Sport Football Thread 2011/2012

[Baz]

You'd have thought someone would have a word but goodness me, they're at it again.

[waddie]

I haven't got a clue who we're going to get in, but getting them to change the way Megson has us set up entirely and win promotion in 13 games seems basically impossible. If we're going to get someone in who plays like Megson got us playing...What's the point?

The best explanation I can come up with is that our failure to attract the 2-3 creative players we were supposed to be looking for in January had less to do with Milan's wallet than it did Megson's reputation. If we'd replaced Marshall and brought in another winger, we'd probably still be comfortably in 2nd place now. Megson said they'd approached half a dozen players by mid-January, but nobody wanted to come.

I find it hard to believe Mandaric is so tight-fisted that young players would rather spend the rest of the season playing in the reserves than take part in what could have been an automatic promotion in front of bigger crowds than most of the Championship, whereas we've already seen one loan player recalled this season because he wasn't getting the "right kind of experience".

Getting those players in now probably won't be enough for automatic, but it could be the difference in the play-offs.

[Sirloin]

It's just Milan being Milan, trying to look for reason in it is pointless.

[Nicky]

that pepe reina video makes him look like he's a character from LA Noire he looks unnervingly un-real

[JamesTW]

Pepe Reina in race row over tv advert

Video in question

Funny that it's a British organisation making a complaint but nobody in Spain is offended, sounds familiar...., anyway, 8 game ban?

[Rev]

The best explanation I can come up with is that our failure to attract the 2-3 creative players we were supposed to be looking for in January had less to do with Milan's wallet than it did Megson's reputation. If we'd replaced Marshall and brought in another winger, we'd probably still be comfortably in 2nd place now. Megson said they'd approached half a dozen players by mid-January, but nobody wanted to come.

I find it hard to believe Mandaric is so tight-fisted that young players would rather spend the rest of the season playing in the reserves than take part in what could have been an automatic promotion in front of bigger crowds than most of the Championship, whereas we've already seen one loan player recalled this season because he wasn't getting the "right kind of experience".

Getting those players in now probably won't be enough for automatic, but it could be the difference in the play-offs.

We now play Megson football though. Changing it now is just a recipe for disaster - going from that to trying to do crazy things like pass with 13 games left just isn't sensible.

[Guest]

What frightens me is thinking about England's first XI and seeing that it's pretty average bar the keeper and maybe a couple of others.

[El Pibe]

I was flicking through by Panini World Cup italia '90 sticker album last night. After having a good chuckle at the Colombian moustache and mullet combos, I got to the England team...

And, of course, despite him primarily being a rapper...

We could do with a few of them.

[Timmo]

What frightens me is thinking about England's first XI and seeing that it's pretty average bar the keeper and maybe a couple of others.

You could say that about a lot of sides. Holland's defence isn't great on paper. If we play better as a team because there's less egos then that's better for everyone.

[Guest]

Just watching back the Arsenal vs Spurs highlights from Sunday night.

While I was critical of ITV, Jonathon Pearce is just a cringeworthy, awful commentator. His opening piece putting in some Oscar references was bad enough, Arsenal concede the first goal after 4 minutes and it's "And Arsenal's Season simply gets worse and worse".

It's FOUR minutes in, from a deflected goal you pie scoffing moron.

While there was talk of Parker being over run during the game, you can't really excuse those two tackles - both potential ankle snappers. Current climate and all that.

I almost get the feeling that Stuart Pearce picked Parker as captain after seeing those challenges, a warmth spreading inside him as he watched on.

Really though I think Pearce did the easy thing naming Parker. If he had named either Gerrard or Hart it sets a precident that the next manager may struggle with.

Gerrard gets it back and he expects to keep it, and giving it to Hart similarly sets the guy certain expectations.

Far easier to name someone who's unlikely to be long term captain and who hasn't been captain before. Pretty clever by Pearce really.

As far as Parker's other contributions in the game he was found wanting for the first two arsenal goals.

He didn't really close the player/cross down properly for the first, allowing an easy chip in - and for RVP's strike he didn't quite get the block in. Sure that's pretty harsh because it was a fantastic goal but still - he didn't get there.

