Bloody Football!

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Originally Posted by Stavros

If you think Scotland has problems what do you think of an England captain who can say 'we didn't play in the second half' but can't explain why. Complacency is the answer, can't be bothered a possible alternative. He himself gave the ball away on numerous occasions, Michael Carrick, whose through balls when they work can turn games, was asleep for most of the game, Milner is ineffective, Lescott also gave the ball away several times, as did Joe Hart who like so many goalkeepers kicks the ball upfield with no idea who is going to be on the end of it, and its usually the opposition. Walcott would have made a difference on the right in the first half, but other than Rooney, who is going to score goals on a regular basis for this team? I think it is now 50/50 that England will qualify for Brasil. A game of football lasts at least 90 minutes and until the England team fights for every second the results will be at best average, at worst, embarrassing.

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Perspective, dear boy. England is now the only home country with any prospect of getting to the world cup finals (where they will qualify, get to the quarter-finals and screw up on the penalty shoot-out as usual.....)

Scotland haven't qualified for anything since 1998 and are in danger of being amongst the lowest seeded teams for Euro 2016. If Gerrard or indeed almost any of the England squad put a "Mac" in front of their name I'd snap them up in a heartbeat.

England? Problems? You don't know you're born.

I am alive and know it, och aye. Perhaps it is about attitude. Lawton I think it is in today's Independent, suggests that the World Cup isn't that compelling for the English players, just another non-club game they have to deal with. He claims that the English Premier League has the fewest home-born players in its clubs in Europe -to which one might add, where are the great Scottish players? They used to come south every year almost and are legends: Denis the Law, 'King' Kenny Dalgleish, Alan Hansen, Charlie Nicholas, Steve Archibald...the Rugby team isn't much good either: and wee Alex wants 'independence'...? It seems to be a UK-wide problem. How long before Bale heads off to Spain?

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Originally Posted by Stavros

I am alive and know it, och aye. Perhaps it is about attitude. Lawton I think it is in today's Independent, suggests that the World Cup isn't that compelling for the English players, just another non-club game they have to deal with. He claims that the English Premier League has the fewest home-born players in its clubs in Europe -to which one might add, where are the great Scottish players? They used to come south every year almost and are legends: Denis the Law, 'King' Kenny Dalgleish, Alan Hansen, Charlie Nicholas, Steve Archibald...the Rugby team isn't much good either: and wee Alex wants 'independence'...? It seems to be a UK-wide problem. How long before Bale heads off to Spain?

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I wasn't disagreeing with your analysis of England's team and the way they played the other night. As for Scotland, the store of great players ran out a generation ago and there's no sign of an improvement, now or in the foreseeable future.

As far as independence goes and the vote next September, I do know lots of folks back home who will vote yes regardless of the facts and just as many people who are unsure; what I haven't heard is people saying they'll vote no, although that continues to be strongly represented in the polls.

The current events in Cyprus should cause a significant pause for thought - that could be the fate of all small nations within the EU.

Personally, I suspect that as the full impact of the coalition's welfare changes are seen for what they are - a full-blooded attempt to destroy the welfare state and to hell with the disabled and poor - there will be some shoulder-shrugging north of the border and a fatalistic acceptance that whatever wee Eck Fish may propose, it certainly couldn't be as bad as the Tory prescription. And bear in mind that Scotland has an infinitely more communitarian soul than the neighbours down south. This government is worse in social terms than anything Thatcher's lot came up with. Remember that the Tories have two Scottish seats in Westminster and are only represented in Holyrood because of the proportional representation rules that apply. They have no mandate whatsoever; it's the same democratic deficit that existed under Thatcher.

Your post suggests young Scots do not play foootball to the required level anymore, which may also be a problem in England, although I believe Liverpool has one of the best academies in the country. As for the fantasy of independence, I would like to know what the point of 'independence' is if Scotland wants to be part of the EU. I read somewhere it even has thought of joining the Euro and trying to be part of the Schengen group which is absurd. The reality is that there are severe questions to be asked on the issues of tax revenue and the assumption Scots make about the petroleum resources of the UK Continental Shelf, most of which are insecure. This 71 page report from the IFS is worth reading (there are three or four chapters, the last one by McCrone is particularly good) for an insight into the tax issues, oil and gas and so on.
http://www.brodies.com/images/pages/...ul_johnson.pdf

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Originally Posted by robertlouis

I'd like to see a Barca vs Bayern final.

