Football

[Puffing Devil]

I keep meaning to look up the fixture list, but can’t see Man City dropping points, they look in great form

Spurs twice this week, Chumps League first, then premier league. Both at home. That could be our undoing in one or more competitions.

 

[507021]

I keep meaning to look up the fixture list, but can’t see Man City dropping points, they look in great form

Looking at the fixtures, I think there's more chance of City dropping points than Liverpool, although I won't get too optimistic.

 

[OwlMan]

I keep meaning to look up the fixture list, but can’t see Man City dropping points, they look in great form

Man City: Tottenham (H), Man Utd (A), Burnley (A), Leicester (H), Brighton (A)
Liverpool: Cardiff (A), Huddersfield (H), Newcastle (A), Wolves (H)

The Manchester derby could put a spanner in the works

 

[61653 HTAFC]

It's the first time in years that the top of the table is more exciting than the bottom!

Cardiff still look the most likely to join ourselves and Fulham in the Championship, but Brighton's form has dipped too. I'd rather Burnley come down for selfish reasons (it's a decent and short away trip) but they look safe. It'll be Cardiff or Brighton, neither of which are particularly easy to get to from West Yorkshire.

At least I'll still have at least some of the South Yorkshire sides (Wednesday, possibly Barnsley, possibly Rotherham) that are easily doable, but will almost certainly lose at least one of Leeds and Sheffield United. At least there'll be fewer London teams next season.

 

[507021]

Man City: Tottenham (H), Man Utd (A), Burnley (A), Leicester (H), Brighton (A)
Liverpool: Cardiff (A), Huddersfield (H), Newcastle (A), Wolves (H)

The Manchester derby could put a spanner in the works

I think the Spurs game could be difficult too, although time will tell!

 

[richw]

Man City: Tottenham (H), Man Utd (A), Burnley (A), Leicester (H), Brighton (A)
Liverpool: Cardiff (A), Huddersfield (H), Newcastle (A), Wolves (H)

The Manchester derby could put a spanner in the works

Burnley away could be a banana skin!

 

[fowler9]

It is Man Citys to throw away and they have two more obvious chances to do so than we do. They are still in the driving seat and don't look like loosing though.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

It is Man Citys to throw away and they have two more obvious chances to do so than we do. They are still in the driving seat and don't look like loosing though.

You've still to host us though

I predict a double-figure defeat, anything less will be a bonus!

 

[fowler9]

You've still to host us though

I predict a double-figure defeat, anything less will be a bonus!

Ah mate I apologise if I made it sound as though I thought our remaining fixtures are a foregone conclusion as they most certainly aren't. I have a proper soft spot for Huddersfield. Have been watching Huddersfield a couple of times and actually met the guy who went on to be the club chaplain a few years back. A lovely guy with a lovely family.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Ah mate I apologise if I made it sound as though I thought our remaining fixtures are a foregone conclusion as they most certainly aren't. I have a proper soft spot for Huddersfield. Have been watching Huddersfield a couple of times and actually met the guy who went on to be the club chaplain a few years back. A lovely guy with a lovely family.

You didn't sound arrogant at all, mate. I'm glad my club has built a good reputation off the field these last two seasons. Just a shame we've been garbage on the field this season!

 

[fowler9]

You didn't sound arrogant at all, mate. I'm glad my club has built a good reputation off the field these last two seasons. Just a shame we've been garbage on the field this season!

Not even just the last two seasons mate. Been watching your lot for years. Went to Uni in Bradford 94-98 which is the first time I went watching teams around there. Lovely area, lovely people and loved watching the teams.

 

[Kite159]

Man City: Tottenham (H), Man Utd (A), Burnley (A), Leicester (H), Brighton (A)
Liverpool: Cardiff (A), Huddersfield (H), Newcastle (A), Wolves (H)

The Manchester derby could put a spanner in the works

I can see some Man Utd fans being in two minds, knowing a Man City victory will be crushing for their top 4 hopes (and bragging rights) but will likely see the title going to their bitter rivals from across the great divide.

Anyhow Barcelona & Ajax are into the Champs League semi-finals. Big 3 points for Cardiff tonight

 

[fowler9]

I can see some Man Utd fans being in two minds, knowing a Man City victory will be crushing for their top 4 hopes (and bragging rights) but will likely see the title going to their bitter rivals from across the great divide.

Anyhow Barcelona & Ajax are into the Champs League semi-finals. Big 3 points for Cardiff tonight

Any Man U fan who wants to loose against Man City is pathetic.

 

[HOOVER29]

If it stops the reds from winning the title then hey ho s**t happens.
Seriously on Uniteds current form can u see us beating city?
Especially after tonight against Barcelona?
A month ago maybe yes, beat city or at worst draw & a top 4 place maybe a top 3 at best but now I don’t know.
It’s that tight from 3rd to 6th.
One good thing I suppose is Chelsea have played one extra.

 

[Groningen]

Ajax to play the winner of Spurs and City in the CL.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

What on earth has afflicted Brighton and Hove Albion in the later phases of this season?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

In the Evo Stik Premier League, North Ferriby United had their seasons record expunged after their demise in March. Does anyone know how this will affect the relegation and promotion issues at the end of this season?

 

[Puffing Devil]

What on earth has afflicted Brighton and Hove Albion in the later phases of this season?

