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The 2005 promotions and relegations thread

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The relegation battle in the Premiership just got really exciting. Any one of the bottom four teams could now stay up. Has this ever happened in the Premiership before? This is the thread where we get all excited about the last few weeks of the season.

Oh, and Sunderland are back in the top flight. And Exeter aren't in the playoffs. :(

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 23 April 2005 16:40 (twenty years ago)

hi Matt!

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Saturday, 23 April 2005 16:42 (twenty years ago)

I got smacked down the other day for suggesting you can't drink at Premiership matches, one of the guys in the office was like "I went to Highbury and bought a beer and drank it" and i was like no way! and he said where did you go? and i said i went to see Southampton play Fulham, and he's like was it at Fulham? and I said yes, and he's like oh well that's a very small grounds, and i was like i thought you were from North Carolina, dude. anyway i think PETE MISLED ME?!

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Saturday, 23 April 2005 16:45 (twenty years ago)

Can I laugh at Partick Thistle? OK, good. hahahahaha. The bottom of the SPL is a bit exciting still, any one of Dundee, Dundee Utd, Livingston and Dunfermline could go down.

― ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 23 April 2005 16:47 (twenty years ago)

As far as I know you can't drink booze at any major ground now, unless you are in the executive boxes - I don't know if that might have been the case with your friend, Tracer.

Yeah, I'm excited by the relegation battle in the Prem, and the race to follow Sunderland there.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 23 April 2005 16:55 (twenty years ago)

Celtic have a bar within the ground whereby you pay an extortionate "membership" fee for the privilege of getting to have a pint before the match with the same few other people who were willing to pay a fee for a pre-match pint at a stadium surrounded by pubs that don't charge you a fee to get in.

― ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 23 April 2005 17:06 (twenty years ago)

He doesn't seem like the executive type, Martin, although we share an office with Major League Soccer, so maybe there was some kind of connection. It seems strange that he would contradict me without mentioning that his beer was purchased in a glass-lined skybox. Although he did say something about having to buy it "up somewhere" and that he couldn't bring it down into the stands with him, so maybe that's what happened.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Saturday, 23 April 2005 17:14 (twenty years ago)

Celtic also have a higher-level of season ticket which means you can get in for the prawn sandwiches and beer at half-time and before and after the match, but still have to sit in the pleb seats during. Maybe he was in one of those type of seats.

― ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 23 April 2005 17:21 (twenty years ago)

i can't decide which of the bottom four i dislike the least. i have time for Harry, but i do really want Southampton to go down.

i suppose as long as Forest get relegated fom the Championship i'll have something to celebrate.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Saturday, 23 April 2005 17:26 (twenty years ago)

Halftime is so SHORT at football matches though, it be be a serious scrum for those prawns!

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Saturday, 23 April 2005 17:31 (twenty years ago)

You CAN buy booze at football matches, this is mentalism. I bought a beer at White Hart Lane about a month ago. Admittedly it was pissweak Carlsberg and the times at which you can sell it are enforced pretty strictly but still.

Hi Tracer!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 23 April 2005 17:52 (twenty years ago)

Oh, and you can't actually take alcohol into the stands. But that's what going to the pub at midday is for.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 23 April 2005 17:52 (twenty years ago)

Cambridge and ...Kidderminster relegated to the Conference

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 23 April 2005 17:56 (twenty years ago)

Well I'll shed a little tear now that Berwick have been relegated. Confident that they'll bounce straight back up, especially since multi-millionaire Brook Mileson has given a big wodge of money to the supporters trust.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Saturday, 23 April 2005 17:58 (twenty years ago)

As a Norwich fan I kinda settled for relegation a couple of months ago, but now I have a sliver of hope at least, and these last few matches have been pretty exciting! I just don't want us to be playing against Leeds next year...

― Craig Gilchrist (Craig Gilchrist), Saturday, 23 April 2005 18:01 (twenty years ago)

Conference Play offs: one of these clubs will be joining Barnet in the football league:

Stevenage Vs Hereford
Aldershot Vs Carlise

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 23 April 2005 18:03 (twenty years ago)

I would like Southampton to survive, partly because I like Arry, and partly because I like William Swygart. I don't think I know any supporters of the other three down there.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 23 April 2005 18:21 (twenty years ago)

We're... in trouble. Fortunately, the fixture list is giving us Pompey, Norwich and Palace as our next three, all of which Harry can surely get us up for. Surely. We really were looking quite good till a couple of matches ago...

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 23 April 2005 18:27 (twenty years ago)

Fortunately, the fixture list is giving us Pompey, Norwich and Palace

I would have thought those were the three worst teams you could have, pity you couldn't have Birmingham, Blackburn and Newcastle i.e teams with nowt to play for.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Saturday, 23 April 2005 18:31 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, but points wise it means that three points for us guarantees no points for them. The games will be hard but a good result will be a lot more helpful. Unfortunately, West Brom have still got a game in hand on us, and if they match us for results over the last four games of the season then they'll finish ahead of us. So this could all be a tiny bit tense.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 23 April 2005 18:45 (twenty years ago)

Also Pompey play West Brom on the last day of the season at the Hawthorns, meanwhile Southampton have to face the mighty Manchester Utd

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 23 April 2005 18:49 (twenty years ago)

The best way to sneak booze into the stands is to wear several pairs of heavy cotton socks inside some oversized shoes, and saturate them with vodka. Later, you just wring or suck your way to drunken bliss.

― Aimless (Aimless), Saturday, 23 April 2005 18:52 (twenty years ago)

Just for the record I have bought and drunk beer at Old Trafford, White Hart Lane and Stamford Bridge this season.

I want all four of the teams at the bottom to stay up.

Southampton have to face the mighty Manchester Utd

I really wouldn't worry about that. As soon as United realised they couldn't win the league they just gave up.

― The Horse of Babylon's Butler (the pirate king), Saturday, 23 April 2005 18:53 (twenty years ago)

message for WBS: Get your road map out for Hull, Get your road map out for Luton, and look forward to the match at Elland Rd next season.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 23 April 2005 18:55 (twenty years ago)

As soon as United realised they couldn't win the league they just gave up

I like to think we made them give up :D (Norwich that is)

― Craig Gilchrist (Craig Gilchrist), Saturday, 23 April 2005 19:25 (twenty years ago)

Portsmouth 2 Southampton 0 after 17 minutes. It's not looking good. Though to quote Keegan, replacing his reference to Nigeria, the good news for Southampton is that they are two down early in the game.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 24 April 2005 10:21 (twenty years ago)

Commentator's advice: "They've got to try not to concede any more goals."

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 24 April 2005 10:22 (twenty years ago)

woo hoo! Southampton pull one back after 20 minutes. Camara #3.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 24 April 2005 10:23 (twenty years ago)

fuck, now it's 3-1 - this is an astonishing game so far.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 24 April 2005 10:25 (twenty years ago)

Fortunately, the fixture list is giving us Pompey, Norwich and Palace

Blimey, I hadn't realised that! Six pointers all the way!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 24 April 2005 10:29 (twenty years ago)

4-1 on 26 minutes. At this rate, we will end up with a 17 goal thriller.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 24 April 2005 10:30 (twenty years ago)

I always assume the South Coast derby is going to be a shit game and avoid watching it, and then it turns out to be a cracker. This was especially painful after the FA Cup game when I sat through 45mins of dross and switched off, only to miss all the good stuff.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 24 April 2005 10:35 (twenty years ago)

It has been a shit game at times. When I moved into this flat in Dec '03 I had no electricity. Since there was football on, I went down the pub that evening. It was this fixture, and it was a terrible, dismal game.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 24 April 2005 10:48 (twenty years ago)

i think West Brom and Southampton are def. going down and it might be too little too late for Norwich over Palace but that's obv. too close to call.

I'm sure there have been similarly tight relegation battles in the past - back in the late 90s didn't Everton have to beat Wimbledon to stay up on the last day of the season, or was it Coventry? And Bradford beating Liverpool to stay up was classic.

― $V£N! (blueski), Sunday, 24 April 2005 11:08 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, there have been tight finishes - but no one at all looking genuinely doomed with so few games remaining is very rare. We have two points separating bottom from safety!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 24 April 2005 11:11 (twenty years ago)

Oh god. Something I forgot to mention upthread is that if we don't get anything from this game we are more than likely totally fucked.

Steve - I think we stayed up on goal difference at least twice in the 90's. Everton did at least once and so (I think) did Man City.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 24 April 2005 11:13 (twenty years ago)

It was when Everton, 2-0 down, managed to get back to 3-2 after some "comedy" keeping from Hans Segers. I maintain Segers was almost certainly bought, and have strongly disliked him ever since.

