The 2012 / 2013 Golden Boot - English Premier League
Final Standings
GAMEWEEK 36
PLAYER
| TALLY
| |
|---|---|---|
Rvp
| 25
| |
Suarez
| 23
| |
Bale
| 20
| |
Benteke
| 18
|
Player
| Tally
| |
|---|---|---|
RVP
| 25
| |
Suarez
| 23
| |
Bale
| 19
| |
Michu
| 17
|
With Suarez suspended for his recent misdemeanor and RVP reclaiming top spot, is it over?
Player
| Tally
| |
|---|---|---|
Suarez
| 22
| |
RVP
| 19
| |
Bale
| 16
| |
Ba
| 15
| |
Michu
| 15
|
Player
| Tally
| |
|---|---|---|
Suarez
| 21
| |
RVP
| 19
| |
Ba
| 15
| |
Michu
| 15
| |
Bale
| 15
|
Player
| Tally
| |
|---|---|---|
RVP
| 19
| |
Suarez
| 18
| |
Michu
| 15
| |
Ba
| 14
| |
Bale
| 13
| |
Dzeko
| 12
|
Player
| Tally
| |
|---|---|---|
RVP
| 18
| |
Suarez
| 17
| |
Ba
| 14
| |
Michu
| 13
| |
Walcott
| 11
| |
Dzeko
| 11
| |
Lambert
| 11
| |
Bale
| 11
|
Gameweek 23
Player
| Tally
| |
|---|---|---|
RVP
| 18
| |
Suarez
| 16
| |
Ba
| 14
| |
Michu
| 13
|
Gameweek 22
Player
| Tally
| |
|---|---|---|
RVP
| 17
| |
Suarez
| 15
| |
Michu
| 13
| |
Ba
| 13
| |
Defoe
| 10
| |
Bale
| 9
| |
Lukaku
| 9
| |
Dzeko
| 10
| |
Lambert
| 8
|
RVP Continues to do what he does best, Suarez bags two doubles on the trot, Dzeko profits from Balotelli being in the dog house, Ba is left out of the squad as his move away is imminent and Michu becomes acquainted with the woodwork.
Gameweek 19
Player
| Tally
| |
|---|---|---|
RVP
| 13
| |
Michu
| 13
| |
Suarez
| 11
| |
Ba
| 11
| |
Defoe
| 10
| |
Bale
| 9
|
Gameweek 17
Player
| Tally
| |
|---|---|---|
RVP
| 12
| |
Michu
| 12
| |
Demba Ba
| 11
| |
Suarez
| 10
|
Gameweek 16
Player
| Tally
| |
|---|---|---|
Michu
| 12
| |
RVP
| 11
| |
Suarez
| 10
| |
Demba Ba
| 10
|
Gameweek 15 Totals
Player
| Tally
| |
|---|---|---|
Suarez
| 10
| |
Van Persie
| 10
| |
Michu
| 10
| |
Defoe
| 9
| |
Fellaini
| 8
| |
Demba Ba
| 8
|
Gameweek 14 Totals
Player
| Tally
| |
|---|---|---|
Suarez
| 10
| |
Van Persie
| 9
| |
Ba
| 8
| |
Michu
| 8
|
Gameweek 13 Totals
Player
| Tally
| |
|---|---|---|
Luis Suarez
| 10
| |
Robin Van Persie
| 8
| |
Demba Ba
| 8
| |
Michu
| 7
| |
Defoe
| 7
|
Gameweek 12 Totals
Player
| Goals Scored
| |
|---|---|---|
Luis Suarez
| 10
| |
Robin Van Persie
| 8
| |
Demba Ba
| 8
| |
Michu
| 7
|
Gameweek 11 Totals
Player
| Goals Scored
| |
|---|---|---|
Robin Van Persie
| 8
| |
Luis Suarez
| 8
| |
Demba Ba
| 7
| |
Fellaini
| 6
| |
Edin Dzeko
| 6
| |
Michu
| 6
|
Post AUG Transfer Window Poll
A new Poll has been opened, the previous poll was to gage pre-season public opinion but now in many cases, the circumstances have changed and some players have found new clubs, where others may have picked up bad injuries and others may be finding themselves suddenly higher or lower in the pecking order. After watching the teams in at least 3 EPL fixtures and seeing their complete team after the transfer window
.... NOW who do you think will get the Golden Boot?
Post AUG Transfer window POLL
Who will get the Golden Boot?
Thanks for voting, Click LIKE or SHARE on the right hand side, to invite your friends and followers to share their opinion and vote themselves!.
Key Changes Since Pre-Season
Torres has proven he can continue where he left off at Euro 2012
Wayne Rooney suffered a gash to his leg, which should see him miss several games of the season
Welbeck and Hernandez have greater odds of first team Football during Rooneys injury and the sale of Dimitar Berbatov
Robin Van Persie only received 10% of the votes, despite scoring 30 Goals last season but this was clearly because people were unsure of whether he would just be on the bench at Arsenal in a stand off with Wenger but now he is at Manchester United and scoring freely as he did last season, well you have to say his odds have been dramatically slashed.
