Football/Soccer 2012/2013 Season Thread

[OVOxo]

Check out our FIFA Thread for football gaming discussion too!

The new season is generally speaking around a month away which means that pre-season is currently taking place. How do you see your team(s) doing this coming season? Improvements on last year? Etc.

I'm thinking that we'll get 6th this season if we sign Debuchy and a solid CB (with a few more squad players added in too). In fact, my prediction as it stands is this:

1. Man City
2. Man Utd
3. Chelsea
4. Arsenal
5. Spurs
6. Newcastle

However, Spurs and Arsenal can very much be interchangeable, depending on signings to come. The bottom will be very close to call as the new teams coming up are either solid or making solid signings. QPR under Hughes I feel will continue to develop, Swansea have a very good new manager in which for me leaves Norwich as a potential struggler. Southampton could have problems; Reading I think will stay up, as will West Ham. Wigan will do wonders to stay up too but every season they seem to manage it!

I guess that means for the drop I'd go Wigan, Norwich and Southampton (as it stands).

We shall have to wait and see though! Post away!

Last note:



The only silverware Arsenal will win this season (y)

(I might even add a Prem prediction table to see who's closest come the end of the season if people are up for that xD

Also I know this topic may be pre-mature but I guess there's other leagues to talk about; Beckham is still impressing for LA Galaxy; his latest two goals were incredible!)



=3

[Milsap]

Southampton will stay up. They're financially secure so any changes they'll make will be for the good.

I think Aston Villa will be in the relegation zone at some point this season.

As for promotion from the Championship: Blues, Blackpool and I reckon Cardiff might be able to do it this season.

[K.I.O.S]

Top five I can see looking something like this.

1.Man United
2.Man City
3.Chelsea
4.Arsenal
5.Tottenham

I can see Newcastle getting 6th or 7th due to Europa league duties.

As for the bottom and relegation this is how I see it going.

20.Southampton
19.Norwich
18.West Brom

I reckon Southampton will do bad as they don't seem to be doing much in terms of signing premier league experience players, they seem to be just dipping into the Championship so I think that'll let them down. I don't really rate Chris Houghton as a Premier League manager he didn't do too good at Newcastle when they we're brought back into the prem, but at Birmingham he worked wonders so can see him letting Norwich down. West Brom I think will be close but due to Steve Clark's in experience as a manager that'll let them down unless they can secure Ben Foster of course(not sure if he's signed yet?.)

Us I see escaping relegation again and maybe improving on last years postion by finishing 15th or 14th, depending on how well Stoke do.

The Championship I'm not really sure but I reckon Blackpool and Cardiff will secure promotion with maybe Blackburn and Birmingham in the play off final.

[OVOxo]

Cardiff won't go up. They aren't as strong as they were a few years ago and they couldn't manage it then. I'd definitely back Birmingham as the favourites. They have a good core; made a very useful signing in Ambrose (£500k for him is a joke compared with most signings) and they have some great potential players in the squad. Redmond will be the one to watch in that league if he stays with the club.

[K.I.O.S]

Redmond will be the one to watch in that league if he stays with the club.

Oh yes I've been trying to sign him on football manager the club just doesn't want him to go.

[OVOxo]

Oh yes I've been trying to sign him on football manager the club just doesn't want him to go.

He ends up leaving after a few seasons because he doesn't get first team football or wants a bigger challenge. Be patient with him. Unless it gets too far along and then he's not worth purchasing really.

But yeah, Birmingham should be the team to beat this season in the Championship.

[Milsap]

Oh yes I've been trying to sign him on football manager the club just doesn't want him to go.

If you want Brum wonderkids buy Jordon Mutch and Jack Butland. Trust me. On FM, Redmond is pure speed and that's about all he has going for him.

[OVOxo]

^ Mutch isn't that good on FM though (Ross Barkley is so much better; plus Mutch isn't much of a wonderkid either...) and Butland is overshadowed by Alex Smithies if we're gonna be specific on FM =P

[Milsap]

Give Mutch enough first team football and he becomes a good Premier League centre midfielder. Shelled out a ton of money with Walsall to get him and he's doing VERY well.

So if we're going by 'FM Imitates Life', then these kids need to be out on loan or given first team football:

Florent Cuvelier- Stoke (19), currently on loan at Walsall
Josh McEachran- Chelsea (18)
Josh Carson- Ipswich (19) (SICK right winger)
Jack Butland- Birmingham (19)

But then Alex Smithies gets overshadowed in turn by Joe Lewis.

I have a tendency to look at youth/under 21s because there's a lot of good talent at the minute.

[OVOxo]

I've had both Smithies and Lewis; at the start Lewis is better but Smithies becomes a different animal completely (goes from Championship level to International).

I'd say irl from what I've seen Butland has much more potential though. Birmingham's youth has been impressive recently.

Not heard or seen much of Carson for Ipswich; what's he like?

[Milsap]

Carson's got massive potential, but he's not getting the first team football he needs. He's apparently a selfish player too, but his ego doesn't match that of Hazard or Ronaldo... Yet >.<

[OVOxo]

Tbf though; if I was as good as Hazard or Ronaldo I'd have some form of ego =P

I'll look out for Carson though =o

EDIT: FIFA 13 Cover: Messi at St James Park!



Shame it's not Ronaldo ;;

Under the new deal, fans will be able to download a special NUFC version of the FIFA 13 cover, with Toon players – available from 28th September 2012.

Thought I'd add this into here, relevant to the new season =P

[Liam]

Fulham's signing Mladen Petric has scored 4 goals in 4 pre season games!

Let's hope he does it in the Prem. next season. :p

[Milsap]

Shame it's not Ronaldo ;;

That's because Messi is better than Ronaldo and not an egotistical ball hogging one man team.

[OVOxo]

That's because Messi is better than Ronaldo and not an egotistical ball hogging one man team.

I really don't want to make a Ronaldo v Messi thread... both are by far the best in the world compared with the rest and I think it'd be a lot easier if it was left like that rather than going into personal preference =/

Also it's actually because Ronaldo is signed for PES sponsorships now =P