Rival watch

[District Line]

Apart from Mata, Chelsea looked poor v Utd- and it was no surprise they went on a poor run after that game. They've improved, but their form is patchy at best and for all the money spent on players since the end of last season (£100M?), they are a long way short of being title challengers.

Rubbish. We defended poorly but RVP and Valencia were the only United players that turned up, the rest you wouldn't even have known were on the pitch.

We're not a long way off but it's a young and inexperienced squad, perhaps if we'd had the outside a assistance from referees United had against us and Liverpool we'd probably not have succumbed to such a slump but we've been in disarray. Hazard will be better next season as will Oscar and Azpilicueta has been a welcome addition. Best defence in the league and easily a top 3 GK. We need more strength in the midfield department but in Ba, Hazard, Mata and Oscar we have a front 4 as good as any in this league.

If Spurs had our balance in defence and we had their balance in central midfield both would not be that far off the Manchester clubs. RVP has pretty much been the only difference between the current top 4.

 

[PleaseNotPoll]

I think that our defence is definitely getting there, DL. We've conceded an extremely small number of chances on goal in recent weeks.
Our main problem has been creating good chances and taking some of the more scrappy ones when the game's tight.
We need more creativity in the middle and at least one more option up top.

 

[District Line]

I think that our defence is definitely getting there, DL. We've conceded an extremely small number of chances on goal in recent weeks.
Our main problem has been creating good chances and taking some of the more scrappy ones when the game's tight.
We need more creativity in the middle and at least one more option up top.

I'd agree PNP, your main Achilles heal in defence was G*llas but he was only playing due to numerous injuries across your backline. Now you have a settled defence you look sound defensively.

If Spurs could get a striker like Leandro in, a top CM in the middle then that's a top side you have there that could more than hold its own in Europe (CL) should you qualify and you'd be well in the title race next season. The big problem Spurs used to have was going away from home (up North in particular), Spurs are a team that look like winning every away game they play.

I don't agree that Chelsea are far off either, like you I feel we are a CM and top striker short of contending. IMO both Manchester clubs are nowhere near as formidable as they were last season but difference being the class of RVP.

 

[Boss]

The newcsastle board is a good for a laugh.

To quote a couple of their posters

"I wish arry would just pass away"!

"i hate QPR"

Why?

remy has apparently decided on a move to QPR!

 

[District Line]

The newcsastle board is a good for a laugh.

To quote a couple of their posters

"I wish arry would just pass away"!

"i hate QPR"

Why?

remy has apparently decided on a move to QPR!

Wouldn't wish that on any manager bar Fergie. Whatever people think of Redknapp he isn't a scumbag.

It happens unfortunately, Robinho did the same to us.

 

[Boss]

Wouldn't wish that on any manager bar Fergie. Whatever people think of Redknapp he isn't a scumbag.

It happens unfortunately, Robinho did the same to us.

The geordies can't stand the guy and have been banking on Remy signing for weeks so to see them beaten by a bunch of "cockneys" and Redknapp is just too much for some!

 

[PleaseNotPoll]

"Joseph Barton ‏@Joey7Barton
Gift of the gab from Harry Redknapp perhaps? Thought it was done and dusted to Newcastle. Something must of gone amiss. Great news 4 #QPR"

 

[District Line]

The geordies can't stand the guy and have been banking on Remy signing for weeks so to see them beaten by a bunch of "cockneys" and Redknapp is just too much for some!

I don't get why Remy would turn down the chance to play with Ben Arfa, Cabaye and Debuchy.

 

[PleaseNotPoll]

I don't get why Remy would turn down the chance to play with Ben Arfa, Cabaye and Debuchy.

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[Boss]

I don't get why Remy would turn down the chance to play with Ben Arfa, Cabaye and Debuchy.

Mario Balotelli‏@MarioBaloltelli

It looks like Loic Remy has chosen QPR over Newcastle. He'll be going for a medical soon. The first thing they will be checking is his head.

 

[Boss]

But serious, maybe Remy sees it as a chance to put himself in the shop window for a move, like BA did when he signed for west ham and there will be a clause that says if QPR get relegated, he can leave for a set fee, plus would you want to play under that clown Pardew?

 

[District Line]

But serious, maybe Remy sees it as a chance to put himself in the shop window for a move, like BA did when he signed for west ham and there will be a clause that says if QPR get relegated, he can leave for a set fee, plus would you want to play under that clown Pardew?

I heard there's a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave if relegated.

So in other words, huge wages and 6 months out on the lash in London to market himself for a top 4 club.

 

[Boss]

I heard there's a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave if relegated.

So in other words, huge wages and 6 months out on the lash in London to market himself for a top 4 club.