Romelu Lukaka has gone to West Brom, which will see greater first team action.
Sturridges odds have increased, Torres seems to have put a firm places on that starting line, with his positive start to the season
Andy Carroll looked set to make a big impression with West Ham but an early injury into his West Ham career, which looks like it will be a big one, will see his chance greatly decrease.
Emmanuel Adebayor has now made his switch to Tottenham perminant, most people were concerned that he would get no game time at Man City but now has to be a candidate for the Boot back at Tottenham.
Dimitar Berbatov has switched to Fulham, which should see him get much greater first team Football, especially now that Dembele and Dempsey are not challenging for the position.
Demba Ba has brought an end to his goal drought
Steven Fletcher has found a club in the EPL and is underway already.
Ricky Lambert is proving he can do it on the big stage
Pre Season Poll Results
Well after 355 votes pre-season;
28% of people believed that Fernando Torres will get the Golden Boot
19% of people believed that it would be Rooney
12% of people leaves Aguero the 3rd favorite.
This Poll was closed at first game of the season
Who Do You Think Will Be The Top Scorer In The 2012/2013 EPL Season?
Fernando Torres
Had a torrid time last season but now his hair is growing back and just like the mythical Sampson he seems to have found his strength again. Torres just recently picked up the Euro 2012 golden boot and also fired home the goal that saw off Champions League favorites ‘Barcelona’ in the 2012 competition. Can he put his demons behind him and hit the ground running in 2012
Wayne Rooney
Amidst all the Van Persie hype of the 2011/12 season, Rooney went quite unnoticed bagging 27 goals himself, only 3 behind RVP but got nowhere near the same recognition for his efforts, whenever he plays with Valencia, you can almost guarantee goals from Rooney. However on the back of a poor Euro 2012 campaign where Wayne looked distinctly average, lacking fitness and holding a terrible first touch, can he bounce back quickly? Being Man Utd’s first choice spot kick taker will certainly help Wayne to get some goals at least.
Danny Welbeck
Enjoyed a larger amount of starts for Man Utd last season, Fergie put his trust in him and he repaid him with a flurry of goals in the first half of the season, should Danny get frequent games, he just may be a contender. However this will depend on whether he operates as an out and out striker, or if he works the channels and feeds Rooney. Welbeck recently represented England in the Euro 2012 campaign and bagged a brilliant winner against Sweden. At the tender age of 21, the best may yet to come from this young starlet.
Javier Hernandez (Chicarito)
Would be a strong contender if he got to play 100% of the games, however this clinical pacey Mexican is likely to be used in rotation and so probably won’t get the golden boot. Hernandez typically plays off the the back foot of the opposition back 4; The type of player who likes to make darting runs and break the offside trap, is always likely to be the most advanced player on the pitch, makes intelligent runs which could see him scoring a lot of goals. Has a great goal to game ratio.
Eden Hazard
Has the ability to scores goals but often operates on the left wings as more of an attacking midfielder, it will depend where Chelsea decide to play him; as to how many goals the new boy will get. It is possible that he may well be Goal provider, rather than Goal scorer, but this kid is not afraid to take a pop and has full confidence in his ability to score.
Robin Van Persie (RVP)
Last seasons golden boot winner. Robin van persie had a blinder of a season and at one point was the only thing keeping Arsenal in the premier league, let alone the Champions league spots. What made Van Persie’s goals most impressive for most people, was that they felt he was carrying the whole team, opposed to some of the other candidates who were perhaps finishing off chances in a good team, however he just did benefit from great passes from the underrated Alex Song but my word did he take them nicely. A front-man with great technical abilities, is great at taking his shots first time and his 1st time volleys from balls played over the top are becoming somewhat of a trademark finish. When a player becomes initialised as RVP has, you know hes something special..
Daniel Sturridge
Danny started last season in great form, having come of the back of a very successful loan spell at Bolton which saw him score as many as he played initially, his Chelsea season then went from strength to strength as he kept finding the back of the net, time and time again and found himself frequently selected ahead of 50mil Fernando Torres, however towards the end of the season his form dipped and this led him not to get and the England call up which looked destined to be his at the beginning of the season. Will he receive that same support from Roberto Di Matteo; as he did AVB and if he does play will it be stuck out on the right, or in the his favored Central position.
Lukas Podolski
Is the Arsenal new boy, has been a feature within the German national team for a few years now, is a little more hardworking than your traditional forward and likes to work the channels, this may prevent him from being a ‘top scorer’ but he is sure to get some goals. Had a promising start to his career but has eased off the accelerator in recent years, can he recapture his form under Arsene Wenger, this is suddenly great competition for spaces with the Arsenal frontlines, so if hes not careful he may find himself in rotation.
Mario Balotelli
Has bags of talent, is always capable of scoring a goal but if he cannot maintain his friendship and support of manager Roberto Mancini, he will not get enough game time, ahead of the likes of Tevez and Aguero to get the goals he needs. Baloteli’s goals tend to come all at once, rather than 1 a game, he probably will get a hattrick or two but isn’t consistent enough in the long run of a season.
