# 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:** 33
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/641 "2009-02-05T17:31:57Z")
> [@chowder](#): > > I forgot to mention Wayne Bridge, add another £12M > > Tell me, why do you want all the English teams out? > > What have we ever done to upset you? Charitable interpretation: He wants them out because they are playing poor, uninspired football. “Real” reason: He doesn’t want to have to eat his words about the quality of English football this season. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Discordia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Discordia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Discordia)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/642 "2009-02-05T17:38:25Z")
> [@chowder](#): > > I forgot to mention Wayne Bridge, add another £12M > > Tell me, why do you want all the English teams out? > > What have we ever done to upset you? Well, I want Chelsea/Liverpool/United out because I dislike them for various reasons (I don’t want Arsenal out, I like them), but mostly I want to see the “The EPL is the most greatest league evar!!!” fanboys have to eat crow. > [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Charitable interpretation: He wants them out because they are playing poor, uninspired football. > “Real” reason: He doesn’t want to have to eat his words about the quality of English football this season. Eh, it’s no fun if you aren’t willing to put it on the line. I think they’re poor this season, and I think the results will back that assessment up. I hope you’re willing to admit they’re poor if they all go crashing out! I’ll eat crow if they do well. ---
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/643 "2009-02-05T17:56:04Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > Have you seen that Everton player who just lacks the tash to be a perfect “Scouse git”? Felainnie, or something. 🙂 Hang on, let me find a pic. Actually he looks more like Screech from _Saved By The Bell_. [Fellaini](http://www.80stees.com/images/products/Bayside_Screech-Costume.jpg) and [Screech](http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/2xqh3ChexjH/Everton+v+Arsenal+Premier+League/RAdDu7RkWP8/Marouane+Fellaini). ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/644 "2009-02-05T18:03:49Z")
> [@Chez\_Guevara](#): > > Actually he looks more like Screech from _Saved By The Bell_. > > [Fellaini](http://www.80stees.com/images/products/Bayside_Screech-Costume.jpg) and [Screech](http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/2xqh3ChexjH/Everton+v+Arsenal+Premier+League/RAdDu7RkWP8/Marouane+Fellaini). He looks like he should be robbing post offices, not playing footer. ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/645 "2009-02-05T18:05:05Z")
> [@chowder](#): > > I thought it was just hub caps they nicked 😛 I think the technical term for their choice of items to thieve is “anything that isn’t nailed down.” ---
**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:** [February 5, 2009, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/646 "2009-02-05T18:47:16Z")
> [@Discordia](#): > > mostly I want to see the “The EPL is the most greatest league evar!!!” fanboys have to eat crow. Well, if one of those people shows up here, we’ll certainly turn to you. In the meantime, though, it’d be nice if this thread didn’t have to be a protracted set of manoeuvres towards the forced consumption of woodland animals. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/647 "2009-02-05T18:48:02Z")
> [@Chez\_Guevara](#): > > Actually he looks more like Screech from _Saved By The Bell_. > > [Fellaini](http://www.80stees.com/images/products/Bayside_Screech-Costume.jpg) and [Screech](http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/2xqh3ChexjH/Everton+v+Arsenal+Premier+League/RAdDu7RkWP8/Marouane+Fellaini). [“Hey! Hey! Don’t argue wi me, la!”](http://www.partypackage.co.uk/ekmps/shops/robinsonl/images/96777.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![garius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e19b73/32.png) [@garius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garius)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/648 "2009-02-06T10:41:12Z")
> [@villa](#): > > I think the technical term for their choice of items to thieve is “anything that isn’t nailed down.” _To the Tune of “Hey Baby”_ Heeeeeeeey, Heeeeey Scousers! OOH AH! I wanna knooooooooooow… …where’s my Stereo?! One of my favourite chants that 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Discordia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Discordia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Discordia)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2009, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/649 "2009-02-07T17:11:12Z")
Blackburn wuz robbed. Seems Chelsea need to take 5th instead, they’re deflating like a balloon! Villa better beat them, or at least draw. If Arsenal can win their next couple they’ll only be a point behind (a dreadful looking, especially in big games, still to play at the Emirates) Chelsea. Who’da thunk it could well be Chelsea that get kicked out of the top 4, after all the predictions pre-season that it would be United v Chelsea. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2009, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/650 "2009-02-07T18:08:09Z")
See post #630. The £18M player loaned to Everton scores 2 goals on his debut, this being 100% more than he ever scored for City. Bugger ---
**Author:** ![Discordia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Discordia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Discordia)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2009, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/651 "2009-02-07T19:29:35Z")
Is Rafa Benitez on drugs? And can Pompey be any more shit? ---
**Author:** ![chique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2009, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/652 "2009-02-07T23:23:52Z")
I don’t have any fingernails left. ---
