The Barclays Premier League Thread 2014/2015

[Baddar]

Absolutely, but even then, expectations were never set too high because we "spent badly", and didn't bring in enough defensive minded players.

[Hobo]

That's the way it goes with the media, Hobo. Learn to deal with it.

We were 7th last season. Any improvement on that, looking at our defence, is good. You finished 2nd, and almost won the league. You lost Suarez, sure, but also spunked the money on about 7 players to supposedly replace him. In football terms, that's a crisis.

I know how the media works! I was making light of the narrative.

[stokeriño]

Although not directly replacing the departed Chelsea CEO Ron Gourlay, former Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow has joined the Chelsea board:

Chelsea Football Club is pleased to announce that Christian Purslow is joining the club to run our global commercial activities. Mr Purslow's appointment is effective ‎immediately.

The club has ambitious plans to build the Premier League's most pioneering global commercial programme, partnering with innovative and market-leading organisations from around the world. The club believes Mr Purslow has the vision and the leadership qualities to help us achieve these plans.

‎

Chelsea does not expect to announce any other senior appointments in the near future. As announced last week, Chairman Bruce Buck and Director Marina Granovskaia have assumed the executive responsibilities held by our former chief executive.

[Colly]

Finally catching up with MOTD, Jermaine Jenas seems like an unusually decent pundit for the BBC. That Sammy goal was lovely.

Also, Burnley walk out to Arcade Fire. Cool.

[Baddar]

Purslow is that knobhead SSN get on, usually on deadline day, isn't it?

"knobhead" is probably quite harsh, actually. He's nowhere near as bad as the current and previous Palace chairmen.

[Colly]

Those Arsenal goals.

[Rafael]

Colback, ginger Pirlo.

[Lineker]

QPR boss Harry Redknapp makes two changes - goalkeeper Rob Green back in the team to replace his understudy Alex McCarthy while Nedum Onuoha is replaced by Eduardo Vargas, the Chilean who scored twice in the 3-2 defeat by Liverpool last weekend. Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has made four changes to the team which were beaten 3-0 at Everton last time out, with Matt Lowton, Ciaran Clark, Andreas Weimann and Carlos Sanchez replacing Alan Hutton, Kieran Richardson, Charles N'Zogbia and Nathan Baker.

QPR: Green, Isla, Dunne, Caulker, Yun, Vargas, Henry, Sandro, Fer, Zamora, Austin.

Subs: Traore, Hill, Phillips, Kranjcar, Murphy, Hoilett, Ferdinand.

Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Cissokho, Cleverley, Westwood, Sanchez, Agbonlahor, Benteke, Weimann.

Subs: Okore, Bacuna, Cole, Richardson, Bent, N'Zogbia, Given.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

[Baddar]

1-0 QPR; Austin.

[Cymbols]

Ugh

[Baddar]

2-0; Austin again.

[Summers]

We're so shit.

[King Ellis]

I still can't believe Villa have only scored 4 goals but have managed 3 wins.

[Summers]

We shoulda sold Benteke when his stock was high.

Apart from that, 'bout time we sacked Lambert and snapped Pulis up.

[Lineker]

Not sure Pulis would go somewhere knowing that there would soon be new owners.

[Summers]

Decent point. Not sure many would, unfortunately.

The other unfortunate thing is I don't see Lerner hurrying up and selling us.

Fed up now.

[Cymbols]

If Ebola was a football team it'd be Villa...

[Twist]

If Ebola was a football team it'd be Villa...

Ebola jokes, still not funny.

[Baddar]

Mark Clattenburg has been dropped from this weekend of Premier League fixtures for going to an Ed Sheeran concert.

You might say he's been dropped from the 'A Team'.

Shit pun aside, basically, he travelled on his own following a game so that he could attend the concert, and match officials are required to travel together to and from games.

Makes sense, but I didn't know that!

[Colly]

That's daft. Do they have to sleep in the same bed like Morcambe and Wise too?