Epl 2010/11

[DeLorean]

since when is time added on for penalties and free kicks? This was new to me. I thought they were all part of normal time

Apparently, and I haven't checked this out, there was 4mins between the awarding of the Arsenal penalty and Liverpool tipping off after it was scored. I think it's reasonable that a bit of extra time would be added on for this. I know if the penalty was awarded in normal time it probably wouldn't have been taken into account for injury time, but I don't see much wrong with him giving Liverpool another couple of minutes given the length of time taking the penalty used up. Maybe there was another couple of delays in the injury time period that he accounted for also. In fairness to the referee, the easy thing would have been to blow it up after Arsenal scored, they had more to play for, it was at The Emirates and he would have known that Wenger would have a cut off him if Liverpool scored. It seems referees can't win, he got both decisions right plus the free kick for Liverpool right on the edge of the box. The panic defending by Arsenal in the lead up to that free kick was even more pathetic than Eboue's rush of blood.


Delap was as usual anonymous except for the throw ins

Only saw the highlights, but usually when I see Stoke play, Delap is far from anonymous. He nearly always puts in a good shift in my opinion.

[Stuttgart88]

Isn't a yellow card a mandatory 30 additional seconds? If so, RVP should get a bollicking from Wenger - not that that'd be likely. Nothing is ever Arsenal's fault.

[KK77]

Apparently, and I haven't checked this out, there was 4mins between the awarding of the Arsenal penalty and Liverpool tipping off after it was scored. I think it's reasonable that a bit of extra time would be added on for this. I know if the penalty was awarded in normal time it probably wouldn't have been taken into account for injury time, but I don't see much wrong with him giving Liverpool another couple of minutes given the length of time taking the penalty used up. Maybe there was another couple of delays in the injury time period that he accounted for also. In fairness to the referee, the easy thing would have been to blow it up after Arsenal scored, they had more to play for, it was at The Emirates and he would have known that Wenger would have a cut off him if Liverpool scored. It seems referees can't win, he got both decisions right plus the free kick for Liverpool right on the edge of the box. The panic defending by Arsenal in the lead up to that free kick was even more pathetic than Eboue's rush of blood.




Only saw the highlights, but usually when I see Stoke play, Delap is far from anonymous. He nearly always puts in a good shift in my opinion.

Imagine if it had been Fergie! LOL

[DeLorean]

Imagine if it had been Fergie! LOL

Yeah, it would have been the same thing. Wenger is every bit a big a moaner as Ferguson as this stage, but probably isn't as good (effective) at it and manages to come across even more ridiculous. At least, every so often, Ferguson admits when the referee gets it right against his team, such as the Scholes sending off on Saturday. He was defending the Hernandez dive last night. I like Hernandez but it was a dive and it's not the first time he has done it. Ferguson was praising the referee's overall performance as a bit of a balancing act I think, although he was very good, with the exception of not booking Lovenkrands for pulling back Carrick, probably the most blatant yellow card of the night.

[geysir]

The ref was very good last night in that game at Newcastle.
In general, it's a red herring to vent frustration at the standard of the refs these days.
By far, the most destructive elements in the game are the diving, cheating/simulation and disrespect to the ref.
The refs need more help from the associations in order to minimise the effect of those aspects.

[Stuttgart88]

Dunphy's "crisis of authority".

Players don't respect refs' authority
Managers ditto
Referees are making too many high profile basic errors
The game (in UK anyway) boasts shambolic governance
FIFA's governance standards are laughable

I felt a bit for the ref last night at Newcastle v United. I'd have to look at it again but the Newcastle guy got nowhere near the ball, nor did he clip Hernandez. It was a dumb effort at a tackle and the act of going for the ball and missing it caused Hernandez to lose control. It looked to me like he jumped the tackle and when in the air he made his landing look theatrical - which I kind of think he was entitled to do. Duff regularly goes down easily, just to make sure that the (real) foul against him has been spotted. I think that that's fair.

Newcastle were lucky not to concede, Hernandez's "dive" was by no means as crass as others that go unpunished and sometimes you get those situations where it was neither a foul nor a dive. The ref could have called a penno, waved play-on with no booking, and done what he did, and in each instance he'd have been largely right.

That's why I'm against video replays for anything other than goal-line related incidents. Not everything is clear cut and many decisions are down to a ref's discretion.

