2013-14 EPL Season

[Uncle Si]

Good win by Everton today.

Martinez is proving that his moderate success at a tiny club like Wigan was no fluke. He has that Everton team playing inspired football most of the time, and the signings he made - particularly the loan signing of Romelu Lukaku - have really elevated Everton this season. Honestly wouldn't surprise me to see them pip Arsenal to the post for 4th, and that would be massive not just for the Toffees, but for Martinez himself.

Martinez and Rodgers are proving themselves to be extremely innovative young managers. Great fits for their respective clubs. I think you could flip them (now, I believe Rodgers has done more to stabalize Liverpool than Martinez could have handled) and not see much of a let off in either teams play...

So... I havent seen it yet but some Swans fans are all over the ref for blowing the game whistle while one of their players was clean in on a break to win the game. Any truth to that?

 

[Uncle Si]

About the end of that match....

Basically, there were 4 mins of added time announced. Flamini's OG was in stoppage time, so that added a bit. at 94:30 or thereabouts, Swansea break and their forward was clean through about 30 yards out, then the ref blew the whistle. Now, Arsenal's defenders probably would have closed the distance, and Szczezsznzy might have made a save, but most of the time, I've seen the ref allow one final attack in those instances. Still, the announced time had been played and at least 30 seconds had been added for the OG, so I'm not sure Swansea can feel too hard done-by.

that doesnt exactly help me wind up Gate though peaches...

So Arsenal are 6 points up but Everton have a game in hand. Arsenal host City this weekend. Everton travel to Fulham. There is a good chance that by Monday Everton will trail Arsenal by 3 points, with a game in hand and still to host the Gunners...

 

[Uncle Si]

Once again, the result is all that matters. 7 on the bounce, and still undefeated in 2014.

Little nervy in then end... Would have preferred a 433 and high pressure game to the diamond.

3 is 3 and second place with Spurs on deck

 

[Uncle Si]

Alright, Gatehawk, where are ya?

seriously... we're all Arsenal fans this weekend

 

[Uncle Si]

Alright, Gatehawk, where are ya?

seriously... we're all Arsenal fans this weekend

Even if they could just snatch a draw, I'd be chuffed.

a draw there (and us winning Sunday) puts the title back in our hands.

Go on you Gunners! (or whatever they say)

 

[Uncle Si]

Well, put it this way: This is Arsenal's entire season wrapped up in this match. Win, and they find themselves somehow back in the title race with 6 left to play. Lose, and they're in a dogfight with Spurs and Everton for 4th.

which means if Arsenal dont nic something from this game tomorrow we wont hear from Gate until the FA Cup..

Telling you right now, if Everton gains 3 points on Arsenal this weekend I can see them sliding by into 4th at the end

 

[Gatehawk]

Alright, Gatehawk, where are ya?

Getting into arguments with pessimistic assholes who've completely turned on the club to the point that they'll wish a player happy birthday along with a phrase around the lines of "burn in hell". I've been appalled by the fact that I've even heard that some people that have tickets to the game aren't even gonna go to it and have conceded defeat to City BEFORE IT'S EVEN MATCHDAY!

 

[Gatehawk]

Alright, Gatehawk, where are ya?

Getting into arguments with pessimistic assholes who've completely turned on the club to the point that they'll wish a player happy birthday along with a phrase around the lines of "burn in hell". I've been appalled by the fact that I've even heard that some people that have tickets to the game aren't even gonna go to it and have conceded defeat to City BEFORE IT'S EVEN MATCHDAY!

You think that's bad, you should see/hear what's going on with United fans. Biggest bunch of plastic losers you've ever seen. I've never seen or heard of Liverpool fans hurling verbal abuse at a manager or former manager when the chips are down. Not even Souness. I mean sure, you can pop off about players being shite and maybe be a bit harsh at times, but they were literally screaming obscenities at Fergie - the most successful manager in English football ever - for his hand in hiring Moyes.

Arsenal are just now having everything catch up to them. Wenger has been propping that team up for years with mediocre players (for the most part) and selling all the best players on. He's had no budget to speak of, but has always managed to have them play lovely fottball and kept them up around the top every year. Fans are ridiculous sometimes. And what about West Ham fans? Booing after a win at home! Craziness.


