The Premier League Thread!

[Jaffa Cake]

but think how much money they would make from one season in the Premiership.

A lot, certainly – but a big chunk of that would have to go on transfer fees and higher wages to bring in better quality players, just so they could get anywhere near a level where they'd be able to compete.

If they went straight back down they'd still be lumbered with the high wage bill, with no guarantee of going back up. The alternative is to sell the high earners for what they can get and replace them with cheaper players, but then of course the squad is going to be lacking quality. Either way, it's not a good position to be in.

Clubs like Nottingham Forest, Bradford City and Leeds United have all had spells in the Premier League in recent years and sank dramatically following their relegation from the top flight – the latter two (and Leeds in particular) suffering severe financial troubles due to them gambling everything on the hope that they could maintain (and then regain) their Premier League status.

Those who are promoted to the top flight, tread carefully.

 

[MacsRgr8]

After utter disappointed last week, it is really nice to watch Arsenal clutch victory (or a third of a victory, at least) from the jaws of defeat in a match with a decent club that completely outplayed the Gunners today, especially when it means that slim lead over Man U still exists.

Check.
Haven't seen it yet, but I thought we had lost that game... and now we have salvaged one point, we're still top of the league!

 

[pachyderm]

As this is the Premiership thread I think I should post about the team closest to the Premiership but not yet in the promised land... Bristol City.

...

i post about sheffield wednesday in here as well....

start a "league championship" thread and see how quickly they merge it!


they shut down my a.s. roma thread because there was a football thread going already!

 

[scotthayes]

A lot, certainly – but a big chunk of that would have to go on transfer fees and higher wages to bring in better quality players, just so they could get anywhere near a level where they'd be able to compete.

If they went straight back down they'd still be lumbered with the high wage bill, with no guarantee of going back up. The alternative is to sell the high earners for what they can get and replace them with cheaper players, but then of course the squad is going to be lacking quality. Either way, it's not a good position to be in.

Clubs like Nottingham Forest, Bradford City and Leeds United have all had spells in the Premier League in recent years and sank dramatically following their relegation from the top flight – the latter two (and Leeds in particular) suffering severe financial troubles due to them gambling everything on the hope that they could maintain (and then regain) their Premier League status.

Those who are promoted to the top flight, tread carefully.

Or they could do what West Brom did a few seasons back or what Derby have done this season. Not buy any new players get beaten and get the cash.

 

[scotthayes]

Shocker of the day yesterday... Peter Walton, the Ref in the West Ham, Chelsea match.

Why the hell did he send Lampard off? Why wasn't Makelele sent off for his tackle on Faubert and how did he not send of Carlton Cole for elbowing Ferreira in the face.

Lampard just push Boa Morte after he had kicked out (in a rather girly way) at Lampard.

Makelele tackle was worse than Taylor's last week, just a little different on the out come.

Cole clearly swung his elbow at Ferreira and I'm not doctor but judging from the nosebleed I'd say Cole made contact...

 

[xUKHCx]

Lampard made a stamping motion and made contact with Boa Morte, granted Boa Morte retaliated but failed to make contact then Lampard shoved him. grounds for red card violent conduct. However I feel a yellow card for each would've been the correct discesion.

Makelele that was an horrendous challenge and almost an exact repeat, good job Faubert leg didn't break although it definitely seemed to bend weirdly in the replays

Cole, I don't think this was intensional from what I saw last night on match of the day.

May as well add our predicitions for goal of the month - 3 Daryl Murphy

Simply brilliant cross field pass and the finish is class.

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Heh... picked up a Sunday paper earlier and ths little gem from Sir Alex caught my eye.

Commenting on Arsenal's late equaliser against Villa yesterday...

One minute we were top and then Arsenal score their 95th-minute goal from their normal seven minutes of injury time.

The words pot, kettle and black spring to mind there, Alex.

 

[swiftaw]

Heh... picked up a Sunday paper earlier and ths little gem from Sir Alex caught my eye.

Commenting on Arsenal's late equaliser against Villa yesterday...

The words pot, kettle and black spring to mind there, Alex.

Wow, that really is the pot calling the kettle black. I remember a game in the mid-90's where Sheffield Wednesday were leading Man U 1-0 after 90 minutes and United scored twice in 'injury' time. And of course, there's the 1999 Champions League final.

Furthermore, Arsenal scored at about 92:45, with 3 minutes of added time announced, so he was wrong anyways.

