The Liverpool striker Luis Suárez has issued an official apology for refusing to shake hands with Patrice Evra before Saturday's Premier League game with Manchester United.

 

"I have spoken with [Kenny Dalglish] since the game at Old Trafford and I realise I got things wrong," Suarez told the club's official website. "I've not only let him down, but also the club and what it stands for and I'm sorry. I made a mistake and I regret what happened.

 

"I should have shaken Patrice Evra's hand before the game and I want to apologise for my actions. I would like to put this whole issue behind me and concentrate on playing football."

 

Liverpool's managing director, Ian Ayre, also responded to the controversy, releasing a statement of his own. "We are extremely disappointed Luis Suárez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra before yesterday's game," he said. "The player had told us beforehand that he would, but then chose not to do so.

 

"He was wrong to mislead us and wrong not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra. He has not only let himself down, but also Kenny Dalglish, his team-mates and the club. It has been made absolutely clear to Luis Suárez that his behaviour was not acceptable.

 

"Luis Suárez has now apologised for his actions which was the right thing to do. However, all of us have a duty to behave in a responsible manner and we hope that he now understands what is expected of anyone representing Liverpool Football Club."

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/fe...evra?CMP=twt_gu

 

I'm pleased they've come out and said that so quickly. Even if it's not how they fell they know they've needed to and not reacted like they did when Suarez was originally banned, there's a way to show your support to someone you think is innocent, but it definitely wasn't the way Liverpool did.

Well I'm glad that's been put to bed. I thought he would shake his hand, but not have eye contact originally. I'm disappointed the shit-storm is about the Evra-Suarez saga, and not how utterly average both Liverpool and Manchester United were. I'm still disappointed with the way Liverpool set-up against Man Utd. Only blessing in disguise is we're still 4 points away from 4th, and all put one of our hard away fixtures have gone.

Anyway... Moving on.

 

Premier League relegation? Surely 3 from 5 now, can't see anyone being dragged into it now.

 

Bored, I've been looking at an analysing the run-ins for the 5 teams this afternoon.

 

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/ms_r/250310_10150208783212097_639037096_7561279_4155332_n-Copy2-1.jpg

 

It's probably argued that QPR have the best squad and therefore best chance of surviving but defeats in their last two matches to Wolves and Blackburn are a massive blow as they have by far the hardest run-in. The only team top 7 team they don't still have to play is Newcastle and they still have to go to the Stadium of Light. Blackburn, Wigan and Wolves have similar and fairly equal run-ins but Bolton have the easiest, 8 of their 13 matches coming against teams in the bottom half. Very interesting, far too tight to call.

 

The average position/points is that of the opponents they have to play.

 

So far QPR have 10 points at home, 11 away, Wolves 11/10, Blackburn 12/9, Bolton 8/12 and Wigan 8/11.

I dunno, I can another 1/2 teams being dragged in to it, but the 5 at the bottom are all very inconsistent. QRP have the best squad, but they're on a horrible run of form at the moment.

 

It's too close to call at the moment. Back in December I would have said Blackburn were certs to go down, but I think out of all the clubs down the bottom they have the strongest dressing room. But even so they are very inconsistent, and the same can be said for Bolton, Wigan and Wolves aswell. I thought West Brom might be drawn into it, but they had a very good win today. QPR need to string some good form together because their last 4 games could be crucial. Think it will come down to the last game of the season again.

If Villa are not careful they will be dragged in there. I know they should have enough quality to be safe, but McLeish is not a good enough manager for a club that size. If Bent leaves in the summer, they are in big trouble. I think QPR are going to go down, no more than the odious Hughes deserves, and I think Bolton and one of Blackburn and Wolves will join them. I don't know why, but I just think Wigan will escape once again.

 

Aside from the media shit-storm surrounding the early kick off, I loved the fairytale end to Thierry's second stint at the Stadium of Light, a classic "Hollywood" 90th minute winner. That leaves him on 229 goals for Arsenal, the stage is almost set to round it off to 230 against Milan on Wednesday?

The Liverpool striker Luis Suárez has issued an official apology for refusing to shake hands with Patrice Evra before Saturday's Premier League game with Manchester United.

 

"I have spoken with [Kenny Dalglish] since the game at Old Trafford and I realise I got things wrong," Suarez told the club's official website. "I've not only let him down, but also the club and what it stands for and I'm sorry. I made a mistake and I regret what happened.

 

"I should have shaken Patrice Evra's hand before the game and I want to apologise for my actions. I would like to put this whole issue behind me and concentrate on playing football."

 

Liverpool's managing director, Ian Ayre, also responded to the controversy, releasing a statement of his own. "We are extremely disappointed Luis Suárez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra before yesterday's game," he said. "The player had told us beforehand that he would, but then chose not to do so.

 

"He was wrong to mislead us and wrong not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra. He has not only let himself down, but also Kenny Dalglish, his team-mates and the club. It has been made absolutely clear to Luis Suárez that his behaviour was not acceptable.

 

"Luis Suárez has now apologised for his actions which was the right thing to do. However, all of us have a duty to behave in a responsible manner and we hope that he now understands what is expected of anyone representing Liverpool Football Club."

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/fe...evra?CMP=twt_gu

 

I'm pleased they've come out and said that so quickly. Even if it's not how they fell they know they've needed to and not reacted like they did when Suarez was originally banned, there's a way to show your support to someone you think is innocent, but it definitely wasn't the way Liverpool did.

