Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread

[Crimey]

First topic message reminder :

Well the season is nearly upon us, with matches starting next weekend, so I thought it was time for a thread for it.

I'll start with my predictions with the finishes, although a lot depends on signings so mine might change by the end of the window.

1. Chelsea
2. Manchester United
3. Manchester City
4. Tottenham Hotspur
5. Liverpool
6. Arsenal
7. Everton
8. Norwich City
9. Swansea
10. West Bromwich Albion
11. West Ham United
12. Sunderland
13. Newcastle United
14. Fulham
15. Aston Villa
16. Southampton
17. Stoke
18. Cardiff
19. Hull
20. Crystal Palace

[Guest]

Fancy United to get a workmanlike 2-0 win here.

[Guest]

Swansea should dominate Giggs & Cleverley. Bony benched is a disappointment.

[Crimey]

Think Laudrup was scared to go too attacking in his line up against United, but Moyes has gone conservative in expectation of an attacking line up.

Still expect United to win, but if I was a United fan I would not be happy with that starting line up. That isn't even the best in the league never mind being close to competing in Europe. Would expect better teams than Swansea to rip right through that midfield.

[TheCultOfPersonality]

Yeah its not the strongest line up. Its need someone creative like Kagawa to be playing otherwise I don't see them creating many chances. Think it will be 1-1.

[Crimey]

Apparently Bony has jet lag.

[mystiroakey]

not starting zaha or rooney.

I hope swansea spank them

[Crimey]

Will be watching Jonjo Shelvey, really wish we'd put some kind of buy back clause into that deal (might have not been reported to be fair) because I really think he'll be a great player.

[CFCNick]

Just seen this on facebook - "In 1995, United didn't sign a single player in the transfer window and lost 3-1 to Villa on the opening day. They won the double".

Don't think it'll happen with Arsenal.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Made a rod for his own back now Dowd. Awful ref and forced into showing cards now cos hes set an early standard

[Crimey]

Yeah, not a great start.

Thought Martin Atkinson refereed the Stoke-Liverpool game perfectly, allowed a few early challenges to go and didn't give a yellow card until late in the second half.

[Crimey]

I don't think you can play Van Persie without support like United are doing today, he's too eager to come deep for the ball and then you're left with nobody to up front. Kagawa or Rooney behind Van Persie the way to go, Giggs behind Van Persie or Cleverley behind Van Persie definitely isn't.

[Crimey]

Three posts in a row, but oh well.

Think Canas set the standard for the the tackles though, Manchester United players seems to have gone for revenge and then Swansea are tackling just as hard back. Won't be surprised to see a red card in this game, maybe an injury as well.

[Guest]

This is more eventful than I expected.

[Crimey]

United looking very nervy, giving the ball away too much and not taking their chances, David De Gea has to do better with what was a very weak shot from Routledge.

[CFCNick]

Shelvey playing better than I ever saw him play for Liverpool.

[Guest]

I've always liked Shelvey myself. A lot of Pool fans were never that hung up on him but he's looking for the ball and doesn't shy away. Think he'll do well at Swansea.

[CFCNick]

If they have to use Hawkeye will the ground slow clap like they do at Wimbledon???

[Crimey]

I really rate Shelvey, think he suffered in the Liverpool squad because he never got a consistent run out and struggled with the pressure. I think he'll be a real success at Swansea as he grows as a player.

Been the best midfielder on the pitch so far, he's here there and everywhere.

[Crimey]

If they have to use Hawkeye will the ground slow clap like they do at Wimbledon???

It's instant, takes 1 second to work it out and then immediately tells the referee.

[CFCNick]

Yeah but even so they still show the 3D replay on the stadium screens.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

The refs wear a watch that vibrates and displays the word "goal" on a small display.

Shelvey was always the better play than Henderson for me, happy hes moved to Swansea (sad we couldnt go in for him) as it should help his development a lot.

[Guest]

That's real class.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I am a little bit in love with RVP

[The Special Juan]

Na na na na na na na na na na na! Danny Welbeck Welbeck! Danny Welbeck!

[Guest]

This is typical United. Go through the motions for half an hour and then bang 2 goals.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Welbeck with a goal this early in the season?! 

Great pass from Valencia. United are dangerous, always will be, they'll enjoy being written off.

[CFCNick]

Can we have Mr Rooney please Mr Moyes? You clearly don't need him.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Do not like this David Moyes 'come on feel the noise' chant.

[The Special Juan]

Who comes up with these chants? And how does everyone seem to know them?

[mystiroakey]

Swansea playing nice football. But Man U just too good!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I'm sure there is a chief song writer at United, he won some sort of award a few years back. Away trips, pubs, forums and pre season I would imagine get them spread easily.

[Guest]

Tom Cleverly has the look of a man that makes rap videos in his spare time wearing a scream mask.

[Crimey]

Went to the shop, come back and have missed two goals. What happened Swansea?

[The Special Juan]

I'm sure there is a chief song writer at United, he won some sort of award a few years back. Away trips, pubs, forums and pre season I would imagine get them spread easily.

Really? That's brilliant

[Guest]

Went to the shop, come back and have missed two goals. What happened Swansea?

United reverted to type.

[Guest]

I'm sure there is a chief song writer at United, he won some sort of award a few years back. Away trips, pubs, forums and pre season I would imagine get them spread easily.

Really?  That's brilliant

Hunt him down and get him on our limerick thread  

[Crimey]

Will be interesting to see how Moyes emulates Ferguson in arguably his greatest strength in how he recycles the team, Moyes might have a decent couple of years with the team Ferguson built but the real test will come when he has to try and rebuild Manchester United with his own side as Ferguson did on multiple occasions.

[Crimey]

Up to 20 points in Fantasy football now thanks to Van Persie. Still got 4 players to go as well.

[Lumbering_Jack]

Anyone think the new sky setup is god awful. Genuinely rubbish.

[Crimey]

I don't like it.

The problem with football on TV at the moment is they're trying to make everything too big, which makes genuinely big events in football feel less important.

[Guest]

Anyone think the new sky setup is god awful. Genuinely rubbish.

Agreed.

[Lumbering_Jack]

Feels very American. Lots of whooping and noise. Hopefully it will be a passing phase

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Cannot see the point of a live audience. Irritating as hell.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Wayne returns

[mystiroakey]

I hope Zaha gets some time!

[The Special Juan]

How does Evra keep winning headers in the box? He's tiny!!

[Crimey]

Surprised to see Rooney on.

Really impressed with Canas, looks like another really good under-the-radar signing from Swansea.

Saw somebody on the BBC live text say they'd rather have Welbeck then Benteke... 

[mystiroakey]

RVP makes bale look like wilbraham!

different league.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

World Class.

[Crimey]

Van Persie firing Manchester United to glory again.

Very worrying if he's injured though. Can the other forwards replace him?

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