It's my first visit to this part of the forum but I've gotta say COYGranada CF! The great escape is on. Steve McQueen leaps the fence on his motorbike in his red and white hooped shirt! Nothing would make me happier with WFC's promotion this year than to see both the rich child established in its new home AND something given back to the rest of the family who have sustained it in its quest. A resilient triumvirate family of three able to take on all comers. Strength in collective depth. Geddin there!
Just this season alone we've had two internationals sign for Granada so they could be sent here. Now we're up we can buy the top players outright.
So all going well Granada can finish a respectable 14th on Saturday ... amazing that only two weeks ago I could have put my house on them going down.
Sid Lowe (respected journalist covering Spanish football) speaking about Granada: "If I was of a suspicious bent, which I obviously am not, I'd say they've been suspiciously good since Sandoval took over. But obviously there's nothing suspicious there, and nothing suspicious about certain individuals who may be involved in Granada". Looking at their recent upturn, they have got results against Getafe (nothing to play for), Sociedad (nothing to play for) and Cordoba (already relegated). I hope he's wrong and it is nothing suspicious.
Think they need to look at Galatasary first: https://vine.co/v/eKY0guA6WIx as well as https://vine.co/v/eKYUX3mrThQ from the same game...
Sandoval and Pina... What a pair of crazy guys who believed when, almost all of us, though Granada was dead... Now, last match day in a place where we couldn't dream about a month ago. Atletico needs only 1 point to be 3rd, I think they won't play hard (neither Granada will) if, at minute 60, the match is going 0-0 or 1-1, it can be a great point for us. Eibar might win (although they had win only 1 game in the second part of the season), Almeria is going to lose against Valencia (who have to win to keep champions place and might win the 3rd place) and I think and Deportivo... Well, I really doubt they can beat Barcelona: Camp Nou + Last Xavi game on Camp Nou + Luis Enrique telling them to win before the last 2 finals to keep the winning dynamic... One month ago we were dead, and suddenly we only need to "agree" a point to stay on La Liga... What a season. PD: @Runklehorn They can say whatever they want, nothing suspicious. We played against 3 teams with nothing to fight for, the new mister is that kind of coach that make best players play (obvious thing, but first time in the season this is happening) and speak with them to make them be comfortable and, and most important, La Liga is now very aware for any suspicious match to punish clubs, so, they are not going to risk their place. PD2: http://www.marca.com/2015/05/14/multimedia/graficos/1431625489.html
New manager comes in and gets results to avoid relegation. It's a story you see every year in every country. Leicester has a similar story to tell in the Prem, albeit without a managerial change. No idea why Lowe is making passive aggressive comments about it. Clearly the previous head coach wasn't up to the task.
I watched most of it and both teams were going for it ... There was nothing Sociedad's keeper could have done about any of the goals either If I was the suspicious type I'd be suspecting Granada's previous head coach was a bit rubbish.
The comments were made before the Sociedad game, so it seemed a bit strange to flag it up as suspicious when they'd only won two in row. That's the bit I find intriguing, unless it's just a really lazy reference to Udinese's points deduction in 1990.
Think Pozzo Snr got caught up in some match fixing around that time - but then which Italian owner hasn't!
You mean because his phone records showed a brief phone call to the opposition's chairman on the eve of a match? The one that their FA has since attributed to over zealous policing? ... That one you mean?
No need to get your panties in a twist, I didn't say it was deserved just that it happened. Which it did. A 4 point penalty raised to 5 after Pozzo appealed, which could be what Sid Lowe was referring to when he referred to "individuals" involved in Granada, which would of course be lazy journalism and nothing to worry about.
Yes that hardly sounds like solid support for match fixing but like you suggest they were bring very wary.
Yes that one! That's the tenuous link that lazy Sid Lowe was probably referring to. But as RunkleHorn @#369 has said - don't shoot the messenger ...
Now we're in the PL we're never going to here the end of this so a few things need clearing up. The 86/87 demotion was for offences that happened before Giampaolo bought the club The 1990 deduction was based on very dubious evidence and has since been admitted to as excessive Wiki says Pozzo was banned but I read he resigned saying he won't put his club at risk again There was no loophole allowing us more loans in 12/13, just rules that were obeyed to the letter The embargo incurred the following season was entirely due to our previous owner's (Bassini) duplicity. Gino Pozzo exclusively owns Watford FC.
Sure GF. But you're preaching to the converted here. None of your factually correct analysis is going to stop the lazy journalists and pundits from having their digs and making their sly assertions and innuendo. A little knowledge sure is a dangerous thing particularly in the hands of those who wish to be mendacious. However, if your intention is that we should use that list to counter any b.llocks that we come across then well done! It's an excellent list for that purpose.
Really? He's suggesting that there's foul play? I thought only Chelsea fans and other morons thought things like this
No but seeing as this forum seems to be used lately as a source for much rubbish I just think we should sticky my list to the main page for all those journo's to read before writing their guff.
Pleased to meet you rojiblancohorizontal. Great handle, great colours! I can't see Barca playing a weakened team next weekend. There is a full week beyond that before the Copa del Rey final and another full week beyond that before the Champions League Cup final. So no need to rest players because there are two games in a week or anyhing like that unless they are carrying an injury. As you say therefore, expect a full Barca team playing to its full potential which will do for Deportivo. Valencia can't let up either so Almeria won't get an easy time. However, there still remains the intriguing possibility of a mini-league of four all finishing on 35 points. Perm two from four to see who would be relegated in that situation - you tell me! Stranger things have happened in futebol! In addition, when you say Atletico and Granada "won't play hard" and can "agree a point" (which could certainly be in both their interests) then be careful what you wish for on two counts: 1. That policy could easily blow up in your faces in the last few minutes and, 2. Some people would say, with justification, that's called 'match fixing'!
Nail on head as far I'm concerned. I just met a mate and he said 'so what do you think of the Pozzo family and your foreign loans now?' I was a bit confused and said "I've been backing them 3 years since I saw 2 unknown players called Abdi and Vydra destroy crystal palace in 5 minutes". (Anyone doubting check my blog from 2 years ago). I explained technically only one manager out of 4 this season was sacked etc. In the end he said fair play and agreed they are good owners (as does someone at work who had been a critic back in November). Ultimately as Troy said a lot of people have been vindicated. In Pozzos we trust. C'mon Granada, Udinese and of course you 'orrrrns
The Barca and Real Madrid games are being shown on Sky Sports (zzzz). Imagine there'll be a river though.
Turns out that Cordoba were going to travel to the game V Eibar on the same day of the game, that is 800KM. Depor, Granada and Almeria complained to the league and they will now travel the previous day. Everyone is saying that Cordoba will be given money by other teams for them to try and beat Eibar. It is not illegal for teams to offer money to other teams to win games in Spain.
