Tiffy

Really like the team West Ham are putting together, had a nibble of Top Half Finish at 11/8 with Black Type.

Croatia vs Wales
The 2020 European Championship qualifiers kick-off today and it's my own beloved nation of Wales that start things off in this 2pm match with Croatia that's taking place at the Stadion Gradski Vrt in Osijek. Can Ryan Giggs and his men build on the satisfying 1-0 win over Slovakia in their opening game?
Croatia remain one of the most talented sides in international football. The 2018 World Cup finalists still boast a wealth of talent with the likes of Domagoj Vida, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, and Ivan Perisic in their ranks. They will be without key players Ivan Rakitic and Ante Rebic though. Zlatko Dalic saw his team squeeze to a 2-1 win at home to Azerbaijan in their first match. The retirement from international football of Mario Mandzukic has undoubtedly meant a slight change in philosophy so it'll be interesting to see how they set-up against Wales.
Wales have a huge opportunity here. A win would put them clear at the top of Group E. A loss wouldn't be unexpected and would still have them within touching distance of top spot so it's technically a game where they have nothing to lose. The absence of Aaron Ramsey is a huge blow but they didn't need him against Slovakia.
The most concerning statistic for Wales is that Croatia have never lost a home game in European Championship qualifiers. That's a record that stretches back 32 games to 1994 when the country was first entered into competitive action. It's also no defeat in any home game since 2013 for Croatia.
This will be a daunting challenge for Wales. The jury is still out on Giggs as manager but the win over Slovakia showed his tactical nous. The trouble is that conditions in this game are similar to that which Wales faced in the 1-0 friendly loss to Albania. I have a feeling it could be a disappointing yet not unanticipated loss for Wales here. If I was forced to back a result I'd say 2-0 or 2-1 to Croatia.
Croatia to Win to Nil @ 2.30 with Bet365
Croatia HT/FT @ 2.60 with Ladbrokes

Estonia vs Northern Ireland
It might have seemed like a mission impossible group when it was drawn but Northern Ireland have a huge chance to make it three wins from their first three matches in Group C of their 2020 European Championship qualification campaign when they face Estonia in this 5pm kick-off at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn today.
Estonia are a far cry from the squad that reached the 2012 European Championship play-offs but they still have the potential to cause problems on their own patch. Martin Reim's side have limited depth in the talent department with captain Ragnar Klavan being their most high-profile name. Unfortunately, the former Liverpool defender is unavailable for this game.
Northern Ireland will come into this game full of confidence having already beaten Estonia at home 2-0 in their opening game. Manager Michael O'Neill has expressed an intention to turn this group into a three way battle between themselves, Germany, and Netherlands. At the moment, that plan is working and a victory here would really aid that.
Interestingly, Estonia might be 4th in the group but they have only lost 1 of their last 5 matches. All five of those games were played away from home too. The last time Estonia tasted winning at home was back on 30th May, 2018 when they beat Lithuania 2-0 in the Baltic Cup. At the very least, this will be a tough challenge for Northern Ireland but I think they can sneak a narrow win.
Northern Ireland to Win @ 2.00 with Bet365
Total Goals Scored Under 1.5 @ 2.45 with Unibet

Scotland vs Cyprus
Scottish football enters a new era tonight when they face Cyprus in a 7:45pm kick-off at Hampden Park in what will be new manager Steve Clarke's first game in charge. Clarke's appointment comes off the back of an impressive stint managing Kilmarnock and is the first progressive managerial appointment by the Scottish Football Association in quite some time.
Scotland come into this game desperately needing all three points. The Scots suffered an embarrassing 3-0 loss away to Kazakhstan in their opening game and were booed off the pitch after a laboured 2-0 win away to San Marino in their second game. Those results leave the side in 5th place in their group. It's fortunate that they have already booked their spot in the play-offs due to their UEFA Nations League performance.
Cyprus are a side that have often thrown a spanner in the works. Despite never qualifying for a major tournament they are a side that continue to punch above their weight. A population of just over 1 million makes it one of the smallest nations in the qualifiers but they battered San Marino 5-0 at home in their opening game and made Belgium work for their 2-0 win at home. A number of their players play at a very high level including Konstantinos Laifis at Standard Liege, Grigoris Kastanos at Juventus, Anthony Georgiou at Levante, and Pieros Sotiriou at FC Kobenhavn. This won't be easy for Scotland.
The statistics should give Scotland confidence heading into this game. Scotland have won all five of their previous meetings with Cyprus. Cyprus have conceded 10 goals in their two visits to Scotland. This will also be a Cyprus side that has only won 2 of their last 15 matches. Surprisingly, despite Scotland's abject start to this campaign, they have only lost 2 of their last 12 competitive matches.
I'm keen to see how Clarke performs as Scotland manager. He's clearly an astute manager and he'll help Scotland to become a more defensively sound unit. My only worry is that he'll be too conservative. He doesn't have a huge amount of attacking talent to work with on the international stage so can he find the goals needed to get the wins. I think they'll just about manage it here but I'm not sure it'll be a pretty display.
Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.74 with MarathonBet
Scotland to Win to Nil @ 2.10 with BetVictor

