Word is that Ian Holloway has offered his resignation after Palace were drubbed 4-1 by Fulham this evening.
Drubbed.
Drubbed.
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The 2013-2014 Football Thread
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To be fair, 2 of the 4 goals were absolute screamers that 9 times out of 10 get nowhere near the goal.
It always amazes me that teams get promoted, are expected to struggle, and then their manager gets fired when they do just that. From a manager's perspective it would probably be better for them to have lost the playoff final, he wouldn't be in any danger of losing his job now if he had.
By FULHAM!
Still, it'll make our IT guy happy, especially as he went to the game last night. Today might be a good day to mention the Exchange upgrade
I do know that if they televised that match, BOTH my daughters would watch football for the FIRST time voluntarily.
Yet another premature football autobiography, this time it's the big one from Lord Ferg.
I respect him far more now that he's retired and I no longer see him as The Enemy, but there is one thing I can't forgive him for - his unrepentant support of the Glazers. They clearly did everything they could to keep him happy, so naturally he's grateful, but someone as clever as Ferguson should be able to see the costs of such ownership to Man Utd in particular and club football in general. They took an already successful club and sucked a huge pile of money out of it. If it weren't for Ferguson things might not have continued to be so successful.
I respect him far more now that he's retired and I no longer see him as The Enemy, but there is one thing I can't forgive him for - his unrepentant support of the Glazers. They clearly did everything they could to keep him happy, so naturally he's grateful, but someone as clever as Ferguson should be able to see the costs of such ownership to Man Utd in particular and club football in general. They took an already successful club and sucked a huge pile of money out of it. If it weren't for Ferguson things might not have continued to be so successful.
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*sigh* how annoying. Hopefully we can carry out revenge at their ground. Can't say i was a big fan of the ref either. Gave them too much leeway. Lewy should be off.
European refs always manage to piss me off more than their EPL counterparts.
Meh...whatever.
European refs always manage to piss me off more than their EPL counterparts.
Meh...whatever.
Lewy should've been off. But in a way its good Arsenal lost now. Teach them not to be complacent. I wouldn't put it past them to get something at Naples and Borussia.
Dortmund didn't really outclass them today, for much of the game Arsenal could've buried them. But Dortmund were simply more clinical is all.
Dortmund didn't really outclass them today, for much of the game Arsenal could've buried them. But Dortmund were simply more clinical is all.
Ajax were very unlucky not to have got at least a draw against Celtic. But such is football, for such a young team this is a good experience, and Frank de Boer was full of praise for his team.
USA defender Oguchi Onyewu has signed for 'Arry Redknapp's QPR on a free. He's 31 and injury-prone, but in his day he was one of our best defenders. I was very disappointed to see his big move to Milan fail due to injuries sustained on USA duty. Given where QPR are in the table, I suppose we might see him in the Premier League next season if he stays healthy.
Celtic fans would probably vehemently disagree, but I feel like Celtic's entire European campaign this year has been lucky more than anything else. Given their domestic opposition they can't possibly sustain a Champions League level of play forever. They are bound to sink.
Celtic fans would probably vehemently disagree, but I feel like Celtic's entire European campaign this year has been lucky more than anything else. Given their domestic opposition they can't possibly sustain a Champions League level of play forever. They are bound to sink.
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Few thoughts from the past few days:
Struggling to see why Arsenal is getting praised as the next group of invincibles. They've played almost nobody good. Yes they beat Spurs but it was an unconvincing 1-0 home win against Spurs and the only goal was off a bone headed mistake by Dawson/Rose. They beat Napoli whom, like Spurs, are integrating multiple new players into their starting lineup. And then lost to Dortmund. The only team that they've played in the EPL other than Spurs who have a shot at finishing in the top half is Swansea who is upper midtable but no better.
Nice to see Berbatov finally get off the mark in the EPL and score a goal. Fulham seem to perform as he performs so they'll need him to start scoring more goals if they're to stay up this year.
Does anybody other than me think that the Spurs defense is being undersold a bit? They've conceded the fewest in the league (opposition has not been top notch true), and other than the debacle against West Ham they've been brilliant. Furthermore, 1 goal conceded against both Chelsea and Arsenal is no small matter.
Last but not least, I think Aguero is going to finish top scorer this year. Great lad.
