2004/05 Premier League

[marella jube]

Leysey,

Seems like Hartlepool like a cliffhanger or 3, 0-2 at Tranmere but through 6-5 on penalties.

Good luck v Wednesday in the Lge1 promotion final in a couple of weekends time.

 

[Leysy Days]

cheers MJ,

got up at 4.45am to listen to the coverage on BBC five live on the laptop.

wrecked today, must have been a funny site with me & my girlfriend jumping up & down on our bed at 7.30am this morning in our underwear when Richie Humphreys scored the winning penalty.

Pools were clearly outplayed in the 90mins, from the radio coverage they appeared to be to defensive & could easily have lost 3 or 4 nil.
They played better in extra time & had a clear penalty denied in the 119th minute.

Ah well onto Cardiff now against Sheff Wed, should be a huge crowd & the highest Pools have been in the Football league in 100 yrs.

 

[gers]

Hi Liverpool,

You can probably guess that I follow the blue side of town in Liverpool. Yep, I'm a traditionalist.

While I was fairly neutral in the Champs League semi, I am not unhappy with the Reds going through, and now they will have my absolute support in the final.

I realy like the way they prepare for games and the way they set themselves up for big cup matches. I think your manager is class.

Prso has been good the Gers. Many would have expected him to score over 20 goals in the season in the SPL, but it really is such a defensive league that players tend to get very little time over the ball. That said, 18 goals with one to go is no mean feat. I have been really impressed with Nacho Novo though.

Craig Moore is a personal favourite and I was sorry to see him leave. I heard he was copping flak in Germany because the January signings weren't making much of a difference for Moenchengladbach. Now that *smile* has gone, it will be interesting to see if he stays with a new manager. At least they stayed up and there is no prospect of him playing 2nd division.

Good luck in the Champs League final although I'm happy that the Toffees get a chance to play in it next year

 

[Liverpool]

Hi Liverpool,

You can probably guess that I follow the blue side of town in Liverpool.  Yep, I'm a traditionalist.

While I was fairly neutral in the Champs League semi, I am not unhappy with the Reds going through, and now they will have my absolute support in the final.

I realy like the way they prepare for games and the way they set themselves up for big cup matches.  I think your manager is class.

Prso has been good the Gers.  Many would have expected him to score over 20 goals in the season in the SPL, but it really is such a defensive league that players tend to get very little time over the ball.  That said, 18 goals with one to go is no mean feat.  I have been really impressed with Nacho Novo though.

Craig Moore is a personal favourite and I was sorry to see him leave.  I heard he was copping flak in Germany because the January signings weren't making much of a difference for Moenchengladbach.  Now that *smile* has gone, it will be interesting to see if he stays with a new manager.  At least they stayed up and there is no prospect of him playing 2nd division.

Good luck in the Champs League final although I'm happy that the Toffees get a chance to play in it next year

G'day Gers,

Well, big weekend ahead...hope Motherwell can do a number on Celtic, would be pretty handy, eh?
But I can't see it happening somehow... :'(

A Toffee giving us Reds "full support in the final"?
You haven't been smoking the Ibrox turf, have you? :hihi

I visit a Liverpool forum quite regularly, and they've been arguing about Moyes getting the "manager of the year" title...but to be honest, I disagree with some of them, as who the hell would have tipped Everton to make Champs.League before the season started? ???
And then...who would have tipped them to finish top-4 once Rooney and Gravesen were sold?
So, to be honest, Liverpool finished 5th because of their *smile* away form, and Everton got it...so....fair play to you bluenoses there I think! :clap

However, it would be a travesty, and a indictment on the Champs.League if Liverpool do win it this season and are not allowed to defend the trophy....I reckon the winner should be an automatic choice...or, if UEFA want to keep playing the 'tough luck, only England get 4 spots' card, then really, I think Everton.v.Liverpool should be allowed to play (either a one-off, or a 2-legged affair) for the final spot.

What do you think?

Will be interesting to see if Moore stays there in Germany....I'm guessing he will, but I think he would have liked to have stayed at Rangers, if only for McLeish! :

 

[gers]

Hi again 'Pool,

No I'm not smoking anything but the EPL for me holds no great passion. If it were the Tims playing I would be fully behind Milan!

Moyes did a great job after losing Rooney and Graveson. The Toffees were lucky to stay up the year before and I guess the award was in response to the general view of the quality of his squad. I probably agree with Sam Allardyce that Brian Robson deserved the gong. WBA were crap under Megson but Robbo kept them up.

