2015/2016 Barclays Premier League Thread

[Delthefunky]

This Imbula guy is pretty good . Thought Stoke should have won today.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Addick

That goes back to what I said above about Spurs not being put under the microscope. If Arsenal or Liverpool were to concede to an equalizer when they are up a man at home in a derby, people and pundits would be saying that Champions get those three points.

Watching the City/Villa match now and this is sad, I feel bad for Villa.

Pretty much. If you're going to win the league, that is a game you have to win. And it's true the narrative if Arsenal or City drew a game 2-1 up, a man up, at home, would be they blew a big game. In a race this wide open, those two points could mean a lot later on.

[GirlySports]

Same here. If Leicester want to be champions this is a tricky road match they need to win. Champions win these matches.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Definitely. This is a chance to take pressure off themselves and put more on everyone else. Need a performance like they had at City.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Addick

That goes back to what I said above about Spurs not being put under the microscope. If Arsenal or Liverpool were to concede to an equalizer when they are up a man at home in a derby, people and pundits would be saying that Champions get those three points.

Watching the City/Villa match now and this is sad, I feel bad for Villa.

Its more than that though. People look at that kind of failure and the context of their recent form. If Arsenal had dropped the points people have a different impression because of this past Wednesday and their recent efforts. If Spurs lost at home on Sunday, did what they did Wednesday, and then gave up the equaliser today we would be having a very different conversation.

[troutman]

The Foxes are 5 points clear, and have beaten or tied every opponent remaining already.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Last season after 29 games, 7 points from relegation



Mahrez is clearly player of the year, not sure if they can keep him but he's been amazing to watch this year.

[devo22]

that table also shows how weak the top teams are this year. Arsenal are currently 3rd with 52 points ... last year they'd have been 8th.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

West Ham with three in 12 minutes to steal a win.

Far be it for me to revel in the misery of Everton but....oh wait, what am I saying?


Bwahahahahahahahahaha!!!!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

that table also shows how weak the top teams are this year. Arsenal are currently 3rd with 52 points ... last year they'd have been 8th.

Next year is going to be a European coefficient nightmare with Leicester, West Ham, Tottenham and Arsenal in the CL.

[d_phaneuf]

It's not a weak league, it's more parity

the new tv deal allowed the 7th-20th richest teams to outspend and pay in wages more than the rest of Europe minus maybe the top 3 in Spain and Italy and the top 2 in Germany

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

It's not a weak league, it's more parity

the new tv deal allowed the 7th-20th richest teams to outspend and pay in wages more than the rest of Europe minus maybe the top 3 in Spain and Italy and the top 2 in Germany

Sure, but look at the ridiculous premium English teams pay for the same players.

So sure, England can compete in terms of wages more up and down the table, but the transfer fees price-out most higher end players.

Look at a team like Stoke who finally sacked up and paid for some top-end talent and its gotten them to 7th.

[d_phaneuf]

ya but that is my point on it not being a weak league

3 years ago Stoke wouldn't have a hope of signing Bojan or Shaqiri, now they can outpay the clubs in Italy/Spain/Germany who normally would for those players who aren't good enough for the top 2-3 clubs

more parity in England, less on the continent

[devo22]

oh I agree. I wasn't trying to say that the league is weak, I actually think it's the opposite. The PL is the most balanced league out there AINEC.

I just meant that last year's top 5 are really struggling in the points department in comparison to last year. It's crazy that they've all regressed so much. Tottenham on the other hand is hailed for their great season, yet in terms of points they only have 2 more. Just crazy stuff.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by troutman

The Foxes are 5 points clear, and have beaten or tied every opponent remaining already.

They have some tricky matches left though. West Ham is suddenly rolling, and then Man U (which might or might not be in good form), and then Chelsea to close out the season. They did beat them this season, but that was before the change to Hiddink.

I think the easiest list coming down the stretch is for Arsenal, but its debateable. Spurs have a few that they should (and absolutely have to) win over the next few games as well.

I'm not too concerned about the draw today based on the fact that I don't think that any of these top four teams will run the table at this point. If someone does they deserve the title, but I can see teams dropping points still. Just look at this past week...none of the teams came through unscathed.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Slava

Its more than that though. People look at that kind of failure and the context of their recent form.

Arsenal are definitely giving the critics ammunition but if they had just dropped points to West Ham and Spurs, the backpages would be littered with the words 'crisis' and 'meltdown'. Tomorrow, Lloris is not going to have to answer the same questions Cech had to after his first match against West Ham.

Originally Posted by Slava

I think the easiest list coming down the stretch is for Arsenal, but its debateable. Spurs have a few that they should (and absolutely have to) win over the next few games as well.

I'm not too concerned about the draw today based on the fact that I don't think that any of these top four teams will run the table at this point. If someone does they deserve the title, but I can see teams dropping points still. Just look at this past week...none of the teams came through unscathed.

If Arsenal had a manager that could get the best out of this squad, we would certainly be poised to have a spectacular run. However, you know...

Despite the schedule, I think Leicester's attitude may get them through. So many times people are screwed if they do, screwed if they don't. Leicester are golden every each way.

[Slava]

Well in my eyes the only tough game for Arsenal at this point is maybe Man City (probably a tough one at Etihad) and West Ham away as well. Aside from that its basically a string of bottom feeders. I think Leicester has it at this point though. While the others toil away at mid-week fixtures in Europe or the FA Cup, they're at home resting up, and then playing a number of games at home as well. I thought that the loss of Kante would hurt them, and thought that Watford away would be tough today. I wasn't able to watch, but they handled it, obviously.

And on Lloris, he hasn't been good since the injury a couple weeks ago. I think he should've had that WHU goal this past week, and today he should've had the Sanchez goal. Weird for a guy who was so good for the season, but I wonder if there is something lingering there?

[Barnet Flame]

In lieu of Easter Eggs for the spud in your life.

[Slava]

Wow, what a finish in the Liverpool/Palace game. Pretty weak penalty at the 94th minute, but I guess there was some kind of contact there.

[devo22]

I actually kind of like Benteke, but that was gross. Too bad he didn't miss the penalty.