Maybe just the weekends we win and manure lose
Agreed, it was a great tool for a spot of light wummery, but be not be so great when we are on the recieving end of it!
Rival watch
- Thread starter Manciniiiiiii
- Start date
Agreed, it was a great tool for a spot of light wummery, but be not be so great when we are on the recieving end of it!
To be honest I can handle the wums if we get beat it's the bloody knobheads who come on a wind-up mission then can't handle a bit in return that do my head in
Berbs for instance is a pain in the arse...but at least he'll show his face when his lot get beat (thankfully he doesn't actually show his hideous face) and fight his corner when necessary. Good thread though yeah, enjoyed it...even if we don't get many more weekends like this one
To be honest I can handle the wums if we get beat it's the bloody knobheads who come on a wind-up mission then can't handle a bit in return that do my head in
Good thread though yeah, enjoyed it...even if we don't get many more weekends like this one
Bahahahaha! Nice one mate.
Actually I used to think he was a **** - there is a poster on the Arsenal board who has his signature of me saying "you're such a boring **** Berba", but actually he's not too bad. Improved a lot.
Monday, 2 January 2012
Wolverhampton v Chelsea, 15:00
Fulham v Arsenal, 17:30
Wolverhampton v Chelsea, 15:00
Wolves striker Steven Fletcher is fit despite taking a knock in Saturday's draw at Bolton.
New signings Eggert Jonsson and Emmanuel Frimpong are available, but Ronald Zubar is doubtful with a knee injury and Nenad Milijas is suspended.
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is likely to rotate his squad, so Frank Lampard and Fernando Torres will hope for recalls.
Branislav Ivanovic and John Obi Mikel remain sidelined by injury.
MATCH PREVIEW
A year ago this week Chelsea went to Molineux having picked up a paltry five points from four December games, and a tigerish, spirited Wolves beat them 1-0. It was the lowest point of Chelsea's campaign, and Carlo Ancelotti talked only of his team having a "bad moment". He had no cure. It cost him his job.
A year on, Chelsea return, boasting just three points from their last four games. A team said to be "in transition" is becoming a team in decline. But Andre Villas-Boas will only find the cure if he is given time.
Continue reading the main story
Top players don't become bad ones overnight but the danger signs are flashing for too many Chelsea squad members
Over a period of 18 months there needs to be a wholesale clear-out of ageing players or squad members who have lost their way at a club that lives under the yoke of Roman Abramovich's ambitions. New signings will be made. The old guard (as many as 10 players) must gradually go.
The owner must realise the need for evolution - not Russian revolution. But the current squad are finished in this season's title race, are struggling to hold down a top-four place and could be on the end of another Molineux mauling.
It's not fashionable to support John Terry at the moment. But after struggling with the ill-suited defensive high-line tactics favoured by Andre Villas-Boas, he's actually held things together of late. Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge are virtually the only other players who've performed well.
Top players don't become bad ones overnight but the danger signs are flashing for too many Chelsea squad members and Wolves will go for the throat if they sense any weakness. Three draws on the spin have steadied Mick McCarthy's side but they could do with a repeat of last January's famous win. It infused confidence throughout the club. It was the start of the road to safety.
McCarthy has enough spiky, fiery characters to ensure a tough afternoon for Chelsea. This is the sort of game made for Chelsea's old pantomime villain Stephen Hunt. Under Villas-Boas it could get worse before it gets better, but he must be given at least 18 months to rebuild.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Wolves won this fixture last season but that is their only victory in seven league games against Chelsea.
The sides have met 102 times. Wolves and Chelsea have both recorded 38 wins, with 26 draws.
Wolves
Mick McCarthy's side have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight home league games.
Their only shut-out at Molineux came in the 2-0 win against Fulham in August.
Six of Steven Fletcher's eight league goals this season have been headers.
Chelsea
The Blues have drawn their last two away games 1-1, with Daniel Sturridge scoring in each match.
Juan Mata has scored five league and cup goals for Chelsea but has yet to score an away goal for the Blues.
The last time Chelsea ended a calendar year outside the top four was in 2001, when they were sixth.
