Premier League 2017-18

[stattointhailand]

Whats wrong with all Premier League Clubs signing a binding contract (500,000,000 fine for breaking it) to agree that NOBODY will sell a player after the Window closes for them to buy players ....... Nobody can force them to sell a player after Aug 8th ...... Its only the GREEDY owners that will sell

[747man]

England - Premier League September 9
18:30Manchester City ? - ? Liverpool
21:00Arsenal ? - ? AFC Bournemouth
21:00Brighton & Hove Albion ? - ? West Bromwich Albion
21:00Everton ? - ? Tottenham Hotspur
21:00Leicester City ? - ? Chelsea
21:00Southampton ? - ? Watford
23:30Stoke City ? - ? Manchester United

[stattointhailand]

I really think Chelsea will score more than ? 747

[BobHelm]

Monday 11th September

West Ham United 20:00 Huddersfield Town

[Zidane]

For readers who might still be a little unsure,the early kick off is Manchester City v Liverpool at 6.30pm Thai.....should be a cracker and I reckon it will be a 2-2 draw.
The pick of the 9pm kick offs would appear to be Everton v The Spuds,but Leicester v Chelsea could be tasty also.
Enjoy the nights viewing....

[mathusalah80]

[quote=Zidane post
No chance as I think City will win the league.
1.Citeh 2.Chelski 3. Man Utd 4.Liverpool 5. Gooners 6.Spuds 7.Everton 8.Newcastle 9. Bournemouth
10.Hammers 11.Leicester 12.Saints 13.Palace 14.Stoke 15.Swansea 16.WBA 17.Burnley 18.Watford
19.Huddersfield 20.Brighton
Difficult for anyone to predict better than that but I hope I'm wrong about the bottom two.[/quote

Hello Zid et al. Something for you to read to pass the time during half time, and between games!

Midnight, the 31st August, not only marked the close of the transfer widow, but brought with it the absolute certainty of the identity of the EPL Champions Elect, for this season; and this after only three rounds of matches completed. A sad situation for a League boasted as the most competitive , and hardest to win, worldwide.
Assessing the 'chances' of the clubs currently defined as the top seven:
While Everton appear to have done well in improving it's squad, that the club decided to bring Rooney into the club, to fulfil the functions of role model and senior goal source, precludes the need for further comment! NO CHANCE.
Arsenal failed to emerge as serious title contenders last season. With the club's well recorded lack of activity during the close season; the well publicised discontent of Sanchez, and the unrelenting attacks on Wenger, by both the media & a section of the club's supporters, I find it impossible to imagine this club mounting any sort of Championship challenge. NO CHANCE
Without the world class duo of Walker & Rose, harassing opposing defenders & frustrating the efforts of opposing forwards, the Tottenham Hotspurs team has looked a shadow of the side, which has seriously challenged for the title, over the past two seasons. It seems reasonably obvious that the less than subtle 'tapping up' of Rose will result in his departure in January. The notoriously low salary,(by present day standards),being paid by the club could also well result in the departure of two or three other much sought after Spurs stars. NO CHANCE.
Along with Spurs, I think that Liverpool provided the most entertaining football last season, with great results, but without ever looking likely to mount a serious challenge. I think the club has been the most astute, overall, of the top clubs, in the deals struck, and the squad appears to have been markedly improved; witness the turnaround in the club's recent defensive record. Arguably, Liverpool's 'Achlles Heel' could well prove to be Klopp's determination to play open attractive football ,(can we ever forget Keegan & Newcastle!). Nevertheless, if there is to be a surprize team of this season, I think it will be Liverpool. NO CHANCE.
Rumours of major areas of discontent & disagreement between Conte, and the Chelsea, hierachy continue to persist Public comments made by Conte give credence to the rumours. Important questions remaining unanswered include who authorized the inexplicable 'gift' of Matic to Man. Utd , and the manner in which the Diego Costa situation was to be handled. Logic would suggest Conte was not in control of either situation, and he has stated publicly that he was denied the co-operation of the club in his attempts to strengthen the squad. With both Costa and a certain JM, (with his comments his next target at Chelsea is Willian), contributing to the unrest in the dressing room, the immediate future is not looking good for the club. With Abramovich not known for his conciliatory attitude towards his past managers, perhaps he should consider the further instability Conte's premature departure would undoubtedly cause to the club. NO CHANCE.
No doubting the depth and talent of this Man. City squad, which I believe incorporates the most lethal attacking force in the EPL. In midfield and defence, YaYa and Kompany, comprise an imposing duo,with their experience, footballing skills and leadership . Nevertheless, it was clear last season both are nearing the ends of their careers, and are no longer the forces they were of yesteryear, constituting a weakness in the side, upon which opponents will capitalise, particularly when the physical demands of the EPL season start to take their toll. Clearly aware of the problems, and with ample funds available, I felt the club should have gone the whole hog and made an offer to Spurs for BOTH Walker & the discontented Rose, and bought another central defender; but it was not to be. As it is another season, another time I would unreservedly back this squad to win the title but, unfortunately, this season's title has already been PURCHASED. So, for City, a SMALL CHANCE.
Imagine; you are an international class footballer; you receive an offer to play in the EPL; the offer comes from the most prestigious club in the UK, and one of the most prestigious in world football; you are offered a salary far beyond that offered to you by any other club; you are aware the club's squad is composed almost exclusively of established international players, and that therefore, as sure as morning follows night, you will be assured of winning not 'a' trophy, but trophies.
Obviously, round about sixteen months or so ago, Man. Utd made the decision that the quickest and most direct way to once again become the footballing powerhouse the club once was, was to but it's way back. The above is the impossible to refuse real life scenario-come-proposition Utd has been able to place before players when offering them terms to join the club. Little wonder that, at an outlay already approximating four hundred million, (likely to be closer to five hundred million after January knowing JM!), the Utd squad makes the squad of all other EPL club's, with the possible exception of City, totally insignificant by comparison. Not just a chance, but a CERTAINTY for the title.

