2009/2010 UK Football Season Thread

[charliepanayi]

So thought I'd start up a thread for the new season since the fixtures are out today - and here they are!

BBC SPORT | Football | Premier League | Fixtures

Man Utd away at the end of August

Everton away is a tough opener too.

I do love our end of January/early February games: Villa, Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea (!)

So, thoughts for next season? Will Man Utd become the first team ever to make it four in a row?

[demondude]

Nice easy opening for Chelsea. Nice to see Arsenal have it hard.

[Heath]

I think I have more reason to be worried about the opening fixture than you, charliepanayi!

[Loony BoB]

They'll all get shafted around half a dozen times before the season is done anyway, what with the cups and Europe and all.

[charliepanayi]

They'll all get shafted around half a dozen times before the season is done anyway, what with the cups and Europe and all.

Yeah but we're only talking moving games to a Sunday/Saturday evening/Monday evening on the same weekend etc for the first six to seven months of the season, drastic schedule changes don't really happen until April-May when the latter stages of the FA Cup and European Cup come into play.

Heath - we're terrible at Goodison Park in recent years. Aside from two years ago when we won 4-1 we don't do too well there lately.

[Loony BoB]

Nah, I found our games in hand would last for weeks on end, not the same week. I think they do it that way so fans have time to reschedule their travelling arrangements etc.

[Psychotic]

I will make my opening post to this thread with a question.

Which news story is funniest?

Rio Ferdinand emulates Ronaldo in hotpants - Telegraph

or

Michael Owen Sends Out Player ‘Brochure’ To Clubs - Report - Goal.com

hahahahahahahaha

[Heath]

Actually you just reminded me. And during that 4-1 we comprehensively outplayed you in the first half and were 1-0 up at half time. Perhaps I should be a little more optimistic!

Edit:

The Newcastle United forward is out of contract at St James’ Park and has been linked with several sides, including Aston Villa and Everton.

Instantly makes the Ferdinand story funnier.

[charliepanayi]

A game lasts for two halves

LoonyBob - the only reason Man Utd had games in hand last season for the first two-thirds was because they were playing in the Super Cup and the World Club Cup, neither of which applies this year. The other games in hand were when Man Utd had reached the League Cup final and FA Cup semi-finals etc. In the first half of this season the only team likely to have a game in hand at some point is us and Bolton, as we have to play qualifiers for the European Cup in August which means we can't play our league game against Bolton.

Also - everyone's favourite pariah state North Korea will qualify for the World Cup tonight if they beat or draw to Saudi Arabia. I seem to have a developed a mini-obsession with the thought of them qualifying.

[Rocket Edge]

Psy, I literally spat at the computer when I seen that article about Michael Owen!

[Burtsplurt]

Hey, what's with the Premier League bias?! Now that Middlesbrough are in the Championship, I think we should all start talking about the likes of Shorpe and the beautiful game.

[Heath]

Hey, what's with the Premier League bias?! Now that Middlesbrough are in the Championship, I think we should all start talking about the likes of Shorpe and the beautiful game.

Hah, I love the censor.

But hey, we can have a Championship represent. Jess for Newcastle, yourself for Boro and Manus for Swansea. I'll look forward to one of the above knocking Everton out of some cup competition.

[Old Manus]

Us second divisioners got to stick together

[Rocket Edge]

Martinez is a 1st class manager. Swansea will miss him.

[Heath]

Oh yes, technically old news but I forgot to mention it earlier. Everton are opening a shop in the new Liverpool One shopping centre in Liverpool city centre. It's name? Everton Two. It's address will read Everton Two, Liverpool One.

I know, Everton marketing something well? I was shocked too!