[DeLorean]

The defender did kind of block his path the the ball but it didn't force Hernandez to hurl it the way he did, I think it would have been very soft. United were luckier to escape when Lovenkrands went down after contact from Anderson (an incident that Ferguson didn't see I believe!). Again, it would have been soft but it was probably more justified that United's claim, and more than likely would have resulted in a free kick had it been outside the box.

[Closed Account 2]

Apparently all three teams could be level on 79 points if the following happens:

Man Utd
Everton (h) W
Arsenal (a) L
Chelsea (h) L
Blackburn (a) W
Blackpool (h) W

Arsenal
Spurs (a) D
Bolton (a) W
Man Utd (h) W
Stoke (a) W
Villa (h) W
Fulham (a) W

Chelsea
B'ham (h) W
W'Ham (h) W
Spurs (h) W
Man Utd (a) W
Newcslt (h) W
Everton (a) W

Probably not going to happen - I doubt Arsenal will beat Man Utd at the Emriates, but would be interesting if it did!

[Stuttgart88]

I asid to a mate in March thatr Arsenal were as likely to finish 3rd as 1st. Now I think they're more lilely to, but they made a really good fist of blowing it in 1989 too!

[DeLorean]

Chelsea could put the pressure on alright. Arsenal are leightweight and all of those matches look tough on paper for them. United really need to beat Everton on Saturday to make things comfortable for themselves, but Everton are in great form so it won't be easy.

[OwlsFan]

The defender did kind of block his path the the ball but it didn't force Hernandez to hurl it the way he did, I think it would have been very soft. United were luckier to escape when Lovenkrands went down after contact from Anderson (an incident that Ferguson didn't see I believe!). Again, it would have been soft but it was probably more justified that United's claim, and more than likely would have resulted in a free kick had it been outside the box.

What I find laughable is when a player obviously dives and the opposition crowd around him abusing him. Next minute they are in the other box doing the exact same thing.

Arsenal have thrown the league away this year. They should have collected 3 points last night but for the madness of their keeper and need I mention the debacle away to Newcastle and other gifts to the opposition. A decent keeper and a couple of defenders and the title would have been theirs. Good entertainment though. Not sure how much longer many of their top players will hang around waiting for a trophy.

[KK77]

What I find laughable is when a player obviously dives and the opposition crowd around him abusing him. Next minute they are in the other box doing the exact same thing.

Arsenal have thrown the league away this year. They should have collected 3 points last night but for the madness of their keeper and need I mention the debacle away to Newcastle and other gifts to the opposition. A decent keeper and a couple of defenders and the title would have been theirs. Good entertainment though. Not sure how much longer many of their top players will hang around waiting for a trophy.

Did they throw it away though or are they just not good enough? I take your point about a decent keeper and a couple of additions but i remember mid 90's Liverpool were a centre half away and then the next season a midfielder away. Chelsea could say the same if they hadn't had their slump and Man U would have walked away with it buy now if their away form was better. Sure Arry Redknapp is saying that Spurs are one or two away now yet he said mid season they could win the league this season and the champions league.

[OwlsFan]

They have thrown it away because they didn't make the necessary signings. Arsenal have consistently refused to splash the cash when it was obvious where their weakenesses are. I take the point though that one never knows but a dodgy keeper gave away two points last night and a team with a reasonable defence does not give away a 3 goal lead against a mediocre side like Newcastle. 5 points alone in those two games.

If I was an Arsenal fan, I'd be pulling my hair out. Now back to the NPower Division One league table. Oh my God, the Owls are only 15th. Wrings hands, pulls hair....

[tetsujin1979]

It's rare that a January signing makes a massive impact at the top of the table though. It's usually the signings for teams at the other end who make the biggest difference to a team in the following months.

Wenger lost Vermaelen early in the season, despite the usual reports that he would be back "in a few weeks", he's still to play again since then and should have been replaced in the last transfer window. They had three decent (if not outstanding) first team keepers in the squad, but all fell to either injury, inexperience or just general crapness.

Despite all his talents, and what he has brought to the Premier League, Wenger has a complete blind spot for defence, and defensive-minded players.

