11/21/24
August 12, 2011
Football's Back!: The Premier League kicks off tomorrow with pundits picking ManU to repeat, followed by Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool. Journalists may not be there to see the games, though, as media groups and news agencies have not agreed to the League's terms for accreditation. And Everton isn't travelling to Tottenham as the match was cancelled due to riots.
posted by billsaysthis to soccer at 11:45 AM - 11 comments
And Arsenal still need signings. What else is new.
posted by flannelenigma at 01:30 PM on August 12, 2011
Maybe once we sell off our whole first team to Barcelona and Man City, we can finally field Wenger's XI XI-Year-Olds.
posted by Errant at 02:15 PM on August 12, 2011
I'm not a fan of the top end of the prem, but there is some fascinating stuff at the bottom and the middle.
Swansea tend to try and play a version of the beautiful game so I am looking forward to see how they do.
I'm hoping Martinez has a great season with Wigan, for at least 2 reasons.
I'm hoping, and predicting that McLeish has a rubbish season with Villa.
I'm intrigued by all Bruces buys at Sunderland.
I'm wondering how Pardew will cope with second season syndrome at Newcastle
Jol's appointment at Fulham bodes well for some entertainment, if only in the press conferences.
I'm looking forward to Hodgsons gnomic post match comments.
And, Bill, dear boy..football started back last week, for gawds sake!
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:16 PM on August 12, 2011
Grantland's Chris Ryan is going to be covering the Premier League: he thinks Citeh is going to win it, which makes it easy to poke fun at him for the rest of the season.
posted by etagloh at 05:04 PM on August 12, 2011
Gave a slightly nerdy overview on my blog today. No idea what Arsene's thinking. "I am zo gud at kicking whaterbottles, of course I can play ze attacking midfield! Go, Nasri! We require your services no longer."
posted by robocopisbleeding at 05:42 PM on August 12, 2011
Buddha, sorry about that, I was more responding to friends' tweets about last night's NFL exhibition opener signifying (American) football's return. Frankly I wouldn't have been troubled in the least if that season were lost to a strike.
As for PL 'regulars' worrying about the drop I think Blackburn are more likely than Newcastle, especially if Barton stays and is his usual self and Samba goes to Arsenal, Tottenham or Italy.
Mainly, I will be chuffed if Liverpool stay in touch with the top and finish in the top 3-4, realistic with no major injuries other than Gerrard and Skrtel.
posted by billsaysthis at 06:01 PM on August 12, 2011
I don't usually have much interest in Liverpool Bill, being as they are usually at the top end and we usually stuff 'em, but I am interested this year, because of the signings since January. I read about the owners and how they go about recruitment in the baseball (or is football) teams in the USA, and it doesn't really seem to add up.
posted by Fat Buddha at 06:26 PM on August 12, 2011
I'm also interested in how Fulham do, but I am pulling for Wolves to move closer to the middle of the table.
posted by scully at 08:42 PM on August 12, 2011
Hoping for an early exit from the Europa League for Spurs so we might actually stand a chance getting back into the top four.
posted by boredom_08 at 09:04 PM on August 12, 2011
Given the last couple of years, I should be pleased Everton's season starts with a cancelled game. Except it was gonna be on ESPN in HD, damnit.
posted by yerfatma at 02:15 PM on August 13, 2011
Liverpool supporter, Samuel L. Jackson, gives his predictions for (some of) the first week of Premier League matches. I love that he has picked Swansea to upset City. Hope he's right.