PREMIER LEAGUE 2009/10

I asked a couple of people down the pub yesterday "where is Stoke" ? nobody had any idea, is it in england ?

Saturday, 1 May 2010
Barclays Premier League
Birmingham 2-1 Burnley
Man City 3-1 Aston Villa
Portsmouth 3-1 Wolverhampton
Stoke 0-0 Everton
Tottenham 1-0 Bolton

I watched the early game - Brum v Burnley - as the season is nearly over & so get my fixes when I can.
The game & result pretty much summed up the season for both sides. I guess at the start of the season this might have looked like a 6 pointer against relegation but the season as not worked out like that at all.
Burnley came up from the Championship with a reputation for playing pretty football. It started so well for them - towards the end of October they were flying high at 7th. in the league - but eventually the other sides sussed them out. Coyle departed to Bolton & it was downhill from then, not that I think the departure was necessarily the root cause, but it didn't help. Burnley instantiated a firm wage policy (maximum 15,000 GBP a week) that made it look like they were only in the Premiership for a peek - well it has been 70 odd years since they have been there. Playing pretty football away from home is not attempted by many in the Premiership & usually only with those with the best pretty football players in the world - and you do not get them for 15K a week!! And so it proved for Burnley, they have now set a new (unwanted) Premiership record of 17 away defeats!!
Birmingham are in a comfortable mid table, no worries, position. After a series of promotion, followed by relegation they will be happy for a bit of stability. They play 'minimalistic' football. Don't give the ball away, fight like hell to get it back if you do and the centre forward is the most forward defender. Not pretty at all, but it has worked for them exceedingly well. Only 2 defeats at home all season, none of the "Big 4" managed to get 3 points either!!
So the game worked out. Burnley played pretty football for 30 minutes without looking threatening then Brum scored from what should have been an easily defended position. The game rumbled on for another 20 minutes of pretty Burnley football until Brum scored again. However goals have been at a bit of a premium for Brum this season & they have not actually managed to win any game all season by more than 1 goal & so they let Burnley in for a consolation near the end, just to keep the records straight..
Burnley will beat the majority of the sides in the Championship next season if they can keep this squad together - they just are not Premiership material though.
Birmingham will find next year even harder I think. The lack of goals is a real concern and something needs to be done about that in the closed season.

So the fact that 1 of the promoted sides always goes down continues with Burnley.

The battle for 4th. spot continues with both the main contenders winning at home. Citi, eventually, comfortable 3-1 against Villa & Spurs closely against Bolton. Wednesday sees the two play each other. Citi need the win, any other result probably puts Spurs firmly in charge. Both are away (Citi v West Ham, Spurs v Burnley) on the last day - Spurs very much have the easier task there!!

old-timer wrote:I asked a couple of people down the pub yesterday "where is Stoke" ? nobody had any idea, is it in england ?

Im no geography expert but i think Its a small island near France , famous for making pots - and it only opens June ,July and August.

Good old Stevie G. I'll never say a bad word about him again.

Sunday, 2 May 2010
Barclays Premier League
Fulham 3-2 West Ham
Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea
Sunderland 0-1 Man Utd

Yes, just about done and dusted now. can't really see Chelsea failing to win next weekend.
Poor display by Pool, or maybe just beaten by a better side. Commentators seemed to think not many of the men in red would be playing for them next season, or maybe that was should not be.
United did just enough. Berbatov could have scored 4 - if he was someone else . Hargreaves got onto the pitch for the first time in about 20 months which is good for him &, maybe, United if he can regain some form.
In fairness second is probably one place higher than United deserve this season.
Some money must be spent by all of the big 4 if they are going to keep Citi in their place next year though!!

Liverpool looked as though they couldnt wait for the season to end.I think that there must be huge changes in personnel there in the close season,probably including the manager.
Gerrards pass was easily the best through ball Drogba got all day.
United....well it was a tense last 10 minutes but they should have been three or four up by then.Berbatov....he just isnt Uniteds style of player.....always slows down the quick passing moves.....and some bad misses in front of goal yesterday.
If United get offered 15m in the close season for him they should take it and pay his taxi/airfares to signing the contract with his new club.
Cant see Chelsea slipping up....in fact I can see them putting seven past Wigan.Stoke wont lie down against United like they did against Chelsea,although United should win.
But a very intriguing match this Wednesday night at Eastlands....if City win they should get 4th spot but if its a draw or Spurs win then more than likely Spurs will be in the Champions League next season.
I think a lot depends if Gomes is fit and for my Fantasy League team,as well !

Man: Im a bit kinky. Was wondering what you could do for me? Woman: Well it depends, what kind of kinky? Man: I like to be totally dominated, degraded and humiliated Woman: Yea, no problem. It will cost you 1000baht Man: Great, what do I get for that? Woman: A copied (LIVERPOOL) Shirt...

Bob, the table does'nt lie. You finish 2nd because you accumilated more points than the rest, with the exception of the the team above. I can only guess you are suggesting arsenal should be in second place. At the end of last seasons campaign all we heard from the scousers was "if we had won them home games that we drew, we would have won the league" . Yes, and if newcastle united had won all their games they too would have won the league . Say it as it is, not as you would like it.

Monday, 3 May 2010
Barclays Premier League
Blackburn 2-1 Arsenal | Report
Wigan 2-2 Hull (Hull are relegated)

Oh i agree Bilko that the table rarely lies. It would have been disappointing for the record books if a rather poor Manchester United side had managed to win a new record '4 on the trot' though. That Chelsea struggled to over come them & Arsenal failed says a great deal about the Premiership these days - as do the European Cup results.
I do think United are the third best in the Premiership this year, but will settle for second place. My concern is that those in charge at old Trafford will see this as proving that they need to make few changes to the side - I think at LEAST 1 quality forward, midfield player & defender is needed to get anywhere near to where they were 4 years ago. The midfield position is even worse than I have painted as I can't think of one of the current players (with the exception of Valencia) who I would clap my hands at the prospect of them coming to United!!

As a result of Wigan AFC's continuing injury crisis, the club has come our with the following statement.

Due to our shortage of a recognised keeper and injuries to key players. The Premier League have decided (on the advice of Sir Alex Ferguson) that we can sign an emergency keeper and at least 5 outfield players. Manchester United have stepped in to help us out in exchange for the 6 points and 10 goals we gave them this season.
Chelsea have complained, but the Premier League have rejected the appeal, citing it wouldn't be fair if Manchester United didn't win the Title this year.
A statement by a Premier League spokesman said "Due to the vast amount of armchair supporters and glory seekers Manchester United have, it would be in the best interest of the Premier League and Sky , that Manchester United win the Title every year. I would just like to go on record to thank the other 19 teams in the Premier league for making it exciting and taking the title race to the last weekend"
In light of current developments our team for sunday is:
Van De Sar
O'Shea Vidic Ferdinand Evra

N'Zogbia Mc Carthy Diame Moses

Rodellaga Rooney

hi old timer,stoke is in the midlands half way between birmingham and manchester famous for its pottery,we had a good win 1.0 at fulham lat night.