The 2013-14 EPL Discussion Thread

[Bruins]

Re: The 2013-14 EPL Discussion Thread

Referee Anthony Taylor has been dropped by the FA after his terrible game Saturday between Arsenal and Villa.

A different referee would not have changed the outcome of the game, but it's nice to see they took action, because he was absolutely awful.

Source? All I can trace this back to is some random guy's twitter account. You'd think if this was true it would be all over the news... It isn't.

Honestly, don't think he had a bad game. They went over the big decisions (penalties, etc) on Match of the Day and agreed he got things right.

[Brahvocado]

Re: The 2013-14 EPL Discussion Thread

I think folks were way too quick to anoint Chelsea after the first match.

If I had to rank the teams after the first match of the season I'd go:

1) City - Dispatched the most talented club the big 3 faced in Newcastle with rather ease even before Taylor was booted. Aguer & Dzeko play very nice together. Silva & Aguero play seamlessly while Dzeko is just a goal scorer. He's positionally sound, good in the air, good with both feet and strong. He's going to have a huge year, especially with Navas able to give him service in the form of crosses. They still have the best MF in the EPL in Toure and the best defender in Kompany. I'm not huge on Hart but they've already won the league with him before. Pelligrini is a big step up from Mancini.

2) United - Typical United. Got outplayed for the first 10-15 mins and still found themselves up 2-0. Have the best ST in the league with quality depth behind him in Welbeck, Rooney, Chicharito. That win was great to take some pressure off him but all eyes will be on him on Saturday against Chelsea.

3) Chelsea- Looked like gangbusters in the 1st half but had a big letdown in the 2nd half. No doubt they have the best support attackers in Mata, Oscar, Hazard, KDB, Moses, Schurlle, Lampard, etc... but the lack of an in-form ST is going to hurt my boys. Torres is the best with the link-ups, Ba the best at holding play up and winning headers, and Lukaka the combination of them both but no one is going to truly separate themselves from the pack. Still some questions in the midfield. Pretty much forced to play 4-2-3-1 and Lampard & Ramires aren't holding mids.

It's going to be a great year though, especially if Spurs hold onto Bale.

What's funny is I actually think you are too quick to anoint City.

Newcastle is in complete disarray at the moment and was pretty likely to get hammered by just about any opponent. United certainly faced the toughest opponent of the 3. I would agree that City probably has the best team overall.

I think you are also a little too quick to discount our team. That game vs Hull was pretty vintage Jose, with RMA being the only exception. Take a comfortable enough lead, then take your foot off the gas and spend the rest of the game crushing the will to live out of your opponents and neutrals watching at home, and poach a goal here and there if opportunity arises but it doesn't matter because clean sheets and 3 points.

I think this will be the most exciting season in a while and the title will come down to the final couple of weeks.

If Spurs keep Bale I think we could have a legit 4 horse race

[MBFranchise]

Re: The 2013-14 EPL Discussion Thread

What's funny is I actually think you are too quick to anoint City.

Newcastle is in complete disarray at the moment and was pretty likely to get hammered by just about any opponent. United certainly faced the toughest opponent of the 3. I would agree that City probably has the best team overall.

I think you are also a little too quick to discount our team. That game vs Hull was pretty vintage Jose, with RMA being the only exception. Take a comfortable enough lead, then take your foot off the gas and spend the rest of the game crushing the will to live out of your opponents and neutrals watching at home, and poach a goal here and there if opportunity arises but it doesn't matter because clean sheets and 3 points.

I think this will be the most exciting season in a while and the title will come down to the final couple of weeks.

If Spurs keep Bale I think we could have a legit 4 horse race

It looks like it is going to be a long season on Tyneside

[OSUFan_88]

Re: The 2013-14 EPL Discussion Thread

Source? All I can trace this back to is some random guy's twitter account. You'd think if this was true it would be all over the news... It isn't.

Honestly, don't think he had a bad game. They went over the big decisions (penalties, etc) on Match of the Day and agreed he got things right.

Yeah, I dunno. On the second penalty, I didn't think it was a good call until I saw that they clipped Gabby before he got the ball.

I think his biggest screw ups were the 2nd yellow on...I can't spell his name and not giving a red on Szezezezezzezezezkeeper

[Bruins]

Re: The 2013-14 EPL Discussion Thread

Yeah, I dunno. On the second penalty, I didn't think it was a good call until I saw that they clipped Gabby before he got the ball.

