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 December 2015 by Christopher_M
Palace 1, Saints 0. From the BBC site:
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman: "I'm disappointed about the final result, but not in the performance of the team.
".........We were the better team in second half and dominated,..........."
Yeah, right. A line for the fans who stayed at home, I sense. P1ss poor performance.
Chris
R
Posted on: 12 December 2015 by Christopher_M
Palace 1, Saints 0. From the BBC site:
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman: "I'm disappointed about the final result, but not in the performance of the team.
".........We were the better team in second half and dominated,..........."
Yeah, right. A line for the fans who stayed at home, I sense. P1ss poor performance.
Chris
Posted on: 12 December 2015 by Christopher_M
Palace 1, Saints 0. From the BBC site:
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman: "I'm disappointed about the final result, but not in the performance of the team.
".........We were the better team in second half and dominated,..........."
Yeah, right. A line for the fans who stayed at home, I sense. P1ss poor performance.
Chris
Posted on: 12 December 2015 by Christopher_M
Palace 1, Saints 0. From the BBC site:
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman: "I'm disappointed about the final result, but not in the performance of the team.
".........We were the better team in second half and dominated,..........."
Yeah, right. A line for the fans who stayed at home, I sense. P1ss poor performance.
Chris
Posted on: 12 December 2015 by Christopher_M
Sorry, possible glitchy forum + definitely old MacBook = multiple postings which don't seem deleteable minutes later. C.
Posted on: 14 December 2015 by Kevin-W
Well, Leicester do not seem to have read the memo from the pundits that said they were relegation fodder, or at best mid-table mediocrities. Well done Ranieri and Co.
Maureen? Best manager in the world? Don't make me laugh...
Posted on: 15 December 2015 by Steve J
I think Mourinho has made a fatal mistake saying he feels 'betrayed' by his players after last night's game with Leicester. He appears to take no responsibility for the teams performances and results. One only has to look at Ranieri at Leicester to see what effect a manager can have on a team with what were, at the beginning of the season, considered cannon fodder in the Premiership.
Posted on: 15 December 2015 by MDS
I'm in two minds about Mourinho's public criticism of his players. Generally I think Harry R's approach is the best one i.e. talking his players up publicly. Harry seemed to gain a reputation as a great motivator generally getting the best from his players, sometimes even those past their prime.
While Mourinho's recent public pronouncements have an unedifying flavour of blame-shifting I can't help but think that some his so-called world class players, who seem to have egos to match, deserve a bit of public shaming. Some of them seem to be playing with an attitude that they have the right to win and become petulant when other 'lesser' players don't co-operate by losing. Costa and Hazard are two examples that spring to mind. These and other Chelsea players are probably on contracts worth very much more that those of Leicester and especially Bournemouth but don't seem prepared to match the workmate or commitment of their much lower paid opponents. Leaving aside Mourinho, Chelsea as a club and its fans deserve more than those handsomely rewarded players are currently giving.
Posted on: 15 December 2015 by JamieWednesday
Time to hit the 'Reset' button
Keep: Courtois, Zouma, Terry, Dave, Willian, Kennedy, Loftus-Cheek, Remy. Take a look at all our Reserve/Youth players, calling in some of our loanees. Keep the best. Sell the rest. Use the money received wisely(!)
Posted on: 17 December 2015 by totemphile
Ouch, Chelsea have sacked Mourinho...
Posted on: 17 December 2015 by totemphile
Ancelotti to replace Guardiola at Bayern Munich. So, is he heading to Chelsea or City?
Posted on: 17 December 2015 by Steve J
According to Spanish and German papers Pep has already promised to sign with City this summer, but you never know.
Posted on: 17 December 2015 by totemphile
Yes, this may be true. With the links he has into the Middle East and the chaps there form Barcelona. BUT does he really want to manage in Manchester? I think the answer here is no. His wife certainly would prefer London, it seems, and who can blame her. Be that as it may, the club he really wants to manage is Arsenal but Wenger is going nowhere anytime soon. Hence, Manchester City might be a suitable stop gap for him. To be honest, though, I am not even sure I'd want him at Arsenal. There is something to be said for continuity, continuing with the life and soul of a club, i.e. recruiting from within, giving players who epitomised and represented the club during its most successful years a shot at management. It's too early for Henry, he's light years away. But what about Bergkamp or Viera at some point? Or even Steve Bould. Same with United, whether it is Giggs or one of the Neville brothers, to name but three. It looks to be more difficult with clubs like Chelsea who don't seem to care much for tradition. No offence and good luck to them and their model, it just isn't what I believe in or would wish for my club, never mind titles.
Posted on: 17 December 2015 by MDS
To be honest, though, I am not even sure I'd want him at Arsenal. There is something to be said for continuity, continuing with the life and soul of a club, i.e. recruiting from within, giving players who epitomised and represented the club during its most successful years a shot at management. It's too early for Henry, he's light years away. But what about Bergkamp or Viera at some point? Or even Steve Bould.
Tony Adams is still into managing. 
Posted on: 17 December 2015 by totemphile
I think that train has left the station, if it were ever there to begin with, that is. Good luck to him, though...
Posted on: 17 December 2015 by MDS
My mention was light-hearted, totemphile. Adams was a good player with a great heart but I'm not sure about his management capabilities. He didn't impress when he briefly managed my lot.
As you say, though, good luck to him.
Posted on: 17 December 2015 by Dan43
Pep for Chelsea, Mourhino to UTD, McLaren to Arsenal, Henry up his own wazzooo, 3000-1 odds have a tenner please :-)
Posted on: 17 December 2015 by totemphile
My mention was light-hearted, totemphile. Adams was a good player with a great heart but I'm not sure about his management capabilities. He didn't impress when he briefly managed my lot.
As you say, though, good luck to him.
I agree, he was, but maybe not the best solution for Arsenal's future.
Posted on: 17 December 2015 by totemphile
Pep for Chelsea, Mourhino to UTD
Could happen...
NEVER!! 
Posted on: 19 December 2015 by Kevin-W
Good on Leicester, another deserved victory. Bottom of the PL last Xmas, top this. Let's hope they can go all the way.
Posted on: 19 December 2015 by Steve J
Yes, it's a bit of a fairy tale for Leicester at the moment and all credit to them. Van Gaal will be feeling the pressure now with that loss to Norwich at Old Trafford.
Posted on: 19 December 2015 by MDS
Good on Leicester, another deserved victory. Bottom of the PL last Xmas, top this. Let's hope they can go all the way.
Wouldn't that be wonderful. Arguably an even bigger upset in the top flight since Villa won the title in the 80s.
Nice to see Bournemouth get another 3 points. I'd love them to survive for another season in the PL.
Posted on: 19 December 2015 by MDS
Can't help but note that my lot's win at Northampton today could be a big result in League 2. Northampton had won something like five on the trot.
Posted on: 19 December 2015 by hungryhalibut
Indeed. Beating the league leaders should make a real difference. It would be great if Pompey could get into the automatic promotion places. Goodness knows, with the extra gate money and therefore budget compared to the other clubs (5,200 at Northampton today) it should be possible.
Posted on: 19 December 2015 by MDS
Indeed. Beating the league leaders should make a real difference. It would be great if Pompey could get into the automatic promotion places. Goodness knows, with the extra gate money and therefore budget compared to the other clubs (5,200 at Northampton today) it should be possible.
Yep. And almost 1/5th of Northampton's crowd was away support.
Onto Orient on Boxing day........