Not bad for 6 months work and if he scores the goals to keep QPR up, then his stock would rise even higher.

 

[District Line]

Not bad for 6 months work and if he scores the goals to keep QPR up, then his stock would rise even higher.

It's a still a great club to work at, it's up to him how he does. If QPR stay up they won't be in the same position next year with the TV deal and Redknapp there. I know QPR fans that are worried about the financial situation of the club.

 

[littleDinosaurLuke]

Rubbish.

If Spurs had our balance in defence and we had their balance in central midfield both would not be that far off the Manchester clubs. RVP has pretty much been the only difference between the current top 4.

Rubbish is about right.

Chelsea and Spurs are 14 and 15 points behind Utd. A similar gap between these sides and Fulham or Sunderland.

The difference is not how good the XIs match up hypothetically on paper, assuming that everyone is fit, at the top of their form and the team gels like a dream- and this is always how you assess the strength of a team- but how Utd consistently, week in, week out, get results even when supposedly not playing at the level expected of them all the time. That comes from players showing unwavering commitment and most crucially, being able to raise their game and deliver when the stakes are highest and the pressure is the greatest- for example, RvP's goal from Giggs' pass v West Ham, Hernandez's clinical hattrick v Villa, Carrick's pass for Hernandez in the last minute at 3-3 v Newcastle. They do it time and time again and then once more for good measure. When Chelsea's team of expensively assembled stars do it from August to May; when Spurs' "world class" talent in Bale is turning a lacklustre draw at QPR into a win, then "the only difference" might be RvP.

 

[PleaseNotPoll]

You're talking about squad depth and stability though, Lidls.
You have a very settled side with a lot of options if people are missing.
Spurs started the season with a new manager and missing the entire spine from the previous campaign.
As you found out at Old Trafford, that's not necessarily a factor in an individual game and some sides will repeatedly struggle against an otherwise inferior side.

You also have to address the Fergie factor, which is one area that we're not even competing in.
Your manager will manipulate the media for each game, whereas ours doesn't even see it as a dimension of the tie.

 

[No Kane No Gain]

I heard there's a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave if relegated.

So in other words, huge wages and 6 months out on the lash in London to market himself for a top 4 club.

A bit like the Ba deal really then, worth the gamble if you think you're getting a real quality striker I guess. Not sure Remy is that, to be honest but he could do well there and give them that extra boost they need to keep them up.

 

[District Line]

Rubbish is about right.

Chelsea and Spurs are 14 and 15 points behind Utd. A similar gap between these sides and Fulham or Sunderland.

The difference is not how good the XIs match up hypothetically on paper, assuming that everyone is fit, at the top of their form and the team gels like a dream- and this is always how you assess the strength of a team- but how Utd consistently, week in, week out, get results even when supposedly not playing at the level expected of them all the time. That comes from players showing unwavering commitment and most crucially, being able to raise their game and deliver when the stakes are highest and the pressure is the greatest- for example, RvP's goal from Giggs' pass v West Ham, Hernandez's clinical hattrick v Villa, Carrick's pass for Hernandez in the last minute at 3-3 v Newcastle. They do it time and time again and then once more for good measure. When Chelsea's team of expensively assembled stars do it from August to May; when Spurs' "world class" talent in Bale is turning a lacklustre draw at QPR into a win, then "the only difference" might be RvP.

Patronising and as condescending as usual I see Lidl. The fact is from August-May, Chelsea outperformed United last season, and Spurs fared no worse.

As for "expensively assembled stars"...

RVP £24m
Rooney £30m
Ferdinand £30m
Carrick £19m
De Gea £18m
Anderson £18m
Jones £16m
Young £17m
Nani £19m

Let's not subscribe to media myth and pretend your squad isn't expensively assembled, because the facts suggest otherwise.

As PNP has said there are fundamental differences between United and Chelsea.

1. Managerial stability
2. Fergie and Media/Referee bias (which no other club has)
3. Off the field problems - Terry Court Case, Clattenburg.
4. Spine of the team changed and age of the squad lowered. At least 3 of our regular starting XI have never played in English Football before, by comparison United's have years of experience.

When Fergie is no longer United manager, you may find the equilibrium of things change.

 

[The Mighty Thor]

Condescending is why I ignore Luke as much as possible. Looks like it's a battle for 3rd between Spurs and Chelsea. We beat City to get to the CL and next season they beat us to get to the CL. Last season Chelsea put one over on us so this year as in City we might put one over on them.

 

[District Line]

With a little luck we might be able to hold onto 3rd or nab 2nd, frustrating little things haven't been going our way this season but these things have a habit of evening themselves out.