Results Update

[Dogwatcher]

I'll be cheering the Pool in this one!

[smac]

Of course you would be.

[johntheclaret]

If Liverpool win the CL and UTD win the PL then Chelsea will have to qualify for the CL through the early stages.
Lose that game and they are in the EUFA cup........we can only hope.

Think you will find they have already qualified for next year Smithy. I stand to be corrected though

[devilsadvocate]

Spurs have applied to temporarily play home games at Wembley for the 2008/09 season while their home at White Hart Lane is redeveloped to a capacity of 50,000. Part of the redevelopment will include a new tube station to cope with the additional volume on game days.

I'm not sure how much truth is in this news, but to compete with the big boys it is essential IMO as a Spurs fan. Spurs have 23,000 season ticket holders with 20,000 on waiting lists.

If it's true, I'd say Spurs v Arse/Chelsk/MU/Pool and possibly WHU would be 70,000 crowds if played at Wembley. And if it happens in 2008/09 I'll be there for sure!

[johntheclaret]

Anyway back to the topic re Leeds. Now it stikes me that this could be a tactical plan. Leeds must turn around a 15 goal deficit and Hull must lose for Leeds to escape the drop. This is an extemely unlikely event therefore for Leeds to go into administration duriing this season and being deducted 10 points is not really going to have much effect on them. Relegation will see the exodus of any decent players they have anyway, and my bet would be they have already lined up a re-financing deal for next year.

Conversation may go something like this ?

This is a big club with bags of potential and a wadge of fans, and could be a little gold mine if we can get promotion back to CCC next year.
OK, we will put the money up but not whilst you are debt ridden and have such high a wages bill.
No problem, we will put the club into administration to write off most of the debt and have a big clear out of players.
OK, as long as we are not investing our corporate dollars into paying your debts. What about the points deduction. We can't risk promotion next year by starting 10 points behind the rest.
Not a problem, we will go into administration this week so the the point loss won't effect next year.
Thats OK then, but we must not say anything about this until after the season closes. We will announce it in the close season.

This is of course just the opinion of a complete outsider but it wouldn't suprise me if we are not reading / hearing about a finance package being announced in the close season

Apologies for quoting my own post guys but.............................

Announced today. Leeds have gone into administration. They have had 10 points deducted and now have relegation confirmed as they only have 36 points.
Oh and they have announced a refinancing deal. Ken Bates is heading deal but my money is on a secret (at this time) investor.

Watch this space. My prediction is you will see new money pouring in (well at least drizzling in)

Clarke Kent strikes again.

[johntheclaret]

This is the big one. Everything decided today.

Burnley 1 - 2 Coventry
Colchester 0 - 2 Palace
Derby 2 - 0 Leeds (Bayly sent off for Leeds 72 mins)
Hull 1 - Plymouth
Ipswich 3 - 1 Cardiff
Leicester 1 - 4 Wolves
Luton 0 - 5 Sunderland
Preston 1 - 0 Birmingham
QPR 1 - 1 Stoke
Sheff Wed 3 - 2 Norwich
Southampton 4 - 1 Southend
WBA 7 (seven) - 0 Barnsley

Table

Sunderland 88
Birmingham 86
-------------------
Derby 84
WBA 76
Wolves 76
Southampton 75
---------------------
Preston 74
Stoke 73
Sheff Wed 71
Colchester 69
Plymouth 67
Palace 65
Cardiff 64
Ipswich 62
Clarets 57
Norwich 57
Coventry 56
QPR 53
Leicester 53
Barnsley 50
Hull 49
---------------------
Southend 42
Luton 40
Leeds 36

Champions Sunderland
Promoted Birmingham

Play off's

Derby v Southampton
WBA v Wolves

Play off's over two legs home and away.
Winners play at Wembley in final for a place in the EPL

[Dogwatcher]

Wooo hoooo Black Cats!

Thank you Preston, thank you Luton!

We can count our goals on one hand!

[RoosterMarty]

Man Utd - Champions of England again! Thanks to Arsenal for wrapping it up for us nice and early, it's about time United were back to where they belong.


Congrats to Sunderland too, I was hoping they would end up on top and hopefully they do well in the Premier League.

[JK]

As much as it pains me to say, thats a fantastic effort from United this year ... The old Fox Fergie proving he is still the best Premiership manager.

