Premiership Thread 2011/12

[Kitchandro]

Just watched Terry O'Conner's post-match interview on BBC website. Got to feel sorry for him there with his eyes welling up trying to defend his team. He's one of the only people that comes out of that debacle with any credit. Obviously a coach and not a manager, wonder if they'll keep him on if/when they get a new manager.

I thought he was going to cry. Uncomfortable viewing.

[Corky]

To be fair Terry Conner always looks like he's about to burst into tears when he's being interviewed.

I always think Les Ferdinand is about to burst out laughing when being interviewed.

I do like these people.

[BoneDog]

[Bert]

I really hope Man City win the title. They've been the underdog in that city for such a long time, and I've got on well with every Man City fan I've met. Most Utd fans are plastic and are totally clueless. Add to that Utd fans have enjoyed way, way, way more than their fair share of success over the years. It's about time City had some of their glory, and I hope this will just be the start of the blue half of Manchester's dominance over the red half. Looking forward to seeing what happens to all those glory-grabbing twats.

I guess you've never met a United fan that follows them away from home. About as far plastic as you can be.

[Webbo]

How much did Rooney and Berbatov cost? Lets not pretend Man Ure have never bought success.

[Filbert_Ross]

I guess you've never met a United fan that follows them away from home. About as far plastic as you can be.

most Man utd 'fans' are plastic and clueless still.

[ADK]

I can't say i want either of them to win the title particularly. I don't like SAF or Mancini very much. Both teams have been embarassingly bad in europe this season. Man City are trying to buy the league with foreign oil money, Man Utd are the richest club in the world thanks to being on top when Sky invented football. Both are full of nasty cheating overpaid players.

I just want Newcastle to make 4th.

[BoneDog]

I think for me choosing who I want to win the title it's going to come down to deciding who I like best - Danny Welbeck or Nigel De Jong.

[Haydos]

Its not as if Man City went looking for multi-billionaire owners to buy them.

I know people will say that but that's not the fans' fault, they are the real Manchester City, not the owners or the team.

For such a large fanbase they've been through a lot of shit to the extent we can relate to them over the last 30 years, with their yo-yo existance and demise to league 1. They've been loyal and deserve some success.

Man Utd fans have had no suffering whatoever since the 80s (and even then it was only relative suffering, they were still in the top division). Not only is Leicester full of plastic Man Utd fans (who are almost always smug twats), but the real Utd fans from Manchester have always come across as extremely arrogant.

Plus we've spent a load of money and I don't think that defines us a club, so I don't really mind if that's what they do. It's the only way to be as good as they are in this day and age.

If you're trying to make me feel sorry for Man Utd and their fans, you can forget it. Maybe it is unfair that Man City suddenly have limitless resources, but at the same time, it's hardly fair that Man Utd just happened to be top of the pile when the Premiership was formed and global communication reached the point that it meant they attracted fans and their cash from all over the world.

There was a time when football in this country was played on a much more level playing field, and nearly any club could hope to get to the top one day, if for only a short time. That all changed, and we were left with watching the same few clubs win the top league title year in, year out. If it had carried on like that, we would have been heading for our own version of the SPL - a small pond with two big fish and a load of minnows. I'm glad that's all changing again. Admittedly, I'd prefer it if this could happen through other means than other clubs winning the lottery of billionaire investors, but if it leads us back to a more level playing field and a more competitive league again, then I'm all for it.

I'm not trying to make you feel sorry or anything to do with that. I just don't understand why Man City winning the title is a good thing. I've wanted it to not work for them from the start. Why doesn't everyone love Chelsea in the same way?

Another point, I don't really care about fans suffering or if they've had it easy. So what, good for them, it smacks of jealousy to be honest. The Premiership has been thoroughly enjoyable this season for me. Newcastle where they are, Arsenal turning it around, Chelsea turning to Di Matteo and it working a lot better than with superstar AVB, United and City's competition, Spurs putting up a fight, Kenny's joke of a team. I don't care who wins it as long as it's an enjoyable season and I definitely don't begrudge Man Utd fans the championship. I hope Man City don't win it though, I hope it takes them another few years although sadly it looks like it'll happen sooner or later.

