5000-1 - The 2016/17 Premier League thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

First topic message reminder :

Liverpool have given Lovren a new 100k a week long term deal

Lol

[Guest]

Spurs should have got out of that CL group which was Europa League quality - a competition they've had plenty of experience in. They froze.

And I don't buy the Wembley excuse one bit. Their new home will be similar in build only with 20,000 less home fans. They'll be fine at home next year.

[westisbest]

Always prefer things that go to the last day.
Much more exciting.
Title seems to be decided before.

On another note, anyone have Chelsea, Brighton, Sheff Utd & Doncaster to win the 4 leagues.

Was gonna do a bet at the start of the the season on the first 3 than Pompey for league 2, who can still do it.

[Lowlandbrit]

The problem with Tottenham is that they're having a great period, but they're starting to look a bit like Liverpool-esque perennial bridesmaids. Five years ago probably everyone would have signed on gladly for Spurs to finish second, but expectations change quickly.

[Ent]

Spurs should have got out of that CL group which was Europa League quality - a competition they've had plenty of experience in. They froze.

And I don't buy the Wembley excuse one bit. Their new home will be similar in build only with 20,000 less home fans. They'll be fine at home next year.

Dunno about that Monaco have made the semi-finals.

Spurs lost 2/3 home games in Wembley, only game they won was a dead rubber against CSKA.

They dropped loads of points around their CL games 2 defeats and 4 draws.

Not going to be any easier next season.

[GSC]

A day Hull might regret in a few weeks. Lose to Sunderland at home, while Swansea upset Everton. Now in the bottom 3.

[Guest]

A day Hull might regret in a few weeks. Lose to Sunderland at home, while Swansea upset Everton. Now in the bottom 3.

Looks like that could be it for Hull. Swansea have Sunderland away and WBA at home, while Hull have Crystal Palace away and Spurs at home. Also need to take into account the huge boost to Swansea in terms of confidence. Looks to me that Hull are going to be relegated. It is unclear what is happening with Hull fc with the owner trying to sell up after apparently falling out of love with the club and the fans.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Kinda wanted Swansea to go, although the owner at Hull deserves this. It's just, in the end, he's not punished really. They've lost assets, loaned some in and now they'll go down and be screwed.

Silva will go, intrigued to see where he goes and who takes over too

[GSC]

In literally the only moment of note in this game, Milner misses a penalty

[Dolphin Ziggler]

World's best midfielder Aaron Ramsey on his 14th month without a Premier League goal

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

World's best midfielder Aaron Ramsey on his 14th month without a Premier League goal

Ah the Aaron Ramsey is world class years - hard to believe people actually believed that

[Guest]

Next stop - Bournemouth...

[Guest]

Best shot is winning the EL for United now + straight through to CL group stage

[Josiah Maiestas]

Pure myth that Mourinho was the one that had Wengers number. It was all the Chelsea players and Roman who had Wengers number.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Pure myth that Mourinho was the one that had Wengers number. It was all the Chelsea players and Roman who had Wengers number.

Total rubbish.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Utd putting all their eggs in the EL basket - high risk strategy, whilst they'll deal with Celta, a final against (likely) Ajax will be a tough game...especially as they're the kind of free scoring side who will attack the occasion

[GSC]

Result probably ends any interest United had in CL qualification via the league.

Arsenal just about alive in the race for the top 4. Just

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Man United to finish below Arsenal in the league would be incredible.

Belotti, Griezemann, Nainggolan, a centre back and a left back required. Maybe a keeper.

Smalling again shocking, could see the chop with Jones, Fellaini, Carrick, Martial, Rooney, Shaw, Blind.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Bellotti isn't leaving Serie A for a couple years yet. Don't think Griezmann would do much better than Rashford.

[Guest]

Man United to finish below Arsenal in the league would be incredible.

Not really, been the case for the last three seasons. Not like United have been ahead of them either this season, for a longer period.

£85m release clause on Belotti. No chance. For that money you'd get Kane & have change.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Man United to finish below Arsenal in the league would be incredible.

Not really, been the case for the last three seasons. Not like United have been ahead of them either this season, for a longer period.

Arsenal didnt spend that fee on Pogba. 

And Arsenal are having an abortion of a season, apparently. One where people can't see how Wenger can continue. 

And Arsenal look likely still finish above Man United. That's incredible, really, cos it shows how badly Man United have done in the league.

[GSC]

For all for United's focussing on the EL, top 4 was very gettable this season.

[Crimey]

Liverpool seem to be trying their best to offer it to the teams below them, but United don't want to take it apparently. 

Poor game against Southampton, they just shut the game down had no interest in attacking. Liverpool just struggle to break down teams like that as there is no space. Really poor performance though, no movement at all really kills any momentum.

Think Origi has to be dropped for the next two games, he's been really bad for a while now. Sturridge or Lallana can replace him in the first eleven.

[GSC]

Liverpool want to be careful they don't leave the door open for Arsenal over their last 2 games. Can't imagine Arsenal will get enough points anyway but always best to make sure of it yourself.