At the start of the season most pundits claimed Chelsea were monty's, and Arsenal and Liverpool were potentially their biggest challengers, completely overlooking a Man U side that didn't add too many big names, and had players like Giggs, Scholes and Solskjaer another year older.

Fergie is a shrewd operator, and should claim much of the fanfare for the season they've had.

[johntheclaret]

Realise I have not been posting the EPL results this week. Apologies to anyone who reads them.

In brief.

Man U are champions.
Man U won at Man City where Michael Ball of City got sent off for stamping on Ronaldo (for god's sake he has only done something that we all would like to do, even if it is out of jealousy.) Joking apart, Ball apologises to Ronaldo after receiving 3 match ban.

Chelski blow it at Arsenal after going down to ten.

Spurs send Charlton down winning 2 - 0 and improve their chances of qualifying for UEFA cup next year.
Wigam lose 3 - 0 at home to WHU who leap frog them in the table. Hammers out of the bottom 3 replaced by Wigan. Wigan will of course take leagal action against the EPL for not docking Hammers points over their player registration indiscretion. Have a feeling this will roll on through the summer. The only question is will the EPL be able to start come next season if the court action isn't settled. It might be irrelevant however, if Wigan win at Sheff Utd and Hammers lose at Man U.

EPL Table

Man U 36 88 (Champions)
Chelski 36 81
Liverpool 37 67
Arsenal 37 67
----------------------
Everton 37 57
Spurs 36 56
Bolton 37 55
----------------------
Reading 37 54
Pompey 37 53
b4st4rds 36 50
Villa 37 49
Middlesbro' 37 43
Newcastle 37 42
Man C 37 42
Fulham 37 39
Sheff U 37 38
West Ham 37 38
---------------------
Wigan 37 35
Charlton 37 33 (Relegated)
Watford 37 27 (Relegated)

Spus v b4st4rds. Interesting point here, b4st4rds have applied for the intertoto cup. this is a route into the UEFA cup for the winners, whilst Reading, Bolton and Pompey have not. Neither have Everton or Spurs but it is very likely they will qualify for the UEFA directly. Bit short sighted of Bolton though, as if b4stards pip them to the 3rd UEFA spot, they could not them apply to get into Europe through the Intertoto.

For anyone wondering, the Intertoto Cup is a round robin (league) contest held over the summer, with the winners qualifying for the UEFA cup. Newcastle qualified through this route a few years back.

Weekend Results

Arsenal 1 - 1 Chelski Boulahrouz sent off for Chelski, Silva converting the penalty. Essien equalised 70 mins
Villa 3 - 0 Sheff U. Geeze Villa look good. O'Neill awarde manager of the month. These are definitely outsiders for next season IMHO. Maybe not title contenders but a good bet for top 6 finish and european spot. (Mal..... get your money back on this one, but please don't kill me)
Newcastle 0 - 2 b4st4rds. This is the game that cost Roeder his job. Owen played and had some very good touches considering he has been out for 8 months or more. If they can keep him fit and likely manager Allardyce can bring in a couple of good fighters, the Toon will fare better next year.
Charlton 0 - 2 Spurs. Goals from Great 1st goal for Berbatov and a sublime 20 yarder from Defoe, sealed Charltons fate. Berbatov is turning into a very good front runner but Spurs too light weight to trouble the top 4 next year. They will be lucky to hang on to him if Pool or Chelski come knocking. Yet another consortium lining up to buy an EPL side in Charlton. A group from the middle East and Europe have put together a £50m bid. This is the same group that considered buying Liverpool, whe eventually went to an American billionaire, so in the scheme of things £50m is not going to break the bank. This could be a very good buy. Charlton own their own ground in South London with bags of potential for expansion and has good commercial and marketing potential.
Everton 3 - 0 Portsmouth. Pompey seem to have blown their EUFA cup chances
Fulham 1 - 0 Liverpool. Fulham secure EPL position for next year but the game was marred when Fulhams Michael Brown head butted Xabi Alonso behind play. the cameras caught what happened and Brown has been charged with violent conduct. This can only happen because the ref did not see what happened and therefore took no action. This is one of those times when using video footage is a definite bonus. Disgraceful and cowardly act by Brown and I for one hope they throw the book at him. This was not an act bourne out of frustration in the heat of the moment or simply a rash, badly timed tackle, This was cold and calculated. Shameful If found guilty Brown faces an automatic 3 match ban.
Man C 0 - 1 Man U. City falling apart, with Barton getting ban till end of the season by City fighting with team mate Dabo. Rumour has it Barton will not play for City again and will be sold for around £5.5m in the summer. Celtic boss Strachan maybe one who will put in a bid. Now Ball receives 3 match ban for stamping on Ronaldo.
Watford 3 - 0 Reading. Man U loanee Foster was mana of the match in the Watford goal as Reading drop out of the UEFA cup spots. Coppell unhappy about loan signings saying they should not be allowed and big clubs like Man U should nor be allowed to "stockpile" players and then loan them out to other "top" clubs. 1) Sounds like sour grapes to me Coppell. You did lose 3 - 0. 2) Other top clubs ' Watford', you have got to be kidding. Watford manager Aide Boothroyd has just signed a new improved 3 year deal. Has some decent players and with around £10m to spend from the parachute payment, has the opportunity to buy some defenders.

