Football season 2016/17

Posted by: Kevin-W on 15 June 2016

Given that the fixtures are now out, I thought it would be appropriate to start a new thread.

Listening to the radio when these fixtures came out, it was interesting that all the pundits were blithely carrying on as if the old order (Man U, City, Arsenal, Chelsea) had not been disrupted.

All the "important" matches were these four plus Liverpool. No mention of the likes of Spurs, Leicester or WHU.

I suspect the newspapers will be the same.

But is the old order still tenable? There is no proof that Guardioloa or Conte will adapt to thePL, or that Maureen is the right choice for the Mancs.

Everyone has much more money, and, because of Leicester's achievement last year, nobody is scared of the so-called big boys, all the "little" teams no longer "know their place".

It'll be the most exciting, open season ever and the "big boys" and their media supplicants won't have it all their own way. So, at the risk of making ourselves look stupid, anyone got any predictions?

Posted on: 06 November 2016 by MDS

Christopher_M posted:
Is Paul Cook still there, Mike? The way they talked about him on Radio Solent after today's home defeat suggested he might not be. OTOH it could just be 'paper talk'.
C.

He is, Chris, but I can understand the growing mood of discontent. His days might be numbered. He can hardly complain as the board have backed him for the past two seasons and the inconsistency in performances are still all too painful.

Mike

Posted on: 20 November 2016 by Christopher_M

Relieved for Saints yesterday that Lallana wasn't playing otherwise it could all have been so different. As it was, respectable.

WHU with a run of big games coming up, Kevin....

Posted on: 20 November 2016 by Kevin-W

Christopher_M posted:
Relieved for Saints yesterday that Lallana wasn't playing otherwise it could all have been so different. As it was, respectable.
WHU with a run of big games coming up, Kevin....
C.

Indeed Chris. We could be in a relegation scrap soon. Heartbroken over yesterday's result - Bilic's substitutions were uncharacteristically poor.

Posted on: 21 November 2016 by Tabby cat

Kev I was gutted for West Ham at Spurs.3 points at the Lane would have given them a great boost.

I went to Palace Saturday to see City.Fantastic atmosphere in the away end as usual.Ya Ya Toure' s return was brilliant.Hes been a brilliant player for us and it was good to see him play again and looking in good shape.Fantastic when the players applauded the away fans at the end.Always brings a tear to my eye.

Chelski looking back to their best again

Posted on: 21 November 2016 by JamieWednesday

Yes, anyone care to hear how Chelsea are doing right now? ��

Posted on: 21 November 2016 by Christopher_M

I can say they were magnificent at St Mary's the other week.

Posted on: 21 November 2016 by Paper Plane

"Kev I was gutted for West Ham at Spurs.3 points at the Lane would have given them a great boost."

I wasn't cool

steve

Posted on: 21 November 2016 by Kevin-W

JamieWednesday posted:
Yes, anyone care to hear how Chelsea are doing right now? ��

Nah not really. Although I would be happy if you mash the Spuds at the weekend.

Posted on: 21 November 2016 by Kevin-W

Paper Plane posted:
"Kev I was gutted for West Ham at Spurs.3 points at the Lane would have given them a great boost."
I wasn't
steve

mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad

Posted on: 22 November 2016 by JamieWednesday

Leicester win in Europe again, through to knockout!!!

Spurs out. Shame

Posted on: 22 November 2016 by Kevin-W

JamieWednesday posted:
Spurs out. Shame

Terrible shame. I'm gutted.

Posted on: 23 November 2016 by Romi

Kevin-W posted:
Paper Plane posted:
"Kev I was gutted for West Ham at Spurs.3 points at the Lane would have given them a great boost."
I wasn't
steve

Posted on: 24 November 2016 by Christopher_M

Saints reportedly poor in Prague this evening. Well I can forgive that, anyone can have a bad day at the office. The question I would like asked of Claude Puel is where are the scoring midfielders? Implicit within that is how is the diamond formation intended to get the best from a scoring midfielder such as Steven Davies?

Now somewhat nervous of the returning Koeman and his Everton, to St Mary's on Sunday...

Posted on: 26 November 2016 by JamieWednesday

We. Are. Top. Of. The. League.

Again.

Which is nice.

Posted on: 27 November 2016 by Christopher_M

Christopher_M posted:
Now somewhat nervous of the returning Koeman and his Everton, to St Mary's on Sunday...

Seems I needn't have worried. 1-0.

Posted on: 03 December 2016 by MDS

So where's Jamie? Must be worth a post after Chelsea's result today.

Posted on: 03 December 2016 by Redkev

I'm getting a little dizzy probably suffering from vertigo seeing the Albion in 6th position in the Prem still it won't last long I'm sure

Posted on: 03 December 2016 by MDS

Wouldn't be boing-boing Baggies if they did

Posted on: 03 December 2016 by Tabby cat

Chelsea are looking awesome again.Big confidence booster coming to City and outplaying us.Shame we could have scored 5.Dont know what was going threw Agueros head with the bad tackle on Luis.

Shame about West Ham.Arsenal on the rampage.

Its going to be a great season with the top 6.,Think Chelsea will just shade it by a point at the end.

Posted on: 03 December 2016 by Chris Dolan

Arsenal were pretty spectacular in the second half. I doubt we've heard the end of the Council House Clash - I expect at least one retrospect red card.

Eagles v Saints surprised me - perhaps the Southampton players celebrated the Wednesday night win a little overzealously

Posted on: 03 December 2016 by Kevin-W

A truly woeful performance from West Ham at the Bradydome. Arsenal weren't even trying that hard and still beat us 5 - 1. Bilic's remarks about lacking intensity in training, while refreshingly honest, are deeply worrying. Reid was the only player who really stepped up to the mark today.

I love Slav and he still has a lot of credit in the bank, but things need to improve by the New Year otherwise he could find himself out on his ear. Which would be a terrible shame.

Posted on: 03 December 2016 by Christopher_M

Chris Dolan posted:
Eagles v Saints surprised me - perhaps the Southampton players celebrated the Wednesday night win a little overzealously

Palace, in reality a very poor side, beat Saints comprehensively. Palace are known for their defensive frailties from set pieces. Saints made it easy for them because they offered precisely no attacking threat from any set piece all afternoon. And incredibly lacklustre performance.

Rather than endure the silent coach journey home some of the Saints players were heading into town for a night out. Koeman wouldn't have stood for it. Makes me wonder. Hopefully we won't be seeing the pics from their evening out in tomorrow's Mail on Sunday etc. I'm so hacked off I haven't even the grace to italicise it.

Posted on: 03 December 2016 by JamieWednesday

MDS posted:
So where's Jamie? Must be worth a post after Chelsea's result today.

It's a beautiful day.

Posted on: 03 December 2016 by Chris Dolan

Having watched the challenge again - Aguero should be banned for life, not just Christmas

Posted on: 04 December 2016 by JamieWednesday

Nice to see a Chelsea loanee take 3 points off Liverpool too!