The 2015/16 Premier League FST Fans Survey

2015/16 wasn’t short on stories.   From the sacking of the Special One, Aston Villa’s limp into oblivion and Spurs’ unlikely title charge to, of course, Claudio Ranieri’s 5000-1 champions – it’s fair to say that this was the most memorable Premier League season in years.

With one game to go, Free Super Tips got in touch with fan bloggers of the 20 Premier League teams to see how the season was for them.

 

Arsenal: @AllArsenalNews

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

3. Had we managed an unprecedented FA Cup treble we’d be looking at a more convincing rating, but purely on the high expectations we had after our Community Shield win over Chelsea in the summer and the fact that we looked like title contenders over Christmas, this season has been a massive downer.

Who’s been your player of the year?

Mesut Özil, without a doubt. If it wasn’t for our inefficiency in front of goal would’ve smashed Thierry Henry’s PL assist record.

What was your favourite moment?

Danny Welbeck’s last gasp winner vs. Leicester would be rightfully be many Gooners’ choice for the best moment, but Flamini’s volley against Spurs is up there too.For me, it was Theo Walcott’s worldy against Manchester City purely because it happened right in front of my eyes and proved the winner.

What was your team’s biggest “What If”?

Norwich 1-1 away. We lost Alexis Sanchez, Laurent Koscielny and, most crucially, Santi Cazorla in that match. Coupled with Coquelin’s injury the week prior, losing those key players for such a crucial part of the season was devastating and affected our dynamic heading into the New Year.

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

Spend big and be Champions

 

Aston Villa: @AVillaFan

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

1 – it’s not hard to see why. The Club from top to bottom is an absolute shambles but we have players capable of so much more. Their lack of effort has resulted in relegation, and many good folk at the club losing their jobs. It’s unforgivable really.

Who’s been your player of the year?

Probably Idrissa ‘Gana’ Gueye. He effortlessly goes about his game and most of his stats are only second to Leicester’s Kante. Not bad for a player at a club marooned at the foot of the table.

What was your favourite moment?

I can’t really remember many to be honest. Maybe beating Birmingham City in the cup.

What was your team’s biggest “What If”?

Without doubt the defeat at Leicester. 2-0 up, looking comfortable, and a win would’ve taken us above Leicester. What if we hung on? Would we have gone on to survive? Would Leicester have gone on to win the league?

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

Passion. Desire. Hard work. Promotion.

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Bournemouth: Tales From The South End (@TFTSE)

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

Staying the in the Premier League means it has to be a 10. Before the start of the season, 17th was the goal. We’ve gone way beyond this.

Who’s been your player of the year?

We don’t have a lot of star players, it is very much a team effort. But Josh King has improved beyond all recognition this year. It took him a while to adjust to life in the Premier League, but towards the end of the season he put in a number of MOTM performances, so we will go with him.

What was your favourite moment?

The first Premier League afternoon at Dean Court was special, but my favourite has to be Junior Stanislas’ last-gasp goal against Everton to make it 3-3.

We’d already scored two in the last 10 minutes to draw level before Ross Barkley netted what he thought was a 95th-minute winner, but we went straight up their end and got another equaliser. From boredom to jubilation to complete despair to unadulterated joy – that’s why we love football

What was your team’s biggest “What If” moment?

Liverpool away. When you are new to the Premier League you want everything to go your way otherwise it won’t be long before conspiracy theories and excuses start to appear. Tommy Elphick’s goal should have stood and Christian Benteke’s shouldn’t have. One-nil to AFC Bournemouth, a famous victory and three points instead of none.

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

Staying up and finishing fourth

 

Chelsea: @ChelseaDaft

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

3. From Champions to chumps and our worst league position in 20 years. To have one or two players out of form is something that happens. To have it happen to more or less everyone at the same time is ridiculous!

Who’s been your player of the year?

Willian, despite his form taking a nose dive in recent weeks. as the season begins to wind down. He really stood out and dragged us through games when we look down and out – the shining light of our dark, dark season.

What was your favourite moment?

Eden Hazard’s goal against Tottenham for three reasons:

• We have waited all year for him to give a performance like that
• We kept our 27-year unbeaten run at home against Spurs going
• We stopped their title challenge and handed the league to Claudio Ranieri – a man that plenty of Chelsea fans still hold in high regard.