― Markelby (Mark C), Sunday, 24 April 2005 11:13 (twenty years ago)

You have my sympathy, William. There can't have been much in this game that wasn't painful to watch.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 24 April 2005 11:50 (twenty years ago)

Am I alone in instantly flipping over to Millwall-Preston? The latter can guarantee a playoff place with a win, but are currently 1-0 down.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 24 April 2005 12:01 (twenty years ago)

Right, that'll be one from three to stay up then. Can't make 40 points, and find ourselves needing West Brom to lose at least two and for us to win all three remaining fixtures. Norwich and Palace hara-kiri-ing would kinda help too. West Brom have still to face Arsenal and Man U, but neither of them have got much to play for now. They might not do well against Blackburn and Portsmouth, but other than that... The best we can do is help relegate Norwich and Palace. And maybe get a win against Man U.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 24 April 2005 12:17 (twenty years ago)

Don't give up hope - you are just two points from safety, and we all know how unpredictable football is. You will have to play better than today, of course.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 24 April 2005 12:26 (twenty years ago)

Stop the bleating !

WBS face up to the facts:

Scenario 1:

Southampton have to pick up 6 points from Crystal Palace and Norwich games to have a good? or 50/ 50 chance of staying up [34 Points] - because the last match is against the Mighty Manchester United

34 points enough? that would mean Crystal Palace and Norwich would need to pick up 2 wins in the other matches to definately relegate Southampton. Plus West Brom would need to reach 35 points as their goal difference on 34 points would be inferior to Southampton's [Southampton currently have a 4 goal diff advantage over West Brom].

What if Crystal Palace, West Brom and Norwich all manage to reach 34 points, it is likely that Southampton would stay up on goal difference.

Scenario 2:

HOWEVER A draw and a win in these two games [against Palace and Norwich] will leave Southampton on 32 points, AND IF West Brom or Crystal Palace or Norwich reach 33 points by the end of the season - then the last match against Manchester United will see this scenario:

Lose this match: Southampton relegated
Draw this match: Southampton reach 33 points [but will this be enough?] goal difference is worth an extra point - at the mo Southampton and Crystal Palace have the same goal difference
Win this match: Southampton reach 35 points [will this be enough? possibly or maybe not?]

There are other Scenarios, such as drawing both games against Palace and Norwich - however Southampton are already 2 points behind Norwich and Palace

Another Scenario: West Brom play Pompey on the last day of the season, Pompey's away record is NOT good. What if Pompey bring back The Greek clown goalie? and West Brom pick up 3 points?

games/ points/ gdiff/ g scored

Blackburn 34 40 -8 29
Birmingham 35 39 -7 36
Newcastle 32 38 -9 42 KO 16:05 (A) v Man Utd
Portsmouth 35 38 -12 42 4-1 v Southampton
Fulham 34 35 -16 40
Crystal Palace 35 30 -21 37
Norwich 35 30 -29 38
West Brom 34 29 -25 32
Southampton 35 28 -21 38

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 24 April 2005 12:28 (twenty years ago)

I expect it's messing around on the PC rather than paying close attention, but we seem to have Alexander O'Neal on the field in this game, after Pop Will Eat Itself came on as a sub in the south coast derby.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 24 April 2005 12:42 (twenty years ago)

This relegation scrap is definately one of the closest in premiership history.

The last game of the season could have many possible scenarios. A goal scored or conceded in the last few minutes of a key match could have significant implications for survival.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 24 April 2005 12:52 (twenty years ago)

Okay, Skopelitis, not Pop Will Eat Itself - just checked the squad list.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 24 April 2005 13:05 (twenty years ago)

THinking more along the lines of - if we can't gee ourselves up to get any better than a 4-1 loss to Portsmouth, then the odds of getting points off two teams that actually have something to play for, and who we definitely aren't playing any better than at this moment in time... not brilliant. The fact that three points for us is definitely no points for Norwich or Palace in those games is a help, especially if West Brom's form yesterday is an indicator (and it's not as though Boro have a huge deal left to play for either) - certainly Blackburn could give them the shits. This said, Palace's run in is favourable - Newcastle are seemingly going to pieces at the moment, they're at home against us (we've won one away this season), and their last game's against Charlton, who always end the season on a high, don't they? Norwich might well be our best fixture, because they've not actually won away at all this season. They end the season away to Fulham and in between that they're at home to Brum. We can maybe finish above them, and West Brom's run-in isn't super, but Palace are something of a worry. We'll probably get the win over Man U, though, cos we seem to do OK against them, especially at home. I hope we stay up, but I reckon Palace will probably pip us.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 24 April 2005 13:36 (twenty years ago)

Oh, and Crouch is injured.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 24 April 2005 14:14 (twenty years ago)

watching MoTD and looking at the stats, West Brom were worth a draw yesterday and the 4-0 was an absolute travesty, but if they can't score, they it doesn't matter how well they play otherwise. i still think it's either them or Palace who will stay up, despite Norwich's recent title-winning form of 10 from 12.

Southampton, however, are surely fucked, no?

Coventry saved themselves in unlikely circumstances on the last day at least twice - against Spurs in the 90s and against Everton in '86 (i think) in a highly suspicious match which saw the Sky Blues trounce an Everton side who had won the championship a few weeks before. however, it feels as if they only saved themselves on the last day every single season, except when they finally got relegated.

and yes, i am a Cov fan. and i hope to god we don't follow Forest down.

― Lee F# (fsharp), Sunday, 24 April 2005 15:16 (twenty years ago)

I've fancied Coventry ever since that Lady Godiva rave-up.

― Aimless (Aimless), Sunday, 24 April 2005 17:27 (twenty years ago)

Just got back to Bristol from a trip up to the Stadium of Light for the Sunderland match yesterday.... (where, yes, you can buy beer, but I wouldn't recommend it, as it's some disgusting concoction)

Suffice to say we've played much better than that this season but the result was what counted (and Ipswich's obviously). Two minutes of amazing tension at the end: our game finished, and the announcement came over the PA that Ipswich were level at Leeds but still playing, we all stood waiting, and finally they announced that that was the final score, and the celebrations started.

Got quite a lump in my throat when they did the lap of honour. I think McCarthy's done pretty well with some of his young signings this season (Whitehead, Lawrence, Welch, Elliott), and they were going bonkers at the end.

Marcus Stewart has been excellent, especially in the second half of the season. Not sure whether we'll be keeping him on for next season, as he is slowing down, and I'm not sure he'll get much out of Premiership defenders (the rumour is he's going to Bristol City, and Sunderland may be after Lita), but it was good to see him celebrating yesterday.

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Sunday, 24 April 2005 18:48 (twenty years ago)

I would be very sorry if ex-Bristol Rover Marcus Stewart went to City!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 24 April 2005 19:04 (twenty years ago)

it's not as though Boro have a huge deal left to play for either

Don't you believe it, the fans are absolutely desperate for a Uefa cup slot, and I'd guess Mclaren and the team are too.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 24 April 2005 19:21 (twenty years ago)

I would be very sorry if ex-Bristol Rover Marcus Stewart went to City!

It might be just newspaper speculation, but this was in the Evening Post a few days ago.

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Sunday, 24 April 2005 19:54 (twenty years ago)

tracer, we never said you couldn't buy beer, just that you can't drink it in sight of the pitch. in fact, didn't you and hopko have a cheeky one (plastic bottle of plastic carlsberg?) at half time?

i am sad that exeter were sixth again :( once again not getting wins against teams in the botom six was our undoing...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Sunday, 24 April 2005 20:15 (twenty years ago)

I suppose I forget the possibility - likelihood even, on the numbers - that a Bristolian might well be a City fan rather than a gashead. And obviously we couldn't afford him.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 24 April 2005 20:21 (twenty years ago)

Mr Carsmile he speak truth. Any fule no that alone of sports, beer and the sight of grass make for mentalistic ultra-violence.

― Dave B (daveb), Sunday, 24 April 2005 22:56 (twenty years ago)

Is that why you chain-mainline cups of tea on the terraces, dave?

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 25 April 2005 11:26 (twenty years ago)

you should see him on midland mainline where it's free...

― CarsmileSteve (CarsmileSteve), Monday, 25 April 2005 15:48 (twenty years ago)

No, we had a cheeky fag after breathlessly munching down stupendously nasty franks, and then we washed down with de-lidded bottles of Sprite™ and dashed back inside in time to be five minutes late. Gah it's all a little high-strung innit? I could have used a beer to steady my nerves.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Monday, 25 April 2005 21:21 (twenty years ago)

With my tea drinking, it's like I'm a stereotypical Brit or something.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 25 April 2005 21:24 (twenty years ago)

sodding Portsmouth, I sooo wanted them to go down, then I'd not have to skip (x) number of games on tv per season where I cabn't watch for fear of kicking the tv through at the constant racket of those bells.

