best summation of scenarios I feel totally. IT means lfc must be on top of their game from day 1 as the competition is fierce. writing of utd is a nice wish but its not reality
I'll make sure the next one's a total shocker just to redress the balance, as 3 on the spin might send you over the edge mate
how come i'm doing a better job of annoying reds fans by predicting this very issue could lead to Rodgers getting the sack I'd just still add in everton to be very close to 70 points again so 4th/5th/6th could be 75 points +/- 3 this year. The level of competition in england is on the up... its just the top top top stars want to play for 2 clubs in spain for what i think are money reasons cos nobody's rushing to bayern are they? I'd hope on some level england gets more than on team in the QF this yer in CL.
I'm waiting for someone to say something radical in their top 4 [5/6/7] predictions. So far it's just stating the obvious.
Thanks, Sir Tobias of LeRone. I've decided against the lie-down, but I'm going for a pint and a game of darts in a bit!
I think City, Chelsea, Arse will be top 3... City most likely first, Chelsea most likely 2nd, Arse most likely 3rd. I don't think anyone else will touch those 3. Would think we're favourites for 4th. Utd/Everton fighting for 5th. Not expecting Spurs to be near the fight this time around.
haha, he's got 18 months in the tank due to last season mate, so there's no danger of that whatever happens imo. I do think it might be your achilles heel this season though, as Sturridge had a reputation for being made of glass before last season, and as it stands without him you're weak up top. So he needs to make a quality addition there in the next 2 weeks. As for us, not sure tbh. The EL will put a strain on the squad and we'll be less of a surprise to sides this season. Managers will also make plans to counter our style having played us a couple of times last season and we'll need to adapt to that as we go. We also need another striker and another winger imo. We'll do well to match last seasons point tally in the league. I'd half fancy us for one of the cups though. Should be a good season, I think the gap between the top 8 and the rest will be pronounced though.
I agree with you on the Arsenal 5th bit. I think their attacking force is one of their best in recent years. I can see them finishing in the top 3 although not quite good enough to challenge of the title. Unless they get that crucial bit of luck. I see us challenging United for 4th place. Your arguments about United being weakened does not hold water when you realise that these so called good experienced players were not playing for Moyes and them leaving hardly weakens the side. I can see Van Gaal making sure that players are motivated to perform or else. United is weakened compared to the championship winning Ferguson side but not compared to the 7th place Moyes one. If United get 2 top defenders and 1 DM I think they could mount a challenge We have strengthen in depth of squad but our first 11 has weakened because of the loss of Suarez. So touch and go. So for me: Chelsea City Arsenal Liverpool or United United or Liverpool
Burnley will be the surprise of the season. Can't see them winning the title, but they'll probably finish 2nd behind QPR.
Ooh ... radical That's more like it Do we really need telling that we will struggle for goals minus Suarez / VG won't stand for under-performers / Costa and Fabregas will boost Chelsea ....
De Gea was their most consistent player to play (52 apps), but in comparison, Evra had 45 apps (44 starts) and Vidic 34apps (32 starts), Rio 23 (21 starts) and Giggs 22 had a lot of sub appearances. That's still a fair number of starts for three of their most experienced and long serving defenders. Don't underestimate the influence of experienced and long serving players in more than just the XI though, their dressing room influence, experience and passing on the 'winning attitude' to young players is invaluable. They're not just replacing two starting defenders (captain and vice, incidentally) along with two bit part players, that's their whole Fergie-team leadership! It's no small loss. They've not even replaced them either and saying that they might do doesn't add anything to their prospects right now. As it is, their squad is weaker and less experienced. Can't see them getting 4th
Not everyone will agree that you'll struggle for goals minus Suarez, and that Costa and Fabregas will be great signings for Chelsea though. When predicting the top 4 / shape of the league there's bound to be some general consensus though. So instead of sniping about others input why don't you give us your considered view?
Not sure camel gob is any real loss at all tbh, as he looked totally shot towards the end of last season. Evra is, but he's going to play with wing backs anyway, plus they've signed Shaw so a big negative? not really. The need to sign an experienced CB to replace Vidic though, definitely. The signs are they will though, so we'll have to see who they end up landing. The mere fact that Giggs played so often last season showed just how mince they were in midfield, they're still one short there as well. He'll have a job on installing a totally new system and keeping them consistent enough to get in the top 4. Their home form was what did them last season, so if he can turn that round and maintain the same level of away form, then they'll be right back in the mix.
Shaw has a lot of promise- but he's not that good yet. He's a big step down if comparing him to Evra. 3 years time he will be better.
I'm way tooo lazy to do this... but it would be interesting to go to each forum- and average out their positions on their prediction threads for each club- and compare them. For example, at a glance (not actually done the maths)- Spurs board- they have themselves averaging in about 4th spot and us in 6th. Chelsea think they're going to win. Arsenal seem to think they're going to win. There aren't any city fans on not 606 so who knows what they would think- probably themselves winning. United is all over the place thinking they'll finish 1st to whatever... most think top 4 though. Clubs definitely show a pro-themselves bias.
3 thoughts: I think our board has a good balance of optimism, pessimism and reality. Rival fans are rarely realistic when talking about their rivals. Top 4 became top 5, if you picked out their names from a hat as to finishing order, it would be just as likely as analysing reasons for where they will finish.
One thing is sure though, Spurs will never get top 4 this season so they can predict themselves there all they like
