The 6th Place Trophy - The 2017/18 Premier League Thread

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun 18 Jun 2017, 6:09 pm

First topic message reminder :

The fixtures have been released, players have been signed and summer is already a bit boring, so here's the Premier League 2017/18 season thread.

Opening fixtures:

Arsenal v Leicester City
Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester City
Chelsea v Burnley
Crystal Palace v Huddersfield Town
Everton v Stoke City
Manchester United v West Ham United
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton v Swansea City
Watford v Liverpool
West Bromwich Albion v Bournemouth

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Mon 12 Feb 2018, 1:29 pm

http://www.worldfootball.net/table_calculator/eng-premier-league/

Predictor time has begun!

Got West Brom, Brighton and Southampton going down, but I think my feelings on Southampton would change if they got a new manager.

by Guest Mon 12 Feb 2018, 2:09 pm

I've got Brighton (32pts) S'oton (31) and West Brom (28)

Top 4 are Man City (99pts) Man Utd (84) Spurs (80) and Chelsea (80pts)

If you'd have asked me 10 minutes ago I'd have had Liverpool to make the top 4 Laugh

I'd have also backed City to break a 100 points although I have them to bag 109 goals.

Basically, bet against all the above and you're laughing

Great fun doing that, though!

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Mon 12 Feb 2018, 2:12 pm

I had Chelsea 5th and Arsenal convincingly behind in 6th.

Think I had City on 103 and smashing 100+ goals easily

by Guest Mon 12 Feb 2018, 2:17 pm

Yeah I got Arsenal on 70 points, six behind Liverpool and 16 ahead of Leicester in 7th.

Looking back at the predictions I've hardly given anyone a clean sheet!

by No name Bertie Mon 12 Feb 2018, 9:03 pm

Daniel Sturridge on loan at WBA, the potential saviour for WBA, is injured 3 mins into the Chelsea v WBA match. Apparently he was running for the ball and that was enough for something to pop in his body.

by Guest Mon 12 Feb 2018, 10:00 pm

WBA look doomed. 3 wins in 27. Pardew wasn’t the answer, and neither was gambling on Sturridge.

by No name Bertie Mon 12 Feb 2018, 10:51 pm

This season WBA Premiership Performance
Tony Pulis: ...... Played 12: Points 10: Points/game = 0.83: Goals scored/game = 0.75: Goals conceded/game = 1.5
Gary Megson: .. Played 02: Points 02: Points/game = 1.00: Goals scored/game = 1.50: Goals conceded/game = 1.5
Alan Pardew: ... Played 13: Points 08: Points/game = 0.69: Goals scored/game = 0.69: Goals conceded/game = 1.5

So there has been no new manager bounce at all in the appointment of Alan Pardew.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Tue 13 Feb 2018, 7:54 am

No name Bertie wrote:This season WBA Premiership Performance
Tony Pulis: ...... Played 12: Points 10: Points/game = 0.83: Goals scored/game = 0.75: Goals conceded/game = 1.5
Gary Megson: .. Played 02: Points 02: Points/game = 1.00: Goals scored/game = 1.50: Goals conceded/game = 1.5
Alan Pardew: ... Played 13: Points 08: Points/game = 0.69: Goals scored/game = 0.69: Goals conceded/game = 1.5

So there has been no new manager bounce at all in the appointment of Alan Pardew.

WBA's problem was that Pulis purchased horrifically in the summer - that squad has been aging for a while, and needed a lot of fresh blood. Instead he just brought a few more in his mould, and they've paid the price

by GSC Tue 13 Feb 2018, 9:08 am

Wary of writing anyone off, someone usually goes on a run towards seasons end. But if Sturridge is hurt, hard to see where the goals are coming from.

by GSC Tue 13 Feb 2018, 9:09 am

Probably would've been smarter just to let Pulis grind out survival then give a new manager the summer to put his own imprint on the squad

by dave667 Tue 13 Feb 2018, 12:01 pm

No name Bertie wrote:Daniel Sturridge on loan at WBA, the potential saviour for WBA, is injured 3 mins into the Chelsea v WBA match. Apparently he was running for the ball and that was enough for something to pop in his body.

