((HT: NBCSN/Sky Sports))
The HQ saw that Crystal Palace would be the first to sack a manager in the Premier League season- Neil Warnock on Saturday after a 3-1 loss to Southampton as they fight in relegation.
Now, West Brom (struggling themselves at the bottom of the table) has sacked Alan Irvine who was regarded as a strange choice to take over in the first place after last season's misfortunes. The West Brom side have lost three in a row and are currently 16th in the table, but they're only one point above the drop zone.
The odd part of all this was that former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood was in line to take over for Warnock at Palace, but now he is lined up to take over for Irvine- according to the London Telegraph.
Got all that...???
But it gets better...
Alan Pardew may be jetting from Newcastle to go back to the place where he was a player in the 1980's and '90s- Crystal Palace.
Rebecca and the Robbies discuss
There will be a quiz later on...
Showing posts with label relegation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label relegation. Show all posts
Monday, December 29, 2014
Saturday, December 27, 2014
OSG Prem: And We Have Our First Sacking
((HT: BPL/NBCSN))
At least Crystal Palace waited until after the holiday to do it...
It took this loss to Southampton to send Neil Warnock on his way- after only four months on the job...
Warnock was manager from 2007 and 2010 and was seen as a hopeful replacement for Tony Pulis- who left the squad two days before the regular season after a dispute with the ownership over player control. Pulis, strangely, and former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood are seen as replacements for the replacement now that Palace are back in the relegation zone.
From the Palace website:
Crystal Palace Football Club can today confirm that Neil Warnock has been relieved of his duties and is no longer first-team manager.
The club would like to put on record its thanks to Neil for all his hard work and energy over the past four months.
Keith Millen will lead the team against Queens Park Rangers tomorrow as caretaker manager.
This was the longest time a Premier League season had gone without a sacking since the 95-96 season.
At least Crystal Palace waited until after the holiday to do it...
It took this loss to Southampton to send Neil Warnock on his way- after only four months on the job...
Warnock was manager from 2007 and 2010 and was seen as a hopeful replacement for Tony Pulis- who left the squad two days before the regular season after a dispute with the ownership over player control. Pulis, strangely, and former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood are seen as replacements for the replacement now that Palace are back in the relegation zone.
From the Palace website:
Crystal Palace Football Club can today confirm that Neil Warnock has been relieved of his duties and is no longer first-team manager.
The club would like to put on record its thanks to Neil for all his hard work and energy over the past four months.
Keith Millen will lead the team against Queens Park Rangers tomorrow as caretaker manager.
This was the longest time a Premier League season had gone without a sacking since the 95-96 season.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
The New Round Of Minor League Hockey Relo Ideas Involving 3 Leagues
((HT: Howlings.net/Cantlon))
Gerry Cantlon says that the formulation of a Pacific Division in the AHL could go down by the 2015-16 season...
When the CHL's Denver Cuthroats and Arizona Sundogs pulled out of their upcoming season, it set off a new set of alarm bells. Two sources to Cantlon have those two teams bought by the Avalanche and (another team). They go immediately into the American.
Here's the rest of the West as of now from Cantlon:
The original five would be LA (from Manchester to Ontario, CA), San Jose (Worcester to Fresno, CA), Winnipeg (St. John’s to Thunder Bay), Phoenix and Anaheim.
Anaheim who will go to San Diego and play out of the Valley View Casino Center (12.920) is said to be the last team that needs to buy an AHL franchise and then apply to relocate as per AHL standard franchise rules.
Expect the merger talks of what's left of the CHL and the ECHL to pick up speed now- Allen, Brampton, Quad City, Rapid City, St. Charles, Tulsa, and Wichita could feasibly slide- if they all are alive. But, the Central would have to live on its own for the 14-15 season since the ECHL schedule is already locked in place.
Here's what Allen did to get into the CHL history books at the end of last season...
((HT: CHL/Todd Carr))
Remember, in our initial report of the ECHL/CHL merger, faithful readers pointed out St. Charles might be out of commission and that would put the CHL at the 6-team minimum for official league designation.
As a bit of a trade, Cantlon continues, the eastern franchises in the AHL would drop to the ECHL for 15-16: Utica, Glens Falls, Worcester, Springfield, Portland and Manchester.
So, then, the ECHL in 2015-16 would go like this under the Cantlon variant... a 31-team monster of a league that would have a one-team affiliation with NHL franchises across the board with one team left over...
Northeast
Utica
Glens Falls
Worcester
Springfield
Portland
Manchester
Brampton
Midwest Division
Reading Royals
Wheeling Nailers
Elmira Jackals
Kalamazoo Wings
Cincinnati Cyclones
Toledo Walleye
Southeast Division
Fort Wayne Komets
Evansville IceMen
South Carolina Stingrays
Orlando Solar Bears
Greenville Road Warriors
Florida Everblades
Gwinnett Gladiators
Indianapolis (expansion)
Central Division (All CHL)
Allen, Texas
Missouri
Rapid City
Quad City
Tulsa
Wichita
Western Division
Alaska Aces
Utah Grizzlies
Idaho Steelheads
Colorado Eagles
Gerry Cantlon says that the formulation of a Pacific Division in the AHL could go down by the 2015-16 season...
When the CHL's Denver Cuthroats and Arizona Sundogs pulled out of their upcoming season, it set off a new set of alarm bells. Two sources to Cantlon have those two teams bought by the Avalanche and (another team). They go immediately into the American.
Here's the rest of the West as of now from Cantlon:
The original five would be LA (from Manchester to Ontario, CA), San Jose (Worcester to Fresno, CA), Winnipeg (St. John’s to Thunder Bay), Phoenix and Anaheim.
Anaheim who will go to San Diego and play out of the Valley View Casino Center (12.920) is said to be the last team that needs to buy an AHL franchise and then apply to relocate as per AHL standard franchise rules.
Expect the merger talks of what's left of the CHL and the ECHL to pick up speed now- Allen, Brampton, Quad City, Rapid City, St. Charles, Tulsa, and Wichita could feasibly slide- if they all are alive. But, the Central would have to live on its own for the 14-15 season since the ECHL schedule is already locked in place.
