The English Football Thread (Premiership/League/Non-League/Cups) [R]

rodderzzz · Post edited by Blue_and_White_Army at 2011-10-29 13:20:22

Thought it might be good to start a thread as the new season is getting underway. Keep it here for all things Premiership through to League Two.

Let's make some predictions before the Premiership KO tomorrow.

Top 4 - Chelsea, Utd, Liverpool, City Relegated - Blackburn, Newcastle, Swansea

Got a feeling Arsenal won't finish in the top 6 this season, they seem to be in absolute free fall. That said they should beat Newcastle tomorrow.

Brenton

Not in the top 6? Madness.

rodderzzz

Brenton said:
Not in the top 6? Madness.

that should read top 5 sorry, think they'll be sixth behind spurs

Brenton

What have Spurs done this summer to make them better?

cixceven

^Cloned Gareth Bale.

Chris

rodderzzz said:
Thought it might be good to start a thread as the new season is getting underway. Keep it here for all things Premiership through to League Two.

Let's make some predictions before the Premiership KO tomorrow.

Top 4 - Chelsea, Utd, Liverpool, City
Relegated - Blackburn, Newcastle, Swansea

Got a feeling Arsenal won't finish in the top 6 this season, they seem to be in absolute free fall. That said they should beat Newcastle tomorrow.

Hope you're wrong about your relegation picks. Newcastle shouldn't be allowed to play in the epl this year after losing to Orlando City, and I'm indifferent to Swansea, but I'd be disappointed to see Blackburn go down. More Canadians in the top flight is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. Hopefully Wigan or Wolves go down instead.

The_Real_Deal

Norwich for relegation

piltdownman

My Picks

1: Manchester United

2: Chelsea or City

4: Arsenal

5: Liverpool

6: Spurs

Relegation:

QPR

Swansea

Wigam

BledforDays

1: Arsenal
2: Man-ure
3:Everton
4:Chelski
5:Man Shitty
6:Liverpoop

Blue_and_White_Army

Here's hoping AFC Wimbledon continue their climb.

And here's hoping MK Dons go bankrupt.

YoungFan

1. Liverpool
2. Man-ure
3. Man shitty
4. Chelski
5. Spurs
6. Arsen-hole

Blue_and_White_Army · Post edited by Blue_and_White_Army at 2011-08-13 10:08:21

Fantastic to see all divisions in the Football League agree to implement UEFA's Salary Cost Management Protocol (SCMP) as of this season.

PREMIERSHIP:

ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzz........... ££££££££££££self-fondle£££££££££££££££....

CHAMPIONSHIP:

1 - West Ham United

2 - Leeds United

3 - Reading

4 - Nottingham Forest

5 - Birmingham City

6 - Leicester City

(Nottingham Forest to win playoffs)

22 - Barnsley

23 - Doncaster Rovers

24 - Peterborough United

LEAGUE ONE:

1 - Preston North End

2 - Huddersfield Town

3 - Leyton Orient

4 - Exeter City

5 - Sheffield United

6 - Chesterfield

(Leyton Orient to win playoffs)

21 - Tranmere Rovers

22 - Hartlepool

23 - Stevenage

24 - Walsall

LEAGUE TWO:

1 - Torquay United

2 - Bristol Rovers

3 - Swindon Town

4 - Crawley Town

5 - Shrewsbury Town

6 - Bradford City

7 - Accrington Stanley

(Shrewsbury Town to win playoffs)

23 - Burton Albion

24 - Barnet

CONFERENCE NATIONAL:

1 - Wrexham

2 - Luton Town

3 - Newport County

4 - York City

5 - AFC Telford United

(Luton Town to win playoffs)

21 - Ebbsfleet United

22 - Forest Green Rovers

23 - Barrow

24 - Tamworth

Canuckred

I wish I had your optimism youngfan!!!

1. Man-ure
2. City
3. LFC
4. Chav-ski

For the drop:
Swansea
QPR
Wigan

rodderzzz

no way Leeds are going up B&W. Leicester will come up though i reckon.

Brenton, It's not what Spurs have done to improve, it's what Arsenal have done to weaken.

JRunn14

So I don't have a EPL club yet...decided this year to follow it more closely...my brother is a huge ManU fan so they are out. lol

SAFC_Yank

1. ManUtd
2. Man Citeh
3. Chelsea
4. Arsenal
5. Liverpool

Real toss up on 4th and 5th. Arsenal have slipped, to be sure, but I'm not convinced by Liverpool or Spurs.

