English Premiere League Football Thread

[Ransom v. Unman]

Right!

So, I'm here now, and we have a sports section, let's see how many of us follow real football. Well, at least the English version.

(Yes, yes, we can start separate Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A, MLS, etc. etc. threads later on.)

Anyway, after a very nasty close call midway through last week, the Greatest Team the World Has Ever Seen is back where they belong in the Premiereship - at the top. Personally, after Bendtner's behaviour on Saturday, I think I've found a new favourite player for the good AFC. On another note, how kind of West Ham to be our secondary support once more as they trounced ManUre to let us stand more firmly at the top of the Top Flight once more. Freddy Ljungberg couldn't have been transferred to a better team.

[lynnmosher]

Sorry, Ransom, you won't see my name in this section. This is not my thing!

[Ransom v. Unman]

I know it has to be someone else's though, Lynne...

Right?

Right?

::hears crickets chirp::

[lynnmosher]

You bet someone will! Sorry I won't be able to converse with you in this arena!

[Keith Wallis]

Sorry ransom, our game but not my preference.
But RUGBY UNION is a different matter - it gets my juices flowing.

[Colin]

Well I just had to join here so I could refute some o yer mans wild allegations...ie Arsenal the greatest football team in the world. Now that I have finished laughing my head off...could I point out that the greatest football team is MANCHESTER UNITED!! I hope Arsenal enjoy their slender lead over us because we all know who will be TOP at end of the season! Ok....now you can open a boxing thread and come out fighting!

[Keith Wallis]

Colin, you can tell, is not English - it's only foreigners who support Manchester United !

[Colin]

Manchester United have a big support in N. Ireland....mostly because George Best used to play for them. Aye it is terrible I have to support an ENGLISH team but I guess my local team Ballymena United is not so well known!

[Ransom v. Unman]

Colin, you can tell, is not English - it's only foreigners who support Manchester United !

It's true.

They're the only team anyone in the Colonies has heard of. Probably the reason I hate them so much.

Anyway...

[Colin]

Everyone to their own. I dont think I hate any team. When a British or Irish team plays in Europe I will always support them no matter who they are. I have a son who is a Man Utd. supporter and one a Liverpool supporter...Eeeek! I will also concede that Arsenal is playing some great football at the moment. It makes for an interesting title race.

[Ransom v. Unman]

Oh, well, I do hate some teams. Not that I wish grievous bodily harm on them or anything... I'm just saying if Man Utd., Tottenham and Chelski go crash and burn in their form and sportsmanship, I'm not going to be shedding any tears.

I'd also like to say "Thank you!" to West Ham United for denying Man. Utd. three points last week, while giving us a handy three points, and also for being so kind to one of my all-time favourites, Fredrik Ljungberg!

[ProfessorAlan]

It's all Arsenal, all the time, for me.

[psychoceramic]

Now i do not have the time to follow as closely as i would like to follow but I do the best i can with what i have to work with.
That being said... Aston Villa.

[Ransom v. Unman]

That being said... Aston Villa.
They've been a banana peel to Arsenal in recent years. I'm not so sure how much I like them. :p

No, but seriously... FA Cup this weekend... Third Round...

Who do we think might make it to the semi-finals? The finals? I always like seeing a good, mid-ranking team taking on one of the European top-flight, like Liverpool vs. West Ham a few years back. You guys think Chelski or Man Utd. will have what it takes to get to the end of the FA Cup this year?

[pajarita_deDios]

*Rubs hands together*

Viva Futbol!

I'm too busy usually to keep up with any of EPL...or any of the clubs. I'm more preoccupied lately with my indoor team than anything else. I'll admit I enjoy playing much more than watching, and whenever I do watch I start to itch and get antsy. I think it's because I've playing since I was 8 so all the moves are ingrained in my muscle memory and I start wanting to deek and jockey around my living room...Then I just look silly.

*Inhales*
Love the thread!

[Ransom v. Unman]

@ Pajarita - :) Follow Arsenal.

Well, we had some interesting news over the weekend... The big two red factions move on in the FA Cup, much to the surprise of some announcers. :confused: Anyway, on top of that, there were massive upsets... Everton, Bolton, Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers – all formidable sides – lost out to lower-division teams. A non-league team knocked Swansea out of the race too, despite their being the League 1 leaders. This was certainly an interesting weekend, but that's why the FA Cup is so much fun! Anything can happen!

Now, here's hoping Sheffield United v. West Ham United fourth-round riot extravaganza! That'll be a fun match to watch...

