FA Cup 14-15

[Ebeneezer Goode]

Facetious bastards. Would you prefer me to call it Barclays League Division 1?

wat

 

[GodsGift]

Facetious bastards. Would you prefer me to call it Barclays League Division 1?

No, because that would still be wrong!

 

[Laker]

No, because that would still be wrong!

I've got to be honest, when I made my post I didn't even realise they'd reverted back to calling it the Premier League, shows how little top flight football I watch.

 

[mistermagic]

Juding by the highlights I don't think we should put the Chelsea and Man City defeats in the same basket (Spurs losing at home to Leicester isn't that bad as they got beat by a side in the same division than them plus Vorm gifted Leicester qualification).
I don't think Chelsea took the game against Bradford particularly seriously with a weaker squad (still some bloody good players in there!) and poor defending. Probably were too confident going into this game. Mourinho was right (and still is) to call it a disgrace. The biggest shock of the FA Cup ever and I wouldn't like to be a Chelsea fan these days (who would?).
Middlesbrough is a bit different I feel. Their goalkeeper, Mejias, had a blinder and City could have had two penalties before Middlesbrough first goal. They had a lot of chances to score the opening goal but it just wouldn't go in. I reckon Boro were quite lucky to win it imo, City on another day would have won comfortably.

Quick question though: what the fuck were City players doing in Abu Dhabi in midweek? Players looking for a mileage boost?

 

[Jarv]

City were in Abu Dhabi doing some Warm weather winter training. It's not really something new.

 

[Jockney]

Well done to Boro, but I doff my cap to Bradford City. They have completely put our staff to shame and done their supporters proud. Forgive me if this sounds patronising, but they remind me of how we used to be in the early Jackett era.

 

[Bobbin']

I can't believe people are even mentioning this 'Chelsea had a weaker side out'

Fucking behave.

They had Cech in goal, Drogba, Oscar, Willian, Cahill, Azpilucueta (however you spell it), Mikel etc the likes of Fabregas and Hazard came on. Let's stop this nonsense, Bradford beat a far, far superior side which included European champions in their own back yard. Massive respect to them.

Not just on here by the way, I mean everywhere. It was even mentioned on MOTD.

 

[silkyman]

City were in Abu Dhabi doing some Warm weather winter training. It's not really something new.

And playing a game over there.

Stupid to fly across that many timezones mid season. If the PL does ever bring in a winter break, all that will happen is clubs jetting off to play these games. Nothing wrong with warm weather training, but if you do it in Spain you don't have to worry about jet lag.

 

[Madejski]

I don't think the problem was them going out for Winter training per se but the fact that got back less than 24 hours before the game, had to have made a difference.

Also harsh to say it was all down to Middlesbrough's keeper. He made one quality save, the rest you'd expect a Championship keeper to make, City didn't create a lot of great scoring chances. If anything Boro had the better chances to score more.

 

[silkyman]

He made a few good stops to be fair. The first half was one way traffic and as said above, if city had taken a chance early on, or been given the clear penalty, it could have been different.

The second half was the absolute opposite though and I think the jet lag showed as they seemed to lose concentration. The confidence is low at the moment, and combined with Aguero and Kompany not really being match fit after their injuries, it's a combination of factors (including a great performance from Boro)

Hopefully now they have some games under their belt they will improve. Not sure if it's good or not that Chelsea have a game midweek.

Looking at it from a neutral perspective, it's been a great fa cup this season. Richer clubs being kicked up their arse is what the competition is all about. From the first stages back in August all the way through.

 

[smat]

"I think both sides deserve credit. I thought we were excellent."

Brendan Rodgers, following a 0-0 home draw with Championship Bolton. What a wanker.

 

[Madejski]

Classic Brendan Rodgers. Surprised he didn't use the words 'terrific' or 'incredible'.

 

[Sammels]

And to think I thought this round was going to be really boring after I saw the draw. Incredible day.

 

[Ibby]

Bristol City have started this game really well.

When did City sign Saville?

 

[JJ1532]

Ah, lovely racist chanting from the Bristol City supporters.

 

[GodsGift]

Not seeing much evidence of this amazing new style of football West Ham supposedly play.

 

[AnthonyOAFC]

Bristol City playing alright. Good to see former Latics players Matt Smith & Korey Smith.

Horrendous atmosphere.

 

[JonBCFC]

Ah, lovely racist chanting from the Bristol City supporters.

What racist chanting?

 

[JJ1532]

What racist chanting?

"Where's your caravan" aimed at Carroll. Well known derogatory term/song used to insult people who look like gypsies.

 

[AnthonyOAFC]

Kin hell, this is dull.

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

"Where's your caravan" aimed at Carroll. Well known derogatory term/song used to insult people who look like gypsies.

Getting really creative with the way we use the word racist these days. Losing all meaning.

 

[TomPNE94]

Harsh on Brizzle but could see it coming a mike away.

 

[Blitzballer]

Carles Gil take a bow son. That was Ronaldo esque

 

[Rammy]

Villa scored a goal?

What the?!?

 

[Stevencc]

Villa scored!

 

[Blitzballer]

https://vine.co/v/OTqKglZgHE7

 

[DarkSithLord]

Aston Villa have scored a second!! When was the last time that happened

 

[Rammy]

1976

 

[BCFC Jordan]

Horrendous atmosphere.

I didn't think it was that bad. Not amazing by any means, but okay. We haven't really recovered from losing the East End, atmosphere wise.

 

[Anon]

Not seeing much evidence of this amazing new style of football West Ham supposedly play.

We haven't played to that early season form since Carroll came back. Carroll's individual form has been good since his return, and Valencia/Sakho needed a third striker to come in and help out across the busy period, but Allardyce's insistence on playing Carroll and Nolan has taken us back to last season's style albeit this season with better players elsewhere in the eleven. From August to November when Carroll was out, cos neither are a targetman, saw us play with Sakho and Valencia as heel-biting high pressure hassling strikers who motored around from the first whistle - we still played directly, but it was quick-paced and along the floor, was great to watch and Downing thrived in Nolan's old role.

Plus, Nolan was on the bench earlier in the season. I don't think it's a coincidence that when Sakho got injured, Carroll came in and Nolan replaced Kouyate (who's played well) and we're back to knocking it up to Carroll. We're still picking points up - we've got better players than last year - but not to the rate we were back in the first few months.