Media bias - yes that old chestnut

[Seedy Ron]

Of all the sycophantic bastards towards the rags in the media the one that really stands out for me is the BBC Football site. It is obviously controlled by a legion of rags who angle every story possible in a pro scum way. Just take a look at tonights preview of their FA cup reply with West Ham in all its toe sucking glory.



Manchester United

• Treble-chasing Manchester United boast the best record in the FA Cup, with 18 appearances in the final, 11 of which were won - five under Sir Alex Ferguson.

• This is the fifth successive time they have been drawn against fellow Premier League opposition in the competition, and the 20th in 25 rounds. When Fergie's men last qualified for the final in 2007, they faced fellow top-flight opposition in all six rounds.

• The Red Devils have only gone out in the third round once under Ferguson, and are looking for their 150th clean sheet in the FA Cup.

West Ham United

• The 1964, 1975 and 1980 winners, who last made an appearance in the final in 2006, have failed to get past the FA Cup third round in three of the past five seasons.

• They have also been beaten on each of the last six occasions they have been drawn against Premier League clubs in the FA Cup, and have not knocked one out since Middlesbrough in the 2006 semi-finals.

• Four Premier League clubs were certain to fall by the wayside when the third round draw was made.




The Dirty B*stards!

 

[HC-blue]

If Manchester City win the Premier League, it will be judged the worst in history


Manchester City’s chances of winning the Premier League have improved as a result of their removal from Europe, which should make them fresher at weekends.

We can be sure of that because Sir Alex Ferguson, the wiliest campaigner in the League, has publicly questioned it, offering the alternative theory that Roberto Mancini will now find it harder to satisfy his squad members’ desire for time on the pitch.

True, several of Mancini’s players will be heard moaning over the next five months. But we have got used to that and, more important, so has the City manager. Just as Chelsea under Roman Abramovich’s ownership have offered an argument for creative instability, City, with their matchless collection of stars, have come to gainsay the convention that a happy ship is essential for success.

Oddly, their attitude doesn’t seem to apply to Europe. But we shall see how determined City are to retain the domestic title on Sunday, when Ferguson takes United to the Etihad Stadium for the first of the season’s title deciders — even the broadcasters will use the phrase sheepishly this time, saving their full sense of portent for the Old Trafford derby in April, by which time the nature of United’s latest transition should be more clear.

Sometimes United look like champions, sometimes not. It has been that sort of season.

No sooner did Chelsea put together an ominous run of form than Abramovich ripped up the plan. No sooner did Arsenal tighten their defence than it fell apart. Spurs, having won at United, threatened to take advantage, only to find, in Emmanuel Adebayor’s flailing feet, an agent of self-destruction. City alone have shown consistency.

But, if they win the League, it will probably be judged the worst Premier League in our admittedly short memories — and City’s failure in Europe will be rightly cited. This time last year we had, for all the faults that led Chelsea to change the Andre Villas-Boas regime and the justified belief that Robin van Persie’s goals were flattering Arsenal, a top four good enough to withstand the challenge of a superb Newcastle. Now Spurs can limp into the top four.

Yet every day we read of players who rate themselves worthy of a pay rise — Bacary Sagna, for example, as if he were the engine of some relentless trophy-winning machine. Perhaps easy money is a clue to the Premier League’s problem.

not sure if this has been posted or where to put it

What Newspaper is this? So I never buy it

 

[Bobby Taylor's Pub Team]

They have also been beaten on each of the last six occasions they have been drawn against Premier League clubs in the FA Cup, and have not knocked one out since Middlesbrough in the 2006 semi-finals.

wow, almost 7 years since they last knocked one out

 

[Berkovic_blue]

I have watched the sending off numerous times the thing what bothers me is I honestly think mr dean did not know which player to send off? I know people on here will say I'm nuts but he looks at both players but when he pulls the card out he is looking at Wiltshire then changed his mind .

Wilshere definitely thought he was in trouble in the immediate aftermath.

I still trust Mike Dean as a ref though, he has a history of not showing bias to big clubs - just my opinion from the games I've seen over the years.

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

If Manchester City win the Premier League, it will be judged the worst in history


Manchester City’s chances of winning the Premier League have improved as a result of their removal from Europe, which should make them fresher at weekends.

We can be sure of that because Sir Alex Ferguson, the wiliest campaigner in the League, has publicly questioned it, offering the alternative theory that Roberto Mancini will now find it harder to satisfy his squad members’ desire for time on the pitch.

True, several of Mancini’s players will be heard moaning over the next five months. But we have got used to that and, more important, so has the City manager. Just as Chelsea under Roman Abramovich’s ownership have offered an argument for creative instability, City, with their matchless collection of stars, have come to gainsay the convention that a happy ship is essential for success.

Oddly, their attitude doesn’t seem to apply to Europe. But we shall see how determined City are to retain the domestic title on Sunday, when Ferguson takes United to the Etihad Stadium for the first of the season’s title deciders — even the broadcasters will use the phrase sheepishly this time, saving their full sense of portent for the Old Trafford derby in April, by which time the nature of United’s latest transition should be more clear.

Sometimes United look like champions, sometimes not. It has been that sort of season.

No sooner did Chelsea put together an ominous run of form than Abramovich ripped up the plan. No sooner did Arsenal tighten their defence than it fell apart. Spurs, having won at United, threatened to take advantage, only to find, in Emmanuel Adebayor’s flailing feet, an agent of self-destruction. City alone have shown consistency.

But, if they win the League, it will probably be judged the worst Premier League in our admittedly short memories — and City’s failure in Europe will be rightly cited. This time last year we had, for all the faults that led Chelsea to change the Andre Villas-Boas regime and the justified belief that Robin van Persie’s goals were flattering Arsenal, a top four good enough to withstand the challenge of a superb Newcastle. Now Spurs can limp into the top four.

Yet every day we read of players who rate themselves worthy of a pay rise — Bacary Sagna, for example, as if he were the engine of some relentless trophy-winning machine. Perhaps easy money is a clue to the Premier League’s problem.

not sure if this has been posted or where to put it

What Newspaper is this? So I never buy it

It was Patrick Barclay in the London Evening Standard iirc.