Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'

[Ent]

First topic message reminder :

Mancini was terrible, how I wish he was still there.

Should have walked the league the last 2 years with the squad he had and gotten out of his cl groups.

[nasisillmatic]

The thing with Jose is, when all is good, he's joking around and being witty in the media. When it's not all his way he throws his toys out the pram and ties himself in knots with contradictions.
I'm pretty sure he would've been the same hypocrite first time around if the teams were at the same level they are now.

He didn't like it at Madrid with Barca around, and he doesn't like it now with City there. Plus other teams are much closer to Chelsea than in 04-06.

[mystiroakey]

To be honest Jose didnt really say anything out of order. There really was nothing to his mumblings.. I think people are taking it a bit to seriously.

[Roller_Coaster]

Think Mourinho's simply playing a classic deflection card. We didn't do what we expected to/were bad, I'll say stuff so you focus on me and what I said rather than the team or the performance. If they'd scored 5 the team would have played well, well done to the players who were great etc. He insulates an underperforming team and boosts a performing one.

There are a number of things that he says that seem stupid/annoying etc, but have a think about what he isn't saying or why.

[J.Benson II]

Mourinho has always been a tool. Not sure why anyone is surprised by anything he says.
Great manager with a real winning mentality, but a tool none the less.
Can't say there are many managers though that I'm actually fond of. The best ones are always pretty unlikeable.
Carlo Ancelotti is one of the few exceptions.

[mystiroakey]

listen to the top 3 managers in the last week.

All can be accused of talking nonsense..

It comes with the territory.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

With the air of battle away from focus, I just find it funny. I want him saying things like that, means we've done something good

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Bradley Johnson's red card rescinded.

So literally the only positive from Tuesday has now been wiped away

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Mauricio Pochettino just inadvertently announced that Fulham have signed Lewis Holtby from Tottenham. #thfc #ffc

^Apparently during an interview

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Mauricio Pochettino just inadvertently announced that Fulham have signed Lewis Holtby from Tottenham. #thfc #ffc

^Apparently during an interview

I'd be very very annoyed if we didn't make a move for Holtby if he was available. Exactly the player we need

[NickisBHAFC]

Holtby is class. Tottenham should of done better with him. Great signing for Fulham if this is true.

[Duty281]

I don't remember Fulham being this minted. £11 million for a striker a couple of days ago, and now they're signing Lewis Holtby - a player that won't exactly come cheap.

Unless of course Berbatov is going the other way...

[Guest]

Suggestions were that Berba could be bought for as little (if that's the right word) as £2 million

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I don't remember Fulham being this minted. £11 million for a striker a couple of days ago, and now they're signing Lewis Holtby - a player that won't exactly come cheap.

Unless of course Berbatov is going the other way...

Got a new owner innit.

[socal1976]

All the things you slate Jose for SoCal, Wenger has done for over a decade. All players try and intimidate the officials, something that I would love to see stamped out. Funny that you slate Mourinho at every chance, bet you never said a bad word against Wenger for his "I didn't see it".

Very good batch of results for Liverpool, confidence is building at Anfield

Really Wenger is a noted negative tactician who takes talented offensive teams and finds ways to make them boring. All managers are self serving but Wenger never goes that overboard with his commentary or pumps himself up like anti-football Mourinho. Mourinho's personality aside his love of counter and defend football makes him exactly the type of manager I dislike. Look at Real Madrid after he left they have more points and are scoring way more goals. Yeah they brought in bale but got rid of Ozil and Higuain so they had firepower before. I think that was the reason Jose left, because Madrid fans are not happy just winning, they expect to win. They have to win with style, and Jose was upset that they didn't let him make their team boring.

[socal1976]

So it looks like Man City have won a game by dubious decisions for the second time this month.

Michael Dawson's goal should have stood. Linesman got it wrong. Danny Rose clearly won the ball.

Both decisions could have been cleared up within 30 seconds had there been a video assistant in radio contact with the referee.

Adebayor touched the ball meaning Dawson was offside. To say Man City won that game by dubious decisions, is clearly nonsense. They were so much better than Spurs last night.

They weren't at best marginally better till Rose got sent off on a bogus call and their lead was doubled. Before the disastrous double shafting of Spurs and City's league rivals the game was 1-0 and Spurs were actually playing pretty well and looked likely to equalize and have a strong chance at getting a result. The game was blown open by the official. 1-0 in the first 47 minutes. Following the poor call, one of at least a dozen dodgy decisions that City has benefited from this year, City scored 4 goals in quick succession and one from the spot. Totally demoralized an energized Spurs side that was playing well and right in the thick of the contest.

