Think you may be right there prom, What tops it all off is Mancini said after the game "We played to win"


Well whats it gonna be like when he decides to play for a draw? The fans will be slitting their wrists in their seats.

 I don't think he'll be at City next season tbh.

Missing Bellamy, he's too good to play in the championship He would of ran riot down that left hand side tonight. Mancini's morale high ground approach is killing us. Bellamy could stab someone and il still have him in the side.

Anyway im off for some sleep now, hopefully we won't stick 11 men behind the ball this weekend against Birmingham Night

Night mate 

We all knew Joey's good boy act wouldn't last long didn't we?

Hi Crunchy. Once a thug always a thug eh? Speaking of thugs how did Fabregas stay on the pitch when Essien walked for much less? Both reds imo, Fabregas's being the much easier decision.

Yeah both reds, Essien didn't get any of the player but it was dangerous. Fabregas was very very lucky to get away with a yellow, could have broke the lads leg.

As for Joey Barton, he should get banned for it. I was at St James' tonight (not developing a soft spot for them or anything, mate had a spare ticket going), and well I have to say I thought Pedersen was making a meal of it at the time... but having just seen it on MOTD, well the only word to describe him is IDIOT. He's probably been playing well enough of late to earn an England call up - no chance of that now.

It was unbelievable. Zero chance of that particular leopard ever changing its spots. And yep, idiot sums him right up.

Good night last night, both m'teams won. Still seems to be worth backing Andy Carroll to score at any time. One wonders whether that tart will show his upper half where Barton seriously assaulted him........... (and I don't particularly like the barcodes)

Carroll shows signs of being a great player but just as awful a human being as Barton is. I would be very sad to see either in an England shirt.

I haven't seen Carroll put a foot wrong.

I wasn't really talking in footy terms.

All Chungy had to do was boot the ball down the line... ah well. I'd rather be getting disappointing draws away from home, as has been the case lately, than 4-0 drubbings left, right and centre...

As a footie customer (as they say etc.) I always think in footie terms. If one went by the scratter press we would't see Gerard, Lampard, Ferdinand, Rooney, Cole, Bobby Moore, or John Terry in an England shirt.

I don't really put playing away on the same level as violently assaulting your other half. Neither is excusable of course but I find the latter positively repulsive.

You may make that accusation. I could not possibly comment.

Chelsea part company with assistant manager Ray Wilkins 
 

Shocker..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/h.../chelsea/9181246.stm 

There's rumours on Chelsea youth twitter of an incident during the reserve game last night. Wilkins was sacked on the spot at half time apparently. It may well just be a rumour but it's all very sudden and Chelsea have given no reason for his dismissal.

I'm sure he got a nice little back hander don't you.

Manchester City’s Shay Given is attracting interest from a number of clubs ahead of the transfer window re-opening, but he is set to turn down Arsenal and Celtic in the hope of becomingManchester United’s next first-choice goalkeeper.

In what would be a shock move across the city, Given – who is ready to submit an official transfer request next month – is said to be holding out for a bid from United, who are on the lookout for a new shot-stopper.
Current first-choice Edwin van der Sar turned 40 last month and is widely expected to retire at the end of this season – leaving Sir Alex Ferguson searching for a new number one.
Tomasz Kuszczak has been tipped to take over, but the United boss remains unsure if the Pole is ready to step up as the permanent number one.
And Given, who, at 34, still has at least two or three seasons left at the top level, could be the perfect fit as an experienced head to see the club through such a transitional period.
The Irish international has proven pedigree in the Premier League with both City and previous clubs Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United. (Metro)

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2...anchester-city-star/

Interesting.....

Holloway - interesting given how well they played. Again.

Given to United F*cking no chance.

No club in the world is in a position to take players from City... unless the club itself wishes it. The only players likely to be going in January are Rocky Santa Cruz and Wayne Bridge.

All these things are negotiable. They agreed a 0-0 draw last night. So there's a start.

I think in terms of transfers going out... the club will decide what the player does. Happened with Bellamy and Robinho

Ian Holloway is a raving lunatic. Just thought I'd share that.

