Football talking points

First topic message reminder :

Rather than hijack the "which team do you support" thread where some of these are being talked about...

Some of the events of the weekend that are getting people talking

1) Mario Balotelli: plenty to say about him in general but specifically the alleged stamp on Scott Parker and his subsequent charge by the FA

2) Lescott's elbow on Kaboul(?) - FA say no charge to answer

3) Conspiracy theories in general about Man City!

4) Wenger's decision to take Chamberlain off and put Arshavin on - and Van Persie's reaction

5) Peter Crouch and the "eye-gouge"

6) Harry Redknapp and the tax-dodging allegations and court case

Discuss!

I'm not going to disagree with anyone about this, as we're all capable of our own opinions. With regard to Sam I tend to agree with MPB and didn't take much notice of McCarthy at Sunderland so will have to bow to Diggers inside local knowledge. On paper however I feel that all 3 have had a raw deal regarding their last jobs, and didn't deserve it, and were shafted.

Warnock in my opinion is much maligned, as most people loath him and see him as a whinger. But he takes no prisoners and tells it like it is, you could liken him to being the LJ of football I wonder if all 3 of them are quietly loving the situation at their former clubs

Fair do's Doc The downside for me of MM being sacked is having to listen to his professional northerner commentary.
Anyone give Chelsea a prayer against Barca ? The only way Id like to see Chelski win the CL is if it deprived Newcastle of a place next season if they managed to finish 4th....
Id liek a Real v Barca final, looking forward to this Saturdays Classico. They are never dull.

I can't disagree that they all had a bit of a raw deal in their last sackings. One thing worth saying however is that is of course easy to say in hindsight because all of them have continued to struggle once they were gone so you're left thinking "was Sam/Colin/Mick doing all that badly?".

It should be noted that no one is very vocal anymore saying how harsh Chris Houghton's sacking at Newcastle was. And it was. But they've gone on to do better still so it gets forgotten.
Had QPR, Blackburn or Wolves picked up in form i doubt anyone would be noticing how harsh the sackings were. They haven't but that doesn't change the circumstances of the sackings anymore than if they had

If you believe Mourinho it will be a Barca - Bayern final as UEFA don't like Chelski/English clubs and also don't like him.

I have to say i wouldn't mind that as a final at all. Both attacking sides with very differing styles of going about it. I wouldn't mind seeing Bayern win it. They're bringing proper wing play back into fashion and i like that

And of course if Houghton hadnt been harshly sacked Pardew wouldnt have got the job after possibly himself being harshly sacked by Southampton...the good old managerial roundabout.

In my northern tones I will plump for a Classico final too, as I don't think Chelsea deserve anything this past 2 seasons. Ever since Wilkins was shown the door they struggled and then sacked a decent manager. ABV couldn't cope with big name players and they shat on him, and DiMatteo is basically a mate picking mates and trying to keep them happy. The club has another vanity owner who has pumped millions into his toy, without any chance of seeing a return on his investment ..... sorry loan (because thats how they get around the new fair play finance rules) I should hope for an English team win, but can't bring myself to do it, so hope they get destroyed.

All the England manager buttocks has created a problem at Spurs, so I hope they can sort themselves out and get the much deserved CL spot. Even though the bar-codes of over achieved this season, Spurs deserve it on pre Xmas form. And I'm also loving the demise of king Kenny and his Liverpool flops. Another well deserved result of owners being swayed by history, forcing a decent manager out who wasn't given a chance. Hodgsons team still had better form than kenny's multi-millions not well spent team

I am also enjoying the shambles that is Liverpool FC

I was too young to really remember Kenny Dogleash as either a player or a manager first time round but i obviously knew he was successful and had always been given the impression from the media that he was funny and chirpy if not a bit feisty in interviews etc.
This time around, and i'm not sure if he's changed or if the memories are skewed by red tinted glasses, but i really am finding him a miserable, whinging git. He seems like the world is against him, he's rude to everyone and always has someone else to blame for everything. I can't wait for him to be sacked and hopefully retire from football full stop. Other managers have been ditched for much less than the shocking job he's doing up there

He has changed MPB, he has always been dour but with a wry sense of humour. Now he is just dour and whingy and defensive.
He is a legend at Anfield and rightly so though, he was a complete god of a footballer and will only ever get nudged upstairs rather than sacked.
Im really nore sure who I want to finish 4th, I think it would be funny for the Spuds to miss out after all the Redknapp nonsense and really all they have done is further shown what a flaky team they really are. Clearly Newcastle are all scum...but boy have they done well, in my book they probably deserve it the most. And then there is Chelsea.....John Terry......

MPB thats a great shout regarding Houghton. Yes bad sacking and undeserved from a nobhead owner, but he's doing a great job with no money at Birmingham and stand a chance of promotion through the play-offs. Pardew was a strange call from the geordie flake but boy as it paid off, and yes he was harshly dealt with by the saints too. The team that Adkins looks likeley to get promoted is actually mainly Pardew's players.

