Help Comrade find an EPL team

[comrade]

I’m aware that a number of the fine folk on WOOF are also keen EPL followers. I’ve never had but a passing interest in it, purely because I don’t have a team I’m emotionally invested in.

I’ve now got Foxtel so I can watch the games, and with the current EPL season winding up it’s time to choose a team to follow.

BUT – I need help from my fellow WOOFer’s.

I don’t know anything about the background and history of the teams, their style of play or the players and I trust the judgment of you guys.

So please, help comrade find an EPL team.

Just one caveat:

I won’t be following Man Utd or Chelsea, because I equate those teams with Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon etc, and I hate those teams.

[The Coon Dog]

Arsenal - they play attractive football, though they do it at the expense of scoring. Manager is French & half the team are from France or Africa.

Aston Villa - Got a terrificly enthusiastic Manager in Martin O'Neill. The team play in Birmingham.

Blackburn Rovers - 'Fat Sam' Allarydce is their Manager. Typical Lancashire club. Locally supported.

Bolton Wanderers - Another Lancashire club. Perennial strugglers. Nickname is the Trotters!

Everton - Merseyside's other team. Fierce rivals of Liverpool. Canny Scottish Manager. Generally 5th-10th.

Fulham - Home ground is Craven Cottage so known as The Cottagers! Dodi Al Fayed is Chairman. Down to earth Londoners. Likeable Manager in Roy Hodgson.

Hull City - Small club from North Yorkshire. Will struggle to remain in the EPL.

Liverpool - Great club with a magnificent European pedigree through the 70's & 80's. My team, so I'm biased, but how could you not like Stevie G?

Manchester City - Now the richest club in the world after being taken over by the Arab Sheiks. Will start to spend big.

Middlesbrough - Often struggled & will be lucky to remain up.

Newcastle United - Wear black & white stripes, but such passionate supporters. It will be a shame if they are relegated.

Portsmouth - Pompey! Funny team, can cause upsets, but often struggle. Ledge supports them so reason enough to stay away! ;)

Stoke City - Done well to survive after being promoted last season. Will struggle each year.

Sunderland - Newcastle's North East neighbours. Might join them if they are both relegated. Passionate fans, but not much else.

Tottenham Hotspurs - Spurs, Arsenal's Norf' London neighbours. Harry Redknapp in now the Manager. Always been in the EPL, no higher than 6th, no lower than 6th bottom.

West Ham - The Hammers! From the East End of London, so if you like The Eastenders, this is your club. Featured in Green street hooligans. Great Manager in Gianfranco Zola.

Wigan Athletic - Rugby League town in Lancashire. Do well each year to survive.

Summing up comrade, if you want a team that will win the title & play in the Champions League it's a one in four choice; Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea & Arsenal.

A team that will look to try & break the stranglehold of the top 4; Everton, Manchester City & Aston Villa.

A team that might challenge for the Europa League (formerly UEFA Cup); Spurs & West Ham, Portsmouth & Fulham.

Trying to avoid the drop; Blackburn, Bolton, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Hull, Sunderland, Stoke, Wigan.

Hope that helps.

[GVGjr]

Go for a challenge like I did.

Saw Wigan several years back on the tele and decided to follow them. A few years later they are in the EPL.

[ledge]

I read that TCD you cheeky bugger, more reason to follow them Conrad after TCDs comment.

[Scraggers]

I'm a Sunderland fan myself for a number of reasons ...

Firstly my grandfather supported Sunderland for over 70 years ... there was always a constant push to follow them, but I wasn't really into soccer

When I did eventually come around I found out that Sunderland Association Football Club started as Sunderland and District Teachers Association District Football Club ... being a teacher myself, it seems the dye is cast

I relate the team to the Footscray teams of the 70s and early 80s ... strugglers but with passionate supporters

Hope this helps

[Topdog]

came 5th 2 seasons in a row TCD.

If you want a rollercoaster ride where everyone hates your team follow Spurs (Tottenham)

[EJ Smith]

There's a paint drying competition on at Sealake every week-end during the winter.

That would probably have more appeal

[The Coon Dog]

There's a paint drying competition on at Sealake every week-end during the winter.

That would probably have more appeal

As opposed to the glorified game of marbles? ;)

[EJ Smith]

As opposed to the glorified game of marbles? ;)

Wash your mouth out TCD

[Sockeye Salmon]

[
West Ham - The Hammers! From the East End of London, so if you like The Eastenders, this is your club. Featured in Green street hooligans. Great Manager in Gianfranco Zola.


What sort of dumb team would have a name of West ... and come from the east?


Oh.

[Scraggers]

As opposed to the glorified game of marbles? ;)

Ouch ... As a lawn bowler myself that ... that ... that really hurt (sniff)

[hujsh]

Ouch ... As a lawn bowler myself that ... that ... that really hurt (sniff)

Might send you to Brisbane then.