[OwlsFan]

Didn't get to see the Arsenal game but saw the first Chelsea "goal". I would say from the Linesman's view it looked over the line but the experts said he couldn't be sure. Of course if it had gone over the line by a fraction he would have been crucified for not giving it. The fault lies entirely with UEFA/FIFA not with some sap carrying a flag who has 1 second to make the decision.

Of course as a neutral I was delighted to see them win. Makes the game against Man U a must see. The latter's run in looks much easier than Chelsea's, even were the latter to win (a goal by Torres I suspect).

Still fun and games at the bottom. Many people wrote Wolves off after the Stoke result. They don't have too bad a run in. I still think they can do it.

[Stuttgart88]

Did they throw it away though or are they just not good enough? I take your point about a decent keeper and a couple of additions but i remember mid 90's Liverpool were a centre half away and then the next season a midfielder away. Chelsea could say the same if they hadn't had their slump and Man U would have walked away with it buy now if their away form was better. Sure Arry Redknapp is saying that Spurs are one or two away now yet he said mid season they could win the league this season and the champions league.Are Arsenal not good enough to beat Blackburn & Sunderland at home, only get 1 point frrom Newcastle (and that after blowinga 4 goal lead), only getting 2 points from WBA (against whom Almunia was personally responsible for blowing 4 points) and so on? Of course they're good enough, the execution was sloppy.

Arsenal have lost 13 points from winning positions this season. That suggests fragility (mental & physical), lack of leadership and basic deficiencies in certain positions to me. Arsenal may well only lose this year's league by 3 or 4 points. The dogs on the street can see that a decent keeper alone might have made good the shortfall, not to mention another CB, a ball winning CM (thety never properly replaced Flamini - and even he was hardly a star) and a proper hard working no. 9. Lee Dixon says that Darren Bent would have been ideal and I agree.

I've still no idea what Pat Rice brings to the party. An unanimated Wenger yes-man is all I can see. A pal madea great point tyo me about Dalglish: Liverpool finally have a manager who is bigger than the players. On top of that he has appointed a very strong no. 2 (Clarke). At this stage Wenger may be seen as a paternal figure by his players, but not someone they're in awe of anymore. I doubt they ever had any huge respect for Rice's "moral authority".

Point taken about Chelsea blowing it too, but both teams can argue that they left a lot of points out there. United blew some leads but also picked up some fortunate points. Vidic & Rooney seem immune from red cards.

Anyway, if I was boss at Arsenal I would:

Sell Almunia, Denilson, Rosicky and Bendtner. I woulsd probably sell Arshavin too. He is way more talented than he has delivered so obviously isn't up for it.

My reference point for possible replacements isn't huge, but on the assumption the financial people want me to balance the books I would buy Kevin Doyle who would put in the hard yards that Van P and Nasri would exploit. I would buy Landon Donovan, a great dead ball deliverer and a guy who has proved his class at Everton & for the USA. He's a worker and a winner, is more effective than Rosicky and he'd be a commercial asset wrt USA. I would consider buying Flamini back, depending on his wages / transfer fee. They miss his tenacity and tackling. I'd prefer Given over Schwarzer - error prone in big games. He had an awful WC, replicating his 'boro career. But I think there may well be better buys thanh Given out there. Bear in mind that both the Poles actually showed great promise at times this year.

I don't know about which CB I'd buy but I'm sure that any one of about a dozen EPL regulars would do a better job than Squillacci. I actually think Koscielny would be good alongside a stronger player like Vermaelen.

[Stuttgart88]

Didn't get to see the Arsenal game but saw the first Chelsea "goal". I would say from the Linesman's view it looked over the line but the experts said he couldn't be sure. Of course if it had gone over the line by a fraction he would have been crucified for not giving it. The fault lies entirely with UEFA/FIFA not with some sap carrying a flag who has 1 second to make the decision.If it was the touchline it'd have been given as a throw and nobody would have complained. I always feel the definition of "whole of the ball" is appplied differently on the touchline, or for a corner or goal kick, than it is between the posts.

[OwlsFan]

I've still no idea what Pat Rice brings to the party. An unanimated Wenger yes-man is all I can see. A pal madea great point tyo me about Dalglish: Liverpool finally have a manager who is bigger than the players. On top of that he has appointed a very strong no. 2 (Clarke). At this stage Wenger may be seen as a paternal figure by his players, but not someone they're in awe of anymore. I doubt they ever had any huge respect for Rice's "moral authority".

