EPL Discussion Thread 2008/9

[JK]

Im not finding any hunmour in this thread

LOL Ok so it was pretty funny that Carra was the star of the numbers game, I thought they said his record was even for and against (lol except that he'd already scored by halftime).

Im not sure of the reason why he's so prolific at finding the back of his own net, I geuinely don't believe it's because he's an ordinary player ... Sami Hyppia has a fair record too, yet in the last 4 years or so I reckon the Reds have a fairly tidy defensive record on the whole.

[johntheclaret]

My analysis of the top 1/2 dozen sides:

Liverpool. thet are flattering to decieve at the moment. I don't think they are the finished article and struggle to score when Torres is injured. He has seemed to be a bit prone lately and they have bought a turkey on Keano who just isn't up to the pace at the top. They have been lucky with some late come backs but you can't keep doing that. they also rely far too much on Stevie G. Finish top 4 but not top 2.

Chelsea: The loss to the Clarets must have hit them harder than they let on because all of a sudden they look beatable. Have lost some of that "never say die" attitude and a fair bit of self belief. Scolari may well be on his way come May along with a few of the players. On the plus side, they have strength and depth all over the field and if they can get their true best 11 on the pitch they can beat anyone. finish 2nd.

Man U. To some extentr, they have too many great players up front. Tevez, Berba, Rooney, ronaldo. Personally, I think Fergie has made two mistakes this year, which is unusual for him. ronaldo clearly isn't that interested this year. Blows hot and cold and his body language is speaking volumes. Fergie should have cashed in at the end of the season. Then there is Berbatov. He has swown at Spurs what a disruptive influence he can have in a side and if things don't pick up for him soon, you can see the same thing happening at Old Trafford. In his favour, Fergie is a great man manager and has the knack of grinding results and championships out. He will do it again this year. Finish Top.

Arsenal. For the 1st time under Wengers reign, there have been somew rumblings in the camp. they have been "promising" to deliver for a few years now with Wenger rolling out that old cliche' "we have a young side that needs time". the problem is that Arsenal just haven't invested and this "young side" just can't deliver. They cruised into the knock out stages of the CL and they might have to decide where their priorities lie as I don't believe they can achieve both. They are too frail and have had a few crushing defeats to lower placed sides who are prepared to throw a bit of muscle about. Finish 5th

Aston Villa. At last they are beginning to show some signs that O'Neill's managerial abilities deserve. He is slowly building a side that can compete at the top but they might lack the depth of the other top 3 sides. They have managed to keep hold of Gareth Barry this year, who is a big, big influence in the side, and with the two whippets in Young and Agbonlahor up front they are capable of scoring against anyone. with a couple more quality signings they can be a real threat to the top 3. Finish, to pip Arsenal for 4th, just.

Hul City: thjey have been a real suprise package this year, but that is no suprise, just look at Wigan and a couple of three years ago Reading. this seems to be a bit of a trend in the EPL but next year well ?? As for the rest of this year, Hull's big problem will be the depth of their squad. Injuries and suspensions usually take their toll afteer Christmas as players tot up the 5 yellow bans and Hull just won't have the ammo in reserve to keep pace with the top four. The question is, who is cominig up on the inside? Everton look the likeliest to overhaul them, but give them a pat on the back for their 1st year efforts. Finish 7th.

As for the rest, Everton looks the best of the rest, although that doesn't mean that much this year, but it should be enough to take 6th spot. Portsmouth, have lost their manager in Redknapp and Adams just doesn't have the same aura. Should finish top 10 but that's about it. Man City may be the richest club side in the world but they will need to invest heavily is they want to challenge even the top 4 next year. But that is the key, "next year". forget htem this year, another top 10 is the best they can hope for. Spurs have the ability and the cash in the bank, and a manager in Arry that is more than capable of spending it. I would be suprised not to see at least three or even four new faxces in the January window, and they are probalby the only club iin the bottom half capable of challenging for a UEFA spot.

Boro, Wigan, Sunderalnd, Newcastle, Fulham, Bolton and Stoke will all take the odd point of the top 6, and will all take points off each other but they will all spend the rest of the season looking over their shoulders.

