EPLextra is a football podcast devoted to all things related to the English Premier League and broader issues in the beautiful game.
Each episode, the panel regulars and their guests debate the week that was in the English Premier League, look ahead to the future and highlight some of the lighter and lesser known aspects of the world game.
In this week’s episode.
• Have Arsenal and Liverpool done enough in the transfer window to truly challenge for the title?
• Southampton attempt to rebuild after losing the majority of last season’s starting 11.
• QPR to drop back to the Championship, but not before Harry gives us a few choice quotes from his car.
• Hull to continue to develop and prove their FA Cup run from last year wasn’t a fluke.
• Will Leicester and Burnley try to replicate Crystal Palace and maintain their newly gained EPL status?
• What’s in store for West Ham, West Brom and Aston Villa in the season ahead.
• Article of the week: Zee on the FFA Cup – A fresh new perspective for Australian football.
• Six Degrees of Mario Balotelli and our final thought on the World Cup.
• Listen out for the shock result of the week – a regular fixture for the podcast – which pits the hapless Aston Villa against an unlikely opponent. Will they ever win?
Contact us through the comments section below, tweet us @eplextra, or like us on Facebook at EPLextra.
All views expressed in the podcast are those of the panel members, unless otherwise noted.
Each episode is available to listen to from Tuesday mornings on The Roar throughout the EPL season.
EPLextra
Roar Rookie
Hi Griffo, Great comment and based on what you have said, you listened to the whole episode so thanks for that. Man Utd will be previewed in next week's episode (probably by Isik, our one-eyed Utd expert) but it will be very interesting to see how Liverpool and Rogers manage this season. Based on what I have seen online and elsewhere it seems to be a 50/50 split between challenging for the title again or doing a Tottenham after the Bale sale. The timing of the start of the FFA Cup is interesting as lot lot of the teams from lower levels of Australian football would be a good way through their season whereas A-League teams are still in pre-season mode. Might mean there are a few surprise results. Zee's article pointed to a lot of the positives in these early games, but I think it will be a massive shot in the arm for the Cup if a minnow can beat the giant. As for the old Aussie spirit when it comes to the national team, well we can only hope. Marko
EPLextra
Roar Rookie
For anyone out there, we would love to hear your 10 words or less summary of Australia's performance at the World Cup. Cheers Marko
Griffo
Roar Guru
Nice one fellas. I think ManU will take more points this season from above their last EPL table position and that Liverpool and Brendan Rogers will have their work cut out managing dual competitions. I also think they were fed up to their eye teeth with Suarez and his extended suspensions. Really they're glad he's gone and are enjoying a different headache on where those 30 goals will come from. Although Del Piero is now in squad with the All Stars, I'm not sure a year ago he would have been prepared to play this early against a suburban club on a suburban pitch in an FFA Cup match. Nothing against him just a bit of preservation at that point, although if he looking for a team still he might just get a game this year ;-) . Can only hope mainstream media grow up regarding football reporting for Asian Cup (it is getting a bit better). If we lose, it's doom 'n' gloom; win, and it's the 'Aussie heros' against the odds routine. Worse than 'aussie spirit' will be if they just ignore it completely...
EPLextra
Roar Rookie
I also have lots of question marks regarding Southampton this season, losing so many influential players is bound to take its toll. It will be interesting to see if the Southampton Academy can produce another gem to fill the void. Lachlan
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Southampton got be a chance. They don't even have a squad at this stage.
AZ_RBB
Guest
West Ham have already put a deposit down on 20th.
EPLextra
Roar Rookie
Thanks AZ_RBB, This week we covered 10 teams and we will do the same next week with the remaining 10. During the season we will cover all ten matches each episode, obviously focussing on some more than others, but there should be enough in there for everyone. Its tough trying to make predictions a couple weeks out from the start. Since we recorded, the rumours around Jason Davidson joining West Brom have come to light. We predicted a tough season for the Baggies in the podcast, so it seems like Jason likes a challenge. Cheers Marko
EPLextra
Roar Rookie
Hi DingoGray, I thought Lachlan's prediction of 20th might have been a tad tough, but QPR will probably need a few more recruits before the window closes. Harry has a reputation as a wheeler-dealer so lets see what he can pull out of the bag. Marko
EPLextra
Roar Rookie
Thanks Patrick. Looks good Marko
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Audio embedded now! Hoorah!
AZ_RBB
Guest
Good array of teams covered. Nice work.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Don't put your house on QPR going straight back!