[Colin]

There were some interesting results Ransom and I always like to see the lesser teams doing well. I wonder if you think refereeing should be like say in rugby where they can play back video and come to the right decision hopefully. It is awful to see games decided on a bad or incorrect by a referee.

[Ransom v. Unman]

There were some interesting results Ransom and I always like to see the lesser teams doing well. I wonder if you think refereeing should be like say in rugby where they can play back video and come to the right decision hopefully. It is awful to see games decided on a bad or incorrect by a referee.

It's a double-edged sword, refereeing like that. Football is such a fast-paced sport, it's hard to really identify intention with some of those replay calls. On a few instances, I think it's helped, but only in the sense that there's an "extra eye" on the field, so distracted refs can decide if something they didn't catch off the bat was or wasn't a foul/offside/whatever.

The problem I have with those replays comes down to the fast-paced nature of the sport, like I said. Things that were obviously accidental when examined in real-time can look very deliberate and far more vicious when slowed down. I think slowed-down instant replay will result in more bunk calls than it would clear up, and it certainly gives way too much incentive for diving, and that's the last thing football needs right now, in my opinion.

[Colin]

I think I agree with you Ransom....football is a fast paced game and stopping every minute would not be good for the flow of it. Who would be a referee though! So Ransom would you like to see the offside rule changed? It does not seem to be pleasing everyone at the moment. Just think if there was no such rule how many goals would be scored!

[Ransom v. Unman]

I think the offside rule is fine. Goalies and defenders have a hard enough time as it is. So what if Yanks are too stupid to comprehend it and it stifles the "marketability" of the sport. Let it stand, and let the competition of the sport live on...

[ProfessorAlan]

Scoring is not supposed to be easy -- that's a US-centric view of the world.

Life is supposed to be hard, achievement is supposed to be a struggle -- soccer reflects those facts of life.

[Ransom v. Unman]

Scoring is not supposed to be easy -- that's a US-centric view of the world.

Life is supposed to be hard, achievement is supposed to be a struggle -- soccer reflects those facts of life.

Thanks for joining me in the hexpatriot dissent there, Prof. ;)

[Colin]

Ah but the fans want to see..GOALS...GOALS....GOALS! What better sight is there than Ronaldo going down the right wing...beating 4 defenders...especially Arsenal ones and crossing the ball to Rooney who smashes it into the back of the net!! YAHOO!...snigger.

[Ransom v. Unman]

Yeah, too bad Man. United's had a spot of trouble lately getting it past Arsenal defenders.

Goals? Yeah, they're nice. Seeing John Terry take a boot to the face was priceless though.

:-x

[Ransom v. Unman]

Thoughts for Saturday, 12.1.2008

Colin...

This isn't over.

:mad:

[Colin]

6 nil 6 nil 6 nil!

[Ransom v. Unman]

YEEEARRGG!!!

Man U. was drawn with Reading for so long yesterday! WHY did tey have to start scoring! WHY!?!

*Ahem*

It isn't over, at least, and Arsenal still caught themselves a nice 3-0 victory over Fulham...

[Colin]

Saying nothing Ransom!

[Colin]

Tottenham Hotspur 5 Arsenal1........oh my goodness, I am killing myself laughing!

[Ransom v. Unman]

...

My thoughts summed up well.

http://gunnerblog.com/

....

Just wait you snide, Man &*^@s. Your day will come.

On that note, if I see anyone with a Sp*rs shirt or any kind of paraphernalia tomorrow, Lord help me if I don't put them in the bloody hospital. :mad:

[ProfessorAlan]

It's getting ugly ...

[Colin]

It is going to get more than ugly....there is going to be blood spilled I fear. Man Utd. and Arsenal in the next round of th F.A Cup! This will not be for the squeamish and there will be no hiding place! Bring it on!

[Ransom v. Unman]

And the continual battle for the top of the Premiere League tips again in Arsenal's favour this weekend...

Ooo... It's making everything so exciting! The FA Cup... The League... No matter what, Arsenal and ManUre fans will have great reason to attack each other on site after this season's done for some time to come. :D

[ProfessorAlan]

One loss in the EPL. 25 games and just one loss.
{go team go}

[Colin]

I wish they would go...Arsenal that is! What a let off Man. Utd. had on Saturday. Phew! Anyway...COME ON THE REDS!

