Premier League 2014/15 Stuff it in here.

[Lord Nibblington]

Champions elect, I'd say.

 

Indeed. Whilst only being slightly above fighting relegation, obviously.

[ScouseFox]

I didn't realise that's how it worked.

 

well you were the one making out 3 points in four games wasn't much. how many points ahead of you did you think we'd be after four games? there's only been 12 points on offer ffs. using averages is a much better way to look at it over the course of the season than just "slightly" ahead. already. the gap's only going to get bigger mate, amazed you can't see that. 

[theessexfox]

well you were the one making out 3 points in four games wasn't much. how many points ahead of you did you think we'd be after four games? there's only been 12 points on offer ffs. using averages is a much better way to look at it over the course of the season than just "slightly" ahead. already. the gap's only going to get bigger mate, amazed you can't see that. 

Chill out, don't take anything for granted, can you tell the future? Burnley may go on an amazing run and finish top half for all we know. Burnley are acquitting themselves decently too.

 

(But Drinkwater v Jones is not a tight call  )

[Guest ttfn]

BlackburnClaret was doing so well until the Drinkwater/Jones/Arfield debacle.

[Stadt]

[ScouseFox]

[Legend_in_blue]

I'd buy that for a dollar!

[HitchinFox]

In bits, laughing at the past few pages...tears in my eyes.

We might have waited 10 years for a Prem win. But so worth it purely for the change in mood of this place.

Keep it up lads...

[Fox42]

Kasper

Trippier Shackell Morgan Konchesky

Mahrez Drinkwater James Arfield

Ulloa Ings

Not included anyone who hasn't had a proper go yet.

Talk about giving our players confidence...

[HEGGSY]

[kingfox]

If we are talking goalkeepers I think we shade it.

 

[dave_the_fox]

A book celebrating second place...

[Mark_w]

A book celebrating second place...

 

Second in the Championship, what a fairytale.

[MC Prussian]

But we've always had the better defence, let's see where we both are in 4 or 5 games.

You've had the luxury of playing Swansea, Crystal Palace and Manchester United before they bought another 100 felt strikers.

 

Yes, let's see where we both are in four of five games.

I have a hunch Leicester will still greet from a top spot and Burnley continue to linger very close to the bottom.

[Dan]

Blackburn Claret was inconsistent before. He used to post some sense and some shit, often including the Dyche-like inferiority complex in there.

 

Now? I'm afraid he has disgraced himself. Some of the crap posted in here is mind boggling. If anything I'd say there hasn't been enough gifs, so here is mine.

 

[ScouseFox]

remember when he said there wasn't much in it between Drinkwater and David jones!!!!?!!!££!!!?£!!!!!

hahahshshahhshabsbdjdbsj

[Fox in the North]

Drinkwater/Jones, not much in it, probably Drinkwater.

 

 

[jimmer]

Just watching Manu v qpr highlights... Jeeze Qpr look terrible, no pressure at all, the space Manu had is ridiculous and some of that defending ...! Rio is an embarrassment ,They just didn't look interested.

[Corky]

Rio's got a book to flog, QPR isn't as important.

[Babylon]

Rio's got a book to flog, QPR isn't as important.

Wonder if his caps are still selling well.

[Andy King Power]

To be fair, Rio's brother Anton did play for QPR. That said, he's clearly in for the cash.

 

Makes you pleased to see someone like Cambiasso giving it his all, having a genuine interest, and showing us that he still has it, and will be teaching Drinky his best stuff.

[Carl the Llama]

Blackburn Claret was inconsistent before. He used to post some sense and some shit, often including the Dyche-like inferiority complex in there.

 

Now? I'm afraid he has disgraced himself. Some of the crap posted in here is mind boggling. If anything I'd say there hasn't been enough gifs, so here is mine.

 

[davieG]

Alan Pardew Will Be Replaced At Newcastle By…Another Alan Pardew ³

by The Premier League Owl • General

 

Alan Pardew reportedly has ‘one game to save his job’ according to the press, and supposedly an underwhelming performance against Hull City at St James’ Park could very well bring the curtain down on this sorriest of sagas.