 

[xUKHCx]

another goal keeping howler gifts Liverpool the lead. It wasn't even going in. Has jaakelinnan (sp) been to the paddy kenny school of goal keeping.

 

[Markleshark]

And of course, there's the 1999 Champions League final.

Furthermore, Arsenal scored at about 92:45, with 3 minutes of added time announced, so he was wrong anyways.

I'm gonna bite... Whats the Champions League final got to do with it? Both we're scored within the minimum added on time. As was Arsenal's yesterday.

 

[ham_man]

Furthermore, Arsenal scored at about 92:45, with 3 minutes of added time announced, so he was wrong anyways.

FSC said four minutes of injury time, and seeing as the game was called right after Arsenal's goal, they actually got less penalty time than they should have. If you ask me, the official was playing into Villa's hands by ending the game when he did. Who knows what could have happened in that last one minute and fifteen seconds...

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Lampard just push Boa Morte after he had kicked out (in a rather girly way) at Lampard.

From what I've read Chelsea may have a case for appealing the red card - especially since they're one of the big four.

EDIT: Ryan Babel continues to impress for Liverpool, and I can't wait to see more of him in the future

 

[Jaffa Cake]

As an aside, football magazine FourFourTwo have published their annual list of the 50 best players in the Football League (ie, the best players plying their trade in this country outside of the top flight).

We've only got one name on the list, veteran striker™ Dean Windass who comes in at eighth place – meanwhile, Carlisle's Super Joey Garner inexplicably only makes number 36 on the list. Had the list been compiled after the nation witnesses his one man demolition of Forest live on TV this upcoming Monday, I suspect he'd probably have come out on top. Bad luck, that.

 

[Markleshark]

As an aside, football magazine FourFourTwo have published their annual list of the 50 best players in the Football League (ie, the best players plying their trade in this country outside of the top flight).

We've only got one name on the list, veteran striker™ Dean Windass who comes in at eighth place – meanwhile, Carlisle's Super Joey Garner inexplicably only makes number 36 on the list. Had the list been compiled after the nation witnesses his one man demolition of Forest live on TV this upcoming Monday, I suspect he'd probably have come out on top. Bad luck, that.

Rather unfortunately (Hugely, in fact) he [Super Joey Garner] has recently damaged anterior cruciate ligaments in his knee. No one knows how bad it is, but worst case scenario he could be out until Christmas. So he wont be playing.

Also, due to Scott Dobie's transfer terms he will not be able to play against his former club. So hopefully ex-Morecambe Play-Off Legend Danny Carlton can come in and get only his second goal for the club, his other being the 3rd against Leeds. A goal which was taken away from him by Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, even though Danny Carlton clearly got the last touch. On that note about Scott Dobie, I thought that wasn't allowed, writing things like that into a transfer agreement? The one that comes to mind is Tim Howard to Everton.

I think the last player we had on that list was now Preston striker Karl Hawley, I think he was about 40 or something, whats he at now Jaffa? Because a move to a club where he is hardly playing clearly makes him a much better player, so he's bound to be further up the list now.

 

[tefleming]

EDIT: Ryan Babel continues to impress for Liverpool, and I can't wait to see more of him in the future

Was nice seeing him on the score sheet - hopefully Rafa will keep faith with him

 

[R.Youden]

Was nice seeing him on the score sheet - hopefully Rafa will keep faith with him

The kid looks good, however they did highlight that he is very right-footed on MOTD2 last night. A top class left sided striker can't really be solely right-footed. They showed how the Bolton defense gave him too much space on the ball and allowed him to cut inside, rather than force him down the touch line. Now put him up against a world class right-back and then he may not be as effective.

 

[scotthayes]

As an aside, football magazine FourFourTwo have published their annual list of the 50 best players in the Football League (ie, the best players plying their trade in this country outside of the top flight).

We've only got one name on the list, veteran striker™ Dean Windass who comes in at eighth place – meanwhile, Carlisle's Super Joey Garner inexplicably only makes number 36 on the list. Had the list been compiled after the nation witnesses his one man demolition of Forest live on TV this upcoming Monday, I suspect he'd probably have come out on top. Bad luck, that.

Childish I know but the name Windass always makes me smile no matter how down I may be.

You got a link JC?

