2012/13 Premier League discussion thread part 2

[Guest]

First topic message reminder :

The discussion(s) continue here guys.

Unbelievable win for the Canaries tonight which see's Man City top for the first time this season, will they hold on.

QPR - still without a win - look doomed and Aston Villa drop into the bottom 3.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

What are everybody's thoughts about the whole Darren Bent situation?

I think Paul Lambert is making a big mistake, Bent is a proven Premier League goal-scorer, and whatever else he brings to the table is up for argument, that ability to hit the back of the net is one of the most important and even if Lambert would rather start with Benteke up front (likely as he is a Holt-esque player), Bent is still a good option off of the bench.

It's especially odd because of (1) the money Aston Villa spent on Bent, while it wasn't Lambert who sanctioned that move, I'm surprised that Lerner isn't pushing Lambert to use him, even if it's just to get his price up to sell in January, and (2) he was made captain by Lambert because of Petrov's injury. To be made captain at the start of the season, and yet end November completely out of favour without any public bust up, or even particularly bad form is very odd.

I think the most likely reason is Bent has been difficult in training or something like that so Lambert is refusing to use him on principle. The other is that there is something in Bent's contract that means one more apparence= either a bonus to him, a bonus to Sunderland or some other thing like that and Villa don't want to pay it.

I can't understand it to be honest as Bent would be a valuable player for most Premier League sides in even better positions than Villa, never mind a club struggling to score goals and stay in the Premier League. I feel sorry for him as well, as he finally broke into the England side and is now pretty far down the pecking order.

Bent isn't a Lambert type of player. He goes missing in games and only really offers you goals, as shown by Fulham away where he only touched the ball like 8 times all match! Lambert wants all of his players to work hard for the team, and I don't think Bent really does that. Also I should imagine they want to get him off the wage bill at Villa, and I actually really like the look of Benteke. He can be the Grant Holt of Aston Villa

[The Special Juan]

What are everybody's thoughts about the whole Darren Bent situation?

I think Paul Lambert is making a big mistake, Bent is a proven Premier League goal-scorer, and whatever else he brings to the table is up for argument, that ability to hit the back of the net is one of the most important and even if Lambert would rather start with Benteke up front (likely as he is a Holt-esque player), Bent is still a good option off of the bench.

It's especially odd because of (1) the money Aston Villa spent on Bent, while it wasn't Lambert who sanctioned that move, I'm surprised that Lerner isn't pushing Lambert to use him, even if it's just to get his price up to sell in January, and (2) he was made captain by Lambert because of Petrov's injury. To be made captain at the start of the season, and yet end November completely out of favour without any public bust up, or even particularly bad form is very odd.

I think the most likely reason is Bent has been difficult in training or something like that so Lambert is refusing to use him on principle. The other is that there is something in Bent's contract that means one more apparence= either a bonus to him, a bonus to Sunderland or some other thing like that and Villa don't want to pay it.

I can't understand it to be honest as Bent would be a valuable player for most Premier League sides in even better positions than Villa, never mind a club struggling to score goals and stay in the Premier League. I feel sorry for him as well, as he finally broke into the England side and is now pretty far down the pecking order.

I think it was the injury that impacted on him and now he doesn't really fit in anywhere. Villa had to replace him and they did, with Benteke. Benteke is a very good player in that he can score but he's also very solid and surprisingly quick. On form I'd have him over Bent and I wouldn't play both up front either.

I don't know where but I saw written down (perhaps on this site) that Bent's fee increases from £18m to £23m when he has played 50 games for Villa. I don't know if it's true or not but he's on 47 just now........

[Crimey]

Yeah, but even on the bench Bent has got to be a better option than that youngster he had on in the last couple of games. Lambert doesn't have any other option up front other than Benteke if he ignores Bent.

Embarassing by Liverpool so far, can't work out what Rodgers is trying to achieve by playing Downing. He clearly doesn't like him, and he's not even the best option to play. Robinson at left back would be better, or Enrique at left back and Assaidi as a winger.

Every time he plays, his value decreases and we're not going to play as well. I want to see Rodgers and even Downing do well but hardly even in this game.

[The Special Juan]

So much for Lukaku being a masterstroke I think some of the West Brom players must have believe the hype about themselves as Lawro said.

[The Special Juan]

Aha, or maybe it was!!

[Mat]

Swansea absolutely torn us apart so far. Hernandez is different class. Goal before half-time, surely the comeback isn't on?