― Porkpie (porkpie), Monday, 25 April 2005 21:27 (twenty years ago)

ha, I wanted to see Chesterfield relegated because I am fed up with moaning the derbyshire porkpie !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 25 April 2005 21:33 (twenty years ago)

like a rat deserting a sinking ship ?

Gloomy Redknapp ready to step down regardless
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,277-1585698,00.html

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 25 April 2005 21:43 (twenty years ago)

Can you all cross your fingers, pray, sacrifice goats etc. that Torquay manage to beat Blackpool and Franchise lose to Peterborough - then the scum are down AGAIN and all will be right with the world (until the end of next season, when they're going either bust or out of the league...)

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 25 April 2005 21:46 (twenty years ago)

from next season: how many promotions need to be achieved by AFC Wimbledon to get into Conference South ?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 25 April 2005 21:52 (twenty years ago)

aww bless Martian, you almost made some sense there, are you by any chance related to the bloke with the bells?

― Porkpie (porkpie), Monday, 25 April 2005 21:55 (twenty years ago)

Just so everyone knows, I'm refusing to discuss the chances of Northampton Town making the playoffs this year, because, although we just need two more points than Darlington, I'm sure we'll find some way to fuck it up.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 25 April 2005 21:58 (twenty years ago)

TAKE 2...try again: ...I am fed up with the derbyshire porkpie moaning !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 25 April 2005 21:59 (twenty years ago)

At least Northampton Town have reclaimed the number 1 football club in Northamptonshire.

Also in the past 2 years Northampton Town must have spent more money on transfers than any other club currently in the basement division?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 25 April 2005 22:02 (twenty years ago)

what's wrong with football:
http://www.nqsouthern.com/digitalpublication/digitalpublications/images/86/editorial/1487.jpg

― Porkpie (porkpie), Monday, 25 April 2005 22:04 (twenty years ago)

ha, is that an impersonation of Jaz Coleman dressed as a Jester supporting Portsmouth ?

No its John PFC Club Westwood

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 25 April 2005 22:08 (twenty years ago)

Also in the past 2 years Northampton Town must have spent more money on transfers than any other club currently in the basement division?

We're like a less glamorous Wigan.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 25 April 2005 22:11 (twenty years ago)

Q: What is Northampton Town's record transfer fee paid for a player?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 25 April 2005 22:18 (twenty years ago)

£165K for Josh Low from Oldham.

Seconding what Mark said; if the franchise survive, they could regroup and turn it around; relegation would hit them hard and hit their 'fanbase' too. We need one more promotion to Conf South BTW.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 25 April 2005 22:49 (twenty years ago)

DJ Martian (and others) - fancy coming to see the Dons at the start of next season? Maybe a friendly (so porkpie won't have to witness what happens when we actually lose a tightly-fought competitive fixture)?

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 26 April 2005 16:41 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, I hope the franchise go down as well. Every time I think of the precedent, and relate it to the idea of Bristol Rovers moving a long way from Bristol, I feel furious. It has to be a total failure, leading to the club going out of business.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Tuesday, 26 April 2005 17:17 (twenty years ago)

I personally am looking forward to Gillingham beating Cardiff this weekend as that will leave the beautiful possibility of QPR sending them down on the last day of the season.

― azob (azob), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 13:54 (twenty years ago)

Get in!!!!! Champions!!!!!

I never expected that result for a moment, but what a fantastic performance.

McCarthy has done a superb job, and every one of those players has worked their backsides off.

"I keep hearing we are not the best side in the Championship.

But I think that when people read the papers in the morning, they will find that we are."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/4475923.stm

YEESSSSSS!

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Friday, 29 April 2005 21:18 (twenty years ago)

Norwich and Southampton scrapping for the premier league survival

Halftime 3 each

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 30 April 2005 14:03 (twenty years ago)

Gillingham score! It will be so great to send those bastards down next week.

― azob (azob), Saturday, 30 April 2005 14:36 (twenty years ago)

4-3! Camara with a couple of minutes left.

― The Horse of Babylon's Butler (the pirate king), Saturday, 30 April 2005 14:49 (twenty years ago)

Nottingham Forest relegated to the third tier of English football !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 30 April 2005 14:54 (twenty years ago)

Yeah - I feel a bit sad about that. I was pleased by Southampton's late winner. Matt Le Tissier's completely unbiased reporting on Soccer Saturday was a real pleasure.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 30 April 2005 14:57 (twenty years ago)

games/ points / goal diff / goals scored

Southampton 36 31 -20 42 4-3 FT v Norwich
Crystal Palace 36 31 -21 37 0-0 FT v Newcastle
West Brom 35 30 -25 33
Norwich 36 30 -30 41 3-4 FT v Southampton

today, Southampton out of the relegation zone by JUST one goal difference compared to Crystal Palace.

Next Southampton match, away at Crystal Palace !

The other match for Southampton home to Manchester United.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 30 April 2005 15:15 (twenty years ago)

The winner of Palace-Southampton, if there is one, will look pretty safe, I think. A colossal game.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 30 April 2005 15:54 (twenty years ago)

The Cobblers only need to achieve at better result than Darlo to make it to the play-offs. And we're playing alredy relegated Kidderminster. Quietly confident...

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Saturday, 30 April 2005 16:31 (twenty years ago)

And Peterborough got relegated! I wonder what their chairman thinks of their manager's performance this season?

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Saturday, 30 April 2005 16:32 (twenty years ago)

ANNABELL GILES IS TALKING ABOUT HERSELF IN THE THIRD PERSON FOR FUCK'S SAKE.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Saturday, 30 April 2005 16:59 (twenty years ago)

Wrong thread....

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Saturday, 30 April 2005 16:59 (twenty years ago)

I think we know the following:

Premiership: Chelsea champions. All but the bottom four are safe, and any one of them can survive.

Championship: Sunderland champions. Wigan or Ipswich for the other automatic promotion place - Ipswich need a better result than Wigan next week to overtake them. Preston to take a second playoff place, Derby can secure another by avoiding defeat, and Reading will need a better result, even a bigger win/smaller defeat, than West Ham to overtake them for the last place. Rotherham and Nottingham Forest are down, Crewe have to win and have Gillingham fail to win or have Brighton lose to overtake either of them.

League One: Luton champs. Hull City also promoted. Tranmere have the only certain playoff slot; other three being fought for by Sheff Wed, Hartlepool, Bournemouth, Brentford, Bristol City and Huddersfield. Stockport and Peterborough down. MKDons very likely to join them, and unless Oldham win and Torquay don't, Oldham will also be down.

League Two: little settled at the top, but three of Yeovil, Southend, Scunthorpe and Swansea (in that order of likelihood) will go up automatically, the other one joining Lincoln and Macclesfield (mathematically not certain, but it would need stupid scores to deprive them) and either Northampton or Darlington for the playoffs. Kidderminster and Cambridge drop out of the league.

Conference: Barnet champs, and I can't be bothered looking more since Exeter missed out.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 30 April 2005 18:02 (twenty years ago)

Fuck me I've seen two dismal performances on TV today by mid-table teams who weren't out of reach of a UEFA place. Villa were awful against Spurs, giving the ball away constantly, and Charlton have been extraordinarily supine against Man Utd. Two no-contest games in a row.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 1 May 2005 15:51 (twenty years ago)

Boy though did Tottenham look nice today! Lovely to see them stroking the ball around like that again (first time I've seen them play that well since the stolen Man U game), admittedly against frankly feeble opposition. Andy Reid was a fucking hero today and his goal an absolute screamer - not bad for possibly the fattest player I have ever seen in the Premiership.

If only Keane and Defoe could play properly together. Both of our big lads upfront seem so noncommittal when things aren't going their way.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 1 May 2005 23:58 (twenty years ago)

Mickey Quinn! Was that pre-Prem?

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Monday, 2 May 2005 06:52 (twenty years ago)

Although what price Man City to sneak in and get that seventh spot - what with us, them, Boro and Villa all seemingly playing one another right at the end of the season?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 2 May 2005 10:29 (twenty years ago)

No, Mickey Quinn was definitely playing for Coventry into the mid-90's.

This said - Brolin, Tofting, Jardel. And perhaps Richard Dunne at the peak of his cultishness.

Reid, however, differs from these in that he can actually run.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 2 May 2005 11:26 (twenty years ago)

Now the unseemly spectacle of that election is out of the way, back to the real business in hand.

Am I right in thinking Palace or Southampton could go down today?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 7 May 2005 12:05 (twenty years ago)

No, but if one of them loses they're in big trouble. If one of them wins, then WBA and Norwich will get relegated if they lose.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Saturday, 7 May 2005 12:19 (twenty years ago)

17 Southampton 36 -20 31
18 Crystal Palace 36 -21 31
19 West Brom 36 -27 30
20 Norwich 36 -30 30



― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Saturday, 7 May 2005 12:20 (twenty years ago)

Gah! Fucking Chelsea. I think they've drawn level with United for the record points in a 38-game season (91). I was just celebrating Makelele missing a penalty when he went and scored less than a minute later.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Saturday, 7 May 2005 12:24 (twenty years ago)

Who are WBA and Norwich playing?

