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

[42graystreet]

Originally Posted by aeroshady

I am rooting for Chelsea to win the EUL and Manchester United to win the champions league and both be out of the top 4 (unless united can just finish top 4 and win the CL too). But the chaos of that would be funny.

I am also rooting for this!

[42graystreet]

I'm back from my trip Thameside. We had a gorgeous day in London for Wolves at home. A typical #Sarriball game dominating possession and creating very little goal scoring chances. Hazard saved a point with a goal in the last few minutes. I am rather certain Chelsea are not serious contenders for top-4 unless Man U and Arsenal decide to drop their form significantly. It is Europa League or bust for the Blues.

Got to meet up with Craig and his wife Anna before the London DMB shows. Fab time. Craig went on to Amsterdam and met Dave on the streets!

I ended my trip with a horrific bout of food poisoning that came from either Nando's or the Emirates Stadium concession stand pizza (went to Arsenal vs Stade Rennes with a Gunner friend).

[dre2142]

Arsenal confirmed for US visit this summer. Hoping for some local games.

[whodat]

Originally Posted by 42graystreet

I'm back from my trip Thameside. We had a gorgeous day in London for Wolves at home. A typical #Sarriball game dominating possession and creating very little goal scoring chances. Hazard saved a point with a goal in the last few minutes. I am rather certain Chelsea are not serious contenders for top-4 unless Man U and Arsenal decide to drop their form significantly. It is Europa League or bust for the Blues.

Got to meet up with Craig and his wife Anna before the London DMB shows. Fab time. Craig went on to Amsterdam and met Dave on the streets!

I ended my trip with a horrific bout of food poisoning that came from either Nando's or the Emirates Stadium concession stand pizza (went to Arsenal vs Stade Rennes with a Gunner friend).

Glad you had a great trip, Chad. Saw some pics Gina posted of you, her and other Ants in London. Cool you were able to connect with Craig and Anna as well. Sucks about the food poisoning though. I blame it on Arsenal because they are Arsenal.

[42graystreet]

Originally Posted by whodat

Glad you had a great trip, Chad. Saw some pics Gina posted of you, her and other Ants in London. Cool you were able to connect with Craig and Anna as well. Sucks about the food poisoning though. I blame it on Arsenal because they are Arsenal.

Sadly, I think it was the Nando's

[jrkarger]

I’ve been reading some of the news articles that came out after Bayern’s loss to LFC such as Kovac saying Bayern can’t compete with EPL money (insert eye roll) and there is always the “Bayern needs better domestic competition” talking point.

It got me think especially after all four EPL teams advanced and no German team did...

How many Prem teams could finish top four in the Bundesliga?

[whodat]

Originally Posted by jrkarger

I’ve been reading some of the news articles that came out after Bayern’s loss to LFC such as Kovac saying Bayern can’t compete with EPL money (insert eye roll) and there is always the “Bayern needs better domestic competition” talking point.

It got me think especially after all four EPL teams advanced and no German team did...

How many Prem teams could finish top four in the Bundesliga?

I have been contemplating this question for over a day. (I do not watch much Bundesliga, only recently started actually.) What is interesting is that both the Prem and Bundesliga tables are very similar. Two teams fighting for first, then 4-5 teams fighting for the next spots.

So based on your question, and in my humble opinion, I think Man City would finish top 4. Honestly, and as much as this pains me to say, Chity would probably finish top 4 in every major league in Europe. They are just that good. A case could be made for Liverpool in the Bundesliga. Outside of that, Spurs and Arsenal, I would say no on top 4 in the Bundesliga. ManU and Chelsea, tough to tell with the ups and downs over the last couple seasons.

[Ascf33]

That's funny because I have been thinking about this for nearly a day now too. I think City, Liverpool and Bayern are givens. Then you have to think about BVB, Spurs, Arsenal, and ManU for one spot.

[dre2142]

Arsenal vs Real Madrid- DC Fedex Field July 23
Arsenal vs AS Roma in Charlotte July 20

[Ascf33]

damn. was hoping we'd somehow get Liverpool again here. Had a blast last year.

[whodat]

Fantastic to hear that ManU have finally appointed Ole full time manager. He has done an amazing job in such a short period of time, not only on the pitch but off it as well. I think the fans, and club, will give him some rope to work with as there will be ups and downs. But Ole is a Manchester boy, he understands the mentality of the club, the history of the club, he wants to grow from within and is already showing that by giving time to some of the younger academy players. I am excited to see this grow and am optimistic that it will be a fruitful decision for club, manager and players.

[42graystreet]

Originally Posted by whodat

I think the fans, and club, will give him some rope to work with as there will be ups and downs.

I'll bet he's fired within 1 year of today.

[whodat]

Originally Posted by 42graystreet

I'll bet he's fired within 1 year of today.