Here's what Allen did to get into the CHL history books at the end of last season...
((HT: CHL/Todd Carr))
Remember, in our initial report of the ECHL/CHL merger, faithful readers pointed out St. Charles might be out of commission and that would put the CHL at the 6-team minimum for official league designation.
As a bit of a trade, Cantlon continues, the eastern franchises in the AHL would drop to the ECHL for 15-16: Utica, Glens Falls, Worcester, Springfield, Portland and Manchester.
So, then, the ECHL in 2015-16 would go like this under the Cantlon variant... a 31-team monster of a league that would have a one-team affiliation with NHL franchises across the board with one team left over...
Northeast
Utica
Glens Falls
Worcester
Springfield
Portland
Manchester
Brampton
Midwest Division
Reading Royals
Wheeling Nailers
Elmira Jackals
Kalamazoo Wings
Cincinnati Cyclones
Toledo Walleye
Southeast Division
Fort Wayne Komets
Evansville IceMen
South Carolina Stingrays
Orlando Solar Bears
Greenville Road Warriors
Florida Everblades
Gwinnett Gladiators
Indianapolis (expansion)
Central Division (All CHL)
Allen, Texas
Missouri
Rapid City
Quad City
Tulsa
Wichita
Western Division
Alaska Aces
Utah Grizzlies
Idaho Steelheads
Colorado Eagles
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Doncaster Rovers Heading In One Direction
((HT: BBC))
The HQ will be the first one to say that we have no earthly idea what the attraction is with the pop group One Direction.
Don't like the music. Don't get the music. Not gonna like it. Not gonna get it. Not gonna convert us in any way.
When we think about directions and music, we go here
But, we digress...
Whatever it is that makes the young girls swoon over One Direction has made them millionaires and one of them loves him some futbol. Louis Tomlinson loves him some futbol enough to take some of his discretionary income and be a co-owner in the League 1 side Doncaster Rovers.
The quote released by the team website:
“I want to be involved with things as much as I can.
“One aspect I would like to look into is the Youth side of the club. Doncaster is a very family orientated club and I hope to carry this on.
“I want people to recognise that Doncaster is a great football club, and this starts with the young supporters who come to the games with their mums or dads.
“It would be great to see more kids at the games with their families enjoying a day out at the football. It’s what it’s all about.”
Tomlinson grew up a Doncaster fan and even played in a Rovers Reserves match a while back. Most reserves matches only get a few hundred people to attend, but that night pulled in almost 5,000 fans for the fundraiser.
Will Tomlinson let the football people run the recently-relegated franchise or will the 22-year-old poke his nose in...? That's the 2014-15 season's first question...
The HQ will be the first one to say that we have no earthly idea what the attraction is with the pop group One Direction.
Don't like the music. Don't get the music. Not gonna like it. Not gonna get it. Not gonna convert us in any way.
When we think about directions and music, we go here
But, we digress...
Whatever it is that makes the young girls swoon over One Direction has made them millionaires and one of them loves him some futbol. Louis Tomlinson loves him some futbol enough to take some of his discretionary income and be a co-owner in the League 1 side Doncaster Rovers.
The quote released by the team website:
“I want to be involved with things as much as I can.
“One aspect I would like to look into is the Youth side of the club. Doncaster is a very family orientated club and I hope to carry this on.
“I want people to recognise that Doncaster is a great football club, and this starts with the young supporters who come to the games with their mums or dads.
“It would be great to see more kids at the games with their families enjoying a day out at the football. It’s what it’s all about.”
Tomlinson grew up a Doncaster fan and even played in a Rovers Reserves match a while back. Most reserves matches only get a few hundred people to attend, but that night pulled in almost 5,000 fans for the fundraiser.
Will Tomlinson let the football people run the recently-relegated franchise or will the 22-year-old poke his nose in...? That's the 2014-15 season's first question...
Monday, May 26, 2014
Can Eibar Seal La Liga Promotion In Time?
((HT: Goal.com/Wright))
Here's one for the little guy... hopefully...
Eibar got another home win a few days ago with a win over Deportivo Alaves
((HT: LigaAdelante))
Eibar secured promotion from the Secunda League, but they have one of the smallest stadia in the competitive ranks in La Liga with a gate a little over 5,000. They need to raise almost 2-million Euros by early August to meet all the financial obligations they need to meet- and there are, apparently, a lot of them.
Sid Lowe, over at ESPN.com, has the by-law in question:
According to the law -- Real Decreto 1251/1999, which became applicable to Eibar when they were promoted to the Second Division in the summer and thus took their place in what is formally classified as professional football -- every team has to have a capital equal to 25 percent of the average expenses of all the teams in the Second Division, not including the two clubs with the biggest outgoings and the two clubs with the smallest outgoings in the division.
In theory it is a way of guaranteeing the survival of clubs but in practice, it could cripple Eibar.
Eibar is operating in the black, but might have to get some big investors (or a lot of little ones) when the shares come out.
Count the HQ in at 50 Euros a piece when available...
Here's one for the little guy... hopefully...
Eibar got another home win a few days ago with a win over Deportivo Alaves
((HT: LigaAdelante))
Eibar secured promotion from the Secunda League, but they have one of the smallest stadia in the competitive ranks in La Liga with a gate a little over 5,000. They need to raise almost 2-million Euros by early August to meet all the financial obligations they need to meet- and there are, apparently, a lot of them.
Sid Lowe, over at ESPN.com, has the by-law in question:
According to the law -- Real Decreto 1251/1999, which became applicable to Eibar when they were promoted to the Second Division in the summer and thus took their place in what is formally classified as professional football -- every team has to have a capital equal to 25 percent of the average expenses of all the teams in the Second Division, not including the two clubs with the biggest outgoings and the two clubs with the smallest outgoings in the division.
In theory it is a way of guaranteeing the survival of clubs but in practice, it could cripple Eibar.
Eibar is operating in the black, but might have to get some big investors (or a lot of little ones) when the shares come out.
Count the HQ in at 50 Euros a piece when available...
