Started By
Message
locked post

I need an EPL team to root for

Posted on 7/11/13 at 9:22 pm
Posted by TigerPhan27
edgy racial f'n pervert.
Member since Apr 2008
15693 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 9:22 pm
Really trying to get into the sport more lately but I need a team to really follow. Hoping to get some suggestions from the fine members of the soccer board.

I don't want to be a bandwagon fan so don't give me the best team. I'd ideally like a flashy underdog type team with some American players if possible.

Any suggestions?
Posted by LSUSOBEAST1
Member since Aug 2008
28614 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 9:25 pm to
Sunderland just signed Altidore. Decent team to watch.

Stoke City have three Americans. Going through a managerial change, traditionally a dirty club.

Aston Villa have Brad Guzan and Everton have Tim Howard. Villa have a wonderful history, but had a very disappointing season last year. They are also about to sell their best player. Everton are a good club, but they play longball and just lost their manager to Manchester United.

Dempsey plays for Tottenham but he could be on the move soon. Tottenham are good and have one of the best players in the league (Gareth Bale). They barely missed out on the Champions League last season.

Swansea City and Liverpool both fit your wants pretty closely. Both play attractive soccer and are currently midtable. Swansea have a wonderful history recently - big time underdog story. Liverpool on the other hand are one of the more storied clubs in the world who have struggled greatly in the past 20 years. Neither have an American though.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal are the four best teams in the league right now. City and Chelsea spend incredible amounts of money. United spend money as well, but have historically had a terrific academy. Arsenal is run very well and they don't spend what they don't have (cue the "they don't spend at all" jokes). Chelsea have a very young and entertaining team coming up. They are fun to watch. United have dominated the past 20 years. Great club, but their legendary manager retired at the end of last season. City have a new manager this season. They are loaded with superstars and are a treat to watch when they are on their 'A' game.
This post was edited on 7/11/13 at 9:35 pm
Posted by LSUMJ
BR
Member since Sep 2004
19871 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 9:26 pm to
quote:

I'd ideally like a flashy underdog type team with some American players if possible


Everton
Posted by HumbleNinja
Ann Arbor
Member since Jan 2011
2997 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 9:27 pm to
If you're looking for Americans then there's Everton with Tim Howard, Sunderland with Jozy Altidore, and Tottenham (for now) with Clint Dempsey.

You don't want Stoke.

None of those teams are the "best teams" either.
This post was edited on 7/11/13 at 9:28 pm
Posted by uway
Member since Sep 2004
33109 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 9:31 pm to
quote:

I'd ideally like a flashy underdog type team with some American players if possible.


Go with Stoke City. Then wait for them to beat Arsenal, come here, and dance in the tears.
Posted by TigerPhan27
edgy racial f'n pervert.
Member since Apr 2008
15693 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 9:32 pm to
I like Jozy maybe Sunderland is my team.
Posted by TigerPhan27
edgy racial f'n pervert.
Member since Apr 2008
15693 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 9:33 pm to
quote:

Arsenal


Is that the soccer board team? If so I surely want to root against them. I like to go against the norm
Posted by Dandy Lion
Member since Feb 2010
50248 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 9:35 pm to
quote:

Not a Real Man

Yep, this guy´ll fit in.















Posted by Tweezy
west of east
Member since Apr 2008
12157 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 9:36 pm to
Arsenal and Liverpool have the two biggest fan bases on here. If you want to go against the norm then just choose a team from a different league
Posted by LSUSOBEAST1
Member since Aug 2008
28614 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 9:37 pm to
Arsenal and Liverpool have the two biggest followings on this board. Pretty sure United and Arsenal dominate the United States in terms of fan support. Liverpool and Chelsea aren't far behind.

Watching Jozy play in the Prem for the first time will be fun, but Sunderland wasn't exactly an entertaining team to watch last season. They've made some moves this summer though, so that may change.

What I'm saying is keep your mind open and just try to watch a bunch of matches. You will find a team you identify with.
Posted by 3rdRowTailgater
Tulsa
Member since Jul 2006
18607 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 9:39 pm to
quote:

Is that the soccer board team?