Struggling to see why Arsenal is getting praised as the next group of invincibles. They've played almost nobody good. Yes they beat Spurs but it was an unconvincing 1-0 home win against Spurs and the only goal was off a bone headed mistake by Dawson/Rose. They beat Napoli whom, like Spurs, are integrating multiple new players into their starting lineup. And then lost to Dortmund. The only team that they've played in the EPL other than Spurs who have a shot at finishing in the top half is Swansea who is upper midtable but no better.
Nice to see Berbatov finally get off the mark in the EPL and score a goal. Fulham seem to perform as he performs so they'll need him to start scoring more goals if they're to stay up this year.
Does anybody other than me think that the Spurs defense is being undersold a bit? They've conceded the fewest in the league (opposition has not been top notch true), and other than the debacle against West Ham they've been brilliant. Furthermore, 1 goal conceded against both Chelsea and Arsenal is no small matter.
Last but not least, I think Aguero is going to finish top scorer this year. Great lad.
Agreed re Kun. Only reason why not could be injuries or too much resting on the bench due rotation. Arsenal can't say, but disagree with both posters above re yesterday, didn't see them 'bury' Dortmund at any time. And Dormund is even in bad shape atm with lots of crucial injuries.
Watching Real-Juve and just forgot that Tevez is playing there...<3
Arsenal look quite good this season. Like Liverpool, their good start to the season does have something to do with their schedule, but points are points. Until we see them winning against other top 4 teams we have to reserve judgment, and a few key injuries could derail their campaign as well. But they look like real contenders for the first time in a few seasons.
Spurs - impressed. Liverpool have conceded just two more goals, and Southampton two fewer. So they have a stingy defense, if not the stingiest.
With so many genuine contenders right now, the key matches will be when Spurs and Arsenal face Chelski and Man City. That should show us whether there will be some shuffling in the top four this season. There is also the likelihood that Liverpool will begin to fall away and the possibility that Moyes' Man Utd will catch back up.
The relegation battle looks 2/3 sorted out already. It's hard to see Crystal Palace and Sunderland charging up into safety at this point, though it's obviously very possible yet.
Spurs - impressed. Liverpool have conceded just two more goals, and Southampton two fewer. So they have a stingy defense, if not the stingiest.
With so many genuine contenders right now, the key matches will be when Spurs and Arsenal face Chelski and Man City. That should show us whether there will be some shuffling in the top four this season. There is also the likelihood that Liverpool will begin to fall away and the possibility that Moyes' Man Utd will catch back up.
The relegation battle looks 2/3 sorted out already. It's hard to see Crystal Palace and Sunderland charging up into safety at this point, though it's obviously very possible yet.
No one is praising them as the next Invincibles thats simply illogical considering they already lost to Villa.
Many goals are due to "boneheaded mistakes by *insert player* So i fail to see your point here. Welcome to Football. I'm no Arsenal fan but even i have to say Giroud's goal against Spurs was classy.
Bet if Napoli won you wouldn't have played the integration card. Napoli are currently 2nd in Serie A, i think its safe to say integration isn't their problem.
Yes the real tests will come. But no matter how you spin it, Wenger's side (and Liverpool and Spurs) are different proposition now compared to recent seasons.
Its going to be a competitive league this season (Thank God). The regular top 6 all look good. United not out of it either.
So, Man Utd run out winners against the 12th placed team in La Liga, thanks to an OG. Probably inferior opposition to Southampton to be frank. Giggs required in midfield, Kagawa played out of position again. Every win in the CL is valuable though, so this is a good result from the Mancunians' perspective. Nevertheless, they are in an easy group. If they progress, it will get much harder for them very quickly.
Spurs and Arsenal have to be thinking they can win the league now, and while Arsenal aren't good enough to win the CL I could see them making the semis. Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City look like this season's top 4, with Man Utd, Liverpool, and Everton on the outside looking in.
Man City or Chelsea should win the title. They have skilled, deep squads and endless resources. I'd like to see someone else win it, of course. Spurs would be my first choice I suppose, to break the monotony.
Spurs and Arsenal have to be thinking they can win the league now, and while Arsenal aren't good enough to win the CL I could see them making the semis. Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City look like this season's top 4, with Man Utd, Liverpool, and Everton on the outside looking in.
