Spurs to question fixture change

[Lassesand]

Should Stoke lose in the EPL and FA Cup final to Man City they could get Europa next season if Man City secure 4th spot. Thus, they would be incentivised to hand 3 points to Man City by losing which would more or less help City secure 4th spot and as a result ensure Stoke get Europa next season.

Harry Redknapp has called on the Premier League to consider rescheduling the Premier League clash between Stoke and Manchester City.

City and Stoke were supposed to meet at Eastlands in the league on May 14 but that has been put back, as they will now contest the FA Cup final on that date.

Redknapp is concerned the change could affect Tottenham’s chances of securing a Champions League spot as, should Stoke lose the final, they would only qualify for the Europa League if City finished in the top four.
“
I have spoken to the chairman about it, and we feel the date of it should be changed, for sure”

That means it could actually benefit Tony Pulis’ side to lose the league game against City on May 17.

Redknapp has now requested the fixture is played before the Cup final, saying: "I'm sure Tony Pulis's team wouldn't want to lose any game, but there is a problem with this in people's eyes. It's a bad time to play the game.

"Stoke will try to win but the whole thing will be surrounded by people looking at it, and asking what has gone on if Stoke are beaten, so it's easier if it is played at a different time.

"The Premier League should look at it. I have spoken to the chairman about it, and we feel the date of it should be changed, for sure. It's out of my hands. It's up to the powers that be."

This is bullshit! It does not matter if they play before or after the FA Cup final. Stoke could also chose to lose in the league prior to the cup game in order to be "sure" of European football...
We will just have to do the business ourselves..

 

[mark87]

I think this fixture change could work in our favour in a way, hear me out...If Citeh win the final (which I think they will) then in the following league game Stoke will be hellbent on gettin revenge, taking their frustration on that game and thus winning all 3 points.

 

[Wellspurs]

This was discussed on here last night- Levy phoned Harry last night about potential problem.
Has Levy been reading our posts? If you are well done you are doing a great job.

 

[marvel]

If we win all our games, we're in the top 4, shouldn't be worrying about other teams. Also a little disrespectful of Harry to suggest another team might throw a match on purpose imo, thought he was mates with Pulis.

 

[Yid-ol]

If we win all our games, we're in the top 4, shouldn't be worrying about other teams. Also a little disrespectful of Harry to suggest another team might throw a match on purpose imo, thought he was mates with Pulis.

Its not just a match they would be throwing though, it would be for them to get into Europe and probably attract some bigger names to the club, if i was stoke manager i would even be looking at this and maybe resting some players that pick up "minor injuries" after the cup final to make it less obvious.

I dont agree with nic that moving the league game to before the cup wont make much of a difference, stoke wont know at that point if they lose they will get European football, at that point they have to just win as many points as they can to get as high in the league as posiable and get more money from finishing higher up.

 

[nicdic]

We could be above City by the time the final comes around. So Stoke losing on purpose could be nothing more than trying to secure the Europa League place.

It doesn't matter if the game is before or after the final they can lose to cover their backs either way. Sure after the final they'd know the result. But is that not preferable? If they win the final they have no reason to lose, whereas before the final, not knowing what could happen, losing would be in their best interests for European football.

 

[double0]

We always find angles to complain. The bottom line, it's what WE do on the field of play not anyone else.