English Premier League Thread 2016-2017

KBLEE · Jun 15, 2016

The fixtures were released yesterday, so it seems appropriate to get this thread going.

As a Spurs fan, their strecth from late October to early December is brutal: Leicester, Arsenal, West Ham, Chelsea, Swansea, ManU + 2 Champions League matches (which easily could incluce Barcelona or Real Madrid).

IlliniDent · Jun 15, 2016

KBLEE said:
The fixtures were released yesterday, so it seems appropriate to get this thread going.

As a Spurs fan, their strecth from late October to early December is brutal: Leicester, Arsenal, West Ham, Chelsea, Swansea, ManU + 2 Champions League matches (which easily could incluce Barcelona or Real Madrid).

Yea this is going to be a rough year for everyone and those stretches are going to be critical.

Joel Goodson · Jun 15, 2016

KBLEE said:
The fixtures were released yesterday, so it seems appropriate to get this thread going.

As a Spurs fan, their strecth from late October to early December is brutal: Leicester, Arsenal, West Ham, Chelsea, Swansea, ManU + 2 Champions League matches (which easily could incluce Barcelona or Real Madrid).

Or Athletico, Bayern, etc. Run w/the big boys, have to wear the big boy shorts. Spurs are young. Don't think last season was an aberration. I expect them to be top four and they could win it all. They need a good backup forward, 'cause if Kane goes down...

wettsten · Jun 15, 2016

arsenal has two tough matches out of the gate and a gauntlet to end the season. wooph.

how about a way-too-early top 4 and bottom 3?

soupy17 · Jun 15, 2016

Joel Goodson said:
Or Athletico, Bayern, etc. Run w/the big boys, have to wear the big boy shorts. Spurs are young. Don't think last season was an aberration. I expect them to be top four and they could win it all. They need a good backup forward, 'cause if Kane goes down...

Michy Batshuayi from Marseille has been heavily linked to Spurs, many think the move will be completed after he's through competing in the Euro's with Belgium. Vincent Janssen from AZ in the Dutch league is another name that's been thrown around

soupy17 · Jun 15, 2016

wettsten said:
arsenal has two tough matches out of the gate and a gauntlet to end the season. wooph.

how about a way-too-early top 4 and bottom 3?

Top 4: Mourinho, Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea

Bottom 3: Bournemouth, Burnley, Hull

jrichisamazing · Jun 15, 2016

soupy17 said:
Top 4: Mourinho, Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea

Bottom 3: Bournemouth, Burnley, Hull

I have the same top 4, but only because I'm a Chelsea fan. If I was neutral I would probably switch Chelsea with Liverpool. Of course a lot will change once the summer tournaments are over and the transfers start.

wettsten · Jun 15, 2016

jrichisamazing said:
I have the same top 4, but only because I'm a Chelsea fan. If I was neutral I would probably switch Chelsea with Liverpool. Of course a lot will change once the summer tournaments are over and the transfers start.

pep's city doesn't make the top four but jose's man united does?

Joel Goodson · Jun 15, 2016

soupy17 said:
Top 4: Mourinho, Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea

Bottom 3: Bournemouth, Burnley, Hull

No Pep? Chelsea top 4? Man U finishing on top? Bold. Think I'll wait awhile for my picks.

Don't think Eddie Howe's team is going to be relegated.

jrichisamazing · Jun 16, 2016

wettsten said:
pep's city doesn't make the top four but jose's man united does?

Didn't I say I was a Chelsea fan?

But I really think there is a good chance that Pep takes some time to transform Man City. He doesn't have the same talent that he had at Bayern or Barca yet. And I think Mourinho's style is easier to get results with lesser talent. Plus you never know how a coach will adapt to the Premier League. We already know Mourinho can do it (at least for a few years at a club).

jrichisamazing · Jun 17, 2016

Emerson Hyndman going to Bournemouth from Fulham. Awesome news, I love watching him play. Probably the most technical ability I've seen from an American.

Joel Goodson · Jun 17, 2016

jrichisamazing said:
Emerson Hyndman going to Bournemouth from Fulham. Awesome news, I love watching him play. Probably the most technical ability I've seen from an American.

Hear, hear. Eddie Howe will not be relegated.

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Jun 17, 2016

Here's when the different derbies will be taking place next season:

-New Forest Derby: December 17th (Dean Court), April 1st (St. Mary's Stadium)
-North London Derby: November 5th (Emirates Stadium), April 29th (White Hart Lane)
-Arsenal-Chelsea: September 24th (Emirates Stadium), February 4th (Stamford Bridge)
-Arsenal-Manchester United: November 19th (Old Trafford), May 6th (Emirates Stadium)
-Merseyside Derby: December 17th (Goodison Park), April 1st (Anfield)
-North-West Derby: October 15th (Anfield), January 14th (Old Trafford)
-Manchester Derby: September 10th (Old Trafford), February 25th (Etihad Stadium)
-Tees-Wear Derby: August 20th (Stadium of Light), March 11th (Riverside Stadium)

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Jun 17, 2016

Also Hull City got an absolutely brutal opening to their season. Their first seven matches look like this: Home vs. Leicester, Away at Swansea, Home vs. Manchester United, Away at Burnley, Home vs. Arsenal, Away at Liverpool, Home vs. Chelsea.

unimaroon · Jun 18, 2016

Liverpool has an apparently softer season end the last nine weeks, so if they can stay afloat through challenging early and holiday schedules, another dash to the finish may be in the offing.

Joel Goodson · Jun 18, 2016

Victor Wanyama to the Spurs. Another very good signing.

IlliniDent · Jun 18, 2016

Joel Goodson said:
Victor Wanyama to the Spurs. Another very good signing.

Spurs are Doing well by being smart in the transfer market. They are signing the next best guy that fits their system for a good price.

KBLEE · Jun 19, 2016

IlliniDent said:
Spurs are Doing well by being smart in the transfer market. They are signing the next best guy that fits their system for a good price.

That's how Levy does it. As much as Spurs fans would like him to be in on the really big names, you'll rarely see him overspend for an established player.

Joel Goodson · Jun 23, 2016

Vardy staying with LC. Probably a good decision.

wettsten · Jun 23, 2016

Joel Goodson said:
Vardy staying with LC. Probably a good decision.

it was still a good idea of wenger to try since he would have been much cheaper than other options (morata, higuain). i respect vardy for sticking with his team. let's see if his teammates (kante, mahrez) feel the same way.

Joel Goodson · Jun 23, 2016

wettsten said:
it was still a good idea of wenger to try since he would have been much cheaper than other options (morata, higuain). i respect vardy for sticking with his team. let's see if his teammates (kante, mahrez) feel the same way.

Think they're gone. Definitely worth trying for, for Wenger.

jrichisamazing · Jun 23, 2016

I think Vardy would be a bust if he went to a big club anyway. He fits Leicester perfectly and he's comfortable there. Even then, I don't think he'll be nearly as good next season.

SalukiIllini · Jun 24, 2016

Top 4 is going to be a damn dog fight this year, IMO.

SalukiIllini · Jun 24, 2016

jrichisamazing said:
I think Vardy would be a bust if he went to a big club anyway. He fits Leicester perfectly and he's comfortable there. Even then, I don't think he'll be nearly as good next season.

Fits in with a great scheme. A counter attacking type offense.

wettsten · Jun 24, 2016

SalukiIllini said:
Fits in with a great scheme. A counter attacking type offense.

:thumb: