Grass Roots Footie 2015/16 (everything except EPL)

Post by **socksy** » March 28, 2016, 11:30 am

I would have tried to explain it myself Gents but it's probably easier explained from the SPFL website below. The play off final last season was between the Championship play off winners, Rangers and the 11th in the SPL Motherwell. Over the two legs we got done over 6-2. There may be a decent game in the SPL on Saturday at 1830 (Thai) between Celtic and Hearts from the 'midden'. It does however clash with the Villa v Chelsea match and the crucial Brighton v Burnley games.

Ladbrokes Premiership

At the end of the season, the bottom club is relegated while the club in 11th place face the Championship play-off winners over two legs.

Ladbrokes Championship

The champions are promoted to the Premiership automatically, and clubs in 2nd, 3rd and 4th enter two-legged play-offs. The winner of 4th v 3rd plays 2nd, with the winner of that tie up against the club finishing 11th in the Premiership. The bottom club is automatically relegated and the 9th-placed club goes into a play-off with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed clubs from League 1.

Post by **BobHelm** » March 28, 2016, 11:40 am

Ah thanks socks.
So, yes, there is an advantage in finishing 2nd. in that you play 2 games less.

I quite like the idea & think that maybe it is better the the system in the English leagues..

Post by **Zidane** » March 28, 2016, 12:01 pm

Yes,I remember Rangers playing Motherwell last season.Am I right in thinking they defeated Hibs in the play off semi final ?
Sorry for my duff explanation !

Hope it doesnt lead to a suspension from the footie forum ?

Post by **samster** » March 28, 2016, 2:11 pm

BobHelm wrote:
I quite like the idea & think that maybe it is better the the system in the English leagues..

Could be wrong but, in the early years, England had this system. I remember in the 80s that 2nd tier Leeds beat 2nd division Oldham in a play off semi and then had to meet Division 1 Charlton in play off final. They were tied after home and away legs and met in a replay at St Andrews in front of about 20,000 Leeds fans and a car full of Charlton fans. Memories, memories.

In my opinion the Scottish system would be a retrogressive step and would just further propound a closed shop in the Prem - unless it was 4th bottom in the Prem which would never be allowed ............. but then I am just a bitter Leeds fan.

Post by **socksy** » March 29, 2016, 6:50 am

Zidane wrote:Yes,I remember Rangers playing Motherwell last season.Am I right in thinking they defeated Hibs in the play off semi final ?
Sorry for my duff explanation ! Hope it doesnt lead to a suspension from the footie forum ?

Yes 2-0 for Rangers in the home leg and we lost the away one at Easter (how apt for this time of year) Road 1-0 to go through on aggregate.

I've a feeling these formats are just another money making exercise similar to the Rugby Union Aviva Premiership. The top team could 'win' the League by ten points but then face a play-off with the second team to decide the 'champions' (?)

.

Post by **BobHelm** » March 29, 2016, 6:53 am

Scunthorpe 6-0 Swindon
Bromley 2-2 Forest Green
Macclesfield 2-1 Grimsby
Wrexham 2-1 Cheltenham
Curzon Ashton 0-0 FC United of Manchester

The Iron go berserk for the first game at home for the new manager. Only 2 goals up at half time but they put in a second half performance to remember. Up to 10th. in the league.

Green were 2 nil up at half time & coasting. Bromley pulled one back on the hour but then appeared to have lost any chance of salvaging anything when they had a man sent off with 10 minutes to go. Deep, deep, deep into extra time they did manage to get the vital second goal.

Now the silkmen can't stop winning. This time the beat 3rd. placed promotion play off hopefuls Grimsby. Reece Styche is certainly a man in form, his winner was his 4th. goal in the last 3 games.

It was another goal deep, deep into injury time that cost Town a point. 5 to play & now only 2 points ahead at the top of the table... Deep disappointment as a win would have almost seen them home & dry!!

Post by **Zidane** » March 30, 2016, 9:12 am

England 1 The Netherlands 2.....well,the super optimism didnt last for long did it !