I think his biggest screw ups were the 2nd yellow on...I can't spell his name and not giving a red on Szezezezezzezezezkeeper

Yeah, the lack of a second yellow on the Villa player was really the only thing I think he missed. I think he was right to only give yellow to Schezeny (? lol) as Agbonlahor and the ball were headed away from goal. Probably one of those ones where he could've given either and I would've been fine.

[KG]

Re: The 2013-14 EPL Discussion Thread

What's funny is I actually think you are too quick to anoint City.

Newcastle is in complete disarray at the moment and was pretty likely to get hammered by just about any opponent. United certainly faced the toughest opponent of the 3. I would agree that City probably has the best team overall.

I think you are also a little too quick to discount our team. That game vs Hull was pretty vintage Jose, with RMA being the only exception. Take a comfortable enough lead, then take your foot off the gas and spend the rest of the game crushing the will to live out of your opponents and neutrals watching at home, and poach a goal here and there if opportunity arises but it doesn't matter because clean sheets and 3 points.

I think this will be the most exciting season in a while and the title will come down to the final couple of weeks.

If Spurs keep Bale I think we could have a legit 4 horse race

I still think Newcastle was more dangerous. Swansea didn't have 2 of their better players in Bony & Pablo until the 2nd time at which time the game was over. Swansea's backline is not every good.

I ranked our boys last because of the lack of a quality ST (right now) and a midfield that isn't really suited for a double-pivot yet. We have a lot of guys who can get goals so our ST's aren't going to put up big goal tallies but at some point we're going to need a ST who can convert those chances and right now Ba (2 goals in 14) and Torres (15 in 83) haven't shown the ability to do it yet, even with creative players behind them. Don't get me wrong, I love our teams' depth and I have faith in our manager but a proven WC striker like RVP, Aguero, and Dzeko would make me feel a lot better.

[MBFranchise]

Re: The 2013-14 EPL Discussion Thread

I still think Newcastle was more dangerous. Swansea didn't have 2 of their better players in Bony & Pablo until the 2nd time at which time the game was over. Swansea's backline is not every good.

I ranked our boys last because of the lack of a quality ST (right now) and a midfield that isn't really suited for a double-pivot yet. We have a lot of guys who can get goals so our ST's aren't going to put up big goal tallies but at some point we're going to need a ST who can convert those chances and right now Ba (2 goals in 14) and Torres (15 in 83) haven't shown the ability to do it yet, even with creative players behind them. Don't get me wrong, I love our teams' depth and I have faith in our manager but a proven WC striker like RVP, Aguero, and Dzeko would make me feel a lot better.

No love for Lukaku? He at least looks the part.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Re: The 2013-14 EPL Discussion Thread

It looks like it is going to be a long season on Tyneside

Pretty much....don't think we'll be relegated, but it's not going to be a pretty season.

[MBFranchise]

Re: The 2013-14 EPL Discussion Thread

Pretty much....don't think we'll be relegated, but it's not going to be a pretty season.

The bickering and mistrust may even become more annoying than the losing.

[dubcity]

Re: The 2013-14 EPL Discussion Thread

Holy damn, Aston Villa.

[Mo]

Re: The 2013-14 EPL Discussion Thread

Benteke, the new ruler of London

[VTPack919]

Re: The 2013-14 EPL Discussion Thread

Hard to beat this kind of production for 7 mil. Benteke white hot to start the season.

[Mo]

Re: The 2013-14 EPL Discussion Thread

Villa extremely unlucky to concede the goal and not being awarded that penalty. But those are the breaks.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: The 2013-14 EPL Discussion Thread

Heartbreaking loss.

Seemed every 50-50 call went the other way, and you need some breaks when playing JM's Chelsea at the Bridge.

Still, high quality attacking against another top team. Exactly what I want to see from this team.

[VTPack919]

Re: The 2013-14 EPL Discussion Thread

Heartbreaking loss.

Seemed every 50-50 call went the other way, and you need some breaks when playing JM's Chelsea at the Bridge.

Still, high quality attacking against another top team. Exactly what I want to see from this team.

Seemed that way to me too. Villa is going to be a tough side this year.