Football 2013-2014

[kaosmark2]

What do people make of the Anniversary fixtures?

Burnley - Bolton

Derby - Blackburn

Preston - Wolves

Sheffield Utd - Notts County

Newport County - Accrington Stanley

Rochdale - Hartlepool

Appreciable nostalgia or cheesy gimmick?

I'm not sure about marketing them as special fixtures, they would have happened this season anyway, although I guess emphasising that league football is 125 years old rather than 20 isn't a bad thing.

[lharris92]

fixtures out tomorrow!!

its nostalgic but the way they are putting those forward is cheesy but they should highlight it.

all good

[lharris92]

du du du du andy carroll

[luckysalt]

New thread FTW!

Putting this here so we can look back as its the first page but its 18th June [its just past midnight so its 19th]

But Villa have already signed 4 players! UTV!

[Jackmypie]

Posting on the first page woo 7 days till Glasto

Anyway my predictions for the prem:

1) Man City

2) United

3) Chelsea

4) Spurs

Will be interesting to see what Man U are like without fergie. I think chelsea could beat them to 2nd.

And of course Yeovil town to get promoted to the premiership!!

Edited June 18, 2013 by Jackmypie

[kaosmark2]

I fancy Arsenal to do well this season. It'll be the first year in yonks where they haven't started the season selling their 2 best players and rebuilding the team. Man U's team sheet has always looked weak to me, I think Fergie has been getting a major excess out of the players there, and there have been problems building that still aren't resolved: lack of a top-class midfielder, inconsistent wingers, an aging defence. I think there'll be a top 3 of City, Chelsea and Arsenal (thoughts as to order depend largely on transfer window, although atm I'd lean Chelsea), with Man U pipping Spurs and Liverpool to 4th.

Relegation's harder to predict this year IMO. It's very rare all the promoted teams go straight back down, but I'm struggling to see which current teams are likely to drop. Stoke are a definite possibility, with the manager change, and aging shit team, but that's about it. I can't see Villa or Sunderland having as bad seasons as this one, we'll be stronger with not having the Europa League although fuck knows how the Kinnear thing will affect us. Norwich's early buys look good, and most other teams were fairly comfortably clear last season and I don't see declining hugely relative enough to drag them below the promoted teams, all of whom seem weaker than previous ones to me.

[thetime]

It feels so long until until the start of the season and im away first prem weekend aswel..damn.

Prediction

Chelsea

United

City

Spurs

Arsenal

Bottom

Stoke

Newcastle

Palace

[The Nal]

Has Big Sam lost his marbles? 100k a week for Carroll?!

[thetime]

United got a tough start with Chelsea, Liverpool and city in the first 5 games.

[TheGayTent]

Kind opening fixture - Cardiff at home. If City need a win on the last day of the season they're guaranteed it.

Decent Xmas fixtures for a change with 2 home games and a short trip to Craven Cottage.

Looking forward to it now!

[The Nal]

United got a tough start with Chelsea, Liverpool and city in the first 5 games.

[TheGayTent]

Has Big Sam lost his marbles? 100k a week for Carroll?!

[The Nal]

Why would Allardyce care about Carroll's reported wages??

Edited June 19, 2013 by The Nal

[TheGayTent]

Does he not have a say in it? Any new potential signing has a bargaining chip now.

100k a week for someone who scored the odd header. And one good volley. Weird.

If true of course.

[Steve P]

What the f#ck is going on at Newcastle?!

[thetime]

What the f#ck is going on at Newcastle?!

[Wooderson]

Moyes none of the pull that Baconface had with that fixture list.

[thetime]

Moyes none of the pull that Baconface had with that fixture list.

[pink_triangle]

I fancy Arsenal to do well this season. It'll be the first year in yonks where they haven't started the season selling their 2 best players and rebuilding the team. Man U's team sheet has always looked weak to me, I think Fergie has been getting a major excess out of the players there, and there have been problems building that still aren't resolved: lack of a top-class midfielder, inconsistent wingers, an aging defence. I think there'll be a top 3 of City, Chelsea and Arsenal (thoughts as to order depend largely on transfer window, although atm I'd lean Chelsea), with Man U pipping Spurs and Liverpool to 4th.

Relegation's harder to predict this year IMO. It's very rare all the promoted teams go straight back down, but I'm struggling to see which current teams are likely to drop. Stoke are a definite possibility, with the manager change, and aging shit team, but that's about it. I can't see Villa or Sunderland having as bad seasons as this one, we'll be stronger with not having the Europa League although fuck knows how the Kinnear thing will affect us. Norwich's early buys look good, and most other teams were fairly comfortably clear last season and I don't see declining hugely relative enough to drag them below the promoted teams, all of whom seem weaker than previous ones to me.

[pink_triangle]

If true of course.

However, if it is true. The club are paying 100k a week for a guy who scored 7 in 22 last season and was never really fully fit (which is a separate worry).

Meanwhile Man Utd pay what? 250k a week for a guy who scored 12 in 27 last season.

100k a week is of course ludicrous. But it's about the going rate I would have said.

You say others now have a bargaining chip but they don't really. Strikers transfer fees are always above any other position, and their wages reflect that accordingly.

Allardyce identifies the players - wage negotiations are nothing to do with him.

[pink_triangle]

Newcastle being newcastle.

[pink_triangle]

Oh I dont know last 8 fixtures are awsome...

[TheGayTent]

Yes.

I'm not Carroll's biggest fan, but I do wonder where a club like West Ham can get an alternative that's a good as Carroll, as young as Carroll, proven(ish) in English football, would settle for less wages than Carroll is (reportedly) on, and that would want to come to the club.

Best we can hope for is he'll have a couple of good seasons and then get sold on for a whacking profit.

[kaosmark2]

Can't say I'm too sad to see the back of Llambias, but the club's definitely not stable, fuck knows what's going on.

How come we always get a really difficult fixture to start the season? Man U, Man U, Arsenal, Spurs, City....

26th October and 1st February for the derbies. Nice not to have them in a crunch part of the season.

Palace away, Stoke home, Arsenal home, WBA away is decent for Christmas. Certainly far better than Arsenal/Man U/Everton.

Mostly our difficult fixtures are spread out, but we've got a horrible run at the end of the season. Man U (h), Stoke (a), Swansea (h), Arsenal (a), Cardiff (h), Liverpool (a). Only 1 'easy' game in that, and only 2 you'd typically suggest are winnable.

Delighted about the FA Cup final getting its own date.

[TheGayTent]

Delighted about the FA Cup final getting its own date.