Sunday, May 18, 2014
BREAKING La Liga: Stands Collapse During Real Betis-Osasuna Match
((HT: beINSports/DirectoTV))
It's relegation day in La Liga, the Spanish soccer league and as is their wont, all teams that are in the relegation battle start their games simultaneously.
The Real Betis-Osasuna match is a must-win for Osasuna as Real is already relegated.
In the 15th minute, when the home team scored the end zone stands where supporters were standing collapsed in the crush of celebration. The game was suspended as, early on, players for both teams were trying to evacuate the injured out from under the crush of fans trying to gather themselves.
Here's video of the incident...
The game was suspended pending the clearing of the injured and the stadium accident and resumed a half-hour after the accident. There was no immediate word of any serious injuries from Red Cross personnel on site.
Ian Paul Joy's Twitter via beInSports, has a shot of the crush...
Yellow-jacketed security guards were positioned in the end zone to replace the fencing and keep fans off the pitch. With the 35 minutes delay, all La Liga matches decided to take the delay and finish simultaneously.
More when we know more...
1430 UPDATE: Osasuna would go on to beat Betis 2-1, but they will be relegated along with Valladolid after their 1-0 loss to Grenada. Almeria and Getafe stay up with their efforts.
It's relegation day in La Liga, the Spanish soccer league and as is their wont, all teams that are in the relegation battle start their games simultaneously.
The Real Betis-Osasuna match is a must-win for Osasuna as Real is already relegated.
In the 15th minute, when the home team scored the end zone stands where supporters were standing collapsed in the crush of celebration. The game was suspended as, early on, players for both teams were trying to evacuate the injured out from under the crush of fans trying to gather themselves.
Here's video of the incident...
The game was suspended pending the clearing of the injured and the stadium accident and resumed a half-hour after the accident. There was no immediate word of any serious injuries from Red Cross personnel on site.
Ian Paul Joy's Twitter via beInSports, has a shot of the crush...
Yellow-jacketed security guards were positioned in the end zone to replace the fencing and keep fans off the pitch. With the 35 minutes delay, all La Liga matches decided to take the delay and finish simultaneously.
More when we know more...
1430 UPDATE: Osasuna would go on to beat Betis 2-1, but they will be relegated along with Valladolid after their 1-0 loss to Grenada. Almeria and Getafe stay up with their efforts.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
OSG Prem: ManCity Closer, Sunderland Even Closer Than That
((HT: BPL on NBCSN/BBC Sport))
It took an hour, but Manchester City finally got the best of Aston Villa and poured it on in the last 30 for a 4-0 win at home setting up the idea that they'll only need a point Sunday in the game against West Ham.
Dzeko scored the first two and then, Jovetic and Yaya Toure scored in the last five minutes for a clinical and professional win.
Here's your highlights...
And just so you know, Yaya Toure's goal now makes him just the second central midfielder to score 20 or more goals in a single EPL season.
At the other side of the table, Sunderland decided to put it all to rest as they scored a 2-0 win over West Brom. The Black Cats were at the bottom of the table at Christmas and have claimed safety with a game to spare. A lot of assistance came from Liverpool loanee Fabio Borini
In reality, Norwich is relegated even with a win on Sunday since the goal differential with the Baggies is substantial. West Brom plays Stoke in a game that should be low-scoring. Norwich hosts Arsenal.
It took an hour, but Manchester City finally got the best of Aston Villa and poured it on in the last 30 for a 4-0 win at home setting up the idea that they'll only need a point Sunday in the game against West Ham.
Dzeko scored the first two and then, Jovetic and Yaya Toure scored in the last five minutes for a clinical and professional win.
Here's your highlights...
And just so you know, Yaya Toure's goal now makes him just the second central midfielder to score 20 or more goals in a single EPL season.
At the other side of the table, Sunderland decided to put it all to rest as they scored a 2-0 win over West Brom. The Black Cats were at the bottom of the table at Christmas and have claimed safety with a game to spare. A lot of assistance came from Liverpool loanee Fabio Borini
In reality, Norwich is relegated even with a win on Sunday since the goal differential with the Baggies is substantial. West Brom plays Stoke in a game that should be low-scoring. Norwich hosts Arsenal.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
OSG Prem: Fulham and Cardiff Relegated, Sunderland Clearing
((HT: NBCSN/BPL/BBC Sport))
Two down, one to go...
And there is a lot of prevalent thinking that the first two teams heading to the Championship couldn't happen to more deserving owners- Shad Khan and Vincent Tan. Five managers between the two teams, alienating a fan base by changing decades of traditional colors in kits and just not getting it overall...
Fulham put up an embarrassing performance with Stoke- losing 4-1. Manager Felix Magath actually apologized for the club's demotion.
Cardiff didn't do much better losing to Newcastle 3-0, but the larger issue happened in the 69th minute as Newcastle fans protested their owner and manager, Alan Pardew. The larger issue is that the fans feel their isn't the proper amount of reinvestment to bring in better players to improve their lot. The last title the team won was in 1969- the then-equivalent of the Europa League.
Thus this in the 69th minute
((HT: Newcastlevideo))
Elsewhere, Wet Ham secured their place with a 2-0 win over Tottenham. Kaboul's red early on put Spurs on their heels and they couldn't get untracked offensively. Southampton beat punchless Swansea 1-0. Aston Villa gives their fans some reason for optimism with a 3-1 over Hull. But the two interesting results came from the Manchester squads.
Sunderland almost secured their place in the Premier League with a win at Old Trafford for the first time since 1968. The problems that the Red Devils had before Ryan Giggs became caretaker manager are still there as the Black Cats won 1-0.
Giggs thinks his players were flat at a really bad time in the season...
And the night cap was Manchester City spotting Everton a 1-goal lead before coming back and winning at Goodison Park, 3-2. Edin Dzeko almost had a hat trick after Sergio Aguero left with an injury in the 22nd minute.
Ross Barkley's golazo, however, got things started for the good guys...
Two down, one to go...
And there is a lot of prevalent thinking that the first two teams heading to the Championship couldn't happen to more deserving owners- Shad Khan and Vincent Tan. Five managers between the two teams, alienating a fan base by changing decades of traditional colors in kits and just not getting it overall...
