The Fizzy League Thread

[OwlsFan]

It's not only the Irish who are obsessed with Keane. Throughout last night on Sky's Football Special, Ipswich were continuously described as "Roy Keane's Ipswich" as they made their numerous visits to Bramall Lane and when United got their last minute equaliser, it was the usual "I wouldn't like to be in the Ipswich dressing room" or "I wouldn't like to have to do the post match interview". Is Keane that fearsome ? I have never seen him blow his top at an interview (other than a few sarcastic remarks) and I don't know how hard he is on his players.

p.s. His team is bottom of the league.

pps. ANyone seen any Ipswich jerseys around town?

[DeLorean]

Yeah I think they're obsessed with him too. Twas the guy reporting on the game that was to do the interview for them also. I don't think he was relishing the prospect. My buddy was telling me that he had a bit of a go at the most recent interviewer after the last match (I think). Your man was apparently throwing stats in his face about it being Ipswich's worst start for so many yrs and Keane was a bit thick with him. If anybody has a link to that could ye throw it up please. This might be the reason there was such emphasis on it last night though.

Owls fan- what do you make of Derby? for some reason I was expecting them to be half decent this season. I've a buddy over there and he says they're missing most of their first team on fairly long term injuries, is he just making excuses or is there some truth in it do you know?

[OwlsFan]

Owls fan- what do you make of Derby? for some reason I was expecting them to be half decent this season. I've a buddy over there and he says they're missing most of their first team on fairly long term injuries, is he just making excuses or is there some truth in it do you know?

Derby struggled as you know last season under Dunphy's and Giles' Ireland manager elect, Paul Jewell (until they sacked him). I don't think they have strengthened the squad to any great effect and, although they have great support, I wasn't expecting anything special from them this season. I'll know more after this Saturday ;)

I heard that Keane made a few choice comments at the Press Conference, but it was hardly anything to set the journalist quaking. I wonder is his bark worse than his bite?

[DeLorean]

I'll know more after this Saturday

Think the result summed up the Championship really when you take into account the results that preceded it...

Sheff Wed 3-1 Cardiff
Cardiff 6-1 Derby
Derby 3-0 Sheff Wed

Really is a strange league.

[OwlsFan]

Think the result summed up the Championship really when you take into account the results that preceded it...

Sheff Wed 3-1 Cardiff
Cardiff 6-1 Derby
Derby 3-0 Sheff Wed

Really is a strange league.

What's really worrying me is that the Ipswich vs Wednesday game is a few weeks away and if Ipswich haven't won by then, I can 100% guarantee is that they will win that game.

[DeLorean]

What's really worrying me is that the Ipswich vs Wednesday game is a few weeks away and if Ipswich haven't won by then, I can 100% guarantee is that they will win that game.

Yeah they've 5 games before then though so if they haven't won it will be Ipswich without Keane I'd imagine. They've a reasonable looking run of games now, so things could start improving rapidly maybe.

[OwlsFan]

Still no win for Ipswich and their match with Wednesday is approaching. Guanteed 3 points for Ipswich having watched the former's 4-1 demolition by Watford. Woeful defending and the Irish midfield anonymous. There is a possibility that both Sheffield managers could be sacked in the same week as United are on a very poor run as well.

The chop for Southgate. Surprised it took that long. Mind you with the poor support they get, 'Boro are a Championship side and they have overachieved for a while (a bit like Wigan and Fulham).

[shakermaker1982]

The Southgate sacking was disgusting.

Forest are still looking good. My other two tips to go up this season (Sheff Utd & Ipswich) are not looking so hot!

[Sligo Hornet]

A very refreshing performance by Watford's youthful team against the Owls on Friday night......excellent performances from the two loanees, Henry Lansbury (Arsenal) and Tom Cleverley (Man Utd):)

[OwlsFan]

A very refreshing performance by Watford's youthful team against the Owls on Friday night......excellent performances from the two loanees, Henry Lansbury (Arsenal) and Tom Cleverley (Man Utd):)

Wednesday's defence was hopeless and they all were like Bambi on ice falling all over the place. Good win for the Hornets but greatly aided by a poor Owls performance. Both Sheffield managers might get the heave ho soon.

[OwlsFan]

The Southgate sacking was disgusting.


Strachan the new Boro manager.

[Sligo Hornet]

Another defeat at home for Reading......9 months since they last won at home!.........next home fixture Nov 7th versus Ipswich.....will this decide who gets the sack first..... Roy Keane or Brendan "Judas" Rodgers?

