gallowgate_pete

Villa scored 39 in 38 games last season, winning 10 games. This season, it's 11 goals in 23 games and five wins. Combined: 50 goals in 61 games, 15 wins. Remarkably efficient but utterly pathetic.

Predicted we would win this one but I think it's a bit unfair to mock those who entered panic mode as this was a really important game. After all I've got us winning just one of our next 12 in a difficult spell but that win, another against Villa, and a few draws will keep us far enough from trouble ahead of a tough March and April. But I predict it will take us until May (four games this season) for us to be mathematically certain.

Love that story That's an absolutely brilliant story

Easily the funniest thing Miranda has ever done.

Commentary mentioned it happened in the AFCON in 1988 when Algeria qualified at the expense of Ivory Coast. Not aware of any other examples, though. Pretty bizarre. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_African_Cup_of_Nations

Just into the Group D second halves on Eurosport: Ivory Coast 1-0 Cameroon Guinea 1-1 Mali As it stands, Ivory Coast will win the group but Guinea and Mali will have absolutely identical records, and will therefore draw lots tomorrow to decide the other quarter finals place.

Decided by drawing of lots

Brilliant

Probably 4-5 tonight, maybe as high as a 7 if we screw up the next three games. FWIW, my (still 'optimistic') prediction, starting with Hull, is: WDLLWLDLDLLDLWDL = 41 points, 15th place. Glorious.

Even just winning one of the next three games will keep the wolf from the door in terms of relegation for now - but it's easy to see how we would lose all three games which would put us in deep trouble.

Finally a bit of excitement and drama in the second halves. I suppose that's the benefit of all the sides being still involved in the last round of matches. Hosts Equatorial Guinea got through with a 2-0 win over Gabon. Meanwhile, Burkina Faso lost 2-1 to Congo but, having equalised with two or three minutes left and needing another goal to progress, promptly lost a scruffy one at the other end. Equatorial Guinea and Congo through.

I thought he was woeful with France in 2012 - finished behind England then wimped out to Spain in the QFs.

Predictably 0-0 in both games at HT. Not enough goals in this tournament.

Group A deciders currently on Eurosport/Eurosport 2. After two games: Congo +1 5pts Gabon +1 4pts Eq Guin 0 3pts B Faso -2 2pts Half an hour gone: Gabon 0-0 Equatorial Guinea (Eurosport) Congo 0-0 Burkina Faso (Eurosport 2)

It's on the opening page of the thread tbf. Didn't take too much detective work

True.

Yes. Good to see they're not bitter still after all these years.

Aye > http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/21/equatorial-guinea-fans-clash-police-burkina-faso-rocks-tear-gas?CMP=share_btn_tw

And yet it is now Mali looking better. Just had a goal from a free-kick ruled out for offside (correctly). Was it correct though? Surely if keeper pushes it out its a second phase of play? Or are keepers not part of that ruling? Thought it was given as the near-side player was foolishly off when the kick was taken? Anyway, an AFCON summary: Wins for Gabon (Gp A), as well as Senegal and Algeria (both Gp C) only. FIVE 1-1 draws with only Burkina Faso failing to score. Poor Ouagadougou.

And yet it is now Mali looking better. Just had a goal from a free-kick ruled out for offside (correctly).

Five minutes left in Mali-Cameroon. Cameroon have just equalised for 1-1 and are pushing for a winner.

CIV won't romp anything. Their squad has always seemed much better than it actually plays.

Agreed

What a fat mess that man is. Another one with absolutely f*** all to offer the world of professional football. Don't tell Ashley that!

Yep, been really easy to do the last few years as the most they've ever seemed to string together is two or three wins They're better this season, mind - though I'm not sure they'll come up automatically. The others - Derby, Ipswich, Bournemouth - score more goals.