We Go Again! The 2014/15 Premier League Thread

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Mon May 26, 2014 5:15 pm

Well, as I started one for the Championship, it seems now is the time for the Premier League 2014/15 thread to begin!

We have all our teams, with Leicester, Burnley and QPR replacing Cardiff, Fulham and Norwich. Can City retain, can United break into the top four, how will Liverpool cope with Champions League football. All this and more can be discussed as we see how the transfers, the rumours, the World Cup and everything else make an impact on the Premier League before it all kicks off?

I'll open it up...the Telegraph, Sky Sports and others report Pochettino is top of Spurs' shortlist and could be unveiled in the next week. Thoughts? Sounds the perfect fit to me. Some suggesting he'll bring Rodriguez with him, although that sounds like immediate clutching to me.

by Ent Mon May 26, 2014 6:25 pm

United to win the league at a canter.

Cleverly to score 20 from open play.

Fellaini to make an incisive pass.

Ah well I can dream.

by LastDamnation Mon May 26, 2014 6:38 pm

Can't help thinking pochettino would be better off continuing what he's done at Southampton and waiting for a better opportunity. He'll be expected to get top 4 at spurs and that really isn't realistic.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Mon May 26, 2014 6:50 pm

I suppose he would be considering earlier in the year when his boardroom ally left and he seriously contemplated his future. Possibly fears that his side will be decimated this summer too.

by Guest Mon May 26, 2014 7:15 pm

We could be relegated or achieve a top 7 or 8. I await in anticipation to what will unfold for Newcastle.

Title between City & Chelsea. Liverpool to drop, under the expectation of repeating this years form & the pressure of competing in Europe. Arsenal & United to grab top 4. Burnley for sure will be relegated.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Mon May 26, 2014 7:28 pm

Burnley will stay up I think, good young manager, squad needs a little more depth but that'll happen, fancy them to stay up the most of all the promoted sides tbh

Citeh to win the title
Liverpool to drop from the top four
Utd to finish 4th
QPR, Leicester, Hull to get relegated

by westisbest Mon May 26, 2014 7:38 pm

City/Chelsea to win league.

Utd to make top top 4 with Liverpool.

Arsenal 5th.

To Go down, WBA, Swansea, Burnley

by NickisBHAFC Mon May 26, 2014 7:49 pm

I think QPR will be fine, if they continue to throw money at it.

Burnley is interesting. Think if they can add a key center back, key center mid.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Mon May 26, 2014 7:57 pm

Stan Collymore is gonna be on MOTD next season

#bringbackHansen

by Lowlandbrit Mon May 26, 2014 8:02 pm

Bit worried for Southampton. Could lose a lot of pieces, hope they have a plan in place if they do.

Looking forward to seeing what van Gaal does with United, expecting a lot of young players to get a chance. Probably won't challenge for the title, but should lay a foundation to get back to the top for a long time.

by Hammersmith harrier Mon May 26, 2014 8:03 pm

I reckon Arsenal will start well before falling off as they always do but it won't be there fault because they're the only team who can't cope with injuries.

United to be reinvigorated and challenge for the title falling just short and finishing third behind Chelsea and City, Liverpool to fall away possibly coming 6th behind Tottenham.

by NickisBHAFC Mon May 26, 2014 8:26 pm

Olly wrote:Stan Collymore is gonna be on MOTD next season

#bringbackHansen

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

by Duty281 Mon May 26, 2014 8:29 pm

Olly wrote:Stan Collymore is gonna be on MOTD next season

#bringbackHansen

At least it's not Russell Brand!

by LastDamnation Mon May 26, 2014 8:37 pm

Olly wrote:Burnley will stay up I think, good young manager, squad needs a little more depth but that'll happen, fancy them to stay up the most of all the promoted sides tbh

Citeh to win the title
Liverpool to drop from the top four
Utd to finish 4th
QPR, Leicester, Hull to get relegated

Will have to wait to see what happens in the market before a final prediction, but pretty much agree with this aorn

by TheCultOfPersonality Mon May 26, 2014 9:21 pm

I fear for Southampton, especially if Pochettino leaves and takes Rodriguez with him. Also the (potential) imminent departure of Lallanna and Shaw will be a huge issue for them to overcome.

