European Soccer Part XIII

[Terrierbyassociation]

Charlton 1 Liverpool 0

Bartlett's pretty header holds up.
Addicks are hunting for that 6th European Spot.

[Chuck Murray]

Wolves 1:2 Bolton


Another day ... another kick to the midsection in injury time for Wolves, as Notlob puts the final nail in Wolves' EPL coffin. Ouch.

:(

Time to start planning for who's gonna figure into next year's plans now. Coming up via the playoffs last year was fun, but it put the team behind the 8-ball transfer-wise, giving Portsmouth (especially) and Leicester a valuable extra couple of weeks to sort things, which ultimately has made a difference. All efforts now need to be concentrated on doing exactly what West Brom has done this year, which is to put a mediocre EPL debut season behind them, and ensure that Wolves make it back up in the top two next season out of the Nationwide.

At least Henri Camara has finally started to cash in a fair amount of the scoring chances he's been generating all season. They've got to do everything possible to keep him at Wolves next season.

[Bob Gray]

I read somewhere that Camara is likely gone from Wolves. I think in the end the Wolves just didn't upgrade their team enough to stay up, plain and simple. Yes, they did have some bad luck, but they seemed to almost always be undermanned and have to count on hard work to make up the difference, but that won't work often enough to avoid the drop. It's ironic that Haywood spent so much money trying to get them promoted, but then precious little money to keep them up.

Chelsea's loss should seal the title for Arsenal and may open the door for ManU to steal into 2nd place, with the automatic CL spot that endows. I see Arsenal-Leeds is on FSW on friday.

[Dutchfan]

Blackburn defeats Fulham 4-3. Blackburn moves into 16th, and distance themselfs from the relegation zone.

[Chuck Murray]

Originally posted by Bob Gray
I read somewhere that Camara is likely gone from Wolves. I think in the end the Wolves just didn't upgrade their team enough to stay up, plain and simple. Yes, they did have some bad luck, but they seemed to almost always be undermanned and have to count on hard work to make up the difference, but that won't work often enough to avoid the drop. It's ironic that Haywood spent so much money trying to get them promoted, but then precious little money to keep them up.

Camara is signed for another 3 years (I think) and I haven't heard anything definitive about the team looking to move him. It will be interesting to say the least to see how far Wolves might go to ensure no one swoops in for him, though. Especially now that he's begun to consistently find the back of the net. Too bad it took him almost 30 games to hit his stride. No telling what he could have done for Wolves' fortunes if he'd even hit for 10 during the first 30 games, instead of the 2 he actually netted. :(

Hayward's whole approach to the last 10 months has just been a comedy of errors. Finally gets the team promoted ... decides he's going to emulate "the Birmingham way" and do the EPL on the cheap ... misses on a bunch of transfer targets ... watches them tank out of the gates ... THEN decides he's had enough when his team is at the foot of the table ... offers to write off his personal 40M pounds "credit" to the right buyer(s) ... and when no one else comes forward, he hands the reins to his son Rick. :confused:

Then in one last splash of cash, he ends up spending it on an over-the-hill 'keeper that Wolves dropped a decade ago (Paul Jones), and an injured striker that Newcastle couldn't wait to get off their books (Carl Cort).

At least Cort has been healthy (if wildly inconsistent) during his short stay at Wolves to date. Jones was a complete waste, and figures to be no better than a back-up come next season.

In fairness to the club, though ... losing their two best players from last year's squad to injury ('keeper Matt Murray in Game One and centreback Joleon Lescott all season) has been a bad break. That's two youngsters who were heavily counted on, and in both cases it seemed they'd be back in action by mid-season at worst. And it simply never happened. George Ndah makes three, and he'd have been a winger/striker with pace, which is something Wolves has badly lacked. There's been a lot of bad luck both on and off the pitch, but hey - that's the way it goes sometimes.

Wait 'til next year!! :D

[Nathan]

Looks like a solid chance that the EPL will end up the way it should every year, with nobody other than United or Arsenal at the top spot. Maybe I'm selfish, but frankly I love the fact that these two squads fight it out year after year. Unlike most United fans I respect the hell out of Arsenal and what they're able to do on a (comparatively) limited budget. I may not always like Wegner's actions, but he is an outstanding manager, and his club is always deserving of a top two finish.

That being said, I would love nothing more than a Gunner collaps like last year! ;)

[Don King]

Originally posted by Nathan
That being said, I would love nothing more than a Gunner collaps like last year! ;)

Six games to go, a seven-point lead with a game in hand? Not too likely, eh? :)

Considering the remaining schedules for Arsenal (including Leeds, Blackburn, Tottenham, Leicester City) and for Chelsea (Newcastle and ManchesterUtd in there)-- it's quite possible that the title could be wrapped up fairly early. And then, I guess, we sigh and wonder what might have been come the Cup Final and the European Final. Winning the League never felt so blah...

[Bob Gray]

Actually there's a chance that the Gunners could clinch the title against Spurs at White Hart Lane! Wouldn't that just be a hoot! :)

I may be in a minority of Gunner fans, but I think if Arsenal can get through the last 6 games without a loss while winning the EPL, I will consider that a successful season. I mean, going the full 38 EPL games without a loss? Never thought I'd see it happen, but we're on the verge now. That's got to place this Gunner team as one of the best all time if they can do it. Kinda like the 72 Dolphins.

