Football 2013-2014

[thetime]

It doesnt worry me too much. These matches aren't hard to find if you have access to the internet, whatever platform they are on

[big joe]

With BT only winning 38 live Premiership games i was able to resist, as £15 per month is absolutely ridiculous. Considering Sky have major Tennis and Golf, The Ashes and a shitload of football, BT should be charging around £8. With BT winning these rights though, how can i resist? I don't like going to the pub when its full of loud mouths, not my scene at all.

It will be interesting to see how Sky respond to this. Presumably they now have at least £500m extra lying around to pump into the next Prem bidding rights. They can't possibly allow themselves to be outbid for that or they would be in serious danger of losing a lot of subscribers. They are dependant on sports subscribers to bring the money in, as illustrated by the fact you have to get Sky Entertainment at £21 per month to be eligible for the sports package.

[thetime]

With BT only winning 38 live Premiership games i was able to resist, as £15 per month is absolutely ridiculous. Considering Sky have major Tennis and Golf, The Ashes and a shitload of football, BT should be charging around £8. With BT winning these rights though, how can i resist? I don't like going to the pub when its full of loud mouths, not my scene at all.

It will be interesting to see how Sky respond to this. Presumably they now have at least £500m extra lying around to pump into the next Prem bidding rights. They can't possibly allow themselves to be outbid for that or they would be in serious danger of losing a lot of subscribers. They are dependant on sports subscribers to bring the money in, as illustrated by the fact you have to get Sky Entertainment at £21 per month to be eligible for the sports package.

[LondonTom]

With BT winning these rights though, how can i resist? I don't like going to the pub when its full of loud mouths, not my scene at all.

[kaosmark2]

Sky currently charge a pub about £700 a month for Sky, BT charge £75..

[pink_triangle]

I didn't realise BT charge so little. Fair enough.

Edited November 10, 2013 by pink_triangle

[dentalplan]

The CL thing is a loss leader. BT will make a lot more on selling the broadband and phone line packages that allow for the free or cheaper sports package.

They need rid of Michael Owen though. Great player but the most boring man on the planet.

[kaosmark2]

Fantastic result against Spurs today, although we predominantly owe it to Krul. He was magnificent today.

BT are trying to present this as good for the fans. How is that exactly? People like myself who love watching sport and think Sky do a magnificent job - i can't for the life of me understand criticism of their coverage, its great - will now be forced to pay an extra £15 per month to watch what we already enjoy. Sick of it. Just let Sky have everything and let them chuck a few scraps to the BBC.

[thetime]

#moyesout

[kaosmark2]

#moyesout

[Bobs]

Very unpredictable league this year.

Great for neutrals, not so much for fans like me!

Everton, garbage again. Krul, sensational. United, Moyes-esque look to be gelling a bit now, Chelsea, well they highlight how scared refs are, and Liverpool... Good? or Fulham shit, bit of both. City, need to improve away, quickly, and Southampton, after 11 games, are doing very well, who'd of thunk that?

[thetime]

Who are even the title challengers this season? Arsenal? After that I have no idea.

6 of the top 8 play each other in the next round of games, if utd can get the win it's a good chance for utd to make some more ground on the top 4.

[thetime]

I remember us all being highly critical of Southampton for sacking adkins last season.

[kaosmark2]

I'd say 6 teams are in the race, but 4 would expect themselves to be.

If Kompany's injury worries continue, I don't believe City can win the title, if he's fit, I think they're the best shout, they've got the best first 18 in the league.

Arsenal need wins in their next 3 games, most especially against Southampton to both show themselves as able to beat an in-form team (I don't have doubts but the media do and if difficulties continue that'll creep into the squad), particularly with their Christmas run of 3/4 away and a home game against Chelsea.

I still think Chelsea can win it, 2 bad results on the trot but they're still in a good position and have ridiculous squad depth, far moreso than any other team. City didn't have many options to bring on today after all.

Southampton have no chance, all talk of this will die before Christmas, their next 4 fixtures are Arsenal, Chelsea, Villa, City.

Man U might challenge, but I still think they've got problems at centre-back and on the wings. Valencia's in terrible form, Nani's terribly inconsistent and in terrible form, Young's in terrible form and is generally terrible, Januzaj is terribly young and inexperienced to play a significant role, Zaha is terribly viewed by Moyes for banging his daughter. And I don't rate Cleverley as being good enough to get the amount of game time he does and will continue to. They played well today and will do so fairly often, getting plenty of points when they do so, but I think they're vulnerable and won't get anywhere near as many points when playing badly as they did under Fergie.

Spurs are playing too defensively, relying on a not-particularly-good lone striker, and still need to gel. Liverpool have a really mediocre midfield and are only up there courtesy of Suarez and Sturridge. I think either is in with a chance of capitalising on another big team doing badly/having injuries and nicking 4th (or even 3rd), but neither can realistically finish top 2.

[thetime]

Pretty much agree with everything you have said kaosmark.

My bet would still be on Chelsea or city, city's away form is awful. I remember utd having awful away form one season but brilliant home form and still won the league, more of a one of though.

Very interesting this year and i can see an all time low point tally that will win it this season.

Couple of good results your in 2nd and a couple of bad and your down in 8th. Your team isn't to far of the pack either, how come Ben arfa is not getting a game?

