July 14, 2004

The Premiership kicks off in one month.: I'm just saying. It's never too early to start speculating, trash talking, and, btw, who's setting up the Fantasy Leagues? (Not me.)

posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 05:05 PM - 16 comments

Liverpooooooooool!

posted by worldcup2002 at 05:05 PM on July 14, 2004

I thought it was: Liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiverpool!

posted by lilnemo at 05:15 PM on July 14, 2004

Liiiiiiiverpoooooooollllll!

posted by worldcup2002 at 05:15 PM on July 14, 2004

Sweet.

posted by lilnemo at 05:17 PM on July 14, 2004

I'm thinking about putting a tenner on Everton to be relegated at 11/2. One fat striker does not make a summer.

posted by squealy at 05:18 PM on July 14, 2004

One fat striker does not make a summer. LOL, squealy. If I were eating a sandwich, I'd've choked to death by now. btw, Birmingham and Middlesborough have made some interesting purchases. (good luck w/ Heskey) I think these teams, along w/ Fulham, Charlton and Bolton have wildcard qualities. And it'll be nice to see Norwich and WBA back at the top level. (I don't have much of a history w/ Crystal Palace but good luck to them, too.) Wow, flashback to the eighties (for the Canaries at least). I'd love to see the new teams stay up and not just get knocked back down in one season. Candidates for relegation: Man City, Everton, the new boys (I wanna be romantic, but it's just a fact of life), Rovers, and Spurs (I know, new coach, etc., but the team tends to have a history of spectacular flameouts).

posted by worldcup2002 at 05:29 PM on July 14, 2004

BENITEZ IS THE NEW BLACK, THE 'POOL RULZ Y0U PHULZ!

posted by billsaysthis at 06:18 PM on July 14, 2004

Spurs are going down, down, down! I'm already looking forward to St. Totteringham's day! Chelsea? Pah! I'm actually thinking Liverpool will make quite a run this year if Owen stays healthy (BIG if).

posted by trox at 08:41 AM on July 15, 2004

Can someone more knowledgable explain how Crespo, bought for GBP16M only a year ago, is simply lent to Inter for a year? I realize that the Italians will pay his wages during the loan but how will Chelsea ever get a single Euro back from the huge fee they paid when he's already over 30? Wouldn't they be better off simply selling him for whatever, 4 or 6 or 8M, this year?

posted by billsaysthis at 05:30 PM on July 15, 2004

Can someone more knowledgable explain how Crespo, bought for GBP16M only a year ago, is simply lent to Inter for a year? You'll notice from the news recently that Russian oil billionaires are not know for being careful with money.

posted by molafson at 06:14 PM on July 15, 2004

Damarcus Beasley is apparently heading to PSV within the week to take Arjen Robben's now vacant spot on the wing. Since they qualified for the Champions League, this would be extremely excellent.

posted by billsaysthis at 07:12 PM on July 15, 2004

I'll just put in my 2 cent predictions (cos that's all they'll be worth come October): Arsenal cannot continue to be outstanding every game - they'll have a blip (say an injury to Henry or Viera), allowing other teams a chance of winning the premiership. Prediction: 2nd. Man United haven't bought decent players, and they're home grown talent is aging a little now. A lot depends on how Rio Ferdinand plays after he comes back from suspension. Prediction: 3rd or 4th if Rio isn't the player we think he is. Chelsea: They've got bags of cash, a good manager, and a few months now to get to know each other. Prediction: 1st Liverpool: Mid-table mediocrity. Again. Sorry guys! Aston Villa: 6th *starts praying* Regarding the relegation spots, Blackburn look ripe for the drop, as well as Pompey and Palace. Everton, Spurs and the Baggies will be close to dropping too.

posted by BigCalm at 05:29 AM on July 16, 2004

You discounting Norwich for the drop then Clammy? Personally I hope they stay up if only for the dignified and generous way their fans reacted to us pipping them in the Play-Off Final in Cardiff.

posted by squealy at 06:16 AM on July 16, 2004

Norwich won the first division - it's quite rare that the team to win division one gets relegated the following season, so no, Norwich aren't going down.

posted by BigCalm at 06:53 AM on July 16, 2004

Liverpool are going to own Villa. 6-0. (Hope springs eternal)

posted by worldcup2002 at 11:56 AM on July 16, 2004

I think Chelsea is making too many changes to win the league this year, they will be unsettled for at least another season. Just because the important matches are later in the year, I give Mourinho a better chance at repeating in the CL.

posted by billsaysthis at 07:49 PM on July 16, 2004

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