The Soccer Thread (Version 7.0)

A reasonable conclusion. After all, including Donovan in the lineup would require removing one of Klinsmann's prized defensive midfielders, and we can't have that, now can we?

 

FA Cup winner on Saturday, relegated on Tuesday -- hope Wigan at least got in two quality days of celebrating.

 

So, do you take the title and relegation or the runner-up medal and staying up?

I bet the fans say the former.

 

And the accountants say the latter?

 

Fans want glory, owners and beancounters want that fat new TV contract. Looking at it dispassionately, the Europa League is a slog even for upper-tier EPL teams and there's no way Wigan has the squad depth or quality to seriously compete in a 46-game league, the league cup, FA Cup and Europa League.

Take the former if you know for certain that you're going straight back up, but just ask Wolves, Blackburn, Middlesborough, Ipswich, Leeds, Blackpool, Birmingham, Derby, Charlton, Bolton, etc. how easy a feat that is.

 

Wolves got relegated again this year. Might be a long time before they return to the Premiership. At least Bolton was in position to make the four-team playoff for the third spot before a massive late-season choke.

 

Being a Latics fan: Former...100% former.

 

Hey now, Arsenal still has to win at Newcastle...hey they could lose, right? (hoping somehow...)

 

You just watch, Arsenal somehow loses to Newcastle, but Spurs need an 85th-minute goal from Bale to salvage a draw against Sunderland, and he's in a Real Madrid kit before the transfer request cools.

 

St. Totteringham's Day is happening MMII. Arsenal is going to crush Newcastle.

 

Chelsea v Arsenal third-place playoff?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/may/15/arsenal-chelsea-play-off-headache

And I can think of worse places to celebrate a last-minute winner than Amsterdam.

 

Beckham to retire at the end of this season.