EPL Thread 2008/09

[lionelhutz]

Anyone guess who Gallas is talking about in the following quotes from BBC sport;

"When as captain some players come up to you and talk to you about a player... complaining about him... and then during the match you speak to this player and the player in question insults us, there comes a time where we can no longer comprehend how this can happen. I am trying to defend myself a bit without giving names. Otherwise I'm taking it all (the blame). I'm 31, the player is six years younger than me."

I think it's Van Persie cause he's the only 25 year old playing in midfield or up front against Spurs in the 4-4 draw which is the game Gallas is referring to.

Firstly its awful for team morale if this is true and secondly how thick is Gallas to come out with this in public. This will destroy the dressing room

[tetsujin1979]

Wenger has stripped Gallas of the captaincy following those remarks. Proper order too, who'd listen to him after that?

[Noelys Guitar]

What a great job Joe Kinnear is doing at Newcastle. 0-0 at Chelsea is incredible considering what is going on at Newcastle. A manager on a month by month contract with a squad of about 14 semi-decent players drawing with the league leaders on their own ground. I actually believe if they appoint Shearer in any capacity they will go down. GIve the job to Joe.

[OwlsFan]

What a great job Joe Kinnear is doing at Newcastle. 0-0 at Chelsea is incredible considering what is going on at Newcastle. A manager on a month by month contract with a squad of about 14 semi-decent players drawing with the league leaders on their own ground. I actually believe if they appoint Shearer in any capacity they will go down. GIve the job to Joe.

Not every day you see all the top 4 fail to score!!

Saw most of the Sunderland game (with one eye on the cricket on Sky) and it was long ball in to the box stuff, with Reid being their most creative player, albeit subbed after about an hour. Could be a tight fight at both ends of the table this year but the season really hasn't caught fire yet I think.

[lionelhutz]

At this point I'd predict West Brom, Blackburn (especially if Robinson keeps playing) and Sunderland to go down. Sunderland don't seem to have any fight about them and the likes of Cisse and Diouf are simply wasters.

Liverpool to be champions - if they drop Keane and play Gerrard behind Torres with Mascherano and Alonso in the middle, Riera on the left and Kuyt on the right. Chelsea runners up, Aston Villa third and Man Utd fourth.

[superfrank]

Cisse's been knocking the goals in and Robinson's been playing very well. I don't think West Brom are too bad either.

Relegation will be pretty interesting this year. 22 points seperate top from bottom but only 11 seperate 5th and 20th. It'll probably take until March until there's a clearer picture of what teams are struggling.

[lionelhutz]

Cisse's been knocking the goals in and Robinson's been playing very well. I don't think West Brom are too bad either.

Relegation will be pretty interesting this year. 22 points seperate top from bottom but only 11 seperate 5th and 20th. It'll probably take until March until there's a clearer picture of what teams are struggling.

Cisse is absolute rubbish. He has got to be the least intelligent professional footballer in England. Besides being quick, he can't head the ball, he can't pass and he's an awful finisher. And this season he has 5 goals in 18 appearances, which is OK but I bet he scores at most 10 this season.

As regards Robinson, have you watched BBurn this year? He's been at least partly at fault for realistically 80% plus of their goals, eg. Alves, Bednar, Anelka, and Jones all scored goals that were Robinsons fault this season. He's truly dire and unless BBurn get rid of him, theyre in serious trouble.

[Roadend]

Saw most of the Sunderland game
As did I:(

[OwlsFan]

Relegation will be pretty interesting this year. 22 points seperate top from bottom but only 11 seperate 5th and 20th. It'll probably take until March until there's a clearer picture of what teams are struggling.


Relegation: West Brom, Stoke and probably Wigan. If Everton weren't so high up the league I'd nominate them as well. I have seen them live 3 times on the box so far (including last night losing to Wigan) and on each occasion they have been awful. Their performance in the Liverpool derby a few weeks back was one of the worst I've ever seen - they couldn't string a few passes together. Outside the top few clubs there is some terrible dross in the Premiership.

[Sligo Hornet]

Cisse is absolute rubbish. He has got to be the least intelligent professional footballer in England. Besides being quick, he can't head the ball, he can't pass and he's an awful finisher.

Not surprising when you have a foot long thick piece of red velcro stuck to your head!;)

[Sligo Hornet]

Relegation: West Brom, Stoke and probably Wigan. If Everton weren't so high up the league I'd nominate them as well. I have seen them live 3 times on the box so far (including last night losing to Wigan) and on each occasion they have been awful. Their performance in the Liverpool derby a few weeks back was one of the worst I've ever seen - they couldn't string a few passes together. Outside the top few clubs there is some terrible dross in the Premiership.