Fulham put up an embarrassing performance with Stoke- losing 4-1. Manager Felix Magath actually apologized for the club's demotion.
Cardiff didn't do much better losing to Newcastle 3-0, but the larger issue happened in the 69th minute as Newcastle fans protested their owner and manager, Alan Pardew. The larger issue is that the fans feel their isn't the proper amount of reinvestment to bring in better players to improve their lot. The last title the team won was in 1969- the then-equivalent of the Europa League.
Thus this in the 69th minute
((HT: Newcastlevideo))
Elsewhere, Wet Ham secured their place with a 2-0 win over Tottenham. Kaboul's red early on put Spurs on their heels and they couldn't get untracked offensively. Southampton beat punchless Swansea 1-0. Aston Villa gives their fans some reason for optimism with a 3-1 over Hull. But the two interesting results came from the Manchester squads.
Sunderland almost secured their place in the Premier League with a win at Old Trafford for the first time since 1968. The problems that the Red Devils had before Ryan Giggs became caretaker manager are still there as the Black Cats won 1-0.
Giggs thinks his players were flat at a really bad time in the season...
And the night cap was Manchester City spotting Everton a 1-goal lead before coming back and winning at Goodison Park, 3-2. Edin Dzeko almost had a hat trick after Sergio Aguero left with an injury in the 22nd minute.
Ross Barkley's golazo, however, got things started for the good guys...
Saturday, April 26, 2014
OSG Prem: The Bottom Tightens Up, Giggs Debuts...
((HT: BPL on NBC/BBC/SkySports))
Norwich ran into a multi-dimensional buzz saw today...
The emotion of a new coach, who was one of the Class of '92 for Manchester United- Ryan Giggs became caretaker manager for the remainder of the Premier League season. He had a couple of teammates come aboard as assistants...
And the emotion of the crowd at Old Trafford going behind a new look Red Devils bunch...
Giggs' entrance...
And the highlights in a 4-0 whitewash that could have been a lot worse...
Elsewhere, Jonjo Shelvey gets a contender for the Goal of the Year for this strike in a 4-1 win over Villa
Southampton got two own goals and beat a flat Everton squad to damage their Champions League hopes, 2-0...
Hull scored two late goals to snatch two points from Fulham for a 2-2 draw...
Danny Rose got the only goal for Spurs in their 1-0 win over Stoke
And West Ham fans are all over Sam Allardyce now- blaming him for their flat performance of late- and West Brom got a huge home win and an ever huger three points in a 1-0 win over the Hammers...
Here's the bottom of the table with Sunderland and Cardiff in a massive 6-pointer tomorrow morning...
Norwich City 36 8 8 20 32
Fulham 36 9 4 23 31
Cardiff City 35 7 9 19 30
Sunderland 34 7 8 19 29
Norwich ran into a multi-dimensional buzz saw today...
The emotion of a new coach, who was one of the Class of '92 for Manchester United- Ryan Giggs became caretaker manager for the remainder of the Premier League season. He had a couple of teammates come aboard as assistants...
And the emotion of the crowd at Old Trafford going behind a new look Red Devils bunch...
Giggs' entrance...
And the highlights in a 4-0 whitewash that could have been a lot worse...
Elsewhere, Jonjo Shelvey gets a contender for the Goal of the Year for this strike in a 4-1 win over Villa
Southampton got two own goals and beat a flat Everton squad to damage their Champions League hopes, 2-0...
Hull scored two late goals to snatch two points from Fulham for a 2-2 draw...
Danny Rose got the only goal for Spurs in their 1-0 win over Stoke
And West Ham fans are all over Sam Allardyce now- blaming him for their flat performance of late- and West Brom got a huge home win and an ever huger three points in a 1-0 win over the Hammers...
Here's the bottom of the table with Sunderland and Cardiff in a massive 6-pointer tomorrow morning...
Norwich City 36 8 8 20 32
Fulham 36 9 4 23 31
Cardiff City 35 7 9 19 30
Sunderland 34 7 8 19 29
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Here's A Guy Who Should Be Fired
((HT: ProSoccerTalk/WhoAteAllThePies))
The HQ told you yesterday about how Blackpool's season seems to be circling the drain- as is their possible tenure in the Championship...
The tangerines and tennis balls hitting the turf in protest of their owner in the game against Burnley...
And now, the video is up of the coach hitting his player before he had the chance to check in for that game...
From Neil Burgess' Vine
Assistant coach Bob Malcolm hits out at Stephen Dobbie and Malcolm gets sent to the stands...
Pro Soccer Talk's Nicholas Mendola goes over the season from hell for the Tangerines. It includes a sacking, sending the former manager's son off to Crystal Palace, and the owner falling on the grenade...
That makes for a successful franchise...
The HQ told you yesterday about how Blackpool's season seems to be circling the drain- as is their possible tenure in the Championship...
The tangerines and tennis balls hitting the turf in protest of their owner in the game against Burnley...
And now, the video is up of the coach hitting his player before he had the chance to check in for that game...
From Neil Burgess' Vine
Assistant coach Bob Malcolm hits out at Stephen Dobbie and Malcolm gets sent to the stands...
Pro Soccer Talk's Nicholas Mendola goes over the season from hell for the Tangerines. It includes a sacking, sending the former manager's son off to Crystal Palace, and the owner falling on the grenade...
That makes for a successful franchise...
OSG Prem: Looks Like It's Liverpool's To Lose...
((HT: NBCSN/BPL/BBC))
Just don't tell them that...
Norwich continues their gauntlet of all gauntlets to end the 2014 Premier League season- and, maybe, their Premier League lives...
First stop was a game against Liverpool who had the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table...
A 3-2 win will do exactly that... although the HQ will give the Canaries credit for sticking it out to the end this year and not giving up without a fight- even if it was their fifth loss in a row...
Elsewhere, it was a miserable return for David Moyes to Everton as boss of Manchester United...
He was booed at every turn and even had a guy dressed as the Grim Reaper standing behind him at Goodison Park- for 15 minutes- before someone asked the guy removed his outfit.