[OwlsFan]

Another defeat at home for Reading......9 months since they last won at home!.........next home fixture Nov 7th versus Ipswich.....will this decide who gets the sack first..... Roy Keane or Brendan "Judas" Rodgers?



That's an amazing stat. I see Shane Long only came on as a sub.

[OwlsFan]

Only goal difference separates Wednesday from Ipswich who could only manage a draw at home to Peterboro. Apparently their fans were none too happy at the end. If Wednesday had any money, Brian Laws would be sacked by now as they are on an absymal run at the moment:( Looks like Peterboro and Plymouth for relegation and one other - on current form Wednesday.

Strachan hasn't exactly turned Boro around. Lost at home to Cardiff last night. Hornet's Watford are buzzing and hovering around the play off places.

[OwlsFan]

Sad to see Laws go "by mutual consent" but when your team hasn't scored in 5 games and has dropped in to the bottom three, it's time to go. Someone like Darren Ferguson wouldn't be a bad choice. Talk of Big Ron but returning to clubs seldom works in my experience.

[OwlsFan]

Alan Irvine sacked by Preston. Play offs last year. Bad run this year = sack.
I think he had turned down the WBA job in June when Mowbray left. Such is the price of loyalty.

[Cymro]

In the Times the other day they mentioned Irvine and compared with Moyes who finished 16th with Everton followed by 4th the next year. Just goes to show how a little patience can bring reward.

[OwlsFan]

Alan Irvine sacked by Preston. Play offs last year. Bad run this year = sack.
I think he had turned down the WBA job in June when Mowbray left. Such is the price of loyalty.

Happy to see him as the Wednesday manager. I would have preferred Darren Ferguson but am pleased with Irvine's appointment. Now can he get the Owls out of trouble?

[Acornvilla]

Happy to see him as the Wednesday manager. I would have preferred Darren Ferguson but am pleased with Irvine's appointment. Now can he get the Owls out of trouble?
i think he will, a very good manager he was a victim of his own success at preston

[shakermaker1982]

Told you DeLorean Forest would be a threat this year!!!

Battered WBA on Friday.

[OwlsFan]

i think he will, a very good manager he was a victim of his own success at preston

Only one of the new managers to win this w/e with Coyle and Ferguson both losing.

[OwlsFan]

Palace gone in to administration. Even with 10 point deduction they remain above the relegation zone.

Forest on an amazing run. Well done Billy Davies.

Wednesday 3 wins out of 3 under new manager Irvine. Will Scunthorpe stop that run tonight in the proverbial 6 pointer?

Ipswich draw yet again!

Interesting league even if I say so myself ;)

[shakermaker1982]

Forest only had about 6 shots last night and scored 5! On a roll.

[DeLorean]

Told you DeLorean Forest would be a threat this year!!!

Sorry I only saw this now. You did to be fair and I thought it may have just been a bit of blind optimism because of your location. They are on an unbelievable run, scoring loads of goals at home and still, incredibly, unbeaten on their travels. Derby fans must be thinking it's the Brian Clough situation all over again having sacked Billy Davies. I am heading over next week actually, going to go to Sheffield United v Derby at Bramall Lane. By the way, I hate to burst your bubble but you also fancied Derby to make an impression:) From what I hear they've been riddled with injuries all season in fairness. I'd like to see Derby v Forest on Saturday but it's not televised unfortunately.


Forest only had about 6 shots last night and scored 5! On a roll.

I saw the goals on Sky Sports News alright, Earnshaw's celebrations were funny enough, gas character.

[Closed Account 2]

You have to fear for Palace, they will have to sell a lot of players this month (or the summer) including the likes of Victor Moses and Sean Scannell. It will be some feat if they can stay up.

[Closed Account 2]

They really need to do something about the cost of football over here in England - £25 to watch Charlton v Tranmere, a good game, decent stadium etc, but it's silly money for a match in the 3rd league.

[shakermaker1982]

It's 20 to watch Notts County!

I got to watch Barca for 18 euro's last year at the Nou Camp.

[Closed Account 2]

£20! When I was there at University (8years ago) it was £7.50 for students, it's extortion. They have to realise they could get so many more fans if they dropped the prices. The week before I saw Tranmere at Milton Keyens, it was £10* - I wouldn't have gone had they not slashed the prices.

*It was actually £10 even for away fans as well as home.

[Closed Account 2]

Great result of the Palace tonight, the cash injection from the Villa game can hopefully let them keep their head above water if only for a few weeks!