Welcome to "our world"!:D

[lionelhutz]

Relegation: West Brom, Stoke and probably Wigan. If Everton weren't so high up the league I'd nominate them as well. I have seen them live 3 times on the box so far (including last night losing to Wigan) and on each occasion they have been awful. Their performance in the Liverpool derby a few weeks back was one of the worst I've ever seen - they couldn't string a few passes together. Outside the top few clubs there is some terrible dross in the Premiership.

I doubt Everton will be anywhere near the bottom half come the end of the season, let alone the bottom 3. Moyes is an excellent manager IMO and with good players like Jagielka, Fellaini, Cahill and Saha it'd be a huge shock if they were battling relegation.

I think Stoke and Wigan will be ok too just about. If Zaki gets fit again and back to form they'll have enough firepower to stay up. And Stoke will just batter teams and get the required results. Well I've a bet on Stoke to stay up so I'm hoping this will happen!

Anybody else with predictions on title winners/relegation??

[newbie]

honestly think Liverpool can win the league. Scholari is the reason for this. they just arent as "hard" as previous seasons. How many points have they dropped at the Bridge this season sompared to last? and the talent they have is impressive but having the likes of Malouda,Kalou,Anelka,Deco trying to dig you out of tough,horrible situations is not going to work.
United have Japan to come and could be some way off when they come back and Arsenal area joke this season.

West Brom are awful and will go down,hopefully followed by Bolton and maybe Fulham althought Johnson could be the difference there. the man knows how to score (and get penos)

[OwlsFan]

None of the top teams impressing as yet. Liverpool being held at home by Hull and Benitez talks up the result :confused: Blackburn the surpise package in the bottom three but should get out of it.

Anyone's title and no dead certs for relegation yet.

[lionelhutz]

None of the top teams impressing as yet. Liverpool being held at home by Hull and Benitez talks up the result :confused: Blackburn the surpise package in the bottom three but should get out of it.

Anyone's title and no dead certs for relegation yet.

I have to say after being at the Sunderland game on Saturday, West Brom look doomed. Their centre halves were abysmal, they concede too many easy goals to have any chance of staying up

[OwlsFan]

I see Blackburn have sacked Ince. That should be it sacking manager wise until the end of the season I reckon.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/7784967.stm

[OwlsFan]

That should be it sacking manager wise until the end of the season I reckon.

Actually, I forgot about Tony Adams. Good chance he could go soon unless the results pick up.

[Noelys Guitar]

I see Blackburn have sacked Ince. That should be it sacking manager wise until the end of the season I reckon.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/7784967.stm

If City don't pick up at least 4 points from their next two games against WBA and Hull then I can't see Hughes hanging on to his job. City could be in the bottom three come Saturday evening depending on results.

[Hibernian]

If City don't pick up at least 4 points from their next two games against WBA and Hull then I can't see Hughes hanging on to his job. City could be in the bottom three come Saturday evening depending on results.

Agree with that.

I think Hughes could well be in big trouble by this weekend. So much for breaking into the top 4.

They will get stronger with the money alright but there still away with the birds if they think they can break into a champions league spot within next two seasons.

[OwlsFan]

I think Hughes could well be in big trouble by this weekend. So much for breaking into the top 4.

He's got the dreaded vote of confidence from the Chairman:

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/1216/mancity.html

[OwlsFan]

IWest Brom look doomed. Their centre halves were abysmal, they concede too many easy goals to have any chance of staying up

Good win today over Man City who drop in to the bottom three. Any one of about 12 teams could be relegated.

[lionelhutz]

At this point I'd predict West Brom, Blackburn (especially if Robinson keeps playing) and Sunderland to go down. Sunderland don't seem to have any fight about them and the likes of Cisse and Diouf are simply wasters.

Liverpool to be champions - if they drop Keane and play Gerrard behind Torres with Mascherano and Alonso in the middle, Riera on the left and Kuyt on the right. Chelsea runners up, Aston Villa third and Man Utd fourth.

After Bburn appointing Allardyce, I'll change my relegation prediction to Sunderland, West Brom and Bolton. I've no doubt Allardyce will keep them up, he's brilliant in this situation.

I'll stick with my top 4 prediction, ie 1st - Liverpool, 2nd - Chelsea, 3rd - Aston Villa, 4th - Man Utd

[old git]

After Bburn appointing Allardyce, I'll change my relegation prediction to Sunderland, West Brom and Bolton. I've no doubt Allardyce will keep them up, he's brilliant in this situation.

