English Premier League thread

Mario is being Mario and if Mancini couldn`t see that and took Arqueo instead of him, Well let`s just say the warning signs were visible.

Seeeing Mario on the floor at the HT mark and saw more Arsenal players attend to him then his own team mates was a warning too !
 
While we're at it, Chelsea just got a very soft penalty at Craven Cottage and despite playing horribly they're winning 1-0 and if it stands like this, they will be getting 6 points in 3 days thanks to poor decisions. That's a real shame. If it weren't for those they would be struggling in the race for 4th. There's little doubt the "big" teams are having it their way.
This is making Prem football bad to watch IMO.
 
Fulham deserved that result. I was threatening to fall asleep during that game though.
 
Hmm, yeah dangerous I'll give you that, but he did get the ball and almost nothing (if anything) of Kalou. I couldn't imagine that same penalty being given to Fulham for instance.

Well Fulham did equalise and it ended 1-1. Chelsea was dire, they did nothing to walk away with that one point! It was shocking from them.

But then again Craven Cottage is no easy place to visit. Excellent performance from those guys. Dembele was great again, he reminds me of Alex Song in the way he protects the ball. And Dempsey once again was the main man, what a player he's been!

Oh and Kerim Frei... who's this guy!! He was brilliant, where did that come from? :D
 
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It's funny you talk about Kerim Frei, I noticed him during the game at Stamford Bridge aswell. Really a rough diamond so to speak. Can be a big player I believe, but you can see he is young, because he often wants too much.
 
That was a very clear penalty IMO.
Still glad that Fulham equalized. This was a very good match from Fulham, imo it was very entertaining.
Concerning Frei: all his brilliance was ineffective and pointless. He is a raw diamond, but still got to learn a lot. Dembele and Dempsey can play for any big club, both are having a superb season.
 
Mario hasn't been charged for his leg-breaker on Song. Apparently Martin Atkinson must have seen the tackle?

I know we all have 0 respect or faith in the FA, but is it just me wondering if they'll do anything to have a more exciting title run in? Oh what's that? The first game back for him? The Manchester Derby.

Last season they banned Wayne Rooney for swearing at a crucial point in the title run in, with United ahead. For swearing. Mario Balotelli - who happens to be one of the few fit strikers for the chasing team - could have very easily broken the leg of a player, but that's fair game, apparently.
 
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Apparently it's because the incident was "seen by an official" so it can't be changed as that would be "re-refereeing". He should have got at least a 3-4 game ban for that. If they banned him for the Parker one, where there was an element of doubt as to if it was intentional, I don't see why they haven't banned him for the Song one. I don't think it will be of any consequence in terms of the title as I think City have imploded a bit and even if they win that match I can't see them winning all their remaining games (which they pretty much have to do, and then hope for other results).

Also they upheld the Sean Derry ban, so he's missing for QPR for their next game. That seems a crazy decision, it's fair enough if ref's make mistakes, but to have a panel that is supposed to review decisions and then doesnt really act seems pointless.
 
I made a promise otherwise i would have made a post with the words "Rooney", "Wigan Athletic" and "unpunished" in it.

Seriously, i don't think they do it to make the title race more thrilling, there is no title race anymore and besides that Mancini claims he will not use Balotelli again this season (where did we heard this before?).

Yes Andre, upholding the Sean Derry ban is outrageous...and yes i still think there is doubt about the Parker challenge, but here there was no doubt whatsoever...
 
The FA are utterly useless, and run by the media. They invent rules to punish certain incidents, and ignore precedence so they don't have to deal with others. They are spineless, overpaid, overfed f*cktards in suits that could care less about the game. They'll work tirelessly to ensure their next paycheck, but can't even build a youth development center.

Derry's sending off was a mistake. Clear. As. Day. The appeals process should exist purely for this type of thing. And yet - no overturning. If one of the 4 officials saw the Balotelli incident (I still cannot believe the 4th official didn't see it - he was about 3 feet away) and didn't deem it a red card, then he should be fired.

What I believe actually happened with the Balotelli incident is simple. Atkinson mis-saw it and thought it was fine. His colleague the 4th official told him it was a red, and he said no, my decision is final. Because he's that type of ref - quick to react, often wrongly, and takes no reason from anyone. He's a sh*t, basically. Say what you want about Webb, at least it's clear the players speak to him. Similarly with Dowd. Atkinson's relationship with the players is like a bitter old schoolmaster handing out cards to the popular kids.

