Premier League Discussion Thread 2013/14

[weasel]

It's Liverpool, they'll find a way to **** it up.

Agreed Spuds were poor. Sherwood has no chance of the job full time, but then he was never really anything other than a stop gap.

 

[itfciain]

Great display from Liverpool - will need to keep Sturridge and Suarez fit but they are definite contenders now

With regards to that betting form - the million pounds winnings would have been based on the prices for both teams to score (around the even money mark) - so not only has he filled in the wrong form, he also has the wrong odds. Not that 14 correct results wouldn't have been a decent payout but it wouldn't have been millions looking at the teams he'd picked

 

[chiffy]

Sherwood has already signed a contract to keep him at White Hart Lane next season.

 

[weasel]

With regards to that betting form - the million pounds winnings would have been based on the prices for both teams to score (around the even money mark) - so not only has he filled in the wrong form, he also has the wrong odds. Not that 14 correct results wouldn't have been a decent payout but it wouldn't have been millions looking at the teams he'd picked

Double Face-palm!

Sherwood has already signed a contract to keep him at White Hart Lane next season.

Aye, from memory, he signed an 18 month contract I think. That's just to give him a little authority with the players/media I suspect. If he turns up on a 6 month deal the players/press will laugh at him. It's just long enough to make him look like a manager but not long enough to make Levy even think twice about ditching him if/when it looks like he's out of his depth or Levy finds a big name manager to take over.

 

[PGowdy]

Liverpool have it in their own hands, we can only screw this up, and stevie wont let this opportunity slip easily!

I'd say it's still in City's hands but Liverpool have given themselves a fantastic chance. Altho i've said City from day 1 and never changed my mind (still think they're fairly big favourites), i'd prefer Liverpool to win it. They're at least a "proper" team and not just a collection of the most expensive players money can buy. It'd be nice to see Gerrard finally lift the title. Sadly, i still think they'll just fall short. The next few games will be crucial. Now they're not the "underdogs" can they keep their nerve and keep winning these games, many of which they've not been playing great in. I think it's gonna be a very interesting run in.
Also, i really hope Everton can pip Arsenal to 4th.

Remaining games:

Liverpool:
West Ham (A)
Man City (H)
Norwich (A)
Chelsea (H)
Crystal Palace (A)
Newcastle (H)

I'd say best case is 14 points. and they HAVE to avoid defeat to City which won't be easy.

Chelsea:
Stoke (H)
Swansea (A)
Sunderland (H)
Liverpool (A)
Norwich (H)
Cardiff (A)

I reckon 14 points for Chelsea.

Man City:
Southampton (H)
Liverpool (A)
Sunderland (H)
West Brom (H)
Crystal Palace (A)
Everton (A)
Aston VIlla (H)
West Ham (H)

I think at least 20 points for City.

That would have the top 3 finish: (goal difference in brackets)

Man City……. 87 (52)
Liverppol…… 85 (49)
Chelsea…….. 83 (38)

I think City can even afford a 3rd draw from their remaining games (i have them down for 2)
This would put them and Liverpool neck and neck.

Man City……. 85 (52)
Liverppol…… 85 (49)

City's goal difference is currently better than Liverpool's and alto they have been keeping more clean sheets lately, their record for conceding goals is pretty poor. The worst on the top 5. So if it goes to goal difference i still have City to win it. Especially given they have 2 extra games to improve that goal difference.
If Liverpool can beat City tho… all bets are off! That is a title deciding game as far as i'm concerned.

 

[plantman]

At least liverpool have the points on the board, city have to win their two games in hand, plus they have to go to anfield, if liverpool win that game then who knows!

 

[weasel]

I agree with your maths Pete, I may go a point or two different either way, but reckon you're roughly spot on.
But then one of the beauties of football is the unexpected results. Who thought Palace would duff Chelsea? I sure as **** didn't, or I'd have put Ward in my team rather than leaving him on the bench and kissing good by to 12 ****ing points!

I think there will be a few twists and turns yet in the title race. The two games at Anfield will be massive mind. I just hope they aren't ruined by bad refereeing (like the dodgey off-side against Sterling that cost Pool against money-bags earlier in the season).

 

[PGowdy]

I agree with your maths Pete, I may go a point or two different either way, but reckon you're roughly spot on.
But then one of the beauties of football is the unexpected results. Who thought Palace would duff Chelsea? I sure as **** didn't, or I'd have put Ward in my team rather than leaving him on the bench and kissing good by to 12 ****ing points!

I think there will be a few twists and turns yet in the title race. The two games at Anfield will be massive mind. I just hope they aren't ruined by bad refereeing (like the dodgey off-side against Sterling that cost Pool against money-bags earlier in the season).