I'll stick with my top 4 prediction, ie 1st - Liverpool, 2nd - Chelsea, 3rd - Aston Villa, 4th - Man Utd

bold predictions lionel...

but cant see liverpool winning league or villa finishing in top 3

chelsea / man utd winners liverpool 3rd / arsenal 4th / villa 5th :D

[reder]

bold predictions lionel...

but cant see liverpool winning league or villa finishing in top 3

chelsea / man utd winners liverpool 3rd / arsenal 4th / villa 5th :D

Liverpool have no chance of finishing 1st. We are playing truely pathetic football. The wheels will come off soon enough. Funny thing is that most of the fans are begging for Benitez to get a new contract. By fans I mean internet based fans. Coming out of the Emirates yesterday, most were not, lets just say. Come the end of the season they will be calling for his head. I have no doubt about that. We have no money, unlike the likes of Villa who are looking great on all fronts. (on and off the field)

I dont know what is going on with Robbie Keane. Something is very wrong there. He may be caught in the middle of a Rafa/Parry war or there may be tension between Rafa and himself. Either way, its doing Robbie no good and he should look for a transfer because once things start to go pear-shaped, he will be this seasons knew scape-goat. Rafa is a very clever operator, he knows what to say and when to say it.

[Angus]

Liverpool have no chance of finishing 1st. We are playing truely pathetic football. The wheels will come off soon enough. Funny thing is that most of the fans are begging for Benitez to get a new contract. By fans I mean internet based fans. Coming out of the Emirates yesterday, most were not, lets just say. Come the end of the season they will be calling for his head. I have no doubt about that. We have no money, unlike the likes of Villa who are looking great on all fronts. (on and off the field)

I dont know what is going on with Robbie Keane. Something is very wrong there. He may be caught in the middle of a Rafa/Parry war or there may be tension between Rafa and himself. Either way, its doing Robbie no good and he should look for a transfer because once things start to go pear-shaped, he will be this seasons knew scape-goat. Rafa is a very clever operator, he knows what to say and when to say it.

With referees routinely reducing your opponents by one each game, yopu have a chance

[old git]

With referees routinely reducing your opponents by one each game, yopu have a chance

if john terry had not attempted to amputate osman's leg . referee would not have sent him off.. loved scolari's reaction in slow motion on setanta to his captains tackle :D

[OwlsFan]

First time I've seen Liverpool play really well despite the rotation. Shay did his best to keep Newcastle in it but still shipped 5 !!

[shakermaker1982]

First time I've seen Liverpool play really well despite the rotation. Shay did his best to keep Newcastle in it but still shipped 5 !!

Newcastle were woeful. They need a new back four and two decent central MF players. Felt very sorry for Given today.

[trevy]

Why has the premiership or premier soccer Saturday as its now known not been on over Christmas?

[HarpoJoyce]

Steven Gerrard reported to be one of six people arrested for an assault on Bold Street, Southport.

http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/autocodes/countries/england/steven-gerrard-arrested-over-alleged-assault-$1257514.htm
"Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been arrested Printer friendly version Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been arrested following a suspected assault, inthenews.co.uk has learned.

A statement from Merseyside police confirmed officers attended a disturbance at a licensed premises on Bold Street in Southport in the early hours of this morning.

Six men were arrested on suspicion of section 20 assault on Lord Street, police said......."

[Junior]

a spot for the "number 10 in the hole" role perhaps for the next few games. Step up Robbie.........

[OwlsFan]

Comfortable win for Man U with Chelsea very disappointing. Boring game really. Sorted out photo albums while it was on.

[Angus]

Prob the best result for anybody hoping the charlatans dont win the epl

[old git]

Comfortable win for Man U with Chelsea very disappointing. Boring game really. Sorted out photo albums while it was on.

you must be spoilt for soccer matches .. as a neutral watching thought it quite enjoyable to watch at least both teams tried to play football . utd were impressive against a very ordinary looking chelsea team drogba did not seem to want to know at all for chelsea along with a few others off all the so called superstars on show for the big 2 clubs in england 1 player stood out 35 year old ryan giggs thought he was excellent / involved in most utd moves and his workrate was unbeliveable made a couple of long chases back to win ball back for utd showed a few of the younger lads up big time ( ronaldo & co):ball:

[OwlsFan]

I can't really udnerstand why a club would want to spend £100 million on one player. Surely, 10 players each valued at £10 million would be much better for a team. Very strange!

And what do these texters to Radio stations mean when they say "You can't buy history". I heard this said 3 times this am. Man City have won most honours in the game, including a European trophy I think.

[old git]

I can't really udnerstand why a club would want to spend £100 million on one player. Surely, 10 players each valued at £10 million would be much better for a team. Very strange!

