English Premier League

[mazzatelli1000]

I am finding it a bit odd that Manchester City are signing up all these strikers, when they need some decent midfielders.

Also Carlos Tevez wanting more playing time, switches to the blue half of Manchester to only see an influx of more strikers [Santa Cruz and Adebayor] coming in. The bench again for Carlos?

 

[Taltan]

Is Adebayor confirmed? I'll predict

1. Chelski (Am worried about the new coach but Cech, J Cole, Essien & Drogba were all below par or injured last year and they have a very strong squad

2. Liverpool (Overachieved last year and squad has improved, will go close but still too reliant on Torres or Gerrard to beat the weak teams)

3. Arsenal (Who knows but will be good to watch and probably uncover some talent)

4. Man U (love him or loathe him the best player in the world is gone and a tumble down is in order)

5. Man C (Spent big but it takes time to build a team so I'm tipping 5th and then bigger things later if the shiekh stays on board)

 

[mazzatelli1000]

Abedayor isn't confirmed, but his work permit has been approved.
Talk of John Terry heading there as well

Man U, will be very interesting to see if Owen and Valencia can balance up the squad. I slightly favour them more than Arsenal though. If only Wenger could keep his squad together

 

[doctorj]

At last count, Man City had something like 10 strikers. Maybe for £150-220,000 a week on a 4 or 5 year contract, they don't particularly care whether they'll have to play? I know it'd test my resolve to play if I was being offered that sort of coin. Adebayor is a lazy git anyway.
A
rsenal would do quite well to take £20-25m for him and get Klaas-Jan Huntelaar for £15-20m and trouser the difference. He'd already have a good understanding with Van Persie and is already a proven goalscorer.
As for my beloved Fulham, I can't help but wonder if our sojourn to Australia has hampered our transfer dealings. Selling 2-goal Bobby to Mr Orange for £5m is good business, but we need to replace him and add some depth right across the squad. Crouch, Zigic, Gudjohnson, Berg or Chamakh would all be a significant upgrade. Personally, would love to see Berg and Gudjohnson...

Does anyone have a link for highlights of Glory and Fulham?

 

[Ghetto23]

If you are trying to choose a team here is an article from an american sports writer in the same position. It's from 2006 so is a bit outdated.

Part 1: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060719

Part 2: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060719_2


Go Tottenham!

 

[Largesse]

If we(Arsenal) get 25 for Ade and bring in Huntelaar for say 18m, i'd be ecstatic.
Would expect wenger to then use that 7m + some kitty to try and tempt a boss type CM/CDM in.
With that, i'd have no problem saying we'd challenge for the title.

 

[Pager]

I think this season will see more of the same, the big 4, Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal (will finish in that order IMO) will contest the first 4 places, Man City may be in the mix but i think they may take time to find there feet with all these big signings and big ego,s arriving and will contest the UEFA cup places with Everton, Aston Villa, Tottenham and West Ham, all of whom could equally surprise and sneak into the top 4.

the rest of the teams in the Premier league will just battle to survive, with my tips for Relegation being Burnley, Portsmouth and Wolves.

Shame in some ways as there are only really 9 teams in England these dyas (10 if you include Newcastle who are currently in all sorts of strife on and off the feild but have huge following in northern England) that have the fan base and financial support to have any chance and even some of these are sitting on a swords edge at present, Liverpool's owners have all sorts of problems, Arsenal have big debts from the building of there new stadium and West Ham are currently owned by a consortium of Banks after there Icelandic owner got smashed in the financial meltdown which left his only asset of any significant value being the East end London club, and rumours abound about Tottenhams financial situation

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

The only team to follow in the Premier League is the Arsenal.

Myself and Her Majesty regularly communicate about Our team.


gg

 

[nunthewiser]

Sorry GG but i think you and her majesty are deluded if you think arsenal are a worthy cause

I'm sorry to be the one to break this news to you but as a Chelsea supporter i think you are making a grave mistake following that bunch of namby pamby swan diving Nancy boys

i do hope you and the good lady cure yourself from this dastardly affliction soon and can return to being an upstanding productive citizen once again

yours sincerely

a concerned nun

 

[spooly74]

Can you name all the clubs in the premiership since its inception? You have 8 minutes.

