3 points today, I can't see Arsenal coming back.

Quoted from Andrew

However, if Spurs get 3 points today, I can't see Arsenal coming back.

I agree with this, and at 1-0 down and not playing particularly well, I'm a bit worried. It's a game of two halves and all that though. Hopefully.

2 good games today. I'm not sure how Spurs got nothing from their trip to Anfield though. Thought Chelsea were very good in the second half against Utd, (i only saw the second half). Tough draw for Chelsea or Utd against City. Great draw for the others. Hoping Wigan get their as I think Dave Whelan deserves it.

We got a win when the game was lost :D 4 in a row and moved into 6th i'll take that

Mark

Quoted from irish eyes

We got a win when the game was lost :D 4 in a row and moved into 6th i'll take that

Mark

Agreed, and against a good side as well!

Great wins for Villa & QPR at the weekend - the match against each other next week is going to be huge!

Surprised to see Spurs gift the win to Liverpool with 2 very sloppy goals. Even more surprised to see Chelsea come back from 2-0 against United. Is Benitez finally turning the tide?

Spurs threw it away yesterday, the game was there for the taking.

I'm already planning my excuses as to why we won't finish top 4. I want to AVBelieve we can do it, I just worry.

Huge win for Villa though, and I still hope United smash Chelsea in the replay.

Spurs was our hardest game on paper in the run in... besides Chelsea at home, but at least Benitez will field his reserve team :D

The liverpool fans we're singing " C'mon in agent Benitez, you're job is complete" :D

Mark

Quoted from SteveUK

Great wins for Villa & QPR at the weekend - the match against each other next week is going to be huge!

A classic six-pointer as they say. The difference being 7 points or 1 between the teams come 4:45. Benteke will tear Samba apart! ;D

Quoted from ArtyDoubleYou

Spurs threw it away yesterday, the game was there for the taking.

It was good match, both teams had their spells. It really came down to the best two ~~divers~~, players on the pitch.

Unfortunately for Spurs, Suarez won that contest although I'll give top marks to Sturridge who nearly stole the show. ;D

Quoted from irish eyes

Spurs was our hardest game on paper in the run in... besides Chelsea at home, but at least Benitez will field his reserve team :D

Isn't this normally Liverpool's problem though? They play well against the top teams and then go and lose to teams they should be beating like, oh, I don't know, Villa for example. :D

I think Liverpool could have done with playing some of the better teams, but I will admit that they're playing really well at the moment. I'd be tempted to place a little wager on them sneaking into that 4th place. :o

Quoted from Coop

Isn't this normally Liverpool's problem though? They play well against the top teams and then go and lose to teams they should be beating like, oh, I don't know, Villa for example.

This was last season's issues, we were beating the top teams and losing to the bottom, it's role reversal this year. Losing to the top teams... like Villa :D

Mark

I must admit I've been surprised by Liverpool's upturn un form in recent weeks. I think they were lucky to beat Spurs but the games before they played really well. Suarez is playing amazingly well and it's good to see Lucas back in the midfield too, I think they've missed him big time. I think they'll have a good push for a top 4 finish but I'm not sure they'll make it.

I don't think it's any surprise that Liverpool's change in form has happened since Sturridge's arrival. With him in the team, they have someone that can not only add more goals, but also occupy defenders, giving Suarez more freedom. I can't see them cracking the top 5 this year, but they'll have a good foundation to build on next season.

Villa 1-2 Liverpool

Stevie and Coop... come out, come out, wherever you are(actually Australia)

Revenge is sweet... :D:D:D:D:D

Mark

Quoted from irish eyes

Villa 1-2 Liverpool

Stevie and Coop... come out, come out, wherever you are(actually Australia)

Revenge is sweet... :D:D:D:D:D

Mark

I'm here bro. Yeah nice win. We are back in the bottom three but only temporarily. Have great confidence in the lads to win a few before the end and stay up.

COYB :)

Only just found this thread.

Here's hoping Everton continue to push for Europe and damn Cardiff City, doing their usual end of season choke - com'on guys i want to see 2 Welsh teams in the EPL next year.

Quoted from Stevie

I'm here bro. Yeah nice win. We are back in the bottom three but only temporarily. Have great confidence in the lads to win a few before the end and stay up.

I think you'll be ok. Benteke is a wonder buy for you guys. I would love to see Stoke go down.