[Duty281]

So it looks like Man City have won a game by dubious decisions for the second time this month.

Michael Dawson's goal should have stood. Linesman got it wrong. Danny Rose clearly won the ball.

Both decisions could have been cleared up within 30 seconds had there been a video assistant in radio contact with the referee.

Adebayor touched the ball meaning Dawson was offside. To say Man City won that game by dubious decisions, is clearly nonsense. They were so much better than Spurs last night.

They weren't at best marginally better till Rose got sent off on a bogus call and their lead was doubled. Before the disastrous double shafting of Spurs and City's league rivals the game was 1-0 and Spurs were actually playing pretty well and looked likely to equalize and have a strong chance at getting a result. The game was blown open by the official. 1-0 in the first 47 minutes. Following the poor call, one of at least a dozen dodgy decisions that City has benefited from this year, City scored 4 goals in quick succession and one from the spot. Totally demoralized an energized Spurs side that was playing well and right in the thick of the contest.

City were miles better than Tottenham. Could have been conceivably three or four to the good after half an hour. Spurs only played well for about ten minutes of the whole game; granted, the red card didn't help.

Deserved result, and a deserved scoreline.

[socal1976]

The fact is duty when the match was at even numbers the scoreline was competitive, Spurs scored a goal that was ruled offsides by the tightest margins(rightfully so). Aguero their nemesis had just been subbed to injury at the end of the first half and City were not looking anything like as dangerous as they did after having their lead doubled and playing with a man advantage. Just like their 3 points at newcastle were well deserved Duty after Tiote's wonder goal was stripped from him. I mean whenever someone plays city it seems its 12 on 11 to start with, Spurs couldn't cope with 12 on 10 though. I am sure it is coincidental that two clubs with the richest owners, coming from cultures that bribing officials is second nature, who are both morally dubious individuals keep getting these wonderful calls. I am certain that it is all coincidence because the English are not Italians and could not be corrupted. I am certain of it.

[Duty281]

Oh yeah, the scoreline was competitive but the match wasn't (up to that point). City were absolutely dominant. Even if Dawson's goal had been given, and Rose hadn't been sent off, I'm 99% sure City would have still won.

Why? Because they were so much better.

[Guest]

The fact is duty when the match was at even numbers the scoreline was competitive, Spurs scored a goal that was ruled offsides by the tightest margins(rightfully so). Aguero their nemesis had just been subbed to injury at the end of the first half and City were not looking anything like as dangerous as they did after having their lead doubled and playing with a man advantage. Just like their 3 points at newcastle were well deserved Duty after Tiote's wonder goal was stripped from him. I mean whenever someone plays city it seems its 12 on 11 to start with, Spurs couldn't cope with 12 on 10 though. I am sure it is coincidental that two clubs with the richest owners, coming from cultures that bribing officials is second nature, who are both morally dubious individuals keep getting these wonderful calls. I am certain that it is all coincidence because the English are not Italians and could not be corrupted. I am certain of it.

Being from Southern California you've become used to living in WHINE country, then. Competitive scoreline be damned. Look at the Merseyside Derby, stats show Everton dominated possession but what was the scoreline?

City are tearing teams a new one with relative ease and they did it to a team vying for CL league football. You get a man sent off? OK, park the bus and hit 'em on the counter if you can. If West Ham can stifle Chelsea, surely Spurs could show a bit more grit themselves.

I reserve the right to retract these comments if/when City come to Anfield and make us look like the Girl Guide's 2nd eleven

[socal1976]

Oh yeah, the scoreline was competitive but the match wasn't (up to that point). City were absolutely dominant. Even if Dawson's goal had been given, and Rose hadn't been sent off, I'm 99% sure City would have still won.

Why? Because they were so much better.

Not the match I saw, after the first 20 minutes or so and once Aguero went out Spurs were in the match and playing better and better. City is a great side no question. But is it a coincidence they scored 1 goal in 47 minutes and then scored 3 in 17 minutes after the penalty and redcard. The result may or may not have gone to city, probably would have but the scoreline was far from deserved. And I am no Spurs fan, however fair is far and again City playing 12 on 10 is hard force to stop.