Leicester were outstanding and deserve every single ounce of praise they receive!

What was your team’s biggest “What If”?

What if we someone in other than Guus Hiddink? He has been out of his depth this time around. When he came before, he could call on the likes of JT, Cech, Cole, Lampard, Ballack, Drogba etc and it was easy for him. Now? Well look at things for yourselves!

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

A Champions League finish please!

 

Crystal Palace: @TheEaglesBeak

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

So difficult to answer this, as we have the FA Cup final still to play. Right now, I would be inclined to give it a five simply as it has been a season of two very different halves. If we win the cup then that number will increase significantly!

Who’s been your player of the year?

Wilfried Zaha. Returning to the club after a terrible spell at Manchester United was always a worry as to whether we would see him return to his best form before he left. It has been fantastic to see him tormenting opposition full backs week in week out.

It says everything that he is the most fouled player in the Premier League and he really came into his own when Bolasie had a spell out injured.

What was your favourite moment?

Winning at Chelsea and at Liverpool while pushing the top four. After falling away since the turn of the new year, our FA Cup run has been terrific so it would have to be winning the semifinal against Watford.

What was your team’s biggest “What If”?

Injuries. I have not known one like it in all my time supporting the club. Not making excuses at all but when a side like Palace lose first choice players, we are not able to replace like for like in terms or quality. The main two were Bolasie and Wickham, the latter having three spells out injured and a suspension when he showed plenty in the games he has played.

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

Push For Top Ten Finish

 

 

Everton: @RBMersey

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

This season has had far too many lows for Evertonians’ liking. Once again, it appears our Premier League season has been overlooked in favour of a run in the cups. The fans were given expectations by the manager himself of achieving a Champions League place within 3 seasons, but that clearly hasn’t happened. This team, despite its huge potential, has gone further and further away from that promise.

5 or 6 out of 10 is slightly generous!

Who’s been your player of the year?

There have been a couple of shining lights for the Toffees. Aaron Lennon has provided a different element to our otherwise one dimensional football. Then you have the ever present Gareth Barry, who has had his best season in an Everton shirt.

What was your favourite moment?

There haven’t been many! But the 3-1 victory against Chelsea at the start of the season left a very good taste in the mouth. Jose Mourinho was under fire from the Everton faithful after his unprofessional and frankly disrespectful attempts at signing John Stones. Steven Naismith had the game of his Everton career with a superb hat-trick.

What was your team’s biggest “What If?”

Can I say the whole season?! There have been many opportunities for our team to regain their form, to turn things around and put together small runs of wins when things were certainly looking a little more promising, but it just hasn’t been all season.

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

New manager, New direction. Progression

 

Leicester: Leicester Til I die (@Leicestertid)

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

15!! And do I really need to explain why? The best season ever in our club’s history.

Who’s been your player of the year?

N’Golo Kante, just ahead of Mahrez & Vardy. As good as they were, Kante bossed the midfield.

If he lost the ball, the chances would be that he would win it back again. It was easier to get past the SAS than it was Kante this season. And he was just as likely to pop up helping the defence as he was the attack.

What was your favourite moment?

After supporting my team for over 50 years, watching Wes Morgan & Claudio Ranieri lift the Premier League Trophy was absolutely one of the best days of my life.

What was your team’s biggest “What If” moment?

In December we faced Liverpool, Manchester City , Chelsea & Everton. The pundits wrote us off, we won 3 and drew one and went into the new year top of the pile.

That was when I thought: what if we actually go and win this.

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

More of the same please

 

Liverpool: @AnfieldIndex

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

Since Jürgen Klopp was appointed in October, things have looked up; in seven months he’s reached two finals without spending a penny in January. However, there have been injuries, suspensions and obvious inconsistencies in the Premier League. 8/10.

Who’s been your player of the year?

Emre Can. His ability to shield the back four, play a forward pass and break up play have impressed me very much. The team look weak without him and it’s refreshing to see the manager trust him in central midfield, something that Rodgers failed to do.

What was your favourite moment?