A London Derby has more extensions in this case, as Chelsea and Arsenal will fight to win the Europa League. Two teams, which we can not say with certainty that they excel each other, are expected to become a great match, which can go anywhere. Chelsea has ruled out Eindhracht Frankfurt in the semi-finals to be found here, while coach Sari will not have the injured Riderger, Kante, Loft Chick and Onto. For her part, Arsenal left more comfortable outside of Valencia, and the most important absence she heard in the name of Meditaran, who, due to being Armenian, considered it politically advisable not to travel to Azerbaijan. Betting the game can go everywhere, but more likely than all, is to score both teams
CHELSEA FC vs ARSENAL FC @@ Both team to score, odds 1.67

3.35 on Arsenal is surely a gift from the gods.  Incredible price - almost full-bank territory.
Excellent forum, by the way.

@Tiffy fair points- especially when you see the money that has been wasted at clubs like Man Utd and Fulham etc.
Will have to wait and see how he gets on, but he will have to hit the ground running as I think the bottom of the PL will definitely me more competitive this time around.  

The assumption is always that you need to spend money to achieve things. Normally this can be the case, however
- Spurs havent spent much recently, nothing this season, and yet finished 4th & reached a CL final
- Man City spent less than EVERTON this season. They won the treble, Everton finished 6th
- Leicester won the PL without spending big money
SO, perhaps it's not always down to the money, perhaps the coaching has a lot to do with it?

Brighton won't spend more than they can afford, so Potter will have to work with the players there. On paper, they are good enough to do much better, so hopefully he can get the best out of them. They should sign a couple over the summer, hopefully a new striker or 3!
i am pleased with the appointment though, a change was needed. Obviously Dan Ashworth is running the show now.
The big question now, is where will CH end up?

Brighton are set to appoint Graham Potter as their new manager after he informed Swansea City that he wants to leave.
Brighton sacked Chris Hughton on Monday and immediately targeted Potter.
Swansea offered Potter, 43, a new contract which would have made him one of the best-paid managers in the Championship, but he felt he could not reject a Premier League job offer.
Brighton will pay Swansea about £3m in compensation for Potter and his staff.
Swansea assistant manager Billy Reid, coach Bjorn Hamberg and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay will join Potter at the Amex Stadium.
Potter was given permission to talk to Brighton after telling Swansea late on Friday that he wanted to leave.
The continuing financial uncertainty at Swansea is thought to have been one of the key factors behind his decision.
Swansea have been cutting costs since they were relegated from the Premier League a year ago.
Following their relegation, they allowed 16 players to depart last summer and made only five signings.
More players are expected to leave this summer. Wales winger Daniel James is set to be sold and more than £20m of signings will depart on free transfers.
Potter joined Swansea from Swedish side Ostersunds FK in June 2018 and guided them to a 10th-place finish in the Championship despite drastic cost-cutting measures following Premier League relegation.
Brighton finished 17th in the Premier League this season, two points clear of the relegation zone.
They won only three of their past 23 games and none of their final nine.
Hughton, who took over at Brighton in December 2014, led them to the Premier League for the first time in 2017, and they finished 15th in their first season back in the top flight.
     

Potter confirmed as the new manager.  Looks a good appointment to me, though it will be interesting to see how much investment is made into the team.  Despite @Tiffy's post, I still can't see them spending big to get the players that are going to push them much further up the table.     

Man City are a goal scoring team and Watford should have at least 1 goal in them since it's a final. I'm going for over 2.5.

