Soccer Fans - Picking an EPL Team

#76
#76
I'm an Arsenal fan.

The things that drew me in:

1. Beautiful football.
2. Youth development.
3. Aversion to spending huge amounts of money.
4. London based. If I ever make it to Europe, London would be on the list of stops, so planning a vacation during the season and catching a game live while the wife shops would be bliss.

Pretty much the same reasons that others have stated for the most part. Also, when the EPL puts in the homegrown requirements for the clubs, Arsenal is sitting pretty in that aspect as well.

Oh, and the Cannon crest. 'nuff said
 
#77
#77
HawaiiVol said:
I'm an Arsenal fan.

The things that drew me in:

1. Beautiful football.
2. Youth development.
3. Aversion to spending huge amounts of money.
4. London based. If I ever make it to Europe, London would be on the list of stops, so planning a vacation during the season and catching a game live while the wife shops would be bliss.

Pretty much the same reasons that others have stated for the most part. Also, when the EPL puts in the homegrown requirements for the clubs, Arsenal is sitting pretty in that aspect as well.

Oh, and the Cannon crest. 'nuff said
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They still spend the third most in the league.
 
#78
#78
They pay the players they have well, but don't follow in the footsteps of Chelsea, United, Liverpool, Man City, etc. in blowing all their cash in transfer fees to buy a winning team. They're paying down their club debt, while the others are racking it up, not including the clubs with sugar daddies, of course.

BBC SPORT | Football | Premier League | Ferguson predicts Benitez spree

Article is from last year fwiw.
 
#79
#79
HawaiiVol said:
They pay the players they have well, but don't follow in the footsteps of Chelsea, United, Liverpool, Man City, etc. in blowing all their cash in transfer fees to buy a winning team. They're paying down their club debt, while the others are racking it up, not including the clubs with sugar daddies, of course.

BBC SPORT | Football | Premier League | Ferguson predicts Benitez spree

Article is from last year fwiw.
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Fair, but Arsenal is still in a lot of debt. They still have a 100 million + payroll. When it comes down to it, no one spends like Chelsea, even Man U

Edit: that is based on some numbers I read a couple years ago too, so who knows now?
 
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#80
#80
#81
#81
HawaiiVol said:
Yep, they're still in quite a bit of debt ($311 mil) due to building The Emirates Stadium, and redeveloping Highbury Square for housing, but paying it down at least. More than alot of other clubs can claim.

Gazidis - Arsenal have no property debts now | News Archive | News | Arsenal.com

Article is from May of this year.

Another article regarding each club's finances from Feb. of this year.

The debt league: How much do clubs owe? - Premier League, Football - The Independent
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You are a better googler than I am apparently.
 
#83
#83
lol

a strong google fu is acquired through many years of intensive training. (and lots of manipulating words...)
 
#84
#84
Liverpool FTW*

*- as long as this new manager keeps this team together and brings a second striker
 
#86
#86
Preliminary EPL TV schedule for those interested.

Saturday, August 14:
7:45am: Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City, ESPN2
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)
12:30pm: Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion, Fox Soccer Channel

Sunday, August 15:
11am: Liverpool v Arsenal, Fox Soccer Channel

Monday, August 16:
3pm: Manchester United v Newcastle, TBD

Saturday, August 21:
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)
10am: TBD v TBD, ESPN2
12:15pm: Wigan Athletic v Chelsea, Fox Soccer Channel

Sunday, August 22:
8:30am: Newcastle United v Aston Villa, Fox Soccer Plus
11am: Fulham v Manchester United, Fox Soccer Channel

Monday, August 23:
3pm: Manchester City v Liverpool, TBD

Saturday, August 28:
7:45am: Blackburn Rovers v Arsenal, ESPN2
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)
12:30pm: Manchester United v West Ham United, Fox Soccer Channel

Sunday, August 29:
8:30am: Bolton Wanderers v Birmingham City, Fox Soccer Plus
10am: Sunderland v Manchester City, FoxSoccer.tv
11am: Aston Villa v Everton, Fox Soccer Channel

