2010-2011 Football Thread

[Lord Blackadder]

Sounds like we've been lax.

The main reason for my earlier post is that I don't see how Kenny can win this situation. I think he will take Liverpool from the current position to back to within the top 5 next year. I don't see them winning the league any time soon. I'm not being critical of him, I just think it's a mistake for him to come back and blemish his record (like he did with Celtic.)

I think Dalglish's decision to return is heavily influenced by emotion. And who can blame him? He is a legend who achieved great things at Liverpool.

On the other hand, it's not going to be a seamless return. The distance in years between now and his last stint here, the changes in the league and style of play, the composition of the current squad and his own absence from the touchline all mean that today's Dalglish is neccessarily a different manager than the man who once won titles with Liverpool. He's going to have to develop a new system adapted to the circumstances and make it work with the squad he has been given.

The short term goal is simply to avoid relegation, but the longer term goal is to get back to the Champions League - and that will be much more difficult with Man City and Spurs in their current form.

One wonders how seriously Dalglish will treat the Europa League fixtures...the represent a chance for real silverware AND a ticket to the Champions League, but we can't afford to let Liverpool finish outside the European places.

 

[iJohnHenry]

Threads normally get closed off (and new ones created) around the 2,000 post mark. Clearly we've not been blathering on enough to reach that point yet.

You got an Eccles Cake in your family, that we could learn about??

 

[Jaffa Cake]

You got an Eccles Cake in your family, that we could learn about??

Eccles Cake lives on the other side of the Pennines, and is a Stockport County supporter.



Meanwhile, we discussed Ryan Babbel's Twitterings yesterday – he's now been charged with improper conduct for his criticism of Howard Webb.

 

[pivo6]

We will see if Dalglish can motivate the squad into something resembling a top half team. He will have a tough task ahead of him. He has the same group of players who couldn't be bothered to play for Hodgson, and now they will all of a sudden have to find religion and start earning their money.

Looking at Chelsea as a precedent, I would have sacked Sammy Lee. Getting rid of the assistant will turn your season around 180 degrees.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

In other news, it looks like there's a chance that the Home Championship might be making a comeback!

If it does happen it won't be for a couple of years at least, which gives all us Englandshirers plenty of time to get some practice in by teasing Fuzzy.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

In other news, it looks like there's a chance that the Home Championship might be making a comeback!

I read that earlier and meant to post, but forgot. I wonder what the public reaction will be...I'm guessing apathy?

 

[Jaffa Cake]

I wonder what the public reaction will be...I'm guessing apathy?

Are you joking?! England have a slim chance of winning a trophy!

An actual trophy!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Either that, or suffering from the likely humiliation of being beaten by teams considerably further down the FIFA world rankings.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Either that, or suffering from the likely humiliation of being beaten by teams considerably further down the FIFA world rankings.

Like that's ever stopped us before!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

True. At least we'll finally get to see Gareth Bale take to the pitch with England...in a Wales shirt.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

True. At least we'll finally get to see Gareth Bale take to the pitch with England...in a Wales shirt.

Or you could just wait until this March, when we play Wales in a Euro 2012 qualifier.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Or you could just wait until this March, when we play Wales in a Euro 2012 qualifier.

Bale vs Johnson? Oh, the humanity!

 

[Fizzoid]

After mocking Twitter, Savage's may be interesting tonight. Good to see Torres score:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crawley_town/default.stm

Cheers,
OW

Yeah, it was a great game to watch. Fantastic to see Kuipers save the penalty after Commons had dived and the pub I was in, in Crawley, absolutely erupted after the 91st minute winner. Well done Crawley, they outplayed Derby and got the result they deserved

 

[oscillatewildly]

Home Championship - who reads this thread? Post 1546

Crawley Town - penalty save, added time goal, giant-killing...all it really lacked was a streaking Fizzoid.

Jaffa Cake - following iJohnHenry's lead, any Scottish Cakes?

Cheers,
OW

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Clearly the Powers That Be™ have been paying attention to our discussions and liked your suggestion about the Home Championship.

Jaffa Cake - following iJohnHenry's lead, any Scottish Cakes?

There's wee Oat Cake of the Clan McVitie...

 

[Fizzoid]

Crawley Town - penalty save, added time goal, giant-killing...all it really lacked was a streaking Fizzoid.



Cheers,
OW

It was raining, I'm a fair weather streaker

In other news, Gordon Taylor, the PFA chief, has stuck up for Babel and another manager bites the dust

 

[Fuzzy14]

Great news about the home championships, but who says the other 5 are going to let you in? England weren't interested a couple of years back so in the spirit of 'its our ball and we can play with it without you' we set up our own championship starting next month.

I still haven't worked out what a Pease Pudding is but my northern friends seem to like them. You can get it in a sandwich so it's possibly not a pudding (dessert) you have after your main course!

I think the most famous Scots cake is shortbread!

Where does Madeira cake come from?

 

[Jaffa Cake]

...who says the other 5 are going to let you in?

I think Vauxhall, who have come on board as England's main sponsors and are also lining up deals with the other Home Nations. It's their money that'll decide.

Mind, the FA are saying that if it does happen it'll be a one off. Boo!

Where does Madeira cake come from?

Madeira?

 

[OllyW]

Where does Madeira cake come from?

England.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

England.

Shhh! He's hoping for a call up to the Portugal squad!

 

[oscillatewildly]

Great news about the home championships, but who says the other 5 are going to let you in? England weren't interested a couple of years back so in the spirit of 'its our ball and we can play with it without you' we set up our own championship starting next month.

I still haven't worked out what a Pease Pudding is but my northern friends seem to like them. You can get it in a sandwich so it's possibly not a pudding (dessert) you have after your main course!

I think the most famous Scots cake is shortbread!

Where does Madeira cake come from?

Edinburgh? Lots of stuff is dearer there. Boom, boom.

My knowledge of Pease Pudding runs to being able to have it hot, cold, or in the pot nine days old.

Shame if the Home Championship is a one-off, bit more of an edge than friendlies.

Cheers,
OW

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Mind, the FA are saying that if it does happen it'll be a one off. Boo!

There's no point in it if they do it just once. Shame.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

There's no point in it if they do it just once. Shame.

If it proves popular and the FA realises that it's an opportunity to sell out Wembley a couple of times a year, I suspect that their attitude might change a bit.

 

[OllyW]

Shame if the Home Championship is a one-off, bit more of an edge than friendlies.

They were very friendly, look at the smiles on their faces...

 

[Lord Blackadder]

If it proves popular and the FA realises that it's an opportunity to sell out Wembley a couple of times a year, I suspect that their attitude might change a bit.

Ha! That's the spirit. Thinking like Sepp, you are.