# UK football, season 2008/09, forecasts **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 7, 2008, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150 "2008-08-07T12:09:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 23
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/441 "2009-01-17T04:29:46Z")
> [@WormTheRed](#): > > That’s the way the do it in Spain though. E.g. Real Madrid B (reserves) plays in Serie B or C and has a theoretical chance of gaining promotion. But as all the best players go to the A-team, there isn’t that much of a chance of it happening. > > So it could be done, even if the bigger teams own the smaller ones. I don’t think the American people would stand for four teams of Yankees and three Boston Red Sox competing in the Major Leagues. Especially if their local Kansas City Royals are playing in the garbage man league. Relegation will never work in America (even in soccer) and salary caps will never work in Europe. My question is, can the Sheikh decide to forego the advertising revenue and just put his face on the City shirts? If I was a billionaire club owner, that’s what I’d do. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/442 "2009-01-17T08:43:53Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > My question is, can the Sheikh decide to forego the advertising revenue and just put his face on the City shirts? If I was a billionaire club owner, that’s what I’d do. You have to realise that some players wipe their noses on their shirts, wipe sweat off, wipe the ball with them and other unsavoury actions. Do you really think the Sheikh want’s a large lob of snot on his face 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/443 "2009-01-17T13:40:32Z")
> [@chowder](#): > > You have to realise that some players wipe their noses on their shirts, wipe sweat off, wipe the ball with them and other unsavoury actions. > > Do you really think the Sheikh want’s a large lob of snot on his face 😃 Heh. Are the owner’s seats closed in at City of Manchester Stadium? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/444 "2009-01-17T13:54:30Z")
I’m trying to look at this whole Kaka thing in a positive light, and I suppose if Zinedane Zidane was worth £49 million, then Kaka could be deemed to be worth double that? At the same time though, how can it be good for team morale when a player is earning that much more than the rest of his squad? Perhaps this is where performance related earnings should really come into play, but personally, I doubt he’d fit in at OT on them wages, nevermind that tub at Eastlands! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Discordia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Discordia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Discordia)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/445 "2009-01-17T16:20:55Z")
> [@WormTheRed](#): > > That’s the way the do it in Spain though. E.g. Real Madrid B (reserves) plays in Serie B or C and has a theoretical chance of gaining promotion. But as all the best players go to the A-team, there isn’t that much of a chance of it happening. > > So it could be done, even if the bigger teams own the smaller ones. The Spanish reserve teams have finished high enough to be promoted before, they just can’t be by the rules. It’s a pretty good system IMO, gets the fringe players competitive games without having to loan them all out. ---
**Author:** ![Discordia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Discordia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Discordia)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/446 "2009-01-17T17:05:54Z")
Man, smash my knee in a hiking accident and Chelski and United both win in the 90th minute. What a shitty day. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/447 "2009-01-17T17:11:06Z")
> [@Discordia](#): > > Man, smash my knee in a hiking accident and Chelski and United both win in the 90th minute. What a shitty day. A shitty day is putting it mildly, what a bunch of spawny wazzaks. Stop moaning, you’ve got two knees aintcha:D ---
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/448 "2009-01-17T17:16:26Z")
> [@Discordia](#): > > The Spanish reserve teams have finished high enough to be promoted before, they just can’t be by the rules. It’s a pretty good system IMO, gets the fringe players competitive games without having to loan them all out. Oh, I didn’t know they weren’t allowed to be promoted; I live and I learn. And what a lovely day: Good food, good company and a good Berbatov 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/449 "2009-01-17T17:50:57Z")
> [@WormTheRed](#): > > Oh, I didn’t know they weren’t allowed to be promoted; I live and I learn. > And what a lovely day: Good food, good company and a good Berbatov 😃 Not to mention LOUSY marking by the center backs for Bolton. The winner for Chelsea was somewhat more impressive. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/450 "2009-01-17T18:29:47Z")
Anyway, City managed a 1-0 against the mighty pie eaters of Wigan despite Dunne getting sent off (again) Up to 11th place, we’re on the move babies 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/451 "2009-01-17T21:00:50Z")
Fucking spawny Chelsea, fucking spawny Arsenal. Still, another three points for Villa, so I can’t complain. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/452 "2009-01-18T08:15:28Z")
> [@villa](#): > > Fucking spawny Chelsea, fucking spawny Arsenal. Still, another three points for Villa, so I can’t complain. You forgot fucking spawny manure ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/453 "2009-01-18T08:36:35Z")
I try to think of them as little as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Discordia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Discordia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Discordia)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/454 "2009-01-18T14:56:33Z")