Liverpool deserve all they get. They got rid of Hodgson, brought king Kenny in who spent zillions on players who he can't coach properly. He amazed the football world by sticking up for Suarez and has been on a media offensive/defesive ever since. Worst run of form in Liverpools history, so they sack Comoli hoping to put a rocket under KK ....

Anyway all this talk about idiot club owners moves me onto our hero, Ken Bates. Now that is one robbing bastard who's trying to bleed the club dry. hes made a fortune out of the club and for the 4th year in a row has posted a slight profit........ SLight profit only after player trading ....... Wehave spent ziltch on players for the past 2 seasons and thats why we struggle in the championship, after he sold all our best players. Massive gates in comparison to most clubs and premiership prices to boot. The cheeky bastard has also sold future season ticket sales so he can get a laon for another one of his property development white elephants. This bloke should not be allowed near football clubs or any decent businessman, because he shafts them

Thoughts on Chelski's chances tonight or is it a case of two hopes; bob and Stanford-le?

Didn't see the Arsenal / Wigan game on Monday as I was driving back from Niagara Falls. I'm guessing we just thought we had to show up to win. It wouldn't have helped that RVP stated that the reverse fixture was one where we didn't have to try and could take it easy. Way to motivate the opposition Rob

I really hope they don't win but I've half a feeling Chelsea can get out of this with something. All depends how hard they can work for how long

15 minutes in and I think Chelsea will get something out of tonight. I do think they will suffer next week though in the away leg.

From an Arsenal point of view I hope Barca run them ragged tonight before the big game on Saturday

Davie I can't see how Chelsea will be able to field anything more than a half strength side at the weekend.
Good time for your boys to catch them!

Drogba - at times wonderful, at other times so embarrassing?!

Well Mr Messi that wasn't quite so clever was it?

So Digs, your boys come to Fortress Villa Park tomorrow. I say fortress as we've so far won 4 of our 16 home games, a record which speaks for itself........

What are you thinking? 0-3, 0-4? 5??

Nah, MPB. I think you might get your first 3 points for a while tomorrow.

I seriously doubt that matey. MON will have them snarling out the tunnel

Well I hope so but we shall see, 2-1 Villa I reckon.

Any predictions for Chelsea/Arsenal tomorrow? I've just seen that Drogba is out which is good news for Gooners everywhere

I'm not surprised. Anyone who watched the Barca game could see he picked up at least 15 career threatening injuries!
I doubt they'd have played him anyway Davie considering they have a fairly big game on Tuesday.

Tomorrow i will go for 2-1 to Arsenal

Torres could be chomping at the bit though, he might even give Sturridge a run. Was offered a ticket for this but can't make it, pity.

Torres could be chomping at the bit but luckily for Arsenal that's about as frightening as me chomping at the bit, as i think there is negligible difference in goal threat between me and Fernando

Its a weird one with Torres, he was undoubtably a top drawer player. In fact lately he has still looked pretty class in build up, just still really shot shy.
Hard to believe he wont come good again at some point. Even Andy Carroll has remembered vaguely where the goal is.

Early days at Liverpool he was in my opinion the best forward in the world. He has lost the killer pace though. I'm afraid i don't see him scoring more than 10 a year at Chelsea.

I'm told by people who go to Stamford Bridge that he works seriously hard for the team. Unfortunately that's not going to win you any top scorer awards and probably isn't going to win your club any league titles

I was actually suprised how quick he looked last time he played considering Id heard he had lost some pace. Maybe next year they will focus on setting up the team for him, either that of flog him at a big loss I guess.
Agree with you though, for a season or so he was as good as anyone, seriously quick feet and a superb first touch.

Very clinical at his best
He did score against Villa recently so he must be on the up. Not just anyone can outpace Eric Lichaj and Nathan Baker.

I think you're right, if they're to make it work they need to build a team around him. I can see him and Mata having a chance of working in the same way as he did with Gerrard.

I hope he does get it back to be honest as he was wonderful to watch and to be fair during this tough period has handled himself with some class. You can tell from that he doesn't belong at Chelsea.......

Oh well a dull draw. I reckon another point and you are safe myself , can't see Boltib cashing in on their extra games, Blackburn are keeping it interesting though and QPR battling away.
Said it before but can't believe Newcastle, 4th looking likely now and may be even third.....I'm gutted but fair play to them. Be funny when Ashley sells Cisse and Ba though.

Wasn't too disappointed with the point against Chelski but after QPR turn over the Totterers it looks even better

Newcastle the bigger threat now (3 behind with a game in hand) but they've still got to go to Stamford Bridge

Barca lose 2 on the spin , fortress Camp Nou breached for first time in an age. Will they take it out on Chekski or get frustrated? I know there is a big pitch which suits them but it can also suit the counter attack as Madrid showed tonite.