I take issue with you on Liverpool defending the Champs League trophy if they win. The rules are the rules. Everyone knew what they were at the beginning of the competition. Go and win the comp this year and everyone will remember the Reds as winners.

If they were to be allowed to play do you think they should be seeded or play through the prelim rounds? I don't think it's terribly simple.

On a broader issue, I don't like the fact that the Champs League has been opened up to teams that don't win the domestic title. I know that I am probably arguing against Rangers (although I can still hope!) but I prefer the Champions League to be open only for Champions.

Anyway, good luck!

 

[Zoso]

However, it would be a travesty, and a indictment on the Champs.League if Liverpool do win it this season and are not allowed to defend the trophy..

Heres to hoping you dont win  >

 

[Liverpool]

However, it would be a travesty, and a indictment on the Champs.League if Liverpool do win it this season and are not allowed to defend the trophy..

Heres to hoping you dont win  >

Well...we did give AC-Milan a nice little 3-0 start, but class prevailed in the end! 8)
Number.5 now, and we get to wear a "badge of honour" on the sleeve of our shirt next season now too...and after beating Juventus, Chelsea, and AC-Milan , if we aren't in it next season, then it just shows what a joke it is.
Whoever wins it next season, if Liverpool aren't in it, well...it will be a hollow victory, as they haven't taken on the European Champions!

 

[Leysy Days]

Disaster last night for my Hartlepool lads in the playoff match to get promoted to the championship.

was up all night listening to the coverage on BBC Five Live, massive crown of 60,000 which is almost bigger than the town itself,

Sheff Wed scored in injury time in first half, Pools came out firing got an equaliser then took the lead 2-1 in 71st minute, looked to be going to highest division in there history until an 82nd minute penalty & resultant red card to Chris Westwood changed the game on its head, Sheff wed then scored early in injury time & Pools couldnt equalise with 10 men,

first Palace & then Pools, conceding late goals has ruined what has been a thrilling season for me. :'(

 

[marella jube]

Bad luck,Leysey...

Preston v West Ham early tomorrow to see who joins Sunderland & Wigan in the Premier League next season...

As for Champs Lge,why should Inter Milan get a berth in light of their fans 'performance' in the 1/4 final v AC ? They should be disciplined/excluded,leaving a place free for Liverpool...

 

[Liverpool]

Bad luck,Leysey...

Preston v West Ham early tomorrow to see who joins Sunderland & Wigan in the Premier League next season...

As for Champs Lge,why should Inter Milan get a berth in light of their fans 'performance' in the 1/4 final v AC ? They should be disciplined/excluded,leaving a place free for Liverpool... 

Marella Jube,
Thats the spirit! :clap
Reds in Champs.League next season, or its a joke...they can rename it "Chumps League" then, if you ask me! :hihi
C'mon UEFA, let the Champs of Europe in!!!!!

 

[Ready]

Jellied eels for all as West Ham return to the top flight. A Bobby Zamora goal after 57 minutes was enough to see them promoted.

Interesting to see how Zamora and Matthew Etherington go in the premiership -- two players both touted as the next big thing five years ago and who will now find themselves linchpins of a top flight side.

Tell you what, the Hammers have a bit of a Dad's Army look about them... Chris Powell... Les Ferdinand... and Teddy Sheringham wants to play on past his 40th birthday. Next there'll be talk of another England recall for that idiot.

 

[evo]

LOL@ Teddy Sherringham.The most over rated player of all time for mine.

 

[Leysy Days]

yeah twill be interesting to see how many of the players that took them up will actually be there next year Ready,

West Ham are a massive club & I would hazard a guess that they will be spending up pretty big & would have high expectations next season,   my guess is that maybe only 2 players that played last night will be regulars next year.

Interesting about Teddy Sheringham,  i went to Old Trafford 2 seasons ago to watch them play Portsmuth in the league,  teddy was playing for portsmouth that day, & the Man U faithful cheered & sang teddy songs all match, was pretty impressive really, although I spose his goals won them the '99' champions league

 

[Liverpool]

Great to see my Redmen have been given the thumbs-up for a chance to defend their Champs.League title next season! :clap :thumbsup :clap

And UEFA have changed the rules so that in future, whoever wins the Champs. League will have the opportunity to defend their title, regardless of their final league position....great to see common-sense prevail! 8)

 

[TigerGoneNorth]

Agreed Redboy!

