Man City win at Fulham, the conquerors of the mighty Juventus and man United.

Once again City avenge Manchester for all of those teams that have humiliated United and brought shame on the City, Manchester City have avenged the slight.

Burnley, Liverpool, Fulham, Chelsea, you can toy with one half of Manchester but not with the mighty blues.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 21/03/2010 16:56:54    593988

Bring on the real derby.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 21/03/2010 19:25:33    594200

Ah patrique it's not until june!Who do you fancy in it? nicholas abbey prob be favourite and rightly so but i reckon elusive pimpernel e/w could be worth a flutter!

beer baron (Cavan) - Posts: 3916 - 21/03/2010 19:39:43    594223

We know it will not be one of Fergie's horses as the man rarely wins the big prizes.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 21/03/2010 20:40:55    594316

Keep it down over there! This is a quiet neighbourhood...

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 21/03/2010 21:21:27    594398

TheMaster
County: Mayo
Posts: 1911

594398
Keep it down over there! This is a quiet neighbourhood...


Very good. I appreciate this.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 22/03/2010 20:14:28    595552

Top 4 place for the blues this year Pat i think. But no trophy again which would you have prefered?

Mancirish (UK) - Posts: 2200 - 22/03/2010 21:40:06    595745

ya ya aand who's top of the table????????

PRDY (Mayo) - Posts: 141 - 23/03/2010 13:25:16    596126

Hmmmmm united battle for the league and champions league while city are trying to get into the champions league.... wonder which one is better?

weered92 (Derry) - Posts: 296 - 23/03/2010 16:59:53    596460

Mancirish
County: UK
Posts: 319

595745
Top 4 place for the blues this year Pat i think. But no trophy again which would you have prefered?


Manc, Manc, you already KNOW the answer.

In 2001 liverpool won the UEFA Cup, the FA cup, and the League Cup, a treble of cups, and were laughed at.

Last Wednesday Chelsea's season ended and their managers position is now under threat. He could yet do a domestic double but we all know that does not matter. Indeed Ancelotti never even mentioned winning the premiership until last Friday, in the vague hope that this could placate Abramovich, who already sacked a great manager for doing nothing but win leagues and other so called trophies, 5 or 6 in two seasons.

Real Madrid's season has also ended in "disgrace" and they are top of what is generally regarded as the best league in the World, certainly one of the best. Their manager is about to suffer the same fate as Capello, sacked ten minutes after winning the league, and Del Bosque.

In Italy Mancini was sacked shortly after winning three in a row leagues, and Mourinho is on the brink.

Finally look at Man United this year. Imagine Barcelona win in Europe and Arsenal win the league, will their fans be on web site boards crowing that they won the league cup, a trophy? I doubt it.

Soooo........in the last 7 years prior to this season a trophy for City would have been an achievement. We all know that all the premiership clubs field weakened teams in all the cups, FA, League and Europa but even so if one of the 16 "useless" premiership sides won a cup it was something, as long as it did not bankrupt them.

The reason for playing weakened sides in the cups is simple. For most success is staying in the cash cow that is the premiership. So not being relegated is great success, like Hull last year but they bought that success and may be about to pay for it. West Ham and Portsmouth are already paying for their success.

For the big 4 clubs, success was being in the top 4 and qualifying for the CL.

The ONLY trophy to win for BIG clubs is the Champions League, as all of the above illustrates.

City are now trying to be a big club. They were not in the CL this year, so amazing success for City this year, above their wildest dreams, would be a place in the top 4 and qualifying for the CL. Much of that success would be that City have improved with the money and the others, including United, have slipped somewhat this year.

Outside of England, Italy and Spain, winning cups and leagues is success, but even then there is a hierarcy. If Linfield ONLY win the County Antrim Shield and do not win the league, the season is marked down as a failure.

So alas soccer has become an integral part of the home entertainment industry and success is measured by participation in the CL, and BIG clubs are seen as those who can win the CL on a regular basis, or at least do well in it.

So obviously all football fans would rather their team won a place in the CL rather than win the "Liverpool treble" and be laughed at. And that is why football is dying. And sad to say that attitude is creeping into the GAA and provincial titles are now sneered at.

To be honest, I took greater pleasure from last night's results. I used to live in Denton and followed the nearby "Tigers" of Hyde United. Hyde won last night's derby with Staylbridge Celtic which greatly enhances their chances of avoiding the drop from Blue Square North this year.

That is real SPORT.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 23/03/2010 19:50:08    596766

I know what your saying about the Champions League and while i agree it has become the be all and end all for the top clubs i think the blues need to get that monkey of their back and win a trophy first. I do think they will be a force in the future if not already in England. It would be impossible for them not to be with so much cash at their disposal.

I remember growing up as a kid and if any English team was playing in Europe you'd be talking about the game for days beforehand, it was great. As you say we are saturated with football these days and money has taken over. Progression hey, i am not so sure. As much as i have had some great times watching the reds winning Leagues and traveling abroad with them winning European competitions the game has lost a certain spark. Its hard to explain but the buzz just isn't the same. Money money money that is all we here, it certainly isn't the working mans game anymore that is for sure. The characters on and off the terraces are slowly drifting away which is sad.

The blues will win their first trophy soon and i am sure you will enjoy it!!

Hyde are in trouble i believe but i suppose who isn't at that level. I've been there on a number of occasions myself. Its not a bad little ground, my lads have played a few finals their also its a great surface for the lower leagues.

For what it is worth if i was a blue i would have chosen a trophy this year instead of 4th place.