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I'd love to see a German vs. Spanish final as well, although I'm more of a Dortmund man myself.

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Originally Posted by up_for_it

I'd love to see a German vs. Spanish final as well, although I'm more of a Dortmund man myself.

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Dortmunds fans are boss, home and away!

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Originally Posted by SammiValentine

Dortmunds fans are boss, home and away!

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When I lived in Germany (Frankfurt) I followed the local side Eintracht. The Dortmund fans were great fun, but Stuttgart was the needle match.

Now when I visit the German end of the family in Munich we watch Bayern. Great atmosphere, great stadium, great team. I'd still like to see them in the final.

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Originally Posted by SammiValentine

Dortmunds fans are boss, home and away!

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Very true. The first time I lived in Germany I followed BVB since they were only about 40 min away. They weren't doing too well back then, but the fans fantastic. Westfalen Stadion has the most incredible atmosphere. You could really get a sense of that Tuesday night against Malaga.

Can you remind me how many offside goals they scored against Malaga? I assume there still is a rule called 'Offside', even in Germany....

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Originally Posted by Stavros

Can you remind me how many offside goals they scored against Malaga? I assume there still is a rule called 'Offside', even in Germany....

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I don't know if they do Stavros- I once watched a game in the Regional Liga were Paderborn scored a goal when their striker was at least a good yard off side. To be fair, the linesman did get hit with program booklets and beer cups for the rest of the game..

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Originally Posted by Stavros

Can you remind me how many offside goals they scored against Malaga? I assume there still is a rule called 'Offside', even in Germany....

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bendy lines !!!!!!!!!!!

Frank Lampard Disallowed Goal vs Germany HQ - YouTube

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Originally Posted by SammiValentine

bendy lines !!!!!!!!!!!

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If they're introducing Hawkeye, I can't wait for McEnroe to turn up as a referee.

Hi, my name is "Luis Suarez," and I'm addicted to eating footballers.


For christ's sake, why does he have to be the best player on my favorite team.

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Originally Posted by JenniferParisHusband

Hi, my name is "Luis Suarez," and I'm addicted to eating footballers.


For christ's sake, why does he have to be the best player on my favorite team.

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You'd think that with what they pay him, he could afford to eat without cannibalising his opponents....

That he didn't reach for the salt at least suggests he is aware of the campaign to reduce the salt content in our food. Bad as the incident was the Match of the Day team spent too much time on it -as usual Suarez needed several shots at goal before scoring one, in the 7th minute of extra time and after blatantly hand-balling it -he claimed the sun was in his eyes so he raised his hand to shield them and -would you believe it?- the ball struck his hand! In the meantime Gareth Bale showed in the other game why he must be in contention for Footballer of the Year, but Spurs continue to blow hot and cold and I daresay we will end up with the usual suspects in the top four. Let's just hope United crush Villa and send them down with QPR and Reading.

A temporary solution to the Suarez problem?

Bayern Munich 4, Barcelona 0.

Ach du lieber Gott!

Suarez gets a ten match ban, which takes in the first six games of next season as well as the dregs of this one.

Question: is a bite on the arm more than three times as bad as a deliberately high tackle which breaks an opponent's leg? Discuss.

And Ms Valentine, I expect to hear from you on this subject in due course!

Not sure if the footballing authorities in the UK/Europe/World have a coherent set of punishments for bad tackles -intent must always be a key factor, as there are times when a player puts so much momentum into a tackle he can't pull back, but in the case of biting, like Cantona's kung fu kick -which was on a member of the public not another player- I think intent is mixed in with some cultural aversion, biting is just too odd. Suarez lost it, but he has done it before so he needs time to reflect on his behaviour, ten games is tame in the circumstances. He also needs ten shots at goal to score one, or 7, whatever. He is a good player, but hardly in the top 20 of players in Europe.

The FA / FIFA, have lousy punnishment guidelines. I agree with Stavros on inent being a factor, and I get repeat offenses having steeper penalties. But 10 games? It's a red card offense the first time. It's 3 on the seat for the second, and mandate he gets mental help regularly before he sets foot back on the pitch. You can't ban a repeat offender for rasicm 3 games and a cannibal 10. Stupidity at work by the FA.

