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The English Premier League roundtable

Roar Guru
14th August, 2014
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Manchester City - will the go back-to-back? AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS
Roar Guru
14th August, 2014
3

The 2014/15 English Premier League season gets underway in just over 48 hours. And there is so many question marks hanging over a season which promises so much.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with five passionate and fervent football supporters to discuss all things English football.

The lads that joined us were: Markus – who is a emotionally tormented Liverpool FC supporter, Jackson – a rejuvenated Everton supporter, Carlos – a Manchester United supporter, Aria – a enthusiastic Arsenal supporter and David – a Newcastle United fan boy.

Here is a word-by-word transcript of what went down.

Zee: So to kick things off, what are ya’ll most excited and least excited about this season?

Aria: Most excited? Well probably seeing how the newly promoted clubs fair this season, over the last couple of seasons the promoted clubs have sprung some surprises. I hope they do some good stuff. The thing I am least excited about is probably making more excuses for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, when we do eventually underperform this season.

Carlos: Poor Gooners, haha, always anticipating the worst. Well, from a United perspective I am really keen on just getting back to playing the United way.

Louis Van Gaal is a beast, and I am sure that he will restore the pride that was taken away from us this season. I don’t expect to win the league, nor do I care if we do, I just want the club to play the United way. I want to see attacking, youthful and exuberant football. I am probably least excited for the gazillion international week stoppages that we have to endure, until December.

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David: Woah, a United fan not to bothered about winning the league? I have seen it all. I will change things up a bit, least excited about Alan Pardew being in charge again, we are so unpredictable, and our inconsistency will surely creep in this season again.

I’m very excited to see how the likes of Alex Sanchez, Cesc Fabregas, Eliaquim Mangala, Diego Costa and whoever Manchester United sign fare in the EPL. It’ll sure make for a more exciting league, so it’d be good to watch them make their mark.

Jackson: Most excited to see Everton continue their incredible form from last season, get a top four spot and become the bigger club on merseyside. I am least excited about seeing United win the league again.

Markus: Someone is arrogant, aye Jackson? Least excited about United winning the league, and most excited to see how LFC kick on after letting Suarez go. Bring it on!

Zee: Ok, fairly interesting responses. Now for predictions: champions, top four and bottom three?

A: Easy. Champions – City, top four – Chelsea, United, City, Arsenal, bottom three – QPR, Hull and Stoke.

C: Well I don’t think City will go back to back, I reckon either United or Chelsea for the league, bottom three – Leicester, Hull and Stoke. Top four – United, Chelsea, Everton, City.

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D: I think United will win the league. Stoke, QPR, and Southampton will be relegated, I reckon the mass departures from Southampton will be their demise, and top four will be United, Chelsea, City and Everton. Goodbye Arsenal!

J: United will be the obvious league winners, LVG will be brutal, and will make United a force to be reckoned with again. Everton will be part of the top four in expense of Liverpool and Arsenal. So City, Chelsea, United and Everton will make the top four. Relegation, I don’t agree with David re: Southampton. They are a classy side, and I think the board will do enough with the money they received to stay in the PL.

I reckon QPR, Leicester, and Burnley will be relegated.

M: So obviously Liverpool for the title, as always. Relegation will go something like this – Crystal Palace, Leicester and QPR, while the top four would go identically the same as last season.

Zee: Which three players from across the league will outshine their peers, and have a stellar season?

A: Alexis Sanchez, Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas. Easy and obvious three.

C: Wayne Rooney, LVG will get the best out of him, Diego Costa and can’t go past Yaya Toure.

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D: Robin Van Persie, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa

J: Costa, Mangala, and Toure.

M: Stevie G, Lambert and Sturridge. Because Liverpool will win the League. They will…

Zee: Which manager’s head will go first?

A: Wenger, especially if we start off badly. Sean Dyche, Pearson or Steve Bruce. I am really undecided.

C: Maybe Sean Dyche, he may be in over his head this season.

D: Wenger – he has a lot of weight on his shoulders. Do well in the League or perish.

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J: Pearson, I reckon, its usually one of the newly promoted managers that often get the sack first.

M: Pellegrini, if he doesn’t keep those Sheiks happy, he could go down the same road as his old mate Mancini.

Zee: Which club or player, has the most at stake this season?

A: Manchester United by far, last season was a shocker. If they don’t turn things around this season, they could be in trouble, so the pressure will be on them.

C: Chelsea, they have spent a lot of dough, a lot of quality has come in and Mourinho’s reputation is on the line. A lot expect them to tick away with title, so anything less could spell trouble.

D: Everton went on such a great run last season and did a lot of great things, but as usual underperformed when it came to the knock-out cups, they need to win something or get into that top four – they have way to much quality to not.

J: Well you can’t go past Liverpool, last season was their best chance to put those 20 years of humiliation behind them, and they choked at the most important stage. Stevie G needs to redeem his mess up and it’ll be interesting to see how they fair without Suarez.

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M: United, all the talk in the off season was about their saviour in LVG stirring the ship back to glory, so they have a lot to prove and make up for this season.

Zee: If you could choose one marquee player for your club to sign before the window ends, who would it be and why?

A: Iker Casillas, don’t care what anyone says about the guy, he is all class, and Arsenal need a keeper who has experienced glory and isn’t afraid to make bold moves in big matches.

C: Mats Hummels. We have lost so much class and stability in defence, we have a very youthful defensive line, and an old classy head like Hummels would be perfect.

D: Someone who isn’t French. And someone who Pardew doesn’t rate too much, because the ones he does seem to flop fairly easily.

J: Its a tricky question, we have a phenomenal squad, a great youth set up, I’d love to see a guy like Javier Hernadez light up our front line. It’ll give us that extra spark, but the permanent capture of Lukuaku will do me. It is pivotal we kept him, such a great sort.

M: Can we loan Suarez back?

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Zee: Last but not least, what kind of season are ya’ll hoping for?

A: A very open season, a very congested table and one that will leave question marks up in the air until the very last minute of the season, I love a tight one.

C: I hope for a season filled with spectacular goals, on-field animosity, attack displays of brilliance, and a League which gives even the minnows an opportunity to spring the occasional shock performances.

D: A season very much like last.

J: One that see’s Liverpool choke once again, and one that sees the bigger clubs turned on their heads.

M: One that will steer the headlines well away from La Liga.

Thanks to the five that contributed, it’s always interesting to hear the opinions of supporters of the greatest league of all. It all kicks off at 21:45pm this Saturday night.

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