Football 2012-2013

[lharris92]

that match was a true game of two halves.... comfortable to terrible at half time. at yet hodgson didn't try and change anything when it was clear they were getting on top.

[Essex_George]

Neil. On (maybe) your last day, Suarez has given us one last moment of... errr...... Suarez

[thetime]

I don't think he meant it..

[LondonTom]

Not looked at them properly yet but some of the plans for the Olympic Stadium have gone up on the Newham council planning website.

Looks like we're getting a Kop style stand on one side of the stadium ...The rest of the structure from what I've seen is looking great especially the roof (will be half transparent but low to keep the noise in )

[Lithium05]

Di Canio new Sunderland boss then, discuss...

[atomised]

An interesting choice. Not sure how his man management skills will work on premiership players and it seems David Gilliland isn't happy having quit as vice chair de to di canios previous political statements

[strummer77]

Not looked at them properly yet but some of the plans for the Olympic Stadium have gone up on the Newham council planning website.

Looks like we're getting a Kop style stand on one side of the stadium ...The rest of the structure from what I've seen is looking great especially the roof (will be half transparent but low to keep the noise in )

Edited April 1, 2013 by strummer77

[RobertProsineckisLighter]

About time Sunderland got a decent right winger...

[RobertProsineckisLighter]

we need to stay up to get the points deduction this season.

[benc]

from my experience as a swindon fan, i don't think di canio will be a success at sunderland.

though it'll be fun watching him from the outside

[Kyelo]

If Balotelli was managed by Di Canio it would be the best form of entertainment anywhere.

[LondonTom]

There is going to be a one tier stand?

[TheGayTent]

Gold and Sullivan showing their true colours. Just announced the disabled are facing a 100% price increase for next season.

[The Nal]

[thetime]

Good old becks starts tonight.

[RobertProsineckisLighter]

http://news.sky.com/story/1073115/fans-plea-to-fa-over-homophobic-chants

Is it offensive to sing "Sing when your fishing" at Grimsby? "Sing when your smelting" in Sheffield? 'You dirty northern bastards"?

[strummer77]

http://news.sky.com/story/1073115/fans-plea-to-fa-over-homophobic-chants

Is it offensive to sing "Sing when your fishing" at Grimsby? "Sing when your smelting" in Sheffield? 'You dirty northern bastards"?

Edited April 3, 2013 by strummer77

[RobertProsineckisLighter]

Because fishermen, dirty men and smelters have been persecuted throughout the centuries and therefore the situations are remotely comparable.

[The Nal]

Check out Ronaldinho's goal last night!

Edited April 4, 2013 by The Nal

[metallimuse]

Am I the only one who's not impressed by the goal?Keeper should of had that at his near post.

[strummer77]

They are all ridiculous over generalisations.

Edited April 4, 2013 by strummer77

[The Nal]

Am I the only one who's not impressed by the goal?Keeper should of had that at his near post.

Edited April 4, 2013 by The Nal

[pink_triangle]

Just returned from the Indian ocean and can confirm that Liverpool and man utd are the 2 most popular teams in the Seychelles!

A few comments from what has happened recently.

1. Adkins great choice of manager for reading. Wouldn't have sacked Mcdermott but adkins has a good track record of promotion and reading will be in the championship next season.

2. Disagree with MON sacking, not because of the job he has done, but don't see the benefit to change at this stage. Sunderland may end up relegated but don't think changing the manager makes it less likely, the squad is the squad and can't be changed now. Not sure about Di canio, from what I read his managerial record at swindon was built on a big financial advantage over rivals and he stropped when asked to play on a more level playing field, will certainly be interesting though.

3. Looking good for the champions league semis being the 2 big Spanish and German teams. Getting a bit fed up with all the Beckham focus from a media who before couldnt care less about lique 1. To me he seems to be getting credit for not doing anything wrong, rather than doing anything particularly right. Fact is the job he is doing (shirt selling excluded) could be done by players already there or many other domestic players. Heard people talk about him staying longer, considering his deal was all around avoiding tax, no chance he will agreement a deal which means he pays it.

4. Relegation battle really changed in the last few weeks. The likes of norwich and stoke have been dragged in to it. Though a few months ago that my norwich for relegation prediction was looking silly but they are at risk. Both them and stoke are poor but will probably scrape through by being the least worst.

[kaosmark2]

MON's record is based on spunking excessive amounts of money and a reputation for getting mediocre players looking excellent for a period. Once a MON team goes downhill, they tend to stay there, and I reckon that sacking him was a sensible decision. Agree re. Di Canio though, even before you get to the whole fascist thing.

Haven't watched the games, so my only judgement of Beckham is from highlights, but I think the key thing about it is that he hasn't lost the footballing ability he showed in Milan, or his later years at Madrid. I agree that he's not being fantastic, but considering his age and the reasons for moving it's fairly impressive.

I still think Stoke and Norwich will be alright. Southampton have had a decent run but I'm not convinced they'll maintain it, they're so inconsistent at present and while they're picking up points, they're not beating the teams around them which is almost as important as getting the wins considering it stops others getting points. We've had a bit of a stumble after a post-signing resurgence but difficult games were part of that and I'm fairly confident we'll pull away with a bit of time to spare.

It does from much look like 2 + 1 from 7 though. I'd say Villa are the most likely right now, mainly because I expect a short-term resurgence from Sunderland as things change around a bit. Southampton would probably be my next choice of bet.

One other thing that's impressed me over the past few weeks has been Spurs regaining 3rd after a blip in form. Over the last few years they wouldn't have managed that and I think AVB's done brilliantly there. A few weeks ago I'd have said Spurs would have a late season downturn in form and miss out on the top 4 but I'm starting to think otherwise now. I wouldn't be surprised if Chelsea do again, Arsenal typically start picking up around this time if they've had a poor season. Last year's surge to 3rd could definitely be repeated.

[kaosmark2]

Who saw that coming? Spurs 2-0 down against arguably the weakest side left in the competition. AND Torres scoring!

We were bossing Benfica up until a couple of minutes before they scored, then they bossed it for a bit, now it's very even. Cisse looks incredibly dangerous though, and Krul's pulled off some excellent saves. I can see this finishing 3-2 or 4-2 to Benfica, but I'd definitely take that.