Premier League 2011-2012 season

• lhslep134

  

  figured it was better to start a thread since there's quite a few followers of the EPL and it's easier than the random soccer thread
  
  
  kinda disappointed in the Reds opening performance, but a points a point I guess
• Mulva

  

  Opening day is always a little screwy. Can't read anything into the results whatsoever.
• ohiobucks1

  

  Chelsea
  Man City
  United
  Arsenal
  
  in that order
• hoops23

  

  United
  City
  Chelsea
  Arsenal
• Mulva

  

  hoops23;861191 wrote:United
  City
  Chelsea
  Arsenal

  
  I agree with the top 3. Not sure Arsenal even gets 4th with Cesc (apparently) gone.
  
  The Arsenal - Newcastle match just got interesting. Joey Barton is the biggest fucking douchebag I've ever seen. He definitely should have been given a red.
• SportsAndLady

  

  Joey Barton strikes again lol
  
  Should not have been straight red
• SportsAndLady

  

  This game sucks by the way
• SportsAndLady

  

  Rooney scored early then man u's new keeper fucked up an easy save, its now 1-1
• like_that

  

  I can't believe the season starts this early wow. It's nice to see ESPN increasing their coverage of good soccer. In their latest issue of ESPN magazine, they devoted a few pages to a Premiere League preview. First time I have seen a preview for a soccer league in ESPN's magazine.
• SportsAndLady

  

  like_that;861945 wrote:I can't believe the seasons starts this early wow. It's nice to see ESPN increasing their coverage of good soccer. In their latest issue of ESPN magazine, they devoted a few pages to a Premiere League preview. First time I have seen a preview for a soccer league in ESPN's magazine.

  
  SMH at ESPN, don't they know that cross country is a more up and coming "sport" than soccer?
• lhslep134

  

  like_that;861945 wrote:I can't believe the season starts this early wow. It's nice to see ESPN increasing their coverage of good soccer. In their latest issue of ESPN magazine, they devoted a few pages to a Premiere League preview. First time I have seen a preview for a soccer league in ESPN's magazine.

  
  FWIW for a good amount of time yesterday Joey Barton was trending on twitter in the US. To me that shows it's definitely growing in popularity.
  
  I was watching the Herd the other day for a couple minutes and Colin brought up how much his son and his friends love playing FIFA, and how that game is single handedly pushing the popularity of soccer in the US. I agree
• like_that

  

  lhslep134;861994 wrote:FWIW for a good amount of time yesterday Joey Barton was trending on twitter in the US. To me that shows it's definitely growing in popularity.
  
  I was watching the Herd the other day for a couple minutes and Colin brought up how much his son and his friends love playing FIFA, and how that game is single handedly pushing the popularity of soccer in the US. I agree

  
  I agree as well. Living in Europe is what got me into soccer, but I know a lot of friends who become soccer fans because of FIFA.
• lhslep134

  

  like_that;861996 wrote: but I know a lot of friends who become soccer fans because of FIFA.

  
  That's how I got into it, and that's why I like Liverpool. When I started playing I loved using Gerrard and Torres
• hoops23

  

  When ManU won the EPL last season, Both ManU and Wayne Rooney were trending in the US.
  
  And I agree, FIFA is definitely a big reason on why soccer is growing. It's by far my favorite sports game and I know FIFA '11 was being played by a bunch of celebs/athletes of other sports as they were posting it on twitter.
• OSH

  

  GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED!!! 2-1 winners over West Brom Albion!
  
  Horrible, horrible goal conceded by United (and mainly, De Gea).
  
  Top 3 so far:
  Bolton
  Man United
  Wolves
  
  
  We won't be seeing that long....
• hoops23

  

  Sucks that ManU got hit with some injuries though.
• OSH

  

  hoops23;862634 wrote:Sucks that ManU got hit with some injuries though.

  
  Yeah. Missing Rio is something they've had to get used to...unfortunately.
  
  It'll be interesting to have to see how deep they are...and so early.
• Automatik

  

  lhslep134;861994 wrote:FWIW for a good amount of time yesterday Joey Barton was trending on twitter in the US. To me that shows it's definitely growing in popularity.
  
  I was watching the Herd the other day for a couple minutes and Colin brought up how much his son and his friends love playing FIFA, and how that game is single handedly pushing the popularity of soccer in the US. I agree

  
  I was listening to that and I agree. Before FIFA I only followed the EPL and the US mens team. My addiction to that damn game opened me up to all of the Euro leagues/competitions.
  
  I don't think it will happen, but I won't be surprised if Arsenal falls out of the top 4.
• killdeer

  

  Automatik;862758 wrote:.....I don't think it will happen, but I won't be surprised if Arsenal falls out of the top 4.

  I agree, and as an Arsenal fan, it hurts me to say it...
  
  ...and the loss of Cesc (and Nasri?) is just one facet...they really did very little in the transfer market to shore up what has turned into a weak defensive team...
  
  I think Liverpool is a good bet to get back to a Champions League finish this year...
• Automatik

  

  Yeah I could see Liverpool or Tottenham taking their spot in the top 4. I'm just not thrilled with the off season departures and signings. Gervinho getting sent off in his first league match? wtf?!
• OSH

  

  I don't know if anyone is watching the Swansea v. Manchester City game but...Sergio Aguero is phenomenal so far. He almost had a goal with his first touch of the game (came on as a sub in the 2nd half). He bagged one goal and just got an assist.
  
  Nice stuff! As much as it pains me to say it though...
  
  Oh...so far, 3-0 to City with 17 left.
  
  UPDATE:
  Sergio Aguero just gets goal number 2!!! What a strike!!! 4-0 with just a minute or so left.
• Mulva

  

  I love Sergio. I'm starting to hate Man City. It's a bummer.
• DeyDurkie5

  

  No one likes a team that buys their talent. Unless you root for them of course.
• Laley23

  

  I love Man City for the fact they fucked up the boring routine of only 4 teams competing for the CL spots. Now we have them, Spurs, and a few others with legitimate shots.
  
  I expect it to be:
  1. Manchester United
  2. Manchester City
  3. Chelsea
  4. Tottenham
  5. Liverpool
  6. Everton
  7. Arsenal
  
  Last 3 or 4 could go either way. But I think Tottenham sneaks in this year.
• killdeer

  

  Petr Cech out at keeper due to knee injury...anticipating 2-3 weeks...
  
  should not have much bearing over the next 2 matches (WBA and Norwich), but an extended absence could be problematic for Chelsea...certainly Cech is one of the better "between the posts" keepers in the EPL.