2012 EPL Winner

Can we entice Matthew back to the forum to give his views on the 2012 EPL?

Last season he said Chelsea were certainties, that they would go the season unbeaten, they would win the Champions League, and that Drogba was the best striker in Europe. Oh, he was a Chelsea fan by the way .

As for next season I couldn’t have Liverpool at all. They have a good end to a season and all of a sudden they are ‘back’. I’ve heard it too many times now to take any notice.

Have to say though, this time yesterday I was of the impression that King Kenny had pulled of a masterstroke by losing to Spurs. Finishing sixth, and thus NOT qualifying for the Europa League, would have been the best thing for either Spurs or Liverpool. And with Liverpool losing it was looking as though they could go into next season without the distraction of this ‘horrible’ competition.

However, today’s news that UEFA have allocated England an extra slot must have been a bit of a nightmare to Liverpool. The extra place goes to the Fair Play winners which will be – you guessed it – Tottenham. So if Spurs finish fifth, then the Europa League slot goes to the sixth place team in the Premier League. Liverpool .

You can’t make it up can you?

The Europa League is fine for the likes of Stoke and Birmingham, but for Liverpool and Spurs, who will be desperately trying to finish in the top four next season, it really is an unwanted distraction despite what either club/manager says in the media.

If that’s the case David then I apologise for the incorrect information above.

I only briefly saw Sky Sports News yesterday when the news of the extra place broke, and they were definitely saying Liverpool would get the slot if they finish sixth as both Chelsea and Tottenham (first and second in the fair-play league by all accounts) would have already qualified for European competition via the league.

However, it does appear that you are correct and that the next best ‘fair-play’ team will get the Europa League place – currently Fulham.

If this is the case then Liverpool losing to Spurs was a fantastic result. I still don’t think they will win the Premier League next season, but without European competition they can concentrate fully on the league, blood a few youngsters in the Carling Cup, and give the FA Cup a good run come the New Year depending on where they are in the league.

People don’t realise how many games you actually play in the Europa League, and a bit like the Prem you have to submit a sqaud so you can’t simply rest your first X1 all of the time; some big names will usually play.

Liverpool will be far better without it, and that should improve their chances of domestic success – though they are still not for me.

Looks like the 16-1 has disappeared, 12-1 is way too short especially as the e/w terms are 1st and 2nd only, and Tottenham being Tottenham they will probably blow it on Sunday and hand 5th place back to Liverpool which is the last thing us Reds fans want. Without the Europa League distraction next season I will settle for us finishing in the top 4 and having a good cup run, that’s not asking too much is it

Who would of thought that Benitez in his 1st season as Liverpool manager would win the Champions League afterall Ferguson at the time had only 1999 to his name with all the years of trying or that Norwich would gain automatic promotion 2 years on the bounce to get to the Premiership.

There is no harm being optimistic that the Reds can put in a title challenge and it is a possibility but realistically even getting 4th place is going to be a battle and if a Champions League spot could be obtained that in itself would be a great achievement.

Liverpool Fans

2005 – we’re going to win the league
2006 – we’re going to win the league
2007 – we’re going to win the league
2008 – we’re going to win the league
2009 – we’re going to win the league
2010 – we’re going to win the league
2011 – we’re going to win the league

And how many leauges has your team won in the same amount of time?

Arsenal Fans

2005 onwards – We play the best football on the planet we can make 1000 passes in a role, In Arsene we trust, our kids are 100 times better than everyone else’s and when they grow up will we be the best………..

Sorry Mr Wilson my mistake Arsenal would of won it each year if it wasn’t for the increased corruption going against them all the time……..

http://www.katzy.dsl.pipex.com/Smileys/paranoid.gif

So you say you have worries about the

‘increased corruption in football’

and have on a few times on this forum suggested that Arsenal have been on the wrong end of dodgy decisions ie the increased corruption but your going to put your money on them winning the title? You must be really worried…….

Is there any links to this signing? Only I cant find any news on this.