**Author:** ![chique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/653 "2009-02-08T04:47:47Z")
The EPL is dull, boring, and mediocre x 10. Or is it x12? I’m not sure; frankly, I’ve lost count of the number of times the word “mediocre” has been mentioned in this thread. In fact, I’m starting to remember some long-forgotten quotes from _Princess Bride_. How’d that go? Along the lines of “I don’t think that word means what you think it means”? But, it’s ok. I understand. Boring football is just dull. We should talk about La Liga instead. That’s INCREDIBLY more interesting. Barca’s just sqeaking to the lead by…9 points. And with a game in hand. Er…oh. Well, ok. That’s not so much. ITALY! Italy is always interesting, even when bottles of mineral water spontaneously jump out of the fridge door to shatter on the kitchen floor. They HAVE to be cooler. AND THEY ARE! Inter is leading AC by only EIGHT POINTS! I’m telling you, people, don’t you see the tension? The _lack of mediocrity_?! No, perhaps those who say the EPL is mediocre are correct. Those of us hanging out in a thread with “UK” in the title should definitely be paying attention to the Bundesliga. TSG Hoffenheim is leading Hertha Berlin by only two points. That is obviously the league to watch, particularly considering the mediocrity of the English Premier League. We should switch. Will someone please ask for the title to be changed? We’re paying attention to the wrong league. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/654 "2009-02-08T08:13:08Z")
> [@chique](#): > > We should switch. Will someone please ask for the title to be changed? We’re paying attention to the wrong league. If you want a thread on other countries football then open one, until then leave my thread alone 😛 I _know_ where you live;) * * * At £7M Shay Given must be the bargain of the season. His goalkeeping yesterday was outstanding and kept City on track for a win. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![fortytwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f9ae1b/32.png) [@fortytwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fortytwo)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/655 "2009-02-08T20:36:46Z")
> [@chowder](#): > > The £18M player loaned to Everton scores 2 goals on his debut, this being 100% more than he ever scored for City. > > Bugger Cracking first goal, great control and shot. Can’t think why your coaches couldn’t get him to do that at Man.City. It only took Moyles a few days to make him into a proper striker. > [@chique](#): > > We should switch. Will someone please ask for the title to be changed? We’re paying attention to the wrong league. Perhaps we should be paying more attention to South African football, since the EPL is rubbish. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/656 "2009-02-08T20:52:20Z")
> [@chique](#): > > TSG Hoffenheim is leading Hertha Berlin by only two points. That is obviously the league to watch, particularly considering the mediocrity of the English Premier League. Actually, that is pretty interesting. TSG who? They’re leading the Bundesliga? Fuck the Premier League, I’m off to look up what’s been going on in Germany this season. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/657 "2009-02-08T22:27:32Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > Actually, that is pretty interesting. TSG who? They’re leading the Bundesliga? Fuck the Premier League, I’m off to look up what’s been going on in Germany this season. As a matter of fact I read an article some while ago about Hoffenheim. It’s a small place (forget where exactly) and they’ve been bought by some mega rich bloke who is intent on turning them into world beaters. A bit like Man City 😉 ---
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/658 "2009-02-08T22:58:09Z")
> [@chowder](#): > > As a matter of fact I read an article some while ago about Hoffenheim. > > It’s a small place (forget where exactly) and they’ve been bought by some mega rich bloke who is intent on turning them into world beaters. > > A bit like Man City 😉 With the main difference that he actually bought a second lower league team and wants to turn it into a power house. They actually have pretty much the same squad they had in the German Championship League. Which is really cool! But to the BPL\*. 13 goalless now… damn, they sure are playing well (and really lucky) \*since the commentators insist on calling it Barclays PL, I’m gonna go with that. ---
**Author:** ![Paulj1989](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@Paulj1989](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paulj1989)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/659 "2009-02-09T00:43:03Z")
> [@Discordia](#): > > And can Pompey be any more shit? I really, really hope so… ---
**Author:** ![Discordia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Discordia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Discordia)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150/660 "2009-02-09T09:27:10Z")
> [@Vetch](#): > > Perhaps we should be paying more attention to South African football, since the EPL is rubbish. Our football is beyond dire, though apparently some European company bought the rights to screen it. Apparently the foreigners like the atmosphere or something, quite strange. I think I’ll die of embarassment if they allow those bloody vuvuzelas at the WC. **chique** , should people start a different thread for every league? Seems rather silly, presumably almost everyone here watches multiple leagues. Wouldn’t be terribly busy threads anyway, since English people watch the EPL mostly (surprise!). Should I pretend the EPL isn’t mediocre this year when the team running away with it gives the ball away for fun? United can be much better than they have been, I guess the thing about playing to the level of your opposition is true. With Chelsea and Arsenal being so abject, they don’t even have to try. > [@chique](#): > > But, it’s ok. I understand. Boring football is just dull. We should talk about La Liga instead. That’s INCREDIBLY more interesting. Barca’s just sqeaking to the lead by…9 points. And with a game in hand. Er, you’re implying talking about United walking the league is interesting? It’s about as interesting as Inter walking Serie A again. If Barca win the treble, and they’re favorites in every competition by far obviously, they’ll go down as one of the greatest club teams of all time. That’s a bit more interesting than the richest club in England by a country mile walking the league in their sleep. More entertaining than 1-0s that are more boring than Mourinho ever managed too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150.md?page=32) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-football-season-2008-09-forecasts/459150.md?page=34)