Oh, absolutely! Mine is just a projected guess based on what one can assume from what one knows and how teams are performing. But EVERYTHING can change on a result. Chelsea losing to Villa and Palace in the last 4 games… whaaa?? But then i never rated Chelsea as highly as others. They have Torres as a striker. How could a team with Torres as a striker win the league?? No. Their only exceptional player is Hazard. Beginning and end of it.
I don't give them a chance. This is a 2 horse race.
As i said, despite the maths of it (and i really can't see City losing the 2 games they'd need to for Liverpool to win the league… i hope they do) time has proven that we know **** all and anything can happen in football.
Altho i'll never hear the end of it from my mate who i told in September that the best Liverpool can hope for this season is 4th. :?

 

[weasel]

I was looking for the annual PL predictions thread I normally post every August, but I don't seem to have done one for this season. Gutted as it would have been interesting to see where we all have Liverpool finishing. I would have been delighted with 4th. I reckon, still do, that Pool have the 5th best squad in the league. So, to be pushing for the title at this stage is a massive over-achievement.

 

[PGowdy]

I was looking for the annual PL predictions thread I normally post every August, but I don't seem to have done one for this season. Gutted as it would have been interesting to see where we all have Liverpool finishing. I would have been delighted with 4th. I reckon, still do, that Pool have the 5th best squad in the league. So, to be pushing for the title at this stage is a massive over-achievement.

I know what i said (no fibs):

1. Man City
2. Chelsea
3. Man Utd
4. Spurs
5. Arsenal
6. Liverpool

Wrrrrrrrronnnnng! :lol:

In my defence i also didn't see anyway Suarez would still be at the club. And let's be honest, if he wasn't, they would be 6th!

 

[edd_jedi]

The next few games will be crucial. Now they're not the "underdogs" can they keep their nerve and keep winning these games, many of which they've not been playing great in.

Yep that's my thought in Liverpool too. On paper they looks fantastic and they embarrassed Spurs at the weekend, but they've been very lucky to get results from quite a few games recently including some they should have cruised through such as Fulham and Swansea.

In my defence i also didn't see anyway Suarez would still be at the club. And let's be honest, if he wasn't, they would be 6th!

He's this season's Bale for sure, I also doubt they'd be top 5 without him. Sadly I won't ever come around to liking a racist cannibal, shame as he's certainly passionate and skillful.

 

[weasel]

In my defence i also didn't see anyway Suarez would still be at the club. And let's be honest, if he wasn't, they would be 6th!

He's this season's Bale for sure, I also doubt they'd be top 5 without him. Sadly I won't ever come around to liking a racist cannibal, shame as he's certainly passionate and skillful.

Suarez to me, is a fantastic footballer. The best in that league this year, by a mile. But, a despicable human being.
The footballer, I love (in a purely heterosexual sense Browny, don't get excited!). The person, I can certainly see why people hate him, I wouldn't exactly hold him up a role model for kids.

PS, I disagree slightly on where Pool would be without him. They certainly wouldn't be top, they may not even be in CL spot, but they didn't struggle too much with Sturridge on his own at the start of the season. Could be worse...........could be Utd!

 

[PGowdy]

In my defence i also didn't see anyway Suarez would still be at the club. And let's be honest, if he wasn't, they would be 6th!

He's this season's Bale for sure, I also doubt they'd be top 5 without him. Sadly I won't ever come around to liking a racist cannibal, shame as he's certainly passionate and skillful.

Suarez to me, is a fantastic footballer. The best in that league this year, by a mile. But, a despicable human being.
The footballer, I love (in a purely heterosexual sense Browny, don't get excited!). The person, I can certainly see why people hate him, I wouldn't exactly hold him up a role model for kids.

PS, I disagree slightly on where Pool would be without him. They certainly wouldn't be top, they may not even be in CL spot, but they didn't struggle too much with Sturridge on his own at the start of the season. Could be worse...........could be Utd!

They did well with Suarez out (but knowing he was coming back, that was crucial for the mood and confidence of the team) but i doubt whether Sturrige, as good as he is, could have carried the weight for the entire season. You could almost definitely knock off a 3rd of his goals without Suarez there and then you lose Suarez's 30. :? Hmm.
People seem to be forgetting that Arsenal are where they are because 4 of their best players are out injured. No team can sustain the level needed to finish in the top 2 or 3 with their best players out.. i think without Suarez Liverpool would basically be doing about as well as Spurs are, give or take.

 

[rob71]

Fair call on Arsenal Pete, but at the same time this is probably self-inflicted to a degree; their inability to land a striker last summer was pretty crucial.
Agreed, Suarez has been the standout player for Liverpool, but this is often the case that one player makes all the difference. Schmeichel I would say carried Man U to at least one title by saving everything that got past a much overrated defence. Same thing with Chelsea and Drogba a few seasons ago.
Behaviour wise, Suarez was an absolutely horrible person last season and based on that and the fact he wanted to leave, I just wanted to see the back of him. But this season he has turned things around and got on with the job, no dramas. Apparently his missus has had something to do with that (she probably thought that a grown man biting another one wasn't exactly normal human behaviour, strangely enough...)

