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Post by arover on Oct 15, 2008 13:07:50 GMT
This makes interesting reading:
2002/03 PREMIER LEAGUE: Man U 83pts, Arsenal 78, Chelsea 67, BIG THREE LEAGUE: Man U 8pts, Arsenal 5, Chelsea 2
2003/04 PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal 90pts, Chelsea 79, Man U 75 BIG THREE LEAGUE: Arsenal 8pts, Chelsea 4, Man U 3
2004/05 PREMIER LEAGUE: Chelsea 95pts, Arsenal 83, Man U 77 BIG THREE LEAGUE: Chelsea 8pts, Man U 6, Arsenal 2
2005/06 PREMIER LEAGUE: Chelsea 91pts, Man U 83, Arsenal 67 BIG THREE LEAGUE: Chelsea 9pts, Man U 7, Arsenal 1
2006/07 PREMIER LEAGUE: Man U 89pts, Chelsea 83, Arsenal 68 BIG THREE LEAGUE: Arsenal 8pts, Chelsea 4, Man U 2
2007/08 PREMIER LEAGUE: Man U 87pts, Chelsea 85, Arsenal 83 BIG THREE LEAGUE: Man U 10pts, Chelsea 6, Arsenal 4
As you can see, the winner of the Big Three mini-league has bagged the title in five of the last six seasons. The 2006-07 season is the only time the natural order of things was disturbed. Arsenal took eight points off Chelsea and Manchester United, yet only finished fourth in the title race. While it would be foolish to suggest that the Premier League is ultimately decided each year by just six games, it lends a degree of truth to the words of fans and managers up and down the country who swear the Big Three are in a league of their own.
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Post by Bismarck on Oct 15, 2008 15:57:01 GMT
Cannot be denied...
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Post by Lukiebakercafc on Oct 15, 2008 18:56:50 GMT
Ditto
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robWolvesfan1
Reserves Player
[M:0]
I am not afraid to keep on living, I am not afraid to walk this world alone!
Posts: 225
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Post by robWolvesfan1 on Oct 16, 2008 16:46:34 GMT
That's partly why, apart from being known more and being on MOTD/MOTD2, I'd rather stay in the Championship. It's more exciting, as you never know what'll happen (Stoke and Hull going up anyone?) and it's REAL football, with players who are playing for the CLUB, not the club's money
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Post by Bismarck on Oct 17, 2008 6:52:47 GMT
Interesting point there...take the money out completely and see how many would play for the love of the game?Incidentally.... Questions have been asked in UK Parliament about allegations of match-fixing in a Championship match between Norwich and Derby.
Two Norfolk MPs questioned Culture Secretary Andy Burnham, demanding to know what discussions had been held with the FA to clear the matter up.
On Saturday, The Sunday Telegraph have sent a document to the FA and the Gambling Commission detailing the alleged unexplained betting patterns and an investigation was launched over the weekend.
It was reported that bookmakers detected a "massive movement" in bets in Asia at around half-time in a Championship match.
Norman Lamb, the MP for Norfolk North said allegations related to unusual patterns of online betting in Asia during the course of the October 4 match at Norwich's Carrow Road.
"I am calling on the FA and the sports minister (Gerry Sutcliffe) to make an urgent statement today to confirm exactly what is known and what is happening in terms of the investigation," said Mr Lamb, a Norwich fan and season-ticket holder.
"I want confirmation that it is being treated with the utmost seriousness because it goes to the heart of the integrity of the game.
"None of these allegations may have any foundation, but it is deeply troubling for the clubs involved. Nobody wants a smear hanging over them. It needs to be cleared up."
Norwich North MP Ian Gibson has also tabled a question to Mr Burnham, asking "what discussions he has had with the Football Association in respect of recent allegations of match-fixing and unusual betting activity on a Football League Championship match".
An FA spokesman confirmed this was the game they were investigating and said: "We are investigating the reports about this game but we have no further comment to make at this stage."
Both clubs say they have not yet had any contact from the FA and are making no further comment at this stage.
Norwich chief executive Neil Doncaster has revealed the club are yet to be contacted by the Football Association over match-fixing allegations, but admits he was disappointed with the way in which the matter was raised.
"We understand from the FA that they are currently investigating allegations about our game with Derby County but we haven't had any contact from the FA,'' he told the club's official website, www.canaries.co.uk.
"Of course if we do so then we will help as best we can with their inquiries, we have no reason to believe their is anything amiss at Carrow Road.
"No-one likes having their name put in the media in connection with anything that is unsavoury so the sooner we get this cleared up the better.''
Asked whether he approved of the way the matter was raised by Lamb and Dr Gibson, Doncaster said: "It is certainly slightly disappointing that the MPs concerned have talked to the media before picking up the phone and talking to us.
"I would have thought that to try and find out the facts, the best port of call would be to talk to the club itself.''It's a tough allegation to deal with, but a lot of people could be involved, including the Norwich goalkeeper or defenders. Chances are that, if this did happen, then Derby would have no knowledge of it. Either way, if there was cheating, get them out. There is no place for cheats in football.
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