I've got the feeling Spurs may well continue better without him in the next couple of games. Either that or this is their tipping point, and it's a tumble down the table.

[John0]

You could say that about a lot of sides. Holland's defence isn't great on paper. If we play better as a team because there's less egos then that's better for everyone.

Yeah agree. We had a good team on paper for years, and didn't achieve anything.

[waddie]

We now play Megson football though. Changing it now is just a recipe for disaster - going from that to trying to do crazy things like pass with 13 games left just isn't sensible.

We've played much better football when Marshall was with us, the rare occasions when JJ's been on form, and showed signs of it on Sunday with Antonio. We don't need a massive change, we just need a couple more players capable of creating and scoring goals. I'd rather that had happened under Megson, but maybe they'll be more willing to come with another manager in place.

[The Fox]

Really though I think Pearce did the easy thing naming Parker. If he had named either Gerrard or Hart it sets a precident that the next manager may struggle with.

Gerrard gets it back and he expects to keep it, and giving it to Hart similarly sets the guy certain expectations.

Far easier to name someone who's unlikely to be long term captain and who hasn't been captain before. Pretty clever by Pearce really.

I think Pearce named Parker because in the run-up to the game he was talking about wanting a captain who above all else was "unselfish". For all his qualities, I'm not sure Stevie Me is the first player who comes to mind when you think of that attribute.

[Fry Crayola]

When Gerrard found out he wasn't captain, he fell to the floor with his arms outstretched. People nodded and walked on.

[BeeJay]

So Fowler coming back to Blackpool. I just read that he managed a side in Thailand for while. Seriously, Robbie Fowler, a manager? A legend for sure but surely not a manager?

[Daley]

He was a great goalscorer but i'll always remember the celebrations.

Not to mention...

[PaB]

While I was critical of ITV, Jonathon Pearce is just a cringeworthy, awful commentator. His opening piece putting in some Oscar references was bad enough, Arsenal concede the first goal after 4 minutes and it's "And Arsenal's Season simply gets worse and worse".

It's FOUR minutes in, from a deflected goal you pie scoffing moron.

Next time you watch a game and he is commentating, I guarantee you he will say the word "splendid" at least once. I don;t know why but it really irks me.

Such a shame, he was superb when he was on Capital Gold in the late 80's/Early 90's. Like properly excited over everything. He could make a 0-0 between Wimbledon and Coventry sound like match of the century. Then he went to BBC Five LIve and TV and instantly dropped all his charisma.

[Rev]

He was pretty good on Robot Wars, to be fair.

[phresh]

He's not as bad as David Pleat who just sounds like some old man who has accidently wondered into the commentary area while looking for a pharmacy for his dementia medication.

[Lucky]

So Fowler coming back to Blackpool. I just read that he managed a side in Thailand for while. Seriously, Robbie Fowler, a manager? A legend for sure but surely not a manager?

He's also been playing in Australia, where he's managed to learn some Jackie Chan shit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjrKlg763YU

[Ork1927]

Considering the state of Fowler when he played for us in 2008, I have no idea what Holloway is up to here.

Especially as he already has Kevin Phillips who is an aging striker who can scores lots of goals, but doesn't look (and have the fitness) of a Sunday league player with a drink problem.

[Charliemouse]

Just watching back the Arsenal vs Spurs highlights from Sunday night.

While I was critical of ITV, Jonathon Pearce is just a cringeworthy, awful commentator. His opening piece putting in some Oscar references was bad enough, Arsenal concede the first goal after 4 minutes and it's "And Arsenal's Season simply gets worse and worse".

It's FOUR minutes in, from a deflected goal you pie scoffing moron.

While there was talk of Parker being over run during the game, you can't really excuse those two tackles - both potential ankle snappers. Current climate and all that.

I almost get the feeling that Stuart Pearce picked Parker as captain after seeing those challenges, a warmth spreading inside him as he watched on.

Really though I think Pearce did the easy thing naming Parker. If he had named either Gerrard or Hart it sets a precident that the next manager may struggle with.

