Premier League Fixture List

Certainly, an easy CL draw will make this season very good.

I suspect a hard start for Mourinho would be enjoyed by the media and Shed

Soul wrote:I suspect a hard start for Mourinho would be enjoyed by the media and Shed

Exactly, thats why I am not surprised we have United away on the second day.

Why would I ever wish ill on a Chelsea manager?


I think some people here are confusing my criticism of his suitability for the job with hoping he fails. I support every single Chelsea manager regardless of my feelings about their appointment and I'd be more than happy to see him prove me horribly, horribly wrong on every last thing I've doubted him on.

Shed wrote:Why would I ever wish ill on a Chelsea manager?


I think some people here are confusing my criticism of his suitability for the job with hoping he fails. I support every single Chelsea manager regardless of my feelings about their appointment and I'd be more than happy to see him prove me horribly, horribly wrong on every last thing I've doubted him on.

So will I.

There will be a lot of face rubbing.

So, having had a closer look at our fixture list, a few observations:


1.) Best opening day possible, obviously. Great chance to get off to a good start with 3 points and potentially run up a slight GD advantage on our rivals.

2.) Playing United so early in the season is a huge positive, contrary to what some have intimated on here. The earlier into Moyes' tenure we play them the better, as he'll still be finding his feet and the squad will still be settling into his methods. This will be his first ever home game and José will undoubtedly be smelling blood.

3.) We play a majority of the games against the top sides away from home first. Arsenal, Spurs, United, as well as Everton and Newcastle (remains to be seen how those 2 fair this season), etc. all take place on the road first before bringing them back to the Bridge in the business end of the season, which I've always preferred.

4.) In keeping with what seems to have become a tradition these past few years, we have a tough holiday period run-in. Starts off with Arsenal away on the 21st, followed by Swansea at home on Boxing Day, then Liverpool at home 2 days later, before a trip to the south coast to play Southampton away on New Years Day. Some very tough fixtures there and as we know it's often that period that decides title races. Must be focused and at our best.

5.) We've gotten a considerably favourable run-in to end the season. Akin to Arsenal's this past year which of course was hugely helpful in their quest to finish Top 4. After the March 8th derby at home to S*urs, there's only Arsenal at home 2 weeks later and Liverpool away on the 3rd to last game of the season that are big matches for the last 2 months of the season; the rest are against all mid-table or relegation sides.

5.) Final day away to a potential relegation fighter, which is never what you want. Let's hope they're either already safe or already down by the time closing day rolls around.

Shed wrote:So, having had a closer look at our fixture list, a few observations:


1.) Best opening day possible, obviously. Great chance to get off to a good start with 3 points and potentially run up a slight GD advantage on our rivals.

2.) Playing United so early in the season is a huge positive, contrary to what some have intimated on here. The earlier into Moyes' tenure we play them the better, as he'll still be finding his feet and the squad will still be settling into his methods. This will be his first ever home game and José will undoubtedly be smelling blood.

3.) We play a majority of the games against the top sides away from home first. Arsenal, Spurs, United, as well as Everton and Newcastle (remains to be seen how those 2 fair this season), etc. all take place on the road first before bringing them back to the Bridge in the business end of the season, which I've always preferred.

4.) In keeping with what seems to have become a tradition these past few years, we have a tough holiday period run-in. Starts off with Arsenal away on the 21st, followed by Swansea at home on Boxing Day, then Liverpool at home 2 days later, before a trip to the south coast to play Southampton away on New Years Day. Some very tough fixtures there and as we know it's often that period that decides title races. Must be focused and at our best.

5.) We've gotten a considerably favourable run-in to end the season. Akin to Arsenal's this past year which of course was hugely helpful in their quest to finish Top 4. After the March 8th derby at home to S*urs, there's only Arsenal at home 2 weeks later and Liverpool away on the 3rd to last game of the season that are big matches for the last 2 months of the season; the rest are against all mid-table or relegation sides.

5.) Final day away to a potential relegation fighter, which is never what you want. Let's hope they're either already safe or already down by the time closing day rolls around.

Well said, I certainly agree with you, except the Moyes point is a doubt edged sword. It's going to be very unpredictable. Simply because of Moyes' first home game.

An away game against United is never easy, but let's put it this way - if you could play them 2 games into the season while he and the team are still finding their rhythm together and acclimating to one another, in what will be his first ever game at Old Trafford, or late into the season after they've settled, found their feet, and likely built up plenty of steam?


I know which I'd rather.

Shed wrote:An away game against United is never easy, but let's put it this way - if you could play them 2 games into the season while he and the team are still finding their rhythm together and acclimating to one another, in what will be his first ever game at Old Trafford, or late into the season after they've settled, found their feet, and likely built up plenty of steam?


I know which I'd rather.

I agree, generally off form you can tell who will have the edge but I don't think form will come into play in this game. Thats what I mean.

But there won't be any "form" going into the second game of the season. That's my point.

Thats my point too.

All I am saying is it will be more unpredictable than if Sir Alex was at the helm. It could work for us or work against us!

Explain to me a scenario in which it works against us

It's Moyes first game at home, the players will want to prove a point, he could get everything right. Jose could underestimate him.

Anything could happen. It won't be your typical United, where they are always hard but generally the same difficulty.

Meh

Love that we'll be 3 points up over united by the end of round 2. EPL 13/14 champions

lszanto wrote:Love that we'll be 3 points up over united by the end of round 2. EPL 13/14 champions

Indeed


The Incredible Potless Wonder will be out of the race before it's even started

Shed wrote:

lszanto wrote:Love that we'll be 3 points up over united by the end of round 2. EPL 13/14 champions

Indeed


The Incredible Potless Wonder will be out of the race before it's even started

I wonder how many united fans will still be united fans at the end of the season

you guys.

lszanto wrote:

Shed wrote:

lszanto wrote:Love that we'll be 3 points up over united by the end of round 2. EPL 13/14 champions

Indeed


The Incredible Potless Wonder will be out of the race before it's even started

I wonder how many united fans will still be united fans at the end of the season

My guess is about half. But that may be a tad optimistic

I thought all United fans decided to off themselves after SAF annouced his retirement?

Kick wrote:I thought all United fans decided to off themselves after SAF annouced his retirement?

Nah some of them think they actually have a good squad and it wasn't just saf's soul selling that got them through last season.

Only the big teams please, No minnows all season and we'll walk away with the title.

I don't want a big team in the first 5 games actually, once the season has kicked off, then we can play them. So something like:

Leicester (h), Soton (a), Hull (h), WBA (a), Newcastle (h).

Would take that tbh

5 games which can put us in good stead for the season. Then once we're doing well and the new guys understand their roles. Then play the big teams, City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and we're much more likely to get results against them.

Though am hoping it won't be another season where we have to divide the two and dread for our lives to play any non-big team. Hopefully Costa and Fabregas and Falcao will go a long way to fixing that, as expected.