Yes, it is amusing seeing Wenger going absolutely ballistic and Pat Rice sitting there poker faced letting it all wash over him. That is the sort of personality required for Wenger as his No. Two I think. We don't know what goes on at the Arsenal training ground or behind the scenes. Just because he doesn't rant and rave, it doesn't mean that Rice is not effective at whatever he does.

I wouldn't buy the theory that Dalglish is bigger than the players. To the fans perhaps, but not to the players themselves, many of whom were not born when he was playing and are from foreign parts. They are all multi-millionaires and he is some old Scotsman whom I suspect they find difficult to understand who once played at a high level. They have done well in the league under him but they have have also been knocked out of two cup competitions.

[DeLorean]

Are Arsenal not good enough to beat Blackburn & Sunderland at home, only get 1 point frrom Newcastle (and that after blowinga 4 goal lead), only getting 2 points from WBA (against whom Almunia was personally responsible for blowing 4 points) and so on? Of course they're good enough, the execution was sloppy.

You could break it down like that every single season though. Arsenal's weaknesses makes it inevitable that they will drop points when they need them. The fact that they are dropping them in games where they should be good enough to win is irrelevant. The fact is that they weren't good enough.


Arsenal have lost 13 points from winning positions this season. That suggests fragility (mental & physical), lack of leadership and basic deficiencies in certain positions to me

All a big part of not being good enough.


If it was the touchline it'd have been given as a throw and nobody would have complained. I always feel the definition of "whole of the ball" is appplied differently on the touchline, or for a corner or goal kick, than it is between the posts.

Don't entirely agree, but obviously the call isn't nearly as important. Players do complain when they feel they've kept the ball in play and the linesman gives a throw too, but obviously the same type mayhem isn't going to materialise. I do feel that the linesman should have to be pretty much sure the ball has crossed the line to award a goal, whereas I'd forgive him for going with a hunch in the case of a throw-in.


I wouldn't buy the theory that Dalglish is bigger than the players. To the fans perhaps, but not to the players themselves, many of whom were not born when he was playing and are from foreign parts. They are all multi-millionaires and he is some old Scotsman whom I suspect they find difficult to understand who once played at a high level. They have done well in the league under him but they have have also been knocked out of two cup competitions.

Even if these players didn't know much about Dalglish's playing days, I'm sure they can feel the fans adoration inside Anfield. It wouldn't take much for them to sense he is more important to the club than they are. The same could hardly be said for Roy Hodgson. He has done an incredible job in his short time there in my opinion. He's not only getting results, notably against Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea and Man City, but he's made them far more solid defensively while playing a more attacking brand of football. He's also brought some young players through. He was barely in charge when they got knocked out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford to a fairly soft penalty, the Braga performances would have been disappointing alright.

[Stuttgart88]

You could break it down like that every single season though. Arsenal's weaknesses makes it inevitable that they will drop points when they need them. The fact that they are dropping them in games where they should be good enough to win is irrelevant. The fact is that they weren't good enough.



All a big part of not being good enough.

Strictly speaking that's true but just saying "they're not good enough" is a pretty facile analysis. Most of what they have is good enough and if a few obvious blind spots were addressed they'd be more than good enough.

[DeLorean]

Strictly speaking that's true but just saying "they're not good enough" is a pretty facile analysis. Most of what they have is good enough and if a few obvious blind spots were addressed they'd be more than good enough.

Yeah, their weaknesses are obvious alright. Having said that, I don't believe their so called strenghts are really of the calibre of Chelsea's or Man Utd's either. If they had won the league this season, I would have put it down to United and Chelsea being so sloppy, that it allowed them to win something that they shouldn't really be capable of winning. Certainly not with the side they have at the moment.

[OwlsFan]

I have read some over the top stuff in my day but this beats it all, particularly the bit about Hodgson. He has managed Inter Milan as far as I remember, a club with a small bit of success behind them. King Kenny! Knocked out of the FA Cup and the Europa Cup by second rate sides. I will be very surprised if he can turn around Liverpool to reach the heights Mr. Adams expects unless he is given a lorra lorra cash. Are Liverpool really playing with "dash and verve"? Effective perhaps but not dash and verve. It smacks of the sort of stuff Newcastle fans spoke about when Shearer went to manage Newcastle and we all know what happened there. We shall see but I for one have my doubts.