Ok ok, calm down calm down folks?
My aplogies for writing war & peace. You may want to make a cuppa before you sit down to read this, and your thoughts, as ever, are welcome.
On the face of it, it seems a strange decision. Brighton aren't a big club, and CH has kept us up. What more do we want!
But let me give you my "insiders" view. Tony Bloom used a notable word in his statement yesterday, "RISK". That sums it up for me.
There is one person at Brighton, that the supporters trust more than anyone. That is the Chairman, who we are incredibly lucky to have. TB, is a fan, he has deep pockets, is a very astute businessman, and the 3rd generation of Blooms to be on the board at the club. Here is a Chairman, who prefers to stand with the travelling fans at away games, than sit in the boardroom.
TB, is a maths genius, and a professional gambler who has moved into property. One of his companies is STAR LIZARD, which places bets using Asian bookmakers, and it's rumoured that you have to part with £1m to join as a customer!
Remember that when B&HA got permission to build the new stadium, they had no money, the banks were crashing, and they had to do a deal with the University to get funding. Part of the West Stand was going to house classrooms! TB  cam along, wrote a cheque for £100m, scrapped the Univeristy idea, instead going for corporate options. A young, unproven manager, with bright ideas was appointed, and Gus Poyet started to transorm the playing side. It was refreshing after an era that saw Mickey Adams and Mark McGhee, play some unattractive and outdated football.
Since then, TB has also spent £20+m on a new traing ground, acquire a Belgian 2nd Division club to place the non EUROPEAN imports, and now acquired  land next to the training ground, to develop into community sports facilities, housing & retail (including an IKEA).
He has recruited top people to run the club, including Paul Barber as Chief Exec, a top recruitment & worldwide scouting system, and most recently acquired Dan Ashworth as Techical Director from the FA.  If you look at what DA has done at the FA for the England set up, i.e. Get a young manager in, develop the youth, and play attacking football, it was clear that something at the club was going to have to change.
TB has smashed the transfer record numerous times recently, buying the likes of AJ for £25m, Locadia, Propper, Bassouma & Bernado.  Mostly Good attacking players that have a pedigree. Now, if you are TB, DA or PB, watching your team pick up 3 points from 23 games, not score for over 6hrs, not see your new recruits perform to their potential, not see any more youngsters follow in the steps of Dunky & Solly March, suffer the humilitation of a 5-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth, suffer a 2-0 home loss in a relegation battle with Cardiff, see survival by 2 points, and quite frankly, only survive because Palace beat Cardiff, then something was going to have to be done.
This poses a significant RISK to Tony Bloom's considerable investement.
Rumours also abound that there was unrest in the dressing room, with the players wanting to play more expansive attacking football, which CH refused.
Our games against Wolves & Spurs didn't see a shot on target. Our FA CUP SF against City was a dull stifling affair, and the club has seen its image & reputation suffer in the media coverage that followed. Very damaging for the brand of the club.
So TB, has a long term plan, and wants Brighton to become a sustainable football club, with a return on his investment.  (Although the stadium loan was interest free)
One of my customers, who is very well connected with the club, told me he went to see TB in his office, and he is surrounded by computer screens  running algorithms (on what the outcomes will be if he signs certain players.). He will be doing the same with managers. Pretty much every decision TB has made since he took over, has been the right one. Appointing Sami Hypia wasn't a good idea, but the club had their hands tied with FFP, and had to go for a cheap option. 
In my humble opinion, we were certain for relegation if CH had stayed. TB has come to the same conclusion using his algorithms. I think you will see a younger manager come in again, with fresh ideas, and an attacking style of play. DA went to see Swansea play, and said it was the best football he had ever seen. 
See this as Dan Ashworth making his mark on the club.
Graham Potter, therefore is the clear favourite. 
Frank Lampard is on a shortlist of 3, but perhaps it's a bit early for him.
TB is prepared to spend some money, with rumours of players like Juan Mata being bought in. Perhaps Rafa could be tempted away from Newcastle if he doesn't get the assurances from Ashley.
So, thanks CH, you have done a tremendous job, and every Brighton fan will be sad to see you leave. But it was time for a change. He has reached his ceiling with Brighton, but Tony Bloom, clearly has a much higher ceiling to aim for.
So folks, take the 5/2 about them being relegated, but now, I wouldn't touch it myself. One thing is for sure, Chris won't be out of a job for long, and if he ends up in the Championship, then I'd be lumping on that team for promotion.
 
