Ultimate Football (Soccer) Thread (2013-2014)

[Eastfield Lodge]

Well, 3-1 to Arsenal.

Think they can make a top four finish or is it too late?

Their run-in seems a bit easier than Everton's IIRC. It'll be down to the last match, that's almost certain.

[Forsher]

Well, 3-1 to Arsenal.

Think they can make a top four finish or is it too late?

Their run-in seems a bit easier than Everton's IIRC. It'll be down to the last match, that's almost certain.

Everton will probably draw or lose to City so if Arsenal can work on the goal difference they should be okay.

[Shove Piggy Shove]

Well, 3-1 to Arsenal.

Think they can make a top four finish or is it too late?

Their run-in seems a bit easier than Everton's IIRC. It'll be down to the last match, that's almost certain.

Arsenal have Hull (a), Newcastle (h), West Brom (h), Norwich (a) - you'd expect them to take all twelve points from that, or at least ten (maybe drawing at Hull)

Everton have Palace (h), Man Utd (h), Southampton (a), Man City (h), Hull (a) - unfortunately, I can't see Everton picking up the points needed to outdo Arsenal from those fixtures. I'd expect wins against Palace and Hull (especially as the latter will be preparing for the FA Cup Final), but Man Utd have been on decent form in the league of late (and also have the best away record in the league), Southampton are a good side - could go either way, and City was always going to be a tough game to get anything out of.

[Yellow Yellow Red]

Their run-in seems a bit easier than Everton's IIRC. It'll be down to the last match, that's almost certain.

Arsenal have Hull (a), Newcastle (h), West Brom (h), Norwich (a) - you'd expect them to take all twelve points from that, or at least ten (maybe drawing at Hull)

Everton have Palace (h), Man Utd (h), Southampton (a), Man City (h), Hull (a) - unfortunately, I can't see Everton picking up the points needed to outdo Arsenal from those fixtures. I'd expect wins against Palace and Hull (especially as the latter will be preparing for the FA Cup Final), but Man Utd have been on decent form in the league of late (and also have the best away record in the league), Southampton are a good side - could go either way, and City was always going to be a tough game to get anything out of.

I hate to say this, but I think even 6 points might be generous to Everton. I'd love to see them steal the 4th spot away from Arsenal, but they have a tough battle ahead. I think Palace could very well play them to a draw - Pulis is really a great candidate for Manager of the Year (although not as good a candidate as Rodgers), but so is Martinez for that matter (and I really think Steve Bruce should be in the discussion, but nobody seems to be mentioning him).

Also, ESPN ran a 30 for 30 documentary on Hillsborough. I've seen stuff on it before, read articles on it, etc, but Jesus, that was draining to watch. It's one of those things that really gets to you - I go to matches with my young nieces on occasion, I can't imagine something like that happening with them, it's just too horrific. I like to think football has come a long way since then, in terms of crowd control/safety procedures, stadium planning, etc. But we still see stuff like this throughout the world, tragically.

[The Icemark]

A little random, but funny...


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlQveRwIUAAGwbh.jpg

[Yellow Yellow Red]

A little random, but funny...


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BlQveRwIUAAGwbh.jpg

Is he injured or something? I thought I remember reading like a month ago that he was back in training, but no sign of him since. Is it a proper injury, or an injury-as-an-excuse type deal?

[Nierr]

He's been Timmed.

[KoloToure]

A victory at the weekend and Liverpool Football Club qualify for the Champions League group stages for the first time in 5 years.

[Kinitaria]

Football, bloody hell...

Don't know why I'm letting that give me a sense of hope.

[Bundabunda]

He's been Timmed.

He's lying at the bottom of the Thames, along with David Bentley.

I miss Bale so much. Seeing him score the winner has destroyed me.

[San Mazer]

Football Round-Up:

Everton defeated 3-2 by Crystal Palace.

Man City drop points in a 2-2 draw with Sunderland.

Real Madrid win the Copa Del Rey with a 2-1 win over Barcelona.

[Auremena]

Real Madrid win the Copa Del Rey with a 2-1 win over Barcelona.

