Premier League 2013-2014

With those sour grapes you could make a really nice bottle of whine.

Swansea should have had a penalty because of Dawson's push on Bony. Ben Davies didn't get punched in the face. Bentaleb & he were going for the same ball. Bentaleb beat him to it and Davies ran into his shoulder. If you're playing by the letter of the law and it was as bad as you're making out, the game should have immediately stopped for a head injury & Bony's goal scrubbed off. All teams kick the ball away to waste time, Harry Kane did it against Man Utd a couple of weeks back, so its probably the managers tactics.

So you self-diagnosed Wayne Routledge's injury. He wasn't injured and got pushed over by someone. Who gives a fuck, you should be more worried about the 1 win in 10 games, 3 points off the drop zone. Long list of first teamers out injured, Laudrup not bringing anyone in as cover.

I only saw the Davies incident once and maybe I didn't see what happened properly, so fair enough. But even erasing that leaves a string of dirty tactics. And if wasting time by kicking the ball away is manager's tactics that's even worse. It's cheating, plain and simple. It's as bad as diving.

Routledge got pushed over after the ball was out of play and while he was limping. If they were battling for the ball and he got pushed, I wouldn't say so much... but there was no fight for the ball, they'd already fought and the ball had already gone out. Routledge looked like he'd hurt himself and was pushed by someone. It might not be that serious, especially since he wasn't even injured, but that's not the point. That push could have caused him to land awkwardly and further injure himself. As you probably know, the Swans have a ton of injuries and can't afford anymore.

And there are no sour grapes. Tottenham were the better team and they beat us. What bothers me is Tottenham's blatant disregard of the rules and just plain being dicks. Not all teams play like that, Swansea certainly don't and I don't see it often but when teams do it just grates on me. Chelsea are infamous for it and Arsenal used to be the worst for it back in the days of Sol Cambell etc.

As for our situation in the league, I'm not that worried. We have enough to survive and the teams who really need to be concerned are Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Fulham, Cardiff and West Ham.

Last edited by rhys (Sun-19-Jan-2014 20:30:02)

I only saw the Davies incident once and maybe I didn't see what happened properly, so fair enough. But even erasing that leaves a string of dirty tactics. And if wasting time by kicking the ball away is manager's tactics that's even worse. It's cheating, plain and simple. It's as bad as diving.

Fucking hell, you're mental! They do have ball-boys who can throw another ball onto the pitch to resume play. They don't have to get a steward to run up the stand to row Z to get that specific ball for the match to restart.

Someone diving to win a penalty or free kick to change the score in a game does not equate to someone kicking the ball away to waste 10 seconds.

You get a booking for diving and time wasting.  They are both ways to cheat. I know players do it often but for managers to give specific instructions to kick the ball away is retarded.

I only saw the Davies incident once and maybe I didn't see what happened properly, so fair enough. But even erasing that leaves a string of dirty tactics. And if wasting time by kicking the ball away is manager's tactics that's even worse. It's cheating, plain and simple. It's as bad as diving.

Fucking hell, you're mental! They do have ball-boys who can throw another ball onto the pitch to resume play. They don't have to get a steward to run up the stand to row Z to get that specific ball for the match to restart.

Someone diving to win a penalty or free kick to change the score in a game does not equate to someone kicking the ball away to waste 10 seconds.

Yeah you blew that way out of proportion Rhys. Diving is cheating, a bit of time wasting isn't. Most of the time with things like kicking the ball away the ref adds those dew seconds on anyway. Only time wasting they can't add on for is when they hold the ball up in the corner.

You can't compare diving the time wasting in any way.

You get a booking for diving and time wasting.  They are both ways to cheat. I know players do it often but for managers to give specific instructions to kick the ball away is retarded.

Name a team that doesnt time waste occasionally.

And why bring it up, but not the disgraceful dive by suarez to win a pen against villa. That was the talking point of the weekend, and the fact the media all whitewashed it.

Your points are all nonsense rhys. You were the better side for the first 35 mins but couldnt nake it count. We scored against the run of play.

If bony had bothered to turn up you'd have won today, and that was the difference. Our lazy striker decided to take part and yours didnt. Nothing else had any baring on the result.

Manchester City have been on fire for the last 2 months. It's a huge testament to Arsenal for being able to stay ahead of them all this time.

Chelsea beat Man U a few hours ago. I think they can still get 4th it's between them and Liverpool with Spurs as outside favourites.

Not once did I say those dirty tactics cost us the match. We were well beat regardless. I just think Spurs played a dirty game and should be called up on it.

