Liverpool still won't win the premiership (2007/08 edition)

Matt DC you are harsh on Man City every year!

I like how you're bullish on Tottenham, but I think Liverpool is going a bit high there.

BAD PREDICTIONS GO!

1. Chelsea
2. Man Utd
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
5. Tottenham
6. Blackburn
7. Newcastle
8. Everton
9. Portsmouth
10. Aston Villa
11. Reading
12. Middlesbrough
13. Man City
14. Sunderland
15. West Ham
16. Bolton
17. Birmingham
18. Derby
19. Fulham
20. Wigan

I wanted to put Tottenham lower actually, but although I don't see any reason why they will do as well as everyone is predicting, there also aren't any teams that look at all likely to take their spot.

I imagine Spurs will come second or something now. This is my secret ploy for ensuring my Fantasy Football team does well, as I lay all my (secret) hopes upon Berbatov's feet!

1. Man Utd
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Tottenham
5. Arsenal
6. Aston Villa
7. Everton
8. Portsmouth
9. Blackburn
10. Newcastle
11. West Ham
12. Man City
13. Sunderland
14. Reading
15. Fulham
16. Middlesbrough
17. Bolton
18. Birmingham
19. Wigan
20. Derby

I am being harsh on Man City because they basically need to buy an entire squad. Except a left winger. Which is kind of the wrong way round.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/6921902.stm

£6M for Reyes. Isn't that hella cheap in today's stupidly cash rich market?

1. chelsea
2. manchester united
3. arsenal
4. liverpool
5. tottenham
6. blackburn
7. aston villa
8. west ham
9. everton
10. newcastle
11. bolton
12. portsmouth
13. reading
14. sunderland
15. manchester city
16. derby
17. wigan
18. middlesboro
19. birmingham
20. fulham

that bottom 8 could well shift around

Yes, especially when West Ham drop 10 places.

8th is ridiculously high for West Ham - why on earth would they be expected to do any better than Newcastle have done over the past few seasons?

I have absolutely no idea how Boro are going to do. Could be midtable mediocrity, could be relegated. How good is Tuncay then?

Because 4 of the 5 sides you have finishing above them are

8. Portsmouth
9. Aston Villa
10. Newcastle
11. Sunderland
12. Reading

portsmouth: headed for a mediocre season, punched above weight last time out

aston villa: yes

newcastle: as you imply, west ham will finish roundabouts same place as newcastle. also, newcastle still have no defence, questions about strikers staying, allardyce complaining about lack of funds etc

sunderland: i put them too high also, keane factor or no, theyre going to find this season hard going

reading: lost sidwell, very little transfer activity. need to get off to a good start at old trafford

Newcastle were keeping qutie a few clean sheets at the end of last season. They weren't scoring goals at the same time but I think Martins might do better this time, and there's Owen. They may start slowly tho.

Pompey's momentum still rising surely - tho the squad hasn't strengthened significantly (neither have their immediate rivals tho).

If Viduka can play as well last season as he did last, Newcastle will be alright.

Portsmouth punching above their weight, maybe, but factoring in the clubs most likely to underachieve and that's got to be the Hammers surely?

who needs Tevez when you have Ashton back ehhhhhh?

Did Viduka really play that well last season? He didn't seem to do much till right at the end...then got a couple of braces against sides whos seasons were over

I suspect these drifting-back-toward-midtable predictions for Everton are about right. I think we have the 5th or 6th best first XI in the Premiership and did very well last season maintaining our place in the top six despite the lengthy injuries to Cahill, Johnson, Vaughan, etc. We didn't disgrace ourselves against the Resented Elite either - beating L'pool/Arse at home, leading both Chel/ManUtd late into the game, taking points at Stamford, Emirates, Anfield (compare & contrast the 04-05 Champs Lge team - hanging grimly on to 4th without Gravesen - getting tanked by Arsenal in May). But I think we've lost a little ground in the close season splurges, Vaughan's out again and we've not replaced Beattie (he is going, right? Sheff U?).

Not going out of every Cup competition as soon as our ball is plucked from the bag would be considered progress this season.

I couldn't give a toss about anyone else; just as long as the thread title is correct. I wish the season was still a couple of months away.

I was very impressed with Everton/Moyes last season almost as much as the 04/05 season. I think UEFA Cup campaign might weigh them down a bit this time is all.

