Figured we could probably do with a general discussion area now that the seasons started.

What is going on with QPR, I thought they would do well this season. 0-3 down at home. Glad to see Laudrup getting off to a good start though

Phil Dowd is a useless cunt.

Oh, and Joe Cole, please please please fuck the hell off.

Now Swansea 5 QPR 0, Fulham 4 Norwich 0. Good heavens…

JweavKC - 18 August 2012 04:44 PM

Now Swansea 5 QPR 0, Fulham 4 Norwich 0. Good heavens…

Fulham is now 5-0. Two 5-0’s on the first day!

wow, some crazy score lines. QPR with all the money they spent ...

—-

Lukaku is a beast, manhandling the Liverpool defense.

Dowd was a joke today. Liverpool looked exactly like last season.

The Fresh Prince of Pelé - 18 August 2012 04:53 PM

Dowd was a joke today. Liverpool looked exactly like last season.

Arsenal were Arsenal

Newcastle-Spurs was fun.

Not too disappointed by that loss.

It showed we need a striker and a creative midfielder who can dictate play, but we know that already. I think we can feel a bit unlucky not to get a point. Couple off the bar and the penalty which could have been avoided (that was just stupid).

AVB set up the team perfectly given the circumstances. Nice to see us not just have two banks of four and we looked very organized. If we can get our targets then we’ll be alright for a Top 4 challenge. What we really needed is a creative midfielder in the center of the park. Too bad we don’t have one of those.

BlueCrew LA - 18 August 2012 08:35 PM

Not too disappointed by that loss.

It showed we need a striker and a creative midfielder who can dictate play, but we know that already. I think we can feel a bit unlucky not to get a point. Couple off the bar and the penalty which could have been avoided (that was just stupid).

AVB set up the team perfectly given the circumstances. Nice to see us not just have two banks of four and we looked very organized. If we can get our targets then we’ll be alright for a Top 4 challenge. What we really needed is a creative midfielder in the center of the park. Too bad we don’t have one of those.

From the 5th minute, I was thinking ‘please get to half time at 0-0’. Second half, we switched to 4-2-3-1 and got a little better.

You seemed to set up not to lose. Didn’t commit many forward at all, especially in the first half. Your squad is so thin in the forward area that it was very difficult to make a ‘game changing substitution’. But AVB seemed to set up to subdue the crowd, and it worked very well.

Defoe’s goal was offside, but to be fair the game could easily have finished 2-1 to you. The penalty was ridiculous - it’s like players don’t actually study their opponents at all. Ben Arfa does that exact move time and time again, dragging it back and flicking it between the two players.

EDIT - I rambled on a bit there. My point is basically, if you’d set up slightly more aggressively, I think you’d have come away with 3 points no problem. Half our team was terribly unfit, and Tottenham should have taken advantage.

I have no doubt you’ll do very very well this season if you get a creative midfielder and someone to help Defoe out. Everyone seems to be writing you off, but I see no reason why you can’t do just as well as Arsenal and Chelsea.

Giroud’s miss…. Torres-esque.
Cazorla is coming into my fantasy league team.
Spurs are thin upfront and miss Modric’s creativity. Defoe and Harry Kane?
AVB should know better than to bring on VDV so late on in the game.

Catch up on the football action with the BBC..

What a weird selection of people, most of all Ryo Miyaichi, on loan from Arsenal at Wigan, in his Arsenal shirt.
__

Expected pretty big things from Liverpool, surprised they lost by such a margin to West Brom, missed the game, was it just down to the red card?

Mark Hughes’ ‘ambition’, so good.

Laurent Robert’s Left Foot - 18 August 2012 08:49 PM

BlueCrew LA - 18 August 2012 08:35 PM

Not too disappointed by that loss.

It showed we need a striker and a creative midfielder who can dictate play, but we know that already. I think we can feel a bit unlucky not to get a point. Couple off the bar and the penalty which could have been avoided (that was just stupid).

AVB set up the team perfectly given the circumstances. Nice to see us not just have two banks of four and we looked very organized. If we can get our targets then we’ll be alright for a Top 4 challenge. What we really needed is a creative midfielder in the center of the park. Too bad we don’t have one of those.

