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.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Nice to see QPR not learning from there near fatal mistake of last season. Too much change can be detrimental to the team overall

[GSC]

Ultimately by the time the team does gel, they'll probably squeak home in 17th or something.

[Guest]

I know that G but the point being he acted pretty swiftly to the situation and I'm wondering will he do the same in this case?

[Guest]

Nice to see QPR not learning from there near fatal mistake of last season. Too much change can be detrimental to the team overall

We should not forget Hughes' words after the final game of last season when he said they will never be in that predicament under his leadership. It's an even more laughable statement now.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Ultimately by the time the team does gel, they'll probably squeak home in 17th or something.

I sincerely hope not. Can't stand them for some reason, probably Hughes and Taarabt mainly

[Guest]

Taarabt does have this tendency to annoy at times but I'd be starting him ahead of the likes of Wright Phillips and Park. He does offer some degree of spark which the two names mentioned don't.

[GSC]

The problem is if you play Taarabt you essentially play with 10 players because he isn't really going to get involved too much if he isnt fed the ball

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I do have to question there signing policy.

I mean there defence is still awful, and while Julio Cesar is still pretty good, you do have to question why Inter would let him go if he was at the level he was. Also I think he might struggle to adapt to the english games, he looks a little flappy under crosses to me. And dont even get me started on the signings of Ryan Nelsen and Andy Johnson. Two walking wounded (Johnson has already gone for the season)

[Guest]

Not to mention Kieron Dyer being given a new deal. I could have understood it if he'd given them a fair few years service but after playing 7 minutes for them? Just ridiculous.

[Guest]

I can see Norwich getting a proper bashing today, sorry Olly.

[Duty281]

I can see Norwich getting a proper bashing today, sorry Olly.

May have to revise that Freek. Grant Holt with a half-volley, cracking goal, against the run of play but it's 1-0 Norwich after 10 minutes.

EDIT: Or maybe not, Torres from close-range. 1-1.

[GSC]

Well it was fun while it lasted for Norwoch and Wigan lol

[Duty281]

Now Lampard scores, 2-1 after 21 mins. Good finish but poor defending.

[GSC]

3-1 to Chelsea after 30 mins, Norwich in danger of another hammering

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

2-0 Reading at Swansea. Seems the second season syndrome is hitting all around now...

As for us, we have had some good chances but our defending wasnt good enough and chelsea have been ruthless. My god they are an attacking force tho

[Duty281]

West Brom 3rd in the table as it stands

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I tell you what we are still creating chances, Holty just wide.

Put a quid on Lampard scoring though. He is one away from being joint all time top flight scorer for chelski

[Duty281]

Mark Hughes has never been and will never be a Premier League Manager. He's leading the sack race at the moment.

[Guest]

Couldn't happen to a nicer and more humble guy either. Poor Mark.

[Josiah Maiestas]

4-1 and could have been 8-1

Norwich championship standard.

[Duty281]

Norwich, QPR and Villa favourites for the drop at the moment. Long way to go of course.

[Guest]

It'll be very congested down that end of the table all season which will make the last day of the season great viewing again. Norwich are not going to want to have to go to Man City needing a win to stay up.

[GSC]

Early on still.

You worry about Southampton defensively, plenty of firepower though.

Norwich just don't look like they have the quality to stay up, team spirit can only take you so far

QPR have struggled to gel, but plenty of talent in the squad compared to other teams around them. Once they get going they should pull away.

Villa are a group of unknow youth really, if they do go down its been coming for a few seasons really

[Guest]

What a fall from grace it's been for Villa. 3 or 4 years ago they were a fixture in the top six and now look at them.

[GSC]

GIROUD

[Guest]

1-1 at half time, happy with that

[GSC]

Walcott off the bench to put Arsenal ahead

[GSC]

Then Santi Cazorla gives Arsenal breathing space with a 25 yarder

[Guest]

Does this Arsenal team have a genuine crack at the title?

[Duty281]

Does this Arsenal team have a genuine crack at the title?