When we appointed Jürgen Klopp it was a dream come true for most Liverpool fans. He has a world- class CV and is one of the ultimate motivators in the modern game. You can already see the progress he’s made with this squad.

What was your team’s biggest “What If”?

What if Jürgen Klopp joined Liverpool in the summer? Imagine this squad under him if they had a pre-season and if he had bought players in the summer transfer window.

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

Consistency, trophies, quality transfers, defending!

 

Manchester City: King Of The Kippax (@KingKippax)

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

6. A great start but then injuries and the Champions’ League took their toll. It was great to win the League Cup after a fashion, but there were too many abject Premier League performances and it’ll be disastrous if we don’t make the top four.

Who’s been your player of the year?

It has to be Sergio Aguero for his goals – but not necessarily for his overall contribution in some games.

What was your favourite moment?

Yaya Toure scoring the decisive spot kick in the League Cup final after Willy Caballero’s 3 incredible penalty saves.

What was your team’s biggest “What If”?

Not scoring in Madrid to go to the Champions League final.

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

Pep to improve us 100%

 

Manchester United: Red News (@barneyrednews)

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

0. Well 0-0 at half-time at least as that seemed the default score, with one goal on target a game a theme. It was dull, and Utd are never dull.

Who’s been your player of the year?

David de Gea, but the fact our goalie keeps being player of the year shows how our dynamic has changed. He’s superb, and we fear he will go this summer. Anthony Martial arrived with ‘waste of money’ headlines but proved to be worth every penny, and Rashford has been a joy to see in a joyless season.

What was your favourite moment?

Martial’s debut goal against the Scousers. Rashford against Arsenal & at City. And then of course the late drama at the Semi Final. Add Wayne Rooney’s winner at Anfield and that is literally it for highlights full stop.

What was your team’s biggest “What If”?

Some may argue not replacing Fergie with Mourinho; instead we got the Frozen One and the Boring One. I think losing at Wolfsburg, knocked out of the CL, and then bringing on Nick Powell as a sub to save the day. Luke Shaw’s injury is the great ‘what may have been’ for the season though but surely one injury should not have seen our deck of cards collapse.

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

FA Cup winners without Louis.

 

Newcastle: True Faith (@tfeditor1892)

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

0/10. A shambles that has been in the post for the last 3 years at least.

Who’s been your player of the year?

None worthy of the description.

What was your favourite moment?

Pass.

What was your team’s biggest “What If”?

Mike Ashley had never been born.

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

Bleak.

 

Norwich: The Little Yellow Bird Project (@TheLYBP)

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

2. We waddled ourselves back to second tier of obscurity. Kinda like embarrassingly swanning into your ex’s house after a crazy eight month fling with a model who was far too good for you.

We’d have liked to be running about the pitch at Goodison Park with various players on the fans’ shoulders, but instead we’ll be on the pitch at Goodison Park with various fans on the players’ backs.

Who’s been your player of the year?

There are three that stood out. Jonny Howson’s gritty performances couldn’t be anymore Yorkshire unless he had weekly flat cap fibres injected into his blood stream and Robbie Brady started like a rocket, but his performance sadly fell away.

But I’m going to give it to our tall central defender, Timm Klose. His left foot could get him a seven-minute feature on The Culture Show. Simple, effective defending with aggressive strength in the air.

Sadly his leg exploded a few weeks ago and we haven’t scored, or got a point since. I want him to stay so much; I wrote a song and stuck it on YouTube.

What was your favourite moment?

Beating Manchester United away…Wait. I’ve not finished…

Beating Manchester United away with an Alex Tettey goal…. Nope. I’ve still not finished…

Beating Manchester United away with an Alex Tettey goal SCORED WITH A TOE PUNT. An actual toe punt! Now…I’ve finished.

His little face at the end of the game was a replica of mine of Christmas 93 when I got myself a Nintendo 64. We love Alex Tettey at Norwich. The man loves his football without an opportunistic, cynical bone in his body.

His leg also exploded half way through the season too.

What was your team’s biggest “What If”?

I’m going back to the first game of the season. Cameron Jerome scored an incredible overhead kick to bring it back to 2-2 verses Crystal Palace. Carrow Road was rocking until we found out the referee had decided to make up a rule and say the goal was too exotic for his bland tastes.