From the 5th minute, I was thinking ‘please get to half time at 0-0’. Second half, we switched to 4-2-3-1 and got a little better.

You seemed to set up not to lose. Didn’t commit many forward at all, especially in the first half. Your squad is so thin in the forward area that it was very difficult to make a ‘game changing substitution’. But AVB seemed to set up to subdue the crowd, and it worked very well.

Defoe’s goal was offside, but to be fair the game could easily have finished 2-1 to you. The penalty was ridiculous - it’s like players don’t actually study their opponents at all. Ben Arfa does that exact move time and time again, dragging it back and flicking it between the two players.

EDIT - I rambled on a bit there. My point is basically, if you’d set up slightly more aggressively, I think you’d have come away with 3 points no problem. Half our team was terribly unfit, and Tottenham should have taken advantage.

I have no doubt you’ll do very very well this season if you get a creative midfielder and someone to help Defoe out. Everyone seems to be writing you off, but I see no reason why you can’t do just as well as Arsenal and Chelsea.

I agree with most these points.

The only thing I think AVB got wrong was leaving VDV on the bench. Siggy should have to earn that spot if VDV is fit, he’s been one of our best players since he’s been at the club. We played better when he came on.

All I can think is that maybe VDV hasn’t got the energy levels to play the high pressing game that AVB wants? We really couldn’t deal with the pressure you put on us in midfield - Cabaye and Tiote were probably the most ineffective players on the pitch.

Spurs fans will know better than me of course - I was just as confused as to why he didn’t start.

Javier Zanetti’s Immaculate Side Parting - 18 August 2012 09:02 PM

Expected pretty big things from Liverpool, surprised they lost by such a margin to West Brom, missed the game, was it just down to the red card?

Not seen the game but those that did said we bossed it until even after they scored against the run of play and then it all went wrong after the red and Skrtel was pretty stupid for the second penalty by all accounts.

Laurent Robert’s Left Foot - 18 August 2012 09:17 PM

All I can think is that maybe VDV hasn’t got the energy levels to play the high pressing game that AVB wants? We really couldn’t deal with the pressure you put on us in midfield - Cabaye and Tiote were probably the most ineffective players on the pitch.

Spurs fans will know better than me of course - I was just as confused as to why he didn’t start.

I would have played him the 1st 60min or so. VDV is intelligent to know when the play isn’t flowing in the midfield and he’ll drop back to collect the ball and make us more solid. We still would have had scant options up top but we would have kept the ball a little better in the first half.

Not a huge deal though, I think more disruptive was the two quick yellows from Sandro and Livermore. That killed the flow because both players had to be cautious.

A really good result for us. I was very worried when I saw Coloccini wasn’t starting but Taylor and Perch did really well. Steven Taylor using his head was great. Cabaye was off the pace and Tiote stuggled with Spurs’ pressing which meant we couldn’t really get going. Ben Arfa wasn’t quite there yet either but he was still poetry in motion and Ba’s goal was fantastic. Tottenham deserved a draw but you’ve got to take your chances I suppose. I was hoping for a draw at best today so I’m very happy tonight.

Laurent Robert’s Left Foot - 18 August 2012 08:49 PM

I have no doubt you’ll do very very well this season if you get a creative midfielder and someone to help Defoe out. Everyone seems to be writing you off, but I see no reason why you can’t do just as well as Arsenal and Chelsea.

I really think Spurs will make the Champions League. The team seems more suited to AVB’s style than Chelsea were, while with them I’m not sure Di Matteo will be able to do the job long-term and especially since their defense is weaker this year.

I think it’ll be…

1st United or City
2nd United, City or Arsenal
3rd United, City or Arsenal
4th Spurs
5th Chelsea or Newcastle
6th Chelsea, Newcastle or Liverpool

(And yes, that is a very vague set of predictions )

Just got in from travelling to Reading. When meeting Ryan Shawcross at Warwick services is the most exciting thing about the day it’s not good. Both teams pretty shit.

Lukaku absolutely destroyed Carragher for that Morrison chance. Hope he starts next week.

Sid Lowe’s Caveat - 18 August 2012 04:37 PM

Phil Dowd is a useless cunt.