I think this season could have the best title race with the current top four and Man Utd all competiting. Chelsea will win it.

I reckon QPR and Leicester will be safe. Hull, Palace(unfortunately) and Burnley will go down.

by Atila Mon May 26, 2014 9:29 pm

Expecting United to be better this season, but I don't think we'll win the title, most likely City will win it.

I also want to see how Liverpool do this year, just have a feeling that they overachieved and will drop out of the top 4 especially if Suarez leaves.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Mon May 26, 2014 9:39 pm

City or Chelsea, likely City.

Villa or West Brom will flirt again, as will we, with the relegation trap. But I'll go Hull, Burnley, Leicester, whilst praying its QPR

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Mon May 26, 2014 9:49 pm

Pochettino apparently unhappy Southampton can't keep there star players

So his solution will be to go to Spurs

Doh

by Guest Mon May 26, 2014 10:41 pm

This will unfold badly for Pochettino long term. You kinda feel he's trying run, before he can walk, in terms of EPL management. Maybe a harsh assessment but he's not achieved massive amounts as of yet at Southampton, should of stayed, banked £50m from Lallana & Shaw & built his own side. Jumping to Spurs will be tough, unrealistic top 4 goal & then there's Levy as your boss. Can see Poch struggling to transform Spurs into anything superior & he'll end up like the rest who have fallen before him. Reputation down the drain, back to Spain.

by Hammersmith harrier Mon May 26, 2014 11:09 pm

I think he's a bit over rated anyway, by and large it's Adkins team, the players he bought or gave a chance too; Osvaldo was a poor signing while Wanyama did ok without being great. Then factor in that the team he inherited is going to get decimated then it seems like the right time to jump ship for a bit of extra dough.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Tue May 27, 2014 12:24 am

It seems to me like the best time. How many teams of Southampton's ilk survive a culling like is on the cards?

I actually have been impressed by him, and I dont like Southampton so that doesnt come easy. Think he took all that Adkins did and then showed himself to be a better manager, with some similarities to what McLaren has done with Derby since taking over from Clough

by Atila Tue May 27, 2014 1:13 am

It's a win win situation for Pochettino if he gets the Spurs job.

He'll sign a three or four year contract with Spurs. If he succeeds they'll extend his contract and give him a raise. If he fails they'll fire him and give him a pay off that'll be in the millions. What did Moyes get? Four million pounds for 10 months of failure?

It won't ruin Pochettino's chances of getting a another job if he's fired. Managers go from job to job these days, it's like musical chairs.

by Stella Tue May 27, 2014 11:41 am

Arsenal to win it, with Utd pushing for the top four. Arsenal messed up against their main rivals last season. If they can address their defensive problems, then they have the quality up top to win it.

by Guest Tue May 27, 2014 11:46 am

Stella wrote:Arsenal to win it, with Utd pushing for the top four. Arsenal messed up against their main rivals last season. If they can address their defensive problems, then they have the quality up top to win it.

What? Defensively, they are pretty sound. It's more of a weaker core, especially in midfield against the top teams & Wenger stubbornness to change his teams style in those games, which is required. They also don't have he quality up top whatsoever, to win the title.

by Stella Tue May 27, 2014 11:50 am

John wrote:
Stella wrote:Arsenal to win it, with Utd pushing for the top four. Arsenal messed up against their main rivals last season. If they can address their defensive problems, then they have the quality up top to win it.

What? Defensively, they are pretty sound. It's more of a weaker core, especially in midfield against the top teams & Wenger stubbornness to change his teams style in those games, which is required. They also don't have he quality up top whatsoever, to win the title.