Finally, for the drop, WBA are doomed. They wouldn't be WBA if they weren't. One of the great yo-yo sides of recent years and they will stay true to their form. Down you go boys. Joining them, should be b4st4rd rovers. They have invested in a manger that just doesn't have the credentials or experience to manager an EPL side. Nor does he have the experience to survive a real dog fight. Invested in Andrews, his club captain at MK Dons (a league 2 side last year) and Robbie Fowler, who was at Cardiff last year and couldn't get a game. They don't have the £millions that they had when Uncle Jack was alive and must rely on TV money as they don't have the fan base or merchandising either. They are currently 5 points adrift of safety and to be honest, who can they attract, in either manager or players. Don't be suprised to see big Sam there before January (I heard from a mate that Sam has just bought a house in Whalley, 8kms from Blackburn). what ever they do it will be too little too late.

[johntheclaret]

Even Arry agrees with me

Thanks to the Daily Mail

Redknapp writes off Arsenal's title chances and reveals he has January list of Spurs targets
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has written off the chances of rivals Arsenal winning the Barclays Premier League title this season.
The Gunners were held at Middlesbrough on Saturday and despite Liverpool dropping points and Spurs holding Manchester United later, Redknapp feels the champions will be Sir Alex Ferguson's men or Chelsea.
'One of those two will win,' Redknapp said. 'That's not being too clever, though, is it because there's only Liverpool up there as well with them.

'Arsenal aren't going to win it this year. I can't see them coming back into it and winning the championship. And I think Liverpool rely so heavily on (Steven) Gerrard and (Fernando) Torres.
'If something happened to Gerrard, I don't know what they'd do, really. So I still see them being short of Chelsea and Manchester United.'

[johntheclaret]

Thought this was a genuinely interesting and well written piece.

Thanks to The Times

Are the days of Abramovich extravagance at Chelsea over?

Among the dozens of players who have been linked with moves to Chelsea during next month’s transfer window, there has been but one recurring factor: they are all, to use a well-worn phrase, cheap as chips. They range from the uninspiring (Vágner Love) through the mundane (Emile Heskey) to the implausible (Kevin Davies) and, while Luiz Felipe Scolari still hopes to set his sights a little higher, there is a clear message that the extravagance of the Roman Abramovich regime has been curtailed.

The great unanswered question is: why? Those close to the owner insist that it has nothing to do with the £10 billion that he was reported to have lost as a result of the financial crisis. Peter Kenyon, the chief executive, has said it is because Chelsea wish to be self-financing, but then why was Abramovich willing to commit £30 million to signing Robinho on September 1, until being gazumped by Manchester City’s new owners? Others say that he has new passions, such as art, hence his combined £61 million investment on Francis Bacon’s Triptych and Lucien Freud’s Benefits Supervisor Sleeping in the space of 48 hours last May.

The truth must lie in a combination of these factors. Even if his troubles on the Russian stock exchange are dismissed as paper losses, the financial crisis has bruised him. So, too, has the struggle to establish Chelsea as a truly big club on the global stage and, in particular, their near-misses in the Champions League. As for the new landscape in English football, transformed by the Abu Dhabi United Group’s takeover of City, Abramovich has little appetite for a bidding war and now appears intent on retreat.


£10 billion loss on the SE. that's one hell of a bitter pill to swallow, no matter who ya are.

[JK]

Agree with your assessments there Johnny, although I think Arsenal still remain top 4.

My boys were playing an improved brand of footy at the start of the season, but I've never thought they could sustain it like Man U or Chelsea, the lack of overall depth means we will undoubtedly come unstuck at some stage.

I'd love to see us sell Keane back to Tottenham (even if we lost say 5mil quid on the deal), and whilst a fit and resuming Torres and Skrtel could add a bit to the team, we just have too many fringe players that are relied upon (Arbeloa, Aurelio, Dossena etc), not to mention the likes of Pennant who really needs to be move on (if he hasn't already, lol, I wouldn't know?).

I also wonder why we haven't given Nemeth a promotion from the Magoo's yet (he could have laid claim to senior footy last year).

So in a nutshell I've enjoyed where we've been sitting, but I've not ever gotten overly excited about it because I can't see it lasting.

[Bully]

interesting write up on all the teams there. still dont understand how anyone can predict whats going to 'happen' at this time of year. JohnClaret has his views and i have my views. I personally dont see Man United going any further then 3rd this season. I also see Arsenal coming on strong over the next few weeks leading upto FA Cup rounds etc. I will be corrected by anyone when and if this does not happen. I think the title race is between Chelsea and Liverpool and will be till the end of the season. I wish my belovered Arsenal to finish in the top 4 and i can see that happening, but again i will be corrected if im wrong. As much as i dont like spurs i see them having a say in the 'title race or top 4'. Yes Aston villa are a good side but i dont see them going anyfurther then 5th.

