6 Teams going for the title?

[afcftw]

Alan Shearer has come out and said he thinks there are six teams who could realistically win the title this season. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd and Spurs. He goes on to narrow down his choices and pick City as favourites.

The man often talks rubbish but it's an interesting point of discussion.

Which teams do you think have a shot at the title?

There are a lot of good managers in the league this season, there is a lot of money being spent and quietly I think a few teams are confident of improving on last season.

City have Guardiola and have spent heavily, Utd have Mourinho and have spent heavily, Chelsea have Conte and have made a couple of good signings and will expect a much better season than the last, most of there squad are the same players who walked the league the season before. Arsenal have finally added a DM though haven't made the other signings fans would hope for, but they consistently sit near the top and finished runners up last time around, can they get it right this time? Liverpool under Klopp have had a mixed bag of results but are developing a much clearer style of play and a much more positive feeling about the club, could this season see them back competing at the top? And finally Spurs have a young team who played some of the best football last season before falling away at the end under the pressure, can they learn from that experience and have another shot at the title this time around?

Shearer says Leicester will not be able to repeat last season and will come under stronger pressure from the traditional big teams, do you agree? Will they keep up the good results, or was it a one time thing? The loss of Kante could have a huge impact I think and I expect them to be good but not in the top four or five positions.

So who can compete for the title? Do you think your team will be up there? Any predictions on who will win and who will fall short of expectations?

 

[Skylarker]

Liverpool will win.

 

[Treble]

Alan Shearer has come out and said he thinks there are six teams who could realistically win the title this season. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd and Spurs. He goes on to narrow down his choices and pick City as favourites.

The man often talks rubbish but it's an interesting point of discussion.

Which teams do you think have a shot at the title?

There are a lot of good managers in the league this season, there is a lot of money being spent and quietly I think a few teams are confident of improving on last season.

City have Guardiola and have spent heavily, Utd have Mourinho and have spent heavily, Chelsea have Conte and have made a couple of good signings and will expect a much better season than the last, most of there squad are the same players who walked the league the season before. Arsenal have finally added a DM though haven't made the other signings fans would hope for, but they consistently sit near the top and finished runners up last time around, can they get it right this time? Liverpool under Klopp have had a mixed bag of results but are developing a much clearer style of play and a much more positive feeling about the club, could this season see them back competing at the top? And finally Spurs have a young team who played some of the best football last season before falling away at the end under the pressure, can they learn from that experience and have another shot at the title this time around?

Shearer says Leicester will not be able to repeat last season and will come under stronger pressure from the traditional big teams, do you agree? Will they keep up the good results, or was it a one time thing? The loss of Kante could have a huge impact I think and I expect them to be good but not in the top four or five positions.

So who can compete for the title? Do you think your team will be up there? Any predictions on who will win and who will fall short of expectations?

I agree, he mostly talks rubbish but in this instance I agree with him. The only change I'd add (and you may not like this but it's no wum) is that while Arsenal will be in the top 4, the others (City, United, Chavbus, Liverpool) around them are the ones that could be in the frame for the title itself.

 

[Zanjinho]

Chelsea and Liverpool not having European football could have a big impact too.

 

[afcftw]

I agree, he mostly talks rubbish but in this instance I agree with him. The only change I'd add (and you may not like this but it's no wum) is that while Arsenal will be in the top 4, the others (City, United, Chavbus, Liverpool) around them are the ones that could be in the frame for the title itself.

I could understand that viewpoint. Despite in the last few seasons always having a point where we look good for the title we manage to string together a terrible patch of form to ruin it. Is it history that makes you say that? The lack of signings compared to the other top teams? Or another reason?

Over the last couple of seasons I felt pretty good about our title chances but this time around I think there is a lot of competition and without additions to the squad I think we are still missing something. I think it's still possible but my optimism isn't at its usual level yet. I personally think Arsenal and Spurs could be the most consistent teams though maybe not quite have that winning factor while the other teams could dominate the league or really underperform due to the amount of new factors involved at the clubs (new managers, key players etc).

 

[afcftw]

Chelsea and Liverpool not having European football could have a big impact too.

I think both teams will be looking to have improved seasons and the lack of European football could do wonders for there consistency as they have less opportunity to pick up injuries and fatigue. Look at how well Leicester did being able to field a similar team week in, week out.

 

[Zanjinho]

I think both teams will be looking to have improved seasons and the lack of European football could do wonders for there consistency as they have less opportunity to pick up injuries and fatigue.

Can't speak for Chelsea but we've got the attacking players to cope with two gashes a week. The biggest challenge for Klopp will be keeping everyone happy.

We really need a DM and LB though.

 

[afcftw]

Can't speak for Chelsea but we've got the attacking players to cope with two gashes a week. The biggest challenge for Klopp will be keeping everyone happy.

We really need a DM and LB though.

I think Klopp is creating a buzz at Liverpool amongst the fans which will carry through to the players. He doesn't take **** from his players but also seems to put faith in them as long as they buy into his style and expectations. I think even if some players aren't getting the game time they want, as long as he keeps up the feel of creating a team that could achieve something and the work ethic and hard work he pushes for in the players, in general people will feel included and not cause a fuss. I think they will work hard to try and be involved rather than create ill feeling.