Even David Haye thinks he should call it a day now

by GSC Tue 13 Feb 2018, 12:22 pm

Meanwhile West Brom sack the chairman and chief exec

by No name Bertie Sun 18 Feb 2018, 7:44 pm

This is for Fernando - proof positive that Lamela dived:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6iS5V0t8x4&t=0m26s

And now another penalty / diving controversy involving spurs - Dele Alli winning a penalty against the mighty Rochdale - Alli runs into the outstretched leg of a Rochdale player - as the Rochdale player is retracting his leg, Alli executes a forward dive with tuck and roll.

by GSC Sat 24 Feb 2018, 4:55 pm

Might be it for Pards.

WBA are approaching near miracle turnaround required level

by Guest Sat 24 Feb 2018, 5:27 pm

Blew a two-goal lead with 10 to go picard

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sat 24 Feb 2018, 6:51 pm

Got battered by the team I expect to batter us most when we play. Questions on the first, but more because the rules are so poor. But after that we showed no ambition and seemed to be there to accept our fate.

Tight as hell at the bottom. Table as stands (Watford are mid-game)

10 Watford
28 8 7 13 38 47 -9 33

11 Bournemouth
28 8 8 12 33 43 -10 32

12 Brighton
28 7 10 11 26 37 -11 31

13 West Ham
28 7 9 12 35 50 -15 30

14 Huddersfield
28 8 6 14 25 48 -23 30

15 Newcastle
28 7 8 13 27 38 -11 29

16 Southampton
28 5 12 11 29 41 -12 27

17 Palace
27 6 9 12 25 42 -17 27

18 Swansea
28 7 6 15 21 41 -20 27

19 Stoke
28 6 8 14 28 54 -26 26

20 West Brom
28 3 11 14 22 42 -20 20

by GSC Sat 24 Feb 2018, 7:14 pm

Doesn't look like Deeneys been using his time off in a gym, but great finish

by No name Bertie Sat 24 Feb 2018, 9:47 pm

Best result of the day was Huddersfield's away win at relegation rivals WBA. Bad result for WBA.

Away draws are "good" except that Newcastle will feel disappointed not to hold on for their win, while Southampton will feel delighted by grabbing a draw in the last minute.

Home wins are good especially against relegation rivals - so good home win for Brighton against relegation rivals Swansea. Not a good result for Swansea.

Still all to play for, but WBA moving into "highly likely to certainties" to be relegated territory. This coming shortly after WBA players breaking curfew, early morning drinking and "stealing a cab" antics while warm weather training in Spain, involving the team captain and others, suggests the players are not fully committed to the cause. Five loses in a row (four premiership + fa cup tie) plus disciplinary issues, with the player disciplinary issues coming a few days AFTER the sacking of the chairman and chief executive of the club, indicates turmoil and zero momentum at WBA.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun 25 Feb 2018, 2:37 pm

Pogba does excellently to lose a 50/50 in the air with Kante

by Guest Sun 25 Feb 2018, 2:38 pm

Crap goalkeeping.

by Ent Sun 25 Feb 2018, 2:38 pm

Pogba chickened out of a header he was heavy favourite for, then lay down on the ground looking for a free kick. Chelsea break and score.

De gea beaten at near post but it was absolutely smashed at him.

by Ent Sun 25 Feb 2018, 2:40 pm

Pogba giving off to everyone, sick of him.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun 25 Feb 2018, 2:45 pm

United equalise with a lovely move, Romelu getting his goal against a big side.

by Ent Sun 25 Feb 2018, 2:45 pm

Good goal, martial did very well.

Space created when Christensen took a small blow to the head when challenging for a header - then going down looking a freekick.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun 25 Feb 2018, 3:39 pm

Messi Lingard puts United 2-1 up.

Lukaku assist, a great day for him so far.

by Ent Sun 25 Feb 2018, 3:40 pm

Lukaku great link up play.