Anyway, nothing with the FA surprises me anymore. Just like FIFA, their corruption and moral weakness know no bounds.
 
"Retrospective action was introduced for off-the-ball incidents where there was no contest for possession and could not be deemed to be re-refereeing an incident," it said.

"In agreement with Fifa, this is how 'not seen' incidents are dealt with retrospectively in England. It is a policy that is agreed with all football stakeholders."

Don't really care about Balotelli not getting an additional ban personally, the Derry one however isn't fair, but it seems the FA's hands are tied there due to this agreement with FIFA.

Edit: OK, I might be talking rubbish, someone brought up the point of Rodwells Red card being rescinded after the Liverpool game this season. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15144233
 
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About the way the Rodwell thing was handled: that wasn't handled fairly either...not only should Rodwell's card have been rescinded, but Suarez should have got a ban...
 
I think since Blackburn, regardless if it's Man city or Man Utd, that'll probably be the poorest team I've saw win the EPL. League is starting to remind me of the Italian Serie A of not too long ago which was so far off the pace European-wise.

Man City team is the most expensive average team I've ever witnessed and as for Man Utd, easily the worst in Sir Alex's reign.


FD
 
4 defeats in a row for Swansea, not good! I hope the Sky cameras don't come near us again because we seem to be bad on TV. QPR deserved to win, to be honest it could have been 6 or 7, we had absolutely nothing to offer, and Brendan needs to buy a free scoring striker in the summer.

I'll be glad for the season to end at this rate, after getting to 8th a few weeks ago it was as if we got a nose bleed and then collapsed, granted we had some tricky games in there but its a slump we need to halt. The neutrals reckon we won't go down but I'm worried that we could get sucked in. We're 10 points above the drop zone with 5 games left, and a win would guarantee safety but where is it going to come from? :(
 
jackarmy said:
4 defeats in a row for Swansea, not good! I hope the Sky cameras don't come near us again because we seem to be bad on TV. QPR deserved to win, to be honest it could have been 6 or 7, we had absolutely nothing to offer, and Brendan needs to buy a free scoring striker in the summer.

I'll be glad for the season to end at this rate, after getting to 8th a few weeks ago it was as if we got a nose bleed and then collapsed, granted we had some tricky games in there but its a slump we need to halt. The neutrals reckon we won't go down but I'm worried that we could get sucked in. We're 10 points above the drop zone with 5 games left, and a win would guarantee safety but where is it going to come from? :(
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Yes fella, be nice if the season finished now for the Swans. They have been fantastic this year no doubt, truly wonderful. But I do fear for them next term. To play the sort of consistent passing game for 90 minutes is very, very hard, that's why only Barcelona can play it at that level. The difference being that Barcelona players really are THAT technically excellent and have 6 or 7 match winners. The problem the Swans will have is once that confidence starts to go with a few losses, suddenly playing possession football becomes much, much harder, and it only takes one loose link in the chain for the system to crumble.

As a Valleys boy, I really do hope I'm wrong, but I do fear that teams are starting to suss them a little now, and the second year is always the hardest.
 
fd1972uk said:
I think since Blackburn, regardless if it's Man city or Man Utd, that'll probably be the poorest team I've saw win the EPL. League is starting to remind me of the Italian Serie A of not too long ago which was so far off the pace European-wise.

Man City team is the most expensive average team I've ever witnessed and as for Man Utd, easily the worst in Sir Alex's reign.


FD
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A midfield pair of Djembax2 and Kleberson. There have been 1 or maybe 2 worse teams in Fergie's reign.

But yeah, the Prem is mediocre. Hate to make it sound simple, but imo it's cause City blew up the market by buying such a large volume of players and inflating prices to the point where none of the other top teams aside from Chelsea could afford anyone.

Arsenal and United have stood still/ declined cause they can't spend.

It's excerbated by Madrid/ Barca just buying the best talent in the prem each year too.
 
Chelsea in 6th are in the CL Semi Finals. English sides have had an off year in Europe but will be (IMO) right amongst it next year.