I missed 5, then booted the cat out the window!

http://www.sporcle.com/games/premierleaguealltime.php

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

Sorry GG but i think you and her majesty are deluded if you think arsenal are a worthy cause

I'm sorry to be the one to break this news to you but as a Chelsea supporter i think you are making a grave mistake following that bunch of namby pamby swan diving Nancy boys

i do hope you and the good lady cure yourself from this dastardly affliction soon and can return to being an upstanding productive citizen once again

yours sincerely

a concerned nun

nun mate, think of your head. All she's got to say is "Off with her/his head"

The Family are as one in their support of the Greatest Football Team that has ever been.

Ever.


gg

 

[mazzatelli1000]

At last count, Man City had something like 10 strikers. Maybe for £150-220,000 a week on a 4 or 5 year contract, they don't particularly care whether they'll have to play? I know it'd test my resolve to play if I was being offered that sort of coin.

Yes that is very true. It was just that Tevez cited he did not have enough playing time at Man United, so felt compelled to leave.

Personally, would love to see Berg and Gudjohnson...

I think Gudjohnsen would be great for Fulham!! Too bad he couldn't fit in at Barca.

Would expect wenger to then use that 7m + some kitty to try and tempt a boss type CM/CDM in.

You guys have been missing a Viera/Gilberto Silva. Actually you miss a tough nut in midfield. I think this is spot on assessment.

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

Arsenal were founded in 1886 and were the first Southern club to join the Football League in 1893. They won their first major trophies in the 1930s, with five League Championship titles and two FA Cups. After a lean period in the post-war years they became the second club of the 20th century to win the League and FA Cup Double in 1970–71, and during the past twenty years have recorded a series of successes in this time Arsenal have won a Cup Double, two further League and FA Cup Doubles, the Premier League title unbeaten, and became the first London club to reach the UEFA Champions League Final, as you can see Arsenal Football Club is steeped in history.

Need I or Her Majesty say more,

or We or me, if you are a Chealsea supporter would say .

The Arsenal are Couth.

gg

 

[nunthewiser]

Sorry GG for the late reply

i was busy on google trying to see if i could still be hung drawn and quartered if i was to reveal my honest thoughts regarding the queen and the royal family

it seems i have hit a Grey area and seeing as you and your pompous friend have already used scare tactics towards my head earlier i will quietly skulk off back to the Chelsea end of the ground and throw rocks at the ref instead

Ar se an all surely sums up the teams playing abilities though

yours skulkingly

a.nun

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

Sorry GG for the late reply

i was busy on google trying to see if i could still be hung drawn and quartered if i was to reveal my honest thoughts regarding the queen and the royal family

it seems i have hit a Grey area and seeing as you and your pompous friend have already used scare tactics towards my head earlier i will quietly skulk off back to the Chelsea end of the ground and throw rocks at the ref instead

Ar se an all surely sums up the teams playing abilities though

yours skulkingly

a.nun

I must admit to having a great respect for Joe Cole.

gg

 

[Largesse]

Sorry GG for the late reply

i was busy on google trying to see if i could still be hung drawn and quartered if i was to reveal my honest thoughts regarding the queen and the royal family

it seems i have hit a Grey area and seeing as you and your pompous friend have already used scare tactics towards my head earlier i will quietly skulk off back to the Chelsea end of the ground and throw rocks at the ref instead

Ar se an all surely sums up the teams playing abilities though

yours skulkingly

a.nun

Where's your history Chelsea boy?

You got no songs.

Jog on lad. Jog on.

 

[Largesse]

Yes that is very true. It was just that Tevez cited he did not have enough playing time at Man United, so felt compelled to leave.


I think Gudjohnsen would be great for Fulham!! Too bad he couldn't fit in at Barca.



You guys have been missing a Viera/Gilberto Silva. Actually you miss a tough nut in midfield. I think this is spot on assessment.

We had one in Flamini, but he wanted too big money, and took it at AC.
he is probably regretting it now that there is a fire sale going on at that club, i would take him back in a second though...

