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: 12 June 2016 by Christopher_M

MDS posted:
From the BBC website it looks like you're right, Chris. I guess Everton might be paying him a lot more than he gets at Soton but this still looks like a risky gamble on his part. He knows what he's got at the Saints, and it looks good, while at Everton it the prospect of what might happen.
So who's on your shortlist for replacing him? Martinez? Moyes?

I don't really know who's available. And besides, at the moment I'm hurting too much over Koeman's betrayal for rationality. It was bad enough when Pochettino went but this is worse.

Koeman and Poch both knew that the board is not the kind to sanction a couple of £30M signings. Consequently, Saints will only ever be seen as a managerial stepping stone to the big time, never the big time in itself. And so it's proved.

The best that this Saints fan can hope for is that a manager comes in who continues the 'Moneyball' theme, getting some fairly ordinary players to play beyond themselves.

Enough, let's enjoy the Euros :-)

Posted on: 14 June 2016 by Christopher_M

The season long since over... and Judas has left the building.

Chris

Posted on: 14 June 2016 by MDS

Christopher_M posted:
The season long since over... and Judas has left the building.
Chris

I suspect you'll have the last laugh when the Saints finish above Everton next season, Chris (and you know, it's not easy for me to acknowledge that blush ).

Mike

Posted on: 14 June 2016 by Christopher_M

Thanks Mike, very good of you to say so. Saints v Everton can't come soon enough.

My thought is, what if the new Everton owner's money can't buy success when Koeman was on the verge of it with Saints?

Time Pompey were promoted. You've spent too long down there. This coming season, fingers crossed for you.

Posted on: 15 June 2016 by MDS

Christopher_M posted:
Thanks Mike, very good of you to say so. Saints v Everton can't come soon enough.
My thought is, what if the new Everton owner's money can't buy success when Koeman was on the verge of it with Saints?
Time Pompey were promoted. You've spent too long down there. This coming season, fingers crossed for you.
C.

Thanks, Chris. I remain ever hopeful but then we footie fans always do, don't we?

Mike