The 2011-2012 Football Thread

[Jaffa Cake]

...this case against Terry is going to drag on for what, 4 months? that's incompetence on the part of the FA, plain and simple.

In fairness, I don't think the FA has had any hand in the setting the date for the Terry trial - the timings will be in the hands of the courts as it is a criminal charge he faces and not an FA one. Apparently a number of dates were selected as possibilities – including one next month – but Chelsea requested a date in the close season if possible.

That aside though, they're bloody useless when it comes to a great many things.

 

[Fizzoid]

England is going to be a mess for the Euros. Situation normal then.

Well, we've been accused before of not putting in enough preparation in the run up to a major tournament. This time we're starting (the controversy) early

 

[pivo6]

.....On to Old Trafford. We will lose there, and both Man U's players and the crowd will wind up Suarez, get him sent off, and we'll lose him for another three matches.

Suarez was lucky not to see red for his kick to Parker's midsection. I saw the second half and it looked like Spurs were playing for a draw, and hoping for a goal on the break. Bale didn't do himself any favors with his blatant dive.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

We're also accused of being way behind our rival nations when it comes to how we prepare our team. This time though we're clearly following the example set by the Dutch by everyone falling out with one another before the plane's even set off...

 

[Fizzoid]

Indeed, seemingly we're taking the Dutch (and probably the French) ways of preparing the 'team'. After all, they've been more successful than we have

 

[Lord Blackadder]

In fairness, I don't think the FA has had any hand in the setting the date for the Terry trial - the timings will be in the hands of the courts as it is a criminal charge he faces and not an FA one. Apparently a number of dates were selected as possibilities – including one next month – but Chelsea requested a date in the close season if possible.

Ah. I was under the impression that the FA helped the club lobby for the later date. I suppose it is in Chelsea's interest to postpone to the date, but nobody else benfits, least of all England.

Suarez was lucky not to see red for his kick to Parker's midsection. I saw the second half and it looked like Spurs were playing for a draw, and hoping for a goal on the break. Bale didn't do himself any favors with his blatant dive.

Spurs were very cautious, as I said - Adebayor rarely had any support and was pretty much stranded, but as a result Spurs had a lot of depth in defense. Bale's dive was pretty flagrant, Agger should have held his tongue afterwards but the ref did a good job to defuse the situation. You don't see too many yellows issued for diving that far outside the box.

I think Suarez could have seen red (and serious, objective, proper football pundit Gary Neville was absolutely certain Suarez kicked Parker on purpose ), but I think a red would definitely have been harsh. Suarez was watching the ball, he knew there were players nearby but forwards are allowed to attack the ball. It was reckless at worse, not violent conduct. Most of the people who are calling for Suarez to get red there just don't like him; he's got a huge target on his back now.

Indeed, seemingly we're taking the Dutch (and probably the French) ways of preparing the 'team'. After all, they've been more successful than we have

I was going to say the same.

 

[oscillatewildly]

I think Suarez could have seen red (and serious, objective, proper football pundit Gary Neville was absolutely certain Suarez kicked Parker on purpose ), but I think a red would definitely have been harsh. Suarez was watching the ball, he knew there were players nearby but forwards are allowed to attack the ball. It was reckless at worse, not violent conduct. Most of the people who are calling for Suarez to get red there just don't like him; he's got a huge target on his back now.

Watching the ball? He would have seen that at no point did it go below Parker's head! He's a cnt, and the sooner he PO from these shores the better.

 

[NutsNGum]

Watching the ball? He would have seen that at no point did it go below Parker's head! He's a cnt, and the sooner he PO from these shores the better.

No "Cheers, OW"?! You must be angry!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Watching the ball? He would have seen that at no point did it go below Parker's head! He's a cnt, and the sooner he PO from these shores the better.

We can agree to disagree, I hope. Nothing good will come of debating it further...

 

[Fizzoid]

BREAKING NEWS

Harry Redknapp found not guilty on both counts in his tax evasion trial at Southwark Crown Court.

Apparently a spokesperson for the jury said that they were glad the case had reached it's conclusion, and he was looking forward to taking a long holiday courtesy of the long standing family pet, Tiddles

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Redknapp's got off but Rosie the dog is currently awaiting sentencing.

