Weekend Games plus City v Swansea

[Cripps_orig]

Saturday, 13 August 2011
Blackburn (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/default.stm) v Wolverhampton (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/default.stm), 15:00
Fulham (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/default.stm) v Aston Villa (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/default.stm), 15:00
Liverpool (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/default.stm) v Sunderland (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/default.stm), 15:00
QPR (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/default.stm) v Bolton (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bolton_wanderers/default.stm), 15:00
Tottenham (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/default.stm) OFF Everton (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/default.stm), 15:00
Wigan (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wigan_athletic/default.stm) v Norwich (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/norwich/default.stm), 15:00
Newcastle (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/default.stm) v Arsenal (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/default.stm), 17:30
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Stoke (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/default.stm) v Chelsea (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/default.stm), 13:30
West Brom (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_bromwich_albion/default.stm) v Man Utd (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/default.stm), 16:00
Monday, 15 August 2011
Man City (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/default.stm) v Swansea (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/default.stm), 20:00

Dont forget to make your predictions

Also Spuds :pal:

[Master Splinter]

Maccy does it nicer.

[Cripps_orig]

Maccy does it nicer.

Probably but its my idea tbh.

[Marc Overmars]

Man City to be top after the first round of fixtures by a goal difference of +5.

[Rors]

*Stomach in, chest out*...Here we go again then...

[Darth Vela]

Confident of getting a result at Fulham then, Rors?

[Rors]

Yeah I am. We've got a pretty decent record there of late as well, they struggle to handle our 'counter-attacking style with bags of pace'.
I'd take a draw all told -and given the way we will probably line up we'll almost certainly be looking for that! - as the six games that come after that are all quite kind as well. As many as we can rack up before what's going to be a very dodgy Autumn/Early Winter fixtures-wise, then all the better!

[Darth Vela]

Racking up points is always a good option. :d

Hmm, sounds like it might be a decent match then, might give it a try.

[Rors]

Agreed;)

Right then, let's see what Football Focus From Salford For No Real Reason has got for us...

[Rors]

PV4 on the team?! Let's hope he has learned from the mistakes he made in June/July 2010. Namely that it might be worth doing a bit more than just saying "yes" every now and then. At least Edgar 'oh who cares man, and shit' Davids isn't there to drag him down

[Rors]

Early 80's footage of Swansea - good
Early 80's footage of Swansea with Des Lynam on commentary - very very un-good

[Rors]

"Aston Villa: 2-0". Samuel L. Jackson :bow:

[Rors]

And here's Motty. Continuing his run of being our unofficial house commentator it would seem :banghead:

[Darth Vela]

Had us down as keeping a clean sheet too, always liked that fella.

[Rors]

Di Canio now: We probably won't get a reprise of "I am a fascist, not a racist" this time...

[Cripps_orig]

Best player Vieira has ever played with was Zidane or Bergkamp.Henry :pal:

[Master Splinter]

'counter-attacking style with bags of pace'

We could be the new Villa :scarf: :dance:.

Or should that be a :( ?

Also Fulham are good at home and have played some games already. 2-0 to Fulham.

[Cripps_orig]

Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Hanley, Nzonzi, Olsson, Emerton, Dunn, Pedersen, Hoilett, Formica, Roberts. Subs: Bunn, Rochina, Blackman, Goodwillie, Ribeiro, Anderson, Henley.
Wolverhampton: Hennessey, Stearman, Johnson, Berra, Ward, Jarvis, O'Hara, Henry, Hunt, Doyle, Fletcher. Subs: De Vries, Elokobi, Ebanks-Blake, Hammill, Milijas, Foley, Maierhofer.
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)

Liverpool: Reina, Flanagan, Carragher, Agger, Jose Enrique, Lucas, Adam, Henderson, Suarez, Downing, Carroll. Subs: Doni, Meireles, Kuyt, Spearing, Ngog, Kelly, Robinson.
Sunderland: Mignolet, Bardsley, Brown, Ferdinand, Richardson, Larsson, Cattermole, Colback, Elmohamady, Sessegnon, Gyan. Subs: Westwood, Gardner, Wickham, Vaughan, Ji, Bramble, Laing.
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)

[Rors]

Also Fulham are good at home and have played some games already. .

