Barclays English Premier League

[Messi18Man]

Figured well since all the footy talk takes place in the UEFA Champions League thread I might as well create a thread dedicated to the most watched league in the entire world.

[Messi18Man]

Anybody dare to pick the result of Sunday's crucial fixture of Manchester United vs. Chelsea from the Theatre of Dreams ?


Is anyone else surprised by Aston Villa being currently in 4th place ? or is it just the pitiful inconsistency from the Gunners ?

[BigWoof31]

Oi! As a supporter of the Reds from Liverpool - I'd love it if United took down Chelsea....even if it means I'd have to cheer for United for an afternoon

[tmporter]

I expect United to come out looking much better than their dreadful showing at Pride Park. That was one awful performance against Derby. I fully expect United to beat Chelsea and close to 1 point behind with 2 in hand. I think United paly one of those games this upcoming Wednesday so God willing, United will be in 2nd 2 pts ahead of the Russian Oil Team. That sets up a nice game against Liverpool later in the spring. 1 major trophy down 4 more to go.

[BigWoof31]

You two probably know more about it than I do - but is it Chelsea that's in trouble for going after Arashavin?

[tmporter]

The whole Arashavin saga might involve Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal. Most likely it will all wind up being alot of smoke and little to no fire. Zenit is [censored]ed off that Prem teams are lining up offers for him and they don't want to sell. He wants to leave Zenit, simply to play in a real league and make a boatload of money. There lies the stand-off. Zenit are making some threats, like those that United made against Real Madrid. As long as there are teams willing to go behind the scenes to agents and advisers, players will always demand to leave even though they have a signed contract with their current club. The worst part is, I have read plenty of stories that make it sound as if most English writers think this guy will have a career much like that of Schevchenko and Hleb. Skill players that have no business playing the rough and tumble English style. Only time may tell.

[Buckeye513]

Zenit aren't really in any position to make threats. They just finished 5th and he can buy out his contract if they keep holding up a move.


Wouldn't be shocked to see Villa get 4th. Arsenal have no depth, no money, and they can't stay healthy. The 10 league games from now until April are all very winnable, so they'll probably drop 4 of them.

[Messi18Man]

Not to mention that Arshavin has stated that he will quit the club this summer if he doesn't end up somewhere else during the January window. Sounds like Arsenal are trying to get him (no offer in place I believe as of yet) but Zenit are taking the same stand as they did in August and are asking for far more money than any club is willing to spend at this point.


Anybody believe the story that Man City are willing to spend 30 million pounds to get Mauro Zarate who is currently on loan at Lazio ? Last I heard it sounded like he wanted to get a long-term deal to stay in Rome. Or will they just up their offer for Roque Santa Cruz after Blackburn turned them down the first time ?

[Messi18Man]

Manchester United beats Chelsea 3 to 0. Big win for Man U as they go 5 pts behind first place with 2 less games played. It appears Zenit have turned down Arsenal's offer for Arshavin once again and apparently Man City may be moving in to hijack the player with a higher bid.

[tmporter]

Zenit is just trying to get maximum return for him. Man City will be involved in any and all protracted transfers. They will overpay just to build a disfunctional squad like Tottenham. Arashavin is overrated in my opinion. Mauro Zarate is a great young player. 30 million is far overvaluing him. I can't even comprehend how you would pay that for him. Robinho for 30 million, I can see that. He has atleast proven he can play on the world stage. Zarate, not so much.

I haven't had a chance to watch United thrashing of the lifeless Blues from Chelsea. That was the best thing I could hope for this weekend. I am also glad that Howard Webb, the worst referee in the EPL, didn't cost United another big game.

[Messi18Man]

Chelsea were absolutely lifeless throughout the match, Man U alway's had the edge and they were really in control for a majority of the time. Can't stress how big a win that is for the Red Devils as they have played 2 less games than everybody and are only 1 pt behind Chelsea and 5 behind leaders Liverpool. But who knows how Liverpool will handle the pressure because it seems they draw about every 3rd match and are only in first because Chelsea have been playing poorly the last 3-4 weeks and could never gain ground on them.

[BigWoof31]

Originally Posted by Messi18Man

But who knows how Liverpool will handle the pressure because it seems they draw about every 3rd match and are only in first because Chelsea have been playing poorly the last 3-4 weeks and could never gain ground on them.

Watching the tivo'd delay of the stoke city match - I can't tell you how frustrating it is to see this team totally lay down sometimes.