[socal1976]

The fact is duty when the match was at even numbers the scoreline was competitive, Spurs scored a goal that was ruled offsides by the tightest margins(rightfully so). Aguero their nemesis had just been subbed to injury at the end of the first half and City were not looking anything like as dangerous as they did after having their lead doubled and playing with a man advantage. Just like their 3 points at newcastle were well deserved Duty after Tiote's wonder goal was stripped from him. I mean whenever someone plays city it seems its 12 on 11 to start with, Spurs couldn't cope with 12 on 10 though. I am sure it is coincidental that two clubs with the richest owners, coming from cultures that bribing officials is second nature, who are both morally dubious individuals keep getting these wonderful calls. I am certain that it is all coincidence because the English are not Italians and could not be corrupted. I am certain of it.

Being from Southern California you've become used to living in WHINE country, then. Competitive scoreline be damned. Look at the Merseyside Derby, stats show Everton dominated possession but what was the scoreline?

City are tearing teams a new one with relative ease and they did it to a team vying for CL league football. You get a man sent off? OK, park the bus and hit 'em on the counter if you can. If West Ham can stifle Chelsea, surely Spurs could show a bit more grit themselves.

I reserve the right to retract these comments if/when City come to Anfield and make us look like the Girl Guide's 2nd eleven

Or when they come to Anfield and get a dodgy penalty and redcard against you lets see what the scoreline is then. I live in southern california not really wine country but certainly whine country. It rains 20 days a year here and we are always complaining about how cold it is.

[mystiroakey]

A Gooner backing up Tottenham!!

Am I in Bizario world

[socal1976]

A Gooner backing up Tottenham!!

Am I in Bizario world

I am no Spurs fan but I am getting sick an tired of Jose's bully boys and team Abu Dhabi getting officiated to the top of the standings.

[socal1976]

I've just returned from the Newcastle United – Manchester City match having witnessed the most scandalously wrong and morally reprehensible refereeing decision in all of the years I've watched top level football – the disallowing of Cheick Tiote's 25-yard top corner potential Goal of the Season equaliser by a system ensuring that Manchester City went top.

Millions of people watch football globally every week believing they are watching a fair game yet it is so blatantly not as today's events and the events of this season involving Liverpool at The Etihad and Stamford Bridge clearly demonstrated.

Today's game was nothing short of the continuation of an absolute sporting scandal being played out on a weekly basis and one that raises the most serious questions about the legitimacy of the beautiful game in the 21st century and those who claim to run the game fairly.

While the above quote Brian Clough was certainly true in its day, 34 years has passed since and while football on and off the pitch has changed remarkably, the officiating of the game hasn't kept pace with this terrific sporting progress.

Only those with a vested interest in controlled outcomes don't want technology used in the game.

It is precisely because is it so hard for referees and linesman that it is time for massive change in football and the immediate re-introduction of justice on the pitch via technology else the beautiful game will lose its soul completely - if it hasn't already.

It is an absolute travesty that in the 21st century modern sporting world when technology is readily available and successfully employed in other sports and refereeing games can be done more efficiently by the average fan watching at home on TV than the refs and linesman teams pitchside that there is no video refereeing yet.

As Brian Clough rightly points out, some incidents can still not be decided after numerous replays and the sensible thing to do in these cases is award a drop ball so neither team gains an advantage or have an end-game penalty scenario.

When the majority of decisions - pens, dives, serious foul play, offsides - can be absolutely decided one or the other on immediate viewing, there's absolutely no reason why replays aren't used to help adjudicate the game.

I've written about the subject of technology and corruption in sport and it is clear that match-fixing and corruption travels right to the highest echelons of The Premier League and English game.

Every week, the same teams – Manchester City and Chelsea primarily - benefit from the decisions of the supposedly neutral match officials. They also happen to be the teams financed by the richest yet most morally questionable owners as Matthew Syed brilliantly pointed out on SKY Sports News.

Also blindingly obvious is that Manchester United – who DID get decisions going there way for 20+ years under Fergie's management – are no longer the chosen club for favouritism and preferential treatment as jokes about Howard Webb being transferred to Chelsea abound – and as a result are reduced to ordinary mortal football club status.

Don't believe the hype about it falling apart when Moyes took over – the referees left with Fergie and just as Lance Armstrong had his titles removed from him years after the event, the former Man U boss could suffer the same Fate.

Likewise, the same clubs – those who threaten to win The Premier League or break into the Top 4 and Champions (Cartel) League, the likes of Liverpool, Spurs and Newcastle – have decisions go against them consistently in order that they do no break into the elite.

For example, Liverpool Football Club are currently being robbed of a serious shot at The Premier League title.

