Barclays Premier League 13/14 Thread Part 'x'

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First topic message reminder :

I wouldn't be upset, if it were limited to League 2 and below, and had a quota of English players with an age cap.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

i wouldnt mind people putting carroll forward if he was playing well, everybody is putting his name forward with what ifs

lambert clearly earned his spot more than carroll and seeing though roy is at st marys most weekends im pretty sure he'll be going over carroll

Id hope he was doing that more for Lallana and Shaw, both of which he needs to know more about. Lambert will play barely any football, he doesnt need to know any more than he already knows.

Equally, you're ignoring all context with both how a squad can be picked and the situations both players are playing in. My so called "what ifs" are based on watching him play since hes been fit. Every minute, every game. Yours are on perception and rare times you watch him. And without the context of how dire West Ham have played.

[Kurt N. Jurqa]

has anybody actually watched andy carrol this season to say he should be on the plane?!

travesty if he gets in front of lambert

I watch him every week. You don't. My argument would be the same as its always been...hes a completely different option, a nightmare for defenders and would cause problems if used for what will only be a cameo for either. Lambert or Carroll will get about 15 minutes of football most likely. I would expect Carroll to make more impact in that time. Frankly, I doubt either will be that good to take.

If it was form it would be Lambert, but if you build squads just on form and don't consider the make up of what it will be and what options you want then you're naive.

Taking Sir Stephen Hawking would also be a different option, have the ball land on his lap and then just slowly wheel over the line with it. It's not the right option though.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Another absolutely nonsense point, well done "Kurt"

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

BTW had to clap Ramsey's goal, what a strike that was

[J.Benson II]

Can't help but wonder what Arsenal could have achieved this season had Ramsey been fully fit throughout it.
He still would make my PL Team of the Year despite the injuries. He has been THAT good in the games he played.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Can't just blame Ramsey injury for us falling short. Lack of a Plan B in the big matches away from home is ultimately why Arsenal fell short.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Also to clear up the RVW situation he was in the Jarrold Stand with his family and other Norwich players

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Arsenal 5th favourites for the title next year. (Best Prices):

City - 15/8
Chelsea - 12/5
Liverpool - 11/2
United - 6/1
Arsenal - 12/1

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Also to clear up the RVW situation he was in the Jarrold Stand with his family and other Norwich players

Knew he'd miss the airport.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

So 7 teams failed to get to 40 points

Quality league that

[Hero]

Depending on who Utd get in over the summer and how quickly they gel due to the WC 6/1 could be decent odds.

[Guest]

I backed you to the tune of a hundred quid this season at 5/2 Hero. Possibly the worst bet ever placed.

[J.Benson II]

Bit to early to make predictions but Chelsea would be my early favourites for the title. A quality forward would see them win the games they dropped points in this season.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

As soon as they make signings Hero, they'll come in pretty sharpish. Suspect they'll be third favourites by the start of the season.

12/1 for Arsenal seems generous.

[Guest]

Norwich are a measly 2/1 to come back up Olly.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Arsenal are also odds on to finish outside the top 4, whereas United are 11/8.

[Hero]

Despite no CL I reckon the lure of Van Gaal and playing for Utd will still manage to attract some top talent this summer. His reputation, style of play and connections across Europe will hopefully reverse the slide and without the distraction of Europe and the injuries that come with it I reckon they'll be up for it.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Norwich are a measly 2/1 to come back up Olly.

Those are really really bad odds lol

[Guest]

Norwich are a measly 2/1 to come back up Olly.

Those are really really bad odds lol

Yeah I thought 4/1 woulda been a decent starter.

[Hero]

With probable signings over the summer I'm leaning towards this next season:

1. Chelsea
2. City
3. Utd
4. Liverpool
5. Arsenal
6. Spurs
7. Everton

[kingraf]

I don't know, to win the league, United
would have to find 30 points. Don't
know if that's ever been done.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Norwich are a measly 2/1 to come back up Olly.

Those are really really bad odds lol

Yeah I thought 4/1 woulda been a decent starter.

Especially considering we have no manager and no goals!

Zola would be an interesting appointment, certainly the buzz round the ground today. I'd still imagine it'll be Mackay. Anybody but Neil Lennon please!!!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

They'd have to go from 7th to 1st. Last season that would sound ridiculous, but after Banana Feet and the boys came so close it now isnt as mad

[Dolphin Ziggler]

You'd love Zola, Olly. The passing and movement would be lovely. You'd also hate him as he lacks a plan b and doesnt care much for defending

[Guest]

With probable signings over the summer I'm leaning towards this next season:

1. Chelsea
2. City
3. Utd
4. Liverpool
5. Arsenal
6. Spurs
7. Everton

When we offer De Jong permanent deal & re-sign Shola on another year contract, I can see us improving dramatically next season.