I have so much more respect for United. They have faith in young players, then you have Giggs and Scholes who Man City probably would have ditched at 33, British talent, they nurture their players, give them a chance, improve them.

As for the comparisons with us? I hate them, despite them being very much true. We've both just thrown money at success, albeit on a different scale, and it isn't the way things should be done. Yes, I'd like as competitive a league as possible but excusing them for spending nigh on £1b just cause it pisses off Man Utd fans Pathetic IMO.

Oh and Kitch, good points re: their fans, which I don't have a problem with. I just think they've got there the wrong way. They've basically bought themselves a VIP ticket to the top 10 in world football. I just don't get how people can moan about the finances of the game and the state of English clubs and then be perfectly happy with what Man City are doing.

[Haydos]

Also a quote from Mancini about titles and hands....

"Only one team can win this title. It's not in our hands. We have three points less. After the derby we play Newcastle who are fighting for the Champions League and QPR who are fighting relegation.

[Tom17LCFC]

Also a quote from Mancini about titles and hands....

"Only one team can win this title. It's not in our hands. We have three points less. After the derby we play Newcastle who are fighting for the Champions League and QPR who are fighting relegation.

He's been playing mind games with Fergie the past few months though so I wouldn't read too much into that. I can see where you're coming from regarding the situation, but in my opinion, I think it's City's to lose now.

[ScouseFox]

It is in Man City's hands. They are in control of their own destiny. They are relying on themselves and nobody else. It is in their hands.

The same applies for United, of course. Everybody has their hands in this slag.

[StanSP]

Kyle Walker wins Young Player of the Year.

Fair choice?

Personally, I thought Aguero should have won.

[StanSP]

And RVP wins Player of the Year. That's not so surprising.

[Kitchandro]

I'm not trying to make you feel sorry or anything to do with that. I just don't understand why Man City winning the title is a good thing. I've wanted it to not work for them from the start. Why doesn't everyone love Chelsea in the same way?

Another point, I don't really care about fans suffering or if they've had it easy. So what, good for them, it smacks of jealousy to be honest. The Premiership has been thoroughly enjoyable this season for me. Newcastle where they are, Arsenal turning it around, Chelsea turning to Di Matteo and it working a lot better than with superstar AVB, United and City's competition, Spurs putting up a fight, Kenny's joke of a team. I don't care who wins it as long as it's an enjoyable season and I definitely don't begrudge Man Utd fans the championship. I hope Man City don't win it though, I hope it takes them another few years although sadly it looks like it'll happen sooner or later.

I have so much more respect for United. They have faith in young players, then you have Giggs and Scholes who Man City probably would have ditched at 33, British talent, they nurture their players, give them a chance, improve them.

As for the comparisons with us? I hate them, despite them being very much true. We've both just thrown money at success, albeit on a different scale, and it isn't the way things should be done. Yes, I'd like as competitive a league as possible but excusing them for spending nigh on £1b just cause it pisses off Man Utd fans Pathetic IMO.

Oh and Kitch, good points re: their fans, which I don't have a problem with. I just think they've got there the wrong way. They've basically bought themselves a VIP ticket to the top 10 in world football. I just don't get how people can moan about the finances of the game and the state of English clubs and then be perfectly happy with what Man City are doing.

I don't hate Chelsea in the same way because Chelsea have horrible, twattish fans that deserve nothing. And they've been pretty successful over the last few years and Man City haven't yet. And I'm not saying Man City's players are all saints, far from it in some cases, but I really, really dislike the majority of Chelsea's players - particular ones with a passion.

It's got nothing to do with jealousy, I just hate Man United fans, they're absolute tossers.

It's the same with their players and staff, fvcking hate most of them. Giggs is a tosser, Ferdinand's a tosser, Rooney's a tosser, Evra, Nani, Ferguson, Phelan - need I go on? Utter arseholes.

I couldn't possibly feel the same away about Man City fans at this point. They've nothing to be arrogant about, they don't infest my City and they don't win all the while. And most of them can remember the shit times they've had, just like us.

