2013/2014 English Premier League Thread

[Jimmy Stang]

I'm getting really fed up with the TSN.ca streams. It seems like it is an rare treat it actually get a stream that works. This morning they're all down and we finally have a message saying that they're working on it. Why get the rights to the BPL if you can't seem to get the streams working on a regular basis?

[d_phaneuf]

ya it's happened in over half the weeks

I just found a different stream and then I saw now the tsn one's are back and are a minute behind

just let sportsnet take the whole package please

[carom]

As some might have come to expect with me I took a few photos today.

Well it was a good few minutes after half, then the flood gates opened. Lots of hammers left the ground looking like this:

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This was just after the West Ham goal

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Couple of earlier action shots

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A few photos I took messing around with panorama mode

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The game changed as soon as Podolski came on, Arsenal just seemed to start clicking. Mertersaker is gigantic out there, is he the Zdeno Chara of of the PL?

[Bad Santa]

I can't see any team other than Manchester City winning the title this season. They just have such great squad depth. Boyata makes his league debut tomorrow in place of Zabaleta. He's good enough to start for just about any other team in the PL but can't get a game at Man City.

[GirlySports]

I still like Liverpool to win the title. More consistent.

Man City can be guns blazing but they are a horrible road team. I also like Rodgers as manager. He's settled the team down and gotten the best out of Suarez after a difficult situation.

After this weekend, Liverpool would have already gone to Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea. These teams still have to come to Anfield. Conversely, Man City have played no difficult road games except for Chelsea, they still have to go to Arsenal, ManU and Liverpool (and Everton, Spurs and Newcastle)

[Bad Santa]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I still like Liverpool to win the title. More consistent.

Man City can be guns blazing but they are a horrible road team. I also like Rodgers as manager. He's settled the team down and gotten the best out of Suarez after a difficult situation.

After this weekend, Liverpool would have already gone to Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea. These teams still have to come to Anfield. Conversely, Man City have played no difficult road games except for Chelsea, they still have to go to Arsenal, ManU and Liverpool (and Everton, Spurs and Newcastle)

Liverpool are great going forward, they can cut other teams to shreds, especially on the counter. However, they are absolutely terrible at the back, and even worse defending against a counter attack. Sakho might be good one day, but he is not good enough to be a defender at this level right now. What is the problem with Agger, is he injured? Why is he not playing? He is exactly what Liverpool need at the back.

[Bad Santa]

Has anyone here read "I Am The Secret Footballer"? Great book, read it today on a plane. Well worth buying if you can find a copy.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by Bad Santa

Liverpool are great going forward, they can cut other teams to shreds, especially on the counter. However, they are absolutely terrible at the back, and even worse defending against a counter attack. Sakho might be good one day, but he is not good enough to be a defender at this level right now. What is the problem with Agger, is he injured? Why is he not playing? He is exactly what Liverpool need at the back.

I agree with you that City are going to win the title, but your reasoning is odd. City and Liverpool have allowed the same number of goals against this season, and have only allowed 4 more then the best defensive team thus far.

[Bagor]

Anelka looks like he is going to be in big trouble if these (anti semetic) allegations are true.

Don't know much about the claim but what is clear is that his signal is clear and there is no room for saying it was accidental.

edit ....

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/p...9922--sow.html

[Bagor]

Ugly win. Ugly game.

[d_phaneuf]

I think City win the title going away

I think Liverpool finish 5th

[Bad Santa]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

I agree with you that City are going to win the title, but your reasoning is odd. City and Liverpool have allowed the same number of goals against this season, and have only allowed 4 more then the best defensive team thus far.

Total goals conceded: Liverpool 21 Man City 21
Clean sheets: Liverpool 5 Man City 7
Shots conceded inside the box: Liverpool 124 Man City 94
Shots conceded outside the box: Liverpool 117 Man City 100
Headed goal attempts conceded: Liverpool 37 Man City 33
Goal attempts from set pieces conceded: Liverpool 58 Man City 39
Total crosses conceded: Liverpool 371 Man City 310
Total chances conceded: Liverpool 168 Man City 141

[Bad Santa]

Christ, I feel bad for Fulham supporters. Six-nil is a real hiding, especially to Hull, who are a good team but no world beaters. Do they have money to bring some new blood in come January?

[Arsenal14]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I think City win the title going away

I think Liverpool finish 5th

My guess right now:

Man City
Arsenal
Chelsea
Man Utd
Liverpool
Everton
Tottenham

At some point Suarez has to cool off (or get suspended for biting someone) and United remains surprisingly close considering how badly they've been playing. I'll also guess that Arsenal will probably be in the lead up until about mid-March when they hit their insanely tough schedule (Tottenham/Chelsea/City/Everton).

[Bad Santa]

Current odds to win the league this season:

Manchester City +110
Chelsea +540
Arsenal +560
Liverpool +680
Manchester United +1300
Everton +6900

[Bad Santa]

nicolas anelka ‏@anelkaofficiel9m
This gesture was just a special dedication to my comedian friend Dieudonné

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I think City win the title going away

Yeah, the main difference is that there appears to be a sense of focus and less of a gong show around the club.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Bad Santa

nicolas anelka ‏@anelkaofficiel9m
This gesture was just a special dedication to my comedian friend Dieudonné

Comedian dude says the gesture is an anti-Zionist one as opposed to an anti-Semitic one? I don't even want to go there regarding dissecting the difference. So at the very least he can be done for making political gestures?

[Bad Santa]

There is no rule against making political gestures. Almost every player wears a poppy on their shirt around November 11, and I can't think of a more political gesture than that. Players routinely take their jerseys off to reveal religious messages as well, and all they get is a yellow card.

By your logic, Peter Crouch should have been "done" for endorsing our robot overlords back in 2006.

[moon]

You don't see the difference between a political statement that supports fallen veterans and one that has been deemed anti-semetic by many?

Not sure that just because the comedian says it isn't racist makes it all good for people to use.