And I didnt bring up Suarez because that's not the game I was commenting on.

Not once did I say those dirty tactics cost us the match. We were well beat regardless. I just think Spurs played a dirty game and should be called up on it.

And I didnt bring up Suarez because that's not the game I was commenting on.

U were talking about time wasting and diving being the same. Spurs wasting a few seconds cost swansea nothing, because it wascadded to the end of the game. Suarez disgraceful dive cost villa 2 points and may take thrm out of the premier league.

Time wasting vs diving= no comparison.

Were spurs dirty? I didnt notice it, to be honest. If we were, then its about time. We'vr been too nice gor too long and other teams take advantage.

It sounds like you've based your judgement on a punch (that wasnt a punch), one player kicking the ball away after the whistle, a push slightly after the ball had gone, and daws pushing bony in the area for a pen that wasnt given.

So in reality, you're mad at tottenhams dirty tactics of two players, in two iscolated incidents, pushing swans player over. One completely out of character (lennon), and id need to see it again after your views on the 'punch' were completely unfounded, and the 2nd should have been a pen, but the ref didnt give it.

Wouldnt have a prob with the pen being given because every team does it. If i rewatch the game im sure id see swans players holding spu4s players at corners. Terrible dirty tactics from laudrup. He should be burned at the stake for it...

Last edited by Mr Hilds (Mon-20-Jan-2014 08:51:47)

Yes, Suarez disgracefully dived but I'm a Swansea fan talking about the Swansea game. I'm not going to bring up every incident over the whole weekend, mainly because I didn't watch every match over the weekend. I didn't even know about the Suarez incident until later on.

Ignoring the "punch" which after looking at again, I admitted wasn't a punch, there's three incidents that annoyed me. Why does it matter how many times they used dirty tactics? Once is bad enough.

It's not like I'm picking on Spurs lol. If we were playing Cardiff, Stoke, Man Utd, whoever, I would have still complained about it. Each incident may not seem not a big deal on their own, but when you see it happening 2 or 3 times against your team, then you would find it annoying. I'm sure we'll have you complaining the next time a team plays dirty tactics against Spurs. I obviously must have noticed enough dirty tactics to take the time to post about them.

If I were doing that for every game, you could say I've got sour grapes, just making excuses cos we lost etc. but that's not the issue. Spurs were the better team, they took advantage of our mistakes and deservedly won the match. But whether you want to admit it or not, there were several times in the match where they were playing dirty tactics.

I don't think you'd find any dirty tactics from the Swans, really. Admittedly, Chico likes to dive like he's just broken his leg when he has barely been touched, and do I agree with his tactics? No, I think Chico is the dirtiest member of the team. On a whole, the Swans team barely do things like that and actually have a good, clean reputation in their style of play.

Anyway, let's move on or else we'll be at this for weeks.

Does anyone think Man Utd could possibly win the title, or is it just too late? I mean they have recovered 12 point leads etc. in the past... personally, I think their title run is over, but I could still see them finishing top 3 or 4 because in typical United fashion, they could win the next five games and  then it's all to play for.

Also, Man City are scoring so many goals that Arsenal are gonna have to fight hard to keep that top spot, something they are (so far) doing a pretty good job of.

Arsenal had a five point lead over us, so it's not so much a case of keeping up as hanging on. They've lost points through draws with Chelsea and Everton, and of course the loss to City. I'm sure City's streak is going to end soon since we have Spurs and Chelsea coming up, but we only need someone to hold them to one more draw and we have our opening. I don't really expect that to happen against Southampton, but you never know with them. And then they're off to Anfield early next month.

United are too far gone. If they'd had a shaky start, like City, and then hit a winning streak, maybe it would be a different thing, but to be competitive now they need to win pretty much every game and there's nothing to suggest that'll happen. The best they can hope for now is the champions league. They'll get through another round, but sooner or later they'll run into Munich, Madrid, Barcelona (or City!) and they're just not that good anymore.

Everyone is saying now that it's between Arsenal, City and Chelsea. Can't argue with that. All three teams have one more to play against each other, City at home to Chelsea, Chelsea at home to Arsenal and Arsenal at home to City. Goes without saying that the league will largely come down to those games.

Best part is if you include Newcastle in that mini table we're doing well. But everyone writes Newcastle off as not a threat. We're going for Europe and might even keep Man United from getting any European games next season through league position.

I don't see Newcastle finishing in the top 5. They'll probably give it a good go, but finish 7th or 8th.