We lost 3-1 in the end. The referee never reffed again, CamJam sulked the rest of the season, and the clanging chimes of injustice still echoes in the streets of Norwich.

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

Hopes in 5 words. Hope? (drops shades) Where we’re going, we don’t need hope…. (Yeah I know its eight words but we lost to Aston Villa this season! LET US HAVE SOMETHING!!!)

 

 

Southampton: George Weah’s Cousin (@gwcdotcom)

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

If the team can finish their strong recent flourish and get a Europa league spot again the score could be as high as 8.

Who’s been your player of the year?

In any other season Shane Long would have taken the title, but unfortunately for him centre half Virgil van Dijk has been close to immaculate all season. The Dutchman has been outstanding and in my opinion is one of the best central defenders in the Premier League.

What was your favourite moment?

The comeback against Liverpool probably wins it. Saints were irresistible, particularly Sadio Mane as they tore the Reds’ defence to pieces, coming from 0-2 down to win 3-2. Honourable mentions to convincing victories over Arsenal and Man City at home and Charlie Austin’s debut winner at Old Trafford.

What was your team’s biggest “What If”?

The poor run of form between the end of November and early January. Saints were largely dreadful, and had we picked up a few more points then there could have been a top four challenge.

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

Manager & players stay, further progression.

 

Stoke: Duck Magazine (@DUCKmagstoke)

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

Probably a 7. Just. When you look at the fact that we have got to the semi-final of a cup and could finish top half again, then you’ll probably think that I either have a jumped-up opinion of my club or I’m a mard.

Probably both, to be honest.

Who’s been your player of the year?

Marko Arnautovic. Take away Arnie’s goals and assists and we’d have been looking downwards not upwards this season. Some hate Arnie’s moods, but he reminds me of one Ricardo Fuller – no better compliment that I can pay him – so he gets my vote.

What was your favourite moment?

When you look at it, our 2-0 win over Man City wasn’t anything to shout about. But in over four decades of watching Stoke City ir was possibly our most complete performance. We absolutely played them off the turf in ST4, and it could have been 6 or 7.

What was your team’s biggest “What If”?

Anfield. The width of a post away from Wembley.

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

Get the home form sorted

 

 

Sunderland: @WeAreWearside

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

I’d say a 6, which is weirdly high considering Dick Advocaat gave the league an 8 game head start.

However, through the midst of all that has been wrong with Sunderland we have come out the other side with the best squad and manager we have had in years. The reconnect with the fans is in full force after many of the wage-sapping wasters were moved on in January, replaced by genuinely talented players.

Instead of wholesale changes every year, things finally seem to be progressing.

Who’s been your player of the year?

It has to be Jermain Defoe. If you take all of his goals away we would lose 14 points and would have been relegated in March. His performances have been ageless. I, along with many others, completely unappreciated how good his all round play is. For a short guy, he holds the ball up very well and plays lone striker role as well as anyone.

To top that all off – he was a straight swap for Jozy Altidore!

What was your favourite moment?

Making it six in a row against Newcastle was special and relegating them makes that all the sweeter.

As far as individual moments go, Defoe’s winner against Chelsea is difficult to compare with any other. The relief and exhilarating exploding from the 47,000 strong crowd was the loudest thing I’ve ever heard and still rings in my ears right now!

What was your team’s biggest “What If”?

Allardyce was offered the Sunderland job in the summer but rejected it. The timing wasn’t right apparently, but given what he achieved after he arrived you suspect we would have been nowhere near the relegation zone had he had a preseason and a full campaign.

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

Mid table mediocrity pretty please!

 

 

 

Swansea: SOS Fanzine (@StevenSOS1987)

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

I’ll give it a 6, we’re 11th at the time of writing and I suppose that would’ve represented a decent season back in August. However it’s been a bizarre 9 months with more low’s than high’s and we’re probably a bit higher than we should be.

Who’s been your player of the year?

Gylfi Sigurdsson. He started slowly but since the turn of the year he’s been at his best and his goals have ultimately kept us up.

What was your favourite moment?

