The Beautiful Game thread, season 2014/15

[GB_Simo]

New season kicks off this weekend, chaps - at least it does for those of us who care about the Community Shield, as well as those lucky enough to have been born in Hartlepool. (Fact of the Day: the name "Hartlepool", pronounced Hart-lee-pool, means "deer peninsula". There are none and it isn't.) It feels like only yesterday that I last tried to convince my colleagues of the Disneyland thrills contained within a relegation struggle but I am informed, by people clearly more alert than I, that there was indeed a gap between the end of last season and the start of this.

[RobVarak]

Good luck and hope they have a great season, Simo.

Despite the fact that the World Cup feels like it ended an eon ago, somehow the end of last season seems like yesterday. I, for one, have not fully reset myself emotionally after last year's insanity.

[10spro]

I'll be following the EPL as well as the Spanish Liga as usual, gotta feel sorry for the Saints somehow with all their exodus of players and coach. I think ManU will rebound nicely this season under Van Haal.

Look forward to James showing his skills in La Liga, and the trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez should cause some damage to the opponents.

[pk500]

I'm eager for another season of Fat Mike-induced mediocrity on Tyneside. Can't help it -- I'm loyal to the Toon Barcodes!

[XXXIV]

I look for Sterling to step it up and have a monster year for Liverpool.

[tjung0831]

Looking for a top 4 finish from Everton this year! Barkley and Lukaku are poised for monster seasons!

[XXXIV]

Looking for a top 4 finish from Everton this year! Barkley and Lukaku are poised for monster seasons!

I wish you the best of luck!

[fsquid]

HI-HO Sheffield Wednesday!!!!!

[fsquid]

Howard Webb Retires

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/08/howard- ... ier-league

[RobVarak]

Howard Webb Retires

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/08/howard- ... ier-league

As if van Gaal didn't already have enough holes to fill in that squad!

[Jimmydeicide]

[XXXIV]

[fsquid]

If anyone wants to know where Alan Smith and Roy Carroll are, they are slummng away at Notts County.

[tjung0831]

and so it begins.....
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2164 ... and-return

[Inuyasha]

My team this year in EPL is ............................Everton.

[10spro]

My team this year in EPL is ............................Everton.

Pretty sure you'll change your mind half way thru the season.

[pk500]

The superb "Men in Blazers" podcast is on hiatus until Rog and Davo move to NBC Sports Network for their weekly TV show. They'll also resume the pod.

Until then, I recommend these two excellent weekly pods:

Football Weekly -- The Guardian (informative, somewhat irreverent podcast mainly about the EPL and Champions League, featuring Guardian journalists and clever host James Richardson)
http://www.theguardian.com/football/ser ... ballweekly

The Football Ramble (Four regular guys who are huge fans with a lot of EPL and English league knowledge and are VERY, VERY funny)
http://thefootballramble.com/

Enjoy!

[10spro]

Tight defending and smart counterattacking just did it for Swansea as they spoiled Van Gaal's debut with United. Looks like he'll have to work a lot with this team yet.

On the other side a good game by Leicester as they tied Everton late, no panicking even when they were down and played an even match.

Barry was lucky not to be sent off to the showers earlier.

[tjung0831]

It was a great morning watching these games. Looks like they even gave Man U some extra stoppage time for them to try and tie it up but Swansea prevailed.
Everton should have had 3 pts....I thought Martinez waited to long on the subs and then I thought he put the wrong guys in. Would have loved to see Besic get in there, especially when they are trying to hang on to that one goal lead. Lukaku definitely not match fit at this point.
The Arsenal and CP game was great as well and I've got the Hull City/QPR and the Stoke/Aston Villa games on the DVR.
Looking forward to both games tomorrow and then Chelsea and Burnley on Monday!

[XXXIV]

You will never walk alone.

Wasnt easy but the money players were money.

[Jimmydeicide]

Yep not a bad first goal for your fantasy team, Hendo to Sterling

[XXXIV]

Yep not a bad first goal for your fantasy team, Hendo to Sterling

Sterling to Sturridge was a pretty good second goal for a few of our fantasy teams.

[tjung0831]

Looks like Newcastle has a couple of promising young players. They almost made a difference today but Man City is just to strong. Sturridge and Sterling continue to be the most dangerous duo in the league.....downright scary at times and they are always making plays.

[10spro]

Pretty good debut from James Rodriguez coming off the bench in the Super Cup game vs Atletico. Game ended in a tie where Ronaldo seemed to have injured his knee.

[XXXIV]

Mario Balotelli would be good or bad? I say good.