We Go Again! The 2014/15 Premier League Thread

[Dolphin Ziggler]

First topic message reminder :

Well, as I started one for the Championship, it seems now is the time for the Premier League 2014/15 thread to begin!

We have all our teams, with Leicester, Burnley and QPR replacing Cardiff, Fulham and Norwich. Can City retain, can United break into the top four, how will Liverpool cope with Champions League football. All this and more can be discussed as we see how the transfers, the rumours, the World Cup and everything else make an impact on the Premier League before it all kicks off?

I'll open it up...the Telegraph, Sky Sports and others report Pochettino is top of Spurs' shortlist and could be unveiled in the next week. Thoughts? Sounds the perfect fit to me. Some suggesting he'll bring Rodriguez with him, although that sounds like immediate clutching to me.

[Stella]

Has Iain Dowie given up on management?

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Sherwood pulls out of CPFC job hunt after being out bantered by Mackay #bantz #ladz

[NickisBHAFC]

Sherwood as turned down Palace? 

LOL. Problems.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Actually good for Palace tbf can appoint a proper manager not a parody

[Lowlandbrit]

LMA Statement on Mackay and yes they really have used the word Banter

I know they have to stand up for their members, but it's hard to believe someone composed that and thought it was a good idea.

[CFCNick]

Tbf to the LMA, Malky is Scottish so the texts are banter to him.

I'm not saying all Scottish people are racist or sexist. Just most of them.

[Liam]

God almighty LMA have now apologised for their statement yesterday. Whoever wrote it in the first place should be sacked immediately, how it was ever allowed to go out in the first place is incredible.

[GSC]

The LMA are obliged to stand up for Mackay even if the wording was immensely dumb.

Reminds me of when the NFL players union had to defend a player suspended for bullying another player to depression.

[Liam]

Yeh I agree it is their duty to back a manager until he is found guilty etc, but they couldn't have worded it any worse, referring to allegations of sexist and racist messages as 'banter'. Sounds like a 16 year old had written it.

[GSC]

They had to defend him somehow.

They're offensive regardless of context, but I believe their point was to put across the context as banter between mates rather than some conspiracy to abuse any and all minorities as the Daily Mail (the ironing) seemed to suggest.

The wording was very inappropriate for an official statement.

[John Cregan]

God almighty LMA have now apologised for their statement yesterday. Whoever wrote it in the first place should be sacked immediately, how it was ever allowed to go out in the first place is incredible.

Do we know what McKay said?? How can we judge this otherwise?? I've often said things to close friends that would be said in jest, and to others would be construed as "racist". Obviously McKay didn't realise what kind of individual he was dealing with in Vincent Tan.............

[GSC]

I've often said things to close friends that would be said in jest, and to others would be construed as "racist"


I tend to agree with this to an extent, said it before, if you went through everybodys private communication you'd likely find something that could be considered offensive in a different context. Unfortunately as Mackays discovered, famous people have far more to lose when it comes to such communications becoming public.

[John Cregan]

I've often said things to close friends that would be said in jest, and to others would be construed as "racist"


I tend to agree with this to an extent, said it before, if you went through everybodys private communication you'd likely find something that could be considered offensive in a different context. Unfortunately as Mackays discovered, famous people have far more to lose when it comes to such communications becoming public.

Agree with you. The question then is - what's the punishment? It's already cost him the manager's job at Palace - it's very easy foe journalists to sit on the high moral ground, id be very slow to punish anyone for anything said "in private" between close friends - unless it was really bad stuff - some of the alleged things ive heard aren't all that bad when you put it in the context of a private conversation.

It was banter, albeit a bit inappropriate............

[GSC]

Yeah, I almost feel the FA will feel obliged to act because of media pressure after the Terry/Suarez sagas. I'd tend to say the damage done to his career will suffice.

Sad really no real winners in this. Palace have to reset their search for a manager, 2 men lose their jobs and possibly career and Tan comes across as petty and vindictive. All over some texts between mates.

[Guest]

If Andy Gray and Richard Keyes can be pilloried for their "banter" then the same will undoubtedly apply to Mackay and his mate

[GSC]

I suspect so, though in fairness, those 2 pillocks did it in front of recording equipment used by a national media organisation.

[Guest]

However, a lot of stuff that people complained about re Keyes and Gray was pre-broadcast stuff. There was footage where Gray is tucking his shirt into his pants and turns to a runner, says her name and indicates "jokingly" that she might want to assist. Someone saved this "cutting room floor" stuff and used it to demonstrate that Andy Gray was practically a r***ist-in-waiting.