Drawing 2-2 at Chelsea on the opening day. We were brilliant that day and at that stage you never saw a Jose Mourinho team outplayed at home. It gave me great hope for this campaign but sadly it proved to be a false dawn.

What was your team’s biggest “What If”?

Tough one. Probably Kyle Naughton’s wrongly awarded red card against Sunderland at home which ultimately cost us the game along with two offside goals. If we had gone down we would have looked back on that as being a night where things conspired against us.

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

A top striker is needed

 

Tottenham : Windy COYS (@WindyCOYS)

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

If we finish above Arsenal, I’ll give it an 8. If we finish below Arsenal, I’ll give it a 6.

Football-wise, we’ve taken great strides this year. We are, in fairly pretentious terms, ‘ahead of schedule’. But finishing below them, having done so well to put such a gap this season between us and them, would be a crushing blow!
We need that monkey off our shoulder, and we need to make sure that we see it through. To outsiders, it may seem like small-club mentality – but the North London rivalry is strong, and it is part of our identity.

Who’s been your player of the year?

Toby Alderweireld. There have been some superstars for Spurs this year (Harry Kane, Dele Alli), and some staggeringly reliable performers (Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Danny Rose, Kyle Walker…I could go on) but Alderweireld is a bit of both.

He has only really had two ‘iffy’ games (Stoke at home, and Chelsea away). Aside from those, he’s been pretty much been impeccable, and has totally transformed our defensive fortunes. His impressive range of passing means he’s a genuinely dynamic player too – those diagonals to Alli are a thing of beauty. Toby’s got the lot.

What was your favourite moment?

Harry Kane’s goal against Arsenal. Real tears. If only… IF ONLY that had been the winner… sigh.

What was your team’s biggest “What If”?

Leicester at home. We were the better side, but lost 1-0. Ignoring the 6 point swing, if we’d shown how to beat this Leicester side the rest of the season could have been different.

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

Supplement squad, challenge for title.

 

West Brom: Albion’s Day (@dannywright_92)

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

4/10. We managed to avoid relegation but the style of football, majority of the summer transfers and results have been very disappointing. Most home games this season has seen me nodding off it’s been so boring.

I feel as though we’ve taken a step back over the past two or three seasons.

Who’s been your player of the year?

It’s hard to pick the best of a bad bunch – no one has stood out in particular. However, Craig Dawson has come on leaps and bounds under Tony Pulis. He’s scored some important goals and does a great job at right-back. I’m sure Roy Hodgson has at least considered him to take to France at one point.

What was your favourite moment?

It has to be beating Arsenal 2-1 at the Hawthorns, thanks to Santi Cazorla missing a penalty in the latter stages of the game. Albion fans remember him diving to win two penalties a few years back so seeing him slip-up at the spot was very satisfying.

“Ohhh Santi fell over!”

What was your team’s biggest “What If”?

If we get rid of Pulis, will we be relegated? We were a solid mid-table team not long back but now we seem to be closer to the drop zone under him. Who knows.

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

A bit more excitement, please!

 

West Ham: West Ham Til I Die (@WestHamTill)

How would you rate 2015/16 on a scale of 1-10? Why?

9/10. Beyond our wildest dreams. Our main priority in our last season at Upton Park was to avoid relegation. That hasn’t been on the cards since the opening day when we beat Arsenal 2-0 at The Emirates. We haven’t lost at home since August and our away form has been outstanding.

Who’s been your player of the year?

Dimitri Payet of course. His goals and assists have been vital. While we didn’t lose many matches when he was injured for two months, we drew far too many. Without injuries to him and Lanzini I have no doubt we’d have finished in the top four.

What was your favourite moment?

So many to choose from. Beating Liverpool at Anfield for the first time since 1963? Or maybe Payet’s superb free kick against Crystal Palace – surely a candidate for goal of the season.

What was your team’s biggest “What If”?

What if referees hadn’t cost us eight points in four successive games, or what if the referee had seen Schweinsteiger push Adrian into his own net at Old Trafford. If he’d seen that he’d have disallowed their goal and we’d have been in the FA Cup semi-final.

Describe your hopes for next season in five words

Champions League via Olympic Stadium.

How was 15/16 for you?

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(Header image: Ronnie McDonald under CC BY 2.0)