2011/12 Barclay's Premier League Thread

[jefferson]

/\/\ yeah but you dont get many aussies supporting southampton. aussies (or any non pom really) who have never been to england tend to support the big clubs. thats nothing but glory following.
the theory is kinda bunk anyway. what about people born and breed in manchester, but cant afford the ridiculous ticket prices at old trafford?

True. I would consider myself a United fan as my dad followed them when he was a kid back in the 50s and 60s and was lucky enough to watch the likes of Best, Charlton and Law in their prime. I still follow United to this day (although Essendon takes top spot), watching as many of their games as I can and reading up on their history. People can label another supporter as a glory hunter, but if that supporter has been through the tough times and still supported their team, that's good enough for me.

Having been to England, most people tend to support Teams from their geographical location, but you still get the argument that most United fans are from London. If I didn't follow United, I'd probably support a team from one of the lower leagues of English football (just cause the level of play is pretty exciting).

That being said I don't follow anything local in Australia, I absolutely hate the A-League and think it is one of the worst leagues in the world and a disgrace to the beautiful game (my opinion).

 

[rishgoon]

Ok, last one from me until next season...

 

[sgt_pepper]

/\/\ agreed about the A-league. have no interest in it what-so-ever. personally i think they should just give up, but thats a bit unfair i guess.
hard for united supporters to claim theyve been through the tough times tho. havent been many of them in the last 30 years. not sure if most united supporters are based in london either? id say china, then manchester.

 

[jefferson]

/\/\ agreed about the A-league. have no interest in it what-so-ever. personally i think they should just give up, but thats a bit unfair i guess.
hard for united supporters to claim theyve been through the tough times tho. havent been many of them in the last 30 years. not sure if most united supporters are based in london either? id say china, then manchester.

I would say the 70s and 80s were the "hardest" times despite a few cup wins here and there, and the fact Liverpool dominated both England and Europe. 2003-2006 could also be deemed difficult, but by United's standards, anything less than a title win is a failure.

That's what my hosts in London told me about United fans mostly being from London, and I've seen it being discussed on various forums as well (whether it's true or not doesn't really faze me).

Ok, last one from me until next season...

Haha something tells me Luke does not like the bitters at all

Coming to the end of the season, who do you think will be in the PFA team of the season?

I guarantee RVP will wrap up all the individual accolades.

 

[ooneil]

What a load of crap. Without overseas supporters these clubs would not have as much money as they do.

As for Tevez i cant see how City can keep him. He is quite now until next time that he gets his knickers in a knot and causes more trouble.

 

[lilreddevil]

/\/\ hmm, i dont know my stance on that? i think theres too many people out there who just support manutd because of their record. people who have no ties to manchester.
going to OT isnt the sign of a fan tho. ive been and i hate them!
i guess it depends on what you would consider a 'true' fan. personally i only support clubs (in any sport) that play in areas ived lived. west ham/arsenal. schalke/RW essen. fiorentina (florence). bobcats (carolina). panthers (carolina). UNC tarheels (carolina). this stops me from going for great teams that i have no affiliation with.

Wow you've lived in Florence? How is it?

I support Fiorentina in Serie A as well for reasons I don't remember

 

[sgt_pepper]

/\/\ yeah, of course they wouldnt have the same money, but we're talking about why people follow certain clubs. no ones against foriegners supporting english teams, just discussing the motives behind thier choices. you gotta admit alot of united fans are simply fans because they win?
if city were worried about tevez changing his mind about england again they wouldve dumped him a year ago...which they probably shouldve.

Wow you've lived in Florence? How is it?

beautiful. definately my favorite city in italy. its bustling, but still maintains the feel of a small town.

 

[Warney]

Yeah i agree, the A-League is rubbish, however i do enjoy watching Glory play every second week, don't miss a game and you could probably call me a 'passionate' supporter.

Every club has glory hunters but not all foreigners are glory hunters.. especially Australians as the majority of us have English ties somewhere in our families..

 

[sgt_pepper]

/\/\ just suprising how many families happen to come from manchester and liverpool. and how many parents happened to support chelsea or arsenal. doesnt anyones family come from middlesborough?!? not saying all foriegners are glory followers, but id guess at least half would be. interesting to note how many people support city now. where were they less than a decade ago when they were in 2nd division?

 

[ljandkg]

Getting back to Balotelli and Tevez...I have no idea what will happen to them. I've been arguing with a UTD fan on twitter about getting rid of Balo, he thinks we should keep him and would have him in a second at Utd!! Go figure....he is only 21 but what's the use of a striker when he gets sent off every 4th game, leaving the team with 10 men?