Yep. Should be that end-of-the-season feeling for them today then :whistle: Both Given and Chuck are starting today, and quite rightly

[Cripps_orig]

Wigan: Al Habsi, Boyce, Caldwell, Lopez, Figueroa, Gomez, McCarthy, Watson, Diame, Moses, Di Santo. Subs: Pollitt, Thomas, McArthur, Sammon, Jones, Rodallega, Stam.
Norwich: Ruddy, Russell Martin, Whitbread, De Laet, Tierney, Fox, Surman, Hoolahan, Crofts, Holt, Morison. Subs: Rudd, Bradley Johnson, Jackson, Pilkington, Bennett, Barnett, Naughton.
Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)

[Master Splinter]

Fulham: Schwarzer, Hughes, Hangeland, Senderos, John Arne Riise, Duff, Etuhu, Murphy, Dempsey, Andrew Johnson, Zamora. Subs: Etheridge, Kelly, Sidwell, Baird, Kasami, Briggs, Dembele.

Aston Villa: Given, Young, Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Delph, Petrov, N'Zogbia, Heskey, Bent, Agbonlahor. Subs: Guzan, Ireland, Albrighton, Delfouneso, Makoun, Clark, Bannan.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)


QPR: Kenny, Dyer, Hall, Gabbidon, Hill, Smith, Derry, Faurlin, Taarabt, Campbell, Bothroyd. Subs: Murphy, Orr, Buzsaky, Connolly, Agyemang, Helguson, Ephraim.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Eagles, Muamba, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Kevin Davies, Klasnic. Subs: Bogdan, Alonso, Gardner, Mark Davies, Blake, Pratley, Wheater.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)

[Master Splinter]

@chrisbevan_bbc
Heskey, Agbonlahor and Bent all start for Villa at Craven Cottage today. All-out attack by Alex McLeish?


Has he seen Heskey play?

[Cripps_orig]

Has he seen Heskey play?

Best defensive attacker in world football

[Master Splinter]

WTF?

More Relish and Albrighton on the bench. Hopefully they come on and score to highlight their managers' idiocy. And earn me some points.

Kenny :doh:

McLeish :doh:

At least Holt is starting :scarf:

[Rors]

Heskey will effectively be playing left-wing. Laughing gas not required.

[Cripps_orig]

Anyway 10 minutes away from kick off.

Looking at the 3pm kick offs, quite a few shockers there. In fact nothing of interest at all today in any match.

At least the crickets on

[Master Splinter]

Liverpool v Sunderland should be 'intriguing' or 'fascinating'.

Fulham v Villa should be decent.

Come on Holt :scarf:.

[Darth Vela]

Yep, I'm going with Liverpool-Sunderland for that very reason and as there doesn't seem to be a decent stream for Villa-Fulham.

[Rors]

Fivelive for me. Liverpool - Sunderland inevitably the commentary game.

[GunnerFan4Life]

Benjanis back at pompey! Mates are going crazy down there!

[Rors]

Liverpool pel. Sounds like Lord Master Suarez went down mighty easily.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

anyone with a link for liverpool game?

[Rors]

Even Jan Molby disputes that one...

[Master Splinter]

Suarez misses :haha:.

[Rors]

..and The King Of The Universe puts it into orbit! :haha:

[Rors]

"Kieron Dyer departs on a stretcher" :faint:

[Master Splinter]

Kieron Dyer stretchered off.

Shocking.

[Thierrymon]

:lol: suarez's arms flailing. Not a very likeable guy.

[Cripps_orig]

Suarez :lol:

4th is ours

[Darth Vela]

Bloody hell, that's an awful dive from Suarez, good enough to get a pen from Dowd but still pretty shocking, he almost didn't make contact with Richardson as he flicked out.