Last season was better than 04/05, I think. Sans Tommy G we took 21pts from the second half of 04/05, which is practically relegation form. In 06/07, we scored more goals, played better football and genuinely outclassed a few sides. Subtract the shambolic last 25mins vs Man U, the FA Cup debacle, McFad's dismissal vs Arsenal Kids in the League Cup and the infuriating AJ-is-a-diver nonsense, it was a great season - maybe the best since the '80s. I hated every minute of it.

I think Viduka started scoring about halfway through last season, and then continued pretty consistently without anyone really noticing.

A lot of those goals might have been in cup tournaments though, can't really remember due to it being Middlesbrough and my not giving a shit.

He only scored 3 of his 19 before Christmas, though two of them were winning goals (vs Chelsea and Everton).

Portsmouth will apparently try using a 3-5-2 formation this season in some matches. Presumably using Taylor and Lauren as wing backs with Kranjcar giving a floating attacking role with 2 holding midfielders.

I still think Portsmouth need a right winger with pace for a 4-4-2 formation and another striker if Andy Cole and LuaLua leave.

3-5-2? Have you employed Glenn Hoddle or something?

wish list for pompey:

SWP from Chelsea or Royston Drenthe from Feyenoord - would be ideal to inject some pace.

Kanoute from Sevilla FC as a striker.

Pompey played most of 02/03 in the Nationwide Division 1 under Harry with a 3-5-2 - and went up as champions.

with jason crowe at right-back. remember him?

jason crowe is now at northampton town, when he left pompey i was surprised when he went to grimsby town [then in the third tier] - he could have played at a higher level.

My "Prediction:"

1. Chelsea
2. Manchester United
3. Tottenham
4. Arsenal
5. Liverpool
6. Newcastle United
7. Blackburn Rovers
8. Manchester City
9. Everton
10. Portsmouth
11. Aston Villa
12. Reading
13. Middlesbrough
14. Bolton Wanderers
15. West Ham
16. Wigan
17. Birmingham City
18. Sunderland
19. Fulham
20. Derby County

How I came to this:

- Nobody else put Tottenham above third, so despite not reaaallly thinking they will finish this high, I've put them there because I would love to be the only person who called it on that off-chance it occurs.

- I have no faith in Sunderland, and apparently everyone else does-- another opportunity for an "I told you so" and this one might even be more likely! I'm not much for Roy Keane. Sorry Mackems.

- I got bored after doing my bottom 4 and top 8 so the rest are somewhat randomly chosen.

How mad would you be, after reading this, if I was bang on at the end of the season?

furious

Who do you support again blueski?

1. Manchester United
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Tottenham
5. Arsenal
6. Everton
7. Newcastle United
8. Aston Villa
9. Portsmouth
10. Blackburn Rovers
11. Bolton Wanderers
12. Reading
13. Middlesbrough
14. Sunderland
15. West Ham
16. Wigan
17. Manchester City
18. Fulham
19. Derby County
20. Birmingham City

Any one from the top two, I think it will be very close. I expect Arsenal to struggle and maybe miss out on a CL spot. Tottenham should keep scoring for fun and maybe add a wee bit more consistency and finish above Arsenal for the first time in yonks. Reading losing a good player and not being a "surprise package" any more will see them drop down a bit, especially with what I expect to be a resurgent Newcastle and Villa. Man City and Wigan will struggle but survive again. Sunderland will maintain enough momentum from the Championship to ensure survival. Birmingham will be pish.

Alan Smith to Newcastle it seems. Good move for him I think, barring injuries he should play a fair few games what with Owen probably being injured, Viduka being fat and Martins being sulky about having to play Derby.

I wish I had the balls to make predictions.

It's okay to admit you think Liverpool will win the title Pete.

Liverpool - it's all about FERNANDO TORRES. I think he is a bit of a jessie, but I hope he proves me wrong.

I think TEVEZ will be PLAYER OF THE SEASON.

I saw an advert in a telly shop today (OK, it was John Lewis) and it was footage of LFC in action and the slogan was "The beautiful game just got more beautiful". I thought about Michael Jones.

I suppose it was about HIGH DEFINITION.

Is anyone going to get Setanta Sports for 9.99? I'm not. I have no idea if it is a good deal or not.

I would quite like to go to the Charity Shield, for the reasons mentioned above. How does one go about obtaining tickets for fifteen nicker? That is quite reasonable.