Fulham v Arsenal, 17:30
TEAM NEWS
Fulham are again expected to be without striker Bobby Zamora, who is nursing an Achilles problem.
Andrew Johnson, who has a groin injury, is also unlikely to feature, but Damien Duff could return to the starting line-up after his cameo at Norwich.
Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen is ruled out after suffering a calf strain in the win against QPR.
Youngster Francis Coquelin replaced the Belgian on Saturday, and may be promoted to the starting line-up.
MATCH PREVIEW
Points at Stamford Bridge and Carrow Road are not to be sniffed at, and Fulham were a little unfortunate not to hold on for all three against Norwich, but Martin Jol's side are developing a very dangerous habit.
Continue reading the main story
Fulham have already taken a point from the Emirates this season and I would not be surprised to see them avoid defeat again
Time and again they are being undone by conceding late, late goals. In fact, nine of the last 20 they have let in have been scored in the 88th minute or later. What conclusions you can draw from that I am not sure, but if you are playing against them you certainly know that you are up against a side who find closing a game out really tough. If they had avoided those last-minute jitters they would be sitting comfortably just above mid-table and still in the Europa League. Football management is full of "ifs".
Here's another - if Fulham are leading Arsenal going into the 90th minute they will be very pleased indeed. The Gunners' rise from 15th to fourth in 12 games has been pretty sensational, even though some of those results have been more about grit than glory in the last few weeks.
Robin van Persie's prolific run shows no sign of abating, the return of Thierry Henry for a couple of months will be a great morale boost, and they may even start getting some of their defenders fit again.
Having said that, Fulham have already taken a point from the Emirates this season and I would not be surprised to see them avoid defeat again. A word of warning though, my last prediction was that Manchester United would score five against Blackburn!
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
The sides have met on 50 occasions. Arsenal have won 34 times, Fulham seven and there have been nine draws. The last two meetings have finished even.
Fulham have beaten Arsenal just twice in 21 Premier League matches: 1-0 in 2008 and 2-1 in 2006.
Fulham
Martin Jol's side have suffered defeat in three of their last five home games.
They have lost two of their previous eight league matches.
Fulham have not lost back-to-back home league games since August 2009.
Arsenal
The Gunners have won four of their last five away league games, the only exception being their 1-0 defeat at Manchester City on 18 December.
However, they have only kept one clean sheet in their last eight top-flight matches away from the Emirates (at Wigan).
Robin van Persie's winner against QPR was Arsenal's 300th Premier League goal in London derbies.
Courtesy of the BBC SPORT. More to follow
Wolverhampton v Chelsea, 15:00
Fulham v Arsenal, 17:30
Wolverhampton v Chelsea, 15:00
Wolves striker Steven Fletcher is fit despite taking a knock in Saturday's draw at Bolton.
New signings Eggert Jonsson and Emmanuel Frimpong are available, but Ronald Zubar is doubtful with a knee injury and Nenad Milijas is suspended.
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is likely to rotate his squad, so Frank Lampard and Fernando Torres will hope for recalls.
Branislav Ivanovic and John Obi Mikel remain sidelined by injury.
MATCH PREVIEW
A year ago this week Chelsea went to Molineux having picked up a paltry five points from four December games, and a tigerish, spirited Wolves beat them 1-0. It was the lowest point of Chelsea's campaign, and Carlo Ancelotti talked only of his team having a "bad moment". He had no cure. It cost him his job.
A year on, Chelsea return, boasting just three points from their last four games. A team said to be "in transition" is becoming a team in decline. But Andre Villas-Boas will only find the cure if he is given time.
Continue reading the main story
Top players don't become bad ones overnight but the danger signs are flashing for too many Chelsea squad members
Over a period of 18 months there needs to be a wholesale clear-out of ageing players or squad members who have lost their way at a club that lives under the yoke of Roman Abramovich's ambitions. New signings will be made. The old guard (as many as 10 players) must gradually go.
The owner must realise the need for evolution - not Russian revolution. But the current squad are finished in this season's title race, are struggling to hold down a top-four place and could be on the end of another Molineux mauling.
