Shock relegation candidates

[NNCRed]

I'm just not a big believer in Friedal. Liverpool let him go for a reason, giving up some soft goals. Granted, he has improved since then, but I don't think that he will be able to carry the team if Yorke and Cole don't light it up, but that's a big if. It's a lot to ask of a keeper to have shotouts virtually every game. That might not happen if the Soul Bros. can score. Plus, Brad gives up a lot of rebounds in front of the net on shots instead of holding on to them or parrying them out for corners or out of the danger zone.

All I'm saying is that Blackburn weren't that impressive to me last year and it wouldn't be a shock to see them fight the relegation battle. However, at the same time it wouldn't surprise me to see them fighting for a UEFA Cup spot.

[mik_smith]

Originally posted by NNCRed
I'm just not a big believer in Friedal. Liverpool let him go for a reason, giving up some soft goals. Granted, he has improved since then, but I don't think that he will be able to carry the team if Yorke and Cole don't light it up, but that's a big if.

This is a joke, right? Friedel carried the team for large parts of the year. Even people who believe that Keller is the better keeper (like me) can't argue that Friedel's not a very well-respected top-flight keeper.

[whirlwind]

Originally posted by NNCRed
I'm just not a big believer in Friedal. Liverpool let him go for a reason, giving up some soft goals. Granted, he has improved since then, but I don't think that he will be able to carry the team if Yorke and Cole don't light it up, but that's a big if. It's a lot to ask of a keeper to have shotouts virtually every game. That might not happen if the Soul Bros. can score. Plus, Brad gives up a lot of rebounds in front of the net on shots instead of holding on to them or parrying them out for corners or out of the danger zone.


While I agree that I'd like to see Brad hang on to the ball more often, to say he wasn't one of the best goalkeepers in the Premiership last year is ludicrous.

[mik_smith]

I think Tottenham could be a surprise. With an ancient strikeforce, Sicknotes 1 and 2, the beginnings of a player revolt, an absolute w***er as a manager, Poyet injured, and Terry Venables sniffing around, Tottenham has the potential to have a serious crisis.

I think the real answer is that there are no surprises if any team outside of Arsenal, Chelsea, ManU, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle finds itself in a relegation struggle. If I'm not mistaken, there was a bigger gap between 5th and 7th, than between 7th and 17th last year.

[kygunner]

If ever there were a time to sack your manager it was Sunderland anytime after December 2001. It is hard to believe that a team with that much talent could play so poorly and it will equal their demise. The Cats also have decided or dont have the spare cash to bring any one else into the squad. If your team is bad you have to make changes and Sunderland have not made one.

Charlton is another who finish 14th and feel that no changes need to be made. I dont believe they will make it all the way down but they should hover around the drop zone for much of the season.

WBA would be no surprise to drop but they were given 10 million pounds for the promotion and have not spent any of it. Its getting kind of late if a team is wanting to find premiership quality players.

[NNCRed]

Originally posted by whirlwind
While I agree that I'd like to see Brad hang on to the ball more often, to say he wasn't one of the best goalkeepers in the Premiership last year is ludicrous.

I never said he wasn't one of the league's tope GK's last year. I'm just not sold on him still and I don't know if I ever will be.

Would I be surprised if Brad stands out again for Rovers this year? No. But at the same time, would I be surprised to see him struggle a bit? No. And if he does struggle a bit and the offense isn't scoring goals, especially Yorke and Cole (and Duff, if he stays), then those struggles will be magnified.

This year could either see the return of Blackburn as a title contender in the near future (especially if they can keep Duff, that would send a mention to the rest of the EPL that they're not going anywhere), or a consistent relegation threatened team.

[Doctor Stamen]

Originally posted by NNCRed
I'm just not a big believer in Friedal. Liverpool let him go for a reason, giving up some soft goals. Granted, he has improved since then, but I don't think that he will be able to carry the team if Yorke and Cole don't light it up, but that's a big if. It's a lot to ask of a keeper to have shotouts virtually every game. That might not happen if the Soul Bros. can score. Plus, Brad gives up a lot of rebounds in front of the net on shots instead of holding on to them or parrying them out for corners or out of the danger zone.

All I'm saying is that Blackburn weren't that impressive to me last year and it wouldn't be a shock to see them fight the relegation battle. However, at the same time it wouldn't surprise me to see them fighting for a UEFA Cup spot.

