The British & Irish Football Thread

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

What Tob and Geoff said. They couldn't have put it better myself. I'm sure the moderators would edit the thread title so that we could discuss the Championship, Leagues 1 and 2, the Vanarama league etc. as well as the Premiership.

I enjoyed Gillette Soccer Special more tonight than I did last night. The defeat by Watford was disappointing (they're one of our bogey sides, but we'll get our own back at them eventually). No game is easy in the Premiership, they're all hard, but Saturday's game against Southampton will be tricky, especially as Southampton will be confident after tonight's win.

Going back to discussing the Championship, there was a bizarre incident during the Newcastle game revolving around a penalty. Did the referee give an explanation for his decision? If I remember correctly, the Newcastle player kicked the ball into the net, but the referee disallowed the goal. The word 'encroaching' was mentioned a few times when Jeff and the pundits were discussing the bizarre incident.

If they weren't going to take our place in the premier league I would be in fits of laughter but can't raise a smile at moment. They can't complain, they have had a freakish amount of luck this season with late deflected goals etc.,

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Just a blip Geoff. A game in hand, 3 points clear and a superior goal difference. Some tough games but you will get there. Us and Boro are not catching you so just worry about Swansea and Hull. Ironically, we play Swansea, last home game of season.

Yeah, I'm still much more confident than I was (four wins on the bounce and beating the champions-elect will do that for you) but losing Tomkins and Dann has left us up a creek defensively, along with Schlupp having to fill in at left back for Van Aanholt. It's a patchwork defence again, even with the mighty mighty Sakho in there, and we're not gonna get any joy from Arsenal while Leicester are flying. Could get something from those frail scousers though, and if your lot do us a favour and beat Hull and Boro over the coming weeks then that might be enough.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Yeah, I'm still much more confident than I was (four wins on the bounce and beating the champions-elect will do that for you) but losing Tomkins and Dann has left us up a creek defensively, along with Schlupp having to fill in at left back for Van Aanholt. It's a patchwork defence again, even with the mighty mighty Sakho in there, and we're not gonna get any joy from Arsenal while Leicester are flying. Could get something from those frail scousers though, and if your lot do us a favour and beat Hull and Boro over the coming weeks then that might be enough.

I was with you until that last line! It's not the Twilight Zone Geoff! . Two wins for Sunderland? Get a grip man!

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

If they weren't going to take our place in the premier league I would be in fits of laughter but can't raise a smile at moment. They can't complain, they have had a freakish amount of luck this season with late deflected goals etc.,

Brighton beat QPR 2-1 tonight, moving up to the top of the Championship, two points in front of Newcastle. It's looking now like Brighton will be automatically promoted to the Premiership as they're way ahead of Huddersfield in third place (they're 12 points in front).

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

Brighton beat QPR 2-1 tonight, moving up to the top of the Championship, two points in front of Newcastle. It's looking now like Brighton will be automatically promoted to the Premiership as they're way ahead of Huddersfield in third place (they're 12 points in front).

They had a shaky spell after Newcastle beat them but credit where it's due.

[OceanBlue]

I may have come across as a bit cold in my post yesterday, so I'm correcting that. We have a good group in this thread, a mutual respect (something you don't get in other folders on this forum), with each of us being part of the furniture. It would not be the same if Steedeel started posting in a separate thread and not in this thread. We're all welcome in this thread, regardless of which English football league the football team we support is playing in. We don't talk down to one another, and if there is anything what you would call mickey-taking (we give as good as we get) it's done with respect. We support one another when our teams aren't doing as well as we'd like, and we congratulate each other when our teams are doing well. I find this thread to be one of the sanctuaries on the forum. I am glad we have this discussion thread, and it wouldn't be the same if we didn't have all of the regulars posting in here.

[tob]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

I may have come across as a bit cold in my post yesterday, so I'm correcting that. We have a good group in this thread, a mutual respect (something you don't get in other folders on this forum), with each of us being part of the furniture. It would not be the same if Steedeel started posting in a separate thread and not in this thread. We're all welcome in this thread, regardless of which English football league the football team we support is playing in. We don't talk down to one another, and if there is anything what you would call mickey-taking (we give as good as we get) it's done with respect. We support one another when our teams aren't doing as well as we'd like, and we congratulate each other when our teams are doing well. I find this thread to be one of the sanctuaries on the forum. I am glad we have this discussion thread, and it wouldn't be the same if we didn't have all of the regulars posting in here.

Well said OceanBlue.

[Steedeel]

Swansea losing, hope it stays like that for you Geoff. Massive result if that's the case.

[Geoff D]

Yep, we're three points clear with two games in hand, albeit games against Arsenal and Tottingham! But they're just freebies at this point, any points from those games are bonuses. As fabulous as that Chelsea win was I can't see us getting anything from the Arsenal game on Monday night.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Yep, we're three points clear with two games in hand, albeit games against Arsenal and Tottingham! But they're just freebies at this point, any points from those games are bonuses. As fabulous as that Chelsea win was I can't see us getting anything from the Arsenal game on Monday night.

Huge Geoff. I'm not picking sides on Monday though. Not when three of my dearest online friends have a stake in the game!

[Steedeel]

Hard luck Ocean, but I expect your guys are on the beach now!

Good luck GVortex, I won't get to see your game as I have a funeral to attend (match to go to!)

[tob]

I didn't think the ref should have given a red card to Larsson for Sunderland today he should have just got a yellow Steedeel.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Yep, we're three points clear with two games in hand, albeit games against Arsenal and Tottingham! But they're just freebies at this point, any points from those games are bonuses. As fabulous as that Chelsea win was I can't see us getting anything from the Arsenal game on Monday night.

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Huge Geoff. I'm not picking sides on Monday though. Not when three of my dearest online friends have a stake in the game!

Well I’m rooting for CPFC tomorrow in order to put more pressure on Arsene to go….i.e. lose a battle to win a war.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by tob

I didn't think the ref should have given a red card to Larsson for Sunderland today he should have just got a yellow Steedeel.

He was a newish ref. Typical, isn't it? Train them early to be anti SAFC.

As if we need any more kicks in the teeth.

Well done GVortex!

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Well I’m rooting for CPFC tomorrow in order to put more pressure on Arsene to go….i.e. lose a battle to win a war.

Well, if Tob feels the same way, I will shout for Palace.

[tob]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Well, if Tob feels the same way, I will shout for Palace.

Doesn't matter anymore Steedeel nothing will change and the rumour is that Wenger has been offered a two year deal.

[Steedeel]

What a win Geoff. Premier football next year for you lot. Oh and a mid table finish I predict.

Sorry Tob and Penton, Arsenal are woeful aren't they? Fans are fuming, chanting at the players. How can Wenger survive this?

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Hard luck Ocean, but I expect your guys are on the beach now!

Good luck GVortex, I won't get to see your game as I have a funeral to attend (match to go to!)

They've been thinking about being on, or have already been on, the beaches for the last two games with the way they've been playing and the lack of goals and points! We're going to finish 9th or 10th at the end of the season now. Southampton are now four points behnd us, with two games in hand. And who have we got next? Manchester City.

[OceanBlue]

Contender for one of the best 2 Good 2 Bad clips this season, on last night's Match of the Day 2, done to a Kool & the Gang song.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

What a win Geoff. Premier football next year for you lot. Oh and a mid table finish I predict.

Sorry Tob and Penton, Arsenal are woeful aren't they? Fans are fuming, chanting at the players. How can Wenger survive this?

I wasn't even alive the last time Palace beat Arsenal at home, I'm in dreamland right now. Someone pinch me...or maybe not, I want the dream to continue!!