NAMING RIGHTS THREAD: Liverpool really won't win the Premiership 2010-2011

are they really doing the na na na na na na na na na na nasri chant for van der vaart?

You mean the 'Nicky Butt' chant from the mid-90s? At least Van der Vaart has the right number of syllables. 'Samir Nasri' doesn't scan or sound anything like 'Give It Up'. And while we're on the subject: 'Ruud Van Nistelrooy' worked perfectly with 'Brown Girl In The Ring', 'Didier Drogba' doesn't fit at all.

Today was alright, better than I expected. Honestly if we had a proper goal machine we'd be proper title contenders.

United very poor really, offensively at least. Starting to think Man City might actually win the league but surely that can't happen? Common sense forbids it.

Starting to think Man City might actually win the league but surely that can't happen?

It could happen this season - it's probably going to take less to win it this year than in any recent season. It's just a battle to see who's least bad.

is this actually written by hansen
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/8263034/Alan-Hansen-Wayne-Rooneys-selfless-endeavour-shows-why-Manchester-United-have-Premier-League-edge.html

United's away form looks freakish but only because it's full of draws - it's still the fourth-best in the division. I'd expect them to start grinding out wins instead of draws at some point, then it'll be all over. City second though.

Sir Alex Ferguson will be satisfied that they managed to contain one of their potential title rivals on home territory without ever threatening to hit the heights.

Neither side managed to break the deadlock after 94 often frenetic minutes. However Sir Alex Ferguson may go home the happier of the two bosses as he saw his side grind out yet another result and move back to the top of the Premier League. On the other side of Manchester, Mancini will have looked on knowing if he is to unseat Fergie's men from their place atop the table, it will require a serious effort. However with the arrival of Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez continuing to fire on all cylinders, he may feel his men have it within them to claim a league title that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, and grant bragging rights to one half of Manchester.

this'll be the lowest scoring title in years, with the highest scoring total points amongst the relegated i think.

IK or NB&S will be along to disabuse that statement in a mo, but until then

pav could have made the diff out there today imo. even when defoe came on he was running channels and tussling with centre halves instead of taking up a focal position. we seemed to be sitting very deep with huge gaps btwn midfield and crouch (VDV was def a midfielder today).

still all round a competent performance, happy enough.

xp note perfect, but not funny tbh. too bang-on

nult will be satisfied he managed to fulfill his job description without ever threatening to say anything

tautology ^^

Aston Villa are the unluckiest team in the division. After striking post and bar three times during Sunday's derby, they top the Premier League's woodwork charts for the season with 13. Unlucky for them. To put the statistic in context, they've only managed 24 goals in their first 22 matches.

As his second offence was obviously inadvertent, Rafael's dismissal was harsh.

it was not.

this'll be the lowest scoring title in years, with the highest scoring total points amongst the relegated i think

There'll be no number-crunching from me tonight but pretty sure the first bit'll be right - I think that already nobody can reach Chelsea's 95pts even if United were to win every game from here on in.

I do fancy a high relegation threshold but it probably won't be a record - no whipping boys to bring a guaranteed six points for everyone means it'll probably be a point or two lower than whatever the record is. West Ham went down with 42pts once iirc, I'd set that as the benchmark for safety I think. It's still a decent stretch for everyone outside the top five and maybe Sunderland - not far off a point a game for most of 'em.

We'd need 20 points from 16 games I think, so that's not far off.

i meant as a total of the three relegated teams, as in a general indicatr of higher league quality iygwim

16 from 16 for Liverpool, so I guess they can ease off a little now after already amassing 26 from 22

Seventeen straight wins from here would actually take United to 96pts, I think they'd be worthy of the record if they pulled that off.

I'm actually really worried about Liverpool getting relegated. I'm totally behind them and won't stop supporting, but, yeah.

that'd sound about right darragh, 'cept that my league-quality-meter's shot - been a strange old season

think you mean THIS LEAGUE IS BANANAS

They were mostly good today but that kind of makes the not-winning more concerning to me. There's a clear defensive weakness that can quickly undo any good work, and it also makes them look unlucky which is a rotten aura to have in a run-in. It'd be morale-sapping too, in any other circumstances.

those points all sound oddly familiar

O'Neill out?

South African World Cup hero Siphiwe Tshabalala is set for a week-long trial at Nottingham Forest.