[GSC]

Difference would be I suppose that Keyes and Gray actually put somebody else down while they were present rather the Mackay and Moody having a private conversation. I dunno, I just have less sympathy for 2 guys getting caught in a television studio rather than emails and texts. I dislike the thought of a world where you have to be absolutely politically correct in private conversations for fear of punishment.

[Guest]

Both sets of incidents demonstrate the people responsible are pretty dreadful human beings and being in such a high profile powerful position, they should be held accountable.

The issue I have though is the unnecessary howls of anguish and hand-wringing from certain aspects of the press.

[The Special Juan]

Tbf to the LMA, Malky is Scottish so the texts are banter to him.

I'm not saying all Scottish people are racist or sexist. Just most of them.

I'm offensive and I find this Scottish

[Fernando]

[The Special Juan]

"Brothers and sisters are natural enemies. Just like Englishmen and Scots! Or Welshmen and Scots! Or Japanese and Scots! Or Scots and other Scots! Damn Scots, they ruined Scotland!"

[Lowlandbrit]

Yeah, I almost feel the FA will feel obliged to act because of media pressure after the Terry/Suarez sagas. I'd tend to say the damage done to his career will suffice.

Sad really no real winners in this. Palace have to reset their search for a manager, 2 men lose their jobs and possibly career and Tan comes across as petty and vindictive. All over some texts between mates.

Here's the thing though; how is a manager and sporting director using offensive terms to describe transfer targets 'private friendly banter to let off steam'? It's not like these things were completely unrelated to their work.

[GSC]

Its not as if they called them that as they were signing the contract is it? If Malkay was racially abusing players as that one Egyptian player claimed then he shouldn't manage again. If it limited to private conversations then the damage done to their careers suffices.

I don't find their comments acceptable, but as I say if you go through most peoples private communications, out of context you'll likely find something offensive. Though perhaps not to the degree of those 2 (or perhaps more).

[GSC]

Now Cardiff want the head of the LMA sacked.

Tan should probably be wary of Wee weeing away all the good will he built up yesterday.

[Stella]

I'd hate to think what gets said behind closed doors. Mackay has been unlucky, and will pay for it. Shame, good manager.

[Lowlandbrit]

Its not as if they called them that as they were signing the contract is it? If Malkay was racially abusing players as that one Egyptian player claimed then he shouldn't manage again. If it limited to private conversations then the damage done to their careers suffices.

I don't find their comments acceptable, but as I say if you go through most peoples private communications, out of context you'll likely find something offensive. Though perhaps not to the degree of those 2 (or perhaps more).

I'm just saying I'd find it a lot easier to accept the banter defence if it wasn't for the 'not a lot of white faces amongst that lot' one. Don't see what the acceptable context for that could be.

[hornbloweroafc]

Its not as if they called them that as they were signing the contract is it? If Malkay was racially abusing players as that one Egyptian player claimed then he shouldn't manage again. If it limited to private conversations then the damage done to their careers suffices.

I don't find their comments acceptable, but as I say if you go through most peoples private communications, out of context you'll likely find something offensive. Though perhaps not to the degree of those 2 (or perhaps more).

I'm just saying I'd find it a lot easier to accept the banter defence if it wasn't for the 'not a lot of white faces amongst that lot' one. Don't see what the acceptable context for that could be.

I understand why he's in trouble and he is stupid and will pay (already missed out on the Palace job when it was virtually his spot).

But what would you have said if he had said black instead of white? I'm guessing alot of people, especially Peter Herbert, would be saying "he's right you know, we need more black players"

Anyway, at least we won't be seeing him in English football for a while!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Do you know what, the "not a lot of white faces" one needs context. If Tan was continuously making efforts for Mackay to sign Asian players, and he was given yet another list where he was shown 9 Asian players and one English, the point might well stand. It isn't racist. In fact, he could well have been urging the recruitment to be more domestic based and quite annoyed he was being ignored.

He didnt say "not a lot of white faces amongst that lot and only white people should be in this country"

[GSC]

I heard Malkay voted for UKIP

He also reads the Daily Mail.

[Lowlandbrit]

Do you know what, the "not a lot of white faces" one needs context. If Tan was continuously making efforts for Mackay to sign Asian players, and he was given yet another list where he was shown 9 Asian players and one English, the point might well stand.

