Premier League Predictions

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

This could be the most exciting Premier League season of all time.  At least five clubs (the Manchester clubs, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool) seem to have some shot at the title and two more (Everton, Spurs) have a real chance to make Top 4 if everything breaks right for them.  Further, you can make an argument that each of those teams - admittedly, you have to be pretty optimistic to include Liverpool in that category - has gotten better since last year.  I think we're going to have a tremendously exciting season and that this year could also mark the beginning of a resurgence in the fortunes of English clubs in European play.
 
Obviously, there is still transfer business to be concluded.  But the start of the year is upon us next weekend so lets see everybody's predictions regarding the top of the table, the relegation battle and the top players.
 
Top of the Table
 
1. Chelsea - The most complete team led by the manager with the best track record of getting league results.
2. City - A deep, talented squad that addressed its biggest weakness.  Need Yaya and Aguero healthy and in form to challenge for the title.
3. Arsenal - If they buy a CDM and get some injury luck, could challenge for the title.  But this team is probably a year away.
4. United - LVG will get results and not playing Europe will be a very big advantage, especially down the stretch.  But to challenge they probably need two more big signings.
5. Liverpool - Could challenge if everything goes right but I'm betting it won't.  Tons of new players, no Suarez, and Europe = Transitional year.  Top 4 is very achievable though.
6. Everton - I think their first XI can play with anybody but I wonder about their depth, especially playing in Europe now.
7. Spurs - Need the big buys from last summer to actually deliver.  Crazier things have happened.
 
Relegation
 
Burnley
West Brom
Leicester
 
Golden Boot
 
Sergio Aguero
 
Young Player of the Year
 
Aaron Ramsey

 

[OilCanMDS]

Top of the Table
 
1. Arsenal - I think the addition of Sanchez and Ozil having a full year under his belt in the prem pushes this team to becoming an offensive juggernaut.
2. City - Probably the best team, but I am concerned about the health of Aguero and Silva.  I think injuries keep them from winning the title.
3. Chelsea - Great team on paper, but I think Costa has a rough adjustment period and Cesc struggles to fit into Mourinho's system, which will result in uneven team performances.
4. Liverpool - Won't compete for the title without Suarez. 
5. Everton - I like that they have the same core group as last season, but I think Europe play prevents them from making the jump to top 4.
6. United - Still an incomplete roster, and I think RVP misses a good chunk of time after playing in the World Cup. 
7. Spurs - Won't compete for top 4.
 
Relegation
 
Aston Villa
QPR
West Brom
 
Golden Boot
 
Daniel Sturridge
 
Young Player of the Year
 
Aaron Ramsey

 

[mgoblue2]

I think it'll be a lot like last year points wise. Top of the table will have all the points, no real midtable, and any of the bottom 7-8 could go down. Therefore, barring any major business:
 
City - Filled all their holes squad wise, Mangala is a solid CB, Nastasic is coming back and if he gets playing time he can cover for an aging Demichelis
Chelsea - If Costa plays well, it could come down to the two City-Chelsea games to determine the title. Cesc almost feels like a luxury for how stacked the roster is.
Arsenal - Playing without the pressure of the trophy draught could work in their favor
United - IF the 5-3-2 works, they could be higher, but teams may no longer still fear them as much as they did during the Ferguson years
Everton - It's a small squad, and it'll be stretched by more games, but the development of the younger players will be important to their success in the league. If they make a EL run they may decide to focus more there.
Liverpool - If teams shut down Sturridge, can Coutinho and Sterling carry them against every team every week? Lovren and Lallana are solid additions but the backline is still iffy. Europe could stretch them in the Christmas period too.
Spurs - Maybe Soldado will actually score goals this year? Otherwise it'll be tough to beat the top four.
Newcastle - They aren't playing the last four months of last season, POSITIVES!
Southampton - Can see them sliding down if Schneiderlin moves. Even if he doesn't, much will be expected of Tadic and Pelle.
Palace - Surprise! If they play the way they did last run-in, they'll be very tough to beat (obviously)
Swansea - Bony leaving/not leaving is important to their mindset, no more Europa League and they could move back up the table. No more Hernandez either.
Stoke - Last year was more transition to Hughes's tactical mindset, they quietly put out some good performances in April/May.
Villa - Gabby should have his last good season, and Weimann can score too. Delph's development is important too.
Sunderland - They've bought well on paper, and a good year from Pantilimon will make things easier on them.
West Ham - Carroll's hurt, but if they landed someone like Traore on loan that may ease trouble.
Hull - Teams can focus on Jelavic and Long, and their backline looks good with Davies and Bruce but it doesn't breed very much confidence
Burnley - Will need a good season from Ings, and his partnership with Vokes when he comes back will be vital.
Leicester - Knockaert is a good player, Nugent's a good scorer, but they aren't playing Yeovil anymore
West Brom - Defense doesn't look good, and outside of Berahino, who's going to score goals for them?
QPR - Joey Barton LOLs, but will they score more than 35 goals?
 