The relegation area is probably more interesting than the title race, which is a case of who can stop being _horrible_ first. Really remarkable lack of quality in the title contenders this season, pretty surprising. I’m definitely sticking with my ‘bet’ of all the English teams get unceremoniously booted out of the CL first time of asking. All their opponents are either simply better or in better form. Perhaps except Inter, but Mourinho has a spell over United. Not that it matters, unless they collapse calamitously Barcelona will win the CL easily. They are truly frightening at the moment. Henry/Eto’o/Messi/Iniesta/Xavi is easily the best attacking force in Europe. Not to mention the best right back in the world in Alves (Maicon is pretty damn good too though, with Rafael looking like another one for the future. Where do Brazil find all these right backs?). On relegation, nice to see West Brom run into some form, especially with their manager refusing to change how they play. Hope they stay up. Tottenham and Newcastle deserve to go down for their comically inept management, and so 'appy 'arry will finally get the reputation he deserves. Hopefully Stoke join them, and never return. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/455 "2009-01-18T16:28:05Z")
> [@chowder](#): > > You forgot fucking spawny manure Thought that pretty much went without saying…😛 In other news, we get to watch Harry Houdini’s latest episode in the current season of Great Escapes. It’s a reality show, so it’s unscripted, and might even have a surprise ending… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/456 "2009-01-18T16:32:29Z")
> [@Discordia](#): > > The relegation area is probably more interesting than the title race, which is a case of who can stop being _horrible_ first. Really remarkable lack of quality in the title contenders this season, pretty surprising. I’m definitely sticking with my ‘bet’ of all the English teams get unceremoniously booted out of the CL first time of asking. All their opponents are either simply better or in better form. Perhaps except Inter, but Mourinho has a spell over United. Not that it matters, unless they collapse calamitously Barcelona will win the CL easily. They are truly frightening at the moment. Henry/Eto’o/Messi/Iniesta/Xavi is easily the best attacking force in Europe. Not to mention the best right back in the world in Alves (Maicon is pretty damn good too though, with Rafael looking like another one for the future. Where do Brazil find all these right backs?). > > On relegation, nice to see West Brom run into some form, especially with their manager refusing to change how they play. Hope they stay up. Tottenham and Newcastle deserve to go down for their comically inept management, and so 'appy 'arry will finally get the reputation he deserves. Hopefully Stoke join them, and never return. What are you going to say when the CL final ends up being contested between two English teams, Milan are gone in the quarters, and Harry Houdini manages to keep Tottenham up and out of relegation? 😛 Other than Barça, is any team playing well in your estimation?? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/457 "2009-01-18T18:26:50Z")
Well “Twitcher” managed to scrape a draw against Pompey which puts Spurs out of the relegation zone but still on the same number of points as those in it. Innit? ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@Dead\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Badger)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/458 "2009-01-18T19:50:18Z")
Crazy, really. A single point moves Spurs from last to 16th - a win would’ve moved them up by _eight places_. The bottom of the table is madness this season. ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/459 "2009-01-18T21:10:36Z")
But the good news is that next week they will be back down in the relegation zone. If they can go up that quickly, they can sure as hell fall just as fast. ---
**Author:** ![Discordia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Discordia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Discordia)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/460 "2009-01-18T22:37:27Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > What are you going to say when the CL final ends up being contested between two English teams, Milan are gone in the quarters, and Harry Houdini manages to keep Tottenham up and out of relegation? 😛 > > Other than Barça, is any team playing well in your estimation?? :eek: Well, I’m saying the English teams are poor by their own standards. Of last season, that is. United are so much worse it’s disturbing (probably because Ronaldo has been so poor). If not for their defense being on fire, they’d be fighting for their top 4 position. Chelski are seriously showing their age and lack of width, Arsenal’s problems are well documented. Only Liverpool are playing about the same as before, and I don’t consider that something to be proud of. As for who else is good, Juve are decent, Inter and Meelan are suffering the same problem as the English teams (being pretty mediocre, but just doing enough). The Spanish teams are outstanding one day and absolutely shocking the next. It just amazes me how few really good performances the English big 4 have put together. Been a few hammerings of really shitty teams (Liverpool v Newcastle, United v Stoke, Chelsea v Middlesborough etc), but even those are rare. So, so many 1-0s and 0-0s with so few chances created. I don’t really see anything that’s changed in the league (other than the top teams being worse than before). They still attack pretty constantly, but have a remarkable lack of penetration. Not sure why you think Barca will lose in the quarters or something? They’re the best team by a distance both on paper and in form in the competition. Obviously they’re favorites. Knockout sport being what it is, they can of course lose, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Do you really think Chelsea \> Juventus or United \> Inter or Liverpool \> Real Madrid or Arsenal \> Roma on paper or form? They could all win, sure, but the prospects don’t look great. To me all those matchups look like 50-50 for the English teams at best. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150.md?page=24)