There's going to be a lot of competition for the top four next season; as it stands I don't have a clue what's going to happen. To be honest the only side that I would say with any confidence are going to finish in the top four are Man City under Guardiola. I would say that there are six pretty strong candidates, with Leicester and West Ham, maybe even Everton as the unpredictable outliers.

Agreed, I actually think we could be in a unique period in the PL era. A period where we will have many different champions as opposed to a normal 2 or 3. This will also effect the top 4 with that changing every year aswell.

Reluctantly I think Liverpool, City and United will be challenging for top 4 next season. I can't see Leicester repeating their success, I think opposition will be wiser to them and they'll lack the quality to adapt. If Newcastle stay up this season with Benitez I think they could be next seasons 'over achievers'. West Ham may struggle in the new stadium and Everton may be surprise relegation candidates if Lukaku goes/Martinez stays.

Edited May 6, 201610 yr by the special one

Us having no European football will hopefully see us do well in the league having fresh players and less likely to have as many injuries.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36229203

 

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mousa Dembele has been banned for six games by the FA for violent conduct against Chelsea's Diego Costa.

Belgium international Dembele appeared to eye-gouge forward Costa duringSpurs' 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Monday.

Referee Mark Clattenburg did not punish the 28-year-old during the game.

Dembele chose not to contest the charge, and will now be unavailable to manager Mauricio Pochettino until Spurs' fourth game of next season.

Good

6 is a let off, should have been double that. The damage it can do is massive, it could have been a career ending injury.

6 is a let off, should have been double that. The damage it can do is massive, it could have been a career ending injury.

 

Agreed, definitely a let off when considered that Rugby Union's Julien Dupuy (Stade Francais scrum-half) was banned for six months in 2009 (albeit his offence was far worse).

Edited May 6, 201610 yr by the special one

I'm surprised nobody has tried to get away with the 'well it's only a Mickey Mouse trophy anyway..." argument

Would be surprised if any chelsea fan regards it as such...I enjoyed our Europa Lge adventure, had a great time in Amsterdam and we made history that night becoming first English team to win all three European trophies...I'm disappointed we didn't make a proper fight to get it in for next season...reckon we could have won it and also had two pronged attack on getting back into champions league

Would be surprised if any chelsea fan regards it as such...I enjoyed our Europa Lge adventure, had a great time in Amsterdam and we made history that night becoming first English team to win all three European trophies...I'm disappointed we didn't make a proper fight to get it in for next season...reckon we could have won it and also had two pronged attack on getting back into champions league

Yeah it seemed to me like if anything we were trying our best to avoid it

The only time Anfield is loud us when they're live on TV in a big game like tonight. Any other time they barely make a peep.

 

the only time Anfield is loud is when the TV company amplifies the crowd noise 

I agree that no trophy is 'Mickey Mouse' and it still rankles me now that we didn't win the World Club Championship. It's not something you get a crack at very often and it might not be the hottest trophy to be had but it is still the absolute pinnacle of club football achievement. We are quite a rare instance of the European club failing.

Would be surprised if any chelsea fan regards it as such...I enjoyed our Europa Lge adventure, had a great time in Amsterdam and we made history that night becoming first English team to win all three European trophies...I'm disappointed we didn't make a proper fight to get it in for next season...reckon we could have won it and also had two pronged attack on getting back into champions league

I was against us qualifying, not because I regard it as a poor competition though.

Next season I am quite apprehensive as to how we will get on, seems the new manager has a big job on his hands getting us back to where we were.

I'd prefer one season (hopefully) without Europe to try and get back into the top 4.

I agree that no trophy is 'Mickey Mouse' and it still rankles me now that we didn't win the World Club Championship. It's not something you get a crack at very often and it might not be the hottest trophy to be had but it is still the absolute pinnacle of club football achievement. We are quite a rare instance of the European club failing.

What bugged me about that was Benitez choices, we dominated the game before with a specific team then he changed it up for the final. Typical Benitez mentality.

Liverpool lost in it in 2005 though so we're not the only one.

La liga, the only league worth watching now.

Your thoughts on Brighton versus Middlesbrough tomorrow? Will determine the Championship title and automatic promotion.

Brighton are like Leicester. They were 20th last year. It's unfortunate they haven't gotten more coverage.

Huge match tomorrow. Easily the biggest game in English football this year, but as it's not the Premier League it's not getting much attention.

Edited May 6, 201610 yr by offside

Interesting that UEFA have warned Liverpool fans without tickets for the final not to try and enter the stadium.

 

Can't think why.

RIP Patrick Ekeng

 

Dinamo Bucharest's Patrick Ekeng dies after collapsing on pitch

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/06/dinamo-bucharest-patrick-ekeng-dies-collapse

Edited May 6, 201610 yr by the special one

RIP Patrick Ekeng

 

Dinamo Bucharest's Patrick Ekeng dies after collapsing on pitch

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/06/dinamo-bucharest-patrick-ekeng-dies-collapse

Very sad stuff.

I assume Leicester are being presented with the trophy today? Or will it be the last game of the season?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

It's today, always the final home game

Anyone watching Middlesbrough?

Anyone watching Middlesbrough?

Goal! Now prepare yourself for some epic bus parking. They only need a draw to be ahead on goal difference.

Jesus that injury was horrific.

Nasty injury there - his shin is sliced open - but it was never a red card challenge. He caught him accidentally on his follow through after playing the ball, and with proper shinguards there's have been no injury. A bad decision by Dean which could be very costly for Brighton.

Nasty injury there - his shin is sliced open - but it was never a red card challenge. He caught him accidentally on his follow through after playing the ball, and with proper shinguards there's have been no injury. A bad decision by Dean which could be very costly for Brighton.

It's a studs up challenge, that's a red.