# 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:** 15
**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 16, 2016, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/282 "2016-02-16T02:33:47Z")
> [@mascaroni](#): > > I know what you mean. 3 - 0 up in stoppage time and I’m thinking “We might get a draw” > > Spurs: The triumph of hope over experience. > > That said, I reckon we’ve got a reasonable chance of finishing in the top ten this year. I have rarely wanted a like button on this site, but this post makes me wish we had one. Hey guys, the hosts on the Guardian Football Weekly podcast all agreed that they think Spurs are most likely to win the league. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/283 "2016-02-16T04:45:40Z")
> [@mascaroni](#): > > but, in the case of Mertresacker, setting club allegiences aside, he always seems to look like a liabity. No one who knows anything about football, and follows his play, thinks so. I’m not saying he’s Carles Puyol, but he doesn’t suck. His great height (6’6") is part of what creates an illusion that he is slower than is actually correct. He’s not as speedy as Bellerín, by a long shot, but it’s not such a terrible liability in lieu of his outstanding leadership and positional awareness. Note that Mertesacker also makes regular appearances for the German national team, a side that, I seem to recall, recently won their fourth World Cup. > [@](#): > > It’s a weak spot that other teams are taking advantage of. I’m not seeing this, and I watch every Arsenal match I can. But of course all players, possibly excepting a small handful of the best of the best, have weaknesses that can be exploited. What makes the difference is whether teamwork and communication make it possible to cover other player’s weaknesses. To the extent Arsenal have a weakness that might prevent us from winning the League, it’s our all-too-often poor finishing, and not a problem with the back four. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/284 "2016-02-16T10:34:47Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > No one who knows anything about football, and follows his play, thinks so… Thierry Henry? He gave him a right coating before the game on Sunday. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/285 "2016-02-16T10:38:59Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > Hey guys, the hosts on the Guardian Football Weekly podcast all agreed that they think Spurs are most likely to win the league. :eek: Nooooo! Don’t say things like that. ---
**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 16, 2016, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/286 "2016-02-16T13:26:33Z")
> [@mascaroni](#): > > Nooooo! Don’t say things like that. I for one still think the Gooners do it. Because that would be fitting. Spurs best season in ages is the year Woolwich win the league. That is a world that makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/287 "2016-02-16T14:47:10Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > I for one still think the Gooners do it. Because that would be fitting. Spurs best season in ages is the year Woolwich win the league. That is a world that makes sense. That’s the spirit! We’ll have no optimism around The Lane! ---
**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 16, 2016, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/288 "2016-02-16T17:27:24Z")
> [@mascaroni](#): > > That’s the spirit! We’ll have no optimism around The Lane! For Spurs fans. [This article may help](http://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/2016/2/16/11018288/tottenham-hotspur-title-race-how-to-cope). It helped me. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/289 "2016-02-16T18:03:32Z")
I guess things are better for us Spurs supporters compared to a few years ago: - the club sacked Harry Redknapp in 2012 after he took Spurs to consecutive 4th place finishes in the Premiership - also in 2012 the club proudly announced a ‘partnership’ with Real Madrid. This turned out to consist purely of selling them our best players (Modric, Bale) ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/290 "2016-02-16T18:30:03Z")
> [@mascaroni](#): > > Thierry Henry? He gave him a right coating before the game on Sunday. Ah, Henry. Such a marvelous player, such a shit commentator. Well, you found one example. Good for you. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/291 "2016-02-16T18:39:13Z")
> [@glee](#): > > I guess things are better for us Spurs supporters compared to a few years ago: > > - the club sacked Harry Redknapp in 2012 after he took Spurs to consecutive 4th place finishes in the Premiership > - also in 2012 the club proudly announced a ‘partnership’ with Real Madrid. This turned out to consist purely of selling them our best players (Modric, Bale) **glee** , a rather inapposite name for a fellow sufferer, We did get Van Der Vaart on the cheap from them, though… ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/292 "2016-02-16T18:52:40Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Ah, Henry. Such a marvelous player, such a shit commentator… Well Jamie Carragher wasn’t singing his praises either. And he was a central defender and knows what he’s talking about. Still, why should I care? We’re Spurs and we’re finishing Eighth. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/293 "2016-02-16T19:00:32Z")
> [@mascaroni](#): > > Still, why should I care? We’re Spurs and we’re finishing Eighth. I think at the worst you’ll be 5th. But of course I hope you’re right. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/294 "2016-02-16T19:26:30Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > I think at the worst you’ll be 5th… Pah! Don’t underrate us. We’re the masters of fucking things up. With or without lasagna… ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/295 "2016-02-16T20:14:39Z")
> [@mascaroni](#): > > Pah! Don’t underrate us. We’re the masters of fucking things up. With or without lasagna… Truth is, you’re even mediocre at fucking up. Look at Aston Villa. There’s a real fuck up. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/296 "2016-02-16T20:32:32Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Truth is, you’re even mediocre at fucking up. Look at Aston Villa. There’s a real fuck up. That was rather harsh, **Knorf** … You mean we’re fucking up fucking up? As you well know. we’re masters of the art of fucking up. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/297 "2016-02-16T21:33:39Z")
All I can say is, being a fan of football and choosing a side is a good way to make yourself suffer. Some suffer more than others. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/298 "2016-02-16T21:48:26Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > All I can say is, being a fan of football and choosing a side is a good way to make yourself suffer. > > Some suffer more than others. “Suffer the little Spurs fans because they don’t know what they have let themslves in for.” Ron 2 :16 ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/299 "2016-02-16T22:14:30Z")
> [@glee](#): > > I guess things are better for us Spurs supporters compared to a few years ago: > > - the club sacked Harry Redknapp in 2012 after he took Spurs to consecutive 4th place finishes in the Premiership > - also in 2012 the club proudly announced a ‘partnership’ with Real Madrid. This turned out to consist purely of selling them our best players (Modric, Bale) > [@mascaroni](#): > > **glee** , a rather inapposite name for a fellow sufferer, We did get Van Der Vaart on the cheap from them, though… Yes, that is true. Of course Real didn’t want Van der Vaart… ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/300 "2016-02-17T20:56:05Z")
Wayne Rooney suddenly out for up to two months with a knee injury NBC Sports - ProSoccerTalk: Wayne Rooney ruled out with serious knee injury > **[Wayne Rooney ruled out with serious knee injury - ProSoccerTalk | NBC Sports](https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2016/02/17/report-wayne-rooney-out-two-months-with-knee-injury/)** > > Red Devils leading scorer, captain is reportedly out after suffering ligament damage. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2016, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837/301 "2016-02-24T14:46:20Z")
> [@mascaroni](#): > > Osama Bin Laden supported Arsenal. Never been substantiated. Arsenal will be the opponents in this year’s MLS All-Star Game. [Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX-Cucf7nSQ)’s the promo video (complete with dig at Spurs), which imagines a world where veteran Brazilian international footballer Kaka has English young English footballer Calum Chambers’ phone number (or indeed even knows who he is). Also, I love [this thing](https://vine.co/v/MM6t7EZrI0X) that’s developed in recent years, presumably when the on-field action isn’t providing much interest, where a crowd of supporters will run up and down the touchline mimicking the linesman! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-16-barclays-premier-league-thread/726837.md?page=16)