Premier League 2010/11 general thread

[abigsmurf]

Wolves look so poor against Liverpool. I'll be happy when they go down.

When they're not doing their negative defensive football and they're forced to go out to attack, you realise just how awful they are. When they can't rely on lucky breaks and parking the bus, they've got nothing.

[Kongster]

Bent marks his Villa debut with a goal against City. 1-0.

[Matt]

Been talking about the Bent price at work the last few days. Once I was over the "How MUCH!" shock, and actually sat down to think about it, I think it's a very astute purchase. Given how much the "top clubs" are willing to shell out for strikers in other leagues, unproven over here, I think it's a actually a very good price. I guess being over here and known makes him less glamorous.

[Kongster]

Super result in the end xD

[abigsmurf]

Looking increasingly like Man U's title unless they have a nightmare in the remainder of their 'big 4' games.

[Matt]

Such a strange season, anything can happen. I maintain United are only top by default, and City are only pushing because the two regulars (United and Chelsea) are having below par seasons.

Still so much to play for.

[BaronSqwelch]

i love darren bent...our first clean sheet in about 300 years, i got too much change at the bar and won 18 quid on a bet plus the ****e lost 5 nil! perfect day!!

if we dont spack it up at wigan on tuesday its time to look up again instead of down!!

"belongs in a zoo, belongs in a zooooooooooo, carlos tevez belongs in a zoo"

[merf]

Been talking about the Bent price at work the last few days. Once I was over the "How MUCH!" shock, and actually sat down to think about it, I think it's a very astute purchase. Given how much the "top clubs" are willing to shell out for strikers in other leagues, unproven over here, I think it's a actually a very good price. I guess being over here and known makes him less glamorous.

I don't think he'll ever be a bargain at that price but its not the loony figure some say it is (in comparison to the market).

He's a proven 15 league goal a season man (if you give him enough games) and the limiting factor stopping the fee being far higher is his age and relative lack of other abilities in terms of link up play or creating chances for others.

Only thing thats got on my wick with the whole affair is that sour faced whinger Steve Bruce, its all smoke and mirrors with that bloke, what about the clubs you walked out on mate for more money ? He loves inciting trial by media when it suits him (I recall years ago the fuss in the FA Cup against us when he demanded a replay for Shefff Utd)

At the Emirates yesterday and can't believe how poor Wigan were, they couldn't even be bothered to kick us or park the bus, shows what a shocker we had dropping points up at their place a few weeks back

[EJG1980]

At least you didn't lose to them at home

[prinnysquad]

I don't think he'll ever be a bargain at that price but its not the loony figure some say it is (in comparison to the market).

He's a proven 15 league goal a season man (if you give him enough games) and the limiting factor stopping the fee being far higher is his age and relative lack of other abilities in terms of link up play or creating chances for others.

Only thing thats got on my wick with the whole affair is that sour faced whinger Steve Bruce, its all smoke and mirrors with that bloke, what about the clubs you walked out on mate for more money ? He loves inciting trial by media when it suits him (I recall years ago the fuss in the FA Cup against us when he demanded a replay for Shefff Utd)

Bent is a very good goalscorer, and his goals-per-game ratio is very decent. As I've said before, the quality and frequency of service he recieves is far less than his peers at better clubs. His shooting accuracy was one of, if not the, best in the league last year. His game is still limited, but he's far better at the hold-up game than he was before he came up here, it's an often overlooked development in his game. I think we got good money for him, you're right, it's not a bargain figure. But I'd love to know the breakdown of the payments. As far as I know, we've only had a quarter up front. That just about covers the 6 million we owe Spuz in outstanding money owed and sell-on fees. Brilliant.

Bruce is very embarrassing, I really cringe when I see some of the things he says.

[nakamura]

What are your thoughts on the upturn at Sunderland since the start of the season Prinny? They looked awful at one point.

[prinnysquad]

Pretty amazing all told. Apart from the very poor run last Winter, and the shaky start to this season, the entire club has been on the upward trend for some time now.

On the pitch, everyone's enjoying the lofty position, which it's impossible not to be impressed with. These are some of the best players we've ever seen at the SoL. There's some good young players there, some decent British talent, and a capable foreign contingent. Compared to the disasters of the mid-decade, it's a totally different world.