If you’re referring to the penalties, sorry PELANTIES, then he maybe a cunt - but he got those decision right in my book.

He didn’t make Suarez miss his umpteen chances.

Conspiracy, SAF instructing referees and Manchester United ball tampering so that Luis Suarez can’t score.. for another season.

Brendan Rodgers is already getting on my nerves. There’s just something about him I don’t trust. He’s vaguely creepy.

Also, nice to see that Pardew’s learned some class on his summer hols…whattatwat.

Was nice to see Hughes brought down a peg or two by Laudrup and Swansea, some beautiful counter-attacking and finishing (Michu’s second - WOOF).

Gerra’s was a beaut too, as was Petric’s second, but I feel sorry for Houghton. Always comes across as a good guy, I hope Norwich pick it up and do alright this season. Also starting to feel sorry for Wenger, must be a right pain in the arse always being questioned about the same shit. When he was asked if Van Persie would have finished off that Giroud chance you could just see him thinking “He’s a worldclass centre-forward - what the hell do you think?”

Also, so many pelanteeeeeeeeees! Not a great day for ex-Sunderland players in particular, both Whitehead and Turner gave away shockers.

Think that’s just about it for my random first day thoughts…

Oh yeah, fucking Alan Hansen and fucking Alan Shearer. Hansen saying City and United are the only possible title hopefuls and then writing off Chelsea’s chances before ANY OF THE THREE HAVE KICKED A BALL! Then Shiny-Heid saying Arsenal looked like they were in trouble, despite saying we put in a very good defensive shift and that Cazorla looks a very astute signing. So, after one game in which they were frustrated by a good defence, and showed they have a great new creative midfielder, Arsenal are definitely in the shit? Christ. Pair of bloody morons.

Pardew apologised, to the official, to his players, and to the public, stated how incredibly embarassed he was, and said that he’ll accept any punishment the FA deem he deserves.

What more can he say/do? He’ll get a 3 game touchline ban, he’ll serve it. No need to make a big deal out of it - especially given the nature of the ‘shove’.

I can think of a few managers who’d be claiming injustice, and that the linesman was planted by our rivals in a bid to give bad throw in calls.

Maxim - 19 August 2012 12:05 AM

Sid Lowe’s Caveat - 18 August 2012 04:37 PM

Phil Dowd is a useless cunt.

If you’re referring to the penalties, sorry PELANTIES, then he maybe a cunt - but he got those decision right in my book.

The first one started outside the box, so no. And he was horribly incosistent with the cards, see Suarez’ yellow vs what should have been yellow for Olsson vs Carrolls yellow. And the second pen was just Skrtel being unlucky.

Oh yeah, fucking Alan Hansen and fucking Alan Shearer. Hansen saying City and United are the only possible title hopefuls and then writing off Chelsea’s chances before ANY OF THE THREE HAVE KICKED A BALL! Then Shiny-Heid saying Arsenal looked like they were in trouble, despite saying we put in a very good defensive shift and that Cazorla looks a very astute signing. So, after one game in which they were frustrated by a good defence, and showed they have a great new creative midfielder, Arsenal are definitely in the shit? Christ. Pair of bloody morons.

The BBC TV punditry just gets worse and worse. Bloody shame what’s happening to punditry, although at least there’s 5-Live still… and the Guardian & ZM.net to give us some more insight.

Crazy, crazy day yesterday. Well done to Swansea for an amazing result and too WBA too. Couple of the other posters above are correct, you cannot blame Phil Dowd, That’s just detracting attention from a couple of key points really. Suarez needs to be a LOT more clinical (yeah, Chelsea fan, Torres, pot-kettle-black etc) and Downing is just not a good enough footballer to play Tika-Taka-Tika-Taka like Allen who was superb.

Day 2 today. Bring it on!

Felt great to watch Soccer Saturday in pub with a nice cold cider again
Also really like that Reading kit!

Can’t wait til 4pm. Think we will give it a real go

rickie lambert for england - 19 August 2012 11:55 AM

Can’t wait til 4pm. Think we will give it a real go

I’ve spent time living in Southampton, and I really do love Saints - but I can see a rude awakening today.

Turns out football might still yet be permanent.