Sunderland for upper-mid table - 7th-to-9th

Relegation:
18. Blackburn
19. Newcastle
20. Swansea
Wouldn't be surprised if the wheels come off at QPR as well given the off-field chaos.

No predictions for Championship, but looks very entertaining, multiple teams worth watching.

Brenton

Newcastle have the quality (looks over shoulder for a West Ham supporter) to stay up. Wigan? Not so much.

Hirsty · Post edited by Hirsty at 2011-08-13 16:39:11

Premiership:

1. Man U
2. Man City
3. Chelsea
4. Liverpool

18. Wigan
19. Swansea
20. Norwich

Championship

1. Leicester
2. Nottm Forest
Playoffs: Ipswich to beat West Ham

22. Brighton
23. Doncaster
24. Peterborough

League 1

1. Charlton
2. Sheff Wed
Playoffs: Huddersfield to beat Preston

21. MK Dons
22. Yeovil
23. Stevenage
24. Walsall

League 2

1. Bristol Rovers
2. Swindon
3. Accrington
Playoffs: Wimbledon to beat Bradford

23. Morecambe
24. Barnet *(instead of Crawley)

Blue_and_White_Army · Post edited by Blue_and_White_Army at 2011-08-13 14:03:21

^ Will be interesting to see if Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday pull their finger out down in League One. Big clubs, yet floundering.

You reckon Wimbledon will finish in the playoffs, yet Crawley finish bottom? Do you expect the money to dry up at the "other" Red Devils again? I expect Wimbledon to finish mid-table.

Surprised you joined me in foreseeing a Bradford City revival. Most people think I'm mad.

Seathanaich · Post edited by Seathanaich at 2011-08-13 15:42:12

JRunn14 said:
So I don't have a EPL club yet...decided this year to follow it more closely...my brother is a huge ManU fan so they are out. lol

I'd recommend picking someone outside of the usual suspects which are already rich enough and dominant enough as it is. Aston Villa are my choice, based on their uniquely English colours, their position in England's "second city", and my inability to stomach cheering for the smug perennial money-bags clubs in London, Manchester, and Liverpool. Norwich City have Canadian Simeon Jackson.

People don't have to confine themselves to the current top flight when picking their favourite in any country: there are some interesting clubs with a pedigree currently outside of the top flight, like Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday, or Nottingham Forest. Personally, after Aston Villa, I have a soft spot for Wednesday and Forest, two of the best names in English football.

piltdownman

Don't pick a team, let it pick you.

Vanbryguy12

Premiership:

1. Man U

2. Man City

3. Liverpool
4. Chelsea
5. Stoke
6. Arsenal

18. Wigan

19. QPR

20. Swansea

(I posted differently on twitter yesterday, but I watched QPR shit the bed this morn)
Championship

1. Leicester

2. West Ham
3. Soton
4. Derby
5. Ipswich
6. Forest or Leeds

22. Burnley
23. Barnsley

24. Doncaster

Blue_and_White_Army

I'm surprised how many of you expect Norwich to stay up.

SAFC_Yank

Blue_and_White_Army said:
I'm surprised how many of you expect Norwich to stay up.

Half-a-dozen teams at the bottom you could throw a blanket over, Norwich are one of them.

Hirsty

Blue_and_White_Army said:
^ Will be interesting to see if Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday pull their finger out down in League One. Big clubs, yet floundering.

You reckon Wimbledon will finish in the playoffs, yet Crawley finish bottom? Do you expect the money to dry up at the "other" Red Devils again? I expect Wimbledon to finish mid-table.

Surprised you joined me in foreseeing a Bradford City revival. Most people think I'm mad.

Well I am somewhat biased towards Wednesday as they are my team, but this is the first time in years that I go in to a season with a sense of optimism. Our debt is finally gone, we're able to actually buy half decent players, we have a proven lower league manager in Megson, and we've made some key signings that have addressed our weakest points (ie. Prutton and Semedo in central midfield and Batth and Jones at centre back). Of course as any Wednesday fan can attest, things have a tendency to go pretty balls up pretty fast (lost to Bournemouth today, one of our fellow promotion rivals) but that's all part of the fun (or so I keep telling myself). Charlton have also strengthened pretty significantly in the offseason, including grabbing two Wednesday targets in Rhoys Wiggins and Danny Green from under our noses. They're the strongest team in the division in my opinion and certain to go up. I'd say there's probably another 5 or 6 teams who will be fighting it out for the other spots.