[Lumbering_Jack]

Bale diving again apparently.... Something really needs to be done about his constant cheating.

Another great peformance from Newcastle.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Good away point for us again tonight. Southampton will see that as two points lost considering they won 2 in a row before.

2 points from Everton and Southampton away, both come from behind as well. Will take that. #7gamesunbeaten

[GSC]

Bents been crap for a while now, play your in form players and leave out the out of forms.

[The Special Juan]

Don't blame Pardew. How many first team players are injured?

Should be beating West Ham by more. They're a decent team but rank rotten away from home.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I do think that Southampton should be doing a lot better considering they spent nearly £32m in the summer, only the 7th most in Europe...

[The Special Juan]

Who did they buy for that? Did Rodriguez and Ramirez cost that combined?

[GSC]

They were about 20m combined.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Clyne, and the Japanese bloke cost a fair whack as well didn't they?

[GSC]

"@OfficialLFC: RODGERS: "We had 65% possession tonight. To me, that's more important than goals.""

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[GSC]

Clyne was cheap at tribunal.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

It's a parody account but its hilarious none the less

[GSC]

I know, I thought it summed up Rodgers perfectly

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Guillem Balague ‏@GuillemBalague
to the Chelsea Boo Army: you have confirmed the image other fans have of you. Well done

That tweet is so true

[CFCNick]

Guillem Balague ‏@GuillemBalague
to the Chelsea Boo Army: you have confirmed the image other fans have of you. Well done

That tweet is so true

I've had a go at Mr Balague. He's just bumming Benitez because he's Spanish. Funny how people conveniently forget the things Rafa said about the cluba and the fans in his Liverpool days just to have a shot at Chelsea fans. Even more amazing is that the West Ham fans behaviour at White Hart Lane on Sunday has taken a back seat to the media all taking their shot at the Chelsea fans.

There are many words that aren't prohibited on this site I want to use right now. The anti-Chelsea press make my blood boil. They couldn't be more anti-Chelsea if they tried.

[The Special Juan]

Guillem Balague ‏@GuillemBalague
to the Chelsea Boo Army: you have confirmed the image other fans have of you. Well done

That tweet is so true

I've had a go at Mr Balague. He's just bumming Benitez because he's Spanish. Funny how people conveniently forget the things Rafa said about the cluba and the fans in his Liverpool days just to have a shot at Chelsea fans. Even more amazing is that the West Ham fans behaviour at White Hart Lane on Sunday has taken a back seat to the media all taking their shot at the Chelsea fans.

There are many words that aren't prohibited on this site I want to use right now. The anti-Chelsea press make my blood boil. They couldn't be more anti-Chelsea if they tried.

That's a great point. I don't like Chelsea but the press are really after them, especially the BBC. Yes, it might be all Roman's doing but Benitez is no saint at all. They can whine about all this booing but I reckon it's 50% in support of Di Matteo (if that) and 50% because of what Benitez said about Chelsea previously.

I actually didn't know about this West Ham stuff until someone told me today. The press have barely touched it!!

[Liam]

Terrific result for the Swans tonight, up against a very much in form WBA side but they took them apart first half fp.

Good win for City also but Wigan can be very happy with that performance. Shame Al Habsi is going through one of his blunder spells again.

Clean sheet away at Fulham and a point isn't the worst result but it won't ease the abuse towards Rafa at Chelsea. Not sure dropping/resting Mata was the best idea in the world either.

Point for Arsenal but mid table without showing much form is worrying for Wenger. Personally, I think he's lost his touch and that his time is up at Arsenal imo.

[Ent]

To be fair the west ham stuff is being dealt with and has been widely reported, the Benitez story will run and run.

The Benitez thing is a strange issue, I doubt it's the old quotes they dug up as none of my Chelsea supporting mates could remember them (hardly conclusive that I know).

[westisbest]

Going to Loftus Rd saturday.

Anyone know of good pubs for away fans?

Cheers.

[CFCNick]

To be fair the west ham stuff is being dealt with and has been widely reported, the Benitez story will run and run.

The Benitez thing is a strange issue, I doubt it's the old quotes they dug up as none of my Chelsea supporting mates could remember them (hardly conclusive that I know).

Well your Chelsea mates obviously supported someone else when the comments were made. I still remember, all of my mates remember and I'm the only Chelsea fan in that group.