― Gravel Puzzleworth (Gregory Henry), Saturday, 7 May 2005 12:24 (twenty years ago)

Did Makelele REALLY just score for Chelsea?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 7 May 2005 12:32 (twenty years ago)

WBA away to Man Utd

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Saturday, 7 May 2005 12:37 (twenty years ago)

No, they're not, sorry. WBA at HOME to Man Utd, Norwich away to Birmingham.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Saturday, 7 May 2005 12:39 (twenty years ago)

I'm a bit worried about Man City sneaking through and getting 7th place now.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 7 May 2005 13:08 (twenty years ago)

FUCK! Boro 1-0 up already.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 7 May 2005 13:13 (twenty years ago)

I've been telling the Yiddos at work that man city would get 7th all week, at this rate they'll kill me on monday

― Porkpie (porkpie), Saturday, 7 May 2005 13:14 (twenty years ago)

Villa 2-0 down in 12 minutes. They are falling apart!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 7 May 2005 13:15 (twenty years ago)

Cobblers all over the already relegated Kidderminster, but I get this horrid "dying wasp" feeling about the Kiddies.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Saturday, 7 May 2005 13:23 (twenty years ago)

Cheltenham 1-0 against Darlington.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Saturday, 7 May 2005 13:37 (twenty years ago)

Palace 1-0 up! And now Southampton have a penalty!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 7 May 2005 13:39 (twenty years ago)

what on earth was just going on with Pat Murphy? He sounded so weird as Norwich scored against 10 man brum

― Porkpie (porkpie), Saturday, 7 May 2005 13:50 (twenty years ago)

Makalele had his penalty saved but knocked in the rebound, so it was more like a second than a minute between the two things.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:07 (twenty years ago)

Ha-ha! Yeah "less than a minute" gives the wrong impression. And United are at home against WBA, just to change that a second time.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:20 (twenty years ago)

It's all kicking off at Selhurst Park now...

Newcastle player sent off shocker. EVERTON IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:22 (twenty years ago)

Fucking hell. Both Palace and Southampton down to 10 men. Peter Crouch sent off and suspended for the end of the season!

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:23 (twenty years ago)

Southampton are going down. Sorry WBS.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:24 (twenty years ago)

Right, so we're needing something more out of it than a draw, plus then we want severe favours off Man U. Thing is, the extent to which we don't deserve to stay up this season means I think it might happen. Maybe.

Probably not, though.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:27 (twenty years ago)

Is Crouch suspended for the United game?

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:31 (twenty years ago)

yes he is, and I have conceded 4th to Jonesy, ah well

― Porkpie (porkpie), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:32 (twenty years ago)

Tranmere equalise - MK Dons could be down with that...

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:33 (twenty years ago)

Palace ahead

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:37 (twenty years ago)

Oh bollocks.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:38 (twenty years ago)

WBS: Get the road map out to Hull !
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=53.7591&lon=-0.301&scale=1000000&icon=x

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:43 (twenty years ago)

Ding ding!

We're not going to equalise against Middlebrough, are we? Fuck.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:47 (twenty years ago)

How do we turn it round?

We bring on Delap for Oakley.

Yes.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:47 (twenty years ago)

Can you all please cheer on Hearts for the last couple of minutes against Rangers to make tomorrow afternoon a little bit easier for me?

― ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:49 (twenty years ago)

Oh christ, Franchise have gone back in front.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:52 (twenty years ago)

MK Dons back ahead. Up the franchise! (xpost)

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:52 (twenty years ago)

Yeovil up to League One as champions, Norwich have beaten Brum.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:53 (twenty years ago)

Unless something happpens soon...a plane is ready to depart at London-City airport to deliver a Parachute Payment to St Marys.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:55 (twenty years ago)

Rangers go one point clear at the top of SPL with Celtic home to bogey team Aberdeen tomorrow. Wave goodbye to my fingernails...

― ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:55 (twenty years ago)

YES!

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:57 (twenty years ago)

Higginbotham scored!!!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:57 (twenty years ago)

Equaliser for Southampton...

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:57 (twenty years ago)

oh my, southampton come back in the final seconds, congratulations saints

― Porkpie (porkpie), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:57 (twenty years ago)

STOPPAGE TIME EQUALISER AT SELHURST!

Fuck fuck fuck. Only a draw between Man City and Middlesbrough can save us now.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:58 (twenty years ago)

DANNY BLOODY HIGGINBOTHAM!

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:58 (twenty years ago)

DRATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:58 (twenty years ago)

DRATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Y'know, I was thinking I wouldn't mind about us going down, thinking the Championship was probably the right place for this side...

That's just made it so worth it. Man U are for shit. C'MON.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 7 May 2005 15:00 (twenty years ago)

I also enjoyed seeing Hartlepool get into the playoffs, since I am of course watching Soccer Saturday.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 7 May 2005 15:01 (twenty years ago)

Franchise win 2-1, stay up. Up automatically from League Two - Scunthorpe and Swansea.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 7 May 2005 15:01 (twenty years ago)

Who have Crystal Palace got on last day of season?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 7 May 2005 15:02 (twenty years ago)

Charlton. And we all know how well they end seasons.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 7 May 2005 15:03 (twenty years ago)

N.B. Man U not for shit till next weekend, if they could possibly stay decent for another few hours that would be lovely.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 7 May 2005 15:03 (twenty years ago)

Charlton away.

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Saturday, 7 May 2005 15:03 (twenty years ago)

Norwich are away to Fulham, if I remember right. I forget who Brom have, but hopefully that won't matter so much...

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 7 May 2005 15:03 (twenty years ago)


08 May 2005
Arsenal v Liverpool, 16:05
10 May 2005
Man Utd v Chelsea, 20:00
11 May 2005
Arsenal v Everton, 20:00
15 May 2005
Birmingham v Arsenal, 15:00
Bolton v Everton, 15:00
Charlton v Crystal Palace, 15:00
Fulham v Norwich, 15:00
Liverpool v Aston Villa, 15:00
Man City v Middlesbrough, 15:00
Newcastle v Chelsea, 15:00
Southampton v Man Utd, 15:00
Tottenham v Blackburn, 15:00
West Brom v Portsmouth, 15:00

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Saturday, 7 May 2005 15:05 (twenty years ago)

Fuck, I'm really disappointed the McDons managed to stay up.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 7 May 2005 15:06 (twenty years ago)

Luggy's got Sheffield Wednesday into the League One play-offs with Brentford, Hartlepool and Tranmere. League Two play-off participants are Southend, Macclesfield, Lincoln and Northampton.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 7 May 2005 15:06 (twenty years ago)

Can we have a big hand for Gretna who have finished the season with a goal difference of +101?

― ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 7 May 2005 15:08 (twenty years ago)

Fulham is a winnable game for the Canaries, but I reckon it'll be Palace, now.

0-0 between Man City and Middlesbrough will make me very happy indeed.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Saturday, 7 May 2005 15:09 (twenty years ago)

Norwich 37 33 -29 42 1-0 FT v Birmingham
Southampton 37 32 -20 44 2-2 FT v Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace 37 32 -21 39 2-2 FT v Southampton
West Brom 36 30 -27 33 KO 17:15 (A) v Man Utd


Norwich have not won away from home all season.
Charlton - Palace is a South London derby - scrappy match
Southampton - face Mighty Manchester United
West Brom - at the Hawthorns, Vs Pompey on the last day of the season. Portsmouth away form is not good, only 2 wins away from home I think.

If Norwich lose, Palace lose, Southampton lose - and West Brom beat Pompey - West Brom survive on goal difference.

Southampton could survive just on goal difference if they draw, and Norwich lose.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 7 May 2005 15:11 (twenty years ago)

The BBC punditry panel have picked Norwich to stay up, with the exception of Mark Bright, who's gone for Palace. that's another thing we've got going for us, then.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 7 May 2005 15:19 (twenty years ago)

Man U 1-0 up and appearing to be looking pretty cosy against West Brom.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 7 May 2005 16:33 (twenty years ago)

But WBA have just equalised from a very dubious penalty!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 7 May 2005 16:41 (twenty years ago)

Man U have had 26 shots on goal, and scored once. Tomasz Kuszczak is turning in the performance of his life in the WBA goal - technically a clean sheet too, cos he only came on after Hoult got injured.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 7 May 2005 17:03 (twenty years ago)

1-1 it is.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 7 May 2005 17:14 (twenty years ago)

update:

Norwich 37 33 -29 42 1-0 FT v Birmingham
Southampton 37 32 -20 44 2-2 FT v Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace 37 32 -21 39 2-2 FT v Southampton
West Brom 37 31 -27 34 1-1 v Man Utd

Can Norwich win away? so far this season...no away wins
Can Southampton win against Man Utd? it's going to tough
Can Palace go to Charlton to win? Local London derby - Charlton fans would love to dump Palace in the fizzy pop league

that leaves West Bromich Albion: a win against Pompey is required for any chance of survival. Even a Norwich draw, with the other two Southampton and Palace not getting wins - will see the Baggies survive.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Saturday, 7 May 2005 17:19 (twenty years ago)

At least they only have to play Portsmouth! It still looks completely in the balance to me - I can imagine any of them making it.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 7 May 2005 17:49 (twenty years ago)

I can't believe they scored the winner in the 74th minute. As Bruce Willis said in Pulp Fiction fuck fuck fuckity fuck fuck fucking fuck.

