So, a decent transfer window I reckon. A lot will depend on where Blind is deployed as to whether we've ended up with a centre half short or a centre mid short but the squad is now strong. I personally think he'll be the defensive cm behind Herrerra and Mata in a three with Rojo and Jones as centre halves once Shaw is fit but could well be wrong. The point is, we've options where not long ago the squad was threadbare. Carrick, Fellaini and Fletcher are decent CM cover as are Evans and Smalling at CH. Are we making top four then or what? I think we're in battle with Arsenal and, possibly, Everton for the final slot with City, Chelsea and Liverpool making the top three. Thoughts?
I think it was a decent window to be fair, although I'd have rather had a good centre back or another good central midfielder than Falcao. We probably didn't bother as I expect us to go in for Strootman in the January window. I doubt we will make top four this season but I think we will continuously get better as the season goes on and then hopefully we can challenge for the title again next season Gutted Welbeck has gone too.
I agree on Welbeck, shame to have lost him yet end up stuck with the likes of Anderson and Cleverly. There's a very realistic chance that Welbeck could do what Sturidge did and develop into a very good striker. Time will tell. I think top four might just be beyond us this season and hope it doesn't open a can of worms with Falcao etc. but we will definitely improve. Starting next week.
I think we have the making of an exciting attacking team. I am not sure still about the defence. Conceding goals aginast middling/low teams because of an unsettled defence might be our undoing . The attack looks good with Falcao and RVP with Rooney supporting. The midfield holding position with Blind or Carrick I am not sure but the attacking with Di Maria and Valecia has got potential. Still worried about the CBs on free kicks and other set pieces. A 5-6 position should be a certainty (!). Whether LVG achieves his objective of 4th remains to be seen. If he doesn't I am afraid the GGs will look elsewhere. And I do not agree with the RS in the top three. They have tagliatelle replacing the rat. They are bound to miss him. They will struggle at home with teams that park the bus.
Certainly hope not!!! If we now improve significantly and appear to be flying by the end of the season then, regardless of where we end up, I fully expect van Gaal to be manger next season. If we remain absolute dog **** though then maybe they'd look to change him.
You've bought some real quality, but I still think you needed a top draw CB and a midfield lynchpin. As for the league, I think it depends on how quickly he can gel your side together, you can't afford to lose much more ground during the settling in period. The top 3 will consist of City, Chelsea and Arsenal imo. With the RS, Spurs, us and United in the mix for 4th to 7th.
Im very happy but could have beem happier. I maintain di maria will play centre mid though and not mata.
This. Although as experience has shown, often better to wait for the right player to come along rather than just jump on a big name. Good thing about not being in the CL is we can keep our powder dry and wait to Jan to try and get Vidal, Strootman, Hummels or similar if they are available, rather than buy for the sake of it and end up with the likes of Luiz, Veron, Lamela, Fellaini, Will.i.an, Sakho etc. who are ok, but not a big improvement on what we already have.
The next 3-4 matches will indicate whether your prediction will happen. The home form will be a test. When we have our own team worse at home than away then we know that our team is not right.
You have all the right selection problems in attack, and it will take a few games for you to find your best XI. I agree with the posters above, CB and CMF is the key for you, which I imagine you will sort out in January. I reckon you guys will be competing for top 4, I think you might be a little way off the pace at Christmas, but once things click I can see you having a good 2nd half of the season and being in the mix.
LOL. Mata in a midfield three. Can we play you every week? The most expensive squad in history after the biggest single window spend should buy the league easy... isn't that what everyone used to say about Chelsea? £150m to challenge for top four?
On paper we should be in a title race. Heres how out squad compares imo. Arsenal. Better - midfield, defence (we have more depth though) Worse - goalkeeper, attack Liverpool Better - Worse - goalkeeper, defence, midfield, attack Chelsea Better - defence, Midfield Worse - goalkeeper, attack City Better - defence, midfield Worse - goalkeeper Equal - attack Now obviously the scouse will jump on my opinion of tgeir squad but theres no need. Thats the reality of it on paper. Should be looking at top 4 no question now.
One title in 8 years. Money doesn't guarantee success, especially when you're a small club in Fulham.
3rd biggest in the premier league and the 1st time weve broke through 100million. Compared with micro clubs like chelsea, city and forgotten news, liverpool and spurs who all broke tge 100million barrier before us.... Oh and erm... You lot bought 3 league titles. United won well, too many to list.
