2011/2012 English Premier League thread

[d_phaneuf]

But Mancini feels his side currently have just two rivals for the Premier League title: "At the moment, us, United and maybe Tottenham are the three teams that can fight for the title.

"But the season is long. Chelsea, Arsenal and, maybe, Liverpool could also try. The season is hard. We have a lot of games to play in the next 40 days."

...

[Locke]

Liverpool arent fighting for the title, they're in exactly the same spot as when they were runners-up a few years ago, too many draws.

I've said it before, United set the blueprint for winning the title last season, they were not a great team, they lost or drew to most of the top clubs, but they consistantly won against the lower part of the table and that got them to the finish line. Liverpool havent done that, right now the only teams that have been doing that are City, United, Arsenal and Spurs.

[Locke]

I dont know if this is good, bad or indifferent. If they had enough evidence you would think they should just be done with it.

The FA have announced a decision in the case between Liverpool's Luis Suarez and Manchester United's Patrice Evra will not be made before Tuesday December 20th at the earliest.

If Suarez, who has always denied the allegations, is found guilty he could be banned or fined, or both.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...dec-20?cc=5901

[d_phaneuf]

I think it shows how tough a case it is, because of the use of the word as friendly in Uruguay

I saw someone say they aren't just waiting to make the decision, they are actually discussing it this weekend to make sure

[Jimmy Stang]

Norwich were fortunate to get a point today, but I'm OK with a point away from home. But one shot on target (for the goal) isn't exactly a convincing display. The fun thing about following Norwich is that, even when they play poorly, they always seem to be in the hunt. Even against Man City it took a while before they were inevitably (and unexpectedly) broken down.

Now I need to decide whether to watch the next match vs. Wolves at my desk at work, take a work from home day, or take the afternoon off and hit up a pub! Mid-week games are such a novelty that I feel I need to take advantage.

[Barnet Flame]

Cech in all his glory.

[d_phaneuf]

lol, the defending before that was just shambolic too

they need a whole new back 4

[d_phaneuf]

the dueling "thursday nights channel five" and "van persie is ours, your just our feeder club, Van persie is ours" chants were funny

[d_phaneuf]

this is an outrage! how many other united games have been fixed!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...e-referee.html

I knew something had to be up when Shenzhen FC lost by 6 to Manchester United

[united]

Tweets coming through that Suarez is banned for eight matches and fined £40,000 pending appeal. Guess there was something to it.

Phil McNulty @philmcnulty
Liverpool's Luis Suarez found guilty by FA. Fined £40,000 & banned for eight matches. #bbcfootball

http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/Disciplin...uarez-20-12-11
The Independent Regulatory Commission announced its decision on 20 December 2011, which is as follows:

1. Mr Suarez used insulting words towards Mr Evra during the match contrary to FA Rule E3(1);
2. the insulting words used by Mr Suarez included a reference to Mr Evra's colour within the meaning of Rule E3(2);
3. Mr Suarez shall be warned as to his future conduct, be suspended for eight matches covering all first team competitive matches and fined the sum of £40,000;
4. the [penalty] is suspended pending the outcome of any appeal lodged by Mr Suarez against this decision.

Luis Suarez @luis16suarez
Today is a very difficult and painful day for both me and my family. Thanks for all the support, I'll keep working!

[d_phaneuf]

wow

I thought he may get 3

goodbye Liverpools season

must mean they had definitive proof though, and I am happy they set the standard this high. Hopefully this is acts as a huge deterrent.

[Locke]

I'm of two minds on this.

First of all, they clearly had definitive evidence to come down this hard, I assumed the evidence was flimsy and hence the delay, whereas now it seems that they were taking their time in order to get it right.

Secondly, I'm glad. For the good of the game a hard stance has to be taken, if it has to be taken by a Liverpool player, then so be it. If he said it, and they can prove that he did, then I agree with the suspension.

Either way, this is your chance Andy.

[united]

Strong statement released by Liverpool.
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/lates...ement-20-12-11

IMO some good points made and some pretty dodgy ones.

Overall I'm surprised by the length to be honest. Pretty big punishment to say the least.

[The Big Chill]

This is all such a strange situation. Surely if the FA had hard evidence of this occurring then LFC wouldn't be making a statement like they have that they don't believe Suarez is guilty. That makes it seem like they are going purely off of Evra's word.

Anyways, if he is actually guilty then I have no issues with the ban at all as long as it stays consistent with other cases. Time for Andy Carroll to step up his game as he is sure to get a run of games once Suarez's ban starts.

[Barnet Flame]

If they are basing their decision purely on the word of Evra, they are on very dodgy ground. This is the third time Evra has accused others of racism. The previous two times, his claims were unfounded (Steve Finnan and Chelsea ground staff).

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

If they are basing their decision purely on the word of Evra, they are on very dodgy ground. This is the third time Evra has accused others of racism. The previous two times, his claims were unfounded (Steve Finnan and Chelsea ground staff).

LFC's statement does sound like they're taking Evra's word for it. Very weird.

[Bagor]

We find it extraordinary that Luis can be found guilty on the word of Patrice Evra alone when no-one else on the field of play - including Evra's own Manchester United teammates and all the match officials - heard the alleged conversation between the two players in a crowded Kop goalmouth while a corner kick was about to be taken.

Extraordinary is putting it mildly. I find it unbelievable. There surely has to be more evidence than this to warrant the guilty verdict and subsequent ban.

[d_phaneuf]

if they just took Evra's word for it that's nuts, I hate racism but you can't take one man's side against another if they are the only witnesses. Not the first time Evra has made accusations as well, and in the past they were false.

I thought Suarez/Liverpool admitted to him saying the word though, and their argument was that it had a different meaning in Uruguay?

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I thought Suarez/Liverpool admitted to him saying the word though, and their argument was that it had a different meaning in Uruguay?

I think that was only speculation. I don't think any of that came from Suarez or LFC, but I could be wrong.

Edit: Upon further research, people seem to be saying that Suarez admitted to using a word that Evra's teammates call him. I think we talked about that earlier in this thread, I just didn't know where the claims were being generated from.

[shermanator]

FYI, Canadian international Simeon Jackson scored his first ever goal in the Premier League today for Norwich City. Congrats!