Footnote: 1. ANY one of at least a dozen of the existing EPL Managers, and of the , say, each of the top two clubs in the German, Spanish & French Leagues, could lead this Utd squad to the Premiership Title.
2.PLAYERS win titles not, as some would have us believe, entrepreneurial managers.

1. Utd. 2.City. 3.Liverpool. 4. Chelsea. 5. Spurs. 6. Arsenal. 7. Leicester. 8. Everton. 9. WBA. 10. Southampton.
11.Stoke. 12. Watford. 13.Bournemouth. 14.Burnley. 15. WHU 16.Huddersfield. 17.Swansea. 18. Newcastle. 19.Palace
20. Brighton.

Zid,
If you still want to back City, now you have seen the outcome of the Transfer Window, I offer you the same bet, with my taking Utd to finish above City!

[747man]

I really think Chelsea will score more than ? 747

Silly Boy !! You Been on The Leo Again, Statts....

[BobHelm]

coming up to half time in the early game..
Citi 1 Pool 0.
Unsurprising (in my opinion) Aguero strikes for the home side. I struggle to see why Pepe doesn't seem to appreciate the man - I think he would walk into any other Premiership side..
Worse for the visitors as Sadio Mane is given a straight red for an outside the area challenge on the Citi keeper. Lot of debate about if it was a straight red or not, but as it was certainly a foul & the keeper had to be replaced I don't think it was that harsh!!

[BobHelm]

HALF-TIME

Manchester City 2-0 Liverpool

In the 10 minutes added time the Lord's son (who Pep does seem keen on) chucked in another.
Uphill struggle for Pool you would think as they seemed intent on an attacking policy from the get go & that will be hard with a man down... Their defence (or lack of) for the second goal showed just how Mr. Klopp's apparent disregard for it hurts them when the opposition do attack & just why the purchase of a decent central defender should have maybe been a summer priority..

[BobHelm]

FULL-TIME

Manchester City 5-0 Liverpool

Given the first half, about what you would expect. Very bad day in the office for Pool, but the sending off certainly set the result..

[Brian Davis]

As a fan of a lesser team which has its' own problems, I can't but smile at witnessing one of the rare occasions when one of the Big Boys is brought down to earth with a major bump, albeit by another of the loadsofdosh clubs.
It was noticeable that the renowned 'Pool fans left in large numbers well before the end, possibly something of a new experience.
And the large City VIP area as the second half started? Almost empty. Are these people really there to watch the game, or not?

[Zidane]

Manchester City 5 Liverpool 0
Arsenal 3 Bournemouth 0
Brighton 3 WBA 1
Everton 0 Tottenham 3
Leicester 1 Chelsea 2
Southampton 0 Watford 2
Stoke 2 Manchester Utd 2

A chastening afternoon for Liverpool.I thought the game was going to be a cracker but Manes red card for a reckless challenge on the keeper changed all that.After that 10 man Liverpools defensive frailities were exposed time and time again.Citys attacking options are frightening.....Aguero and Jesus and the likes of Mane and Sterling in reserve,plus de Bruyne just behind the front two as well.
For Liverpool,I'd put it down as just a bad day and I'd still bet on them coming 4th but no chance of the title with that defence.
Incidentally,in the first half I thought Salah was Liverpools main attacking threat.Why was he taken off at half time ? I can only think he picked up a knock.....