-----------------------------------------------
With hope in our hearts, Anfield can believe again

DAVID ADAMS

Thu, May 05, 2011

United may surpass Liverpool’s league record but, with the king back at Anfield, their reign will be short-lived

When you walk through the storm

Hold your head up high

And don’t be afraid of the dark

At the end of the storm

There’s a golden sky

And the sweet silver song of the lark

WE CLUNG to the Anfield anthem, but it was difficult to hang on to the unerring faith that it espouses. As Liverpool Football Club lurched from one crisis to another, the storm was seemingly without end. Our dreams were more than just tossed and blown; they were reduced to tatters, and then resurrected as nightmares.

At one stage it looked as though the team might be relegated and the most successful English club ever forced into liquidation, such was the debt it had been saddled with by its owners. A fire sale of the club’s best players seemed inevitable.

It is difficult to raise one’s head, much less hold it high, when the proud and once magnificent institution that is the repository of so much of your love and so many of your dreams has been reduced to a tabloid laughing stock. I’m sure I wasn’t the only Liverpool stalwart haunted by thoughts of how fast and how far once great clubs like Leeds and Newcastle had fallen.

But last October the storm eventually did pass and a golden sky began to emerge over Anfield again, when New England Sports Ventures (now Fenway Sports Group) bought the club. A quick internet search confirmed the new owners were of the right calibre – just as 10 minutes on the internet in February 2007 had shown that the then new owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, almost certainly weren’t.

I shed a tear when Bill Shankly retired and bucket-loads of them after Hillsborough. I was close to crying again in October, only this time with sheer relief. The skies were golden again, but the lark had yet to sing.

Our previous manager but one, Rafael Benitez, had stood four-square with the supporters, and fought the previous owners until he was exhausted. They eventually sacked him.

Roy Hodgson, a manager with a distinct mid-table mentality, succeeded Rafa. He was immediately out of his depth at a club with the history, traditions and world stature of Liverpool. He tried to apply the same methods that had worked for him at innumerable second-rate outfits around Europe. But his journeyman football was the very antithesis of everything that Liverpool stands for. We have been raised on entertaining football; we expect our team to take to the field believing that they can beat whoever is lined up against them.

It wasn’t long before Roy had steered a demoralised and confused Liverpool to just above the relegation zone. Roy is a nice man, apparently, but so too are lots of other people who aren’t capable of managing Liverpool.

In January, to sighs of relief all round, including probably from Roy himself, he was sacked and “king Kenny” Dalglish installed as interim manager until the end of the season when he will surely be awarded a long-term contract.

It is impossible to exaggerate the esteem in which Dalglish is held by everyone connected with Liverpool. He was the club’s greatest player, one of its best managers, and is that rarest of creatures in professional football, a man of the highest integrity.

Kenny and his wife Marina gave so much of themselves in support of the families of the 96 supporters who perished at Hillsborough in 1989, he had to retire, emotionally shattered, from football for a while.

Dalglish has instilled confidence, unified the club, and brought a smile back to the faces of everyone associated with Liverpool. You could sell tickets to his sharp-witted press conferences. Players, who until he arrived had seemed totally lost, have responded to his personable man-management style by taking 30 points from his 15 league games in charge (second only to Chelsea in form). Better still, thanks to Kenny and his training staff, they have begun to play with the dash and verve expected of a Liverpool side.

In every respect, Dalglish epitomises the much-lauded “Liverpool way”. At last, the sweet silver song of the lark can be heard around Anfield again. Even the sale in January of top striker Fernando Torres failed to dampen spirits. Dalglish responded in the Liverpool style of old by replacing him with the Alan Shearer-esque Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, who is showing flashes of brilliance reminiscent of Dalglish in his heyday.

If Manchester United win the Premiership this season they will surpass Liverpool’s record of 18 league titles. I would prefer if they didn’t, but will lose no sleep if they do. It is only a matter of time before they are playing catch-up again. The storm is ended, the king is back, and Liverpool Football Club is on the march again. There is now more than just hope in our hearts, there is belief again.

© 2011 The Irish Times

[Closed Account 2]

Quick quiz question, can you name 4 players who've played in the premier league for both Chelsea and Man Utd?

