Bloody Football!

[robertlouis]

I have barely heard of Wigan let alone Helen Chamberlain, whoever she is. As for pies, don't be fooled, those working class lads from Buenos Aires like all sorts of pies. Lots of beef in Argentina, Ms Valentine.

There are times, Stavros - and I recognise that it may be deliberate on your part - that you sound like a high court judge who fell asleep in the 50s and has only just woken up.

[robertlouis]

It seems Lionel Messi has fallen out with one of the directors of Barcelona so the chatter is that he will be on his way. It seems to be related to Neymar and the arguments about his wages relative to Messi's. I wonder, where would Messi go after such an amazing career at Barcelona -if he does go...?

He'll go to Madrid and become Ronaldo's gimp.

[robertlouis]

The Premiership is actually interesting this year.....

If money talks, Man C shout loudest. But they don't have Suarez.

[Stavros]

There are times, Stavros - and I recognise that it may be deliberate on your part - that you sound like a high court judge who fell asleep in the 50s and has only just woken up.

Hmmmm 'working class lads from Buenos Aires like all sorts of pies' -taken straight from the diary of Lord Goddard? Not a double entendre? But judged by the claim in 'secret agenda' in the link below I might be more conservative even than a notorious 'hanging judge'....



A Secret Agenda? There is also the question of whether Lord Goddard had a secret agenda. Oliver Cyriax notes that his clerk, Arthur Harris, had "to take a spare pair of the standard striped trousers to court on sentencing days. When condemning a youth to be flogged or hanged, Goddard always ejaculated". This leads to frightening speculation as to whether the Lord Chief Justice may have become a sort of judicial serial killer.
http://netk.net.au/Whitton/Cartel30.asp

[robertlouis]

Well, you might have been able to forecast three of the top five at Christmas, but probably not the other two. Interesting reading and could be an intriguing second half to the season, especially when you look at the points already dropped by the top teams. And while it may only be on goal difference, it does my heart good to see Liverpool at the top.


1 Liverpool 17 23 36
2 Arsenal 17 16 36
3 Man City 17 31 35
4 Chelsea 17 14 34
5 Everton 17 13 34

[robertlouis]

Interesting results from Boxing Day, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Man C the primary beneficiaries. And some terrific games too. Amazing result at Everton, Crystal Palace and Fulham won as well, so squeaky bum time already in the relegation zone. And while they're still stuttering, Man U are on a useful run.

If Liverpool lose at Chelski as well, are their title aspirations realistically over?

[beaufont]

Interesting results from Boxing Day, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Man C the primary beneficiaries. And some terrific games too. Amazing result at Everton, Crystal Palace and Fulham won as well, so squeaky bum time already in the relegation zone. And while they're still stuttering, Man U are on a useful run.

If Liverpool lose at Chelski as well, are their title aspirations realistically over?

No I don't think so, Liverpool created as many chance's if not more than City & for some better finishing or luck would have at least had a draw from the game.

First real marker is start of January & is pretty much bang on half way through the Prem season but with how tight it as at the top this year we probably won't know who the real title contenders are till the end of February......might go right to the wire this year at both the top & bottom end.

[robertlouis]

No I don't think so, Liverpool created as many chance's if not more than City & for some better finishing or luck would have at least had a draw from the game.

First real marker is start of January & is pretty much bang on half way through the Prem season but with how tight it as at the top this year we probably won't know who the real title contenders are till the end of February......might go right to the wire this year at both the top & bottom end.

In terms of the game at the Etihad, I agree, but one thing that's been exposed by the two games in quick succession is the lack of depth in Liverpool's squad compared to the luxury that the two teams they've just played enjoy. That could make all the difference in the second half of the season, regardless of how well Rodgers does in the transfer window.

[Stavros]

Was Suarez entitled to a penalty yesterday? I think so. Et'o should also have been sent off for two fouls, one horrendous the other just stupid. Quality teams with good defenders ought to be able to prevent Suarez from scoring and with such a rickety defence and a thug like Skrtl on the pitch I think Liverpool are the most likely to lose ground for the reasons Robert has given. I also think Everton will begin to pall as the season drags on even though they are a good side and I think Barklay will be a fixture in the England squad. Ultimately I feel the last four will be Arsenal, Manchesters City and United, and Chelsea, and while I don't expect United to regain the title, it is not impossible. Having said that, Arsenal seem to be plagued with injury problems but as it stands, I don't see any change to the top four. I have a higher opinion of Brendan Rodgers than I did last year, but Liverpool is still a lopsided team and he needs another two seasons to build a title winning team.

[robertlouis]

Was Suarez entitled to a penalty yesterday? I think so. Et'o should also have been sent off for two fouls, one horrendous the other just stupid. Quality teams with good defenders ought to be able to prevent Suarez from scoring and with such a rickety defence and a thug like Skrtl on the pitch I think Liverpool are the most likely to lose ground for the reasons Robert has given. I also think Everton will begin to pall as the season drags on even though they are a good side and I think Barklay will be a fixture in the England squad. Ultimately I feel the last four will be Arsenal, Manchesters City and United, and Chelsea, and while I don't expect United to regain the title, it is not impossible. Having said that, Arsenal seem to be plagued with injury problems but as it stands, I don't see any change to the top four. I have a higher opinion of Brendan Rodgers than I did last year, but Liverpool is still a lopsided team and he needs another two seasons to build a title winning team.

I suspect that the current top four will be the same at the end of the season other than that Man City will end as champions with Arsenal second, Chelsea third and Liverpool fourth. Everton, despite Martinez's excellence, Tottenham and Newcastle lack both the resources and the necessary steel to sustain a real challenge. As for Man Utd and after a miserable defeat to Spurs, Moyes won't be able to fix their deficiencies in the January window, but expect them to spend big and spectacularly in the summer.

But it remains the most interesting and exciting premiership race in years, with all the top teams fallible.

Relegation? Perm any three from ten!