Keane Leaps Toward Glory: With Sunderland now safely promoted the future looks bright for Keane (I know, I posted about Keane recently, but I really liked this blog entry).
Birmingham are the other Championship side team guaranteed to be promoted, while others must battle in the play-offs. While down the other end of the table Leeds are likely to fall even further.
Derby, having led the table until quite recently, have only 5 points from the last 5 games, while Brum and Sunderpants got 12 each. We now face the lottery of the playoffs. Given that we have battled relegation for 6 out of the last 7 seasons, this counts as a triumph. I hope Keano put an extra sugar in his tea.
posted by owlhouse at 06:47 AM on May 01, 2007
Hey, brummy bog bandits are back next season - Fat Buddha must be delighted!
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:22 AM on May 01, 2007
Hey, Derby are the Rams, no? I'd love to see them in the Premiership, if only for owlhouse's sake. Go Rams!
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:23 AM on May 01, 2007
I love the mellowing of Roy Keane as manager. Here's what I might have expected to see based on his playing history:
Keane learned of his side's promotion by a text message while he was outwalking his dog, Triggssmearing feces on Mick McCarthy's house, and celebratedwith a mug of green teaby smashing a pint glass against the head of an unsuspecting German tourist at his local.
posted by holden at 12:07 PM on May 01, 2007
Roy Keane was someone I always admired as a player more than as a man until he decked that lad on the scooter who gave him lip outside his house. Now it turns out he can manage too! The Leeds debacle means we have a ready-made sleeping giant down in League One even if Forest manage to escape. We (Crewe) are away at Forest last day of the season, so hoping we can keep 'em drug down at our level. The outpouring of gloating at Leeds' demise was quite spectacular. I expected it for Man U fans, but they seem quite universally loathed. I don't recall being bothered much either way.
posted by Abiezer at 12:56 PM on May 01, 2007
Yes, we are back, WC2002 and ready to hand out ritual humiliation to the scouse gits!
posted by Fat Buddha at 01:01 PM on May 01, 2007
Triggs got quite famous during the "Saipan Incident" so I was looking for the dog to show up here again :) the start of a beautiful relationship (youTube), and don't forget when to listen to when Roy Keane met Gift Roy Keane, audio only
posted by Fence at 02:41 PM on May 01, 2007
12 points in the bag already then FB if you add the Viler. Must admit I'm amazed we've been promoted. I'm pleased all the attention is going to Blunderland and Keane as they'll be the ones who go up with the big expectations. And then there's the £40m.
posted by squealy at 05:27 PM on May 01, 2007
We (Crewe) are away at Forest last day of the season, so hoping we can keep 'em drug down at our level. You will have the Rams full backing on that one, Abiezer. And then there's the £40m I know, I'd be quite happy to go up and come straight back down again. We need the money.
posted by owlhouse at 06:36 PM on May 01, 2007
Squealy- congrats on the promotion for your boys. I was following them after they did so well in Cup (and a little bit before). Enjoyed our conversations about them. Follow Wigan and Readings lead and come in with a bang and show well in the Premiership. Best of luck! I also enjoy that Keane is becoming a great manager. More reasons why I follow Euro soccer instead of MLS.
posted by urall cloolis at 12:25 AM on May 02, 2007
Thanks cloo. I fully expect us to be straight back down, but then I thought that last time and we managed to survive for a few seasons before it all went tits-up.
posted by squealy at 07:36 AM on May 02, 2007
Is there any inherent reason that Birmingham can't use the huge infusion of money that promotion will bring them (with the new TV deal) to begin building a foundation to remain up for quite a while. Birmingham is the second largest city in England, so it seems odd that areas teams have so little representation (or rather, ephemeral representation) in the Premiership. Just wondering...
posted by trox at 09:42 AM on May 02, 2007
Is there any inherent reason that Birmingham can't use the huge infusion of money that promotion will bring them (with the new TV deal) to begin building a foundation to remain up for quite a while. All the newly promoted Premiership teams get the same kitty, so where that part of the treasure chest is concerned, they're on equal footing. Birmingham is the second largest city in England, so it seems odd that areas teams have so little representation (or rather, ephemeral representation) in the Premiership. Villa are always there (I know the blues love to read that), West Brom were relegated last season after 3 years in the Premiership, even Wolves have made it once. Congrats squealy and FB and look out to the rest of us in fantasy footie.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 10:05 AM on May 02, 2007
Trox, that is a very good fucking question!
posted by Fat Buddha at 12:19 PM on May 02, 2007
Fantasy football tip for next year: don't pick any Blues players.
posted by Fat Buddha at 12:20 PM on May 02, 2007
Meanwhile, our lot have had to content ourselves with effectively relegating Leeds and probably finishing above the Budgie-fiddlers. The jury remains out on Magilton. Although we're still a passing side and I like some of his recent deals, (especially Frannie Jeffers, if we can get him), someone needs to tell him we might need a defender at some point.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 04:23 PM on May 02, 2007
I'll second that FFL tip.
posted by squealy at 04:24 PM on May 02, 2007
Typical:
posted by Fence at 03:31 AM on May 01, 2007