Thats my view on the situation and i have nothing against anyone elses view as this is a forum and anyone can express their views.

[Pidge]

Liverpool will finish 3rd or 4th. Man United and Chelsea will battle for the top 2 spots. Would be great to see Aston Villa get into the top 4 but it will be difficult as arsenal are a quality team. If Hull get Dindane in the transfer window, they may be able to get a UEFA Cup spot.

[JK]

In such a short piece, I rreckon thats spot on Pidge (no wonder you're a tipping guru )

[Bully]

just watched the highlights show, missed the liverpool game VS hull on weekend. What the hell was carragher doing, looks like he passed it into the net for the own goal. sure he knew that it was headed there with a defensive block like that ??

[JK]

just watched the highlights show, missed the liverpool game VS hull on weekend. What the hell was carragher doing, looks like he passed it into the net for the own goal. sure he knew that it was headed there with a defensive block like that ??

Maybe he's been spending too much time with Bruce Grobbelar?

[johntheclaret]

interesting write up on all the teams there. still dont understand how anyone can predict whats going to 'happen' at this time of year. JohnClaret has his views and i have my views. I personally dont see Man United going any further then 3rd this season. I also see Arsenal coming on strong over the next few weeks leading upto FA Cup rounds etc. I will be corrected by anyone when and if this does not happen. I think the title race is between Chelsea and Liverpool and will be till the end of the season. I wish my belovered Arsenal to finish in the top 4 and i can see that happening, but again i will be corrected if im wrong. As much as i dont like spurs i see them having a say in the 'title race or top 4'. Yes Aston villa are a good side but i dont see them going anyfurther then 5th.

Thats my view on the situation and i have nothing against anyone elses view as this is a forum and anyone can express their views.

Absolutely correct Bulldog, and I for one am very happy to see you take an interest in this forum and express your opinion. the more the merrier.

Even if your club is one of our bitches

[johntheclaret]

just watched the highlights show, missed the liverpool game VS hull on weekend. What the hell was carragher doing, looks like he passed it into the net for the own goal. sure he knew that it was headed there with a defensive block like that ??

Maybe he's been spending too much time with Bruce Grobbelar?

Fixing things up you mean

[Pidge]

In such a short piece, I rreckon thats spot on Pidge (no wonder you're a tipping guru )

Thanks mate.

[The Real Number 3]

Paul Ince sacked as Blackburn manager this morning

[Pidge]

Paul Ince sacked as Blackburn manager this morning

This means Blackburn is almost guaranteed of a result in their next EPL match.

[devilsadvocate]

Paul Ince sacked as Blackburn manager this morning

This means Blackburn is almost guaranteed of a result in their next EPL match.

Sam Allardyce named new B4st4rds manager:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/7787940.stm

Has big Sam ever coached in the CCC before? Perhaps he has a relegation 'get out' clause for when they go down.

[Bully]

Paul Ince sacked as Blackburn manager this morning

This means Blackburn is almost guaranteed of a result in their next EPL match.

Sam Allardyce named new B4st4rds manager:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/7787940.stm

Has big Sam ever coached in the CCC before? Perhaps he has a relegation 'get out' clause for when they go down.

bolton wasnt it before they came up?

[devilsadvocate]

bolton wasnt it before they came up?

Just wikipedia'd it and you're correct bully. 2000 with Bolton where he won promotion with a win over PNE.

I'm surprised Sunderland didn't pick up Big Sam. Their loss I guess.

[johntheclaret]

bolton wasnt it before they came up?

Just wikipedia'd it and you're correct bully. 2000 with Bolton where he won promotion with a win over PNE.

I'm surprised Sunderland didn't pick up Big Sam. Their loss I guess.

You're kidding right? Sammy b4st4rd is just the man to lead brfc into the CCC. The best I could have hoped for, excepting Souness of course.

PS. I told you so

[Bully]

bolton wasnt it before they came up?

Just wikipedia'd it and you're correct bully. 2000 with Bolton where he won promotion with a win over PNE.

I'm surprised Sunderland didn't pick up Big Sam. Their loss I guess.

You're kidding right? Sammy b4st4rd is just the man to lead brfc into the CCC. The best I could have hoped for, excepting Souness of course.

PS. I told you so

not sure i think he will do ok seen as what he did at bolton. right time for him to be there as transfer window not far off