Now the chances of winning a fluke trophy under Tata are slimmer.

[Bundabunda]

Well, there's always next season.

But if the bans hold (I think they actually might) and Barca can't get proper center backs, they're in for some interesting times. Messi looked lost today.

[Liventia]

Spent the last two days in Liverpool (though arrived at 3:30pm on the 15th so missed the Hillsborough silence). Was reminded why it is an amazing city and I'm still in awe every time I visit. Felt different this time from the last 10 times I've been, mostly because it was the anniversary. Did the Anfield tour today (as I said, I'd been about 10 times before if not more for matches, but I'd never been on the tour!) – the flowers for Tuesday's Hillsborough memorial were still on the pitch (and will be for a few days as Liverpool are away this weekend). Oh, and the scarves on the gates. Mostly Liverpool and Everton scarves, although a few City and Palace ones knocking about too as they're the two teams to have played in the city most recently.

[Bundabunda]

Were you there for the Hillsborough speeches from Rodgers and Martinez?

Martinez's piece, chills.

EDIT: Reread your post, got my answer.

[Western cuba]

Tony Pulis for manager of the year? Who would've imagined Crystal Palace to be in 11th place right now? They were my favorite to be relegated at the start of the season. What he's done there is magic. I was not expecting them to shock Everton today. Props to him and Crystal Palace.

[Bundabunda]

The man's never been relegated, plus Palace has a hugeeeeee squad (I think it's at 34 players right now), so they're always covered. The amazing thing is an eleventh place finish considering these players aren't really quality.

[Auremena]

The man's never been relegated, plus Palace has a hugeeeeee squad (I think it's at 34 players right now), so they're always covered. The amazing thing is an eleventh place finish considering these players aren't really quality.

Speroni may not be good quality, but damn has he done a great job in goal for Palace.

[Nierr]

As much as it pains me to say it, Brendan Rogers is clearly manager of the year.

[Osarius]

As much as it pains me to say it, Brendan Rogers is clearly manager of the year.

Because he's done well with a good team? He's a candidate, sure. But clearly? Nah.
I reckon Pulis is a better shout, personally.

Though, if Liverpool win the league, Rodgers will be nailed on to win it.

[The Icemark]

I miss Bale so much. Seeing him score the winner has destroyed me.

Why is he so fast in RL, but so slow in Fifa?

[Yellow Yellow Red]

As much as it pains me to say it, Brendan Rogers is clearly manager of the year.

Because he's done well with a good team? He's a candidate, sure. But clearly? Nah.
I reckon Pulis is a better shout, personally.

Though, if Liverpool win the league, Rodgers will be nailed on to win it.

I really do think Steve Bruce should be in the discussion. I haven't heard his name mentioned at all - perhaps because he's a pretty humdrum manager at a kinda dull, decidedly boring club. But Hull look like they're in it for the long haul, and that's a huge testament to him. Even more so if he wins the FA Cup - despite having a less-than-impossible road to the final they've done themselves a great credit by getting to Wembley.

[KoloToure]

As much as it pains me to say it, Brendan Rogers is clearly manager of the year.

Because he's done well with a good team? He's a candidate, sure. But clearly? Nah.
I reckon Pulis is a better shout, personally.

Though, if Liverpool win the league, Rodgers will be nailed on to win it.

20 goals conceded in 22 games since he took over at Selhurst Park is a phenomenal record, frankly. I wouldn't begrudge him the award at all.

Getting Everton into the Champions League is also an achievement tht might get Martinez a gong.

[Yellow Yellow Red]

Cardiff then claim Moody mistakenly sent a text message with the starting XI to Bolton manager Dougie Freedman a day before the game.

Freedman is said to have tipped off Bluebirds boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer about the leak because they are friends, having attended coaching courses together.

While Aron Gunnarsson is named as the source of the leak in Moody's text, the Cardiff player has denied to the club that he was behind it. His agent, Jerry de Koning, has also denied leaking the team.

Lol, that's an oopsie by Moody.

[Osarius]

Apparently there is a twist in the plot concerning the situation in B6
Curiouser and curiouser...