Romelu Lukaku
Has been likened by many to the recently departed, Chelsea legend; Didier Drogba, he has big shoes to fill, can he compensate for the missing Drogba goal threat? This belgian Wonderkid is still only 19 years old, his physicality for such a young player is immense, perhaps it is this in combination with aesethically looking a little like Drogba that has drawn the comparisons but he is a fine athlete and i fail to see how he wont go onto be a good player, whether he will be a supporting striker or a 20 a season man is yet to be seen..
Sergio Aguero
Had one of the best starts to a premier league season for a new club in the history of the EPL, doesn’t always play as the last man and this sometimes lowers his goal return but he is a talented individual and a constant threat, it was his goal that won the title for Man City in 2011/12 season, links up well with fellow countryman Tevez, but is certain to be ahead of him on the team sheet, on attitude and loyalty to the club alone.
Emmanuel Adebayor
His great goal return for Arsenal landed him a move to mega rich Man City, he however found himself surplus to requirement and had successful loan spells at Real Madrid and Tottenham, looking particularly dangerous in the first spell of the season but seemed to loose steam along with the team itself towards the end. The question is; if he goes back to Man City will he get enough game time to be a contender…. Probably not. His best hope is that Tottenham pay for his perminant move, if they sell Modric then they certainly will be able to fund it, Adebayor will be a constant goal threat, whatever club he plays for.
Carlos Tevez
Was joint top scorer with Man Utd’s Berbatov in the 2010/11 season, last season he only got a few games towards the end of the season due to a falling out with the club in the first half. If he does get frequent football now that him and Mancini have made their peace, he will be a strong contender for the Golden boot. Its easy to forget that all not too long ago, Tevez was City's main man by a mile and was single handedly winning them games.
Andy Carroll
Had a poor start to his Liverpool career but seemed to hit some form towards the end of the season, earning him a call up to the England squad. He is a constant threat in the air and clearly has the ability to score but lacks consistency and often provides flick ons for supporting attackers and midfielders to score from, opposed to scoring himself. Enjoyed much better success in his days at Newcastle, where he was treated as the main man. There has been some speculation as to his fitness levels but he looked in decent enough shape during the Euro 2012 campaign. Many are predicting that Andy will come good this season, with no fan bigger than Alan Shearer.
Luis Suarez
Suarez got his first hattrick for Liverpool last season but failed to ever really threaten for the Golden boot throughout the season. He was probably unfortunate not to score more, he somehow seems to find the post or skim it with unrivalled accuracy, clearly talented and does actually perform on a frequent basis but just struggles to score. His goal return for Ajax and Uruguay suggests that he does have the potential to score game in, game out, so expect him to possibly increase his goal tally this season, will need the players around him to step up though.
Nikica Jelavic
Was a revelation towards the end of the 2011/12 season, starting his Everton career with a flurry of goals, he quickly built a reputation for scoring with his first touch, this ability to take a shot first time, from both through balls and low driven crosses, makes him a clinical goal scorer, didn’t get a full season in the EPL, he will be responsible for most of Evertons goal return this season, can he help them avoid their usual slow start.
Papiss Cisse
Started his Newcastle career in remarkable form, breaking previous records for scoring in consecutive games, works hard and finishes well and capable of the spectacular, as Petr Cech found out; the hard way when Cisse spectacularly scored a long range half volley, may well have gotten the golden boot, had he have enjoyed a full season.
Demba Ba
Looked to have the potential to go for Golden boot in the early stages of the 2011/12 season, very effective in the air and none to shabby of a shot. His dip in goal return coincided with the arrival of Papiss Cisse, whereas he once played off the last defender but has since dropped off a little and flicked balls on for Cisse, rather than looking to finish them himself, whilst Cisse is in the lineup, he is unlikely to be the pure out and out goalscorer that he is capable of being.
Darren Bent
Ever since Bent entered the EPL with Charlton, he has frequently been up there with the best of them, season in season out, he certainly doesn’t struggle to find the net, even with sub par supply from team mates of lesser ability than those that supply the likes of Rooney and Van Persie. His recent switch to Aston Villa would seem to be a mistake, where him and the club both had arguably their worst season since their inclusion in the EPL. If Bent can recapture his normal consistency, he will be as always a contender for the boot.
Jermaine Defoe
Often played backup to Adebayor and Saha last season but Saha has been released by the club and Adebayor has returned to Man City after his loan spell. This should leave Defoe to get guaranteed first team Football, still has bags of pace and a deadly shot but has never managed to fully challenge for the golden boot and has a habit of scoring all his goals in one game rather than being consistent.
Other
Or do you think it could be somebody not listed here, a surprise package perhaps or maybe just a key new signing made at the end of the transfer window. Do you perhaps think that a striker from a newly promoted club may get the golden boot? Andy Johnson and Kevin Phillips both had spectacular seasons, in their first spells in the top flight. Perhaps maybe a midfielder will steal the show, Lampard always seems to get around 10-20 goals a season, helped by taking the spot kicks.
2011/2012 Top Scorers
Comments
AUTHORThe End of season tallies are now up..
- AUTHOR
Michu and Demba Ba sure fell off the pace!