Yes Everton over Liverpool is a homer pick. I think Toure or Kompany will be POTY, Rooney or Aguero for Golden Boot, and Sterling/Barkley for YPOTY.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

Top
 
Chelsea
United
City
Arsenal
 
Going down
 
Hoops
Southampton
Burnley
 
Golden Boot
 
RVP
 
Golden Glove
 
If Cortois gets the nod for most EPL starts, he wins it.  If he and Cech platoon, Joe Hart.

 

[DJnVa]

Screw you guys!! Tottenham top 4!!

 

[NHbeau]

I can't in good conscience pick a top. Chelsea/city. It's a coin flip. Both rosters are stacked. Chelsea's midfield is terrifying with Hazard/Fabergas. Will Costa be the striker they need? And city has some injury concerns. But I think they can win again if things break right (Aguero's inevitable injury) etc.
 
3. Arsenal. Sanchez adds an actual frontline threat other than Giroud. I like there backend as much as anyones in the prem. Very good midfield. How soon does Sanchez make the adjustment, and how fast can the german contingency get match fit? 
4. Liverpool. I think their season hinges on Sterling and Henderson actually scoring. If not with Champions league I could see them outside the top 5.
5. Everton. Rough fixtures to start, but Everton has shown they can hang with anyone. As good a defense as any in the league. Lukaku will go off on the top teams. 
6. United. Still haven't touched the defense other than Shaw. RVP and Rooney is as scarey a strike force as there is now with Suarez at barca. But I can't look past that Defense. It's bad, and it relies on oft injured players. They will score, but I think the better teams are going to light them up. After the first 8 weeks I wouldn't be looking for many clean sheets.
7. Spurs. By default I suppose. They have the talent, the budget and now the coaching. Let's see what happens.
8-10 are a toss up. I like Crystal Palace, Swansea, Stoke in this area in some order.
 
Going down?
 
 Leicster, Villa, West Ham. I can't state enough how bad West Ham is this year. Pre season has ben a Benny Hill show. 
 
Golden Boot.
 
 RVP. With no suarez and Sturridge having Euro ball it's his to lose. Costa and Aguero honorable mention.

 

[Cellar-Door]

I can't in good conscience pick a top. Chelsea/city. It's a coin flip. Both rosters are stacked. Chelsea's midfield is terrifying with Hazard/Fabergas. Will Costa be the striker they need? And city has some injury concerns. But I think they can win again if things break right (Aguero's inevitable injury) etc.
 
3. Arsenal. Sanchez adds an actual frontline threat other than Giroud. I like there backend as much as anyones in the prem. Very good midfield. How soon does Sanchez make the adjustment, and how fast can the german contingency get match fit? 
4. Liverpool. I think their season hinges on Sterling and Henderson actually scoring. If not with Champions league I could see them outside the top 5.
5. Everton. Rough fixtures to start, but Everton has shown they can hang with anyone. As good a defense as any in the league. Lukaku will go off on the top teams. 
6. United. Still haven't touched the defense other than Shaw. RVP and Rooney is as scarey a strike force as there is now with Suarez at barca. But I can't look past that Defense. It's bad, and it relies on oft injured players. They will score, but I think the better teams are going to light them up. After the first 8 weeks I wouldn't be looking for many clean sheets.
7. Spurs. By default I suppose. They have the talent, the budget and now the coaching. Let's see what happens.
8-10 are a toss up. I like Crystal Palace, Swansea, Stoke in this area in some order.
 
Going down?
 
 Leicster, Villa, West Ham. I can't state enough how bad West Ham is this year. Pre season has ben a Benny Hill show. 
 
Golden Boot.
 
 RVP. With no suarez and Sturridge having Euro ball it's his to lose. Costa and Aguero honorable mention.

We still won't go down. It's actually a pretty talented squad once everyone (except Andy) is healthy.  At the very least Burnley, Leicester, West Brom and QPR are much worse.
Plus if they start poorly they'll get the nice new manager bounce.

 

[soxfan121]