It'll be interesting to see if the Scousers can get past the qualifying stage. Because of the way it's been done I understand there might be some early blockbusters!

 

[FightingFury]

A pox upon Edwin Van Der Saar and the fithy scum Man United.

Like seagulls at a tip,raping the poorer clubs again.
I hope you go the same way as that other mercinary dog Saha and wind up being a piece of furniture too VDS.

Why not at least go to a club thats won something if ya gonna leave?? ;D

 

[TigerGoneNorth]

A pox upon Edwin Van Der Saar and the fithy scum Man United.

Like seagulls at a tip,raping the poorer clubs again.
I hope you go the same way as that other mercinary dog Saha and wind up being a piece of furniture too VDS.

Why not at least go to a club thats won something if ya gonna leave??  ;D

I know what you mean but the Premier league will never be any different. The few at the top will stay there unless they are totally mismanaged and the clubs in the middle need a miracle (or a Roman Abramovich) to get up to the top.

It's a great advertisement for why unfettered capitalism should not be allowed in sport. And if you were VDS wouldn't you go?

 

[FightingFury]

A pox upon Edwin Van Der Saar and the fithy scum Man United.

Like seagulls at a tip,raping the poorer clubs again.
I hope you go the same way as that other mercinary dog Saha and wind up being a piece of furniture too VDS.

Why not at least go to a club thats won something if ya gonna leave??  ;D

I know what you mean but the Premier league will never be any different. The few at the top will stay there unless they are totally mismanaged and the clubs in the middle need a miracle (or a Roman Abramovich) to get up to the top.

It's a great advertisement for why unfettered capitalism should not be allowed in sport. And if you were VDS wouldn't you go?

Spoken like a true Chel$ea fan. Well done.
Im sure you'll be delighted and understanding if Cogs goes and plays elsewhere for more $ when still under contract then.
If I was VDS,I wouldn't have pledged my loyalty to a club only to re-sign elsewhere a few months later on.
Playing at Fulham hasn't cost him his Dutch No 1 spot has it?
Hope he rots on the bench and they win nothing.....again.
F##K Chelsea,Man Utd and Arsenal.
Capatilist pigs the three of em.

 

[TigerGoneNorth]

Mate I agree! I wasn't saying it was a good thing! All I'm saying is that nothing's going to change for a long time to change the way the Premier League runs. It's just so predictable.

I'd love teams like Fulham to be able to challenge for the Premiership. The fact is that we all know NOW who will be the top 3 next year.

We can at least hope that Glazer stuffs up Man U (sounds like he may well do it too! Huge debt, 50% ticket rises, maybe the sale of Old Trafford, talk of fan boycotts etc)

Your Cogs comment misses the point. VDS couldn't have gone unless Fulham figured they were better off with the money. The AFL structure is different (and way better). There is little incentive to sell a clubs best players.

If you hate capitalism, soccer isn't a good sport to be into sadly.

 

[FightingFury]

Mate I agree! I wasn't saying it was a good thing! All I'm saying is that nothing's going to change for a long time to change the way the Premier League runs. It's just so predictable.

I'd love teams like Fulham to be able to challenge for the Premiership. The fact is that we all know NOW who will be the top 3 next year.

We can at least hope that Glazer stuffs up Man U (sounds like he may well do it too! Huge debt, 50% ticket rises, maybe the sale of Old Trafford, talk of fan boycotts etc)

Your Cogs comment misses the point. VDS couldn't have gone unless Fulham figured they were better off with the money. The AFL structure is different (and way better). There is little incentive to sell a clubs best players.

If you hate capitalism, soccer isn't a good sport to be into sadly.

Yeah,fair enough.

I just get annoyed by the British belief that you haven't made it as a player unless you play for Arse,Manure or Chel$ki.

Batistuta and Le Tissier were examples of sticking to principals and I admire them for it.

Last season Saha threatened not to try on the pitch if Fulham didn't sell him.
He played a game against Middlesboro and kept his word by hardly going near the ball.
Alex Ferguson criticized Fulham for not bowing to his clubs supposed God like status for daring not to sell their fully contracted player.
Realizing they had no choice,Fulham sold the player,and Saha picked up a loyalty bonus of 200,000 GBP as he 'officially' didn't hand in a transfer request.

What a sick sorry joke the EPL runs.