The Cantona Kung Fu kick, that's on a fan. Different thing entirely! First, it was assault, he should have been in jail. Second, when you're on the field, you're consenting to that kind of thing. You know that it's a risk that someone will lose it on the field and go in with the spikes up, or deliberately take out a leg or something. Yes, it's illegal, but you know it happens. Getting kicked watching the game, whole other thing. That to me is 10 games on the seats. On the field, and off the field, two entirely different worlds. I had no problem with the little Swansea ball-boy getting kicked in the stomach for diving on the ball and covering it up. He's on the pitch, he's making himself a part of the game by trying to cheat to kill the clock. Damn skippy he deserved to be kicked, and banned from matches. Player who did it, yep, it's a rules violation, he deserved what he got too. But that was on the pitch.

Deliberately high takle that breaks an opponent's leg, that to me is the more serious offense. A bite? Ooh, guy goes off gets a bandage and hep test. He's still on the grass and able to play. At worst, he needs stitches. Maybe five minutes and he's back. A broken leg, the opponents are forced to be down a player who is most likely a starter and important to their team for a long stretch of games, or if it's severe enough, permanently. Imagine RVP being taken out in the first game of the season, suddenly things start looking a little different for Man U here in April. It's absolutely the worse offense. But isn't treated as such. Hell, I'd throw the racism penalties in as worse than the biting.

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Originally Posted by Stavros

That he didn't reach for the salt at least suggests he is aware of the campaign to reduce the salt content in our food. Bad as the incident was the Match of the Day team spent too much time on it -as usual Suarez needed several shots at goal before scoring one, in the 7th minute of extra time and after blatantly hand-balling it -he claimed the sun was in his eyes so he raised his hand to shield them and -would you believe it?- the ball struck his hand! In the meantime Gareth Bale showed in the other game why he must be in contention for Footballer of the Year, but Spurs continue to blow hot and cold and I daresay we will end up with the usual suspects in the top four. Let's just hope United crush Villa and send them down with QPR and Reading.

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Good call on Bale, looks like he's the big winner.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/0...93S01B20130429

I think it is cultural, biting someone is just too weird. I think Suarez will leave anyway, Bayern Munich have shown an interest in him according to the papers, and on the weekend's evidence Liverpool can win without him. It has been overall a poor season in the Premier League, too many teams with no motivation, summed up by the 0-0 draw between QPR and Reading. Even though it is too early to write down the Spanish teams, the organisation and drive of the Germans, so common in their national team, is making their club football exciting to watch. In fact Bale deserves his honours (in spite of his diving exploits) for showing so much enthusiasm for the game, as well as skill. Question is who will join those two uninteresting clubs in the Championship- Wigan, Villa or Newcastle?

It's all going mad right at the end. Newcastle 0, Liverpool 6. Then last night, Villa 6, Sunderland 1. Whatever next?

And who's joining Reading and QPR in the Championship next season?

Has to be Wigan for me, although they have been playing well recently - tough away game at Arsenal to come as well as the FA Cup Final on their mind's

Would be good if they win their game in hand & another team loses their bottle. Their game at home to Villa on the final day could be very interesting

It only took 73 years but the Germans are invading London.

I don't get the Rafa hate at Chelsea. I'd love to have Rafa back at Liverpool, but people in London just hate this guy. Beat ManU today in a game they weren't supposed to win, he has them in 3rd place & up a minimum of two spots in the tables from last year, 3 if Arsenal collapses at the end, 4 if City drops their last 2, and have 3 games to do it in where Arsenal and City have 2, guaranteed to play in Europe next season, had a great plan to help them come back and beat Basel after going down to them.

What more do Chelsea fans need the man to do? Don't get me wrong, as a Liverpool guy, I'd love to have Rafa back. But I just don't get the hate.

I was going to admit that Rafa has done well at Chelsea, particularly by giving David Luiz a more central role where he has excelled, whereas before he was an erratic player....and then he dives to get someone else (another Brazilia!) sent off and smirks when the cameras are on him. I think Chelsea will remain in the top 4, it seems now to be a tussle between Arsenal and Tottenham.

A momentous 18 hours in football: Wigan come close to saving their necks and putting Newcastle on the block, then their defence falls to pieces -if they are incapable of maintaining a lead over Swansea, maybe they don't deserve to be in the Premier League, although I would prefer to see Newcastle drop out, if only because they got rid of Chris Hughton saying they wanted a manager -Alan Pardew!- who would 'take Newcastle to the next level'....indeed!