Top O'The Table
1. Jose wins the league or the CL. Or he's out. Because Chelsea are run by a crazy person. But on paper, the best team in the league with the best coach. If Costa settles quickly, they could run away and hide.
2. ManU has no other competitions to drain their health or resources and a certifiable crazy person at the helm. Good talent + less wear & tear = a late run toward the top. 
3. Man City won't fall far but with the CL being an on-going sore spot, I expect them to shirk the league a bit to overcompensate in Europe. Giving away even four points in October could be the difference in the end. Quality team, quality management but the ability to buy anything for anything price wasn't there this summer and could affect the depth. 
4. If a team ever needed a quiet summer, it was Tottenham, still trying to settle in the nineteen guys from last summer's splurge. I like Pochettino, a lot, and think his system will mesh very well with the shedloads of talent at the Lane. If Lloris can be convinced to stay near his 6-yard box most of the time, this should be a very good team. 
5. Arsenal has attacking talent to die for; there's eleven or so guys with world class talent. Alas, there is but one ball and the other team gets to kick it once and a while. The defense is worse than last season and there's still no defensively-inclined or -minded CM. And the bellyaching about the striker depth will be back, and be back big. 
6. "Oh you're just trolling..." is what every Liverpool fan has been saying for like five spots but this team has zero defensive spine. The are defensively invertebrate; Marty IceSkates and whatever is going at both FB spots is liable to lead to lots of 4-3 games. They will be awesomely entertaining to watch because no lead will ever be safe. 
7. The fight for the last spot in Europe will really come down to whether Everton gets eliminated early enough to concentrate on the second half of the EPL schedule. I don't think they are deep enough to compete on both fronts through the whole season and they will struggle through the first half. But with Newcastle as the only credible challenger for the spot, Everton can rest assured that if they get to the January break within 10 points, Newcastle will yet again fart away the back end of their schedule after no reinforcements arrive in the window, breaking the team's spirit and/or their food budget if they can't sell Fat Midfielder to THE Ukraine. Fuck it, the pick is Newcastle. 
 
Relegation
West Brom is a mess; ownership and management issues, roster problems. 
Southampton is another team in absolute disarray. A stumble out of the gate could snowball into an avalanche of suck all season. 
Burnley almost seems to be planning on relegation. They've spent all their money on stadium expansion, academy improvements and young prospects. IOW, Burnley is doing things the right way and thus must be punished. I will be rooting for them to take any points they can, any time they can, as Burnley staying up would be a victory for proper FM management techniques. 
 
Golden Boot
Diego Costa
 
Defender of the Year
Vincent Kompany (because John Terry is a twat)
 
Golden Glove
Tim Krul
 
Young Player of the Year
Luke Shaw

 

[Luis Taint]

Top:
 
Arsenal
Chelsea
Man City
Man U
 
Relegated:
 
Burnley
Leicester City
Southampton
 
 
Golden Boot:
 
RVP
 
Young Player:
 
Ross Barkley

 

[coremiller]

All this is provisional depending on what happens before the window closes.
 
1. Chelsea -- fixed their biggest weaknesses by adding a proven striker and another creator.  They have depth, hunger, and the best manager.  As long as Costa settles, they are the most complete team.
2. Man City -- great squad, but the last time they won the title they had a huge mental letdown.  They are just as good as Chelsea on paper, but Chelsea will be hungrier and City may focus more on Europe this year.  Plus Toure won't score 21 goals again and Aguero's health is a concern.  Wouldn't surprise me if they repeated but they're not favorites.  
3. Man Utd -- easily the hardest team to predict.  They won't be nearly as bad as last year, but it's hard to tell how good they'll actually be.  No European distractions will be an advantage in the Spring.  They probably lack the depth and quality throughout the squad to challenge for the title, but they'll score goals and if the back four gels and they put a run together and get their confidence back they could make things interesting.  
4. Arsenal -- their collection of attacking midfielders might be the best in the league.  But they still don't have a real goalscorer and the back five is perilously thin.  If any one of Arteta, Koscielny, or Mertescacker misses an extended stretch they will struggle to make a title challenge, and their inability to rotate in those positions will cost them again in February and March like it does every year.  Their weaknesses last year were a) depth, and b) holding up in midfield against top sides who could aggressively press them.  Sanchez  is an excellent player but he doesn't really give them a whole lot they didn't have already, especially once Walcott returns.  Chambers will have growing pains.  I don't think they're really solved their problems from last year.  The cliche is that championship sides are built through the spine and Arsenal don't have the spine.
5. Spurs -- lots of interesting pieces, significant upside over last season, and they weren't all that terrible last season.  Hard to predict.  If they find a settled back four and Lamela (likely) and Soldado (not so likely) bounce back, they could finish third and win a cup.  But another near-miss seems the most likely outcome.
6. Liverpool -- Even with Suarez, they would have struggled to repeat last season's success, when just about everything possible went right for them until the last three weeks of the season.  Without Suarez, I'm not convinced the team really "works", they'll miss his work rate and off-the-ball runs as much as his finishing.  They will still score goals but the backline and defensive midfield are still big question marks, and their depth will be tested this year.  Plus asking so much of an aging Gerrard will eventually catch up with them (if it hasn't already).  And teams won't be as surprised by their pressing tactics as they were last season, and will work out how to better expose their weaknesses.  They could finish higher but that would require a lot of things going right.
7. Everton -- They stood still, everyone around them (except Liverpool) improved.  They had to spend their money making their big loan signings permanent and haven't added anything.  Their lack of depth will hurt them with the added European travails.  They will turn in a lot of good performances against top sides, but they won't have the consistency to win a European place this year.
 
I expect the top two to run away from the pack this year.  3-6 will be a real dogfight.  Everton will be somewhat adrift in 7th.  
 