And on to Everton......what irony as Rooney takes to the pitch for the first time since his drink driving charge to the strains of "Z Cars" on the loudspeaker system !
Spurs were very good and 6-0 would not have flattered them but Everton were appalling.The main reason is Everton have no attack and teams have sussed out they are no threat going forward.Sandro is untried at this level,Rooney is Championship standard at best now,so the best striker Everton appear to have is Calvert-Lewin.If you don't score goals you wont win matches.New signings Pickford,Keane and Sigurdsson were involved in relegation struggles with their respective teams last season,so is signing for Everton that big an improvement for them ?
That said,Spurs played some lovely stuff and were a joy to watch.A shame they will play their home games at Wembley,though,which I feel will scupper any hopes they might have of the title.

Well,United should have beaten Stoke on chances alone but defensive errors cost them in the end.Strange that should happen after going so long without conceding a goal but that's football.

Elsewhere,a great win for Brighton over West Brom and Arsenal comfortably beat pointless Bournemouth.
I did flick over a bit in the second half to watch a bit of Leicester v Chelsea (after Spurs went 3-0 up) and it looked a good game to watch with a bit of atmosphere.
Southampton,8th last year and reach the League Cup Final.....sacked their manager and now appear to be reaping what they sow.However,Watford are much improved and have a good manager now in Marco Silva,who almost achieved a miracle by keeping Hull up last season.

Tonight its Burnley v Crystal Palace at 7.30pm Thai and Swansea v Newcastle at 10pm Thai.
Although they won at Chelsea on the first day of the season I think most people would still expect Burnley to finish in the bottom five or six.Palace,pointless and goalless so far,must surely have ambitions to pick up a point here or the future looks grim for them.
I expect Swansea to do better this time around and I think Newcastle will do OK if they can get someone banging the goals in.....time for Mitrovic to step up to the mark or has he gone on loan somewhere ?

[mathusalah80]

As a fan of a lesser team which has its' own problems, I can't but smile at witnessing one of the rare occasions when one of the Big Boys is brought down to earth with a major bump, albeit by another of the loadsofdosh clubs.
It was noticeable that the renowned 'Pool fans left in large numbers well before the end, possibly something of a new experience.
And the large City VIP area as the second half started? Almost empty. Are these people really there to watch the game, or not?

Points well made Brian..As recently pointed out, on another thread, "Things ain't what they used to be" Loyalty, support and encouragement by fans towards their 'home' team, in good times and bad, once considered virtues, are now viewed as antiquated. Witness your example, and the behaviour of Arsenal "FANS" . Part of the reason could be that, in the EPL particularly, few, if any, of the players have even the remotest connection to the town they represent, or even the UK. It is axiomatic that most VIP Boxes are used to facilitate business deals, and impress clients, and many people 'enjoying the match' from the comfort of VIP Boxes, would not know a football from a rugby ball, so, 'No', they are not there to watch the game.
But fear not Brian, that wonderful concept of local teams doing battle, supported every week, both home and away by passionate fans, forced to stand exposed to the ravages of inclement weather, is still alive and flourishing. You just need to look in the right places.
Example. Some three years or so ago, I had occasion to visit the UK where mine Host, a fanatical supporter of his local team, (Torquay?) insisted I attend the match with him. The "Stadium" was tiny, as was the dilapidated solitary stand. The kindest comment I can make regarding the open terracing, (standing room only), is that it had seen better days, and the fencing , enclosing the ground, was such that it presented no difficulty to anyone seeking free access to the match; although, in fairness, I saw no evidence of that happening! I could only imagine the likely luxurious conditions of the players changing rooms! :-" Before, throughout and after the match, the temperature was at freezing level, and it never stopped raining, and, to add to the discomfort of the home fans, their team was soundly beaten. Yet their vocal support and encouragement for their team never abated; very few left the ground as the match drew to a close, and both teams were accorded generous applause as they left the pitch at game's end. Although frozen near to death, and soaked through to the skin, I would willingly go through the same experience again, Also, I envy those lucky Torquay fans who, every week, are assured of being able to do that which they love best; watch THEIR football team.
So Brian,you just need to start watching matches in the lower leagues, or support Palace in the club's efforts to achieve relegation this season!

