2008 English Premier League

[Amahk]

Ok ok...I know the season hasn't started yet but damnit man I'm dying here without football(soccer for you Yanks!!)

I think there's no point doing predictions. One of the newly promoted teams will be relegated. The top 4 will still comprise of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea(hopefully in that order). Actually the battle for 5th place might be more interesting as that'd be Aston Villa, Manchester City, Everton, Tottenham, Portsmouth and hopefully Blackburn(go Incey Bwoy).

So with that out there, anyone wanna talk about transfer predictions(who's gonna be class, don't really care about who bombs right now) and transfer rumours. I'd try to list all the confirmed transfers but that'd take too long so just bring up someone as you see fit.

Til then, see you all at the far...wtf I hate when that guy says that at the end of all his publications.

[Kiely]

Ok about the big rumour: I thought Berbatov to United would be a bad idea even though hes a terrific player. I always imagined him not as the most forward but always behind him, just like I would imagine Rooney & Tevez if they had their choice spot.
But if Rooney just continues to be inconsistent with his finishing touch and you give the same chances to Berbatov you are looking even more goals this season if Ronaldo keeps it up. Firstly he has to be bought..

I thought Chelsea should win this season if you consider how well they done last season with 2 managers, African cup and some key injuries. Finishing neck and neck with United in the league and champions league, it was a pretty good run. Who knows how Scholari will improve on it, I don't know the workings of the man. But I can only assume that he can, whereas United will have to look into it's last seasons purchases for that improvement.

[Regime]

El Nino has just begun.

[Amahk]

Originally Posted by Kiely

Ok about the big rumour: I thought Berbatov to United would be a bad idea even though hes a terrific player. I always imagined him not as the most forward but always behind him, just like I would imagine Rooney & Tevez if they had their choice spot.

Same here. I thought Berba was in the same mould as an Ibrahimovic who could provide the link with the out and out striker. I guess Alex sees him differently since he's buying him for goal scoring ability but then again that's why Alex is paid the big bucks and we're not. He did say he's going to play Rooney in a more central role and I think he's doing this for England more than for Man U. England really need an out and out striker right now.

I wonder who Tottenham will seriously go after if they lose Keane and Berba. Some are saying Villa but who would go there when they can play Champs League football. I really hope Robinho doesn't go to Chelsea, I can only imagine the game between Man U and Chelsea with both Ronaldo and Robinho trying to show up each other. And wtf Arsenal, get some quality. Please? My friend challenged me to name 1 world class big name player on Arsenal and I couldn't. As much as I wanted to claim Fabregas he still isn't a big name and him not starting in the Euros validates that. Every other big club has at least 1 though:

Liverpool: Gerrard, Torres
Chelsea: Drogba, Ballack, Deco
Manchester United: Ronaldo, Rooney
Milan: Kaka, Ronaldinho, Seedorf
Juventus: Buffon, Del Piero, Nedved
Inter: Ibrahimovic, Figo
Roma: Totti
Real Madrid: v. Nilsterooy, Casillas
Barcelona: Henry, Messi

All these names are instantly recognizable and all of them are automatic picks for club and country except for Del Piero and that's because Donadoni is a douche. Arsenal need to sell Gallas to PSG and get Micah Richards(since they like youth so much), pick up Veloso(since they like youth so much) and get 1 world-class-you-can-count-on-him-for-a-moment-of-brilliance-pull-a-goal-out-of-a-hat-in-the-moment-of-need-striker...Villa. Pay the big bucks and make it so Wenger. I'm still mad we didn't get El Nino when we had the chance.

[Waedar]

Ah good ol' preseason talk, still lots of rumor mill transfer stuff but i will hope for a Chelsea victory once more, tired of this late season last few games and then loosing the title drama (oh and let us not forget the CL...)

my thoughts (in no order): LP will perform much better than last year, nobody thinking "oh everton might be able to pull a CL spot" but i'm not sure what they did in the trasnfers a new backup keeper and some young'ns (im sure they have promise but i dont think i had ever seen or heard of em)

Deco at Chelsea - meh, have never really been impressed by him (but i admit i've only watched few of his games and those were mostly CL stuff) and thrown into the congested Chelsea mid oh boy..

Drogba/Lampard - im sadly thinking one of them is gonna go before the season is over ( i hope i am proved wrong)

Ronaldo - another good scoring season for him

Torres - if the ankle or thigh (or whatever it was that was acting up at the end of last season and then in euro 08) heals i think he'll have a nice season again but probably (ie. hopefully) finding it harder to put it in the back of the net

Crouch to Portsmouth - should be good for him there, playing time wise, i still think he has a lot left in him but torres really stole his thunder/spot last year

One last bit - why does Chelsea still have Shevy? iit looks like abromivich is just throwing his money around because he can, there needs to be a good house cleaning at chelsea i think (but hay i'm just a yank wha do i know?)