I too wish the season were two months away. Such is my enjoyment of Major League Soccer. I wonder if Juan Pablo Angel does a video blog for Colombia or wherever he's from.

I am glad to see Villa have been upgraded to "unknown quantity" rather than the usual "big pile of shit". I think they will continue to be a big pile of shit, but will finish eighth, not ninth, as so many people seem to predict.

I shall be interested to see how MAN CITY get on.

I wish DERBY COUNTY well. Billy Davies (?) is waiting until the end of the transfer window to make his moves.

I think transfers are possibly more interesting than football itself these days.

Tevez will take about a third of a season to get going and suddenly become unstoppable.

Torres will be amusingly rubbish and this year's Shevchenko. Six goals in La Liga = lol massive flop in the Premiership.

turns out - we get setanta for free - or we do for now anyway, I bet they turn it off just before the season starts :(

Matt - are we having a bet on that?

Villa snap up American teenager
Aston Villa have completed the signing of United States Under-20 international Eric Lichaj.
The 18-year-old former Chicago Magic defender will go straight into Villa's Academy squad.

Lichaj is Villa's first American signing since the club were bought by Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner.

The 6ft defender, formerly at the University of North Carolina, will not be able to play until September as he is recovering from a broken foot.

"He signed a two year deal with options," said Lichaj's agent Steve Kelly.

"He was injured before he signed, but they saw his talent before that."

1:Man Utd
2:Liverpool
3:Chelsea
4:Arsenal
5:Spurs
6:Blackburn
7:Newcastle
8:Aston Villa
9:Everton
10:West Ham
11:Portsmouth
12:Reading
13:Man City
14:Middlesborough
15:Sunderland
16:Bolton
17:Wigan
18:Fulham
19:Birmingham
20:Derby

Derby and Birmingham surely certs to go down. Only putting in Fulham cos I hope they do. Either Bolton or Wigan would be nice though.

Can't see Spurs breaking top 4, it's more likely that they'll be pulled back by Blackburn, who've bought well up front. Everton never have two good seasons in a row, and Man City and West Ham have made too many changes to do well under dodgy managers.

I did not realise that the Charity Shield is today. That is TOO SOON!

One of the money teams is going to go down this season, dunno if it'll be Man City or West Ham though.

Presumably Man City when Thaksin goes to jail forever and the club is sued inside out by the government of Thailand.

I was thinking last night that Hargreaves could be a totally crucial signing for Man U and I can see them winning the Prem at a canter this season.

Oh, and Sunderland for a Top 10 finish.

Oh, and Allardyce gone by January.

Nah, Allardyce to miss out on Europe by one point then to be fired three games into the 08/09 season

At least the West Ham players know each other - it could take months for Sven to put together a cohesive squad out of a load of disparate foreign players bought in the space of a fortnight.

Fulham have spent £20m! How did that happen?

I'm trying to reconcile this late "start of the summer" feeling with this early start to the season and it's not really working.

Allardyce will be around for ages. They're not going to let him bring half his Bolton backroom team with him just to sack him after a season.

If Newcastle are bottom 3 for any length of time, which I can see, he'll go. That job is horrible and near impossible.

Reading and Everton are the only two teams to have not signed a striker off-season.

Allardyce will be around for ages. They're not going to let him bring half his Bolton backroom team with him just to sack him after a season.

You've gotta remember that Allardyce doesn't have the fans on-side, all it's going to take is a couple of bad results, or the chance of Europe to vanish, and they're all going to start chanting for Keegan or Shearer or Sid the Sexist for manager.

laffing at underachieving Newcastle will never ever get old. and yeah, Everton could well stage a relegation challenge.

I suppose I'm hedging my bets on Newcastle due to not really knowing what the new board will do. Not having to deal with Freddy Shepherd is a bonus.

Also Allardyce has generally bought well over the summer - could do with a couple more defenders but Capaca is a strong signing.

Top marks to The Sun for the headline in the "Hossam Ghaly's transfer to Birmingham cancelled after he refuses to run in training" story:

WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN

Apologies if this has already been noted on here, but I thought this was interesting:

Premier League Winners......................Season........................ La Liga Winners

Manchester United....................................2000/2001.........................Real Madrid

Arsenal........................................... ........2001/2002..........................Valencia

Manchester United...................................2002/2003..........................Real Madrid

Arsenal........................................... ........2003/2004.........................Valencia

Chelsea........................................... .......2004/2005..........................Barcelona

Chelsea........................................... .......2005/2006.........................Barcelona

Manchester United...................................2006/2007.........................Real Madrid

Manchester United....................................2007/2008.........................Real Madrid

So since the start of the new millenium......