Edited November 10, 2013 by thetime

[kaosmark2]

Pretty much agree with everything you have said kaosmark.

My bet would still be on Chelsea or city, city's away form is awful. I remember utd having awful away form one season but brilliant home form and still won the league, more of a one of though.

Very interesting this year and i can see an all time low point talky that will win it this season.

Couple of good results your in 2nd and a couple of bad and your down in 8th. Your team isn't to far of the pack either, how come Ben arfa is not getting a game?

[Bobs]

I remember us all being highly critical of Southampton for sacking adkins last season.

[thetime]

I liked how RVP celebrated, none of this 'respect' scoring against your old side.

[modey]

For people worried about BT getting more of the football, just get a dreambox, I currently pay £35 a year for full sky package including BT sports

[pink_triangle]

I think many are reading too much into the Man Utd v Arsenal, I don't think the games proves anything about either sides prospects for the rest of the season. Man Utd are a very good team, with a very good strike partnership. With home advantage I would expect them to go into a game against any of Europes top teams and expect to win. Also have heard a few people say that "man utd wanted it more" today. I generally think its over simplistic when you get comments like that. I have no doubt both teams wanted to win just as much as the others.

My quick analysis of the top teams.

Arsenal - Fantastic depth in midfield but lacking in cover elsewhere. Not sure they have the depth to win the title. Will depend on luck with injuries.

Liverpool - Reliant on 2 players to score all the goals, so depend if they can stay fit or find someone else to contribute. Solid first 11, but average midfield and squad lacking in depth. Cant see them picking up many points away to the better sides but if they can continue to consistently beat the average/poor sides it may not matter in a quest for top 4.

Chelsea - Im not as convinced that the special one is as special as he once was. A lot of nice players in the midfield. However if you compare this squad with that when Mourinhio was winning titles with Chelsea its nowhere near as strong.

Southampton - Theres always a surprise early on, will fade in the second half of the season.

Man City - Don't understand why they didn't strengthen in centre back in the summer. Still my favourites as they are so dominant at home and can (surely) only get better away against crap teams. Need to sort out the keeper and centre backs.

Man Utd - I have thought all season they have been underestimated, undoubtedly have flaws but there isn't an amazing team around this season. Have had the hardest start (in my opinion) and to find themselves only a point behind Chelsea at this stage is hardly the disaster of a start that some make out.

Spurs - Im not sure whether AVB is in charge of transfers or not, whoever is needs to take a big look at their transfer strategy. They have started the season 1 top striker light and are paying for it. The likes of Lamella, Ericksen and Paulinhio were all good signings on paper but none were prolific scorer. Therefore theres too much pressure on Soldado to score all the goals and Im not sure he is quite good enough for that expectation.

Everton - Nice team but cant see them scoring enough goals to challenge the top 4.

[pink_triangle]

I liked how RVP celebrated, none of this 'respect' scoring against your old side.

[strummer77]

Liverpool - Reliant on 2 players to score all the goals, so depend if they can stay fit or find someone else to contribute. Solid first 11, but average midfield and squad lacking in depth. Cant see them picking up many points away to the better sides but if they can continue to consistently beat the average/poor sides it may not matter in a quest for top 4.

[kaosmark2]

I think many are reading too much into the Man Utd v Arsenal, I don't think the games proves anything about either sides prospects for the rest of the season. Man Utd are a very good team, with a very good strike partnership. With home advantage I would expect them to go into a game against any of Europes top teams and expect to win. Also have heard a few people say that "man utd wanted it more" today. I generally think its over simplistic when you get comments like that. I have no doubt both teams wanted to win just as much as the others.

My quick analysis of the top teams.

Arsenal - Fantastic depth in midfield but lacking in cover elsewhere. Not sure they have the depth to win the title. Will depend on luck with injuries.

Liverpool - Reliant on 2 players to score all the goals, so depend if they can stay fit or find someone else to contribute. Solid first 11, but average midfield and squad lacking in depth. Cant see them picking up many points away to the better sides but if they can continue to consistently beat the average/poor sides it may not matter in a quest for top 4.

Chelsea - Im not as convinced that the special one is as special as he once was. A lot of nice players in the midfield. However if you compare this squad with that when Mourinhio was winning titles with Chelsea its nowhere near as strong.

Southampton - Theres always a surprise early on, will fade in the second half of the season.

Man City - Don't understand why they didn't strengthen in centre back in the summer. Still my favourites as they are so dominant at home and can (surely) only get better away against crap teams. Need to sort out the keeper and centre backs.

Man Utd - I have thought all season they have been underestimated, undoubtedly have flaws but there isn't an amazing team around this season. Have had the hardest start (in my opinion) and to find themselves only a point behind Chelsea at this stage is hardly the disaster of a start that some make out.

Spurs - Im not sure whether AVB is in charge of transfers or not, whoever is needs to take a big look at their transfer strategy. They have started the season 1 top striker light and are paying for it. The likes of Lamella, Ericksen and Paulinhio were all good signings on paper but none were prolific scorer. Therefore theres too much pressure on Soldado to score all the goals and Im not sure he is quite good enough for that expectation.

Everton - Nice team but cant see them scoring enough goals to challenge the top 4.

[thetime]

All in all its good that were chatting about football rather than suarez and Rooney being cocks.

[kaosmark2]

All in all its good that were chatting about football rather than suarez and Rooney being cocks.