 

[doctorj]

I think this season will see more of the same, the big 4, Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal (will finish in that order IMO) will contest the first 4 places

Agree that again the big 4 will also be the first 4. I don't think Chelsea will have improved enough from last season to go from 3rd to first. They're already an old team and it's another year on. The addition of Sturridge won't do much to change that. Losing Terry would be a massive blow for them and is a real risk at this point. Liverpool look to lack depth, particularly up front. Kuyt is fantastic, but he's more of a workman type like ManUtd's Park than an out and out striker. Arsenal being a young team that will have Arshavin for a full season and a replacement for Adebayor will do better than 4th. I think the top 4 will be very close again this year, with none of them improving significantly. Man Utd face the challenge of losing Tevez and the 20-odd goals from Ronaldo. They'll be better for the return of Hargraeves, but I fear they're going to drop more points against the mid-table teams.

Man City may be in the mix but i think they may take time to find there feet with all these big signings and big ego,s arriving

Individuals don't make a good team. They're woefully unbalanced, lack quality at the back and will take a good portion of the year to gel as a unit.

will contest the UEFA cup places with Everton, Aston Villa, Tottenham and West Ham, all of whom could equally surprise and sneak into the top 4.

I strongly doubt any of them have the depth to sustain top 4 ambitions and european commitments. Tottenham seem to spend £50m every window and only ever go sideways. Everton may be favourites for 5th if they have a better run with injuries this year. I don't think West Ham is going to get within cooee of europe. Too young, too little quality and they still have significant ownership issues.
I doubt Fulham will be able to qualify for europe through the league again this coming season. Tottenham and Man City are going to be fighting hard for that 7th spot and probably have too much for the Cottagers to compete with.

Shame in some ways as there are only really 9 teams in England these dyas (10 if you include Newcastle who are currently in all sorts of strife on and off the feild but have huge following in northern England) that have the fan base and financial support to have any chance and even some of these are sitting on a swords edge at present,

10 clubs? And you're including a championship club in that with no managers, no players and an owner that can't sell them for any price?

 

[mazzatelli]

Well just updating the thread, since there has been some major transfers since the last discussion.

Man City, well I think they need a new coach to be challenging for any honours. This will be a pressure cooker season for Hughes.

Liverpool haven't strengthened very much, and have lost Alonso, no surprise since they were trying to dump him last year. It looks like they have got their own back.

Man U, well they could do well, but will depend how Owen shapes up. Antonio Valencia looked good, but it was only one game. We shall see.

Chelsea look the strongest IMO, even though I hate the Blues. I do like Ancelotti, but wonder if his style of football can survive day in day out in the Premier League. In terms of UCL, they will be fired up

Arsenal - if only these guys could keep their gun players, what a team it would be. I am still of the opinion they need a Viera type player. Don't think the player himself is as good as he once was. I also wonder why Wenger does not like Carlos Vela very much.

Fun times
Can't wait for the new season.
For now Forza Barca!!

 

[Largesse]

Well just updating the thread, since there has been some major transfers since the last discussion.

Man City, well I think they need a new coach to be challenging for any honours. This will be a pressure cooker season for Hughes.

Liverpool haven't strengthened very much, and have lost Alonso, no surprise since they were trying to dump him last year. It looks like they have got their own back.

Man U, well they could do well, but will depend how Owen shapes up. Antonio Valencia looked good, but it was only one game. We shall see.

Chelsea look the strongest IMO, even though I hate the Blues. I do like Ancelotti, but wonder if his style of football can survive day in day out in the Premier League. In terms of UCL, they will be fired up

Arsenal - if only these guys could keep their gun players, what a team it would be. I am still of the opinion they need a Viera type player. Don't think the player himself is as good as he once was. I also wonder why Wenger does not like Carlos Vela very much.

Fun times
Can't wait for the new season.
For now Forza Barca!!

Utd will still be strong, even with out C.Ron, i'm predicting a massive season from rooney, and Berbatov to be significantly more productive. Still top 2 team.
Liverpool minus Alonso brings them back to about 3rd/4th. Huge loss for them in my books.

Chelsea I think are SLIGHT favourites, but i think it will be interesting to see how Ancelotti handles the pace of the EPL. Ballack and Deco are both another year older and slower, as is Drogba. Expecting Malouda to shine.

Arsenal will definitely go top 3, and possibly top 2 if we can land a solid holding midfielder before transfer window closes, if not we will be challenged by City for 4th.
City, will be at best a dice roll, could be awesome and put 4 past chelsea, could be terrible and lose 3-1 to Burnley.


Very exciting season coming up lads