It was similar to how Balotelli scored earlier in the season, hence why my judgement is more towards not a penalty, understandable, but shows the inconsistencies in reffing this year. The first 15 minutes had me fearing a hammering if I'm honest. We were a yard off of everything but after that I was quite shocked at how fluid we had become. 4th isn't a possibility for us though, regardless of what the media say.
Really? I think it rests on your game at Stamford Bridge. If you can win there - a massive result - then that puts Chelsea out of your way. Although saying that, you do have some toughies coming up. But it's still possible.
Indeed. Our run in isn't brilliant, although Chelsea is a game we could win if we play on the counter like the last 2 games. 5th is the highest we could finish this year and that will be a phenomenal season by all accounts, as would finishing 6th.
This Europa league spot is puzzling. If you finish 6th do you need Liverpool to reach the FA cup final to get a Europa spot? Sitting here trying to work it out and getting confused
Indeed we do. To get Europe from 6th position we need a Final of yourselves and one of Spurs or Chelsea, assuming Chelsea don't automatically qualify for the CL next year.
I support Tonbridge Angels, 8th in the blue square southern. We're so **** we don't even have a thread on this site I wish we were in the semi-final. I'm just a keen footballer that follows other leagues, just getting confused with the business end of the table.
Yep Wolves. Only a team in complete disarray, with a temporary manager, with players who argue with each other on the pitch and heading for the championship are doing worse than us. Today was a complete balls up. Our performance (bar the first 10mins) was terrible, the ref was poor and Newcastle exploited our ****ness. It all seemed to go further and further down hill after Carroll decided to flop in the area (no doubt in my mind that it was a flop, not a stumble) when he had an easy chance to score. The second goal was offside, but with the offside laws being so ambigious its easy to see why it was given. Simpson clearly handballed on the line and should have been sent off and Perch and Cabaye did some shameful play acting trying to get players sent off (one of which worked). However all in all we were crap and Newcastle deserved to win. Its embarrasing to think we spent 35mil on a donkey and the Geordies were able to get Cisse and Ba for around 10mil
I thought we looked the better team until Newcastle scored. We played like we did against Wigan after that, just plain awful. Newcastle definitely deserved the win I'm not going to comment on the Carroll fall/dive until I have seen it again. There is definitely no contact but my mate seemed to think he stumbled, there wasn't another replay (that I saw) after that. I share your frustration in us spending £35m on Carroll when they got Ba and Cisse for just £10m. Why can't we find these players? Why do we wait for others to find them and then pay a fortune for their services?
Maybe, but surely his scouting network are the ones that find the players? Or is Comolli not listening / thinks he knows better? Who knows, the one thing I am certain of is we need to do better scouting and buying!
There's obviously more to our scouting system than other clubs,it 'appears' that DC collates the information on players being watched and presents those he deems fit the bill to Kenny for final analysis and a decision on whether to purchase. But if DC byepasses decent players that he doesn't like the look of Kenny is only left with DC's choices to choose from. I would like more transparency as to what his job entails at the club and would be interested if Kenny actually gets to recommend targets to DC.
Well, the early interviews said that Kenny has the final say which would suggest that Comolli gets to pick and chose who Kenny sees. Effectively, they both have to want a player for us to try and sign them. In essence, this means that Kenny (or whoever is in charge) doesn't always get the player they want, they simply get to chose the best option available to plug the gaps they feel need plugging. (this is the first time / angle I have seen a negative aspect to this arrangement )
I've read an interview DC gave where he stated that he is responsible for every football aspect at the club apart from training and team selection,this being so means Kenny cant buy the players he wants only the pool of players DC puts in front of him. I dont like the set-up at all,theres nothing wrong with a scout making recommendations and the manager giving a yes or a no but if DC's words are true Kenny cant recommend a target for the scouts within the system to watch.
I'm not sure that is true. I am sure Kenny would be able to ask Comolli to watch X, Y and/or Z. The problem lies in Comolli if he does not like what he ears or sees regarding X, Y and/or Z. From the clubs perspective, I can see the benefit of this as it is a method of stopping the club being stocked up with players that the previous manager wanted (aka, Roy and Poulsen, Konchesky, Cole, etc) and building a structure that any incoming manager can work with. In other words, a change of manager should not mean starting all over again. Naturally, this is all theory
Its not 'all' theory,its just that we dont know which components come before others in the scenario. But if what your kinda saying is that DC is responsible in the main for the acquisition of Carroll,Henderson,Downing and Adam he should make it plain instead of letting Kenny take the flak for their poor showing throughout parts of the season. Some people also assume that it was Kenny's policy to buy English/British whenever possible,i read the interview John Henry the week before this season started and he intimated it was a board decision. But its managers that get the blame in the end,and if DC is guilty in part to Kenny's downfall our next manager should beware of the DC effect. This is mostly theory.
I reckon Suarez was a Comolli signing, going by his crazed celebration. Looked very much like relief when he got a goal on his debut.
Saurez said Torres persuaded him to join us in a telephone call,DC must have paid for the call and stood there listening with his fingers crossed.
