English Football Thread 2012/2013

[m_vaughan]

Did you count for the same in the Manchester derby? Same referee I think.

Anycase its fair to say Chelsea were a bit lucky. United played better than I expected especially in the first half. Despite not conceding I thought the Chelsea defence looked vulnerable. But 5 points is a decent lead to have especially considering that they will be losing Drogba and Co. for the ACN.

 

[PhilD123]

When the decisions were right, as shown when they added the time up. Shame he didn't get it right today with injury time, blowing up exactly on 95 when the rentboys had wasted a few minutes in that injury time.

Disgraceful from the ref. "A bit lucky", don't know if you got the same game in the Middle East, but that was robbery.

 

[Skater]

The only glaring error I could see was when United should have had a penalty.

 

[PhilD123]

So you didn't see the error when for their goal, Fletcher won the ball and they got a free kick.

Are you blind?

 

[Skater]

Are you blind?

Completely.

 

[vaibhav mehta]

Definitely Chelsea has not done anything exceptional. Nothing against them but I don?t think Man U deserved to lose. Still not agree that Drogba was not off side because he went for the ball in off side position when goal was scored. Did Drobga make any contact?

vaibhav mehta added 1 Minutes and 4 Seconds later...

Completely.

And still you type good, Lee.

 

[PhilD123]

Completely.

Thought so, still, didn't bother replying to my point in that post though. Clearly not a free kick.

Rooney signalling "12 men" to the camera at the end. Spot on.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

It was never a free kick in the first place. I normally wouldn't be that annoyed though but Utd were completely the better team in that game. We should've had a penalty as well though. I reckon it was always going to be very tough to score with Rooney playing as the lone striker tbh. I just don't think he can play on his own. He needs someone to be there to finish off the attack because he likes to get quite far back. Owen was a bit annoying as well because I don't think he should get that far back. He seems to be on the half way line as well when Utd are attacking. He's the guy we need ready, waiting for the pass into the box.

 

[treva]

Gotta love seeing the reaction Manchester United fans after they lose. The fans are almost as bad as Fergie, not quite though. Chelsea may not have been the better side today but they are the better side overall and I think they'll go on and win the title. Could be a straight fight between United and Arsenal for 2nd spot.

 

[PhilD123]

What makes them the better side overall? Their stunning wins against Blackburn and Burnley at home? What about dodgy away performances against Villa and Wigan? This is Scolari's Chelsea, a Chelsea that everyone was creaming themselves over this time last year. We showed today they're not as good as the press are making out. 5 points isn't much.

As for the point about United fans, I didn't come on here after the Liverpool game, mainly because I can't be arsed speaking to some people, but also because there was nothing I could really say, they deserved the win. When, however, like today, we were robbed, then it's only natural to feel injusticed. Anyway, as a Liverpool fan, you can't say anything about fans claiming injustice all the time.

 

[treva]

As a Bristol City fan I can safely say that I often blame the team rather than external factors for our losses/draws. Yes, referees get things wrong, regularly in fact, but until FIFA or the FA do something about it I don't see any point in ranting over and over about the same points. Fergie and United's fans alike seem to be doing it all too often of late.

As for the point about Chelsea. They simply have the better side and are playing well as a team. United have looked shaky this season, and are not the team they were last season. Apart from Valencia their midfield just doesn't compare to Chelsea's. Up front Rooney has looked threatening for the most part but Drogba and Anelka have scored more goals, and Chelsea have the luxury of having regular goalscorers from midfield and defence. In my opinion, Chelsea will win the title. I may be wrong come the end of the season, I mean even Arsenal could win it, but Chelsea are top of the pile for me.

 

[PhilD123]

I might be mistaking you for someone else, but didn't you used to be a Liverpool fan?

The ref deserves all the criticism he gets today, his and his linesmen's decisions were abysmal.

 

[treva]

I still am a Liverpool fan, as far as the Premiership goes. Until the last few years I've never been able to see Bristol City play, but as I was growing up I could watch Liverpool on telly. So ultimately I'm a Bristol City fan, but my favourite Premiership side is Liverpool.

A quick point about Liverpool. Ever since the first game of the season against Tottenham I thought we would be in trouble, and look at us now. Almost out of Europe and pretty much out of the title race. As much as I like Rafa I just can't see him staying beyond this season.

Oh and another point, since you mention linesman. I was at the Nottingham Forest-Bristol City game yesterday and there were two female lineswomen. They got the expected sexist stick, but I honestly don't see why they shouldn't be able to officiate. A good step forward from the FA I think.

 

[PhilD123]

And what about their poor husbands, what did they do for tea?
Joke
But seriously, don't think that will ever work, because even though refs aren't respected that much as it is (although that should be a 2 way thing), it would be even worse with women refs, some players would just laugh. Still wouldn't be as bad as when one commentated for MOTD a couple of years back.

 

[evertonfan]

What a finish by Tony Hibbert.