[Colin]

Weep you Arsenal fans and lick your wounds after getting a football lesson today! Man. Utd. should have scored at least eight! And Liverpool got dumped out too...great day for us who are blessed to support the greatest team in the world! YAHOOOOOOO!!

[ProfessorAlan]

{clears throat}

Ummmm ... that was kinda ugly.

[Ransom v. Unman]

/picks up café chair

"Hey, COLIN! I got somethin' for ya'!"

[Colin]

I might as well crow now Ransom cos I know you and the Prof are waiting for revenge! I know the next game between us will be different but we will be ready. Put that chair down now Ransom!

[Ransom v. Unman]

ARSENAL, ARSENAL, ARSENAAAAALLL,
ARSENAL, ARSENAL, ARESENAA - AAL
ARSENAL, ARSENAL, ARSENAL,
ARSENA - AL, AR -SEN -AL!

We've got five points on you in the League still, and the next rounds of the Champions League are just beginning. You're right. This is far from over. :D :mad:

[Colin]

Yea....but as a commentator kindly pointed out on Saturday....Arsenal where knocked out of three cups this time last season and lost the league. You have already been knocked out of two now and I think history is going to repeat itself! I'm too hoarse to sing anymore!

[Colin]

Whooooeeee! Just 3 points behind now!

[Ransom v. Unman]

Too bad it's not the one point away like it's been most the season... Well, for you.

[Colin]

Well we are only one defeat away for you and a win for us to be leading the championship because we have the better goal difference. I only hope Chelsea don't sneak in and upset us both!

[Ransom v. Unman]

Chelski ain't gonna' get their krap together that quickly. They'll come in a good, healthy third place...

Unfortunately. :mad:

[Colin]

Well with Arsenal second I will settle for that!

[Ransom v. Unman]

I am so fighting off a temptation to abuse my moderator powers and fix your last post...

But I won't.

Here's what i would've said...

Well with Man Utd. second I will settle for that!

Anyway, umm, fixed that for ya'... Sort of.

[Colin]

Grrrrrrr......lucky jammy Arsenal! Why did they score!!!!!

[Colin]

Serves us right for missing so many chances and then getting beat today! And that is all I have to say about that!

[Ransom v. Unman]

We all have our banana peels, Colin.

There, there.

:)

Now where's some salt... I think the ManUre fans haev aw ound that needs attention...

[Ransom v. Unman]

HAPPY NOTE TO ADD TO THAT!

Abramov's money can't buy love – or an FA Cup victory any more!

/dances around

[Colin]

Yes, that was one really bright spot on Saturday. Chelsea getting knocked out. I really enjoyed that match!

[Ransom v. Unman]

The sweetest part of it all is that Chelski got knocked out by a team that isn't even in the Premiership! Oh, it doesn't get much better than that!

Today could've gone better for me, personally, but it could have been much worse. Like yesterday was for you, Colin. :p

[Colin]

Well not too upset as I think Alex would like to win another European Cup and now we will not be distracted. Thanks for dropping two points today!

[Ransom v. Unman]

Colin, I'm shocked and surprised that you haven't managed to get in here and gloat yet!

I'd just like to remind you that we've danced this dance this earlier this premiere league season already.

I'm hoping for some banana peel games for your lot coming directly. :)

[Colin]

Me?...Gloat!? Never! Actually I am keeping the gloating until the title is in the bag as I fear there is a banana peel coming up against Liverpool. Hope Chelsea do us a good turn...I would probably settle for a draw between the both of you. It is not over until the fat lady sings as they say.

[Ransom v. Unman]

Strangely enough, over the past few years, Arsenal's had a much better record against Liverpool than, oh, say, Middlesboro! :mad:

[Ransom v. Unman]

/sigh

And it seems the end-season crash is in full effect - but all the better to put the heat under our rears to stop it now!

That it was Chelski that made it official makes me all the more bitter.

I hope all the rest of them crash and burn in the Champions League.

Arsene Wenger's red & white army! Never surrender!

[Colin]

Nearly the perfect results for us today! Would have preferred a draw between Arsenal and Chelsea but was consoled by the fact Chelsea wining would get Ransom ripping! We can only throw it away now. Steady as we go Fergie!

[Ransom v. Unman]

We can only throw it away now.
I'll send Mr. Ferguson a trash can and whisper subliminal messages to him...

See if I can't get Rooney and Ronaldo to develop chronic arthritis in the meantime too.

[Colin]

Some one is getting desperate!

[Ransom v. Unman]

Some one is getting desperate!