As for Wimbledon that's more wishful thinking as it would be a fantastic achievement. Stranger things have happened though and those kind of fairy tale stories have a tendency to come true and hell, look at how far they've come in such a short time. I completely forgot that Crawley were the same team that played Man U in the FA Cup, I was actually very impressed by them, and they've also got a bit of money so I might have to amend that prediction haha

Vanbryguy12

SAFC_Yank said:

Blue_and_White_Army said:
I'm surprised how many of you expect Norwich to stay up.

Half-a-dozen teams at the bottom you could throw a blanket over, Norwich are one of them.

Agreed 100%. IMO any 3 of the following will go down:

Wigan
Wolves
Blackburn
Swansea
QPR
Norwich

Not earth shattering revelations I know.

Blue_and_White_Army

JRunn14 said:
So I don't have a EPL club yet...decided this year to follow it more closely...my brother is a huge ManU fan so they are out. lol

If it makes any difference in your choice, there is a historical connection between Sunderland and Vancouver: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver_Royals

Or do what I did: choose a newly-promoted club, watch them get relegated at the first attempt and toil for years down in the League.

;)

YoungFan

Canuckred said:
I wish I had your optimism youngfan!!!

1. Man-ure
2. City
3. LFC
4. Chav-ski

For the drop:
Swansea
QPR
Wigan

Just gotta believe, all you can do. If you saw the game this morning, it showed signs that we are in for a good season. Carroll was all over the place up front creating havoc for the GK. Suarez was his tricky and speedy self, earned that PK that unfortunately he missed on. Made up for it later though. Adam's looking good in the middle, just needs to work on his tackling a bit more and Downing.. Wow I was one of them who thought this would be a decent signing and I was right. That run he made through 3-4 people and that shot he took off the bar? Incredible.

Terrible result though, I'm a little angered that Larsson scored that goal. Especially after he went out in the media and said he was going to do what he can to put a damper on Liverpool's home opener. That he did. Quality goal.

YoungFan

I'm liking Barton even with all the problems revolving around him right now. Newcastle has welcomed him back into the club, he played today against Arsenal. He actually played a good game for the bit of the game that I saw. And I'm sure he will get lots of playing time as well due to the lack of depth Newcastle has now.

I laughed when I saw Gervinho slap him. I mean come on, if you're going to do something like that... Don't slap.

Hirsty

The you also saw Barton crumple in a heap like he'd been hit in the face with a hammer. Such a grotty excuse for a human being...

Chris

Blue_and_White_Army said:
I'm surprised how many of you expect Norwich to stay up.

I'm pretty skeptical after seeing their draw against Wigan today. Defenders were slow and clumsy. Looked decent in possession, but they were very susceptible to counters. And that was just Wigan.

JRunn14 · Post edited by JRunn14 at 2011-08-13 19:09:08

Blue_and_White_Army said:

JRunn14 said:
So I don't have a EPL club yet...decided this year to follow it more closely...my brother is a huge ManU fan so they are out. lol

If it makes any difference in your choice, there is a historical connection between Sunderland and Vancouver: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver_Royals

Or do what I did: choose a newly-promoted club, watch them get relegated at the first attempt and toil for years down in the League.
;)

That is a start...I'll check out their match versus Newcastle next week if I can find it somewhere.

My Great Grand parents are both from the Bristol area so there isn't even a club in EPL very close...is there even anywhere you can watch lower division games?

Lord_Bob

Charlton off on the right foot after coming perilously close to blowing a 2-0 lead this morning at Notts County but hold on for a 2-1 win; off to a perfect start after a mediocre preseason. Good stuff.

rodderzzz

Tranmere off to a flyer and all, me best mate is a season ticket holder he's buzzing!

YoungFan

Hirsty said:
The you also saw Barton crumple in a heap like he'd been hit in the face with a hammer. Such a grotty excuse for a human being...

When you're in a fantasy league, all you care about is points not how he plays. Yeah, the way he plays isn't all that good but he's got skill. Kinda like CR7, although comparing them two is a little off considering CR is rated number one in the world (although I disagree with that rating). But CR dives and whines game in game out, but he's got the skill and produces points. And that's what counts in fantasy leagues.

Seathanaich

piltdownman said:
Don't pick a team, let it pick you.