[craigsahibee]

Having never met you Comrade I can only guess by your username that you may favour the left side of politics and the working class regime.

Any of the Yorkshire clubs could suit. Sheffield United are vying for Promotion from the Championship at the moment. Fabulous club with a proud history.

[Scraggers]

Might send you to Brisbane then.

I'd fit in quite well there wouldn't I ??

[Glove38]

Comrade, go for Fulham.

They are a great traditional club, with a proud history. There ground is a very nostalgic place, with a good feel to it.

Definitely a favourite club on mine.

[Lantern]

I’m aware that a number of the fine folk on WOOF are also keen EPL followers. I’ve never had but a passing interest in it, purely because I don’t have a team I’m emotionally invested in.

I’ve now got Foxtel so I can watch the games, and with the current EPL season winding up it’s time to choose a team to follow.

BUT – I need help from my fellow WOOFer’s.

I don’t know anything about the background and history of the teams, their style of play or the players and I trust the judgment of you guys.

So please, help comrade find an EPL team.

Just one caveat:

I won’t be following Man Utd or Chelsea, because I equate those teams with Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon etc, and I hate those teams.

Comrade, being a Bulldogs fan, I know the exact team for you.

This team comes from as working class a background as you can imagine (steel manufacturing city), won its last premier league (first division in those days) title in 1934, but were the dominant team from 1900 - 1905 and then again in 1930 - 1934, and has had a long dought since then apart from making the FA Cup final in 1964 before winning the League Cup (over Alex Ferguson's Manchester United no less!) in 1991.

They then finished third in the first ever season of the Premier League, and made both the League and FA Cup finals in 1992 before losing both to Arsenal. They are still widely recognised as the 'sixth largest team in Britain' in terms of following and have one of the best stadiums in England that is still used everytime England host an international tournament.

The only problem is that they are in the Championship at the moment, but they finished in the top half of the table this past season and are a real chance to win promotion back to the Premiership next year.

Working class, family club, long drought in success, huge latent supporter base, top class facilities, but no nobs (like Newcastle/Collingwood). Sound like the Dogs?

I introduce, the one and only Sheffield 'The Owls' Wednesday.

Trivia: Sheffield FC, from which both Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday were born, is THE OLDEST soccer club in the world, so you can say that Sheffield is the true birthplace of the sport as we know it today.

[Lantern]

Having never met you Comrade I can only guess by your username that you may favour the left side of politics and the working class regime.

Any of the Yorkshire clubs could suit. Sheffield United are vying for Promotion from the Championship at the moment. Fabulous club with a proud history.


Hey, great minds think alike, except that the Pigs (Sheffield United) have nothing on Wednesday!

[The Coon Dog]

Hey, great minds think alike, except that the Pigs (Sheffield United) have nothing on Wednesday!

Like most things that come from Yorkshire, they're bloody useless. Only Hull City in the EPL & they may be relegated.

Hull City
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield United
Barnsley
Bradford
Leeds United

Neighbouring Lancashire on the other hand have 7 teams in the EPL

Liverpool
Everton
Manchester United
Manchester City
Bolton Wanderers
Blackburn Rovers
Wigan Athletic

[arkie]

I've never been interested in soccer or EPL. I might start watching it though and I think I'll support Tottenham because that's where part of my family were from.

[Scraggers]

Hey Comrade, You'll have to let us know what your decision is at some stage

[Bulldog Banana]

Comrade, go for Fulham.

They are a great traditional club, with a proud history. There ground is a very nostalgic place, with a good feel to it.

Definitely a favourite club on mine.

Also have an aussie connection with Mark Schwarzer and Adrian Leijer.... if that helps

[Happy Days]

Comrade,

Completely ignore the game's existance, and become a strict cricket/footy guy. Works best for me :)

[hujsh]

Comrade,

Completely ignore the game's existance, and become a strict cricket/footy guy. Works best for me :)

YEAH!

[mjp]

Stupid game. Well - good game, but stupid sport. Because of the salary rules, only 2 or 3 teams can ever win the title...if you have to pick a team, be a band-wagoner and pick one of them. Otherwise, follow the dogs and be happy.

[Glove38]

Stupid game. Well - good game, but stupid sport. Because of the salary rules, only 2 or 3 teams can ever win the title...if you have to pick a team, be a band-wagoner and pick one of them. Otherwise, follow the dogs and be happy.

EPL is one sided, some other big leagues aren't.

[comrade]

I appreciate all your opinions – special thanks to TCD for putting together that comprehensive list and to Lantern for his vigorous recommendation of Sheffield Wednesday (you almost got me over the line).

