Football 2011-2012

[worm]

I said at the start of the season we'd be doing well to match last season. Sold our top two goalscorers and our 2 best players of last season and replaced them with a lot cheaper players. Every signing (except the injured Marveaux and the chronically lacking in end product that is Obertan) has worked out brilliantly. Even Leon Best put in good games before he got injured

I think the really big thing has been our squad players. I was happy with our 1st 11, and lots of teams go on good runs of form (although not usually as good as our opening season form), but the real test is when you suffer injuries/suspensions/internationals. The likes of Ryan Taylor, Guthrie, Perch have come in and performed really well though. I think Guthrie was really unlucky to be dropped when Cabaye and Tiote returned, and while Perch isn't a centre-back, he had some really good games as a defensive mid, and I *never* thought I'd be praising Perch for his performances for us.

I still don't think we've got much hope of winning at Stamford Bridge. A draw would be a great result there, but I think a win is unrealistic. Got to beat Stoke and Wigan before we start worrying about it though.

[kaosmark2]

Are you from the north east?

[pink_triangle]

One of the advantages of supporting a conference side getting to see you team live on tv/dodgy internet feed a few times a year. Disadvantage watching the opponent goalkeeper kick the ball from his hands, 1 bounce and into the net!

[The Nal]

Dreadful game. Great result for Newcastle though.

[kaosmark2]

Dreadful game. Great result for Newcastle though.

Edited April 21, 2012 by kaosmark2

[pink_triangle]

The relegation and battles for 3rd and 4th are really heating up. Arsenal should be ok playing 3 teams who have their minds on the holiday but the other is up for grab. Would be great to see newcastle get one of them as they have shown that a side out of the normal elite can be succesful simply by making a lot of sensible decisions. Im starting to get a bit annoyed with the argument that spurs form is related to speculation about Arry and the England job. They only won 7 games in the second half of the season last year and there was no speculation then. Its down to the players not playing well enough and the manger not doing a good enough job as well.

Wasnt too long ago at all that the media were building up Arry and Kenny as certs for champions league football while at the same time making out that wenger was a fool and newcastle were stupid for selling kevin nolan and joey barton. Funny how things change.

[jammy2211]

Relegation is hotting up. I think Blackburn are done for now, they have to get a point at Spurs or Chelsea to have a hope in hell of staying but in reality they'd need to win one them. Can't see them happening.

Which leaves on Bolton to catch up with the others, and they have a decent chance give their two games in hand. All their matches are winnable and if they really come together they could easily get 8 points from those games. The draw today really hurt their chances though... still it's doable. If they win at Villa in the week then Villa are dragged right into the think of it too.

QPR have to go to Citeh and chelsea either side of a home game with Stoke. Wigan have home games with Newc and Wolves with a trip to Blackburn in the middle. Wolves at home on the last day of the season is a pretty fortunate draw, reckon they'll win that to stay up.

It's pretty interesting down there. From what I can see either Bolton find some form and make it really interesting, or they fade out and QPR and Wigan are safe before the last day. Of course if Blackburn win at Spurs then they'd be a home win over Wigan away from safety.

Fulham looking good too, making a push for 7th which'd be a huge achievement. We play all the sides around us now so it's in our hands, will probably have to settle for 9th in the end though. Still decent first season for Jol and I reckon we're well placed to push up higher next season as we lost a lot of points at the start due to a settling period with Jol. Depends if Dembele and Dempsey go in the summer though...

[thetime]

That ronaldo can never score when it matters.

Edited April 21, 2012 by thetime

[jammy2211]

Also wanna give a mention to Stevenage who are looking good to get that last play-off place. Gonna be heading into the playoffs as the form team... would be amazing for me to see either Stevenage or MK Dons go up to the champs. Stevenage especially... triple promotion for a club their size would just be ridiculous.

[kaosmark2]

The relegation and battles for 3rd and 4th are really heating up. Arsenal should be ok playing 3 teams who have their minds on the holiday but the other is up for grab. Would be great to see newcastle get one of them as they have shown that a side out of the normal elite can be succesful simply by making a lot of sensible decisions. Im starting to get a bit annoyed with the argument that spurs form is related to speculation about Arry and the England job. They only won 7 games in the second half of the season last year and there was no speculation then. Its down to the players not playing well enough and the manger not doing a good enough job as well.

Wasnt too long ago at all that the media were building up Arry and Kenny as certs for champions league football while at the same time making out that wenger was a fool and newcastle were stupid for selling kevin nolan and joey barton. Funny how things change.

[kaosmark2]

Relegation is hotting up. I think Blackburn are done for now, they have to get a point at Spurs or Chelsea to have a hope in hell of staying but in reality they'd need to win one them. Can't see them happening.

Which leaves on Bolton to catch up with the others, and they have a decent chance give their two games in hand. All their matches are winnable and if they really come together they could easily get 8 points from those games. The draw today really hurt their chances though... still it's doable. If they win at Villa in the week then Villa are dragged right into the think of it too.

QPR have to go to Citeh and chelsea either side of a home game with Stoke. Wigan have home games with Newc and Wolves with a trip to Blackburn in the middle. Wolves at home on the last day of the season is a pretty fortunate draw, reckon they'll win that to stay up.