Mark

Villa-Liverpool - Only saw a bit of the game but I think we were a tad lucky- I'll take that.

Liverpool played really well in the second half. I'd love to see Stoke go down too.

Champion's league predictions anyone??

I would like to see one of the German sides Munich or Dortmund lift it.

Hope Madrid get knocked out.. not a fan

Mark

I'd like to see bayern win it also hoping psg knock out barca

I was routing for PSG yesterday but think it will be tricky now. I'd actually like to see a Madrid v Barcelona final, I think it would be a cracking game. Bayern have a good chance but they can be poor sometimes, think of Arsenal going there and and winning 2-0! What money would you get on Malaga?

Great win for Villa today and against Stoke too, that makes it even better. I think are the worst footballing team in the Premier League. Reading look doomed after defeat to the Saints today and of course there's the big game tomorrow, QPR v Wigan. It's all exciting at the bottom.

Shame Palace seem to have gone down the toilet at this late stage of the season as well.

Good draw for Everton at Arsenal today, and a big congrats to Cardiff City for promotion, two Welsh teams in the PL next season, can't wait

Quoted from trickyb

Good draw for Everton at Arsenal today, and a big congrats to Cardiff City for promotion, two Welsh teams in the PL next season, can't wait

Certainly adds a bit of spice, but being a Bristol boy, I can't hoep for good things for Cardiff!

It does highlight that Rangers and Celtic really should be in the Premier League, too.

Back in the 90's I used to go to Cardiff Arms Park (small one) to watch the yearly Cardiff v Bristol Rugby game - used to love it, always midweek and always freezing.

I do agree Rangers and Celtic would be great additions to the EPL, but they would give away easy Champions League Football places by leaving the SPL so I don't think it will happen.

I don't think Celtic are good enough for the Premier League, and Rangers are certainly not.

I doubt we'll ever see either of them in the English leagues anyway as Fifa say they'll block their entry. Seems a bit of a mockery with Cardiff and Swansea now in the Premier League but they'll argue they joined the English League way back when and started from the bottom.

Congrats to Man U, another title. Everton blew their chance at europe which is a disapointment, but the Central Coast Mariners won the hyundai A league over here in OZ so that made up for the Everton loss.

Quoted from alffy

I don't think Celtic are good enough for the Premier League, and Rangers are certainly not.

Ranger can take their medicine. Celtic would easily survive in the PL. The can take Villa's place to be honest.

Quoted from Andrew

CHAMP2ONS!!

Londoner.

Quoted from Forgive

Ranger can take their medicine. Celtic would easily survive in the PL. The can take Villa's place to be honest.

Londoner.

Hey, steady on bro! Villa would smash Celtic. Take QPR's spot - they are shiter than us! :P

Quoted from stevie

Hey, steady on bro! Villa would smash Celtic. Take QPR's spot - they are shiter than us! :P

I didn't realise we had ANY Villa supporters here. :) But 25 years? TBH I wouldn't like to see that go down the drain.

QPR can go (never PL material) but I still feel for Redknapp even if he was deluded that he could keep them up ...

Quoted from Forgive

The can take Villa's place to be honest.

WTF!!!! :o

I can't sit back and listen to crap like that, Si.

How about Hull's place. I don't like Steve Bruce anyway.

Did anybody see the Sunday afternoon movie?

Quoted from CoopBazinga

WTF!!!! :o

I can't sit back and listen to crap like that, Si.

It takes this for you to surface??? or welcome back.

Great poster! I think Suarez was just being enthusiatsic, no?

Quoted from Forgive

It takes this for you to surface??? or welcome back.

Great poster! I think Suarez was just being enthusiatsic, no?

Yeah, My beloved Villa is my weakness! ;D

Being enthusiastic? Didn't they say that about Hannibal Lecter. :-/

Quoted from Forgive

Londoner.

Nein. incorrect, buddy boy!

The US has the best soccer players in the world...they're just busy playing in the NBA and the NFL

#justsaying

Oklahoma to win it this year...

But you guys have awesome players like Freddy Adu... :)

So QPR and Reading are down, deservedly so after today's performance. Neither team went for the win when they had to.