What a great intro to the EPL for Benteke and Bale scoring that much for a player who was a LB a couple of seasons ago is insane, hes something else, there isn't a club who wont want him soon enouhg if not already
Bale and Benteke are both surprises for me for being in the top 4. Interesting to see how some players start the season with a lot of goals, but don't score much after.
- AUTHOR
Benteke even makes it into the top 4 this week, justifying the decision to keep Darren Bent on the bench
- AUTHOR
I'm waiting to see if RVP can beat his 30 of last season
Benteke will need to be added to this list next season for sure, assuming Villa are now safe :)
Yep, good for him, two years in a row! Benteke got a nice hat trick today though.
In the bag for RVP
- AUTHOR
Standings updated 29.04.13
- AUTHOR
The duty lies on Bale and Michu then :)
Well RVP takes over the top spot, and it doesn't look like Suarez will be getting any more goals this season... shared on google+
- AUTHOR
to be honest, i never anticipated he would keep up the pace, kinda thought he would fade out a little in-between
Haha, yes me too :D
Good thing I made him captain of my fantasy team this week!
- AUTHOR
Suarez's Hattrick puts him as the new leader in the race for the Golden Boot
- AUTHOR
Only Liverpool and Swansea in action in the EPL yesterday, allowing Suarez to get one closer to RVP and getting one over on Michu in an emphatic Liverpool Victory
- AUTHOR
Lukaku HAS to be first team for CHelsea next year! I agree with you about the Drogba comparisons.
Yeah agreed, whether its Sturridges ability, i feel like the team has a better balance and better suited to the formation of a 4-3-3 approach when Daniel is in the team
@Thomas
Sturridge was absent and it showed. Suarez and company had gotten used to sturridge who changes the game for liverpool, he makes them deadly. In some ways you can look at Balotelli's absence with ManC and see a similar effect. The value of some players shows, even if they arent the marquee player. I think Liverpool need Sturridge. He gives SUarez some one to work off of, like Cavani for uruguay. Borini, has failed.
@CCahill
as i said before Lukaku is the second coming of drogba for chelsea. I saw that immediately when they got him. And, he has showed that if you support him better, he will reign in goals. Put him in the 4231 and Chelsea will be very dominant. Ba as a backup striker will give us depth to win it all. In terms of up and coming strikers, I think Lukaku has to be number one in many books.
- AUTHOR
Ha well you can say that Justice was delivered there! Suarez rather went down easily, very soft penalty, which was duly missed :D
Lukaku is a MONSTER!
pfffft Giroud will still win lol. Lukaka scored again, Liverpool make me laugh. Was getting worried because I'd forgotten how terrible they are, but then West Brom come to remind everyone.
- AUTHOR
Michu and Bale both grab 2 Goals each, whilst RVP aims for 30 once again
- AUTHOR
Le Fondre makes a surprise entrance into proceedings by netting 2 goals today, taking him to 10 goals for the season.
- AUTHOR
Lukaku joins in, just how good could he be?
hmm we shall see:)
- AUTHOR
Idd very small unphysical team
@CCAhill
true, but Andy Carrol's passing isn't good enough, with Suarez, Cole and sterling up top a lot, Liverpool dont have a muscular group of players who can out fight for the direct lay off or simple ball from a holding forward, they need cutting passes, this is why Berbatov. He can do the role Ibra has at PSG. With Menes and Pastore Ibra has cutters who need good passing service. Remember, the nuances of the forward:)
- AUTHOR
Berbatov!? lol hes only just moved, thatd be a shock one
and Chicarito is NOT for sale!! :D
Hold up play hmmmm..... A.... Andy.... Carrol?
@CCAhill,
the question is what does Liverpool need in terms of a striker. As I told you with chelsea, Torres is a different kind of striker than drogba. I think Liverpool need to somehow snag Berbatov if possible.
Liverpool play gerrard deep and they have good wide players, but they don't possess strong enough in the midfield to be helped by getting a striker like chicarito. Liverpool need someone that can hold up play in a static position. Maybe that forward from the canaries
- AUTHOR
Well Liverpool will buy a striker im sure, wonder whether this will make Suarez score more OR less goals, im tempted to think less, that he will drop off onto the left wing a bit then.
and Demba ba, well he may not be at Newcastle after xmas
we will only know when the transfer window closes fully:)
- AUTHOR
How will the transfer window effect the odds
:) good analysis
- AUTHOR
Michu - 2 Million - 10 Goals
Demba Ba - Free Transfer - 8 Goals
Fernando Torres - 50 million - 4 goals
Andy Carroll - 35 million - 1 Goals
- AUTHOR
True! Roman has lost all credibility in the Football world now
He is having a goodd time with AVB, it is funny , the RDM incident has redeemed AVb and all others.
- AUTHOR
little change in a quiet week for strikers, as Jermaine Defoe rejoins the race
we shall see:)
- AUTHOR
Dunno, RVP and Hernandez more than capable of handling that on their own really, tho even Attacking midfielders should maybe get more goals than he has
@CCahill, It is time for Rooney to start scoring for Man United. Galtasaray and Norwich prove it. But the problem is that Man United need Rooney in the midfield.
