Has English Premier League football become too predictable and boring?

First topic message reminder :

In 1956-7, Ipswich Town Football Club was promoted from Division 3 (South) to Division 2 (what's now called the Championship). Its success continued, reaching Division 1 (when it really was Division 1 and not, in effect, Division 3), and becoming English champions in its first season in the top flight (1961-2). Admittedly, the team's success owed a lot to the brilliance of Alf Ramsey, who later became the only manager ever to lead England to World Cup victory, but we all know it couldn't happen now. Nobody in their right mind would expect Swansea to become Premier League champions this season, only a very small group of teams can possibly achieve that. Realistically, only about seven teams have any chance of finishing in the top four - isn't it all too predictable, and therefore boring?

It all comes down to money, like so many things in life. Manchester United supporters used to joke that the two best teams in Manchester were Manchester United and Manchester United reserves, but I doubt if they do that now after their recent 6-1 thrashing by Manchester City. So what's changed? Manchester City was taken over by a group of businessmen from Abu Dhabi and received an enormous injection of cash.

Wouldn't you prefer it if Ipswich Town, or maybe Swansea or Wigan, had a chance of being English champions?

Do they still suck lemons at half-time?

Phil Hornby wrote:Shocking! As soon as the talk turns to soccer , the standard of language deteriorates. Any mention of a hot pie and Bovril at half-time and you'll have to be asked to leave the Board...

With the cost of petrol to get there, and the entrance fee can anyone afford a - er, erm - caviar sandwich and champagne.
AND I ACTUALLY DID FORECAST A MANCHESTER WIN Ooops wrong colour.

After a disappointing season, I'm thinking of giving up my personal box at the local soccer stadium for next year.

It's not easy to balance on it ,anyway...

Keep it in case you ever go into Politics, Phil.

What this Country needs is a Constitution, Restitution and Pros...... What was the third word, I can't remember now.

Things You'd Love to Do - Number 278

Give Mr Joey Barton - the QPR Resident Hothead -an oval ball and send him out to take on a Rugby Union Premiership player. We could then detect just how 'hard' he really is...

Does anybody else know where the body is buried, that John Terry seems to know about?

Interesting that Mr Brendan Rodgers seems to be relinquishing his post as Swansea City manager to take up a similar appointment at Liverpool FC. It's not often you see a chap seeking a move to a smaller club...

Phil Hornby wrote:Interesting that Mr Brendan Rogers seems to be relinquishing his post as Swansea City manager to take up a similar appointment at Liverpool FC. It's not often you see a chap seeking a move to a smaller club...

Now I am getting cross

Not next season with the mighty Southampton back after 7yrs!

Things You'd Love to Do - Number 278

Give Mr Joey Barton - the QPR Resident Hothead -an oval ball and send him out to take on a Rugby Union Premiership player. We could then detect just how 'hard' he really is... .

I would pay good money to see that Phil...What a great idea

Real Madrid 3 Manchester City 2

After the spectacle of the final minute of last season when City followers celebrated with the moronic TV commentator who shouted "Aguerrrooooooooo" rather overlong , when said player scored the winner which clinched the Premier League, those same fans can now doubtless enjoy some Spanish commentator bawling "Ronaldddoooooo" as the former Manchester United player scored to beat their favourites just before the end of the game tonight in Madrid.

I bet there is laughter tonight in some parts of Manchester... .......

So what's your problem with "Mourinhooooooooo.....", Gringo?

Maybe that sign outside John Lennon Airport in Liverpool should be amended to say: "Above us only sky, below us only QPR and Reading."

Certainly Premier league football seems to have something in common with "no-frills" airlines. Everything always costs more than you expected.

"no-frills" airlines. Everything always costs more than you expected..

Ah, that reminds me of this gem:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAg0lUYHHFc

Ivan wrote:When Manchester Utd score four successive goals from penalties - two against Stoke, two against Chelsea (the last of which arose from a dive) - one begins to smell a rat! And why is Ferguson allowed to harangue and intimidate referees when they leave the pitch at half time?

OOOOH!! Now that is well out of order Ivan. You only said that because you knew I never visit this thread. :affraid: Now I am forced to to defend my loved ones.

Fergie is entitiled to question referees decisions because he knows the game far better than any of them.
He stands no nonsense from his players and does not allow them to cheat nor purposely cause opposing players injury. He is a fair man although he swiftly exits any player who gives trouble (Teves)

The game for me has become very boring indeed with too much play in midfield and not enough goal action.
The continentals taught us to defend in numbers and play for draws instead of going for it. Too many foreign
players being brought in from overseas and not enough effort nor money has been put into youth Academy football, which is the reason we have a poor international team. However, at last the penny is dropping and I am pleased to see that things are changing in that direction and Fergusson and Di Matteo are leading the way with bringing home grown players through their youth Academies.

Money talks of course, for example my 9year old grandson has been purchased from a top championship club by a top top premier club for £15k. Of course I am proud of him, especially as he has scored 30 goals in his first two months since signing contract. Ridiculous though, all that cash for such a young player.

If clubs start training Barcelona style football, I might become a little more excited at watching the games.

"Too many foreign players"

That says it all, really.

