Football season 2011/12

[matrix]

Man u have a tough game at Stoke first points dropped!

[Jonny Whizz]

Stevezodiac was right, Steve McClaren didn't last very long at Forest - he resigned after their defeat to Birmingham today, which left them fourth bottom. Not what you'd expect of a team that had made the play-offs in the last two years managed by a former England boss. In terms of a possible replacement, Martin O'Neill is an ex-Forest player and currently out of work but I doubt they'd be able to tempt him there. I'm not sure who will replaced McClaren, but I think Lee Clark (Huddersfield) would be a decent candidate.

I was very pleased with Liverpool's win in the Merseyside derby yesterday. Suarez was man of the match yet again but I think Andy Carroll deserves a mention as he looked more like the dangerous target man he was at Newcastle in the first half of last season instead of the ponderous striker largely seen so far at Anfield. I thought Bellamy looked lively too as a sub, and I continue to be impressed by Jose Enrique at left-back. The sending off of Rodwell was harsh, but I felt it was a foul, though probably worthy of a booking at most.

Also a big derby win for Tottenham today. I do wonder whether they'll finish above Arsenal this year. Given the choice between the two squads right now I'd actually probably pick Tottenham's - I think it has more depth, and with the signing of Parker, more steel.

[steelclaw]

Also a big derby win for Tottenham today. I do wonder whether they'll finish above Arsenal this year. Given the choice between the two squads right now I'd actually probably pick Tottenham's - I think it has more depth, and with the signing of Parker, more steel.

Course they will. Famous last words.

[Digifiend]

Man u have a tough game at Stoke first points dropped!

Sorry, looks like you're disappointed.

[matrix]

Man u have a tough game at Stoke first points dropped!

Sorry, looks like you're disappointed.

They only managed a draw dropping two points, a good result for Stoke.

[Digifiend]

Remember Arsenal's Invincibles? What are the chances of Man Utd emulating them this season? All draws and wins, no losses.

[matrix]

Remember Arsenal's Invincibles? What are the chances of Man Utd emulating them this season? All draws and wins, no losses.

Zero, march 3rd they visit White Hart Lane,say no more.

[alanultron5]

If it wasn't for Bolton - my lot (Wolves) would be the `laughing stock` of the premiership. But wer'e not far off it!

[stevezodiac]

Just don't mention Millwall. I think we will survive - just a lot of new players whom haven't gelled yet.

[Jonny Whizz]

With over a quarter of the season now gone (11 matches), and an international break coming up, I thought I'd look at how my original predictions look now:

1. Manchester United
2. Manchester City
3. Chelsea
4. Arsenal
5. Liverpool
6. Tottenham
7. Everton
8. Fulham
9. Sunderland
10. Villa
11. Stoke
12. Newcastle
13. Bolton
14. West Brom
15. QPR
16. Wolves
17. Swansea
18. Blackburn
19. Wigan
20. Norwich

Compare this to the current Premier League table as of this evening, with their positions relative to my predictions:
1. Manchester City (+1)
2. Manchester United (-1)
3. Newcastle (+9)
4. Chelsea (-1)
5. Tottenham (+1)
6. Liverpool (-1)
7. Arsenal (-3)
8. Aston Villa (+2)
9. Norwich (+11)
10. Swansea (+7)
11. QPR (+4)
12. Stoke (-1)
13. Wolves (+3)
14. West Brom (=)
15. Sunderland (-6)
16. Fulham (-8)
17. Everton (-10)
18. Bolton (-5)
19. Blackburn (-1)
20. Wigan (-1)

Plenty of time for things to change, but West Brom are the only team in the position I predicted for them right now. Strangely enough the very top and bottom are similar to my predictions (I backed the Manchester clubs for the top two, but in the opposite order, and put Blackburn and Wigan in the relegation zone).

Newcastle have been a pleasant surprise, and they, along with Norwich, deserve a pat on the back for their performances so far. On the other hand, Everton, Sunderland and Fulham have got work to do if they're going to finish where they should.

[Digifiend]

Sunderland would do well to put the ball in the right net - did Wes Brown think he was still playing for Man Utd? His own goal gave United the 3 points. That will have been a welcome present for Alex Ferguson's 25th anniversary as Man Utd manager, to go with the North Stand renaming and the statue they've commissioned.

[Digifiend]

Thanks to Leicester City taking Nigel Pearson back, it's all change at Old Trafford and the KC Stadium. Apparently Warren Joyce, the Man Utd reserve team manager who was Hull City's player-manager from 1998-2000, is returning to Hull. Paul Scholes will be promoted to take over his old job. It's a good move for Hull I think. Several recent signings have been products of the Man Utd youth system, so he'll know those players already, and he has a lot more experience, having also managed at Royal Antwerp, than he had in his first stint at Hull. And it gives Scholes, a loyal one-club man, a chance at management (even if it is just the reserves). I doubt their players would be unhappy about that choice.

[Phoenix]

Apparently Warren Joyce, the Man Utd reserve team manager who was Hull City's player-manager from 1998-2000, is returning to Hull. Paul Scholes will be promoted to take over his old job. It's a good move for Hull I think.

Warren started off his career with Bolton Wanderers, Digi. His father, Walter, was a coach with us at the time. Warren played for Bolton between 1983 and 1987, mainly as a right-half, and mainly in Division 3. In October 1987 we sold him to Preston North End for £35,000.

[Jonny Whizz]

Nigel Pearson's return to Leicester looks set to be confirmed tomorrow, although this article suggests Warren Joyce rejected the Hull job, and the Tigers will instead look to veteran midfielder (and ex-England international) Nick Barmby at least on a short-term basis.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15621888.stm

Speaking of managerial changes in the Championship, I think the appointment of Michael Appleton at Portsmouth is interesting. He has no previous experience as a manager, but he was receiving praise for his work as head coach at West Brom so he seems to have the potential to do well in his new role.

Also, must mention England's win against Spain. I don't think the result will be a platform for the team to go on to win the European Championships, but some of the young players showed promise and I thought the previously unheralded Scott Parker and James Milner did well. Unfortunately the next friendly is against Sweden, who England can never beat!

[Jonny Whizz]

Yesterday's Final Score marked the end of an era as Tim Gudgin read out the scores for the last time yesterday. It won't be the same without him.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... phone.html

Liverpool play Chelsea today. Come on lads, lets remind Mr. Torres what he's missing out on.