Football

[greyman42]

I think last night's result pretty much gives City the title. Can't see them dropping points in their final 3 games, they certainly seem to have the easier run in

I disagree. Burnley and Leicester could be awkward. I don't see Liverpool having any problems.

 

[Cowley]

Burnley could play park the bus and leave us with 0-0 and even more annoyed at Mahrez for sending the ball into orbit when he stole the penalty at Anfield.

Timewasting and "Anti Football" at Chelsea: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48018227

Leicester could also give City a good test if they’re up for it.
I didn’t for one minute think that United would get anything out of last nights game, but it’s not quite done and dusted yet.

 

[fowler9]

If Manchester City do win the PL, then Liverpool only have themselves to blame as they have only taken 1 point from the two PL games with Man City this season whereas Man City have taken 4 points. Head to head has made all of the difference

That is part of the reason but not the entire reason. Liverpool only lost one game this season, less losses than City. We drew loads of games we should have won, that's what cost us.

 

[AlterEgo]

I also didn't think City were at their best but they out fought United on their own ground which must be a worry to United fans. I also thought that the atmosphere was pretty flat, especially for a game under the lights, but I was only watching on telly so it can be misleading.

Most Manchester United fans secretly wanted City to win anyway, because they’re obsessed with Liverpool these days.

United are likely to end up in the wilderness for a decade or so, which is sad, but hey.

 

[Puffing Devil]

That is part of the reason but not the entire reason. Liverpool only lost one game this season, less losses than City. We drew loads of games we should have won, that's what cost us.

And City lost a couple of games that we should have won. Goes both ways. C'mon Terriers!

 

[AlterEgo]

Burnley could play park the bus and leave us with 0-0 and even more annoyed at Mahrez for sending the ball into orbit when he stole the penalty at Anfield.

Timewasting and "Anti Football" at Chelsea: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48018227

City are a much better side going forward m than Chelsea. City will score at least once and possibly several times. Burnley also don’t park the bus too much at home.

 

[DarloRich]

I think last night's result pretty much gives City the title. Can't see them dropping points in their final 3 games, they certainly seem to have the easier run in

Agreed.

we will see. All it takes is one dodgy decision or one mistake.

 

[The_Train]

I disagree. Burnley and Leicester could be awkward. I don't see Liverpool having any problems.

Burnley are the only potential obstacle for City but only if their defensive wall can sustain an onslaught for 90 minutes. I can see Liverpool dropping points in both of their final 2 matches

 

[The_Train]

we will see. All it takes is one dodgy decision or one mistake.

Football can be a funny old game and it's hard to make predictions based on dodgy decisions and mistakes occurring but yeah I tend to agree that something out of the ordinary could still decide the final outcome. At least we are still talking about the title race with just 3 games to go, makes it so much better as a neutral

 

[DarloRich]

I wouldn't be unhappy with Liverpool winning, I like Klopp.

I have also grown to like Pep Guardiola after the documentary on Amazon. I thought he might be smug and conceited but he came across as a really decent bloke and one you would want to work for. If I am honest I thought he would be found out in the Premier League coming from the tippy tappy world of Spain but he has "got it" and excelled.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

If nothing else, Liverpool's 5-0 win over Huddersfield Town has improved their goal difference figure.

 

[fowler9]

Burnley are the only potential obstacle for City but only if their defensive wall can sustain an onslaught for 90 minutes. I can see Liverpool dropping points in both of their final 2 matches

If City win their game in hand Liverpool are one point behind them. Why do you think Liverpool are going to possibly fall apart? It is of course possible but I would like to hear your reasoning.

 

[Howardh]

Meanwhile due to a "player's strike" Bolton's game v Brentford has been called off. So expect a massive points deduction (or even double relegation) next season, the EFL don't treat this lightly. Wonder if their game at Forest next Sat will be called off too - and who will pay Forest for their lack of income on that date?

 

[greyman42]

If Bolton fail to fulfil their fixture list, would all their previous results be declared null and void as this could affect the play off and relegation places?

 

[The_Train]

If City win their game in hand Liverpool are one point behind them. Why do you think Liverpool are going to possibly fall apart? It is of course possible but I would like to hear your reasoning.

Newcastle away is by no means an easy place to go, especially when you are feeling the pressure of a title race (something Liverpool have not handled well in recent years). Wolves love playing the top 6 (as seen by their results against them this season) because the top 6 tend to be more expansive than the lower league teams and this style plays right into Wolves hands. I think if I was Klopp I would actually be tempted to let Wolves have quite a bit of the ball and hit them on the counter as if you attack Wolves, they are likely to counter you very effectively

 

[The_Train]

Meanwhile due to a "player's strike" Bolton's game v Brentford has been called off. So expect a massive points deduction (or even double relegation) next season, the EFL don't treat this lightly. Wonder if their game at Forest next Sat will be called off too - and who will pay Forest for their lack of income on that date?