Friedel won us the Worthington Cup, and stopped a lot of goals. He did let a lot in, but then we do have an iffy defence. Maybe that will change when Todd starts kicking people, and we get that Gershon.

No-one has mentioned the influence Matt Jansen may have. Although he's out of the first few games, if he can come in match fit, his skills and link-up play with Duff (if he stays) and Cole will rip up a lot of defences.

I think Spurs are dodgy, especially now two of their better players are injured.

[denalimn]

Originally posted by mik_smith
I think Tottenham could be a surprise. With an ancient strikeforce, Sicknotes 1 and 2, the beginnings of a player revolt, an absolute w***er as a manager, Poyet injured, and Terry Venables sniffing around, Tottenham has the potential to have a serious crisis.


I agree. I think Spurs are vastly overrated and really in disarray as the season starts. Hoddle will implode if they struggle. And I would leove every minute.

Am surprised no one has mentioned Birmingham City as a candidate for the drop. Not very impressed with their manager's loyalty to the team -- once an open position comes up, will he bolt like he bolted from Palace? Not sure if Clinton Morrison can replicate his scoring touch against premiership clubs.

[Boro_lad]

Originally posted by kygunner
If ever there were a time to sack your manager it was Sunderland anytime after December 2001. It is hard to believe that a team with that much talent could play so poorly and it will equal their demise. The Cats also have decided or dont have the spare cash to bring any one else into the squad. If your team is bad you have to make changes and Sunderland have not made one.

Charlton is another who finish 14th and feel that no changes need to be made. I dont believe they will make it all the way down but they should hover around the drop zone for much of the season.

WBA would be no surprise to drop but they were given 10 million pounds for the promotion and have not spent any of it. Its getting kind of late if a team is wanting to find premiership quality players.

sunderland...talant...lol...i have been laughing for a good 5 minutes of that.......great joke mate

[sydtheeagle]

Originally posted by kygunner
It is hard to believe that a team with that much talent could play so poorly and it will equal their demise

If your team is bad you have to make changes and Sunderland have not made one.



Am I missing something, or could you pass the spliff my way, please? If Sunderland have any talent, mind telling us exactly where they've been hiding it lately.

And if their team is bad and needs changes, then how come it has "that much talent".

The pen moves before the mind is engaged, methinks.

[Boro_lad]

Originally posted by sydtheeagle


Am I missing something, or could you pass the spliff my way, please? If Sunderland have any talent, mind telling us exactly where they've been hiding it lately.

And if their team is bad and needs changes, then how come it has "that much talent".

The pen moves before the mind is engaged, methinks.


hahahaha the dirty mackhams...going down this year.

[SJEarthquakes25]

I'm noticing that people are straying away from Bolton being in a relegation battle. I believe that they will be in over their heads this season. I'm not saying that Bolton will be relegated but i'm saying that they're gonna find it very hard to chalk up victories in the Prem. I like their new signings but i'm still not convinced. The second year is always the toughest.
(Survive but in 03-04, Ipswich will get payback and do them in for relegation)

It's way too easy to say that West Bromwich Albion will be relegated. Obviously they'll struggle against every squad in the Premiership but if they can put solid defensive efforts together in every match, they can get a lot of scrappy one goal victories. One thing that I was impressed with last year in the First Division was the fact that they were the strongest defensively. Teams found it hard to break them down. A lot of unpretty 1-0 victories resulted but they got the results that they need.

(Relegated, the difference in class is overwhelming.)



Other than that i'd have to say that Birmingham City will be relegated. I just don't see Clinton Morrison and/or Stern John scoring in bunches like in the nationwide. West Ham United will also be relegated. Hammertime not, they're goin' down!



p.s. Tottenham must get their ************ together, we could be in for a shock relegation campaign if not.

[mst77]

Totally agree on the Bolton choice, they would have been down last year had it not been for some amazing performances by Jaaskelainen, Ricketts and Nolan. The rest of the team is pants and would have trouble avoiding relegation in Division One.

I think the Saints have layed with fire for too long and won't be able to put enough goals in this season.

One of the new boys will go back and I doubt it will be Man City. Its a toss up to me between the other two so I will just leave it at that.

[Doctor Stamen]

Originally posted by kygunner
It is hard to believe that a team with that much talent could play so poorly and it will equal their demise.