 

[plantman]

the thing about liverpool now is they get goals from all over the pitch, both strikers are the the prem top scorers with 50 goals between them, gerrard has 12, skrtel is the top scoring defender with 6, sterling has 6 ect

i think they would be top 4 without suarez but there is no doubt he is a massive player, utd without rooney, city without aguero ect, would all suffer the same. a striker is a key part of any team, but when you get 50 goals from sturridge, stevie and sterling ect it makes a huge difference

 

[weasel]

They did well with Suarez out (but knowing he was coming back, that was crucial for the mood and confidence of the team) but i doubt whether Sturrige, as good as he is, could have carried the weight for the entire season. You could almost definitely knock off a 3rd of his goals without Suarez there and then you lose Suarez's 30. :? Hmm.
People seem to be forgetting that Arsenal are where they are because 4 of their best players are out injured. No team can sustain the level needed to finish in the top 2 or 3 with their best players out.. i think without Suarez Liverpool would basically be doing about as well as Spurs are, give or take.

Obviously, without Suarez they lose his goals, but I was assuming, we meant if he had gone in the summer? Therefore Brendan would have had 30,40,50 million to spend on a replacement. Ok, his track record in the transfer market is hit and miss, but I'd like to think whoever he signed would at least have contributed SOMETHING! Even ruddy Borini has scored a few at Sunderland.
Granted, the odds of Suarez's replacement scoring at the rate he has are, as near as makes no difference, zero. But there must have been some contribution therefore I'd expect them still to be in the hunt for a European place at least.
Mind you a don't think we're a million miles off in where we think they would be without him.


Ohhh, I'm afraid I can't let you use Arsenal as an example of how injury can ruin a season. Any other club, yeah, no probs. But NOT Arsenal!
Anyone who has followed football for more than 3 years knows Arsenal's medical staff get their qualifications from the back of cereal packet and that as soon as a player gets injured, the "3-4 weeks" standard diagnosis is almost always 3-4 MONTHS. Followed by a relapse/recurrence or the player pulling another muscle twenty minutes into his come back game. At which point you go back to "3-4 weeks" and start again.
It's not helped by Wenger's insistence on buying light weight (ie injury prone) players, but the mere fact that it has happened for the last four or five years means I point blank refuse to believe it is anything to do with 'luck' or 'misfortune'. It's the incompetent medical staff and physios at Arsenal and whatever methods Wenger uses in Training.
Any other club, yeah you have a point. NOT Arsenal.

Arsenal are a club in permanent injury crisis.

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

A good example may be Nottingham Forest. 16 Games Unbeaten and on the edge of automatics in the Championship . Almost the whole of their first team gets then get injured 10 games without a win later including a 5-0 ****ing at the hands of their biitter rivals the biggest since the 19th Century resulting in the sacking of the manager and their season is just going up in smoke!

 

[PGowdy]

Obviously, without Suarez they lose his goals, but I was assuming, we meant if he had gone in the summer? Therefore Brendan would have had 30,40,50 million to spend on a replacement. Ok, his track record in the transfer market is hit and miss, but I'd like to think whoever he signed would at least have contributed SOMETHING! Even ruddy Borini has scored a few at Sunderland.
Granted, the odds of Suarez's replacement scoring at the rate he has are, as near as makes no difference, zero. But there must have been some contribution therefore I'd expect them still to be in the hunt for a European place at least.
Mind you a don't think we're a million miles off in where we think they would be without him.

Yeah, that's what Spurs thought. Surely you can just buy players to replace the quality. :?

Ohhh, I'm afraid I can't let you use Arsenal as an example of how injury can ruin a season. Any other club, yeah, no probs. But NOT Arsenal!
Anyone who has followed football for more than 3 years knows Arsenal's medical staff get their qualifications from the back of cereal packet and that as soon as a player gets injured, the "3-4 weeks" standard diagnosis is almost always 3-4 MONTHS. Followed by a relapse/recurrence or the player pulling another muscle twenty minutes into his come back game. At which point you go back to "3-4 weeks" and start again.
It's not helped by Wenger's insistence on buying light weight (ie injury prone) players, but the mere fact that it has happened for the last four or five years means I point blank refuse to believe it is anything to do with 'luck' or 'misfortune'. It's the incompetent medical staff and physios at Arsenal and whatever methods Wenger uses in Training.
Any other club, yeah you have a point. NOT Arsenal.

Arsenal are a club in permanent injury crisis.

As far as i'm concerned if Ramsey, Walcott, Wilshire and Ozil had stayed fit all season Arsenal would still be serious title contenders. I'm not saying it's not, in part, self inflicted but it remains true non the less.

 

[weasel]

It may well be true, but Arsenal have a permanent injury crisis. Therefore you can't pick or judge them on a 'best eleven' you have to pick a best fourteen cos at no stage will all their players be fit.


Suarez was bought to replace Torres, but I take your point! :lol:

 

[Richard_H]

Just wait until Abou Diaby gets fit. 2019 PL title is ours.