We can't compete with Man Utd financially already. Add this kit deal and the fact they will probably claw themselves back into the CL and our CL dreams become even less likely. I honestly can't see us making the CL til we've been in the new stadium for a few years.
I think Utd may still struggle a bit this season, I know they have van Gaal but a major squad overhaul is needed for them to be anywhere near their previous dominant form. Rio, Vidic, Giggs and Scholes have all gone. Carrick and van Persie are on the wrong side of 30, Rooney isn't getting younger and looks nowhere near the player he used to be while the likes of Cleverly, Nani, Fellaini, Jones, Smalling have either underperformed or are just not good enough. I'd be surprised if van Gaal can turn them into a title challenging side or even a champions league side immediately. Liverpool look like they're going down a similar route to us after we sold Bale, so there is a possibility that some or all of their influx of new talent may need time to adjust. Providing our lads get used to Poch's ways easily enough while also not having another squad overhaul (which I don't think we will), I reckon we still stand a half decent chance of getting top 4, especially if some of the new guys who signed last season can improve a bit (mainly Lamela, Soldado, Chadli).
Optimistic Sounds like me last season. I've had it beaten out of me :-( You're right though, that could conceivably happen. But I see Utd back up there in a year or 2 minimum and i don't think Liverpool are as reliant on Suarez as we were on Bale and are unlikely to make as big a balls-up with signings/integrating as we did either
Newcastle have signed Dutch right-back Daryl Janmaat for about £6m to replace the Goon-bound Debuchy. Seems like a good deal. They were favourites to sign Micah Richards, so it'll be interesting to see what happens to him.
Seems to me like Van Gaal's got a bit of the Mourinho's about him, I think he'll get his team over the line no matter what. It's going to be interesting to see who does get their team into the top 4 this season, as it stands I think it's very finely balanced between United and the top 4 from last season Liverpool seem like the most likely to drop out of it at the moment but there are certainly questions over whether City and Chelsea can perform at the level they did last season. As for Arsenal it all looks good for them on the face of things but I think they will need to sign more than just Bender and Debuchy(who I don't rate) to have a well balanced squad. I'd say they need another 'keeper, 2 centre backs and better 2nd choice fullbacks if they're going to have a squad that can cope with injuries and rotation. I think it's certain that we need Pochettino to do a Hell of a job to get us into the mix for top 4 next season though. That or a lot of luck regarding other sides failing badly.
Haha I've been hit with a nice bit of optimism since Poch joined so I'm letting that cloud my true pessimistic judgement. Without a doubt Utd will challenge again within a couple of years, I just think this season may be more of a transitional period for them as I'd say they need a good 6 or 7 players of top quality to mount a proper title challenge like they used too. It's hard to say with Pool until the season gets under way, Lallana and Lambert are Prem proven but at Pool, they'll be "just another" player where as at Soton they were two of the top boys. No one knows much of Emre Can or Markovic so they could turn out to be a waste or a signing of the season. "I'm your biggest I'll follow you until you love me, Nacer, Nacer Chadli!" - *to the tune of Lady Gaga - Paparazzi*
West Ham have put their tickets for their opening game against us on General Sale, plus those for their next home game against Southampton, despite those being Kids for a Quid. Why the hell do they want a bigger stadium, again?
I think City, Chelsea and Arsenal (unfortunately ) are nailed on for top 3, City and Chelsea for obvious reasons where as Arsenal are doing what I want Spurs to do, only improve in one or two areas that actually need improving on, thus keeping the basis of the team as a side that knows each other well while adding the required quality to push on. The final 4th spot will be a fight out of Pool, Everton, Spurs and Utd. I think Pool are favourites due to last season though it can be seen as a 50-50 based on their new signings, a van Gaal side can never be ruled out but I just feel his current squad isn't good enough to challenge and an influx of new signings will need time. Everton will need to strengthen to be a true contender in my opinion, with no Lukaku (unless they sign him) I think they'll struggle for goals, Martinez utilises the loan system well so it'll be interesting to see if he can repeat last season's "success".
The issue for Utd is how LVG pends the additional £100M purportedly available to him this summer. A top class centre half, another midfielder, a winger/utility forward and another striker may be on the shopping list. With the right signings, there will be enough quality around, but it's rare teams gel (yes, that word) from the off. However, if you have enough quality, they can do. I think LVG will be working on some marquee signings.
I think that given the upheaval at Utd in the playing and coaching staff theres a reasonably good chance they won't get CL in their first season. We saw at Spurs last summer how difficult it is to integrate mass new signings into a team, especially when many are expected to slot straight into a starting XI. Utd will probably do it better than us, I doubt they'll buy so many from outside the PL for instance and the quality of player will almost certainly be higher, but its a troublesome task and theres a lot more to be done to that squad that still needs doing IMO. LVG has to get some big egos going again and he can be abrasive when he wants to. Don't get me wrong, I think LVG will have Utd back up there with the best domestically (and maybe in Europe) within the next 3 years or so, but I don't think it'll be an easy road and it'll be interesting to see what the papers are saying about LVG, Messiah of Old Trafford and apparent inventor of all good things football come April if top 4 isn't apparent for his first year.
Well they won't get any from City, Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea. I doubt we'd sell to them (or that they'll want many from us) so that leaves picking over the bones of Everton and Southampton or going further down. Not sure there is much flesh left. I think he'll get players from the Dutch squad who may or may not settle in the EPL.
Love to know his reasoning, as I fear they are getting towards Title winning standards now, assuming they get Bender or Khadeira.
Fair to say the bar will be raised again for top four this year. Arsenal look considerably stronger. Hard to say with Liverpool and Man U, but they've certainly signed a number of good players, and (unlike us last year) have the kind of attack-minded manager who may help them congeal soon. Remember, it didn't take long after Poch's sainted predecessor took over for us to start scoring goals and winning at a good clip. Can't see Man City or Chelsea falling out of the top four. You would think Pool or Man U would be the odd man out, but if they're strong enough, Arsenal or Chelsea dropping down isn't inconceivable. And if Everton can hang onto their players, and Poch turns out to be the right man for us, it gets even harder to predict.
It's as if Adidas are determined to get a return on their investment, so chucked a colossal chunk of change at them to make sure it happens - and the same can be said for their lucrative kit deals with Chelsea and Factitious (and, presumably, Milan and Bavaria München) Wouldn't be a surprise if Germany, Spain, Argentina got a good amount out of them, Mexico, Japan and Russia got a fair amount - while, judging by their bog standard kit design at the WC, Bosnia got significantly less.
but owen is a boring twat desperate to sound interesting...remember that grey spitting image puppet of then prime minister john major, always eating peas? that's what i see and hear when I see owen on bt sport