It's pretty interesting down there. From what I can see either Bolton find some form and make it really interesting, or they fade out and QPR and Wigan are safe before the last day. Of course if Blackburn win at Spurs then they'd be a home win over Wigan away from safety.

Fulham looking good too, making a push for 7th which'd be a huge achievement. We play all the sides around us now so it's in our hands, will probably have to settle for 9th in the end though. Still decent first season for Jol and I reckon we're well placed to push up higher next season as we lost a lot of points at the start due to a settling period with Jol. Depends if Dembele and Dempsey go in the summer though...

[kaosmark2]

That ronaldo can never score when it matters.

[The Nal]

And yeah, great goal from Ronaldo. How many times has he scored in El Clasico now? Is that his first in the league or am I mistaken there?

Edited April 22, 2012 by The Nal

[Banana Co]

CHAMPIONS!!!!! See ya in the Prem everyone!

[strummer77]

So that clampdown on diving from fair pay Fergie was brief wasn't it...Ferguson's programme notes:

'Ashley is in danger of being targeted as a diver. it doesn't take much for press to get bandwagon rolling and it's unfair. I concede he tends to be a little dramatic, but at the end of the day he is being fouled'.

Not that I'd expect any manager to say otherwise of course

Anyway our games completely pointless today so what's predictions for the two title games? Can't see Wolves getting close to Man City to be honest but this is football...

Man Utd 3-1 Everton

Wolves 1-5 Man City

Edited April 22, 2012 by strummer77

[worm]

Yup. Grew up in Newcastle.

[pink_triangle]

.

The media bias is ridiculous. I'm not too surprised by the lack of comment about us, but there's NOONE praising Arsenal's great run or criticising Spurs' bad run. The only thing I've seen has been asking if the media is to blame. It seems they'd rather target themselves than their beloved. Parker's been bloody awful for a few weeks as well, and there's not been a single indication of that at all.

[jammy2211]

I think it's Bolton vs QPR really. That win against Spurs has given QPR a great chance, but as mentioned, Bolton have 2 games in hand, and 4 points in them would pull them right back into it. I think we could be seeing a multi-team last-day scenario again, which is always entertaining if your team isn't involved!

Fulham should be comfortably top half again, the question is how comfortable and whether Jol can keep the players motivated for the final push. The thing is, except for maybe lucking out into the Europa League occassionally, it doesn't seem like Al Fayed wants to invest the money to push Fulham into a major club. The small stadium/weak away support doesn't help encourage the idea of it either. I'll be surprised (but pleased) if Fulham manage to top 7th in any season in the next few years.

[kaosmark2]

WIth La liga pretty much in the bag Jose achievements of winning the 3 biggest leagues in football (1 against one of the greatest ever clubs sides) and 2 champions league titles, both with sides with minimal recent european pedigree make him the greatest manager in my time watching football. If he can add another champions league title he is certainly a candidate for the best ever.

[kaosmark2]

We spent some £20m this summer without really selling anyone and spent a bit the year before too. Recouped £5m on Zamora but seem to have replaced him with a better striker on a free anyway. Under Coleman he seemed happy to invest absolutely nothing but he (stupidly) gave Sanchez a lot of money, as he did Hodgson, Hughes and Jol. Will see how things go this summer, if we keep all our team I'd really fancy us to push on and further up the table. Both our last two seasons we've dropped a lot of points at the start due to an 'initiation' type period with the new manager... if we started the season like we're playing now we'd probably have an extra 8 or so points.

We seem to actually be bringing through some youth players too. 5 or 6 of our 'future' team have been given games this season and it's definitely helping us convince talented youngsters to come Fulham over some of the bigger clubs from signings we've made.

I've no doubt we'll stay motivated until the end of the season either - could of easily had heads drop when Wigan took the lead despite being outplayed. Getting 7th involves taking points from Anfield and Goodison though - Liverpool will have one eye on the cup at least.

[jammy2211]

Surely it'll be near impossible to keep hold of Dempsey? He's been growing in stature for a couple of seasons and has really caught the eye this one.

[strummer77]

I've no doubt we'll stay motivated until the end of the season either - could of easily had heads drop when Wigan took the lead despite being outplayed. Getting 7th involves taking points from Anfield and Goodison though - Liverpool will have one eye on the cup at least.

Edited April 22, 2012 by strummer77

[kaosmark2]

Only a year left on his contract too. I really expect him to go but I'm iffy on if any of the other PL sides need someone like him. He could fit in at Arsenal I reckon, but they have quite a few people who play where he plays anyway. Always possible he'll move to Italy or Spain as he wants to play CL but again I don't totally know who there would want him. Reckon Newcastle would go for him if they get CL though.

Looks like Murphy is probably leaving too and Dembele has got speculation surrounding him. Will be a challenge for Jol if the core of the midfield all leave, would really need Ruiz to step up eventually. Diarra looks like a quality replacement to Murphy though.

[jammy2211]

Chelsea. Or Germany. Doubt we'd go for him, would contradict our transfer policy of the last couple of seasons.

Murphy's ancient though isn't he? Surely would need replacing soon regardless.

[The Nal]

Utd conceding four at home. Not good enough. Really poor defending for the goals. Pity because some of the attacking play was great.

Biggest league game in years now next Monday.

Insane stuff in Genoa

Ultras got the match stopped at 4 nil and demanded the players give the shirts to them!!