Topic: 2012/2013 Fixtures out June 18th

[Red James]

Difficult start. Screw up and we'll be on the back foot right away and may struggle to recover. Win however and the momentum could propel us to a good campaign.

[classycarra]

the issue with having city, arsenal and united early is that in january we have them all again but away from home

yep thats the main issue for me. would have preferred them to be away, or mixed

in a way i think that playing the three of them so early can be a good thing. those with realistic expectations wont have us down to win all three, or even come through the tough three games without losing. could do with there being little external pressure on rodgers early on. the other positive is that there are a few streaks of games where we should be hoping to win a lot, or not lose, so hopefully we can improve on our horrible stop/start form of last year and string some result together

hopefully the other sides won't be fully up to speed either. arsenal and united were slow out of the blocks last year, although city were obviously very strong. we'll see.

[red_til_i_die]

Baptism of Fire.

Fuck it we need to make Anfield a fortress this season after the amount of draws and wasted points last season. Having the best of the league come at us first then it's only going to get easier for the rest of the season.

Lets fucking twat em!!!!

[mccred]

Wow what a shock, we didn't get all of last seasons top 6 in the first 10 games. Just the top 3 in the first 6. Don't really believe in coincidence but getting those 3 like that, is quite a coincidence even for our FA!
Don't think its a bad thing though, would of preferred at least one of them away to save having a lot of difficult aways around the same time. Arse ,City and united all started slow last year, hope Brendan can get them playing as a team quickly and we need to get points from the aways to take the pressure the off for that run of home starts.
Bit like when Benitez took the piss out of a certain red nosed drunk, you got to play them sometime and Ferguson was complaining that he had to play them at home in the 2nd half of the season.Rafa Pointed out how that was an advantage, cause you have to play them anyway and better to play them at home in the second half than away. Means all the really difficult aways are played. Think we need to take the positive of having are hardest home games out the way quickly and are home record over the last 5 years with these 3 ain't been bad, Arse got 3 points more than they deserved last year.
Lose all 3 and things will get tricky for Brendan, the likes of talkshite will have their regular phone in whingers telling us he was never good enough and how they really wanted Kenny to have one more year. Would be surprised if Talkshite has alist who they phone to come on and whinge when we don't get the result we want. In 2008/9 certainly favoured certain texters, one from Tamworth from what I remember, did everything they could to put pressure on us that year. That's when I used my right to turn the dial, not been back since. Their the S*n of the airways! Appeal to the lowest common denominator, just like The Scum, shame there's more idiots that buy into it, than people who can think for themselves and make up their own minds. Fuck I've woke up miserable this morning but ain't surprised with those fixtures, genuinely thought they would of thrown a Spuds away in there as well as the Plastics and Newcastle.   

[MikaelLFC]

When do the Olympics end? As our first game is on August the 18th perhaps there could be a chance Suárez et al would be available for us? If not, at least for the second, no?

[arcticus]

We have Europa League qualifying before the season starts so it could be a good thing in terms of the players getting a couple of game under their belt before the season starts.

No way in hell should any of the first team players play in qualifying days before City,Arsenal or United.
If we have to go to the top 4 then they are our direct rivals and WE HAVE TO WIN or die trying

[kriss]

When do the Olympics end? As our first game is on August the 18th perhaps there could be a chance Suárez et al would be available for us? If not, at least for the second, no?

The final of the Olympic Games mens' tournament is at Wembley on Saturday 11th August.

[MatthewRedBlood]

I'm not worried about playing the big teams, never have been. Even at our lowest points, look at our record against the bigger teams in the league and we always show up. This isn't the problem with us, the problem, which has stood for nearly 20 years, is our inability to beat the lesser teams consistently , which points to one thing, poor attitude and big ego's.

Yes we play City at home second game, but you only get 3 points whether you beat Manchester City or West Brom. 3 points against West Brom first game is a must, anything against city is a bonus.

United are always around the top of the league because they very rarely loose points against the bottom six teams in the league home or away, and while it feels great to beat the big teams (which we actually usually do) , there are far more average teams in the league where you pick up most of your points, and it's about quantity, something i feel we've not really grasped in recent years. I think if Brendan can set the mentality of the team that every game is a top game, and our players don't slack off against the shite, we should be ok. If he can solve this problem with us, he's a genius, because so many have tried and failed.

A good pre-season is also vital this year. Having so many hard games so early in the season could be a blessing in disguise should be prepare properly. Would you rather play Manchester City when they're in full flow or when they're just finding their rhythm. If we have a good pre-season, make a few signings, who knows where we'll end up.

My end of season prediction: 5th.

