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!

Davie wrote:Could be Mary - though there may have been some when Alex McLeish turned up at Villa

Ah yes, I'd forgotten that one. I think they were protesting outside the ground before he'd even signed the contract!

I think the Chelsea fans have to take the good with the bad as far as Roman is concerned. Don't think I've ever heard any of them complaining about the millions he has invested - it's now his toy, so he can do what he wants.

Wonder what the Chelski fans will have made of that result last night? Heard a few of them on the radio beforehand who were hoping for a defeat, which might have given Roman an itchy trigger finger again.

Great result for Celtic, pleased that they did it without having to rely on Barca to win.

Santi, as much as I love you, and, you've been one of the signings of the season, you dived! Should not have been a penalty. Hopefully it won't fire West Brom up too much.

Grumps - haven't seen it yet (a long day on the golf course and an even longer night in the pub)

Hope to catch some highlights on Sunday - was the 2nd pen any more deserved? I heard the 1st one was dodgy

Second one was clear pen however should have called back for a foul by the Ox before he got anywhere near the box.

West Brom felt they should have had a pen in the first half but Olson was wrestling Mertsecker away from the ball. The lino had a clear view and was flagging straight away. I was nervous as it was a clear handball but if Olson didn't wrestle him he wouldn't have been falling over in the first place.

Typical United, almost reminiscent of Liverpool from the 80s, been under the cosh for the first fifteen minutes and then score with their first attack to take the lead. I think Joe Hart's first touch was to pick the ball out of the net. Now City have lost Kompany to injury too, that could be a harder blow for City to recover from.

Joe Hart's second act, pick the ball out again. 2-0 United. Revenge for the 6-1 on their minds?

EDIT: it was Joe Hart's 3rd touch, he cleaned up a dangerous through ball which Young was chasing down.

Fergie time strikes again! I think that Nasri forgot that he was supposed to be stopping RVP, not hiding to allow his shot to go through to goal.

A good match to watch, but no doubt it will be overshadowed by what happened at the end.

A 4-1 defeat for Bristol Rovers at York today, and Mark McGhee had been sacked before 6 o'clock. I thnk that will make 3 managers that we are currently still paying because they have been "relieved of their duty".

Who next for the poisoned chalice?

Brendan Rogers?

To be honest, I don't think that even Ted Rogers could do a much worse job than some of our recent appointments. Perhaps he could get us on a promotion run 3 -2 -1

According to the Rumour Mill - John Ward will be unveiled as our new Manager later today. I guess that he has the experience to dig us out of this mess, but can't say that I'm too enamoured if it is a long term appointment. Can't remember the football being too exciting to watch last time he was here.

Best of luck Mary!

Gol, Santi Cazorla...

We had the good Arsenal and then the bad Arsenal tonight. Reading should have been done and dusted and a clean sheet should have been kept but three points is three points.

You score 5 away from home and you are still not happy? You should try 90 minutes at the WHCS on a Saturday afternoon if you really want something to moan about!...

I always thought you had a funny side to you Blue, didn't realise it was masochistic

Well at least that's Boxing Day afternoon sorted. Just got tickets this lunchtime for Col U v Brentford for me and the boy. Lucky really they only had 7,000 left having already sold 3,000 The anticipation is mounting, I can barely control my excitement

Good job you got in early there Blue, would hate to have seen you boy's face on Christmas morning when he realised he wasn't going to be able to see the mighty Col U.

When he was about 8 years old we were sat in the Layer Road stands watching a particularly dreary Col U performance when the opposition scored again. "Bloody Hell, I don't know if I can take much more of this" I exclaimed "I'm seriously considering whether we should renew our season tickets next year Dad" said my son

"But what would we do on our Saturday afternoons James?" I asked. "Well Dad, we could go and watch Chelsea instead" came the reply!

I hope you set him straight Blue

Absolutely Grumps. Most importantly I wouldn't have time for a game of golf on a Saturday morning if I took him to Chelsea...

BlueCoverman wrote:Absolutely Grumps. Most importantly I wouldn't have time for a game of golf on a Saturday morning if I took him to Chelsea...

Nor would you be able to afford the golf if you took him to Chelsea!

Good result for Col U today - game postponed due to waterlogged pitch!

BlueCoverman wrote:Good result for Col U today - game postponed due to waterlogged pitch!

...... and John Ward maintained his record of being undefeated since taking over as our Manager.

I hope he keeps you up Mary, I really do. Would be a sad day if Rovers were relegated from the Football League after 90 odd years...

Well surely you are happy today Grumps...or have you got the hump again about not keeping a clean sheet?

BlueCoverman wrote:Well surely you are happy today Grumps...or have you got the hump again about not keeping a clean sheet?

The air was Blue a few times today Blue. Another hard fought 4 goal victory.

