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

[Stella]

Have all three promoted sides ever been relegated together the next season?

Two out of the three went down in 95 when four teams got relegated and only two came up as they changed the Prem from 22 to 20 teams and one of them was 4th bottom too. Bolton were one of the two to come up and went straight back down.

97-98, Barnsley, Bolton and Palace all went down. 2 out of three went down in 98-99.

Think since then the promoted sides have done really well with two out three going down four times.

Cheers. Yes, one team normally does ok, Hull, Swansea, etc. Not sure who will this season.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Now off down the Carra to hopefully see the Nodge get off to a good start

Would take a point with Bassong, Fer, Pilkington and most likely Hooper out

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Stoke should be ahead, Huth hit the bar, Mignolet flapped badly

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Stoke are in desperate need of a playmaker and a striker

[Guest]

Mignolet's been shaky but Liverpool are dominating. Sturridge looks a threat but Liverpool need the breakthrough soon, otherwise hitting the bar again and not scoring will just make the side and crowd nervous. Good game though.

[The Special Juan]

Aspas has been impressive so far but it's Coutinho who's been the best player on the pitch by far. His through balls are a real treat to watch.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I have thought Aspas looked a bit iffy. Great finish that Sturridge

[Crimey]

Good first half from a Liverpool perspective, needed the goal really. Wish we'd stop giving away free kicks in dangerous areas, Mignolet looks really shaky and if people thought Reina was poor at dealing with balls into the box, Mignolet has been scary every time it's come in, saved by the bar and Lucas in this game already.

Coutinho has been the star, but also impressed with Sturridge who is starting to grow on me after I was initially disappointed with the signing, it's clear he's becoming less selfish of a player. He, Coutinho and Aspas already combining well. 

Think Liverpool need another goal to feel really comfortable, was happy to see half time come as it will kill Stoke's momentum, want to make the most of the restart and get a goal early in the second half.

[The Special Juan]

Begovic - One of the top 3 keepers in the country.

[Guest]

Begovic is class, surprised Wenger or someone else has not just gone and got him. Great saves during the game. Fizzled out the game, Liverpool look comfortable and should hold on, although set-pieces seem to be the only threat from Stoke. Not outstanding from Liverpool but the win is the most important thing. Team seems to be gelling nicely, Coutinho looks a real star. Aspas....not sure but early days. Mignolet was very shaky and probably nervous on his debut, which is to be expected really. All in all, promising start for Liverpool but their certainly not a threat for a top 4 as of yet.

[Hulking_up]

And Mignolet saves a penalty!

[Guest]

Full time. Liverpool 1-0 Stoke. Big moment at the start of his Liverpool career that one. Should do wonders for him and settle him down. Good 3 points for Liverpool but certainly things to improve on if they want to challenge for Europe. Stoke look just as dire as last year.

[Crimey]

Absolutely excellent from Mignolet, thought that he started so nervously so to see him make a fantastic double save was the perfect way for him to start really. Silly penalty to give away and a lot of the old problems still present for Liverpool by not finishing teams off, allowing them to come back into it but Stoke are a frustrating side to play against in the way they pile bodies behind the ball.

Happy with the start to the season with a lot of promise. Not a fan of Rodgers not making changes, he made the one with Sterling but felt that Sturridge was tiring as was Gerrard and Stoke might not have come back into it had Rodgers freshened things up a bit.

[hampo17]

Good performance from us, and on another day it would have been four or five. Begovic had a fantastic game and I'd be surprised if he doesn't move from Stoke soon. The amount of chances we created is promising for sure and against other teams I expect us to put a few more away.

Very promising signs though.

[The Special Juan]

Come on Everton!!

[Fernando]

Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa - Olivier Giroud  

Only goal in the 3pm PL KO's so far.

[Fernando]

West Ham 1-0 Cardiff - Joe Cole

[Dolphin Ziggler]

ARE YOU WATCHING, ARE YOU WATCHING, ARE YOU WATCHING CRIMEY BOY?! ARE YOU WATCHING CRIMEY BOY?!