I think we can assume those statements - and Dalglish's statement - were written by the same person. I hope the statements - and Utd's magnanimous response - will be an end to the affair.

Perhaps Evra was prepared to shake his hand, but the matter will never be drawn under the line. Perhaps by the players, but not by the media. They don't like each other, fair enough. Perhaps Suarez should have shaken his hand for the greater good, but he didn't. Alex Ferguson is a hypocrite, and is a master astusing mind games. You seem to have by-passed the part in his interview where he said Suarez is a disgrace for not shaking his hand, and Liverpol should sell him. THOSE comments are a disgrace. No manager should have the right to say something like that to the media. Infact no other manager would say that, only Gin-Soak. He admits Evra was in the wrong, probably because he realises that the FA might take action against him for his celebrations because they were not clever, and the guy was evidently behind the tunnel incident at half-time.

 

Of course Dalglish won't publiclly lambaster Suarez, why would he? Suarez's reputation has been ruined, and is despised by every opposing football fan in the country just about. The incident has, and still won't for a long time leave his head. So Dalglish comes out and publically critises Liverpool's best player. Great way to make him pack his bags and leave the country. Privately I wouldn't be surprised if Dalglish is upset by what Suarez did, but no other manager would come out and single out one player, so I don't see why Dalglish should.

Dalglish is cold in interviews, I don't think he comes across very well. He tries to be clever, which is fair enough. He doesn't like the media, and evidently now the media have turned on him completely.

He didn't need to lambast Suarez but he could have said something along the lines of "That's disappointing but now let's talk about the game".

McCarthy sacked, a shame as I really like him and think he is a decent manager but he had it coming anyway, and a 5-1 home defeat to local rivals is indefensible. He'd probably taken them as far as he could really, into the Premier League and kept them there but he's probably had too much faith in the same players for too long, reminds me of Coppell and Reading.

 

Warnock, Curbishley and Bruce early favourites, none inspire confidence. Bruce might be alright short-term, Curbishley was good but has been out of work for so long now, and Warnock's record in the top division is 2 full seasons, 2 relegations, plus one sacking before he took them down.

Believe there is speculation that McCarthy is a possibility for Leeds if he wants a quick return to management.

 

Anyway, quite a busy npower league programme this evening as well as a few European ties. Hope all of us with teams in action has a good evening results wise. :)

Hope Wolves go down now.

Oh we have a Sports Forum! (Just Realized :kink:)

 

I was at a Man United match about 2 weeks ago versus Stokes. Must say the fan chants are embarrassing and sitting at the area where the fan club seats are located is never a good idea -_-

Another shocking development, Lee Clark has been sacked by Huddersfield. Puzzle this one out....

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17042572

 

Odd, very odd when you think how near they are to automatic promotion and that Clark was at the helm for that record breaking unbeaten run..

It seems to be a decision that has shocked absolutely everybody, apart from fans of Huddersfield, who on the whole don't seem to be either surprised or disappointed with the decision.

We'll have to see how the players react to the change, if they lose momentum in the league the people who made the decision on Clark might find their positions difficult. Also there is the possibility of compensation for Clark, if that puts them in a suspect financial situation (such as Rangers though not as bad I would have thought), there is a possibility. League Managers' Association is looking into it according to the link I posted.

Huddersfield fans think Clark should have done better with the money he had. They have a huge budget, and even though they're in a strong position, for them its not enough (crazy I know). There's loads of rumours going around. He's the favourite for the Leeds job now, but it seems to be an odd decision for him to be sacked, and not get compensation from Leeds.

http://thetwounfortunates.com/why-lee-clark-had-to-go/

 

An interesting article there, Huddersfield fans very critical of him, with the players and budget he's had 4th is simply not good enough.

Looks like there will be no English teams in the Champions League QFs this year, the Chelsea match made for some pretty great viewing tonight, and while it's not inconceivable for them to go through, I still fancy Napoli to score away, they are too strong up front not to.

Napoli are a great team. Their front three is one of the best in the world.

 

Feel a bit sorry for AVB. You know he's getting sacked. He's a good manager, but the job at Chelsea is a long term one. They've too many big time Charlie's running the show, and lots of areas they need to strengthen. I get the impression AVB is not liked.

Abramovic has ruined Chelsea, their squad is so awful and unbalanced and each manager has their own favourites and signings plus they still have all of the old guard. He's trying to drop them but Bosingwa at left back for Cole? Dear me, Bosingwa has been one of the worst (if not the worst) full backs in the Premier League this season on the flank where he's actually a natural, let alone the other one. Is he asking for the sack?!

 

Meanwhile, West Ham, who never have a sub keeper, were 2-1 up away to Blackpool when Rob Green got sent off in the 52nd minute meaning midfielder Henri Lansbury had to go in goal. They won 4-1! :o

I think its got to the point with AVB where he obviously still cares, but clearly he doesn't have the full backing of the dressing room. You don't know whose an Abramovic signing, and who is an AVB signing. Lampard, Cech, Drogba, Cole, Terry are all the old-guard group. Lampard has so many media pals, he can just leak items to them. I feel sorry for AVB as he is a good manager, but they really need a stern, experienced manager to get things going for them again. I've no sympathy though, they were mad to sack Ancelotti. Abramovic is obsessed with the Champions League, but whilst Barcelona and Real Madrid are around, Chelsea are never going to win.

 

The Premier League has declined in quality this year full stop.