2010/2011 Premier League Thread

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Locke

I've come to peace with the Europa league, I figure that some European games is better than none, and the extra income will probably allow Kenny more flexibility.

Personally, with the future investment in the squad and looking at what Kenny's already been doing I feel that the Europa league, particularly in the early going, is going to be a great proving ground for a lot of the reserve kids.

Ya I just think it creates problems with the Thursday night games. The one thing I wish they would do which would make it so that the winner of the Europa League gets in to the Champions league

would make it so the teams from England, Italy, Spain, Germany etc. actually give a damn.

Originally Posted by Addick

Considering his past, would his imminent departure be good the club or just good for 'Arrry as it would provide him with a convenient escape route?

Although it does appear to be Ol' Twitchy's MO, I'm not sure Levy would be having any of it.

Not worried, like you say Levy would never put the club in financial trouble, and Harry has never been at a club with the financial capabilities of Spurs so he couldn't possibly create any huge problems

and in terms of hitting the wall, they have 9 draws at home this season, they have been the better side in at least 8 of them (including games vs Utd and Chelsea). With some actual finish they could/should of won at least 6 of them. Thats an extra 12 points and they are locked in to the CL.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by DeanOMac

I should have clarified that any fines in regards to this rule are ridiculous but that the possibility of them getting fined is not.

I remember Holloway threatening to quit if he got fined, but then he never did. How did he ever save face on that?

He put in his letter of resignation and the owners declined it.

I know, it was all a game, but what can ya do? Personally I thought that was garbage. I mean, they're in his 25 so what, hes not allowed to use them? The FA is going to scrutinize team selections? That was stupid.

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Ya I just think it creates problems with the Thursday night games. The one thing I wish they would do which would make it so that the winner of the Europa League gets in to the Champions league

would make it so the teams from England, Italy, Spain, Germany etc. actually give a damn.

Completely agree. I mean, that tournament has serious reputation issues, they should have just left it alone as the UEFA league rather than the Europa league, the new re-branding seems to have brought a lot of disdain with it. Besides, the Europa league is no worse than the opening rounds of the Champions League really.

If the winner got a place in the CL the next season I think it would do wonders for the tournament.

As for the schedule, I'm not going to get too worried about it, Kenny knows what hes doing, I believe few first team players will even feature for the most part. Also, Kenny and the ownership said that their priority for next season is the league and to get back into a CL spot, I dont think the Europa league will detract from that.

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Not worried, like you say Levy would never put the club in financial trouble, and Harry has never been at a club with the financial capabilities of Spurs so he couldn't possibly create any huge problems

and in terms of hitting the wall, they have 9 draws at home this season, they have been the better side in at least 8 of them (including games vs Utd and Chelsea). With some actual finish they could/should of won at least 6 of them. Thats an extra 12 points and they are locked in to the CL.

I just look at some of Liverpool's end of season standings, especially from a few years ago, its the draws that kill. Losses are okay every now and again, its piling up the draws that really kills.

I remember I think Stevie even mentioning it once, basically that they had to be more adventurous, not be afraid of losing, because winning was more important than getting a draw.

I look at this season and I honestly believe that if they had turned to Kenny at the beginning rather than screwing around with Woy this team would have had a real shot. Not just at the CL either.

Kenny's winning percentage is insane.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

and they can secure a place in the Europa League with a win at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Go Liverpool!

This is interesting. I hadnt heard this before.

Tottenham could qualify for next season's Europa League regardless of whether they pip Liverpool to fifth place after the latest Fair Play table was announced by the Premier League today.

Chelsea top the list but have already secured Champions League football next season. Fulham are tied for second place with Spurs, who would take the additional European spot - expected to be awarded to an English club by UEFA - if they finished level courtesy of their higher League position.

Although Harry Redknapp insists Tottenham remain committed to finishing as high as they can in the League, there is a feeling at White Hart Lane that no European football would be a blessing in disguise as they look to regroup next season and qualify for the Champions League again.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standa...e-to-europe.do

[d_phaneuf]

Fulham are higher I believe at this point and are likely to get it unless they go on a red card spree the next 2 games

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Locke

I just look at some of Liverpool's end of season standings, especially from a few years ago, its the draws that kill. Losses are okay every now and again, its piling up the draws that really kills.

I remember I think Stevie even mentioning it once, basically that they had to be more adventurous, not be afraid of losing, because winning was more important than getting a draw.

I look at this season and I honestly believe that if they had turned to Kenny at the beginning rather than screwing around with Woy this team would have had a real shot. Not just at the CL either.

