Premier League 2011/12 general thread

[toythatkills]

He makes a mean duck a l'orange

[prinnysquad]

I've heard he's related to JOHN McPHAIL, so I think your answer is there.

The 2 Ayalas in ISS games, for Argentina and Paraguay, were aces.

[Adrock]

Ayala has done very well in the reserve and youth teams for Liverpool but whenever I witnessed him in a first team game he seemed to be lacking in a couple of areas. His pace seemed non existant, he struggled to keep up with opponents regularly. His decision making was poor, he committed quite a few fouls and got booked if I remember rightly.

Decision making is something that does improve with age and his positioning could deal with a lack of pace. Basically experience is what he needs, he seems to be a decent enough player but just needs a run of games to get the confidence and experience any central defender needs.

[Flabio]

Right then, as it all kicks off tomorrow, I think it's predictions time so we can all look back at the end of the season and realise how utterly wrong we were.

And cause I'm a glutton for punishment, hows about we try and pick the final standings for the entire division? Oh yes.

I reckon we're looking at:

Man U
Chelsea
Man City
Liverpool
--
Tottenham
Arsenal
Fulham
Everton
Stoke
Sunderland
Bolton
Aston Villa
Newcastle
Blackburn
QPR
Wolves
West Brom
--
Norwich
Wigan
Swansea

[toythatkills]

At Christmas, Arsenal will be 27 points clear at the top of the league, the final table will be:

Man U
Chelsea
Man City
Liverpool
--
Arsenal
Everton
Fulham
Bolton
Stoke
Tottenham
Sunderland
Newcastle
West Brom
Wolves
QPR
Aston Villa
Swansea
--
Wigan
Norwich
Blackburn

[abigsmurf]

Not amazing from Sunderland, playing defensively, attacking on the break, not ideal for when you're 1-0 down.

Carragher could've perhaps seen a red for this:



leg breaker if it comes down on a planted leg. Gotta love to commentator excusing it straight away saying "no malice".

[Adrock]

I think he caught the trailing leg by accident to be honest, but that was a stupid challenge. He deserved a red for it.

[abigsmurf]

Sunderland haven't been in it this half but damn that was a good equaliser.

[nakamura]

What on earth was he going in like that for? Shocking defender and that could be the thing that stops Liverpool hitting top spots this year, defending.

Nice to see Sunderland get a point, hoping they do well this year.

[abigsmurf]

Same story as last year for Liverpool it seems. Strong first half which they didn't capitalise on to make the lead comfortable. Second half started ok but then Sunderland scored and Liverpool started looked tired and desperate, quick long balls in the hope that someone would be up to receive it.

[prinnysquad]

Watched a bit of the game in various pubs as part of a burbur crawl.

The penalty...

I didn't have my bins on, so I'll just call it as I saw it;
He made contact, it was a red, by the letter of the law.
Suarez made a right meal of it, flipping around like a salmon.
A terrible penalty, EEYORE.

On the other hand, as a footballing decision, not to send someone off after 5 minutes, and deeming the penalty and a yellow punishment enough, is one for the neutrals.

As I say, although I couldn't see properly , Richardson should have been sent off, as he was the last man (and it was a terrible piece of play to concede possession). But, having gained the reprieve, Larsson's goal was superb. I didn't see that challenge above, but it's poor, late challenge. Maybe that balances out the failure to give Richardson a red.

[EJG1980]

I see Barton is starting for Newcastle. I put a fiver on him scoring, seems to be the kind of thing that happens when a player has been in the news. Hopefully Newcastle can win, then Spurs can go ahead of Arsenal on goal difference

[prinnysquad]

Hopefully Newcastle can win,

An inexcusable comment... whatever effect it has on Spuz.

[EJG1980]

It's such a rare event to see Spurs above Arsenal in the table that I'll stoop to any depraved depths to see it!

[abigsmurf]

Terrible, terrible game so far. Newcastle have no quality anywhere and Arsenal simply can't do anything with the ball when they have it (and they had it a lot). 2 Attempts from Arsenal in a game they were dominating...