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The 2013-2014 Football Thread
- Thread starter Jaffa Cake
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Indeed. I'm just not sure if he's looking to sell after they appeal the FA's decision or not.
Or whether it's determined by how the ballot goes.
Or if he's staying, and putting season ticket prices up.
Or if he's simply walking out of the door within 24 hours.
I'm not sure because he and his son have promised to do all of the above in the last month or so. Sometimes in the same interview, in fact.
Results of Surveys and Ballots can be heavily influenced by how the question is phrased, so I'm sure it'll be set up that way. (Reminds me of this Yes, minister clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0ZZJXw4MTA )
Plus, even if the majority vote to keep the current name, if Allam is the one counting the ballots he can make up whatever numbers he wants.
Plus, even if the majority vote to keep the current name, if Allam is the one counting the ballots he can make up whatever numbers he wants.
Apparently the votes will be counted independently, by one of Vladimir Putin's ballot agencies
As far as I can tell, the FA's decision was based largely on the fact that Allam failed to present any demonstrable evidence indicating that the name change would boost the club's finances or global image, or accomplish any of the things he claimed it would. A favorable result in his ballot would not do anything to address that issue.
This is what happens when you have a money-man in charge of a cultural institution.
This is what happens when you have a money-man in charge of a cultural institution.
We're going to need UN Observers in attendance.
And swiftaw is right on both counts - the wording of the question is key as is the trustworthyness of those doing the counting. We're expecting a loaded question, and sadly there are a lot of people saying they don't trust the club to run an honest poll. You can include me amongst that number.
Anyway, as we all expected the first toys have started being launched from the Allam pram, the club put a statement out a short time ago...
The club is disappointed with the timing of yesterday’s announcement made by The FA.
We feel we have been prejudiced right from the outset. The FA introduced a new policy to handle our application on the back of consultations with the City Til We Die group, and we therefore feel that our application was already pre-judged. This feeling has been reinforced with yesterday’s announcement, as the club feels this will further prejudice the forthcoming ballot of season pass holders.
However, this is now the time for the silent majority to come forward and support the club’s aspirations. Details of the ballot will be released to season pass holders within the next 48 hours.
We passed the point where they're just embarrassing themselves a long time ago, but each time they manage to go lower. Remarkable.
For what it's worth, the name change application is being considered under FA Rule 3L, which has being in the rulebook for quite some time - long before the Allams cooked up their plan.
And swiftaw is right on both counts - the wording of the question is key as is the trustworthyness of those doing the counting. We're expecting a loaded question, and sadly there are a lot of people saying they don't trust the club to run an honest poll. You can include me amongst that number.
Anyway, as we all expected the first toys have started being launched from the Allam pram, the club put a statement out a short time ago...
The club is disappointed with the timing of yesterday’s announcement made by The FA.
We feel we have been prejudiced right from the outset. The FA introduced a new policy to handle our application on the back of consultations with the City Til We Die group, and we therefore feel that our application was already pre-judged. This feeling has been reinforced with yesterday’s announcement, as the club feels this will further prejudice the forthcoming ballot of season pass holders.
However, this is now the time for the silent majority to come forward and support the club’s aspirations. Details of the ballot will be released to season pass holders within the next 48 hours.
We passed the point where they're just embarrassing themselves a long time ago, but each time they manage to go lower. Remarkable.
For what it's worth, the name change application is being considered under FA Rule 3L, which has being in the rulebook for quite some time - long before the Allams cooked up their plan.
The FA Membership Committe, as well as all of the 'stakeholders' questioned (including the Premier League, Football League, County FA and supporter groups) stated that they didn't believe that the Allams had presented any kind of tangible business case to support their application.
I imagine the question will run something like this:
Taking into account the fact that I will financially bugger and then abandon the club if my whims are not indulged, are you in favor of my proposal to rename the club Hull Tigers?
Taking into account the fact that I will financially bugger and then abandon the club if my whims are not indulged, are you in favor of my proposal to rename the club Hull Tigers?
UN Observers are about as much use as the additional assistant referees, or whatever they're called
Chelsea's Mourinho are into the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Despite having "no strikers", they are still in contention, and whatever the flaws of the squad it's hard to count Mourinho out of any competition where not losing is often just as important as winning.
As long as they don't draw Bayern, Real, Athleti, PSG, and Barca they should be fine. Otherwise they're toast.
No matter how special Mourinho is, i don't see him getting past those teams. They know how to win matches.
He might have a chance against the latter 3. But in the case of the first two, it won't even be a contest.
Their best bet is to draw Olympiakos, United, or Dortmund.
No matter how special Mourinho is, i don't see him getting past those teams. They know how to win matches.
He might have a chance against the latter 3. But in the case of the first two, it won't even be a contest.
Their best bet is to draw Olympiakos, United, or Dortmund.
Not so sure about that. I remember Chelsea giving Barca hard times more than once. Bayern losing at home against them was about the most cruel thing happening lately (although I admittedly thoroughly enjoyed it). Never underestimate the raw power of Mou's version of catenaccio.
And although one can perfectly argue about Chelsea as a club, the way they play, etc pp but one side of me does like the fact that they do play some different way than most of the other big dog clubs - and being fairly successful at that. The downfall of Italian football makes itself noticeable - and I miss that.