...everytime Mancester United win the league, so do Real Madrid
...everytime Arsenal win the league, so do Valencia
...everytime Chelsea win the league, so do Barcelona.

aye, saw that on soccer am on saturday.

who are Liverpool paired up with - Tenerife?

ROFL

Hamburgler:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/may/14/hamburg.bundesligafootball

I mean,
Hamburglar

Surely Martin Jol should be able to turn round the fortunes of this underachieving sleeping giant of a club oh wait

Hamburg are so going to punt Spurs out of the UEFA Cup next year.

i like martin jol, i think he'll do well.

will robbo also go to hamburg? i think he'll get on well with the hamburgers amirite.

your boys took a hell of an eating, etc

Thaksin puts the entire squad up for sale!

Best season ever.

You just knew that City were going to take the barking despot owner thing into totally new territory. This is Roy of the Rovers stuff!

One of them won't get out alive.

is there a Man City equivalent breakaway team to FC United and FC Wimbledon yet?

this is great. we'll have richards, hart, johnson and petrov, thanks very much.

can you imagine all the other PL managers queueing up outside, holding their handbags to their chests and glaring at each other?

Considering they finished comfortably in the top half and did the double over United it must still be fucking terrible being a City fan at the moment

I'd like to see some interviews with the head-in-sand Thaksin apologist dudes who were being all " 'alleged human rights abuses', what does that even mean, who cares, what's that got to do with football?" though

Wouldn't be anywhere near as entertaining as DIC taking over at Liverpool and fucking them up even worse though

that said, by this stage Randy Lerner's so ridiculously affable I'm becoming convinved he's basically a real life Hank Scorpio

I'm convinced Randy Lerner's going to be outed as a paedo or something, he seems a little too good to be true at the moment, as far as loaded American investors go.

you're just being influenced by his name

"I'd like to see some interviews with the head-in-sand Thaksin apologist dudes who were being all " 'alleged human rights abuses', what does that even mean, who cares, what's that got to do with football?" though"

i think they'll still be more concerned with the running of the football club, just that it's now gone spectacularly pear-shaped.

I'm convinced Randy Lerner's going to be outed as a paedo or something, he seems a little too good to be true at the moment, as far as loaded American investors go.

Our kit "sponsor" next year is a hospice for terminally ill children - who does he think he's fooling?

I guess it beats a deal worth about £8.50 with a presumably long bankrupt gambling website tho

will you be getting any money out of it though? presumably a charity offer, like barcelona's UNESCO sponsorship.

Thaksin is more of a muppet than Romanov at Hearts.

Not really sure how the £££ situation is with Acorns and Villa, I think Villa basically set a price for sponsorship which wasn't met, and went fuck it, let's grandstand instead

They've been fair spunking money into the Hospice for the past few years anyway tho

Avram Grant sacked according to the BBC news.

Heaven needed scowling.

Funny that its happened after todays earlier rumours about Mourinho having cosy chats with abramovich and going back as boss.

If Mourinho is the next Chelsea manager, I'll run naked through the streets of... wherever Avram Grant is from. Tel-Aviv?

Frank Riijkaard, surely.

No, I think you'll find it's Tel-Aviv.

aye, very good.

I'd love to see Dick Advocaat let loose with Abramovich's cheque book given how mad he went with Sir Minty Moonbeam's.

Mourinho as short as 11/2 with some bookies :/

Still 16s with Paddy Power. Rijkaard and Mancini both 7/2. Mancini would be a bad manager for Chelsea.

Carlo Ancelotti at 25/1 seems worth a flutter.

[As for his own reluctance to retire being fuelled by an ambition to overhaul Liverpool's tally of 18 league championships and five European Cups, Ferguson remarked; "I did my job of getting rid of Liverpool from the top a long time ago. The club will take care of the rest."]

!!

Comedy Ferguson vanity that. Liverpool have been more than capable of getting rid of themselves for the last 20 years.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/F10237190?thread=5493359&show=50

Trying to find the dumbest opinion on this thread is an effort.