Saturday, September 11:
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)
10am: TBD v TBD, ESPN2

Sunday, September 12:
8:30am: Everton v Manchester United, Fox Soccer Plus
11am: Birmingham City v Liverpool, Fox Soccer Channel

Monday, September 13:
3pm: Stoke City v Aston Villa, TBD

Saturday, September 18:
7:45am: Stoke City v West Ham United, ESPN2
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)
12:30pm: Sunderland v Arsenal, Fox Soccer Channel

Sunday, September 19:
8:30am: Manchester United v Liverpool, Fox Soccer Plus
11am: Chelsea v Blackburn Rovers, Fox Soccer Channel

Saturday, September 25:
7:45am: Manchester City v Chelsea, ESPN2
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)
12:30pm: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel

Sunday, September 26:
7am: Bolton v Manchester United, Fox Soccer Plus
9:05am: Wolves v Aston Villa, Fox Soccer Plus
11:10am: Newcastle United v Stoke City, Fox Soccer Channel

Saturday, October 2:
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)
10am: TBD v TBD, ESPN2

Sunday, October 3:
8:30am: Manchester City v Newcastle United, Fox Soccer Plus
11am: Chelsea v Arsenal, Fox Soccer Channel

Monday, October 4:
3pm: Wigan Athletic v Wolverhampton Wanderers, TBD

Saturday, October 16:
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)
10am: TBD v TBD, ESPN2
12:30pm: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel

Sunday, October 17:
8:30am: Everton v Liverpool, Fox Soccer Plus
11am: Blackpool v Manchester City, Fox Soccer Channel

Monday, October 18:
3pm: Blackburn Rovers v Sunderland, TBD

Saturday, October 23:
7:45am: Tottenham Hotspur v Everton, ESPN2
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)
12:30pm: West Ham United v Newcastle United, Fox Soccer Channel

Sunday, October 24:
8:30am: Stoke City v Manchester United, Fox Soccer Plus
11am: Manchester City v Arsenal, Fox Soccer Channel

Saturday, October 30:
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)
10am: TBD v TBD, ESPN2
12:30pm: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur, Fox Soccer Channel

Sunday, October 31:
7am: Aston Villa v Birmingham, Fox Soccer Plus
8:30am: Bolton v Liverpool, Fox Soccer Plus
11am: Newcastle United v Sunderland, Fox Soccer Channel

Monday, November 1:
3pm: Blackpool v West Bromwich Albion

Saturday, November 6:
7:45am: Bolton v Tottenham, ESPN2
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)

Sunday, November 7:
8:30am: Arsenal v Newcastle United, Fox Soccer Plus
11am: Liverpool v Chelsea, Fox Soccer Channel

Saturday, November 13:
7:45am: Aston Villa v Manchester United, ESPN2
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)
12:30pm: Stoke City v Liverpool, Fox Soccer Channel

Sunday, November 14:
9am: Everton v Arsenal, Fox Soccer Plus
11:10am: Chelsea v Sunderland, Fox Soccer Channel

Saturday, November 20:
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)
10am: TBD v TBD, ESPN2
12:30pm: Liverpool v West Ham United, Fox Soccer Channel

Sunday, November 21:
8:30am: Arsenal v Tottenham, Fox Soccer Plus
11am: Fulham v Manchester City, Fox Soccer Channel

Monday, November 22:
3pm: Sunderland v Everton, TBD

Saturday, November 27:
7:45am: Aston Villa v Arsenal, ESPN2
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)

Sunday, November 28:
8:30am: Newcastle United v Chelsea, Fox Soccer Plus
11am: Tottenham v Liverpool, Fox Soccer Channel

Saturday, December 4:
7:45am: TBD v TBD, ESPN2
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)
12:30pm: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel

Sunday, December 5:
8:30am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus
11am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel

Saturday, December 11:
7:45am: TBD v TBD, ESPN2
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)
12:30pm: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel

Sunday, December 12:
11am: Wolves v Birmingham, Fox Soccer Channel

Saturday, December 18:
7:45am: TBD v TBD, ESPN2
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)
12:30pm: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel

Sunday, December 19:
7am: West Brom v Wolves, Fox Soccer Channel

Sunday, December 26:
8am: Arsenal v Chelsea, TBD
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
10am: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)
12:30pm: TBD v TBD, Fox Soccer Channel
 
#87
#87
For people still looking into teams, Bill Simmons from ESPN did a similar search after the '06 WC and wrote this article breaking down the teams.