Kenny's winning percentage is insane.

ya draws are a killer, Spurs have the 3rd lowest losses in the league and are going to finish 6th

2 years ago when Liverpool finished 2nd to Man U (4 points), they did it with only 2 losses. But they also had 11 draws

I can understand teams at the bottom playing for draws away from home or against the top teams in the table. But there is no reason why any of the top 6 teams should ever play for a draw

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Fulham are higher I believe at this point and are likely to get it unless they go on a red card spree the next 2 games

I'd never heard of a spot being reserved for the fair play winner. But that article was written yesterday so I dont know what the order between the two of them is.

[moon]

Originally Posted by locke

also, i mentioned it in the liverpool thread but as it relates to many fewer points for all of your teams i shall mention it in here:

lol

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by moon

lol

lol indeed.
Although despite the minor lapse in English, I know what was meant by that, and he's right. Say what you want about the contributions of Suarez, (which are nothing short of immense. That guy is an amazing talent) he did not singlehandedly turn this ship around. Until Kenny, you did not see the sort of play you do today from Meireles, Skrtel (not this season anyways), Maxi lately, Johnson (who Kenny's found an effective role for).

Liverpool picked up a manager many thought was out of the game too long to still be effective in football today. Instead, he's been amazing. With the new owners (who know how to run a team), and Kenny here, other teams should be worried.

[GirlySports]

I don't buy the Thursday argument, they used to play my favourite tournament, the Cup Winners Cup, for years on Thursday nights. The problem is that European tournaments are now a cash grab and are way too long. There used to be at most 32 teams in each of the 3 cup competitions (in the 90s). Now the UEFA Cup alone has over 100 teams. Even Champions League teams playing on Tuesday or Wednesday are tired by the fixture congestion. Stop letting the 4th place team from Gubukistan into the tournament!

[d_phaneuf]

I still think Liverpool is too old/not good enough in key areas to mount an effective challenge next year

the back 4 isn't very good, Reina makes up for a lot of that though

and of the other teams in the top 6 their midfield is clearly 6th

those two things need to change if they want to move up next season, and based on what the owners have said it will change

[d_phaneuf]

I do wonder if there is still a role for Gerrard though, hes an attacking midfielder who likes to play behind the striker

Suarez has been playing that to great effect the last few months, and with them rumored to be bringing in guys like Ashley Young etc.

is Gerrard going to turn in to a DM?

[Locke]

Ferguson to be disciplined by the FA:

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been charged by the Football Association with improper conduct following comments made about referee Howard Webb.

Ferguson previously said: "We are getting the best referee, there is no doubt about that. But (getting a bad decision) is definitely our big fear. We have the players to do it all right. We just hope it's our turn for a little bit of luck.''

New FA rules state no manager is allowed to speak about a referee in advance of a fixture being played, and, as Ferguson's comments came two days before the Blues clash, he was in breach of the law.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...charge?cc=5901

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I do wonder if there is still a role for Gerrard though, hes an attacking midfielder who likes to play behind the striker

Suarez has been playing that to great effect the last few months, and with them rumored to be bringing in guys like Ashley Young etc.

is Gerrard going to turn in to a DM?

I doubt that, who knows, maybe we'll see Kenny try something along the lines of a couple of attacking mids with Carroll or Kuyt up front. The fun part is looking forward to it, he'll find something that will work.

[NBC]

Glad to see the FA is finally getting serious about their Respect campaign. Though I'm not sure that the old goat (Fergie) is ever going to or wants to change the way he does things. Hopefully other managers take notice as do the players on the pitch. Surrounding the referee and attempting to bully him/her into decisions needs to stop post haste.

[GirlySports]

Name the trophies!

[Montana Moe]

Looks like he was an 8-time UFC Champion.

Impressive...

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

Looks like he was an 8-time UFC Champion.

Impressive...

I heard he does yoga.

[d_phaneuf]

WayneRooney Wayne Rooney
Utd til I die. Everton til I die. Believe. Come together. The beatles. Leg.
3 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

WayneRooney Wayne Rooney
A scouser knocks Liverpool of there perch. Haha. An evertoniian aswell. Yes. People. U can't imagine how happy I am tonight. Believe
3 hours ago

ummmm, then why did you leave wayne?

[d_phaneuf]

good effort spurs, could have used that the last 2 months

and LOL West Ham, that olympic stadium is going to be packed in a few years for a mid-table championship team

[d_phaneuf]

next weekend should have some drama


Blackburn 37 -14 40
Wolves 37 -19 40
Birmingham 37 -20 39
Blackpool 37 -21 39
Wigan 37 -22 39

[d_phaneuf]

Wolves v Blackburn
Tottenham v Birmingham
Stoke v Wigan
Man U v Blackpool