The 26-year-old earned rave reviews after scoring the opening goal of the World Cup against Mexico last June.

Tshabalala, who arrives at Forest on Monday, is hoping to seal a move from Kaizer Chiefs for around £1.5 million.

His agent Jazzman Mahlakgane also revealed that there had been interest from the highest level of English football.

I hope he turns up to meetings in a brightly coloured suit.

I'm sure we tipped this guy for Blackburn last summer, which will still surely happen. He is the worst player ever though - selfish, clumsy, uncomposed. I dread to think what South African domestic footy must be like.

yes but who can say no to jazzman?

I would like it if he refers to himself as 'The Jazzman'

de da da da da da, da da da da, de da da da da da, da da da um

oh wait that is the scatman, my bad

http://img.youtube.com/vi/2xtlyUBkszU/3.jpg

AN AUDIENCE WITH... COLE AND STURRIDGE: "The evening will be hosted by Jason Cundy and includes a full buffet and three free drinks."

Jason Cundy was on standby for Celebrity Big Brother one season, I feel perhaps he's a man who overestimates the legend he was held in during his playing days.

Love how the club's official website has to remind the fans who Paul Elliott is.

I suspect most of Cashley's questions will be along the lines of "Cheat on Cheryl? How could you?!".

Jason Cundy and his (now ex-) missus were both on standby for CBB and/or the jungle, were they not? I think she might actually be worse for forcing herself into the public eye for very very little indeed (currently bleating about her impending divorce to any magazine that'll have her)

I love Paul Elliott. Or did, 20 years ago.

I would love to know who attends that sort of event. Could we club together for a ticket and send a hoy hoy or someone to report back? Only £35.

Also: 10.1.2011 Train to Bolton cancelled

not sure a hoy will be down with yr characterization of him as ILF errand boy

i'd guess it's heavily moderated and anyone asking difficult questions gets cut off, anyone being sarcastic/difficult gets shouted down etc

credit to james mitchell for his ceaseless coverage of cfc's abortive efforts to appear likeable

i'd go just for a picture with big dan sturridge, now at chelsea

errand boy nothing, I just thought the lad's trolling talents deserve their chance on the big stage. Would be equally fine with james or lg. Was gonna suggest lj as well there but fear he would turn native

not sure a hoy will be down with yr characterization of him as ILF troll

he just likes mauro boselli and thinks he needs a move to finally secure the ballon d'or, that's all

:)

Bent to Villa? For £24m?? Presumably means Ashley is on his way?

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has not spoken to the club's owners about bringing new players in during the January transfer window.
The Anfield outfit, who are 13th in the Premier League, drew 2-2 with Merseyside rivals Everton on Sunday.
But with only two weeks until the transfer window closes, Dalglish said: "There's nothing been discussed regarding players or otherwise.

AN AUDIENCE WITH POSTPONED
Posted on: Wed 20 Oct 2010
Tomorrow's An Audience With event has been postponed until Thursday 4 November with discounted ticket prices now available.

Carlo Cudicini, Peter 'The Cat' Bonetti, Eddie Niedzwiecki and Kevin Hitchcock will all field questions from fans on everything Chelsea when they take part in the evening of fun next month.

Taking place inside Frankie's Sports Bar and Grill, the evening kicks off at 6.30pm when fans can sit down to a complimentary dinner and free drink.

Hosted by former Blue Jason Cundy, the event now costs £15 a ticket and promises to be an evening of Chelsea-related stories told by some of the men who know the club best.

£18m is the figure I'm seeing. £24m for Bent would be ridiculous, Sunderland should snap their arm off if that's the real offer.

that was reduced from £35 a ticket xp

£18m for bent is still stupid

£18m still seems o_0

sunderland should get rid anyway

xp anyone eaten at 'Frankie's Sports Bar & Grill'? £15 a ticket w/dinner & drink is pretty fair on its own, four players in for free turns it into the Ibra-to-Barca of events imo

not sure i'm all that scandalized by the fee? proven goalscorer and villa are in too tight a spot to be taking hopeful punts. not like suarez or llorente or whoever are going to come and fit in straight away.

am surprised lerner's shook to this degree after holding firm with o'neill though. and that benty can really be bothered this much.

this isn't a couple years ago, £18m is a fucking huge amount again - when was the last time someone other than chelsea or city spend as much on a player? gyan was 13m i guess. and considering they were trying to convince benzema, bent is a bit of a step down..