Football 2012/2013

[holyzombiejesus]

The new season's coming!

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

They're probably going to be playing Europa League qualifying stages soon, right?

Predictions for the Premier League next year:

1) Man City
2) Man United
3) Chelsea
4) Arsenal
5) Spurs
6) Liverpool
7) Everton
8) Newcastle
9) Aston Villa
10) Southampton
11) Sunderland
12) Fulham
13) QPR
14) West Ham
15) Swansea
16) Wigan
17) Stoke
18) Reading
19) Norwich
20) West Brom

Although 7 or 8 of the lower-half predictions may as well be interchangeable.

[BlodwynPig]

1. Arsenal
2. Man C
3. Chelsea
4. Man U
5. Wigan


18. Hammers
19. Fulham
20. West Brom

[Slaaaaabs]

I predict the league will be abandoned in early December due to impending apocalyptic events.

[Queneau]

They're probably going to be playing Europa League qualifying stages soon, right?

Yeah, starts in four days: http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2013/draws/index.html

I'm feeling pretty optimist about this season.  I think Villa can finish top seven.  I don't see Norwich surviving another season though.  Also, as much as I dislike Spurs, I'd love to see Villas-Boas come in and do a great job.

Winners?  Manchester United.
Losers?  Everyone else. But relegated: Norwich, Swansea and Reading.

Come on then!

[holyzombiejesus]

Top 4
1. Manchester City
2. Chelsea
3. Arsenal
4. Manchester United

Down
Southampton
Reading
Norwich


Champions in other leagues
C. Bolton
1. Sheff Utd
2. Fleetwood
BSP. Mansfield

[the midnight watch baboon]

It's a bit early for predictions for me. I'm really going to think about my picks this year. I will get them in by the end of July... Sept atl.

[Gavin M]

Apropos of nothing, I was recently offered the opportunity to work as a temp management accountant in a south coast-based, newly-relagated League 1 club known for their current financial difficulties.  I'd already started work somewhere else so missed out on what would probably have been some exciting but highly stressful weeks, but talking to their HR Manager at the interview was certainly an eye-opener.

[rudi]

If it was Pompey I'd suggest you dodged a bullet. I have friends who've worked in that place...

[RickyGerbail]

Liverpool = yes.

[RickyGerbail]

Must say i didn't watch Liverpool at all last season. Maxi Rodrigues and Lucas, are they midfielders that could easily fit into a Swansealona gameplan?

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

Lucas needs a proper passer alongside him, Liverpool's decline following the Alonso exit was linked to their inability to keep possession- Lucas hasn't been the worst of the bunch in the centre they've employed, but he is incredibly limited and needs to be doing a specialist defensive midfield continuity role. I haven't seen them linked with anyone that promising.

[Subtle Mocking]

1. Arsenal

I'll be a pessimist and go with
1. Citeh
2. Chelseh
3. United
4. I dunno, Spurs maybe

[ziggy starbucks]

Steve Kean is still the Blackburn manager

[Eis Nein]

Lucas

Take the point but disagree that he's incredibly limited. He replaced Alonso and Mascherano. Doesn't have Alonso's distributive ability, but he's not a clogger.

[George Oscar Bluth II]

Steve Kean is still the Blackburn manager

Actually can't believe this.

[Subtle Mocking]

It's Venky's we're talking about here, what do people expect?

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

Take the point but disagree that he's incredibly limited. He replaced Alonso and Mascherano. Doesn't have Alonso's distributive ability, but he's not a clogger.

Well, he certainly can't do it on his own. The problems started in 2009 (i seem to remember) when he and Mascherano were in partnership- neither were very impressive technically and he gave the impression of being a cut-price equivalent. Then when Mascherano left the team deteriorated even more. Lucas may have improved, but not to the extent people mention. He may still have a future as a sensible defensive midfielder- they are pretty thin on the ground.

[George Oscar Bluth II]

It's Venky's we're talking about here, what do people expect?

Well they've managed to turn one of the best run clubs in the Premier League into one of the worst run ones in the Championship in what? Under two years? Wouldn't be surprised if Rovers were fighting relegation again this season, they've killed the club.

[Subtle Mocking]

They have. If the fans weren't so loyal I'd tell them to boycott every single game and not buy any of the shirts, although that's easier said than done.

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

At least there's 2nd prize- reduced gate prices to throw abuse at a crap stooge.

[Slaaaaabs]

I think this is now my favourite ever footballer tweet...

Who is the manager pls? LOL

https://twitter.com/AssouEkotto/status/219759704845451265

[Slaaaaabs]

Full Team GB squadlist has been released...

Goalkeepers: Butland (Birmingham), Steele (Middlesbrough)

Defenders: Bertrand (Chelsea), Caulker (Tottenham), Dawson (West Brom), Richards (Man City), Taylor (Swansea), Tomkins (West Ham)

Midfielders: Allen (Swansea), Cleverley (Manchester United), Cork (Southampton), Giggs (Manchester United), Ramsey (Arsenal), Rose (Tottenham)

Forwards: Bellamy (Liverpool), Sinclair (Swansea), Sordell (Bolton), Sturridge (Chelsea)

Not expecting a great deal at such short notice, but some good prospects in there at least.

[Beagle 2]

I'm off to see the match in Manchester. I think we could do something with that squad on home soil, I'm just not sure about Psycho.

[RickyGerbail]

I recon Suarez will fit like a hand in glove regarding the Swansealona approach though.

[hoverdonkey]

I'm relieved in a Spurs sense that Bale isn't there through 'injury', but it would have been fun to see him in international competition

[RickyGerbail]

I don't think AVB has the right approach to tactics, i doubt he'll make a net positive contribution to Spurs.

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

I think this is now my favourite ever footballer tweet...

https://twitter.com/AssouEkotto/status/219759704845451265

Aces! The bloke seems quite sound from rumours Ive read.

[Smeraldina Rima]

Great British Railway Journeys: Birmingham New Street to Witton

[Queneau]

Titus Bramble on Twitter:

Just about to start 50 shades of grey. Let's see what all the fuss is about.