Danielle Dichio left last season ;). Obviously having crap like Reyna has dragged them down :D.

My God the Mackems are going down, even though they're going to start the season with a win against Blackburn.

[kerpow]

I agree. Sunderland are crap and they know it. They whine on about lack of funds, sacking the manager and pretty much everything else. They massively over-achieved in their first 2 years in the EPL and returned to the position their squad reflects last year ie. relegation candidates. The board must have deep pockets and short arms as their attendance is superb but not everyone is in the rich boy club. They need to invest in their youth program. Take a page out of West Ham's book.

You're off the mark with Bolton though. Class team, good manager, great team spirit. I loved it when they beat Man U at Old Trafford and the fans started singing "Can we play you every week?" Genius. Okacha, Tofting and Djorkaeff would get into most of the mid-table squads. Of course when Big Sam moves on to Spurs or Villa it will be a different matter entirely.

[Native Aztexan]

1. Bolton
2. WBA
3. Fulham (where that "jerk" coaches)

[dcaddick]

Originally posted by sydtheeagle
Can't say that I have much time for Charlton (as you say, the club nobody really cares about either way), but frankly they are not a bad little side and I don't think they'll be anywhere near the relegation zone. They're well managed, play to a system that maximises their abilities, have a couple of good young players, and remain under-rated (though on the evidence, it's hard to work out why) by many. Perhaps no better than a mid-table team, but for my money more likely to finish seventh than seventeenth.

Give it up for the smartest Palace supporter ever. :)

Now if you could tell us how to get a finisher, then you'd be king!

Originally posted by benine
But they couldnt score shit last year and made NO moves over the summer. finished 14th (?) and will be losing Costa pack to Porto. Seriously, Charlton is the Cleveland Cavaliers of the Premiership; always forget that they even are there. Really, the best thing about the club is their ground, maybe the best midsize stadium in the league and should be the archetype of what MLS builds it's SSSs for. The Valley is rad.
But then again Charlton could be the team that indirectly screws ManU. The final match day draw that kept united in 3rd and doomed them to qualify for the CL may come back to haunt us badly.

Okay first off, never mention Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlton in the same sentence. No comparison between the two, and I follow both. addicks more now, Cavaliers earlier. The club can't do a whole lot with moves. Ususally halfway through the season we try and find a spark, but Charlton has had a ton of injuries, that really started when they returned a couple years back. Last year they did finish 14th, but the year before they finished 9th, so it was a little slip. Seaon tickets are up this season, something the Cavs will never experience, ever.

Anyway, I think the all:sports will be right around 10th. You're right,we haven't addressed our need at forward, which will hurt us later in the year when our defense falls apart.

[Prenn]

Originally posted by SJEarthquakes25
I'm noticing that people are straying away from Bolton being in a relegation battle. I believe that they will be in over their heads this season. I'm not saying that Bolton will be relegated but i'm saying that they're gonna find it very hard to chalk up victories in the Prem. I like their new signings but i'm still not convinced. The second year is always the toughest.
(Survive but in 03-04, Ipswich will get payback and do them in for relegation)



Do I detect a bitter tractor fan?

yes :D

[Prenn]

Originally posted by mst77
Totally agree on the Bolton choice, they would have been down last year had it not been for some amazing performances by Jaaskelainen, Ricketts and Nolan. The rest of the team is pants and would have trouble avoiding relegation in Division One.


Our left back, Simon Charlton, was voted Bolton's player of the season. Gudni Bergsson and Bruno N'Gotty were solid at the back too. Djorkaeff contributed a lot to our survival, as did one Freddi Bobic. To suggest that Bolton's team of last season minus Ricketts, Nolan and Jaaskelainen would have been relegated from division one shows nothing but sheer ignorance. It was pretty much that team that got us promoted from division one the season before.

Bolton's problem last year was Micheal Rickett's servere drop in form and some of the older players struggling in the latter stages of the season.

With our signings this year we should be able to sit comfortably in midtable.

[glorygloryspurs]

Originally posted by Clanblue
[list=1]
Mackems...especially if Philips leaves.
Spurs...to old.
Toffees...no dept.
[/list=1]

sheringham, rebrov, iverson and sherwood make this too good of a team to get relegated. i know we won't light the world on fire, but this team won't finish worse than 12th. try putting birmingham on that list - way over their heads with the big boys