[shakermaker1982]

Veron, Hughes........gonna have to think of other 2.

[DeLorean]

Mal Donaghy? I know he's played for both but not sure if it was in the PL era?

Mikel was a United player wasn't he? never played though obviously!

[shakermaker1982]

Bosnich!

Last one is gonna kill me.

[OwlsFan]

Mickey Thomas or perhaps that's pre-Premiership. What about Ray Wilkins?

[Closed Account 2]

My cryptic clues would have been as follows:

Little witch (i.e. Veron)
Les the Electrician (i.e. Leslie Mark Hughes [Sparkey])
Nearly rhymes with Aussie, Aussie, Aussie (i.e. Bosnich [Bozzie])

The last one, which still hasnt been guessed: Had One (memorable) Night in Turin

I'm pretty sure Thomas, Butch Wilkins and Mal Donoghy are all pre-premiership for at least one of the clubs.

Yeah and Mikel Obi never played for Man Utd. And on the subject of him can anyone name the Croatian player who signed for a Premiership team after playing in Croatia's first World Cup but never played for them (like Mikel at Man Utd)? Hint: It's a Real question

[shakermaker1982]

Paul Parker?

Did he play for Chelsea? If he did it must have been towards end of his career.

[gaiscíoch]

My cryptic clues would have been as follows:

Little witch (i.e. Veron)
Les the Electrician (i.e. Leslie Mark Hughes [Sparkey])
Nearly rhymes with Aussie, Aussie, Aussie (i.e. Bosnich [Bozzie])

The last one, which still hasnt been guessed: Had One (memorable) Night in Turin

I'm pretty sure Thomas, Butch Wilkins and Mal Donoghy are all pre-premiership for at least one of the clubs.

Yeah and Mikel Obi never played for Man Utd. And on the subject of him can anyone name the Croatian player who signed for a Premiership team after playing in Croatia's first World Cup but never played for them (like Mikel at Man Utd)? Hint: It's a Real question

Jarni?

[Closed Account 2]

both correct, Parker and Jarni

[DeLorean]

I can't remember Jarni signing for Coventry at all. Interesting!.......

"In the summer of 1998, Jarni initially moved to English side Coventry City, signing for £2.6m from Real Betis. However, when Real Madrid decided they wanted the player, they successfully bought him from Coventry for £3.4m with Jarni having made no appearances whatsoever. Some believe this was a joint Coventry City and Real Madrid tactic, as Betis refused to sell him to the Madrid club." from Wiki.

[OwlsFan]

A league title and a Champions League Final for what on paper is an average Man U side by their standards but then football matches are not played on paper.

And what of the relegation battle. The porno industries' West Ham look the favourites, alas aided by Robbie's misses in front of goal. Fingers crossed for Wolves. Six pointer against Blackburn in the final game?

[superfrank]

I hope West Ham go down. The way they treated Zola was shocking and now they're worse off then they were when he was in charge.

[KK77]

Yes, it is amusing seeing Wenger going absolutely ballistic and Pat Rice sitting there poker faced letting it all wash over him. That is the sort of personality required for Wenger as his No. Two I think. We don't know what goes on at the Arsenal training ground or behind the scenes. Just because he doesn't rant and rave, it doesn't mean that Rice is not effective at whatever he does.

I wouldn't buy the theory that Dalglish is bigger than the players. To the fans perhaps, but not to the players themselves, many of whom were not born when he was playing and are from foreign parts. They are all multi-millionaires and he is some old Scotsman whom I suspect they find difficult to understand who once played at a high level. They have done well in the league under him but they have have also been knocked out of two cup competitions.

I hope they start to understand him soon! Yes end of term report will read lots to do but keep up the good work.

[DeLorean]

I hope they start to understand him soon! Yes end of term report will read lots to do but keep up the good work.

The transformation is incredible. It's one thing coming in a steadying the ship, which would have been an achievement in itself, but to implement a far more expansive and attack minded style of play while introducing youth has been a major achievement. They really are playing with a smile on their face compared to previous management, and you know I don't only mean Hodgson when I say that. It amazing to think that the same "two man team" can produce such high level performances after the sale of Torres and injury to Gerrard. The purchase of Saurez has obviously helped a lot, the new style revolves around him in many respects the way runs the channels. I suspect an enormous amount of credit is probably due to Steve Clarke also, he always struck me as being an excellent coach but it's difficult/impossible for us to know what's going on being the scenes sometimes and the manager will inevitably receive all the accolades.

