10 replies to this topic

[Higgy]

Which team was the best that never managed to cross the line or hold that lead?

[Mark]

Do you mean in a single season or a time period or the duration of the premier league?

[Higgy]

Single season.

[Mark]

Liverpool in 09, in an era where united had been dominant a team that was solid at the back and the most lethal partnership I have seen at Anfield with Gerrard and Torres, not to mention the sublime Alonso in the middle, probably the best Liverpool side I have ever seen and we were so close only for it all the slip away the following season.

[Sandy Cheevie]

Good topic.
For me it is undoubtedly the Bobby Robson Ipswich team of 1980/81
Robson had built one of the finest teams in Europe with players like Mick Mills, Russell Osman, Terry Butcher, Frans Thijssen, Arnold Muhren, John Wark, Paul Mariner, Alan Brazil etc.
They lost the league that season by being just too good and involved in too many competitions right up to the end of the season for such a small squad. They won the UEFA Cup (no small feat for a small club like Ipswich)
I was actually at Villa Park near the end of the season when Ipswich played them and the ease and class with which Ipswich ripped them apart was a joy to behold.
Unfortunately for a relatively small and financially disadvantaged club like Ipswich they just couldn’t resist the big teams like Man Utd, Liverpool etc. who moved in and relieved them of their star players in the close season.
Not just the best team not to win the league but also the most attractive.

[DavidTheAlien]

Wait is this just Premier league or ever?

Edited by DavidTheAlien, 10 February 2012 - 08:51 PM.

[mickey]

How can you look behind Keegans Newcastle. 12 points. Fantastic football.

[mickey]

Mark, on 10 February 2012 - 08:05 PM, said:

Liverpool in 09, in an era where united had been dominant a team that was solid at the back and the most lethal partnership I have seen at Anfield with Gerrard and Torres, not to mention the sublime Alonso in the middle, probably the best Liverpool side I have ever seen and we were so close only for it all the slip away the following season.

This is a load of bullshit.

[Leeroy]

mickey, on 10 February 2012 - 09:27 PM, said:

How can you look behind Keegans Newcastle. 12 points. Fantastic football.

My first thought was Newcastle. Fantastic side.

[Panto]

Well I could go into depth about how good the West Ham team of the late 60s was and how im still astounded how we imploded, but that's by the by.

QPR in 76 was very good, Chelsea in the early 70s the same, Ipswich in the late 70s and the mid 90s Newcastle team, but I think Robson's Ipswich shade it because they still won trophies.

Edited by Panto, 12 February 2012 - 11:57 PM.

[Notti]

That Newcastle team from around 96 should really have won the title, the fact they never even won a trophy in that period is a shame for Sir John Hall who invested so much and for Keegan who despite the ridicule he recieves built a great side who were a joy to watch.

I guess technically Liverpool in 09 would be the best as they lost the least games any side has that didnt win the league. 2 I think. The negativity of Rafa in away games cost them dear.