Go on Joey!

[Crimey]

I saw that he scored and came to see if you had said anything. 

Will switch over to the West Ham game to judge Joe Cole.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

With that id say Joe Cole injury incoming haha

[Fernando]

Agbonlahor gets a penalty for Villa. Weimann tried to score after Agbonlahor was taken out by Chesney but put in to side netting but brought back for the penalty

Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa  - Benteke after rebound from penalty save.

[Crimey]

More importantly Liverpool retake top spot. 

[Fernando]

I shall presume this will be the bright point of your season Crimey remember to take a photo

[Fernando]

Half Time Scores
Arsenal 1-1 Villa
Norwich 0-0 Everton
Sunderland 0-0 Fulham
WBA 0-0 Southampton
West Ham 1-0 Cardiff

[Crimey]

For those questioning why some say Arsenal need a new goalkeeper, I think Sczesny's odd behaviour in today's game shows why.

[Guest]

Quiet start to the season. Interestingly poised at the Emirates, a draw would not be good enough for Arsenal and will undoubtedly put pressure on Wenger for new arrivals. Can actually see the Norwich/Sunderland games ending draws.

[Crimey]

Yeah been a bit of a boring day after a great opener. Looking forward to the Swansea-United game though, so much pressure on Moyes in that game. No win situation, even a comfortable win will be scrutinised.

[The Special Juan]

Yeah been a bit of a boring day after a great opener. Looking forward to the Swansea-United game though, so much pressure on Moyes in that game. No win situation, even a comfortable win will be scrutinised.

By people looking to scrutinise....

[Guest]

Have faith people. The 2nd half will bring goals galore!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

When both teams score, its goals galore!

[Guest]

Yeah, I don't think a comfortable win for United will be scrutinised but the liklihood of them walking away from Swansea with an easy three points is far from certain. Think it will be a right good game and United may be caught napping and showcase why they themselves need reinforcements. Looking forward to see the Bony/Michu partnership in action.

[Fernando]

Norwich 1-0 Everton

Whittaker

[Fernando]

Sunderland 0-1 Fulham

Kasami

[TheCultOfPersonality]

Di Canio immediately under pressure if they lose

[Guest]

Always said Martinez following on from Moyes was going to difficult, proving that way. Going to be difficult for Everton fan's to understand the transition this year. Sunderland are dire anyway, along with Stoke. They're definitely the two EPL teams to be in danger this year with the new boys.

[Fernando]

Norwich 1-1 Everton

Barkley

[Crimey]

Good goal from Barkley.

[The Special Juan]

Meanwhile McManaman's been sent off for Wigan in the Championship. I didn't see it but I guess he's now officially a dirty git.

[mystiroakey]

 

PL day!

Watford getting beat up- cant believe(yes champ but still)


Come on arsenal don't ruin my Multiplier(they were my banker!!)

[Fernando]

If you ever bet on Arsenal you deserve to lose your money never ends well

[CFCNick]

Oh dear. Penalty Villa.

[Fernando]

Aston Villa penalty despite Koscielny getting his foot on the ball according to Mr Phil Thompson so probably missed it by 5ft

Arsenal 1-2 Villa - Benteke Pen.

[The Special Juan]

If you ever bet on Arsenal you deserve to lose your money never ends well

I'm learning the hard way

[Guest]

Flying in now and Olly's Villa tip is looking good!

[Fernando]

Norwich 1-2 Everton
Coleman

[Guest]

oh my god Wenger

[Crimey]

Awful from Arsenal.

Everton in front, Coleman goal. 2-1.

[mystiroakey]

Oh my days!¬!!
Villa ahead..

Haha..

I am happy in a way- Because I backed against palace on this multiplier.

I was a wrongun! I deserve this

[Fernando]

If you ever bet on Arsenal you deserve to lose your money never ends well

I'm learning the hard way

I warn you every year about betting on us, We're get a point been ages since lost on opening day i believe.

[CFCNick]

As it stood I was a West Brom and Swansea win away from £420. Then Everton decided they want to win........  

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