I've become more and more interested in the Premiere League and have watched a lot of games this past year. If a new fan wants to follow a team in the EPL and has no preconceived allegiance to any club, wouldn’t it be prudent to suggest a team that might actually win something? How did everyone begin rooting for their team? What was the deciding factor?
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Everton is a solid team who can be very good, and has the big catch of being able to root for Howard. can't wait to start the season in a few weeks.
I ended up with Liverpool. I didn't want a front runner, but I did want a competitive team. Here's what sold me: A competitive team with a history and tradition of wining. American John Henry owns the team. He's one of ours and he's a good owner. No Saudis or Russian oligarch criminals, playing the Russian anthem at the beginning of games etc. And it's a pretty city. A place I'd like to visit some time. They have a local rival, which sounds fun too.
Spanish Liga is Barcelona for me because of Messi but I'm having trouble deciding premier league, any reason why I shouldn't root for Man City over Everton?
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Seem like one of the biggest front runners, of any sport...
Yeah, they're only the second most successful team in the history of England!
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I ended up with Liverpool. I didn't want a front runner, but I did want a competitive team.
Yeah, they're only the second most successful team in the history of England!
They're a second tear team who just lost one of the best, if not the best player in the league, Suarez. Pretty sure it's been a long time since they won the EPL
Just don't be one of these people that's actually just a Champions' League fan and pick any of Man U, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, or even Tottenham. Any of those is a bandwagon pick IMO.
Just don't be one of these people that's actually just a Champions' League fan and pick any of Man U, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, or even Tottenham. Any of those is a bandwagon pick IMO.
In other words, pick a team that has no realistic chance of winning the EPL.
Plus a New York link
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Great colors, great stadium, and their games look great on TV.
Just don't be one of these people that's actually just a Champions' League fan and pick any of Man U, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, or even Tottenham. Any of those is a bandwagon pick IMO.
In other words, pick a team that has no realistic chance of winning the EPL.
IMO you aren't getting the real EPL experience by hopping on a Champions League candidate's bandwagon, no more than you would be La Liga by jumping on Real or Barca, or the Bundesliga by jumping on Bayern.
Each of the UCL teams lives in an alternate universe that doesn't involve budget management (REAL budget management...not Arsenal's 'our fans complain even though we've bought Bergkamp, Henry, Vieira, etc. over the years budget management'), the struggle to climb into European competition, the struggle to avoid relegation, and other things.
A fan of the UCL teams takes so much shit for granted it's unbelievable. If you really want to get in on the ground floor, pick a weaker team.
Shit even better...if you want to just jump in to being an EPL fan, pick on of the teams that just earned promotion into it: QPR, Burnley, or Leicester City. THAT is a strong move and actually getting in on the ground floor.
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In comment 11788472 Go Terps said:
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Great colors, great stadium, and their games look great on TV.
Just don't be one of these people that's actually just a Champions' League fan and pick any of Man U, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, or even Tottenham. Any of those is a bandwagon pick IMO.
In other words, pick a team that has no realistic chance of winning the EPL.
IMO you aren't getting the real EPL experience by hopping on a Champions League candidate's bandwagon, no more than you would be La Liga by jumping on Real or Barca, or the Bundesliga by jumping on Bayern.
Each of the UCL teams lives in an alternate universe that doesn't involve budget management (REAL budget management...not Arsenal's 'our fans complain even though we've bought Bergkamp, Henry, Vieira, etc. over the years budget management'), the struggle to climb into European competition, the struggle to avoid relegation, and other things.
A fan of the UCL teams takes so much shit for granted it's unbelievable. If you really want to get in on the ground floor, pick a weaker team.
Shit even better...if you want to just jump in to being an EPL fan, pick on of the teams that just earned promotion into it: QPR, Burnley, or Leicester City. THAT is a strong move and actually getting in on the ground floor.
I don't disagree with most of that. There's no question that the top 6 clubs "live in an alternate universe" in regards to their budgets. I just don't agree that's its not a "real experience".
If somebody is more inclined to hook on to a team that's the underdog and has to fight to stay in the top flight, cool. You pointed out many reasons why it's a great experience and can even be more rewarding than choosing a top club.
I just think there are also several other benefits for picking one of those top teams; constantly contending for trophies, not watching your favorite players come through your system to be systematically ripped apart during the transfer windows (hello, Southhampton).
