EPL Thread 2008/09

**Sligo Hornet** · 25/11/2008, 8:56 AM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

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.

Welcome to "our world"!

**lionelhutz** · 25/11/2008, 9:09 AM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

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.

I doubt Everton will be anywhere near the bottom half come the end of the season, let alone the bottom 3. Moyes is an excellent manager IMO and with good players like Jagielka, Fellaini, Cahill and Saha it'd be a huge shock if they were battling relegation.

I think Stoke and Wigan will be ok too just about. If Zaki gets fit again and back to form they'll have enough firepower to stay up. And Stoke will just batter teams and get the required results. Well I've a bet on Stoke to stay up so I'm hoping this will happen!

Anybody else with predictions on title winners/relegation??

**newbie** · 26/11/2008, 1:13 AM

honestly think Liverpool can win the league. Scholari is the reason for this. they just arent as "hard" as previous seasons. How many points have they dropped at the Bridge this season sompared to last? and the talent they have is impressive but having the likes of Malouda,Kalou,Anelka,Deco trying to dig you out of tough,horrible situations is not going to work.
United have Japan to come and could be some way off when they come back and Arsenal area joke this season.

West Brom are awful and will go down,hopefully followed by Bolton and maybe Fulham althought Johnson could be the difference there. the man knows how to score (and get penos)

**OwlsFan** · 14/12/2008, 1:34 PM

None of the top teams impressing as yet. Liverpool being held at home by Hull and Benitez talks up the result

Blackburn the surpise package in the bottom three but should get out of it.

Anyone's title and no dead certs for relegation yet.

**lionelhutz** · 15/12/2008, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

None of the top teams impressing as yet. Liverpool being held at home by Hull and Benitez talks up the result

Blackburn the surpise package in the bottom three but should get out of it.

Anyone's title and no dead certs for relegation yet.

I have to say after being at the Sunderland game on Saturday, West Brom look doomed. Their centre halves were abysmal, they concede too many easy goals to have any chance of staying up

**OwlsFan** · 16/12/2008, 10:59 AM

I see Blackburn have sacked Ince. That should be it sacking manager wise until the end of the season I reckon.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...rs/7784967.stm

**OwlsFan** · 16/12/2008, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

That should be it sacking manager wise until the end of the season I reckon.

Actually, I forgot about Tony Adams. Good chance he could go soon unless the results pick up.

**Noelys Guitar** · 16/12/2008, 1:03 PM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

I see Blackburn have sacked Ince. That should be it sacking manager wise until the end of the season I reckon.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...rs/7784967.stm

If City don't pick up at least 4 points from their next two games against WBA and Hull then I can't see Hughes hanging on to his job. City could be in the bottom three come Saturday evening depending on results.

**Hibernian** · 16/12/2008, 1:33 PM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

If City don't pick up at least 4 points from their next two games against WBA and Hull then I can't see Hughes hanging on to his job. City could be in the bottom three come Saturday evening depending on results.

Agree with that.

I think Hughes could well be in big trouble by this weekend. So much for breaking into the top 4.

They will get stronger with the money alright but there still away with the birds if they think they can break into a champions league spot within next two seasons.

**OwlsFan** · 16/12/2008, 1:42 PM

Originally Posted by Hibernian

I think Hughes could well be in big trouble by this weekend. So much for breaking into the top 4.

He's got the dreaded vote of confidence from the Chairman:

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/1216/mancity.html

**OwlsFan** · 21/12/2008, 6:30 PM

Originally Posted by lionelhutz

IWest Brom look doomed. Their centre halves were abysmal, they concede too many easy goals to have any chance of staying up

Good win today over Man City who drop in to the bottom three. Any one of about 12 teams could be relegated.

**lionelhutz** · 22/12/2008, 2:24 PM

Originally Posted by lionelhutz

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.

After Bburn appointing Allardyce, I'll change my relegation prediction to Sunderland, West Brom and Bolton. I've no doubt Allardyce will keep them up, he's brilliant in this situation.

