2007-08 EPL Thread

[HaemishM]

I think Liverpool has a damn good shot to win the title this year. Two straight games without Gerrard, and yes, they were against newly-promoted sides, BUT... they took care of business. They MANHANDLED Derby. Meanwhile, Man. U. was lucky to score a goal against Sunderland. Man U will get better with Ronaldo back, but neither Tevez nor Anderson seems ready to step up and hold water for Rooney. It took SAHA to come in and give the team a lift.

I think with Yakubu, Everton is going to unseat Arsenal. Arsenal have played well, but Lehmann in goal is just unpredictable this year, and the guy they got playing there now isn't much better. The real tester will be how Arsenal plays against Liverpool and Chelsea. But Everton is crazy good defensively and Yakubu and Johnson seem to be a damn good partnership.

Gareth Bale is the real deal. Spurs, however, may not be. They started off like this last year, and if they kick Jol out, I'm not sure if Spurs will come back like they did last year as well.

David Nugent seems to have completely forgotten how to score goals since coming to the top flight. He looked lost against Arsenal. Maybe they should have sold him to Derby.

I don't know what the fuck has happened to Reading, they seem to have lost all nose for the goal as well. I really hope they don't fall down to the sophmore slump.

[lamaros]

I've always rated Saha. People forget about him because he's injured so often, but he's the kind of player who works really well with Rooney Ronaldo and Giggs. If he can stay fit and string some games together it'll make a big difference to Utd retaining the title.

I kept saying how much I wanted to see Torres at Utd all last year and he's showing every indication that he would have been a great investment. Unfortunately they couldn't push the deal through last time and the Spanish and Liverpool connections got him over to the wrong team this year.

Arsenal is a really tricky one. Many people seem to think it's a safe bet to write them out of the top 4 this year with the departure of Henry and the trouble with Dein, but I think it's a lot of media noise. Henry was not that big a deal last year and they still found their place comfortably - he's always been over-rated as far as I'm concerned. They do seems to lack something in their team; they have too many players of a similar type and dont have enough of a rough edge or experience for me, but I don't think that'll catch them out in the Premier League. I think their class is enough for them to overcome those issues and that it's in the Champions League where they're going to come unstuck.

[Hoax]

Chelsea
Liverpool
Utd
Arsenal
Everton
Newcastle
Blackburn
Man City
Spurs
Aston Villa

[rk47]

yep sounds about right, i just put a small wager on chelsea to win the premiership. It sounds solid at 2.50, and I hope spurs continue to leak and score like crazy so I can keep placing Spurs game: Total Goals over 2+ all the time. (Aside from Man United's game that is)

[HaemishM]

Just curious, why does everyone seem to rate Liverpool lower than Chelsea? Is it just lack of faith in Benitez to not tamper when things are going well, or do you really think Chelsea is a better, deeper team? Is it just the last 18 years of bad luck or something else?

I think Liverpool is better defensively than Chelsea, even with Carragher hurt, and that they can now match up offensively with the Blues. Gerrard is more than a match for Lampard, but the rest of Chelsea's midfield is a bit better than Liverpool's. I think they are even on strikers, with the way Schevchenko has bit it in the EPL. I'd rate Pizarro and Drogba on par with Torres and Voronin, and Kalou doesn't impress me.

I think it's going to be down to the wire.

[Hoax]

Chelsea is deeper and plays with the right level of mental toughness to get through a more competative season.  You are sleeping on Kalou, he's solid.  I'm just sure 'pool will find a way for injuries or just sloppy play to ruin their aspirations.  Plus I fucking hate Liverpool.  Also I still say Chelsea is a stronger team top to bottom even if it doesn't look it so far this season.

If I was a Chelsea fan I would wish they had loaned out Sheva and they should have kept Robben (even though I fucking hate him) shipping off Ballack and picking up Alves would have been money too.

Also I can't believe Barca still have all those strikers, fucking criminal nobody went for Eidur or Eto'o.

[HaemishM]

I bet all those teams who begged for Eto'o are pretty happy now, what with him being out for months.

As for Chelsea/Liverpool, I honestly don't think Chelsea's deeper anymore. Chelsea's only marginally deeper in the midfield, but they are thin at the back. Liverpool has plenty of depth on the back line, enough that there really isn't a dropoff if Riise or Finnan can't start. They have just as many good strikers are Chelsea does, if you take into account Schevchenko's lackluster performance in the EPL.