I know what you are saying, but I'm trying to encourage him to look around a bit before he picks a team, and to take his time doing it. If he just turns on RSN and watches English games for a month, he'll end up "supporting" either Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal, or Chelsea, because those are the ones that get shown every week.

Seathanaich

JRunn14 said:

Blue_and_White_Army said:

JRunn14 said:
So I don't have a EPL club yet...decided this year to follow it more closely...my brother is a huge ManU fan so they are out. lol

If it makes any difference in your choice, there is a historical connection between Sunderland and Vancouver: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver_Royals

Or do what I did: choose a newly-promoted club, watch them get relegated at the first attempt and toil for years down in the League.
;)

That is a start...I'll check out their match versus Newcastle next week if I can find it somewhere.

My Great Grand parents are both from the Bristol area so there isn't even a club in EPL very close...is there even anywhere you can watch lower division games?

You can pick a team that isn't currently in the top flight, including Bristol Rovers or Bristol City. Indeed, if that's where your family is from, it's definitely a good call (that's partly why I decided upon Aberdeen FC). Bristol is a relatively big city: at some point, one of their teams will get to the Enlglish Tier I. If you decide one of the Bristol teams is "yours", you can still keep watching the English Tier I this year, and see who grabs your fancy. I have a few favourites in a few leagues.

Hirsty

JRunn14 said:

Blue_and_White_Army said:

That is a start...I'll check out their match versus Newcastle next week if I can find it somewhere.

My Great Grand parents are both from the Bristol area so there isn't even a club in EPL very close...is there even anywhere you can watch lower division games?

No teams in the EPL but Bristol has 2 teams in the lower divisions. English Steve might even take you under his wing....

Blue_and_White_Army · Post edited by Blue_and_White_Army at 2011-08-13 20:11:27

JRunn14 said:

Blue_and_White_Army said:

JRunn14 said:
My Great Grand parents are both from the Bristol area so there isn't even a club in EPL very close...is there even anywhere you can watch lower division games?

I don''t own a TV, but I think Setanta has League (and even the odd Conference) matches, do they not?

Might as well support a Bristol side if there is a family connection. There are City and Rovers supporters in the Southside, so you'll be in good stead.

Or fuck them both, and support Bristol Manor Farm FC!

SAFC_Yank

Blue_and_White_Army said:

JRunn14 said:
So I don't have a EPL club yet...decided this year to follow it more closely...my brother is a huge ManU fan so they are out. lol

If it makes any difference in your choice, there is a historical connection between Sunderland and Vancouver: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver_Royals

Or do what I did: choose a newly-promoted club, watch them get relegated at the first attempt and toil for years down in the League.
;)

There's even a book about the Sunderland-Vancouver connection. I have a copy somewhere around the house that was given to me by the author in the parking lot of the Stadium of Light.

Blue_and_White_Army · Post edited by Blue_and_White_Army at 2011-08-13 20:27:08

Stars in Stripes: Sunderland AFC as the Vancouver Royals Canadians, by Paul Days? I have one as well.

Only 375 copies were printed! I'm sure this will be my retirement ticket...

The back cover has a large photo of Ian Porterfield, who just so happens to be the main character in a book that I'm writing at the moment.

Brenton

Sorry, was that Stoke in 5th I saw above? I assume that's meant to be taking the piss out of Arsenal, because it can't be serious.

Boxing_Day_Massacre · Post edited by Boxing_Day_Massacre at 2011-08-14 08:08:38

JRunn14 said:
My Great Grand parents are both from the Bristol area so there isn't even a club in EPL very close...is there even anywhere you can watch lower division games?

Do it.

Speaking as someone who has followed Sheff Wed for almost 50 years (the last 20 of those from Canada) I can tell you that following a non-Premier League club is a world of hurt and agony but it can also be so much more rewarding.
The rewards are directly proportional to the suffering you endure in following the Club. If you can just turn on your TV and constantly see the best players in the world bringing championships and cups it might be nice but not a big deal. When you spend rainy winter nights travelling to places like Tranmere and Wrexham to stand on deserted figid terraces to watch your chosen bunch of journeymen and donkies grind out a 0-0 draw then success comes in a different form :
- avoiding relegation
- a promotion playoff victory
- a victory over hated local rivals
- maybe once in 50 years a victory over Man U in the League Cup final
- financial solvency
and it will be so unspeakably glorious - there is really nothing like it in the world.