It was a not-even-close 2-0 loss where the Evertonians got their pound of flesh for his exodus and the raid of Marouane Fellaini and attempted raid of Leighton Baines. Not so surprisingly, Moyes sounded like this after the match:
Oh, and Arsenal won the Premier League pre-match version of the NIT- the FA Cup- with a 3-0 win over Hull City...
Just don't tell them that...
Norwich continues their gauntlet of all gauntlets to end the 2014 Premier League season- and, maybe, their Premier League lives...
First stop was a game against Liverpool who had the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table...
A 3-2 win will do exactly that... although the HQ will give the Canaries credit for sticking it out to the end this year and not giving up without a fight- even if it was their fifth loss in a row...
Elsewhere, it was a miserable return for David Moyes to Everton as boss of Manchester United...
He was booed at every turn and even had a guy dressed as the Grim Reaper standing behind him at Goodison Park- for 15 minutes- before someone asked the guy removed his outfit.
It was a not-even-close 2-0 loss where the Evertonians got their pound of flesh for his exodus and the raid of Marouane Fellaini and attempted raid of Leighton Baines. Not so surprisingly, Moyes sounded like this after the match:
Oh, and Arsenal won the Premier League pre-match version of the NIT- the FA Cup- with a 3-0 win over Hull City...
Saturday, April 19, 2014
OSG Prem: Sunderland Shocks The World...
((HT: NBCSN/BPL/BBC Sport/SkySports))
To explain what happened to college football fans, it would be like Kentucky beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa...
So, by extension, the HQ wonders if there were couches burned by Sunderland fans after knocking off Chelsea at Stamford Bridge- making it the first loss for a Jose Mourinho-coached side in 78 games...
The Special One was not pleased...
But here's the long version...
With Spurs win over Fulham, Swansea's win over Newcastle, and the draw between Stoke City and Cardiff City, the bottom now looks like this...
16 West Bromwich Albion 33
17 Norwich City 32
18 Cardiff City 30
19 Fulham 30
20 Sunderland 29
Norwich have Liverpool Sunday and Sunderland still have a game in hand...
Here's the top...
1 Liverpool 77
2 Chelsea 75
3 Manchester City 71
4 Arsenal 67
Man City still have games in hand, but they need to win out and get lots of help...
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace are now 6 points clear in 11th after a win over 12th place West Ham and Aston Villa and Southampton solved nothing with a goalless draw...
To explain what happened to college football fans, it would be like Kentucky beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa...
So, by extension, the HQ wonders if there were couches burned by Sunderland fans after knocking off Chelsea at Stamford Bridge- making it the first loss for a Jose Mourinho-coached side in 78 games...
The Special One was not pleased...
But here's the long version...
With Spurs win over Fulham, Swansea's win over Newcastle, and the draw between Stoke City and Cardiff City, the bottom now looks like this...
16 West Bromwich Albion 33
17 Norwich City 32
18 Cardiff City 30
19 Fulham 30
20 Sunderland 29
Norwich have Liverpool Sunday and Sunderland still have a game in hand...
Here's the top...
1 Liverpool 77
2 Chelsea 75
3 Manchester City 71
4 Arsenal 67
Man City still have games in hand, but they need to win out and get lots of help...
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace are now 6 points clear in 11th after a win over 12th place West Ham and Aston Villa and Southampton solved nothing with a goalless draw...
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
OSG Prem: The Top And Bottom Get Closer Again...
((HT: BPL on NBC/BPL))
Everton needed to keep pace with Arsenal to keep the pressure on for the fourth Champions League spot. Crystal Palace has done wonders under Tony Pulis and it looks like the Blues squandered a major chance to stay involved in the discussion.
Pulis should take Manager of the Year honors as the Eagles have won their fourth in a row...
Jason Puncheon started the scoring in a game that Martinez felt his team played scared in a 3-2 loss...
Sunderland is still six points from safety, but their efforts in a 2-2 draw with Manchester City may go a long way in reinforcing their mental wherewithal to think they can stay up and get past Cardiff City, Fulham, and Norwich.
Connor Wickham sent a lot of fantasy players scrambling for some salary cap help after scoring twice and tripling his career Premier League output. Man City now needs to win out and get some help if they want to make it past Liverpool for the Premier League title.
Everton needed to keep pace with Arsenal to keep the pressure on for the fourth Champions League spot. Crystal Palace has done wonders under Tony Pulis and it looks like the Blues squandered a major chance to stay involved in the discussion.
Pulis should take Manager of the Year honors as the Eagles have won their fourth in a row...
Jason Puncheon started the scoring in a game that Martinez felt his team played scared in a 3-2 loss...
Sunderland is still six points from safety, but their efforts in a 2-2 draw with Manchester City may go a long way in reinforcing their mental wherewithal to think they can stay up and get past Cardiff City, Fulham, and Norwich.
Connor Wickham sent a lot of fantasy players scrambling for some salary cap help after scoring twice and tripling his career Premier League output. Man City now needs to win out and get some help if they want to make it past Liverpool for the Premier League title.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
OSG Prem: The Bottom Get Closer, The Middle Get Closer
((HT: BPL on NBC/BBC Sport))
Just when you thought things couldn't get any tighter...
Wins from the bottom by Fulham and Cardiff make the relegation battle even more interesting...
Let's review... and, let's face it, Norwich has zero offense, van Wolfswinkle has zero confidence in his game, and the Canaries are in deep doo-doo especially after their last reasonable chance at a three points losing to Fulham at Craven Cottage 1-0.
Caretaker manager Neil Adams thought his team played well, though...
Cardiff took advantage of a Jay Rodriguez-less Southampton and won 1-0 as well...
Mauricio Pochettino was not pleased in defeat...
((HT: Southampton their own selves))
Combine that with Everton's 1-0 defeat of Sunderland and the bottom of the table looks like this...
18 Fulham 30
19 Cardiff City 29
20 Sunderland 25
Sunderland still has two games in hand, however...
West Brom had a chance to get out of the danger zone just north of relegation, but they squandered a 3-0 versus Spurs and only left with a point in a 3-3 draw. Five points only separate 11th from 17th at the end of today and here is the game-tying goal...