1. Chelsea
2. City
3. Arsenal
4. United
5. Liverpool
6. Newcastle
7. Everton
8. Spurs

[Hammersmith harrier]

I would guess Raf we'd need to find about 20 points which would include taking points off our rivals, we got more points last year than City this year and that included switching off for the last 5 or so games.

[Hero]

I don't know, to win the league, United
would have to find 30 points. Don't
know if that's ever been done.

Just look down the back of the sofa from where they left them from last year.

[J.Benson II]

Arsenal always manage top 4. Would be a surprise to see them lose out on it next year unless they get ravaged by injuries.
Liverpool need to keep hold of Suarez otherwise next season will be a lot tougher.
United have a lot to prove. They've been so damn terrible this season that they really need LVG to hit the ground running.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

You'd love Zola, Olly. The passing and movement would be lovely. You'd also hate him as he lacks a plan b and doesnt care much for defending

I'd prefer him to a lot of the names being banded about

People are actually clamouring for Warnock. This makes me want to puke

[kingraf]

I would guess Raf we'd need to find about 20 points which would include taking points off our rivals, we got more points last year than City this year and that included switching off for the last 5 or so games.

I'm not saying it's impossible, but I don't think it's 6/1 likely. Back Chelsea to cruise it myself.

[Guest]

I'd back the 6/1 with a view of trading it off mid season should they be there or thereabouts.

I think Utd will be in the CL spot mix at least. Can't do any worse, surely?

[westisbest]

Im sure utd will show bouncebackability.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

I'd back City again. Think Chelsea's problems are a little bit deeper than just missing a striker.

[Guest]

United will get top 4, arsenal have experience n consistency for top 4. City are champions & will be there, Chelsea are a top 4 certainty under Jose. That leaves Liverpool a ? for me, sound strange but repeating this form next year + enduring Europe will be a tough ask.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Indeed, Chelsea seem to have some internal issues still. If they start iffy then Roman and Jose could fall out of love again. But I do think he will build a more Jose team this summer

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I'm the same, John, think Liverpool are the wobblers. I'd say Arsenal will make it, so I'm on United or Liverpool to drop out.

[Guest]

Yeah Arsenal always find a way.

[Hero]

Chelsea need to patch up the Hazard Mourinho relationship pronto and then bring in Costa/Cavani, they've got enough youngsters stockpiled that can also start getting game time.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I feel like Pellegrini might be the manager to pile up some titles at City

[Hero]

Pellegrini is the football manager version of Smooth Fm, just in the background doing his own thing and generally dull as dishwater.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

If Aguero stays fit City will walk it. He's that good

[westisbest]

So 7 teams failed to get to 40 points

Quality league that

Don't be bitter 

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

So 7 teams failed to get to 40 points

Quality league that

Don't be bitter 

I'm not, just pointing it out. Best in terms of entertainment, maybe, best in terms of quality? Nope not for me

We deserve to go, I'm gonna post some fairly depressing stats regarding us later, they ain't pretty. Yet we didn't even finish last!

[westisbest]

I was only messing.

To be honest the only live games i ever watch in the prem are Villa games. Not much interest in watching other games.

Happy enough watching MOTD.

Can pretty watch any championship game live though.

[Ent]

So 7 teams failed to get to 40 points

Quality league that

Don't be bitter 

I'm not, just pointing it out. Best in terms of entertainment, maybe, best in terms of quality? Nope not for me

We deserve to go, I'm gonna post some fairly depressing stats regarding us later, they ain't pretty. Yet we didn't even finish last!

Been saying it for most of the season.

Tbh I expect it to be as bad or worse next year, the WC will have a lot of the big names fatigued.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

SSN saying United have bid £27m for Shaw

[Hero]

Same for the other leagues too there though Ent!
Which is where I think not being in Europe will especially play into Utd's hands next season, those additional games that kick in straight away for Arsenal and then for the top three in September will eat away at their squads and especially City with the FFP reduced ruling.

[The Special Juan]

Ridiculously overpriced.

[compelling and rich]

SSN saying United have bid £27m for Shaw

good to see us making moves early after last season shambles, he was always going to be dear but your looking at a player for the next 10-12 years hopefully like rooney and rio

[Hero]

It's a lot of cash yes, but for what is probably going to be England's LB for the next ten years then it's an investment.
And it's .5m less than Fellaini!

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