Relegation:
Swansea
Burnley
West Brom
 
Player of the Year
David Silva
 
Golden Boot
Wayne Rooney
 
Young Player of the Year
Raheem Sterling

 

[Bosoxen]

You wouldn't happen to mean Raheem Sterling, would you?

 

[coremiller]

You wouldn't happen to mean Raheem Sterling, would you?

 
Oops, yes.  Got Sterling and Sturridge mixed up.  Thanks, fixed.

 

[SoxFanInPdx]

Pretty surprised people are picking United in the Top 4. Who's going to stop the counter attacks on that team? RVP ain't going to stay healthy all season either. I can see Van Gaal flaming out there as well.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Pretty surprised people are picking United in the Top 4. Who's going to stop the counter attacks on that team? RVP ain't going to stay healthy all season either. I can see Van Gaal flaming out there as well.

 
I almost put United fifth (that's certainly what I'd love to see happen!) but the lack of European play was a big consideration for me in the end.  That's 8-12 weeks out of the season when United will have fresher legs than their main competitors and when they'll be able to solely prepare for their league opponent all week.  It also makes it a lot easier to stick with one starting eleven and build cohesion.  I'm just pulling this out of my ass, but I can see no European play being worth somewhere in the range of 3-5 points, which is a lot when you're talking about clubs that are similarly positioned in other ways.
 
United is also hard to predict because their transfer activity is the most uncertain.  Chelsea, City, and Everton are basically set, Arsenal, Spurs, and Liverpool may add another player but probably nothing earth shattering.  Meanwhile, United could end up buying the likes of Vidal and Di Maria or they could add nothing.

 

[coremiller]

Let's not forget that United still have many of the same players who won the league in 2013, and since then they've added Juan Mata, Luke Shaw, and Ander Herrera.  The back line is the big question mark, but Shaw/Evans/Jones/Smalling (or some combo thereof depending on formation) is in theory a pretty talented, if young, group.  With Suarez now gone, Rooney and RVP are the best pair of strikers in the league, and they have some very good creative players in Mata and Kagawa.
 
I don't think last season's performance is especially predictive -- they are not nearly as bad as they looked last season.  They now have a coach who knows what he's doing, who will get everyone on the same page and play to maximize their strengths.  They need one or two more pieces, especially a central midfielder (although Darren Fletcher getting healthy will be a boost there) and a good right back, but there is a lot of talent to work with.  They don't have a ton of depth, but that won't be as much of an issue without European football.  And they have gobs of money and can afford to strengthen in January if necessary.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Let's not forget that United still have many of the same players who won the league in 2013, and since then they've added Juan Mata, Luke Shaw, and Ander Herrera.  The back line is the big question mark, but Shaw/Evans/Jones/Smalling (or some combo thereof depending on formation) is in theory a pretty talented, if young, group.  With Suarez now gone, Rooney and RVP are the best pair of strikers in the league, and they have some very good creative players in Mata and Kagawa.
 
I don't think last season's performance is especially predictive -- they are not nearly as bad as they looked last season.  They now have a coach who knows what he's doing, who will get everyone on the same page and play to maximize their strengths.  They need one or two more pieces, especially a central midfielder (although Darren Fletcher getting healthy will be a boost there) and a good right back, but there is a lot of talent to work with.  They don't have a ton of depth, but that won't be as much of an issue without European football.  And they have gobs of money and can afford to strengthen in January if necessary.

 
I agree with most of this, except I think you overrate the strikers somewhat (I'd rather have City's group, for example).  There is a real possibility that Van Persie has declined substantially and/or won't be able to stay fit.  The Premier League is a young man's league, especially for attackers. 
 
To underline that point, here is the list of players since 2000 that have scored 17 or more Premier League goals in a season at the age of 31 (which RVP just hit) or older: Alan Shearer (3x), Didier Drogba (once), Frank Lampard (once).

 

[SoxFanInPdx]

Top of the Table
 
1. Chelsea 
2. Man City
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
 
Relegation
 
Burnley
Leicester
Swansea
 
Golden Boot
 
Daniel Sturridge
 
Young Player of the Year
 
Ross Barkley

 

[soxfan121]

 
I agree with most of this, except I think you overrate the strikers somewhat (I'd rather have City's group, for example).  There is a real possibility that Van Persie has declined substantially and/or won't be able to stay fit.  The Premier League is a young man's league, especially for attackers. 
 
To underline that point, here is the list of players since 2000 that have scored 17 or more Premier League goals in a season at the age of 31 (which RVP just hit) or older: Alan Shearer (3x), Didier Drogba (once), Frank Lampard (once).

 
This is addressed by noting that ManU plays far less games this coming season than any of the other top 6 competitors, who all have mid-week European games. 
 
If RvP can't stay fit this season, he can't stay fit in any season. Which may turn out to be true. But the less rigorous schedule provides the chance he might. 