Against Manchester City in December, Luis Suarez was blatantly onside when he went through and scored a goal wrongly disallowed at The Etihad and the same player was targetted with some terrible abuse and non-decisions in the Chelsea match by Samuel Eto'o among others and received absolutely no protection from the referees.

Now Suarez's reputation due to his previous conduct - the biting of Ivanovic among other offences - may well precede him yet by all accounts he is a changed man and deserves the same clemency and forgiveness as any man who has admitted making mistakes and serving his sentence deserves. In a fair game, he gets results.

Yet those were potential title clashes in which the referees clearly went against Liverpool and spoilt both matches as fair contests perhaps because of their less than salubrious treatment of one Roy Hodgson, the FA's national team manager.

Alex Ferguson enjoyed highly suspicious power with the referees – so much so that FergieTime is a byword for institutionalised cheating or a big joke - and skewed The Premier League for two decades and I've suspected all season that the new Premier League 'Godfather' is the former Special now Happy One Jose Mourinho.

From early on in the season, Mourinho has been aided and abetted by the referees of The Premier League to acquire unfair decisions and results in his club's favour.

It started in the Chelsea - Aston Villa match in August when Ivanovic should have been sent off for an elbow on Benteke before scoring the game's winner.

It continued most disgustingly in the Chelsea - West Brom game with the softest penalty of the season - four minutes deep into JoseTime to boot - which robbed WBA a deserved win and preserved Mourinho's unbeaten record at Stamford Bridge.

Ultimately, it cost Jose's former deputy Steve Clarke, one of football's decent, hard-working men, his job as he paid the price for that lost win and dropped two points and the momentum he'd built up early season with a win also at Old Trafford.

Pre-Abramovich, there was such a thing as a Chelsea 'Pensioner' – now their former nickname has been replaced by the cooler 'Blues' in the modern world of football yet now there is such a thing as a Chelsea penalty.

Interestingly, the foreword of former referee Mark Halsey's book, 'Added Time' is written by one Jose Mourinho and begins with the line,

"The relationship between a football manager and a referee normally starts and ends with a match."

Yet with Mark it is different before detailing their close personal friendship and its since been revealed that The Special (Favours?) One even paid for a holiday in The Algarve.

This begs the question, what is Jose's current relationship with the PGMO and referees and how far does that and Abramovich's millions have currency with the officials?

And has the fact that Manchester City are now the richest club in the world and clearly have the referees in their pocket escaped anyone watching The Premier League?

Technology Is The Only Answer

Bringing in technology instantly removes corruption because since the advent of Goal Line Technology, there are no longer any wrongly allowed or wrongly disallowed ghost goals in The Premier League.

Similarly, offside technology must be introduced as soon as possible and touchline technology like in tennis so there are no wrong calls or missed goals, which can change matches, seasons, managers and players careers even the long-term economic fate and happiness of cities which can depend on the football club's results like Newcastle.

Jose Mourinho recently said after the Liverpool game that he wants a man in the studio to defend Chelsea - what the world needs is a man in the studio accessing the same replays that the hundreds of millions of fans watching worldwide see with a direct line of influence over the game else the current ludicrious state of affairs will continue.

The Premier League is fast-becoming an absolute joke and a mockery of a once fair sport if it still indeed can claim to be one after recent shambolic events, games and decisions.

Since 1986 and Diego Maradona punching the ball into the net in The Quarter-Final of The World Cup against England, the game has been crying out for a television referee revolution.

Technology exists that would make the game truly fair yet if its not used and all corruption removed as soon as is possible then the Premier League will come to be seen like the World Wrestling Federation – fun to watch yet ultimately a farcical fix.

The rich have always stolen from the poor and daylight robbery is taking place in front of the sporting world and something has to be done about it immediately.

Without fair play and decent officiating, football really isn't a game at all.


Read more at http://swol.co/crimes-against-football-mean-it-is-time-for-change/32363#FsVx7D3YbdjcPvYI.99

Apparently I am not the only one noticing the bizarre coincidences.

[Guest]

The fact is duty when the match was at even numbers the scoreline was competitive, Spurs scored a goal that was ruled offsides by the tightest margins(rightfully so). Aguero their nemesis had just been subbed to injury at the end of the first half and City were not looking anything like as dangerous as they did after having their lead doubled and playing with a man advantage. Just like their 3 points at newcastle were well deserved Duty after Tiote's wonder goal was stripped from him. I mean whenever someone plays city it seems its 12 on 11 to start with, Spurs couldn't cope with 12 on 10 though. I am sure it is coincidental that two clubs with the richest owners, coming from cultures that bribing officials is second nature, who are both morally dubious individuals keep getting these wonderful calls. I am certain that it is all coincidence because the English are not Italians and could not be corrupted. I am certain of it.