ESPN.com: Page 2 : Choosing my EPL team

Some of it is a little dated at this point, especially some of the players on each team, but there's a lot of info to be had if people are still up in the air. Ultimately, just start watching the EPL, and you will likely gravitate towards a certain team once you see them play.
 
#88
#88
Panthro said:
Hoping to see van Persie vs. Fabregas in the WC final.
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Wish granted, assuming Fabregas sees the field.

One thing about this world cup that should open Fabregas' eyes towards Barca's advances. He's barely seen the field this Cup which has a bunch of Barca's players on it. I don't think he'd be too keen to sit on the bench at a club.

Plus, Barca couldn't even pay their players last month and had to take out a loan. Not bad for a club that pulls in the 2nd most revenue in the world...
 
#90
#90
HawaiiVol said:
Wish granted, assuming Fabregas sees the field.

One thing about this world cup that should open Fabregas' eyes towards Barca's advances. He's barely seen the field this Cup which has a bunch of Barca's players on it. I don't think he'd be too keen to sit on the bench at a club.

Plus, Barca couldn't even pay their players last month and had to take out a loan. Not bad for a club that pulls in the 2nd most revenue in the world...
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This not paying the players thing is just being blown out of proportion by Rosell. He just wants to make LaPorta look bad.

About Fabregas, I'm not sure how many Barcelona games you watched last season but Iniesta was hurt the majority of the season. Xavi is getting older. Fabregas would be a nice little rotation with the other two, and get plenty of playing time. I also think he just wants to win trophies ultimately, which he won't do at Arsenal.
 
#91
#91
volball625 said:
This not paying the players thing is just being blown out of proportion by Rosell. He just wants to make LaPorta look bad.

About Fabregas, I'm not sure how many Barcelona games you watched last season but Iniesta was hurt the majority of the season. Xavi is getting older. Fabregas would be a nice little rotation with the other two, and get plenty of playing time. I also think he just wants to win trophies ultimately, which he won't do at Arsenal.
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Expected response. You know the talking points well. :)
 
#93
#93
HawaiiVol said:
Expected response. You know the talking points well. :)
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Would you not agree with that though? Fabregas is going to be Xavi's replacement. They could all three start if Iniesta played on the wing, which I don't really prefer. And all three of them have shown to be somewhat injury prone so all three should get ample time. I just want to get rid of Ibra and get another holding mid. I can wait for Fabregas til next summer if necessary.
 
#94
#94
Yeah, it's not a question of IF Fabregas goes to Barca, but WHEN. I'd say next year is the most likely, 2 years max. I'd like to see Aaron Ramsey back in form after the leg break before letting Fabregas go, plus it'd give Wenger some time to work on getting Mesut Ozil in.
 
#95
#95
HawaiiVol said:
Yeah, it's not a question of IF Fabregas goes to Barca, but WHEN. I'd say next year is the most likely, 2 years max. I'd like to see Aaron Ramsey back in form after the leg break before letting Fabregas go, plus it'd give Wenger some time to work on getting Mesut Ozil in.
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I doubt Arsenal can get Ozil. It looks like the heavyweights of Europe are getting involved so I doubt Arsenal will be able to outbid any of them.
 
#96
#96
It's definitely going to be harder after this WC. He was on the radar for a transfer before his WC showing from what I remember. His price went up for sure.
 
#97
#97
Stoke City. My family originated from Stoke-on-Trent a long time ago before coming to Virginia
 
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