Other News


Chelski will afford Man U a guard of honour before the start of Wednesdays Old Trafford match. (Classic as Chelski have to repay Man U for their guard of honour at Stamford Bridge two years ago. Who's smiling now Terry & Co ?)
Chelski will be without Dogba and Robben, whilst Man U will rest Scholes and Giggs for Wednesday. Saving it up for Wembley me thtinks.
Man U likely to pull out of deal with Bayern after the German club increased Hargreaves price tag from £18m to £20m
Man U boss Ferguson will be handed a £50m transfer fund for this summer, who has Ferenando Torres, Gareth Bale and Dimitar Berbatov on his list.
Chelski have signed ex Reading captain Steve Sidweel on a £50k per week deal
Celtic lining up £3m offer for Wigan striker Jason Roberts.
Everton in poll position t sign PNE striker David Nugent for around £8m. Like I sais, PNE are a selling club and Nugent is their only asset.
Arsenal bidding £6m for Ajax winger Ryan Babel and £500k for Bolton youngster Kyle Bartley
Arsenal to meet Real Madrid this week to agree terms for the sale of Jose Reyes who has been on loan all season.
Leeds David Healy in talks with french outfit Marseille (This will be the 1st of many to leave relegated Leeds)
Birmingham lead race to sign Middlesbro' midfielder George Boetang

[Dogwatcher]

Any player movement at Sunderland yet John?

[McAlmanac]

Any player movement at Sunderland yet John?

Because they'll need it!

[johntheclaret]

Any player movement at Sunderland yet John?

Nothing in the news Dw but will keep my eyes peeled

[Dogwatcher]

Any player movement at Sunderland yet John?

Because they'll need it!

Not doubting it.

But where are you guys again?

[McAlmanac]

Any player movement at Sunderland yet John?

Because they'll need it!

Not doubting it.

But where are you guys again?

In the Championship again next season, on current form. I'm not holding my breath. Darren Moore is a big loss - he has been in promotion winning sides to the Premier League three times. That sort of experience will be sorely missed in the playoffs.

[RoosterMarty]

Any player movement at Sunderland yet John?

I read today that Sunderland are after Thomas Gravesen, 2 mill from Celtic.

[johntheclaret]

EPL

Spurs 1 - 1 b4st4rds Defoe 67: McCarthy 32
Definitely a game of two halves. b4st4rds dominated 1st half, Spurs played much better 2nd. Keane very unlucky not to score in last 5 mins when shot hit the inside of the post with Friedel beaten, but the ball rolls back out across the goal and into the arms of the keeper.
Roberts sent off after being booked in added time and then getting 2nd yellow after mouthing off to the ref.
Spurs need 1 point to guarantee UEFA cup football next year. b4st4rds can't qualify and must settle for the Intertoto.

