2015/2016 Barclays Premier League Thread

[Senator Clay Davis]

City against the top 9 is pathetic. That looks like something you'd see from a relegation team.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Bagor

And that's what I'm saying.

Same players, and I haven't noticed much of a difference or improvement. No evidence of him being able to get more out of the players.

His honeymoon period will be well and truly over by start of next season and his results will be more scrutinized. Can't blame Rodgers for ever, for him getting average results.

I think a big criticism of Rodgers was his love of average players though.

The team needs a serious overhaul which is terrible because its not like Rodgers had no money, he just spent it poorly.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by Locke

The team needs a serious overhaul which is terrible because its not like Rodgers had no money, he just spent it poorly.

I don't think it needs an overhaul. We need a consistent player in the deeper midfield role, and a wide player with pace and goals in his game. Matip has already been signed up for the summer and will battle with Sakho and Lovren to start at CB.

I think if we can get two real quality players at those positions, and get a proper preseason in under Klopp then we'll be ready to challenge for 4th spot next season.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

I don't think it needs an overhaul. We need a consistent player in the deeper midfield role, and a wide player with pace and goals in his game. Matip has already been signed up for the summer and will battle with Sakho and Lovren to start at CB.

I think if we can get two real quality players at those positions, and get a proper preseason in under Klopp then we'll be ready to challenge for 4th spot next season.

Right. But is that the extent of the Club's ambition? If so that sucks.

We're fans, we want them to win the league every season, but from a business perspective the better they do the more they get paid.

So 4th isnt good enough. Next season? Sure, I'd take it. But the fact remains that they should want to do better than that.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by Locke

Right. But is that the extent of the Club's ambition? If so that sucks.

We're fans, we want them to win the league every season, but from a business perspective the better they do the more they get paid.

So 4th isnt good enough. Next season? Sure, I'd take it. But the fact remains that they should want to do better than that.

Of course, but getting 4th is the first step. I'm not sure why there would be doubt about the club's ambition. We've spent plenty on players and managers under FSG, it just hasn't been spent well.

I'm sure we'll see Klopp get a nice amount of money to spend, along with any money made on sales from the likes of Benteke, Allen, etc.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

Of course, but getting 4th is the first step. I'm not sure why there would be doubt about the club's ambition. We've spent plenty on players and managers under FSG, it just hasn't been spent well.

I'm sure we'll see Klopp get a nice amount of money to spend, along with any money made on sales from the likes of Benteke, Allen, etc.

Right, and we cant really see what Klopp's made of until he gets a chance to mold the team.

[d_phaneuf]

only player that has really shown to be a "Klopp" player so far is Firminho

Coutinho is too hit or miss, he will score a worldie and then do nothing for 3 weeks, needs more consistency to be on a top side

I think their biggest problem is the defensively line, only player worth keeping for me there is Clyne, id want 2 new CBs (Matip is one) and a new keeper definitely

especially if Klopp wants to press again, that's not going to work for Sakho or Lovren

[Mightyfire89]

^All that plus Sturridge's fragile, selfish ass needs to be shipped out. He makes me yell at my tv way too often.

Klopp's got a lot of work to do.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Locke

Right. But is that the extent of the Club's ambition? If so that sucks.

I have a strong feeling that the super clubs in the BPL will reassert their dominance next year. Chelsea, City and United will fight it out for the league while Leicester will drop back to earth leaving Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs to fight it out for fourth. Other clubs will continue to use the influx of money to knock on the door but won't be picking up as many bonus points from their matches against Chelsea, City and United.

Arsenal and Liverpool could probably kick on and challenge for the league again but Arsenal don't have the requisite manager and Liverpool cannot afford to rebuild as quickly as the money bags three. I'm not sure Spurs can afford to go toe-to-toe with the usual suspects but I wouldn't be surprised if they found a way.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Addick

I have a strong feeling that the super clubs in the BPL will reassert their dominance next year. Chelsea, City and United will fight it out for the league while Leicester will drop back to earth leaving Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs to fight it out for fourth. Other clubs will continue to use the influx of money to knock on the door but won't be picking up as many bonus points from their matches against Chelsea, City and United.

Arsenal and Liverpool could probably kick on and challenge for the league again but Arsenal don't have the requisite manager and Liverpool cannot afford to rebuild as quickly as the money bags three. I'm not sure Spurs can afford to go toe-to-toe with the usual suspects but I wouldn't be surprised if they found a way.

Uh...pretty much toatlly agree. Bang on. Exactly what I think. Leceister, Spurs and Arsenal got a kick at the league this season because Chelsea, City and United dropped the ball.

Those three have all changed their managers, those new managers will get blank chequebooks and go to town and none of those 3 or Liverpool will be able to keep pace.

[Locke]

Oh snap. Gary Neville is leaving Valencia at the end of the season.