It's not fashionable to support John Terry at the moment. But after struggling with the ill-suited defensive high-line tactics favoured by Andre Villas-Boas, he's actually held things together of late. Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge are virtually the only other players who've performed well.
Top players don't become bad ones overnight but the danger signs are flashing for too many Chelsea squad members and Wolves will go for the throat if they sense any weakness. Three draws on the spin have steadied Mick McCarthy's side but they could do with a repeat of last January's famous win. It infused confidence throughout the club. It was the start of the road to safety.
McCarthy has enough spiky, fiery characters to ensure a tough afternoon for Chelsea. This is the sort of game made for Chelsea's old pantomime villain Stephen Hunt. Under Villas-Boas it could get worse before it gets better, but he must be given at least 18 months to rebuild.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Wolves won this fixture last season but that is their only victory in seven league games against Chelsea.
The sides have met 102 times. Wolves and Chelsea have both recorded 38 wins, with 26 draws.
Wolves
Mick McCarthy's side have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight home league games.
Their only shut-out at Molineux came in the 2-0 win against Fulham in August.
Six of Steven Fletcher's eight league goals this season have been headers.
Chelsea
The Blues have drawn their last two away games 1-1, with Daniel Sturridge scoring in each match.
Juan Mata has scored five league and cup goals for Chelsea but has yet to score an away goal for the Blues.
The last time Chelsea ended a calendar year outside the top four was in 2001, when they were sixth.
Fulham v Arsenal, 17:30
TEAM NEWS
Fulham are again expected to be without striker Bobby Zamora, who is nursing an Achilles problem.
Andrew Johnson, who has a groin injury, is also unlikely to feature, but Damien Duff could return to the starting line-up after his cameo at Norwich.
Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen is ruled out after suffering a calf strain in the win against QPR.
Youngster Francis Coquelin replaced the Belgian on Saturday, and may be promoted to the starting line-up.
MATCH PREVIEW
Points at Stamford Bridge and Carrow Road are not to be sniffed at, and Fulham were a little unfortunate not to hold on for all three against Norwich, but Martin Jol's side are developing a very dangerous habit.
Continue reading the main story
Fulham have already taken a point from the Emirates this season and I would not be surprised to see them avoid defeat again
Time and again they are being undone by conceding late, late goals. In fact, nine of the last 20 they have let in have been scored in the 88th minute or later. What conclusions you can draw from that I am not sure, but if you are playing against them you certainly know that you are up against a side who find closing a game out really tough. If they had avoided those last-minute jitters they would be sitting comfortably just above mid-table and still in the Europa League. Football management is full of "ifs".
Here's another - if Fulham are leading Arsenal going into the 90th minute they will be very pleased indeed. The Gunners' rise from 15th to fourth in 12 games has been pretty sensational, even though some of those results have been more about grit than glory in the last few weeks.
Robin van Persie's prolific run shows no sign of abating, the return of Thierry Henry for a couple of months will be a great morale boost, and they may even start getting some of their defenders fit again.
Having said that, Fulham have already taken a point from the Emirates this season and I would not be surprised to see them avoid defeat again. A word of warning though, my last prediction was that Manchester United would score five against Blackburn!
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
The sides have met on 50 occasions. Arsenal have won 34 times, Fulham seven and there have been nine draws. The last two meetings have finished even.
Fulham have beaten Arsenal just twice in 21 Premier League matches: 1-0 in 2008 and 2-1 in 2006.
Fulham
Martin Jol's side have suffered defeat in three of their last five home games.
They have lost two of their previous eight league matches.
Fulham have not lost back-to-back home league games since August 2009.
Arsenal
The Gunners have won four of their last five away league games, the only exception being their 1-0 defeat at Manchester City on 18 December.
However, they have only kept one clean sheet in their last eight top-flight matches away from the Emirates (at Wigan).
Robin van Persie's winner against QPR was Arsenal's 300th Premier League goal in London derbies.
Courtesy of the BBC SPORT. More to follow
To be honest I can handle the wums if we get beat it's the bloody knobheads who come on a wind-up mission then can't handle a bit in return that do my head in
Good thread though yeah, enjoyed it...even if we don't get many more weekends like this one
Cheers mate, goota give it to Berbs, we where giving him loads, and kept giving it back. Fair play.