Stoke continued their mid-table play with a 1-0 win over Newcastle and Tony Pulis continued his run as manager of the year as Crystal Palace beat Villa 1-0 as well...
Just when you thought things couldn't get any tighter...
Wins from the bottom by Fulham and Cardiff make the relegation battle even more interesting...
Let's review... and, let's face it, Norwich has zero offense, van Wolfswinkle has zero confidence in his game, and the Canaries are in deep doo-doo especially after their last reasonable chance at a three points losing to Fulham at Craven Cottage 1-0.
Caretaker manager Neil Adams thought his team played well, though...
Cardiff took advantage of a Jay Rodriguez-less Southampton and won 1-0 as well...
Mauricio Pochettino was not pleased in defeat...
((HT: Southampton their own selves))
Combine that with Everton's 1-0 defeat of Sunderland and the bottom of the table looks like this...
18 Fulham 30
19 Cardiff City 29
20 Sunderland 25
Sunderland still has two games in hand, however...
West Brom had a chance to get out of the danger zone just north of relegation, but they squandered a 3-0 versus Spurs and only left with a point in a 3-3 draw. Five points only separate 11th from 17th at the end of today and here is the game-tying goal...
Stoke continued their mid-table play with a 1-0 win over Newcastle and Tony Pulis continued his run as manager of the year as Crystal Palace beat Villa 1-0 as well...
Sunday, April 6, 2014
OSG Prem: Arsenal Slide Continues, Liverpool Wins Grinder (BREAKING: Hughton Sacked At Norwich)
((HT: BPL/NBCSN))
Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners...
The team had only won 3 of their last ten, and needed to do something... ANYTHING!!! at Goodison Park against Everton to keep their tenuous hold on 4th place and the last Champions League spot for 2014-15. But it didn't work out that way...
At all...
In the other Sunday game, it's the response that your team has when you're not at your best that may decide your drive at the end of a very long road...
It was obvious that Liverpool didn't have it all Sunday, But what they did have was enough good fortune- whether given by the officials or not- to get a hard-fought 2-1 win at West Ham United.
Here's the table to date
1 Liverpool 33 74
2 Chelsea 33 72
3 Man City 31 70
4 Arsenal 33 64
5 Everton 32 63
BREAKING: And in, possibly, one of the dumbest ideas ever in the history of ever...
Norwich, who really should be worried about being relegated, decided to sack manager Chris Hughton with immediate effect:
Neil Adams, the team's under-18 manager, is now in charge for one of the nastiest gauntlets to finish a season the HQ can think of in any kind of memory- recent or otherwise...
"...the Club would like to place on record it's sincere thanks to Chris Hughton, Colin Calderwood and Paul Trollope for all of their hard work on behalf of the Club since they took over in June 2012.
Chris's achievement in guiding City to an 11th-place finish in the Premier League last season was an excellent one and he has represented the Club with dignity throughout his tenure.
However the recent run of four defeats in our last six Premier League games and six consecutive away league defeats, left the Club with no choice but to act, with five games still to play in the current campaign.
Those five games...???
Fulham at Craven Cottage, home to Liverpool, at Man United, at Chelsea, and home to Arsenal
Yeah... good luck on that...
Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners...
The team had only won 3 of their last ten, and needed to do something... ANYTHING!!! at Goodison Park against Everton to keep their tenuous hold on 4th place and the last Champions League spot for 2014-15. But it didn't work out that way...
At all...
In the other Sunday game, it's the response that your team has when you're not at your best that may decide your drive at the end of a very long road...
It was obvious that Liverpool didn't have it all Sunday, But what they did have was enough good fortune- whether given by the officials or not- to get a hard-fought 2-1 win at West Ham United.
Here's the table to date
1 Liverpool 33 74
2 Chelsea 33 72
3 Man City 31 70
4 Arsenal 33 64
5 Everton 32 63
BREAKING: And in, possibly, one of the dumbest ideas ever in the history of ever...
Norwich, who really should be worried about being relegated, decided to sack manager Chris Hughton with immediate effect:
Neil Adams, the team's under-18 manager, is now in charge for one of the nastiest gauntlets to finish a season the HQ can think of in any kind of memory- recent or otherwise...
"...the Club would like to place on record it's sincere thanks to Chris Hughton, Colin Calderwood and Paul Trollope for all of their hard work on behalf of the Club since they took over in June 2012.
Chris's achievement in guiding City to an 11th-place finish in the Premier League last season was an excellent one and he has represented the Club with dignity throughout his tenure.
However the recent run of four defeats in our last six Premier League games and six consecutive away league defeats, left the Club with no choice but to act, with five games still to play in the current campaign.
Those five games...???
Fulham at Craven Cottage, home to Liverpool, at Man United, at Chelsea, and home to Arsenal
Yeah... good luck on that...
Saturday, April 5, 2014
OSG Prem: Action At The Bottom, The Top Keeps Winning (And Leicester City Is In)
((HT: BPL on NBC))
First, the HQ would like to commend Leicester City for their automatic promotion to the Premier League for next season as their 23-game unbeaten streak, combined with two losses last night, gives the Foxes their first peek at the Premier in ten years.
Here's their win over Sheffield Wednesday that helped seal it...
((HT: SWFC))
Now, to the big boys... there was life all over the place...
Manchester United found the right time to find out-of-form Newscastle- winning 4-0 with Juan Mata stirring the drink...
Chelsea found a disinterested Stoke squad and won 3-0
Hull City got one goal at home against Swansea and that's all most folks need for the full three points these days. The Tigers are now 12th and the Swans 16th...
Man City took care of Southampton 4-1, but the visitors are more worried at the seriousness of the injury to Jay Rodriguez- which looked like a knee cap or ligament damage that led to a stretchering off and a shell-shocked bunch after that.
The life at the bottom came in a few different forms- Fulham found some offense and beat Benteke-less Aston Villa 2-1 to get closer to leaving the relegation zone. Villa manager Paul Lambert was pretty disappointed...
Cardiff, the HQ thinks, cemented their spot in the Championship with a 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace in a big 6-pointer...