For me, I just want the fan base in this country to grow. So for people looking to latch on to teams, I want them to pick a team that suits their personality, ensuring they'll stay interested in the sport instead of going back to caring once every 4 years.
So if you want to pick a filthy rich, top tier club... go for it. Same goes for the QPRs and Wigans of the world, same with MLS teams. Live in NYC, and you like all your local sports teams? Jump on with NYCFC.
Just pick a team you can get behind, rather than worrying that you're picking a "bandwagon" team, choosing a team that doesn't compete for titles, and then losing interest in the sport because you picked a team that didn't fit what you're looking for in a sports team.
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In comment 11788472 Go Terps said:
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Great colors, great stadium, and their games look great on TV.
Just don't be one of these people that's actually just a Champions' League fan and pick any of Man U, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, or even Tottenham. Any of those is a bandwagon pick IMO.
In other words, pick a team that has no realistic chance of winning the EPL.
IMO you aren't getting the real EPL experience by hopping on a Champions League candidate's bandwagon, no more than you would be La Liga by jumping on Real or Barca, or the Bundesliga by jumping on Bayern.
Each of the UCL teams lives in an alternate universe that doesn't involve budget management (REAL budget management...not Arsenal's 'our fans complain even though we've bought Bergkamp, Henry, Vieira, etc. over the years budget management'), the struggle to climb into European competition, the struggle to avoid relegation, and other things.
A fan of the UCL teams takes so much shit for granted it's unbelievable. If you really want to get in on the ground floor, pick a weaker team.
Shit even better...if you want to just jump in to being an EPL fan, pick on of the teams that just earned promotion into it: QPR, Burnley, or Leicester City. THAT is a strong move and actually getting in on the ground floor.
that is why, in Spain, Eibar is my team this year! Incredible story ... assuming they are even allowed to play with their tiny stadium etc.
go Eibar! - ( New Window )
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In comment 11788472 Go Terps said:
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Great colors, great stadium, and their games look great on TV.
Just don't be one of these people that's actually just a Champions' League fan and pick any of Man U, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, or even Tottenham. Any of those is a bandwagon pick IMO.
In other words, pick a team that has no realistic chance of winning the EPL.
IMO you aren't getting the real EPL experience by hopping on a Champions League candidate's bandwagon, no more than you would be La Liga by jumping on Real or Barca, or the Bundesliga by jumping on Bayern.
Each of the UCL teams lives in an alternate universe that doesn't involve budget management (REAL budget management...not Arsenal's 'our fans complain even though we've bought Bergkamp, Henry, Vieira, etc. over the years budget management'), the struggle to climb into European competition, the struggle to avoid relegation, and other things.
A fan of the UCL teams takes so much shit for granted it's unbelievable. If you really want to get in on the ground floor, pick a weaker team.
Shit even better...if you want to just jump in to being an EPL fan, pick on of the teams that just earned promotion into it: QPR, Burnley, or Leicester City. THAT is a strong move and actually getting in on the ground floor.
100% agreed here. I am not a big fan of people jumping on the bandwagon. You are not as invested if you pick a large club. You don't really get to experience the pain and jubilation all in one year. Terps, didn't your team just get promoted back into La Liga? I think you are pretty close into the same boat as I, but we follow mostly different leagues.
This is going to be my 6th year that I am following Queens Park Rangers. I can't tell you how painful it was to watch them fold two years ago. Last year was a series and ups and downs, but I never experienced such joy when they won in the 90th minute of the playoff final. That joy is comparable to when the Giants won it all in 2007. Too be honest, I think the joy of that Bobby Zamora goal was even more.
Now why did I become a QPR fan? I don't like being a frontrunner, I wanted to pick a team who was in the lower division, but close enough where they had a chance to be promoted. Since I was a NY Rangers fan, I felt it was logical, plus I loved their white and blue hooped kit. It might be a stupid reason, but I have never turned back on them. Even though I started following them a few years back, I wasn't hardcore. I got hardcore in their first year back in the EPL and I have been a rabid fan ever since.
One last thought and like I was saying earlier, I never have gone through so many ups and downs with following a team in any sport. It is different with soccer. I know it might not be hard to believe, but it is. I have no problem with anyone picking Everton, I think they are going to be fun to watch this year, plus I think Roberto Martinez is a great gaffer. Anyway I think it is great to pick someone who has odds against them to get relegated into the Championship. What is even more fun, is watching them in the lower league and see what happens. Only a handful of teams have bounced right back up the following year, so pick wisely. Maybe even look at the second division and read about teams who are strong and have a good chance to get promoted, maybe like Derby County. They have an awesome badge.
