English Premier League

[benravens1]

Well the Champions league thread has kind of developed into an arsenal/premier league thread so the league might as well have its own topic.

As much as it pains me to say it i'm finding it hard to look past chelsea winning the league this year. they've been incredible. hopefully they'll drop off a bit and give the rest of the teams a shot

[Ed_Reed20]

As impressive as Chelsea have been, a five point lead at this point isn't insurmountable for the team behind them(like Arsenal )

[benravens1]

haha true, but chelsea always seem to find a way to win close games whereas other teams seem to slip up every now and then.

that and chelsea seem to win the big games. if they slip up i hope arsenal take advantage

[ravens__]

Every soccer related thread is going to be taken over by Arsenal fans! Hell yeah!

As much as I'd love to see Chelsea slip up and miss out on some crucial points, I just can't see it happening. Ancelotti has built a squad which has minimal flaws and so long as Drogba delivers in the offensive department and they avoid injuries in the defensive department, the title is theirs to lose.

[Ravens Beast]

Chelsea is where it's at!!!!!

[Ed_Reed20]

Damn Chelsea! Trophy-buying clowns.

[benravens1]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1288126871' post='521649']
Damn Chelsea! Trophy-buying clowns.
[/quote]

come on now, they're no way near as bad as man city! although i geuss they haven't actually won anything yet...

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='benravens1' timestamp='1288127218' post='521659']
come on now, they're no way near as bad as man city! although i geuss they haven't actually won anything yet...
[/quote]

They're worse. City looks to be on the same road but go back and check out the signings they've made since Abromovich(sp) took over. There have been some great signings but the majority of them seemed to be just for the hell of it. In some cases, the player was gone in two seasons having done nothing during his time in blue.

Like I've said before, I'm probably just bitter Arsenal doesn't spend enough but it just annoys me when a mediocre club(like Chelsea were for a while) rises to prominence because of a takeover.

[benravens1]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1288127908' post='521668']
They're worse. City looks to be on the same road but go back and check out the signings they've made since Abromovich(sp) took over. There have been some great signings but the majority of them seemed to be just for the hell of it. In some cases, the player was gone in two seasons having done nothing during his time in blue.

Like I've said before, I'm probably just bitter Arsenal doesn't spend enough but it just annoys me when a mediocre club(like Chelsea were for a while) rises to prominence because of a takeover.
[/quote]

true, although they've got (or atleast had) some players that they developed themeselves. with the exception of Joe Hart in goal man city don't have many.

and yeah that is the problem but with all the money avaliable. its happened before, with Blackburn Rovers in the 90s, and it will happen again.

the arsenal way of building a side is more economically viable, but it does mean we end up getting beaten by teams with bigger squads and larger funds avaliable

[George70]

So, some speak that Arsenal spends too little, while such clubs as Chelsea spend too much.

In my first post in this thread, who looks more likely for relegation - Liverpool or Everton?

I await your response.

[benravens1]

[quote name='George70' timestamp='1288129474' post='521680']
So, some speak that Arsenal spends too little, while such clubs as Chelsea spend too much.

In my first post in this thread, who looks more likely for relegation - Liverpool or Everton?

I await your response.
[/quote]

well liverpool have looked terrible so far this year, but seem to have turned it round after Hicks and Gillett sold them.

i'd be very very suprised if either of them went down. they're are definately 3 teams that are worse than both clubs

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='benravens1' timestamp='1288128793' post='521676']
true, although they've got (or atleast had) some players that they developed themeselves. with the exception of Joe Hart in goal man city don't have many.

and yeah that is the problem but with all the money avaliable. its happened before, with Blackburn Rovers in the 90s, and it will happen again.

the arsenal way of building a side is more economically viable, but it does mean we end up getting beaten by teams with bigger squads and larger funds avaliable
[/quote]

Very true.

[gumbleton]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWNJsMP_v9E[/media]

Nani is my new hero, even though I hate United. So awesome.

[benravens1]

you've got to say nani was playing to the whistle. but the officals should never have let it get to a point where he can score. it was an obvious handball, so obvious the linesman thought he didn't need to tell the referee.

you've got to feel sorry for tottenham though, they do get some bad calls at old trafford:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-8dOjeVC80[/media]

and thats with 2 minutes left in the match with the score at 0-0

[Clutch Ravens]

I supported Chelsea before the Abramovich take-over and yes, they were mediocre, but they were improving. Chelsea were far better than Man City were before their respective take-overs.

Chelsea haven't actually spent very much money in the past few transfer windows. I believe that in the last 2 transfer windows they've signed Sturridge and Ramires, not exactly big money, blockbuster signings.

[ravens13]

[quote name='benravens1' timestamp='1288617330' post='524698']
you've got to say nani was playing to the whistle. but the officals should never have let it get to a point where he can score. it was an obvious handball, so obvious the linesman thought he didn't need to tell the referee.

you've got to feel sorry for tottenham though, they do get some bad calls at old trafford:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-8dOjeVC80[/media]

and thats with 2 minutes left in the match with the score at 0-0
[/quote]

That's difficult to watch as a Spurs fan. Did anyone notice the name of the referee though? Check it out at 1:15.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ravens13' timestamp='1288882486' post='527271']
That's difficult to watch as a Spurs fan. Did anyone notice the name of the referee though? Check it out at 1:15.
[/quote]

That is pretty funny.

