The 2011/12 Gary Speed Memorial Thread

[stokeriño]

A lot of teams seem to be losing a player to a very nasty injury these past couple of weeks. I hope it doesn't happen to Studge.

[Jimmy]

Balotelli's goal was brilliant. He's hilarious.

And Bolton owe everything to their keeper. Seriously, Spurs should've have had 8 or 9.

Edit: That near post corner really is working wonders.

[Dingle]

WELL, what a couple of fantastic games today! Glad I didn't go out of my way to watch Villa/United, seem to be an absolute shadow of themselves this season and bringing Heskey on just helped to ridicule themselves further, and I actually like Villa. Maybe the transfer window can help, any Villa fans know if you've got money left over from selling Young and Downing, or has it been squandered on good times by Alex McLeish?

Happy to see Chelsea getting the points, but Krul is a fucking hero. Been brilliant ever since he stepped up to first choice last year. Unlucky to get three scored in to them but Chelsea were very threatening throughout. But having seen Luiz's 'tackle' a few times, gotta agree with the consensus that it's a red card.

Oh Spurs, how you make me stress out in Europe during the week and then win me over with beautiful football at the weekend. Classy celebration from Bale and I'm glad he got a goal. I'm fully expecting a top 4 finish from Spurs this year (alongside City, United and Arsenal, them be my picks anyway) but after matches like that it makes you wonder if they're going to be title contenders.

But no, City are too good when they're on it. Good finish by Aguero from a very difficult position, tame free kick but I don't think I've ever seen anything great from Ruddy really. Balotelli's goal was sheer brilliance and I can't help loving this fellow more and more every single week, nice to see Johnson on the score sheet too. I just wish they could have transferred this form to Europe, but if they get kicked out of Europe, expect to see even more domination in the league. Not less.

Oh Blackburn, you bastards. Great work by Yakubu, I still hate you all though.

Edit: Yeah, honourable mention to Jaaskeleinan too, (if that's how you spell it), he was brilliant. I usually feel this way about Vorm every week, but he and Krul were good between the sticks today. Didn't get to see much from Lindegaard (ehh foreign names, fuck the spelling) unfortunately.

Edited December 4, 2011 by Devil In Jouzy City

[stokeriño]

There's no denying that Luiz should have had a red card, but how often have we seen referees bottle (non-violent) red cards in the opening few minutes of games? Especially in cup finals and the like where they have some weird implied duty towards 'protecting the quality of the game' or some such. If referees are supposed to be no-nonsense about these things then they really need to do a better job clarifying this for the officials.

Well, either that or he was badly-placed and thought Cech was closer to the ball than he was. But either way.

[King Ellis]

Bloomin' nice non goal by SWP for QPR.

[Dingle]

Bloomin' nice non goal by SWP for QPR.

Oo yeahh, can't believe that got ruled offside. Especially given the linesman's position.

[Lineker]

Jussi has been the best goalie in the league for years, for me. Friedel is an extremely close second.

[therockbox]

A fitting tribute.

[Colly]

Just since its barely been mentioned yet, the lack of red for Luiz this weekend was aptly matched by Cahills ludicrous red. Scott Parker, heading towards the wing, five yards from the halfway line is not a goalscoring opportunity. There was a defender back, plenty of time for anyone to catch Parker, and even Cahill himself could've been back up and involved.

Hope to see Dean and Attwell refereeing league one next week.

[Lineker]

I've hated Attwell ever since I witnessed the phantom goal. Cahill's challenge was barely a yellow yesterday, let alone a red.

[Lineker]

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Heitinga, Baines, Coleman, Fellaini, Osman, Bilyaletdinov, Cahill, Vellios.

Subs: Mucha, Stracqualursi, Distin, Neville, Gueye, Barkley, Rodwell.

Stoke: Sorensen, Woodgate, Huth, Shawcross, Wilson, Shotton, Whelan, Whitehead, Etherington, Crouch, Walters.

Subs: Begovic, Jones, Fuller, Upson, Wilkinson, Jerome, Palacios.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

[Starvinho]

I was just thinking before I hope Huth scores today because he's in my fantasy team, and he's gone and bagged one. 1-0 Stoke. Just hope Baines gets one now!

[Lineker]

Bloody hell Westwood is a great shot-stopper. Ireland will be ok when Given does eventually retire.

[Baddar]

Sunderland also came close a minute ago too, but it was blocked just before the line. I'm only half watching, but it's more entertaining than I expected.

[MJB]

It's a really good game to watch, which is a bugger because I really should be doing other stuff at the minute.

[Lineker]

1-0 Sunderland. Richardson completes a good counter attack.

He belongs to Jesus, yaknow.

[MDK]

I wish players didn't get booked for taking their shirt off.

[MJB]

Ji is dreadful.

That is all.

[stokeriño]

Hmm. Quite a penalty call that one.

Edit: Haha, saved. Well that simplifies everything.

Edit 2: And Wolves race down the other end and score!

[Lineker]

Hmm. Quite a shit penalty that one.