Agreed, I still think one of City or Chels will win the league mainly due to the fact that they have the best players/squad depth. But Arsenal are the most consistent side as this moment, our opening day blip against Villa has been put into its proper perspective and all the other sides have had disappointing defeats. Like I said earlier I think it's way too early to be making any sort of judgment while the league is so open. London's best clubs fighting it out for the league would be good though. And that doesn't include Sp*rs.
You guys look great at the moment. Ozil was obviously a great addition as well as Ramsey showing some great form. Goes to show that having some stability can go a long way, especially with all the changes that occurred with the 3 sides that finished above you. Would be happy with Chelsea and Arsenal battling for the title. Spurs hopefully 5th again and United mid table!
i'm not so sure with City. I thought Pellegrini would change the attitude with regard to away games but hasn't seemed to sort it and their next four games are all away. Arsenal have impressed me the most but they usually start seasons well (only the last two they haven't). I feel we are in the best position being 3rd and two points off top having already been to Old Trafford, Goodison and WHL. If we are top or within 5 points of top come New Year I'd fancy us to win it given the good run of fixtures we have post-December.
Perhaps but then Autumn and Xmas is traditionally where we **** up...just kind of waiting for it to happen!!
So a weekend of no surprises really. Moyes continually getting found out. Chelsea beating Cardiff Arsenal continuing their great run of form City routinely beating West Ham. Not sure why people were so surprised with the United result. For years a growing minority of people have tried to highlight the problems in the United team. I'd argue Clyne, Shaw, Lovren, Wanyama and Ramirez would all get into the United team. United's back four is only marginally better than Southampton's but Pochettino is a superior coach to Moyes in every way and was able to bridge back what is only a small gap in quality in comparison to that of Arsenal/City/Chelsea.
I think it's the extent to which United have fallen off that really came as a surprise. I remember this time last season we were talking about how neither of us thought United would continue to outscore opponents all season when they were being outplayed and picking up results. RVP's phenomenal first half of the season gave Ferguson the time to sort things out though. Watching the Swansea game it looked like it was going to be the same again as despite having had a quiet start they suddenly found themselves 2 up in a matter of minutes. It hasn't continued though. Defensively I'd say they're very weak. Vidic and Rio look a shadow of their former selves whilst Jones looks a bit shaky and Smalling is still an unknown quantity. At full back Rafael still looks tubby and needs more license to get forward whilst Evra just isn't the brilliant left back he was. I'd say Southampton have been impressive in defence, better than United, it's their attack that's not quite there at the moment. What makes me laugh is that United fans are labelling Moyes as defensive and negative, it's exactly what Fergie did with United when they were under pressure, the only difference to last year is that they haven't had that ability to score goals regardless of how they're playing. I know you guys aren't keen to give Moyes any slack but he's been really screwed over in the transfer market. Fellaini clearly wasn't a priority for him otherwise they'd have signed him earlier, whilst that Edward Woodward failed to make any progress with other transfers. The most damning evidence of Woodward being out of his depth is that he only found out about Ozil's availability late on(probably from the media) and then couldn't get in contact with him until after he'd agreed to join Arsenal. United failed him badly there. Clearly there seems to be some problems with the players too, Moyes got a lot out of his Everton sides and it's becoming clear that was in part through the players having high fitness levels but his desire to improve fitness at United seems to be getting older players backs up. A bit like AVB it might just be a case of it being the wrong club for him.
The only reason we give Moyes so much flak is because United fans and the media spent months telling us Mourinho would never come back to Chelsea and that he was destined to go there, only to then say make up lies about Mourinho wanting to go there, them never wanting him and saying they always wanted Moyes. I've never liked Moyes but he went even further down my estimation this Summer with his handling of the Fellaini/Baines affair, fixture list moaning and outright hypocrisy. He carries himself with the kind of arrogance you'd expect from someone that's actually won something in their career. Most of the problems there have been caused by Fergie but will only be exacerbated by him. I don't think United's defence is bad, but the midfield is and Moyes making them drop deeper is just putting more pressure on their defence which has always been suspect against remotely decent opposition. The difference with AVB is that he's capable of managing at the top level, Moyes isn't. We bemoan lack of British managers in the PL but it's funny that in the 20+ years the PL has been running only two different British managers have won it, in the same time frame there's only been one British manager to win the CL. Compare that to the Latin countries and that's simply staggering. The media pioneered for a British manager to get a top job and United pandered to them as they always do.
City 2-1 up now. Negredo is brilliant, basically a better version of Soldado. Been really impressed by him.
How f-ing good is Zlatan!! His 2nd and 4th goals were quality finishes and the 3rd was an absolute worldie!! Big shout for 3rd best player in the world atm and PSG could go very far this year.
the media lovin over Moyes has gone to his head despite his lack of honours of any kind he's constantly been told how great he is hard for that not to go to your head.
Strong word, will never hate anyone who wears our shirt (dependant on circumstance of course), nor will I boo them. But there comes a time when you have to admit defeat with a player, and I can't believe he's managed to stick around as long as he has.
Ouch MOTD pundits say Arsenal can't win the league as they haven't played any of the big teams yet. Low blow for Liverpool and Spurs.