 

[teddykgb]

I think you all are way too optimistic on United.  They are a shell of the team that won it, and that team wasn't that good, IMO.  They don't have the right mix of personnel, so unless that changes over the next month I think they're fighting for 4th and that's only because they won't have European football, or they'd probably settle right back into 6th or 7th.  As much fun as it is to call Moyes clueless (and it is fun), he had managed in the league to some success.  He wasn't able to adapt his tactics to the players he had available, but it's going overboard to expect the players to suddenly turn into world beaters again.  The midfielders at United are not good enough and calling Fletcher "a boost" is stretching the definition of the word.  Ashley Young isn't a wingback, no matter how decent he's looked there in pre season.  Van Gaal is a noted asshole who is going to alienate some of his players there, this will probably be a transitional year at United where Van Gaal proves the need to reinforce more than the last season proved.  And as much of a fan of Kagawa as I am/was.  He's never done anything at United and hasn't shown any proclivity since.  5-3-2 makes sense because it solves some of the roster imbalances that United created with RvP and Mata, but IMO it isn't going to make up for all of the issues they've got from the midfield backward.  Herrera is a nice player, but he's nowhere near enough.  If they were to actually land a midfield target like Vidal, I'd delete most of this paragraph (or kept Pogba, lol), but as it stands right now I think they're going to get run through by all of the top sides.
 
For me:
 
1. Arsenal -- I don't know why, but I have a funny feeling about them this season.  Alexis is going to bring a dimension like Suarez brought to Liverpool, I think they're going to score far more this season and really pin teams back.  They're thin in back, which could derail them, but Arteta can probably play the position and they can bring on the henchman Flamini to end someone's season.
2. Man City -- Defending a title is hard.  This season's team is better, the business was perfect, but many City players had a very long World Cup and the team has barely played together in pre season.  I think there will be a struggle early in the season and a late season charge.  Yaya has not looked great and had pretty publicized issues with the team, which could be very impactful (plus this is an AFCON year).  I think this is a stacked team that will be there at the end but just find it hard to imagine that we can repeat in a league that is this competitive.  Only plus side is that injuries really decimated City last season, a healthy Aguero (a big if) would absolutely make up for any regression by Yaya.
3. Chelsea  -- Everyone wants to talk about Mourinho, but his team folded last season when it mattered, which is something none of us thought one of his teams would ever do.  I think Costa is overrated and not well suited to their system, which is likely to leave a striker isolated.  I think too much of their attack relies on Oscar playing like 1st half of last season Oscar, but the player may not be able to be that type of influence consistently.  Schurrle has this weird "right time and place" ability but a lot of their results last season were shaky to me, I could see the team regressing with more average luck.
4. Everton -- I'm going to guess that Everton builds on last season and improves on it.  I think Martinez is just a really good coach, and it's probably about right for him to peak and then take over a bigger job somewhere after this season, likely abroad.  He's done well with this team and they will get more out of Barkley and Lukaku this season.  
5. Man United -- Pretty well explained above, but in my heart I could see them nicking 4th, especially if they're close and make a move in January.
6. Spurs -- Solid team, seemed pretty unlucky last season.  I could see them as high as 4th as well, but think they're mostly treading water.
7. Liverpool  -- Life after the biter is going to be very hard on them, especially combined with European play.  Pressing every week has its tolls, especially with European midweek football.  And I think Suarez did so much to stretch defenders around that they're just going to find it much more difficult this season.  I'm not sure Coutinho/Lallana are enough to replace what they've lost in attacking threat, although I do think Raheem Sterling is as good as everyone wants him to be.
 
 
Relegation
Leicester City
Burnley
Southampton
 
Golden Boot
Sergio Aguero
 
YPOY
Raheem Sterling

 

[soxfan121]

 
3. Chelsea  -- Everyone wants to talk about Mourinho, but his team folded last season when it mattered, which is something none of us thought one of his teams would ever do.  I think Costa is overrated and not well suited to their system, which is likely to leave a striker isolated.  I think too much of their attack relies on Oscar playing like 1st half of last season Oscar, but the player may not be able to be that type of influence consistently.  Schurrle has this weird "right time and place" ability but a lot of their results last season were shaky to me, I could see the team regressing with more average luck.
 

 
Well, everyone except Jose who told us (repeatedly) about the "little horse" and his own doubts about the team. If you'd like to make the "he psyched out his own team" argument, I'd consider it but I think it is disingenuous to say that no one thought they'd fold. He did. 
 
As for Costa not fitting...I disagree. I think he (and CESC) are perfect for Mourinho's system. The biggest question I have about Chelsea this season is whether Eden Hazard continues to clash with Jose. Maybe Hazard took the comments after the CL elimination as motivation; maybe he let them get under his skin. But as the most important player for Chelsea, if Hazard's head isn't screwed on straight, there will be massive problems. He's the fuel for their engine.

 

[teddykgb]

 
Well, everyone except Jose who told us (repeatedly) about the "little horse" and his own doubts about the team. If you'd like to make the "he psyched out his own team" argument, I'd consider it but I think it is disingenuous to say that no one thought they'd fold. He did. 
 