And although one can perfectly argue about Chelsea as a club, the way they play, etc pp but one side of me does like the fact that they do play some different way than most of the other big dog clubs - and being fairly successful at that. The downfall of Italian football makes itself noticeable - and I miss that.
Chelsea are not the best team in the Champions League by a long shot. But that was also true the year they won it - and Mou wasn't even there at the time, though it was his team playing his style.
It could happen again. This time I would argue that Bayern and Real are stronger, so it will be more difficult. But the thing about Chelsea is that they only need to score one goal to win games against even the best opponents. They are so defensive.
EDIT: Man Utd 2-2 Olympiakos on aggregate with at least 45 mins left to play. It will be a big boost for Man Utd if they can win this tie...but on the other hand it's almost guaranteed that their next CL opponent will crush them in dramatic fashion.
EDIT 2: So Man Utd are through, after an admittedly improved performance. Evra will miss the quarterfinals due to his yellow card. RVP got carried off the pitch on a stretcher, though I think that was time-wasting rather than a serious injury.
It could happen again. This time I would argue that Bayern and Real are stronger, so it will be more difficult. But the thing about Chelsea is that they only need to score one goal to win games against even the best opponents. They are so defensive.
EDIT: Man Utd 2-2 Olympiakos on aggregate with at least 45 mins left to play. It will be a big boost for Man Utd if they can win this tie...but on the other hand it's almost guaranteed that their next CL opponent will crush them in dramatic fashion.
EDIT 2: So Man Utd are through, after an admittedly improved performance. Evra will miss the quarterfinals due to his yellow card. RVP got carried off the pitch on a stretcher, though I think that was time-wasting rather than a serious injury.
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Problem is, United don't really stand a chance against any of the last 8. Prolonging the inevitable. It'll be cake for anyone who draws them.
But i guess it keeps the fan happy for now.
Good on them for getting a result though.
I hope the English teams avoid each other in the draw.
But i guess it keeps the fan happy for now.
Good on them for getting a result though.
I hope the English teams avoid each other in the draw.
Wow! Numbers getting forward.
The draw I'd like to see out of interest:
Barcelona v PSG
Atletico Madrid v Bayern Munich
Chelsea v Real Madrid
Borussia Dortmund v Manchester United
Cheers,
OW
The draw I'd like to see out of interest:
Barcelona v PSG
Atletico Madrid v Bayern Munich
Chelsea v Real Madrid
Borussia Dortmund v Manchester United
Cheers,
OW
I'm still puzzled. Why were their performances against Liverpool and Olympiakos so different? Was it Giggs?
The difference seemed largely mental for most of the players. Rooney and RVP even passed to each other.
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True. I think Olympiakos lost partially because their league is so uncompetitive; they are not used to having to play at 100% for an entire match and they were unable to maintain their focus.
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Talking about CL:
Lewandowski will miss the quarter final due to 3rd yellow card.
Schmelzer will miss four weeks, because of a pubic bone rupture.
Hm, it gets even worse for Dortmund...
Lewandowski will miss the quarter final due to 3rd yellow card.
Schmelzer will miss four weeks, because of a pubic bone rupture.
Hm, it gets even worse for Dortmund...
can't believe i'm going to say this but i actually wouldn't be to bothered if Man U won the whole schlemeal!
so i don't want them to draw BVB just yet.
my 3 faves are them Atletico or BVB
Speaking as a Liverpool fan I can't agree with you on Man Utd winning the Champions League - it would, I must admit, be the biggest football upset I can think of since Euro 2004 though.
My votes go to Athletico Madrid and Dortmund as well. It would be nice to see a new champion this season.
My votes go to Athletico Madrid and Dortmund as well. It would be nice to see a new champion this season.
Hmmm.
How about a team that finished its domestic league in fifth place with 58pts (a total exceeded by the fifth-placed team in every season since), which lost fourteen league matches, which was within ten minutes of elimination in the Champions League group stages at the hands of the mighty Olympiacos, going on to win the Champions League final?
Is that not an upset?
It bloody upset me, I can tell you.
How about [Liverpool 2005]
It bloody upset me, I can tell you.
Touché.
Though, I still think Greece's Euro win (and the tournament in general) was the bigger upset overall. Spain, Germany and Italy getting knocked out in the group stage??? I can't even imagine that happening today.
Greece topped their qualification group ahead of Spain but yes, I don't think anyone saw that coming. They were a phenomenally good defensive team, but three consecutive 1-0 wins in the knockout stages didn't make great viewing. And after that they promptly disappeared into obscurity once more.
My favourite match of the tournament was the Denmark/Sweden carve-up to eliminate Italy.
My favourite match of the tournament was the Denmark/Sweden carve-up to eliminate Italy.
they really have a horrible injury quota this year ... how many of their, on paper, A squad are currently out ?
Reus, Hummels, Blazykowsy, Gündugan, Schmelzer ?
i guess the last two seasons with many games with always going a high intensity tactic is now coming back to haunt them.
the lack of squad depth in the passt meant they really "overplayed" some players, also i fear that next season with Lewandowski gone a big drop in the table will come early in the season
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