Being from Southern California you've become used to living in WHINE country, then. Competitive scoreline be damned. Look at the Merseyside Derby, stats show Everton dominated possession but what was the scoreline?

City are tearing teams a new one with relative ease and they did it to a team vying for CL league football. You get a man sent off? OK, park the bus and hit 'em on the counter if you can. If West Ham can stifle Chelsea, surely Spurs could show a bit more grit themselves.

I reserve the right to retract these comments if/when City come to Anfield and make us look like the Girl Guide's 2nd eleven

Or when they come to Anfield and get a dodgy penalty and redcard against you lets see what the scoreline is then. I live in southern california not really wine country but certainly whine country. It rains 20 days a year here and we are always complaining about how cold it is.

Well you certainly are fella. You were badly beaten, get over it. Try the British stiff upper lip instead of walking round tripping over your pouty bottom one for a change

[Guest]

I've just returned from the Newcastle United – Manchester City match having witnessed the most scandalously wrong and morally reprehensible refereeing decision in all of the years I've watched top level football – the disallowing of Cheick Tiote's 25-yard top corner potential Goal of the Season equaliser by a system ensuring that Manchester City went top.

Millions of people watch football globally every week believing they are watching a fair game yet it is so blatantly not as today's events and the events of this season involving Liverpool at The Etihad and Stamford Bridge clearly demonstrated.

Today's game was nothing short of the continuation of an absolute sporting scandal being played out on a weekly basis and one that raises the most serious questions about the legitimacy of the beautiful game in the 21st century and those who claim to run the game fairly.

While the above quote Brian Clough was certainly true in its day, 34 years has passed since and while football on and off the pitch has changed remarkably, the officiating of the game hasn't kept pace with this terrific sporting progress.

Only those with a vested interest in controlled outcomes don't want technology used in the game.

It is precisely because is it so hard for referees and linesman that it is time for massive change in football and the immediate re-introduction of justice on the pitch via technology else the beautiful game will lose its soul completely - if it hasn't already.

It is an absolute travesty that in the 21st century modern sporting world when technology is readily available and successfully employed in other sports and refereeing games can be done more efficiently by the average fan watching at home on TV than the refs and linesman teams pitchside that there is no video refereeing yet.

As Brian Clough rightly points out, some incidents can still not be decided after numerous replays and the sensible thing to do in these cases is award a drop ball so neither team gains an advantage or have an end-game penalty scenario.

When the majority of decisions - pens, dives, serious foul play, offsides - can be absolutely decided one or the other on immediate viewing, there's absolutely no reason why replays aren't used to help adjudicate the game.

I've written about the subject of technology and corruption in sport and it is clear that match-fixing and corruption travels right to the highest echelons of The Premier League and English game.

Every week, the same teams – Manchester City and Chelsea primarily - benefit from the decisions of the supposedly neutral match officials. They also happen to be the teams financed by the richest yet most morally questionable owners as Matthew Syed brilliantly pointed out on SKY Sports News.

Also blindingly obvious is that Manchester United – who DID get decisions going there way for 20+ years under Fergie's management – are no longer the chosen club for favouritism and preferential treatment as jokes about Howard Webb being transferred to Chelsea abound – and as a result are reduced to ordinary mortal football club status.

Don't believe the hype about it falling apart when Moyes took over – the referees left with Fergie and just as Lance Armstrong had his titles removed from him years after the event, the former Man U boss could suffer the same Fate.

Likewise, the same clubs – those who threaten to win The Premier League or break into the Top 4 and Champions (Cartel) League, the likes of Liverpool, Spurs and Newcastle – have decisions go against them consistently in order that they do no break into the elite.

For example, Liverpool Football Club are currently being robbed of a serious shot at The Premier League title.

Against Manchester City in December, Luis Suarez was blatantly onside when he went through and scored a goal wrongly disallowed at The Etihad and the same player was targetted with some terrible abuse and non-decisions in the Chelsea match by Samuel Eto'o among others and received absolutely no protection from the referees.

Now Suarez's reputation due to his previous conduct - the biting of Ivanovic among other offences - may well precede him yet by all accounts he is a changed man and deserves the same clemency and forgiveness as any man who has admitted making mistakes and serving his sentence deserves. In a fair game, he gets results.

Yet those were potential title clashes in which the referees clearly went against Liverpool and spoilt both matches as fair contests perhaps because of their less than salubrious treatment of one Roy Hodgson, the FA's national team manager.