- AUTHOR
Luis Suarez takes a 2 Goal lead at the top of the table.
Demba Ba and Michu both score to apply pressure to RVP, who struggled to score vs Norwich.
@CCahill
Suarez is good but the problem is, against defensively bunkered teams Liverpool is in trouble. Chelsea's owner demands we play "good soccer" all around which means, even when we should play deeper and counterattack we can't.
@Swan
I don't think so. Most clubs now Arsenal is weak to the counterattack, bunker in and hit arsenal on the counter, most clubs can get a draw at least.
What amazes me is Torres is so high. But I expect RVP to win the race if he doesn't get injured.
@Interpete
really? RVP was and is a great player, if he gets opportunities he will go for goal, plain and simple. Any top side can get opportunities. MAn United are well oiled and get them for him. He is also in stride. Every striker goes through highs and lows, Man united are hoping rvp doesn't go through a low.
Nice table at the top, I am impressed that RVP has continued to score even though he moved clubs. It will be fun to see that table at the end of the season!
Giroud is just getting started! This is an awesome hub btw.
- AUTHOR
Luiz Suarez is now joint top Goalscorer in the EPL and now 3rd in this poll, can he finally add that final part to his game that was missing last year?
RVP is continuing this season like he finished the last scoring.
- AUTHOR
Well another for RVP again today, with competition from misfiring Michu and Defoe being controversially subbed off elieviating some pressure!
@CCahill
RVP will win it more than likely. But, like Cazorla for Arsenal the issue is role. Chelsea were second before today's match in total goals with Man United yet, our top goal scorer was Torres. So, the distribution of goals is far better for Chelsea. I think successful sides need more distribution. When I look at BArca, that is one of their problems. MEssi does so much but he doesn't really have a true second at times.
- AUTHOR
RVP Strikes again vs Chelsea, ever since his future was settled, hes the favorite and the man to beat
- AUTHOR
Rooney got off the mark with a Hattrick today against Stoke, albeit one was an own goal, can he make up for lost time during his injury spell and the other baron games.
Yes you are right about Giroud and that's what i have been saying all along.His movement is good and gets in to scoring positions.We should judge it later on and leave it for now.
As for Suarez he divides opinion completely but he is a very good player.
- AUTHOR
Hey well Suarez heard my comments last night obviously and just like the Norwich fans who were jeering him after his miss, he certainly had the last say on the issue, was hilarious to watch :D
Giroud.. hmm ha, the pundits generally say, that the concern is not when your missing chances but when your not getting into the positions to receive them, hes clearly making some good runs to keep getting these must score opportunities and breaking defenses but once again, chose the wrong option, needed to just dink it over the keeper instead of trying a torres and taking it round him.
I don't think we will be able to truelly judge Giroud until he gets his 1st goal out of the way
@mmsu
CCahill spoke on Suarez, his best times as a player aren't in the setup he is at with Liverpool.
As for Giroud, I will let it be and say we shall see
Someone's starting to turn on his words eh:)=P.Suarez is a good player.Even last year he scored 15 goals and if his finishing would have been better he could have scored a lot more.Suarez needs good mid-field support too which Liverpool do not provide consistently.As i said previously Sahin would be a great player and he is proving so.He has gotten his fitness and just like today's match should start more.
As for Chamakh,i don't know why Wenger bought him.He even before coming looked just okay to me.However Giroud just gives me a feeling that he will be proving everyone wrong.He has something about him.May-be it will take a a lot more time.We have seen many foreign players even take a year before starting to fire.We should probably assess him after 15 games or so.
@CCahill,
I agree he can't make his own luck, but if he continues to play defensively as he has against Juve and Arsenal, I think he will definitely add luck to Chelsea
- AUTHOR
well im just saying, hes clearly not good ENOUGH to create his own luck and fortunes, as the true best would do, he is no way rounded enough to show his face in those football elites.
Suarez needs someone in front of him, like Cavani in the URuguay team and Giroud made a bad move to Arsenal , like Chamakh before him.
@CCahill,
Very few players can dribble around a top team's midfield and break through their defensive line, I count two currently playing, Henry , Pele and other legends in years gone by.
But, when you say, Torres is unspectacular, well, ... at times any player can be spectacular, but he isn't magical, the make something out of nothing factor isn't in his game. But, you said a good player can fit any team, are you saying Torres isn't even a good player ? :) YOu can be honest, Red Devil:)
- AUTHOR
A bold 3% have gone for Giroud and 2% for Suarez, neither are having much luck at finding the target so far
- AUTHOR
well obviously not in every case but you have to say that if your so good that you can dribble round a whole midfield and defensive line to the goal or score from anywhere within the opposition half then it wont really matter that the players around you don't suit you.
Problem with torres is, as you've previously said yourself or Maybe it was JamesDurk94.. Torres is a finisher, hes not a messi or ronaldo beating men himself, he is a little more one dimensional and therefore you are right he will struggle in a team that doesn't play to his strengths but in my mind, that makes him an unspectacular player, if he isn't able to thrive in any team and create his own chances..
