Football 2011-2012

[eFestivals]

I watched the Liverpool/Fulham game last night. Dreadful, absolutely dreadful.

And I wanted to punch the commentator's sidekick (not sure who it was). He kept going on about how "Fulham need to be careful of the dangerous threat of Carroll", and was thinking "what threat is that then?"

The threat that he might fall over anytime any player comes near him? The threat that he'll moan continually to the ref? The threat that he'll play continuously poor balls? He can't have been on about the threat of him scoring.

Having said that, Carroll was the best player Liverpool had (bar some in defence). As I said, absolutely dreadful.

Edited May 2, 2012 by eFestivals

[pink_triangle]

Daglish wasn't happy last night. Heads were down. Not good prep for the final.

[eFestivals]

Daglish wasn't happy last night. Heads were down. Not good prep for the final.

Very true.

But here's betting that even after last nights dreadful, Downing will be in the starting 11 on Saturday.

Stirling should be on the team sheet before Downing,. he'd looked good with the few kicks I've seen him get. And at least those kicks have a hope of leading somewhere good, when there's no hope of that from Downing.

[The Nal]

Stirling should be on the team sheet before Downing,. he'd looked good with the few kicks I've seen him get. And at least those kicks have a hope of leading somewhere good, when there's no hope of that from Downing.

Edited May 2, 2012 by The Nal

[strummer77]

It was disappointing there was no desire, but come on... We've been poor (results wise) in the league this season, but anyone trying to take anything from that result in isolation or performance is crazy. Second choice XI with our four of five best players not even in the squad. It was still a poor performance but when you make 9 changes from a team that eased through at the weekend and include players who haven't started for a whole year, it was never going to be pretty.

As Pink Triangle said, it was a chance for a few people to earn a place. They failed. The main point was ensuring Suarez didn't have the chance to bite someone in frustration a few days before our biggest game of the season...

The leagues a write off. The Cup isn't (until 7pm Saturday anyway...).

It has been a dismal dismal league campaign though.

Edited May 2, 2012 by strummer77

[The Nal]

It was disappointing there was no desire, but come on... We've been poor (results wise) in the league this season, but anyone trying to take anything from that result in isolation or performance is crazy.

[pink_triangle]

Would be a bad result for liverpool if chelsea lose today, as I think they will then prioritise the fa cup ahead of the league.

[kaosmark2]

Considering Cashley, Fat Frank, Drogba and Mata were all rested, I reckon Di Matteo made his priorities pretty clear.

[lost]

Everton have made sports illustrated this week over in the states:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/jen_chang/04/29/performance.analytics/index.html

[pink_triangle]

Considering Cashley, Fat Frank, Drogba and Mata were all rested, I reckon Di Matteo made his priorities pretty clear.

[kaosmark2]

DIdnt see the team, Im quite surprised. Its a huge risk effectively giving up one route to champions league football for an all or nothing game aganst one of the top sides in the world.

[Ed209]

DIdnt see the team, Im quite surprised. Its a huge risk effectively giving up one route to champions league football for an all or nothing game aganst one of the top sides in the world.

Edited May 2, 2012 by Ed209

[strummer77]

Its totally 100% the right move! I would say that even before tonight, they have a better chance of champion's league football by winning the CL final, than they do making it to 4th spot. Its winning one match as supposed to winning 3matches.

[kaosmark2]

Can hear through the stream our fans singing "He dives when he wants" about Drogba

Quite a tight game, but I reckon we've edged it so far. Certainly tested Cech a lot more than Chelsea have Krul.

[pink_triangle]

I have a funny feeling the media tomorrow will make a big thing about how spurs form went when arry was linked to the England job and the bolton result is clear evidence of the great boost from him staying.

[Ed209]

The moment team prioritise qualifying for the CL over an attempt to win the thing its dead. Di Matteo is going for glory and fair play to him. Hope he loses both mind.

[kaosmark2]

CISSE!

God.

[strummer77]

Cisse's goal right up there with the best this season. That, Crouch's, RVP's and Suarez's are the contenders in my opinion...

For me Suarez and RVP's are the top two though. For all Crouch and Cisse's goals brilliance they are a little bit more hit and hope I think. Great goals but Suarez and RVP knew exactly what they were doing.

Couldn't moan if any of those four got it mind.

[pink_triangle]

Cant wait for Newcastle v City, its a game that a couple of months ago both teams may have thought a draw was a decent result. Now both will go into the game thinking (possibly incorrectly) that nothing is to be gained from a draw which will hopefully mean both teams go for it, I think the battle for 4th is fascinating, I think chelsea have the money to absorb a season away from the champions league, Arsenal will probably lose RVP regardless but missing out would have the greatest effect on spurs who would probably lose all their best players. I assume the newcastle business model isnt dependent on champions league football, so it would just be a bonus for them. My heart would like newcastle to get a place but my head says it could be a waste of a slot and they would be better int he europa league where they would be more competitive.

[pink_triangle]

Cisse's goal right up there with the best this season. That, Crouch's, RVP's and Suarez's are the contenders in my opinion...

For me Suarez and RVP's are the top two though. For all Crouch and Cisse's goals brilliance they are a little bit more hit and hope I think. Great goals but Suarez and RVP knew exactly what they were doing.

Couldn't moan if any of those four got it mind.

[strummer77]

Im struggling to remember the best goals this season although I wouldnt pick any of them. It depends what you look for in a goal, but to me the best goals are the great passing ones that result in easy finishes, the finish may not be as spectacular but to me they have a greater level of difficlty as there are generally more steps to the move where something could go wrong. No doubt suarez and rvp knew what they were doing but theres always an element of luck with these goals.

[pink_triangle]

True, can't really remember any Carlos Alberto style passing goals this season either though. Might have been some but none come to mind!

[kaosmark2]

I assume the newcastle business model isnt dependent on champions league football, so it would just be a bonus for them. My heart would like newcastle to get a place but my head says it could be a waste of a slot and they would be better int he europa league where they would be more competitive.

[strummer77]

I think it's going to be a bit interesting transfer wise over the next few years. With only the two Manc clubs guaranteed CL football (and possibly in the near future just City) the CL places could conceivably be shared out amongst up to 7 clubs in the next few years. Not sure top players will necessarily be able to guarantee themselves CL with a move like they could a few years ago...

[thetime]

I think it's going to be a bit interesting transfer wise over the next few years. With only the two Manc clubs guaranteed CL football (and possibly in the near future just City) the CL places could conceivably be shared out amongst up to 7 clubs in the next few years. Not sure top players will necessarily be able to guarantee themselves CL with a move like they could a few years ago...