Alex Ferguson enjoyed highly suspicious power with the referees – so much so that FergieTime is a byword for institutionalised cheating or a big joke - and skewed The Premier League for two decades and I've suspected all season that the new Premier League 'Godfather' is the former Special now Happy One Jose Mourinho.

From early on in the season, Mourinho has been aided and abetted by the referees of The Premier League to acquire unfair decisions and results in his club's favour.

It started in the Chelsea - Aston Villa match in August when Ivanovic should have been sent off for an elbow on Benteke before scoring the game's winner.

It continued most disgustingly in the Chelsea - West Brom game with the softest penalty of the season - four minutes deep into JoseTime to boot - which robbed WBA a deserved win and preserved Mourinho's unbeaten record at Stamford Bridge.

Ultimately, it cost Jose's former deputy Steve Clarke, one of football's decent, hard-working men, his job as he paid the price for that lost win and dropped two points and the momentum he'd built up early season with a win also at Old Trafford.

Pre-Abramovich, there was such a thing as a Chelsea 'Pensioner' – now their former nickname has been replaced by the cooler 'Blues' in the modern world of football yet now there is such a thing as a Chelsea penalty.

Interestingly, the foreword of former referee Mark Halsey's book, 'Added Time' is written by one Jose Mourinho and begins with the line,

"The relationship between a football manager and a referee normally starts and ends with a match."

Yet with Mark it is different before detailing their close personal friendship and its since been revealed that The Special (Favours?) One even paid for a holiday in The Algarve.

This begs the question, what is Jose's current relationship with the PGMO and referees and how far does that and Abramovich's millions have currency with the officials?

And has the fact that Manchester City are now the richest club in the world and clearly have the referees in their pocket escaped anyone watching The Premier League?

Technology Is The Only Answer

Bringing in technology instantly removes corruption because since the advent of Goal Line Technology, there are no longer any wrongly allowed or wrongly disallowed ghost goals in The Premier League.

Similarly, offside technology must be introduced as soon as possible and touchline technology like in tennis so there are no wrong calls or missed goals, which can change matches, seasons, managers and players careers even the long-term economic fate and happiness of cities which can depend on the football club's results like Newcastle.

Jose Mourinho recently said after the Liverpool game that he wants a man in the studio to defend Chelsea - what the world needs is a man in the studio accessing the same replays that the hundreds of millions of fans watching worldwide see with a direct line of influence over the game else the current ludicrious state of affairs will continue.

The Premier League is fast-becoming an absolute joke and a mockery of a once fair sport if it still indeed can claim to be one after recent shambolic events, games and decisions.

Since 1986 and Diego Maradona punching the ball into the net in The Quarter-Final of The World Cup against England, the game has been crying out for a television referee revolution.

Technology exists that would make the game truly fair yet if its not used and all corruption removed as soon as is possible then the Premier League will come to be seen like the World Wrestling Federation – fun to watch yet ultimately a farcical fix.

The rich have always stolen from the poor and daylight robbery is taking place in front of the sporting world and something has to be done about it immediately.

Without fair play and decent officiating, football really isn't a game at all.


Read more at http://swol.co/crimes-against-football-mean-it-is-time-for-change/32363#FsVx7D3YbdjcPvYI.99

Apparently I am not the only one noticing the bizarre coincidences.

Blah blah blah...I believe Liverpool have been awarded more penalties than anyone else so far this season or if not, they're pretty damned close to the top of the list.

[socal1976]

The fact is duty when the match was at even numbers the scoreline was competitive, Spurs scored a goal that was ruled offsides by the tightest margins(rightfully so). Aguero their nemesis had just been subbed to injury at the end of the first half and City were not looking anything like as dangerous as they did after having their lead doubled and playing with a man advantage. Just like their 3 points at newcastle were well deserved Duty after Tiote's wonder goal was stripped from him. I mean whenever someone plays city it seems its 12 on 11 to start with, Spurs couldn't cope with 12 on 10 though. I am sure it is coincidental that two clubs with the richest owners, coming from cultures that bribing officials is second nature, who are both morally dubious individuals keep getting these wonderful calls. I am certain that it is all coincidence because the English are not Italians and could not be corrupted. I am certain of it.

Being from Southern California you've become used to living in WHINE country, then. Competitive scoreline be damned. Look at the Merseyside Derby, stats show Everton dominated possession but what was the scoreline?