[nubobcat]

Originally posted by Bob Gray
Actually there's a chance that the Gunners could clinch the title against Spurs at White Hart Lane! Wouldn't that just be a hoot! :)

I may be in a minority of Gunner fans, but I think if Arsenal can get through the last 6 games without a loss while winning the EPL, I will consider that a successful season. I mean, going the full 38 EPL games without a loss? Never thought I'd see it happen, but we're on the verge now. That's got to place this Gunner team as one of the best all time if they can do it. Kinda like the 72 Dolphins.


Bob,
I think that winning the EPL and getting some silver is success even though 2 medals or even the trebal would have been awesome.

The team has been without Wiltord for so long i think they've done very well filling the hole, and i think that the team will be very good next year as well...even though i wish they could bring in another solid defender.

The FA Cup loss and losing to fing Chelsea was a tough couple games but overall....good season if they can win the EPL...pretty cool if they can do it without loss.

[Big Poppa Pump]

Afghan national team players missing in Europe (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=297119&cc=5901)

[Nathan]

I agree. If the Gunners can go the rest of the way without losing a match that would be an incredible season. The CL and FA losses be ****ed, going undefeated in a 38 match season in the EPL is an incredible feat.

Now United have to get the two wins to tie them with Chelsea then overtake them to finish second. It just isn't the EPL without Arsenal and United finishing 1 & 2.

[x-cheque]

Originally posted by Nathan
It just isn't the EPL without Arsenal and United finishing 1 & 2.

It won't happen. Arsenal and Chelsea, one two. And besides, it REALLY isn't the EPL without Liverpool in there...ef*** newbie :p :D

[Nathan]

Originally posted by x-cheque
It won't happen. Arsenal and Chelsea, one two. And besides, it REALLY isn't the EPL without Liverpool in there...ef*** newbie :p :D
Down with the scousers. Learn to finish, then talk to me.

Chelsea is up by 6 points over United, but United has 2 games in hand, so with two wins, they're even.

Arsenal will win. United will finish #2.

[Terrierbyassociation]

Liverpool will be up there again as soon as Houllier is fired for being one of those one-hit wonder managers. I hope Chelsea lets Claudio go, so he can manage a club with dignity. It would be nice to have a manager who doesnt use the excuse, "we just didn't get it done tonight" every single time they lose!

[ColbyWMHB]

Originally posted by x-cheque
It won't happen. Arsenal and Chelsea, one two. And besides, it REALLY isn't the EPL without Liverpool in there...ef*** newbie :p :D

Ah, 'Pool is never a threat! :D They've been out of the top 3 more often than they've been in!!

[nubobcat]

liverpool needs to get rid of whoever though paying 10 million pound for Diouf was a good idea.

He's a red card waiting to happen and never scores.

[x-cheque]

Originally posted by ColbyWMHB
Ah, 'Pool is never a threat! :D They've been out of the top 3 more often than they've been in!!

::ahem:: :D :D :D

http://www.robbiefowler.fcpages.com/pictures/fowpics/fowler703.jpg

I count, what is that, one two three trophies?

Anyway, back to Man U. I wouldn't say a #2 finish is guaranteed by any means. Two games in hand, sure. but Ruud is having knee problems, Keane isn't playing today (perhaps thinking about Ireland?) and Fergie says he's going to start resting Cristiano Ronaldo. Tim Howard's on the bench today as well! I mean, it's Leicester, but you need the points. They'll come up short. Chelsea will take the #2 spot.

[x-cheque]

Diouf just can't hack it in the EPL. He's been doing better as an attacking midfielder but he's an absolute loose cannon - a red card factory, you're right.

I don't know what to say about LFC this year. Some injuries, sure, but way too much inconsistency. Owen and Gerrard needed to step up far more often than they did. Getting Cisse over the summer will help, but we need a little more help in goal and defense. Getting another attacking midfielder wouldn't hurt...isn't Rivaldo still looking for a team? Edgar Davids is also looking for a move to the EPL...THAT would help.

[ColbyWMHB]

Originally posted by x-cheque
::ahem:: :D :D :D

http://www.robbiefowler.fcpages.com/pictures/fowpics/fowler703.jpg

I count, what is that, one two three trophies?

Anyway, back to Man U. I wouldn't say a #2 finish is guaranteed by any means. Two games in hand, sure. but Ruud is having knee problems, Keane isn't playing today (perhaps thinking about Ireland?) and Fergie says he's going to start resting Cristiano Ronaldo. Tim Howard's on the bench today as well! I mean, it's Leicester, but you need the points. They'll come up short. Chelsea will take the #2 spot.

And Leicester certainly does need the points. Anything less than 3 points today seals their fate (not that several coffin nails haven't already been pounded in). Although I wouldn't count on it, if Wolves could knock off Man U, so perhaps could a desperate Foxes team.

[Nathan]

There is zero chance that United will settle for anything but a win against Leiecster. SAF will sit Ruud for Saha and the only forward in the EPL who finishes worse than Heskey.

With Kleberson, Giggs, Scholes and Djemba in the midfield, they will still control possession against a brutal Leicester side.