I know what you mean about buying the league, finances etc but that's never eally bothered me. It's not just football, it's how the world works. It didn't bother me that we were trying to buy the league, I think we have deserved some slack, it just annoyed me we failed and it's been embarrassing as a result. In any case, it's not Man City's fault that clubs like Portsmouth have not been managed properly.

United may not have just all of a sudden got rich and started winning things but they've pretty much monopolised the English game in the last 20 years. I'm fed up with it and if Man City need rich owners to make it a bit interesting right at the top then so be it. It won't last anyway, so I wouldn't worry about it.

[Kitchandro]

Kyle Walker wins Young Player of the Year.

Fair choice?

Personally, I thought Aguero should have won.

I didn't know Aguero was that young.

Walker hasn't been that good IMO.

[StanSP]

I didn't know Aguero was that young.

Walker hasn't been that good IMO.

Aguero is 24 in June. Rules for the award (which I don't agree with) say that you have to be 23 and under at the start of the year.

I personally think it should be 21 and under.

Team of the Year:

Hart

Walker

Kompany

Coloccini

Baines

Silva

Yaya

Parker

Bale

Rooney

RVP

[ScouseFox]

Dempsey and/or Song should be in ahead of Parker and maybe Yaya too.

Holt should be in it too, he's been terrific.

Bale's been pretty poor for at least half the year, really, too.

[AjcW]

One Newcastle player and no Dempsey?!?!? .. that list also includes yaya who was absent for a month and Gareth Bale!!

Do the fans vote for the team of the year? If they dont they really should be allowed to.

[Haydos]

Dempsey and/or Song should be in ahead of Parker and maybe Yaya too.

Holt should be in it too, he's been terrific.

Bale's been pretty poor for at least half the year, really, too.

Why should Holt be in? He has half the goals of Rooney and RVP.

[VinceNoir]

Why should Holt be in? He has half the goals of Rooney and RVP.

In a team that's not even half as good as United or Arsenal. I don't think Holt should be on the list, but I can see ScouseFox's point.

[Haydos]

In a team that's not even half as good as United or Arsenal. I don't think Holt should be on the list, but I can see ScouseFox's point.

I know he's been great for them but he just doesn't get close when RVP and Rooney have scored 26 and 27 goals I'm afraid. He actually says Holt should be in it ahead of one of those 2. Shrug.

He has a fair point about the midfield though. Has Yaya been that great? Has Parker had been decent all season? I think Dempsey should have been in ahead of one of them,especially with his goal contribution.

[StanSP]

I know he's been great for them but he just doesn't get close when RVP and Rooney have scored 26 and 27 goals I'm afraid. He actually says Holt should be in it ahead of one of those 2. Shrug.

He has a fair point about the midfield though. Has Yaya been that great? Has Parker had been decent all season? I think Dempsey should have been in ahead of one of them,especially with his goal contribution.

I think the whole midfield are debatable. All performed well up to Christmas, and all have stuttered along thereafter.

Song and Dempsey have been consistent. The latter especially. I'm genuinely stunned he's been omitted from any awards tonight. Leon Britton and/or Joe Allen also have a good case to be included. Same goes for Antonio Valencia.

Trouble is, I think the players are chosen in Jan/Feb, so it's no surprise actually that the 4 chosen are included.

[Haydos]

I think the whole midfield are debatable. All performed well up to Christmas, and all have stuttered along thereafter.

Song and Dempsey have been consistent. The latter especially. I'm genuinely stunned he's been omitted from any awards tonight. Leon Britton and/or Joe Allen also have a good case to be included. Same goes for Antonio Valencia.

Trouble is, I think the players are chosen in Jan/Feb, so it's no surprise actually that the 4 chosen are included.

Valencia might nick it from Bale for me as well.

[Raw Dykes]

I'm not trying to make you feel sorry or anything to do with that. I just don't understand why Man City winning the title is a good thing. I've wanted it to not work for them from the start. Why doesn't everyone love Chelsea in the same way?

The main reason I want Man City to win the title is because it means a club will have won it that hasn't for 44 years. I don't love Chelsea in any way, shape or form, but I'm happy to admit I was pleased to see them win the PL title for the first time. I know that might be a controversial thing to say to some, but hear me out.