 

Ok ok, calm down calm down folks?
My aplogies for writing war & peace. You may want to make a cuppa before you sit down to read this, and your thoughts, as ever, are welcome.
On the face of it, it seems a strange decision. Brighton aren't a big club, and CH has kept us up. What more do we want!
But let me give you my "insiders" view. Tony Bloom used a notable word in his statement yesterday, "RISK". That sums it up for me.
There is one person at Brighton, that the supporters trust more than anyone. That is the Chairman, who we are incredibly lucky to have. TB, is a fan, he has deep pockets, is a very astute businessman, and the 3rd generation of Blooms to be on the board at the club. Here is a Chairman, who prefers to stand with the travelling fans at away games, than sit in the boardroom.
TB, is a maths genius, and a professional gambler who has moved into property. One of his companies is STAR LIZARD, which places bets using Asian bookmakers, and it's rumoured that you have to part with £1m to join as a customer!
Remember that when B&HA got permission to build the new stadium, they had no money, the banks were crashing, and they had to do a deal with the University to get funding. Part of the West Stand was going to house classrooms! TB  cam along, wrote a cheque for £100m, scrapped the Univeristy idea, instead going for corporate options. A young, unproven manager, with bright ideas was appointed, and Gus Poyet started to transorm the playing side. It was refreshing after an era that saw Mickey Adams and Mark McGhee, play some unattractive and outdated football.
Since then, TB has also spent £20+m on a new traing ground, acquire a Belgian 2nd Division club to place the non EUROPEAN imports, and now acquired  land next to the training ground, to develop into community sports facilities, housing & retail (including an IKEA).
He has recruited top people to run the club, including Paul Barber as Chief Exec, a top recruitment & worldwide scouting system, and most recently acquired Dan Ashworth as Techical Director from the FA.  If you look at what DA has done at the FA for the England set up, i.e. Get a young manager in, develop the youth, and play attacking football, it was clear that something at the club was going to have to change.
TB has smashed the transfer record numerous times recently, buying the likes of AJ for £25m, Locadia, Propper, Bassouma & Bernado.  Mostly Good attacking players that have a pedigree. Now, if you are TB, DA or PB, watching your team pick up 3 points from 23 games, not score for over 6hrs, not see your new recruits perform to their potential, not see any more youngsters follow in the steps of Dunky & Solly March, suffer the humilitation of a 5-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth, suffer a 2-0 home loss in a relegation battle with Cardiff, see survival by 2 points, and quite frankly, only survive because Palace beat Cardiff, then something was going to have to be done.
This poses a significant RISK to Tony Bloom's considerable investement.
Rumours also abound that there was unrest in the dressing room, with the players wanting to play more expansive attacking football, which CH refused.
Our games against Wolves & Spurs didn't see a shot on target. Our FA CUP SF against City was a dull stifling affair, and the club has seen its image & reputation suffer in the media coverage that followed. Very damaging for the brand of the club.
So TB, has a long term plan, and wants Brighton to become a sustainable football club, with a return on his investment.  (Although the stadium loan was interest free)
One of my customers, who is very well connected with the club, told me he went to see TB in his office, and he is surrounded by computer screens  running algorithms (on what the outcomes will be if he signs certain players.). He will be doing the same with managers. Pretty much every decision TB has made since he took over, has been the right one. Appointing Sami Hypia wasn't a good idea, but the club had their hands tied with FFP, and had to go for a cheap option. 
In my humble opinion, we were certain for relegation if CH had stayed. TB has come to the same conclusion using his algorithms. I think you will see a younger manager come in again, with fresh ideas, and an attacking style of play. DA went to see Swansea play, and said it was the best football he had ever seen. 
See this as Dan Ashworth making his mark on the club.
Graham Potter, therefore is the clear favourite. 
Frank Lampard is on a shortlist of 3, but perhaps it's a bit early for him.
TB is prepared to spend some money, with rumours of players like Juan Mata being bought in. Perhaps Rafa could be tempted away from Newcastle if he doesn't get the assurances from Ashley.
So, thanks CH, you have done a tremendous job, and every Brighton fan will be sad to see you leave. But it was time for a change. He has reached his ceiling with Brighton, but Tony Bloom, clearly has a much higher ceiling to aim for.
So folks, take the 5/2 about them being relegated, but now, I wouldn't touch it myself. One thing is for sure, Chris won't be out of a job for long, and if he ends up in the Championship, then I'd be lumping on that team for promotion.
 