Table

Everton 37 57
Spurs 37 57
Bolton 37 55
--------------------
Reading 37 54
Pompey 37 53


News

Owen named in England B squad to play Albania. THis game is at Turf Moor (home of the Clarets) so will be going.
Also in squad Robinson, Foster, Smith (well deserved), Defoe, Jenus, Dyer, Neville, Dawson & King, G Barry, Shorey from Reading,Hargreaves, Jagielka from Sheff U, Downing, Parker, Aaron Lennon, Nugent from PNE and b4stard Bentley. Pretty good line up for a B game. will be good to see the likes of Defoe, Hargreaves, Owen and Smith play.
Newcastle supremo Sheppard unhappy at rumours that Owen is set to leave in the summer. After playing only 13 games for Newcastle, Sheppard quoted as saying, Owen should come out and tell the fans he is happy here, or I will tell him that none of the big four are interested in him.
Fulham's Brown given 3 match ban for headbutting Poll's Alonso. He denied violent conduct, despite that fact that his 'attack' on Alonso was unprovoked and recored on camera. D1ckhead
Anton Feredinand named in England U21 side for this summers U"! European Championship. Also included, Nugent, Everton forward Vaughan, Camp from Derby, ex Claret (now Villa defender Cahill, Whittingham (Cardiff), Jerome (Birmingham) so a good spread of CC players.
Also banned for 3 games is City defender Ball after stamping on Man U striker Ronaldo.
Man City midfielder Trevor Sinclair will leave the club at the end of the season.
Pompey boss Rednap interested in Man C defender Sylvan Distain who is available on a free. City players leaving in droves??
Liverpool angry that they get only 17,000 tickets for the CL final. Milan also get 17,000 but are unlikely to sell them all. Pool have asked for any returned Milan tickets. (Yeah, thats a good idea. Mix a few Pool fans in with the Milan fans, just for a bit of off field entertainment ). Stadium in Athens holds 63,000.
Approx 10,000 seats in the new Wembley stadium have faded in the sun turning from Red to Pink and need to be replaced. (WTF? 1) This is a brand new stadium: 2) What bloody sun: 3)Whats wron with pinks seats: 4)Why don't they segragate this section for Bay's or Women fans )
Leeds legendary manager Don Revie's son Duncan is reportedly lining up a bid to take over the club. (Money will drizzle in)
Arsenal on verge of signing Legai Warsaw keeper Fabianski (Lehmans days are numbered as he stalls over 1 year deal on offer)
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has written to the PL asking for proof that Tevez is WHU player. (I smell a court action coming up)
Barca president Laporta claims that club has agreed a deal for Arsenal striker Theirry Henry.
Arsenal completed £2m deal for polish keeper Fabianski (See above. News breaking faster than I can type )
Fulham chase Hearts keeper Craig Gordon
Charlton winger Rommedahl, who does not want to play for club now relegated, linked with Copenhagen
Spurs, Everton and Rangers chasing Palermo striker Caracciola.
Soton chasing Anderlech winger Jonathan Legear but face competition from Lazio. (Thats an even battel )
Levski Sofia striker Nasko Kurdov hoping to to earn contract after trial at Spurs.
Man U enquire about availability of Barca striker Samual Eto'o, but £40m price tag will be too high.
Chelski striker linked with return to AC Milan after Italian giant's vp Galliani fuels specualtion in Italian press.
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce given £10m transfer budget following promotion to the EPL.
Aberdeen set to sign Wolves defender Jackie McNamara on a free.

[devilsadvocate]

Liverpool angry that they get only 17,000 tickets for the CL final. Milan also get 17,000 but are unlikely to sell them all. Pool have asked for any returned Milan tickets. (Yeah, thats a good idea. Mix a few Pool fans in with the Milan fans, just for a bit of off field entertainment ). Stadium in Athens holds 63,000.
Approx 10,000 seats in the new Wembley stadium have faded in the sun turning from Red to Pink and need to be replaced. (WTF? 1) This is a brand new stadium: 2) What bloody sun: 3)Whats wron with pinks seats: 4)Why don't they segragate this section for Bay's or Women fans )

'
Bay's supposed to read Gay's?

That's a classic RE: those seats. I'd give the Wembley disaster a pasting but us Aussies were in charge I'll just leave that one alone!

[McAlmanac]

Saints 1, Rams 2!!!!!!

Wem-ber-ley, Wem-ber-ley, Wem-ber-ley.....

[johntheclaret]

Saints 1, Rams 2!!!!!!

Wem-ber-ley, Wem-ber-ley, Wem-ber-ley.....

Only 1/2 time Mc A.