Most people are in a bit of a dreamworld. But, many fans are aware that the club are at an important juncture.

The Quinn/Phillips teams of 2000 and 2001 were higher in the league at Christmas, but weren't invested in, and eventually that team broke up and sank to the Championship. There's a clamour to bring in a couple of guys to push on, which I understand. Last time we stagnated and went down due to a lack of decisiveness in the transfer market.

On the other hand, there's an acknowledgement that the club shouldn't overspend, and must budget the club properly. The club weren't far from hitting a wall before the Drumaville Consortium came in, and it would be foolish to compromise all these years of building with a couple of Hollywood singings that smash the club's wage structure.

I think most fans are ok with not taking big risks and continuing to build slowly, and that's ok with me.

In Niall Quinn I think we have an excellent, progressive chairman. Talking of people who get sucked into the club - here's one of the most obvious. We've also got a lot of 'club' people in the set-up - like having adopted-Northerner Kevin Ball in charge of the youth set-up. Kevin Ball came up from Portsmouth 20 years ago and would run through walls for the club. People like that around the place seem to get people working hard.

The owner, Ellis Short, has put up some decent cash, but refuses to overspend. He's said he'll only bring in players that Bruce and Quinn are sure will improve the club, and won't break his financial rules for them over wages. That's the type of level-headed sensible business attitude we need really. He's cleared the club's debt without using a lump sum - something to do with shares. I don't really understand the ins and outs, but Quinny seems convinced. You never really hear about the bloke, unlike some of the gob****e media-ringlickers you get at other clubs.

Some, yeah, good times really. Sixth place, no stupid money flying around, decent boardroom team. Still not convinced by Bruce's transfer record thus far, or some of his tactics, and he sure as hell isn't a 'derby' manager, but you can't argue with the league table.

[nakamura]

Glad to see fans enjoying it. Certainly a well run club from the looks of it. People need to adopt this approach more often, build a team don't buy it. That is part of the reason we have had so many clubs in the red in recent years, silly overspending.

I must admit I thought the Sunderland team that was relegated early on last decade was one of the worst footballing teams I ever saw. A total mess of a club then so it is nice to see the place stabilised. Do actually like them now.

Bruce can be a bit odd mind. Some of the things he comes out with seem a little pointless. I just wish managers would shut up and concentrate on the games.

[abigsmurf]

Sky Sports presenters Andy Gray and Richard Keys were at the centre of a sexism row last night after they questioned whether a female linesman knew the offside rule during a Premier League football match.

The commentators, who apparently believed their microphones were switched off, were recorded making disparaging remarks about Sian Massey, 25, before Liverpool’s Premiership clash with Wolves yesterday.

They also criticised Apprentice star and West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady who had yesterday written about sexism in a newspaper column.
Commenting on Ms Massey, Mr Keys said: ‘Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her.’

Mr Gray, a former Scottish international footballer, replied: ‘Can you believe that? A female linesman. Women don’t know the offside rule.’

Mr Keys replied: ‘Course they don’t. I can guarantee you there will be a big one today. Kenny (Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish) will go potty. This isn’t the first time, is it? Didn’t we have one before?’

The Sky presenters made disparaging remarks about assistant referee Sian Massey

Later in the exchange, Mr Keys said: ‘The game’s gone mad. Did you hear charming Karren Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Do me a favour, love.’

[merf]

who ever thought good ol 'keysy & gray-ey' were anything other than total and utter sh*tes off camera ? Keys should be bit more grateful, he was a 2nd rate breakfast tv presenter who quit and went to work for the now defunct BSB, he kept his job in the big merger with Sky and has been a fixture since, Andy Gray is a nasty bankrupt who knows the game but never had the bottle to actually manage (he was offered the Everton job IIRC and choked at the thought of quitting his comfy sky money).

I just don't see the argument here, of course woman if fit enough can officiate in games, its not a role that requires physical strength, simply that they can pass the necessary tests based on the laws of the game and that they are subject to the same fitness tests as male refs. Why they'd want to do it and run the gauntlet of abuse on the touchline from retard neanderthal fans and similarly minded media types is a different question though.