As for the Swans, while I'm not really worried, I think the next four games (Fulham, West Ham, Cardiff, Stoke) will decide whether we will be fighting to survive. If we get 9 out of the next 12 points (although I expect 12) then we will be fine. Get any less than that and we could be in for a bumpy ride, but when it's all said and done, I'm confident we have enough to survive, especially once our pile of injured players start returning.

Dyer and Canas should be back soon, as well as Michu, and that will be a massive boost for us.

Best part is if you include Newcastle in that mini table we're doing well. But everyone writes Newcastle off as not a threat. We're going for Europe and might even keep Man United from getting any European games next season through league position.

I think this is right.

Edit: Nope, it should say Newcastle have played seven. Close enough.

I agree with everything Rhys is saying if it's slandering Tottenham.

Also, there's no way United will win the title. If they were second and 11 points off I'd say yeah they'd be favourites, but 7th and 14, 13 and 12 points off is a huge ask. That's expecting all top three teams to fall off and neither any of the teams between Chelsea and United taking advantage, I don't think even Ferguson could do it.

It's hard to predict who's gonna be the top four for the first time in many years. It's gonna be a fun run in.

Crucial win for the Swans. 6 more points and I reckon we'll be out of the relegation battle for the rest of the season.

Arsenal only managed a draw, so the door is open for City to take the lead. Pretty confident, but you never know with Spurs...

Arsenal only managed a draw, so the door is open for City to take the lead. Pretty confident, but you never know with Spurs...

Yeah pretty bad time to drop point knowing Chelsea and City play the day after, I expect City to take advantage and cement their place at the top tomorrow. We had a terrible first half performance and then came back in the second half even though we conceded like a minute after scoring.

Interesting evening for H coming up. Does he want spurs to lose, which means arse fall behind in the title race, or city to lose, which nskes him a spurs fan...

Referee and linesman has fucked us right up the ringer tonight. Dawson scores a perfectly good goal that is ruled out, wrongly, for offside and the danny rose makes a great tackle and clearly wins the ball, a little swan dive from the city player and rose is off.

We normally get fucked by officials when we play chelsea, but its city tonight.  Rhys, you were worried by a little time wasting, try getting fucked like this...

Terrible, terrible decisions from the officials.

On the plus side, it means i dont have to choose whether to watch the game or big brother...

That's karma I guess lol. Wouldn't mind seeing Spurs cone back though. Good game so far.

That's karma I guess lol. Wouldn't mind seeing Spurs cone back though. Good game so far.

How is it karma? I still dispute the tactics you mentioned, and it ended up being a little time wasting (which city have done in spades). I'll accept time wasting from them.

Two very, very poor decisions have cost us. We might well hace lost still, but dawsons goal makes it 1-1 and the penalty and sending off happened at 1-0.  Those incorrect decisions had a massive baring on the result, whereas spurs timewasting didnt cost swansea a thing as the tine was added on at the end.

Not karma, just incredably poor officiating.

City were all over Spurs from the start. The offside call was really bad, I missed the penalty appeal, but I don't think the back four would have had enough to keep it at 1-1 anyway. It's not the first time we've been saved by a bad linesman though, even as a City fan I'm not especially happy about it. I'd prefer a clean draw to a win that makes us look like United.

Yep, u were all over us, and so were united when we beat them, and we were all over newcastle when they beat us.

Doesnt mean anything. Referee and linesman cost us any chance of the points, which is terrible. I can accept the newcastle loss because the referee wasnt at fault, we just couldnt turn our superiority into a win. City didnt need to today as the referee did it for them.

I dont mind losing when its fair, but this game was bollocks. I'll put money down that the linesman wont have a premier league game next week...

That's karma I guess lol. Wouldn't mind seeing Spurs cone back though. Good game so far.

How is it karma? I still dispute the tactics you mentioned, and it ended up being a little time wasting (which city have done in spades). I'll accept time wasting from them.

Two very, very poor decisions have cost us. We might well hace lost still, but dawsons goal makes it 1-1 and the penalty and sending off happened at 1-0.  Those incorrect decisions had a massive baring on the result, whereas spurs timewasting didnt cost swansea a thing as the tine was added on at the end.

Not karma, just incredably poor officiating.

I was joking lol thought that was obvious.

And from the linesman's angle Dawson was blocking his view of the City player playing him onside. Wrong decision sure but understandable why he made it. To him it looked offside.

Although the penalty was bullshit.

Last edited by rhys (Wed-29-Jan-2014 22:02:10)