2011/2012 English Premier League thread

[d_phaneuf]

I think the only certainty for top 4 is United

3 teams can win the league (United, Chelsea, City)

Any combination of Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal, City, Liverpool qualifying for the other 3 spots in the top 4 wouldn't surprise me

United would be my only lock because of Fergie, I think the talent level on Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool is right up there with Chelsea (arguably better) but because of a lack of experience I don't see those 3 winning the league this year. I could see Chelsea finishing 6th though, that team could get very old very fast and AVB is unproven in a top league.

City have the talent level that they shouldn't be missing the top 4, but with Mancini in charge they have the worst manager of the 6.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Locke

So, for Arsenal supporters, what is the ultimate goal for the season?

- United, City and Chelsea aim to win the league
- Liverpool and Spurs want a CL place

Where do Arsenal supporters see the club's aims? Last season they thought they could win the league and were close until the wheels fell off, but I think its safe to say that this current Arsenal squad are inferior to last season's.

Depends if they strengthen their team with the money from Cesc and Nasri or if they stay put.

If they stand pat fans would probably be estatic with a Champions League spot at the best. If they actually reinvest the money in their midfield, which has now went from best in the league to just good, the fans might hope to fair a little better.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Locke

So, for Arsenal supporters, what is the ultimate goal for the season?

- United, City and Chelsea aim to win the league
- Liverpool and Spurs want a CL place

Where do Arsenal supporters see the club's aims?

I think the aim is the same as always, to win the league or at least a major trophy. The fans’ goal is probably to see the gaffer put together a squad that is, undoubtedly, able to do so.

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by Jagger

You must be confusing the Liverpool club run by the Tom & George circus and ably carried on by Woy's management. Liverpool were much more effective under Dalglish.

You guys rate Dalglish as a Manager far too highly. It can only result in disappointment for you.

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by Addick

Have you checked out the Arsenal thread? The only thing we are close to running is Wegner out of North London.

This.

I predict a long, joyless season for us.

But I expect this to be partially offset by a little light relief from Liverpool.

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I for one will miss Eboue

Good luck to the crazy barsteward - He'll fit right in at his new home.

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by DeanOMac

Guess we can't "pretend" we are a big club anymore...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14563989.stm

Why does he make such hardline stances in the media only to look like a fool? The club has become a joke and unless he does a 180 and spends some money in the next two weeks, I will firmly be in the fire Wenger camp (i'm already partially in it). It's one thing to choke year after year while paying for a stadium, but to turn the club into a mockery is embarassing, and a step too far, for the die-hard supporters.

I don't know how anyone can not be in the 'fire Wenger' camp. I'm past caring whether it is him or the Board responsible for the negligence in maintaining a decent squad - the #### he comes out with has become unbearable.

I have no stomach for defending the guy anymore.

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by Locke

So, for Arsenal supporters, what is the ultimate goal for the season?

- United, City and Chelsea aim to win the league
- Liverpool and Spurs want a CL place

Where do Arsenal supporters see the club's aims? Last season they thought they could win the league and were close until the wheels fell off, but I think its safe to say that this current Arsenal squad are inferior to last season's.

Fighting for 4th.

CL money is all our Board are interested in. If fourth place is in peril come the January window, they'll make moves to strengthen the team - otherwise, no investment in the team at all.

If it is that bad that 4th is out of reach, they'll probably cash in on Van Persie if he maintains his fitness.

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

You guys rate Dalglish as a Manager far too highly. It can only result in disappointment for you.

One could argue that the results since Dalglish's arrival had more to do with extremely heightened positive emotion rather than being a good manager. Maybe some of them. However, the way they were able to beat Chelsea, Man United, Man City, and just the manner in which they did it, bodes very well. Anyways, remains to be seen.

Also going to be interesting with a pretty tough league schedule for the Mancs, missing Vidic and Ferdinand for the next while.

[Yorkshire Flame]

The Arsenal news just keeps on getting better and better.

http://www.football365.com/news/2155...ds-Versus-Pool

Wenger has lost the plot.

