I still can't believe the job Eddie Howe is doing at Bouremouth. They are still top of The Championship with more than half the season gone now despite having the lowest attendance in the league. It's hard to invision a club as small as Bournmouth making it to the Premier League but I guess it's always possible. I never thought Burnley would get promoted last year either to be honest. But Bournemouth are a lot smaller than even Burnley. I guess it's great that the little clubs can thrieve even with out the kind of moeny that's been pumped into The Raisins the other little club doing quite well at the moment.

Bournemouth's low attendance is similar to a few of the other smaller clubs in that league but with one cruical difference. That is the maximum their stadium can take. They are bascially sold out everygame. Bournemouth also isn't that small as a city it's at least twice the size of Burnley and probablly quite a bit wealthier area. So I guess if they built a bigger stadium there's probablly quite a demand for a bigger club in that area.

In some respects it feels a bit wrong for a club as small as Bournmeouth to make it to first tier of English football. It will be dispointing to see La Liga size small attendances in the English first tier. I choose the game between Getafe and Real Madrid on right now with only 11,500 people present acording to ESPN even though they are playing their big local rivals Real Madrid and have another 6,000 empty seats in the stands. But I guess the difference will be that at least the stadium is full at Bournemouth and they will produce a great atmosphere. It's always great to see the little clubs do well once in a while.

Brentford are doing pretty well too, hovering around the playoff places despite the third smallest attendance in the league and Germany have their own little guys story with Paderborn doing unbeliavbly well in the Bundesliga. I haven't mentioned Southampton. Much bigger than the little guys I've been talking about but touching shoulders with the real big boys on a much smaller budget and looking like they belong there right now.

It's a good time for the little guys and it's great that football isn't entirely just the biggest clubs with the most money winning every game.

edit: I know cricket isn't everyone's cup of tea and this isn't the right place to discuss it but lets have a quick appreciation for South Africa's De Villiers hitting 149 from 44 balls. That is by far the greatest feat we will see in sport today. 16 sixes, he didn't even face 50 balls and scored 149. Geez cricket is a different game these days. Back to the football. Did I hear City are playing Arsenal today?

Rebs

Pakistan10726 Posts

January 18 2015 12:23 GMT

#10063

On January 18 2015 21:00 Greg_J wrote:
edit: I know cricket isn't everyone's cup of tea and this isn't the right place to discuss it but lets have a quick appreciation for South Africa's De Villiers hitting 149 from 44 balls. That is by far the greatest feat we will see in sport today. 16 sixes, he didn't even face 50 balls and scored 149. Geez cricket is a different game these days. Back to the football. Did I hear City are playing Arsenal today?

Yeah AB is an absolute legend and the best overall player active in the game imo. IF he had been selfish he wouldve smashed Wato's 150 of 80 something aswell.

Greg_J

China4409 Posts

January 18 2015 12:54 GMT

#10064

This thread feels a bit like me just ranting to no one this morning. But some of the tabloids in the UK are really pathetic. Trying to make a story out of Harry Redknapp been in trouble when he clearly isn't. If he can't keep The Raisins up this year they are not going to find a better manager whos more liekly to. Why the hell is that the lead story in the tabloids when they have all of Chelsea's performance yesterday and the hype of City Vs Arsenal today to write about. Pathetic.

I also like the idea of Garry Monk apologising to Jose Mourinho for not giving him a game yesterday. Never heard a manager say that before.

Ferrose

United States11378 Posts

January 18 2015 13:25 GMT

#10065

On January 18 2015 13:31 ZapRoffo wrote:
Giovinco going to MLS in Toronto it looks like.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/tfc-toronto-fc-sebastian-giovinco-mls-major-league-soccer-serie-a-juventus/

In before TFC still misses the playoffs

Pandemona

Charlie Sheens House51493 Posts

January 18 2015 13:51 GMT

#10066

So erm can some French football watchers tell me what is going on in Ligue 1?

[image loading]

I mean how are Monaco and PSG so far off the pace with the money they spent on players lol.

themartinez

Sweden254 Posts

January 18 2015 13:57 GMT

#10067

On January 18 2015 22:51 Pandemona wrote:
So erm can some French football watchers tell me what is going on in Ligue 1?

[image loading]

I mean how are Monaco and PSG so far off the pace with the money they spent on players lol.

Well. they are so rubbish, its unbelivable.

NuclearJudas

6546 Posts

January 18 2015 13:59 GMT

#10068

Well, Monaco booted Ranieri. I've never heard very good things about Blanc. Lacazette looks like a monster.

That's all I got as a non-watcher. I'd also be interested to hear some analysis on the French season so far. LeLfe to deliver? :D

Greg_J

China4409 Posts

January 18 2015 14:00 GMT

#10069

It's a Champions League trap.

themartinez

Sweden254 Posts

January 18 2015 14:02 GMT

#10070

Im waiting for Real to buy Lacazette and let him rot on the bench before selling him to milan the next season.

Dingodile

4139 Posts

January 18 2015 14:04 GMT

#10071

not sure what happened to PSG. Monaco had a very bad start, 1-1-3 after 5th playday.

Pandemona

Charlie Sheens House51493 Posts

January 18 2015 14:07 GMT

#10072

Wow that Lacazette goal scoring record this season pretty impressive.

NuclearJudas

6546 Posts

January 18 2015 14:14 GMT

#10073

Maybe we should have taken Song back. He looks more assured and actually interested in defending now. Would be hilarious if Bielik starts.

West Ham so close. Huge scramble as Valencia heads and McGregor barely tips it into the crossbar.

1-0 to the Hammers! Poor save from McGregor spills to Carroll, who easily shrugs off his defender and slots the rebound.

Hoooooooly shit what a pass by Song. Valencia unfortunately just barely offside, it looked like.

Ferrose

United States11378 Posts

January 18 2015 14:56 GMT

#10074

On January 18 2015 22:51 Pandemona wrote:
So erm can some French football watchers tell me what is going on in Ligue 1?

[image loading]

I mean how are Monaco and PSG so far off the pace with the money they spent on players lol.

Lyon and Marseille aren't in Europe, that helps them. I read the other day something like 17 players in Lyon's first team squad came from their academy. That's what every club wants to be.

NuclearJudas

6546 Posts

January 18 2015 14:59 GMT

#10075

On January 18 2015 23:14 NuclearJudas wrote:
Maybe we should have taken Song back. He looks more assured and actually interested in defending now. Would be hilarious if Bielik starts.

West Ham so close. Huge scramble as Valencia heads and McGregor barely tips it into the crossbar.

1-0 to the Hammers! Poor save from McGregor spills to Carroll, who easily shrugs off his defender and slots the rebound.

Hoooooooly shit what a pass by Song. Valencia unfortunately just barely offside, it looked like.

2-0 West Ham. Amalfitano does love his chips. Another assist for Valencia.

Hull are cut open again, and Downing easily places in the 3-0 goal. Another sick pass from Song.

Nearly a delicious goal for Nolan as he's played through by Downing, and hits the underside of the bar from a very difficult angle.

Mensol

14536 Posts

January 18 2015 15:19 GMT

#10076

Manchester City XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany (C), Demichelis, Clichy, Fernandinho, Fernando, Navas, Silva, Milner, Aguero

subs: Caballero, Mangala, Sagna, Kolarov, Lampard, Jovetic, Dzeko

Arsenal XI: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Alexis, Giroud

subs: Szczesny, Gibbs, Chambers, Flamini, Rosicky, Ozil, Walcott