 

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Ok ok, calm down calm down folks?
My aplogies for writing war & peace. You may want to make a cuppa before you sit down to read this, and your thoughts, as ever, are welcome.
On the face of it, it seems a strange decision. Brighton aren't a big club, and CH has kept us up. What more do we want!
But let me give you my "insiders" view. Tony Bloom used a notable word in his statement yesterday, "RISK". That sums it up for me.
There is one person at Brighton, that the supporters trust more than anyone. That is the Chairman, who we are incredibly lucky to have. TB, is a fan, he has deep pockets, is a very astute businessman, and the 3rd generation of Blooms to be on the board at the club. Here is a Chairman, who prefers to stand with the travelling fans at away games, than sit in the boardroom.
TB, is a maths genius, and a professional gambler who has moved into property. One of his companies is STAR LIZARD, which places bets using Asian bookmakers, and it's rumoured that you have to part with £1m to join as a customer!
Remember that when B&HA got permission to build the new stadium, they had no money, the banks were crashing, and they had to do a deal with the University to get funding. Part of the West Stand was going to house classrooms! TB  cam along, wrote a cheque for £100m, scrapped the Univeristy idea, instead going for corporate options. A young, unproven manager, with bright ideas was appointed, and Gus Poyet started to transorm the playing side. It was refreshing after an era that saw Mickey Adams and Mark McGhee, play some unattractive and outdated football.
Since then, TB has also spent £20+m on a new traing ground, acquire a Belgian 2nd Division club to place the non EUROPEAN imports, and now acquired  land next to the training ground, to develop into community sports facilities, housing & retail (including an IKEA).
He has recruited top people to run the club, including Paul Barber as Chief Exec, a top recruitment & worldwide scouting system, and most recently acquired Dan Ashworth as Techical Director from the FA.  If you look at what DA has done at the FA for the England set up, i.e. Get a young manager in, develop the youth, and play attacking football, it was clear that something at the club was going to have to change.
TB has smashed the transfer record numerous times recently, buying the likes of AJ for £25m, Locadia, Propper, Bassouma & Bernado.  Mostly Good attacking players that have a pedigree. Now, if you are TB, DA or PB, watching your team pick up 3 points from 23 games, not score for over 6hrs, not see your new recruits perform to their potential, not see any more youngsters follow in the steps of Dunky & Solly March, suffer the humilitation of a 5-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth, suffer a 2-0 home loss in a relegation battle with Cardiff, see survival by 2 points, and quite frankly, only survive because Palace beat Cardiff, then something was going to have to be done.
This poses a significant RISK to Tony Bloom's considerable investement.
Rumours also abound that there was unrest in the dressing room, with the players wanting to play more expansive attacking football, which CH refused.
Our games against Wolves & Spurs didn't see a shot on target. Our FA CUP SF against City was a dull stifling affair, and the club has seen its image & reputation suffer in the media coverage that followed. Very damaging for the brand of the club.
So TB, has a long term plan, and wants Brighton to become a sustainable football club, with a return on his investment.  (Although the stadium loan was interest free)
One of my customers, who is very well connected with the club, told me he went to see TB in his office, and he is surrounded by computer screens  running algorithms (on what the outcomes will be if he signs certain players.). He will be doing the same with managers. Pretty much every decision TB has made since he took over, has been the right one. Appointing Sami Hypia wasn't a good idea, but the club had their hands tied with FFP, and had to go for a cheap option. 
In my humble opinion, we were certain for relegation if CH had stayed. TB has come to the same conclusion using his algorithms. I think you will see a younger manager come in again, with fresh ideas, and an attacking style of play. DA went to see Swansea play, and said it was the best football he had ever seen. 
See this as Dan Ashworth making his mark on the club.
Graham Potter, therefore is the clear favourite. 
Frank Lampard is on a shortlist of 3, but perhaps it's a bit early for him.
TB is prepared to spend some money, with rumours of players like Juan Mata being bought in. Perhaps Rafa could be tempted away from Newcastle if he doesn't get the assurances from Ashley.
So, thanks CH, you have done a tremendous job, and every Brighton fan will be sad to see you leave. But it was time for a change. He has reached his ceiling with Brighton, but Tony Bloom, clearly has a much higher ceiling to aim for.
So folks, take the 5/2 about them being relegated, but now, I wouldn't touch it myself. One thing is for sure, Chris won't be out of a job for long, and if he ends up in the Championship, then I'd be lumping on that team for promotion.
 