[Jobu]

ManUtd
Liverpool
Chelsea
Arsenal
Everton/Newcastle/Spurs

I think United still has the best attacking squad, and a reasonably solid defence to keep them secure. Tevez, Andersen, Nani... they all just need time to gel with everyone. I have no doubt Tevez will kick some ass later in the season.

Chelsea could win it, easily. But Ambramovich is hampering their success by forcing Mourinho to play Arsenal style, wide, one-touch football. They have a solid squad, but it's built up on totally different tactics of smothering games in the middle, and forcing your will on the other team, not dancing around and through them. Be careful what you wish for, Roman.

Liverpool will get a strong start, and then choke at the end. But I expect them to show well.

Arsenal has "rebuilding season" written all over them. There's a chance that with pretty much no pressure or attention on them, they could really surprise everyone, but I wouldn't bet on it. Too many new faces and no menace up front. They sure look pretty when they spin their wheels though.

I think Newcastle could have a resurgence if Owen stays fit. They made some decent signings, and Allardyce is a good coach to retool a team into a new image, which is exactly what they need.

Sunderland are going to have a relegation battle the last month or two, but they'll squeek by.

I do think, no matter how the tables sort out, it will be an actual competition this year. The top 3 will be within 7 or 8 points of each other all season, and 4th-6th will be equally close throughout. I can't see anyone steamrolling ahead out of reach of everyone anymore.

I think Jol will be out by Christmas, yeah. And Mourinho gone in the summer.





England won't qualify for Euro 08. If they do, they're going out the first round.

[Hoax]

I really want them to fall apart on the cold ugly plastic in Russia.  That would just make me laugh and laugh and laugh.

Also wtfux channel is the Brasil game tonight versus the US?  I couldn't seem to find that info listed anywhere.

[lamaros]

I think United still has the best attacking squad, and a reasonably solid defence to keep them secure. Tevez, Andersen, Nani... they all just need time to gel with everyone. I have no doubt Tevez will kick some ass later in the season.

I think Newcastle could have a resurgence if Owen stays fit. They made some decent signings, and Allardyce is a good coach to retool a team into a new image, which is exactly what they need.

I don't think Owen matters all that much, with Martins, Viduka and Smith in the squad I think they'll find goals without him. I've never liked Owen much - if he wasn't english he'd just be another average forward.

Just curious, why does everyone seem to rate Liverpool lower than Chelsea? Is it just lack of faith in Benitez to not tamper when things are going well, or do you really think Chelsea is a better, deeper team? Is it just the last 18 years of bad luck or something else?

I think Liverpool is better defensively than Chelsea, even with Carragher hurt, and that they can now match up offensively with the Blues. Gerrard is more than a match for Lampard, but the rest of Chelsea's midfield is a bit better than Liverpool's. I think they are even on strikers, with the way Schevchenko has bit it in the EPL. I'd rate Pizarro and Drogba on par with Torres and Voronin, and Kalou doesn't impress me.

Just because Torres has bagged a couple of early goals in the season doesn't mean he's as good as Drogba. He isn't. He still has a lot to prove to get to that level and while he might make it it might not get the whole way there - this is after all his first season in the Premier League. Or he might not just make it. I think he's quality and probably will get there, but that doesn't change the fact that it is still just the start of september. Voronin I havn't seen that much of, so I can't comment, but Pizarro is seasoned and Sheva might turn it around this year. Meanwhile Crouch and Kyut have showed us what they're able to do for a little while now (though I think Kyut is very handy) and they aren't going to play much better than last season if Torres isn't up every week.

Gerrard is quality. Alonso is very decent. Mascherano (sp) is decent. Then what? Pennant just isn't that good and Riise is a bit straightforward. I personally think a fit Kewell would help Liverpool a lot. On the other hand I think that Chelsea's midfield is superb across the park. The only worry is the absences of Essien for the African Cup of Nations and extended injury breaks for Lampard.

Basically it comes down to the fact that Chelsea has done it consistently for the last few years. While Liverpool has had a good start it still has a lot to prove. It's a long way to go.