― Dave B (daveb), Saturday, 7 May 2005 22:31 (twenty years ago)

I'm guessing you are talking about McDons (have I coined this? It seems such an obvious way of saying MK Dons and suggesting the franchise nature that I'm sure it's been used a lot). It is really disappointing, but bare survival in the third tier shouldn't be confused with success.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Saturday, 7 May 2005 22:51 (twenty years ago)

We've not talked about the impending Championship thrills: I'll be watching Wigan vs Reading with great excitement, and there is Brighton-Ipswich on Sky Sports 2. Wigan have two ex-Bristol Rovers strikers (as highlighted in a recent FT item), so I guess I'm hoping they do it - also, I like it when teams which aren't the traditional big boys make it to the top. Then again, an old pal is an Ipswich supporter, so I'd take some pleasure in them making it too.

There's also playoff places to resolve - Sky took us through the permutations, and I won't repeat them here. I'd like West Ham to make it up.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 8 May 2005 10:51 (twenty years ago)

2-0 to Wigan at half-time, and they are heading towards the Premiership. They only came into the league in the late '70s, I believe, so this is a hell of an achievement, evoking memories of Wimbledon.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 8 May 2005 12:03 (twenty years ago)

Are Brighton safe?

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Sunday, 8 May 2005 12:57 (twenty years ago)

Yes, Gillingham down - sorry Ned.

― Tom (Groke), Sunday, 8 May 2005 13:06 (twenty years ago)

Huge congratulations to Wigan!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 8 May 2005 13:11 (twenty years ago)

Wigan being such a rugby town, I wonder how many people there really give a toss?

― $V£N! (blueski), Sunday, 8 May 2005 14:28 (twenty years ago)

i'd like to see Preston in the Premiership for no reason other than the novelty.

― $V£N! (blueski), Sunday, 8 May 2005 14:31 (twenty years ago)

There were something like 17,000 people there for this game against Reading, so I think they might be able to get a decent turnout against Chelsea, Arsenal and other big guns, and indeed less gigantic Lancashire sides like Blackburn or Man City. Football popularity there seems to have grown with the club.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 8 May 2005 15:00 (twenty years ago)

Everton
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Blackburn
Bolton
Wigan

if
Preston
make it that will 8 out of 20 [40 %] of premier league clubs from North West

and there are other clubs even further north [Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Sunderland ]

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 8 May 2005 15:30 (twenty years ago)

Wigan will fill their ground against those six, plus other big clubs like Newcastle, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Villa. I guess they could record the lowest crowd of the season, given a mid-week home game with some lesser club from far away - Portsmouth, say...

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 8 May 2005 16:20 (twenty years ago)

I was there when Everton played Wigan at Goodison in the FA Cup 4th round in 1980 - they brought so many fans the match was a 54,000 sell-out. They kept cheering when the ball went over the bar though. Ba-dum. Wigan are hardly Sunderland (a bigger crowd today at the SoL than would be possible at Anfield, Goodison, Highbury, Stamford Bridge...) but they get respectable gates, I think. (It was 19,662 today at the JJB, btw).

0-0 between Man City and Middlesbrough will make me very happy indeed.

Er, how so, Matt? You wouldn't be able to catch Boro if they get a point at City. You best hope for City 1-0 Boro and Spurs 3-0 Blackburn. Not at all unlikely the way you've been banging them in at home. Or a very late decision on that Roy Carroll clanger in January and a bonus 2 pts.

I will now accept Chris's concession. I'm off to crow on the other thread.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Sunday, 8 May 2005 18:09 (twenty years ago)

I'll feel for Spurs if they miss out on Europe by a point or two, hopefully the undeserved point ManU got isn't going to make any difference to them.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 8 May 2005 18:26 (twenty years ago)

Yes Mike, you're correct - I realised that yesterday evening. And then started cursing.

We'll probably miss out by more than two points, I reckon. And yes, while it's reassuring to bang on about those lost two points, really its the limp showings against the likes of West Brom, Portsmouth and Charlton that really did for us. Being able to score five at White Hart Lane is all very well but a goal or two away from home would have helped hugely.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 8 May 2005 18:41 (twenty years ago)

I knew that ungiven goal against Utd would come back to haunt Spurs.

― $V£N! (blueski), Sunday, 8 May 2005 18:42 (twenty years ago)

Yes, Gillingham down - sorry Ned.

*sigh* WE'LL BE BACK. I tell you.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 8 May 2005 18:43 (twenty years ago)

Way back up there, Martin said: I would be very sorry if ex-Bristol Rover Marcus Stewart went to City!

"I dont want to give too much away but I want to go to City, it's the club I loved as a kid," Stewart told the BBC.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/4533285.stm

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 20:14 (twenty years ago)

It would make me so fucking happy to see Preston in the Premiership. Partly because of their history. Partly because they're a really well-run club, But mostly because my Dad and my brother support them, and it would make me so unbelievably happy to see them both so happy, he said actually crying at the thought of it (slightly bouze inflected).

Brentford for Division 3 (Tranmere can go fuck themselves for their disgraceful inability to send the scum franchise down) and The Cobblers for Division 4. Lincoln if not the Cobblers.

Carlisle for the Conference, and Altrincham for Conference Regional.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 21:38 (twenty years ago)

Staggeringly, our appeal against Crouch's red card hasn't worked...

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 21:40 (twenty years ago)

I think Southampton could *easily* beat United. Once it became clear they weren't going to catch Chelsea they've been fairly shit. Palace and West Brom have already drawn against them, and Norwich beat them. Also, it'll be a week before the cup final. I reckon it'll be a selection of youth teamers and the formidable combination of Kleberson, Bellion and Liam Miller on Sunday.

The problem for Southampton isn't that they're playing United, it's that all the other teams at the bottom could easily win their games as well. Charlton & Fulham are hardly in great form at the moment, and Portsmouth will have no reason to do the Saints a favour.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Tuesday, 10 May 2005 21:53 (twenty years ago)

Did I miss a play-offs thread?

West Ham v Ipswich was a cracking game.

Woeful defendin', like.

I still have a soft spot for Ipswich from the Burley/Beattie/Wark/Talbot days of flowing football and flowing locks. If only Joe Royle wasn't involved I'd be cheering them on.

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Saturday, 14 May 2005 16:49 (twenty years ago)

Great that Carlisle have made it back to the League. I have had a soft spot in recent years for the Cumbrians, partly because they are so geographically adrift from the rest of the 91, but also due to their superb support through all the last-but-one finishes right until that magnificent run last season that almost saved them.

There's also that black-and-white, rosettes-for-goalposts tinted vague 'I Love 70s' memory of them being top-of-the-league in September 1974..

― darren (darren), Saturday, 14 May 2005 19:39 (twenty years ago)

Congrats to Carlisle. Are Southampton really playing Pompey tomorrow? Oh dear, they're screwed. All the other three teams have matches they really ought to win.

― Markelby (Mark C), Saturday, 14 May 2005 23:15 (twenty years ago)

Mark - er, no, that happened a few weeks ago. Martian probably remembers it. We've got Man Utd at home.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Saturday, 14 May 2005 23:34 (twenty years ago)

Norwich's number of away wins so far this season = 0

Well done Carlisle. My dad'll be spinning (or summat) in his grave.

― Si Carter (Si Carter), Saturday, 14 May 2005 23:36 (twenty years ago)

Faor enough Will. I read Teh Hobb's post a couple above, and assumed it referred to the final game (caveat emptor, I know).

― Markelby (Mark C), Saturday, 14 May 2005 23:41 (twenty years ago)

No, I meant that Portsmouth are playing West Brom so they have no reason to try hard, as losing to WBA means more chance of Southampton going down.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Sunday, 15 May 2005 08:45 (twenty years ago)

I'm excited! The Pompey/Southampton thing hadn't occurred to me at all - this is going to be a bit like when Spurs had to lose to Man Utd on the last day of the 1999 season to stop Arsenal winning the league and then Les Ferdinand scored his first goal for about five months. Great days.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 15 May 2005 11:38 (twenty years ago)

I reckon Southampton will stay up now, unfortunately. Everyone at Old Trafford will be utterly shellshocked and the Saints will be saved by a mad scrambling Rory Delap thrash over the line.