 

Will do, I'm still waiting to hear back. But, yeah, it looks like they will go for him 

@StevieDay1983
Haha, yes, think it's worth a Pullover! Perhaps not a Pulitzer. 
Hopefully people will get the picture now. I am just waiting to hear from my well connected customer on who is going to land the job. Watch this space...... 

Ok ok, calm down calm down folks?
My aplogies for writing war & peace. You may want to make a cuppa before you sit down to read this, and your thoughts, as ever, are welcome.
On the face of it, it seems a strange decision. Brighton aren't a big club, and CH has kept us up. What more do we want!
But let me give you my "insiders" view. Tony Bloom used a notable word in his statement yesterday, "RISK". That sums it up for me.
There is one person at Brighton, that the supporters trust more than anyone. That is the Chairman, who we are incredibly lucky to have. TB, is a fan, he has deep pockets, is a very astute businessman, and the 3rd generation of Blooms to be on the board at the club. Here is a Chairman, who prefers to stand with the travelling fans at away games, than sit in the boardroom.
TB, is a maths genius, and a professional gambler who has moved into property. One of his companies is STAR LIZARD, which places bets using Asian bookmakers, and it's rumoured that you have to part with £1m to join as a customer!
Remember that when B&HA got permission to build the new stadium, they had no money, the banks were crashing, and they had to do a deal with the University to get funding. Part of the West Stand was going to house classrooms! TB  cam along, wrote a cheque for £100m, scrapped the Univeristy idea, instead going for corporate options. A young, unproven manager, with bright ideas was appointed, and Gus Poyet started to transorm the playing side. It was refreshing after an era that saw Mickey Adams and Mark McGhee, play some unattractive and outdated football.
Since then, TB has also spent £20+m on a new traing ground, acquire a Belgian 2nd Division club to place the non EUROPEAN imports, and now acquired  land next to the training ground, to develop into community sports facilities, housing & retail (including an IKEA).
He has recruited top people to run the club, including Paul Barber as Chief Exec, a top recruitment & worldwide scouting system, and most recently acquired Dan Ashworth as Techical Director from the FA.  If you look at what DA has done at the FA for the England set up, i.e. Get a young manager in, develop the youth, and play attacking football, it was clear that something at the club was going to have to change.
TB has smashed the transfer record numerous times recently, buying the likes of AJ for £25m, Locadia, Propper, Bassouma & Bernado.  Mostly Good attacking players that have a pedigree. Now, if you are TB, DA or PB, watching your team pick up 3 points from 23 games, not score for over 6hrs, not see your new recruits perform to their potential, not see any more youngsters follow in the steps of Dunky & Solly March, suffer the humilitation of a 5-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth, suffer a 2-0 home loss in a relegation battle with Cardiff, see survival by 2 points, and quite frankly, only survive because Palace beat Cardiff, then something was going to have to be done.
This poses a significant RISK to Tony Bloom's considerable investement.
Rumours also abound that there was unrest in the dressing room, with the players wanting to play more expansive attacking football, which CH refused.
Our games against Wolves & Spurs didn't see a shot on target. Our FA CUP SF against City was a dull stifling affair, and the club has seen its image & reputation suffer in the media coverage that followed. Very damaging for the brand of the club.
So TB, has a long term plan, and wants Brighton to become a sustainable football club, with a return on his investment.  (Although the stadium loan was interest free)
One of my customers, who is very well connected with the club, told me he went to see TB in his office, and he is surrounded by computer screens  running algorithms (on what the outcomes will be if he signs certain players.). He will be doing the same with managers. Pretty much every decision TB has made since he took over, has been the right one. Appointing Sami Hypia wasn't a good idea, but the club had their hands tied with FFP, and had to go for a cheap option. 
In my humble opinion, we were certain for relegation if CH had stayed. TB has come to the same conclusion using his algorithms. I think you will see a younger manager come in again, with fresh ideas, and an attacking style of play. DA went to see Swansea play, and said it was the best football he had ever seen. 
See this as Dan Ashworth making his mark on the club.
Graham Potter, therefore is the clear favourite. 
Frank Lampard is on a shortlist of 3, but perhaps it's a bit early for him.
TB is prepared to spend some money, with rumours of players like Juan Mata being bought in. Perhaps Rafa could be tempted away from Newcastle if he doesn't get the assurances from Ashley.
So, thanks CH, you have done a tremendous job, and every Brighton fan will be sad to see you leave. But it was time for a change. He has reached his ceiling with Brighton, but Tony Bloom, clearly has a much higher ceiling to aim for.
So folks, take the 5/2 about them being relegated, but now, I wouldn't touch it myself. One thing is for sure, Chris won't be out of a job for long, and if he ends up in the Championship, then I'd be lumping on that team for promotion.
 