[mathusalah80]

Manchester City 5 Liverpool 0
Stoke 2 Manchester Utd 2

Hey Zid,
Presumably the above results, viewed together, further consolidate your confidence in City! :-"
With JM/s managerial fallibilities' representing the only, but very real, threat to Utd's Championship hopes, surely you are not going to refuse my very generous offer?

[Brian Davis]

Points well made Brian......

Thanks for the thoughtful reply, particularly the fact that there is still some soul left in football. I've been to Torquay too! - but it was a beautiful day for a pre-season friendly. Lombardo was playing. Yes, I think you'll find many excellent fans following lower teams, still there win or lose. With Palace's history, I still feel quite chuffed about travelling all over the country to many smaller Clubs, some of which are not even in the main leagues now.


"So Brian,you just need to start watching matches in the lower leagues, or support Palace in the club's efforts to achieve relegation this season! " Never a truer word ....... and if the two awful home performances are anything to go by..... Rarely, there's a clash of Udon at home and Palace on tv tonight. I'll go the the former and try to avoid any news of Palace until the morning. That way, I should sleep well.

Oh, P.S. I had to look up 'axiomatic' - not a word often used standing behind the goal.

[BobHelm]

FULL-TIME

Burnley 1-0 Crystal Palace

Palace gave an early gift goal away & then hammered at the hosts for the rest of the game with zero success. Their accuracy infront of goal was shocking though.
If rumours are true then this ends the reign of Frank de Boer - that will be a little unfair judging from this game though...

[stattointhailand]

"If rumours are true then this ends the reign of Frank de Boer - that will be a little unfair judging from this game though..."

If it IS true I don't think Scott Dann will be receiving a Chrissycard from the de Boer family this year ..... what a miss

Good win for the toon in the Principality ........In the words of the great survivor Tony Pulis 6 down 34 to go

[Zidane]

The Burnley v Palace game was decided by a superb defence splitting through ball from KY Lee to Wood with the Burnley striker cooly slotting home.......just unfortunate KY Lee is a Palace player,though !
Palace shaded the game after that and deserved a draw but they only had Benteke as their attacking threat.Despite no points and no goals from there first 4 matches I think once Zaha comes back at the end of the month then Palace will be fine.
Talk of sacking de Boer after just 4 games is ridiculous......how could he legislate for KY Lee's pass or Scott Danns miss ?

Another 3 points for the Toon which takes them up to 10th in the table.Lascelles was man of the match at both ends.
Swansea,another side toothless in attack......not that Newcastle were that much better !

An earlier post from mat80
"Zid,
If you still want to back City, now you have seen the outcome of the Transfer Window, I offer you the same bet, with my taking Utd to finish above City!"

mat80,
As you know Thailand is full of people wanting to take advantage of the elderly and naïve.Personally,I find this sort of behavior deplorable BUT I am willing to make an exception in your case !
Two bottles of Chardonnay.....Zid,Man City finishing above Man Utd and mat80,Man Utd finishing above Man City.
I will give you till 5pm tonight Thai time to discuss this offer with your Risk Assessment Counsellor in Perth.
If I do not hear otherwise before then,the BET IS DEFINITELY ON

[Brian Davis]

I haven't seen the Palace game yet but, after the early disaster, it's little compensation to read that the team played quite well but got nothing again. Is it fair to say Benteke is the only recognised striker? Palace missed out on an Everton spare part because of a last minute hitch, but not for the first time, Palace failed to get in additional strikers in the transfer window to support/provide cover for Benteke.
Yes, Zaha is a big miss(I've said before most fouled player along with Hazard), but I'm not sure how much his injury was down to Huddersfield's, ahem, robust tactics on him.
Another Palace record! - "Palace are the first team to lose their opening four top flight matches without scoring a goal since Preston in 1924/25!"
I can't find the link now, but perhaps Palace also have another claim to fame with the minimal number of home wins in recent seasons. (What Palace would give for a home record like Udon's. 3-0 last night and a very good chance of reaching the promotion play-offs).
Oh goodness, not another season of playing catch up, requiring a miracle-like escape?
Frank de Boer? Well, of course, it might get to the point where Palace is so far adrift that a change HAS to be made.Here we go again. The Premiership is unforgiving.
I'm beginning to feel Palace has been walking a tightrope too often.

[stattointhailand]

"Another 3 points for the Toon which takes them up to 10th in the table.Lascelles was man of the match at both ends.
Swansea,another side toothless in attack......not that Newcastle were that much better"

Ehmmmm ..... another game where you spent more time en route to the fridge or returning to the sofa with a new beer then Zid ....... 16 goal attempts with 8 on target AWAY FROM HOME ...... all conquering Man U only managed 18 with the same (8) on target