And what do these texters to Radio stations mean when they say "You can't buy history". I heard this said 3 times this am. Man City have won most honours in the game, including a European trophy I think.

most of the biggest clubs in the world " bought history at some stage"

alot of clubs would love half the money city have at the moment..:ball:

[tetsujin1979]

I can't really udnerstand why a club would want to spend £100 million on one player. Surely, 10 players each valued at £10 million would be much better for a team. Very strange!

And what do these texters to Radio stations mean when they say "You can't buy history". I heard this said 3 times this am. Man City have won most honours in the game, including a European trophy I think.
Cup Winner's Cup in 1970.
Useless bit of trivia, Man City and Chelsea are the only clubs to have won the Cup Winner's Cup and the League Cup in the same season

[shakermaker1982]

I can't really udnerstand why a club would want to spend £100 million on one player. Surely, 10 players each valued at £10 million would be much better for a team. Very strange!

And what do these texters to Radio stations mean when they say "You can't buy history". I heard this said 3 times this am. Man City have won most honours in the game, including a European trophy I think.

The guardian are claiming Man City would get Gattuso and Dida for the 100 million as well. Some statement if they can pull it off.

[superfrank]

£50m for Dida???

Jesus, that's ridiculous. They could find a much better keeper than him and for cheaper as well, probably.

[OwlsFan]

£50m for Dida???

Jesus, that's ridiculous. They could find a much better keeper than him and for cheaper as well, probably.

Keepers are always suprisingly cheap. Can't see a keeper ever going for that sort of price.

[old git]

£50m for Dida???

Jesus, that's ridiculous. They could find a much better keeper than him and for cheaper as well, probably.

' jesus thats ridiculous ' £ 50 mill dida . they are having a laugh:D
would be looking for goalkeeper at that price to quarantee scoring at least 15-20 goals a season :D

[brianw82]

Spurs v Portsmouth

Exciting game, but neither team could hold on to the ball for more than 6 seconds. Some truly atrocious play.

[OwlsFan]

Craig Bellamy to Man City. Hardly the sort of player that captures the imagination (as opposed to newspaper headlines) but brought in to bring some steel to the team?

[shakermaker1982]

Craig Bellamy to Man City. Hardly the sort of player that captures the imagination (as opposed to newspaper headlines) but brought in to bring some steel to the team?

14 million is crazy money for Bellamy. A player I rate but not the kind of player Man City need right now. They need a new centre back, a defensive midfielder and a guy who can hold the ball up + bang in the goals (Drogba fit and happy would suit them down to the ground).

[superfrank]

Bellamy's not a top striker but Hughes got him to work pretty well for him at Blackburn a few years ago so I imagine that's why he'd go in for him.

[EAFC_rdfl]

and now robinho has taken a hissy fit and left their training camp, maybe he's worried bellamy will give him the 'golf club' treatment :D! In fairness it was only a matter of time before he started throwing his toys out. Im glad kaka has seen sense and stayed well away

[OwlsFan]

Congrats to van der Sar on the Premier League record of clean sheets. However, the football league record rests with Steve De'Ath (formerly Death) of Reading (1978-9) with 1103 minutes while the British record is with Chris Woods of Rangers (1986-7) with 1196 minutes. Wish he had done that when he was with Wednesday :(

[old git]

Congrats to van der Sar on the Premier League record of clean sheets. However, the football league record rests with Steve De'Ath (formerly Death) of Reading (1978-9) with 1103 minutes while the British record is with Chris Woods of Rangers (1986-7) with 1196 minutes. Wish he had done that when he was with Wednesday :(

some record by all 3 goalkeepers & defences in front of them
van der saar 11 clean sheets / steve de'ath 12.2 / woods 13.2
the way utd are playing fancy van der saar to run up another couple
probally let in a couple at weekend now ..

what is the world record . may be wrong but athletico madrids keeper
abel resno kept clean sheets for 1275 minutes back in early 90's :D

[brianw82]

Strangest story of the day - Matt Derbyshire to move to Olympiakos on loan for the rest of the season.

Hopefully that works out for him. More English players should move abroad if they're not getting a chance in the team. As someone on teamtalk said, if someone from South America can move to Wigan and be worth 14 million in a year, why can't a young Englishman do the same in Spain, Italy or Holland?

[OwlsFan]

Strangest story of the day - Matt Derbyshire to move to Olympiakos on loan for the rest of the season.

Hopefully that works out for him. More English players should move abroad if they're not getting a chance in the team. As someone on teamtalk said, if someone from South America can move to Wigan and be worth 14 million in a year, why can't a young Englishman do the same in Spain, Italy or Holland?

Mustn't fit in to Big Sam's plans. Surprised some Championship team didn't take him on loan.