The Champions league places?
John:
Manchester United
Manchester City
Tottenham
Arsenal
Ian:
Man utd
Man city
Spurs
Chelsea
Stephen:
Man utd
Man city
Chelsea
Spurs
Sam:
Man utd
Man city
Chelsea
Spurs
Relegated from the premier league?
John:
Wigan
QPR
Reading
Ian:
Sunderland - I'm sorry I truly believe this will happen. It just feels like it's destiny.
Reading
QPR
Stephen:
QPR
Reading (Nigel Adkins needs a bit more patience, although he'll have a strong team in next year’s championship)
Wigan (it's their year)
Sam:
Wigan
QPR
Reading
Promoted from the championship?
John:
Cardiff
Watford
Hull (Playoffs)
Ian:
Cardiff
Hull
Palace
Stephen:
Cardiff for sure
Crystal Palace might have a strong finish. I'll go with them over hull.
Sam:
Cardiff
Hull
Playoff Crystal Palace
Relegated from the championship?
John:
Blackburn Rovers
Peterborough United
Bristol City
Ian:
Wolves - can't believe the mess they're in this season. A true shambles of a situation.
Peterborough
Bristol City
Special mention to Blackburn here y'all. I know it's their mission to achieve a brace of demotions, but they will just survive this season. No thanks to the owners. Incidentally did anyone see that Burnley fan that applied for the vacant position as a joke... and got an interview DESPITE saying it was his ambition to achieve back to back relegations. Honestly the Chicken farmers' idiocy is groundbreaking.
Stephen:
Bristol City
Peterborough
This is a long shot but I half expect Blackburn to get gobbled up
Sam:
Shef Wed
Peterborough
Bristol City
Who will...
Win the FA cup?
John: Manchester City
Ian: Chelsea. Are they still in it? BORING. In fact I'm going to say Millwall for a joke.
Stephen: I think Man City will get it, probably cutting Mancini a little bit of slack
Sam: Man Utd
Win the Champions league?
John: Real Madrid
Ian: Bayern Munich. They’ll make up for last years’ inexplicable performance in the final v Chelsea.
Stephen: I'd love to see Borussia Dortmund do it, I think the team they've created and the way they've done it deserves success. With the league out of their reach I think they might have a real good tilt at it.
Sam: Buyern Munich
Europa league?
John: Newcastle United
Ian: I’d like to say Newcastle but I won’t. Benfica. Their league form this season is ridiculous.
Stephen: Newcastle (they possibly could, it's not impossible)
realistically Spurs or Chelsea or Benfica, AVB has previous in the tournament and is known to take it seriously. Benfica and Chelsea are probably the most experienced teams left but lets say Spurs if they're at their best.
Sam: Newcastle
Wigan have built up a lot of support over the years trading off their plucky underdog status, pulling through in the face of adversity. However the events of the past week have cast them as the villains, with Dave Whelan's comments in particular being inflammatory and unapologetic - are they therefore in danger of losing much of this goodwill because of their behaviour?
John: Wigan have not covered themselves in glory over this issue. It was a horrible tackle and could have ended Haidara’s career. They should have held their hands up and said 'yes, it was a horrible tackle, but it was a mistake and McManaman will learn from this'. What Dave Whelan came out and said was completely obscene and instantly changed my mind about Wigan and I'm sure many others have changed theirs too. I hope they go down. I had a lot of time for Martinez and his Wigan side, but after this I think it’s done him and the club a lot of harm.
Ian: Frankly, yes. How Dave Whelan can defend that kind of tackle is beyond me. There is absolutely no defence to that sort of challenge. He’ll look back on the whole thing and think “maybe I was a bit hasty there.” I just hope that he is thoroughly ashamed of his comments.
Stephen: Well you can't hold them responsible for the good fortune they got against Newcastle but Dave Whelan did cast himself as a twat with the way he behaved afterward, it's not even a polarising tackle, it's a shit one and everyone knows it. An apology and some in house discipline would not have been difficult and would have encouraged the good will they generate. It's hard not to be bias now but I don't wish to see Whelan have any further success.
Sam: No I don't think it will. It was disgraceful what happened and I blame the feckless officials more than anything. Wigan were trying to defend their player, which right or wrong you would probably expect.
Michael Owen has finally retired. Will he be remembered for his goal scoring exploits or as a wasted talent?