Darn straight I am! And I want so desperately to transfer that desperation to you!

[Colin]

Well we are in the driving seat but it does worry me we have Arsenal and Chelsea to play yet. A good thing if we won both matches but I think points will be dropped. Anyway I am quietly confident the title will be ours but it is going to be close.

[Ransom v. Unman]

I'll say, a three-way race for the title does make the end of the season very interesting.

[Colin]

A three horse race is good for the neturals...I would rather Man. Utd. were miles out in front! Have a bad feeling about Chelsea. They might sneak it. Apart from meeting Man Utd., they seem to have an easy run in and should pick up all or most of the points available to them. It will be very interesting indeed Ransom!

[Colin]

Someone's season is going pear shaped! I had better not say too much until next weekend is past.

[Ransom v. Unman]

Yeah...

Yeah.






:mad:

[saz]

Go Blades!:)

[Colin]

Blades.....no cutting edge them! Hope Man Utd beat Chelsea then I can celebrate.

[saz]

Maybe not but my parents were born and raised in Sheffield. Gotta support them:)

[Colin]

I salute you for supporting your "local team" saz. Since I live in N. Ireland my local team is Ballymena Utd. but the standard of football is poor over here. Most people over here support some one of the English teams...the most popular two being Man Utd and Liverpool. I supported Man Utd because George Best played for them and I have stuck with them ever since.

[saz]

Do you watch hurling? I find that sport fascinating. We lived in Ireland for a year but never made it to a match (are they called matches?). Or is that not a N. Ireland game?

I must admit, i love soccer, but don't follow it too much. Every time there's a match on TV I watch (if I can) and just enjoy the game no matter who is playing.

So David Beckham is coming to my city (we don't get very much soccer here) and I'm torn about going. I'd love to see him play but I don't like the whole rock and roll image of his. have you ever seen him play. Would you think it worth the money to see him live?

My dad talks about George Best. My dad cheers for Man U when the Blades aren't playing.

[Colin]

I am sorry to say there is a religious divide here and hurling would be played and warched more by the Catholic community. They are called matches and to me it looks dangerous with thouse hurley sticks being swung about!
I have only seen David Beckham play on TV. I dont think it worth the money to see him live. Now George Best was worth the money! I never did get to see him play live.
I will keep an eyes on your Blades now and give them a cheer unless they are playing Man Utd!

[saz]

Hurling does look similar to our lacrosse and I think they are both as dirty/dangerous.
What's the correct cheer for Man U.
Up the Blades! (I think that's what my dad says)
:)
BTW My Grandad was from Belfast.

[Colin]

Yes...I would not like to get hit by a hurley stick!
C'mon you Reds! Well that is what I cheer anyway! As a Christian I am a bit unhappy about their nickname The Red Devils.
That is great that your Grandad was from Belfast! I live about 30 miles from Belfast. Which part of Belfast was it?

[saz]

To be honest I'm not sure where abouts. I'm sure my mom has told me but my memory is a sieve.

[Colin]

Hi saz...have you noticed how quiet Ransom and the Professor are on this thread. I wonder if its because Arsenal's season has went belly up! Snigger!

[saz]

You're terrible!

[Colin]

I know saz!

[Ransom v. Unman]

Hi saz...have you noticed how quiet Ransom and the Professor are on this thread. I wonder if its because Arsenal's season has went belly up! Snigger!
Well, that's certainly been a part of it.

I hope Henry blasts your defence to smithereens.

[saz]

I have to say that your photo looks exactly like my Uncle Vic who lives in Derbyshire, England. Same glasses and all.
Sorry, back to sports! Up the Blades and Go Reds!:)

[Ransom v. Unman]

Which Reds? Anfield Reds or those other ones? Y'know... the Red Devils. :mad:

[saz]

well, ummm, errr,
I just like to watch!
eeeek!!!

[Ransom v. Unman]

Don't worry. There were no right answers to that question unless you amended it to say "Red and White Army."

[saz]

Don't worry. There were no right answers to that question unless you amended it to say "Red and White Army."

Um, I'm guessing, Is that Arsenal?

[Ransom v. Unman]

Yes. It is.

[saz]

Weren't their jerseys red and white striped?

Have any of you heard of that football club that you can be part owner of?

[Colin]

Hi saz your Uncle Vic must be a handsome guy! The good old Red Devils are playing tonight. I can't stand all this tension!
Ransom I concede that we might end up with nothing either so I am keeping kind of quiet.