RMweb Gold colin penfold Posted January 4, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 4, 2013 Agree with a lot of what you say David, with a couple of comments. Firstly I seem to recall Benitez coming a cropper a few times at Liverpool by showing insufficient respect to "lower" teams. Everyone knew that there would be a moment when the 'arry effect kicked in at QPR, and I believe we rested too many players. Yes we had plenty of shots but no real guile in opening them up properly. My second observation is that recent wins have masked the fact that trying to get through the season with only one (misfiring) striker was a recipe for disaster. Those are the times you throw on an extra striker, or even just change the type of attack - something the Manchester clubs have both achieved several times this year to win games like that one. Based on that I am very happy they dot Demba in. You can’t replace the Drog, but if you have the cash you can buy a Ba, apparently 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DavidLong Posted January 4, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 4, 2013 My second observation is that recent wins have masked the fact that trying to get through the season with only one (misfiring) striker was a recipe for disaster. Those are the times you throw on an extra striker, or even just change the type of attack - something the Manchester clubs have both achieved several times this year to win games like that one. Based on that I am very happy they dot Demba in. You can’t replace the Drog, but if you have the cash you can buy a Ba, apparently Problem is Colin that, outside of the Manchester clubs, the following pack are suddenly light on strikers so tend to have to persist with one or two when a bit of rotation would be in order. The sad fact is that, these days, in order to be consistently successful in the Premier league you need two players of equal high standard in each position. A tall order for squads of twenty five when at least three need to be goalkeepers. I think it is no coincidence that the club that comes nearest to this ideal is top of the league. Manchester City, unsurprisingly given their resources, are probably closest and indeed are second in the table. Chelsea could rotate midfielders with the best of them but strikers and defenders are another matter. The best chance for everyone else is in the cup competitions. The league is all about consistency but in a cup competition you only have to play well in a few games and the deficiencies of the squad need not be such a factor. If you are Arsenal then merely finishing fourth is as good as a cup win. Cue open top bus ride to Islington Town Hall 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Joe Cole comes back to the Irons. Interesting move, in that Sam has form for picking up flair players who are looking for a last hurrah (Djorkaeff, Hierro). But then again, West Ham's record when it comes to those returning is less than stellar. As to where Joe will play, I would guess he'd be playing wide-right as cover for, or in rotation with, Vaz Te, unless Sam pulls Nolan back into more of an orthodox midfield role and Joe plays in the hole behind Carlton Cole or Andy Carroll. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggy1953 Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 Now wheres my Wembley hat from 87 as we're going to the Lane in early January. The ghost is laid to rest. You can put the hat away now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold colin penfold Posted January 5, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 5, 2013 Anybody else watching West Ham v MU - keep an eye out when they show a shot of the Beckhams. Theres a blazered security man at the back of the box looks awfully like Sven Goran Errikson - nice to see him back in football Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted January 5, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 5, 2013 The ghost is laid to rest. You can put the hat away now. Never.That was one of the best ever cup finals.Never to be forgotten.Theres no ghost to be laid to rest as you've won it since.We'll never make another final in my lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggy1953 Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 Never.That was one of the best ever cup finals.Never to be forgotten.Theres no ghost to be laid to rest as you've won it since.We'll never make another final in my lifetime. You never know. Footballs a funny old game. Have faith, the big money will run out one day. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyboy Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 Ah, so its O'Driscoll for Blackburn then!! No not Blackburn, he's heading to the dingles of Baaarrrnnsley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggy1953 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 No not Blackburn, he's heading to the dingles of Baaarrrnnsley. So, the merry go round goes on.....and on.....and Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold colin penfold Posted January 6, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 6, 2013 on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted January 6, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 6, 2013 Talking of Spurs Colin.Is it true that Gareth Bale has signed up for the celebrity edition of ITVs 'Splash'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold colin penfold Posted January 6, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 6, 2013 ooooh you naughty boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southernman46 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 (edited) In an earlier posting I referred to the condition of the pitch at Bloomfield Road. I have now seen the criteria for pitch condition, and who decides if they are fit for purpose. If there are any referees on here that have had to make these decisions, can you tell us if you have ever called off a game because of the pitch? Aye Some years ago - I was due to ref a South-East U-18 cup 1/4 final at Dover twixt a local team and one from SE London . Living at Ashford (Kent) at the time. Early on Sunday AM, KO @ 10. All fine at Ashford, all fine at Dover upon arrival - the first thing I do is look at the pitch before greeting the teams - gives the home side time to correct cock-ups - many's the time there's been no lines marked........ Anyhow between my 1st inspection and getting out onto the pitch changed and ready to warm-up (about 30 mins), it had frozen !! The surface was like concrete and I had to call it off. To this day I don't quite believe it. Oh - and Gillingham STILL top of League 2................... Edited January 6, 2013 by Southernman46 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 There was a story the other day about Sir Geoff Hurst, England World Cup hat-trick hero, looking for film footage of his six goals when West Ham beat Sunderland 8-0. A copy turned up, and Sir Geoff admitted he'd punched the first one in. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2257176/Sir-Geoff-Hurst-finds-West-Ham-8-0-Sunderland-tape-Twitter.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 OK; please cool it or the topic will be locked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Selected posts removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Devil Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Ah, back to the future, In other, less controversial FA Cup stuff, I was really pleased to see my (now) local side progress to the fourth round, not a bad draw either, Leicester. Occasionally take a game in at the Galpharm, so was really pleased with their (Huddersfield's) win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggy1953 Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 No not Blackburn, he's heading to the dingles of Baaarrrnnsley. It would appear not. He's turned them down. Never mind another post will be along soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold colin penfold Posted January 7, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 7, 2013 this time of year managerial posts come along more frequently than sheffield trams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhBBob Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 Yes, junior SWMBO bought her Dad tickets for Elland Road on Saturday and chauffeured me. Although half the squad are on the sick-list including Neil W who ran the side from his sick-bed, I praise the lads for a spirited performance against a much better side. However, should we progress, we will meet Spurs who just happen to be junior SWMBO's team........oh boy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggy1953 Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 However, should we progress, we will meet Spurs who just happen to be junior SWMBO's team........oh boy She's got good taste then. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peanuts Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 have been very quiet of late on the goings on at boundary park as we have been to say the least bloody awfull and didnt expect anything from our visit to the city ground set agaist the background of the whole backroomteam being put on " gardening leave" most of our midfield being either suspended or injured and a lissfiring front line i expected a battering ! 13 mins in and matt smith puts through is own gaol 1- 0 to the trees and we are getting a propre run around second half we a look a bit more in it then comes 7 minuits of pure unadulterated joy as we smash three goals in quick style to lead even though the trees pull it back to 2-3 in injury time its not enough and we go through and now its liverpool at home in the fourth round hopefully at a cold wet and windy "ice station zebra" bring em on! " oh when the bluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuues " 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted January 13, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 13, 2013 Now this is my sort of assistant referees decision making. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21006202 How much did they pay ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Now this is my sort of assistant referees decision making. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21006202 How much did they pay ? Shocking - I can upgrade my grandsons ticket and watch a winning team for £17 (albeit, top of the Championship).. . Brian R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobby Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 I wonder if Arsenal and City are piloting a new 10-aside team to try to reduce wages costs in the Prem?! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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