 

west brom v villa
Stefan johansen man marked jack grealish in the last game and kicked him a few times and was lucky not to be booked.
Based on the assumption that he will man mark him again i have backed johansen to be carded at 11/4 with hills

Ok ok, calm down calm down folks?
My aplogies for writing war & peace. You may want to make a cuppa before you sit down to read this, and your thoughts, as ever, are welcome.
On the face of it, it seems a strange decision. Brighton aren't a big club, and CH has kept us up. What more do we want!
But let me give you my "insiders" view. Tony Bloom used a notable word in his statement yesterday, "RISK". That sums it up for me.
There is one person at Brighton, that the supporters trust more than anyone. That is the Chairman, who we are incredibly lucky to have. TB, is a fan, he has deep pockets, is a very astute businessman, and the 3rd generation of Blooms to be on the board at the club. Here is a Chairman, who prefers to stand with the travelling fans at away games, than sit in the boardroom.
TB, is a maths genius, and a professional gambler who has moved into property. One of his companies is STAR LIZARD, which places bets using Asian bookmakers, and it's rumoured that you have to part with £1m to join as a customer!
Remember that when B&HA got permission to build the new stadium, they had no money, the banks were crashing, and they had to do a deal with the University to get funding. Part of the West Stand was going to house classrooms! TB  cam along, wrote a cheque for £100m, scrapped the Univeristy idea, instead going for corporate options. A young, unproven manager, with bright ideas was appointed, and Gus Poyet started to transorm the playing side. It was refreshing after an era that saw Mickey Adams and Mark McGhee, play some unattractive and outdated football.
Since then, TB has also spent £20+m on a new traing ground, acquire a Belgian 2nd Division club to place the non EUROPEAN imports, and now acquired  land next to the training ground, to develop into community sports facilities, housing & retail (including an IKEA).
He has recruited top people to run the club, including Paul Barber as Chief Exec, a top recruitment & worldwide scouting system, and most recently acquired Dan Ashworth as Techical Director from the FA.  If you look at what DA has done at the FA for the England set up, i.e. Get a young manager in, develop the youth, and play attacking football, it was clear that something at the club was going to have to change.
TB has smashed the transfer record numerous times recently, buying the likes of AJ for £25m, Locadia, Propper, Bassouma & Bernado.  Mostly Good attacking players that have a pedigree. Now, if you are TB, DA or PB, watching your team pick up 3 points from 23 games, not score for over 6hrs, not see your new recruits perform to their potential, not see any more youngsters follow in the steps of Dunky & Solly March, suffer the humilitation of a 5-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth, suffer a 2-0 home loss in a relegation battle with Cardiff, see survival by 2 points, and quite frankly, only survive because Palace beat Cardiff, then something was going to have to be done.
This poses a significant RISK to Tony Bloom's considerable investement.
Rumours also abound that there was unrest in the dressing room, with the players wanting to play more expansive attacking football, which CH refused.
Our games against Wolves & Spurs didn't see a shot on target. Our FA CUP SF against City was a dull stifling affair, and the club has seen its image & reputation suffer in the media coverage that followed. Very damaging for the brand of the club.
So TB, has a long term plan, and wants Brighton to become a sustainable football club, with a return on his investment.  (Although the stadium loan was interest free)
One of my customers, who is very well connected with the club, told me he went to see TB in his office, and he is surrounded by computer screens  running algorithms (on what the outcomes will be if he signs certain players.). He will be doing the same with managers. Pretty much every decision TB has made since he took over, has been the right one. Appointing Sami Hypia wasn't a good idea, but the club had their hands tied with FFP, and had to go for a cheap option. 
In my humble opinion, we were certain for relegation if CH had stayed. TB has come to the same conclusion using his algorithms. I think you will see a younger manager come in again, with fresh ideas, and an attacking style of play. DA went to see Swansea play, and said it was the best football he had ever seen. 
See this as Dan Ashworth making his mark on the club.
Graham Potter, therefore is the clear favourite. 
Frank Lampard is on a shortlist of 3, but perhaps it's a bit early for him.
TB is prepared to spend some money, with rumours of players like Juan Mata being bought in. Perhaps Rafa could be tempted away from Newcastle if he doesn't get the assurances from Ashley.
So, thanks CH, you have done a tremendous job, and every Brighton fan will be sad to see you leave. But it was time for a change. He has reached his ceiling with Brighton, but Tony Bloom, clearly has a much higher ceiling to aim for.
So folks, take the 5/2 about them being relegated, but now, I wouldn't touch it myself. One thing is for sure, Chris won't be out of a job for long, and if he ends up in the Championship, then I'd be lumping on that team for promotion.
 