So now United's options for a manager just got blown wide open.

Theres Giggs, Neville and Jose. Mourinho might get paid!

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Addick

I have a strong feeling that the super clubs in the BPL will reassert their dominance next year. Chelsea, City and United will fight it out for the league while Leicester will drop back to earth leaving Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs to fight it out for fourth. Other clubs will continue to use the influx of money to knock on the door but won't be picking up as many bonus points from their matches against Chelsea, City and United.

Arsenal and Liverpool could probably kick on and challenge for the league again but Arsenal don't have the requisite manager and Liverpool cannot afford to rebuild as quickly as the money bags three. I'm not sure Spurs can afford to go toe-to-toe with the usual suspects but I wouldn't be surprised if they found a way.

Ya know, I think you're being overly hard on Wenger. Perhaps it's because I miss the days of Fergie so, but he consistently gets you to CL with a prudent budget for a top flight club.

[d_phaneuf]

Dont see why Arsenal or Spurs would take a step back

two of the youngest squads in the league, of the top 6 the only 2 without multiple glaring holes that need to buy, their best players are either in their prime or havent entered it yet

only position both are likely to buy this summer is at CM and Striker, and both are more squad position potentially than needing to remake the squad

the rest of the other clubs need to fill at least 3-4 spots, at least 3 of them (City/Chelsea/United) will have new managers, new systems etc.

not saying either would be favorite for the league either but a step back is unlikely

[White Out 403]

Cant wait for pellegrini to go. his purchases and more specifically tactics and choice of 11 leaves much to be desired. hopefully they make a splash in the off season and sell some of this dead weight

[d_phaneuf]

I also dont know how quick some of these teams will turnaround

outside of City who because of Aguero/Silva/KDB just need to surround them with a steadier midfield and backline

but Chelsea, United, and Liverpool all need multiple pieces and all need it in every facet (backline, midfield, and forward)

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Dont see why Arsenal or Spurs would take a step back

two of the youngest squads in the league, of the top 6 the only 2 without multiple glaring holes that need to buy

Spurs problem will be the same old problem. Trying to retain their players.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Bagor

Spurs problem will be the same old problem. Trying to retain their players.

Who are they going to lose them to though? Ali isn't going anywhere for at least another year or two and why would Kane go to United when he can play in the CL with Spurs? Also don't see Eriksen or Lloris going anywhere, and no one else in the squad outside of maybe Vertonghen is going to get the same combination of playing time, pay, and top flight competition elsewhere. I think next summer they could be in trouble if they fail to qualify for the CL again but if they qualify again they should be alright.

[d_phaneuf]

the idea that Spurs are a 'selling club' is lazy fallacy

they are a selling club to Real Madrid, so is the rest of Europe

they haven't lost a player to an English team they wanted to keep since Berbatov 5 years ago to Man United and since then Levy has hold the supporters trust group they won't sell their players to their rivals that they want to keep anymore, i.e wont strengthen their rivals

Right now, no one on the team is getting in the Madrid squad either, so I wouldn't be worried. Alli/Kane are possibilities down the line, but by then with the new stadium and extra TV money they are going to be an attractive option for a lot of players

[Addick]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Ya know, I think you're being overly hard on Wenger. Perhaps it's because I miss the days of Fergie so, but he consistently gets you to CL with a prudent budget for a top flight club.

He's assembled a great core for the squad but with an infuriating levl of stubbornness he refuses to assemble the final pieces in terms of attitude, players and tactics. His financial management is no longer prudent, it's straight conservative. Wenger wants to win it 'his way' and that simply isn't possible.

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Dont see why Arsenal or Spurs would take a step back.

As Arsenal are no longer in the title race, it's a case of Arsenal not being able to make the step forward next season. In regards to Spurs, I think it will be case of the super clubs taking enough steps forward to leave them one step behind. Why? Competition and consistency.

Next season teams won't be picking up nearly as many points off of Chelsea, City and United as I believe they will be much more competitive. This new level of competition is going to make it difficult for clubs like Leicester and Spurs to replicate the spectacular consistency that they have produced this season. The tougher environment is going to place additional mental and physical stress on the current Top 3.

[d_phaneuf]

in the same matchups this year vs last, Spurs so far have 4 more points, it's not as though they have had spectacular consistency

I just don't think rebuilding in the PL, in a climate where everyone is going to get an extra 40-50m next year is going to be so easy

doing a Liverpool and falling off for ___ amount of years is going to occur more often than consistency like the top 4 was in the 2000-2010 range, I could see anywhere from 6-8 teams finishing in the top 4 in the next 5 years

it's not a given that Chelsea can spend 150m and suddenly make up 30-40 points next season, look at what happened when United spent that much, especially when all it gets you now is 1 or 2 'world class' players, who may or may not fit the league

squad building is going to be much more important going forward I think