[Master Splinter]

Suarez :lol:

4th is ours

Would it have been a 'We're fucked' if he'd scored?

[Rors]

Fivelive almost making it sound like we're playing 4-2-4 :blink:

[Master Splinter]

Dowd off to a great start.

This fat cunt needs to FOAD.

[Rors]

He Leads And We Follow now does put Liverpool in front...

[Marc Overmars]

Surprised Suarez is even playing given he played throughout the entire summer. If this had been one of our players they wouldn't be seen until September.

[Cripps_orig]

Suarez scores

We're fucked

[Thierrymon]

Sunderland are all over the place.

[Rors]

Pel to Wigan.

[Rors]

Watson - 1-0 Wigan

[Rors]

Blackeye lead against Wolves. Formica I think - hard to tell when Stuart Hall is doing the 'reporting'

[Master Splinter]

Has anyone ever beaten Andy Carroll in the air?

[Master Splinter]

Mauro Formica :unsure:

[Cripps_orig]

Blackeye lead against Wolves. Formica I think - hard to tell when Stuart Hall is doing the 'reporting'

I hate that guy.

Hall, not Formica

[Master Splinter]

Fletcher equalises for Wolves.

FFS. He's in Letters' team.

[Rors]

Wolves hit back, Fletcher 1-1

[Darth Vela]

I hate that guy.

Hall, not Formica

How can you possibly hate him? He's hilarious. He's even funnier if you ever get a chance to watch Ninja Warrior on Challenge.

[Master Splinter]

Cattermole back to his best.

[Darth Vela]

Really should have put some money on Cattermole as first red card of the season.

[Master Splinter]

Really should have put some money on Cattermole as first red card of the season.

Put some on now for him to get sent off before half time.

[Darth Vela]

Put some on now for him to get sent off before half time.

I can't be arsed now, plus I don't trust online bookies, hell I don't trust normal bookies.

[Master Splinter]

Reina :lol:

[Master Splinter]

Carragher GHELs Gyan good.

Should be off tbh.

[Rors]

Equaliser for Norwich - Hoolahan

[Master Splinter]

Dowd books Bardsley for jumping.

Seriously.

[Rors]

Cahill shop-windows one in for Bolton against QPR. The total package....

[GunnerFan4Life]

Gary cahill scores :dance: points!

[Darth Vela]

Quality hit too, we should buy him and play him up top.

[Master Splinter]

Quality hit too, we should buy him and play him up top.

Vermaelen and Cahill front two :bow:.

[Cripps_orig]

Not been following any of the games and just know the scores.

6 goals in 5 games

As expected, a shocker of an opening day

[Darth Vela]

With a back 3 of RvP, Gervinho and Arshavin, nothing could stop us.

[Boss]

PREMIER LEAGUE FACT: QPR new-boy Kieron Dyer, stretchered off earlier, has now completed 90 minutes only once in his last 29 Premier League matches stretching back over the last three seasons.
Courtesy of Infostrada Sports

Jesus.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

just saw half time highlights of pools game

penalty miss of the season so far........how far off?

'ppose he made up for it later......good goal

[Ironing]

Charlie Adam dictating the play at Anfield today

Downing looking decent, and Carroll and Suarez picking up where they left off

Jordan Henderson on the other hand I don't really understand. 20 million? For what?

Compare him to Wilshere / Ramsey...

[Cripps_orig]

Jesus.


Injury prone tag is unfair’ - Kieron Dyer

http://www.greenun24.co.uk/ipswich-town/injury_prone_tag_is_unfair_kieron_dyer_1_829580

[Japan Shaking All Over]

second half to begin......have the choice of Liverpool or CSKA Moscow

who do you suggest I should watch?

thank fuck just seen Phil Dowd is the ref......means he"s nowhere near our game

[Rors]

Fat Robbo saves a Doyle pel, but I think Wolves score on the rebound (Hall at it again).

Ah, Ward - there you go. That wasn't so hard was it?