Must say I was impressed by the Cottagers today. The players looked bonded by this whole Dempsey mess and to be honest I kind of hope he goes now. I’m not going to rant on about there being no loyalty in football because it’s all been done before, but when a player has had his head turned such as Dempsey’s, best just to let the lad leave and thank him for 5 terrific seasons. So chuffed I had Petric in my fantasy team anyway.

Still backing Hughton to do a solid job by the end of the season. Maybe its just wishful thinking because he actually seems like a top bloke.

The Fresh Prince of Pelé - 19 August 2012 02:36 AM

Maxim - 19 August 2012 12:05 AM

Sid Lowe’s Caveat - 18 August 2012 04:37 PM

Phil Dowd is a useless cunt.

If you’re referring to the penalties, sorry PELANTIES, then he maybe a cunt - but he got those decision right in my book.

The first one started outside the box, so no. And he was horribly incosistent with the cards, see Suarez’ yellow vs what should have been yellow for Olsson vs Carrolls yellow. And the second pen was just Skrtel being unlucky.

It was unlucky for Skrtel, but that doesn’t make it any less of a penalty. The ball was knicked away, skrtel didn’t even notice, and kicks over shane long. Calamity. Penalty.

Didn’t watch the whole match so can’t speak about his consistency throughout, but the two pen incidents looked nailed on for me.

Lovely to hear John Terry getting booed. Genuinely.

What is it with the obsession with ‘class’ with Sunderland fans. Really shouldn’t be talking about class when your club captain was smashing up peoples cars, aye, classy that like.

That was possibly the best first day of the season we’ve had, and will have, for a long time. Lovely stuff.

It’s early days but all the pre-season promise of Michu seems to be well deserved. Adapted to the Premier League style very quickly, albeit against a ropey QPR defence, but he can only get better. Very excited to see more of the link up play between him and Graham.

That £4.5m Wigan spent on Ivan Ramis is looking good business

Fucks sake Wigan

Roy Keane’s Mental Face - 19 August 2012 01:43 PM

Fucks sake Wigan

Ridiculous start.

Love how (some) people (some of my friends) after the Charity shield were saying ... This Hazard bloke isn’t great, why all the hype?

Instantly showed why. Created two goals in 5 mins. BOOM.

Yeah I know it’s against Wigan.

Maxim - 19 August 2012 01:45 PM

Roy Keane’s Mental Face - 19 August 2012 01:43 PM

Fucks sake Wigan

Ridiculous start.

Love how (some) people (some of my friends) after the Charity shield were saying ... This Hazard bloke isn’t great, why all the hype?

Instantly showed why. Created two goals in 5 mins. BOOM.

Yeah I know it’s against Wigan.

Wish I’d put him in my Fantasy Football team since they have a double gameweek this week.
Oh wait… I did
Wish I’d made him captain though.
Wait… did that too

Warper - 19 August 2012 01:54 PM

Maxim - 19 August 2012 01:45 PM

Roy Keane’s Mental Face - 19 August 2012 01:43 PM

Fucks sake Wigan

Ridiculous start.

Love how (some) people (some of my friends) after the Charity shield were saying ... This Hazard bloke isn’t great, why all the hype?

Instantly showed why. Created two goals in 5 mins. BOOM.

Yeah I know it’s against Wigan.

Wish I’d put him in my Fantasy Football team since they have a double gameweek this week.
Oh wait… I did
Wish I’d made him captain though.
Wait… did that too

Wish I hadn’t gone for the equally priced Mata

Nickperson - 19 August 2012 01:56 PM

Warper - 19 August 2012 01:54 PM

Maxim - 19 August 2012 01:45 PM

Roy Keane’s Mental Face - 19 August 2012 01:43 PM

Fucks sake Wigan

Ridiculous start.

Love how (some) people (some of my friends) after the Charity shield were saying ... This Hazard bloke isn’t great, why all the hype?

Instantly showed why. Created two goals in 5 mins. BOOM.

Yeah I know it’s against Wigan.

Wish I’d put him in my Fantasy Football team since they have a double gameweek this week.
Oh wait… I did
Wish I’d made him captain though.
Wait… did that too

Wish I hadn’t gone for the equally priced Mata

Torres (C)