[HaemishM]

Pennant has actually been playing way above what anyone could expect of him for the last 6 months or so. He still goes through minutes of invisibility, but he's been consistently good this season so far, whether he plays on the right or left. Babel seems even better, but only when playing from the right. Babel has better finishing skills as well. Sissoko and Mascherano are both quality defensive mids, though I think Mascherano is a bit more consistent. After that, you still have Benayoon and Riise(who can also fill up the back) and Kewell is waiting in the wings somewhere. Compared to last year, where the choices after Pennant were Garcia and Zenden, I think that's a huge improvement.

Chelsea's midfield has Lampard and Essien. Sidwell is good, but he's not going to be starting ahead of those two. Mikel has never impressed me. Ballack is OLD and showing it. You never know what you're going to get from Ballack anymore. On the wings, I think Cole is still recovering from his injuries, so will be inconsistent. Malouda is quality. You may be right, in that Chelsea might have an edge in midfield, but I really don't think it's that big an edge, especially not with the depth Liverpool added.

Crouch proved last year that he can score, he's just going to struggle to get starts. Kuyt is becoming the perfect center forward to Torres or Voronin, sitting just behind and providing decent service, continually working his ass off and getting those loose rebounds. He might score 10, or he might not, but he'll make it easier on Torres. I think you are underestimating Torres' ability. He certainly won't dive as much as Drogba, but I think he's just as physical as Drogba and has better feet. Drogba's probably better with his head. Voronin is solid.

I'm fanboi-gushing, I know. It's early yet and they could have a significant letoff. But they deserved to beat Chelsea at Anfield, and DID beat Villa who beat Chelsea. The telling game will be their first away game against the other big 3.

[Mr_PeaCH]

Also wtfux channel is the Brasil game tonight versus the US?  I couldn't seem to find that info listed anywhere.

Nothing tonight.  US v Brasil (friendly) Sunday, Sept. 9, 5PM ET/2PM PT  Oh, and on ESPN2 or Univision.  ;)

[Hoax]

I've been so fucking tired this week so far, goddamn 4 day weekend took a lot out of me.  I saw the lineups being announced and somehow thought that meant the game was today...

Retarded am I.

[rk47]

after euro n internationals it's back to leagues.

let's see uh.
Liverpool should win
Chelsea as well
Sunderland v Reading. 6 point relegation battle. Reading will sink imo.
Everton v Man U is a hardpick. Hopefully they crash n burn.
Another good match is Spurs v Arsenal - A must watch.

[lamaros]

Everton v Man U is a hardpick. Hopefully they crash n burn.

It could say a lot about how the tow teams will fare this year.

Hopefully a good win to utd.

[Tige]

I've been trying to catch up on matches via TiVo for the past couple of weekends (good call on Setanta HaemishM) and I've got a few more to watch before I can join in on the pontificating.  However, while catching up on some of the matches on GOL I've been paying particular to Ray Hudson.  Hudson is not on the pitch, he is the color commentator in the broadcast booth. 

It started while watching ITA vs. FRA while he was talking about Zadane's absence.  I swear he said something about Zadane's "magical behind".  Since that I've been paying attention to what he actually says and he has been a source of great entertainment.  He gets so wrapped up in the game I'm not sure he knows exactly what he saying. 

[Hoax]

Scotland > France.

[HaemishM]

I've been trying to catch up on matches via TiVo for the past couple of weekends (good call on Setanta HaemishM) and I've got a few more to watch before I can join in on the pontificating.  However, while catching up on some of the matches on GOL I've been paying particular to Ray Hudson.  Hudson is not on the pitch, he is the color commentator in the broadcast booth. 

It started while watching ITA vs. FRA while he was talking about Zadane's absence.  I swear he said something about Zadane's "magical behind".  Since that I've been paying attention to what he actually says and he has been a source of great entertainment.  He gets so wrapped up in the game I'm not sure he knows exactly what he saying. 

Ray Hudson is the bee's knees. That guy makes any match way way more entertaining, especially when he's with Phil Schoen. He has almost a gay man-love fixation on some of the players, and is so goddamn passionate about the game it's coming out of his ears. The game when Real Madrid won La Liga last year was incredible. It was a good game, and he just lost his freaking mind when Madrid went ahead. Tom Cruise was in the stands (friend of the Beckhams) and Madrid scores and Phil says something like "Even Tom Cruise is happy."

