Let's talk football - what are your pre-season predictions? Who will the heroes and villains be?

[TheOtherHelenMumsnet]

It's hard to believe but the new football season is nearly upon us and we wanted to hear what you think about it! This thread will be live through the whole season and we're hoping that you'll use it as a place to share your thoughts and discuss the big stories. We're not doing this on behalf of any companies as such, but we may share some of your comments (anonymously of course) with some of the football clubs as we're looking to do some more work with them on their family offerings.

This one is for Mumsnetters and Dadsnetters who are football fans - we'd like as many of you as possible to get involved. Sadly there's no prize draw for taking part but we're hoping you'll enjoy there being an official home of football chat on MN/Dadsnet (we're stickying this on the Dadsnet talk topic too).

Feel free to discuss anything on the football theme here but here are a few starters for ten:
~ After such a dramatic end to last season how do you think this season is going to pan out? Who are going to be the heroes and villains, the winners and losers?
~ How are you going to enjoy the games? Are you planning to watch on TV or go to the matches? What makes match days special for you?
~ Is it important to you and your family to have the right kit/supporters gear or not? Do you think it takes more time/money/dedication to be a 'proper' fan these days or is it the same commitment as ever!?
~ How do your children feel about professional football and footballers? Do they feel inspired? What happens when footballers are not so well behaved (on or off the pitch) - does this rub off on your little ones? Any aspiring Beckhams in your family?

If you're a MNer or Dadsnetter who likes to share your opinion, then why not join our parents research panel, for more opportunities to take part in surveys, product tests, go to events and join sponsored discussions. Please click here to sign up. If you've already signed up then no need to do so again.

Thanks in advance and you'll never walk alone!
MNHQ

[Only4theOlympics]

I was gonna say something but I see Arsenal coulours have been shown at HQ. I am best off to keep my head down and wander off, trying not to draw attention to myself......Man U fan, cough, Man U fan, and I live in London, Cough

[Metabilis3]

COYS

[laracroft2001]

Only4theolympics- you are not alone. I am also a united fan. And I live in London. (and im actually Scottish as well)

[FasterHigherBeardierDaddyman]

Glory hunters

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

Arsenal will finish outside the bloody 'medals' again

[melliebobs]

After last seasons disastrous start hope itl be a bit better for arsenal. But with van persie on the way out I very much doubt it

But me n dd are ready for the start. Got her her first arsenal kit we are both excited

[DevaDiva]

Looking forward to another great season. I'm a Man Utd supporter and up for beating the blues to it this year. Might take my DS (7) to his first premier league match this season since he enjoyed the Olympic football so much, slightly different crowd at league matches though DH is a hammer so it will no doubt be a tense season or them!

[TheOtherHelenMumsnet]

Hi Oatybeatie - we do run a number of 'sponsored threads' which - in most cases are paid for by clients (this one isn't - it's just a brain pick/gauge to see level of interest in the topic). Sponsored threads are normally to gather tips on a topic from MNers. We know the community has great advice and tips and that for many folks, the main reason for visiting the site is to get advice and information on a wide range of topics. So whilst the companies who pay for these threads may well use these tips in other media channels, we hope they are also useful for members (for example the PelvicFloor Toner thread seemed to result in a number visiting their GP). Also we do make a massive effort to do three things: 1) clearly state what tips are going to be used for; 2) offer an incentive to as a means of saying thank you to a winner (or more than one); and 3) place the threads which are sponsored in a specific section of the site here so folks can easily see they are paid for and not just spam or snuck in somewhere.

[HellenicGamesMumsnet]

@slacklucy

Haha, but what have we got if we aint got dreams!
Arsenal.. are they that little club near Tottenham?

I'm for ever blowing bubbles.... pretty bubbles in the air....

Did enjoy the Bubbles at the Olympics Opening Ceremony though. Did you catch it?

[slacklucy]

OK You win, I can live without westham not sure about MN though

[BedHog]

'it's just a brain pick/gauge to see level of interest in the topic'

I think the fact that despite having top 'sticky' place for over 19 hours, the thread only has 35 posts, 6 of which are from MNHQ and at least 5 others from people who don't like football, answers your question. Mumsnetters are just too intelligent for not interested in an industry which openly treats it's female players as second class citizens, rips off supporters with overpriced tickets and replica kit, and encourages young men with dubious morals to be held up as idols.