City are tearing teams a new one with relative ease and they did it to a team vying for CL league football. You get a man sent off? OK, park the bus and hit 'em on the counter if you can. If West Ham can stifle Chelsea, surely Spurs could show a bit more grit themselves.

I reserve the right to retract these comments if/when City come to Anfield and make us look like the Girl Guide's 2nd eleven

Or when they come to Anfield and get a dodgy penalty and redcard against you lets see what the scoreline is then. I live in southern california not really wine country but certainly whine country. It rains 20 days a year here and we are always complaining about how cold it is.

Well you certainly are fella. You were badly beaten, get over it. Try the British stiff upper lip instead of walking round tripping over your pouty bottom one for a change

I am not a Spurs fan just tired of seeing City play 12 on 11 to the title for the rest of the year. I am happy to see Spurs be beaten every week 10-0 but with fair officiating.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Oh god, this again.

[Guest]

The fact is duty when the match was at even numbers the scoreline was competitive, Spurs scored a goal that was ruled offsides by the tightest margins(rightfully so). Aguero their nemesis had just been subbed to injury at the end of the first half and City were not looking anything like as dangerous as they did after having their lead doubled and playing with a man advantage. Just like their 3 points at newcastle were well deserved Duty after Tiote's wonder goal was stripped from him. I mean whenever someone plays city it seems its 12 on 11 to start with, Spurs couldn't cope with 12 on 10 though. I am sure it is coincidental that two clubs with the richest owners, coming from cultures that bribing officials is second nature, who are both morally dubious individuals keep getting these wonderful calls. I am certain that it is all coincidence because the English are not Italians and could not be corrupted. I am certain of it.

Being from Southern California you've become used to living in WHINE country, then. Competitive scoreline be damned. Look at the Merseyside Derby, stats show Everton dominated possession but what was the scoreline?

City are tearing teams a new one with relative ease and they did it to a team vying for CL league football. You get a man sent off? OK, park the bus and hit 'em on the counter if you can. If West Ham can stifle Chelsea, surely Spurs could show a bit more grit themselves.

I reserve the right to retract these comments if/when City come to Anfield and make us look like the Girl Guide's 2nd eleven

Or when they come to Anfield and get a dodgy penalty and redcard against you lets see what the scoreline is then. I live in southern california not really wine country but certainly whine country. It rains 20 days a year here and we are always complaining about how cold it is.

Well you certainly are fella. You were badly beaten, get over it. Try the British stiff upper lip instead of walking round tripping over your pouty bottom one for a change

I am not a Spurs fan just tired of seeing City play 12 on 11 to the title for the rest of the year. I am happy to see Spurs be beaten every week 10-0 but with fair officiating.

Keeping with the wine theme...sounds to me like sour grapes.

[socal1976]

I suggest you guys read the article I posted in its entirety. It names an official that allegedly Mourinho paid for him to go on Holliday, and wrote the forward in his book. I am sure that is all above board and nothing to see here. I don't want to see the premier league turned into the WWF.

[socal1976]

In case my source is not credible enough for you and you assume any of this is libellous, here is the official himself discussing his wonderful relationship with Jose.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/la-liga/8478805/Mark-Halsey-lifts-lid-on-friendship-with-wonderful-Real-Madrid-manager-Jose-Mourinho.html

[mystiroakey]

They are friends and it has never covered up. Not sure what else to say mate.

Conspiracy theories dont spread as fast this side of the pond..

[socal1976]

They are friends and it has never covered up. Not sure what else to say mate.

Conspiracy theories dont spread as fast this side of the pond..

It is not appropriate for a manager to pay for an official's trip. In politics or the law if I am an attorney, if I paid for trips for a judge and he continued to work on my cases we could both be in serious trouble. The fact of the matter is that it simply is not appropriate for a match official to have a personal relationship of that level with a manager.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

A Gooner backing up Tottenham!!

Am I in Bizario world

I am no Spurs fan but I am getting sick an tired of Jose's bully boys and team Abu Dhabi getting officiated to the top of the standings.

What is it with yanks and conspiracies   

[socal1976]

A Gooner backing up Tottenham!!

Am I in Bizario world

I am no Spurs fan but I am getting sick an tired of Jose's bully boys and team Abu Dhabi getting officiated to the top of the standings.

What is it with yanks and conspiracies   

I don't know what is with the english and their horrible referees? It is one of life's unanswerable questions.

[mystiroakey]

They are friends and it has never covered up. Not sure what else to say mate.

Conspiracy theories dont spread as fast this side of the pond..