It's the EFL's fault that this has reached this stage. Bolton have not recently become insolvent and the EFL should have stepped in a long time ago but they won't because it doesn't reflect well from a commercial aspect if they are seen to be kicking teams out. I'm not sure many other nations would put up with this sort of thing but the PL and EFL will purely to ensure their pockets continue to be lined.

Even the National League in this country doesn't allow any club to run into the ground. I'm pretty sure a number of clubs have been expelled from these leagues for being insolvent and entering administration.

The fit and proper persons test is a joke (the guy who is supposedly taking over Bolton was suspended by the EFL whilst owner of Watford) and until the EFL actually take hold of this situation and start to expel clubs who run out of money, then this debacle will only get worse

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Meanwhile due to a "player's strike" Bolton's game v Brentford has been called off. So expect a massive points deduction (or even double relegation) next season, the EFL don't treat this lightly. Wonder if their game at Forest next Sat will be called off too - and who will pay Forest for their lack of income on that date?

Don't hold your breath, remember Blackpool supporters forcing an abandonment a few years ago and I think the club got only a small fine.

 

[Howardh]

Don't hold your breath, remember Blackpool supporters forcing an abandonment a few years ago and I think the club got only a small fine.

There wasn't a lot the club could do about that other than have massive fences keeping fans off the pitch, which is a different case from Bolton's former and new owners passing the buck - apparently the new man was supposed to have deposited funds in the accounts so everyone got paid; and alledgedly never did. There's a statement on BWFC's website; but there's more chance of finding truth in a Brexit spokesman's speech than a Bolton/EFL website, twitter or facebook account.

Yes, the EFL don't come out of this with any kudos, all this has happened under their nose. But if they DON'T punish them hard it opens the doors for other club's owners to let the players strike - then be out of contract - then they don't have to pay them off when they want to release them in contract.

Meanwhile, Tranmere/Bury's off through the weather....both are looking for direct promotion so both will know today's other results.

 

[adrock1976]

Being as Bolton Wanderers are not going to play their final two matches of the season, the simple way of dealing with this situation may be to award 3-0 wins to Brentford and Nottingham Forest.

As the Trotters are unable to complete the season, they might as well go straight into liquidation, with all the other clubs below them moving up one slot. This would mean for example in the third tier, the top 3 teams are promoted automatically with 4th to 7th being in the play offs. The basement division could have the first 4 teams promoted automatically with 5th to 8th in the play offs, This would work its way down through the pyramid system and would not affect the relegation slots. A brand new incarnation of Bolton FC 2019 or something like that could be formed and apply as a new member of the FA, or alternatively, the town of Bolton could be absent from league football for a few years and stage a comeback with a new side similar to Accrington Stanley, who never resigned membership of the FA.

There is a precedent in Scotland when in 2002, the original incarnation of Airdrieonians went into liquidation after the final game of the season, with all the other sides all moving up one slot. It is noted that this was in the days when it was a simple 2 up 2 down with no play offs. Mentioning of precedents that started in Scottish football (and on a sideways move from Bolton Wanderers), Meadowbank Thistle relocated from Edinburgh to the New Town of Livingston back in 1995 and changed name accordingly. Eight years later and with a lot of controversy, the original incarnation of Wimbledon relocated to Milton Keynes and changed their name accordingly.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The final National League matches all played at an early time today. Leyton Orient finished Champions, but a sudden loss of form by Salford in the final two matches cost them dear regarding the automatic promotion place.

Four of the better teams in the league will contest the play-offs.

 

[Howardh]

Being as Bolton Wanderers are not going to play their final two matches of the season, the simple way of dealing with this situation may be to award 3-0 wins to Brentford and Nottingham Forest.

As the Trotters are unable to complete the season, they might as well go straight into liquidation, with all the other clubs below them moving up one slot. This would mean for example in the third tier, the top 3 teams are promoted automatically with 4th to 7th being in the play offs. The basement division could have the first 4 teams promoted automatically with 5th to 8th in the play offs, This would work its way down through the pyramid system and would not affect the relegation slots. A brand new incarnation of Bolton FC 2019 or something like that could be formed and apply as a new member of the FA, or alternatively, the town of Bolton could be absent from league football for a few years and stage a comeback with a new side similar to Accrington Stanley, who never resigned membership of the FA.

There is a precedent in Scotland when in 2002, the original incarnation of Airdrieonians went into liquidation after the final game of the season, with all the other sides all moving up one slot. It is noted that this was in the days when it was a simple 2 up 2 down with no play offs. Mentioning of precedents that started in Scottish football (and on a sideways move from Bolton Wanderers), Meadowbank Thistle relocated from Edinburgh to the New Town of Livingston back in 1995 and changed name accordingly. Eight years later and with a lot of controversy, the original incarnation of Wimbledon relocated to Milton Keynes and changed their name accordingly.