I watch very little football on TV today. as I find it very hard to get much enjoyment out of seeing who will end the season in forth of fifth place. as it has become a league that is won or lost by the team that spends the most money on players. as a West Ham fan I enjoyed last season far more than I have this season. as last season I had no real idea who was going to win in most games. sad in my own view

Stox 16 wrote:I watch very little football on TV today. as I find it very hard to get much enjoyment out of seeing who will end the season in forth of fifth place. as it has become a league that is won or lost by the team that spends the most money on players. as a West Ham fan I enjoyed last season far more than I have this season. as last season I had no real idea who was going to win in most games. sad in my own view

you still watch the Hammers on TV dad, so its not all bad ha ha

Em xx

One of the major problems with Premier League football is the inconvenience of having a list of referees who make Lance Armstrong look like a honest up-front kind of bloke by comparison...

It can only be a matter of time before Premier League match officials have to wear a uniform reminiscent of American NFL Footballers.

They will only get the respect they seek when they become as competent and credible as those who officiate Rugby Union Premiership fixtures. Right now they are a considerable distance from achieving that...

I believe for every drop of rain that falls
A flower grows,
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night
A candle glows,
I believe for everyone who goes astray,
Someone will come to show the way,
I believe, I believe.

I believe above the storm a smallest prayer
Will still be heard,
I believe that someone in the great somewhere
Hears every word,
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry,
Or touch a leaf, or see the sky,
Then I know why,
I believe.

Clattenburg Puts the Record Straight

(msn
" Of course I'm not a racist - I've invited more black chaps to tell me their name than any other referee I know..."

Poor old Wigan. We are going to have yet another demonstration this evening of how Premier League matches will always be won by the team which the referee has decided will be given the full benefit of his decisions. A nice early sending-off with a penalty to supplement the little 'gift' and - hey presto - it's an easy ride in Newcastle tonight for the little rat in charge... and he's wearing yellow - how apt...

It seems to me that it's usually Manchester United which benefits from such charity. I'd never be surprised to see the visiting goalkeeper sent off for handball at Old Trafford.

Come the weekend I think I can confidently predict that Manchester City will be the beneficiaries of the referee's largesse when they play their rivals from across the city. Another early bath for a defender, probably, or a dodgy decision from a well-primed 'linesman' to disallow a goal, just so that the race at the top of the League is kept close for the betting markets.

And if that doesn't do the trick, I daresay we can expect a penalty for the sky- blue shirts if the game drifts on too long without a City advantage arising. I remember those innocent days gone by, when nobody knew which team would win before the match was actually played...

Makes a pleasant change from Ferrari always being favoured by the Authority.

Cultural Lessons Suggested for Foreign Players in Britain

(msn)

" I say, old chap- fancy popping over with your little lady for tiffin next week...?"

Earlier prediction above on Man City v Man Utd last Sunday : " ...or a dodgy decision from a well-primed 'linesman' to disallow a goal,...."
I must have second sight. Alas, even ensuring that a United goal was incorrectly ruled out for a mysterious 'offside' ( after all, they couldn't have The Reds going 3-0 up could they?!) the official was not able to get that all-important end result.

Next week : how the FA will assist Liverpool to start climbing the league table....

Pitch invaders to be given lifetime ban during which they will be obliged to watch continuous loop re-plays of England World Cup penalty kicking.

The football authorities really will have to put a stop to the likes of Allardyce, Moyes and Ferguson complaining about match officials, or we shall begin to believe that referees are a useless bunch of incompetent idiots who are simply intent upon making a few headlines for themselves by creating a bit of controversy to fuel their reputation or ensuring their particular favourites are given an easier passge to victory.

And we couldn't have that, could we...?

Into each life a little rain must fall

Learn to take the rough with the smooth

Lots of frogs to be kissed before finding the Prince

Faint heart never won Fair Ladye

The long and winding road should be sung in tune

Ten percent inspiration and ninety percent perspiration

The Beautiful Game includes some ugly participants ....

Steady on -it's only a matter of time before you get around to : " It's a game of two halves...".

Then we'll have to send you off....

Chelsea 8 Aston Villa 0

It is quite clear that Abramovich's Chelsea only won by such a margin by means of the Russian owner having persuaded Vladimir Putin to be flown in to play (badly) in goal for Villa, the KGB having kidnapped the usual goalkeeper ,Brad Guzan, and tortured him by making him watch a recording of the 2012 Tory Party Conference..

Here is the irrefutable evidence....

Guzan

(thefootballsocial.co.uk)


Putin

(watchingamerica.com)

I rest my case , which appears to be as convincing as any account of events by Andrew Mitchell...

There is always an alternative

http://www.encyclopedia.com/video/80sp97Gwlto-attack-is-best-form-of.aspx

Football in this country seems hell bent on killing itself off. I used to be a keen football fan but I drifted away from the game when I realised that I couldn't pronounce the names of many of the millionaire premiership primma donnas who are afforded god like status even though they struggle to string together a coherent sentence. My god, listening to some of them mumble their way through the post match interview which is usually punctuated with many elongated 'Errrrrrrrrrrr's' is excruciating.

Of course the rip off doesn't stop at the turnstile does it, how much does a 'premiership' programme and a pint and pie cost these days? I read today that away fans are being charged £64 to watch Arsenal V Man City (Apparently just 30% of available tickets have been sold) add transport costs and even the most ardent supporter must see he's being ripped off.

The Premier League's new idea for a red card incorporating a taser gun assists the referee no end at The Emirates yesterday...

(msn)

Saints are up to the heady heights of 15th!!!!!

Would anyone bet against Manchester Utd winning the Premier League this season? If, as expected, they do, the winners during the League's 21-year existence will then be: Manchester Utd 13, Arsenal 3, Chelsea 3, Blackburn 1 and Manchester City 1.

Predictable and boring?