Yeah: I played rugby.
Pick a team that you like and will give you some enjoyment out of following them, forget the clowns that call you a bandwagon. What is the purpose of rooting for the Mets or the Bengals if you are not actually from that area? Just so you can be real and authentic and not a bandwagon? Yeah, that helps when watching your team get pummeled every year. Excellent idea
Manchester City (Arab Owner $)
Liverpool (Owned by Red Sox)
Chelsea (Russian Owner $)
Arsenal (consistent contender short on recent trophies)
Man United (they may take a year or 2 to bounce back from a terrible season last year)
Tottenham (Sold a top player and bought like crazy last year, but it worked about as well as a Jerry Jones spree)
Everton (Not quite in the same league, but usually well away from relegation near the top teams. Plus Tim Howard)
Then there's teams that have been in the Prem for a while, but really aren't title contenders, referred to as 'mid-table'. Southampton, Swansea City, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Stoke City (Geoff Cameron & Guzan from USMNT), Sunderland, West Brom - they should probably keep above the relegation zone, but shouldn't threaten the top teams, and any could have a few bad games and fall into relegation zone. Last year the middle was tight, and teams could fall from around 10th to 17th or so from one or 2 games.
Then there's the bottom feeders, recently promoted teams and ones that may go back down soon. West Ham, Crystal Palace and Hull came up within the last 2 years, and QPR, Leicester City and Burnley were promoted this year (Norwich, Fulham and Cardiff were relegated, Cardiff after 1 season and Norwich 2 or 3). Pick one of these teams (or possibly one in the above category), and you may end up a fan of the English Championship instead of the Prem.
You probably want to stick to the top list, or even just watch games first and see which players you like to watch. You'll see, there are some players that can do things that make the game so fun to watch. That's what I did - started watching any game I could catch once I got into it, and found I liked how Gareth Bale and David Silva/Yaya Toure played so gravitated toward Tottenham & City(last season Tottenham were less fun to watch for me after selling Bale - though I do like Eriksen). Chelsea & Man City are the financial giants and have squads 2-3 deep with players who would start on 15/20 Prem teams. Man United has a huge history but has seen a recent drop off, and questions remain after their legendary coach retired (before last season). Tottenham (last year after selling Bale) and Liverpool (this year after selling Suarez) have recently brought in a ton of high priced talent, but there's questions on how to make it all fit together (Tottenham certainly looked out of sorts often last year, and many high priced purchases got few minutes - looking at you, Erik Lamela, or underperformed *cough* Soldado). Arsenal don't seem to have as much & backing as the real big boys, but have a solid squad, if lacking some of the depth of a Man City. Everton is kind of like the A's, they compete at a high level without the financial backing, by developing players, selling when they can get a nice return, and making good moves otherwise with free xfers, loans, etc.
Your lack of a sense of humor is bullshit.
Yeah man, I have no connections whatsoever. I just know someday, hopefully within a few years, I will get a chance to see a game. I am a little worried about them. I think their defense is pretty solid. I like the Rio signing and love the Caulker signing, but they need some help at midfield. If they manage to keep Remy and somehow convince Taarabt to stay, they can definitely stay out of the relegation zone. As for rooting for Fulham or even Brentford, hell no! The only team that I have somewhat sympathy for and will pay attention to where they are in the table is Portsmouth. Only two weeks left until the start of the season. They better start moving on some of these guys.
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Here you go:
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What attracted me was the cross town rivals factor of "Big Brother" Manchestor United. Which reminded me alot of the Mets and Yankees relationship. Plus with the Yankees ties to United, as a Mets fan I decided to pick City.
Following year, the Arab ownership came in and starting going on a spending spree each summer. We've had recent success winning the EPL and hopefully can now translate that into success in the Champions League, where we've struggled so far.
This is correct. The Yankees started with Manchester United, then Arsenal and now what looks like a long-term relationship with City.
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That is true today, but some years back (maybe 8-10 or so) United and the Yankees had some marketing partnership or something like that.
This is correct. The Yankees started with Manchester United, then Arsenal and now what looks like a long-term relationship with City.
Yeah, they've been looking for someone to partner with for Premier League games on Yes for a while. And, them co-owning NYCFC does indicate a long term relationship. It's at least a promise ring.
As stated by others, that wasn't the case years ago when I was picking a team to root for.