# 2015-16 Barclays Premier League Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 3, 2015, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837 "2015-08-03T01:08:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/242 "2016-02-05T18:25:22Z")
If Leicester win the league you could argue they will be the most popular winners ever, because they are everyone’s second favourites (i.e. all Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, United, and City fans would prefer Leicester to win instead of any of those except their own team). ---
**Author:** ![Asympotically\_fat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@Asympotically\_fat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asympotically_fat)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/243 "2016-02-05T19:52:01Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > If Leicester win the league you could argue they will be the most popular winners ever, because they are everyone’s second favourites (i.e. all Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, United, and City fans would prefer Leicester to win instead of any of those except their own team). Interesting question: when were the last time a team as unfancied as Leciester got this close to the title/won the the title? In the Premiership era, the three teams that have crept up on the traditional elite to win the title (Blackburn, Chelsea and Man City) have all done so with their owners spending significant amounts of money to assemble very good squads and in Chelsea and Man City’s case they became part of the elite, so their successes was hardly as shocking as Leicester’s Perhaps Alf Ramsey’s Ipswich in the 1950s? ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2016, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/244 "2016-02-05T19:58:46Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > If Leicester win the league you could argue they will be the most popular winners ever, because they are everyone’s second favourites (i.e. all Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, United, and City fans would prefer Leicester to win instead of any of those except their own team). Definitely. Everybody who doesn’t have a dog in the fight is praying that Leicester can do it. If they do, it will be the most astounding triumph in the history of English football. The only thing I can think of that would come close is Notts Forest winning the league straight after promotion in 1978 and going on to win successive European Cups, but I’m not sure it compares because the gulf between the rich teams and the rest is bigger now, and the European Cup was a smaller knockout tournament then, compared to the slog of today’s Champions League. I would have said it was basically impossible for a team like Leicester to win the Premier League, but here we are. I still think it will probably be Man City in the end, but the fact that we’re still talking about it is quite something. ---
**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 6, 2016, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/245 "2016-02-06T13:49:53Z")
The Foxes are just destroying Man City. It’s kinda nuts. They are up 2-0 now and that second goal was a beauty. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/246 "2016-02-06T14:58:48Z")
Man City 1 - 3 Leicester City Football eh? Bloody hell. ---
**Author:** ![straight\_man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/straight_man/32/3027_2.png) [@straight\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/straight_man)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/247 "2016-02-06T15:00:11Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Man City 1 - 3 Leicester City > > Football eh? Bloody hell. And it should have been 0 - 3 — that Man City goal was pretty clearly offside. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/248 "2016-02-06T15:12:13Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > Definitely. Everybody who doesn’t have a dog in the fight is praying that Leicester can do it. If they do, it will be the most astounding triumph in the history of English football. The only thing I can think of that would come close is Notts Forest winning the league straight after promotion in 1978 and going on to win successive European Cups, but I’m not sure it compares because the gulf between the rich teams and the rest is bigger now, and the European Cup was a smaller knockout tournament then, compared to the slog of today’s Champions League. > I would have said it was basically impossible for a team like Leicester to win the Premier League, but here we are. I still think it will probably be Man City in the end, but the fact that we’re still talking about it is quite something. Clough winning the league title with Derby perhaps compares too. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/249 "2016-02-06T15:15:31Z")
And Leicester are now officially the favourites at all the bookies. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/250 "2016-02-06T15:50:08Z")
> [@Mr\_Shine](#): > > And Leicester are now officially the favourites at all the bookies. Until today I was waiting for them to fold. Not so sure it’s going to happen now. ---
**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 6, 2016, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/251 "2016-02-06T16:19:48Z")
Good lord those Tottenham boys play some beautiful football. COYS! ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/252 "2016-02-06T16:20:35Z")
I keep thinking of 1995-96, though. Unfancied Newcastle (although not quite as unfancied as Leicester) were 12 points clear in late January, and blew it. Although I can’t see Claudio Ranieri having an on-screen meltdown about how he would love to put one over Pelligrini :D. [http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/1995-1996/table/1996-01-21](http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/1995-1996/table/1996-01-21) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_Yenzdq5g6o/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGGUgUShHMA8=&rs=AOn4CLDYZKPC1A_EHtgwAPP0NiQ4kHC1jA "Kevin Keegan Rant (FULL VERSION)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yenzdq5g6o) ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/253 "2016-02-06T16:23:38Z")
I say Pelligrini, make that Pochettino… ---
**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 6, 2016, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/254 "2016-02-06T16:50:29Z")
Spurs in 2nd! ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/255 "2016-02-06T19:13:49Z")
[Fairytales come true…](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TbUukyFu7g) ---
**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 9, 2016, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/256 "2016-02-09T19:44:04Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > If Leicester win the league you could argue they will be the most popular winners ever, because they are everyone’s second favourites (i.e. all Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, United, and City fans would prefer Leicester to win instead of any of those except their own team). Conversely, it will be the most traumatic second place finish ever for whoever finishes ahead of everybody _but_ Leicester! ---
**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 9, 2016, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/257 "2016-02-09T19:45:05Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > Spurs in 2nd! More beer! ---
**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 13, 2016, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/258 "2016-02-13T12:45:00Z")
I think this may be the first time ever that I am finding myself hoping for an Arsenal win. If Arsenal and Tottenham both win it’s and honest to goodness three team race to the top. If Arsenal just tie then The Foxes probably walk away with the title. Not definitely, but the odds are good. If they lose, well then it’s just a fight to see what order the two-four finish in. Tottenham are still in it no matter the outcome of their match, but a win against city would be huge, and a tie would still be huge. A loss wouldn’t hurt them too much. I guess COYG? ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2016, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/259 "2016-02-13T20:10:35Z")
As an Arsenal fan – thanks for your support? You’re right that Arsenal and Spurs wins make for a much more interesting end of the season. Loved the Sunderland win this today. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2016, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/260 "2016-02-14T13:51:17Z")
Gunners left it late, but clearly deserved the three points. Two matches against current league-leading Leicester City, six points to the Arsenal! Arsenal! Arsenal! Arsenal! ---
**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 14, 2016, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/261 "2016-02-14T13:53:22Z")
I have never felt more conflicted than watching that Arsenal last minute goal. Yay-ish for someone putting some breaks on the Foxes running away with things. But part of me was hoping for the hilarious tie score. edit: I really don’t understand why teams have such a hard time scoring against Leicester. Their defense looks terrible, but teams aren’t scoring against them like they should. It took Arsenal 12 shots on goal and something like 20 total shots to score 2. The heck? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837.md?page=14)