EPL 2007/08 Prediction Thread

[sethlad]

[QUOTE=Nip/Tuck;8199421].
Rock Bottom - Derby County - Nothing side. Only exciting thing in their history was when Ravanelli scored once every ten weeks.
I actually think that hack Malcolm Christie is their greatest ever player. Have they bought anybody? Carl Veart? Ross Aloisi?

Two top 10 finishes from 6 in the Premier League in the last 10 yrs.
How many of these huge $$$ clubs have achieved that again?

Just tipping Derby to get relegated is an easy call.
From the crap above its clear you have little historical idea.
Even as an attempt at humour it was lame.

seth

 

[apollo_creed]

It's not an easy call, it's an obvious one.

Most share this opinion about your squad.
You came through via the playoffs (ie; the back door).

Have you even bought anybody of note yet?

 

[sethlad]

It's not an easy call, it's an obvious one.

Most share this opinion about your squad.
Have you even bought anybody of note yet?

My point exactly
You make a patronising & incorrect judgement on the club's recent history yet admit you have no idea who we've signed.Several weeks to go yet.

We realise it will be a battle but have a decent record once promoted.
We have avoided being one of the yo-yo clubs on a shoestring budget.
Promotion means we are out of debt & have some $$$ to spend.
Davies likes his British players which isnt very sexy but gets it done in the long term.
The fact we played route 1 football in the Championship means nothing IMO,its all about getting stuck in,something West Brom didnt do.

I doubt we'll see the same style in the Premiership.

seth

 

[apollo_creed]

[/B]

My point exactly
You make a patronising & incorrect judgement on the club's recent history yet admit you have no idea who we've signed.Several weeks to go yet.

We realise it will be a battle but have a decent record once promoted.
We have avoided being one of the yo-yo clubs on a shoestring budget.
Promotion means we are out of debt & have some $$$ to spend.
Davies likes his British players which isnt very sexy but gets it done in the long term.
The fact we played route 1 football in the Championship means nothing IMO,its all about getting stuck in,something West Brom didnt do.

I doubt we'll see the same style in the Premiership.

seth

Go easy.

Nip's the name. Opinions are the game.

You make good points. And I'll have you know I was being intentionally rude.

It's my sig. Once I rid of it, all will be fine again. It possesses me.

On topic again, I take it that you haven't signed anyone yet?
As long as money is there and signings are made then there's no reason why you can't stay up. My original point being promotion + limited spending (ie; Watford last season, didn't they go quantity over quality?) = recipe for relegation.

 

[sethlad]

Realistically,players are hardly lining up to sign with newly promoted clubs.

They all wait til January to see how the club is travelling so the best you can hope for is decent players who aren't automatic starts for Prem clubs,
Internationals no-one else wants or kids.We have all of them.

seth

 

[Embers]

Realistically,players are hardly lining up to sign with newly promoted clubs.

They all wait til January to see how the club is travelling so the best you can hope for is decent players who aren't automatic starts for Prem clubs,
Internationals no-one else wants or kids.We have all of them.

seth

Its harder to attract players in January then it is right now.

 

[sethlad]

Depends how youre travelling.
As can be seen from this thread,we're expected to go back down.
If we look better in January,it couldnt possibly be harder than it is for us now.

Agree its harder for clubs that look gone in Jan.

seth

 

[Embers]

Depends how youre travelling.
As can be seen from this thread,we're expected to go back down.
If we look better in January,it couldnt possibly be harder than it is for us now.

Agree its harder for clubs that look gone in Jan.

seth

Your defence isnt good enough. Thats how I see it. You have to score goals. Im not 100% sold you can do that. Howard, Earnshar or Barnes, one of them needs 10+ goals and another needs a good bag too in order to stay up

 

[sethlad]

We've only added defenders apart from Earnshaw
Davis,Todd & soon Griffin who all fit the decent player with Prem experience description.
Leacock,Mears & Mceveley are all young guys have also had a taste so at least theres competition for places.

We tried to get Eddie Johnson from MLS but he knocked us back.
Thats how it goes as a promoted club.

seth

 

[Chezza]

1. Man United
2. Liverpool
3. Chelsea
4. Newcastle
5. Spurs
6. Arsenal
7. West Ham
8. Everton
9. Man City
10. Aston Villa
11. Portsmouth
12. Blackburn
13. Reading
14. Sunderland
15. Bolton
16. Fulham
17. Middlesbrough
18. Derby County
19. Birmingham
20. Wigan


Biggest Surprise: Newcastle

Biggest Slider: Middlesbrough

Biggest Flop: Tevez if he stays at West Ham.

