# 2014-15 Barclays Premier League Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 10, 2014, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248 "2014-08-10T17:07:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/161 "2015-01-26T05:18:21Z")
I had to avoid this thread until i could get around to watching Match of the Day and seeing the FA Cup highlights. What a round of games! If there’s anything nicer than seeing Chelsea and Man City lose, it’s seeing them lose to lower-division opposition on their home turf. Stadiums full of depressed Chelsea and City fans are a sight to warm the heart. Did anyone see Tomlin’s magical turn-and-shot for Middlesbrough in the second half? It came off the woodwork, but it was amazing. One of the goals of the year if it had gone in. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/162 "2015-01-26T05:47:48Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > If there’s anything nicer than seeing Chelsea and Man City lose, it’s seeing them lose to lower-division opposition on their home turf. Stadiums full of depressed Chelsea and City fans are a sight to warm the heart. They really are. > [@](#): > > Did anyone see Tomlin’s magical turn-and-shot for Middlesbrough in the second half? It came off the woodwork, but it was amazing. One of the goals of the year if it had gone in. Saw it on the highlights. Middlesbrough look likely to be promoted to the Premier League next year, and could do pretty well if the fight they showed is any indication. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/163 "2015-01-26T19:01:32Z")
Shame about the Chelsea.😃 At least amid all the chaos, nobody is paying too much attention to Tottenham’s _relatively_ non-embarrassing loss to a side that, at least for now, is actually in the Premier League. OTOH, all the fans of these eliminated clubs are kicking themselves to have wasted a golden opportunity with most of the top contenders eliminated. Well, let the upsets continue!! ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/164 "2015-01-26T19:46:36Z")
Arsenal have drawn Middlesbrough in the next round. I trust we will perform better than Manchester City did against them. Preston North End or Sheffield United v Cambridge United or Manchester United Derby County v Reading Blackburn Rovers v Rochdale or The Orcs of Mordor Bradford City v Sunderland or Fulham West Bromwich Albion v West Ham Aston Villa v Leicester City Arsenal v Middlesbrough Crystal Palace v Liverpool or Bolton ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/165 "2015-01-28T22:59:40Z")
COME ON YOU… Spurs are on their way to Wembley Tottenham’s gonna do it again They can’t stop 'em, the boys from Tottenham The boys from White Hart Lane! Spurs are on their way to Wembley The kings are claiming the throne Everybody will be singing When the Spurs go marching on! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2015, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/166 "2015-01-29T04:38:06Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > COME ON YOU… > > Spurs are on their way to Wembley > Tottenham’s gonna do it again > They can’t stop 'em, the boys from Tottenham > The boys from White Hart Lane! > > Spurs are on their way to Wembley > The kings are claiming the throne > Everybody will be singing > When the Spurs go marching on! > > 😃 I must have watched the Vine of Erikson’s second goal for about 20 minutes without looking up. Fucking spectacular. Kane’s pass, Erikson’s almost nonchalant finish, the keeper having no chance in hell. I’m going to watch it again. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2015, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/167 "2015-02-07T14:48:51Z")
SPURS WIN! SPURS WIN! Take the derby, move ahead of arsenal and are in freaking 4th place! for now, there are still games to play This is better than the Chelsea win. ---
**Author:** ![BOOM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c4cdca/32.png) [@BOOM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BOOM)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2015, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/168 "2015-02-07T18:35:55Z")
Smashed the Welshies last night, hammered the goons today … dunnno what to do for tomorow - eradicate hipsters, invade the Rhineland? Wonderful weekend! #COYS ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2015, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/169 "2015-02-07T19:25:24Z")
Aarrrgh… ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/170 "2015-02-07T19:44:58Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Aarrrgh… QFT. City were dreadful today–I feel we were lucky to get the draw. The draw. Against Hull [del]City[/del], a team that, if there is any justice in the world, will be relegated as punishment for their horrible owner. Yaya, please come home. We have so much cake for you. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2015, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/171 "2015-02-07T23:45:09Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > SPURS WIN! SPURS WIN! Take the derby, move ahead of arsenal and are in freaking 4th place! for now, there are still games to play This is better than the Chelsea win. 5th… ManU has you by Goal Differential. But congrats are definitely in order. I’m also hoping that Yedlin helps Spurs out. (I can now root for other teams to finish in European places as there is no chance Newcastle does so this year ☹ ) ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2015, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/172 "2015-02-08T00:53:57Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > 5th… ManU has you by Goal Differential. But congrats are definitely in order. I’m also hoping that Yedlin helps Spurs out. (I can now root for other teams to finish in European places as there is no chance Newcastle does so this year ☹ ) Well at the time Southam hadn’t played so they were in 4th. It was unlikely to hold but it was fun for the hours it lasted. I honestly wasn’t expecting a top 4 finish so anything even close is gravy. If they can hold their lead and they finish above Arsenal that will be good enough for me. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2015, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/173 "2015-02-08T23:43:17Z")
