Some of the Stoke fans seem to be highly encouraged by their performance today (don't see it myself though) Can't comment on anyone else, even us as we did not start with a first XI
I knew Walters was going to miss that penalty, I've been a big fan of Mig from the very first time I saw him, Sunderland are going to really miss him!
Mig pretty poor today, good penalty save though. Stoke looked unthreatening really. Begovic on the other had was outstanding.
Yes we are propping up the table, and we did have a nightmare at the back, but I'm sure we'll come good, after all we are the Mighty Swans!!.. By the way your welcome to some of the limelight this season guys, I have never liked the media hype regarding us, though some of it is fair and accurate, though I think you'll find most Jacks would laugh at young Redknapp's prediction for us!...............
Don't worry,you won't be the last team to get beaten 4-1 or worse.United are being underrated because Fergie has slung his hook.
Palace have never survived to play a 2nd season in the PL and I can't see that record changing this season.
Obviously one game means nothing but Hull had by far the hardest task of the three promoted sides who are favourites for the drop.A two nil defeat at the home of the much vaunted Champions elect of the media darlings wasn't a disaster for them.Once again raises the possibility for me that United are going to run away with it.If Chelsea are as good as we are being told it should have been 6-0. Odds wise Palace have shortened further to 4/9 on.Sunderland the other mover pulling in to 9/2 on the basis of a home defeat to a Fulham side renowned as bad travellers.
from what i have read, Hull did ok in the second half vs chelsea. whether that was due to chelsea taking the foot of the gas or Hull being improved, i guess we don't know. cardiff didn't muster a shot on target vs west ham
I watched both the Hull/Chelsea and Palace/Spurs games and despite a lot of effort and a high work rate, both looked toothless. Lampard could and should have had a first half hat-trick against Hull and I honestly believe the only reason it wasn't more that 2-0 was because Chelsea were taking it easy in the second half knowing they have a game in mid-week. Palace's problems are all up front. They started with Wilbraham and Gayle and when they were looking for an equaliser they brought on the 40 year old Phillips and Chamakh, who looked good for five minutes then vanished. That being said, Spurs didn't look much without Bale.
Round Two:While no pattern will form until about six games have been played the teams currently pointless will be keen to get off the mark.Being in that state going into round three,especially if their opponent in that game is a tough one will make teams,and their supporters, nervous.The teams that need something most today are Hull (Away to Citeh next) Cardiff (Home to Everton) Palace and Sunderland (Playing each other) Going into Round 4 with nothing on the board would be distinctly uncomfortable and tellingly all three promoted sides have potential for that scenario to emerge. By Round Six we may well have the skeleton of a mini league of teams likely to be involved.For teams who find themselves in this position results against the other members take on extra significance.Over the past ten seasons it has been unusual for relegated sides to win more than a couple of away games in a season.So it will be crucial to win their home games against other mini-league members and holding a member to a draw on their own patch will be like a victory. The third factor will be the "cut adrift" sides.Last season Reading and QPR were out of the running for most of the season in the case of the former,all of it in the case of the latter,and for spells Wigan flirted with this unwanted status.The number of clubs in this position will be the earliest pointer to points required for the 17th safety spot.So far we can only really say that there is a 90%+ likelihood that this will begin with a 3.
Did you see what Lawro wrote about Hull today? 1/ I guess it makes a change for him not being condescending about us but 2/ What an incredibly disrespectful thing to say. Hull are in the Premier league by right and I for one won't be taking them lightly. We have to go full on today to get some points. this is no cup tie, it's a premier league battle every point won in this league is probably literally worth its weight in gold.
This round of fixtures has shown there are no Derby County like teams in the premier league this year. It looks like Palace probably don't have the quality to get above 25 points but are prepared to battle.
