with regard to referee support or will the team of refs who help them with at least 15 points a season come good?
They are yes. However, much like when a team gets relegated from the Premier League they will get parachute points over a course of a few years so the shock is not too great!
I think they are a team in transition. Players like Neville, Ferdinand, Scholes, Giggs, Carrick carried them for years. Now they are having to rebuild from the core again. I don't think they are nearly as strong as they have been, time will tell if the new crop like Smalling and Jones can fill the void, but I think it's going to take them a couple of seasons at least. Fergie does have a habit of spending £30m here and there when it's needed though...
The FA will wait and see how things pan out before deciding whether or not the refereeing association can start to award the red half of Manchester their customary 15+ points a season. If it's evident City are flagging in the title race and there is no other competition, there is no need for this. If the title race is too close or there is a danger of them dropping out of the top 4 the plans will be implemented immediately.
Great thread! A Liverpool fan here in peace, I actually wondered the same thing in the last few weeks so its highly interesting that others are questioning it too! At the moment it certainly seems that Sir Alcy's influence has waned a little, however a part of me wonders if its just a false dawn before the refs start to show their true allegiance in the second half of the season. Pehaps Fergie is no longer the top dog in the alledged brotherhood and the favours need to be evened out somewhat?