Alex Ferguson, the basis of results, has an awesome record, and will be remembered for building -and re-building- teams that are hard to beat, and which win matches. Yet, I wonder what he has contributed to the game itself: Hugh MacIlvenny some years ago produced a two-part documentary in which he explored how three Scots born within 10 miles of each other -Jock Stein, Matt Busby and Bill Shankly- around the time total football was being developed in Europe, changed the way football was played as a team game, as well as their skills as managers of men and club organisations. Ferguson is obviously a great manager, but was he ever a major thinker in terms of footballing strategy? Is the game any different now from the day he took over? Perhaps his best decisions rested on choosing the right players, although he made some awful mistakes too.

Successor: for the long term, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

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Originally Posted by Stavros

A momentous 18 hours in football: Wigan come close to saving their necks and putting Newcastle on the block, then their defence falls to pieces -if they are incapable of maintaining a lead over Swansea, maybe they don't deserve to be in the Premier League, although I would prefer to see Newcastle drop out, if only because they got rid of Chris Hughton saying they wanted a manager -Alan Pardew!- who would 'take Newcastle to the next level'....indeed!

Alex Ferguson, the basis of results, has an awesome record, and will be remembered for building -and re-building- teams that are hard to beat, and which win matches. Yet, I wonder what he has contributed to the game itself: Hugh MacIlvenny some years ago produced a two-part documentary in which he explored how three Scots born within 10 miles of each other -Jock Stein, Matt Busby and Bill Shankly- around the time total football was being developed in Europe, changed the way football was played as a team game, as well as their skills as managers of men and club organisations. Ferguson is obviously a great manager, but was he ever a major thinker in terms of footballing strategy? Is the game any different now from the day he took over? Perhaps his best decisions rested on choosing the right players, although he made some awful mistakes too.

Successor: for the long term, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

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I think - and hope - it will be David Moyes.

Just heard that Man Utd fans are going to give a minute's applause for Fergie's career in the 98th minute of their next game.....

Can you really see moyes outsmarting many or any managers in the champions league??!?!!? Ridiculous shout, imo.

I don't think Moyes will get it, this could be deliberate disinformation or some tartanesque conspiracy by Scots to maintain the club's connection with Lanarkshire...other than my tip for Ole, Pep Guardiola might suddenly ditch Bayern for Manchester, and then there's Arry who can't spend all 'is daze playin' golf now can he? Or, there could be a dual arrangement: Phelan becomes Manager, with Ole as Assistant, the assumption being that in five years time Ole will take over completely. Unless it really is Jose rather than Ole. A case of Ole Jose?

But as I said, for all the trophies, did AF actually change football in the way Shankly did at Liverpool, and Busby in Manchester? Much as I have admired United, some of those Liverpool teams of old were frightening in their intensity, it was like watching a lion tearing a young buck to shreds. That was Shankly, physical presence, team spirit, adept organisation, and merciless attacking. Total war, as much as total football.

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Originally Posted by SammiValentine

Can you really see moyes outsmarting many or any managers in the champions league??!?!!? Ridiculous shout, imo.

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Disagree, Sammi. He's never been tested at that level, but he fits the Man U template perfectly. While Ferguson has managed at Old Trafford, Chelsea have had 24 managers, Real Madrid the same. Moyes is 50, in his prime and has a reputation for nurturing talent as well as building a credible team on an absolute shoestring.

The noise for the likes of Mourinho and others like him is just that. United's success, like it or not, has been built on the stability of Fergie and his backroom staff and the absolute dictum that no one individual is bigger than the club.

And where did he take that model from? Liverpool, who have by contrast forgotten the virtues of stability and continuity in the desperate struggle for success. The bootroom bought decades of success, now it's upheaval every few years.

I've got no axe to grind, I like both sets of reds and if anything favour Liverpool because my uncle played for them in the 60s, but what's been to Ferguson's advantage throughout is that in the face of upheaval off the field, he was able to maintain absolute control where it matters.

Following Fergie is the toughest act in football. As Gary Lineker said today, it would have been easier to be the manager AFTER the manager who succeeded Ferguson, but Moyes should make it. And Ferguson is astute enough not to have the Wilf McGuinness/Frank O'Farrell situation with the baleful figure of Sir Matt constantly looking over their shoulders.