Gerrard gets it back and he expects to keep it, and giving it to Hart similarly sets the guy certain expectations.

Far easier to name someone who's unlikely to be long term captain and who hasn't been captain before. Pretty clever by Pearce really.

As far as Parker's other contributions in the game he was found wanting for the first two arsenal goals.

He didn't really close the player/cross down properly for the first, allowing an easy chip in - and for RVP's strike he didn't quite get the block in. Sure that's pretty harsh because it was a fantastic goal but still - he didn't get there.

I've got the feeling Spurs may well continue better without him in the next couple of games. Either that or this is their tipping point, and it's a tumble down the table.

For someone who so obviously for some reason hates Spurs, you post more about them in this thread than any actual Spurs fan.

[Guest]

He's not as bad as David Pleat who just sounds like some old man who has accidently wondered into the commentary area while looking for a pharmacy for his dementia medication.

+ 5000

[Guest]

For someone who so obviously for some reason hates Spurs, you post more about them in this thread than any actual Spurs fan.

The spurs thread doesn't seem to be used so I can't post in there. :hatoffgiflol:

Srsly thou; I watched the game back and talked about it. Woo!

[dan_tm]

Dave Jones then. Certainly not an inspiring replacement at Wednesday, but to be fair there doesn't seem to be anyone else around other than (arguably) McCarthy. I'm glad it wasn't Clarke, Ince or Davies - so that's a bonus I guess.

I wouldn't have minded DiCanio coming back, but I'm not sure he has the love for us any more with the way our board and management treated him in his playing days.

Still, sacking Megson to replace him with someone less qualified doesn't really make much sense, even if Jones does apparently play 'nicer football'. Personally, the nicest football to me is winning football; I enjoy watching Barcelona as much as most do, but I don't see it as the only way football should be played. The sheer effort and determination our payers have shown to battle their way to our current position under Megson is every bit as rewarding for me as any other presupposed style of play.

[Rev]

I'm not impressed. As long as I've paid attention to Dave Jones he's been a failure. I mean, well done for getting Cardiff to the play-off places 3 years running but it might not have been a bad idea to not screw them up 3 years running when you've got there. He does play better football, but we're not in a style contest with Barcelona and the Harlem Globetrotters, we're in League 1 trying to get promoted.

It's blatantly just "pick the biggest name going spare, hire him, hope for the best".

Meh.

[Rsdio]

I think he's doing pretty well to say that he died in America yesterday.

Sorry.

For what it's worth, I do think he's a decent manager. It seems a strange appointment now since he's well-known for his preference for passing football while your present team.. Er.. Isn't. In the summer if you hadn't made it it would've made a bit more sense but even then Mandaric is basically saying either he's got to work miracles putting square pegs into round holes (either in terms of his players or his own philosophy) or he's gonna give him enough cash to buy half a new team which I'm guessing is unlikely. I'd probably be concerned about his play-off record myself if he'd come here so this is easy to say but those things really are a lottery, as much of a cliche as it is. Barring any ridiculous Lee Clark-esque selection cock ups I think it's hard to tell much about a manager from them.

If you judge things purely on past play-off performances Town might as well just give whoever we're drawn against a bye considering how we've done recently. I wish they'd fuck the things off and just give the spot to third place (starting last year).

[Daley]

Today's "football is skint" line up.

Port Vale in administration.

Pompey's ex-chairman to get next four parachute payments so they may not even make it to the end of the season.

Rangers may have to either make players redundant or cut wages. They are currently deciding whether to make 11 players redundant with a 50% pay cut at the end of the season, 8 players cut with an immediate 50% pay cut or a 75% wage cut with no redundancies. Or some sort of mix of the three.

[Blooming Marvellous]

The Scotsman is leading with 'rangers players reject play for free deal', which is hardly news, or indeed much of a 'deal', is it? Think one or two of the players will play for nothing though and McCoist, the complete bloody legend that he is, is giving up his £20k p/w till the end of the season too.

[Guest]

Hopefully that might encourage Mccoist to lose some of his ballon like weight, and calm the idiot down as he cuts back on those sugar rushes.