national acrobat
Ancient Mariner
I have a feeling that both teams will win tomorrow, so Man U will win the league, but in the Cup final I reckon Chelsea might win it.
Official Football Thread
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Albie
Keeping an open eye on the Weeping Angels.
I agree, both will win.
As for the other end and this talk of Bolton being safe - here is a scenario whereby Bolton can still go down. However, it relies on two possible results and one unlikely. Fulham win by a single goal (quite likely), Chelsea beat Bolton 6-0 (possible) and Reading beat Derby 5-0 (unlikely, Reading have not been scoring enough goals recently). All three teams end up with 36 points but Fulham will have a slightly better goal difference and are safe. Reading and Bolton have the same goal difference but Reading have scored more - and Bolton go down. If they have been out celebrating this week, as suggested by Fergie, then they will have only themselves to blame. Imagine the half time dressing room with Bolton hearing that Reading are 3-0 up and they themselves are loosing 3-0.
On to far more important matters, Southend have been written off by all and sundry after only managing a 0-0 draw with Donny last night in the first leg of the play-off semi. Do these people not a] study form and b] be aware of Southend's ability to win away from home - remember, aside from Swansea, they are the leagues top goal scorers on their travels.
And that 0-0 draw was the first goalless draw Southend have played in for around 65(ish) games.
As for the other end and this talk of Bolton being safe - here is a scenario whereby Bolton can still go down. However, it relies on two possible results and one unlikely. Fulham win by a single goal (quite likely), Chelsea beat Bolton 6-0 (possible) and Reading beat Derby 5-0 (unlikely, Reading have not been scoring enough goals recently). All three teams end up with 36 points but Fulham will have a slightly better goal difference and are safe. Reading and Bolton have the same goal difference but Reading have scored more - and Bolton go down. If they have been out celebrating this week, as suggested by Fergie, then they will have only themselves to blame. Imagine the half time dressing room with Bolton hearing that Reading are 3-0 up and they themselves are loosing 3-0.
On to far more important matters, Southend have been written off by all and sundry after only managing a 0-0 draw with Donny last night in the first leg of the play-off semi. Do these people not a] study form and b] be aware of Southend's ability to win away from home - remember, aside from Swansea, they are the leagues top goal scorers on their travels.
And that 0-0 draw was the first goalless draw Southend have played in for around 65(ish) games.
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
Wigan are safe and Bolton are almost safe. For Bolton to go down, they have to lose by many goals while Reading beat Derby by many goals as well, and Fulham would also have to beat Portsmouth away.
The following results would send Bolton down:
Chelsea-Bolton 6-0
Derby-Reading 0-5
Portsmouth-Fulham 0-1
Not very likely. Especially considering that Reading haven't scored that much lately. I think the relegation fight is between Reading, Fulham and the Brummies. And, I think Fulham have the hardest match, away to Pompey is a little tougher than away to Derby ... Birmingham play Blackburn at home. My tip is Reading to stay up.
The following results would send Bolton down:
Chelsea-Bolton 6-0
Derby-Reading 0-5
Portsmouth-Fulham 0-1
Not very likely. Especially considering that Reading haven't scored that much lately. I think the relegation fight is between Reading, Fulham and the Brummies. And, I think Fulham have the hardest match, away to Pompey is a little tougher than away to Derby ... Birmingham play Blackburn at home. My tip is Reading to stay up.
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
The results tell:
Wigan vs Man Utd 0-2
Chelsea vs Bolton 1-1
Back in the Village:
Fulham got their win at Pompey and stay up, Reading and Brum follow Derby down to the basem - eh, sorry, the Championship.
Feckin' great atmosphere at the English pub in Trondheim tonight, plenty of singing (at least after Ryan Giggs made it 0-2 and the nervousness lost its grip on the Red Devils present in the pub). I've got no bloody voice left and I'm certainly going to have a hangover of the first degree tomorrow ...