I'll stick with my top 4 prediction, ie 1st - Liverpool, 2nd - Chelsea, 3rd - Aston Villa, 4th - Man Utd

**old git** · 22/12/2008, 3:20 PM

Originally Posted by lionelhutz

After Bburn appointing Allardyce, I'll change my relegation prediction to Sunderland, West Brom and Bolton. I've no doubt Allardyce will keep them up, he's brilliant in this situation.

I'll stick with my top 4 prediction, ie 1st - Liverpool, 2nd - Chelsea, 3rd - Aston Villa, 4th - Man Utd

bold predictions lionel...

but cant see liverpool winning league or villa finishing in top 3

chelsea / man utd winners liverpool 3rd / arsenal 4th / villa 5th

reder · 22/12/2008, 6:30 PM

Originally Posted by old git

bold predictions lionel...

but cant see liverpool winning league or villa finishing in top 3

chelsea / man utd winners liverpool 3rd / arsenal 4th / villa 5th

Liverpool have no chance of finishing 1st. We are playing truely pathetic football. The wheels will come off soon enough. Funny thing is that most of the fans are begging for Benitez to get a new contract. By fans I mean internet based fans. Coming out of the Emirates yesterday, most were not, lets just say. Come the end of the season they will be calling for his head. I have no doubt about that. We have no money, unlike the likes of Villa who are looking great on all fronts. (on and off the field)

I dont know what is going on with Robbie Keane. Something is very wrong there. He may be caught in the middle of a Rafa/Parry war or there may be tension between Rafa and himself. Either way, its doing Robbie no good and he should look for a transfer because once things start to go pear-shaped, he will be this seasons knew scape-goat. Rafa is a very clever operator, he knows what to say and when to say it.

**Angus** · 22/12/2008, 9:37 PM

Originally Posted by reder

Liverpool have no chance of finishing 1st. We are playing truely pathetic football. The wheels will come off soon enough. Funny thing is that most of the fans are begging for Benitez to get a new contract. By fans I mean internet based fans. Coming out of the Emirates yesterday, most were not, lets just say. Come the end of the season they will be calling for his head. I have no doubt about that. We have no money, unlike the likes of Villa who are looking great on all fronts. (on and off the field)

I dont know what is going on with Robbie Keane. Something is very wrong there. He may be caught in the middle of a Rafa/Parry war or there may be tension between Rafa and himself. Either way, its doing Robbie no good and he should look for a transfer because once things start to go pear-shaped, he will be this seasons knew scape-goat. Rafa is a very clever operator, he knows what to say and when to say it.

With referees routinely reducing your opponents by one each game, yopu have a chance

**old git** · 23/12/2008, 9:51 AM

Originally Posted by Angus

With referees routinely reducing your opponents by one each game, yopu have a chance

if john terry had not attempted to amputate osman's leg . referee would not have sent him off.. loved scolari's reaction in slow motion on setanta to his captains tackle

**OwlsFan** · 28/12/2008, 12:58 PM

First time I've seen Liverpool play really well despite the rotation. Shay did his best to keep Newcastle in it but still shipped 5 !!

**shakermaker1982** · 28/12/2008, 6:20 PM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

First time I've seen Liverpool play really well despite the rotation. Shay did his best to keep Newcastle in it but still shipped 5 !!

Newcastle were woeful. They need a new back four and two decent central MF players. Felt very sorry for Given today.

**trevy** · 29/12/2008, 8:26 AM

Why has the premiership or premier soccer Saturday as its now known not been on over Christmas?

**HarpoJoyce** · 29/12/2008, 5:58 PM

Steven Gerrard reported to be one of six people arrested for an assault on Bold Street, Southport.

http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/autocodes/countries/england/steven-gerrard-arrested-over-alleged-assault-$1257514.htm
"Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been arrested Printer friendly version Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been arrested following a suspected assault, inthenews.co.uk has learned.

A statement from Merseyside police confirmed officers attended a disturbance at a licensed premises on Bold Street in Southport in the early hours of this morning.

Six men were arrested on suspicion of section 20 assault on Lord Street, police said......."