World Football Thread

[BigPete33]

Honestly, I just don't know what to expect this season.

I think Perth should improve considerably - they seem to have a lot more depth now and have made some quality signings.
Adelaide have lost the plot. Seriously. 10 outgoing and 8 incoming. Re-signing Daniel Mullen is excellent news though as is Agostino retiring. I have no idea where they'll finish this season.
I would think Melbourne would be there or thereabouts and whilst it's hard to predict top 2 I think they'll definitely be top 4.
Brisbane Roar (formerly Queensland Roar for those not aware of the change) have started very poorly which says to me they may come good at the end of the season so will be interesting to see how they go.
Newcastle have been shafted by Van Egmond (and the FFA it seems) but they did at least have Culina in the wings to take over the coaching. I'd expect them to suck initially and probably not really settle until two thirds into the season.
Wellington have lost Smeltz and that's a big blow for them. They did pick up Diego from Adelaide but he'll spend more time on the injured list than on the pitch because he's SOFT.
Gold Coast have started very well and it's hard to express correctly just how good Jason Culina is. Massively good signing that one. I don't think they'll meet their goal of winning the league and going undefeated but I do think they'll make finals.
North Queensland have Robbie Fowler. I have a semi. They also have Jason Spagnuolo from Adelaide who I think is an absolute gun. Really not sure how they'll go this season though.
Central Coast are one of those teams I just can not predict. I always think they'll be mid table but they usually make finals. Same this season - no idea how they'll go.
Sydney will also be interesting. Their new coach is no mug and if he can bring the best out of John Aloisi and Alex Brosque they'll be very dangerous. Won't be surprised to see them in the finals.

[BigPete33]

Tevez has completed the switch to Manchester City.

They are also in talks with Adebayor from Arsenal and apparently also attempting to lure Terry away from Chelsea.

Interestingly, they've been linked with a lot of high profile players who for the most part have said "City? no thanks!". If you swap City for Real Madrid though suddenly things are different and they're all flattered to be linked to them.

It will be interesting to see the final squad for City come the start of the season. They'll probably add another decent signing or two but they still won't make the top 4. The reason (benny the cunt) is because their manager is CRAP. Hughes did a reasonable job at Blackburn with the squad he had but his tactics consisted of kicking the other team up and down the pitch until they all got injured. I can see City making the Europa League (formerly called EUFA Cup), there's a few different ways they can do that, but will be extremely surprised to see them do better than that in the league.


What are everyone's thoughts (tactical, not personal) on Owen signing for Man Utd?
Old puce face (Ferguson) has already declared he won't be signing any more players before the start of the season.
Valencia was a good signing and should go some way to replacing puppet ronnie.


I think it could be extremely tight this season right down to about 8th place and 9th to about 15th could also be very tight.

No idea who to pick for relegation as Newcastle and Middlesborough and West Brom have already been relegated

[Bacon]

I can see City making the Europa League (formerly called EUFA Cup),

UEFA

What are everyone's thoughts (tactical, not personal) on Owen signing for Man Utd?

He'll play off the bench, like Tevez was. Good move I think.

Old puce face (Ferguson) has already declared he won't be signing any more players before the start of the season.
Valencia was a good signing and should go some way to replacing puppet ronnie.

And he'll track backkkkkkkk.

I think it could be extremely tight this season right down to about 8th place and 9th to about 15th could also be very tight.

No idea who to pick for relegation as Newcastle and Middlesborough and West Brom have already been relegated

Burnley, Hull & one of Stoke/Brum/Wigan

[Bacon]

Real seem ready to sell Huntelaar, with Stuttgart leading the race. Seriously, I thought SAF would be jumping on that one. Or maybe his "we aren't signing anyone" is a ruse to smokescreen this.

If Adebayor goes to Citeh, then Arsene should be bidding too.

[BigPete33]

Brum = Birmingham?


I reckon Burnley, Wolves, and either Stoke or Bolton. Megson is rubbish a la Steve McClaren. They even look similar.

I'd like to see Burnley do well though, they're certainly not afraid to have a go.

Would also like to see Hull do well.




Owen will have to come off the bench because he'll be injured all the time. Partly from all the bashings he'll get from scousers he's upset (krunchie)
Looks like Rooney will be played up front a bit more which will be good for them (dagnammit).
Berbatov will sulk and drop his head as per normal but his pretty little face will light up like the bat signal when Owen goes down clutching his hamstring.

Tevez was responsible for a lot of late goals for Man Utd which turned draws into wins and losses into draws and I'm not sure they have another poacher who can do that for them. I think that will hurt them this season.



If Liverpool hang onto both Alonso and Mascherano (they'd be DAFT to leave) then this is their year for sure. The addition of Glen Johnson is quality and will make Arbeloa lift his game (if he even stays).


No idea what Arsenal are going, but that's been the case for as long as I can remember. Arsenal and transfer market just don't seem to fit. They definitely know how to spot a youngster though so what they come up with is anyone's guess. If Adebayor does go they'll obviously need a good replacement and I'm not hearing them being linked with anyone of note.

[Bacon]

I'd love Burnley to stay up, my mate was born there.. but even he doesn't see them winning many.

Yes, Brum = Birmingham. I forgot about Bolton. I think Wolves will be the 'surprise' team that stays up.

[BigPete33]

Just for those not aware, here are the teams in the EPL this season with the 3 promoted teams being Wolverhampton, Birmingham, and Burnley:


1 Arsenal
2 Aston Villa
3 Birmingham
4 Blackburn
5 Bolton
6 Burnley
7 Chelsea
8 Everton
9 Fulham
10 Hull
11 Liverpool
12 Man City
13 Man Utd
14 Portsmouth
15 Stoke
16 Sunderland
17 Tottenham
18 West Ham
19 Wigan
20 Wolverhampton

[Chelsea4thewin]

If Alonso goes, liverpool wont win the league

i think Chelsea will have a good shot at the title, expecting a marquee signing, fingers crossed for ribery, my favourite player

[Chelsea4thewin]

cant wait to see real madrid play

especially in the champions league, they shoud be an entertaining side to watch to say the least

[krunchie]

are any of you guys doing the dream team EPL thing this year.

Im having my first try and have put a team in Fantasy premier leauge.

anyone got a leauge going ?