Football Season 2014 - 2015

Not sure the clarification was required but made me giggle anyway 

So Saints have been joined in the premiership by another south coast team.......and it's not Portsmouth. My cup overfloweth! Way to go Bournemouth and huge respect to Eddie Howe

Hey, Martin.  We'll be back......one day.......maybe. 

The game at the Boleyn this afternoon was pretty tedious, but at least it was three points. The main talking point was the Blackpool-Huddersfield game, which was abandoned after a mass pitch invasion by fans protesting against Tangerines chairman Karl Oyston.

One of those invading was a gentleman on a mobility scooter:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/blackpool/11579126/Blackpool-fans-invade-pitch-and-camp-in-centre-circle-in-Karl-Oyston-protest-as-Huddersfield-match-suspended.html

From the TV replays the Duff red card looked harsh, Kevin. Was it? 

It was overly harsh. Definitely a penalty, but not a red card. The fact that we struggled against a bottom-of-the-table team playing with 10 men says a great deal about Hippo Head's reign of error.

Congratulations to Chelsea.  Definitely the best and most efficient team of the season, even if they rarely stir the soul.  Bringing on an extra holding midfielder with 15 mins to go while 1-0 up at home against a mid-table team rather encapsulated Mourinho’s approach, but they deserve the Championship. Hazard has been the player of the season for me.

The shot of Roman Abramovich looking miserable with five minute to go made me laugh. However, he was smiling after the whistle blew. Or perhaps he had just been texted that his Statement was ready for delivery on Tuesday

Here's wishing Jimmy Greaves a speedy recovery.  Quite a character after he retired from the game. I still recall the fun of Saint & Greavsie.  And one of the deadliest forwards of his era.  Get well soon, man.   

Well done Lads. Well done.

Barcelona magnificent in the second half. Can't see Bayern coming back from 3-0 in the second leg, even though they annihilated Porto in the quarter-finals.  Messi just seems to be operating on a completely different level to mortal footballers at times (though his new haircut leaves something to be desired ).   

Messi was world class.  How do you play against that forward line?

Well you have to give the Italians credit. Juve held their nerve and discipline in Madrid this evening and won their place in the Champions' League final. Barcelona's confidence in winning the final will probably have grown at this result but they would be unwise to become complacent against this gritty side. 

Hopefully Juventus can now go on to win the final, they'd be worthy champions. For some players on that team such as Buffon it would be a well deserved title in what has been an outstanding career with club and country. Quite looking forward to what should be an exciting game.

Well farewell to Steven Gerrard then.  Can't say I've ever been quite convinced he's as good as many pundits say.  For example, I'm not convinced he's up there with Souness or Roy Keane.  That said I've admired his loyalty to LFC.  Rather unusual these days.  I must though say I felt a little sorry for him this evening: his big farewell home game being spoiled by Palace. Not the fairy-tale final appearance before the Kop he might have dreamt about, I'm sure.  

Credit Palace though. They had nothing to play for and could easily have got into party mood, but they should professionalism. Well done the Eagles; good-bye and good luck in the USA Mr G.     

So the PL season is over.  Liverpool and Stevie G rather embarrassed at Stoke today and the Magpies survive at the expense of the Tigers, just.

Sky Sports just announced that Big Sam is leaving the Hammers. Kevin-W will be pleased. 

Well done, Palace. A terrific turn-around under Pardew.

I am so pleased that I am going down the pub. Right now.

Getting fed up already with fans of other clubs, know-nothing pundits and media types with their heads lodged up Hippo head's ample arse saying we're going down next season already. Stuff 'em, I say.

Ah well. Best team won and all that.

Yes, Jamie. Chelsea deserved the Championship.  I thought they would at the start of the season. Champions League winners must be the target for next season now.

Enjoy your celebratory drink, Kevin. Bilic being linked with the WHU job already.  

So IF Dick A decides not to continue his excellent work at Sunderland and NUFC decide (amazingly) that John Carver is actually not the best coach in Britain AND since the hammers now need a new head guy it looks like we're in for an interesting summer.

....With the NE teams desperate to improve on an awful season (West Ham have been as bad since Xmas) and the current riches on offer via Sky, it is imperative the right choice is made ...but who will that be?

Well done Norwich, especially after losing to Middlesbrough in both league games this season.

As for Man City, no silverware this year but at least Sergio Aguero won the Golden Boot and Joe Hart the Golden Glove award. Just a pity the rest of the team didn't seem as committed after the Xmas break, until it was too late. 

I agree, Steve. And the BBC is reporting that, rather surprisingly, Toure's now staying at City for next season.  He'll certainly need to show more commitment than he did in the season just closed.

And the managerial casualties start rolling in. In addition to Allardyce we now have:

Derby sack McClaren

Sheff Utd sack Clough

Real M sack Ancelotti

Whose next?  Carver at Newcastle? Rodgers at Liverpool?