Sports Banter.

Very interesting read Mark.This financial fair play will have a huge impact and imho will only do more to increase the gap between the big and smaller clubs.Yes it might help less clubs going into administration but how the hell or others now meant to compete.Basically the clubs at the top now who spent recklessly over the last decade will now be in supreme position to dominate domestic and European football for the forseeable future.

As for Liverpool maybe best to wait until end of season till i comment but i presume that the universal opinion is pretty much the same.The added pressures of having such a proud history are mounting.Surely KK didn't have 100% control over those 100m + of signings?

Would be cool if you can keep a daily tab of the scores Mark so we have a fair idea where we stand.

And MVB without a doubt for best goal.Still and always will remain one of my favourite ever.What a player!!

Originally posted by 1984ioc
Very interesting read Mark.This financial fair play will have a huge impact and imho will only do more to increase the gap between the big and smaller clubs.Yes it might help less clubs going into administration but how the hell or others now meant to compete.Basically the clubs at the top now who spent recklessly over the last decade will now be in supreme position to dominate domestic and European football for the forseeable future.

As for Liverpool maybe best to wait until end of season till i comment but i presume that the universal opinion is pretty much the same.The added pressures of having such a proud history are mounting.Surely KK didn't have 100% control over those 100m + of signings?

Would be cool if you can keep a daily tab of the scores Mark so we have a fair idea where we stand.

And MVB without a doubt for best goal.Still and always will remain one of my favourite ever.What a player!!

No worries I'll keep the scores updated.

MVB, Cruyff, Gullit, Komen, De'Boers, Bergkamp, Overmars, etc, etc, etc. You could watch these players all day, a production line of class.

The financial rules are a good idea in theory, but they're 20 years too late and as you say, will only ensure the dominance of the established clubs.

Regarding the transfer policy, I've a feeling Comolli has to take the majority of the blame. He followed the same blueprint at Spurs buying young British talent such as; Darren Bent, David Bentley, Michael Dawson, Michael Carrick, Jermaine Jenas, Jermain Defoe, Andy Reid, etc, spending big money with limited success. Buying British is a nice idea, but he has to face reality, most British players are light-years behind their reasonably priced (in comparison) continental counterparts, as Carroll has aptly demonstrated!

Harrington FTW!!!!

Originally posted by MarkQuick

Originally posted by HollyMichelle
Long time no post!

Too annoyed to get my real feelings out regarding Liverpool's collapse. Watched 70 minutes yesterday before giving up. Absolutely out-played after the 10th minute.

In a season full of facepalm moments what the bloody hell was Andy Carroll's problem when subbed? He played for 10-15 minutes then disappeared into not so thin air thereafter.

Disappointed with the red card. Had Perch stayed on his feet, Reina stays, but obviously you can't just go nut someone for a laugh.

Gutted, annoyed and utterly depressed.

Winning the FA Cup will NOT make up for this season. It has been an absolute disgrace!

Feel your pain Garbo and why cant Perch be banned retrospectively for simulation/play-acting? Its a joke. Cracking read: time running out for Liverpool.

Will read this later!

OMG how can I have two players already out when basically everyone makes the cut in this tournament? FML.

@ Chiefswatch: Chiefs did the bizzo last night v the Farce/Stopovers/Western Force. Scoreline looked close at 20-12, but really due to the lads lacking a wee bit in the handling department when in great positions. Farce never really looked like getting a try in the match, Chiefs defense and discipline pretty outstanding again. Still the best team in the comp in terms of tries conceded.

After the Highlanders deal to the Stormers tonight in the Greenhouse, Chiefs will be at the top of the table!

@ Tommy Bowe: Sad to hear he'll not make the trip down under - I'd expect Ireland will be less confident spinning the ball without his experience out wide.

No interest in Golf whatsoever Have a penchant for the odd MLB game from time to time though. Just watched the first few innings of the DBacks-Giants opening game.... set me up nicely for some zzzzzzs

Made the Cut

Pswyatt (early favourite imo )

Rory McIlroy
Martin Kaymer
Tiger Woods
Matt Kuchar
Lee Westwood
Sergio Garcia

MarkQuick (Olazabal missed it) Sweating on Couples to keep it up

Fred Couples
Tiger
Louis Oosthuizen
Charl Schwartzel
Phil Mickelson

Waiboy (Ishikawa and Choi missed the cut) Surprised about Choi!