If I were a QPR fan I would be so pissed at the reaction from the players and manager after the final whistle; laughing down the tunnel. Funny comments from player to player or not show some true football feelings....YOU JUST GOT RELEGATED! I think this shows that the players are there purely for the money and don't give a toss about the people who pay their wages; the fans. Clint Hill summed it up when he said the players who got QPR up didn't get a chance in the Premiership.

Quoted from alffy

Yeah just reading about Joey Bartons comments from France. Abused his ex team mates for laughing in the tunnel. Mind you, Barton is a fuckwit anyway, but he was right. Reckons they could struggle in the Championship too, lol. Long as Villa are safe

Love him or hate him, Barton says what we're all thinking and he's just the player you want in a relegation fight (any fight lol).

Big game tonight for Villa too.

Quoted from alffy

Love him or hate him, Barton says what we're all thinking and he's just the player you want in a relegation fight (any fight lol).

Big game tonight for Villa too.

Yeah, hope to wake up and check their score to see they are 2-0 up in the 80th minute, lol.

3 Pts and I reckon we are pretty well safe.

A disappointing final day of Premiership football to come on Saturday, unless you support Arsenal or Spurs. Shame Wigan went down after their great FA Cup performance but you can't just play well in a few games in the Premiership. Well done Villa for saving themselves with a decent show in recent months and more importantly...

Well done Palace for beating Brighton on the own turf, against all odds too. Shame Glenn 'Goal Machine' Murray is going to be out for 6 months after doing his knee ligaments. I really hope we can do Watford and reach the promised land again.

Yeah Villa are safe. Bit of an anti climax coming up. Hopefully we can keep our guns, especially Benteke, and maybe sign some good players.

Would love to see Rooney come to Villa Park, lol

Listen. None of you have to suffer like I do, being a Wolves supporter. Being relegated last year to Championship to being relegated AGAIN to League One is nothing short of cruel and unusual punishment for followers.

Gary

Yeah, that would be heartbreaking Gaz.

But I know all about pain. My Aussie Rules team St Kilda just celebrated their 140th anniversary.

In that time we have won one title, back in 1966. Since then we have lost grand finals in 1971, 1997, 2009 and 2010.

Periods in between we have been one of the worse teams ever, some seasons winning only two or three games.

We are now in rebuild mode, with young guys coming through but it's been tough since going so close a couple of years back.

Eric Bana is a Saints fanatic. He shares the passion and agony that goes with being a Sainter

Aussie Rules is awesome! I wish they showed more of it here in the U.S.

I think you can live streams Gaz, maybe have to pay for it.

Google AFL and it may give more info.

BOOM - Premier League...yeah, well done Palace. The worst 120 minutes of my life...followed by huge joy and disbelief at the final whistle.

Going to be an interesting year next season - Moyes at MU, Martinez looks like he's going to Everton ...and maybe (if it ever happens) Mourinho back.

And Palace are without their star player ... but I do rate Holloway, even if I'm not sure how he's going to keep them up.

Palace and Villa... 12 points for the Pool

:D:D:D

Mark

Not sure what I think of Martinez if he ends up at Everton, on one hand he promotes free flowing football which we are very good at but on the other hand he just led a team to relegation.

Mixed emotions on this one

Michael

Wasn't Moyes very defensive? I never got the feeling Moyes was all that creative - as such Martinez might be a better bet. I like Moyes, but I'm not sure he really did all that much? Did Martinez lead the team to relegation? What about all the injuries? Wigan's smaller than Stevenage - I think a lot of people would have self-destructed in his shoes.

Moyes worked with what he had at Everton and on the budget he had, so I admire him, although I hate utd... I think he has better players at his disposal.

Mark

I agree that Moyes did well with the budget but IMO he was tactically inept (at times), we have shown on many occasions that we can play the type of football to rival Arsenal with quick short passing so I didn't get the always 4-5-1/ 4-4-1-1 with Jags and Distin throwing up the long balls.

As far as play goes i do think Martinez will bring the best out of the team and can challange for Europe, my only worry is if he can work with the super tight restraints the club has.

Michael

Well, firstly...

Quoted from alffy

Relegation tip, got to be Villa. lol

How wrong you was, Alffy. (but it was close :o)

But hey, Palace back in the top flight - maybe you can change this thread title and keep it at "The Premier League" and get rid of the lower leagues now. ;D

Quoted from trickyb

Not sure what I think of Martinez if he ends up at Everton, on one hand he promotes free flowing football which we are very good at but on the other hand he just led a team to relegation.

