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.

[mystiroakey]

West brom is a huge game at the weekend.

To teams that can stick to a plan.

West brom have been on a horrid run till the last game, but anyway both will feel good about picking up a point.

It could be the worst game of the season... But still Huge for both teams.

[Mike Selig]

...

I wonder what game Pelligrini was watching? City the better side? Really? This is despite Chelsea hitting the woodwork 3 times and butchering an 18 on 1 at one point (so it seemed) ...

Other topics of interest:
- thought the red card (or not as it turned out) was marginal. No issue with the call either way TBH. Not sure Oscar is away as cleanly as some are making out, and a long way out, so yellow understandable. Red would have been ok as well.
- Terry (sorry): clearly the best English playing CB at the moment. As far as I can tell, the FA (in a complete fudge) never said they wouldn't pick him, just that they wouldn't make him captain. I can't defend what he (allegedly) said, but either you accept you can pick him despite of it, or you don't. If not, no issue, I understand that stance; I don't understand saying "you can't be captain but you can play".

...

Only saw the MOTD highlights so not in a position to comment on the match as a whole but a few observations on the excerpts above from Mike's post.

Chelsea did seem the better side but City still had several more than decent chances and would have taken at least one point with better finishing. Silva continues to make me think of Brian Clough's comment about Trevor Brooking, ''He floats like a butterfly - and stings like one too!''

In my view, a red card would have been appropriate. If the City player didn't think a clear goal scoring opportunity was about to result, why did he so blatantly foul Oscar?

Yes, it is a bit of a fudge by the FA over Terry but I can understand it. I don't think it's unreasonable for higher standards (on and off the pitch) to be expected of the national captain than his team mates. Additionally, all team mates and squad players need to have some degree of respect for the captain - I'm not sure that all players would be able to that easily separate Terry ''the footballing captain'' and Terry ''the man''.

Morning guildford,

A couple of points in response to your (as ever considered) reply.

I do think Chelsea outplayed City. Beyond the number of chances created, I think they bossed the midfield and had the greater control over the game. It was a bit reminiscent of a couple of their performances against Barcelona, except they had more quality up front so created good chances themselves.

As for the chances, I can recall 3 or so clear cut ones for City (2 to Silva). That in itself given the brand of football City have played this year is an achievement. From thereon of course it takes a bit of luck that those 3 chances don't go in (you would expect a top team to put at least 1, possibly 2 of those away); Chelsea's goal in the end had an element of luck about it (the ball fell nicely for Ivanovic who basically took a swing and connected beautifully) but then of course conversely it's not often you hit the woodwork 3 times.

Beyond all that though, statements such as "deserved win" etc. are largely meaningless. Unless one side gets an extraordinary run of the ball, you win football matches simply by scoring more goals than the opposition.

As for the red card, you see those types of cynical and blatant fouls all the time, often in the opposition's half when they look like mounting a dangerous break (a player grabs the shirt or slides in late, the counter-attack is snuffed out, and the fouler gets his yellow card - in a sense taking it for the team). The difference here of course is that the opportunity to break was clearer cut, and Oscar may well have been away 1 on 1. Personally, I would like to see a kind of sin-bin for this kind of cynical foul, but realise such a proposal is likely to be met with strong resistance. As it is, it was borderline red card, which suggests for me on balance it wasn't.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Funny thing with the Carroll one, if he'd turned and apologised for his arm coming into contact with Flores, and considering how all over the striker Flores was then its no surprise arms and all tangled, if he'd apologised then it probably would have been ignored. Flores made sure he couldn't.

Not deliberate for me, but the FA have no balls on these things and will stand by the decision. And it'll cost us our place in the league

[GSC]

Tbh I don't really see the need to go back to Terry. England are in need of a revolution, and Terry's contribution is likely to be outweighed by all the media attention

[guildfordbat]

...
Morning guildford,

A couple of points in response to your (as ever considered) reply ...

I do think Chelsea outplayed City. Beyond the number of chances created, I think they bossed the midfield and had the greater control over the game. It was a bit reminiscent of a couple of their performances against Barcelona, except they had more quality up front so created good chances themselves ...

Morning Mike,

Thanks for your detailed response in turn. No arguments there.

As for the bit of your post above, it's unfortunate but inevitable that the viewer just watching a few minutes of highlights on MOTD generally doesn't get a real feel of how the midfield is being bossed.

Btw, I was out last night, went to some lengths to avoid knowing the score and returned just in time to watch how things were going to unfold on MOTD. I was greeted on my arrival home by Mrs Bat (who, to be fair, didn't realise MOTD was going to be on) with the words, ''Man City lost!''   

[Ent]

Great result for Chelsea last night.

Result of the season really, beating city at home.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Swansea looking frail and the unsettled nature of the dugout to board relationship continues?

Swansea City make changes to Michael Laudrup's backroom staff. Former captain Gary Monk is poised to take up a coaching post, along with recently-appointed academy consultant Pep Clotet.