Big Phil Mickelson
Rory McIlroy
Tiger
Adam Scott

1984ioc Few in contention but no faith in Westwood having the bottle.

Rory McIlroy
Westwood
Y-E Yang
Hunter Mahan
Mickleson
Steve Stricker

The Masters 2nd Round Leaderboard.

Go on Freddy! 20th year at the Masters, swinging as casually as ever and what a 2nd round 67 low round of the day.

3rd Tee-off Times for selected players:

1505: Steve Stricker (US), Rickie Fowler (US)

1545: Charl Schwartzel (SA), Tiger Woods (US)

1555: Scott Stallings (US), Martin Kaymer (Ger)

1705: Adam Scott (Aus), (x) Hideki Matsuyama (Jpn)

1725: Hunter Mahan (US), Padraig Harrington (Ire)

1755: Jim Furyk (US), YE Yang (Kor)

1845: Vijay Singh (Fij), Phil Mickelson (US)

1905: Matt Kuchar (US), Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa)

1925 Sergio Garcia (Spa), Rory McIlroy (NI)

1935: Louis Oosthuizen (SA), Lee Westwood (Eng)

1945: Jason Dufner (US), Fred Couples (US)

Heineken quarter finals weekend, any predictions?

Saturday:

07/04/2012 15:00: Edinburgh Rugby v Toulouse, Murrayfield

07/04/2012 17:45: Leinster Rugby v Cardiff Blues, Aviva Stadium

Sunday:

08/04/2012 13:45: Munster Rugby v Ulster Rugby, Thomond Park

08/04/2012 16:30: Saracens v ASM Clermont Auvergne , Vicarage Road

I'm going for all four home sides to go through.

Originally posted by MarkQuick

Originally posted by pswyatt

Villa should be ok with a win....will it come at Anfield at the weekend!??

Wouldn't be surprised, they're even worse at home! Anyway the Premiership has gone stale, football League is where its at...........GREEN ARMY!!!

Liverpool 0-1 Villa (10 mins C Herd)

Will the reds comeback? No. You heard it here first.

1-1 never in doubt!!

How many penalties have Liverpool had turned down this season? Too many to be a coincidence.

Originally posted by MarkQuick

Originally posted by MarkQuick

Originally posted by pswyatt

Villa should be ok with a win....will it come at Anfield at the weekend!??

Wouldn't be surprised, they're even worse at home! Anyway the Premiership has gone stale, football League is where its at...........GREEN ARMY!!!

Liverpool 0-1 Villa (10 mins C Herd)

Will the reds comeback? No. You heard it here first.

1-1 never in doubt!!

How many penalties have Liverpool had turned down this season? Too many to be a coincidence.

How many times have we hit the flaming woodwork?????

All that said, we need to offload some serious deadwood in the summer!

Take the draw all week against Liverpool at Anfield though have to say that was one of the most clueless performances by a referee i have seen in years.Villa should have got a penalty with a few mins to go and he ends up giving a free out and a yellow card to the Villa player.On balance Liverpool should have won though.

Great signing in Jelavic,psywatt,at with the problems Rangers were going through when ye bought him ye ended getting him for next to nothing.They were valuing him at 9m at xmas so great deal for ye,2 goals again today.

Crazy win for Edinburgh Mark,nicely predicted.Wouldn't have seen that coming at all.Back Leinster (-24) today @ 3/1 so very good day.Starting handicap was (-15) from (-13) on Wednesday.Cardiff lost by 30 points to Glasgow last week and then Roborts out and all that Gavin Henson crap during the week then it looks like they are crumbling.

Nervous for Ulster game tom.Only beaten once at Thomond in the HC but tom is going to be a severe battle to retain that.Home draw in the semi's so loads of incentive.Don't think Saracens will do it tom but you never know with the French away from home and who will turn up.Good opp for them though.

Here's hoping the final round provides my Easter Monday morning laze around with some scintillating viewing - backing my horses won't provide any.