[spider-neil]

No way in hell should any of the first team players play in qualifying days before City,Arsenal or United.
If we have to go to the top 4 then they are our direct rivals and WE HAVE TO WIN or die trying

I think we need to perfect our style of play as early as possible, trying a new footballing philosophy with no ground work would be suicide.

[stevedo]

As 'interesting' as the first 3 home games and the Jan/Feb away sequences are, its the so called easy games that have been the underlying causes of our low points totals in many a recent season. Be it Swansea(ahem), Norwich, whenever we are noticeable favourites, these are the ones that cost us.
 
The top 6 games are the showy golf drives.
The other games are the money making 10 feet putts. It's time we ditched the yipps.

[gazzalfc]

So the FA's fixtures are out. When does the real fixture list come out?

The one that comes after SKY/ESPN have ripped it apart?

[MikaelLFC]

The final of the Olympic Games mens' tournament is at Wembley on Saturday 11th August.

Ah ok, cheers mate! So in theory all players would be available. An other question though is whether they'll need to rest or not (although this could also be seen as a good pre-season build up for them so they'll be fit to play when the PL starts).

[jason42]

Why? Why fear for him? Looking at those opening fixtures at the moment:

18 West Brom (A)
25 Manchester City (H)
1 Arsenal (H)
15 Sunderland (A)
22 Manchester United (H)

What (realistically), considering last season, are we expecting? West brom away? Probably a draw. Manchester City at home...probably a draw, Arsenal at home, a draw, sunderland away, probably a draw, Mancs at home, a draw.

See what i mean, that's best case based on how last season went. That's 5 points from the opening 5 games. I think we'll do better than that if i'm honest.

Fuck it, you've got to play the some time. At least they're at home and not away.

Exactly....every team has to play the other 19 teams home and away. All we need to do is score more goals than the other teams we are playing against

[cahalboyd]

Having a spirited debate on my FB page about the fixtures and all the manure fans saying "youse have to play them sometime"  Idiots. I think it is a ridiculously tough start to the season. But if we can get beat WBA, win two and draw one of the first home games I'd be very happy indeed!

[spider-neil]

Exactly....every team has to play the other 19 teams home and away. All we need to do is score more goals than the other teams we are playing against

True but the easier the opening games the more chance you have of building up momentum.

[El_Pelusa_10]

Tough start.... On the upside, Ive won a free trip to either a Liverpool or United game is Aug or Sep due to winning a football tournament so with Liverpool having City, Arsenal and United in there first, means we'll be picking the Liverpool game and it'll be a quality game!!!

Coming over from Ireland but most of the team are mancs but that fixture list should get us to Anfield 

[Gnurglan]

18 West Brom (A)
25 Manchester City (H)
1 Arsenal (H)
15 Sunderland (A)
22 Manchester United (H)

Tough start, but I reckon it's good. The best time of the year to play the best teams is early on. Before everyone has found their way.

[DangerScouse]

What date is the Olympic final on? Decent chance of Uruguay being in it. Want to have Luis fresh as fuck for those opening games, unlikely though.

[Hazell]

No way in hell should any of the first team players play in qualifying days before City,Arsenal or United.
If we have to go to the top 4 then they are our direct rivals and WE HAVE TO WIN or die trying

I want us to qualify for the Europa League, which means playing a strong team to get there. We also have a new manager so it's a positive he has a couple of competitive games to get his ideas across. It will also allow our players to get their fitness up to speed. All in all, there's numerous reasons for playing a strong team in the qualifying games.

[Didi_ram]

Tough tough start.Screw up and unfortunately Rodgers will be hounded by the media.
I think he will need time to get his playing style right.Not the type of fixtures I'd have hoped for first up.

[stevied]

Well gaffer thats one tough start, you better get them up and running or else the boo boys will be on your back before the end of Sept

[peachybum]

What date is the Olympic final on? Decent chance of Uruguay being in it. Want to have Luis fresh as fuck for those opening games, unlikely though.

It's on 11th August.

For me any player involved in the Olympics really shouldn't be brought into the team until mid September/early October for risk of burn out or injury. Which would mean no Suarez, Coates and maybe others for these opening games.

[smig]

Baggies away should be a decent laugh on the opening day. Some belter home games early on though.

[incredibleL4ever]

It's on 11th August.

For me any player involved in the Olympics really shouldn't be brought into the team until mid September/early October for risk of burn out or injury. Which would mean no Suarez, Coates and maybe others for these opening games.

I think Suarez is on a break now for a week and has 3 more probably.  I don't think burn out will be an issue.  He is going to get as much of a break as the 6 guys playing with Engerland.

[Cpt_Reina]

It's on 11th August.

