Football season 2015/16

Posted by: MDS on 02 August 2015

Well the new season beckons, though I see some unfortunate clubs have been playing Europa League qualifiers already (no summer hols for the Hammers). So I thought I’d kick off (pun intended) with some predictions.

In the PL, as I did last season, I’m going to tip Chelsea to win the title. Mourinho has freshened his squad, it’s a bit younger and I suspect he has retained the all-important hunger. I also won’t be surprised if Mourinho gets Falcoa to fire in the way we know he can.

Man City/Man U and Arsenal to fight out the next three places. I further predict mid-table mediocrity to Liverpool (if so, Rodgers may not survive past Xmas), while Palace enjoy a season in the top half.

At the bottom, I hope Bournemouth survive while my head says not but whatever happens I hope the club and their fans have a thoroughly enjoyable season. I think Watford will drop with the other relegation place being between Leicester, Norwich and Villa.

I think the Championship is very hard to call. If QPR retain Charlie Austin I can see them bouncing back. I don’t see Burnley doing so. Nor Hull. Ipswich might make it this time.

Of course I’m hoping my lot will get promoted out of League Two under our new manager Paul Cook but I’ve been following them for long enough to know that disappointment is very possible again.

Posted on: 28 February 2016 by Kevin-W

Wow that Rashford kid looks terrific. Local lad too.

Posted on: 28 February 2016 by MDS

Excellent game. I thought Utd deserved their 3-2 victory, and Ashford deserved man-of-the-match. LVG has bought himself some more time.

Posted on: 29 February 2016 by Chris Dolan

MDS posted:
Excellent game. I thought ........ Ashford deserved man-of-the-match.

I must have missed him

Posted on: 29 February 2016 by MDS

Chris Dolan posted:
MDS posted:
Excellent game. I thought ........ Ashford deserved man-of-the-match.
I must have missed him

Whoops. Missed the all-important R.

Posted on: 02 March 2016 by MDS

What an excellent set of PL results for the Foxes tonight! Gunners, Spurs (congrats, Kevin W) and Man City all losing. The dream is still very much alive.

Posted on: 03 March 2016 by Chris Dolan

MDS posted:
What an excellent set of PL results for .........

Manchester United

Posted on: 03 March 2016 by MDS

Chris Dolan posted:
MDS posted:
What an excellent set of PL results for .........
Manchester United

.....giving them an outside chance of securing fourth place in the league? Hardly the standard Utd usually aspire to!

Posted on: 04 March 2016 by Kevin-W

MDS posted:
What an excellent set of PL results for the Foxes tonight! Gunners, Spurs (congrats, Kevin W) and Man City all losing. The dream is still very much alive.

Thanks Mike, however, I fear with our injuries, etc, a victory at our bogey team may be unobtainable.

Posted on: 05 March 2016 by Chris Dolan

MDS posted:
Chris Dolan posted:
MDS posted:
What an excellent set of PL results for .........
Manchester United
.....giving them an outside chance of securing fourth place in the league? Hardly the standard Utd usually aspire to!

I'm still expecting to win it

Posted on: 05 March 2016 by Kevin-W

Two - nil down on 78 minutes. Then we go on to win 2 - 3. This isn't the West Ham i know and love!

Something has gone very right, and his name is St Slaven.

COYI!

Posted on: 05 March 2016 by MDS

Kevin-W posted:
Two - nil down on 78 minutes. Then we go on to win 2 - 3. This isn't the West Ham i know and love!
Something has gone very right, and his name is St Slaven.
COYI!

Yes, Kevin. That's one hell of a result. Goodison is a tough place to go.

Must say I fancy your lot's chances over Mr Dolan's to nick fourth place.

Posted on: 05 March 2016 by fatcat

Kevin-W posted:
Two - nil down on 78 minutes. Then we go on to win 2 - 3. This isn't the West Ham i know and love!
Something has gone very right, and his name is St Slaven.
COYI!

I don't think the result was down to Bilic, after all he brought Andy Carrol on at half time, which effectivley turned the game into a 10 v 10.

The result was down to the incompetence of Martinez.

76 minutes, Everton are 2 nil up cruising, creating chances, holding their own in midfield, even though down to 10 men since 35min. What does he do, TAKES OFF A MIDFIELDER AND PUTS ON A STRIKER.

The hammers have the freedom of the park and score a couple of goals.

It's now 2 all, Everton now need a goal to win, what does he do, takes off a striker (Lukaku) and puts on a defensive midfielder.

Posted on: 06 March 2016 by Kevin-W

Yes RM's substitutions were bizarre, FC, and Everton's inability to defend a lead (or just defend) is well known, but more important is the spirit of the team under Bilic.

One of the footy hacks on a big national newspaper was telling me the other day that Bilic has extracted a "we will go to the end of the earth for you" loyalty from his players that he hasn't seen in a football team for years. He has done a remarkable job so far.

Posted on: 06 March 2016 by Kevin-W

Chris Dolan posted:
I'm still expecting to win it

Chris, I would like to thank your team for choking again and gifting us fifth place.

Posted on: 13 March 2016 by Kevin-W

It will be great to have one last FA Cup game under the lights at The Boleyn, but that was slightly disappointing in that we should have seized the initiative after Payet's sublime free kick.

Oh well, onwards...

Fantastic results for Watford though. If we don't get through I will be rooting for them.

Posted on: 13 March 2016 by Hook

Kevin-W posted:
It will be great to have one last FA Cup game under the lights at The Boleyn, but that was slightly disappointing in that we should have seized the initiative after Payet's sublime free kick.
Oh well, onwards...
Fantastic results for Watford though. If we don't get through I will be rooting for them.

It was a brilliant free kick, but Payet was also lucky to still be on the field after diving.

Posted on: 14 March 2016 by MDS

Leicesters' win over the Magpies this evening wasn't a feast for the eyes but grinding out 3 points like that is the mark of champions. Newcastle looked to have more appetite and discipline than they've shown recently, which presumably will please Benitez, it will interesting to see if they can maintain this in what will be a very emotionally-charged North East derby in their next game. And Sunderland have a tremendous record against Newcastle in recent seasons.

Looking at the table, a place in next season's Champions-League is pretty much nailed on for the Foxes now, given they are fourteen points clear of the Hammers in fifth place. What a wonderful season in the PL this is!

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by Romi

Here we go tough task of overturning a 3-0 defeat (away) at White Hart Lane, I do not expect any miracles...

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by MDS

Romi posted:
Here we go tough task of overturning a 3-0 defeat (away) at White Hart Lane, I do not expect any miracles...

Seems your expectations were realistic, Romi!

Posted on: 26 March 2016 by Hook

Well done England!

Posted on: 27 March 2016 by Chris Dolan

Again shows that leading 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline

Posted on: 29 March 2016 by Hook

Great free kick by 10 year old "Mini Messi"! clapping

Posted on: 29 March 2016 by MDS

Hook posted:
Great free kick by 10 year old "Mini Messi"!

Wow!

Posted on: 03 April 2016 by Kevin-W

A third stunning free kick (in three matches) from Dimitri Payet, and yet another dodgy refereeing decision which cost us dear. mad

Good game though. Bring on L'Arse...

Posted on: 03 April 2016 by MDS

Kevin-W posted:
A third stunning free kick (in three matches) from Dimitri Payet, and yet another dodgy refereeing decision which cost us dear.
Good game though. Bring on L'Arse...

Clattenburg seems to be one of those refs who likes attention and I think sometimes makes decisions to show he can. The best refs are not noticed.