Re Newcastle, there's no way some like Arsenal won't be in for Cabaye and/or Tiote next year so it will be interesting to see how they react to that. Whether they look to build or cash in

I saw the Barca Real game. Whilst Real scored a couple of fair goals they well and truly cheated their way through the game. Watching people like Drogba embarrasses me but then you see a game like tonight and you realise that we haven't even got close to mastering the cheating in this country!!

When I'm watching a game as a neutral , though I confess I wanted Real to win but not like a true fan would, then I love all the cheating and hystrionics and drama, it adds to the theatre of the piece.
Barca are just as bad when it suits them anyway , their players know all the same moves, they just don't have to use than as often.

Oh I've no doubt about that Digs. Dani Alves is as bad as I've ever seen. Can't stand him. But in the main you don't see Iniesta, Xavi, Messi rolling around as much. The fact that they're mostly in possession would mean they would have more opportunity to dive as they are getting tackled and fouled more than others

True enough, but I really don't mind personally. Probably as its Spanish I almost expect it and enjoy it. It's not like it's a new thing , go back to any televised world cup and you have the same stuff happening.
Maybe England should have cottoned on sooner.

Ha, Jack Wilshire has just now Tweeted what a good player Cabaye is. They're after him already!

I guess if the Barcodes do qualify for the champions league they can hang onto the players they have on the same wages. It's whether the board sells, but they get 52k fans , they could get 70k if they were really successful.
Did they get lucky on those signings or were they really astute. Have to give them the benefit if the doubt. If Pardew gets 3rd and doesn't get manager of the year it will be a travesty...and it hurts to say that.

Completely agree.
I think they've made too many good signings for them to be a fluke. In Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Tiote, Ba, Cisse, Krul they've actually got some of the best players in the league

How much of the 35 mill they got for Carroll did that lot cost I wonder. Maybe Ashley isn't that mad after all.Personally I think they should start talking up Pardew for England, see if Newcastle then find the same form Spurs have since all the Redknapp chat started.
I can't believe the FA haven't already got their man. Imagine if Redknapp turned them down, I guess they would stick with Pearce for the short term then. But is Redknapp really worth 10 million compensation to Spurs ? I did think he was the right choice but not for they much plus his no doubt bloated salary.

I didn't realise this but Krul has been with Newcastle since 2005 and was signed for £220k. Not bad!

£10m for Cisse
Ba was free
£7m for Ben Arfa
£3.5m for Tiote
£4.5m for Cabaye

So they managed to buy all those and still had over £9m of the Carroll money left over. Impressive stuff

MustPuttBetter wrote:I didn't realise this but Krul has been with Newcastle since 2005 and was signed for £220k. Not bad!

£10m for Cisse
Ba was free
£7m for Ben Arfa
£3.5m for Tiote
£4.5m for Cabaye

So they managed to buy all those and still had over £9m of the Carroll money left over. Impressive stuff

The reason being none of them are English and played in EPL (with the exception of Ba who has a genius of an agent), so their values are not inflated by an unjustifiable 200%!

Title race back on, excellent news. Makes the game at the Etihad a potential corker as City have to win and I fancy them to do it. Potential problem with a trip to St James for City but even a draw keeps the last day of the season interesting.
Personally despite the fact that they bought the side (let's face it all the big clubs spend a lot at some stage) and despite the Tevez saga and despite the fact I always like to see United do well....I'd prefer a City win. Shakes things up and will spur United into buying some more top botch players which the Premiership could do with.

top botch or top notch digs?

I heard Balotelli will have served his suspension by next week also and will be available to play. I wonder if Mancini will risk him. Could make things interesting if he plays!

Davie wrote:I heard Balotelli will have served his suspension by next week also and will be available to play. I wonder if Mancini will risk him. Could make things interesting if he plays!

Hard to tell, but they have looked much better without him imo. Tevez has made a difference, he links up better with Aguero and Silva. Ballotelli is a mad genius, but not really a team player.

BlueCoverman wrote:top botch or top notch digs?

Oops. Well could be either I guess, Fergie is getting on a bit.

Redrage wrote: Ballotelli is a mad genius, but not really a team player.

That's a pretty good summary really. Certainly not a team player but definitely a game maker - or breaker

He takes a good penalty Ill say that for him. I think with his physique people expect him to hold the ball up, play a bit of a classic centre forward role but that's not really his game yet, those skills take a long time to learn, look at how Drogba improved with age. I do think Mario will be a very very good player, he's already pretty darn useful.

I'm sorry but Balotelli is decent. No more. In no way is he a genius

MustPuttBetter wrote:I'm sorry but Balotelli is decent. No more. In no way is he a genius

Sorry to be pedantic, but nobody called him a genius. The analogy likened him to a mad genius... ie they don't really mix well with others or if you like they are not always fully understood.

What's your definition of decent MPB? Wasn't he voted world young player of the year last year? He's a real talent and still a kid, no way the finished article but I think he's got all the tools. He's scored a goal every other game for City, that's a pretty good record.