Despite the mixed bag of results he has produced so far I think he will do well for Liverpool. It could be this season but I think it might be slightly early and he won't quite have the team he wants yet, as long as the club and fans keep there patience I think Liverpool could be much closer to competing than they have been generally in recent years.

I do think Liverpool miss a bit of top quality to turn games that aren't going your way though, particularly when Sturridge is injured (aka most of the time). If you can find a Suarez, someone on the edge of top level football who needs a chance, or manage to push through a surprise big transfer I think Liverpool would be a real force.

(Edit: though that said there are still probably a few too many filler players in your squad who aren't quite good enough)

 

[Treble]

I could understand that viewpoint. Despite in the last few seasons always having a point where we look good for the title we manage to string together a terrible patch of form to ruin it. Is it history that makes you say that? The lack of signings compared to the other top teams? Or another reason?

Over the last couple of seasons I felt pretty good about our title chances but this time around I think there is a lot of competition and without additions to the squad I think we are still missing something. I think it's still possible but my optimism isn't at its usual level yet. I personally think Arsenal and Spurs could be the most consistent teams though maybe not quite have that winning factor while the other teams could dominate the league or really underperform due to the amount of new factors involved at the clubs (new managers, key players etc).

I agree with your second paragraph and that's pretty much the reason why I think you won't. You're consistent, but that makes you a safe bet for finishing anywhere around 3rd/4th. It's partly your manager and partly your lack of decent signings and partly your recent history. Best analogy I can use is to say Arsenal's season performances are like an investment of money - you put it into a bank deposit account and you'll get a steady return. You won't lose any money but you won't perform miracles with it either. The other clubs are like your shares or managed funds - the risk taken is higher (and returns may fall as well as go up) but the potential for higher growth is there and more likely over a significant period.

 

[Zanjinho]

I think Klopp is creating a buzz at Liverpool amongst the fans which will carry through to the players. He doesn't take **** from his players but also seems to put faith in them as long as they buy into his style and expectations. I think even if some players aren't getting the game time they want, as long as he keeps up the feel of creating a team that could achieve something and the work ethic and hard work he pushes for in the players, in general people will feel included and not cause a fuss. I think they will work hard to try and be involved rather than create ill feeling.

Despite the mixed bag of results he has produced so far I think he will do well for Liverpool. It could be this season but I think it might be slightly early and he won't quite have the team he wants yet, as long as the club and fans keep there patience I think Liverpool could be much closer to competing than they have been generally in recent years.

I do think Liverpool miss a bit of top quality to turn games that aren't going your way though, particularly when Sturridge is injured (aka most of the time). If you can find a Suarez, someone on the edge of top level football who needs a chance, or manage to push through a surprise big transfer I think Liverpool would be a real force.

(Edit: though that said there are still probably a few too many filler players in your squad who aren't quite good enough)

We don't have many top players. If you were to pick a PL squad I don't think we'd contribute.

However, as Fergie proved a few times and Leicester proved it last year too, it's not about having the best players, it's about working effectively as a team.

No team will work harder than us this coming season. Couple that with the options up top (despite not being world beaters) and it makes for good reading if you're a liverpool fan.

Looking forward to watching us this year. I don't think we'll get top four but I think we'll give it a go.

 

[afcftw]

I agree with your second paragraph and that's pretty much the reason why I think you won't. You're consistent, but that makes you a safe bet for finishing anywhere around 3rd/4th. It's partly your manager and partly your lack of decent signings and partly your recent history. Best analogy I can use is to say Arsenal's season performances are like an investment of money - you put it into a bank deposit account and you'll get a steady return. You won't lose any money but you won't perform miracles with it either. The other clubs are like your shares or managed funds - the risk taken is higher (and returns may fall as well as go up) but the potential for higher growth is there and more likely over a significant period.

I agree with a lot of that.

If we manage to get a quality CB and CF in though I'd be feeling like we are right up there with the others, but even then I think it could be really open this season and it's going to be very unpredictable. So many new factors involved that we could see some amazing football from the top teams or some spectacular failures.

We've finished 4th, then 3rd, then 2nd though so surely that means this time we win?

Who do you think is most likely to miss out on CL football? Most, if not all of the managers of those six clubs have a certain level of expectation on getting CL football and all are in my opinion actually very good managers, but will any lose there job if they don't at a minimum get that fourth place spot?

 

[afcftw]

We don't have many top players. If you were to pick a PL squad I don't think we'd contribute.

However, as Fergie proved a few times and Leicester proved it last year too, it's not about having the best players, it's about working effectively as a team.

No team will work harder than us this coming season. Couple that with the options up top (despite not being world beaters) and it makes for good reading if you're a liverpool fan.

Looking forward to watching us this year. I don't think we'll get top four but I think we'll give it a go.

Who do you think will make the top four? And any favourite yet for the title?

 

[Zanjinho]

Who do you think will make the top four? And any favourite yet for the title?