[Fernando]

Remaining fixtures

Scousers - West Ham away, Boro at home
Citeh - leicester & West Brom at home, Watford away
United - Palace at home, Spurs/Southampton away
Arsenal - Southampton/Stoke away & Everton/Sunderland at home

[Hero]

Man United to finish below Arsenal in the league would be incredible.

Belotti, Griezemann, Nainggolan, a centre back and a left back required. Maybe a keeper.

Smalling again shocking, could see the chop with Jones, Fellaini, Carrick, Martial, Rooney, Shaw, Blind.

Don't think that many will be chopped.
Smalling or Jones will go. Carrick may call it a day and expect Rooney & Shaw to go. Fellaini only recently signed an extension and Mourinho likes him, Monaco have a clause in Martial's contract that if he's sold before summer 2018 then they get 50% so he won't go. His last goal also cost Utd £8m.

[GSC]

Does Mourinhos seat get warm if United trip up in Europe. Some real tripe served up this season saved by a pretty kind EL draw.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

He should stay on regardless, not sure another change will help and I do think they're somewhat better than LVG's lot.

[GSC]

I don't think he'll be sacked by any means but some big pressure.

If they are better than last season, it isn't particularly noticeable.

[Crimey]

Not to mention, who do they get to replace Mourinho?

Same problem Arsenal have right now if they want Wenger to go, is what top coach is available?

[Guest]

Needs patience. It's his first year & he's laying the foundations. Could still end up with LC success & CL football, which would be a great return. Premature all this sacking nonsense, even if he fails against Ajax in the final.

Not surprised they've flourished in cup competitions, it suits JM negative style & showcases the squad is still way off, in providing the consistency in performance, that the league requires. Second season back at Chelsea he won the league, so idiotic for owners to even contemplate sacking him.

[Ent]

United have been terrible this season and Mourinho a massive disappointment. Lets not forget he had months to plan for the job.

He usually has success early and so far not a good sign.

Signings wise:

Zlatan - good goal return but really slowed play down for most of the season and his dry patch after a good start left us way off the pace.

Pogba - poor

Mikhtaryan - flop, doesn't do anything. Looked like he would come into it after a difficult start but has had 2 goals and 1 assist in the league in 2017.

Bailly - been the best of the bunch but an injury curtailed season.

May as well stick with him as who else is out there but I have no faith in a league challenge any time soon.

[Guest]

He usually has success early and so far not a good sign.

Apart from the fact a League Cup is in the trophy room & a Europa League trophy is just around the corner. All done inside 10 months. I'll even throw a community shield into the argument, just for a laugh.

[GSC]

However much Mourinho will try to window dress it, offering a league cup, EL and 6th place would not have been considered success months ago.

[Ent]

League success.

1st season Porto - league (record points), cup, uefa cup
1st season Chelsea - league (record points)
1st season Inter - title (by 10 points)
1st season Real - 2nd league, copa del rey
1st season Chelsea - 3rd

Looking like 5th at best

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Utd have also been as entertaining as watching paint dry this season

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Middlesborough don't seem to have learnt that London traffic is bad, as they turn up like 50 minutes before kick off at Chelsea. Seem to remember something similar happening before the playoff final against us...

[Guest]

However much Mourinho will try to window dress it, offering a league cup, EL and 6th place would not have been considered success  months ago.

But wasn't CL qualification the primary aim of this season? The above would guarantee it, along with two trophies.

That's not a success. Give over.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Middlesborough don't seem to have learnt that London traffic is bad, as they turn up like 50 minutes before kick off at Chelsea. Seem to remember something similar happening before the playoff final against us...

Sounds like a perfect excuse for me to go throw some bottles...

[GSC]

However much Mourinho will try to window dress it, offering a league cup, EL and 6th place would not have been considered success  months ago.

But wasn't CL qualification the primary aim of this season? The above would guarantee it, along with two trophies.

That's not a success. Give over.

Via a good league challenge, not knocking over 3rd tier European sides. Accompanied by worse tripe than LVG ever served up.

[Ent]

I'd say CL qualification was the minimum aim for the season.

Big name manager, history of early league success - £150 million investment into 4 supposedly top top players and it's looking like 6th?

[GSC]

2-0 Chelsea already, Costa and Alonso. Boro about to join Sunderland.

[GSC]

I'd say the EL is what's preventing this season being a disaster not making it a success

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I think I prefer Jose's United to LVG's.

And no one thought Sevilla were bad when they won the Europa

[GSC]

United's targets are probably slightly higher given the dollar spent and the profile of those brought in (including Jose).

When Sevilla won it, it was an example of a well ran club building to a big achievement (Monchi will be a big loss).

With United it's an underachieving club throwing a small fortune at the problem and scraping something at 4am before they get kicked out.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Turns out Ben Gibson isn't a world class CB when his team decides to not protect him with the 9 other outfield players then - who'd have thunk it

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Players preference is definitely going to be Europa league win over 4th place.

[Guest]

I think I prefer Jose's United to LVG's.

LVG's promos > Jose's mic work. All day long!

[GSC]

3-0 Chelsea. Boro heading down with a whimper

[Guest]

That Alonso effort has to be an OG.

[GSC]

Come home Patrick. Boro don't deserve you

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