NWR General Football Thread

John Simson · Dec 30, 2015

Half-way through the Premier League season, in a year which continues to baffle. Whoever wins it is going to be the weakest champion we've seen in years.

How is your team faring?

How about some predictions for a bit of fun? How do you think the top 6 will look and who will go down? Here are mine, which I fully expect to be completely wrong:

Top 6:

1. Arsenal
2. Man City
3. Spurs
4. Leicester City
5. Manchester United
6. Liverpool

Going down:
Tough to call. Villa are dead, then anyone up to Norwich should be worrying. Think it might stay the same though:

Newcastle
Sunderland
Aston Villa

Paul Dollymore · Dec 30, 2015

Anything but promotion for us will be a disappointment for us this season. I agree that Arsenal look most likely to break their barren spell of league titles

David Riach · Dec 30, 2015

Lots of Big Jessies to be seen writhing on the turf as if pole-axed in recent TV coverage.

I'm amazed they think nobody can see their very amateur dramatics for what it is.

The TV commentators seem blind to the antics I can see so easily, and as for post-match presenters it appears to be a no-go topic.

Phil David · Dec 30, 2015

Paul Dollymore said:
Anything but promotion for us will be a disappointment for us this season. I agree that Arsenal look most likely to break their barren spell of league titles

Who's 'us'!?

Paul Dollymore · Dec 30, 2015

Phil David said:
Who's 'us'!?

I am but a lowly Pompey subject

John Simson · Dec 30, 2015

David Riach said:
Lots of Big Jessies to be seen writhing on the turf as if pole-axed in recent TV coverage.

I'm amazed they think nobody can see their very amateur dramatics for what it is.

It it tiresome, I agree, but there has to be some kind of sweet spot between the current state of affairs and McCreadie poleaxing Bremner without so much as a booking:

Warren EDWARDES · Dec 30, 2015

John Simson said:
Half-way through the Premier League season, in a year which continues to baffle. Whoever wins it is going to be the weakest champion we've seen in years.
..

Going down:
Tough to call. Villa are dead, then anyone up to Norwich should be worrying. Think it might stay the same though:

Newcastle
...

It would give me great pleasure to see Newcastle go down (and down) and follow Blackpool into the depths of League Two purely on the back of their evil shirt sponsor

Paul Dollymore · Dec 30, 2015

Or indeed this outrageous act of thuggery which didn't even see Thatcher get sent off, only punished retrospectively

John Simson · Dec 30, 2015

Quite! Not so much Wonga in the coffers at Blackpool these days.

Paul Dollymore · Dec 30, 2015

Warren EDWARDES said:
I would give me great pleasure to see Newcastle go down (and down) and follow Blackpool into the depths of League Two purely on the back of their evil shirt sponsor

By the way Warren, I believe we may have chatted in person at the Wokingham Wine Fair the other week!

Warren EDWARDES · Dec 30, 2015

John Simson said:
Quite! Not so much Wonga in the coffers at Blackpool these days.

I tried to be clever and put Wonga in a spoiler but it did not come through.

One more time.

Wonga

Warren EDWARDES · Dec 30, 2015

Paul Dollymore said:
By the way Warren, I believe we may have chatted in person at the Wokingham Wine Fair the other week!

Ah yes. Thanks for popping along. Good to chat. Even easier in the brave new world of Avatars ...

Paul Dollymore · Dec 30, 2015

I might have been a touch worse for wear having forgotten the golden rule of 'spit'... thank heavens for the wife and child to keep me in line and get me home safely!

Stephen Locke · Dec 30, 2015

Back to the footy.......
My team - the mighty Hammers - seem to be doing better than I feared. Hope we can hold it together for the second half of the season.
I hope Arsenal get the premiership this year, and that The Special One goes to Man U to finish off their fall from grace.

David Riach · Dec 30, 2015

Stephen Locke said:
Back to the footy.......
My team - the mighty Hammers - seem to be doing better than I feared. Hope we can hold it together for the second half of the season.
I hope Arsenal get the premiership this year, and that The Special One goes to Man U to finish off their fall from grace.

This suggested scenario prompts memories of Brian Clough taking over at Leeds United ... and lasting 44 days.

Warren EDWARDES · Dec 30, 2015

I must say I am pleased for Claudio Ranieri. He seems like a lovely fellow.

And also pleased for Jose Mourinho. He seems like a nasty piece of work.

Uillaim Tait · Dec 30, 2015

Struggling to cope with the journey from sublime to ridiculous that is Everton this season.

Top 6.

1. Man City
2. Arsenal
3. Man Utd
4. Spurs
5. Liverpool
6. Chelsea

Relegation.

18. Newcastle or Norwich
19. Sunderland
20. Aston Villa

David Riach · Dec 31, 2015

Uillaim Tait said:
Struggling to cope with the journey from sublime to ridiculous that is Everton this season.

Top 6.

1. Man City
2. Arsenal
3. Man Utd
4. Spurs
5. Liverpool
6. Chelsea

Relegation.

18. Newcastle or Norwich
19. Sunderland
20. Aston Villa

Wow, have you taken a few bets against Leicester? When do you expect them to fall apart?

Uillaim Tait · Dec 31, 2015

David Riach said:
Wow, have you taken a few bets against Leicester? When do you expect them to fall apart?

Hopefully they won't as it would be great to see them upset the status quo a little, however, the squad lacks a bit of depth and I think a few injuries may take their toll!

Fletcher Clark · Dec 31, 2015

Oh my, I seem to have lost a place where I can come to meditate and contemplate drink to escape the plight of the Toon.

Fletcher

John Simson · Dec 31, 2015

Uillaim Tait said:
Hopefully they won't as it would be great to see them upset the status quo a little, however, the squad lacks a bit of depth and I think a few injuries may take their toll!

I agree that they may struggle over the second half of the season, but I'm hopeful that they'll finish in the top four. However, they need Mahrez, Vardy, Kanté and Morgan to stay fit though.

Phil David · Dec 31, 2015

On the basis of the team currently 6th Chelsea will need at least another 40 points to finish in that position, which would require their form to be on a par with Leicester and Arsenal. Possible, but I can't see it.

Ian Sutton · Dec 31, 2015

Fletcher Clark said:
Oh my, I seem to have lost a place where I can come to meditate and contemplate drink to escape the plight of the Toon.
Fletcher

I'm a Villa fan, you can talk to me.

Mark Pearce · Dec 31, 2015

1 The A*%#n~l
2 Spurs, though it would be wonderful if they could beat the Arse. Sadly, I think they could finish 2nd and we would still finish below them.
3 Leicester
4 City
5 Liverpool
6 United
7 Watford

I saw Watford lose at home to Spurs on Monday. Solid at the back, urgent, intense and determined in midfield but with players in Abdi and Capoue who can play a bit and two seriously excellent strikers. And a huge squad. Spurs were fortunate to win the game. Watford are a better side than anyone is giving them credit for and improving all the time.

Relegated Villa (possibly brewing the record for low points), Sunderland, Norwich

David Riach · Jan 4, 2016

Benitez out, Zidane in ...