@CCahill,
we are philosophically opposed. I don't think that is true.
- AUTHOR
Rooney is currently in 3rd in the voting and is set to return not this gameweek but the next
- AUTHOR
Well... a good player... fits in ANY team, if your a good player, you make things happen...
@CCahill,
to be blunt, torres needs to sit down. When I look at Kaka, a player I love, sitting on the bench at Real, it is so honest. If a player isn't fitting they must sit. Why is it Real comprehends this and so many teams don't?
The media keeps saying , he is fighting to get in the side. those experts keep touting he needs to do this and that. The plain truth is, he doesn't fit. And, no matter how much a player is paid, if they don't fit they need to sit.
In my script, torres wouldn't be starting but sturridge would be. I think english media has this view of, we paid you, you need to start and play.
Real has it right, no matter how much you are paid. Even a living legend like Kaka, if you aren't fitting, you must sit.
I hope RDM starts sturridge and benches Torres.
- AUTHOR
unfortunately for Chelsea and Torres they did not read your script ;)
@CCahill, true very true but it is a long season
Van Persie shoots, boooooooom, HE SCORES!!!!
Van Persie from 4 goals, to.... 7 goals after tomorrows game against Wigan? Lovely!!
Torres to score twice against QPR?
- AUTHOR
Van Persie still leads comfortably... HOWEVER! Torres has emerged as a strong 2nd favorite.
- AUTHOR
In hindsight Dempsey should in fact be on the list for the new poll but its too late now, so he will to remain as an 'other', hes a contender sure, but he has lost ground to make up already..
@CCahill,
I will be a dark horse and say Dempsey.
Over time RVP will be covered harder and Man United's offense mechanics will demand others score. the southhampton game showed that. Man United will be very happy when rooney comes back. Having only one true finisher is hard for top clubs. Man United midfield and defense don't allow for the quick attack that allows RVP to get behind offenses as Arsenal's system. Teams will learn and force nani, valencia, kahawa and others to score. And, none are consistent scorers. Dempsey will have opportunities at Tottenham with adebayor around who is excellent at delivery, and plays the team game up top quite well. lennon and bale's pace will help him with low crosses.
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Couldnt Agree more, that's what led me to close the poll and make a new one
Pre season results would 100% of been down to the uncertainty of his situation, will he stay, will he go, where will he go etc
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Looks like a lot of people can't IOwn
RVP Leading the Poll with 71% Currently
That's in contrast to 12% Pre season
Even though he's not playing for Arsenal,but the guy just looks to be at the top of his game!!
Can't see past RVP to be honest
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Pre Season Poll Results:
after 355 votes pre-season;
28% of people believed that Fernando Torres will get the Golden Boot
19% of people believed that it would be Rooney
12% of people leaves Aguero the 3rd favorite.
This Poll was closed at first game of the season
NEW POLL OPEN!
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Well indeed Danny :p
He totally has turned the Golden Boot on its head.
30 Goals from RVP last season and 27 Goals from Rooney last season, its gonna be interesting to see what's gonna happen
Hernandez definitely won't be top scorer now!
If van persie got 30 league goals at arsenal can he get more at united this season?
@CCahill,
Chelsea had to sell him. Torres really can't compete with a holding center forward, because holding center forwards involvement with the club when they are not scoring goals will always look better than his action when not scoring goals, which is hugging the line and looking to poke goals.
As I said with Pirlo and the serie A, Cisse was not unknown if you watched the bundesliga. He was knocking them in there. I am glad you said that, as fans we have to watch more leagues, don't get caught into watching only one league so clubs can pull this miracle man nonsense
Yeah at least Cisse's guarenteed to start games in his 2nd season, Hernandez didn't get much of a chance with Welbeck coming in but his goals to games record was still good. Hopefully we'll see a lot more of him this season. Or we might buy Van Persie and then there's no chance of him getting a game!
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Oh they loaned him out? that one passed me by
The pundits will say; as they always do, that Cisse was an unknown entity in his first season, but this year opposition defenders know what to expect now. They said the same about Hernandez after his great 1st season.
Voted for Rooney but interesting how Torres is ahead in the voting when u think how almost everyone in football has written him for the past 2 years!
Surely Cisse can't keep up his scoring record can he? and like a few of you have said, lukaku could be the next Drogba so it will very interesting watching him at WBA this season
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Well the stage is his now, EPL is one of the best leagues to put your name in lights around the world :)
He joined Arsenal just after i made this Poll but i guess he would come under the 'OTHER' vote heh
My personal favorite is Olivier Giroud. I hope that he will have great season with Arsenal. Maybe he can become the brightest newcomer in Premier League? :))
@Barry1001 I will be watching:) haha!
@CCahill good point, Vermaelon gives Arsenal someone to head the ball from dead ball situations and defensive grit, but without sagna they don't have their best crosser into the box, especially in the run of play
@MMSU
nothing is easy, quote from kevin garnett , boston celtics. He is right, nothing is easy
If Andy Carroll wins the Golden Boot I'll eat my hat!!!!