England failed to build on the optimism generated by their thrilling victory in Germany as they were beaten in a friendly by the Netherlands, who have not even qualified for Euro 2016.
On a night when Wembley paid its respects to the late Dutch legend Johan Cruyff with applause in the 14th minute, a much-changed England side slipped to a rare defeat at the national stadium.
Man-of-the-match Jamie Vardy rounded off a slick passing move to steer in Kyle Walker's cross four minutes before the interval - but Roy Hodgson's side could not protect their lead.
England's defence lived on the edge too often and were eventually punished when a sloppy passage of play led to Danny Rose handling, and Vincent Janssen scored from the spot after 50 minutes.
The big striker was then too strong for substitute Phil Jagielka, although England complained bitterly he had been fouled, before crossing for Luciano Narsingh to score the winner 13 minutes from time.

Post by **BobHelm** » March 30, 2016, 9:21 am

Friendlies never prove a great deal I think.

However, what can be said about England is, while the attack has looked capable of giving any side a hard time, the defense look marshmallow soft.

Not sure what can be about that though. The top half dozen sides in the Premiership would snap your hand off for a top quality centre half - of any nationality.
Quality defenders seem to be a thing of the past..

Post by **socksy** » March 30, 2016, 11:13 am

I don't know how my lot scraped two 1-0 wins. Completely outplayed in both, away to the Czech Republic and home to Denmark. Apparently the keepers McGregor (Hull) in the first match and Gordon (Celtic) were good considering the reputation of Scottish keepers and we also have Marshall of Cardiff who is believed to be on the radar of Everton. Anya (Watford) with the winner in the first game and Ritchie (Bournemouth) in the latter. Oh and ex-Kopite, Agger was hugely at fault for the goal against the Danes with a mix up between him and Leicester's Schmeichel. Newcastle keeper Elliot was injured in the RoI match but not sure yet to what extent. That's all we need.

Post by **Zidane** » March 31, 2016, 10:44 am

I always thought Gary Neville was a very strange appointment for a big club like Valencia......no managerial experience and cant speak the lingo !

But I never realised Valencias owner,Peter Lim,also co-owns Salford City along with the Neville brothers,Ryan Giggs,Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.....so it all fits into place now.

Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville has been sacked by Valencia after less than four months in charge of the Spanish club.
The 41-year-old, who is part of the England coaching set-up, was given his first managerial job in December.
Valencia won three of their 16 league games under the former television pundit, and 10 of 28 games overall.
Neville said he wanted to stay but results had "not been to my standards" or those "required by this club".
He added that he understood "we are in a results business".
Neville's younger brother Phil is also part of the Valencia coaching team and will be retained.
Neville first faced calls to quit after a 7-0 loss to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg in February.
His last match in charge was a 2-0 home defeat by Celta Vigo just before the international break.
He has spent the past six days with the England squad for friendly games with Germany and the Netherlands.
Former Liverpool assistant manager Pako Ayestaran, 53, will take charge for the rest of the season.
Pako joined the club as assistant coach in February in a move that Neville insisted was his decision.
"I'm the head coach of Valencia, I will be the head coach of Valencia for the rest of this season. If I leave, Pako will leave. He's come to be part of my coaching staff," Neville said at the time.
"I understand it might look like there's something going on. There absolutely isn't." :-"
"The last thing I want levelled at me when I leave here is that Gary Neville lacks commitment," said Neville in December
Valencia owner Peter Lim also co-owns Salford City along with the Neville brothers and former Manchester United team-mates Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes.

Post by **BobHelm** » April 1, 2016, 11:06 am

Friday 1st April 2016
QPR V Middlesbrough 19:45
Cheltenham V Grimsby 19:45

Town will be desperate to win this & put some pressure on Green.
Grimsby are in 3rd. spot in the league & although they are 12 points behind Green they do have 3 games in hand...

