The English Football Thread

[Jase 43,479]

How come a shit team like West Ham on 4th? I will say that in a week before they meet against big teams, seems it works like a charm

How come Aston Villa on 15th? Didn't they are on 2nd or 3rd couple of weeks ago?

When are people gonna stop resorting to cliches and not call West Ham a shit team?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

West Ham put in one of the best performances I've seen this season in the first half against City. They utterly and completely out-played them.

[iseah100 5,612]

http://www.givemesport.com/515701-graziano-pelle-can-fire-southampton-to-the-champions-league

Can he?

[Jase 43,479]

http://www.givemesport.com/515701-graziano-pelle-can-fire-southampton-to-the-champions-league

Can he?

Would be surprised if they can maintain their current form for the rest of the season. Not taking anything away from what they have done so far this term but their real test will come soon. From the end of November till begining of January, they'll face Man City, Man United (twice), Arsenal (twice), Chelsea and Everton in 9 matches. Should note that while they are sitting in 2nd, they have actually lost to Liverpool and Tottenham. Think they might finish in a Europa League spot, but not Champions League.

[robdog 2,084]

Would be surprised if they can maintain their current form for the rest of the season. Not taking anything away from what they have done so far this term but their real test will come soon. From the end of November till begining of January, they'll face Man City, Man United (twice), Arsenal (twice), Chelsea and Everton in 9 matches. Should note that while they are sitting in 2nd, they have actually lost to Liverpool and Tottenham. Think they might finish in a Europa League spot, but not Champions League.

let's not forget that the Saints defeated le arse in the Emirates in the League Cup. IMHO that was a statement of intent. Koeman does have somewhat of a pedigree, by playing & coaching with the best in the game. Now it's his time to shine. For the Saints to finish in the Top half of the Table will look good on his resume, especially after the turnover they had in the Summer. I will admit I predicted them to go down, but it doesn't look like that will happen now. Then add the way the Saints are playing, defeating teams by 8 goals, they look like a legit threat.

[Jase 43,479]

let's not forget that the Saints defeated le arse in the Emirates in the League Cup. IMHO that was a statement of intent. Koeman does have somewhat of a pedigree, by playing & coaching with the best in the game. Now it's his time to shine. For the Saints to finish in the Top half of the Table will look good on his resume, especially after the turnover they had in the Summer. I will admit I predicted them to go down, but it doesn't look like that will happen now. Then add the way the Saints are playing, defeating teams by 8 goals, they look like a legit threat.

Southampton played well against Arsenal in the League Cup and they deserved to win that tie but let's not forget that Wenger fielded a weakened side then. Only 3-4 first choice players started that game. Like I said, I'm not taking anything away from what they have achieved this season but they have mostly beaten teams, whose level is similar to theirs, while suffering defeats against teams a level higher than them. Playing against the bigger teams in those said fixtures will tell us a lot more about them. If they can get say at least 12 points (hopefully none against us!) from those 7 games, then I would say they have done pretty well. As for that 8-0 win over Sunderland, while they were good that day, let's not forget how abysmal Poyet's men were, which made it a lot easier for Southampton. They practically handed them some of the goals.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

http://www.givemesport.com/515701-graziano-pelle-can-fire-southampton-to-the-champions-league

Can he?

It would take major fuck ups from all of United, Liverpool, Spurs and even Everton for that to happen.

Honestly, right now, they probably have as much chance of getting relegated as finishing top 4.

[Laylabelle 9,534]

Oh look QPR winning.oh look who we play next.we bloody better not drop against them again

[Laylabelle 9,534]

Love them do stay top half not do a Hull n slide after Xmas

Urgh QPR.Typical

[Jase 43,479]

Ever since Paul Lambert signed a new 4-year contract at Aston Villa, they have lost 5 straight league games without scoring a single goal.

[Viper22 2,418]

Went to the Southampton vs Stoke game on Saturday (my missus is living in Southampton and got cheap tickets through the uni she's doing her PhD with) and got to meet some players outside the stadium. They signed everything for everyone waiting and had pictures with everyone who wanted. Not just 1 or 2 of the lesser know players either, Clyne, Tadic, Bertrand, Fonte, Davies, Wanyama, Cork, Yoshida and Forster. More might have come too but I had to leave.

Very classy of them in my opinion, and I got the distinct impression that they do it every week. Quality stadium too by the way.

A few of the pictures here for anyone that's interested. Excuse my fat face, I like food too much.

[Myself 793]

Went to the Southampton vs Stoke game on Saturday (my missus is living in Southampton and got cheap tickets through the uni she's doing her PhD with) and got to meet some players outside the stadium. They signed everything for everyone waiting and had pictures with everyone who wanted. Not just 1 or 2 of the lesser know players either, Clyne, Tadic, Bertrand, Fonte, Davies, Wanyama, Cork, Yoshida and Forster. More might have come too but I had to leave.

Very classy of them in my opinion, and I got the distinct impression that they do it every week. Quality stadium too by the way.

A few of the pictures here for anyone that's interested. Excuse my fat face, I like food too much.

Yeah I agree, love St Mary Stadium. One of the best stadiums I've been to

[iseah100 5,612]

It would take major fuck ups from all of United, Liverpool, Spurs and even Everton for that to happen.

Honestly, right now, they probably have as much chance of getting relegated as finishing top 4.

Yeah probably, but I'd still like to see them qualify rather than Manchester United, Everton, Pool, or Tottenham

[chelseafc9010 224]

Really unrealistic, they did the same last season; great start but dropped off because of their inferior squad to other teams.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Pretty cool that we have two Chelsea academy graduates at Southampton.

[Viper22 2,418]

IMO the Prem will finish something like this:

Chelsea

City

Arsenal

Man Utd

Liverpool

Southampton (probably get into Europa League as one of the cup winners will be in the top 5)

Spurs

Everton

West Ham/Hull/Villa/Stoke/Swansea (safe in mid table in whatever order)

West Brom/Sunderland/Newcastle/Palace (fighting relegation)

Leicester/QPR (probably going down)

Burnley (going down)

Southampton and West Ham have started very well but like Villa have shown - wins can quickly turn to losses when you start taking on big boys and then all your momentum is gone and you lose to someone shit like QPR.

I do reckon they'll still get Europe next season because Spurs and Everton are struggling with managers determined to prove their worth at their new clubs but with thin, weak squads and having to deal with European football.

United will benefit from nothing but PL games until January (like Liverpool did last season) and Liverpool will be better once Sturridge comes back.

[Barbara 15,149]

The way they celebrate it, it really felt like that. Pathetic.

[Viper22 2,418]

Pretty cool that we have two Chelsea academy graduates at Southampton.

It is indeed. We're the closest Premier League club to them after all ;P.

[Viper22 2,418]

[Tomo 21,751]

Villa are such a wierd team, they can look clueless for weeks then suddenly score from an amazing counter attack Real Madrid would have been proud of.

I remember that first half at Anfield, honestly they could have been 4 up at half time.

I think they need a change, the team have good potential but Lambert is happy to just merely get by.