Still got a funny feeling about Palace, mind.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 15 May 2005 11:42 (twenty years ago)

Message to WBS, do you agree with this statement

Today, I am supporting Pompey to win a Premier League match. Signed...

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 11:44 (twenty years ago)

Preston 2 Derby 0 in the Championship semi-final play-off first leg.

I think I will offer my support to Preston in their endeavours.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 15 May 2005 12:12 (twenty years ago)

Prrrrreston! It must be!

Martian - I don't give a fuck about what Pompey do today, we can't go relying on getting a draw in any case. We must win. Hell, if we don't stay up then fair enough, we didn't deserve to and it's a good thing for at least one promoted side to stay up; if we do stay up then we piss you off. Win-win situation, innit?

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 15 May 2005 12:37 (twenty years ago)

Pompey field 19 Year old Teenage Striker, however the Greek clown goalie not playing

To Saints: at 5.00 O'Clock today...Hopefully ...Get your road map out for Hull

WBS have you ever been to the KC Stadium?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 12:44 (twenty years ago)

WBS you may be able to see The Saints at Elland Road as well.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 12:46 (twenty years ago)

Saints have picked Ormerod ahead of Phillips. Hmm.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 15 May 2005 12:48 (twenty years ago)

They just said on radio 5 that half the Portsmouth fans are wearing West Brom tops.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Sunday, 15 May 2005 12:48 (twenty years ago)

WBS what happend to your Belgian, something like: jelly van dame?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 12:51 (twenty years ago)

Torture watch starts for the bottom 4 at 3pm, live updated tables at Sporting Life:

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/premiership.html

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 12:54 (twenty years ago)

7, 000 Norwich City fans at Foolham...letsbehavingu

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 12:58 (twenty years ago)

Foolham scored

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:11 (twenty years ago)

drattttttttt Saints scored ! Nigel f-ing traitor Quashie

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:12 (twenty years ago)

current live table:

Southampton 38 35 -19 45 1-0 v Man Utd
Crystal Palace 38 33 -21 39 0-0 v Charlton
Norwich 38 33 -30 42 0-1 v Fulham
West Brom 38 32 -27 34 0-0 v Portsmouth

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:13 (twenty years ago)

cor

― $V£N! (blueski), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:15 (twenty years ago)

Southampton 1- Man Utd 1!

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:21 (twenty years ago)

Man Ure hit back with a goal, but the Saints still out of the bottom 3:

Southampton 38 33 -20 45 1-1 v Man Utd
Crystal Palace 38 33 -21 39 0-0 v Charlton
Norwich 38 33 -30 42 0-1 v Fulham
West Brom 38 32 -27 34 0-0 v Portsmouth

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:21 (twenty years ago)

Crystal Palace 1 worse goal difference to Saints

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:22 (twenty years ago)

Portsmouth's Teenager James Keene playing well

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:24 (twenty years ago)

Boro 1 up. Hasselbaink.

― $V£N! (blueski), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:27 (twenty years ago)

scenario: if West Brom score the Saints go marching down to the fizzy pop league

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:27 (twenty years ago)

Charlton 1 Palace 0

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:33 (twenty years ago)

Crystal Palace look dooooooomed, Charlton score

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:34 (twenty years ago)

Norwich look doomed, Foolham 2 up

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:35 (twenty years ago)

Fulham 2 Norwich 0

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:35 (twenty years ago)

Southampton 38 33 -20 45 1-1 v Man Utd
Norwich 38 33 -31 42 0-2 v Fulham
Crystal Palace 38 32 -22 39 0-1 v Charlton
West Brom 38 32 -27 34 0-0 v Portsmouth

2 Scenarios:

If Manchester United score: Norwich will survive [and the West Brom match stays a draw]

If West Brom score: West Brom survive

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:40 (twenty years ago)

Norwich don't look entirely doomed, in that they could lose this game and still stay up. Still, doesn't look good, but it's early days yet.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:42 (twenty years ago)

A scenario for Palace to stay up: Palace would need to score to draw

and the 3 following:
West Brom fail to win
if Southampton lose
Norwich lose

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:44 (twenty years ago)

first half nearly up, and there are still tight scenarios of who can stay up depending on just one goal scored in 3 matches

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:48 (twenty years ago)

Portsmouth have that Greek goalkeeper on the Bench, presumably as a secret weapon to relegate the Saints?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:52 (twenty years ago)

The referee at Fulham seems to have bet heavily on Norwich to go down. The free kick leading to Fulham's second goal was a joke.

― TV's Mr Noodle Vague (noodle vague), Sunday, 15 May 2005 13:53 (twenty years ago)

let the second half commence...

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:04 (twenty years ago)

if Man Ure can't win against the Saints, Glazier should sack Fergie for gross under-performance.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:12 (twenty years ago)

Fulham 3 Norwich 0

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:13 (twenty years ago)

Foolham score to make it 3up

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:13 (twenty years ago)

as it stands:

Southampton 38 33 -20 45 1-1 v Man Utd
Norwich 38 33 -32 42 0-3 v Fulham
Crystal Palace 38 32 -22 39 0-1 v Charlton
West Brom 38 32 -27 34 0-0 v Portsmouth

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:15 (twenty years ago)

Palace score !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:18 (twenty years ago)

Palace equalise at Charlton!

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:18 (twenty years ago)

West Brom score !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:19 (twenty years ago)

Ruud VN scores!

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:20 (twenty years ago)

Party on at The Hawthorns !

Man Ure score !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:20 (twenty years ago)

Man U score

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:20 (twenty years ago)

Saints .....Going down, Going Down, Going Down..........

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:21 (twenty years ago)

Table now:

West Brom
Palace
Norwich
Southampton

― AdrianB (AdrianB), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:21 (twenty years ago)

Palace have to score - if they do, they stay up.

― AdrianB (AdrianB), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:22 (twenty years ago)

West Brom 38 34 -26 35 1-0 v Portsmouth
Crystal Palace 38 33 -21 40 1-1 v Charlton
Norwich 38 33 -32 42 0-3 v Fulham
Southampton 38 32 -21 45 1-2 v Man Utd

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:23 (twenty years ago)

West Brom! Jesus Christ...

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:23 (twenty years ago)

Penalty for Palace....

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:29 (twenty years ago)

Palace score 2-1.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:30 (twenty years ago)

Johnson scores!

― AdrianB (AdrianB), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:30 (twenty years ago)

Yellow card to AJ for over-celebrating... well, you would, wouldn't you?

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:31 (twenty years ago)

As it stands NOW Ian Dowie's Crystal Palace will survive

Party ruined at The Hawthorns

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:31 (twenty years ago)

Norwich are getting gubbed 4-0.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:32 (twenty years ago)

Not relevant to the discussion, but a slobberknocker over at the Reebox- 3-2 to Bolton at the moment.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:32 (twenty years ago)

During the 90 Minutes all 4 teams have been in a position to stay up !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:32 (twenty years ago)

Scenario if Charlton score, West Brom can stay up

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:34 (twenty years ago)

Charlton scoring is the only thing that would change these positions at the moment, right?

(x-post)

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:35 (twenty years ago)

as it stands:

Crystal Palace 38 35 -20 41 2-1 v Charlton
West Brom 38 34 -26 35 1-0 v Portsmouth
Norwich 38 33 -33 42 0-4 v Fulham
Southampton 38 32 -21 45 1-2 v Man Utd

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:35 (twenty years ago)

Baggies 2 up but is it too late?

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:36 (twenty years ago)

West Brom score another, but it is all down to Charlton for them to stay up

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:38 (twenty years ago)

It's Palace vs West Brom, really. No hope for the other two.

― AdrianB (AdrianB), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:39 (twenty years ago)

Charlton score!!!!

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:41 (twenty years ago)

10 minutes to go !

Charlton Score

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:42 (twenty years ago)

Charlton equalise!

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:42 (twenty years ago)

Baggies safe at the moment.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:43 (twenty years ago)

Palace must score to stay up.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:43 (twenty years ago)

Bryan Robson's West Brom in the driving seat:

West Brom 38 34 -25 36 2-0 v Portsmouth
Crystal Palace 38 33 -21 41 2-2 v Charlton
Norwich 38 33 -33 42 0-4 v Fulham
Southampton 38 32 -21 45 1-2 v Man Utd

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:43 (twenty years ago)

Saints fans crying at St Mary's

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:44 (twenty years ago)

http://www.absolute-speakers.co.uk/img/profiles/bird-fortune.jpg

"Take that Crystal Palace"

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:44 (twenty years ago)

6 minutes to go

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:45 (twenty years ago)

5-0 Fulham. The Canaries appear to have given in.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:46 (twenty years ago)

Fulham 5-0 now

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:46 (twenty years ago)

more crying at St Fairies

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:47 (twenty years ago)

If this stays the same, are we going to have to accept that Robson isn't as shitty a manager as we've previously believed?

