Hopefully Manchester United were saving themselves for Saturday's match against Middlesbrough, intending to inflict a heavy defeat on the Teesiders. Yes, that's probably it.
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2008-09 Football Thread - The Second Half
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Indeed I know those fixtures off by heart, given that I've been thinking of every possible permutation... 
I read something earlier (I can't remember which paper it was though) that the Premier League top brass are getting a bit nervous about our final match of the season against Manchester United. See, a victory for Sir Alex's side that afternoon could be the game that clinches them the title but it could also result in our relegation. The prospect of staging a triumphant celebration and trophy presentation in front of 20,000+ folk who have just seen their team relegated is causing a few sweaty palms, it would seem...
I read something earlier (I can't remember which paper it was though) that the Premier League top brass are getting a bit nervous about our final match of the season against Manchester United. See, a victory for Sir Alex's side that afternoon could be the game that clinches them the title but it could also result in our relegation. The prospect of staging a triumphant celebration and trophy presentation in front of 20,000+ folk who have just seen their team relegated is causing a few sweaty palms, it would seem...
Indeed I know those fixtures off by heart, given that I've been thinking of every possible permutation...
I read something earlier (I can't remember which paper it was though) that the Premier League top brass are getting a bit nervous about our final match of the season against Manchester United. See, a victory for Sir Alex's side that afternoon could be the game that clinches them the title but it could also result in our relegation. The prospect of staging a triumphant celebration and trophy presentation in front of 20,000+ folk who have just seen their team relegated is causing a few sweaty palms, it would seem...
We had that situation back in 1976. Wolves hosted Liverpool on the last match of the season with Wolves needing a win to have any chance of avoiding relegation and Liverpool needing a win for the Division 1 championship.
Liverpool were champions.
Hmm. Looks like we'll have to beat Villa, Bolton and Stoke City prior to that then, just to be on the safe side and everything.
What are the chances of West Brom staying up, leaving Newcastle, Boro and Sunderland being relegated?
Worth a quid at the bookies.
Worth a quid at the bookies.
To a certain extent. Adebayor was silenced and isolated. He didn't work hard, and didn't impress - but to defend him a little, he got no service at all and very little to work with.
Nasri worked very very hard all games both offensively and defensively so it seems harsh to criticise him, when he's carrying the team forward 60 yards on occasions.
Fabregas was played further forward again, which doesn't suit him. I think he got pulled back a little bit second half and worked harder defensively while still trying to come forward.
The reason they went centrally and not wide I think was partly tactical. The full backs rarely overlapped, and when they did, there was always someone else filling in for them at the back. I'm sure this would've been a deliberate tactic. When we broke, we had Nasri and Fabregas bringing the ball forward from helping out at the back, Walcott well marked (and when he wasn't he was the only slight chance) and Adebayor swamped. As we approached the box nothing happened - passes went sideways instead of forward, and no one was bursting into the box or coming from midfield especially.
Diaby and Song looked like they were both deployed defensively, along with Nasri and Fabregas told to work back. That's what lead to a disappointing attacking display. I'm sure if Arsene changes it round, as he will have to for the second leg, you'll see a lot more attacking and hopefully chances. That will be us trying to play, properly.
I'll take your money!
Remember Newcastle have Liverpool and Middlesbrough have Man U then they play each other, so I think Hull have the 'easiest' run in.
My prediction, several weeks ago, is Newcastle to go down, Hull safe.
I've always liked Fuzzy, sensible fellow that he is.
My two main concerns about Newcastle United are Shearer's innate jamminess, and the fact that as it stands they have a superior goal difference to us. Hopefully Liverpool can sort that latter point out this weekend with a thumping win and they owe us a favour after we took John Welsh off them...
I think Middlesbrough, Newcastle and West Brom are a lock for relegation.
am i yer buddy too jaffa...?
am i yer buddy too jaffa...?
I've always liked Fuzzy, sensible fellow that he is.
My two main concerns about Newcastle United are Shearer's innate jamminess, and the fact that as it stands they have a superior goal difference to us. Hopefully Liverpool can sort that latter point out this weekend with a thumping win and they owe us a favour after we took John Welsh off them...
Hey, whats happened to Welsh? I'm pretty sure he was tipped at one stage to be the up and coming Gerrard.
Yes, you're lovely too.am i yer buddy too jaffa...?
That's a very good question.
As you'll probably know, he joined us originally on loan and impressed during his time here, his switch was made permanent as part of the deal that sent Paul Anderson to Anfield. The thing is, after he joined us permanently he seriously went off the boil. It's been suggested that his head went a bit wrong he'd been at Liverpool since he was a kid, and going out at loan was fine as it would give him first team experience. But then he wasn't wanted at Anfield, his dreams were dashed and rather than being destined for greatness as the next Steven Gerrard he was having to compete for a place in a struggling Championship side. Down to earth with a bump, as they say.