They have more than enough imo. It's not all about the CF's scoring. Walcott will return, add that to a midfield who love to get forward then goals will come. Injuries may set them back?

by Duty281 Tue May 27, 2014 11:59 am

Don't injuries always hold Arsenal back?

They got destroyed, not just beaten, by their title rivals last season, I can't see a mass improvement happening to change that. 4th once again, perhaps?

The race for the top four will be the most competitive it's ever been, with seven teams in the mix.

by TopoftheChops Tue May 27, 2014 12:27 pm

the return of the tinpot league!

City champions
Hull, Newcastle and QPR relegated

by socal1976 Tue May 27, 2014 1:06 pm

Duty281 wrote:Don't injuries always hold Arsenal back?

They got destroyed, not just beaten, by their title rivals last season, I can't see a mass improvement happening to change that. 4th once again, perhaps?

The race for the top four will be the most competitive it's ever been, with seven teams in the mix.

I can see the gunners improving on 4th but can't see them yet winning the title as I think Chelsea, City, and United will be better. I think Liverpool will come back to earth. That being said it is early to predict anything. If Arsenal actually have a good transfer window for once we can be in the mix.

by Guest Tue May 27, 2014 1:50 pm

People seems to forget that Rodgers had Liverpool playing some good football at the end of the 12/13 season and the 13/14 season was simply a continuation of that. Surprised some people think this is a one season fluke when the evidence has been there for a while.

I do see next season being harder by virtue of most teams adopting a much more defensive formation against us with a view to limiting the number of goals they concede and/or looking to break on the counter. Don't see and really big wins for LFC next season but I'll be quite happy with a bunch of 1-0 and 2-0 wins as long as the defence is sorted. Mignolet needs to Marshall his back four a lot better and we need a midfield attack dog and another 15-20 goal striker.

Would love us to go one further along with a couple of decent cup runs and an excellent showing in the CL. Hoping the likes of Jordan Ibe get a bit of a push too

by Geordie Tue May 27, 2014 2:09 pm

Well if we (Newcastle) continue on as we did in the 2nd half of this season, then we'll be in serious trouble.

We have some very good players, but we have some poor ones aswell. And is Pardew the right man and good enough.

Genier is apparently in talks, which would be a good signing but he needs help. He cant do it all on his own. Cabella being linked would be another good signing.

Hopefully a few of our youngsters will get a few games this season like recent England u17 Euro Champs winner Alan Armstrong - a seriously talented young striker.

by J.Benson II Tue May 27, 2014 3:58 pm

Chelsea to win the league.
United to challenge for Top 4 and may or may not get it.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Tue May 27, 2014 6:11 pm

Pochettino confirmed as Spurs gaffer.

by Lowlandbrit Tue May 27, 2014 6:31 pm

Not entirely sure why anyone would give a manager a five year deal considering the average lifespan these days, but seems like a decent fit. Big couple of months coming up for Southampton.

by compelling and rich Tue May 27, 2014 7:19 pm

agree with above it will be difficult to judge what we do until i see what we do in the transfer market, could say the same about a lot of other clubs i suppose but its most important with united i feel. cant see our rivals doing massive amounts

by NickisBHAFC Tue May 27, 2014 7:54 pm

I think he has made the wrong decision tbh. But its up to him to prove me and others wrong. But i think Tottenham need to get right behind him, but knowing Levy he will probably be sacked by the time we all get under way in August.

by Atila Tue May 27, 2014 8:43 pm

Lowlandbrit wrote:Not entirely sure why anyone would give a manager a five year deal considering the average lifespan these days, but seems like a decent fit. Big couple of months coming up for Southampton.

Would Pochettino go to Spurs unless he was guaranteed a few years on his contract? I doubt it.

