a new fan looking for a team

[sweeten2213]

Hello all. I am from the US and I am starting to become a fan of the EPL. One problem I am having is I have no team routing interest. Maybe it's an American thing, but games just aren't the same to watch and follow if your not really a fan of any one team. That's where the post comes in. Maybe you all can help me "pick" a team. I am a HUGE sports junkie and can tell you what I normally like in a team. I've always been a fan of the "underdog" type teams, and disliked the juggernauts, flashy, or big-market-I'll-buy-my-team teams like the Yankees, Lakers, or NY Rangers. I like blue collar, hard working, defensive oriented teams. I would say I like the kind of style Germany uses (up until the WC when they opened it up), but do not like the style Brazil uses. I have some Eastern European heritage, so a team that likes pick up players from Eastern Europe is good, too. It seems like the big 4 (Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal) wouldn't fit in the mold that I like. I also like tradition so some older, traditional teams would be good. So, who to route for? I have the "Fox Soccer Channel" here in the US, so I can watch a lot of games. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[j.fisher]

Everton, Fulham may fit what you're looking for. But Newcastle United are the consumite under dogs.. maybe that'll work for you. But like I said in the "What team should I support?" thread:

Sit down and WATCH as much of the Premiership as you can for ONE SEASON.. objectively. The team that draws you in for WHATEVER reason... there is your club. Just learn as much as you can about the club and all that good shit. Don't have any bias or anything like that.

[sweeten2213]

Being a big sports fan, I love that plan (I also read the other thread where it was mentioned to go where your heart takes you, and you will have more passion). The problem I have is this. Without a home team or "family tradition" team to route for, you need to just bury yourself to start to get a feel. With the limited coverage in the US (such as on Sportscenter), and the fact that I'm lucky to be able to watch a full game ever two weeks, it's tough to do that. Even when I watch the Fox Soccer Report on FSC (which I watch every three days ot so), I only get a liitle bit of info. At that rate, it would seem to take years to truly pick a team. I guess thats why I'm looking for a little nudge towards some teams. I also read the Bill Simmons article on ESPN Page 2. Right now I'm leading towards concentrating on Everton, Newcastle United, and Tottenham from what I've seen so far. Any opinions on how they play? Like I said, I'm more of a defense first kind of fan (Germany's style over Brazil).

[hammermolder]

Get Down The Frog,into The Battle,have A PIGS EAR,follow The Hammers,now What I Mean

[AprilFool1481]

Support Everton.
Respectable club with a good History.
"The People's Club" as they say....
They also play the ultra-defensive 5-4-1 formation.

[Gorton Blue]

You could always support Manchester City. However supporting City takes a lot of passion and patience.

[glorydz]

Go for the team winning the most at the time, it's what I do. Currently it's West Ham, in particular for Tevez.

[raffa_the_gaffa]

choose ateam who excites you the most and start by watching a team not popular dont be like everyone else and follow man united coz there name is big

[juanca]

Go for Reading!!!

[captdf]

Bill Simmons of ESPN.com had a very detailed article about choosing his own EPL team. Take a gander:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060719

[musicl]

If you want to support the team always most likely to break into the top 4 then support Spurs.

[sweeten2213]

OK - I've narrowed it down to 3. Aston Villa, Newcastle United, and Everton. It seems they all have 1)a good fan base 2) good tradition 3) they're not in the big 4 but have potential 4) play a midfield or defensive game at the current time 5) have some players that I like. Anyone have an opinion to sway towards one of the three?

[raffa_the_gaffa]

OK - I've narrowed it down to 3. Aston Villa, Newcastle United, and Everton. It seems they all have 1)a good fan base 2) good tradition 3) they're not in the big 4 but have potential 4) play a midfield or defensive game at the current time 5) have some players that I like. Anyone have an opinion to sway towards one of the three?

Newcastle always got potential but are chokers.
Aston Villa always been poor but got good manager now and will be in top half of table soon and as for Everton there always inconsistent

[sweeten2213]

Bill Simmons of ESPN.com had a very detailed article about choosing his own EPL team. Take a gander:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060719

I did read the article, and it was helpful. I also read numerous websites, stats, and other posts (including the which team should I support thread) page by page. It seems like I'm drawn to the hardcore fans of Newcastle, the potential of Aston Villa (along with more Eastern European and Nordic players which I like), and the consistent a lot for a little (like the Oakland A's with talent analysis) and defensive philosophy of Everton.

[musicl]

Everton - Goodison Parks location.
Newcastle - never won anything for 50 years, never considered a big club.
Villa - cant fill their ugly stadium. Ugly kit but has protential. Rubbish manager and players.

Some neg points about those teams. As you want to support an underdog then i'd say Villa are the most suited.

[Toon³]

Newcastle - never won anything for 50 years, never considered a big club.


1969 was 38 years ago, I know maths isn't a strong point for your average prepubescent Man Yoo gloryhunter but surely you can do simple subtraction. And as for us not being a big club, well I'm not going to waste my breath argueing with you about that.

[musicl]

1969 was 38 years ago, I know maths isn't a strong point for your average prepubescent Man Yoo gloryhunter but surely you can do simple subtraction. And as for us not being a big club, well I'm not going to waste my breath argueing with you about that.38 years.......yeah whatever its still terrible.

The tradition big 6 were:
Man Utd
Arsenal
Spurs
Everton
Liverpool
Villa

Now its more of a big 4:
Man Utd
Arsenal
Liverpool
Chelsea

Newcastle have never been considered one of the big teams.

[Toon³]

38 years.......yeah whatever its still terrible.

The tradition big 6 were:
Man Utd
Arsenal
Spurs
Everton
Liverpool
Villa

Now its more of a big 4:
Man Utd
Arsenal
Liverpool
Chelsea

Newcastle have never been considered one of the big teams.

And you are a walking advertisement as to why people should avoid the "big 4"

Now please go back to squating over your mother dildo and wishing it was Ronaldo

[Warbuxx]

Sweeten, I'm curious:
What made you get into the EPL? Do you play or have you played soccer? Do you have friends who are also getting into the EPL?

Also do you get GolTV? You might find it fun to compare EPL styles to other leagues such as La Liga, the Bundesliga and Serie A.

[sweeten2213]

I did play soccer throughout most of my life. Like most people in this country (including the growing numbers that play), I never really followed any leagues. As I've gotten older (I'm about 34 now), I've grown an appreciation for the game that I didn't even have when I played. I chose the EPL because I hear it's the top league in the world, and have seen the proof behind that claim. Until I got the Fox Soccer Channel (and Gol TV) about two years ago, my exposure to the European leagues was limited to the internet and video games like EA Sports Fifa series. The first league I got into was the Bundesliga, mainly because of my German heritage. I also have followed international soccer (football...sorry). The Bundesliga is cool and I still follow it, but I watched a couple of EPL games and was hooked. I probably do like the style of the Bundesliga more (more of a traditional German methodical approach), but I want to take a dive into the EPL and it's talents. I haven't really watched La Liga or the Spanish league (Primera I believe). As far as whether or not I have friends that are getting into the EPL (or soccer in general), the answer is a resounding no. Quick story...I am a police officer and responded to a noise complaint. The accused was wearing a Peter Cech jersey. After the quick, "Keep it down", I stayed and chatted with the lad about soccer. It's that rare where I'm from to find someone who knows anything about the European leagues or the MLS for that matter, even though I live in a town where youth soccer is huge.