He has improved a lot this season imo.

by Ent Sun 25 Feb 2018, 3:55 pm

Got lucky there with that offside goal, this is why you don't make negative changes.

Change in personnel, system and handing initiative to opponent.

by Guest Sun 25 Feb 2018, 3:58 pm

Like watching paint dry, but Mourinho won’t mind. As for Sanchez, he’s been meh for a while.

by Ent Sun 25 Feb 2018, 4:01 pm

Good win there, however a few points.

A little more intent and increased tempo and united could have had a lot more joy in front of goal.

Chelsea tried to coast the draw out there with an eye on Barcelona.

by Guest Thu 01 Mar 2018, 8:20 pm

Men v Boys at the Emirates

by GSC Thu 01 Mar 2018, 8:57 pm

time to go arsene...

destroying his own legacy

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Thu 01 Mar 2018, 9:07 pm

Manchester City were phenomenal in that first half though. Those goals were beautiful

by GSC Thu 01 Mar 2018, 9:46 pm

City are phenomenal. But Arsenal rarely even make it difficult. They're underdogs in every single big game. Its beyond stale.

by Guest Thu 01 Mar 2018, 10:40 pm

I think he should go for the same reason as GSC. He's given them years and success they'll never see again. It's quite sad to see him overseeing all of this.

The 97-06 Arsenal side produced the best football I've seen in this country. Wenger transformed the game in England and I'd even argue he helped Man Utd and Sir Alex kick on. Shame how its panning out down there.

Arsene will always be a legend in this house.

by Guest Sat 03 Mar 2018, 2:07 pm

Ashley Williams is beyond pony

by GSC Sat 03 Mar 2018, 6:26 pm

West Brom probably need 5 wins from their last 9. Expect the last roll of the dice to come shortly

by Fernando Sun 04 Mar 2018, 1:19 pm

Aaron Ramsey dropped from the squad for today for leaking stuff to the press.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun 04 Mar 2018, 1:52 pm

Good. What a sly move. It'll be him that helped that big article about the players not liking the coaching and having to do their managing themselves.

Especially as he's just a bit sh*t

by Guest Sun 04 Mar 2018, 1:55 pm

I'd sell him for that. What a pr!ck.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun 04 Mar 2018, 1:56 pm

2-0 Brighton.

We don't get to play Arsenal until April, by then they'll be doing their "good April" thing.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Sun 04 Mar 2018, 1:56 pm

Awful defending, awful goalkeeping

by GSC Sun 04 Mar 2018, 1:59 pm

Considering everything Arsene has done for him, even by modern football standards that's particularly sad if true.

by Ent Sun 04 Mar 2018, 2:00 pm

Wenger could well be sacked.

Saw that article on a senior player blaming the management /coaching.

The players are Poopie, it's their fault. No manager will turn them round, a better manager might buy better players instead of keeping the likes of el neny hanging around for no reason.

by GSC Sun 04 Mar 2018, 2:03 pm

Arsene is stale, the squad being bloated with overpaid players who don't make the grade is his legacy. But yeah, some loyalty from Ramsey for a manager who gave him his chance at a big club and stuck by him through injury.

by Guest Sun 04 Mar 2018, 2:06 pm

Difficult for Wenger to motivate these players for the PL now. Like United, they've downed tools, focusing solely on the Europa League now.

by GSC Sun 04 Mar 2018, 2:13 pm

Think they've just downed tools altogether

by Ent Sun 04 Mar 2018, 2:14 pm

Not convinced about that, they are getting hammered by everyone - own fans booing them.

Got be some professional pride there and a desire to put in performances.

A lot of the players aren't good enough, some of them aren't good enough for the premier league really.

by Guest Sun 04 Mar 2018, 2:16 pm

I can't see em being consistent enough to win the Europa League, either. There's some real meat left in that competition.

by Duty281 Sun 04 Mar 2018, 3:11 pm

It should be the end for Wenger. Should have happened years ago.

But it probably won't be.

by Guest Sun 04 Mar 2018, 5:47 pm

Conte waiting for his pay-off now

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