[KK77]

The transformation is incredible. It's one thing coming in a steadying the ship, which would have been an achievement in itself, but to implement a far more expansive and attack minded style of play while introducing youth has been a major achievement. They really are playing with a smile on their face compared to previous management, and you know I don't only mean Hodgson when I say that. It amazing to think that the same "two man team" can produce such high level performances after the sale of Torres and injury to Gerrard. The purchase of Saurez has obviously helped a lot, the new style revolves around him in many respects the way runs the channels. I suspect an enormous amount of credit is probably due to Steve Clarke also, he always struck me as being an excellent coach but it's difficult/impossible for us to know what's going on being the scenes sometimes and the manager will inevitably receive all the accolades.

Yes i heard Dalglish saying last night it was not a one man show and mentioned Steve Clarke among others. A long way to go all the same as no doubts expectations will be over the top next season and the pressure will be on him to deliver. Sure we'll what happens.

[old git]

Yes i heard Dalglish saying last night it was not a one man show and mentioned Steve Clarke among others. A long way to go all the same as no doubts expectations will be over the top next season and the pressure will be on him to deliver. Sure we'll what happens.

jesus lads give it a break about liverpool. winning games against teams with nothing to play for at end of season . going very tamely out of europa league, yes dalglish has done a good job so far suarez looks an excellent signing but 35 million for andy carroll i'm not sure yet and he still needs a few more players but at least he has got them playing as a team with passion . cant believe nobody has even mentioned utd after last sundays result alex ferguson should get manager of the year if wins league title with the worst utd team in years !!

[DeLorean]

It might not be the strongest United side on paper but they must be a nightmare to play against. Their back four isn't far off a world eleven back line, certainly three out of four would be pushing for a place. They have no passengers whatsoever at the moment, well some would argue Carrick but I feel he contributes more in the big matches than in the less imporant ones. The work rate of Rooney, Hernandez, Park and Valencia is outstanding and there's no lack of ability there either. They could do with a world class central midfielder. The are being heavily linked with Wesley Sneijder, who could be the final part of the jigsaw. That said, Manchester City might just offer three or four times the price to make sure United don't get him. What Ferguson has done at that football club is nothing short of miraculous. He is certainly the greatest British manager of all time in my opinion, no contest. He'd have been up there after his reign at Aberdeen alone. Breaking Old Firm dominance was pretty much as unlikely back then as it is now. To go from 6-18 behind in League titles to 19-18 ahead is phenomenal, and hopefully it'll be 4-5 in European Cups in a couple of weeks, from a starting position of 1-4.

I don't think we're going overboard about Liverpool. I'm not saying they'll win the league next year or anything, but it's hard to believe they're the same players that looked like duds in Rafa's final season and Hodgson's brief tenure. Who would have thought a midfield pairing of Lucas and Spearing would have performed so well five months ago? Also, they have trashed Man Utd and Man City at Anfield, won at Stamford Bridge and drawn at The Emirates, at a point when all these clubs had everyting to play for.

[KK77]

jesus lads give it a break about liverpool. winning games against teams with nothing to play for at end of season . going very tamely out of europa league, yes dalglish has done a good job so far suarez looks an excellent signing but 35 million for andy carroll i'm not sure yet and he still needs a few more players but at least he has got them playing as a team with passion . cant believe nobody has even mentioned utd after last sundays result alex ferguson should get manager of the year if wins league title with the worst utd team in years !!

But that's all we are saying! Yes Fergie has done some job and i don't think anyone can have anything other than respect for what he has achieved.

[OwlsFan]

15 Blackburn 37 -14 40
16 Wolves 37 -19 40
17 Birmingham 37 -20 39
--------------------------------
18 Blackpool 37 -21 39
19 Wigan 37 -22 39

Sunday, 22 May 2011
Man Utd v Blackpool, 16:00
Stoke v Wigan, 16:00
Tottenham v Birmingham, 16:00
Wolverhampton v Blackburn, 16:00

On the face of it, Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan should get nothing from their games making Wolves and Blackburn safe. However, Man U and Stoke (on the back of two defeats by Man City) have nothing to play for but one must assume Blackpool will get nothing from their trip to Old Trafford. However, if they draw and Wolves lose by 2 they'd both have an identical goal difference!!

