The Round Ball Game

[aeolium]

Many thanks for the stand-in survey, ts (and also to ER for his excellent reports in recent weeks).

So pleased to see Bournemouth do well, playing attractive football and deserving their recent success after some bad luck. Eddie Howe is such a refreshing change from some of the surly, self-obsessed managers of much bigger clubs - never making excuses or criticising refs but just giving honest assessments of how his team has played. Sorry to see Garry Monk leave, too. I think some people forgot too quickly just what he had achieved with Swansea.

An important win for Caley Thistle, and I think Hereford are probably top of their league, though which league is as much of a mystery to me as the locations of most of their opponents....

Buddies now a manager-free zone! Predictable - thanks as ever Rob - hoping for a bit seasonal cheer soon...otherwise the trapdoor opens ever wider.

Don't despair, jc. Just think of Swansea City, moving swiftly from Fourth Division as was to First, then back to Fourth within a decade in the 1980s, and then on the brink of departing the Football League earlier this century before reaching the EPL. The darkest hour is just before the dawn, as the man said (and then it gets dark again).

[eighthobstruction]

thanks ts....

[EdgeleyRob]

Thanks for the assist ts.
I'll just tap in the Sunday results

Liverpool 2 West Brom 2 Dominated the game but needed a 95th minute equaliser to earn the point
Tottenham 1 Newcastle United 2 The winner came 3 mins into added time,out of the relegation zone
Sheffield United 1 Coventry City 0 Super run of form ended after conceding on 80 mins,and a late red card

[Alison]

Welcome back Edge.

It's been a bit boring without a Leicester game! Pleased for Newcastle and gives us hope for the (admittedly not very important) FA cup game at Tottenham.

Good deputising Sainty, you have a style all of your own dearest.

[EdgeleyRob]

Welcome back Edge.

It's been a bit boring without a Leicester game! Pleased for Newcastle and gives us hope for the (admittedly not very important) FA cup game at Tottenham.

Good deputising Sainty, you have a style all of your own dearest.

Well well well Alison

Leicester City 2 Chelsea 1 Forum derby,time to take the Foxes seriously,Blues in meltdown,wonder if Gary Lineker still thinks Ranieri is uninspiring.

[Alison]

Lovely Lovely Monday evening.

Hanging on a bit for a while but pretty convincing for the most part.

Don't think it can all be put down to Nigel Pearson.

[cloughie]

Lovely Lovely Monday evening.

Hanging on a bit for a while but pretty convincing for the most part.

Don't think it can all be put down to Nigel Pearson.

Good result, Alison, and the Foxes may run all season - no Euro distractions!

Chelsea could achieve a unique double - relegation and winning the Champions League!

[EdgeleyRob]

Good result, Alison, and the Foxes may run all season - no Euro distractions!

Chelsea could achieve a unique double - relegation and winning the Champions League!

Still 100/1 with some bookies

[johncorrigan]

Don't despair, jc. Just think of Swansea City, moving swiftly from Fourth Division as was to First, then back to Fourth within a decade in the 1980s, and then on the brink of departing the Football League earlier this century before reaching the EPL. The darkest hour is just before the dawn, as the man said (and then it gets dark again).

Thanks aeolium, but the odd win would lift the spirits but I assume I feel like the team.

Here, from a couple of weeks ago, is a blog with a poem from Rachel McCrum, Poet in Residence, on her visit to Saints v Hibs, apparently her second game ever. We got cuffed that day too. I think you can work that out. 'Twas ever thus...or it feels like that just now anyway.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5Xkf3105rV9pP0d9XxSt8gC/rachel-mccrum-game-of-two-halves-poem-6

And sorry for mistaking you for Rob at the weekend, sainty...you both look somewhat alike through the vale of tears!

[antongould]

Still 100/1 with some bookies

If it's still available on Saturday night should I put all my Strictly winnings from Wor Katie on the line Cloughers?

[gurnemanz]

It is encouraging to note that the mould can be broken. Alongside Leicester's achievement, it is worth noting that Palace and Watford, both recently promoted, are in 6th and 7th positions. Palace, unlike the five teams above them, have an English manager and also a higher percentage of English players (50%). Also, of course, Bournemouth with an English manager and the highest percentage of home-grown players (59%) have just defeated Chelsea and Man U.

[teamsaint]

It is encouraging to note that the mould can be broken. Alongside Leicester's achievement, it is worth noting that Palace and Watford, both recently promoted, are in 6th and 7th positions. Palace, unlike the five teams above them, have an English manager and also a higher percentage of English players (50%). Also, of course, Bournemouth with an English manager and the highest percentage of home-grown players (59%) have just defeated Chelsea and Man U.

Good points.
Problem is that as teams come up to the Pl and do well, because of various rules , their english players become highly prized by the wealthy clubs,and are close to impossible to replace with proven English/ British talent at affordable prices.
So, middle sized clubs are forced to buy abroad, or take a chance on lower league talent, and risk the all important Premier league place.

[gurnemanz]

Good points.
Problem is that as teams come up to the Pl and do well, because of various rules , their english players become highly prized by the wealthy clubs,and are close to impossible to replace with proven English/ British talent at affordable prices.
So, middle sized clubs are forced to buy abroad, or take a chance on lower league talent, and risk the all important Premier league place.

Interestingly, after writing those comments, I've just read Mark Ogden in today's i . Headline - "Could the competitiveness of the Premier League hamper clubs in the transfer market?" His gist is that "some elite players, and their representatives, now regard a move to the richest league in the world as a risk not worth taking."

[cloughie]

If it's still available on Saturday night should I put all my Strictly winnings from Wor Katie on the line Cloughers?

As an anton I guess it's in your contract to support Katie, but spend your pennies more wisely - you could go watch the Hangers play Derby, after you've narrowly beaten the overhyped, overdogs on penalties this eve!

[antongould]

As an anton I guess it's in your contract to support Katie, but spend your pennies more wisely - you could go watch the Hangers play Derby, after you've narrowly beaten the overhyped, overdogs on penalties this eve!

Thanks for the advice dear friend - I note your fellowcountyman The Squire says KD has been given the week off by the Beeb to prepare for the final!! Gone are the days when you did a night shift at the Steel Works before the 1966 Cup Final ...