2012/13 Premier League discussion thread

[Guest]

First topic message reminder :

The big one is about to begin once again lads. Hopefully week 1 will bring a lot of goals, controversy and maybe even a shock!

God I've missed Jeff Stelling and the boys!

Game on.

[Smirnoffpriest]

I find myself agreeing with quite a lot of what you've written - I think 9th for Liverpool is a surprise but as you write they are in transition and are threadbare upfront (still can't believe they got rid of Carroll, who while a traditional frontman can actually pass a little and could have been moulded into Rogers team).
I reckon they'll finish higher but only by a place or 2.

I do feel sorry for Fulham, they made some very good signings, especially in Berba (who Arsenal could have done with) but then lost a lot of midfielders/creativity on the final day, meaning they've gained with one hand and lost with the other.

[Smirnoffpriest]

For those who had a little look yesterday Part 2 of my Premier League club guide is now up...if your interested in having a read then the link is below:

http://aviewfrommyarmchair.wordpress.com/

Less than 24 hours to go Olly and you get to tear your hair out over my view on Norwich ...

Oh and you missed out on M.Owen....why oh why didn't Norwich attempt to get him!?

Because we don't need someone who is going to get injured and be on silly money we cannot pay...

I'm quite interested to see how this Harry Kane gets on for us. Spoke to a few Spurs fans on Saturday, and they all reckon he is a very good player and will score goals for us, so here's hoping

Exactly, there are few teams in the Prem who need a bit part goalscorer who is on mega money. Owen won't play more than 20 games, and may chip in with 8-10 goals, but will command a very big wage packet for those goals.

The only team I can see needing him is Liverpool, but they need far more than Owen can provide, and with his history I'm not sure the Kop would take too kindly to his return, especially if he doesn't hit the ground running (and running has been his problem for years)

[owen10ozzy]

Haha - Valid point. I believe he is on a very heavily based bonuses style contract so the actually weekly outlay isn't as much as one may think.

Last season he was fit for fair chunk of the season (missed 2 & half month period between November & Feb) but he never got many opportunities.

The thing is wherever he has gone he has scored. Even at Utd he knew how to put the ball in the net when he got on the pitch. The last thing to ever leave a natural finisher is his ability to score...I think it's a handy piece of business by Stoke and with Crouch as support could well see Owen silencing a few of his critics. Bold statement but I think he could well grab between 12-15 goals.

As for Harry Kane....I have heard good things about him but I am always a little sceptical when it comes to Premier League clubs loaning out players to one another.

If he was that potent & highly thought of in front of goal then I think he would be in the Tottenham line up, at least on the bench. Especially given the fact they have only Defoe & Adebayor as options.

I'm sure he will have some good games but I don't see him taking any of the heavy burden off Holt when it comes to pitching in with goals.

[GSC]

He was healthy because he either played cup games or reserve games.

Just a name, Owen's done. Should retire and concentrate on his horses

[owen10ozzy]

Smirnoff - Do you mean a surprise as in you think they will finish higher or lower? ...

(usually that would be a daft statement but given their current plight people's view on how they do has never been so different)

I can kind of see where your coming from with regards to Fulham it will be interesting to see who in midfield can fill that void...for me Kieran Richardson is not that creative although his ability was stubbed a little given where he was played for Sunderland.

I actually think though that they will compensate for the loss of Dembele by having 2 up front. This mean's there isn't as much necessity for goals from the midfielder...and I can imagine Berba & Petric being a good fit for one another.

[Smirnoffpriest]

I think Liverpool will finish a few places higher (or at least 8th).

It was quite easy for Owen to stay fit last season as he barely played - since being at Man U he hasn't been subjected to week in week out stresses of playing at the top. As a result he's had plenty of time to recover after each of his games (or has only played 20mins or so), and he's still been injured quite a bit.

[Gregers]

25 man squads announced and there is no Romeu in the Chelsea one yet Turnball and Ferreira are in it?

No Essien, No Mereiles, No McEachran and now No Romeu. I have no idea how we're going to manage if Mikel gets injured. Looks like it'll be score 1 more than you football

[GSC]

He's under 21 as the season starts so he doesn't have to be registered.

Thats what happens on FM anyway

[Amy]

Romeu under 21? as they dont have to be registered

[GSC]

Yeah, hes 20. (GREAT AGE).