Wayne Rooney is a good bet with the service he will get from Antonio Valencia and he got 27 last season, which wasn't too bad for a player who is labelled as "rubbish".
I've a feeling Podolski will do well well in the Premier League and Torres will be out to prove a point.
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Arsenal will be ok as long as 1 player plays.... No not RVP.... Thomas Vermaluen, i said all last season he is Arsenals key player, beginning of the season when he was injured... Just look; 8 - 2 loss to Man Utd, wouldn't have happened with Thomas there
They can honestly like every other clubs players can.After all they are professionals and they have to manage it.Arsenal can cope with it but have to be lucky with the injuries unlike previous seasons!International friendlies are very few and far in between and a
euro and world cup is after every two years.About long and short tournaments,i believe for any club the longer the the tournament the more exhausted your players become!And be warned it will not be easy to defend the title for City!
The beginning of the season will be key, i doubt arsenal will have the sequence of losses like last season. But, defensively we will see. If Arsenal can defensively show true grit, then I agree they can make a push, but that is their measure. I wish I could catch more of them pre season, but I don't have the time. To be fair, and I speak as a chelsea supporter, Man city should win the EPL. They have so much depth and quality that they will be a weakly points gainer. I would say, I disagree with ferguson and wenger about man city. Man city makes it were chelsea, man united, arsenal tottenham and others have to prove they can challenge every week. If you can't man city will out race you. I think arsenal should hope for a quick evacuation from international play. The more games you play the stronger your defense should be. as an arsenal fan do you think arsenal will benefit from a long international tournament or short. I know you want arsenal to win it all, i am a true fan too, but do you think arsenal can manage international and league play.
I agree and dis-agree with you.Bro i agree that last season Rvp's goals were probably the reason we finished fourth but we must not ignore the contribution of the likes of song,walcott.
Secondly Sagna last season apart from the injury he suffered from a bad tackle during Tottenham's match,he performed well throughout the whole season apart from two months.And before that season he was in the premier league team of the year.He is well suited for Arsenal's full back play and he has plenty of pace.
Wilshere is the future of Arsenal and england.In his first season for Arsenal he played the whole season and was excellent throughout the season earning him brave reviews.He got injured in his second season and hope-fully he will return as good as he was however there is always a danger that a long term injury can affect his game.
Walcott had his best season last year providing the most assists and was crucial to Van Persie's goal.
You also get a feeling that last since the way arsenal performed in the second half of the season and the way they were all clicking together as a unit and the way the season ended after a horrible start,arsenal if can be a little lucky with injuries and start the season better we can win the title and i am seriously saying it.With the additions of new players they can challenge for the title.last season even Arsenal defeated City and chelsea both so i don't think that's an issue.Arsenal have gotten better and last season which cost them were the transfer sagas which disrupted the start of their season.
Let's see what happens but I agree with you completely on this point that Arsenal need to improve defensively and with the new assistant coach Steve Bould a former Gunners legendary defender things may turn out to be good after all!
Looking at Chelsea vs PSG, once MAta and Torres get into the mix, it will be very interesting at stamford bridge. they are defensively incorrect still. RDM will have to teach them how to manage their offensive runs. Marin, HAzard, Lukaku, Ramires, sturridge are very forward but make incorrect positions in defense. Like last season Chelsea have the offensive potential but need to find the right defensive balance to be truly successful, i have yet to see it, but it is still pre season. we shall see.
@mmsu
Arsenal aren't only about RVP, I apologize if I came off that way. But, RVP's goals were the sole survivor of Arsenal last season of they wouldn't be in the UEFA CL or Europa League. Sagna and Wilshire are questions. Sagna is the best crosser for arsenal and continually gets injured, will he have the pace to play arsenal's system and Wilshire is coming back from a big injury, will he be good for a whole season. Walcott got a bump during the Euro's and looked out. Arsenal if healthy for a whole season can challenge, i agree, but they rarely are as such and they still have a problem against teams that use power or defense. I just can't see arsenal handling the manchesters or chelsea this season. not to mention uefa cl teams. Arsenal can't beat real or barca. They are just not defensively strong enough. Every club needs a defensive grit and I have yet to see that from modern Arsenal.
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I do keep forgetting about Wilshire, great player; him and Ramsey have a good future and its true that Song's balls were quality, both goal of the money Volleys that Van Persie scored where from lofted through balls from Song
No murray Arsenal are not only about Van Persie,it's true that he single handed-ly scored the goals for Arsenal but it would have not been possible without Walcott's assists,Song's chip through balls and arteta's experience.If Wilshere would have been available i am sure Arsenal could have had a fight for the title.The last year's transfer saga and the injuries halted our progress.This season with the new players and the return of Diaby and Wilshere we will be amongst it!As for the golden boot contender i think if Rvp stays he will win again for sure!Cause this will be Arsenal's year!come on gunners!
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They look an exciting package do Chelsea this season, i hear talk of Fulham tryign to loan Lukaku but i watched ya Vid just now and i think they'd be stupid to lend him out, his goal was pure drogba-like, same power and strength to shield the ball and muscle the opposition defender off, i think they will be a real contender this year.
