EPL Predicitons

The difference between playing in the Coca-Cola Championship and the Premiership is night and day. While Reading was successful last season, I just do not see them fairing well this season in the top flight with all the big boys. I do not think they will do as badly as Watford will, but they will be close as will Sheffield United.

I think I have Reading staying up, but if I am to be completely honest, all three newbies to the Premiership have major struggles on their hands to stay up. The competition in the Premiership week in and week out is much different than that of the Championship.

Additionally, none of the three teams broke the bank bringing in new players, which is not always a bad thing. However, new players are needed to give the clubs experience and such over the course of the season. Sunderland was like this last season and look what happened to them.

I do not think these teams will be as bad as Sunderland, but I also do not think they will be all that much better.

For the record, these three new teams will be a giant suckfest this season and that bodes well for Fulham supporters and those who want Fulham NOT to get relegated.

 

Is this wishful thinking because you want the Americans to do well or do you really think Reading will do okay?

I personally hope they suck! I could care less if there are Americans on the team. I know I am in minority when it comes to people on this board, but I am looking out for Fulham and only Fulham. If there is a chance Fulham might go down, I will cheer against the Wigans, Charltons, Readings and Watfords of the Premiership to save our asses from going down.

 

Well there is a very useful point at the end of your above post. I do hope Reading manages to stay up, and Watford (but less likely), so I have been thinking of what teams from the EPL last year look like they are in self-destruct mode. Here's my list (don't we just love lists on this board?):

1. Wigan - They sold off quite a few talents, and if Chimbonda jumps to the Spurs, put a fork in 'em.

2. Boro - Same thing with selling off talent (see: Queudrue), and it appears they just are sinking in the ranks season after season. They may not be able to bail out fast enough.

3. Charlton - I honestly hardly know of more than one or two players on this squad. Maybe they are the quiet killers, maybe my knowledge of Charlton just really sucks, or maybe they just aren't that talented.

4. Aston Villa - Tough call with these guys. They could play inspired ball after all the off season drama, or it can take a toll on their committment and beleif in themselves. Just as easy 18th as 8th.

 

Sorry Heather! I did not mean to come down on you. I have just read a lot about Reading lately not just on this board, but other boards as well. I sometimes think people are just being American homers predicting good things for this team.

I know how I would be if Palace came up. I would be defending them right and left.

I think Don might be on to something with the three newbies to the Premiership. Who knows though, predicting this league is a complete crap shoot.

I really feel teams 7-20 could be anyone. Anything is possible.

 

The only thing I will say about Boro is that they have a good number of strong young players that have come up through the youth ranks over the past couple seasons. They will not be competing for Europe at the end of the season, but some of their unknown quantities might prove to be good Premiership players.

In fact, Fulham's last match of last season was played mostly against these youngsters and a few of them showed they belonged. Boro could go down, but I think the youth of this club will save them....at least this season.

 

Actually, it was to Tom's point a couple of posts up, I just wasn't fast enough. But then I read your point, and it seemed quite appropo.

 

Uh... no. It only helped them get my attention, though what difference?

I REALLY dont think Fulham will be with or too challenged by the bottom three, and that will make the Reading games interesting..

And I applaud those who 'stand well above'. Which I can evidence by my admiration for DC United as a team... imagine THAT from a Crew fan!!!!!!

'nuff said??????

 

Petty, I was just wondering. I was not coming down on you or Heather, just me being curious. We are all entitled to cheer for whomever we like for whatever reasons we want.

 

I do want the Americans to do well......just not against Fulham. I like Convey a lot and think he could do well with his pace.

I am not sure what is going in the world of the media and other soccer fans, but I have read and heard a lot of people and pundits alike picking Fulham to go down this season. Perhaps we all have the blinders on and while the team has not done much in the way of transfers to bolster the squad, I think they have done enough to maintain what they were last season and that was 12th place.

For the second straight season I hear the same reasons coming from Steven Cohen about why Fulham will go down......they didn't spend enough money, they do not have any good players, Chris Coleman is not a good manager, etc.

Well, he was wrong last season and will be wrong again this season. Sometimes I feel you cannot measure and predict how well a team will play simply on paper. You cannot measure the heart of a team based on what's on paper, it is something judged on the pitch and I think starting with the manager all the way down through the players, I think this team has heart and will give 100% every match this season and that may not always be pretty and produce wins, but it will be enough to stay up this season and perhaps even surprise a few teams.

Last, but not least, the signings of Queudrue and Bullard were great and while those not involved with Fulham may not see these as bold moves, they not only add good players on the pitch, but both of these players are positive influences off the pitch as well and will mold the team well together to have good chemistry and to play well together as a team.

In essence, do not let the critics get you down about this season. If we went by predictions alone, Fulham would not have made it out of their first season in the Premiership, but here were are five years on heading into our sixth season in the top flight!! COYW!!

 

Way, way, way too early, but fun to look at anyway.

 

Checking the status of our resident soothsayers.

 

A bump to see how everyone's predictions are going, so close to judgment time.

 

Re: RE: EPL Predicitons

Hard to tell for sure, but mine may indeed be worse. Why so many of us rated Liverpool, and not Man-who?, I'm not so sure. Guess'cuz they didn't exactly finish last season on a high note.

My Cup guesses are taking a beating also. I do not want the scum to win CL either!!!

 

Shocked to see how many chose Liverpool to go top of the league this past season. Everyone seemed to buy into the hype. Just didn't have the quality to mount a good start to the campaign.

If the rumours of Eto'o, Villa, Alves, Simao, Milito or others come to fruition then I believe those predicting Liverpool to go top of the league wouldn't be that far off.