If Mumsnet turns all footbally, I might have to head off to Nethuns

[FasterHigherBeardierDaddyman]

BedHog your comment might be what they're looking for...

I personally would like to see more coverage of women's football on tv. It's a great sport and not nearly as commercial as the men's game. They play because they love the game, not for money and sponsorship deals, and there's less diving.

[BedHog]

I'd be in favour of anything that supported womens football moving towards equality with the mens game.

I still don't want to watch it though. 22 people kicking around a bag of air is mind-numbingly boring to me, no matter what sex they are!!

[TeamGlaikitBritain]

Great idea MN, there are a quite a few football fans on here. I'm hoping there will be another fantasy football league this year!

I'm a Scottish football fan and I'm actually quite excited about the next season. I think the SPL will be much more competitive. And give us lesser clubs a glimmer of hope of getting some silverware!

I'm not a "let's all laugh at Rangers" girl, I feel sorry for their fans and back room Staff who have been caught up in the mess at the club, but I genuinely think it will do the SPL good. Sure Celtic will still be favourite to win the league, but all it needs is for one club to take points off them and it's anyone's!

[GoTeamkozy]

Putting Rangers in the Third Division was the correct thing to do IMO, as the authorities did exactly that to Gretna a few years back when they went under after Fife Masterson* (I think) went into hospital prior to his death.

*I probably should check first, shouldn't I?

[GoTeamkozy]

Yep. Definitely recommend researching stuff first. Brooks Mileson was the chap I misremembered. :o

If you're going to get it wrong etc...

[TeamGlaikitBritain]

You are right GoTeam. And they did the same to livingston when they went into liquidation. They are slowly working their way back up thought the leagues now.

[mankyscotslass]

TeamGlaikitBritain, I am hoping we do the Fantasy Football again too.

[BenedictsCumberbitch]

Oooh Mr BC has almost persuaded me that a Newcastle season ticket is an essential buy this year. I think I'm gonna go for it.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I did do the Fantasy League last year, but to my shame lost interest in it after a few weeks. I find I get too involved and spend hours tweaking my team instead of doing useful stuff.

[TeamGlaikitBritain]

It was leningrad I think who organised it last year.

[Elainey1609]

Well the whole family watch when england is playing and have loves the gb football during the olympics...

Football gets quites hot in our house, we are all women and all.support.different teams lol

We dont really watch the teams on tv to be honest, just keep up with the news.

I would love to go to some england football matches but just cant afford it, the chukdren would love to go.


Love the womens football, and the gb olympics seems to.have shown off the womens team, hopefully this will inspire young girls to.take up sport.

But I do hate that when season starts football seems to be on every channel on tv.

[nellyjelly]

I am a Newcastle season ticket holder, though don't get to many games these days. I reckon the Toon have their work cut out to do as well as last year. Greater expectation after such a good season last year.

Hard to make predictions at the moment as all of the new transfers haven't happened yet. Lets see who buys what in the transfer window.

[Mymumsdaughter]

Hoping Brandon Rodgers will build a strong Liverpool team Dc are content with last sessions kits cos they prefer them + they don't like that the 96 tribute has moved to the back of the shirt. Also they are unhappy with the Andy Carroll transfer rumours They thoink he will come good and like how he ans Stevie G played in Euro 2012.
I thonk
We would go to matches but it is hard to get tickets

Hoping season ends well

I think the history / traditions of clubs are eroded by foreigb ownership and corporate sponsorship As such watching ckubs outside the leagues is more exciting
I strongly believe big clubs should look at their academies and how they nurture young players and give them emotional support to cope better with the pressures
I have tried to educate my dc to know that players are human and whilst some may be talented how they conduct themselves off the field is wrong and their talent should not excuse the behaviour oin short being talented does not give you entitlement to do what you please.

[laracroft2001]

Completely agree with my mums daughter regarding foreign ownership spoiling clubs, and the big teams needing to nurturing their academies and the young players coming through. Not just for club level but also to protect the national teams.

It's no coincidence that as the premier league gets more and more flooded with international players, the England (and scotland) team becomes worse and worse. England will never win another major trophy until this is sorted out. If you look at the Spanish/german/Italian/brazilian leagues- the vast majority of players are he grown, with the minority being overseas talent.