I really hope they can pull a rabbit out of the proverbial hat against Villa - Palace are in a do-or-die situation financially and in some ways a draw is the optimum result for them. I'm not a big fan of Warnock but have always had a soft spot for the Palace since the days of Eddie McGoldrick and Ray Houghton pulling the strings in their midfield. With Lee, Scanell and McCarthy in the reckoning at the moment it's a good team to follow from an Irish perspective.

[OwlsFan]

Wolves were brutal it has to be said. Scannel was warming the bench (and not looking too happy about it) while Lee is unlikely to make the Irish team. With Warnock as their manager and with Palace a place below Wednesday is the relegation dogfight, you know where my sympathies lie.

[endabob1]

Wolves were brutal it has to be said. Scannel was warming the bench (and not looking too happy about it) while Lee is unlikely to make the Irish team. With Warnock as their manager and with Palace a place below Wednesday is the relegation dogfight, you know where my sympathies lie.


Great result of the Palace tonight, the cash injection from the Villa game can hopefully let them keep their head above water if only for a few weeks!

I really hope they can pull a rabbit out of the proverbial hat against Villa - Palace are in a do-or-die situation financially and in some ways a draw is the optimum result for them. I'm not a big fan of Warnock but have always had a soft spot for the Palace since the days of Eddie McGoldrick and Ray Houghton pulling the strings in their midfield. With Lee, Scanell and McCarthy in the reckoning at the moment it's a good team to follow from an Irish perspective.

I have a mate who's been an ST holder at Palace for 20+ years, Scannell had some injury niggles and has been out of form apparently, because of the size of their squad though ge's likely to get a fair amount of game time.

I thought Lee did well, puts himself about and is a handfull, nowhere near good enough for Ireland but then again I've said that about a few down the years...

Hopefully the 500k from winning the other night plus the 2.5m from Moses keeps them afloat, I think i read that it was about 5m needed fo they're a good ways to that goal. The problem is until they buy the ground they're always going to end up this way.

[OwlsFan]

A few Irish on the scoresheet last night. O'Connor and Potter for Wednesday, Murphy for Ipswich and Long (2) for Reading. Apart from the bottom two, most of the other teams near the bottom keep picking up points bringing the likes of QPR and Bristol City close to the drop zone. Pick any one of 8 for the last relegation spot.

[OwlsFan]

Gary Johnson sacked by Bristol City. He has done a good job I think. Results haven't been great of late but they are secure enough in mid table. Some Chairmen seem to have ideas above their station. City are a mid to lower table club at best. I remember they were in the top flight a while ago but that was just an abberation.

[Plastic Paddy]

That was a while ago OwlsFan - it was the late 1970s/early 1980s IIRC. More recently, Bristol City were beaten 1-0 by Hull City in the Premier League promotion play-off final in May 2008 and it is this result that has led to the inflated expectations of the Ashton Gate board.

My current concern in the CCC is Watford's freefall - only a point above the relegation places and in dire form, it's difficult to see them pulling out of this. And with the potential promotion from the Conference for Loo-town, that would make for a calamitous season at the Vic...

:ball: PP

[DeLorean]

Trouble at the Toon (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_6049595,00.html)

Pity Wayne Bridge didn't dish out similar retribution!

[Onefootednopace]

Trouble at the Toon (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_6049595,00.html)

Pity Wayne Bridge didn't dish out similar retribution!

Carroll seems to do his talking with his fists.. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/8536406.stm

[DeLorean]

Carroll seems to do his talking with his fists.. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/8536406.stm

Yeah he doesn't seem to be a stranger to controversy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Carroll#Controversy). Wouldn't have thought it, seems fairly quiet on the pitch from what I've seen.

[Onefootednopace]

Yeah he doesn't seem to be a stranger to controversy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Carroll#Controversy). Wouldn't have thought it, seems fairly quiet on the pitch from what I've seen.

He's been in the wars a bit, I wouldn't fancy getting the wrong side of him.

[Sligo Hornet]

That was a while ago OwlsFan - it was the late 1970s/early 1980s IIRC. More recently, Bristol City were beaten 1-0 by Hull City in the Premier League promotion play-off final in May 2008 and it is this result that has led to the inflated expectations of the Ashton Gate board.

My current concern in the CCC is Watford's freefall - only a point above the relegation places and in dire form, it's difficult to see them pulling out of this. And with the potential promotion from the Conference for Loo-town, that would make for a calamitous season at the Vic...