As to Ferguson's place in the pantheon of great Scottish managers, well, it's there in terms of the trophies, but he's not the motivator or innovator that the likes of Busby, Bill Shankly and Jock Stein were. In terms of profound change to the way that football players are managed, trained etc, the accolade during the last twenty years surely lies with Arsene Wenger.

But I can't help liking Fergie. After all, he played his best football for my team, Dunfermline, back in the 60s, and he's never forgotten his roots either.

It's not a sad day, but one for celebrating. Only the meanest of souls would refuse to acknowledge his superb record of achievement. It will never be bettered.

As a Liverpool fan, I'd love to see Moyes get it. Won't be losing to Man U anytime soon then. LOL

Whoever it is that comes in next, I agree, they're going to have a tough act to follow.

Just curious, the finanical fair play thing is getting tossed about over here as one of the reasons he's taking off now, so he won't have to deal with it and losing the quality of teams he is used to by over-spending. John Harkes was yapping on about it earlier tonight. Is that even a talking point over there? I didn't think so, but the US football shows seem to be making a huge deal out of FFP.

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Originally Posted by JenniferParisHusband

As a Liverpool fan, I'd love to see Moyes get it. Won't be losing to Man U anytime soon then. LOL

Whoever it is that comes in next, I agree, they're going to have a tough act to follow.

Just curious, the finanical fair play thing is getting tossed about over here as one of the reasons he's taking off now, so he won't have to deal with it and losing the quality of teams he is used to by over-spending. John Harkes was yapping on about it earlier tonight. Is that even a talking point over there? I didn't think so, but the US football shows seem to be making a huge deal out of FFP.

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Looks like I got the succession wrong. Anyway, the point is that there is still a lot of hostility to the Glazer family and the way they sponge money out of United for their own benefit -they haven't interfered with the footballing side of the club, and Ferguson's personality and the success on the field have muted the public hostility to the owners: for now -though Ferguson will be in the Board Room, it remains to be seen if the Financial Fair Play regulations will have a greater impact on the Glazers than the players. Rooney is rumoured to be in search of a new club, Ferdinand, Scholes, Giggs, Evra and Carrick are at the end of their careers but EUFA'a FFP regulations cannot legally cap a footballer's salary as I understand this is against EU legislation on free trade. I suspect that a key aim of FFP is to limit the power of agents, and make an attempt to deal with fixed matches particularly in countries like Bulgaria where the final score can be eerily predicted before the kick-off -the BBC radio team did a programme on this complete with fans booing their own side when it became clear the result had been fixed -you might not be able to access it but the report is here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01m182v

Manchester United posted this on FFP just yesterday:
http://mufclatest.com/manchester-uni...cial-fair-play

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Originally Posted by robertlouis

Disagree, Sammi. He's never been tested at that level, but he fits the Man U template perfectly. While Ferguson has managed at Old Trafford, Chelsea have had 24 managers, Real Madrid the same. Moyes is 50, in his prime and has a reputation for nurturing talent as well as building a credible team on an absolute shoestring.

The noise for the likes of Mourinho and others like him is just that. United's success, like it or not, has been built on the stability of Fergie and his backroom staff and the absolute dictum that no one individual is bigger than the club.

And where did he take that model from? Liverpool, who have by contrast forgotten the virtues of stability and continuity in the desperate struggle for success. The bootroom bought decades of success, now it's upheaval every few years.

I've got no axe to grind, I like both sets of reds and if anything favour Liverpool because my uncle played for them in the 60s, but what's been to Ferguson's advantage throughout is that in the face of upheaval off the field, he was able to maintain absolute control where it matters.

Following Fergie is the toughest act in football. As Gary Lineker said today, it would have been easier to be the manager AFTER the manager who succeeded Ferguson, but Moyes should make it. And Ferguson is astute enough not to have the Wilf McGuinness/Frank O'Farrell situation with the baleful figure of Sir Matt constantly looking over their shoulders.

As to Ferguson's place in the pantheon of great Scottish managers, well, it's there in terms of the trophies, but he's not the motivator or innovator that the likes of Busby, Bill Shankly and Jock Stein were. In terms of profound change to the way that football players are managed, trained etc, the accolade during the last twenty years surely lies with Arsene Wenger.