I trust you didn't embarrass yourself in front of your visitors with all that swearing...

BlueCoverman wrote:I trust you didn't embarrass yourself in front of your visitors with all that swearing...

Erm, yeah, honest Guv

It was a little quieter than usual but some probably did slip out.

Well, the Raffa bandwagon rolls on with an away victory at Everton. Both goals by Lampard - surely Chelsea shouldn't be lettng him go just yet?

I reckon the fat Spanish waiter is only trying to do what AVB tried and failed at Chelsea - to get rid of the old guard. Lampard, Terry and Cole all coming to the end of contracts (and to be fair, all getting a little long in the tooth) - but it seems like they want to get rid of that old guard, no matter how good they still play.

I'd certainly have Lamps at Arsenal (though I can't see it happening) - I'd also have Cashly back though that won't happen either. I'd even take JT on a 12 month contract - can't really see JT playing for any other Prem club though

I can understand wanting Terry and Cole out of the door due to their beng rather unsavoury characters, but Lampard always comes across as a decent type (presumably learnt from the video tape incident). Apparently his goal ratio is 1 in 3, not to be sneezed at for a midfielder.

I can't imagine JT going elsewhere - he wouldn't be the alpha male. Have read that Man Utd are keen on Cole, and don't think he will be short of offers.

Blue - John Joe O'Toole has joined Rovers on loan. Any thoughts on whether he can do a decent job for us?

Yes most definitely Mary. I have always been a fan of John Joe and now that he is free from injury I am really surprised that he has not had more first team opportunities with us this season.

You won't find him spraying 30 yard passes around the park neither will he score you many goals. But he is tenacious in the tackle, brave and hard working, the competitive type of player that is often a favourite with the fans.

I think that he is just the type of player that you need in central midfield when you are in the middle of a relegation dogfight. To be honest, seeing as we are both at the wrong end of the table in our respective divisions, I would have much preferred that he was in our side rather than yours. Good luck

Rafa should boot out Lampard right now. Then he can come and play for uncle Arry!

Sadly it will need more than that to keep QPR afloat. First half against Liverpool yesterday was embarrassing, possibly the worst performance I've ever seen from a Premiership club. 3 defeats on the trot and the Redknapp honeymoon well and truly over (not that he even really had one to begin with).

You need Harry Houdini not Harry Redknapp Ray

I'm not even sure all the king's horses and all the king's men could help QPR again. Having said that Wigan were in trouble last year and beat top teams to stay up so you never know.

Tough game for QPR tomorrow - but you never know!

Blue - John Joe was voted Man of the Match today (beat Plymouth 2-1). Fans are already hoping that we can keep him for the rest of the season.

To be honest Mary I'm not in the least bit surprised that John-Joe has made an immediate impact, my comments yesterday suggested that the fans would like him.

I am surprised that we have let him go to you in the first place, especially after we have had a 3-0 drubbing at Crawley today, our 7th defeat on the trot. Joe Dunne our manager is talking about bringing in new players next week so I don't think John-Joe in any way features in his plans and your fans may get their wish. I am concerned for Col U now, we have to quickly reverse this dreadful run of form or we will be playing our football in league 2 next year for the first time in 15 seasons.

Wow, didn't predict that one. QPR unbeaten in 2013. Is the escape on? He'll want to be England manager again at this rate.

Mary_S wrote:Tough game for QPR tomorrow - but you never know!

Good call Mary, trust you had a bet on it!

BlueCoverman wrote:

Mary_S wrote:Tough game for QPR tomorrow - but you never know!

Good call Mary, trust you had a bet on it!

I did consider it, but, after a reality check I decided not too.

Could this be the turning point for QPR? Next match is home to Spurs - bit of a grudge match for Harry with the owners.

I see that Harry was talking in glowing terms about Joe Cole today and recalling when he signed him as an 11 year old and how he would have liked to sign him now at QPR.

No surprise to see Joe choose to return back to West Ham though. Never really felt he got that much of a look in at Liverpool, feel sure he will be much more comfortable back on his home turf.

Could be a very unwanted new record set by Colchester United today...we have never in our history lost 8 consecutive league games.

Away to high flying Doncaster Rovers today having lost our last 7

Good luck Blue, hope you don't get the record.

Didn't realise anyone can play in the FA Cup. There's a building society playing this afternoon in East Anglia.

0 - 0 at the moment

Very good Grumps, sadly I had to check the list of fixtures before I realised what the hell you were on about!

Wouldn't you believe it, just had what sounded like a perfectly good goal disallowed

Daylight robbery 1-0 down

Oh good, that's the record then

Oh dear. Sorry Blue.

Joe Cole seems to be having a good return to Upton Park. The Cole, Collins partnership seems to be working well so far.

Worked very well until the 87th minute

Typical ManUre and BVP (Bloody Van Persie) does it again!