Football 2011-2012

[eFestivals]

No way are we contenders for a Euro spot

I don't think you are either - but you never know.

After all, I'd say that Newc did far better last season than most people would have expected, especially with changing manager and losing Carroll mid-season.

And despite the lack of a big summer spend and losing some key players of the last few seasons, they're quite possibly an even stronger team this season (Ba, and Ben Arfa back playing). Given how they've started, it doesn't look like they're going to be too shabby.

But anyway, I was really just using Newc and Arsenal as examples of teams who are currently in a wildly different league position to where they're likely to end up, and which just around 4 more games is likely to see adjusted to something far nearer their finishing positions.

[kaosmark2]

I don't think you are either - but you never know.

After all, I'd say that Newc did far better last season than most people would have expected, especially with changing manager and losing Carroll mid-season.

And despite the lack of a big summer spend and losing some key players of the last few seasons, they're quite possibly an even stronger team this season (Ba, and Ben Arfa back playing). Given how they've started, it doesn't look like they're going to be too shabby.

But anyway, I was really just using Newc and Arsenal as examples of teams who are currently in a wildly different league position to where they're likely to end up, and which just around 4 more games is likely to see adjusted to something far nearer their finishing positions.

[The Nal]

Utd very lucky to get a point last night. Very lucky.

But the big story - Tevez refusing to come on for City?! In possibly the biggest match in the history of the club, when they we're 2-0 down?! That is fucking wrong. Feel bad for Mancini. He's bent over backwards for Tevez.

By the way, Tevez spoke through an interpreter after the game although didnt say much. A fucking interpreter!? Still? Hes been in England for over 5 years!

[eFestivals]

I've only seen the news reports about it.

They've said that he gave an interview after the game last night where he pretty much admitted that he refused to play, but that he's put out a statement this morning saying that wasn't what happened and that he must have been misunderstood.

My guess is that the club pushed for him to make today's statement, so that they've got an excuse that gives a half-decent chance of selling him, to make both parties happy.

[The Nal]

I've only seen the news reports about it.

They've said that he gave an interview after the game last night where he pretty much admitted that he refused to play, but that he's put out a statement this morning saying that wasn't what happened and that he must have been misunderstood.

My guess is that the club pushed for him to make today's statement, so that they've got an excuse that gives a half-decent chance of selling him, to make both parties happy.

[the_hedge]

Or his "advisers" made him make a statement. I think thats more likely. Tevez said last night "I didn't feel right to play, so I didn't". He warmed up and then Mancini brought on De Jong. Then he told Tevez to get the trackie off as he was next on and he refused.

Mancini wouldn't have made that statement last night if there had been a misunderstanding. Whats possible "misunderstanding" could there be?! "Carlos, get warmed up, you're coming on." Its worked for 150 years in all levels of the game. How did it go wrong last night?

Its a disgrace to football as Souness said. With no possible comeback from Tevez. Theres no excuse for refusing to play. Its the only unforgivable sin in football.

I'd say Fergie had chuckle to himself last night. After all the "Fergie sign him up" chants from the Utd fans before he left, once again, Fergie has been proved 100% right. In the biggest game in Citys history, their best player over the last two years refused to come on. Just shocking. Really feel bad for Mancini. A good manager and a nice bloke whos had all his trust and benefit of the doubt thrown back in his face in front of the world.

Edited September 28, 2011 by the_hedge

[strummer77]

Hmmm, I don’t know about that. Yeah hes big and awkward and sometimes gets so far above defender, fairly, it looks like a foul. But he always has a hand round the neck or back at some stage. Nothing nasty, but defo fouls.

[eFestivals]

Certainly when he was at Liverpool (unsure about since) and for England he used to get loads of fouls given AGAINST him that were just him jumping. He looked awkward and a foul was given. He's got away with a few the other way- who doesn't- but I always was surprised at how many fouls he gave away without doing anything.

I think Fergie's just moaning myself.

yep, that's my take on Crouch too - he does foul a lot, but just as often as he gets away with a foul a foul gets called when he's not made one.

I think Fergie is playing the refs myself.

[TheGayTent]

Forgive me father for whichever of the terrible sins I committed that you deemed so bad, you gave me the ultimate punishment of forcing me to watch my team play the most abysmal type of football, the type of football that should never be associated with my club. Sam Allardyce is the anti-christ, will three hail Marys get rid of him? I'll do six if it ensures he foxtrot oscars and takes Mr "lots of pointing and shouting and little else" Nolan with him...

[the_hedge]

Forgive me father for whichever of the terrible sins I committed that you deemed so bad, you gave me the ultimate punishment of forcing me to watch my team play the most abysmal type of football, the type of football that should never be associated with my club. Sam Allardyce is the anti-christ, will three hail Marys get rid of him? I'll do six if it ensures he foxtrot oscars and takes Mr "lots of pointing and shouting and little else" Nolan with him...