As for glory hunting - agreed - u don't get many overseas fans supporting smaller clubs, they've all been 'lifelong' fans of Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal - or Chelsea fans since Abramovich took over! I spent 2 years living in Sth East Asia - all I saw was Utd, Liverpool and the odd Arse fan...A Utd fan even stole my passport after we'd chatted about City and utd at a border queue...

 

[ljandkg]

/\/\ just suprising how many families happen to come from manchester and liverpool. and how many parents happened to support chelsea or arsenal. doesnt anyones family come from middlesborough?!? not saying all foriegners are glory followers, but id guess at least half would be. interesting to note how many people support city now. where were they less than a decade ago when they were in 2nd division?

It's worth noting that City would get 28,000 at home div 2 games... the fans didn't desert them...

 

[ljandkg]

What a load of crap. Without overseas supporters these clubs would not have as much money as they do.

As for Tevez i cant see how City can keep him. He is quite now until next time that he gets his knickers in a knot and causes more trouble.

No one's denying that - the point is - people from overseas rarely choose to support Burnley do they.

 

[ooneil]

No one's denying that - the point is - people from overseas rarely choose to support Burnley do they.

True - but why do you support Celtic and not the Trailblazers??

While there may be an element of it I think its pretty insulting to insinuate that people are "glory hunters" (and that's not directed at anyone in here). People can support who they want to support for whatever reasons that they want.

Personally i did a coaching clinic in Newcastle when i was a kid with Ray Bartz which is how i came to be a Man Utd supporter. Back then the dominate team was Liverpool and it seemed everyone in Newcastle supported them due to Craig Johnson (who was a local).

Each to their own - people should not judge other peoples fandom in my book.

 

[ljandkg]

I support the Celtics because I collect/followed Kevin Garnett - because of that I was a Twolves fan and shifted with him when he went - I just wanted him to win a title. No glory hunting there...

 

[ooneil]

I support the Celtics because I collect/followed Kevin Garnett - because of that I was a Twolves fan and shifted with him when he went - I just wanted him to win a title. No glory hunting there...

Yeah but you get what im saying. People could easy call you a glory hunter for supporting one of the greatest NBA franchises of all time.

At the end of the day who cares, you can support whoever you want for whatever reason you want. Some people are just being "fan snobs" (my phrase!!) .

 

[ljandkg]

Fan snobs'll catch on just like fandom!

 

[sgt_pepper]

It's worth noting that City would get 28,000 at home div 2 games... the fans didn't desert them...

yeah they sold out no matter what div they were in. pretty astonishing really. you didnt have many over here supporting them tho.
is there a difference between liking a team and being a true fan? i kinda think there is. i really like barca. the players, the style. but i wouldnt call myself a fan.
@ooneil: youre right. people can support who they want for whatever reason. makes no difference to me. im not judging. but how many of them admit they follow a team just because they win trophies? ive never met one.
also, like you, my views on this arent directed to anyone on this site. just people i know...

liverpool down another GK. andy carroll actually does something. but a 3-2 in the last minute vs a team who might very well be relegated is pretty uninspiring.

Lucky Balotelli

/\/\un.b.lievable. so someone actually saw the tackle, but decided it was all good?!?

 

[ooneil]

^^True - plenty of cardboard people out there but good luck to them i guess.

Getting back to the EPL the fight for 4th is heating up. Who does everyone think will prevail - Tottenham, Newcastle or Chelsea???

My thought.........Newcastle! Yeah Newcastle - cant believe i am saying that either.

Tottenham have won 2 of there past 10 and look like they have lost the plot and i think Chelsea are thinking Champions League and will slip up. You would have to think that Arsenal will be able to hold onto third.

Discuss!

 

[jefferson]

^^True - plenty of cardboard people out there but good luck to them i guess.

Getting back to the EPL the fight for 4th is heating up. Who does everyone think will prevail - Tottenham, Newcastle or Chelsea???

My thought.........Newcastle! Yeah Newcastle - cant believe i am saying that either.

Tottenham have won 2 of there past 10 and look like they have lost the plot and i think Chelsea are thinking Champions League and will slip up. You would have to think that Arsenal will be able to hold onto third.

Discuss!

Arsenal to finish in a flurry. As silly as it sounds...Newcastle have a very good chance!

Chelsea will be distracted by their quest to land their maiden UCL title. Spurs have gone down hill.....

 

[sgt_pepper]

arsenal 3rd, spurs to hold on for 4th.
dalglish brings up the refs once again. any other manager wouldve been reprimanded by now. theres your conspiracy kenny...

Pele Claims Neymar is Better than Messi

/\/\ i never seem to agree with anything pele says. one of the best ever no doubt, but i really think hes got something against messi...