What makes you think Chelsea aren't compliant with FFP? There's no suggestion to say they aren't. As for City, they've got rid of Balotelli and Tevez, and brought in Jovetic and Negredo on much lower wages. High earners like Maicon, Bridge, Santa Cruz and Kolo Toure off the wage bill which can probably account for expenditure on Fernandinho and Jesus Navas, that's before we've even touched the money from the TV deal, even Norwich and Swansea are spending like there's no tomorrow because of it.
Tevez was on the same wage as Negredo and Jovetic put together, I think it's smart business. In Maicon, Bridge, Toure and RSC they are losing something just shy of £19m off the wage bill.
Think next season it'll be: Man City Chelsea Man Utd as the top 3 - City have got goals in them up front, Chelsea will run them close but unless they sign a striker then I think they'll come up just short. United will be reliant on RVP as Rooney, if he stays, won't be in the right mindset I think.
Like you, if Rooney stays, I think it'll do more harm than good to United. I think our squad is now far more complete than theirs and we are probably a De Rossi and a top striker away from being a top drawer side as we were from 2004-2011. It's too early to rule Arsenal out either, if they get 1 or 2 top drawer players in they are more than capable of winning the league given the strength of the competition on show, it's not as tough as it was which leaves the league far more open, even Spurs and Liverpool cannot be kept out of the discussion as both have very strong sides.
Liverpool are perhaps the favourite to knock Arsenal out of the top 4 atm, but they're not title challengers yet I don't think. Our squad is too crap up front (Bale aside) to pose a true challenge - we'll be nearly there again but we won't get it imo.
As of today IMO top 4 will be the same as last season. Other than City and Swansea, every single club in the top half needs to strengthen.
Thought you might say that I think it's impossible to call this time around. Of course we won't really know until everyone's got their new signings but it should be really interesting. Looking forward to seeing how my lot kick on - all the leicester fans have invaded our board calling us cheats. They're a lovely bunch of lads
I think it's the most unpredictable season since 03/04. There's no real standout team in the Premier League or Championship. Wolves are clear favourites in League 1 but even League 2 is tough to call. The quality may not be as good as it once was, but it'll certainly be more exciting. As for the Leicester, never liked them since they cost us the title in 99
I wouldn't be having a bet in the Premier league but have backed Reading at 10s and then Sheffield United and Pompey.
With DL. If the season started now I'd back the same top4 to do it again, I'd even back his order! Liverpool will beat a few decent teams but come 6th and us for 5th. Desperately wishing for some firepower Edit - Morpheus' order. Oops
It's a bit early for the bold predictions. The bookies presently have all the leading three teams at around 9/4, Arsenal 10/1, Spurs & Liverpool 33/1. This is after City and Chelsea have done most of their summer spending but before Utd have signed anyone (other than Varela). If Utd do spend £70M, as suggested, on top quality players then I'll take Utd - you lot can back whoever you want
The bookies odds don't truly reflect how likely something is to happen as they fluctuate based on the bets being taken. Man U and Liverpool ALWAYS have shorter odds than they should for this reason
The Bookies for example always have Liverpool at reasonably short odds for the title no matter how rubbish they are, and laughably Skybet have then as 5th favourites for the championship with shorter odds than Spurs! The Bookies know that there are plenty of deluded Mouser fans out there that will back Liverpool for the title, so they have to give them shorter odds than reality suggests to cover their own arses.
Grrr I remember that. 2-0 up and we drew 2-2 wasnt it?! I remember going ****ing nuts. That and the 1-0 home loss to West Ham (****ing Kitson!) if we had performed in those games we would have had the title
Give any club in the league one or two top players and they'll be challenging for Europe, minimum. Spending big is not Wenger's game though and he's not yet proven anything has changed. Top players are by definition at a premium, and as such will cost a premium too. It's a concept that has never agreed with Wenger.
Top 4 imo, 1. United 2. Chelsea 3. City 4. Arsenal Yet to see any of the top 4 sides improve significantly. Sue players have been added, in Citys case not anyone to be overly concerned about and Chelsea have added some decent players to their squad. United will buy a couple of players to add to a title winning squad and Arsenal look like having a deadline day panic again. Only Arsenal are at risk of dropping out of the top 4.
UnitedinRed, you have forgotten something. You now have Moyes in charge. You have substituted a league-winning manager for a manager who has won jack-5hit, and yet you expect to win the league at Moyes' first attempt. Sorry, but you are arrogantly under-valuing the role that the manager plays in professional football. Look at what happened to CFC, and look what's happened to 'Pool. Moyes simply is not good enough to win anything, let alone the league. He's competing with Mourhino who has won the league. Moyes is simply not in the same class as Mourhino, and anyone who believes he is is a complete and utter fool. Sorry.