I’ve made my pick and settled on:

West Ham United

My reasonings are as follows:

• Working class background – they were formed out of Thames Ironworks FC
• London based – I plan on visiting one day so I may be able to catch a game.
• Great nickname – The Hammers actually refers to the rivet hammers featured on their crest rather than being from West Ham.
• Passionate (and violent) fan base on which some films were based and that I’ll be watching during the next few months.
• A good ratio of English talent, developed at their renowned Academy, which are then invariably poached by wealthier teams.
• The general feel is that they haven’t really won much but still give it a good crack.
• Good manager in Zola
• Have a London rivalry with both Tottenham and Chelsea
• For the time being they have an Australian captain which I realize will most likely change at the opening of a cheque book.

Time will tell if I made a good choice - Go Hammers!

[The Coon Dog]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/fi/thumb/2/28/West_Ham_United_FC-n_logo.svg/622px-West_Ham_United_FC-n_logo.svg.png

Nice choice there Alf Garnett!

[The Coon Dog]

Here are the words:

I'M FOREVER BLOWING BUBBLES

I'm forever blowing bubbles,
Pretty bubbles in the air,
They fly so high, nearly reach the sky,
Then like my dreams they fade and die.
Fortune's always hiding,
I've looked everywhere,
I'm forever blowing bubbles,
Pretty bubbles in the air.


Listen to the song. (http://bubbleblowers.com/music/Green%20Street%20Hooligans.mp3)

[comrade]

Here are the words:

I'M FOREVER BLOWING BUBBLES

I'm forever blowing bubbles,
Pretty bubbles in the air,
They fly so high, nearly reach the sky,
Then like my dreams they fade and die.
Fortune's always hiding,
I've looked everywhere,
I'm forever blowing bubbles,
Pretty bubbles in the air.


Listen to the song. (http://bubbleblowers.com/music/Green%20Street%20Hooligans.mp3)

Being a Bulldogs supporter, this sounds appropriate!

[The Coon Dog]

Being a Bulldogs supporter, this sounds appropriate!

If you get a chance, watch Green Street Hooligans. I watched it recently & highly recommend it.

[Glove38]

If you get a chance, watch Green Street Hooligans. I watched it recently & highly recommend it.

It's a good 'MOVIE', that is all.

[The Underdog]

Guess I missed my chance to convince Comrade to jump on the Wolves bandwagon then. Guaranteed at least one year in the Premiership...

[western monkey]

Comrade...forget the EPL mate too corporate ...head North, the SPL is the place to be, up the Hoops!! That's Celtic to all the uneducated.

[Sedat]

Go for a challenge like I did.

Saw Wigan several years back on the tele and decided to follow them. A few years later they are in the EPL.
GVGjr, at least Wigan are still around and plying their trade in the top flight (and doing it very well, playign out of their weight division).

Wimbledon has been my English football vice ever since Lawrie Sanchez broke Liverpool's hearts back in the 1988 FA Cup. How can you not love a team who was known as the 'Crazy Gang', and had such luminaries as Vinnie Jones patrolling the central defence with 90%, ahem, vigour and 10% skill. Unfortunately Wimbledon went completely broke barely a season after finally being relegated from the top flight earlier this decade.

They have since relocated to Milton Keynes and were reincanatred as the MK Dons - Torre Andre Flo and Luke Chadwick played for them this season and they are currently managed by Roberto Di Matteo. Unfortunately they were bundled out of the League One promotion play-offs last week by S****horpe after finishing 3rd in the League One table. They are a good bet to go one better next season, as they are well resourced, have a very healthy attendence average (well over 15,000 for home games), and have the city of Milton Keynes firmly backing them.

EDIT - looks like the swear filter doesn't like Scumthorpe much either :)

[The Coon Dog]

EDIT - looks like the swear filter doesn't like Scumthorpe much either :)

I once asked Twodogs why he supported Arsenal? He said that when he was younger he was quite taken with supporting a team who's name sounded rude. I then asked why he didn't support S****horpe?

[Sedat]

I once asked Twodogs why he supported Arsenal? He said that when he was younger he was quite taken with supporting a team who's name sounded rude. I then asked why he didn't support S****horpe?
Wonder what their nickname is :D

[hujsh]

Here are the words:

I'M FOREVER BLOWING BUBBLES

I'm forever blowing bubbles,
Pretty bubbles in the air,
They fly so high, nearly reach the sky,
Then like my dreams they fade and die.
Fortune's always hiding,
I've looked everywhere,
I'm forever blowing bubbles,
Pretty bubbles in the air.


Listen to the song. (http://bubbleblowers.com/music/Green%20Street%20Hooligans.mp3)

Jesus the English are an odd bunch.

BTW Green Street Hooligans is a good movie IMO

[The Underdog]

Wonder what their nickname is :D

The Irons, love their logo (sorry to rubbish to post it)


I once fancied a girl from S****horpe although she claimed to be from Lincoln. Good to see them go up at the expense of the artist formerly known as Wimbledon (sorry Sedat)