[Ironing]

thank fuck just seen Phil Dowd is the ref......means he"s nowhere near our game

Indeed. The fat cunt has already disallowed one goal in this game so far!

[Ironing]

Why do we allow fat refs in this league?

Guys that are running around in a constant battle with their rotund bodies are supposed to be able to make difficult, quick mental assessments?

Right

[Japan Shaking All Over]

great delivery by Enrique..........dont say me and Ach told you so......cos we did

[Master Splinter]

Larsson!!!!!!

What a goal.

[Rors]

That'll be a Sunderland equaliser then...!

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Larsson great goal........1:1

[Darth Vela]

Seb :bow:

[AKBapologist]

Larsson :bow:

Elmohamady :bow:

Sessegnon :bow:

Outclassed Liverpool this half.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Liverpool in need for some pub team magic........

[Rors]

Accidentally pressed Source on my remote control, which took me instantly to Football First. Logan, Crooks, and Bright. I'll be sure it doesn't happen again.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

the magic of a free transfer in full effect

Barton:coffee:

[Master Splinter]

Sessegnon won't be at Sunderland for long.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Henderson off........Kuyt on

crap off and the human engine on

[Darth Vela]

the magic of a free transfer in full effect

Barton:coffee:

It's not happening.

Ever.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Sunderland fans clapping Henderson off........probably as thanks for doing sod all for the entire game........nice game Jordan

[Rors]

Sunderland fans clapping Henderson off........probably as thanks for doing sod all for the entire game........nice game Jordan

Bringing him off for Kuyt is something 'King' Kenny should have done using pepperpots on his desk back in June, long before putting in the calls to Bruce-y. I mean, 20million for someone who did a backheel on the halfway line against France in a friendly once?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kammy.

:haha:

What a dick.

[Master Splinter]

Bolton are holding QPR very much at arms length at present at Loftus Road - thanks in no small way to their fhackling of the influential Adel Taarabt. Work for QPR to do.


Sam Lyon inventing new words on Live Text.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Dong Won is on

Sunday Sport will have a field day tomorrow if he scores the winner!

Korean Dong bangs one in!

[GunnerFan4Life]

:haha: Kammy!

just rewinded it to that bit, oh he makes me laugh.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

7 yellows in this game......Dowd hasn't changed......

seems to be something going on with any back chat........anything changed in that respect

[Rors]

Gabbidon OG makes it 2-0 Bolton.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

QPR 0-2 Bolton.

[GunnerFan4Life]

award the goal to eagles NOW me need points!

[Darth Vela]

7 yellows in this game......Dowd hasn't changed......

seems to be something going on with any back chat........anything changed in that respect

Maybe for the first few games then when it becomes apparent they're unable to apply the rules to Man U they'll scrap any 'directives' again and sweep it under the rug.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

QPR 0-3 Bolton.

Kammy. :haha:

Wake up FFS.

[GunnerFan4Life]

:haha: Kammy does it again!

[Rors]

0-3 Klasnic

:rose:

[Marc Overmars]

QPR. :wave:

[Sirjackofwilshere]

Whos Kammy? :unsure:

[AKBapologist]

Dowd is so bad.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Whos Kammy? :unsure:

Chris Kamara. Former footballer, Soccer Saturday (Sky) employee and general eejit.

[Master Splinter]

Warnock :wave:

[Rors]

Warnock :wave:

He's on the MOTD2 team tomorrow. He might as well bring his own mug with him..

[McNamara That Ghost...]

QPR 0-4 Bolton, Muamba. :haha:

[Ironing]

Liverpool picking up EXACTLY where they left of last season, despite expensive signings in 4 key positions

[Marc Overmars]

Oh dear. :lol:

[Master Splinter]

Sunderland could have won it.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sunderland should've scored on the counterattack by the sounds of it.

Fulham 0-0 Villa, full time.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Liverpool 1-1 Sunderland full time. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Er somebody pressed the wrong button on the vidiprinter for Soccer Saturday.