Wigan vs Man Utd 0-2
Chelsea vs Bolton 1-1
Back in the Village:
Fulham got their win at Pompey and stay up, Reading and Brum follow Derby down to the basem - eh, sorry, the Championship.
Feckin' great atmosphere at the English pub in Trondheim tonight, plenty of singing (at least after Ryan Giggs made it 0-2 and the nervousness lost its grip on the Red Devils present in the pub). I've got no bloody voice left and I'm certainly going to have a hangover of the first degree tomorrow ...
national acrobat
Ancient Mariner
Congrats. It couldn't have happened to a nicer top 3 side. 
I was pretty annoyed Fulham stayed up, not because I particularly dislike them but because I wanted some local derbies next season. Ah well, one more year to wait.
Also, manager Gigi De Canio has left QPR. Say 'No' to Dowie, Allardyce and McLaren.
I was pretty annoyed Fulham stayed up, not because I particularly dislike them but because I wanted some local derbies next season. Ah well, one more year to wait.
Also, manager Gigi De Canio has left QPR. Say 'No' to Dowie, Allardyce and McLaren.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Veteran midfielder Clarence Seedorf has pulled out of the Netherlands' squad for the European Championships.(THE HAGUE, Netherlands)
The AC Milan player called coach Marco van Basten to tell him he would not be going to the June tournament in Austria and Switzerland, the Dutch soccer federation said in a statement Tuesday. It gave no reason for Seedorf's decision.
"I was surprised, I had not expected it," Van Basten said. "I told Clarence I respect him highly as a person and a footballer, but he is sticking by his decision."
Seedorf is the fourth most capped Netherlands player with 87 international appearance. He has scored 11 goals.
Van Basten named him last week as part of a preliminary Euro 2008 squad of 30 players.
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Well, I'm sad to hear this. I rather had seen that Seedorf would come along. I am not that surprised, though. Under Van Basten, Seedorf was ignored for two and a half years(!), and since the end of 2006, Seedorf got 10 invitations, of which he only could play five times, as a sub. I guess Seedorf doesn't want to sit on the bench, the whole tournament.
The AC Milan player called coach Marco van Basten to tell him he would not be going to the June tournament in Austria and Switzerland, the Dutch soccer federation said in a statement Tuesday. It gave no reason for Seedorf's decision.
"I was surprised, I had not expected it," Van Basten said. "I told Clarence I respect him highly as a person and a footballer, but he is sticking by his decision."
Seedorf is the fourth most capped Netherlands player with 87 international appearance. He has scored 11 goals.
Van Basten named him last week as part of a preliminary Euro 2008 squad of 30 players.
------------------
Well, I'm sad to hear this. I rather had seen that Seedorf would come along. I am not that surprised, though. Under Van Basten, Seedorf was ignored for two and a half years(!), and since the end of 2006, Seedorf got 10 invitations, of which he only could play five times, as a sub. I guess Seedorf doesn't want to sit on the bench, the whole tournament.
Albie
Keeping an open eye on the Weeping Angels.
I'll second what NA said. I would rather a team that plays proper football win the league than not. Chelsea are on the whole to direct and Arsenal just try to much for the perfect goal. Man U are the only top three side that can, and do, change their style of play to suit - this is why they get results.
The general consensus is unanimously well done Man U and they are deserved champions.
What amazed me is the call from Avram Grant to adopt what the Italians do and have a play off if two teams finish level on points and should not be separated by goal difference - I really do hope that the FA/Premiership treats this with the content it deserves. It's a complete nonsense - why should a team that spends the season sneaking 1-0 wins be given a chance to win the league in a play off over a team that wins by two or more gaols a match? It started the Chelsea fans saying that winning the league on goal difference is unfair. Do me a friggin' favour....the league is won over 38 games - not from one match.
The general consensus is unanimously well done Man U and they are deserved champions.