BBC Radio Wales Rob Phillips reports: "The move casts doubt over the future of his current backroom team - including Erik Larsen, Morten Wieghorst and Oscar Garcia. The fact that it has taken place while Laudrup was away from the club in Paris will also fuel speculation about the Dane's future."

[mystiroakey]

Cardiff are big odds to beat them at the weekend..(4/1)

With there 3 new signings and Swansea's inhouse turmoil. That is my pick of the weekend bets.

[J.Benson II]

Tbh I don't really see the need to go back to Terry. England are in need of a revolution, and Terry's contribution is likely to be outweighed by all the media attention

Kind of how I see it too. As good as Terry has been this season, England should use the WC as an opportunity to field a young and fresh squad of players. I don't see the point in bringing back a controversial, 33 year old egomaniac whose inclusion would just bring along a media circus that would just cause further distraction away from the games in hand.

[mystiroakey]

We dont need terry unless he keeps up the level of perfomrnace alongside cahill for the rest of the season.

But if he does well he should play.

Remember its not just about Terry as an individual its about the two as a unit..

[Mike Selig]

Btw, I was out last night, went to some lengths to avoid knowing the score and returned just in time to watch how things were going to unfold on MOTD. I was greeted on my arrival home by Mrs Bat (who, to be fair, didn't realise MOTD was going to be on) with the words, ''Man City lost!''   

  don't I know the feeling... Usually my protestations are followed by a "well what difference does it make, the game's already happened anyway the result won't change". As I try to explain the rationale behind watching highlights when you don't know what's going to happen, this is artfully turned around into "well if that's the case and watching it when you already know the result is so little worthwhile..." and then all of a sudden we are watching downton abbey series 9 and 3/4, episode z for the nth time...

Women... to quote the Major "you've got to love them I suppose..."

[Duty281]

Terry is better than Jagielka. And I'd rather see England go out with their best team.

Media circus? There's going to be one anyway, with or without Terry - remember the space monkey joke after the Montenegro game?

[Mad for Chelsea]

well quite. Does anyone really think that right now Jagielka, Smalling or Jones would make a better partnership with Cahill (who surely is all but inked in at the moment) at the back right now? I just don't see it.

I also don't think a WC is the place to be building for the future, surely you try your hardest to go as far as you can in the thing? That means putting your best team out in every game, and at the moment Terry is comfortably in England's best team...

[mystiroakey]

I have to know real time. I cant wait for Highlights... But I used to have that issue.. Holding out all day not wanting to know the results and then bang you get spoiled last minute!

My Gfriend watches Mr Selfridge, call the midwife's, reality shows, gok programs, chat shows with camp dudes and soaps.. Its a wonder I post so much.

[Guest]

Great result for Chelsea last night.

Result of the season really, beating city at home.

Think Cardiff beating them at their ground was better...certainly made me smile

[Duty281]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/10616636/Chelsea-captain-John-Terry-unlikely-to-come-out-of-international-retirement-for-England.html

The door remains shut currently. Come on John, your country needs you!

[mystiroakey]

Best games of the season.

1. citeh v Arsernal
2. Arsenal v Norwich
3. Liverpool v Arsernal
4. Citeh v Chelsea
5. Citeh v Palace
6. Villa v west brom
7. Arsenal v Southampton
8. Tottenham v Liverpool

[Mad for Chelsea]

9. Man u vs Chelsea

just kidding

[Roller_Coaster]

We dont need terry unless he keeps up the level of perfomrnace alongside cahill for the rest of the season.

But if he does well he should play.

Remember its not just about Terry as an individual its about the two as a unit..

That's a good shout Mysti. I dislike Terry, have never rated him as a player and do agree with the media circus statements. But if an english pairing works well together at club level then use it (albeit I take the point that they have a mourinho coached unit in front of them as well at the club which wouldn't be there at national level). Understanding in that part of the pitch does mean a lot. For all their individual failings Bruce and Pallister should have been played together for England in their time.

[Guest]

We dont need terry unless he keeps up the level of perfomrnace alongside cahill for the rest of the season.

But if he does well he should play.

Remember its not just about Terry as an individual its about the two as a unit..

That's a good shout Mysti. I dislike Terry, have never rated him as a player and do agree with the media circus statements. But if an english pairing works well together at club level then use it (albeit I take the point that they have a mourinho coached unit in front of them as well at the club which wouldn't be there at national level). Understanding in that part of the pitch does mean a lot. For all their individual failings Bruce and Pallister should have been played together for England in their time.

Yeah, I just don't see Tom Cleverley playing with the skill, intelligence and intensity of Chelseas's midfield. All I see is John Terry being left standing whilst Cleverley looks sheepish after leaving his defence helpless.

[mystiroakey]

Look dude- CLEVERLY WILL NOT BE STARTING FOR ENGLAND

[westisbest]

Best games of the season.

1. citeh v Arsernal
2. Arsenal v Norwich
3. Liverpool v Arsernal
4. Citeh v Chelsea
5. Citeh v Palace
6. Villa v west brom
7. Arsenal v Southampton
8. Tottenham v Liverpool

 
Saints v Villa 

[guildfordbat]

We dont need terry unless he keeps up the level of perfomrnace alongside cahill for the rest of the season.