Barely make sit though, his bdays this month

[Gregers]

Thank god for that! Had a panic there as I think he could be a key player for us this season. Having said that we sure as hell need a dcm next summer/january

[GSC]

Kinda depressing seeing players younger than me starting for PL clubs lol

[Gregers]

Same here GSC, its quite unfair when you think about it!

[Amy]

Jan 1st 1991 is the cut off date for u21 players apparently

[GSC]

I knew my childhood was coming to an end when I could select my own age on FIFA lol.

[Gregers]

Haha, it will be truly over when I can select my own age on football manager

I'd have to be registered then Mrs T

[Amy]

heres the full set of squad lists

http://www.premierleague.com/content/dam/premierleague/site-content/News/publications/squad-lists/Squad-Lists-September-2012.pdf

[Smirnoffpriest]

It's depressing how many of our homegrown players have left Arsenal

[owen10ozzy]

Little bit later than usual but here is part 3 of my club guide for the new season.

Part 1 and 2 are already up and on the Blog if your team fall before Newcastle alphabetically. Hope anyone who has a read enjoys....except Olly as you already know Norwich isn't going to make for pleasant viewing!!

Link is as follows:

http://aviewfrommyarmchair.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/premier-league-club-guide-n-r/

[owen10ozzy]

Ok people....again anyone interested in reading a club by club guide to the new season you can get my take on my blog.

Part 4 of the guide is all the S's.....Southampton, Sunderland, Swansea, Stoke...Hope people Enjoy.

http://aviewfrommyarmchair.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/premier-league-club-guide-all-the-ss/

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I don't like this blog anymore owen

[owen10ozzy]

Haha Sorry pal. I do hope Norwich prove me wrong but just can't see it. If anything it actually has little to do with me thinking Norwich are incredibly weak...most other seasons I think they would be ok...

However QPR have strengthened considerably...Swansea have brought in a couple of cracking players. Stoke, Fulham will be as solid as always.

The last relegation spot comes down to Norwich, Southampton and Villa I reckon.

If Saints are in trouble come January they have the owners to invest more substantially than Norwich. Villa could have a real stinker then you would be ok!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

It is going to be tight, but I wouldn't count out QPR going down yet, same with Swansea. We must remember Wolves had 7 points from there first 3 games last season, and look how they ended up!

I think we will just be ok, I dont see Saints staying up, but it will be very close indeed!

[Smirnoffpriest]

I think Swansea and QPR have much stronger sides than Wolves, and while I agree that a good start means nothing (see Hull and Blackpool), Laudrup seems to have developed a nice bit of strength in depth and it looks like lots of players could chip in with goals - also this is about the 5th manager Swansea have had in around 7 years, and they've managed to keep the team together, playing the same style and improved.

I hope Norwich don't go down, I like them and the way they go about things, and they do have a good team, I just think it'll be very tight for them.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

The one thing we would have in our favour if we went down is that we would be in the best possible financial position to come back up again, as at the end of this season our debts will be paid off completely. I would rather us not overspend so to speak on wages/players to try and stay up, as we have done it in the past and not worked, and we came close to administration, so I dont want it to happen again. If QPR went down they would be in a huge mess

[Crimey]

QPR have a strong side on paper, but I think they're already showing that they're struggling to gel. Then problems will start appearing when some are getting the first team football they think they deserve, and Mark Hughes will probably be distracted if bigger sides have their managers sacked (somewhere like Aston Villa).

I think QPR will just about stay up, but I don't think for a second that their influx of new signings is definitely a good thing. Most of the players brought in aren't relegation fighting players so if they do get sucked into the relegation fight it will be interesting to see how they cope.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I would also say we have bought in 9 players this summer. 4 current internationals and 2 who have been involved in the england under 21's recently. Now if Lambert was manager and had made these improvements to the squad, would they be being questioned as much?

[Guest]

Can anybody see Harry Redknapp taking up a PL post sometime this season? I can see him ending up at Loftus Road, just an inkling..

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Well today he has taken an advisory role at Bournemouth, wouldn't be surprised to see him take that job at some point tbh

[Josiah Maiestas]

Well today he has taken an advisory role at Bournemouth, wouldn't be surprised to see him take that job at some point tbh

Wonder if the taxman has heard about it

[Crimey]

Southampton are apparently interested in him if things start going downhill.