 

[xUKHCx]

EDIT: Ryan Babel continues to impress for Liverpool, and I can't wait to see more of him in the future

Was nice seeing him on the score sheet - hopefully Rafa will keep faith with him

He played a blinder and throughly deserved to be on the score sheet and should've actually got a few more. He has such a lethal right foot. I have been singing his praises to my dad ever since he joined and if it were up to me he would be starting every game.

The kid looks good, however they did highlight that he is very right-footed on MOTD2 last night. A top class left sided striker can't really be solely right-footed. They showed how the Bolton defense gave him too much space on the ball and allowed him to cut inside, rather than force him down the touch line. Now put him up against a world class right-back and then he may not be as effective.

I watched the game and while there is a tendency to use the right foot I think MOTD2 was going overboard to make the point.

Srktel also played brilliantly which is a good sign as well need a good defender and it was good to see Fabio play and score a great goal. Very promising from our point of view. Just need Agger back and its good that he has made a return in the reserves, just hope it is not too soon especially after what happened last time.

 

[nikopolidis]

Hello! This is my first post in this thread. I am from Russia, Moscow. I like football much (play it, watch it, discuss it). I am supporting Spartak Moscow and Chelsea in Europe.
At first I thought this is a Premier League thread only so I opened a new one but it was closed rapidly. Moderator explained me that this thread is overall football thread...

So the 2nd 1/8 Champions League matches are coming this Tuesday and Wednesday.
Let me remind me the results of first 1/8 matches:
Celtic - Barcelona: 2-3
Fenerbahçe - Sevilla: 3-2
Schalke-04 - Porto: 1-0
Roma - Real Madrid: 2-1
Olympiacos - Chelsea: 0-0
Liverpool - Internazionale: 2-0
Lyon - Man. United: 1-1
Arsenal - Milan: 0-0

So who do you think will pass 1/8 stage? Your stakes and forecasts...

My forecast: Barcelona, Sevilla, Porto, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man. United, Milan will go through.

Let the one who would guess more teams that pass will be the winner of our this-week-Champ League-game!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

So who do you think will pass 1/8 stage? Your stakes and forecasts...

I'll guess Barca, Fenerbahçe with a big upset, Porto, Roma, Chelsea, Liverpool, AC Milan...

I desperately want to see Lyon knock United out but I don't think the French champions are up for it....

 

[pivo6]

Working at home today and I see that the mighty Carlisle United are on Setanta here in the US against Nottingham Florist. Good Luck!

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Hello! This is my first post in this thread. I am from Russia, Moscow...

So who do you think will pass 1/8 stage? Your stakes and forecasts...

You are Roman Abramovich, and I claim my five Roubles.

I'll go with Barcelona, Sevilla, Schalke, Roma, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Milan (sorry XIII) to make it into the next round.

Childish I know but the name Windass always makes me smile no matter how down I may be.

You got a link JC?

Deano is a legend and no childish comments about his name will be tolerated.

You can take a look at the full list here and bask in his brilliance.

Rather unfortunately (Hugely, in fact) he [Super Joey Garner] has recently damaged anterior cruciate ligaments in his knee.

Sorry to hear that, that's really bad news. Hopefully he'll make a speedy recovery and will be back on schedule. It's those bloody defenders wearing those kryptonite studs again, I'll wager. They know it's the only way they can get anywhere near Super Joey Garner.

And Hawley doesn't feature on the list – I suppose hardly playing at a club enjoying the success Preston currently aren't enjoying isn't going to do your chances of picking votes up any good.

 

[tefleming]

Scores are aggregate
Tuesday:
Arsenal - Milan: 0-2
Celtic - Barcelona: 2-4
Fenerbahçe - Sevilla: 3-3 AGR
Lyon - Man. United: 2-2 AET (4-2 in PKs)

Wednesday:
Schalke-04 - Porto: 1-0
Roma - Real Madrid: 2-2 AGR
Olympiacos - Chelsea: 0-1

Next Week:
Liverpool - Internazionale: 3-1

 

[Brianstorm91]

Olympiacos - Chelsea: 0-1

I'll put 5 imaginary pounds on it to be a Joe Cole or Anelka goal in the last half of an hour.

 

[R.Youden]

Childish I know but the name Windass always makes me smile no matter how down I may be.

You got a link JC?

As Jaffa pointed out, Deano is a legend in these parts. If you want a good football book may I recommend:

Before Deano made it to the big time he used to go out with the girl who lived next door to me and he used to practice football in my back garden! Small world eh!