They're not booing Benitez the man. They're booing the decision to sack a former playing legend Robbie and Benitez's character and those comments. It's not just because of last season Robbie was so loved, when we were last champions we played Robbie's newly promoted West Brom at home on opening day and as the game was won, think it was 5-0 with 20 mins to go, they started chanting "One Di Matteo" and other songs about him and it actually brought tears to his eyes on the sideline. The fans love Robbie and Robbie loves the fans. Roman could have got any out of work manager and of all people he picks Benitez.

Just heard Hiddink is leaving Anzhi, hope we get him instead of Guardiola.

[The Special Juan]

To be fair the west ham stuff is being dealt with and has been widely reported, the Benitez story will run and run.

The Benitez thing is a strange issue, I doubt it's the old quotes they dug up as none of my Chelsea supporting mates could remember them (hardly conclusive that I know).

Well your Chelsea mates obviously supported someone else when the comments were made. I still remember, all of my mates remember and I'm the only Chelsea fan in that group.

They're not booing Benitez the man. They're booing the decision to sack a former playing legend Robbie and Benitez's character and those comments. It's not just because of last season Robbie was so loved, when we were last champions we played Robbie's newly promoted West Brom at home on opening day and as the game was won, think it was 5-0 with 20 mins to go, they started chanting "One Di Matteo" and other songs about him and it actually brought tears to his eyes on the sideline. The fans love Robbie and Robbie loves the fans. Roman could have got any out of work manager and of all people he picks Benitez.

Just heard Hiddink is leaving Anzhi, hope we get him instead of Guardiola.

I think Hiddink is retiring which is a shame because he's a great manager.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Well Chelsea fans are always going to get more press coverage because you are one of the top teams.

For example someone sent a racist tweet to Sebastien Bassong but where is the news coverage of that? If it was a player like Rio Ferdinand then it would be all over the news. That's just the way it is unfortunately.

[Mat]

Well Chelsea fans are always going to get more press coverage because you are one of the top teams.

For example someone sent a racist tweet to Sebastien Bassong but where is the news coverage of that? If it was a player like Rio Ferdinand then it would be all over the news. That's just the way it is unfortunately.

Or the monkey gesture at Lukaku on Saturday

[GSC]

I saw the Bassong thing on the bbc website.

[Ent]

Yeah it's all in the news, you guys suffer the same big club one eyedness you accuse the media of having if you fail to notice it.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Yeah it's all in the news, you guys suffer the same big club one eyedness you accuse the media of having if you fail to notice it.

Paha what a load of rubbish. That Bassong thing got literally a paragraph or two on the BBC Sport website and a line on that ticker on Sky Sports News.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20486350

And that Lukaku thing hasn't even been reported. Yet when the guy did the same thing at Chelsea-Utd it was all over the news

[GSC]

What else is there to say? Christ, you moan about some irrelevant things.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

What else is there to say? Christ, you moan about some irrelevant things.

I'm just saying in question to the Chelsea fans getting extra coverage rather than the West Ham fans in the media.

[GSC]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20168008

So an extra bit of somewhat related news. I'm sure if Norwich launched a similar complain that would've been included or had Grant Holt called somebody a black **** on the pitch (im fairly sure he has at some point) that wouldve also been included.

Always amuses me when fans of non big 4 PL clubs complain about media attention.

[CFCNick]

Let's not kid ourselves, there's no "big 4" anymore. There's United and City, then Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs. And the media scrutiny these clubs get is ridiculous.

[GSC]

The point stands either way.

Not to mention its an ongoing police investigation and as such they're hardly going to be big on details.

[Mat]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20168008

So an extra bit of somewhat related news. I'm sure if Norwich launched a similar complain that would've been included or had Grant Holt called somebody a black **** on the pitch (im fairly sure he has at some point) that wouldve also been included.

Always amuses me when fans of non big 4 PL clubs complain about media attention.

But we are a top 4 PL club?

[GSC]

Give it time

[westisbest]

What are everybody's thoughts about the whole Darren Bent situation?

I think Paul Lambert is making a big mistake, Bent is a proven Premier League goal-scorer, and whatever else he brings to the table is up for argument, that ability to hit the back of the net is one of the most important and even if Lambert would rather start with Benteke up front (likely as he is a Holt-esque player), Bent is still a good option off of the bench.

It's especially odd because of (1) the money Aston Villa spent on Bent, while it wasn't Lambert who sanctioned that move, I'm surprised that Lerner isn't pushing Lambert to use him, even if it's just to get his price up to sell in January, and (2) he was made captain by Lambert because of Petrov's injury. To be made captain at the start of the season, and yet end November completely out of favour without any public bust up, or even particularly bad form is very odd.