As for Costa not fitting...I disagree. I think he (and CESC) are perfect for Mourinho's system. The biggest question I have about Chelsea this season is whether Eden Hazard continues to clash with Jose. Maybe Hazard took the comments after the CL elimination as motivation; maybe he let them get under his skin. But as the most important player for Chelsea, if Hazard's head isn't screwed on straight, there will be massive problems. He's the fuel for their engine.

 
Jose was playing the press because they love him, downplaying his team's chances to try to reduce pressure and lower expectations.  He always does this.  Mourinho's teams are supposed to win, even if they win ugly, and in a year where it was handed to them they completely coughed it up.  Most managers would have been killed for this, but the English press love Jose.
 
I agree about Cesc being a good fit in that (and probably any) system, but just don't agree with Costa.  Ba, Eto'o and Torres were not good last season, but I think a lot of the narrative ignores that Chelsea is often going to attack against more defenders if they're going to play 4-2-x-x.  It's just hard to score that way, even with Hazard beating people into space.  Thanks though for bringing up the Hazard thing, it did play into my thinking but I lost it when I typed it up -- I fear that Jose is going to alienate him if he hasn't already.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

 
Well, everyone except Jose who told us (repeatedly) about the "little horse" and his own doubts about the team. If you'd like to make the "he psyched out his own team" argument, I'd consider it but I think it is disingenuous to say that no one thought they'd fold. He did. 
 
As for Costa not fitting...I disagree. I think he (and CESC) are perfect for Mourinho's system. The biggest question I have about Chelsea this season is whether Eden Hazard continues to clash with Jose. Maybe Hazard took the comments after the CL elimination as motivation; maybe he let them get under his skin. But as the most important player for Chelsea, if Hazard's head isn't screwed on straight, there will be massive problems. He's the fuel for their engine.

 
I say this without any intending any criticism whatsoever...but wouldn't it be simpler for everybody in this forum if you just admitted that you're a de facto Chelsea supporter (or a "whoever-Jose-coaches" supporter) and dispensed with the veneer of neutrality?

 

[soxfan121]

 
I say this without any intending any criticism whatsoever...but wouldn't it be simpler for everybody in this forum if you just admitted that you're a de facto Chelsea supporter (or a "whoever-Jose-coaches" supporter) and dispensed with the veneer of neutrality?

 
When they play Arsenal or a Manchester club, I am a Chelsea supporter. 
 
But when Chelsea plays Sunderland, Hull, Burnley, Leicester, Stoke, Newcastle, Everton, Aston Villa, West Brom, Southampton or any other club without their financial might....I'm rooting for the guys not wearing blue. 
 
I do love me some Jose though. But were I late in life convert to American football, I'd be a Bill Belichick fanboy. Or a late in life convert to baseball...Terry Francona would be the shiznit. I can't help it - I'm attracted to successful coaches. And if you aren't wearing Gunner-Red glasses, you'll see that I also have great love for Arsene Wenger. Its your stupid fan club who wanted him sacked a year ago, when I posted constantly about what a great coach he is and how you stupid gunner fans didn't appreciate what you have. 
 
But yeah, no criticism there. Sure.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

 
When they play Arsenal or a Manchester club, I am a Chelsea supporter. 
 
But when Chelsea plays Sunderland, Hull, Burnley, Leicester, Stoke, Newcastle, Everton, Aston Villa, West Brom, Southampton or any other club without their financial might....I'm rooting for the guys not wearing blue. 
 
I do love me some Jose though. But were I late in life convert to American football, I'd be a Bill Belichick fanboy. Or a late in life convert to baseball...Terry Francona would be the shiznit. I can't help it - I'm attracted to successful coaches. And if you aren't wearing Gunner-Red glasses, you'll see that I also have great love for Arsene Wenger. Its your stupid fan club who wanted him sacked a year ago, when I posted constantly about what a great coach he is and how you stupid gunner fans didn't appreciate what you have. 
 
But yeah, no criticism there. Sure.

 
I really didn't mean it as criticism, just pointing out a rather consistent pattern.  I actually like Jose a lot as well, despite the fact that he trolls the fuck out of Wenger and Arsenal at every chance.  He's one of the game's most entertaining figures and his "negative" football makes everything more interesting as there's greater variety in play.

 

[soxfan121]

Is it the thread titles? I bet it is the thread titles. ;-)
 
I find the idea of "supporting" a team I picked (as opposed to being 'born into') unbelievably weird. I mean, cjmadcow is obviously a lifer and I kinda wish I had that kind of bond with a team, the way I do with the Sox or the Pats. But I don't and I'm too old to go scarf shopping. When I started watching the game, I tried out "rooting" for a club but I found myself more interested in the tactics and the flow than the snazzy uniforms and the churlish fan behavior. 
 
Push comes to shove, I'd choose the Everton bandwagon. So, right color, wrong city. But I appreciate genius; Jose is a genius, tactically and in front of a microphone. Wenger is also a genius; patient and wise. It is easy to see why the two clash. And funny, because you Gunner faithful are an easily riled lot. 