 

Manchester United vs Cardiff
OK, so @thfc is telling us to expect crazy score-lines on the final day. @Tiffy is backing his Brighton boys to throw a spanner in the Premier League title works. I'm going to get on board with the shock scores and giant-killing theme by backing my Cardiff to get something in their game against Manchester United this afternoon at Old Trafford in a 3pm kick-off.
Manchester United are a club that have become nothing short of a shambles. The inability to beat Huddersfield away in a result that ultimately cost them a place in next season's Champions League was embarrassing. No disrespect to Huddersfield but United should be winning games like that. Appointing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on a full-time basis before the end of the season was a huge mistake and sums up how poorly run the club has become.
Cardiff are not the sort of team Solskjaer will want to play on the final day of the campaign. Rumour has it that Solskjaer could face the humiliation of being sacked if he loses this game. No offence to the man, he's a lovely bloke, but the mistakes he made at Cardiff took three managers and two seasons to correct. I know a lot of Cardiff fans that would love to see us beat them here and send him on his way as a bit of payback.
All the statistics back a United win. The Red Devils are unbeaten in the past 8 league meetings meaning we haven't beaten them since November, 1960. They beat us 5-1 at our place earlier in the season when Solskjaer first took over. The Bluebirds also haven't kept a clean sheet in the last 15 away matches against United.
I still think we could be worth backing to get something here. We are missing Harry Arter and Victor Camarasa which is a blow but we have players that are now playing without pressure. I hope they'll go out there and try to make a statement as we bow out of the Premier League. It's more likely than not that United will win but I am quietly optimistic we can cause a shock here.
Cardiff Double Chance @ 4.15 with MarathonBet
Total Goals Scored Over 3.5 @ 2.04 with Bethead

Brighton  V City
Expect the unexpected.
Brighton should make it tough for Ciy. I wouldn't be sutprised to see a draw here. The Brighton players are up for a battle, and it is "El Capitains" last game. They willl want to send him off in style, and that means avoiding defeat.

If Palace had managed to win the two league games v Seaweeds rather than loose both then we'd be looking at Brighton having 30pts from 37 games and would effectively be finished in this division. The whole thing is such an outrage.
Cardiff may have been relegated but Warnock has done a great job with them. You could argue their squad is not much better than bottom half championship level and yet he nearly kept them in the premier league with very little investment in the playing staff, various psychological traumas and questionable officiating in many Cardiff matches this season. I agree with Warnock's assessment that this season has been one of his biggest managerial achievements.
I was going to give my sympathies to @StevieDay1983 but frankly bringing up that league cup semi-final has left me reaching for the smelling salts. 'Dougie's Diamonds' were one of my all-time favourite Palace teams but for you to dredge them up like that as if they're the road kill of history is completely unacceptable.
I hope Man Utd sign Zaha in the summer just so they can loan him out to you and he thusly makes a series of drab, uninspired performances, culminating in a 30 yard scissor-kick own goal which relegates you to the third tier by which time Tan will have officially renamed your team 'Real Magenta Griffins' and converts the playing surface of the Cardiff City Stadium into Astro Noodles because it's deemed lucky in vast swathes of South East Asia.

To be fair, they owed us one from back when we knocked them out of the 2012 Capital One Cup Semi-Finals! Sorry, @Mindfulness, it's all I've got! Right, back off to the Championship thread I go!