The English Football Thread

[Bulldog]

Originally Posted by mojopinuk

BBC Sport - Football - Blackpool 1-3 Wigan

I only saw the highlights but it looked a very good Wigan performance today. I tipped Wigan to go down earlier this season, but the way they have been playing over the last couple of weeks I'm thinking they have the legs to get over the line.

So Bulldog, next weekend should be interesting! I'm still not worried that we're gonna go down, even though I'm concerned about how we've been playing since the January window closed. I am however at least looking backwards rather than forwards now. I also think that it's the best chance we have of picking up three points before the end of the season.

But, I think if your lot beat us at home next weekend then the fight is between you, Blackburn, Blackpool, Wolves, West Ham and definitely us too.

I was there

I don't think the latics are gonna beat Sunderland. A(nother) 1-1 draw's my guess. And I definitely don't think you should be worrying about relegation either, as if Brucey's good at anything it's getting clear of the drop zone. Add some good summer signings (a genuine replacement for Bent and Wellbeck, who I think I read somewhere's staying at Man U next season), and you could be looking to push up to the top 10.

I think 40 points is gonna guarantee anyone safety this season and your lot are only, what, 2 points off it? You'll stay up easily, no doubt about it.

As for Wigan, I'm still slightly worried, but as you say the lads have been playing so well for the last few weeks. We could easily have beaten Spurs, if not even Chelsea last week, so that's something. 6 more points is all I thin they'll need, and I'm getting more confident by the week that that's exactly what they're gonna do.

[Mojo]

Well, I do still believe we will stay up but I really do see Wigan next week as the most important fixture we have left. If we win it, I won't be worried. If we lose it, I will become morre worried than I have been all season because it will drag us in.

We are only two points off the 40 mark, yes. But we've been pushing that 40 point mark for months now. Our last win was Blackpool at the end of January, and I think we've managed one point since then! We are in complete freefall now and if we survive, it's simply down to the form we were in before the January window. No offence to Wigan, but the only reason I haven't been worried is because I've been looking at that fixture, at home, as the fixture that can keep us up. But given our poor form, the last couple of Wigan games, and the fact that the Stadium of Light has not exactly been a fortress for us this season then I dunno, I think if we concede first then you'll beat us.

[Bulldog]

Originally Posted by mojopinuk

No offence to Wigan, but the only reason I haven't been worried is because I've been looking at that fixture, at home, as the fixture that can keep us up.

None taken Of the last stretch of fixtures, I've long since penned in the game on your turf and home against Everton as the hardest we've got left.

I see what you mean that Sunderland are in pretty dire form, but at the same time even if you don't win another game this season (which I really don't think'll be the case), you'll definitely be in the Prem next season. Wigan have been in really good form, true, but under Bobby Martinez the lads haven't had any back-to-back wins. I don't think that's something that's gonna change until the summer comes and he can weed out the trash (Ben Watson, Hendry Thomas, Steven Caldwell etc) and get a striker with an actual reputation in England as well. Your mob have at least a point in the bag next weekend - take my word for it.

Also, anyone watching the FA cup semi today? I was gonna be making my Wembley debut to go see it, but ran out of enough money before I could get round to grabbing a ticket. Should be a tasty one all the same though.

[Mojo]

It's on ESPN isnt it? I may end up watching Arsenal and Liverpool, unless I look for a stream.

I'm aware of your problems with back to back wins, I was actually just saying to someone thats probably the only glimmer of hope I can see. You are right about one thing, and thats that we could stay up aslong as three teams do worse than we do. It's certainly not our own form thats making me think that we'll stay up. I do think that unless we stop our poor run of form next weekend, it will continue on for the remainder of the season. Bolton and Fulham will turn us over easily if we don't pick up, and I think that Wolves and then West Ham at the very end of the season are gonna be too tricky for us on current form, as both clubs could be pretty desperate by that point.

[MoonlitSunshine]

for shame, Arsenal, for shame...

EDIT: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Bulldog]

BBC Sport - Football - Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

What can I say but...ouch....

Same goes for all my muckers here in Bolton too;

BBC Sport - Football - Bolton 0-5 Stoke

[right-track]

Originally Posted by Bulldog

BBC Sport - Football - Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

What can I say but...ouch....

Every cloud...

[EvilChuck]

I've just seen this report that Porto manager André Villas-Boas made a few years ago when he scouted a Newcastle-Chelsea game. He was scouting Newcastle.

http://www.bragafut.com/artigos/art18.pdf

So much detail, thats incredible. Its ridiculous to think the amount of planning top level managers put in to devise tactics. Villas-Boas looks like he might even win the treble this season, the Europa League, the Portuguese cup and the Portuguese league, and may even go undefeated in the league as well.

[GERD]

Originally Posted by EvilChuck

I've just seen this report that Porto manager André Villas-Boas made a few years ago when he scouted a Newcastle-Chelsea game. He was scouting Newcastle.

http://www.bragafut.com/artigos/art18.pdf

So much detail, thats incredible. Its ridiculous to think the amount of planning top level managers put in to devise tactics. Villas-Boas looks like he might even win the treble this season, the Europa League, the Portuguese cup and the Portuguese league, and may even go undefeated in the league as well.

yeah he'll be at a major team next season i reckon. who knows, real madrid maybe?

[EvilChuck]

Nah Mourinho will be at Real for a couple of seasons yet. His side is developing, and as he showed at Inter he needs a couple of seasons to get everything how he wants them. They went from quarter finalists to winners within one season, so for him to get Real to a semi at his first attempt when they havent been there for 8 years should be seen as ncouraging for the Madrid club. I can see him signing another centre half in the summer, and maybe signing Adebayor on a permanent deal or going for Drogba instead.

Villas-Boas I've heard is being looked at by Roma. That would be a good challenge for him, the Italian league is not as strong as it was in the 90's but still holds a certain prestige, and if a young manager was able to win the title there it would be a massive boost to his credibilty. At which point he'd end up at one of the top Spanish clubs or English clubs.