Palace manager Tony Pulis was pleased with his huge win...
((HT: BBCSport))
And the team that REALLY needs to pay attention to the rest of their schedule is Norwich. They only have a 6-pointer with Fulham left in the bottom part of their schedule. The rest of their schedule has the top four teams in it. So, they could be the third team to fall if they aren't on their best...
The Canaries were booed off the pitch after the 1-0 West Brom win and they are in serious trouble...
First, the HQ would like to commend Leicester City for their automatic promotion to the Premier League for next season as their 23-game unbeaten streak, combined with two losses last night, gives the Foxes their first peek at the Premier in ten years.
Here's their win over Sheffield Wednesday that helped seal it...
((HT: SWFC))
Now, to the big boys... there was life all over the place...
Manchester United found the right time to find out-of-form Newscastle- winning 4-0 with Juan Mata stirring the drink...
Chelsea found a disinterested Stoke squad and won 3-0
Hull City got one goal at home against Swansea and that's all most folks need for the full three points these days. The Tigers are now 12th and the Swans 16th...
Man City took care of Southampton 4-1, but the visitors are more worried at the seriousness of the injury to Jay Rodriguez- which looked like a knee cap or ligament damage that led to a stretchering off and a shell-shocked bunch after that.
The life at the bottom came in a few different forms- Fulham found some offense and beat Benteke-less Aston Villa 2-1 to get closer to leaving the relegation zone. Villa manager Paul Lambert was pretty disappointed...
Cardiff, the HQ thinks, cemented their spot in the Championship with a 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace in a big 6-pointer...
Palace manager Tony Pulis was pleased with his huge win...
((HT: BBCSport))
And the team that REALLY needs to pay attention to the rest of their schedule is Norwich. They only have a 6-pointer with Fulham left in the bottom part of their schedule. The rest of their schedule has the top four teams in it. So, they could be the third team to fall if they aren't on their best...
The Canaries were booed off the pitch after the 1-0 West Brom win and they are in serious trouble...
Saturday, March 29, 2014
OSG Prem: Mourinho Concedes Title, Man City-Arsenal Rules The Afternoon
((HT: BPL/Sky Sports/NBCSN))
The early morning started with protests above Old Trafford, but a big win inside as Manchester United went down a goal early. They came back to win 4-1 over Aston Villa thanks to two Wayne Rooney goals.
Elsewhere...
Southampton continued their claim to the top half by blowing out an outgunned Newcastle side 4-0.
Peter Odemwingie scored to give Stoke a 1-0 over Hull City
Two goals from de Guizman gave Swansea a big three points in a 3-0 over Norwich
Now, to the wild stuff...
The last time Chelsea's John Terry gave up an own goal was, like, in 1934 or something. But his OG in the 52nd minute gave Crystal Palace their first win over the Blues since 1990. The Eagles got a HUGE three points taking them 5 points clear of the drop. Afterwards, Jose Mourinho all but conceded the title...
West Brom and Cardiff had all the appearance of a six-pointer with the Bluebirds in the drop zone and the opponents hovering just above it. The game had its huge swings of momentum, and the Baggies' Morgan Amalfitano gave Paul Merson fits...
((HT:Sky Sports))
And then, there was all the late drama of stoppage time...
Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer seemed to get a good laugh out of the last two minutes along with counterpart Pepe Mel. He still seemed a little shocked about getting a point out of the deal...
((HT: BBC Sport))
So, that put everything into the courts of Man City and Arsenal- who were the nightcap at the Emirates.
David Silva had the Citizens up at the break, but his squad gave up their first goal since February 3rd to Flamini. The game ends in a 1-1 draw and keeps Chelsea one up on Liverpool with City another point back- with two games in hand.
Arsenal are three back of third with the Reds playing tomorrow.
The early morning started with protests above Old Trafford, but a big win inside as Manchester United went down a goal early. They came back to win 4-1 over Aston Villa thanks to two Wayne Rooney goals.
Elsewhere...
Southampton continued their claim to the top half by blowing out an outgunned Newcastle side 4-0.
Peter Odemwingie scored to give Stoke a 1-0 over Hull City
Two goals from de Guizman gave Swansea a big three points in a 3-0 over Norwich
Now, to the wild stuff...
The last time Chelsea's John Terry gave up an own goal was, like, in 1934 or something. But his OG in the 52nd minute gave Crystal Palace their first win over the Blues since 1990. The Eagles got a HUGE three points taking them 5 points clear of the drop. Afterwards, Jose Mourinho all but conceded the title...
West Brom and Cardiff had all the appearance of a six-pointer with the Bluebirds in the drop zone and the opponents hovering just above it. The game had its huge swings of momentum, and the Baggies' Morgan Amalfitano gave Paul Merson fits...
((HT:Sky Sports))
And then, there was all the late drama of stoppage time...
Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer seemed to get a good laugh out of the last two minutes along with counterpart Pepe Mel. He still seemed a little shocked about getting a point out of the deal...
((HT: BBC Sport))
So, that put everything into the courts of Man City and Arsenal- who were the nightcap at the Emirates.
David Silva had the Citizens up at the break, but his squad gave up their first goal since February 3rd to Flamini. The game ends in a 1-1 draw and keeps Chelsea one up on Liverpool with City another point back- with two games in hand.
Arsenal are three back of third with the Reds playing tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Italian Soccer Team Demoted For Faking Injuries
((HT: TGR/RaiSport))
First, some context...
This happened back in November... and, yes, the report is in Italian...
But the gist is this...
Nocerina's (a third-level squad- think Double 'A' baseball for comparison) players were afraid of their own "ultras" and didn't want to play in their "Derby of Hate" game against Salernitana...
Death threats were made to the Nocerina players and they weren't in the best of moods to play. And the ultras were hot that they were not allowed to see the match in the first place...
The game got so out of control through bad acting, yellow cards, and red cards that the game was pulled in the 21st minute...
And the analysis, also in Italian...
((HT: Sky Calcio))
The governing body for Italian soccer issued a statement in their decision to demote Nocerina for their decisions on that day two months ago:
"Nocerina have been excluded from the Lega Pro championship for sporting fraud and will be assigned by the Federal Council to one of the leagues' lower categories.