John: Michael Owen had the potential to be one of the best strikers England had seen. He could have beaten Alan Shearer's record for goals in the Premier League and he could have gone on to cement his name in the annals of footballing history. Despite being an amazing striker, his year-on-year injuries took their toll and he was unable to fulfill his potential. I don’t think it was entirely his fault in the early part of his career however - he was often over used as a teenager both for England and Liverpool, which meant he couldn't recover properly from his injuries. This had a massive bearing on him and his future development. Later in his career, he made some poor choices which only added to his troubles - joining Real Madrid was an average choice and I think he owed Newcastle a year. Saying that, joining Newcastle in the first place was not the best idea, it was totally motivated by money. Overall Michael Owen will be remembered as a good English Striker but he could have been remembered as one of the best of all time.
Ian: He’ll be remembered for the latter part of his career. It’s what people recall – the last thing that happened. People don’t remember the results at half time in matches. It’s a shame really that he hasn't dropped down the leagues. He’d be a great Championship and League One striker. Clearly he thinks his interests lie elsewhere and that’s fine. It’s just frustrating that he had (or has) this inflated opinion of himself. Interesting how he admitted this week that he hadn't been fully fit for fourteen, that’s FOURTEEN years. Well you know what Michael, that’s what we've been trying to tell you. The boy has had blu-tacked hamstrings for nigh on eternity now.
Ryan Giggs on the other hand is the polar opposite – he will be remembered for his longevity. What a guy.
Stephen: Well for me he's a wasted talent, he doesn't have a single redeemable personality trait and he's made of glass. I personally wouldn't ever consider his name if I were thinking of great players. Time will forget Michael Owen.
Sam: In my eyes wasted talent. Brilliant at Liverpool, Sat on the bench at Madrid, injured at Newcastle and benched for Man Utd and Stoke. General annoying shit on Twitter.
Would you pick Rio Ferdinand for England again? Where do you think England's future lies in centre defence?
John: Rio Ferdinand’s England career is over. I think he deserved to be included in the current squad because of his good form, but I think that says more about the current options available to the English squad rather than his form, with England having to rely on someone who is thirty four and injury prone. The future of the English defence is probably Jones, Smalling and Caulker. Injuries and inconsistent form though doesn't help their cases to be included. Shawcross could be an option, but his club's current form might stop him from getting in the England squad and cementing his place there.
Ian: England’s future in central defence is a difficult one. Ferdinand would be in the Man Utd team every week if he was fit. So to suggest that he shouldn't be in the team ahead of two guys who aren't first team regulars (i.e. like against Montenegro) doesn't make sense. However, strangely I can’t convincingly say he should be in the team. The future for me lies with Smalling and Cahill. However these guys MUST be playing regular football otherwise it’s pointless. I’m all for England players playing for the top clubs – look at Man City’s team – but only if they’re getting a game. The likes of Milner, Cahill etc. have to be playing week in week out.
Stephen: No, No, never, I'd play a three legged cat out of principle.
Sam: I wouldn't have picked him to begin with for the recent squad! He's 34, best years are behind him and I honestly do not know where him getting picked again came from. I think players like Jagielka, Smalling, Jones, S Taylor, Cahill, Caulker are better than him anyway and should be considered.
Would you welcome Celtic and Rangers into the English league system?
John: I think it would be excellent for the English game to include Celtic and Rangers. They are two massive clubs and if they are managed correctly they could become powerhouses of the British game. There has been a massive gap created in England between the 'haves' and the 'have nots' and I feel the introduction of two clubs who have a massive stadium, a rich history and support all over the world would help bridge the gap in the English game. The Scottish game is fighting against a tide - it will eventually become a third rate league comparable to the Irish and Welsh leagues - and this will happen with or without Celtic and Rangers. Celtic and Rangers should act now so they don’t find themselves regretting it in the future.
Ian: On one hand: No. On the other hand: Yes.
No because it’s a patently ridiculous idea. Half baked, doesn't make sense and logistically impossible.
Yes because it’s something different, would add colour, interest and passion to a league that’s desperately in need of freshening up.
Who would you rather see your team play? Wigan at home or Celtic at home? I know what I’d prefer.
Stephen: I wouldn't actively campaign for it but I wouldn't be oppose to it if it were to happen, I think they could be incorporated and I think in the same way as it has happened with Wales it will destroy the SPL.
