Dark Munster

Looks like 1-2 is a popular prediction. Opposing Chelsea may well be popular this weekend given their schedule - the Blues face Manchester United in an FA Cup replay on Monday before a Europa League quarter-final on Thursday. However, at close to 5/4 I just feel they've hit a backable price. They can't afford to ease up in this one given their top-four slot is far from secure and the depth of their squad is great enough to get them through their hectic schedule. Southampton have admittedly produced some strong performances against the bigger sides, their willingness to attack having paid dividends. However, after beating Man City at St Mary's last month they lost their next match 4-2 at Newcastle and were then beaten at home by QPR. Saints have only won back-to-back league matches once this term and I'm not convinced they will be able to follow up their win over Liverpool. While both teams made changes, Chelsea were 5-1 winners in an FA Cup tie between the sides in January, successfully picking off Saints with Demba Ba causing them all sorts of problems. The attacking talents of Juan Mata, Eden Hazard et al make Chelsea a real threat if Southampton throw too many forward. For me, the price on away win is just too big; I'd expected them to be a shade of odds-on. Verdict: Southampton 1 Chelsea 2 http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/8603650/gunner-do-it-the-hard-way

Nicely summed up. Can we make this a sticky?

I can think of a recent manager who's a lot worse.

[TABLE=width: 247] [TR] [TD]Position[/TD] [TD]Team[/TD] [TD]Played[/TD] [TD]Points[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]16[/TD] [TD=align: left]Newcastle[/TD] [TD=align: center]38[/TD] [TD=align: center]38[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]17[/TD] [TD=align: left]Reading[/TD] [TD=align: center]38[/TD] [TD=align: center]38[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]18[/TD] [TD=align: left]Saints[/TD] [TD=align: center]38[/TD] [TD=align: center]37[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]19[/TD] [TD=align: left]Wigan[/TD] [TD=align: center]38[/TD] [TD=align: center]37[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=align: center]20[/TD] [TD=align: left]QPR[/TD] [TD=align: center]38[/TD] [TD=align: center]31[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Nicola's end of season nightmare.

Remind me again which fans were responsible for that disastrous appointment? I thought it was Lowe's choice alone to appoint Wigley?

If they don't get a points deduction it means they've been liquidated. That's the only way they'll beat the drop. Despite winning El Crapico, the odds of them finishing above the drop zone are about as likely as Avram going to Fufu's Massage Parlour for just a massage. We can probably look forward to seeing them starting life in L2 on minus 10 points with a motley crew of crocks, rejects and kids... assuming they even exist after the last parachute payment has been trousered by all and sundry in August. Tragic, isn't it?

The only one was a 2-0 win against QPR if I recall.

But not to SISU, apparently, whose bid for Saints merely was a cover to get to the pot of gold ... Coventry.

Or 2 higher in 2 years time.

A wide angle lens is definitely not required. In fact, it may be a good idea to put the camera in macro mode.

Yes indeed. A great response from Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias: http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/8577806/newcastle-statement-on-mcmanaman

So, the puppet has offered double for Krap Nottarf, which will (allegedly) go from one pocket to other of his puppeteer? And in the process derail the world's bestest™ fans takeover bid, and so give Chinny a chance to again take control of his great love1. Who'd have thunk it2? 1. The parachute payments. 2. Apart from us nutjobs, that is.

Operation Iraqi Liberation. Bit of a giveaway, in hindsight.

Agreed. Two wins and three draws should be enough.

Mind you, compared to our friend Guy, he does look rather good... [TABLE=width: 354] [TR] [TD]Team[/TD] [TD]G[/TD] [TD]W[/TD] [TD]D[/TD] [TD]L[/TD] [TD]Points/Game[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Cheats FC[/TD] [TD]22[/TD] [TD]2[/TD] [TD]6[/TD] [TD]14[/TD] [TD]0.55[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

[TABLE=width: 354] [TR] [TD]Team[/TD] [TD]G[/TD] [TD]W[/TD] [TD]D[/TD] [TD]L[/TD] [TD]Points/Game[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]WBA[/TD] [TD]1[/TD] [TD]0[/TD] [TD]1[/TD] [TD]0[/TD] [TD]1.00[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Cheats FC[/TD] [TD]51[/TD] [TD]13[/TD] [TD]11[/TD] [TD]27[/TD] [TD]0.98[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Blackpool[/TD] [TD]12[/TD] [TD]2[/TD] [TD]8[/TD] [TD]2[/TD] [TD]1.17[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Blackburn[/TD] [TD]14[/TD] [TD]4[/TD] [TD]4[/TD] [TD]6[/TD] [TD]1.14[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Brilliant manager, brilliant.

No, just trouser-less.

Maybe he's busy preparing his upcoming 5000th post party. Not long to go! [TABLE=width: 137] [TR] [TD]Nutjob[/TD] [TD]Posts[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]trousers[/TD] [TD]4,943[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]dubai_phil[/TD] [TD]2,598[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]pedg[/TD] [TD]2,246[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]OldNick[/TD] [TD]1,790[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]rallyboy[/TD] [TD]1,647[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

You mean like this?

Wigan, Villa, Reading and QPR all certs to go down.