[Rors]

There's that point then. Like I said earlier, I will take that one. Hope results like that don't set much of a tone, but I fear they might :lol:

Most importantly though, that guarantees us the main-event slot on MOTD :scarf:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Wigan 1-1 Norwich, full time.

[Master Splinter]

Liverpool's title charge off to a great start.

[Marc Overmars]

I reckon Blackburn will go down.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

QPR 0-3 Bolton.

Kammy. :haha:

Wake up FFS.


QPR 0-3 Bolton.


might aswell add another 5 mil onto Cahill now - goal and clean sheet

[Rors]

Sports Report music :bow:

[Rors]

I reckon Blackburn will go down.

Their owners were talking about a title not long ago. They didn't say which title...

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Liverpool's title charge off to a great start.

sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssh! be very very quiet!

[Japan Shaking All Over]

I reckon Blackburn will go down.

lost 1:2

might as well knock 5 mil off Samba.......now I see what AW is up to

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

That's Suarez off penalty duty :lol:

[Master Splinter]

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand on Twitter: "Watched NUFC vs AFC and I think a 'stayonyourfeet' t-shirt needs sending out! The game is better off with no diving, sadly a part of our game now."


I wonder if this imbecile will be tweeting the next time Rooney, Hernandez, Nani, etc. go down easily.

[GP]

I wonder if this imbecile will be tweeting the next time Rooney, Hernandez, Nani, etc. go down easily.

He's talking about Barton, right?

[Marc Overmars]

After recieiving some abuse for the tweet...


Wow, my last tweet wasn't well received...can't always be the good guy on here...steady down though, its not like I just cussed your mums!

:lol:

[Rors]

A new set of MOTD titles on the way apparently. Yay. No changes where they are really needed though however: format, 'pundits'.

[Rors]

Hmm. Slightly more convincing graphics this time out, but I'm still not too sure what point it's trying to make.

Nngh - still the same 'highlights of every match' run then. It doesn't work!! Just creates frustration with viewers when there doesn't need to be. Do away with any chance of accusations of bias and go back to the 1992-2001 format: two main games, brief highlights of one more, and the goals from the other matches. Simple as that. I know they have plenty of jobbing commentators filling up the payroll to whom they need to throw a regular bone, but come on...

[Rors]

There goes the crock again. As always - completely innocuous too. Call it a day now eh lad?

[Rors]

Stunning strike from Cahill. Not up there with his airborne-volley in the Second City derby in 2006, but then, what would be? :scarf:

[Rors]

Muh that was soft. QPR backline were completely statuesque there. Blimey lads it's only a low-driven free-kick, not the sword ascending from the stone!

[Rors]

Nngh - still the same 'highlights of every match' run then. It doesn't work!! Just creates frustration with viewers when there doesn't need to be. Do away with any chance of accusations of bias and go back to the 1992-2001 format: two main games, brief highlights of one more, and the goals from the other matches. Simple as that. I know they have plenty of jobbing commentators filling up the payroll to whom they need to throw a regular bone, but come on...

Case in point. Ten minutes for the supposed main-match is an absolute joke - just playing into the hands of an audience who they like to think have little or no attention span, and look upon 'all the other teams' purely for brief disposable entertainment. 30, 20, 5, and goals respectively please!

[Rors]

I get so fucking frustrated watching this programme (as you may have guessed <_< ). How the hell is "what a tremendous strike that is" analysis of any kind, let alone worth 300K a year? MOTD used to really push the boat out too- first game of the 73/74 season they had Barry Davies in reviewing his performance as a commentator on the Citeh - Derby game he was at. Time to go back to things like that, or the viewing figures will plummet - and with them, the rights.

[Rors]

If it's a foul then RIchardson has to go there. Not that it seemed to be much of a foul of course.. :lol:


And now.... :haha:

[Rors]

That's more like it Downing, a few more runs like that for us this season an... oh

[Rors]

Seb's goal was worthy of the hype alright, what a brilliantly weighted finish that was - especially as it took an age to come out of the air.

[Rors]

Ah there's the "could have won 3 or 4". HansenBot August 2011 patch is Assurance Tested and ready to roll out.