What the hell is going on in Leicester? Does Nigel Pearson have pictures of the owner with young girls or something? I mean, it’s great to be loyal to the guy for what he’s done in the past, and at this point, it’s hard to imagine anybody else is going to be able to keep them up anyway. But, FFS, he assaulted an opposing player on the pitch! Bizarre that they didn’t give him the sack. Well, there’s the Premier League for you–never a shortage of narrative. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/174 "2015-02-09T01:23:51Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > Well, there’s the Premier League for you–never a shortage of narrative. Part of why I enjoy it so much! ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/175 "2015-02-11T17:01:15Z")
So there are still aspects of this league which are puzzling to an American…there are many different “championships” which a team might win over the course of the season, and it is hard to tell from here which are considered the most significant. Below is what seems to me to be a rough hierarchy of achievements in descending order of impressiveness…could those of you who grew up with this league comment on whether this is fairly accurate, or if not where I am off? Thanks in advance. Winning Champions League Winning Premier League Making a deep run in Champions League Winning FA Cup Qualifying for Champions League Winning Europa League Winning League Cup ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/176 "2015-02-11T18:57:47Z")
I’d put Winning the FA Cup above “deep run in the Champion’s League.” It is the oldest continually-running soccer competition, with a tremendous history. Otherwise that list seems about right. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/177 "2015-02-11T18:59:22Z")
In other news, Arsenal are for the moment properly back in the top four. Go Burnley! (If Burnley beats Manchester United today, we’ll stay there.) ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/178 "2015-02-11T19:59:45Z")
FWIW, as a non-Brit, Thing Fish, I would say you got it exactly right. Winning the FA Cup might mean more to a Brit, but to me a deep run against the best club teams in the world is a higher achievement, especially as the FA Cup seems to have gotten a lot more, let’s say “random”, as many of the better teams don’t seem to take it all that seriously until the later rounds. Even saying winning the FA Cup is better than CL qualification is debatable if you keep cases like 2012-13 Wigan in mind (won the FA Cup, still got relegated, appeared in Europa League next year). Somehow I think most people would see finishing in the top four and qualifying for the CL, instead, as a sign of a stronger team. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/179 "2015-02-11T20:19:59Z")
Actually, a tie in the Manchester United - Burnley match still leaves Arsenal in fourth. And after 33 minutes it is still a tie, 1-1. How can you not cheer for the Clarets? Unless you have the grave misfortune of being a ManU supporter, that is. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248/180 "2015-02-11T22:34:26Z")
> [@duality72](#): > > FWIW, as a non-Brit, Thing Fish, I would say you got it exactly right. Winning the FA Cup might mean more to a Brit, but to me a deep run against the best club teams in the world is a higher achievement, especially as the FA Cup seems to have gotten a lot more, let’s say “random”, as many of the better teams don’t seem to take it all that seriously until the later rounds. Even saying winning the FA Cup is better than CL qualification is debatable if you keep cases like 2012-13 Wigan in mind (won the FA Cup, still got relegated, appeared in Europa League next year). Somehow I think most people would see finishing in the top four and qualifying for the CL, instead, as a sign of a stronger team. I think the importance to a fan and the importance to the team are a bit divergent in this case. Fans want silverware, generally, but for a top team (or one that aspires to be) Champions League qualification is essential. I know (or at least strongly suspect) that if Alexis Sanchez only has one game left in his legs, and Arsene Wenger has to choose between the FA Cup Final and the EPL match against ManU at the end of the season with that 4th place spot on the line, he will play Alexis in the league. Some fans would probably prefer he played in the Cup final (at least the English ones - I’m kind of guessing as an American). So I guess what I’m saying is that, practically speaking, Champions League and the EPL (including CL qualification) come above all domestic cup competitions, even finals. And I really do believe that the Europa league is actually a detriment to long-term team success. If Arsenal fail to make the CL for next season I truly hope they bomb out of the Europa early so they can focus on the league. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-15-barclays-premier-league-thread/695248.md?page=10)