Hopefully Chelsea's poor run of form will continue, Wolves have enough quality to trouble an out of form Chelsea, and it will be intresting to see Emmanual Frimpong making his debut for Wolves. Fernando Torres may make a rare start, should be a good game. Links to follow.........
Arsenal face an in form Fulham, and as we found out earlier in the season, Craven Cottage is a very difficult place to come away from with any points. Hopefully more slip ups from the teams around us and plenty of Goalllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllssssss! Links to follow...........
All kick-offs at 1500 GMT unless stated
Aston Villa v Swansea
Blackburn v Stoke
QPR v Norwich
Wolves v Chelsea
Fulham v Arsenal (1730 GMT)
While only half the Premier League will be getting their knees dirty this afternoon, there is pretty much a full turnout in the Football League and Scotland. It is going to be a busy one and hopefully plenty of goallllllllllllllllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllls!
Other news
Former Liverpool striker Ian Rush on Gary Ablett: "He summed up what Liverpool people are all about. He gave 100% to the team and my favourite memory of him was after the 1989 FA Cup final - he was so proud to win something for the team. Off the pitch, he was the perfect gentleman. He had a lovely family, which he brought up really well, and he was such a respectable person. If he could help you with anything, he would." RIP Gary Ablett.....
In other, less important, business the transfer window is open and QPR have moved early to bring in Manchester United striker Federico Macheda on loan until the end of the season.
Aston Villa v Swansea
Blackburn v Stoke
QPR v Norwich
Wolves v Chelsea
Fulham v Arsenal (1730 GMT)
While only half the Premier League will be getting their knees dirty this afternoon, there is pretty much a full turnout in the Football League and Scotland. It is going to be a busy one and hopefully plenty of goallllllllllllllllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllls!
Other news
Former Liverpool striker Ian Rush on Gary Ablett: "He summed up what Liverpool people are all about. He gave 100% to the team and my favourite memory of him was after the 1989 FA Cup final - he was so proud to win something for the team. Off the pitch, he was the perfect gentleman. He had a lovely family, which he brought up really well, and he was such a respectable person. If he could help you with anything, he would." RIP Gary Ablett.....
In other, less important, business the transfer window is open and QPR have moved early to bring in Manchester United striker Federico Macheda on loan until the end of the season.
Gary was a true gentleman in the game, his loss will be felt on Merseyside today and I hope both Clubs have the fire in the belly to give something back.
There has been quite a few draws recently, so hopefully this comes to an end. Lots of goooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllsaaaaaaaaaalooooooolllllllsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss please!
There has been quite a few draws recently, so hopefully this comes to an end. Lots of goooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllsaaaaaaaaaalooooooolllllllsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss please!
Yes hopefully plenty of goallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllls! If anyone finds reliable streams, pleasssssssssssssssssssseeee post the links here.
NEWS FLASH 12:24
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has accepted a fine for his performance in training following a night out, Rival watch understands.
Rooney went for a meal on Boxing Day with his wife and fellow players Darron Gibson and Jonny Evans.
Despite no suggestion they misbehaved or drank too much, Sir Alex Ferguson was unhappy with their training performance the next day.
Rooney was fined one week's wages, and has accepted the punishment.
Lol
Let's hope his kick up the backside doesn't make him have the game of his life vs Newcastle. Mind you, under extra pressure Rooney always has a mare.
Let's hope not, as was pointed out earlier, if we beat City and United slip up against the Geordie's then we will be only seven points of the top. Big if admitedly, but football is a funny old game, so who knows. Would be very nice if at least Chelsea or Arsenal drop points today.............................
12:35
Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso on Twitter: "RIP Gary Ablett. Top guy, he will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family."
Ablett was reserve team coach at Liverpool during Alonso's own time at the club.
Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso on Twitter: "RIP Gary Ablett. Top guy, he will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family."
Ablett was reserve team coach at Liverpool during Alonso's own time at the club.
I would love for us to catch up with them.
At least United. Imagine the stick we could give Berba! Quality.....
Just realised Spurs have 3 home games on the trott before they play away to City. I hope that doesn't mean 9 points then.