Hudson went the fuck off. "Will you shut up about the bleeding actors!? Can you not appreciate the majesterial performance of these... warriors of the football field..." or something to that effect. It was fucking hilarious. He's like Tommy Smith amped up about 300 degrees and with more flowerly language.

Also, though Man. U. may have Ronaldo back, I would not rule out Everton this weekend. With Yakubu they have scoring punch, and you know their defense is solid. I'm actually leaning towards a draw or Everton win.

And do not count Reading out.

[Mr_PeaCH]

Scotland > France.

OCH AYE!  Only wish I could have seen this match; even on delay but it doesn't appear that FSN carried it.

[rk47]

Portugal, France, Spain <---their coaches can't keep their mouth shut
These guys piss me off in international matches. I don't understand how they suck so much. Just like England before they suddenly revert to the old team play of Owen and Heskey. Predictable, but it works.

[lamaros]

Portugal, France, Spain <---their coaches can't keep their mouth shut
These guys piss me off in international matches. I don't understand how they suck so much. Just like England before they suddenly revert to the old team play of Owen and Heskey. Predictable, but it works.

Having a job where you are forced to talk to the press often, combined with possessing a personality, makes it rather hard to keep ones mouth shut.

[rk47]

man united was really lucky lol
liverpool nearly lost 1 point. Idiot missed penalty lol.
Spurs are performing to expectation. Taking a lead by 1-0 Halftime and letting in 3 goals on second half. Jol's head gonna roll soon.
Reading is sinking, the way they lost their players were unexpected but I guess when people just jumped ship near deadlines, they can't find decent replacement.

[sigil]

Spurs seem dead set to blow this year. :(

[HaemishM]

Liverpool seemed out of sorts most of the middle of that game. Reina certainly saved their asses. I still don't know why Rafa feels the need to switch lineups from game to game when shit is working. Torres should have started alongside Crouch.

Man. U. got really lucky, but that was a great corner and a great header.

Reading just can't seem to find the right lineupthese days. They shouldn't have gotten rid of Seol.

[Mr_PeaCH]

Spurs seem dead set to blow this year. :(

Someone needs to wake Bent up before inserting him into the game.  Sonofabitch!

[Hoax]

Chelsea v Blackburn was a great 0-0 affair.  I couldn't get the Utd game.  LoL @ Spurs.  Champion's league starts this week!

[lamaros]

I still don't know why Rafa feels the need to switch lineups from game to game when shit is working. Torres should have started alongside Crouch.

Champ. league this week.

[HaemishM]

I still don't know why Rafa feels the need to switch lineups from game to game when shit is working. Torres should have started alongside Crouch.

Champ. league this week.

Still not a good excuse. He needs to ride the fuck out of Torres. Kid's young enough to handle it. Gerrard and Carragher I could understand leaving on the bench with injuries, but Torres? That motherfucker needs to have his lineup spot engraved in stone.

Also, someone needs to dickslap Tomas Schaff at Werder Bremen for not spending some money on a decent striker after he sold Klose.

[Hoax]

There was nobody left to buy once the dust had settled on fucking Bayern's spending spree

[HaemishM]

Shit, there had to be SOMEBODY willing to play in Germany. Either their scouts aren't doing enough Latin American searches or they just weren't trying hard enough.

Just a reminder, no Champions League spoilers on this thread until at least Thursday. I'm Tivoing the Liverpool/Porto tie today.

[lamaros]

Shit, there had to be SOMEBODY willing to play in Germany. Either their scouts aren't doing enough Latin American searches or they just weren't trying hard enough.

Just a reminder, no Champions League spoilers on this thread until at least Thursday. I'm Tivoing the Liverpool/Porto tie today.

Just to be safe I'll go for friday - timezones get the better of me.

[Hoax]

Agreed.  No CL talk until Friday then.  I'm pulling for every Portugese and Scottish team...  Hell I'm pulling for every non England team except Aresenal, I do love the way they play and now they are scoring too.  Cesc is the fucking man.

[sigil]

Mourinho is out at Chelsea.

Don't click the link if you don't want to know about CL results.

[lamaros]

Hopefully this will completely derail them for this weeks game v Utd.  :-D

I can't say I liked Chelsea's style, but I do think the Mourinho was a decent coach. Abramovich needs to get over himself or sit down and do the coaching himself.

Then again, it's worked for Real Madrid so far this season, so what do you know...

[rk47]

placed a small wager on real madrid winning champs league.