[ravens__]

[quote name='ravens13' timestamp='1288882486' post='527271']
That's difficult to watch as a Spurs fan. Did anyone notice the name of the referee though? Check it out at 1:15.
[/quote]

Haha! That's pretty damn freaky.

[Ed_Reed20]

Chelsea gets spanked by Sunderland and Arsenal take care of business to go second. Great day in the premiership.

[NinjaTurtle]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1289766066' post='540752']
Chelsea gets spanked by Sunderland and Arsenal take care of business to go second. Great day in the premiership.
[/quote]

Don't forget Liverpool's choke against Stoke.

Also, it's good to see Timmy Cahill scoring goals for Everton even though they lost. I still can't believe how well Gareth Bale is playing at the moment, he could be one of the future greats of the game, hopefully he stays at Tottenham.

[ravens__]

[quote name='NinjaTurtle' timestamp='1289816903' post='541619']
Don't forget Liverpool's choke against Stoke.

Also, it's good to see Timmy Cahill scoring goals for Everton even though they lost. [b]I still can't believe how well Gareth Bale is playing at the moment, he could be one of the future greats of the game, hopefully he stays at Tottenham.[/b]
[/quote]

So long as he keeps both feet down on Earth, he has all the makings for a great career. The English tabloids aren't helping one bit by comparing him to Messi and others though. It doesn't take a lot for a young player to reflect on such comparisons and has his talent wasted.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ravens__' timestamp='1289835123' post='541694']
So long as he keeps both feet down on Earth, he has all the makings for a great career. The English tabloids aren't helping one bit by comparing him to Messi and others though. It doesn't take a lot for a young player to reflect on such comparisons and has his talent wasted.
[/quote]

Agreed. Not that it's an excuse for their yearly failures, but pressure has seriously hurt England for a [i]long[/i] time now.

[benravens1]

[quote name='ravens__' timestamp='1289835123' post='541694']
So long as he keeps both feet down on Earth, he has all the makings for a great career. The English tabloids aren't helping one bit by comparing him to Messi and others though. It doesn't take a lot for a young player to reflect on such comparisons and has his talent wasted.
[/quote]

yeah he's definately the flavour of the month at the moment. he is on a brilliant run of form but messi has been playing at the same level for 2,3,4 years now so comparing bale to messi isn't fair on either of them.

i don't see why bale wouldn't want to stay at spurs they've been looking good and under redknapp they're improving.

[BmoreRav]

I've met Bale a couple of times and he's not your typical young footballer off the pitch. He's a very level-headed man with a quiet and unassuming character. I don't see the praise he's recently been receiving getting to him in a negative way. At least I hope not!

[NinjaTurtle]

[quote name='BmoreRav' timestamp='1289843615' post='541800']
I've met Bale a couple of times and he's not your typical young footballer off the pitch. He's a very level-headed man with a quiet and unassuming character. I don't see the praise he's recently been receiving getting to him in a negative way. At least I hope not!
[/quote]

I hope you are right, at the moment the pressure that he is being put under must have some impact on him.

[ravens13]

What does everyone think about Chelsea's recent struggles? I'm sure every non-Chelsea fan is happy that the now co-league leaders are doing poorly, but it's uncharacteristic of them. It's a long season and they still may win it, but the Sunderland game in particular was just atrocious (although I enjoyed it personally and give Sunderland credit).

[white lightning]

[quote name='ravens13' timestamp='1290441699' post='547931']
What does everyone think about Chelsea's recent struggles? I'm sure every non-Chelsea fan is happy that the now co-league leaders are doing poorly, but it's uncharacteristic of them. It's a long season and they still may win it, but the Sunderland game in particular was just atrocious (although I enjoyed it personally and give Sunderland credit).
[/quote]

As an Arsenal fan, the slip ups Chelsea have made are obviously pleasing to hear, however, it must be noted that against Sunderland they did have 2 starting defenders out, which can throw the chemistry of the team (not that that excuse is wholly acceptable for the 3-0 loss); but then again, its easy to kick a side when their down, so some of the criticisms against ancelotti are a bit harsh, but maybe that comes with managing on of the top clubs in Europe.

Although their win today in the champions league wasn't very convincing, its enough to suggest that Chelsea are on the rebound.

[BmoreRav]

Man Utd got a good win today against Blackburn with Berbatov getting himself 5 goals. Arsenal also won against Villa in a very entertaining game, this puts pressure on Chelsea to win at St James' Park tomorrow. Spurs v Liverpool should also be a good game. I'm looking forward to both!

[Ed_Reed20]

I'd hate to have Berbatov on my team. The guys looks so disinterested the majority of the time then chooses a random game or moment to do something amazing.

Glad Arsenal got the W.

[BmoreRav]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1290892512' post='551719']
I'd hate to have Berbatov on my team. The guys looks so disinterested the majority of the time then chooses a random game or moment to do something amazing.

Glad Arsenal got the W.
[/quote]

I know what you mean but if you analyze his game it's not as bad as you would think! His body language is awful and he looks like he's uninterested most of the game but he does his job.