It looks likely though that the position of the teams will remain the same but history tells us otherwise and the possibility of Wigan picking up something away at Stoke and indeed Birmingham at Stoke is not without some hope. Thus Wolves MUST do the business at home to Blackburn.

Fascinating end to the season at ever at the foot of the table. My preference would be for Wigan and Blackpool to go down.

[shakermaker1982]

I remember United put a B team out against Hull a couple of seasons back and still won. They also took apart Schalke a few weeks back so I fear for Blackpool.

If I had to pick who I'd like to go down then it would be Brum and Blackburn.

[old git]

I remember United put a B team out against Hull a couple of seasons back and still won. They also took apart Schalke a few weeks back so I fear for Blackpool.

If I had to pick who I'd like to go down then it would be Brum and Blackburn.

could be a cracking game at old trafford .. utd to be presented with league title will want to finish with a show no matter what team fergie puts out and blackpool only know how to attack.. out of all the teams in bottom birmingham seem to be in freefall and look the most likely to go down the rest is totally on the day could be a dramatic finish to season with plenty of twists & turns.

[OwlsFan]

But for Birmingham to go down, Wigan or Blackpool have to pick up a point (assuming Birmingham lose). Hard task for both.

[geysir]

I think Wigan could edge out Birmingham. I'd prefer to be in Wigan's boots on Sunday. After last week, they are breathing the air of reprieve and are in a good position to beat Stoke.
Birmingham have a tough game against Spurs. Even if Spurs wouldn't take the Europa competition so seriously, they think it's an achievement to reach the position of choice - not to take it seriously.

[DeLorean]

I want Wigan to stay up. They try to play decent football, and although their empty stadium has no real place the PL, they are well run and I like Martinez. They have the almost perfect game to finish off with, playing a team with a horrible cup final defeat hangover with nothing significant to play for. It would have been perfect if it was at home though as Stoke can be very strong on their own patch.

I would like to see Blackburn relegated, if just to emphasise the stupidity of sacking Big Sam.

Birmingham are not good to watch, but have a couple of Irish players that would probably remain there even if they were relegated. Of course, this may not be such a bad thing. Carr isn't in the equation anyway and Fahey would have a better chance of playing more regularly, even if it is at a lower level.

We have to hope Wolves stay up really with all the Irish lads there, plus they're a good honest side with great support.

My prediction:

Stoke v Wigan DRAW
Spurs v Birmingham HOME
Man Utd v Blackpool HOME
Wolves v Blackburn AWAY

Table:

15 Blackburn 43pts
16 Wolves 40pts
17 Wigan 40pts
--------------------------------
18 Birmingham 39pts
19 Blackpool 39pts

[KK77]

I think Blackpool and Birmingham will both beaten and go down. I strongly fancy Wolves to beat Blackburn and also fancy Wigan to not get beaten at Stoke. From a selfish point of view i'd rather Birmingham stayed up as their ground is so handy to get to from the airport!!!!

[OwlsFan]

Nail biting stuff for Wolves. At least Birmingham have their League Cup to console themselves with. You don't get medals for staying in a league but you do for winning a cup. It all seemed to be going pear shaped for Mick just as I thought to myself "It's unlikely that both Birmingham and Wigan will score" and they both do in the space of a couple of minutes but then Wolves fight back and score the 2 needed to survive. Tremendous stuff.

One of the biggest if not the biggest club in the world wins its 19th English title and Ferguson makes a speech. Yawwnnnn. The drama as in most seasons was at the bottom. How Wigan manage to stay up there for 6 seasons now (?), amazing.

[Closed Account 2]

He has been named now! Mind you it was getting farcical with the Blackpool chants.

[Junior]

My prediction:

Stoke v Wigan DRAW
Spurs v Birmingham HOME
Man Utd v Blackpool HOME
Wolves v Blackburn AWAY

Table:

15 Blackburn 43pts
16 Wolves 40pts
17 Wigan 40pts
--------------------------------
18 Birmingham 39pts
19 Blackpool 39pts

Decent shout there Delorean, pretty darn close to how it actually panned out.