Premier League 2007/08

[BtownJay]

Originally Posted by BtownBeers

Damn it I was going to go with Manchester United and Arsenal too

Just wait til you get to see a few games and teams play to pick your favorites. You don't want to pick two of the "Big 4" (Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man United)... they are all rivals, its like picking the Phillies and Braves as your two favorite teams.

That said, you can always have the same favorite as another person. I suggest Portsmouth and Liverpool.

[ssigman]

don't listen to jay..support whoever you want...i suggest watching a few games and finding some players you can identify with

[BtownBeers]

Its like a part time job getting into soccer...I need someone to extend the number of hours in a day please!

[BtownJay]

It is a ton to try to learn, and there is SO much i still don't get. The hardest thing for me is remembering all the damn players.

[ssigman]

the game itself isn't hard to follow...the basics at least...try to watch some of it and see what you think..then we'll grill you on the teams, leagues and players...and tournaments

[BtownJay]

oh agreed about the game being easy to follow. once you grasp the concept of off-sides, everything else is simple. Its the damn Cups and players moving throughout the world and transfer fees, etc etc that are a bit weird for American sports fans to grasp right away.

[ssigman]

for beers:

forget trades and trading....that doesn't happen...sometimes guys will be swapped but its rare and usually is done if they play the same spot or the team has no room for them...there is no salary cap

summer and winter has signing periods...basically windows under fifa rules that allow teams and players to negotiate and sign players...

you have free transfers, which is self explanatory..usually those guys are out of contract and the team doesn't care to lose them..usually but not always....

then you have guys under contract who move to a new team...what happens in simple terms is this...the current team puts a price on a player...a transfer fee...then the players negotiate a new contract with the teams interested in them...after the players agree to a deal with one of the teams interested, the new team pays the transfer fee to the old team...the new team can then use that to sign other guys or to fatten the pockets of the board or owner aka florida marlins ownership with luxury tax

the team doesn't have to sell the player if they are under contract....but money talks so everyone is available

hopefully that helps with transfers...

[Gunnerman]

Ah the new season begins......

For Beers,
Like Jay said you cannot be a fan of more than 1 of the top four, Manchester United, chelscum, Liverpool and Arsenal. I am a bit more old school perhaps in that I pretty much LOVE Arsenal and most of the other teams I either have grudging respect for, i.e. ManU, or have no ill feeling towards but I don't root for them, i.e. Pompey or teams that are complete cunts, i.e. chelscum, sp*rs and Sunderland.

Look at a few games and see what type of team you like, one that passes and controls the ball or a physical team that isn't afraid to kick the opposition as well as the ball.

[BtownJay]

Man City is really killing me... can't they just name a starting keeper already??? Whats the damn secret?

With first-choice Andreas Isaksson ruled out for at least six weeks with a broken thumb, Sven-Goran Eriksson will have to name either Schmeichel or Hart, both 20, in goal.

[BtownBeers]

Thanks for the info guys! I lean towards Arsenal cause tha