Sam: No. Scottish football is a joke.
~John Robert Lavery
~Ian Bendelow
~Stephen Wrigglesworth
~Sam Lavery
Sunderland - I'm sorry I truly believe this will happen. It just feels like it's destiny.
Reading
QPR
Stephen:
QPR
Reading (Nigel Adkins needs a bit more patience, although he'll have a strong team in next year’s championship)
Wigan (it's their year)
Sam:
Wigan
QPR
Reading
Promoted from the championship?
John:
Cardiff
Watford
Hull (Playoffs)
Ian:
Cardiff
Hull
Palace
Stephen:
Cardiff for sure
Crystal Palace might have a strong finish. I'll go with them over hull.
Sam:
Cardiff
Hull
Playoff Crystal Palace
Relegated from the championship?
John:
Blackburn Rovers
Peterborough United
Bristol City
Ian:
Wolves - can't believe the mess they're in this season. A true shambles of a situation.
Peterborough
Bristol City
Special mention to Blackburn here y'all. I know it's their mission to achieve a brace of demotions, but they will just survive this season. No thanks to the owners. Incidentally did anyone see that Burnley fan that applied for the vacant position as a joke... and got an interview DESPITE saying it was his ambition to achieve back to back relegations. Honestly the Chicken farmers' idiocy is groundbreaking.
Stephen:
Bristol City
Peterborough
This is a long shot but I half expect Blackburn to get gobbled up
Sam:
Shef Wed
Peterborough
Bristol City
Who will...
Win the FA cup?
John: Manchester City
Ian: Chelsea. Are they still in it? BORING. In fact I'm going to say Millwall for a joke.
Stephen: I think Man City will get it, probably cutting Mancini a little bit of slack
Sam: Man Utd
Win the Champions league?
John: Real Madrid
Ian: Bayern Munich. They’ll make up for last years’ inexplicable performance in the final v Chelsea.
Stephen: I'd love to see Borussia Dortmund do it, I think the team they've created and the way they've done it deserves success. With the league out of their reach I think they might have a real good tilt at it.
Sam: Buyern Munich
Europa league?
John: Newcastle United
Ian: I’d like to say Newcastle but I won’t. Benfica. Their league form this season is ridiculous.
Stephen: Newcastle (they possibly could, it's not impossible)
realistically Spurs or Chelsea or Benfica, AVB has previous in the tournament and is known to take it seriously. Benfica and Chelsea are probably the most experienced teams left but lets say Spurs if they're at their best.
Sam: Newcastle
Wigan have built up a lot of support over the years trading off their plucky underdog status, pulling through in the face of adversity. However the events of the past week have cast them as the villains, with Dave Whelan's comments in particular being inflammatory and unapologetic - are they therefore in danger of losing much of this goodwill because of their behaviour?
John: Wigan have not covered themselves in glory over this issue. It was a horrible tackle and could have ended Haidara’s career. They should have held their hands up and said 'yes, it was a horrible tackle, but it was a mistake and McManaman will learn from this'. What Dave Whelan came out and said was completely obscene and instantly changed my mind about Wigan and I'm sure many others have changed theirs too. I hope they go down. I had a lot of time for Martinez and his Wigan side, but after this I think it’s done him and the club a lot of harm.
Ian: Frankly, yes. How Dave Whelan can defend that kind of tackle is beyond me. There is absolutely no defence to that sort of challenge. He’ll look back on the whole thing and think “maybe I was a bit hasty there.” I just hope that he is thoroughly ashamed of his comments.
Stephen: Well you can't hold them responsible for the good fortune they got against Newcastle but Dave Whelan did cast himself as a twat with the way he behaved afterward, it's not even a polarising tackle, it's a shit one and everyone knows it. An apology and some in house discipline would not have been difficult and would have encouraged the good will they generate. It's hard not to be bias now but I don't wish to see Whelan have any further success.
Sam: No I don't think it will. It was disgraceful what happened and I blame the feckless officials more than anything. Wigan were trying to defend their player, which right or wrong you would probably expect.
Michael Owen has finally retired. Will he be remembered for his goal scoring exploits or as a wasted talent?