Wore themselves out at the FA Cup

 

[Old Yard Dog]

Four southern teams relegated from the National League. This means that one of them, possibly Braintree, could get put in National League North and face trips to Blyth and Spennymoor (if both stay down) next season.

This problem will get worse and worse as time progresses with three of the four leagues feeding NLN and NLS now being based in the south. I wish the FA would think through the consequences of what they are doing.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Four southern teams relegated from the National League. This means that one of them, possibly Braintree, could get put in National League North and face trips to Blyth and Spennymoor (if both stay down) next season.

This problem will get worse and worse as time progresses with three of the four leagues feeding NLN and NLS now being based in the south. I wish the FA would think through the consequences of what they are doing.

Would it not make more sense to move a NLS team based in the Midlands "sideways" into the NLN? Oxford City, Hemel or Gloucester (survival permitting) being the obvious contenders.

 

[OwlMan]

Don't forget that there are promotions up to that level as well. At present (although promotions and relegations may change) the National League North would probably consist of
A.F.C. Telford United
Alfreton Town
Altrincham
Blyth Spartans
Boston United
Brackley Town
Bradford (Park Avenue)
Chester
Curzon Ashton
Darlington
Farsley Celtic
Gloucester City
Guiseley
Hereford
Kettering Town
Kidderminster Harriers
Leamington
Oxford City
South Shields
Southport
Spennymoor Town
York City
and the National League South
Aldershot Town
Bath City
Billericay Town
Braintree Town
Chelmsford City
Chippenham Town
Concord Rangers
Dartford
Dorking Wanderers
Dulwich Hamlet
Eastbourne Borough
Hampton & Richmond Borough
Havant & Waterlooville
Hemel Hempstead Town
Maidstone United
Slough Town
St. Albans City
Taunton Town
Truro City
Wealdstone
Welling United
Weymouth

 

[Kite159]

Spuds into the semi-finals along with an impressive Liverpool.

 

[507021]

This year's Champions League semi finalists are Liverpool, Spurs, Barcelona and Ajax.

Liverpool won 4-1 (6-1 overall) against Porto tonight, with Mo Salah, Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk all scoring.

 

[Macwomble]

Man C versus TH.....one of the best games I've watched in a long while.

 

[adrock1976]

Looking at the line up of the semi finalists, I feel that Barcelona are the favourites to win which would do the tournament justice as Barcelona are the only side left that has participated in the tournament by entering it the proper way i.e. through winning the top flight division the previous season.

If UEFA are truly serious about branding the tournament as "Champions League" or "Club Champions Cup", then the tournament should go back to the way is was pre-1992, where the pre-requisite to participate was that a club had to win the top flight division the previous season. Nowadays, it seems to be rigged in favour of the big and fashionable sides even though if they have not won any silverware at all during the previous season. Yes, there have been a few odd flash in the pan sides such as Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City, Sturm Gratz, Artmedia Bratislava, and APOL Nicosia who gave a good account of themselves as well as winning their respective top flight divisions, but instances like this do not happen very often.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

A pity that the final would not be between Liverpool and Barcelona.

 

[FrodshamJnct]

Barca v Ajax final with Barca winning 3-1.

 

[Old Yard Dog]

Man C versus TH.....one of the best games I've watched in a long while.

Having never wanted to end up as a non-league supporter, I treated myself to the game at the Etihad last night and was well impressed. But the atmosphere was very unnatural waiting for VAR. It was just a pity the people at the match were not allowed to see the two big VAR incidents afterwards on the big screens. I believe that is going to change next season.

Obviously supporters can be reassured that VAR decisions are taken by qualified referees. However the possibility of broadcaster bias remains. Had the ref last night seen Spurs' third goal from all angles, he might have disallowed it as I don't think you're allowed to score from accidental handball. Presumably BT Sport were neutral last night as it was two English teams. But that will not be the case when English sides play away in Europe. Will host broadcasters be tempted not to show incidents from angles which are disadvantageous to their local team?

 

[JamesT]

Having never wanted to end up as a non-league supporter, I treated myself to the game at the Etihad last night and was well impressed. But the atmosphere was very unnatural waiting for VAR. It was just a pity the people at the match were not allowed to see the two big VAR incidents afterwards on the big screens. I believe that is going to change next season.

Obviously supporters can be reassured that VAR decisions are taken by qualified referees. However the possibility of broadcaster bias remains. Had the ref last night seen Spurs' third goal from all angles, he might have disallowed it as I don't think you're allowed to score from accidental handball. Presumably BT Sport were neutral last night as it was two English teams. But that will not be the case when English sides play away in Europe. Will host broadcasters be tempted not to show incidents from angles which are disadvantageous to their local team?

My understanding is that the VAR officials have access to all the angles and they choose which to show the Ref for him to make the decision. I don't believe the host has any say.
Currently the rules only forbid deliberate handball, the change to ban scoring from accidental handball comes in next season. Though as the final touch was from Llorente's hip, would that have counted as scoring from handball?

 

[507021]

Looking at the line up of the semi finalists, I feel that Barcelona are the favourites to win which would do the tournament justice as Barcelona are the only side left that has participated in the tournament by entering it the proper way i.e. through winning the top flight division the previous season.

All of the remaining sides have entered the competition the proper way, they qualified through their league position from the previous season.