[owen10ozzy]

HOORAY!! Premier League action is back tomorrow...thank the lord.

I wonder how many of the International Pull outs will suddenly be declared fit to play for their club this weekend...

Should be a good weekend of action...anyone thinking there will be any 'surprise' results?

I could see QPR getting a result against Chelsea and have a feeling Reading will pick up a win over Tottenham...(expect plenty more booing by the Spurs fans if that occurs)..

For those who have been reading my blog I have just finished the final part of my club by club guide (Tottenham, West Brom, West Ham & Wigan feature)....the link is as follows:

http://aviewfrommyarmchair.wordpress.com/

[Guest]

My weekend predictions fellas:

Nowrich 2 West Ham 1
Arsenal 3 Southampton 1
A Villa 2 Swansea 0
Fulham 2 West Brom 0
Man Utd 4 Wigan 1
QPR 1 Chelsea 3
Stoke 0 Man City 0
Sunderland 2 Liverpool 1
Reading 0 Spurs 2
Everton 1 Newcastle 1

[GSC]

Norwich 2-2 West Ham
Arsenal 4-0 Southampton
Fulham 1-2 West Brom
Man Utd 3-2 Wigan
QPR 0-2 Chelsea
Stoke 0-2 Man City
Sunderland 1-1 Liverpool
Reading 0-1 Spurs
Everton 2-1 Newcastle

[Crimey]

Norwich 1-1 West Ham
Arsenal 3-2 Southampton
Fulham 1-2 West Brom
Man Utd 3-1 Wigan
QPR 0-2 Chelsea
Stoke 0-3 Man City
Sunderland 1-1 Liverpool
Reading 0-1 Spurs
Everton 1-1 Newcastle

[Guest]

West ham vs Norwich..

COME ON THE HAMMERS!!!!!!!!!!!

in all seriousness will be a tight game but i fully expect the hammers to sneak it 1-0

[Kay Fabe]

Nowrich 1 West Ham 1
Arsenal 3 Southampton 1
A Villa 1 Swansea 2
Fulham 3 West Brom 1
Man Utd 3 Wigan 0
QPR 1 Chelsea 3
Stoke 0 Man City 2
Sunderland 2 Liverpool 2
Reading 1 Spurs 1
Everton 3 Newcastle 1

[JamesLincs]

norwich 1-1 west ham
arsenal 1-0 southampton
villa 1-3 swansea
fulham 1-1 west brom
man utd 3-1 wigan
qpr 1-3 chelsea
stoke 1-2 man city
sunderland 1-0 liverpool
reading 1-2 spurs
everton 2-1 newcastle

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

West ham vs Norwich..

COME ON THE HAMMERS!!!!!!!!!!!

in all seriousness will be a tight game but i fully expect the hammers to sneak it 1-0

We're gonna take you down by the balls, and urine all over your faces

[GSC]

He's not kidding around, thats how they greet their siblings in Norwich

[Guest]

He's not kidding around, thats how they greet their siblings in Norwich

[GSC]

Snodgrass dive rejected by nolan haha

[GSC]

Norwich maybe having the better in the middle, but West ham should probably be 2-0 up.

[JamesLincs]

im amazed he didnt give a penalty, i really doubt he could see exactly where the challenge was made, but in the end its the right call. shocking challenge too btw

[GSC]

Norwich want a penalty, think on replay when his foot is planted, the contact is just outside

[GSC]

Even first half, Norwich show lots of nice touches in their own half and 30 yards out, but had marginal success opening up West Ham. West Ham look a threat on the break but fairly content to sit back.

[JamesLincs]

the scramble around the 35 minute mark was good, it effing frustrates me so much that a pro footballer cant use both feet. if i can comfortably use both feet, why cant a pro??

[GSC]

Debuts for Sinclair, Garcia, Maicon and Buttner, first start for Berbatov

Benteke could make a debut for Villa, Pablo Hernandez on the bench for Swansea

[Ent]

Never mind using both feet, why can't they cross it or pass it to each other?!?

This is god awful.

[GSC]

That second half was awful.

Useful away point for West Ham, but will Norwich live to regret dropping 4 points at home to QPR and West Ham?

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