[TopChed]

O god, now Liverpool will probably end up losing points to AFC's reserve squad.

In other news, you have to love the effort from Chelsea FC's twitter team.

chelseafc Chelsea FC

Torres has just scored with an unbelievable overhead kick in training #CFC (LP)

That's right, he scored in training.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by TopChed

O god, now Liverpool will probably end up losing points to AFC's reserve squad.

In other news, you have to love the effort from Chelsea FC's twitter team.

chelseafc Chelsea FC


That's right, he scored in training.

HAHA! Well, hes got to score somewhere, and I guess Asian tours just arent cutting it anymore.

[Yorkshire Flame]

Originally Posted by TopChed

O god, now Liverpool will probably end up losing points to AFC's reserve squad.

In other news, you have to love the effort from Chelsea FC's twitter team.

chelseafc Chelsea FC


That's right, he scored in training.

Leave the poor lad alone; don't you know he has fragile self-confidence?

There there Nando, you can play with the big boys again some day.

[d_phaneuf]

to continue my personal tribute to Eboue, who I will miss more than any Arsenal player ever









and my personal favorite

[united]

Vidic injury changed to five weeks and Ferdinand to one week.

Big blow for MUFC there. Time to see what Phil Jones is made of...

[d_phaneuf]

GuillemBalague Guillem Balague
Mata move 2 Chelsea closer. It's a matter of hours. Clubs agreed fee, personal terms agreed too. He's very much looking 4ward to it

Sid lowe says the same thing, done by tomoro most likely

[Finny61]

Mata to Chelsea? Well just freakin' great Wenger! Our faith for a decent season must now rest in the likes of Chamberlain, Campbell, Frimpong, and Schmuckh?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

This.

I predict a long, joyless season for us.

But I expect this to be partially offset by a little light relief from Liverpool.

Liverpool didnt even have to work today, Arsenal did everything for them, got a guy sent off, scored on themselves, all Arsenal needed was the circus music and it would have been perfect!

[Addick]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

GuillemBalague Guillem Balague
Mata move 2 Chelsea closer. It's a matter of hours. Clubs agreed fee, personal terms agreed too. He's very much looking 4ward to it

Sid lowe says the same thing, done by tomoro most likely

If he goes to Chel$ki I'm going to be well pissed. Completely unacceptable from Wegner & Co..

[Locke]

I'm posting this here, I dont know why I posted this in the Arsenal thread....probably because I got up at 5:30am and I'm not thinking straight.

I got up early to watch the match.

Liverpool have to be tighter with their passing, too many giveaways, and better clear-cut finishes. I didnt like the way that Dalglish didnt pair Suarez with either Carroll or Kuyt, but it worked out. Really, Arsenal had maybe two decent chances on goal the whole match and those the Frimpong shot that was easily saved and the RvP shot. Other than that, really happy with the Liverpool defending, it was just all about passing and finish.

As for Arsenal:

Vermaelen is money. He was a one-man back four and he did a great job neutralizing Carroll and always made the crucial tackle, I was impressed with him.

Arshavin didnt do anything really, poor passing, little movement.

Arsenal's biggest problems were the lack of creativity in midfield and really, empty jerseys out front, several times the wingers made good moves and crosses and there was no target man in the middle.

Overall, Liverpool werent great but Arsenal werent really a threat to score either. Once they get their players back from suspension and injury they'll be a lot better actually, I dont see all the doom and gloom from the Arsenal perspective.

I'll offer a caveat there though, if Vermaelen is injured for any significant amount of time, Arsenal are in real trouble. He was massive for them today.

As for Liverpool, they didnt play well but got 3 points anyways from a team expected to finish in the top 4 and thats what good teams have to do.

Originally Posted by Addick

If he goes to Chel$ki I'm going to be well pissed. Completely unacceptable from Wegner & Co..

I would agree. Money shouldnt be a problem considering all the sales Wenger has made, but it would be quite the snub/fail.