Whatever the reason, his performances suffered and he found himself out of the team. He then broke his leg and, after his recovery, hasn't appeared for our first team since instead, he's had brief loan spells at Chester, Carlisle and Bury, where he currently is. Given that successive City managers haven't played him and his loan spells are brief, some have suggested this might indicate there's an attitude problem there and he's rubbing his gaffers up the wrong way.
Whether this is the case or not is unclear, but I think ultimately he's one of those youngsters who has a huge amount of promise and talent but doesn't really utilise it. I think his contract is up in the summer, I doubt very much that it'll be renewed.
Anyway how's that Paul Anderson getting on, anyway? I know he's at loan at Nottingham Forest at the moment, but is he still tipped to have a bright future at Anfield?
Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 0 Cardiff City
71' Jermaine Johnson 1
Sheff Wed 16-13-17
GOALS
14 Tudgay
8 Clarke
3 Esajas
3 Watson
3 McAllister
3 Jeffers
3 Johnson
2 Sodje
2 Spurr
2 Varney
2 Potter
1 Small
1 Burton
1 McMahon
1 Slusarski
1 Buxton
J.J.-DY-NO-MITE!!!
71' Jermaine Johnson 1
Sheff Wed 16-13-17
GOALS
14 Tudgay
8 Clarke
3 Esajas
3 Watson
3 McAllister
3 Jeffers
3 Johnson
2 Sodje
2 Spurr
2 Varney
2 Potter
1 Small
1 Burton
1 McMahon
1 Slusarski
1 Buxton
J.J.-DY-NO-MITE!!!
Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 0 Cardiff City
71' Jermaine Johnson 1
Sheff Wed 16-13-17
J.J.-DY-NO-MITE!!!
That result keeps Cardiff out of the playoffs due to total goals scored. I guess they shouldn't have lossed to Preston 6-0.
A bad day all 'round for Cardiff. The football team somehow managed to balls up securing their playoff position and the rugby team lost a penalty shoot-out (yes, a penalty shoot-out in a rugby match!) to Leicester in the Heineken Cup semi final.
yep. i really would prefer cardiff get to go up.... but the OWLS come first! UP YOU OWLS!! We're all WEDNESDAY aren't we?
Once again Carlisle United performed a last day miracle to stay up Can't believe it, first win in 11 games, against a team in the play-offs. Need a new board and manager though, doesn't look like it will happen unfortunatly
Can't believe it, first win in 11 games, against a team in the play-offs. Need a new board and manager though, doesn't look like it will happen unfortunatly 
Once again Carlisle United performed a last day miracle to stay up
Board yes, Manager no. Greggy Abbott is the man for the job. We need investment.
We're you there CarlisleUnited? Great day.
THE BLUES ARE STAYING UP!!
Maybe try watching a different premier league? All to play for up here in Scotland, there is a point between Rangers & Celtic, and the two play each other this coming weekend. Proverbial 6-pointer!
Crunch day for Hull. Are Villa playing for anything? I think they are safe in the UEFA cup and too far back for a CL spot, but does that matter? Will they still be up for it?
My Mrs says I have a glass half full attitude. If Hull languished in relegation spot all season then had a chance to stay in the EPL would you all not be celebrating at this point?
Unfortunately I wasn't, had an exam that very day (I couldn't believe it, the one time of the year I have an exam on a saturday
) but I heard we played really well, saw the goals yesterday and they were both stunners!I thought Abbott was good when he was caretaker before Ward came in but one win in 11 games isn't exactly brilliant. Maybe I was a bit hasty in saying he has to go but I'm interested to see what he does in the pre-season. You think we'll keep Harte and Bridges?
Certainly, our current position is one you would have taken at the start of the season when every pundit and his dog were predicting we'd do worse than Derby County the season before. The thing is, after our great start if we are relegated it's naturally going to make it even more disappointing and frustrating. But we're still in it and have four games left to book our spot in the top flight for next season, starting tonight at Villa Park.
We played very well against them in the reverse fixture earlier in the year, and were highly unfortunate not to have got at least a point from the game. Hopefully we can put in the same sort of performance this evening and get something out of the game – all our relegation rivals had bad results this weekend so we've got an ideal opportunity to put some space between us and the relegation places.
Oh, and CarlisleUnited – Bridges' contract is up this summer I believe, so he'll be available on a free transfer to Brunton Park if both parties want it. Certainly, I can't see him getting a new deal from us.
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