Post by **BobHelm** » April 2, 2016, 7:51 am

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Boro slip into second spot in an exciting away game in London. Still too tight to call who will be the 2 automatically going up though. Burnley are in the driving seat, followed by Middlesbrough & Brighton but 4th. placed Hull are not yet out of the race.

Town had a better result than the performance deserved but we will happily take that. Grimsby are now probably out of the race for the single automatic promotion spot, although, with 3 extra games to play & 17 points behind it is still mathematically possible.
Forest Green are now 5 points in arrears but with a game in hand. 4 nail biting games left for Town supporters unless the 2 chasers slip up...

Post by **BobHelm** » April 2, 2016, 8:07 am

Bradford V Scunthorpe
Forest Green V Wrexham
Macclesfield V Braintree
FC United of Manchester V Boston United
Raith Rovers V Rangers

Post by **Zidane** » April 2, 2016, 10:43 am

Cheltenham almost there,Bob and lucky Grimsby were softened up by a tough away fixture at Macclesfield on Easter Monday....

Saturday 23rd April Macclesfield v Cheltenham could be the day......or otherwise. :-"

Post by **BobHelm** » April 2, 2016, 11:06 am

Well I am off to Vietnam on Wednesday & then not back to the 20th.
Hope to then log onto UdonMap to read that Town don't need a result at Macclesfield in order to get promoted!!

Post by **BobHelm** » April 3, 2016, 8:00 am

Bradford 1-0 Scunthorpe
Forest Green 0-0 Wrexham
Macclesfield 3-1 Braintree
FC United of Manchester 1-2 Boston United
Raith Rovers 3-3 Rangers

Bradford are play off contenders & just about edged the game. The Iron remain in mid table & it has to be difficult to raise your game with litle to play for.

Wrexham didn't do Town any favours when they beat them over Easter, but they sure did yesterday, despite having 2 men sent off. Green were all over the visitors from the start & had most of the game but just couldn't find the net. They are back to 5 points behind Town, with a very inferior goal difference & 4 games to go!!!

Macclesfield are suddenly on a roll. This made it 3 on the bounce, very easily against a side who are still hopeful of a play off spot. Bit too little too late though as the barren New Year patch looks to have cost them the chance of a spot themselves.

FC United of Manchester still not assured of playing in the Vanarama National League North Division despite still being in 12th. spot. Nervous end to the season for them..

4 minutes of overtime played & Rangers were Champions. It must wait for another day though as the hosts equalised. Ironically, the chasing pair, Hibs & Falkirk, could only manage draws of their own. Struggling Dumbarton are next up as Rangers play at home on Tuesday night.... Champions??

Post by **socksy** » April 3, 2016, 10:25 am

An exciting game in the Scottish Championship. A draw and the title snatched from the jaws of victory. We also had a genuine claim for a goal disallowed for offside but Raith also had a penalty saved near the end. Worryingly another three conceded - 9 in three games.

Post by **BobHelm** » April 4, 2016, 2:01 pm

There is a full turn out for the Championship on Tuesday night & some games in the lower leagues & Scotland too. The only 1 that looks of interest to the usual posters is...

Rangers V Dumbarton 19:45

Post by **socksy** » April 6, 2016, 5:15 am

Rangers 1 Dumbarton 0

The deal is sealed as we, albeit unconvincingly, won the title in front of 48,500 fans. $\:D/$ =D>

Post by **Zidane** » April 6, 2016, 8:42 am

Congratulations socksy,at least you will have one Premiership team to support next season !

In the UEFA Champions League quarter finals 1st legs.....

Barcelona 2 Atletico Madrid 1.....Torres gives Atletico the lead on 25 minutes but is sent off 10 minutes later for two needless yellow cards.Suarez scores a brace in the second half to give Barca a slender lead.
Bayern Munich 1 Benfica 0.....Vidal scores for Bayern after just 2 minutes but they are unable to breakdown a resolute Benfica defence again.

Tonight,PSG v Man City,Vfl Wolfsburg v Real Madrid.