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:48 (twenty years ago)

Chris Kamara is on top form this afternoon.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:48 (twenty years ago)

6-0 to Fulham.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:49 (twenty years ago)

Could equal Arsenal vs Everton, no?

― AdrianB (AdrianB), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:50 (twenty years ago)

Get the parachute payment to drop at St Marys...

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:52 (twenty years ago)

Norwich and Saints down. one to go.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:52 (twenty years ago)

Finished 6-0 at Fulham

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:52 (twenty years ago)

Judas RedKnob relegates the Saints

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:53 (twenty years ago)

IT'S OVER!

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:53 (twenty years ago)

WEST BROM ARE SAFE!!!!!!!

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:53 (twenty years ago)

Palace lost.

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:54 (twenty years ago)

(Birmingham 2 Arsenal 1, if anyone cares)

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:54 (twenty years ago)

Boing, if you will, boing.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:55 (twenty years ago)

Bottom at Xmas, bottom today, even at half-time, and West Brom survive! What a day!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:55 (twenty years ago)

Portsmouth 38 39 -16 43 0-2 v West Brom
West Brom 38 34 -25 36 2-0 v Portsmouth

RELEGATED to the fizzy pop Championship:
..................................................
Crystal Palace 38 33 -21 41 2-2 v Charlton
Norwich 38 33 -35 42 0-6 v Fulham
Southampton 38 32 -21 45 1-2 v Man Utd

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:55 (twenty years ago)

I think the phrase is "I didn't see that coming"

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:56 (twenty years ago)

Man City penalty. Fowler penalty saved.

― AdrianB (AdrianB), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:56 (twenty years ago)

Shwarzer saves penalty to keep Boro in Europe.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:56 (twenty years ago)

Fact if Saints had won the recent match at Fratton Park they would have been safe...so Pompey sent them down !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 14:58 (twenty years ago)

what a 90 minutes of entertainment

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 15:00 (twenty years ago)

What an afternoon, about as exciting as football gets.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 15 May 2005 15:00 (twenty years ago)

I can see Crystal Palace and Norwich both bouncing back next season

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Sunday, 15 May 2005 15:03 (twenty years ago)

this was incredible. i love this game.

― $V£N! (blueski), Sunday, 15 May 2005 15:13 (twenty years ago)

Congratulations West Brom, as a neutral I'm pleasantly surprised.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 15 May 2005 15:16 (twenty years ago)

Anyway, now: Northampton Town vs Southend.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 15 May 2005 15:20 (twenty years ago)

Re Palace & Norwich bouncing back, probably depends if they can hold on to the likes of Johnson and Ashton.

― Snnap Dragon (snnap dragon), Sunday, 15 May 2005 15:21 (twenty years ago)

Meh. When I saw the team line-ups for us vs. them (their strikers - Smith, Rooney, Van Nistelrooy; ours - Camara and Ormerod) I think I sort of knew we were gone. I was sat in the union bar with some Norwich fans so I was a bit busy feeling for them - truly, their defence was staggeringly poor. Fucking gutted for Palace too, they deserved better than that.

Hey ho - Championship it is. I've no idea if we can come back up, it depends how many of our lot we can hang on to/get rid of. Some of them are rather too 'experienced' now, and will most likely be out the door as soon as they can. As for Harry... pfft. I dunno. Where we go from here... likewise. We got what we deserved today, anyhow.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 15 May 2005 15:34 (twenty years ago)

You might get Hoddle as manager, would you like that, serious question?

― AdrianB (AdrianB), Sunday, 15 May 2005 15:39 (twenty years ago)

Nah, he wouldn't fancy it now we're at roughly the same level as Wolves. Still wouldn't want him though, because I don't want Lowe to have any reason to think that it'd have been alright if we'd had Hoddle in the first place.

Hell, depending on how the play-offs shake out, we might find ourselves up against Sheffield Wednesday. And Paul Sturrock. That'll be fun.

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 15 May 2005 15:44 (twenty years ago)

I hear Barry Fry will be available soon.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 15 May 2005 15:54 (twenty years ago)

Barry Fry at Southampton, the mind boggles.

― AdrianB (AdrianB), Sunday, 15 May 2005 15:58 (twenty years ago)

I'm no fan of Captain Marvel but I'm pleased for Kevin Campbell. I managed to guess the order in which the teams would be temporarily be safe but didn't anticipate the further Palace-then-WBA-again twist. I wonder how MOTD will treat the highlights tonight - perhaps a chronological chip'n'dip. What a shame we've been deprived the spectacle of Robbie Fowler snorting the goal-line or slapping his head in goal celebration.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Sunday, 15 May 2005 15:58 (twenty years ago)

Amazing. Did anyone think West Brom would stay up? Can't think of many reasons why they won't get smashed next season, mind.

The SE London parochial side of me took over around half-time and I found myself really rooting for Palace. I bet the Charlton fans LOVED the fact they got to send them down, though.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 15 May 2005 15:58 (twenty years ago)

Now West Brom can consolidate, keeping Gera, Greening, Earnshaw et al. They'll be ok next time round.

― AdrianB (AdrianB), Sunday, 15 May 2005 16:01 (twenty years ago)

I was thinking Dave Jones. Then remembered that him and Rupert don't get on very well anymore.

Course, Harry could hang around...

X-post - do not forget Hoult, ENGLAND'S REAL NO. 13

― William Bloody Swygart (mrswygart), Sunday, 15 May 2005 16:03 (twenty years ago)

I really enjoyed this afternoon, though I wanted Palace to stay up - very sad. Also, Boro got into Europe, which I'm delighted about.

― Markelby (Mark C), Sunday, 15 May 2005 16:04 (twenty years ago)

I think it'll be at least as hard for West Brom next time. We don't know who the third team up will be, but the top two look to me better equipped than any of this year's trio. This year has been a very poor performance from the bottom four - if you look at points per game against pretty much any other season, 34 in 38 games to stay up is extraordinary. WBA might improve that haul by 10% next season and still go down.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 15 May 2005 16:05 (twenty years ago)

And it will be interesting to see who can be held. I'd be astounded if Johnson didn't get a big move, but he is just one of several from those three sides.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 15 May 2005 16:06 (twenty years ago)

I wonder if Antii Niemi surreptitiously popped into the Man Utd dressing room after the final whistle?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Sunday, 15 May 2005 16:06 (twenty years ago)

I honestly did think WBA would stay up - it was after that classy 2-0 win over Man City in late January that they really started to look decent. At the start of the day, the likeliest four results seemed to be those which would keep WBA up - the one doubt being Charlton's abysmal form. But you can always count on Palace to chuck away a lead; on four of the five occasions I've been to see them at Selhurst they've done precisely that, losing from 2-0 up vs Ipswich, late-minute equaliser by Coventry, etc. I might be able to afford to go again next season.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Sunday, 15 May 2005 16:10 (twenty years ago)

Mike, you'll be very welcome 10 miles further west, and you'll *definitely* be able to afford Kingsmeadow...

― Markelby (Mark C), Sunday, 15 May 2005 16:12 (twenty years ago)

B-but I can walk home from Selhurst... (Actually, I keep meaning to go and see Dulwich Hamlet).

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Sunday, 15 May 2005 16:18 (twenty years ago)

But West Brom will have more Premiership money, and greater experience. Plus, prospective signings might not view them as being virtual certainties for relegation. I think the only promoted club with any realistic chance is Wigan, regardless of who wins the playoffs.

― AdrianB (AdrianB), Sunday, 15 May 2005 16:25 (twenty years ago)

fucks sake, fucking west brom? did they really deserve to stay up? i dont think palace did, but.....well i guess i am not treally in a position to say. anyway leigertwood is going to get a mauling by palace, the isnt the first time hes given away a free kick leading to a important goal scored against us.

dont think we will win the 1st division next year, but we migth win more than 7 games, and it wont cost 35 quid to get in....

― ambrose (ambrose), Sunday, 15 May 2005 16:31 (twenty years ago)

Adrian, all true, but that doesn't mean they will do any better in the second year - we might make a Bradford comparison. They'll almost certainly have to do substantially better in points to have a chance. Wigan have a good manager, a sound defence, good (ex-Bristol Rovers) goalscorers and £25m to spend. Sunderland have much of the same stuff, and more money and experience than most promoted teams. I don't find it easy to come up with three teams, whoever wins the playoffs, that might easily be worse than West Brom next year.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 15 May 2005 18:39 (twenty years ago)

I am glad Lord Lowe of Coca-Cola will no-longer be on the FA Board but I daresay the Football league will elect him to the Board of the League. Tits.