I think the most likely reason is Bent has been difficult in training or something like that so Lambert is refusing to use him on principle. The other is that there is something in Bent's contract that means one more apparence= either a bonus to him, a bonus to Sunderland or some other thing like that and Villa don't want to pay it.

I can't understand it to be honest as Bent would be a valuable player for most Premier League sides in even better positions than Villa, never mind a club struggling to score goals and stay in the Premier League. I feel sorry for him as well, as he finally broke into the England side and is now pretty far down the pecking order.

As a Villa fan its a real shame that Bent is not playing.
He's obviously not in Lamberts plans. I'd like to see him play up front with Benteke.
Dropping Weimann to the bench, playing the two up front. Benteke wins alot of headers, Bent could feed off that.
If the two of them played tomorrow, they would cause the QPR defence alot of problems.
A shame like I said, but think he'll be off in January, we wont get anything close to what we paid for him.
Have heard that Lambert is after another young forward in England.
Give the guy a chance Paul, he score goals, which, well yep thats what we need.

[hampo17]

What are everybody's thoughts about the whole Darren Bent situation?

I think Paul Lambert is making a big mistake, Bent is a proven Premier League goal-scorer, and whatever else he brings to the table is up for argument, that ability to hit the back of the net is one of the most important and even if Lambert would rather start with Benteke up front (likely as he is a Holt-esque player), Bent is still a good option off of the bench.

It's especially odd because of (1) the money Aston Villa spent on Bent, while it wasn't Lambert who sanctioned that move, I'm surprised that Lerner isn't pushing Lambert to use him, even if it's just to get his price up to sell in January, and (2) he was made captain by Lambert because of Petrov's injury. To be made captain at the start of the season, and yet end November completely out of favour without any public bust up, or even particularly bad form is very odd.

I think the most likely reason is Bent has been difficult in training or something like that so Lambert is refusing to use him on principle. The other is that there is something in Bent's contract that means one more apparence= either a bonus to him, a bonus to Sunderland or some other thing like that and Villa don't want to pay it.

I can't understand it to be honest as Bent would be a valuable player for most Premier League sides in even better positions than Villa, never mind a club struggling to score goals and stay in the Premier League. I feel sorry for him as well, as he finally broke into the England side and is now pretty far down the pecking order.

As a Villa fan its a real shame that Bent is not playing.
He's obviously not in Lamberts plans. I'd like to see him play up front with Benteke.
Dropping Weimann to the bench, playing the two up front. Benteke wins alot of headers, Bent could feed off that.
If the two of them played tomorrow, they would cause the QPR defence alot of problems.
A shame like I said, but think he'll be off in January, we wont get anything close to what we paid for him.
Have heard that Lambert is after another young forward in England.
Give the guy a chance Paul, he score goals, which, well yep thats what we need.

If I played tomorrow I'd give the QPR defence alot of problems

I think he may be sold in January and he's certainly a player I'd like Liverpool to look at.

[westisbest]

We may need you then hampo.
see you at Loftus rd

[Guest]

Cliche I know but tomorrows game really is a MUST win for QPR. Fail to win that then it's beyond an uphill task for Redknapps boys.

[Guest]

That was a well worked goal from Chelsea there. Good ball from Moses.

[mystiroakey]

another palace prodigy doing well..
he should have chosen england! sucks he choice an african nation after what we have done for him!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I'm sorry but Petr Cech has to come for that ball that West Ham have just scored from. Ball goes miles up in the air and Cole heads it about 5 yards from the goal!! Shocking goalkeeping

[Guest]

How long will it be before Mikel is finally sent off for dissent? Yap, yap, yap.

[Guest]

Chelsea can have no arguments about that result. In the space of three matches Benitez has taken them back 12 months and he'll do well to see out the season at this rate. 2 points from a possible 9 is pitiful. West Ham won that through hunger and aptitude, something Chelsea severely lacked in droves.

A 2 horse race it is then.

[Fernando]

I have to say after the 1st half it looked like Chelsea would go on and score 2/3/4 goals but they seemed to just switch off and Diame made a big difference when he came on got in their faces and gave them no time at all

[Corporalhumblebucket]

West Ham 3 - Chelsea 1

[Corporalhumblebucket]

BBC website: "Players are emerging from tunnels up and down the land."

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