I'll be honest with you, Gate, half of me wants Arsenal to win this weekend and half of me wants them to lose. I want them to win because it helps Liverpool, and I want them to lose because it would make the battle for 4th place much more interesting. I'd take a draw though, and I think you would too, if you're honest.

Here's how I see it. Losing to City effectively eliminates any chance of the title. A draw would keep a slim glimmer of hope, and a win will throw Arsenal back into the mix for the title. I said this back in late January, that if Arsenal make it out of March within striking distance of the top(in my view that's anywhere from 1-6 points out) then they can win the league. It's a long shot, but remember City overcame a 8 point deficit 2 years ago to take the league from United(ironically it was Arsenal, about this same point of the season no less, beating them who left them 8 points back).

 

[Uncle Si]

Going to make for interesting drama for sure....

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

Pretty damn exciting end coming up to the season.

Think Man City will win it due to their squad strength, with Chelsea second but i'd love Liverpool to win just because of the football they are playing.

Everton earning 4th is a real possibility if Arsenal keep struggling. If Arsenal don't finish fourth I think this could be the season that does Arsene in.

Would be funny to see Man Utd not make Europe, would be a real reality check for their fans who have enjoyed the good life for over 20 years.

Not too fussed who gets relegate. I think Cardiff and their looney owner are definitely going down. Probably Fulham and probably Sunderland.

 

[InSuarezWeTrust]

#BestSportsLeagueInTheWorld

 

[Uncle Si]

Ridiculous.

United fans continue to disgust me with this sort of behavior.

its funny, in a sad way, how big of babies some United fans are. One season in the last decade they've had to endure a rough patch and they cant wrap their small, fragile minds around it.

What irritates me the most (and maybe this is the manager in me) is the constant barrage Moyes is taking, when clearly the players are the most to blame. Outside of Rooney, the United squad has been shallow, uninspiring, slow, undisciplined and uncompetitive since the onset. Yes, one can attribute this to poor managing. But at some point players need to play. the game isnt so ridiculously complicated that the manager's tactics lead to the beat downs United has suffered. In truth, if it was just that, than these men would be making the 200K a week some of the players do. While a Rodgers and Martinez are getting the most from their players by being inventive and creative with the playing system and style, its also reflective of adapting to the strengths of those players and letting them be. So while everyone loves what those two managers are doing, its not without notice that players like Osman, Barkley, Henderson, Sterling, Sturridge and Lukaku are excelling because they are taking advantage as players of what their managers are allowing.

Back to United (and some of this can land with Arsenal), the players need to be held accountable as well. perhaps the set up hasnt always benefitted the side, but the quality of the players in losses that make headlines (3-0, 3-0, 6-2, 5-1, 6-0) has been horrendous. Its Moyes fault his clumsy defenders clattered into Liverpool's players inthe box not once but three times? Dear lord, he's not a mechanic. Or its Arsene's fault his defenders looked like the animal that herd leaves behind when the lions attack? Ox Chamberlains decision to throw an arm out a shot going wide was not somehow reflective of Wenger's training program. Nor was his squads inability to match early intensity at Anfield, Stamford Bridge and earlier the Etihad. (Hell, they couldnt even beat United at home).

The managers are to blame (and be commended) for many things. But i'm surprised at how easily the players slide from criticism.

 

[Gatehawk]

Ridiculous.

United fans continue to disgust me with this sort of behavior.

its funny, in a sad way, how big of babies some United fans are. One season in the last decade they've had to endure a rough patch and they cant wrap their small, fragile minds around it.

What irritates me the most (and maybe this is the manager in me) is the constant barrage Moyes is taking, when clearly the players are the most to blame. Outside of Rooney, the United squad has been shallow, uninspiring, slow, undisciplined and uncompetitive since the onset. Yes, one can attribute this to poor managing. But at some point players need to play. the game isnt so ridiculously complicated that the manager's tactics lead to the beat downs United has suffered. In truth, if it was just that, than these men would be making the 200K a week some of the players do. While a Rodgers and Martinez are getting the most from their players by being inventive and creative with the playing system and style, its also reflective of adapting to the strengths of those players and letting them be. So while everyone loves what those two managers are doing, its not without notice that players like Osman, Barkley, Henderson, Sterling, Sturridge and Lukaku are excelling because they are taking advantage as players of what their managers are allowing.