Five years is longer than I expected though. I figured they'd offer him three or four years. He's guaranteed a decent sized pay off in the millions if he's fired before the contract expires.

by Guest Tue May 27, 2014 8:46 pm

Levy just loves throwing his money down the drain. Don't blame Pochettino for jumping ship now after agreeing a five-year deal, his wife's probably already spent the compensation money.

by socal1976 Wed May 28, 2014 7:59 am

The problem with Spurs is Levy and not the managers. I am not a huge fan of AVB and I think Sherwood wasn't ready for the big leagues either. Yet, since Levy has taken over Spurs they have changed mangers over and over again. Spurs management has unrealistic expectations of where they are in the pecking order. I am not just saying this because I am an Arsenal fan and occassionally like to have a go at them. The teams that consistently finish above them are bigger clubs with more money and better teams. They are not a champions league side. Yes they should try to improve their lot and break into the mix with Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, City, and where United have been the last few years. But they can't fire managers every 18 months because said manager doesn't bring them Champion's league football. You have played in that tournament once, it isn't your birthright and a manager for Spurs shouldn't be fired because he can't get there. If you want to ever pull an Atletico and usurp the big boys you have to build from within and find a good manager who will be there for the long haul and bring stability. You aren't going to get there by outspending City or Chelsea or even Arsenal.

by westisbest Wed May 28, 2014 8:26 am

Olly wrote:Stan Collymore is gonna be on MOTD next season

#bringbackHansen

Really. Great stuff.
Good to have an ex Villa man on the show.

Even if he has let himself down in the past.

Aam a fan of Hanson, & Lawro.

Dont like Shera, so boring.
Savage, poor.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Wed May 28, 2014 10:18 am

Hopefully he'll only appear on rare occasions

by GSC Wed May 28, 2014 10:25 am

MotD needs a major revamp. Too old and cliche'd.

Lineker can stay. Lawrenson needs taking out back and putting out of his misery. Shearer is the most boring man on TV. Savage is just a prat.

Seems to be a dearth of good pundits these days. Keanes the only one I'd actually enjoy listening to, the rest just spout the same tired cliches and uninspired analysis.

by Kurt N. Jurqa Wed May 28, 2014 10:29 am

I just loved Keane's Crocodile Dundee style response to Chiles during the CL Final... 'That's not a headbutt'.
The nation paused with abated breath as it unfortunately cut back to adverts.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Wed May 28, 2014 10:32 am

I like Lawro, a lot. Guy isn't bothered by the fact he's on TV, he'll just tell crap jokes when they spring up in his head, and if you listen I actually think hes generally spot on with all his analysis.

Savage is genuinely very good on 606, I didn't want to like him but he is good. He doesnt call everything right but he has strong opinions and does back them up.

The problem with MOTD isnt that they are bad analysts, its the fact they get about a minute to discuss all the details of a match.

I like Roy Keane, but i'm not sure how good an actual pundit he is, hes just entertaining to watch.

by GSC Wed May 28, 2014 10:33 am

Lineker, Keane, maybe Neville. Is it that hard to find ex pros with charisma?

by GSC Wed May 28, 2014 10:33 am

Though in the beebs case, those ex pros need to have played for Liverpool.

by Guest Wed May 28, 2014 10:36 am

Phil Neville isn't doing the commentary for BBC during the Italy game is he? Was that a joke or serious? Just can`t imagine him commentating at all.

by Kurt N. Jurqa Wed May 28, 2014 10:55 am

I want to see Steve McLaren and Joey Barton on commentary at the World Cup, both attempting accents of the countries that are playing that corresponding game.

by westisbest Wed May 28, 2014 11:01 am

I think Lineker needs to go asap.
Almost as boring as Shearer.
His jokes are just not funny.

Somebody like Matt Holland off the top of my head would be better.
He's decent on drive.

by Guest Wed May 28, 2014 12:32 pm

Murat Yakin would be a good appointment for Southampton, makes sense with the owner too.

by Fernando Wed May 28, 2014 12:35 pm

Id be delighted if i was Southampton if actually could get him, Would very much soften the blow of losing Pochettino.

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