English Football

English Match Threads

The new home for all match threads related to English football of any type (EPL, NT, lower leagues, etc..).

N-Power Leagues and Below

When Saturday arrives you know it's the return of that old English faithful. The Football League beckons, so roll out the match ball. Tough tackling, hard working, and now with the odd foreign import; the pitch is run down, but not half as bad as the clubs coach transport. There's the half time pint to digest the games play, then a talk over the tactics to make this our teams day. Don't forget those steak and ale pies or pre-packed sarnies, before you rise to the stand and chant like an army. It's that old beautiful game, some say it's been taken, but in the lower leagues it thrives, so take a look - you're all welcome.

Arsenal

1. Arsenal: Player Specific Threads

Arsenal are falling by the wayside, and it might still be the fans who suffer the ignominy of trophyless campaigns, rather than Arsene Wenger who seems to have an impregnable fortress of support from the board. After the losses of Fabregas and Nasri in the summer, Wenger might have reacted quickly, but only managed to sign Arteta, Benayoun, and André Santos, in the final hours of the transfer period. Now Arsenal look on to the long corridor that leads to January, hoping to make enough of an impact to keep their season alive by then. The questions are: will they manage it, and will Arsene Wenger see it that far?

Aston Villa

Alex McLeish doesn't like his bread buttered. He doesn't like his pillows soft and fluffy, nor his bath warm and inviting. He is like a hard-boiled egg, his shell cannot be broken. That's why a move across the city from Villa's local rivals did not faze him. The Scot now looks to stamp his own authority in this new look side, with new signings Shay Given in between the sticks, and Charles N'Zogbia on the flanks with the ability to dazzle. Marc Albrighton will look to step into the shoes left by Ashley Young, Barry Bannan is hoping to find his way through to the first team, and Darren Bent is looking to produce up front once again. European qualification may be out of our reach, but a cup run could be more realistic this season. The quest is one, but together we fight: prepared.

Chelsea

Chelsea Football Club is undergoing a strange rejuvenation. In the wake of Ancelotti’s ‘mutually agreed’ departure and Andrés Villas-Boas’ appointment, the London club is vying to shrug off the increasingly threatening Manchester City, while pulling back the high-flying Manchester United, too. But will the likes of Juan Mata be the key to unlocking the form of £50m misfiring Spaniard Fernando Torres, and in turn transform Chelsea into Villas-Boas’ vision of a free-form attacking eleven?

Liverpool

This is Anfield, where the iconic You'll Never Walk Alone echoes from the Kop. Shankly, Paisley, Dalglish, Rush, Clemence, Barnes, Fowler have all had their day but their names are still sung and their legacy remains, one which saw Liverpool well established as one of the world's elite clubs with 18 League Titles and 5 European Cups to prove it. However, many years waiting on that elusive 19th league title have had their toll. Now with the Rafa Benitez era behind us and the Hodgson nightmare at an end, King Kenny has stepped up to the plate. And with NESV's backing of £35million Andy Carroll and £23million Luis Suarez surely we'll be seeing the glory days back at Anfield where they well and truly belong.

Manchester City

The other half of Manchester is making waves. Over the last few seasons the sky blue jersey has seen the addition of some of the world's most talented - and, in Balotelli's case, most troublesome - footballers on the planet. Whether Tevez stays or leaves, Roberto Mancini has enough quality from across the continents to spearhead what might finally be City's genuine challenge for the Premier League title. Will they be the one-nil-and-lock-it-down side of last season or will the addition of Agüero and Nasri to their threatening side add to the goals haul, too?

Manchester United

1. Player Subforum

The Stretford End starts a chant of 'Glory, Glory, Man United' that reverberates around the historic stands Old Trafford. The champions of old and the soon to be champions of new emerge from the tunnel to the roar of the United faithful. The history of the club and the sky high expectations of the fans weigh heavily on the shoulders but to be a United player, it must be no burden and success is paramount. Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton watch on from the sidelines, Sir Matt Busby from above. This is the pinnicle of Football. This is Manchester United.

Tottenham Hotspur

Ledley King passes the ball out wide to Walker, who gives the ball to Parker. Parker turns smartly, looking for Modric and finding him. Modric takes the ball in his stride, head on a swivel, and slides it into van der Vaart's path. The Dutchman holds the ball up, waiting for Bale to make his move. What a pass! Now it's Bale on the ball, one on one with the full-back, and he beats him with ease. The cross is a dangerous one, delivered into the perfect area, and... Adebayor! GOAL! GOAL!!! What a lovely move from Spurs. Beautiful football. Modric, van der Vaart, and Bale all involved, and Adebayor finishes it sublimely. Who knows where Tottenham could finish this season? Can they keep this form up? Spurs fans, and neutrals alike, will all be keen to see just how far this Tottenham Hotspur side can go. No matter what happens, it should prove to be excellent entertainment.

The Three Lions

Wayne Rooney steps onto the pitch, breathing heavily, chest heaving; as if preparing for war. He sings the national anthem with pride, hears the whistle and he's off. He chases after the ball time and time again, defending and attacking, waiting for his chance to come. Finally it comes, the net cracks as the ball is hammered home, he beats his chest and lets out a victorious cry. This is England.