Arsenal and Liverpool are the most popular. Chelsea is pretty popular with some on here. Just hate on Man Utd. and you'll fit in. Or you could embrace the hate and move to the dark side.
Posted by BRGooner
Baton Rouge,LA
Member since May 2013
29 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 9:50 pm to
I say don't pick a team till you have at least consistently watched a whole season. Tons of matches going to be available so now is a perfect time to just watch soccer and enjoy. Being a fan of a certain team means you go through the ups and downs.
Posted by cwil177
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2011
28423 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 9:57 pm to
quote:

They are also about to sell their best player


I'm not convinced CB is going anywhere. The cards are all stacked in AV's favor.
Posted by lsugradman
Member since Sep 2003
8544 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 9:59 pm to
Im in the same boat as the OP. Have follwed the USMNT for a long time but never had a team in the EPL. Watched a few Spurs games last season but i Think im gonna start following Sunderland. Huge Jozy fan.
Posted by NOTORlOUSD
Houston, TX
Member since Sep 2010
5051 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 10:02 pm to
Here is my updated NFL comparison:

Man U = Cowboys - just don't pick them
Liverpool = Packers - Deep rooted, lots of past success, always in the mix
Chelsea = Patriots - most talented, wealthy and better behaved fan base
Arsenal = Giants - popular team in a large city, long-term coach who faces criticism but gets results
Manchester City = Texans - new to the limelight, lots of talent
Everton = Colts - knowledgeable fans, well managed, broad appeal, same colors
Aston Villa = Bears - Main fan base in a big industrial city, very hot and cold on the field
Newcastle = Eagles - Probably the rowdiest fan base, usually in the mix, give criminal players second chances
Fulham = Cardinals - everyone forgets about them, but sometimes they can catch you by surprise
Stoke = Ravens - they might not score that much, but you'll be black and blue after the game
Tottenham Hotspur = Jets - little brother from biggest city, make a lot of noise but never break into the elite, high player turnover
Sunderland = Seahawks - like the team, not the coach; northern coastal city
Hull City = Browns - don't pick them unless you are a masochist
West Brom = Bengals - irrelevant until recently, surprising results w/ sub-par players
Norwich = Jacksonville - peaceful town and fan base
Swansea = Panthers - exciting at times, but not a real threat at this point
Southampton = Chargers - strong at developing talent, coastal city
West Ham = Raiders - good history, irrelevant lately, blue-collar fan base
Cardiff/Crystal Palace - newly promoted, too early to assign a team
This post was edited on 7/11/13 at 10:14 pm
Posted by BleedPurpleGold
New Orleans
Member since Apr 2005
18917 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 10:02 pm to
quote:

flashy


quote:

Everton


lol wut.
Posted by crazy4lsu
Member since May 2005
36311 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 10:03 pm to
quote:

I say don't pick a team till you have at least consistently watched a whole season. Tons of matches going to be available so now is a perfect time to just watch soccer and enjoy. Being a fan of a certain team means you go through the ups and downs.


Best advice. The more you watch the more you'll find a team that you actually enjoy watching, because that is ultimately why anyone should watch the sport. The bandwagon label is pretty silly, IMO, because people like what they like. This next season should be really exciting, with the title race as open as ever.

In the PL, you'll see a wide variety of styles as it is the most cosmopolitan league at the moment so you'll get a good sense of what aspects of the game you like. Usually the best teams have the most pleasing aesthetic styles, although there are some really good sides at the mid-level.

Arsenal and Liverpool are the most well supported teams on this board, though I feel it might be a function of having really active posters, although it might be a numbers thing as well. Don't let that deter you from choosing those teams though.
Posted by LSUSOBEAST1
Member since Aug 2008
28614 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 10:04 pm to
quote:

Man U = Cowboys - just don't pick them



??

If anything, in terms of history, Liverpool would be comparable to the Cowboys. Huge history, huge club, haven't won in a LONG time.
Posted by BleedPurpleGold
New Orleans
Member since Apr 2005
18917 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 10:05 pm to
I think he was referring to them as the Cowboys in the sense that they're a team everyone hates, but somehow (inexplicably) still end up being "America's team."
Posted by svb
Missouri Fan
Member since Jun 2012
3127 posts
Posted on 7/11/13 at 10:06 pm to
I always like these comparisons... although it seems like the Chiefs are hard to compare to anyone in England because even though we have had next to no success in a long time, we still have a really strong fan base.

first pageprev pagePage 1 of 3Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram