NPower League 2012/13

[OwlsFan]

A relaxed game for Sheff Wed fans as they eased their way to safety, those jars of squeaky bum cream can be saved for next season (unlimited end date batch, I presume).

I have an endless supply of the stuff from a Chinese counterfeiter in Beijing.

I came home at 6.00pm after my game having had the phone off and started watching the Sky recording. It was relatively comfortable in the end but at one stage both Barnsley and Peterboro were winning so any slip up could have been disastrous. The Sky team don't have make it exciting and with the twists and turns it was. Steve Bruce said the 15 minutes where he had to watch the remaining part of the Watford vs Leeds game were the longest of his life.

The Wolves relegation was a big surprise. In fact both Bolton and Blackburn also dallied with the relegation zone for a while. Blackburn would probably have been relegated if they hadn't signed Justin Rhodes. Relegated teams are usually stripped of their best players. The three teams promoted (Sheff Wed, Huddersfield and Charlton) all survived because their teams are usually strengthened.

The teams coming down so far (Reading and QPR) wouldn't worry me too much and the teams coming up, assuming Sheff Utd, don't get through the play offs, aren't big clubs so hopeful that all to play for next year. I am glad Forest didn't go up following the disgraceful sacking of Sean O'Driscoll. Ipswich under Mick, based upon his results, may be pushing for promotion but he will need some investment. All far more interesting than the Premiership where it is same old, same old (the last 2 minutes of last season aside).

Stutts, I don't really know much about McAnthony except he is a Celtic Tiger cub. Peterboro are back where they belong.

[Stuttgart88]

Blackburn would probably have been relegated if they hadn't signed Justin Rhodes.

Stutts, I don't really know much about McAnthony except he is a Celtic Tiger cub. Peterboro are back where they belong.

Was he the RTE 2 DJ?

I don't know much about McAnthony other than made a mint developing property in Spain. That's not what I hoild against him mind you, it's rather that I've heard he's a tool. Which could be completely wrong! Maybe being close to Baerry Fry has framed my opinion. too.

Crafty might know more, being from that area. Crafty?

SKY did a great job yesterday afternoon alright. I didn't realise the Watford keeper was Irish. He'll have some big games coming up unless Aluminium gets fit.

[Stuttgart88]

Despite being Hull rivals, I heard on R5 Live today that Leeds fans were singing "Yorkshire, Yorkshire...". Great stuff.

[Closed Account 2]

Kenny Jackett has quit Millwall, I think they might struggle without him next season.

[CraftyToePoke]

I don't know much about McAnthony other than made a mint developing property in Spain. That's not what I hoild against him mind you, it's rather that I've heard he's a tool. Which could be completely wrong! Maybe being close to Baerry Fry has framed my opinion. too.

Crafty might know more, being from that area. Crafty?

I don't honestly know Stutt, other than the Posh fans around here seem to have good time for him.

Owlsfan, re your comment about Peterborough being back where they belong, I am surprised at you to be honest. Why ?

I am not a Posh fan but I live twenty minutes from the ground and watch them half a dozen times a season, I was there recently when they played and beat Wednesday with McCann, Payne and Pritchard in midfield, all small men, all footballers, good to watch and they played proper passing football all day, and indeed all season, I consider that brave in the league position they were in, and in that division.

I think to say they deserve to be gone to L1, having gathered 54 points (a new & unwanted record) with a side largely drawn from lower leagues, by having an eye for a player and coaching improvement in him while he finds the level, something that was done in several cases at the club this season and not abandoning their footballing principles despite losing their first seven games, (and having their best player cherry picked by Hull) is a little bit ignorant and perhaps ill an informed comment by you.

In that game against Wednesday, Jones sent out a side of six foot plus, muscle & bone merchants who didn't put even five passes together all day, or attempt to. It was anti football. I know as a neutral who I'd rather watch anyway.

[OwlsFan]

Said in the heat of the moment. Peterboro are as much deserving to be in the Championship as anyone else. With Alex F not stepping down as Man U, loan players won't be coming Peterboro's way as much anymore I suspect,

Wednesday played physical football - not sure I'd describe it as anti-football as there are many ways to skin a cat. I agree they find it hard to string a few passes together so they relied on hoof ball.

Wolves manager sacked. DOncaster manager resigns (albeit going on to be director of football) after he gets his team promotion. It's a funny old world.

[Closed Account 2]

Dean Sanders is unlucky to get the sack, he got Wolves out of a very difficult league.

[BonnieShels]

Anyway, I never got around to talking about Jeff and co on Saturday.

What a thorughly absorbing afternoon. It did help that a lot of teams had a lot to play for. But it was great entertainment nonetheless.

I was delighted that Hull got promoted for our sakes. Brady and Meyler as regular fixtures in a EPL team is a great thing.

[BonnieShels]

Dean Sanders is unlucky to get the sack, he got Wolves out of a very difficult league.

Never hit the heights of his brother.

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2012/7/11/1342020643078/Garry-Shandling-as-Larry--008.jpg

Actually delighted on several counts that Wolves were relegated. But I've always hated Saunders. I wonder who will take a chance on him now?

[OwlsFan]

I was delighted that Hull got promoted for our sakes. Brady and Meyler as regular fixtures in a EPL team is a great thing.

And McShane....?

As a non-Sheffield native, I was disappointed to see United lose their umpteenth play-off as the Sheffield derbies play second fiddle to very few other derbies. I think there was an attendance of 49k at one in the old 3rd Division. However, not all in Sheffield feel the same way:

1910

[BonnieShels]

Well, I don't see Paul becoming a central figure in Ireland's future success of which I think Brady and Meyler will be key.

Delighted for Paul too to be back in the EPL. But will he be cast aside now that they can get a better quality of player in? I know Bruce rates him but you never know.

[CraftyToePoke]

Said in the heat of the moment. Peterboro are as much deserving to be in the Championship as anyone else. With Alex F not stepping down as Man U, loan players won't be coming Peterboro's way as much anymore I suspect,

Wednesday played physical football - not sure I'd describe it as anti-football as there are many ways to skin a cat. I agree they find it hard to string a few passes together so they relied on hoof ball.

Fair enough.

But I don't think the on loan Man U players being a mainstay of the side is accurate either, this season Olejnick, keeper (& P.O.T.S), Bostwick, Zakuani, (CBs) Alcock, (RB) Payne, Ferdinand & McCann (CM's) Barnett, Gayle (CF's) were signed from, Gillingham, Stevenage, Leyton Orient, Yeovil, Gillingham, Southend, Scunthorpe, Crawley and Dagenham respectivley. The latter was playing Essex Senior League two seasons ago, and watching him repeatedly give Wayne Bridge & Matthew Upson food for thought in a recent game Vs Brighton was a season highlight for me.

There were a couple of loan players, from various clubs higher up as you will find in most clubs in the league. I think there were only one or maybe two from Man U, neither were anywhere near as central to the side as the guys mentioned above.

[Charlie Darwin]

Well, I don't see Paul becoming a central figure in Ireland's future success of which I think Brady and Meyler will be key.

Delighted for Paul too to be back in the EPL. But will he be cast aside now that they can get a better quality of player in? I know Bruce rates him but you never know.
Can they get a better quality of player? It's not exactly the most attractive location. Depends on who gets relegated I suppose. Either way, I think Bruce would be a bit stupid to cast aside a dressing room character and fan favourite like McShane.

[BonnieShels]

Can they get a better quality of player? It's not exactly the most attractive location. Depends on who gets relegated I suppose. Either way, I think Bruce would be a bit stupid to cast aside a dressing room character and fan favourite like McShane.

Of course they can. They are a more attractive prospect now. And they have more TV cash next season with the new TV deal taking effect.

I don't think Bruce is that stupid and he has proven time and again like Mick that he's a man for loyalty.

I'm merely playing devil's advocate.

To be honest I would love to see him go from strength to strength and maybe even break (fully) into the Ireland team... but we shall see.

[Charlie Darwin]

I was widely mocked upon Hull's relegation for saying that McShane would be snapped up by another Premier League club right away, and I was spectacularly wrong, but I do think he's a Premier League player. I'd be happy to see him a decent squad option for Ireland but I don't think he'll ever transition from donkey to superhero the way Richard Dunne has.

[BonnieShels]

I was widely mocked upon Hull's relegation for saying that McShane would be snapped up by another Premier League club right away, and I was spectacularly wrong, but I do think he's a Premier League player. I'd be happy to see him a decent squad option for Ireland but I don't think he'll ever transition from donkey to superhero the way Richard Dunne has.

I don't think he will either. However, I would love to see it.

[geysir]

I was widely mocked upon Hull's relegation for saying that McShane would be snapped up by another Premier League club right away, and I was spectacularly wrong, but I do think he's a Premier League player. I'd be happy to see him a decent squad option for Ireland but I don't think he'll ever transition from donkey to superhero the way Richard Dunne has.
I'd say it's a certainty he will be given a new contract with Hull.
It would be a no brainer decision to keep him.

[OwlsFan]

A modicum of Irish interest in the play offs:

Crystal Palace: Be prepared for Stutts to invade this thread if Garvan plays and does well (in fact even if he doesn't do well). Paddy McCarthy I rated and I think he has been out for a lot of the season through injury and Damien Delaney I also had high hopes for but he has played regularly I think.

Brighton and Hove Albion FC - Gary Dicker has been on the bench and Marcos Painter hasn't featured at all. Not sure where he is now or whether he remembers he once played for us at under age level.

Leicester City FC - Sean St Ledger: I assume his loan spell at Millwall is now over but he isn't featuring for Leicester tonight. Conrad Logan is on the bench.

Watford FC - tough for the Irish guys to make an impression with all the Italian loanees but Mark Yeates has been a reasonable regular in the side (on the bench tonight). Sean Murray AND Connor Smith haven't seen them and Jack Bonham (the least said the better).,

[Stuttgart88]

Hmmm, Garvan....

[DeLorean]

He is still only 25 so who knows?

The gifted Glenn Whelan didn't break into the Irish side until that age.

[geysir]

I just caught the closing minutes of that semi final play-off yesterday. Wasn't it the same Leicester player who took and missed the penalty, as dived in the box?
What a despicable act, dutifully punished with immediate and spectacular effect.

It was depressing that such a blatant dive was bought by the ref in the first place, or was it the assistant?

[KK77]

I just caught the closing minutes of that semi final play-off yesterday. Wasn't it the same Leicester player who took and missed the penalty, as dived in the box?
What a despicable act, dutifully punished with immediate and spectacular effect.

It was depressing that such a blatant dive was bought by the ref in the first place, or was it the assistant?

No the ref defo gave it. Delighted for Watford. The fella who missed the peno knew fine well he dived looking at his face after the game.

[DeLorean]

He looked even more guilty than Yann Kermorgant a couple of years back!

[Stuttgart88]

Glad Palace won. Better team on the day and 2 Irish in the starting XI. I don't like the Watford ownership model and loanee saturation. It smacks of weak regulation in my view, and can only lead to conflicts of interest in the longer run, not to mention crowding out their own players, like Sean Murray.

[OwlsFan]

Ahh, the €120 million game as portrayed by the media. Amazing how all the teams relegated from the Premiership aren't all rolling in money if that's the case. Sigh !

Yes, glad Palace won and agree about the Watford Italian connection not being good for the game although most Championship teams survive on loanees, albeit not all from Italy.

Will be interesting to see if Delaney can make it in the EPL. Always rated him and not sure why he hasn't done the business. And then there's Garvan :O

[Stuttgart88]

Mark my words, Garvan will be at Barcelona after next season. :)

I like Delaney too.

I hate the way it's billed as the mega money game. Surely the prize is promotion, and anyone who likes sport can appreciate that? So what if they earn more money. It usually just means they live even more beyond their means and go even more broke.

I heard on Sky at the weekend that AC Milan has something like 35 players out on loan. Ridiculous.

[Charlie Darwin]

Ahh, the €120 million game as portrayed by the media. Amazing how all the teams relegated from the Premiership aren't all rolling in money if that's the case. Sigh !
Exactly. For many of these teams, it's €120 million they will spend in order to end up more or less back where they started. With a bigger wage bill. Promotion is the prize and the unforgettable experience of Premier League football for their fans.

[pineapple stu]

Kevin Phillips with the winner?

Wow.

[Charlie Darwin]

That's a cool £3 million for every year of his life.

[ArdeeBhoy]

That is a lot of money. Hard to concentrate on 'just' the sporting aspect when you think about that figure...

[OwlsFan]

I like Delaney too.

Along with Zaha got the highest rating of any player:

"A superb saving block on Vydra on the half hour set the tone for an outstanding display by the Irishman. Absolutely crucial in keeping Watford's nippy attack in check". -- Daily Telegraph

[geysir]

I was half watching the 2nd half of the game, I thought Delaney looked very solid, pity most of his career is behind him.
I don't know about Zaha, he couldn't get past his marker on the right wing, he doesn't appear to have a dribbling skill, though he could be faster than Alan O'Brien.