1. Man City
2. Man Utd
3. Chelsea
4. Arsenal
5. Spurs
6. Liverpool

 

[Zanjinho]

Who do you think will make the top four? And any favourite yet for the title?

http://www.not606.com/index.php?threads/332429/

Fancy having a go?

 

[afcftw]

1. Man City
2. Man Utd
3. Chelsea
4. Arsenal
5. Spurs
6. Liverpool

At the moment I think I agree that City are in a good position to go for the title. Guardiola is a quality manager. The squad had its weaknesses last season but they've made good signings so far and I think they will play like much more of a unit this time around. They will definitely be up there and I think whether they take the title could rest on how quickly the new elements settle. I see them as in a really strong position for the next few years given the manager, core of the squad and resources available.

Utd are the team I'm really interested to see how they do. Mourinho knows what it takes to win but is also volatile under pressure. Utd last season I thought had a squad well below the other top teams. They had some quality players but too many sub standard players and didn't play like a team or with belief. Mourinho might be the element that changes that. Also Pogba will add real quality to the Utd midfield and the attacking options are looking tasty. I could see them putting in a proper title challenge if Mourinho is able to play with a preferred line up for most of the season without injuries or I could see them struggling a bit and grabbing fourth spot. I think it will be next season we see them return to a more stable top level team though they already have the ingredients to do well if things go there way.

Chelsea I think have a very good squad and it's all about belief, motivation and Conte settling quickly into the tactics used in the league. Like with Utd I could see them challenging for the league or trying to grab fourth spot.

Arsenal and Spurs I think will be consistent though could fall just short. Arsenal will make top four, I'd bet anything on it. Spurs may or may not. If Utd and Chelsea struggle to settle I could see either of Spurs or Arsenal finishing 2nd/3rd. It really depends how the changes at the other clubs take effect versus the stability of the more settled teams. I don't see Spurs or Arsenal winning the league though without some real movement in the transfer window which seems unlikely.

Liverpool I think will fall short but will look a far more complete outfit than last season and get some impressive results throughout the season. Next season I think will be the time Liverpool and Klopp really arrive on the scene provided they gain consistency this season and remain patient.

 

[afcftw]

http://www.not606.com/index.php?threads/332429/

Fancy having a go?

Can't be ****ed tonight, might tomorrow if I remember after I finish work! Looks interesting.

 

[Zanjinho]

At the moment I think I agree that City are in a good position to go for the title. Guardiola is a quality manager. The squad had its weaknesses last season but they've made good signings so far and I think they will play like much more of a unit this time around. They will definitely be up there and I think whether they take the title could rest on how quickly the new elements settle. I see them as in a really strong position for the next few years given the manager, core of the squad and resources available.

Utd are the team I'm really interested to see how they do. Mourinho knows what it takes to win but is also volatile under pressure. Utd last season I thought had a squad well below the other top teams. They had some quality players but too many sub standard players and didn't play like a team or with belief. Mourinho might be the element that changes that. Also Pogba will add real quality to the Utd midfield and the attacking options are looking tasty. I could see them putting in a proper title challenge if Mourinho is able to play with a preferred line up for most of the season without injuries or I could see them struggling a bit and grabbing fourth spot. I think it will be next season we see them return to a more stable top level team though they already have the ingredients to do well if things go there way.

Chelsea I think have a very good squad and it's all about belief, motivation and Conte settling quickly into the tactics used in the league. Like with Utd I could see them challenging for the league or trying to grab fourth spot.

Arsenal and Spurs I think will be consistent though could fall just short. Arsenal will make top four, I'd bet anything on it. Spurs may or may not. If Utd and Chelsea struggle to settle I could see either of Spurs or Arsenal finishing 2nd/3rd. It really depends how the changes at the other clubs take effect versus the stability of the more settled teams. I don't see Spurs or Arsenal winning the league though without some real movement in the transfer window which seems unlikely.

Liverpool I think will fall short but will look a far more complete outfit than last season and get some impressive results throughout the season. Next season I think will be the time Liverpool and Klopp really arrive on the scene provided they gain consistency this season and remain patient.

Man Utd have the strongest spine of any team. It's the arms and legs that aren't so great.

Opposite of Man City who have some quality players but lack the spine with no DM and kompany being broken.

As i said above, I think Chelsea will take advantage of no European football. They've still got plenty of quality and were champions just over a year ago.

 

[Hoddle is a god]

Why is 'Pool even being considered among the giants of this thread?

Of the remaining 5, Spurs must be considered the sleeping giants, I think.

 

[NSIS]

After last season I wouldn't bet too much money on anything.

The usual suspects I would expect to be there or thereabouts. But so much depends on how new managers, new squad additions etc, all work out at some of those clubs.

If I was absolutely forced to bet on it - Utd, because Maureen knows the Prem. Guardiola doesn't.

 

[The Ginger Marks]

Why is 'Pool even being considered among the giants of this thread?

Of the remaining 5, Spurs must be considered the sleeping giants, I think.

Sleeping is an understatement, try ****ing comatose!

I think all the clubs mentioned bar Spurs who heavily punched above their weight due to Chelsea & City ****ing up big style. I'm going to have a stab at the top four in no particular order being Utd, City, Chelsea & Liverpool.