Football Thread No. 9

[del62]

I think Rodgers will fail at Liverpool, it is one thing managing Swansea were expectations are low, but Liverpool is more difficult, where the fans beleive they have some divine right to be the best team in England, but the players can not deliver. I predict another season outside the top 4.

 

[Verarde]

Whoa...I just realized that the Premier League starts this weekend. Wow.

Alright, so any predictions? I'm going to bank on Man City taking it all again.

 

[Takhisis]

Well… you've already beaten the other money-splurger in the League, Liverpool are still far behind, Arsenal are losing their star player, Urited look like they'll be the only serious challengers yet again.

 

[Quackers]

Arsenal are my dark horse. They have bought some quality players this summer and should be challenging for honors. If RVP Stays (remember the window shuts in two and a half weeks) they will have a real chance. It's just the freakin' start, Arsenal always start playing well again at the turn of the year, if they have the christmas party in august then they might have a chance!

But yeah the Manchester clubs will win it. Tevez was looking leaner then i've ever seen him yesteday and he and Aguero are looking incredible as a partneship. Toure was awesome as usual. SAF will get as usual more then the sum of its parts, Kagawa looking insanely good in pre season...

 

[del62]

I wonder how long it will be before Chelsea change their manager?

 

[Takhisis]

We should run a pool on that. Di Matteo has already been knocked out of one competition, so… Sunday after next, by teatime, we should be able to have a good estimate.

 

[Truronian]

This season is really up in the air IMO. Now that they've won the league I think that City will be focusing on the CL and some of the player egos will become an issue without the singular league title goal. I expect a been there, done that performance. Man U have their weakest squad in a long time, but I'd say it's on a par with the squad that got them second last year so they'll cope. Arsenal are looking a lot stronger this year, I'd say it's one of the strongest squads they've fielded since the invincible days even without RVP. Whether or not they'll challenge for the title depends very much on how well Poldi and Giroud acclimatize. I expect Spurs to have a good season, they've made some decent signings IMO and retained the services of all but Modric (by the looks of things). I think these four will make up the top four, and I think the title could go to either of the Man's or Arsenal. If RVP ends up at Man U I think they'll be favourites.

Chelsea I expect to flop. All of the signings but Hazard look like investments for the future and they are way over-staff in Attacking mids with only famous misfirers Torres and Sturridge in to spearhead things. Maybe if they get in a new forward like Cavani things could go their way, but even that depends on Di Matteo do a lot better in the managerial role than history suggests he will.

 

[Ronojoy1917]

I can't see City holding on to it again. I expect Man Utd to be around the same as they were last season, could conceivably get the title, if they get Van Persie probably they'd become favorites. For Arsenal of course that's an issue, but I think it'll also be important whether or not they hold on to Walcott. Because while it's good to bring in players of Poldi and Giroud's caliber, if RVP leaves (which I think he will), then Gervinho and Theo become the only really forward players that have been here since last season, and some continuity is important. I would be worried also if Song's Barcelona move materialized, he didn't have the best season last year but we don't have any adequate replacement for him, and Arteta won't be starting the season. Otherwise with the new signings, especially Cazorla, Arsenal fans have good reason to be quietly optimistic.

I imagine Chelsea will try to refocus on the league this season, but I think they'll make top 4 at best. Spurs should do alright, I think that depends a lot on what AVB has in mind. I really can't figure out why they sacked Redknapp, he was decent and if he'd continued I think could have taken them into the Champions League.

I'm very curious to see how Liverpool will do with Rogers. I just get the feeling that they won't really get on very well, that he would have been better off sticking with Swansea.

Tentative Top 10:

1. Manchester United
2. Arsenal
3. Manchester City
4. Chelsea
5. Tottenham Hotspur
6. Newcastle United
7. Liverpool
8. Everton
9. Fulham
10. Sunderland

At this point though you really can't tell, there've been lots of changes over the summer. Exciting stuff.

 

[Quackers]

How do you think Southampton will fare rono?

..and yes i'm excited to see how liverpool under BR will operate too.

 

[del62]

Here is my appraisal of the contenders in the season ahead

The Oil Backed Teams

Man City have the best players in the PL and if they maintain their desire they will win by some magin.

Chelsea will struggle at some stage which will signal a change of manager, at which point some recovery may be made but I don't see them as serious challengers, they will probably make a champions league spot.

The Global Marketing Teams

Man U will finish in a champions league spot but will be no match for Citeh
Liverpool will fail to make the top 4

The outsiders
Arsenal may be serious challengers as they still have the best manager in the league, though they need to add consistency.
Spurs will fall back under their new manager, Harry was getting the best out of those players.
Newcastle will struggle to maintain last seasons form due to thursday night Europa exertions because of lack of depth in squad (on this I hope I am wrong)

 

[del62]

How do you think Southampton will fare rono?

..and yes i'm excited to see how liverpool under BR will operate too.

I expect Southampton to finish between 7th and 14th.

They seem to have a good young manager who knows where he wants his team to go.

 

[Quackers]

I expect Southampton to finish between 7th and 14th.

They seem to have a good young manager who knows where he wants his team to go.

Ahh finally some optimism about the saints The national newspapers don't think we will survive the season but down here in southampton we are in our own little happy bubble, quietly confidant we will survive and do better then expected.

I agree with your other analysis. Btw saints are backed by a big chemical company does that count as some subsidary of the oil clubs?

 

[Truronian]

Who do we reckon is going to go down then?

I reckon Swansea, Wigan and QPR.

 

[del62]

Who do we reckon is going to go down then?

I reckon Swansea, Wigan and QPR.

Can't see QPR going down, as much as I like the clubs and their managers I thing WBA and Norwich will struggle, possibly 3 from Swansea, Wigan, WBA, Norwich and Reading.

None of which I want to go down though.

 

[Takhisis]

Wigan? Nah, they'll be desperate until the 20-oddth match, then they'll start beating anyone who dares stand against them. It's almost like a tradition for those people.

 

[azzaman333]

Wigan will, once again, look like certainties to go down for practically the entire season, then out of nowhere start beating the top teams to somehow hold on.

I'm hoping Arsenal can win, or at least beat Chelsea so I can hang crap on a couple of my mates who happen to support them.

 

[warpus]

I wonder how long it will be before Chelsea change their manager?

I'm a Chelsea supporter, but this amuses me

 

[classical_hero]

Who do we reckon is going to go down then?

I reckon Swansea, Wigan and QPR.

Man city, Arsenal and Chelsea.

 

[del62]

Man city, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Would prefer Man U, Chelsea and Liverpool but Man City would do in Liverpools place.

 

[Truronian]

Man U and Arsenal have agreed terms for Van Persie, £24 million apparently. Shows what I know...

Really daft career move by Van Persie; h's gone from being the favourite of a prominent English club to being (most likely) their most hated ex-player. Winning a trophy or two (going to Man U) or being fondly remembered for decades (staying at Arsenal)?