 

[pachyderm]

Redknapp's got off but Rosie the dog is currently awaiting sentencing.

what about Mandaric(sp?)?

 

[Jaffa Cake]

what about Mandaric(sp?)?

He got off as well.

With Capello currently at Wembley having talks with an increasingly disgruntled FA, this raises the horrifying possibility of the Italian walking/being sacked and Redknapp taking England into the European Championships.

Bloody hell.

 

[daneoni]

Next up; John 'JT' Terry

 

[oscillatewildly]

No "Cheers, OW"?! You must be angry!

Angry like a NutsNGum avatar. Never played it, any good?

We can agree to disagree, I hope. Nothing good will come of debating it further...

On to more calming matters, like the Revenue wasting 8 million of taxpayers' money.

Cheers,
OW

 

[Jaffa Cake]

A few pages back we discussed the trouble – and resulting deaths – at the match between Egyptian sides Al-Masry and Al-Ahly in Port Said. Apparently Hull City are looking into the possibility of hosting a charity match against Al-Ahly at the end of the season – however, given that the local constabulary threw their hands up in horror at the prospect of a friendly against a Dutch club and had that game cancelled I can't see them welcoming an Egyptian side with a 'bit of a reputation'.

 

[Fizzoid]

That would be a shame. Presumably there'd be a lot less away support to cause any trouble?

 

[Jaffa Cake]

And Fabio's gone.

 

[oscillatewildly]

Stuart Pearce is going to be busy this summer.

Is Southgate free?

Cheers,
OW

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Stuart Pearce is going to be busy this summer.

Is Southgate free?

Cheers,
OW

I'm thinking either Redknapp will do the job part time until the end of the season – at which point he'll take over full control in time for the Euros – or a caretaker will be installed until the summer. One would think Pearce would be a strong contender if the latter option is taken up.

Unless of course another favourable name comes forward – but are there any top managers currently out of work who would be willing to throw their hat into the ring?

 

[oscillatewildly]

Brown - the future's bright, the future's... He'd bring a glow to England.

Whilst eating, the name Colin kept coming to mind.

Not sure about Redknapp taking the job; the papers, investigation, and trial may get him thinking about the onslaught awaiting the England manager.

Cheers
OW

 

[daneoni]

I don't think 'Arry would be particularly successful either.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

I don't think 'Arry would be particularly successful either.

None of them ever are really.

But Redknapp is a media darling and he's English, and therefore passionate.

It's all about the passion.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Angry like a NutsNGum avatar. Never played it, any good?

I became hopelessly addicted for a week or two and never touched it again. After the iPhone honeymoon wore off I've tried to treat it as a tool and nothing more, but the fact remains that it's an expensive, time-wasting little bauble.

... Hull City are looking into the possibility of hosting a charity match against Al-Ahly at the end of the season...

That would be a great gesture. There is a great potential for politics to scupper it (and I think the odds are against it happening) but it would be wonderful to see it happen.

And Fabio's gone.

Have to say I didn't really expect Fabio to bail on England, if only for the paychecks. But from a footballing standpoint he wasn't going anywhere in old Blighty.

... but are there any top managers currently out of work who would be willing to throw their hat into the ring?

This just made my day.

It has to be Redknapp now. He certainly won't turn it down, and since the FA went all xenophobic and are restricting the job to Englishmen who else looks likely?

But I'll be praying fervently that the FA pick up Phil Brown's dusty flat cap and hang it on a peg outside the England manager's office....Brown for England!!!

EDIT: Spurs fans are going to be the big losers here, Redknapp has turned them into a very good team. I hear Colin is still free...or, on a slightly more serious note, Rafa Benitez or (if Redknapp only joins England in the summer) Mourinho? Spurs could win the league if Mou steps in.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

That would be a great gesture. There is a great potential for politics to scupper it (and I think the odds are against it happening) but it would be wonderful to see it happen.

Our owner is Egyptian of course, and apparently has links to Al-Ahly so if anyone can wrangle it I'm sure he can. We'll see, it would certainly be an interesting match.