Best Buy: Fernando Torres (says with fingers crossed) Tevez if United get him.

Upset of the Season: Sunderland to beat United at OT - Richardson to score.

Player of the Season: Ronaldo

Manager of the Season: Sam Allardyce

Golden Boot: Drogba

Clean Sheets: Reina[/quote]

 

[ShearMagic9]

4th?

 

[TorresIsGod]

Newcastle have the potential to upset most, if not all teams, but Newcastle lack consistancy... No doubting if they get everything right, and most importantly, the best XI stays fit for most of the season, they have the potential to finish Top 4, but I would imagine they'll qualify for a spot in the UEFA Cup, finishing 6th

 

[Lowie01]

Right, ready to do mine.

1. Chelsea
2. Liverpool
3. Manchester United
4. Tottenham
5. Arsenal
6. Blackburn
7. Newcastle
8. Portsmouth
9. West Ham
10. Everton
11. Aston Villa
12. Middlesbrough
13. Manchester City
14. Reading
15. Fulham
16. Birmingham
17. Sunderland
18. Bolton
19. Wigan
20. Derby

Biggest surprise: Blackburn
Biggest slider: Bolton
Best signing/s: Roque Santa Cruz (if he stays fit) and Younes Kaboul
Worst signing/s: Owen Hargreaves and Jason Koumas
Player of the season: John Terry
Manager of the season: Jose Mourinho (he's so special...)
Biggest upset of the season: Liverpool to do the double over United.
Golden boot: Dimitar Berbatov

 

[snakebite01]

1. Chelsea
2. Manchester United
3. Liverpool
4. Tottenham
5. Arsenal
6. Newcastle
7. Everton
8. Manchester City
9. Aston Villa
10. Blackburn
11. West Ham
12. Portsmouth
13. Sunderland
14. Middlesbrough
15. Bolton
16. Reading
17. Birmingham
18. Fulham
19. Wigan
20. Derby

Biggest surprise: Sunderland
Biggest slider: Bolton
Best signing/s: Malouda
Worst signing/s: Ljungberg
Player of the season: Berbatov
Manager of the season: Jose Mourinho
Biggest upset of the season: Derby over Arsenal
Golden boot: Lampard

 

[Embers]

1. Chelsea
2. Manchester United
3. Liverpool
4. Tottenham
5. Arsenal
6. Newcastle
7. Everton
8. Manchester City
9. Aston Villa
10. Blackburn
11. West Ham
12. Portsmouth
13. Sunderland
14. Middlesbrough
15. Bolton
16. Reading
17. Birmingham
18. Fulham
19. Wigan
20. Derby

Biggest surprise: Sunderland
Biggest slider: Bolton
Best signing/s: Malouda
Worst signing/s: Ljungberg
Player of the season: Berbatov
Manager of the season: Jose Mourinho
Biggest upset of the season: Derby over Arsenal
Golden boot: Lampard

How is Freddie Ljunberg on a free the worst signing. Hes been great this pre season. I really cant see Fulham being relegated as much as id like it to happen. The squad is good enough to stay up

 

[snakebite01]

How is Freddie Ljunberg on a free the worst signing. Hes been great this pre season. I really cant see Fulham being relegated as much as id like it to happen. The squad is good enough to stay up

Because I don't think he'll do much this year. The question is not 'worst value for money signing'. It's just a prediction. Relax.

Fulham's squad is poo. It's a CCC squad. They were lucky to stay up last season and they've been slowly declining over a number of seasons now.

 

[Embers]

Because I don't think he'll do much this year. The question is not 'worst value for money signing'. It's just a prediction. Relax.

Fulham's squad is poo. It's a CCC squad. They were lucky to stay up last season and they've been slowly declining over a number of seasons now.

Yeh im in a shite mood. Im just a little surprised how little everyone thinks of Ljunberg.

Fulham fully fit are capable enough. Midfield of

Bouazza Bullard Diop Cook

Will go alright and keep them up

 

[snakebite01]

Yeh im in a shite mood. Im just a little surprised how little everyone thinks of Ljunberg.

