EPL Thread 2008/09

**OwlsFan** · 01/11/2008, 4:32 PM

Really surprised by the form of the 3 promoted clubs. Not sure though that the Stoke win over Arsenal finishes the latter's title hopes (according to Jeff Stelling). I like the latter's programme but some of the hype is ott and the overuse of the word "unbeleviable", especially by Chris Kamara, gets under my skin.

Pity Hull didn't fight back to 4-4. Was away for the Spurs vs Arsenal game and didn't see the goals. Must have been "unbelievable".

**shakermaker1982** · 01/11/2008, 7:08 PM

Delighted to see Liverpool get a taste of their own medicine

they'll struggle to maintain a decent title challenge because they fail to convert their chances. Taking Robbie Keane off when 1 nil up and bringing on Babel? Man Utd and Chelsea would look for that 2nd goal by making a positive substitution IMO.

Owlsfan - I'd agree with Jeff on Arsenal's title chances after dropping points once again. Yes I know it's early days but they've lost to Fulham, Hull and Stoke and drawn with Spurs and Sunderland already this season with Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool all to come home and away. I cannot see Chelsea and Man Utd dropping enough points for Arsenal to claw their way back. Arsenal clearyy lack steel and some wise heads. It's all well and good playing nice attractive football but teams also need to roll their sleaves up when the going gets tough. Wenger is crying out for a Patrick Viera (in his prime)......

**superfrank** · 01/11/2008, 9:40 PM

Another problem for Arsenal will be the injuries to Adebayor and Walcott as well as the three-match ban for Van Persie.

It's actually a fairly competitive season so far. The relegation battle will be pretty interesting with all the promoted teams picking up plenty of points so far.

Chelsea top of the table with +23 goal difference...not a bad start.

**OwlsFan** · 01/11/2008, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

Owlsfan - I'd agree with Jeff on Arsenal's title chances after dropping points once again. Yes I know it's early days but they've lost to Fulham, Hull and Stoke and drawn with Spurs and Sunderland already this season with Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool all to come home and away.

Except next up I think is Man U going to Arsenal. 3 pts for Arsenal and there'll be no more talk of them being out of the title race (for a few more weeks anyway).

**gaisc�och** · 03/11/2008, 3:09 PM

Does anyone have a clue who this is shocking story.... My guess Martin Keown?

**OwlsFan** · 04/11/2008, 1:04 PM

450 games for Shay Given last night and another great performance. The win also sees Newcastle well out of the relegation zone (places wise) and even above Sunderland. Duffer also had a steady game. Villa seem to be one of those anonymous teams that live on the edge of the top 4 without ever doing anything spectacular or being in danger of relegation. Certainly not exciting to watch.

**OwlsFan** · 10/11/2008, 11:27 AM

Gutted to see "Roy Keane's Sunderland" in the bottom 3, although nice to see Andy Reid being instrumental in creating their only goal (still subbed though). Mind you it's so close down there a win would move them up to 10th

Next manager to come under pressure: Martin O'Neill (remember you read it here first).

I bet the West Ham Board are delighted they appointed Zola

**shakermaker1982** · 10/11/2008, 11:49 AM

I cannot remember the league being so bunced together- even if its only after 12 games. Bolton win two on the bounce and they are up to 11th. Boro now lie 8th. Exciting times ahead at the top and at the bottom.

**OwlsFan** · 16/11/2008, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Next manager to come under pressure: Martin O'Neill (remember you read it here first).

Shows how much I know

Very impressive (from the highlights i saw) at Arsenal and seemed to create far more chances than the Gunners. Not like the Villa I am used to seeing.

The real interest is at the other end with just a handful of points covering the bottom 10 teams.

**HarpoJoyce** · 18/11/2008, 9:19 PM

David Healy might away from his manger at Sunderland. Worthington wont be sorry if he moves.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...ls/7736481.stm

**lionelhutz** · 21/11/2008, 2:08 PM

Anyone guess who Gallas is talking about in the following quotes from BBC sport;

"When as captain some players come up to you and talk to you about a player... complaining about him... and then during the match you speak to this player and the player in question insults us, there comes a time where we can no longer comprehend how this can happen. I am trying to defend myself a bit without giving names. Otherwise I'm taking it all (the blame). I'm 31, the player is six years younger than me."

