FA Cup Semi Final - Bolton v Stoke

[TBM]

Like in 2008?

tbh it wasn't Portsmouth fault we went down - we had 37 other games to avoid that.

and Man City will of had 37 games other than this one to clinch a CL place?

.....but its Stoke who "will" throw the game, so they get a Europa League spot.

[Big Foot]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011 ... ester-city

Interesting fixture debate - if City win the cup, it may be in Stoke's best interests to lose at Eastlands in the following league fixture, as in that scenario, City would be more likely to secure 4th and a CL place, and so handing the Europa League place to Stoke as cup runners-up.

Brilliant!

That's lovely

[Svlad Cjelli]

Yep - another justification why the FA Cup Final should always be the last match in the calendar (except for the play-offs).

[Stranded]

Does anyone seriously think they would throw that game - esp now such a fuss is being made.

Spurs and others are asking to have the game before the cup final now, what's to say Stoke wouldn't play a weakened side there or "throw" the game, it would still be to their advantage for Man City to get 4th, no?

[Svlad Cjelli]

Does anyone seriously think they would throw that game - esp now such a fuss is being made.

Spurs and others are asking to have the game before the cup final now, what's to say Stoke wouldn't play a weakened side there or "throw" the game, it would still be to their advantage for Man City to get 4th, no?

But less clear cut because they could win the cup and render the whole thing pointless - and also the 3 points could be worth a good few million as PL prize money is allocated according to League position.

[TBM]

Plus the fact they could well need the points to stay in the premier league........if the game was played towards the end of the season then they may well be safe by then, thus more chance of "throwing" the game in order to get that Europa League spot (providing they dont beat Man City in the final)

[soggy biscuit]

Does anyone seriously think they would throw that game - esp now such a fuss is being made.

I don't think it is so much a case of Stoke throwing the game (as I don't they they would) but more the field day the media will have with this. The media in this country are an absolutre disgrace on an average day, just imagine what will happen if a Stoke player gives away a penalty. the rags in this country will make sure that he is forever reffered to as the man that handed them a European place.

[FiNeRaIn]

Different situation. It wasn't beneficial to Portsmouth to lose the match.

This.

[Bandini]

I was reminded of this by a couple of Zonal Marking tweets

I suppose Wanderers shall have to console ourselves with a comfortable top-half finish in the Premier League.

Remember hilarious Owen Coyle love-in? Bolton finished 14th, 7 points off relegation. And lost their biggest game of the season 5-0 to Stoke

Bolton will also lose their two top scorers this summer (Elmander and Sturridge) without getting any money for them