wormy

Routledge off Carroll has actually got me thinking... I'm in agreement here, I'd give it a shot.

Sunderland, Liverpool, Stoke. First 2 were a shoo in for obvious reasons, had to think a bit harder about the 3rd. Pulis just seems to have not taken them any further, and I feel the potential was there. Was impressed at how they consolidated their place in the league and it seemed like he was building on it, turning them into a quality team. But as VI said on the first page, he leaves the players that actually have flair on the bench and keeps his team of bruisers. What's the point?

Fucking hell. Gold is one of the worst rent-a-quotes going in football. How does he not come under much more scrutiny? Such an annoying prick.

Like many others have effectively said, I'll believe it when I see it.

They've managed to get dispensation to punish retroactively before, surely they can do it again? Surely that should set a precedent in itself that retroactive punishment should be allowed?

Why hope that? Does my head in the way fans of other clubs fawn over them. They've made their bed so now they can lie in it like everyone else would have to. I'm not saying they don't deserve it :S, did you enjoy the slip from the top? Then eventually the premier league majoritly down to mis-management off the field? Can't say I like scousers like, seem to have more mongs than us :| But you did say "let's hope they come back stronger". Why exactly? It seems to be a common thing. The most annoying example being when people say "the league is better for a stronger [insert struggling big club]" which is total nonsense. IMO the more clubs struggling, the better for me & my team. Ok I understand you don't like Liverpool :/ If Blackpool were going through the motions I would say I hope they come back stronger after...oops I mean poor Liverpool, they are too big to struggle. Am I the only one that's completely confused by Colo Curls' posts here?

But it's not the FA Skirge, it's FIFA'. I've ripped into the FA for years for that rule, but like others have said on here since, it's FIFA's rule that a referee's decision can't be overturned. Which is why I agree with beardsleymagic.in one sense that if our referees actually punished players for reckless challenges, and a good point about set piece 'jostling' that has become an absolute joke, it'd go some way to helping. But also, it wouldn't have given De Jong a punishment on Sunday. Remember the referee saw it, he didn't deem it a reckless challenge. So it wouldn't have made a difference with this rule enforced, would it? So all in all, you'll still have twats risking it.

Put that in a national newspaper, so people from places other than Manchester reply with comments. I'm sure there won't be as many ridiculous 'Finally someone speaks some sense!' comments. Absolutely embarrassing. So the blue half of Manchester are the only people that see this tackle is hard, but fair? And the rest of the WORLD is blinded by stupidity? Of course

That special edition is quite simply horrific.

Only complaint I have in terms of excitement and interest is I feel like the title's wrapped up already with Chelsea. Can't complain, they're looking immense, just don't feel like that's going to drop off. But everything else makes me think, like Toon's Taylor, that this is gonna be the most interesting season for a while

Forget a higher level right now. That's the reason I love him, he's giving us stability. He's not dragging us down, and he's not building up our expectations for a massive fall, and that's why he's been so great in my opinion. We havn't got on his back, he hasn't been a monumental pig-headed fuck up, and it's worked well. In terms of us consolidating our position in the Premiership, I feel we're a perfect match

But I feel if/when they lose some of these players, they'll still be able to find a few out there that will be of a good Premiership standard. Look at us, even we were able to get HBA in, I'm sure Liverpool can find just as good, if not better, based on their history and general name value. Hell, half of them will probably be a step up, the quality of Liverpool's squad in general has been slipping for a few years now.

That sums up my feelings so far this season. the thing that's killing me is the 2 teams we thought were nailed on to be already slipping away are doing fantastic. This would be a lot less nerve-racking if they were up against it. But I've still got confidence, because as you say our team is the complete opposite to 08/09. The likes of Blackpool and West Brom can't keep this up forever. And we've got some fucking good quality for a promoted team, we can actually play good football with an occasional good end product. We're an improved version of West Brom so to speak, when Mowbray was determined to play football 'right'. Over the season, things will even themselves out, and I feel will get enough deserved points to make up for some of the disappointment we've faced already. With or without HBA. I felt he was the difference between being near the relegation spots and taking that step up to lower mid-table. But even still, we're very much the team at the bottom I feel that can make that step up.

Great bet to have. I hope it continues, pressure will be on but they'll get through it. Might not be with hodgy though My guess is Hodgson gone by christmas. Found it a risky appointment in the first place, good manager, certainly not right for the situation he was going into at Anfield. Signings didn't make me think quality, didn't make me think smart. They'll pull through, won't hit Europe but will be in the pack just behind, but it certainly won't be with Hodgson. I get the feeling that very soon we're going to hear of Hodgson 'losing' the players.

Just placed a bet with one of my regular drinkers at work. He thinks they'll be in a relegation fight all season, I think they'll get away with all the shit as usual, drag themselves up to the top half after ditching Hodgson. If they finish mid-table (we've agreed that's 11th-15th), neither of us win. Easy tenner

This ridiculous rule that they can't overrule referees has been a joke for years. Is everyone in the FA oblivious to the fact that referees need some of their power taken away? They can't handle todays game to be frank. People like Atkinson are of course a complete other fucking level of retarded incompetence. But just in general, when it's a fact more mistakes are being made in today's game by referees, decisions need to be allowed to be fucking retrospectively overturned.

Bright new start for the England squad indeed.

Replace Williamson? Still, has he really done enough wrong to warrent getting shoved out of the side? Still feel it'd be harsh on him.

Along with Henry, I'd love to see him taken out. Watching the little cowardly bitch crying on the field as he realises his career will never be the same. Pricks like that don't deserve to play football, so yes, I'd love to see the wankstain get injured.

Can't argue, Ameobi done a job today, and Carroll needed to be shown that he's not undroppable, which is what people have been intimating recently. He's dropped off, and needs to get back what he had in the first few games.

Was very happy. Was a bit worried after the reviews I've read of him in the reserves, but put any worries to the back of my head, more than comfortable to have him in the team now.

I was impressed with him today, in comparison to some of his previous games. Jury's still out on him for me, who knows if he gets some confidence in him.

The last thing we need right now is to lose Colo for a period of time, he's been immense. Really begun to prove himself and I don't want him to lose the confidence that he's built.

That's the problem. Other than Ryan Taylor, who is there that can deliver a good ball? Enrique? He's got a sweet foot on him...

Fantastic today, whenever the ball came to him I didn't worry in the slightest.