[Rors]

Always hard to tell from a pithy match edit but looks like we were restricted to a lot of efforts from distance. We could definitely do with a bit more penetration in there. I think FWIW Albrighton will eventually become what we now call an Attacking Centre Midfielder, and responsible for that kind of thing, but that's not his game yet.

[Ironing]

thanks for not using my match of the day thread for all that

wanker

[Marc Overmars]

:unsure:

[Master Splinter]

Rors conversing with himself :bow:.

And surely Albrighton should be starting over Heskey?

With a manager like McLeish though, Heskey will always be first on the team sheet. Just needs Cameron Jerome as a partner and Eck will be set for the season.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

thanks for not using my match of the day thread for all that

wanker

We've always used the match day thread for MotD chat.

[Rors]

I just want Jerome's move to somebody to be confirmed ASAP. As long as he stays at Blues there is always the outside chance Eck will try and bring him in. The biscuit would be well and truly taken then.

This should be the season for Albrighton - I suppose the fear is that he would end up burning himself out, and it doesn't really matter if that happens to Emile, but he needs to be starting even so. Without happening we would end up being a fairly slow side - which as much of a cliche as it has become, dropping a bit in pace wouldn't help us. We have enough bones creaking in centre-mid as it is.

[Rors]

In the current absence of a Sunday Supplement thread, here's our marker for the rest of the season. This one will take some beating:

Cunstis: "Joey Barton is a bright lad".

Talk about your target constituency..

[Darth Vela]

Always hard to tell from a pithy match edit but looks like we were restricted to a lot of efforts from distance. We could definitely do with a bit more penetration in there. I think FWIW Albrighton will eventually become what we now call an Attacking Centre Midfielder, and responsible for that kind of thing, but that's not his game yet.

Friend of mine who watched it said, and I quote 'it was the most boring game of football I've ever witnessed', high praise indeed.

[Rors]

Friend of mine who watched it said, and I quote 'it was the most boring game of football I've ever witnessed', high praise indeed.

:lol: Consider our stall when-and-truly set out :(

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

If it's a foul then RIchardson has to go there. Not that it seemed to be much of a foul of course.. :lol:


And now.... :haha:
It was a foul, and probably a red.

It's just Suarez is a bit... extravagant when he falls.

He's probably decent at fly half as well. :unsure:

[Rors]

It was a foul, and probably a red.

It's just Suarez is a bit... extravagant when he falls.

He's probably decent at fly half as well. :unsure:

There was indeed contact, not much, but just enough. Richardson deserved it for trying a hoof on the halfway line anyway. All that was missing from Suarez was the pike at the end, but that will come...

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

There was indeed contact, not much, but just enough. Richardson deserved it for trying a hoof on the halfway line anyway. All that was missing from Suarez was the pike at the end, but that will come...
Gerrard will sort it out... he's not doing much for a while.

Torres starts for Chelsea :popcorn:

[Rors]

Ian Brown on Fivelive surprised that "Dean Sturridge" isn't starting for Chelsea today

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two months to do research. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Stoke: Begovic, Huth, Shawcross, Woodgate, Wilson, Pennant, Delap, Whelan, Etherington, Jones, Walters.
Subs: Sorensen, Collins, Pugh, Diao, Whitehead, Wilkinson, Shotton.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Mikel, Lampard, Kalou, Torres, Malouda.
Subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, Benayoun, Drogba, Ferreira, McEachran, Anelka.

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)

Ray Wilkins is co-commentating. :doh:

[Rors]

Nice bit of hoofage on display so far from the visitors.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Silky football from Stoke.

:bow:

[Rors]

First name terms - Jonathan - and a "bless him" from Ray so far. This is going to be a long season. ("9 minutes of great Premier League football"? He might want to up his standards a bit...)

Stoke fans certainly lively today, every Chelsea error being met with big cheers. And now a "John Terry/what a wanker"

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Shawcross booked, just plain hacked at Torres.