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

 
Well, everyone except Jose who told us (repeatedly) about the "little horse" and his own doubts about the team. If you'd like to make the "he psyched out his own team" argument, I'd consider it but I think it is disingenuous to say that no one thought they'd fold. He did. 

 
I really think the "psyched out his team" argument has legs.  Or might.  I just don't understand what the hell he was doing last year.  As it turned out, they lost the league by failing to beat Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.  (I really think that had the title been in their grasp, the 0-0 result to Norwich is different.)  More generally, they lost the league because when Jose's team wasn't playing a top side or the game was just one of the run of the mill Saturday games instead of a feature game, Jose came off like he didn't give a shit and his team often played like it.  The league was there for the taking last year.  I'd even go further and say that Chelsea should have won it.  Jose was just too busy playing this mind game, where he seemed more focused on upcoming years than last year.  He wanted the pocket book wide open this transfer window, so he could buy players he thought would give him the best chance to win the competition he really cares about (and which he, rightly, understood he probably wasn't going to win last year), the Champions League.  I guess what I'm saying is that I don't believe he was merely trying to manage expectations all while trying to motivate his team.  I think, at least in the dark places of his twisted brain he may not even have access too, part of him didn't want to win the league.

 

[DLew On Roids]

After his behavior at Real Madrid, maybe it's OK to say that some of his mind games and media tricks are just Jose being fucking weird because he's fucking weird.
 
Don't take that as a suggestion he's not a brilliant manager; he pulled Brendan Rodgers's pants down late last season after Rodgers seemed to have cracked the code against everyone else.  But you can be a terrific tactician and motivator and still be a loon.

 

[Bosoxen]

But you can be a terrific tactician and motivator and still be a loon.

 
Don't the two often go hand in hand? There is a fine line between genius and insanity, after all.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

 
Don't the two often go hand in hand? There is a fine line between genius and insanity, after all.

 
Indeed.  Sometimes no line at all.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inhLp3FQdZY

 

[DLew On Roids]

"I can kiss the daughters, though, right?" - Ribery
 
Also, maybe not the best gesture to be making on a balcony in Munich in front of a large crowd:
 

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Golden Glove
Tim Krul

Regardless of the quality of the keeper himself, do you really think a keeper from Newcastle is going to keep more clean sheets than anyone else in the league?
 
Newcastle had 10 clean sheets last year, the same as "defensively invertebrate" Liverpool.

 

[BostonJack42]

1. Arsenal
2. Man City
3. Chelsea
4. Liverpool
5. Man U
6. Everton
7. Spurs
 
Relegation
Leicester City
Burnley
Southampton
 
Golden Boot
Alexis Sanchez
 
YPOY
Ross Barkley

 

[Infield Infidel]

Is it the thread titles? I bet it is the thread titles. ;-)
 
I find the idea of "supporting" a team I picked (as opposed to being 'born into') unbelievably weird. I mean, cjmadcow is obviously a lifer and I kinda wish I had that kind of bond with a team, the way I do with the Sox or the Pats. But I don't and I'm too old to go scarf shopping. When I started watching the game, I tried out "rooting" for a club but I found myself more interested in the tactics and the flow than the snazzy uniforms and the churlish fan behavior. 
 
Push comes to shove, I'd choose the Everton bandwagon. So, right color, wrong city. But I appreciate genius; Jose is a genius, tactically and in front of a microphone. Wenger is also a genius; patient and wise. It is easy to see why the two clash. And funny, because you Gunner faithful are an easily riled lot. 

 
You might find it weird, but it's legitimately normal. Plenty of folks do it. In fact, a self-created bond with a team is in some ways more interesting since you come to it of your own volition. Adopted babies are loved just as much. 
 
It won't feel like the Sox or Pats right away, but after a few years it will start feeling that way. But unless you select a club in which to invest your sports feelings, it'll always seem weird from the outside. 

 

[soxfan121]

 
You might find it weird, but it's legitimately normal. Plenty of folks do it. In fact, a self-created bond with a team is in some ways more interesting since you come to it of your own volition. Adopted babies are loved just as much. 
 
It won't feel like the Sox or Pats right away, but after a few years it will start feeling that way. But unless you select a club in which to invest your sports feelings, it'll always seem weird from the outside. 

 
Interesting...you do know I'm an adoptive parent, right?
 
At this point, I've got favorites and rooting interests but they are subject to change every Saturday. All I really want is a good game. I doubt I'll ever have a Sox-Pats like connection with any team unless I move overseas and get into the local club culture, which is highly unlikely. 
 
Until then, I'll spread my fertilizer on everyone's lawn and keep up the "veneer" of liking everyone's club to different degrees. Go USMNT. 

 

[soxfan121]

Regardless of the quality of the keeper himself, do you really think a keeper from Newcastle is going to keep more clean sheets than anyone else in the league?
 