Mancirish (UK) - Posts: 2200 - 23/03/2010 21:54:43    597014

patrique
County: Antrim
Posts: 7635

596766 Mancirish
County: UK
Posts: 319

595745
Top 4 place for the blues this year Pat i think. But no trophy again which would you have prefered?


Manc, Manc, you already KNOW the answer.

In 2001 liverpool won the UEFA Cup, the FA cup, and the League Cup, a treble of cups, and were laughed at.

Last Wednesday Chelsea's season ended and their managers position is now under threat. He could yet do a domestic double but we all know that does not matter. Indeed Ancelotti never even mentioned winning the premiership until last Friday, in the vague hope that this could placate Abramovich, who already sacked a great manager for doing nothing but win leagues and other so called trophies, 5 or 6 in two seasons.

Real Madrid's season has also ended in "disgrace" and they are top of what is generally regarded as the best league in the World, certainly one of the best. Their manager is about to suffer the same fate as Capello, sacked ten minutes after winning the league, and Del Bosque.

In Italy Mancini was sacked shortly after winning three in a row leagues, and Mourinho is on the brink.

Finally look at Man United this year. Imagine Barcelona win in Europe and Arsenal win the league, will their fans be on web site boards crowing that they won the league cup, a trophy? I doubt it.

Soooo........in the last 7 years prior to this season a trophy for City would have been an achievement. We all know that all the premiership clubs field weakened teams in all the cups, FA, League and Europa but even so if one of the 16 "useless" premiership sides won a cup it was something, as long as it did not bankrupt them.

The reason for playing weakened sides in the cups is simple. For most success is staying in the cash cow that is the premiership. So not being relegated is great success, like Hull last year but they bought that success and may be about to pay for it. West Ham and Portsmouth are already paying for their success.

For the big 4 clubs, success was being in the top 4 and qualifying for the CL.

The ONLY trophy to win for BIG clubs is the Champions League, as all of the above illustrates.

City are now trying to be a big club. They were not in the CL this year, so amazing success for City this year, above their wildest dreams, would be a place in the top 4 and qualifying for the CL. Much of that success would be that City have improved with the money and the others, including United, have slipped somewhat this year.

Outside of England, Italy and Spain, winning cups and leagues is success, but even then there is a hierarcy. If Linfield ONLY win the County Antrim Shield and do not win the league, the season is marked down as a failure.

So alas soccer has become an integral part of the home entertainment industry and success is measured by participation in the CL, and BIG clubs are seen as those who can win the CL on a regular basis, or at least do well in it.

So obviously all football fans would rather their team won a place in the CL rather than win the "Liverpool treble" and be laughed at. And that is why football is dying. And sad to say that attitude is creeping into the GAA and provincial titles are now sneered at.

To be honest, I took greater pleasure from last night's results. I used to live in Denton and followed the nearby "Tigers" of Hyde United. Hyde won last night's derby with Staylbridge Celtic which greatly enhances their chances of avoiding the drop from Blue Square North this year.

That is real SPORT.

So Patrique, which would you have preferred, a trophy or 4th place? (4th is yours to lose)

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12332 - 24/03/2010 10:43:19    597126

Given the money City have spent anything less than 4th and this season will have been a disaster and Mancini can pack his bags. Home to Villa second last game of the season I believe could decide who gets 4th

pplocal (Tyrone) - Posts: 5878 - 24/03/2010 10:59:09    597149

VILLA FOR 4TH. JOHN CAREW CAREW

withualltheway (Louth) - Posts: 570 - 24/03/2010 16:04:16    597555

24/03/2010 10:59:09
PomeroyPlunkett
County: Tyrone
Posts: 402

597149
Given the money City have spent anything less than 4th and this season will have been a disaster


You will discover that City have spent LESS than the other contenders, about one fifth of what say Spurs have spent. City have only been spending for one year, the others have been at it for a decade.

But we already know that 92% of success in soccer is bought, accxording to the experts.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 24/03/2010 19:43:53    597837

Ha ha.

ONLY city could begin 4 vital fixtures, three of them at home, by losing the first one for their first home loss of the season.

That's why we love them.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 24/03/2010 21:03:44    597936

No surprise that city were beat last night. Re-placing Sparky has proven to be a mistake. Although some of his results were inconsistent he was doing a good job in trying to string a side of over paid stars and big egos together. His replacement is experiencing similar problems but I feel that they would have had a better shot at 4th if sparky stayed in charge....city are as low as 4/1 to win the league next year, laying that is like printing free money

As Liverpool have had such a dire season 4th place this year was a very attainable target. City should have bagged this prize. 4th is now spurs to lose. City and Liverpool look destined for the UEFA cup. Villa look to be blowing their chance too but are probably the most likely of the 3 to make a late charge.

Everton will be strong next year; if they can keep key players like Saha and Arteta fit next season then they will make more creditable title contenders than City or Liverpool. If these 2 don't pull up their socks Everton could well catch them this year.

Liverpool are away and the big four has receded into a big three.

Given Citys and Liverpools pre season aspirations it must be demoralizing to watch Fergie march towards an unprecedented 4th Premiership title in a row and a 3rd successive Final in the Champions league....

JammyDodger (Meath) - Posts: 306 - 25/03/2010 11:18:52    598165

JammyDodger
County: Meath
Posts: 98

598165
No surprise that city were beat last night. Re-placing Sparky has proven to be a mistake.


It was indeed on two levels.

It was one certain draw every week on the pools coupon, and we could have been involved in an exciting relegation battle..

However Sparky was lucky, he is so good he has moved on to...................

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 25/03/2010 17:11:21    598824

So Patrique, which would you have preferred, a trophy or 4th place?

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12332 - 25/03/2010 17:15:58    598844

Everton 2- 0 man city giggle.

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 25/03/2010 17:35:28    598891