(If I'm looking for consolation in this crappy season for the Caps its that this suffering will make us stronger. The fans and players that return next season and have suffered though this season will share this - success will be sweeter when it comes)

Regarding the difficulty of following lower league teams. Most teams have at least an internet-only subscription audio feed of games e.g.
http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/page/player/BuyNow?WT.mc_id=1112NS_HPTO_PS

Regarding team names - if you're using this method to choose a club also consider Accrington Stanley, Rushden & Diamonds (now non-league - even more cache) Leyton Orient...

The last thing this world needs is another fairweather fan of any colour (especially Man U / Arsenal / Chelsea etc).

Good Luck

The_Real_Deal

JRunn14 said:
So I don't have a EPL club yet...decided this year to follow it more closely...my brother is a huge ManU fan so they are out. lol

Don't go for a Premiership club, it's much more fun to follow one of the smaller teams in the other leagues.

Boxing_Day_Massacre · Post edited by Boxing_Day_Massacre at 2011-08-14 08:12:44

B&W Army - "The back cover has a large photo of Ian Porterfield, who just so happens to be the main character in a book that I'm writing at the moment."

More details please

SAFC_Yank

Blue_and_White_Army said:
Stars in Stripes: Sunderland AFC as the Vancouver Royals Canadians, by Paul Days? I have one as well.

Only 375 copies were printed! I'm sure this will be my retirement ticket...

The back cover has a large photo of Ian Porterfield, who just so happens to be the main character in a book that I'm writing at the moment.

That's the one. He's written a few of those, also was the primary author of Sunderland's official history.

And a story centered around Ian Porterfield sounds quite enticing.

JRunn14

Bristol City it is...I spent all last night reading and finding whatever I could and now that I've decided it's time to find out about the Championship and some of the clubs and players.

Thanks guys...guess it's time to start saving for a trip across the Atlantic.

Hirsty

Congrats JRunn and welcome to the painful, depressing, exhilarating glorious world of being a football supporter. Enjoy the ride!

*Also as I said above English Steve on this forum is a Bristol City fan, sure he could help you out with getting more acquainted with the club.

Seathanaich

JRunn14 said:
Bristol City it is...I spent all last night reading and finding whatever I could and now that I've decided it's time to find out about the Championship and some of the clubs and players.

Thanks guys...guess it's time to start saving for a trip across the Atlantic.

The best time to buy jerseys, scarves, etc from club shops is not now, but in the summer, after the season, before the new stock arrives. Most stuff is 1/4 to 1/2 off about a month after the European season ends. Contact the club, tell them you are a Canadian with ancestry from Bristol, and that you'd like to find out about the club. It's likely you'll get a few game programmes, etc mailed to you.

JRunn14

seathanaich said:

JRunn14 said:
Bristol City it is...I spent all last night reading and finding whatever I could and now that I've decided it's time to find out about the Championship and some of the clubs and players.

Thanks guys...guess it's time to start saving for a trip across the Atlantic.

The best time to buy jerseys, scarves, etc from club shops is not now, but in the summer, after the season, before the new stock arrives. Most stuff is 1/4 to 1/2 off about a month after the European season ends. Contact the club, tell them you are a Canadian with ancestry from Bristol, and that you'd like to find out about the club. It's likely you'll get a few game programmes, etc mailed to you.

Fantastic..I will definitely do that.

Seathanaich

JRunn14 said:

seathanaich said:

JRunn14 said:

The best time to buy jerseys, scarves, etc from club shops is not now, but in the summer, after the season, before the new stock arrives. Most stuff is 1/4 to 1/2 off about a month after the European season ends. Contact the club, tell them you are a Canadian with ancestry from Bristol, and that you'd like to find out about the club. It's likely you'll get a few game programmes, etc mailed to you.

Fantastic..I will definitely do that.

I should have recommended this before to you . . . buy a copy of Nick Hornsby's classic football fan story "Fever Pitch". If you are becoming (or already are) a serious football fan, you will both love this book, and also find it eerily echoes parts of your own psyche. It is essential reading for every (new) football fanatic.

A good site for most European and South American league tables is:
http://eurorivals.net/tables/.html
though be warned, this site regularly has errors on it.

This is a good site for global football news:
http://fourfourtwo.com/

And if you haven't started watching the "Review Show" on the MLS website every Monday/Tuesday, then you are missing out.

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