John: Michael Owen had the potential to be one of the best strikers England had seen. He could have beaten Alan Shearer's record for goals in the Premier League and he could have gone on to cement his name in the annals of footballing history. Despite being an amazing striker, his year-on-year injuries took their toll and he was unable to fulfill his potential. I don’t think it was entirely his fault in the early part of his career however - he was often over used as a teenager both for England and Liverpool, which meant he couldn't recover properly from his injuries. This had a massive bearing on him and his future development. Later in his career, he made some poor choices which only added to his troubles - joining Real Madrid was an average choice and I think he owed Newcastle a year. Saying that, joining Newcastle in the first place was not the best idea, it was totally motivated by money. Overall Michael Owen will be remembered as a good English Striker but he could have been remembered as one of the best of all time.
Ian: He’ll be remembered for the latter part of his career. It’s what people recall – the last thing that happened. People don’t remember the results at half time in matches. It’s a shame really that he hasn't dropped down the leagues. He’d be a great Championship and League One striker. Clearly he thinks his interests lie elsewhere and that’s fine. It’s just frustrating that he had (or has) this inflated opinion of himself. Interesting how he admitted this week that he hadn't been fully fit for fourteen, that’s FOURTEEN years. Well you know what Michael, that’s what we've been trying to tell you. The boy has had blu-tacked hamstrings for nigh on eternity now.
Ryan Giggs on the other hand is the polar opposite – he will be remembered for his longevity. What a guy.
Stephen: Well for me he's a wasted talent, he doesn't have a single redeemable personality trait and he's made of glass. I personally wouldn't ever consider his name if I were thinking of great players. Time will forget Michael Owen.
Sam: In my eyes wasted talent. Brilliant at Liverpool, Sat on the bench at Madrid, injured at Newcastle and benched for Man Utd and Stoke. General annoying shit on Twitter.
Would you pick Rio Ferdinand for England again? Where do you think England's future lies in centre defence?
John: Rio Ferdinand’s England career is over. I think he deserved to be included in the current squad because of his good form, but I think that says more about the current options available to the English squad rather than his form, with England having to rely on someone who is thirty four and injury prone. The future of the English defence is probably Jones, Smalling and Caulker. Injuries and inconsistent form though doesn't help their cases to be included. Shawcross could be an option, but his club's current form might stop him from getting in the England squad and cementing his place there.
Ian: England’s future in central defence is a difficult one. Ferdinand would be in the Man Utd team every week if he was fit. So to suggest that he shouldn't be in the team ahead of two guys who aren't first team regulars (i.e. like against Montenegro) doesn't make sense. However, strangely I can’t convincingly say he should be in the team. The future for me lies with Smalling and Cahill. However these guys MUST be playing regular football otherwise it’s pointless. I’m all for England players playing for the top clubs – look at Man City’s team – but only if they’re getting a game. The likes of Milner, Cahill etc. have to be playing week in week out.
Stephen: No, No, never, I'd play a three legged cat out of principle.
Sam: I wouldn't have picked him to begin with for the recent squad! He's 34, best years are behind him and I honestly do not know where him getting picked again came from. I think players like Jagielka, Smalling, Jones, S Taylor, Cahill, Caulker are better than him anyway and should be considered.
Would you welcome Celtic and Rangers into the English league system?
John: I think it would be excellent for the English game to include Celtic and Rangers. They are two massive clubs and if they are managed correctly they could become powerhouses of the British game. There has been a massive gap created in England between the 'haves' and the 'have nots' and I feel the introduction of two clubs who have a massive stadium, a rich history and support all over the world would help bridge the gap in the English game. The Scottish game is fighting against a tide - it will eventually become a third rate league comparable to the Irish and Welsh leagues - and this will happen with or without Celtic and Rangers. Celtic and Rangers should act now so they don’t find themselves regretting it in the future.
Ian: On one hand: No. On the other hand: Yes.
No because it’s a patently ridiculous idea. Half baked, doesn't make sense and logistically impossible.
Yes because it’s something different, would add colour, interest and passion to a league that’s desperately in need of freshening up.
Who would you rather see your team play? Wigan at home or Celtic at home? I know what I’d prefer.
Stephen: I wouldn't actively campaign for it but I wouldn't be oppose to it if it were to happen, I think they could be incorporated and I think in the same way as it has happened with Wales it will destroy the SPL.
Sam: No. Scottish football is a joke.
~John Robert Lavery
~Ian Bendelow
~Stephen Wrigglesworth
~Sam Lavery