We've been on a great run and we lose one and the "worst side ever!" remarks start coming out. Seriously? I can understand we've got some major weaknesses but overall were a very good side who would improve a lot on the back of 1 or 2 "right" signings.
 
beachryan said:
A midfield pair of Djembax2 and Kleberson. There have been 1 or maybe 2 worse teams in Fergie's reign.

But yeah, the Prem is mediocre. Hate to make it sound simple, but imo it's cause City blew up the market by buying such a large volume of players and inflating prices to the point where none of the other top teams aside from Chelsea could afford anyone.

Arsenal and United have stood still/ declined cause they can't spend.

It's excerbated by Madrid/ Barca just buying the best talent in the prem each year too.
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Not to sound arrogant ,but I see it like this...Mutd,Arsenal ,Chelsea,and maybe Lpool to a degree are so weak in terms of squad/injuries. They`ve done so poorly I believe Newcastle and Spurs are made to look a top side which there not by any means.

ManCity are a team at the highest level who were capable of winning by 90-95 pts they had no major injuries they have depth like no other and the simple fact is , IF Arsenal/Chels/Mutd were the same as they were (before there terrible season)City would be in 4th or 5th w/o a struggle.

Fergie is the boss of the century ,no way should he leave. To clinch the title w/ this squad and so many new players to fill or replace due to so many injuries is brilliant.If he wins it at City that will be so heavy on City fans/players/ owners/ etc.
I would love it! Have giggs/scholes/rooney and have nani/vidic on wheel chairs rolling around in celebration...:P
 
ccshopland said:
Yes fella, be nice if the season finished now for the Swans. They have been fantastic this year no doubt, truly wonderful. But I do fear for them next term. To play the sort of consistent passing game for 90 minutes is very, very hard, that's why only Barcelona can play it at that level. The difference being that Barcelona players really are THAT technically excellent and have 6 or 7 match winners. The problem the Swans will have is once that confidence starts to go with a few losses, suddenly playing possession football becomes much, much harder, and it only takes one loose link in the chain for the system to crumble.

As a Valleys boy, I really do hope I'm wrong, but I do fear that teams are starting to suss them a little now, and the second year is always the hardest.
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Yesterday's performance had to be our worst of the season, well Brendan has apologised for the showing saying he wished he could have substituted the entire team. The possession game is only useful if we have an end product, and you're right, some teams have sussed us out. QPR certainly did last night.

The next three games will be crucial, all against teams in the relegation zone. I think we need about 5 points to be safe, but in all honesty we should have guaranteed our survival a few weeks ago.
 
swansea are already safe mate, calm down, 39 points is too much to be relegated this season. there is no chance blackburn or bolton will win 4/5 games. wolves have gone though. they're a mess.
 
Stupid decision to sack Mick McCarthy who everyone in the TEAM the actual players believed in has cost them big time. What are they winless since then?

That's not saying Mick was doing a great job or could've saved them necessarily, but certainly by getting rid of him and getting rid of stability, the owner REMOVED the chances of Wolves surviving.

They're gone and I think Blackburn will join them too. That other spot, hmm... will it be Wigan? or QPR ? I think maybe Wigan this year.
 
Concerning Mc Carthy, the fans are to blame too...since the beginning of the season they turned against him.

I hope Wigan and Bolton stay up. Bolton were very unlucky with injuries: their two best players haven't played a minute for them this season (American and Korean player, i forgot their name, but they are both very good...).
 
Stuart Holden and Park Chu Young I think.

I agree on all accounts. Those two are very good players and KEY for them.

And regarding Wolves, fans are to blame indeed. It's true, the team was doing well enough but they were too impatient and giving him and some players shit for no reason and booing them. Well, it put unnecessary pressure on him and made the board make a hasty decision that destabilized the team and basically sent them down to 2nd division. Good for them.

About Wigan, I'm not as sympathetic. They do play good football at times and have some exciting players and Roberto Martinez seems like a young talented manager but they only survived on the LAST day of season last year and have been right in the middle of a relegation dogfight since early days this season as well. That's not a good thing and shows little progress is made.
 
I just can't dislike Wigan. Don't really have a problem with Bolton either - though even despite those injuries in my opinion they should be easily safe with the team they've got. But, that said the whole Muamba thing will have certainly impacted this year.

Would love QPR to go down, just to read Joey Barton's reaction ;)
 
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