Pardew is loathed by the club’s support and understandably so.  During his four years at Newcastle, he’s managed to combine being a perceived apologist for Ashley with structurally naive football, smugness, and head-butting.  He’s a natural hate-figure and, you suspect, that even if Newcastle had flourished under his stewardship he would just be tolerated rather than loved by the crowd.

His personality is a blend of self-regard and faux-aggression, he’s that type of manager.  He’s a prancing peacock on the touchline, celebrating goals as if he’s scored them himself and pointing to the director’s box or back at the crowd whenever there’s a defeat to explain away.

Alan Pardew loves him some Alan Pardew, but everyone else can do without.

Realistically, should Newcastle win on Saturday, Pardew will be buying himself time rather than security.  The disaffection with his long-term performance is so visible and audible that he has almost certainly past the point of no return with the club’s supporters.  When Ashley inevitably dismisses him – be it this weekend or in the future – it will be a popular decision.

But that will be a short-term joy.

As everyone knows, Pardew is the least of Newcastle’s worries.  What has happened in the North-East in recent years amounts to a robbery of the soul – and Pardew is just the lookout outside the building.  While Ashley and his various henchmen have had their hands in the vault, he’s been leaning up against the side of the side of St James’ Park, whistling tunelessly and pretending that everything is normal.

“There’s nothing to see here, there’s nothing to see here…”

So what does getting rid of him really achieve?  Likely nothing beyond a slightly different aesthetic.

When discussing any potential replacement for Pardew, it’s essential to understand how Newcastle are perceived by the outside world.  They are nominally a football club, but they are really just a marketing platform.  It’s one of the great tragedies of English football; Newcastle are associated with flair and passion and a dozen other healthy-but-true cliches, and it’s been terribly sad to see them become the poster-child for the modern phenomenon of ‘football team as a business’.  That is what they are though – they are the Formula One car who exist only to survive the race.  They have no ambition to win, only to display their sponsors’ logos to the television audience, to avoid crashing, and to not finish last.

Mike Ashley is the Monopoly player who doesn’t buy any houses, hotels, or train stations.  He’s content to just to keep going around the board and collecting his £200 for passing Go.

That’s no less bleak in football terms.  The forty-point mark represents everything, players are bought because of their likelihood to appreciate rather than solve tactical issues, cup games are thrown, and Newcastle are never more than a week away from some form of PR catastrophe. Periodically, claims are made about the future and reassurances are given that this financial focus is really in aid of a brighter tomorrow, but only the most naive supporter will believe that.   Newcastle exist to collect cash, that they have to send out a football team every week is just an inconvenience.

Pardew’s departure will provide a brief sense of victory, but only until his replacement is announced.  Ashley’s running of the club has made it virtually impossible to attract a credible alternative to the job, and the calibre of appellant candidates will be far lower than anybody seems to anticipate.  Neither Frank De Boer, nor David Moyes, nor even Tim Sherwood will replace Alan Pardew, Alan Pardew will replace Alan Pardew – or, at least, a different version of him will.  Another manager?  No, another yes-man with no real claim to a Premier League job will jut be asked to whistle outside the building and distract the crowds while Ashley and Lee Charnley get on with whatever it is that they’re doing inside.

Iain Dowie and Gary Megson are both 66/1 to replace Pardew.  Sneer, then realise that unfortunately those markets actually offer some value.

This sad, sad chapter doesn’t end with managerial change at Newcastle, postpone the party until the club is sold.

[veezeeblue]

We only consider other Champions of England to be our true, historic rivals. We haven't won the Rumbelows/Milk cup though.

 

oh yes 1920 & 60 you were champs !

since then you´ve spent over 10 years in the 3rd division and 7 in the 4th division and in fact your last title was 4th div champs in 92 well done sir !

 

so following your logic your rivals should be Burton Albion and Morecambe ?

[Corky]

We'll move down a place tonight whatever the result, could do with a draw so Hull only go level and West Ham remain a point behind.

 

It's great to watch these games and they have a bearing on our position