Edited September 28, 2011 by the_hedge

[TheGayTent]

I still reckon he will get you up though and it could be worse, you could be a Forest fan

[the_hedge]

I'd sooner be entertained and stay down.

[jump]

Tevez is claiming he didn't refuse to play but he's refusing to say why he didn't play.

Tevez said: "I would like to apologise to all Manchester City fans, with whom I have always had a strong relationship, for any misunderstanding that occurred in Munich. They understand that when I am on the pitch I have always given my best for the club.

"In Munich on Tuesday I had warmed up and was ready to play. This is not the right time to get into specific details as to why this did not happen. But I wish to state that I never refused to play.

"There was some confusion on the bench and I believe my position may have been misunderstood. Going forward I am ready to play when required and to fulfil my obligations."

[The Nal]

Tevez is claiming he didn't refuse to play but he's refusing to say why he didn't play.

[eFestivals]

I really enjoyed watching the Chelsea match last night. They're becoming a much better team to watch, tho it's at the expense of being winners I suspect.

I can't believe there were only two goals, there were loads of great opportunities on both sides. And Valencia's goalie was superb.

But we got the Chelsea of old at the end, surrounding the ref and players getting cards for it. And all because the ref blew up for full time between awarding a free kick and that free kick (not ) getting taken. It spoilt what had been a great match to watch.

[eFestivals]

Good to see Tevez get suspended by City, tho I can only see Tevez being the winner from the situation he's contrived. He'll get another contract somewhere, but City might not see very muchmoney come their way.

[pink_triangle]

I agree Tevez is the winner but due to citys imense wealth they arent really the losers. Its not like city are unable to buy a replacement because they are paying tevez a huge wage, they will still carry on buying who they want, when they want.

[eFestivals]

I agree Tevez is the winner but due to citys imense wealth they arent really the losers. Its not like city are unable to buy a replacement because they are paying tevez a huge wage, they will still carry on buying who they want, when they want.

Not sure about that - the FFP rules are in play don't forget.

I'm pretty sure that they were the reason why City was holding out for a big fee for Tevez during the summer.

[pink_triangle]

Maybe you have more faith in financial fair play working than I do. Everyone knows the big clubs accountants have been working out loopholes for a long time now. I personally hope the concept of financial fair play fails, it seems to me an idea that will make the owners of the big clubs richer and protect the big clubs from any competition.

[eFestivals]

Maybe you have more faith in financial fair play working than I do. Everyone knows the big clubs accountants have been working out loopholes for a long time now. I personally hope the concept of financial fair play fails, it seems to me an idea that will make the owners of the big clubs richer and protect the big clubs from any competition.

oh, I'm sure they'll all find loopholes to exploit, but it'll probably stop the bottomless pits of money that exists currently for the likes of City. So it'll reign thing in a little, and so any money they get from Tevez will be important.

I agree, I hope the rules as they are fail because that'll simply remove competition, and cement the current big teams in place forever. But I'm in general agreement with the idea of clubs not being loaded with debts they have no chance of paying off.

The middle ground between those would allow a sugar-daddy to take a club upwards as long as the club wasn't laden with debts by doing that - so the sugar daddy has to make a gift and not a loan.

[kaosmark2]

oh, I'm sure they'll all find loopholes to exploit, but it'll probably stop the bottomless pits of money that exists currently for the likes of City. So it'll reign thing in a little, and so any money they get from Tevez will be important.

I agree, I hope the rules as they are fail because that'll simply remove competition, and cement the current big teams in place forever. But I'm in general agreement with the idea of clubs not being loaded with debts they have no chance of paying off.

The middle ground between those would allow a sugar-daddy to take a club upwards as long as the club wasn't laden with debts by doing that - so the sugar daddy has to make a gift and not a loan.

[eFestivals]

Agreed.

On that bolded note, does anyone know what's actually happening at Newcastle with Ashley's 'investment'? Sometimes he's 'donating' money, sometimes he's 'loaning' money, sometimes he's 'taking back loan repayments'. It keeps on changing as to how he's supposedly investing in us.

I'd guess that he's fiddling things there in just the same ways as Hall & Shepard were, using shell 'service' companies to take money out for himself, off the radar of the more normal profit taking - so that the 'loans' he gives is really just giving the club back money he's taken from it by other means.

[kaosmark2]

I'd guess that he's fiddling things there in just the same ways as Hall & Shepard were, using shell 'service' companies to take money out for himself, off the radar of the more normal profit taking - so that the 'loans' he gives is really just giving the club back money he's taken from it by other means.

[The Nal]

BBC Breaking News: Man Utd footballer Rio Ferdinand loses High Court privacy action over 'kiss and tell' story.

For fucks sake..... another one?!

So it'll all come out now. The bitch sold her story for £16,000.

Edited September 29, 2011 by The Nal

[TheGayTent]

It's an old one.