It is not appropriate for a manager to pay for an official's trip. In politics or the law if I am an attorney, if I paid for trips for a judge and he continued to work on my cases we could both be in serious trouble. The fact of the matter is that it simply is not appropriate for a match official to have a personal relationship of that level with a manager.

You have to understand the situation.

And if you do what you are also accusing mourinhio off.

You are suggesting that mourinhio become friends with this ref when he was vulnerable during cancer struggles and from that point on bribed him..

Firstly even if mourinhio is underhand that's one thing, but that is sick. Secondly this isn't some covered up thing and mourinhio should be praised for helping the man.

Thirdly someone like mourinhio if he was curupt would not in a million years do things first hand.. Others would approach the refs.

I would not buy your conspiracy for even a split second mate.l

[The Special Juan]

Lugano has to be the worst CB in the prem easily. Shocking

Senderos?

[socal1976]

They are friends and it has never covered up. Not sure what else to say mate.

Conspiracy theories dont spread as fast this side of the pond..

It is not appropriate for a manager to pay for an official's trip. In politics or the law if I am an attorney, if I paid for trips for a judge and he continued to work on my cases we could both be in serious trouble. The fact of the matter is that it simply is not appropriate for a match official to have a personal relationship of that level with a manager.

You have to understand the situation.

And if you do what you are also accusing mourinhio off.

You are suggesting that mourinhio become friends with this ref when he was vulnerable during cancer struggles and from that point on bribed him..

Firstly even if mourinhio is underhand that's one thing, but that is sick. Secondly this isn't some covered up thing and mourinhio should be praised for helping the man.

Thirdly someone like mourinhio if he was curupt would not in a million years do things first hand.. Others would approach the refs.

I would not buy your conspiracy for even a split second mate.l

First off, it is not clear when these two became chummy, they appear from the article to have been friendly prior to the cancer. Secondly, I am sure Jose was nice to this guy mainly out of human compassion. But you do know that people do things for more than one reason. I mean the rich guy gives to charity because he believes in the cause, likes the tax deduction, and getting his name in the paper. Secondly, do you really believe that all these managers would have called this guy and jose would have gone to this great a lengths if this guy wasn't an FA match official? There are no poor kids in his home town that have cancer, no distant relatives or family friends who are ill, does he treat them this way? Maybe, maybe not. This story reveals that there is a very cozy relationship between some managers and some officials, which could create a bias if anything else. As for directly bribing, that is not what is alleged, it could be a form of networking and lobbying that can taint the process as badly as a sack full of money. But I know that you guys don't like this topic but I had to address your last point so lets just let it go. But I am suspicious of personal relationships and influence of certain managers over certain refs and refs are human they can develop positive and negative biases like the rest of us.

[compelling and rich]

Lugano has to be the worst CB in the prem easily. Shocking

Senderos?

boumsong and bramble? they played together!    

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Lugano has to be the worst CB in the prem easily. Shocking

Senderos?

Sky Sports News ‏@SkySportsNews
SKY SOURCES: Philippe Senderos joining Valencia from Fulham on a permanent deal #SSN #skydeadlineday

It's been confirmed it's Lugano

[Dolphin Ziggler]

They tell me its easier to defend in Spain, now we'll bloody well see

[Guest]

Newcastle United (4-3-3): Tim Krul; Mathieu Debuchy, Mike Williamson, Steven Taylor, Davide Santon; Vurnon Anita, Moussa Sissoko, Cheick Tiote (c);Hatem Ben Arfa, Shola Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi

It's upto the Ameobi's to deliver with De Jong on the bench.

[mystiroakey]

West ham have turned the corner....

Carrol with a knock down....

[Ent]

Loving the conspiracy theories, always good for a chuckle.

[Duty281]

And Nolan fires in! The dream combo.

[NickisBHAFC]

West Ham 1-0 Swansea, Kevin Nolan.

West Ham very much the better side. Andy Carroll best player on the pitch, proving why he is so key to West Ham survival chances. 

Still have no idea why this game is on the tv ahead of the north east derby. Someone has had a mare here!!!

[Ent]

That's a shocker that game selection.

Sunderland 2-0 up.

[Guest]

Apparently the last time Sunderland did the double over Newcastle was 1966.

An omen for you there Duty   

[NickisBHAFC]

West Ham 2-0 Swansea.

Carroll to Nolan again. Poor defending by Swansea this time though.

West Ham look a different team with Caroll.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Cracking game happening at Loftus Road between QPR and Burnley

West Ham 2-0 up, Swansea in big trouble

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