Newcastle had 10 clean sheets last year, the same as "defensively invertebrate" Liverpool.

 
Hope springs eternal. 
 
(And no. I just like Tim Krul. Whomever plays goal for Chelsea is going to win the GG because none of the other contending teams focus on defense as much as they do.)
 
But I'm glad the "defensively invertebrate" line resonated. 

 

[SoxFanInCali]

I guess we will see if the new 3/4 of the back line provides more of a spine than last season.

 

[soxfan121]

I guess we will see if the new 3/4 of the back line provides more of a spine than last season.

 
Is Johnson really no longer a starter or is that more of a wish-list item? Mansquito sounds like a nice prospect, not a CL-quality starter. The guy has what, six first team starts under his belt?
 
Lovren should help, if only because he keeps Skrtel off the field. Sahko and Moreno should eventually develop some chemistry, when they learn a common language. 
 
But yes, in general, by finding something better than traffic cone at LB, you should be somewhat better this year. 

 

[SoxFanInCali]

With more games, everyone will get some starts.  My guess would be that Johnson will start against teams that are playing 10 behind the ball, where he can focus on attack and not worry as much about defense.  We will see how the season develops.
 
Skrtel will still get plenty of playing time.  He actually played pretty well defensively when partnered with Carragher, so maybe having Lovren around to organize the defense like Carra did will help him.

 

[Bosoxen]

 
You might find it weird, but it's legitimately normal. Plenty of folks do it. In fact, a self-created bond with a team is in some ways more interesting since you come to it of your own volition. Adopted babies are loved just as much. 
 
It won't feel like the Sox or Pats right away, but after a few years it will start feeling that way. But unless you select a club in which to invest your sports feelings, it'll always seem weird from the outside. 

 
I resemble this remark. All of my sports teams are adopted. I was not born into anything, so I developed all of my own rooting interests as I grew up. Maybe I'm not as ingrained in the history as those of you that were born into it, but I root just as hard and care just as much.

 

[CPT Neuron]

Top 4
Chelsea
City
Liverpool
Arsenal
 
Next 3
Everton
Tottenham
United
 
I'm not buying United getting a "boost" from no European competition.  They will experience growing pains under LVG and they will continue to have significant health issues as long as RVP is their primary scoring target - in fact, I'm fairly certain RVP shares some injury-DNA with "pick your favorite injury prone athlete from any other sport and insert here".
 
Bottom 3
Burnley
QPR (though not fullky committed to this pick)
West Brom

 

[Zomp]

I'm not going to pick until the transfer window closes.  If Arsenal add a holding midfielder, or United add a midfielfer, or Liverpool add a legit scoring threat, it could change things around.

 

[DLew On Roids]

I have no idea how the top four, five, or seven will turn out--every time I think about making a list, I come up with a different one.  But I do think Jefferson Montero will do really well at Swansea.  Not 30 goals well or POY well, but Rumored-To-Sign-For-Spurs-In-April well.

 

[dirtynine]

• The PL title will come down to Arsenal and Chelsea on the final Saturday. 
• Liverpool will backslide in the league but get to the Champions League quarters.
• United misses the top 4 again.
• Palace goes down. 

 

[URI]

I have no idea how the top four, five, or seven will turn out--every time I think about making a list, I come up with a different one.  But I do think Jefferson Montero will do really well at Swansea.  Not 30 goals well or POY well, but Rumored-To-Sign-For-Spurs-In-April well.

I wish I had a comeback for this, but...

We didn't sign Michu?

 

[Jeff Van GULLY]

1. Chelsea
2. City
3. Arsenal
4. Tottenham
5. Liverpool
6. United
 
As much as it pains me.

 

[candylandriots]

 

• The PL title will come down to Arsenal and Chelsea on the final Saturday. 
• Liverpool will backslide in the league but get to the Champions League quarters.
• United misses the top 4 again.
• Palace goes down. 

 

 
Didn't you learn your lesson last year? Or do you just want some company that badly?

 

[dirtynine]

Didn't you learn your lesson last year? Or do you just want some company that badly?

 
As far as I can tell, Brighton supporters never learn any lessons.  (But yes, it is lonely down here. I guess we'll have to gin up a rivalry with Millwall or - ugh - Leeds to keep things interesting...)

 

[candylandriots]

 
As far as I can tell, Brighton supporters never learn any lessons.  (But yes, it is lonely down here. I guess we'll have to gin up a rivalry with Millwall or - ugh - Leeds to keep things interesting...)

 
I'll get the coffee.

 

[Infield Infidel]

 

• The PL title will come down to Arsenal and Chelsea on the final Saturday. 
• Liverpool will backslide in the league but get to the Champions League quarters.
• United misses the top 4 again.
• Palace goes down. 

 

 
Interesting, so either Everton or Spurs finish 4th?

 

[dirtynine]

Interesting, so either Everton or Spurs finish 4th?

 
Liverpool (who can drop a bit and still stay top 4) or Spurs I would venture.