He is    

 Knew you'd find that one amusing Meaty.
Gotta feel sorry for him mind, he's a good keeper. Wonder if he wishes he's stayed at Newcastle.

Saturday November 13th

Aston Villa v Man Utd 12.45
Man City v Birmingham 3.00
Newcastle v Fulham 3.00
Tottenham v Blackburn 3.00
West Ham v Blackpool 3.00
Wigan v West Brom 3.00
Wolves v Bolton 3.00
Stoke v Liverpool 3.00

Sunday November 14th

Everton v Arsenal 2.00
Chelsea v Sunderland 4.10

Cheers monkey . So it looks like my hopes for a perfect weekend rest on (apart from Chelsea winning obviously) Aston Villa, Birmingham, Blackburn, Stoke and Everton.

It ain't gonna happen is it?

They're always fiery encounters. I remember Super John McGinlay punching one of the Wolves players in a Play Off game (he maintains it was 'only a wee push'). He was only booked and scored both goals that sent Bolton to Wembley and eventual promotion.

Then there was a 21 player brawl two years later. The only player who didn't get involved was Bryan Small, who stood about 50 yards away from it all on the touchline with his hands on his hips, while the crowd were shouting at him to join in...

Gotta say I hope not Prom. I need a favour from Everton, Sunderland and Birmingham 
Having said that I'll just be happy if United win at Villa. 

Still can't get over the way they got shot of Ray Wilkins..

I don't think you'll have any problem there mate. Villa under Houllier (in fact anyone under Houllier) are no threat to anybody. We'll be lucky to get past Sunderland even at home if we play the way we have been recently . I have put my shock at the Wilkins dismissal on hold till I actually find out what the hell was the reasoning behind it and see who they bring in to replace him.

disley thanks for the heads-up that should make for a tidy bit of action on MOTD tomorrow night 

reports suggest its going to be an internal promotion...with paul clement a hot favourite..........on the pitch we've got to start getting back to form.....away at blackburn we were too slow out of the blocks....we were lucky to get a win....same at liverpool....and although we were better second half a 2 goal lead is hard to peg back......we're just not taking our chances like we did earlier in the season..

lamps is also out for another 3 weeks apparently

We've been like that for a while. No urgency and too complacent even against Liverpool at home which is just crazy. I can see us dropping points before the players finally wake up and get their acts together.

I sent Ray Wilkins  a 21st birthday card many years ago and now he's in his 50's!!

One is pressing thumbs.

What Ancelotti said


"Ray was a fantastic assistant coach and I want to thank him," said Ancelotti. "He was a fantastic support last season and this season.
"He did a fantastic job. He helped me and all the team to win the double. He is my friend. I have a fantastic relationship with him and I will continue to have a fantastic relationship with him.


Well that's just.....fantastic then!! Shame for Wilkins, I've seen him at the Arsenal v Chelsea reserve games at Barnet - very approachable bloke, happy to chat or sign autographs.



Had a fab time at the Ladies CL game yesterday - really really tense. We scored in the last minute to take us through - and we had to score as they had an away goal. It chucked it down. windy, cold etc but we had a great time.
Congrats to Everton Ladies too, getting through to the last 16 with us. Barney and Strike will be well pleased. Final at Wembley this season I think so that would be great if we got there

According to Ancelotti in his press conference today it was the clubs decision, not his. If true, it says more about the kind of club we are to sack assistant managers without the agreement of the manager than it says about Ancelotti.

We didn't know that    

Yeah I know Prom - very strange.  Wonder if the truth will out as the rumours are that he was sacked at half time last night at one of your kids games and the first gossip is that it was because of something that happened there but honestly who knows?


The thing is I watched our babies (reserves) every home game at Barnet and you get to see all the other managers/assistants etc and sit really close to them. I usually sit a couple of seats away from AW and Pat Rice. So you get to see who among the PL managers is interested in their kids and who sends their under coaches etc.
I've never seen any of your managers there, I've seen Steve Clarke and Wilkins a lot though so I think Chelsea will miss Wilkins and his input.