2015/2016 Barclays Premier League Thread

[d_phaneuf]

I still dont think Leicester finish top 4, it's looking more likely now, but like that Spurs game Slava mentioned, for 80 minutes if you had someone watch that game without knowing the table they would have guessed Leicester were in the bottom 5 of the table

When they play teams who can keep the ball and work through their shell they usually struggle, and when they open up they get torn apart

I would expect both Arsenal and City to beat them

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Bagor

I ask this in all sincerity. A bit challenged? Just can't keep up with what is being debated? Or are you simply a troll?

We can move right along once you point out where I said he was the greatest manager ever. Can you do that?

Yes, I'm a troll. I'm playing the long-game on random posters, you just happened to win the lottery.

Challenged? Yeah, I understand that sometimes its a challenge being civil with uncivil people taking an unshakable position on shaky ground for unreasonable reasons. Take a look in the mirror son, you're the only one championing your cause.

You want to blame me for...what exactly? Are you that bitter that City pipped United for the shiniest new toy? Get over it. It isnt my fault, hell, all I've said is that I dont think Pep is as good as everyone seems to believe he is. You disagree. Fine. Your rivals got the better coach. Get over it. Have I said that already?

He is as great as you believe him to be. He'll make all your dreams come true. Or whatever.

There, you can quote me. I dont care.

The best part is that I dont think you even know what your cause is. But keep going, its been fun so far. Pep has re-invented the game as we know it and is the greatest evar.

I know that you dont consider Pep the greatest manager ever, that spot is forever reserved for Fergie. Do you have a tattoo of his face over your heart?

Learn what 'challenged' means and dont ever give me that crap again. Its unbelievably ignorant. Learn what 'troll' means. Dont bother me with your ridiculous and ignorant opinions ever again.

Or we can agree that we do not agree and then drop this and go back to discussing soccer again like civilized people.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Locke

You want to blame me for...what exactly? Are you that bitter that City pipped United for the shiniest new toy? Get over it. It isnt my fault, hell, all I've said is that I dont think Pep is as good as everyone seems to believe he is. You disagree. Fine. Your rivals got the better coach. Get over it. Have I said that already?

He is as great as you believe him to be. He'll make all your dreams come true. Or whatever.

There, you can quote me. I dont care.

The best part is that I dont think you even know what your cause is. But keep going, its been fun so far. Pep has re-invented the game as we know it and is the greatest evar.

I know that you dont consider Pep the greatest manager ever, that spot is forever reserved for Fergie. Do you have a tattoo of his face over your heart?

Learn what 'challenged' means and dont ever give me that crap again. Its unbelievably ignorant. Learn what 'troll' means. Dont bother me with your ridiculous and ignorant opinions ever again.

Or we can agree that we do not agree and then drop this and go back to discussing soccer again like civilized people.

Sweet Jebus. What age are you? 16? What an incoherent, unrelated rambling mess of a post. Dry your frickin always the victim eyes. What on earth are you rambling about? Bitter that he went to City?

You made a statement. Got challenged on it. Disappeared and then came back with your fly by trollish comment then got called on it again.

I repeat. When did I say he was one of the greatest managers ever? When did I say he reinvented the game? Your argument is to make stuff up and play the boo hoo victim.

And Fergie. A tattoo of his face on my heart!! That's a great bit of teenage trash talk there Locke. Meltdown??

Show me you're capable of backing up your statements and that I'm not talking to some idiot that just spouts random stuff. When did I say all this stuff Locke?

Why are you just randomly making stuff up?

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Jeebus, enough already.

Please just discuss the topic and stop all the other stuff. Thanks.

[Bagor]

The topic WAS being discussed even though admittedly it did drag on a bit. It was a simple argument on the merits of an individual and whether his achievements were over rated or not and the level of credit he was receiving. No right or wrong. Just me and some individuals putting forward their povs.

It had finished and it had moved on. Then. You have an individual incapable of participating in it who feels it necessary to try a fly by job where he thinks he can just completely misrepresent everything I have debated by attributing statements that were never said (and which I have asked to be backed up). The textbook definition of trolling.

He trolled. I fed the troll. My bad.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

I'm not sure that post is helping anything. Again, let's just get back to discussing it without all the other stuff. Thank you.

[Addick]

While I don't think Pep is a managerial prophet, I do think many people underestimate his ability and the difficulty of his achievements.

[devo22]

I don't think anybody underestimates him - people here expect him to win titles at City. But I do think some people incl the media overestimate him a fair bit too.

The worst thing for him would be if City finished the season strongly and won a couple titles. Happened at Bayern too and it made people less appreciative of Pep.

[cam_wmh]

Both posters above, I appreciate their discourse normally. Just take a step back from each for a bit lads.


I'll say this Pep hiring, is a bit harsh on Pellegrini, as the players finally seem to have a manager they are actually fond of. With CL, they are still well in it and should make it further than they have in decades.

[Slava]

I'm going to try to redirect this thread...hopefully we get off the "Pep talk".

So this weekend is a fairly big one for football. While many here while no doubt be watching the Super Bowl, a lot of us in this thread are at least as interested in the football that actually involves kicking a ball with your foot. So I decided to put together some predictions for the BPL fixtures this weekend. Feel free to disagree and let's have some discussion about the games:

City vs. Leicester: I think that City has to get going at some point and I think the Leicester will regress. Combine that opinion with the idea that this is at Etihad and its probably a 2-0 City victory to once again tighten things up atop the table.

Villa v. Norwich: Two struggling teams and both fighting to avoid the drop. At this point Norwich is just above the bottom three and Villa is basically stuck in last. Honestly, this might be a really entertaining game. I think that Norwich comes out like they did for the second half against Spurs this week and Villa is Villa. 3-2 Canaries.

Liverpool v. Sunderland: Really aside from Defoe there is nothing to get excited about for Sunderland. I can see some already saying that with Defoe there is nothing to get excited about for Sunderland! Liverpool hasn't been good this year and even with Klopp they've been inconsistent to say the least. Thing is that they had a big come from behind victory over Norwich last week and they should be able to pull it out against Sunderland at Anfield. 2-1 Liverpool.

Newcastle v. West Brom: For some reason known only to Jeremy Peace, WBA decided to keep Saido Berahino so that he can sit on the bench and play the occasional FA Cup game. They did take Pritchard on loan from Spurs, so I guess they made a small improvement. On the other side you have Newcastle who brought in a few guys in the window and is desperately trying to avoid relegation. This probably winds up 1-1.

Spurs v. Watford: Last time these two met it was a last minute goal for Spurs (that was probably offside) which gave them the result. This time around its a bit different. First of all its at White Hart Lane, and Spurs are in great form while Watford is not. Also why are they called the "hornets" by everyone and yet have a logo that's a moose? Ridiculous. Get ready for "He's one of our own!" to ring out in North London as Kane scores a paid and Dele Alli converts another Alderweireld long pass. Spurs 4-1.

Stoke v. Everton: This should be an entertaining game. They're close in the standings and both play a style that is engaging and have some players who can really entertain the crowd. They both come off opposite ends of 3-0 midweek games, and that really shows the difficulty that Stoke have right now; they're banged up in defence. Everton might be without Lukaku, and if so that might make it more interesting, otherwise though I think that the injuries are a little much for Stoke and they drop a 2-1 decision to Everton.

Swansea v. Crystal Palace: This is a scenario where both teams have had rough stretches and it just so happens that Palace is in the midst of one right now. In their last meeting they played to a 0-0 draw (Dec 28th). Palace can't score, and while they brought in Adebayor for that reason there is no way he is match-fit at this point. Swansea has been a little better over the past few games and moved out of the relegation zone for the time being. They are unbeaten in 3 (2w, 1d) which isn't bad considering their position in the table. Swans 1-0.