It's much better that there'll be a new name on the PL trophy to add to the four already on it. Four! Think about that! The Premier League is nearly twenty years old, and only four clubs have ever won it. I love English football, but there are serious flaws in the way it's structured financially. The rich clubs get richer, and the poor clubs get poorer until they go out of business. The gulf in wealth from the top few clubs to the ones just below is huge, and growing all the time.

The Americans might be wrong about pretty much everything, but I reckon we could learn a lot from them about making sport fairer to each club. All the major sports in the USA are set up so that no one club will dominate forever. For example, for player transfers, they have "drafts" where the season's weakest teams get first choice, and the strongest pick last.

Can it really be justified to only reward the richest clubs, and only punish the weakest? Financially speaking, American sports are the Robin Hood to our Premier League's King John.

If only football in this country could be set up like that, or at least heading in that direction, then everyone could be a winner, literally. I'm utterly convinced that no-one's going to be able to seriously argue that glory-grabbing could be a good thing, so why should it be that if you just happen to be born outside the red half of Manchester or Highbury, then you can be fairly certain that you will never witness your club be the best in the country, even for just one season? Making the sport fairer, like it used to be, would mean any football fan of any club in the country could realistically hope for real success one day, and it would also kill the horrible plastic glory supporting culture that exists. That's not to mention the main benefit - an end to clubs gambling with their futures for a place at the high table. If the only people who have to suffer are the fans of two or three clubs who'll have to wait a bit longer for a trophy, rather than expecting silverware every single bloody season, then all the more reason.

Another point, I don't really care about fans suffering or if they've had it easy. So what, good for them, it smacks of jealousy to be honest. The Premiership has been thoroughly enjoyable this season for me. Newcastle where they are, Arsenal turning it around, Chelsea turning to Di Matteo and it working a lot better than with superstar AVB, United and City's competition, Spurs putting up a fight, Kenny's joke of a team. I don't care who wins it as long as it's an enjoyable season and I definitely don't begrudge Man Utd fans the championship. I hope Man City don't win it though, I hope it takes them another few years although sadly it looks like it'll happen sooner or later.

I have so much more respect for United. They have faith in young players, then you have Giggs and Scholes who Man City probably would have ditched at 33, British talent, they nurture their players, give them a chance, improve them.

As for the comparisons with us? I hate them, despite them being very much true. We've both just thrown money at success, albeit on a different scale, and it isn't the way things should be done. Yes, I'd like as competitive a league as possible but excusing them for spending nigh on £1b just cause it pisses off Man Utd fans Pathetic IMO.

That's not what I said. I said I believe Man City fans deserve some silverware, and Man Utd fans have enjoyed way too much success over the years. Why should football fans that happen to be born in one half of a city have to endure years of disappointment with their own team while watching the other half enjoy twenty years of nothing but success? I do know that there are some genuine Man Utd supporters, and I don't have a problem with them, but the fact remains that the vast majority of them are glory grabbers without a clue, and it's those supposed fans who'd I'd be happy to see upset.

Maybe I feel much more strongly about plastics than most people, but I see them as potential fans for their local clubs. Each one has robbed a fan of a smaller club to give one to a big club, and I haven't got the slightest idea what they get out of it either.

Oh and Kitch, good points re: their fans, which I don't have a problem with. I just think they've got there the wrong way. They've basically bought themselves a VIP ticket to the top 10 in world football. I just don't get how people can moan about the finances of the game and the state of English clubs and then be perfectly happy with what Man City are doing.

Perhaps you see Man Utd as the Bill Gates or Richard Branson, having rightfully earnt their fortune through years of hard graft, to Man City's jammy lottery winning yobbo Michael Carroll, but I think you'd be missing the bigger picture. Man Utd have been every bit as lucky as Man City, even if it is far less clear. The top flight of English football was a game of musical chairs for nearly a century, until one day it was renamed the Premiership, the game stopped, and the club who was sat in the last chair was crowned permanent champion. If the PL had been formed just a few years earlier, I strongly believe Liverpool would have enjoyed much of the success Man Utd have over the last two decades instead. Man City lucked out with a billionaire picking them as his new toy, whereas United just happened to have won at the right time - when the game stopped, in a sport that's set up to make the rich even richer, and the poor even poorer.