34 points and you stay up. Best league in the world!

― Dave B (daveb), Sunday, 15 May 2005 21:58 (twenty years ago)

I have a feeling Ellington will be excellent in the Prem.

― AdrianB (AdrianB), Sunday, 15 May 2005 22:32 (twenty years ago)

Celtic concede 2 goals in last 5 minutes to lose the SPL title shockah.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 22 May 2005 13:53 (twenty years ago)

That's incredible.

― $V£N! (blueski), Sunday, 22 May 2005 15:16 (twenty years ago)

i cant understand why roberts and ellington have remained at wigan without anyone showing an interest, for so long. havent they been knocking goals in for years now?

― ambrose (ambrose), Sunday, 22 May 2005 15:21 (twenty years ago)

Read my recent FT piece, Ambrose - they are both part of the great Bristol Rovers striker production line, proven (apart from one anomalous season for Marcus Stewart) to work superbly at Championship level and not above.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Sunday, 22 May 2005 17:40 (twenty years ago)

Celtic concede 2 goals in last 5 minutes to lose the SPL title shockah.

Me and Onimo are gutted. He texted me to say at least he had more beer, there isn't enough beer in the world as far as I am concerned.

― ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 22 May 2005 18:16 (twenty years ago)

It must be weird when your team DOESN'T win the title. I'm inclined to suggest it can't possibly hurt as much as it would for a fan of a team not used to winning so often, but what do I know? I still sympathise with Ailsa and Onimo as I would prefer to see Celtic triumph over Rangers for some reason.

― $V£N! (blueski), Sunday, 22 May 2005 18:45 (twenty years ago)

Worst thing was that we *only* had to beat the worst team in the top six of the SPL. It was in our own hands and we lost it. If we had have beat Motherwell, it wouldn't have mattered what Rangers did.

It hurts because the papers up here are all full of how MON is leaving, also it was ours to throw away, also Rangers have been more rubbish than us this year (when the chips were really down, we won against them).

Also it hurts for the simple reason that my team lost and I don't like it when we lose so much as a game, let alone an important one.

― ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 22 May 2005 18:50 (twenty years ago)

that was a crap argument but i am pissed off also pissed and going back out to the pub RIGHT NOW

― ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 22 May 2005 18:51 (twenty years ago)

And I am back from the pub because my Rangers supporting next door neighbour is there and laffing at me

― ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 22 May 2005 19:43 (twenty years ago)

So West Ham United are back in the Premiership

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 30 May 2005 15:04 (twenty years ago)

Hurrah! All three promoted teams starring ex-Bristol Rovers strikers!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Monday, 30 May 2005 15:15 (twenty years ago)

So Next season's premiership 20

London: [6] Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, Charlton, Fulham, West Ham
North West: [7] Man Utd, Everton, Liverpool, Bolton, Man City, Blackburn, Wigan
North East: [3] Middlesbrough, Newcastle Utd, Sunderland
West Midlands: [3] Villa, Brum City, West Brom
South Coast: [1] Portsmouth

Some areas of the country no premiership clubs 05/06: Yorkshire, East Midlands, East Anglia

1 Chelsea
2 Arsenal
3 Man Utd
4 Everton
5 Liverpool
6 Bolton
7 Middlesbrough
8 Man City
9 Tottenham
10 Aston Villa
11 Charlton
12 Birmingham
13 Fulham
14 Newcastle
15 Blackburn
16 Portsmouth
17 West Brom
18 Sunderland
19 Wigan
20 West Ham United

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 30 May 2005 15:15 (twenty years ago)

An interesting prediction.

― Alba (Alba), Monday, 30 May 2005 15:17 (twenty years ago)

not a prediction: this season 1-17, plus 3 promoted

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 30 May 2005 15:19 (twenty years ago)

It was a joke.

― Alba (Alba), Monday, 30 May 2005 15:23 (twenty years ago)

Though it would be funny if Liverpool finished fifth again, whilst retaining the Champions League and we had to go through all the rigmarole again.

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 30 May 2005 15:29 (twenty years ago)

What do these 13 clubs have in common?

Coventry
Crystal Palace
Derby
Ipswich
Leeds
Leicester
Norwich
QPR
Sheff Utd
Sheffield Wednesday
Southampton
Watford
Wolverhampton

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 30 May 2005 15:34 (twenty years ago)

They are all in the championship. I claim my prize from DJ Martian.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Monday, 30 May 2005 15:46 (twenty years ago)

They've all been in the Premiership. I claim another prize.

― Alba (Alba), Monday, 30 May 2005 15:47 (twenty years ago)

Bingo...Alba !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 30 May 2005 15:49 (twenty years ago)

If Nottingham Forest hadn't been relegated there would have been 14 clubs.

Does anyone know if 13 ex premiership clubs out of 24 in the second tier is a record for a season?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 30 May 2005 15:53 (twenty years ago)

Q: What is the largest city in England that has not yet had a club represent it in the premiership?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 30 May 2005 15:58 (twenty years ago)

Bradford?

― Alba (Alba), Monday, 30 May 2005 16:01 (twenty years ago)

Oh no hang on - they were, weren't they.

― Alba (Alba), Monday, 30 May 2005 16:02 (twenty years ago)

Bristol, I think.

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 30 May 2005 16:03 (twenty years ago)

WRONG, Bradford had 2 seasons in the Premiership. Ask Rodney Marsh ;-)

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 30 May 2005 16:03 (twenty years ago)

Hull, maybe. Depends where you draw city boundaries.

― Alba (Alba), Monday, 30 May 2005 16:04 (twenty years ago)

Oh yeah - Bristol probably.

― Alba (Alba), Monday, 30 May 2005 16:04 (twenty years ago)

Which English town or city is most poorly represented on the football pitch?

― Alba (Alba), Monday, 30 May 2005 16:05 (twenty years ago)

yeah, Bristol

runners up Kingston-Upon-Hull and Plymouth

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 30 May 2005 16:07 (twenty years ago)

Who calls it Kingston-upon-Hull??

― Alba (Alba), Monday, 30 May 2005 16:08 (twenty years ago)

I just noticed on that other thread that someone seems to have relocated Belfast to England.

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 30 May 2005 16:09 (twenty years ago)

The City Council - check the meta tags ;-)

http://www.hullcc.gov.uk/

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 30 May 2005 16:10 (twenty years ago)

Enough of this rubbish... ow ow OW that poor fucking goalkeeper.

Nice to see Etherington and Zamora doing well. If only Teddy had been on the pitch as well :)

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 30 May 2005 17:31 (twenty years ago)

Will this make Teddy the oldest outfield player ever to play in the Premiership? He's nearly 40.

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 30 May 2005 17:36 (twenty years ago)

I should have posted this yesterday, but congrats to Paul Sturrock and Sheffield Wednesday. Hopefully he'll tell Rupert Lowe and the 'stars' who sabotaged his career where to go when they meet up next season.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Monday, 30 May 2005 17:39 (twenty years ago)

City Hull have never been in the top flight never mind the premiership.

Well done Thames Ironworks and both their supporters. The G is a happy man

― Vicky (Vicky), Monday, 30 May 2005 18:01 (twenty years ago)

Preston were v. poor today; they've been playing nice stuff all year, but today resorted to the kind of lump it long to Cresswell stuff that seemed to typify the lack of ideas that marked the Craig Brown years. Eddie Lewis was anonymous, though credit to Repka for not getting sent off as usualmarking the space well on the left flank. Preston were just lacking in midfield - they needed a ball winner at the back - someone like Sean Gregan TBH - who could stretch the play. They were awfully compressed. Even so - who knows. The goalie should have gone, I'm told, and Preston had a shot off the line.

All told, I'm strangely gutted. Obviously, part of it is familial, but I also have a vague feeling that this was their best chance in years. Just looking at that list DJ put up shows that there's 13 clubs who've been there, including 5 who get around 5M more per year than the rest of the division. Can't quite make up my mind about the parachute payments though. They're a bad thing per se, but they arguably make a bad system better. But then maybe if they weren't there, peopel would see the gross injustice that is the Premiership's commandeering of the TV revenues laid bare. Alternatively, the ensuing even worse performance of promoted clusb would probably lead to the abandonment of promotion. How very depressing.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 30 May 2005 22:14 (twenty years ago)

6 get parachute payments

apparently

"Norwich City, Southampton and Crystal Palace will each receive £14.4 million from the Premiership in parachute payments over the next two seasons." [Times]

first season of parachute payments:
Crystal Palace
Norwich
Southampton

second season of parachute payments:
Leeds
Leicester
Wolverhampton

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 30 May 2005 22:27 (twenty years ago)

And Preston get around 1M. Sheesh.

― Dave B (daveb), Monday, 30 May 2005 22:41 (twenty years ago)


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