What amazed me is the call from Avram Grant to adopt what the Italians do and have a play off if two teams finish level on points and should not be separated by goal difference - I really do hope that the FA/Premiership treats this with the content it deserves. It's a complete nonsense - why should a team that spends the season sneaking 1-0 wins be given a chance to win the league in a play off over a team that wins by two or more gaols a match? It started the Chelsea fans saying that winning the league on goal difference is unfair. Do me a friggin' favour....the league is won over 38 games - not from one match.
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
Well recovered from celebrations now 
Albie, I don't think we should take this from Grant to serious. He was just playing the mind games that Mourinho, Wenger and Ferguson are well known for. I don't think he's willing to go through fire to get the rules changed. And of course I agree with you, Albie, it is more fair that a team that tries to kill games by scoring a second and third goal wins the league, than a team that tries to keep their 1-0 lead all the time.
Actually, this thing with letting the opponents take over when you lead 1-0 is something I think has ruined many chances for England. Not that they are playing an Italian tactic where they put everyone behind the ball and go for counter-attacks and delaying, but that the team starts to get defensive thoughts. They seem to be more afraid to concede than they are eager to score the second. It has seen them draw many games where they were in the lead.
I think Sir Alex simply feels obliged to have United play the attacking game whenever they can. It is in the heritage of the club from the first really big era, under Busby. His teams, both the Busby Babes and the European Cup winning side of the sixties, were built around pace and flair and I think Ferguson has always wanted to maintain this tradition ...
... and it wouldn't be wrong to say he has had some success in that. 10 league titles in his 21 years at the club and hopefully more to come. Both years and league titles. Of course, he's always had resources available to get good players. But when he arrived in 1986 he had to reform not only the first team, but the entire organization Manchester United Football Club. The youth policy was improved, discipline was improved and some players were replaced. It took time and hadn't United won the FA Cup in 1990 he might have been sacked ... instead the patience paid off and now Ferguson is the most successful manager in domestic competitions in England. Ever. But I guess he'd love another European Cup
Albie, I don't think we should take this from Grant to serious. He was just playing the mind games that Mourinho, Wenger and Ferguson are well known for. I don't think he's willing to go through fire to get the rules changed. And of course I agree with you, Albie, it is more fair that a team that tries to kill games by scoring a second and third goal wins the league, than a team that tries to keep their 1-0 lead all the time.
Actually, this thing with letting the opponents take over when you lead 1-0 is something I think has ruined many chances for England. Not that they are playing an Italian tactic where they put everyone behind the ball and go for counter-attacks and delaying, but that the team starts to get defensive thoughts. They seem to be more afraid to concede than they are eager to score the second. It has seen them draw many games where they were in the lead.
I think Sir Alex simply feels obliged to have United play the attacking game whenever they can. It is in the heritage of the club from the first really big era, under Busby. His teams, both the Busby Babes and the European Cup winning side of the sixties, were built around pace and flair and I think Ferguson has always wanted to maintain this tradition ...
... and it wouldn't be wrong to say he has had some success in that. 10 league titles in his 21 years at the club and hopefully more to come. Both years and league titles. Of course, he's always had resources available to get good players. But when he arrived in 1986 he had to reform not only the first team, but the entire organization Manchester United Football Club. The youth policy was improved, discipline was improved and some players were replaced. It took time and hadn't United won the FA Cup in 1990 he might have been sacked ... instead the patience paid off and now Ferguson is the most successful manager in domestic competitions in England. Ever. But I guess he'd love another European Cup
Albie
Keeping an open eye on the Weeping Angels.
I'll tell you the one player I feel really pleased for and that is Ryan Giggs. 10 league championship medals (not to mention his other tally of honours) for any one player will quite possibly never happen again in a league as competitive and strong as the Premiership. Good for him, and if Man U win the league next season, he will be collecting his 11th. As the radio commentary said (yes, I don't have Sky):
"....to Giggs" pause "what a story, what a story."
You're not best pleased, I take it.