For me any player involved in the Olympics really shouldn't be brought into the team until mid September/early October for risk of burn out or injury. Which would mean no Suarez, Coates and maybe others for these opening games.

Early October?

Mental.

If Uruguay do go all the way to the final (or 3rd place play off) then Suarez will start work around the 20th of July and be finished by the 11th of August. That's not too dissimilar to a pre-season really.

He's on holiday now so unlike other summer tournaments he's getting a rest in early rather than late. He'll be fine to come straight in to our team off the back of the Olympics.

[Z e u s]

1) QPR away

2) Man City home

Close.

Tough start.  But I like that!

[kellan]

Wasn't December/January in last seasons fixture list relatively straight forward on paper too? I'm sure I remember thinking it would be easy. Don't think I'll be making that mistake again.

Last game of the season at home is a nice surprise though.

[James Mac]

If we're as inconsistent as the last few seasons you've got to say that the run from November to January is crucial. All games we "should" win.

17th Nov: Wigan Athletic (H)
24th Nov: Swansea City (A)
27th Nov: Tottenham (A)
1st Dec: Southampton (H)
8th Dec: West Ham (A)
15th Dec: Aston Villa (H)
22nd Dec:Fulham (H)
26th Dec: Stoke City (A)
29th Dec: QPR (A)
1st Jan: Sunderland (H)

Barring that Tottenham game, that's a run of 10 games that we really should be picking up over 20 points out of a possible 30.

[El_Pelusa_10]

Well gaffer thats one tough start, you better get them up and running or else the boo boys will be on your back before the end of Sept

This is what I fear aswell. He needs to hit the ground running

[IvanDobskey]

Shafted by the FA again then!

Oh I forgot, the fixtures are randomly generated. Yeh right 

[Adeemo]

Tough, tough start, getting 9 points from the 3 away games at WBA, Sunderland and Norwich would be a massive help.

[smj86]

Now buy players so we dont get battered in the first three home games!! Transfer window just got a little important to our cause. If we dont have the right players for these games we might end up losing, not just games but  confidence in the system and the doubters will step in and again send the team into a downward spiral. sheeeeetttt

[kindalen]

they are done by one man and his laptop.

[incredibleL4ever]

My only problem is that it might take time for Rodgers to get his system going and all the players working it properly.  If thing go badly in the tougher games it might dent people's (fans and players) confidence in him.  I hope everyone gives him sufficient time - i.e. judge him at the end of the season, not after 6 games.

[IvanDobskey]

they are done by one man and his laptop.

This

[graaf_x]

Shafted by the FA again then!

Oh I forgot, the fixtures are randomly generated. Yeh right 

Last year United got Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea (all home) in their first five games. And their opener was West Brom away. Can we stop with these conspiracy bollocks?   

[vNauuuM]

August 18 West Brom (A)

August 25 Man City (H)

September 1 Arsenal (H)

September 15 Sunderland (A)

September 22 Man Utd (H)

September 29 Norwich (A)

October 6 Stoke (H)

October 20 Reading (H)

October 27 Everton (A)

November 3 Newcastle (H)

November 10 Chelsea (A)

November 17 Wigan (H)

November 24 Swansea (A)

November 27 Tottenham (A)

December 1 Southampton (H)

December 8 West Ham (A)

December 15 Aston Villa (H)

December 22 Fulham (H)

December 26 Stoke (A)

December 29 QPR (A)

January 1 Sunderland (H)

January 12 Man Utd (A)

January 19 Norwich (H)

January 29 Arsenal (A)

February 2 Man City (A)

February 9 West Brom (H)

February 23 Swansea (H)

March 2 Wigan (A)

March 9 Tottenham (H)

March 16 Southampton (A)

March 30 Aston Villa (A)

April 6 West Ham (H)

April 13 Reading (A)

April 20 Chelsea (H)

April 27 Newcastle (A)

May 4 Everton (H)

May 12 Fulham (A)

May 19 QPR (H)


It's ridiculous! After West Brom the next 4 weeks we have City, Arsenal & United.

[Shannon]

How were we shafted, I'd rather get them games over with at the start of the season, we have to play them at some stage like. The only 'big' team we have from the 9th Feb on is Chelsea, I'd rather start on hard games than finish on them to be honest.

[stevo7]

It's on 11th August.

For me any player involved in the Olympics really shouldn't be brought into the team until mid September/early October for risk of burn out or injury. Which would mean no Suarez, Coates and maybe others for these opening games.

Rubbish - If anything Suarez will be a lot sharper than other players as having played competitive rather pre-season matches.

[onecoolcookie]

anyone working on an outlook calender thingymajig yet?