Sturrdige is terrible on the wings. Like Walcott, people think a winger is about speed, a winger needs to have four things speed for the wide ball, endurance to switch effectively on defense and attack, the ability to cross excellently especially on a one touch, and dribbling skills to hold up play on the wings.
Sturridge and Walcott have three of those talents, but not the crossing ability. NEither are aware enough to defensively track back right but they have the ability too.
Sagna , Ribery, Robben, Marcelo, Dani Alves, ashley cole they are true wingers.
Neither manchester needs Hulk. Man United need midfield and defensive depth and strength. Man City need a good summer of training and game plan focus. Keeping the players understanding the goal is to win it all and everybody has to be ready to play to make that happen.
Arsenal aren't defensively strong enough and szeszesny's long ball is the poorest of the top club keepers. Tottenham would need to change form to integrate hulk's game right. The rest of the clubs have too long a chance with their quality.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5tQJ5lxk&fea...
MArin is from the bundesliga, so physically and defensively he is ready for the EPL. The good thing about bundesliga transfers to the EPL is that physically they know what is in store. technically, the differences need to be made, but MArin is class.
I think the odds of repeating is against RVP. He finally had a healthy season and success loomed but teams will have done their analysis and will look to adjust. Second, he is so injury prone, people are expecting the injury to occur.
In that way I think he should go somewhere for the money. At his age, with his medical history, if he wants to win trophies he can't do it at Arsenal. But, the problem is, he doesn't have many options to lift trophies elsewhere. La Liga is closed. Germany outside of Bayenr don't take fiscal risk. France outside of PSG and OL don't take fiscal risk. Italy is becoming more domesticated in terms of its players.
I think RVP if he wants to lift a trophy may have to make a move to Conmebol. Juventus are more of an italian team, they really try to stay with home grown players. and I think Milan is going through a club transition. Gattuso, nesta, inzaghi, seedorf, and van bommel are gone. All their transactions have been relatively small. With two of the thre mature acquistions CAF players. They got 23m for ibra and 46m for thiago silva.
Milan like Juventus and Inter are looking at a new serie a with more home grown players or medium priced players who can jump out from outside UEFA.
RVP doesn't have a place to move to, that matches his goals, but Arsenal can't meet his goals. They are not winning and I don't say this as a chelsea supporter but merely as a lover of the game. They don't have the right pieces. You need defensive strength not just offesnive strength to win trophies.
I can't see Arsenal beating, Bayern, Real, Barca, ManU, ManC, Chelsea, PSG, Juve, Milan, Inter.
Can Arsenal stop them from scoring? And, if it wasn't for RVP's heroics Arsenal wouldn't be in the UEFA CL. I think they might get knocked out this season, if Liverpool, or Tottenham find the right pieces and get their act together.
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Amazingly only 4% of people have voted for Van Persie, despite being last season's Golden Boot winner with a very high 30 EPL goals.
Obviously his uncertain future is enough to put people putting a bet on him
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I heard Obi was on his way out, maybe this has changed since Di Matteo got officially appointed. AVB liked to play Sturridge on the RW but Sturridge himself insisted it was his natural position and ever since DiMatteo took over, hes barely been placed there since. Marin is an unknown entity to me, hear hes good though. Hulk would be a good signing for any EPL Team.
I must write a retraction, Hulk is not for chelsea, i read a while back some article from a decent source so I assumed it was done, shut my face, i never really checked the club's lsiting, I did and I realize i was in error. So, just marin and hazard. Thus a different set up, though I like Hulk for Chelsea. I notice we are imbalanced. If Ramires gets hurt we don't have any body youthful on the right, that is a problem. So a right winger is needed. I think Bayern have proven if you can get midfield wingers right and left that can be great. Of course, thinking as I type, perhaps Obi can get a start. I like De Matteo as coach, because Obi will start more than likely, so, you can have that 5 in the middle with Obi centrally, have Mata and Hazard to his immediate right or left, have to the left MArin, to the right Ramires
Terry Cahill Luiz in the back. Then the two top as I said or one up top, Terry Cahill, Ivanovic and Cole in the back.
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Yeah kinda hard to see whether some of these players a) Will still be at the same club and B) Whether they will get regular first team action... regardless of their skill
I'm really surprised so many people went for Torres....he might not even get much of a chance of first team football with all the new exciting signings at Chelsea....Balotelli will be even better next season, no doubt....
Very interesting analysis. I think you can't discount RvP after his scoring exploits during the last campaign. Obviously, this all depends on his club. If he remains at Arsenal, I see him performing similarly. At City, there won't be as much game time.
Rooney will be up there as always, as will Aguero as the rightful City first choice striker.
Cisse is a moot point. Yes, his stats tell their own story since joining in January, but look at how the scoring rate of Ba declined post January. I'm intrigued as to how Cisse will perform over an entire season as defences start to work him out, especially if Carroll returns to Tyneside and the Senegalese is not deployed in his favoured lone striker role.
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What!? Hulk signed? God ive been living under a rock for the past couple of days, heard nothing of this
The new signings will definitely make it unpredictable and a lot of competition for spaces now
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