Back to United (and some of this can land with Arsenal), the players need to be held accountable as well. perhaps the set up hasnt always benefitted the side, but the quality of the players in losses that make headlines (3-0, 3-0, 6-2, 5-1, 6-0) has been horrendous. Its Moyes fault his clumsy defenders clattered into Liverpool's players inthe box not once but three times? Dear lord, he's not a mechanic. Or its Arsene's fault his defenders looked like the animal that herd leaves behind when the lions attack? Ox Chamberlains decision to throw an arm out a shot going wide was not somehow reflective of Wenger's training program. Nor was his squads inability to match early intensity at Anfield, Stamford Bridge and earlier the Etihad. (Hell, they couldnt even beat United at home).

The managers are to blame (and be commended) for many things. But i'm surprised at how easily the players slide from criticism.

You clearly haven't seen how Giroud and Ozil get blamed for EVERY SINGLE ITTY BITTY TINY negative thing that happens to Arsenal.

 

[Uncle Si]

Ridiculous.

United fans continue to disgust me with this sort of behavior.

its funny, in a sad way, how big of babies some United fans are. One season in the last decade they've had to endure a rough patch and they cant wrap their small, fragile minds around it.

What irritates me the most (and maybe this is the manager in me) is the constant barrage Moyes is taking, when clearly the players are the most to blame. Outside of Rooney, the United squad has been shallow, uninspiring, slow, undisciplined and uncompetitive since the onset. Yes, one can attribute this to poor managing. But at some point players need to play. the game isnt so ridiculously complicated that the manager's tactics lead to the beat downs United has suffered. In truth, if it was just that, than these men would be making the 200K a week some of the players do. While a Rodgers and Martinez are getting the most from their players by being inventive and creative with the playing system and style, its also reflective of adapting to the strengths of those players and letting them be. So while everyone loves what those two managers are doing, its not without notice that players like Osman, Barkley, Henderson, Sterling, Sturridge and Lukaku are excelling because they are taking advantage as players of what their managers are allowing.

Back to United (and some of this can land with Arsenal), the players need to be held accountable as well. perhaps the set up hasnt always benefitted the side, but the quality of the players in losses that make headlines (3-0, 3-0, 6-2, 5-1, 6-0) has been horrendous. Its Moyes fault his clumsy defenders clattered into Liverpool's players inthe box not once but three times? Dear lord, he's not a mechanic. Or its Arsene's fault his defenders looked like the animal that herd leaves behind when the lions attack? Ox Chamberlains decision to throw an arm out a shot going wide was not somehow reflective of Wenger's training program. Nor was his squads inability to match early intensity at Anfield, Stamford Bridge and earlier the Etihad. (Hell, they couldnt even beat United at home).

The managers are to blame (and be commended) for many things. But i'm surprised at how easily the players slide from criticism.

You clearly haven't seen how Giroud and Ozil get blamed for EVERY SINGLE ITTY BITTY TINY negative thing that happens to Arsenal.

christ youre a f---ng baby sometimes.

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

Chelsea blow it! Well done Palace. The City Arsenal game should be fun, will probably be a bore fest after that game though.

 

[Blueboy]

John Terry, thank you, anytime you want to score for Palace in our relegation battle is alright by me, makes you a top fella in my book!

 

[Uncle Si]

Title in Liverpool's hands now


Massive game tomorrow

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

What a day for Liverpool. They are in a great position but it isn't going to be easy. Would love them to win it over the Chelsea and City money machines.

 

[InSuarezWeTrust]

IS THIS REAL LIFE?!?!

 

[Hawkspur]

John Terry, thank you, anytime you want to score for Palace in our relegation battle is alright by me, makes you a top fella in my book!

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.