5000-1 - The 2016/17 Premier League thread

[Dolphin Ziggler]

First topic message reminder :

The other thread is coming to an end and I think it's nice to have a new memory to take us through this year.

And with the new season starting today, what better time to refresh things and start again. The preamble of pre-season is over: 2016/17 LETS BE AVIN YA

[Guest]

Tbh, Terry would have a nightmare against the pace & trickery of Liverpool's attack, so could be a blessing. Luiz is a liability, but tends to raise his game in the big matches & knows the ins & outs of Coutinho/Firminho's games.

I think Liverpool's should be focusing on Costa, because he's going to ruin their defence, in this form.

[Guest]

Tbh, Terry would have a nightmare against the pace & trickery of Liverpool's attack, so could be a blessing. Luiz is a liability, but tends to raise his game in the big matches & knows the ins & outs of Coutinho/Firminho's games.

I think Liverpool's should be focusing on Costa, because he's going to ruin their defence, in this form.

In days gone by, Souness would have leveled Costa within minutes telling him, "This is my f*cking pitch, son." Sadly I don't think the likes of Henderson or Can have it in them to do that but that's what's needed against him. I'd also get Mane running at Luiz at every opportunity with Sturridge whizzing in behind.

[Crimey]

[lfc91]

Have a feeling either Costa or one of the Liverpool defenders will see red on Friday. Hopefully the former because he will undoubtedly do about 4 or 5 things throughout the match that warrant his removal from the pitch.

As has been the trend for a while now, I am far less concerned about our performance/result in this game than I would be against a Burnley/Hull type. Expect 1 or 3 points from Chelsea away followed by an embarrassing loss at home to Hull the following week.

[dyrewolfe]

Worried for us tomorrow. Can see Everton tonking us 3-0.

Match is being shown on BT Sport, but I think I might find something important to do...like washing the car...

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I think we'll lose to West Brom and Pulis will get sacked anyway. He gets his victory so he can go out indignant, we get more worry.

Whilst the whole idea of Friday night football annoys me, it's bloody great for boring f*ckers like me with nothing to do on a Friday night!

[Guest]

Fully expect my weekend to get off to a dreadful start with us getting stung at the Bridge tonight followed by the wife howling with delight after Utd play like Barca.

[Ent]

More likely to play like barca vs alaves than barca vs Celtic.

[Holymiky]

Big game tonight, would be ideal to get the 3 points.

Need to keep it difficult to come to Stamford Bridge. 

Will be interesting to see how the defence get on without Terry.

[Guest]

Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool - Lovren & Henderson

Chelsea getting destroyed really. Not sure Conte & Chelsea are a good fit, looks a mess & his signings just don't really add up.

[Crimey]

Great performance. 

The Henderson goal was absolutely fantastic.

Agree that I'm not sure Conte and Chelsea work, I haven't seen any of their other games this season mind. Based on this performance they just lack life or any kind of intensity. Not sure Ivanovic can hack it anymore, been poor for a couple years now. When they've spent £50 million plus on left backs over the last few years, why not just move Azpilicueta back to right back and stick one of them in. 

Very pleased with the game so far, hoping Chelsea push more players forward in the second half and Mane and Sturridge kill them off on the break.

[Ent]

Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool - Lovren & Henderson

Chelsea getting destroyed really. Not sure Conte & Chelsea are a good fit, looks a mess & his signings just don't really add up.

It's basically mourinhos underperforming team with even less creativity.

Kante a destroyer not a footballer and not really functional in a side that tries to dominate and control a game.

Wonder if conte will change things up as he shapes the team to his liking.

[Crimey]

Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool - Lovren & Henderson

Chelsea getting destroyed really. Not sure Conte & Chelsea are a good fit, looks a mess & his signings just don't really add up.

It's basically mourinhos underperforming team with even less creativity.

Kante a destroyer not a footballer and not really functional in a side that tries to dominate and control a game.

Wonder if conte will change things up as he shapes the team to his liking.

I think one of Kante and Matic can work for Chelsea, no idea what the point of having them both in the same side is, certainly for a team like Chelsea. Neither are particularly good on the ball, they're both good at reading the game. I don't think Oscar is very good either.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Henderson must've been aiming for Clyne out wide to get that in the top corner

[Ent]

Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool - Lovren & Henderson

Chelsea getting destroyed really. Not sure Conte & Chelsea are a good fit, looks a mess & his signings just don't really add up.

It's basically mourinhos underperforming team with even less creativity.

Kante a destroyer not a footballer and not really functional in a side that tries to dominate and control a game.

Wonder if conte will change things up as he shapes the team to his liking.

I think one of Kante and Matic can work for Chelsea, no idea what the point of having them both in the same side is, certainly for a team like Chelsea. Neither are particularly good on the ball, they're both good at reading the game. I don't think Oscar is very good either.

Shows you the difficulty in building a top side, it worked for a while as willian, oscar, Costa and matic did most of the dirty work and let favregas and hazard create. One cog in the system goes and they come midtable.

Hope Conte (and mourinho at United) sorts it out and is successful, city, United, Chelsea and Liverpool all strong and competing with each other for trophies over the next 3/4 years would be mouthwatering.

[Crimey]

Henderson must've been aiming for Clyne out wide to get that in the top corner

Oh come on, even the sternest Henderson critic has got to admit he was the best player in that half.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

He wasn't

[Crimey]

He wasn't

And here is Henderson's actual sternest critic to prove me wrong.

Who was then?

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Coutinho running the show, Matip snuffing out Costa completely

[Crimey]

This has been a very quiet performance from Coutinho, assist aside.