[Coney]

Shawcross booked, just plain hacked at Torres.

I didn't think he was that kind of player......

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I didn't think he was that kind of player......

I should've rephrased it. Torres was a little bit too quick for him. :good:

[AKBapologist]

Chelsea do put lots of people in the box these days. Can't wait to play them - we'd just skin them for pace.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Walters. :bow:

[Coney]

I should've rephrased it. Torres was a little bit too quick for him. :good:

Well, if he is too quick, I think he deserves to have his leg broken to show that he can't take in-your-face play.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Malouda. :haha:

WTF?

[Joker]

Stoke is the most hostile Premiership ground without a doubt. St James' Park is quite loud, but the hostility towards the opposition is more muted IMO.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Er Ray, that is definitely not Big Man's chest.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Jones shoots from the flank pretty much, not troubling whatsoever.

Big Man and Shawcross were wrestling a few minutes ago.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And now Big Man leads with his forearm.

[Rors]

Big Man :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Great run from Torres, terrible shot.

[Cripps_orig]

Poor game

[Rors]

Torres gets everything right bar the possibility that the ball could be won off you before you shoot. Work the 'kick' delay man, this isn't World Cup '98 for the N64!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

0-0 half time. As good as you'd expect.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

David Pleat sounds like he is the refs (Stoke/Chelsea) bum boy the amount of praise he is giving him. . .eithet that or he is his agent and is shopping him

maybe Citeh or Barcunts are looking to buy him too?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Whelan is playing Rugby.

[Rors]

"Well played Ashley" :sick:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Torres again fluffs one.

[Cripps_orig]

Torres :lol:

I remember when he used to be good

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Great effort from Mikel on the volley, Begovic tips it over.

[Rors]

Wow, something is happening! Nice bit of Hollywooding from Begovic - it was enough to fool Ray anyway

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Terry having ago at the ref

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Dive from Lampard?

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Dive from Lampard?

Yep

stoke fans booing chelsea lol

[Cripps_orig]

He was going down before the challenge came in

[GunnerFan4Life]

Still a pen. Contact.

Torres is having a bit of a blinder :unsure:

[Boss]

If United stroll to the title again I may just stop watching football. :upset:

[Darth Vela]

Still a pen. Contact.

Torres is having a bit of a blinder :unsure:

Not enough and it was mostly down to Lampard trailing his leg, it would have been a dodgy pen at best.

[Rors]

A truly pathetic dive, quickly buried. And why no yellow-card? That's not very admirable, Halsey (sorry, sorry)

[GunnerFan4Life]

He did look for it, whats the diff between that one and Gerv? Was Gerv looking for it?

[Olivier's xmas twist]

A truly pathetic dive, quickly buried. And why no yellow-card? That's not very admirable, Halsey (sorry, sorry)

Yet Gevinho is called a Cheat. Wilkins being baised saying it should be a goal

[Rors]

"From where he's standing Mark Halsey should give a penalty kick" - Translation: "It might not look like such a blatant dive from there, so just give the penalty to the people I would like to re-employ me and we'll talk about it later" :banghead:

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Some stoke Cunt fucked up

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Etherington injured again. Whitehead on for him.

[Cripps_orig]

Etherington hauled off

[Darth Vela]

He did look for it, whats the diff between that one and Gerv? Was Gerv looking for it?

Gerv was tripped, Lampard fell into the challenge.

Unless you're talking about the free-kick Gerv won by going over some idiots leg, then they weren't too dissimilar.

Ffs, Etherington is in my fantasy team, with Arteta and Chicharito out I need all the starters still fit to stay fit.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Firm strike from Malouda, straight at Begovic though.

[Rors]

"Florent" :sick:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Malouda off, Anelka on.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

WTF Malouda was Chelsea's top scorer last season says alot i guess.

[Cripps_orig]

Anelka on

Drogba :lol:

Cole booked

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Cashley booked. :lol:

[Rors]

Yellow card for "Ashley"

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Anelka on

Drogba :lol:

Cole booked

Not sure why you laughing at drgoba even Sturiddge never even made the bench

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Walters. :haha:

Nutmegged himself. Ah no, it was just an airshot. He's reprieved.