[slitz]

Originally Posted by Amahk

All these names are instantly recognizable and all of them are automatic picks for club and country except for Del Piero and that's because Donadoni is a douche. Arsenal need to sell Gallas to PSG and get Micah Richards(since they like youth so much), pick up Veloso(since they like youth so much) and get 1 world-class-you-can-count-on-him-for-a-moment-of-brilliance-pull-a-goal-out-of-a-hat-in-the-moment-of-need-striker...Villa. Pay the big bucks and make it so Wenger. I'm still mad we didn't get El Nino when we had the chance.

Arsenal under Wenger haven't really been about buying the big stars but more like creating them. I can't think of a exception to this at all? (obviously Henry had the potential but he wasn't a star in Monaco and he didn't really impress in Juventus either) But perhaps there are some...
So I wouldn't really count on Arsenal buying any player that is as established as the ones on your list (Figo, Del Piero and Nedved are the only players there that wouldn't cost at least $50+ million if they even were for sale.. edit: oh and Ronaldinho as well of course...)
But who knows, maybe Arsenal will surprise, but I'm not sure they are ready to spend big money for a third place in either case..

Deco at Chelsea - meh, have never really been impressed by him (but i admit i've only watched few of his games and those were mostly CL stuff) and thrown into the congested Chelsea mid oh boy..

Dunno how much you've have seen though and from where.... His last season in Barca was very mediocre compared to what he's capable off, but his Euro Cup was brilliant (imo one of the best midfielder in the cup). Can't really think of a team where he wouldn't be a regular player and that include Chelsea.

[Regime]

So is Ronaldo still not decided about Real Madrid?

[Waedar]

last i heard its this season at ManU then more drama all over again next transfer (correct me if im wrong but think frank lampard, there for 1 more year currently)

[Kiely]

It was just a lot of hype and it took a while before Ferguson could have a sit down with him to clear things up. Once that took place he was always going to be staying for this season.
I think he can stay a couple more seasons at least. His contract is for 2012 and you wrap things up before that anyway extending or leaving. I don't think leaving for 2009 would be much different than leaving this summer, but Fergie is putting a few mind games down already for that. If United win the cups again surely not, but who knows if they have a poor campaign this season.

Originally Posted by Ferguson

"As he gets older, he'll appreciate being here more. The longer players stay, they don't want to leave."

[Akileese]

That game was pretty fucking sloppy and it was clear that Pompey were just settling into defensive mode for most of the game. Campbell looked pretty shitty and his fellow players at the back had to bail him out more than a few times.

Tevez should of got a penalty, but the whining and hissy fit that followed the no call was absolutely epic. It was like watching a 5 year old in a full blown temper tantrum. He was jumping up and down and smacking his fists against the ground. Regardless of whether or not he deserved to get the penalty, throwing a tantrum like you're in a pee wee league is just unacceptable. Oh yeah, he then went on to do a fucking throat grab. I mean, he's not going to get a suspension for it (most likely not), but it's still an official FA match and he very well could of.

The penalty shoot out that followed was more atrocious than the game. Pompey took some of the worst penalties I think I've ever seen in my life. It was just terrible.

I can't wait for the season to start Saturday morning. I kind of wish it was on FSC so I didn't have to wake up at 7:30 and scramble to find a web feed, but I can cope I suppose.

[Waedar]

myp2p is a godsend when it comes to web feeds

[Amahk]

I believe I read that SAF threatened to resign if Ronaldo was allowed to leave. So that ended that. I'm sure Ronaldo wants to leave he's prolly just afraid of Alex and who wouldn't be scared of him hehe.

Also in that Charity game Crouch and especially Defoe were absent. Did Krancjar even play because it seemed they had no supply from the midfield. Even Manure looked tame but they did lack Ronaldo and Rooney. I really wouldn't be surprised if all the Thierry Henry rumours to Manure did materialise as they do need more attack options with those 2 injuries. Good news for Arsenal then since we seem to be at full strength. We need some silverware the year.

[Faille]

Can't wait for the new season, thought Liverpool aren't looking too crash hot just yet. Pre season went ok, but the champions league qualifier was just dreadful. We were totally outplayed and were very lucky to get away with a draw.

Not sure if I'll bother to try and watch the games live this year, they occur between midnight and 5 am, especially since my isp is now offering the games on demand, so I could watch them in full when I wake up. Will have to see how that goes.

Think it may be chelsea's year. They were very close last year, and have improved their squad, where as Man U seems to have done nothing and will be missing ronaldo for the start. Their lack of a real striker was pretty apparent in the shield, though I guess they'll have berby at some point.

[Faille]

Nobody watched the opening games?

Arsenal started brightly and I was expecting a walkover, but west brom got back into the game and had more then a few chances to nick a point.

Everton look like they will struggle this year. I think their run is over and they are going to drop back to mid table. Almost a shame they haven't been able to come up with more money to reinforce.

Liverpool, pretty lucky to get the win, but a brilliant goal from Torres. the Torres / Keane partnership still not firing, but hopefully it clicks into gear soon.

[Waedar]

4-0 over Portsmouth what more needs to be said? add in the fact that ManU are off to a slow start (ok its been one game but its a start) I'm happy

been a bit sidetracked with hot women beach vollyball and the wonderful semi coming up of argentina and brazil

PS go Chelsea, lets not be the first team to drop points again this year