Originally posted by MarkQuick
Heineken quarter finals weekend, any predictions?

Saturday:

07/04/2012 15:00: Edinburgh Rugby v Toulouse, Murrayfield

07/04/2012 17:45: Leinster Rugby v Cardiff Blues, Aviva Stadium

Sunday:

08/04/2012 13:45: Munster Rugby v Ulster Rugby, Thomond Park

08/04/2012 16:30: Saracens v ASM Clermont Auvergne , Vicarage Road

I'm going for all four home sides to go through.

Well one out of four isn't bad!!

Go on Padraig! Joint 4th at moment.

Happy with that signing 1984ioc...all his goals have been one touch and in the back of the net which is the sign of a great goal scorer

Lots of talking points again this weekend as usual! Liverpool with another draw (Villa played well though), Man U have won the league (IMO), Balotelli on his way??

We'll leave the ref discussions for another time!!

Final Standings.Few players in tied positions so divided combined rankings scores by no. of players to get points for that player

Pswyatt

Rory McIlroy
Martin Kaymer
Tiger Woods
Matt Kuchar - 36.5 points
Lee Westwood - 36.5 points
Sergio Garcia - 14 points

87 points

MarkQuick

Jose Maria Olazabal
Fred Couples - 14 points
Tiger
Louis Oosthuizen - 60points
Charl Schwartzel
Phil Mickelson - 36.5 points

110.5 points

Waiboy

KJ Choi
Big Phil Mickelson - 36.5 points
Rory McIlroy
Tiger
Adam Scott
Ryo Ishikawa

36.5 points and there is a present in the spoiler for you Waiboy that you deserve after that performance

1984ioc

Rory McIlroy
Westwood -36.5 points
Y-E Yang
Hunter Mahan - 12 points
Mickleson - 36.5 points
Steve Stricker

85 points

Congrats Mark,you had players all over the leader board for the whole 4 days nearly.Louis's 2nd place got it for you in the end.See ye at the British Open boys where i look forward to knocking Mark off his fucking perch

Interesting stat from the weekend which i heard with a few holes to go.Westwood took 21 more putts than Mickleson over the 4 days and they ended up with the same score.New putting coach is in order Westy.

@Mark Very much enjoyed the coverage on BBC over the last 2 days.Watched the first 2 on Setanta and the breaks would drive you around the bend.Read on sports news section of one of our daily papers today that said on SKY the viewers had to listen to Monty relive his final walks up the 18th green about 10 times,lmao.I just immediately switch channel if i even hear the c*** in the background.I will actually say a prayer for the women in his life (if he is married) as God bless them is all i can say.What a donkey.

Originally posted by pswyatt
Happy with that signing 1984ioc...all his goals have been one touch and in the back of the net which is the sign of a great goal scorer

Lots of talking points again this weekend as usual! Liverpool with another draw (Villa played well though), Man U have won the league (IMO), Balotelli on his way??

We'll leave the ref discussions for another time!!

Ok instead of congratulating you now every few days mate i will now just congratulate you ahead of the next 5/6 weeks left ok .4-0 against Sunderland is another amazing result.I'm leaning towards Moyes as MOTY now to be honest.Keep saying it but Everton have no money and look at where they are.

Get Ballotelli out the door asap and good riddance to him.Himself and Tevez have destroyed their season the overpaid muppets.Great players but no morals and obviously don't respect their fans with their behaviour.

Regards Villa i'm losing patience.Have to stick with your team through the rough times but watching their demise over the last 3 years is getting tough.30 years ago we were European Champions now we struggle to be the best team in the Midlands.With all this financial fair play rules coming in(which will talk to you more about Mark in coming weeks) then what hope is there for the future.Weekly rant about them over now

Thanks 1984ioc, see what happens at the weekend and the congratulations may change!!

What do you think needs changing at Villa then? New manager or happy with McLeish?

Originally posted by 1984ioc
Final Standings.Few players in tied positions so divided combined rankings scores by no. of players to get points for that player

Pswyatt
87 points

MarkQuick
110.5 points

Waiboy
36.5 points

1984ioc
85 points

Thanks for getting this together 1984ioc, not a bad effort all round! Well done Mark