Fulham fully fit are capable enough. Midfield of

Bouazza Bullard Diop Cook

Will go alright and keep them up

Dunno where the goals will come from. None of their strikers are capable of scoring 7-10 goals in a season IMO, especially with the midfield weakened with the losses of Jensen and Boa Morte from the start of last season.

 

[Ricketts]

1. Man United
2. Arsenal
3. Liverpool
4. Chelsea
5. Everton
6. Newcastle
7. Spurs
8. Boro
9. Aston Villa
10. Blackburn
11. Man City
12. Portsmouth
13. Birmingham
14. West Ham
15. Reading
16. Wigan
17. Derby
18. Sunderland
19. Bolton
20. Fulham

Biggest surprise: Doesn't really seem to be one looking at that table
Biggest slider: Bolton, Chelsea
Best signing/s: Malouda, Viduka
Worst signing/s: Tevez, Pizarro, Torres, most of Eggy's "reelings"
Player of the season: Cesc
Manager of the season: Fergie
Biggest upset of the season: In terms of scoreline: Brum 5-1 Villa, but in terms of result: Arsenal 0-1 Derby
Golden boot: Yakubu

 

[Ray Nolan]

Biggest upset of the season: In terms of scoreline: Brum 5-1 Villa

I'd call it par for the course rather than an upset based on recent history, however for your scoreline prediction I dub thee a scholar & a gentleman.

 

[apollo_creed]

That 5-1 will be jolly to sing about in the land of the coke next season. (not Perth)

 

[ShearMagic9]

Community Shield winner: Man Utd

Thats my hot tip.

 

[apollo_creed]

Nip's team by team predictions - to be followed by the 1-20 + domestic and European honours predictions. + various other things. ie; team of the season, player of the season and anything else.

Lets start with.... Arsenal.

90% of PL teams have undoubtedbly improved by way of the summer transfer madness.
Arsenal are one of the only arguable ones, very much forming part of the other 10%.

Losing your main scorer, your main man, the captain etc. is a big loss.
Even if his powers are past their peak he's a proven goalscorer and a legend of the club. This is undeniable.

No other major losses as such.

Major Ins? Sagna and DaSilva are the main two. (several other young dudes were signed as well, I think)

Is DaSilva > Henry? Obviously not. More effective in an Arsenal shirt next season than Henry would be? probably not.

So one would say/assume Arsenal's strikeforce of 07/08 < 06/07.

Not necessarily true.

Walcott is older.
Adebayor couldn't get much worse.
The real diamond in the rough comes in the imposing figure of Robin (alleged) Van Persie. Or RVP as the many prefer to call him. He was injured most of last season, despite scoring a respectable tally and looking very decent when playing.
He has all the making of a star and this season might just be his genuine, first 'break-out season'.

Ultimately, many of Arsenal's fortunes will depend on the fitness and form of RVP.
Is he good enough to capatalise on the many chances created by Arsenal's very often dominant midfield?

This was the problem last season but the time it wasn't was dependent on the fitness of RVP and/or Henry.

DaSilva could be anything. Who knows? An unknown commodity can be either dangerous or disastorous.

Bendtner?

Not sure what happens with him.

I haven't seen much of him but I'm sure he's in AW's plans and will be given an opportunity to prove himself.

If he's good enough he'll command more gametime.

Walcott?

He's been preferred more out wide and he's still a while away from being considered an integral player in a team with title aspirations. Walcott will play some role, mostly impact but he'll certainly start his fair share of games.

And as a note - one positive thing re; Henry's departure is that we don't have to see that gay dance he did with Adebayor. It was sort of different (not entertaining) the first time, after that it was entirely very, very gay.

Sagna, appears to be quality. I don't know if Arsenal's best interests lie in displacing Eboue but I'd be stupid and arrogant to second guess Arsene Wenger. The dude is usually well in control of things.
Excellent going forward? Good enough to be a wide midfielder? I'm not sure.

Lehmann is getting older and a potential weakspot and the genuine quality of Fabianski has yet to be spoken of or seen. This is potentially a problem area as it was in the second half of last season.

The defence looks very good on paper. Toure, Gallas, Djorou and Senderos = excellent quality + depth in the centre of defence. This should not be a problem area.