If they still had RVP I would say yes, their defence is looking good, upfront isn't as good. But maybe if Giroud and Podolski hit form, then maybe, just maybe this is Arsenal's year. The other 3 teams are very suspect defensively.

[Gregers]

Does this Arsenal team have a genuine crack at the title?

I'd say no based solely on the fact that both City and Chelsea look stronger overall, personally I think selling RVP was the right thing to do especially if Walcott starts playing up front. Arsenal should finish 3rd ahead of United though

[Guest]

I just ask because games like the one tonight at Upton Park are/were the type of fixture that the Gunners slip up on but they appear alot more dogged than in recent years and don't look like flaking.

I've fancied Chelsea to win it from day one but if Arsenal can finish within 10 points of the top place then I'd say that would represent a very good season and good progress.

[Duty281]

Next 3 games in the Premier League for Arsenal are Norwich (A), QPR (H) and Reading (A). 3 wins from those is very possible and that would give them momentum going to Old Trafford against a under-pressure United.

[Guest]

If United lose tomorrow - which is a possibility - they will be 7 points adrift which is quite a gap 7 games in. I'm not that hung up on Utd's chances this year and think they'll do well to finish in the top 2. Anybody else feel this way?

[Duty281]

If United lose tomorrow - which is a possibility - they will be 7 points adrift which is quite a gap 7 games in. I'm not that hung up on Utd's chances this year and think they'll do well to finish in the top 2. Anybody else feel this way?

Fully agree. Defence is very poor, midfield is very poor. I reckon a 2-1 win for Newcastle tomorrow.

[Ent]

I reckon we will be second/3rd depending on how Chelsea continue- prob 5-10 points off the league winners.

Should have too much for Newcastle tomorrow barring any defensive aberrations like last week.

[Guest]

Are you confident of a clean sheet Ent? From a defensive standpoint I think the quality has dropped significantly in the Premier League.

[Ent]

You can never be confident of a clean sheet, but barring defensive aberrations/wonder strikes yes.

So I'm 50/50 then!

Our defense is getting it rough, but we've 1st choice centre back and 2/3rd choice replacements out, Evans half fit, evra in shocking form and no protection from midfield- not a good recipe.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Norwich, QPR and Villa favourites for the drop at the moment. Long way to go of course.

I'll put Reading instead of Villa they havent impressed me in any position, where Villa have made some good buys in the window and a good manager.

[Ent]

Good start for united, just need to keep the back door closed.

[Duty281]

Finally, a very decent 90 minutes from United. Fully deserved their win and it was sealed by a cracking goal from Cleverley. Tottenham will also be please, 4 wins on the bounce, but yet another struggle for Liverpool.

[GG]

Suarez diving again. This is why he doesn't get penalties when actually fouled.

Spoiler:

[hampo17]

Depends how you want to look at it from our point of view Duty. Everyone I've spoken to at the game has said Stoke came for a draw and our defensive held strong against their high ball policy. We lack that clinical goal scorer just like last season but today's performance was good.

[hampo17]

Suarez diving again. This is why he doesn't get penalties when actually fouled.

Spoiler:

That was shocking, not quite as bad as Mason missing Huths blatent stamp on him just after he was booked though.

[Duty281]

Suarez diving again. This is why he doesn't get penalties when actually fouled.

Spoiler:

That was shocking, not quite as bad as Mason missing Huths blatent stamp on him just after he was booked though.

Simple solution, anyone caught diving gets an automatic 3 game ban. Suarez is pure scum. A diving, cheating racist.

[hampo17]

Talking of divers Gareth Bales is just as bad however I'm sure it'll get ignored by the media due to being British.

Spoiler:

[The Special Juan]

Can't open the spoiler.

[hampo17]

Works for me, anyway http://i.minus.com/iI04qBVyEBQp2.gif

[The Special Juan]

It's working for me now, but thanks for the link. Hilarious

[Smirnoffpriest]

Its funny the word scum or even cheat is never attached to bale or even rooney yet suarez is regularly calld dirty,racist,cheating scum yet bale/rooney arent (note i dont think bale/rooney r scum) even tho they all dive - and rooneys personnal live is hardly above reproach.

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