[Rors]

Another high-ball in leaving Chelsea all over the place. No placatory freekick given this time, and quite rightly.

[Rors]

Walters. :haha:

Nutmegged himself. Ah no, it was just an airshot. He's reprieved.

Even Walters has no answer to Walters :bow:

[Cripps_orig]

Not sure why you laughing at drgoba even Sturiddge never came on

Thats cos hes not even on the bench

[McNamara That Ghost...]

"You're just a team full of wankers"? Can't argue with that I guess.

[Rors]

"You're just a team full of wankers"? Can't argue with that I guess.

Can never hurt to be reminded.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Delap is injured. He should be able to play on though, he only needs his arms.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Delap off, Pugh on.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

"You're just a team full of wankers"? Can't argue with that I guess.

:bow: Stoke Fans

[Cripps_orig]

Great save Begovic

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Chipped effort from Anelka, Begovic just about tips it on to the bar.

[Rors]

Great measured effort from Anelka there, turned onto the bar by Begovic - and this time it needed to be.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kalou header, Begovic saves again.

[Cripps_orig]

Kalou should have scored there as well

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Stoke keeper looks decent tbh

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Ray Wilkins keeping the "little bender" phrase coined by Andy Gray going.

[Rors]

"Salomon" - :rolleyes:

Just stop this now will you? You're not getting your old job back!

[Cripps_orig]

Didier on, Salomon off

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Drogba on, Kalou off.

[Rors]

Didier on, Salomon off

Et tu, Brute... :lol:

[Rors]

Torres offside there, excellent stop from Begovic again all the same.

[Cripps_orig]

Drogbas dive :lol:

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Drogbas dive :lol:
Ivorians :lol:

[Cripps_orig]

Terry and Shawcross

Whos the bigger cunt?

Tough call but id say Cesc

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Terry and Shawcunt pusshing each other Ghel fight lol

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Drogba freekick, easy for Begovic.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Torres MotM.

:blink:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Jones off for Shotton.

[Cripps_orig]

5 mins to go plus Fergie time

2 televised games this opening weekend have been shockers so far. Has put me off watching WBA v Mancs

Torres motm :lol:

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Stoke using a defender as a striker

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lampard booked. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Cech. :haha:

Good thing the whistle had been blown.

[Rors]

Nice bit of playing-the-victim petulance from Lumps there. I think we know where he gets it from...:


Lamps declared after meeting Mr Cameron: "I had a really good chat with David. As a footballer I don't want to get involved with the campaigning thing but I am a Tory and I really like David Cameron." First name terms again...

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Torres hauled off, Benayoun on.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Five added minutes.

[Rors]

"The sheer quality that we're used to in Barclays Premier League". Erm...

[Olivier's xmas twist]

"The sheer quality that we're used to in Barclays Premier League". Erm...

Problem is your not going to see quality matches till after 10 games in the season, when match fitness is up.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Walters sold that one.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

0-0 full time. Least said about it the better.

[Cripps_orig]

0-0 FT

Seasons been a bit shit

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Might as well give the title to the mancs now.

[Marc Overmars]

Torres. :lol:

50m for 1 goal. :bow:

[GP]

Torres. :lol:

50m for 1 goal. :bow:

A quick bit of mental arithmetic tells me that's approx. £50m per goal :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

West Brom: Foster, Reid, Tamas, Olsson, Shorey, Brunt, Scharner, Mulumbu, Morrison, Tchoyi, Long.
Subs: Fulop, Dorrans, Jara Reyes, Dawson, Thorne, Cox, Fortune.

Man Utd: De Gea, Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Fabio Da Silva, Young, Cleverley, Anderson, Nani, Rooney, Welbeck.
Subs: Lindegaard, Jones, Evans, Berbatov, Giggs, Park, Carrick.

Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)

[Marc Overmars]

Cleverley and Welbeck eh.

Risky.