But if he does well he should play.

Remember its not just about Terry as an individual its about the two as a unit..

Yes, the pairing is very significant.

At the time of the '66 World Cup, Sir Alf Ramsey was questioned by a journalist as to whether Jack Charlton was really good enough to play for England. Ramsey replied along the lines, ''It's not a question of how good he is but how good he is alongside Bobby Moore.''

[Guest]

Look dude- CLEVERLY WILL NOT BE STARTING FOR ENGLAND

Hodgson loves him for reasons known only to him and the guy who has the compromising photos of Roy so if Cleverley is breathing in and out, he's wearing that England shirt. Deal with it....please...I can't!

[Guest]

Yeah for some reason Cleverly will be in the mix for England, Hodgson likes him...however we all know that Cleverly is useless!

[mystiroakey]

HE WONT START




(wishing/dreaming/hoping)


Come on Lads Positive mental attitude.

All say it

HE WONT PLAY.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Neither will Terry have fantastic defensive full backs beside him. We'll push up, get exposed for pace and everyone will cry.

Plus, I dont think he would be good for the group. And I don't want that possible excuse there either.

I'm also not a fan of picking players who sat out qualification.

[GSC]

Karl Darlow needs to start.

Aside from that I don't care.

Also Andy Reid needs to find an English passport

[Dolphin Ziggler]

If he has one he probably ate it

[hampo17]

Best games of the season.

1. citeh v Arsernal
2. Arsenal v Norwich
3. Liverpool v Arsernal
4. Citeh v Chelsea
5. Citeh v Palace
6. Villa v west brom
7. Arsenal v Southampton
8. Tottenham v Liverpool

The Merseyside derby deserves mention on that list, much more so than Liverpool vs Arsenal.

[mystiroakey]

oh yes the 3-3
amazing game

[westisbest]

This makes me laugh, people going on about Reids weight.
Reid is top draw despite his weight, not seen him have a bad game for Forest this season, watched them a fair few times.
His cross for Henderson's goal against Watford last week was something special.
 
GSC will know better, (he knows how much of a fan of Reid's I am).
 
For what we could have got, would have liked Villa to have got him.
Would still cut it in the prem without doubt.
 
He's the main reason I would like to see Forest go up.
From an Irish perspective than god Trapp has gone as he never picked him.

[Stella]

I agree, Reid is a quality player with a great left foot (haven't they all)?

[hampo17]

oh yes the 3-3
amazing game

and the 4-0 a few weeks ago mate. Not often you get great games like that in a derby twice in one season.

[mystiroakey]

Yeah it was special, the best liverpool performance of the season for me. just pipping the totenham one.

In fairness liverpool have had plenty of good games with there front two..

I rated arsenals v Liverpool as i think the way they dealt with liverpool was immense and possibly there best performance of the season.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Its a joke, Lampard isnt fat either but i'll always say it.

I like his left foot, I find him very frustrating though. Talent wasted.

[mystiroakey]

yep lamps and roony get it all the time.. its bs

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Weird Hampo, you dont want a Liverpool loss on that list but an easy win can make it? Gosh, I wonder why?   

[Dolphin Ziggler]

He'll always be Fat Frank to me, in polite conversation anyway

[Stella]

Frank had a chubby face during his youthful Hammer days. Who'd have thought he's be a £10m bargain?

[Dolphin Ziggler]

All of us knew it. Not the first or last to be stolen from us really.

Carroll's appeal rejected. There goes the survival, and there's the impetus for Villa; a team I feel we could beat with Carroll in the side.

[GSC]

Reid finally got fit and we're reaping the benefits.

Don't get me wrong, its no good thing hes finally sorted it out, but in my biased opinion he could certainly play in Englands midfield.

[compelling and rich]

Reid finally got fit and we're reaping the benefits.

Don't get me wrong, its no good thing hes finally sorted it out, but in my biased opinion he could certainly play in Englands midfield.

andy reid the Republican of Ireland international?   

[GSC]

Hence the find an English passport

[compelling and rich]

ahh i hadnt seen that comment, just read through the last few and seen you talking about andy reid playing for england and it was all very confusing

also i would disagree with you, never really hit it off in the prem, poor for spurs and sunderland. may i remind you that cleverly looked like a world beater in the championship for watford (11 goals in a season, yes i mean 11 i didnt hit the one button an extra time by mistake)

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Arsenal vs Norwich mysti? Surely you've got the wrong team there?!

[guildfordbat]

Seen a post elsewhere suggesting that the FA should retrospectively allow Carroll a free thump at Flores to give him his money's worth for his 3 match ban and to teach Flores how you really react to a whack in the chops!   

[mystiroakey]

Arsenal vs Norwich mysti? Surely you've got the wrong team there?!

all about that Wilshire goal.

Wasn't that v norwich?

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Arsenal vs Norwich mysti? Surely you've got the wrong team there?!

all about that Wilshire goal.

Wasn't that v norwich?

Yeah it was, but the game was pants lol

[mystiroakey]

From your POV yes

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