Agree Matip has been good, but hard to judge as I'm not sure Chelsea have really threatened. I'm already a big fan of Matip though.

[Crimey]

Really poor goal to concede.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Wij was better. Hendo scored a good goal, there are those who are easily persuaded by 'tekkers'

[Crimey]

Wij was better. Hendo scored a good goal, there are those who are easily persuaded by 'tekkers'

I'd have had said the same before the goal, he was controlling the midfield and soaking up pretty much everything.

[Crimey]

That Burnley result only becomes more frustrating because otherwise this would have been an even better start. As it is I think playing away games against Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea and gaining 7 points is very good.

[Guest]

Serious work for Conte to do at the Bridge. Needs a massive clear-out

[Holymiky]

I'm loving all of this reaction about how we have lost one game and apparently Conte doesn't work.

Before tonight we have been good, we were much better in the second half tonight too, credit to Liverpool they did well and got the result that they needed and Hendersons goal was nice for sure.

Kante also has been excellent in pretty much all games for us so far, hes had the occasional yellow card but thats part of his position - He wins a lot of the second balls and is good for our side. Just find it interesting that we lose one game and people come out and start saying it about Conte, fair enough if thats your opinion but i think its a bit harsh given that it's one game IMO.

[Guest]

Before tonight we have been good.

You've beaten a WHU team with injuries & who were out of sorts, you struggled past Watford with two goals in the last 10 mins, you were pretty awful vs Swansea & quite frankly outplayed tonight against Liverpool.

I just think this Chelsea squad is a million miles away from a typical Conte squad. It just looks a mess. Needs a massive clear-out, Cesc, Ivanovic, Matic, Pedro & Oscar all need shipping ASAP, also persevering with Azpilicueta at left back is just puzzling. Can't see this Chelsea side challenging for a top 4.

[Holymiky]

Have you watched any of the games?

[Holymiky]

I dont just mean highlights either..

[Guest]

Every single minute, apart from the Watford game, which I saw highlights.

[Crimey]

What was interesting is that with all the focus on David Luiz it was actually Cahill (and Ivanovic) who was really poor in defence.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

The Chelsea squad has needed a clear out for a few years now - how Ivanovic still plays for a club challenging for top four is beyond me - a truly woeful thug of a footballer

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Ivanovic has lost a lot of his physical ability and now the world gets reminded of why he never made it as a centre back; such low intelligence. Luiz did all his work quite well today, and brought some pace of movement and passing when he pushed into midfield. 

The side is a bit workmanlike, Hazard needs more freedom, and Kante and Matic are not gonna go out and win you games as a pair. Not with Oscar playing like he did today.

But Liverpool like the big games, and buzzed around well. Typically, they look better than the substance they produce, and basically nothing of their actual style of play got them their goals; a wonder strike and basically a set piece. When they ran out of juice, as they often do, they showed the frailties

[Crimey]

But Liverpool like the big games, and buzzed around well. Typically, they look better than the substance they produce, and basically nothing of their actual style of play got them their goals; a wonder strike and basically a set piece. When they ran out of juice, as they often do, they showed the frailties

I'll take it! It's as close to a compliment as you're ever going to give Liverpool.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I backed Liverpool and BTTS, and had 1-2 in the predictor. Liverpool turn up for these, and teams focus so much on Liverpool that they forget to play their own game. Which is fine for a lot of teams in the league, but Chelsea aren't a team that spend most of their time focusing on the opposition. 

Still think the whole side is better when Sturridge plays and that taking him off stopped the defenders being scared.

Chelsea were dire in the first half, and City and Liverpool are the two teams in this league who will always take advantage of that.

[Crimey]

Still think the whole side is better when Sturridge plays and that taking him off stopped the defenders being scared.

He was gone physically from the very first minutes of the second half, wouldn't be surprised if he had a knock, he went straight down the tunnel when he came off and he had been struggling to run for 5-10 minutes.

Whilst I agree Sturridge is class and would make any side better, it was definitely the right call taking him off. The real problem was that Origi was playing like he first did last year rather than the Origi who ended last season.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Ivanovic and Willian plays every game..... it is obvious that Roman is picking this team and not Conte. Will be another season outside the top 4 unless big signings in January

[Holymiky]

Willian can play every game if that's the case, he was the best player by far last season albeit not too hard because performances from the team weren't good.

[LivinginItaly]

He was also the best player for Chelsea by far yesterday. Even the most diehard Liverpool supporter would admit we are far from the finished article, and we will not seriously challenge for the title this season. However, away wins at Arsenal, Chelsea and Leicester plus a draw at Tottenham is pretty impressive. Consistency is the key for Liverpool this year.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Nope, his free kick goals masked over how really average he was last year. The best player last year was tough to choose because they were all dreadful, except maybe Zouma when he wasn't injured.

[Guest]

Consistency is a priority for every side to be honest. It's a go-to gripe when it comes to Liverpool fans for some reason. Dolph hit the nail on the head in that Liverpool turn up in these games. We'll probably make a pigs ear of Hull next week.

I've got a strong fancy for West Ham today. So oppose!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

We're going to lose and not score, breaking our 18 odd game run

[Guest]

The 2/1 is turning me right on! I'm going in with a brownie, Dolph!!!

[Guest]

FFS!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I tried to warn you. They don't do anything, this is the perfect example of why they hate Pulis: even when it's good it's awful

[westisbest]

David Marshall wasted on the bench.

Quality keeper.

[Guest]

Aint over yet!

[Hammersmith harrier]

Early days but I do think Chadli will be a big player for West Brom.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I'm annoyed we got the two - they don't deserve for it not to be embarrassing.

[Guest]

ominous from city + kdb looks like he wants to be poty

[Sponsored content]