Southampton v. West Ham: This should be an interesting game between two teams who are still hopeful for a top 5 finish. West Ham was close, then dropped back and is now making a bit of a run again. Southampton has been really inconsistent, but then over their last five they have 3w, 1d, 1l for a nice run. Combine that with the fact they're at home and I would go with Southampton 1-0.

Arsenal v. Bournemouth: To me this is a hard one to predict. I mean really, Arsenal should win this...but they really haven't been impressive as of late, and their away record isn't much to get excited about. Then you have Bournemouth who had a great run in late 2015, and have been OK thus far in 2016, but not world beaters. At home they're pretty solid though, and if you gave me Bournemouth to win 5-0 right now I would probably be happy with that. Seriously though, 1-1 draw.

Chelsea v. Man U: Has ManU finally come alive? They've scored 3 in their past two games, so maybe its the renaissance of Van Gaal and everything is good with the Red Devils? Chelsea on the other hand has moved up from the relegation zone (disappointingly in my opinion) and has shown some signs of a turnaround of their own being undefeated in their past five (2w, 3d). Unsurprisingly their last match head-to-head was a 0-0 draw. I think that this one probably ends 1-1 and gives the crowd a little more to cheer about.

[The Big Chill]

Could be an interesting weekend at Anfield. Liverpool supporters are planning a walkout on the 77th minute to protest the cost of seats rising to 77 pounds. It seemed to have started on some fan sites, but the media is starting to pick it up. It's hard to say if it'll pick up enough steam to be noticeable, but it's certainly being talked about a fair bit.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/...-ticket-prices

[d_phaneuf]

Spanish paper says Mourinho to United is already signed

http://www.elconfidencial.com/deport...-liga_1145854/

[cam_wmh]

How reputable is this Spanish paper? They have lots of puppets out there.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Spanish paper says Mourinho to United is already signed

http://www.elconfidencial.com/deport...-liga_1145854/

Oh that would be awesome.

I hope they do the same thing City did and have LvG finish up the season knowing that Mourinho has already been hired to replace him.

That would be fantastic.

[devo22]

You might just get your wish. Things go from bad to worse.

Manchester United have held talks with representatives of former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. The 53-year-old Portuguese, who was sacked by the Blues in December, is increasingly hopeful of succeeding Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford. No agreement has been reached, and the club have made no comment, but negotiations have begun.

Dutchman Van Gaal, 64, is expected to leave United at the end of the season - one year earlier than scheduled. That would leave the way clear for Mourinho, who is known to be excited by the prospect of taking over at Old Trafford.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35508280

[Locke]

Put it this way: United might get another CL cup before he decimates their entire existence.

Gotta pick your poison, but no matter how you slice it, Mourinho is poison.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by devo22

Is that in reaction to the news that they are in talks with Mourinho or the report that LvG will be staying until the end of the season?

Because the latter for me is more a cause for concern at the moment.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Locke

Put it this way: United might get another CL cup before he decimates their entire existence.

Gotta pick your poison, but no matter how you slice it, Mourinho is poison.

You got more hyperbole than a preteen valley girl

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Bagor

Is that in reaction to the news that they are in talks with Mourinho or the report that LvG will be staying until the end of the season?

Because the latter for me is more a cause for concern at the moment.

I think every United fan will agree that the sooner LVG leaves the better. At this point, I think him staying until the summer is a certainty though, so it's not surprising to read confirmation of that in the BBC article.

But I absolutely despise Mourinho for a number of reasons and I don't want him at United at all. I hate his demeanour, I hate his excuses, I hate his antics. He doesn't give youth a chance and his managerial spells almost always ends in tears.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

You got more hyperbole than a preteen valley girl

Potentially true, but Porto never recovered, Inter never recovered, Real is currently recovering and Chelsea...well that was a disaster.

He does well initially. And then it all falls apart. At this point its a pattern.