The Round Ball Game - II

[jayne lee wilson]

I believe Everton are 2 points behind Liverpool with a game in hand. Speaking as a neutral observer, it WOULD be nice to see the title won by a side other than 'the usual suspects'. Perhaps Everton's time has come - or is at least coming?

Before our 2020 Premiership (our first) we had last won the First Division in 1989; Everton won it in 1987. So perhaps neither of our city's teams are the usual suspects anymore. The two teams now in first and second places are far better qualified for such a label. What is unusual is the inconsistency of previous Premiership winners like Chelsea and Arsenal, who both seem to be in a state of "permanent transition" now. If we can't do it (which seems increasingly likely), I'd love to see Foxes get a second one; I admire their flowing style, their individual giftedness, and most Reds have much affection for Brendan Rogers from his time here. Everton's problem is simply a lack of squad depth.

As Cloughie notes, the team managed by Pep Guardiola is looking ominously strong.... but with that manager they were always going to, sooner or later...c'est la vie.

Ah well.... there's always Europe (closest to my heart....)....

[antongould]

Gunners 3 Toon 0

.... I understand we didn’t deserve 0 .......

[Edgy 2]

League more useful edge - we’re just waiting for the football lesson at Goodison on Sunday - if we can field a side by then!

Yep

Dagenham & Redbridge 0 Stockport County 2 Hopefully the start of a good run

[Alison]

Leicester City 2 Chelsea 0

Foxes badly needed to improve home form so two successive 2-0 victories give great encouragement half way through the season. Chelsea normally give much more of a test though.

What a fascinating season!

[Alison]

Yep

Dagenham & Redbridge 0 Stockport County 2 Hopefully the start of a good run

Being nosey and all that how far from Stockport’s ground do you live Edge?

[Edgy 2]

Being nosey and all that how far from Stockport’s ground do you live Edge?

Just a brisk 5 minute walk chuck

[jayne lee wilson]

Leicester City 2 Chelsea 0

Foxes badly needed to improve home form so two successive 2-0 victories give great encouragement half way through the season. Chelsea normally give much more of a test though.

What a fascinating season!

Yes, a sleek, slick, smooth and controlled Foxes' performance against an oddly ineffective Chelsea, very good to watch. Chelsea looked jaded, like so many teams so often this season. Still quite a young transitional team though, for all their gifts.
Mental and physical fatigue will a be big factor in who wins out. All of the top group have had bad runs, and some spectacular reversals. Home and Away form is all over the place.
We are going through our worst time now, but what will probably matter is who can conserve strength, strength in depth and in reserve, to push though in the Spring.

Until then it is all about sticking with it, keeping in touch....who'd be a coach, eh?

[Alison]

Just a brisk 5 minute walk chuck

I was musing about all those Lyrita and Champs Hill discs nestling nearby

[cloughie]

Yep

Dagenham & Redbridge 0 Stockport County 2 Hopefully the start of a good run

Win your two in hand and beat the Gulls and you’re battling for the automatic slot.

[Edgy 2]

Win your two in hand and beat the Gulls and you’re battling for the automatic slot.

simples

[eighthobstruction]

....Stockport Market....https://www.theguardian.com/artandde...et-in-pictures

[cloughie]

Former Owls player Peter Swann has died, aged 84 - great footballer who will be remembered by most as one of three jailed for match fixing - nowadays theybseem to get away with a rap over the knuckles or at most a fine or suspension!

[antongould]

Former Owls player Peter Swann has died, aged 64 - great footballer who will be remembered by most as one of three jailed for match fixing - nowadays theybseem to get away with a rap over the knuckles or at most a fine or suspension!

84 .... ?????

[cloughie]

84 .... ?????

Yes 84 - I’ll be challenging BBM before long for typo slip of the week!

[Edgy 2]

....Stockport Market....https://www.theguardian.com/artandde...et-in-pictures

Many thanks 8th