We didn't see enough of the Gallas + Toure pairing last season. Much like RVP's goal contribution, alot of Arsenal's success next season revolves around the ability of these two to form an effective partnership and stay fit. (Mr. Gallas)

It's a bit small but Senderos provides the alternative in strength + height.

The upside to Sagna-Eboue is excellent quality of depth in the right back position. Add Justin Hoyte into the equation and Gallas or Toure (at worst case scenario) and you have five right back options superior to any club in the world. Amazing depth!

Left back is much more of a concern. Clichy is promising and hopefully remains fit for at least most of the season. Outside of Clichy, there doesn't appear to be much. The depth is obviously less frequent than in the other defensive positions.
Obviously Gallas w/amazing versatility is the main replacement but from what I hear Sagna could also play there if required.
So the area is pretty much covered unless there's a ridiculous amount of injuries. ie; Arsenal last season
But it isn't perfect.

Arsenal's midfield is like an unpredictable mixed bag of lollies. And not like a box of chocolates because with those you actually do know what you're going to get. Anyway....

Weak in genuine wide areas. Do Arsenal have one quality winger? Answer.... No.

Will it matter? probably not.

Arsenal draw alot of their attacking play through a dominant central midfielder and overlapping + linking full backs. Most of Arsenal's midfielders push wide at times and can be effective there.
Hence why an opening day midfield of Rosicky-Gilberto-Cesc-Hleb isn't out of the question.

Walcott is not yet ready. Eboue isn't a genuine winger. RVP is a striker and DaSilva is as well. However, they provide genuine options outside (2 on each side) if required.

The central midfield is strong even if sometimes underperformed. Fabregas, Gilberton, Denilson, Rosicky, Diaby,

Have Arsenal bought the midfield goalscorer many said they needed?

I don't think they need to. Rosicky will be better off, he'll contribute. Fabregas and Hleb couldn't possibly get any worse and Gilberto showed himself to be more than handy.
Maybe not ideal but one must be content with that. There's legitimate goalscoring quality in this area.

I have one key Arsenal prediction.

Cesc Fabregas to score 10+ EPL goals next season.

Arsenal are obviously an excellent passing team, control the tempo and all that stuff. Pass the ball well in tight places, create many chances, exciting to watch.

The obvious question is does the team have enough teeth in midfield? Will physical teams like Bolton create Arsenal exposure yet again? This is another key determining factor which will decide whether Arsenal can or will seriously challenge for the title.

They play good enough football and are capable of scoring/preventing enough goals. But will they drop points to teams they shouldn't?

One area Arsenal will definitely improve is home points/form. There were many undeserved (on the visiting teams part) draws last season and one would have to be ridiculously unlucky to have the same thing happen two seasons consecutively.

I've called in an expert to grade Arsenal re; certain criteria. His name apollo_creed. Thanks, for joining us apollo. Good to see you're well. And I must say, you're really looking good. Any secrets? Ok.... ok... you just came here to grade the teams. I understand.

Strikers - 6/10
Central Midfield - 9/10
Wide Midfield - 7/10
Defence - 9/10
Goalkeepers - 7/10

Total = 38/50

I'm a harsh marker.

Next up.... Aston Villa.

 

[Palace03]

EPL Winner: Man United

Top 6:

Man U
Chelsea
Tottenham
Arsenal
Liverpool
Everton

Relegation:

Sunderland
Wigan
Derby

 

[tribey]

1. Man United
2. Chelsea
3. Arsenal
4. Liverpool
5. Newcastle
6. Tottenham
7. Aston Villa
8. West Ham
9. Everton
10. Blackburn
11. Man City
12. Portsmouth
13. Middlesbrough
14. Bolton
15. Reading
16. Wigan
17. Birmingham
18. Sunderland
19. Derby
20. Fulham

Biggest surprise: Joey Barton doesn't Dick Cheney a teammate in the face, West Ham.
Biggest slider: Bolton, Everton.
Best signing/s: Viduka, Rozenhal, Jose Enrique, Bent, Bresciano
Worst signing/s: Torres, Smith, Hargreaves, Bellamy
Player of the season: Ah, someone? Fabregas? Berbatov? Martins? Terry?
Manager of the season: Fergie
Biggest upset of the season: Roy Keane when we ruin his shit 5-0 at mackemland.
Golden boot: Martins