Man City or Chelsea should win the title. They have skilled, deep squads and endless resources. I'd like to see someone else win it, of course. Spurs would be my first choice I suppose, to break the monotony.
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Didn't see Southampton, my mistake.
Both Arsenal and Spurs have a few tough games coming up. Will be interesting to see how they play out.
OG but fine work by Rooney, Giggs in midfield only highlighted what a lump Fellaini is, and hopefully Kagawa's ten minutes behind Wayne sees him get more game time in that position; no need to start an out of form forward, and it may give the team a kick up the backside re movement. Concerning qualification, which EPL team doesn't have it easy? The knockout stages should be tougher; there is a transfer window which may help.
At least two teams from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City will drop points in the next couple of weeks. Spurs and Arsenal must be trying to buy forwards in January, and Manchester United need a midfielder - shame Ben Pearson isn't older. I'm not convinced by Manchester City's depth, Kompany and Toure injured after the transfer window? Though they are likely to buy someone in January, it'd be rude if they didn't. Despite Levy, I have a soft spot for Spurs - my brother's doing.
Move over Young and Suarez, Vidal is in town:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qgnT4yb1x8
Cheers,
OW
A quick look at some text commentary has him booked for disagreeing with the penalty award to Real Madrid, and it looks like he escaped another yellow at least three times; tackle on Di Maria, calling for a penalty, and handball.
Cheers,
OW
Cheers,
OW
Funny, I don't even think that's a dive. He clearly gets pushed while sprinting, easy to lose control over one's own body that way. Not necessarily a penalty of course, but almost definitely no dive in my book. Also, while adrenaline pumping that much I can easily imagine hitting that hard into the ground is perceived as a tackle from behind that moment. And I'm certainly not a fan of a stage play upon the pitch.
I'm also not a fan of yellow/red cards for complaining. I understand that it's somehow a necessity but still don't like to see it - even if an opponent gets send off for that (happened last game in Hertha's favor).
oscillatewildly said:
Liverpool will be dropping points for sure. I just don't see us beating Spurs/Arsenal/Man City/Spurs. Maybe we'll take one or even two of those but I also think we'll lose two of them for sure.
Arsenal need a forward but as a backup to Giroud rather than to fill a pressing need for a starter. Spurs certainly could use one as well, though if their defense continues as solid as before they might be able to get by without one till the summer, or by picking up a stop-gap in January.
Man City's depth is good; maybe their biggest problem is still a lack of cohension in a fluid starting 11? Their defense is sometimes chaotic.
But they should be all right in the end. They have too much talent.
My take on it: there is contact, but Vidal is still in control of his body afterwards, attempts either to kick the ball away or make a cross - at which point his kicking foot hits the turf and takes out a divot rather than striking the ball. He then throws himself to the ground and before he's even done rolling he's pointing to the spot.
My verdict - dive.
Objection, Lord Blackadder!
Do you play soccer? It happens so often to me (or I'm causing it to others) that while in full sprint just a small contact is needed to bring you out of rhythm. It really does look like it imho, could be a dive but in no way can anybody tell except himself. It's one of those things that look so differently in the telly. Sometimes I'm falling without noticing I've been even hit..just sayin' though. Glad I watched only first half of this game, btw I thought the ref's whistle was working in favor of Real. Pirlo gets a knock = nothing happens; Ronaldo gets a knock = free-kick.
Objection noted.
I played (badly!) as a left back and a goalkeeper into my teenage years. So I was the one hacking down forwards or punching them in the head while they went for headers. Not diving.
I agree that he could have been knocked out of rhythm by the contact. In the heat of the moment, Vidal might even have legitimately felt that he'd been tripped or knocked down. Still, the reason he fell appears to be his foot striking the ground several steps after the contact. It could go either way, and I understand why the ref didn't award it...
...but that brings me to a more important question: Vidal goes down hard, and appeals for a penalty. The ref decides it's not a penalty. Why is Vidal not carded for diving? In my book, it's either a penalty or a yellow card for diving. The only other option is that Vidal hit the ground on his own, by accident, without deliberate intent or any help from the opposition - and thus there is no foul either way. That's the route the ref must have taken, but surely that is not what happened?
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