It's games like that where I want to scream at Stevie G or Keane to show some veteran leadership and put one in. UGH!

[Buckeye513]

Originally Posted by BigWoof31

I can't tell you how frustrating it is to see this team totally lay down sometimes.

Welcome to my world.

[Messi18Man]

it's strange that Liverpool are at the top while having Torres injured virtually the whole time and Robbie Keane only scoring what 4-5 league goals ? Even though I don't consider myself a fan of the Reds I still kinda want them to end their league drought. It's wild to think that a club with as much history as Liverpool has, hasn't won their domestic league since 1990.

[tmporter]

Originally Posted by BigWoof31

Watching the tivo'd delay of the stoke city match - I can't tell you how frustrating it is to see this team totally lay down sometimes. It's games like that where I want to scream at Stevie G or Keane to show some veteran leadership and put one in. UGH!

Stevie G did his best, but this is a team sport. The rest of the lads took the day off and mailed it in. Keane sat the pine as the most odd manager used some more of his odd managerial techniques to put a team of lifeless kids out there. I thought Stevie G deserved more than that from the rest of the team. Therir major problem is they have a number of soft players and a glut of players that all want to play in the same place. I have said it before and I will stick by it. Liverpool will finish 3rd due to their lack of killer instincts. Not so much against the big clubs, but the smaller teams that have no business holding them scoreless in 2 games.

Originally Posted by Buckeye513

Welcome to my world.

Well your teams situation is mostly a 180 from BigWoof's teams despairs. Your team's manager like to have a squad so small that 3 injuries and you are left with no one on the bench that has any real business being there. Paper thin squad that tires out and has had a bad run of luck with the injury bug. It costs a ton of cash to have a squad large enough to compete on 4 or 5 fronts ( PL, CL, FA Cup, Carling Cup, Club World Cup)

Originally Posted by Messi18Man

it's strange that Liverpool are at the top while having Torres injured virtually the whole time and Robbie Keane only scoring what 4-5 league goals ? Even though I don't consider myself a fan of the Reds I still kinda want them to end their league drought. It's wild to think that a club with as much history as Liverpool has, hasn't won their domestic league since 1990.

They are top because Chelsea are dying much faster than I could have ever hoped. They have had some dreadful form and Villa just haven't had enough to get it done and pass them. I think Villa will crack the top 4 this year at the Gunners expense and I am not sure the Gunners can afford to be out of the CL.Chelsea are set-up as a team to play a style of football the Big Phil doesn't play and who in the world would want some of the garbage they have. Ballack is garbage. Deco is softer than a blanket from Restoration Hardware. Obi Mikell isn't progressing very well, glad he cost Chelsea 13 million pounds paid to Man Utd, money they used to buy Anderson. Lampard is one of the best in the world. Joe Cole has more talent than many other players, but no heart. John Terry has been covered more times by Ricardo Carhvalho than I can count and both of them are prone to red card challenges. Bosingwa is great going forward and has been caught ball watching too long up front and my boy, Cashley Cole, well what a little girl he is, has and always will be. Drogba is prone to taking months off at a time. Never a better striker in the world if he WANTS to play. And finally the incerdibule SULK. Nik Anleka has played for more teams than a whore has had Johns. 12 teams in less than a decade. There has to be a reason. I can go on and on about that, but I won't. The table will finish out like this:

1. Man Utd 83-88 pts
2. Chelsea 77 - 83 pts
3. Liverpool 75 - 83 pts
4. Villa 72 - 80 pts
5. Arsenal 70 - 80 pts
6. Everton 65 - 70 pts
7. Hull 55-65 pts
8. Wigan 50 - 65 pts (too hard to gauge how they will play)
9. Fulham 50 - 70 pts (maybe Roy Hodgson really is a genius)
10. Bolton 46 - 55 pts
11. Newcastle 45 - 55 pts (2nd biggest disappointment)
12. Sunderland 42 - 52 pts
13. Man City 42 - 55 (Still don't know what money can buy)
14. Tottenham 36 - 46 pts (Biggest disappointment)
15. Boro 38 - 46
16 Portsmouth 35 - 50 (Man how they wish they had Harry back, and all their good players)
17. West Ham 35 - 52 (Who even knows if they will be a team next year)
18. Stoke 32 - 40 (Just not enough resources, but boy do they fight on)
19. Blackburn 32 - 40 (Can they make a late run under Big Sam. Doubt it. They all threw in the towel)
20. WBA 28 - 35 (Not the worst team ever in the PL, just the luckiest to get there)