The EFL have insisted that Bolton complete their fixtures. Had a phone call this morning from a Mr. Parkinson asking if I wouldn't mind a game on Tuesday.
As for a "new" club, fans could travel up the road and watch Chorley - they might be getting a new ground at Buckshaw which isn't much more of a bovver than playing in Horwich!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Is it not the case that the board of the English Football League have told Bolton Wanderers that they must play those two remaining league matches?

 

[The_Train]

Is it not the case that the board of the English Football League have told Bolton Wanderers that they must play those two remaining league matches?

That is my understanding. Apparently the EFL had discussed the possibility of Bolton fielding their U18 side today but they had played on Thursday meaning this was not possible. However, they will be expected to field a side of any registered players available for the rearranged Brentford fixture as well as the Forest game next week

 

[fowler9]

Newcastle away is by no means an easy place to go, especially when you are feeling the pressure of a title race (something Liverpool have not handled well in recent years). Wolves love playing the top 6 (as seen by their results against them this season) because the top 6 tend to be more expansive than the lower league teams and this style plays right into Wolves hands. I think if I was Klopp I would actually be tempted to let Wolves have quite a bit of the ball and hit them on the counter as if you attack Wolves, they are likely to counter you very effectively

Mate I am well aware of that as is Klopp. At the end of the day I expect us to give maximum effort to the end of the season as we did yesterday despite having Barca coming up. This isn't the same Liverpool that drew 3-3 against Palace a few years back. I'm not just being a typical red who thinks we are better than everyone because we are Liverpool.

 

[DarloRich]

Season over for Darlo with a 1-1 draw with leanington. It is also the final game in charge for manager Tommy Wright.

Although critical of him as a manager I am really sad that it hasnt worked out for such a decent bloke. It must be rare to be happy a manager has left but ungappy it dodnt work for the man.

Sadly results count and finishing 16th on 50 points was not acceptable

 

[The_Train]

Mate I am well aware of that as is Klopp. At the end of the day I expect us to give maximum effort to the end of the season as we did yesterday despite having Barca coming up. This isn't the same Liverpool that drew 3-3 against Palace a few years back. I'm not just being a typical red who thinks we are better than everyone because we are Liverpool.

I have no doubt that they will give maximum effort and I would like nothing more than see Liverpool win the league, but my belief is that it's a difficult run in for them particularly with 2 massive games against Barcelona thrown in for good measure.

Maybe if the great wall of Burnley holds firm tomorrow I will start to believe that it is the year of the Liver bird. Defending a lead in the table is always easier than chasing down a deficit at this stage of the season

 

[fowler9]

I have no doubt that they will give maximum effort and I would like nothing more than see Liverpool win the league, but my belief is that it's a difficult run in for them particularly with 2 massive games against Barcelona thrown in for good measure.

Maybe if the great wall of Burnley holds firm tomorrow I will start to believe that it is the year of the Liver bird. Defending a lead in the table is always easier than chasing down a deficit at this stage of the season

At the end of the day I can't see Man City slipping up and I can't see us slipping up (although we may) and that would make Man City very worthy winners as we hounded them all the way so far. It will be an amazing achievement for them as well if they win which they probably will.

 

[Cowley]

At the end of the day I can't see Man City slipping up and I can't see us slipping up (although we may) and that would make Man City very worthy winners as we hounded them all the way so far. It will be an amazing achievement for them as well if they win which they probably will.

Said with good grace mate.

 

[The_Train]

At the end of the day I can't see Man City slipping up and I can't see us slipping up (although we may) and that would make Man City very worthy winners as we hounded them all the way so far. It will be an amazing achievement for them as well if they win which they probably will.

Whoever wins it this season will be very worthy winners as it has been a battle all season and has certainly made the PL more appealing to us neutrals.

If Liverpool do fall short (or indeed if they win it), what would you say is a key aspect to squad strengthening for next season?

 

[fowler9]

Whoever wins it this season will be very worthy winners as it has been a battle all season and has certainly made the PL more appealing to us neutrals.

If Liverpool do fall short (or indeed if they win it), what would you say is a key aspect to squad strengthening for next season?

Now that is a difficult question to answer without sounding conceited. I swear down I am not conceited, I am from Liverpool (L18) and have supported Liverpool for all of the 44 years of my life. This is just about the best team we have had. We are tiny fractions away from winning anything we want. Perhaps all we are missing is a proper superstar in Midfield but the people who play there are already really good. Almost any team in the world would take them. Barcelona really don't want to play us. The only problem we had this season has been that Man City were almost perfect. And they still lost more games than us.