But I can't help liking Fergie. After all, he played his best football for my team, Dunfermline, back in the 60s, and he's never forgotten his roots either.

It's not a sad day, but one for celebrating. Only the meanest of souls would refuse to acknowledge his superb record of achievement. It will never be bettered.

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I tottally disagree.. Everton with strong squad he assembled (very well with little money, credit where credit is due) have failed abysmally in europe, never won a trophy in 11 years, not even the mickey mouse ones - the ones championship clubs have been getting to the finals in..... Has still never managed to beat one of the original "sky" top 4 teams away goodisoon park, in nearly 50 attempts.

At least we can sit back and see who is right. Am quite sure on this one. :)

Ferguson was the glue holding the club together, massive debt, key players are old, and possibly taking david moyes.................. fat lady is singing :)

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Originally Posted by SammiValentine

I tottally disagree.. Everton with strong squad he assembled (very well with little money, credit where credit is due) have failed abysmally in europe, never won a trophy in 11 years, not even the mickey mouse ones - the ones championship clubs have been getting to the finals in..... Has still never managed to beat one of the original "sky" top 4 teams away goodisoon park, in nearly 50 attempts.

At least we can sit back and see who is right. Am quite sure on this one. :)

Ferguson was the glue holding the club together, massive debt, key players are old, and possibly taking david moyes.................. fat lady is singing :)

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You hope, Sammi, you hope. ;)

Moyes and I went to the same school, as it happens. I think he's the closest they could have possibly got to Ferguson - and with better social graces.

It might go tits up, but he's a decent man with integrity, perseverance and a lot of talent. It will be interesting to see how he copes with having a meaningful transfer budget. He's worked miracles at Everton on a pittance.

I hope for his sake that it works.

But Mourinho would have been a disaster. Let him go back to Roman's three-ring circus (three rings means you're fired :D ) by all means. If Wigan go down, I reckon Martinez will go to Everton - and possibly Owen Coyle to Wigan.

Oh, and Sammi, what's your verdict on Rodgers' first season at Anfield? Will Suarez stay? What signings do they need to make to become credible challengers? (Centre-back and a solid defensive midfielder at least - Mascherano has never been adequately replaced).

Does any club with real championship and champions' league ambitions need to do the same as Man U and rotate four high quality strikers? Seems ludicrous that Chelsea and Liverpool have a choice of only two - dictates and restricts team shape and tactics. Only Man C have any choice.

Arsenal have made some poor signings and Adebayor and Defoe aren't enough for Spurs to mount a challenge - Bale's form is simply papering over the cracks.

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Originally Posted by robertlouis

Oh, and Sammi, what's your verdict on Rodgers' first season at Anfield? Will Suarez stay? What signings do they need to make to become credible challengers? (Centre-back and a solid defensive midfielder at least - Mascherano has never been adequately replaced).

Does any club with real championship and champions' league ambitions need to do the same as Man U and rotate four high quality strikers? Seems ludicrous that Chelsea and Liverpool have a choice of only two - dictates and restricts team shape and tactics. Only Man C have any choice.

Arsenal have made some poor signings and Adebayor and Defoe aren't enough for Spurs to mount a challenge - Bale's form is simply papering over the cracks.

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I don't know about Sammi, but for me, Brendan Rodger's first season was a small step forward. I mean, we are up one spot in the tables over last year, so that's good. And while the summer signings when he didn't have a scouting group were mostly a bust, Coutinho and Sturridge have been outstanding since coming over in the winter window. I hate the constant fake praise of pedestrian achievements, the lack of responsibility and fair play (usually where Suarez has screwed up again), and the lack of consistency. But I think the second year is more what I will judge him on.

That said, he really needs to improve the team over the summer, and he really needs to make them consistent and have them imrpove over their typical slow starts. End of his second season though, we need to be top-4 to deserve a third season. And it's possible for this team to get there. A few upgrades on Defense (well, 4 really), another striker of the Suarez caliber, and then some depth on the bench. It sounds like a lot, but it can be done.

A fascinating weekend of football with the climax to come -Manchester City lose the cup to a dogged Wigan side, and Mancini loses his job; Wigan look like they are going down when it should be the abject Newcastle; Cardiff will join the Premier League to give us another fascinating rivalry -with Swansea; and nobody knows where Rooney is going, if he goes anywhere. Maybe a swap with Frank Lampard?