Can't imagine that many people at Cardiff were pushing for more white French players, but my point was more that you'd expect 'banter' to have some sort of punchline.

[GSC]

Pulis now 2nd favourite to take the Palace job.

[mystiroakey]

I would bet most managers(over half )are just as racist as malkay so lets not kid ourselves..- I am just glad we havent employed him!!). The only thing that makes a bit odd is how young malky is. He is only really a few years older than me..I dont understand how someone from that age range can be saying things like that..

If we get TP back great.. got rid of moody and we have the same manager-

we can then look at the positives!!

TP probably backed himself at 40/1 to be the first manager to leave- then backed himself at 1000/1 to be the next palace manager!!

[Josiah Maiestas]

Who hasn't texted something offensive before?! It doesn't mean I dislike all fat people if I make a fat person joke. He should be fined and move on...

[mystiroakey]

he shouldn't be fined- but he wont get a job in the PL of champs, its the way it is. You cant be caught saying racist or homophobic stuff if you are part of football , or in fact any sport..

If those two want to earn money they will be welcomed with open arms in Russia..

[GSC]

He got Cardiff promoted and had a good season with Watford.

Somebody will take a punt. To be honest, he might've got the Norwich job if this had come out sooner.

[mystiroakey]

nah i cant see anyone taken a punt for at least 2 years in the top 2 divisions.. Unless Holloway walks that is!!

[Fernando]

General question im sure it's probably mentioned before. How did they find these texts?

[GSC]

Money talks Myst. I'm sure someone will take a punt on Billy Davies.

I assume it was a club email address Nando.

[Fernando]

Money talks Myst. I'm sure someone will take a punt on Billy Davies.

I assume it was a club email address Nando.

I thought they were text messages from what ive read? Guessing Vincent has learnt some phone hacking skills eh   

[mystiroakey]

they would have been club(work) phones

you buy an app that costs a fiver and it gps tracks it, saves all texts to and from and phone calls that you can view online without the person knowing.

Its not hard

[Lowlandbrit]

General question im sure it's probably mentioned before. How did they find these texts?

From the article in the Daily Mail:

These messages came to light after a dawn raid on Moody’s south London home in March this year, as part of Cardiff’s £750,000 investigation into eight controversial transfers.

They engaged London law firm Mishcon de Reya, whose investigators obtained a search order from the High Court to enter Moody’s house in Balham, seizing work computers and phones and taking electronic imagery of evidence.

They were investigating alleged wrongdoing related to one of these transfers.

Around 70,000 text messages and 100,000 emails were allegedly recovered, including the text and email exchanges that form the basis of letters sent to the FA by Mishcon de Reya, on behalf of Cardiff.

[mystiroakey]

A bit strange that one.. So it wasnt there work pohones that were tracked(so easy to do anyway)

they raided his house for ex club property. Malky was sacked 2 months before that raid.

anyway interview with Malky on at the moment on SSN

[Crimey]

Some team will get him, clubs always take punts on risky options in the lower leagues.

[Duty281]

I had an Asian friend once, and we used to exchange some politically incorrect jokes at the others expense. That probably qualifies as "banter".

Mackay making several ill-advised references against different parts of society, some of which seem to hold considerable malice, would not qualify under the same token. I hope Mackay is punished for his transgressions, and I think it would be rather foolish for any chairman to consider hiring him.

But as a child killer can become captain of a football club, Mackay should not have much difficulty in finding employment.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Madrid derby of sky sports five...

Merely a warm up for the East Anglia one tomorrow lunch time...

[Fernando]

Aston Villa XI vs Newcastle: Guzan, Hutton, Senderos, Vlaar, Cissokho, Westwood, Delph, Richardson, Weimann, N’Zogbia, Agbonlahor.

Newcastle XI vs Aston Villa: Krul, Janmaat, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett, Anita, Colback, Gouffran, Sissoko, Cabella, Riviere.

If Riviere shoots like he did last time Villa have this in the bag

[mystiroakey]

Tough game to call this one.

[Guest]

We need to win this, kick of the season. Defeat here & it won't be long before the pressure mounts on Pardew. There is no excuses this time, he has his players signed. Big game for Riviere.

[Duty281]

As it stands, the mighty Villa are top of the league! I fancy this to be a crappy draw, so they may remain at the summit until five'o'clock.

I think Everton will scalp Arsenal in the teatime game; perhaps by a score of 2-1.

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