While not out of the realm of possibility, I hope not. While I understand the need, and financial reasons, to win and be on top at all times, you have to give to time to grow and instill consistent success. Unfortunately, that mentality does not translate to today's sports world. So we shall see how this unfolds. Will this season be the pinnacle or the just the tip of the iceberg?

[cry_minarets458]

Does anyone here collect soccer kits?

[42graystreet]

Originally Posted by cry_minarets458

Does anyone here collect soccer kits?

Collect? Not really. But over the years I've accumulated more Chelsea and USA jerseys than I really need.

[cry_minarets458]

I try to get a USA jersey every year but I saw some nice Poland ones on nikes European site and was curious about their customization (Nike doesn’t even offer that here in the states).

[whodat]

Originally Posted by cry_minarets458

I try to get a USA jersey every year but I saw some nice Poland ones on nikes European site and was curious about their customization (Nike doesn’t even offer that here in the states).

Can you order from Nike's European site? Or do they restrict shipment outside of Europe?

[whodat]

BTW... F*ck off Chelsea and that awful officiating crew. Cardiff should be pissed as that result might relegate them.

[Ascf33]

As a LFC fan, I honestly don't see how City loses. They have the tougher schedule but man, they are so good and so deep.

[aeroshady]

Originally Posted by cry_minarets458

Does anyone here collect soccer kits?

I bought the new Manchester United jerseys every year with Rooney on the back. I had ones dating all the way back to when he joined the club with the #8.

I stopped when Chevy became the sponsor. Mostly because I just don't wear them as much as I used to.

[whodat]

Originally Posted by Ascf33

As a LFC fan, I honestly don't see how City loses. They have the tougher schedule but man, they are so good and so deep.

The oddity is that every LFC will be pulling for ManUnited to beat ManCity on April 24th. Tough to pull for a team that the fan base just hates so much.

[42graystreet]

Originally Posted by whodat

BTW... F*ck off Chelsea and that awful officiating crew. Cardiff should be pissed as that result might relegate them.

Hey...what'd we do?!? They will put that game next to the definition of "smash-and-grab."

[Ascf33]

Originally Posted by whodat

The oddity is that every LFC will be pulling for ManUnited to beat ManCity on April 24th. Tough to pull for a team that the fan base just hates so much.

Absolutely this. It's right after they play Spurs twice too. LFC's toughest game is Chelsea at home, sandwiched between Porto in the CL. Should all be very interesting.

[whodat]

Originally Posted by 42graystreet

Hey...what'd we do?!? They will put that game next to the definition of "smash-and-grab."

Loved how right before the tying goal, the Chelsea supporters that traveled to the game where singing for Sarri to get axed and Cardiff's fans were singing to keep Sarri. That was good stuff.

[whodat]

Originally Posted by Ascf33

Absolutely this. It's right after they play Spurs twice too. LFC's toughest game is Chelsea at home, sandwiched between Porto in the CL. Should all be very interesting.

Yeah, this is when those rescheduled fixtures get placed either midweek or between tough European games. No chance to rest anyone at that point, all systems go.

[DaveHead36]

It’ll be an interesting ending. While city is really only facing Spurs and United as competition, the rest of the clubs they face are all in a relegation battle. Those games are never certain. The one game outside of that is Leicester City which tripped up both City and LFC already.

Liverpool does have the “easier” schedule but Chelsea will be the big match. They too, though, also face some clubs battling relegation. It’ll be an interesting finish for sure. All Liverpool has to do is keep winning and doing their part.

I’m sick to my stomach that Liverpool could essentially only lose one match this entire season and still not win the fucking league.

[42graystreet]

Massive result in the top 4 race. United screw the pooch against Wolves. Arsenal, Tottenham, Man U and Chelsea are going to take this thing all the way to the final match day. Only 2 get CL qualification (unless one of them win a European competition).

[42graystreet]

Originally Posted by DaveHead36

It’ll be an interesting ending. While city is really only facing Spurs and United as competition, the rest of the clubs they face are all in a relegation battle. Those games are never certain. The one game outside of that is Leicester City which tripped up both City and LFC already.

Liverpool does have the “easier” schedule but Chelsea will be the big match. They too, though, also face some clubs battling relegation. It’ll be an interesting finish for sure. All Liverpool has to do is keep winning and doing their part.

I’m sick to my stomach that Liverpool could essentially only lose one match this entire season and still not win the fucking league.

Wait a sec. Are Liverpool in the title race and playing Chelsea at home in April?!? [Evil laugh]

[DaveHead36]

Originally Posted by 42graystreet

Wait a sec. Are Liverpool in the title race and playing Chelsea at home in April?!? [Evil laugh]

Yeah I’m trying not to remember... hopefully both results of the match and the league are different this year

[aeroshady]

Sucks about the United result. I will watch the CL games since they need to win it all now. Other than that it looks like I am back to watching MLS mostly, which is good for our league.

MLS is what I have watched the most over the past 5 years. United’s run had me interested in the EPL again for a while.