I think it's Van Persie cause he's the only 25 year old playing in midfield or up front against Spurs in the 4-4 draw which is the game Gallas is referring to.

Firstly its awful for team morale if this is true and secondly how thick is Gallas to come out with this in public. This will destroy the dressing room

**tetsujin1979** · 22/11/2008, 12:43 AM

Wenger has stripped Gallas of the captaincy following those remarks. Proper order too, who'd listen to him after that?

**Noelys Guitar** · 22/11/2008, 11:44 PM

What a great job Joe Kinnear is doing at Newcastle. 0-0 at Chelsea is incredible considering what is going on at Newcastle. A manager on a month by month contract with a squad of about 14 semi-decent players drawing with the league leaders on their own ground. I actually believe if they appoint Shearer in any capacity they will go down. GIve the job to Joe.

**OwlsFan** · 23/11/2008, 6:47 PM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

What a great job Joe Kinnear is doing at Newcastle. 0-0 at Chelsea is incredible considering what is going on at Newcastle. A manager on a month by month contract with a squad of about 14 semi-decent players drawing with the league leaders on their own ground. I actually believe if they appoint Shearer in any capacity they will go down. GIve the job to Joe.

Not every day you see all the top 4 fail to score!!

Saw most of the Sunderland game (with one eye on the cricket on Sky) and it was long ball in to the box stuff, with Reid being their most creative player, albeit subbed after about an hour. Could be a tight fight at both ends of the table this year but the season really hasn't caught fire yet I think.

**lionelhutz** · 24/11/2008, 11:14 AM

At this point I'd predict West Brom, Blackburn (especially if Robinson keeps playing) and Sunderland to go down. Sunderland don't seem to have any fight about them and the likes of Cisse and Diouf are simply wasters.

Liverpool to be champions - if they drop Keane and play Gerrard behind Torres with Mascherano and Alonso in the middle, Riera on the left and Kuyt on the right. Chelsea runners up, Aston Villa third and Man Utd fourth.

**superfrank** · 24/11/2008, 11:53 AM

Cisse's been knocking the goals in and Robinson's been playing very well. I don't think West Brom are too bad either.

Relegation will be pretty interesting this year. 22 points seperate top from bottom but only 11 seperate 5th and 20th. It'll probably take until March until there's a clearer picture of what teams are struggling.

**lionelhutz** · 24/11/2008, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

Cisse's been knocking the goals in and Robinson's been playing very well. I don't think West Brom are too bad either.

Relegation will be pretty interesting this year. 22 points seperate top from bottom but only 11 seperate 5th and 20th. It'll probably take until March until there's a clearer picture of what teams are struggling.

Cisse is absolute rubbish. He has got to be the least intelligent professional footballer in England. Besides being quick, he can't head the ball, he can't pass and he's an awful finisher. And this season he has 5 goals in 18 appearances, which is OK but I bet he scores at most 10 this season.

As regards Robinson, have you watched BBurn this year? He's been at least partly at fault for realistically 80% plus of their goals, eg. Alves, Bednar, Anelka, and Jones all scored goals that were Robinsons fault this season. He's truly dire and unless BBurn get rid of him, theyre in serious trouble.

**Roadend** · 24/11/2008, 3:08 PM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Saw most of the Sunderland game

As did I

**OwlsFan** · 25/11/2008, 7:09 AM

Originally Posted by superfrank

Relegation will be pretty interesting this year. 22 points seperate top from bottom but only 11 seperate 5th and 20th. It'll probably take until March until there's a clearer picture of what teams are struggling.

Relegation: West Brom, Stoke and probably Wigan. If Everton weren't so high up the league I'd nominate them as well. I have seen them live 3 times on the box so far (including last night losing to Wigan) and on each occasion they have been awful. Their performance in the Liverpool derby a few weeks back was one of the worst I've ever seen - they couldn't string a few passes together. Outside the top few clubs there is some terrible dross in the Premiership.

**Sligo Hornet** · 25/11/2008, 8:54 AM

Originally Posted by lionelhutz

Cisse is absolute rubbish. He has got to be the least intelligent professional footballer in England. Besides being quick, he can't head the ball, he can't pass and he's an awful finisher.

Not surprising when you have a foot long thick piece of red velcro stuck to your head!