"The club has also been fined 10,000 euros. The decision comes into effect immediately and has been announced to the Lega Pro and its stakeholders."
Apparently, this derby isn't looked at fondly. The local media were the ones who looked at the game with the nickname above and:
From BBC Sport:
Salernitana's club president Claudio Lotito, who holds the same position at Serie A giants Lazio, compared the Salerno derby to forcing "Israelis to take on the Palestinians".
That's pleasant...
First, some context...
This happened back in November... and, yes, the report is in Italian...
But the gist is this...
Nocerina's (a third-level squad- think Double 'A' baseball for comparison) players were afraid of their own "ultras" and didn't want to play in their "Derby of Hate" game against Salernitana...
Death threats were made to the Nocerina players and they weren't in the best of moods to play. And the ultras were hot that they were not allowed to see the match in the first place...
The game got so out of control through bad acting, yellow cards, and red cards that the game was pulled in the 21st minute...
And the analysis, also in Italian...
((HT: Sky Calcio))
The governing body for Italian soccer issued a statement in their decision to demote Nocerina for their decisions on that day two months ago:
"Nocerina have been excluded from the Lega Pro championship for sporting fraud and will be assigned by the Federal Council to one of the leagues' lower categories.
"The club has also been fined 10,000 euros. The decision comes into effect immediately and has been announced to the Lega Pro and its stakeholders."
Apparently, this derby isn't looked at fondly. The local media were the ones who looked at the game with the nickname above and:
From BBC Sport:
Salernitana's club president Claudio Lotito, who holds the same position at Serie A giants Lazio, compared the Salerno derby to forcing "Israelis to take on the Palestinians".
That's pleasant...
Friday, July 12, 2013
How'd You Like To Be Relegated Over $24...???
((HT: Pro Soccer Talk))
Well, if you were Thurrock FC in what amounts to the fifth level of professional football in England (Isthmian Division One North), you're now Isthmian Division One South (6th level) over a fine that wasn't paid by a player who wasn't supposed to play until the fine was paid to his old club..
Kinda like an overdue library book...
And the illegal player meant a three-point penalty and relegation instead of being a point clear...
Joel Barnett played for a team that folded- and therefore couldn't pay anything to anyone much less cover a fine from a player... and then he played for Thurrock. The FA is saying that Thurrock should have done their due diligence in knowing that Barnett was owing a league money, but the team isn't going down without a fight...
Joe Prince-Wright over at PST has the money quote from the Thurrock front office:
It’s a disgrace. It all happened 11 months ago and what the FA and Ryman League have told us is that we should have checked this website and that, but we followed procedure by checking with our own county FA. It’s a real mess because he got sent off playing elsewhere before he came here and got a three-match ban but nothing was flagged up.
And the club is going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland for some kind of conclusion...
How binding it is...???
Who knows...???
Here's highlights of the 1-1 draw Thurrock had last season against Concord Rangers- for those of you who follow those sorts of things...
Well, if you were Thurrock FC in what amounts to the fifth level of professional football in England (Isthmian Division One North), you're now Isthmian Division One South (6th level) over a fine that wasn't paid by a player who wasn't supposed to play until the fine was paid to his old club..
Kinda like an overdue library book...
And the illegal player meant a three-point penalty and relegation instead of being a point clear...
Joel Barnett played for a team that folded- and therefore couldn't pay anything to anyone much less cover a fine from a player... and then he played for Thurrock. The FA is saying that Thurrock should have done their due diligence in knowing that Barnett was owing a league money, but the team isn't going down without a fight...
Joe Prince-Wright over at PST has the money quote from the Thurrock front office:
It’s a disgrace. It all happened 11 months ago and what the FA and Ryman League have told us is that we should have checked this website and that, but we followed procedure by checking with our own county FA. It’s a real mess because he got sent off playing elsewhere before he came here and got a three-match ban but nothing was flagged up.
And the club is going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland for some kind of conclusion...
How binding it is...???
Who knows...???
Here's highlights of the 1-1 draw Thurrock had last season against Concord Rangers- for those of you who follow those sorts of things...
Sunday, May 12, 2013
OSG Prem: Sir Alex's Last Stand Plus More Are Safe
((HT: BPL/Sky Sports/Sport1/BBC Sports))
It was a busy day on the penultimate Sunday of the Prem Season...
First off, after the massive surprise of Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement at season's end from Manchester United. It took goals from Chicharito and Rio Ferdinand to score a late 2-1 win over Swansea. The team also was presented their League trophy. It was also the last home game for the retiring-again Paul Scholes...
The game at Old Trafford started with a Guard of Honor for Sir Alex...
Newcastle, Norwich, and Stoke are safe after wins over QPR, West Brom and a loss to Tottenham. Fulham are also safe after their 3-1 loss to Liverpool. Here's Alan Pardew after finding out his team is safe...
That only leaves Sunderland and Aston Villa to fight with Wigan for the third relegation spot...
Sunderland and Southampton tied at 1 which means that the former are at 39 points and the Villans are at 40. The Latics need to win out to stay in the premiership...
Their first test is with Arsenal on Tuesday and Aston Villa will square off with them on the last day of the regular season.
It was a busy day on the penultimate Sunday of the Prem Season...
First off, after the massive surprise of Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement at season's end from Manchester United. It took goals from Chicharito and Rio Ferdinand to score a late 2-1 win over Swansea. The team also was presented their League trophy. It was also the last home game for the retiring-again Paul Scholes...
The game at Old Trafford started with a Guard of Honor for Sir Alex...
Newcastle, Norwich, and Stoke are safe after wins over QPR, West Brom and a loss to Tottenham. Fulham are also safe after their 3-1 loss to Liverpool. Here's Alan Pardew after finding out his team is safe...
That only leaves Sunderland and Aston Villa to fight with Wigan for the third relegation spot...
Sunderland and Southampton tied at 1 which means that the former are at 39 points and the Villans are at 40. The Latics need to win out to stay in the premiership...
Their first test is with Arsenal on Tuesday and Aston Villa will square off with them on the last day of the regular season.
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