I think Martinez will do okay at Everton, better players (if they keep them) and used to working on a budget. I also like watching his teams play - nice attacking football and concede tons of goals. Personally I don't think of Martinez as leading Wigan down, more like he kept them up for three seasons and won the F.A cup. I think most other managers would have been relegated with Wigan a few seasons ago.

Quoted from irish eyes

Palace and Villa... 12 points for the Pool

Yeah, everyone should be really scared of Liverpool next season... they've got Kolo Toure! ;D

Kolo Toure... one of the finest attacking midfielder in the prem for the last few years... oh shit that was his brother... send him back

Mark

Brendan Rogers is building a new Liverpool team for the future...Kolo Toure, ah shit! lol

Ah yes the new season is nearly here :D

The Suarez saga continues, another failed Arsenal bid ... Moyes losing 2 out of 3 pre season :D and Villa make 6 big money signings like...... not one I could name :D

3 weeks to go... woohoo

Mark

Liverpool are playing a game in Melbourne tonight, Mark.

When the new season starts, I think we should start a new thread for it, if its ok by Don. Then he could maybe delete this one. It's mostly full of shite anyway, lol

THE VILLA WILL KICK ARSE THIS SEASON!

Yeah they touring down under..

Probably a good idea to start a new thread :)

Mark

Hey Mark, i dont know much about the new ones but i feel we really need to keep suarez

when money is thrown around you inevitably feel that they are going to leave at some stage

Yeah Bill I would like to see him stay, but for all we have done to back him he hasn't exactly helped himself. He's a brilliant player but has still managed to get himself banned for 16 games or so since he signed. Nobody is irreplaceable.. we said the same about Torres.

If we get 50 million for him I'd take it, the only problem is that we don't have the pulling power that we used to when we were in Europe. We seem to be in the market for strikers so I think the inevitable is gonna happen.

If it arsenal... it will make zero sense... firstly a rival and secondly he hates the British media so why stay?

Mark

Predictions this season?

I'm biased, and even with the unfortunate Moyes factor, am going to go with:

1: Man Utd
2: Chelsea
3: Man City
4: Tottenham

I love how Arsenal offered £40,000,001 for Suarez as a bid of £40,000,000+ and he's allowed to talk to the club lol.

I think it's going to be interesting how Utd, City and Chelsea all have new managers and none of them can afford to make slow starts.

Also...come on Palace, 17th place will do just fine.

My very unbiased opinion

1st. Liverpool
2nd.don't care
3rd don't care
4th crystal palace..... yeah Anthony

Relegated
Man utd
Aston Villa
Aston villa

Villa are so bad they'll get relegated twice in the same season :D

Mark

Champions: Aston Villa

Daylight

FA Cup: Aston Villa

League Cup: Aston Villa

Relegated: Man Shitty
Liverpool
Tottenham

Villa smash Shitty in the final week to send them down. Crystal Palace beat Liverpool in the last second to send them down. Tottenham self destruct in March, so they are fucked already.

YOU KNOW YOU WANT ALL THIS TO BE TRUE, MARK

:D:D:D

At least we're 2nd from bottom :D

Mark

Not long to wait now....I'm very excited this year, I wonder why? lol

I read the other day on twitter, may have been Joey Barton, that the transfer window should close before the season starts and I think this would be a good idea. This weekend you'll have Bale, Rooney and Suarez playing for teams they don't want to play for. Actually I also heard Bale won't be playing on Sunday against Palace which is terrific news.

The whole Bale saga is making me die inside a little bit. I've never seen a player as good as him in a Spurs shirt, and I'm not sure I ever will again. If we somehow manage to keep him I think we should definitely make top 4, without him I lose a lot of hope. Rumours are he's got an injury, but having just read Robbie Savages 11 step guide to forcing a transfer on the BBC football page, feigning injury was one of them. The only positive is the amount of money we should get for him. It will probably be a world record transfer fee which means more than £80 million.

As for our first game, away at Palace, I worry about that because teams that come up usually put in a stellar performance in their first few games of the season, especially when they're at home with the fans getting behind them. On paper we should be good enough, but paper means nothing once the players cross the white line.

Also, I think someone should start a new thread for the beautiful game for this season. Plus I'll set up a fantasy football league for SS members, I'll do that tonight and get the details up when I'm sorted.

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