:ball: PP


I think we will have just enough to avoid the drop (not least the fact our goal difference is much better than many around us)........big game tonight at Sheffield Wednesday...a game Watford need to ensure they don't lose

[Closed Account 2]

Lost 2-1 looks like a last minute goal for Sheffield Wednesday... It's tighter than a youknowwhat down at the bottom of the championship!

[OwlsFan]

Lost 2-1 looks like a last minute goal for Sheffield Wednesday... It's tighter than a youknowwhat down at the bottom of the championship!

I'd say with Scunthorpe winning away at Sheffield United yesterday, the last relegation place will be between Palace and Wednesday and guess who meet in the final game at Hillsborough? The rest I think are safe enough with games in hand or better goal difference. Mind you if Wednesday win away to QPR this w/e, they too could become part of the scrap but that's unlikely to happen.

[DeLorean]

I watched the highlights of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8583783.stm) last night. There was a lot of Irish players involved. Peter Murphy gave away a terrible penalty for Southampton's first goal with a deliberate handball. Graham Kavanagh was also playing for Carlisle and Ian Harte set up their consolation goal with a great set-piece delivery. David Connolly came on for Southampton with five minutes left.

[OwlsFan]

I watched the highlights of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8583783.stm) last night. There was a lot of Irish players involved. Peter Murphy gave away a terrible penalty for Southampton's first goal with a deliberate handball. Graham Kavanagh was also playing for Carlisle and Ian Harte set up their consolation goal with a great set-piece delivery. David Connolly came on for Southampton with five minutes left.

I heard Harte being interviewed before the game saying he had never won anything and was looking forward to the game. Still won nothing I am afraid. 70k+ at the game. Who needs Man U or Liverpool ;) ?

[Closed Account 2]

Big match tonight, Watford at home to Palace. Almost a derby, with a touch under 30 miles between Watford High Street and White Horse Lane. Both clubs are in major financial peril, with Palace in administration and no likely buyer (the Puff Daddy deal has apparently fallen through) and Watford having to sell all and sundry to other clubs in the same division. If Watford win or draw they'll probably have enough daylight between themselves and Palace to survive. On the other hand a win for the Eagles will drag the Hornets right back into it - Watford will be just one point ahead of Palace (although they will also have a game in hand). Sheffield Wednesday could be in danger too, but they are currently 5 points ahead of the trap door. They do have some hard games left (e.g. against an improving QPR - with the Warnock factor, and the Sheffield Derby) as well as the Palace game on the last day of the season. One thing seems certain, Plymouth and Peterborough will be joined by a former Premier League team at the end of the season.

[OwlsFan]

I think I would like a Watford win because that leaves Palace 5 points adrift and their game in hand gone. QPR may be improving but so are Wednesday. I have already bought my ticket (a mere £10) for the final game against Palace. I had the fear of Warnock being their manager for that game and all hell would have broken loose if he relegated Wednesday. He is despised in the blue half of the city. In any event, it will be squeaky bum time I suspect for that game.

[Closed Account 2]

Yeah I think you'd want a Watford win (or perhaps a draw tonight) from a Sheffield Wednesday point of view. Keeping Palace down in the drop zone and a bit adrift if the best bet for you, Palace have been playing decent football from what I've seen, it's just a lack of depth and also poor stamina seems to be causing them problems, they were not outclassed by Cardiff in the match at the weekend, but just failed to take their chances.

[OwlsFan]

Thrown wide open again with Palace winning 3-1. All the teams up to Ipswich will start looking over their shoulders once more. In my heart I know it will go down to the Weds vs Palace last game and I fear the worst.

[DeLorean]

In my heart I know it will go down to the Weds vs Palace last game and I fear the worst.

At least you'll have two mouth watering fixtures against Leeds after they blow promotion!!

[Sligo Hornet]

Thrown wide open again with Palace winning 3-1. All the teams up to Ipswich will start looking over their shoulders once more. In my heart I know it will go down to the Weds vs Palace last game and I fear the worst.

We had enough chances in the first half to win THREE games......woeful finishing and bad luck....second half Watford appeared clueless and conceded two more really poorly defended goals....couldn't understand why Malky Mackay would not change things (with 3 more strikers on the bench) even when 3 nil down. Easter looks bleak for the Hornets, away to Preston on saturday (we never get anything there) and then Home to West Brom on Easter Monday

[OwlsFan]

Not much change at the bottom with QPR, Owls, Hornets and Palace all drawing. Plymouth won which gives them some hope.

Looks like Ipswich have changed their name, at least according to RTE. They are always called "Roy Keane's Ipswich Town".