One more thing before I get ready to watch the footie tonight - good luck Rangers. My support for them has now been strengthened by the fact that Zenit have an unwritten rule that forbids the playing of non-white players and are quite open about it. Dick Advocaat himself is willing to go along with this - shame on him.
Read more here, and here (scroll down to the section headed The Fans for Advocaat's stance on this).
"....to Giggs" pause "what a story, what a story."
Dowie to take over QPR hot-seatnational acrobat said:Also, manager Gigi De Canio has left QPR. Say 'No' to Dowie, Allardyce and McLaren.
You're not best pleased, I take it.
One more thing before I get ready to watch the footie tonight - good luck Rangers. My support for them has now been strengthened by the fact that Zenit have an unwritten rule that forbids the playing of non-white players and are quite open about it. Dick Advocaat himself is willing to go along with this - shame on him.
Read more here, and here (scroll down to the section headed The Fans for Advocaat's stance on this).
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Albie said:
1-0 for Zenith.
By the way you tell the article a tiny bit different. I read this:
"The problem is our fans," he says. "I would be happy to sign anyone but the fans don't like black players.
"I don't understand how they could pay so much attention to skin colour. For me, there's no difference between white, black or red.
"But the fans are the most important thing Zenit have. That's why, in future, I have to ask them outright how they'll react if we sign a dark-skinned player.
"If the fans don't agree with me, I won't do it. I won't buy a player who won't be accepted by the fans."
That's not a Zenith rule (also not unwritten), Zenith does not forbid anything, it's an idea of Advocaat, inspired by fear for the fans (or respect for the fans). So a lot of fans are racist, and Advocat is bending for it, though he still will ask the fans, which is different from simply going along with it.
It's still very sad of course, and I don't think I'd would do the same, if I ever was in such a position.
national acrobat
Ancient Mariner
Albie said:
To be honest, all things considered, it's not all that bad an appointment. I was hoping for a foreign coach, in particular Novellino, recently sacked at Torino. But of those three English managers, Dowie would have been my choice. QPR aren't like Arsenal, but we do play good football and the fans simply wouldn't accept the type of football Allardyce's teams play. McLaren would have been the worst possible appointment (closely followed by Bryan Robson); I seriously would have preferred Zidane coaching QPR to McLaren.
Albie
Keeping an open eye on the Weeping Angels.
Possibly Advocaat is not willing but still he has a choice to walk away from it if it matters enough to him. I have a great deal of respect for Advocaat (he did a bloody good job at Rangers) but I still think he could make a stand here.Forostar said:
D
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Zenit won
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
F*ck, I could have won a few euros if it stayed 1-0. That second goal in the last minute did it, just when I walked to the toilet. 
But I'm glad for Advocaat, finally a European cup, after 21 years of coaching, one of the most undervalued trainers in the Netherlands.
edit: Albie I agree with your point.
But I'm glad for Advocaat, finally a European cup, after 21 years of coaching, one of the most undervalued trainers in the Netherlands.
edit: Albie I agree with your point.
national acrobat
Ancient Mariner
10 seconds away from a correct prediction, Foro.
Zenit were very good though, and well worthy of winning the game. Rangers seemed to be playing for penalties the whole game.
Zenit were very good though, and well worthy of winning the game. Rangers seemed to be playing for penalties the whole game.
Albie
Keeping an open eye on the Weeping Angels.
Zenit were good enough, I agree. Personally, I did think Rangers had some good attacking moves in the second half but just could not turn any half chance into a good chance. They ['Gers'] have done well to get to the final, so I'll give them that.
I do have a soft spot for Rangers (my Uncle and cousin are season ticket holders) so I do tend to be a tad bias - but well done Zenit any-road.
I do have a soft spot for Rangers (my Uncle and cousin are season ticket holders) so I do tend to be a tad bias - but well done Zenit any-road.
Back in the Village
Invader
Got to hand it to Leeds who, despite their 15 point deduction, have managed to sneak into the Playoff Final and a chance to jump straight back up into the Championship.
