The English Football Thread

[loveissucide]

Well,looks like Chelsea will run away with it in the end after today's result.

[right-track]

Originally Posted by loveissucide

Well,looks like Chelsea will run away with it in the end after today's result.

Now where have I heard that before?

Still a fair way to go and Chelsea yet to come to Old Trafford and only 4 points adrift.
I actually think United have the easiest run in.

Remaining fixtures with otential banana skins bolded.

United's Fixture List:

Man Utd v West Ham,
Wolverhampton v Man Utd,
Man Utd v Fulham,
Man Utd v Liverpool,
Bolton v Man Utd,
Man Utd v Chelsea,
Blackburn v Man Utd,
Man City v Man Utd,
Man Utd v Tottenham,
Sunderland v Man Utd,
Man Utd v Stoke.

Chelsea's Fixture List:

Chelsea v Man City,
Chelsea v West Ham,
Blackburn v Chelsea,
Chelsea v Portsmouth,
Chelsea v Aston Villa,
Man Utd v Chelsea,
Chelsea v Bolton,
Tottenham v Chelsea,
Chelsea v Stoke,
Liverpool v Chelsea,
Chelsea v Wigan.

[TheCunningStunt]

Chelsea win at Old Trafford the title is theirs, if we win, it'll go down to the wire. It might actually come to pass that we need Liverpool to beat them to win us the title.

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by right-track

Now where have I heard that before?

Still a fair way to go and Chelsea yet to come to Old Trafford and only 4 points adrift.
I actually think United have the easiest run in.

Remaining fixtures with otential banana skins bolded.

United's Fixture List:

Man Utd v West Ham,
Wolverhampton v Man Utd,
Man Utd v Fulham,
Man Utd v Liverpool,
Bolton v Man Utd,
Man Utd v Chelsea,
Blackburn v Man Utd,
Man City v Man Utd,
Man Utd v Tottenham,
Sunderland v Man Utd,
Man Utd v Stoke.

Chelsea's Fixture List:

Chelsea v Man City,
Chelsea v West Ham,
Blackburn v Chelsea,
Chelsea v Portsmouth,
Chelsea v Aston Villa,
Man Utd v Chelsea,
Chelsea v Bolton,
Tottenham v Chelsea,
Chelsea v Stoke,
Liverpool v Chelsea,
Chelsea v Wigan.

Manchester Utd have certainly got the easier run in, those final three away matches of Chelsea at Man.Utd, Tottenham and Liverpool, could be one away match too many.

I`m not a fan of either team, but as a southerner I have to say c`mon you Chelsea!

[DeadShotKeen]

Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger

It was introduced to League two in 2003 to help try & reduce the amount of teams going into administration. League one went ahead the following season.

It was a voluntary scheme more to keep clubs solvent more than anything. I guess the reason it never went to the championship was because I can't imagine clubs trying to get into the premier league wanting to cap players wages.

I have no idea if it's still running now.

Here's the best article I can find on it.
Whelan calls for top-flight salary cap - News & Comment, Football - The Independent

That's a good piece, thanks for that fella. I see that the scheme is/was voluntary like you say, which sorts of defeats the object and hasn't stopped Notts County running into big trouble.

Whelan is a bright guy anyway, I always enjoy his comments. I think he's spot on there. As a huge fan personally of principally 3 sports (football, rugby league and basketball) I have found my interest leaning more towards the latter 2 over the last few years purely for the reasons he raises there.

[Urban Hat€monger ?]

Yeah I watch far more Rugby League than football these days.

[right-track]

Originally Posted by DeadShotKeen

As a huge fan personally of principally 3 sports (football, rugby league and basketball) I have found my interest leaning more towards the latter 2 over the last few years purely for the reasons he raises there.

I doubt I'll ever abandon football as a first choice for another sport, despite being priced out of attending matches. The football on the pitch remains the same and being relegated to armchair supporter status suits me fine with a young family.
The days of catching the bus to Old Trafford and queuing for 2 hours to pay at the gate are long gone.

Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger

Yeah I watch far more Rugby League than football these days.

For the reasons stated above I've started returning to Speedway and the Belle Vue Aces for the last few seasons. My dad took me as a kid and in turn
I now take mine. £16 quid for me and the kids get in free.
I'd start a British Speedway thread, but it would probably begin and end with my OP. :/

[jackhammer]

Thoughts about the final on Sunday David? I will probably spend it around my friends house who is a staunch Man U supporter. Should be interesting. My heart says Villa but my head says Man U

[right-track]

By Man U you mean Manchester United?

I'll be down the pub soaking up the atmosphere and the ale.
The result depends on what team he (Fergie) fields.
If he puts out the reserves then Ass Vill have a good chance. If the first team trot out then it's another United trophy for the cabinet. Although Saturday's result at Everton was hardly encouraging.

[jackhammer]

What other Man U is there? I think he will put a strong team out myself. I think Villa deserve that respect but I'm thinking we will play it too cagey when we should play balls out and on our day can beat anyone which we have done .