***Official Premiership, FA Cup, Carling Cup, Champions League etc. Thread***

[42graystreet]

Originally Posted by TrampledUnderw.

I've been following the EPL for about 4 years now, and as an American with no connection to a team/city I have no favorite, which makes watching a little less exciting. How did yall pick a team??

I got super into the 2002 World Cup thanks to USA's run to the quarters and by 2006 I was familiar with many players. I wanted to keep watching them after that WC so I started watching the Premier League since we could actually get the occasional game on weekend mornings.

I eventually gravitated to Chelsea if for no reason that I liked many of their players (Drogba, Lampard, Essien, Terry). I had also made the decision I wouldn't be a United or Liverpool supporter because those were the only 2 teams that had widespread name recognition and fans over here. I thought I was being a contrarian by supporting Chelsea (I was obviously so ignorant).

But alas, my decision was made and I haven't looked back. I'm running a local Chelsea supporters group in Minneapolis and have attended 6 Chelsea games in person and made friends in England who are Chelsea supporters. It's fantastic!

[42graystreet]

Originally Posted by panini2001

Well fantastic result for Stoke yesterday. Did you know we now have more Champion League winners in our side than any other British club at the moment. A bit surreal.

Hope you got to be at the Brittania for that one, Craig!

[panini2001]

Yes we didn't play as well as last week tbh but looked solid enough. We will do well to keep Jack Butland before this seasons out he truly is world class under a big contract granted but everyone has a price.

[jrkarger]

UCL draw is out.

http://www.espnfc.us/uefa-champions-...e-draw-2017-18

[Ascf33]

Groups A and E are lolz.

[jrkarger]

Originally Posted by Ascf33

Groups A and E are lolz.

F too. Liverpool, U, and City got really good draws.

Fun match-ups for Bayern with PSG and Celtic.

[42graystreet]

Álvaro Morata has missed a couple golden chances but is overall having a stellar start to his Chelsea career. 2 goals and 2 assists in 3 Premier League games. No one's talking about the Chelsea crisis anymore.

Still want 2 more signings before the week is over.

[aeroshady]

United are off to a good start, Arsenal look like crap, and Chelsea are somehow under the radar as reigning champions! Can't wait for the EPL to pick back up this week!

[TrampledUnderw.]

Thank u de bruyne for finally getting me some fantasy points. if pep keeps playing him deep idk if I'll keep him in my squad. even if he is the best player on the pitch w/o goals and assists its worthless for fantasy. little hesitant to drop a player this good

[42graystreet]

Perfect start to the season for City. They are (very) early favorites. The crisis at Chelsea continues as we beat Leicester 2-1 and move up to 3rd.

[panini2001]

Just checking in as the managerial pressures merry go round commences

[TrampledUnderw.]

Transferred Sigurdsson and King out of my fantasy team to buy Aguero for the Crystal Palace game. Is it likely that pep will rest him for the CP game?

[panini2001]

Strange Chad won’t be here this weekend in what must be his second most visited football ground in England.

[~Crashintome89~]

Oh my god, Bournemouth blew a lead in the second half against Everton. Color me surprised.

[whodat]

Interesting line up tonight for ManUnited. Trying to figure out if Jose is going with a back 3, all centre backs, with two wings in Blind and Young. Or if Lindelöf is on right, with either Young or Blind on left. Maybe something like this...

----------------- David de Gea
--- Chris Smalling --- Eric Bailly --- Victor Lindelöf
Daley Blind ------------------------------- Ashley Young
------------ Nemanja Matic -------------------
---Henrikh Mkhitaryan --- Ander Herrera
------------------------------- Anthony Martial
------------ Romelu Lukaku

[jrkarger]

What in the world is going on in Munich?!?!?!

[recentlyJTR41]

Atlanta United playoff bound in first season!

[panini2001]

Day at the office for Chelsea and Man U. Anyone think either of them will have a go at it this season?

[42graystreet]

Originally Posted by panini2001

Day at the office for Chelsea and Man U. Anyone think either of them will have a go at it this season?

No 45678

[TrampledUnderw.]

Originally Posted by 42graystreet

No 45678

you think city will run away with it? Insane what happened to Aguero, glad he survived it. Unfortunate because city has been SO exciting to watch, hopefully they can keep it up.

[mrignatious]

Originally Posted by TrampledUnderw.

you think city will run away with it? Insane what happened to Aguero, glad he survived it. Unfortunate because city has been SO exciting to watch, hopefully they can keep it up.

As long as KDB stays healthy enough city will keep firing on all cylinders imo. Dude drives that team.

Not to say they'll run away with it, but I think they can survive injuries elsewhere as long as he's playing most weeks.

[whodat]

Originally Posted by TrampledUnderw.

you think city will run away with it? Insane what happened to Aguero, glad he survived it. Unfortunate because city has been SO exciting to watch, hopefully they can keep it up.

Originally Posted by mrignatious

As long as KDB stays healthy enough city will keep firing on all cylinders imo. Dude drives that team.

Not to say they'll run away with it, but I think they can survive injuries elsewhere as long as he's playing most weeks.

I am curious to see where City puts their focus as the season marches on, the league, UCL, FA Cup. Pep needs a trophy this season. But I will not shed a tear if City and Pep walk home in May with their d*cks in their hands.

[whodat]

Originally Posted by panini2001

Day at the office for Chelsea and Man U. Anyone think either of them will have a go at it this season?

Originally Posted by 42graystreet

No 45678

I am cautiously optimistic about ManU's chances this year in the EPL. If the focus is the EPL this season, then I think they have a shot. However, if Jose puts more emphasis on getting deep in the UCL, then squad rotation will become a factor to keep the players fresh to battle on both fronts.

[42graystreet]

My "no" was for Chelsea mostly. I'm traumatized from the City defeat.

[Nick_United]

Man United looked absolutely lifeless this morning. Lucky to come away with a draw.

[panini2001]

Oh well!

[whodat]

Originally Posted by panini2001

Oh well!

Yeah, that was not pretty for the Potters. City looks very good (that is tough to type) and hitting on all fronts. Overall, an interesting weekend in the EPL, coming off the international break with UCL and Europa games this week.

[whodat]

Newcastle up for sale, finally.

[panini2001]

Originally Posted by whodat

Newcastle up for sale, finally.

Newcastle a massive club full of potential. On par if not bigger than Man City as far as support etc. so the right buyers could really do something there. However, this Mike Ashley character, the current owner, has done this before and ended up staying on when no buyers met his criteria. He's not very popular with the Toon fans and quite frankly pisses a lot of people off! he also owns the sports retail company Sports Direct who notoriously treat their staff like shit as far as conditions and pay are concerned.

[whodat]

Originally Posted by panini2001

Newcastle a massive club full of potential. On par if not bigger than Man City as far as support etc. so the right buyers could really do something there. However, this Mike Ashley character, the current owner, has done this before and ended up staying on when no buyers met his criteria. He's not very popular with the Toon fans and quite frankly pisses a lot of people off! he also owns the sports retail company Sports Direct who notoriously treat their staff like shit as far as conditions and pay are concerned.

Mike Ashley is a douch-nozzle. Read many a report on that guy, the fanbase has hated him and wanted him gone for many years. Guy has spent minimal to improve the squad after promotion. From the article I read, it sounds like Mike Ashley is serious this time around, saying he wants the team sale done by Christmas and is willing to take money upfront with payments over time on the remaining cost. However, as you alluded to, it could just be another smoke screen and nothing comes of it. What is the likelihood that a new ownership group from England steps up for the team? And not another foreign group looking to make a profit off the current craze or TV deal?