Preseason predictions

[L-man]

Just read this article about what some "experts" predicted at the beginning of the year, laughable, especially Mark Bright

Liverpool to win the league? Aguero the worst signing? Pundits pre-season predictions...
This article is entirely unfair. It's wrong to look at what pundits predicted before the season started and laugh at it, but it's also funny and in this case funny wins.
Sometime last summer the great and good of punditry gave their predictions for this season, who would do well, where teams would finish, which signings were the best. Let's take a look at what they said...
Winning the league
How many of the 30+ journalists and pundits had current leaders Manchester City as their predicted league winners? Three. The BBC's Dan Walker, Dan Roan and Ian Cheeseman said the blue side of Manchester would triumph. The majority of the rest went for Manchester United and either club could still snatch it, but there were other choices.
Mark Bright plumped for Liverpool to win the league and was happy to justify his selection "Liverpool finished 22 points behind United last season but only Sir Alex Ferguson amassed more points than Kenny Dalglish since the 'king' took over from Roy Hodgson.
"Why will they win it? The Reds have four players who could grace any team in the Premier League: Pepe Reina, Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, then add to the mix promising youngsters like John Flanagan, new faces like Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing plus team spirit, desire and 21 years of hurt."
Matt Le Tissier said Chelsea would win the league and added "Lukaku sounds like an exciting prospect."
No other pundits thought the title would leave Manchester, so brownie points all round there.
Best new signing
Only Sky asked this question but Jeff Stelling said Shay Given, Matt le Tissier went for Aguero, Paul Merson said Villa's Charles N'Zogbia, Phil Thompson went for Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam and Charlie Nicholas said David de Gea.
Charlie Nicholas also said that Sergio Aguero would be the worst signing and wasn't worth his transfer fee.
Top Scorer
Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson said Javier Hernandez would be top scorer. Jeff Stelling went for Luis Suarez, Paul Merson said Fernando Torres and Le Tissier went for Wayne Rooney.
A selection of comments made to go with the predictions...
Robbie Savage "The Kenny Dalglish factor at Anfield will push Liverpool into the top four because, unlike Arsenal, they are a club players want to join not leave."
Jonathan Pearce called this one well "Once the Cesc Fabregas saga is resolved, Arsenal will have enough to hold off Liverpool and Spurs for fourth, and Robin van Persie is my tip for the golden boot."
Graeme Murty "My heart tells me that Liverpool will be second but, realistically, they are fourth best. City and Chelsea will be battling it out to be runners-up."
Nigel Adderley "Despite the millions lavished on their squad, I think City may miss out on the top four - rather like Tottenham last season - a decent run in the Champions League could have a negative impact on their domestic results."

Quotes and predictions taken from the BBC and Sky Sports.

 

[alfie103]

This is why i am very happy to see Liverpool doing appallingly bad this season.

 

[soup]

God. I'd hate it if someone ever recorded some of the shit I almost probably/certainly chat, talking about football amongst mates. Then again, I'm not paid to talk utter shit, like Mark Bright.

(Nice guy actually, met him in a Sony shop just after he scored the 'first' new Wembley goal. I said, 'Nice goal', he said 'Thanks'. Great story.)

 

[ShelfSide18]

Excellent stuff, excellent.

Phil Thompson talking about Liverpool... fuck sake.