Despite the obvious rivalry between Man U and Leeds I live in Yorkshire now and always look out for their results. It is nice for Gary McAllister who has undoubtedly had the worst couple of years of his life personally, to have some joy and success with his team.
Thanks to the minority of Rangers fans who trashed my home city after a day of alcohol excess. Apparently the police took a softly softly approach to the drinking and Gers fans were seen leaving Piccadilly station with cases of Stella under their arms. A few mindless yobs ruined the day for everyone when one of the big screens Manchester City Council had erected around the city went on the blink. Too drunk to think rationally they believed the screen had been turned off on purpose and proceeded to launch bottles andcans at the technicians who were frantically trying to repair the screen.
Eventually the Police had to take a hard line approach and rushed the "fans" in an attempt to quell the uprising. What disgusted me the most were the CCTV images of a police officer stranded who fell to the floor and was immediately pounced upon by at least twenty morons who proceeded to kick and stamp on him. And the mindless twat who was filming it on his mobile wants hanging up by his thumbs.
Anyway that's me off my soapbox. I felt sorry for Rangers for the result. They had done well to get that far but they looked to have run out of steam and if they are not careful I can see Celtic pipping them for the title.
babysitters are booked for Wednesday evening. I intend to visit the local with my wife and watch the game on a large screen TV. Come on you reds!!!!!
Despite the obvious rivalry between Man U and Leeds I live in Yorkshire now and always look out for their results. It is nice for Gary McAllister who has undoubtedly had the worst couple of years of his life personally, to have some joy and success with his team.
Thanks to the minority of Rangers fans who trashed my home city after a day of alcohol excess. Apparently the police took a softly softly approach to the drinking and Gers fans were seen leaving Piccadilly station with cases of Stella under their arms. A few mindless yobs ruined the day for everyone when one of the big screens Manchester City Council had erected around the city went on the blink. Too drunk to think rationally they believed the screen had been turned off on purpose and proceeded to launch bottles andcans at the technicians who were frantically trying to repair the screen.
Eventually the Police had to take a hard line approach and rushed the "fans" in an attempt to quell the uprising. What disgusted me the most were the CCTV images of a police officer stranded who fell to the floor and was immediately pounced upon by at least twenty morons who proceeded to kick and stamp on him. And the mindless twat who was filming it on his mobile wants hanging up by his thumbs.
Anyway that's me off my soapbox. I felt sorry for Rangers for the result. They had done well to get that far but they looked to have run out of steam and if they are not careful I can see Celtic pipping them for the title.
babysitters are booked for Wednesday evening. I intend to visit the local with my wife and watch the game on a large screen TV. Come on you reds!!!!!
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
I just hope the trouble in Manchester on Wednesday doesn't invoke bad reactions in Russia before the CL final. Football violence is not unknown to the Russians.
But ladies and gentlemen; have a look at this:: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1050022_blues_stars_in_limbo
The man must be off his rocker. He actually manages to make Glazer, G&H and other foreign PL club owners look sympathetic. According to a Norwegian newspaper, the chairman of Man City has actually apologized to the players for letting Shinawatra take over the club. That says it all ...
But ladies and gentlemen; have a look at this:: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1050022_blues_stars_in_limbo
The man must be off his rocker. He actually manages to make Glazer, G&H and other foreign PL club owners look sympathetic. According to a Norwegian newspaper, the chairman of Man City has actually apologized to the players for letting Shinawatra take over the club. That says it all ...
Albie
Keeping an open eye on the Weeping Angels.
From what I have been reading, just about every one is saying that Leeds will now beat Donny in the final. Funny, I thought that Southend was still in with a shout of the final. The Shrimpers have had a good away record in recent months.Back in the Village said:
That particular CCTV footage was quite disturbing indeed.Back in the Village said:
@EW: Shinawatra seems to have absolutely no interest in football. I barely think he understands the game and I think he thought he could just simply buy silverware at Man City and make a few million in the process.