What thoughts on our rivals??

[Chelsea Pensioner]

Man Utd looked strangely similar to last year. Mid field and defence their weak points. Liverpool looked underdone and rusty, took their chances very well. Anyone would miss the Cannibal, but in Sterling and Sturridge ,there are plenty of goals available. City were efficient, but underwhelming, Arsenal looked pretty good.Southampton played exceptionally well after their off season dramas.
Nothing startling for me in any of the first games , hope we start well.

 

[Diego]

Thought Southampton and Newcastle looked good, everyone else was underwhelming. looking forward to how you guys perform in the first game. Nothing for anyone to fear so far.

 

[Bodinki]

Most teams wont let loose on opening day to be honest.
Most teams just dont want to lose, not all players are at full match fitness and sharpness.

Most important thing about tonight is that we get a win, a great performance is secondary.

My two cents, for the other teams.

Arsenal were lucky as fcuk and looked very shaky in defence
United carried on where they left off last season
As did City
Liverpool played well against a very determined Southampton side who maybe had something of a grudge against them and came out on top, so they get the "The one of our rivals who played best this week" award.

 

[Drogs]

I never like judging sides before their first five games or so but:

United looked ok at times, their defence is just shockingly poor though and something they badly need to strengthen before the window shuts. I had no idea it was as bad as it is. They maybe need a decent winger too.

City were more than matched by Newcastle - who impressed me. It's inevitable that City will come into their own and they've still got a few class players to return to action.

Liverpool, similarly to City were matched by Southampton who should've equalised or more imo with Davies and Long missing sitters. Fair play to them for grabbing a winner though.

Arsenal weren't brilliant but when their new attack gels and Ozil returns they'll be a force.

 

[Bodinki]

I never like judging sides before their first five games or so but:

United looked ok at times, their defence is just shockingly poor though and something they badly need to strengthen before the window shuts. I had no idea it was as bad as it is. They maybe need a decent winger too.

City were more than matched by Newcastle - who impressed me. It's inevitable that City will come into their own and they've still got a few class players to return to action.

Liverpool, similarly to City were matched by Southampton who should've equalised or more imo with Davies and Long missing sitters. Fair play to them for grabbing a winner though.

Arsenal weren't brilliant but when their new attack gels and Ozil returns they'll be a force.

This.
People are ripping United right now, and their squad (other than RVP, Rooney, De Gea and Mata) sucks giant balls, but last season Arsenal got their **** rocked on opening day at home to Villa, then led the league for the next couple of months, so it doesnt really reflect much.....(but it is nice to see the United fans get all panicky and defensive )

 

[Drogs]

This.
People are ripping United right now, and their squad (other than RVP, Rooney, De Gea and Mata) sucks giant balls, but last season Arsenal got their **** rocked on opening day at home to Villa, then led the league for the next couple of months, so it doesnt really reflect much.....(but it is nice to see the United fans get all panicky and defensive )

Exactly. Funny to see the reaction to their first loss though all eyes were obviously going to be on van gaal after the world cup he had and the fact he was taking over Moyes.

 

[bluemoon2]

I have a sneaky suspicion the Spuds might be making a serious top 4 challenge this year!

 

[Bodinki]

I have a sneaky suspicion the Spuds might be making a serious top 4 challenge this year!

They have gone pretty much under the radar this summer, which may work to their advantage.
I tipped them for a top 4 spot last season though and got that spectacularly wrong. But if their new manager can get last summers signings playing anywhere near their capabilities, they are deffo in with a shout, they have a decent squad.
For me they need a good striker though. Surprised they weren't in for Lukaku once we agreed to sell or maybe they were and he chose Everton.

So many ifs this season, its awesome. No one can predict **** with any certainty.

Will United get back in the top 4?
Will Liverpool stay in the top 4?
Will Spurs or Everton Crash the top 4 party?

**** La Liga.....this league is where its at my friends!!

 

[chelsea - over 100 years of history]

By all accounts it seems Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs all quite fortunate to get the 3 points but it's opening day and often quite unpredictable.

City did a classic away from home professional display but again had Newcastle been able to finish they may have got something.

United carried on from last season, losing at home to an average side and LVG with an unwanted new record 1 game in. They must be trying to do things behind the scenes but something seems very wrong at United at the moment. They've still spent 60 odd million but 1 of them was a target they messed up last summer and the other was over paying for an 18 year old left back in the Southampton fire sale. If they don't sort out that defence in the next couple of weeks they'll have a tough season ahead.

 

[Chelsea Pensioner]

Seems to be a pretty unanimous feeling. Crazy to even contemplate judging anyone, but like Bodanki said last week, it's been quiet as a mouse on here for weeks !! Glad to see we looked very good indeed in our 1st game and all the new players looked fine to me, especially Fabregas, the one I was worried about !!

 

[Skylarker]

First game of the season it's all about getting the 3 points on the board. All the teams at the top end you'd expect to did - so no real surprises.

Chelsea though I must say put in th best performance. But against Burnley (no offence meant) you'd expect that.

The next 4 or 5 games should start showing some sort of idea of what picture the season will show. Liverpool and City play each other on Bank Holiday Monday, so the first head to head of the big guns. I'm obviously hoping Liverpool win, but I don't think our new players are ready for such a match, so I think City will take the 3 points. Especially as they now have a CB pairing of Kompany and Mangela (sp?) - that's about as good as it get's to be fair.

 

[Krome]

Arsenal have Everton away next. I'm not actually convinced we've changed at all from last season so lets see if they destroy us again

 

[Bodinki]

Arsenal have Everton away next. I'm not actually convinced we've changed at all from last season so lets see if they destroy us again

With you guys its just about keeping players fit.
You have had a decent enough squad for a couple seasons now, but you just cant keep them fit.
Not sure how Arsene trains them, but he is doing something wrong, because by December, your players all seem to be made of glass.

 

[chelsea - over 100 years of history]

With you guys its just about keeping players fit.
You have had a decent enough squad for a couple seasons now, but you just cant keep them fit.
Not sure how Arsene trains them, but he is doing something wrong, because by December, your players all seem to be made of glass.

I also think Wenger can be tactically stubborn or naïve v the top sides. He thinks he can play the same against teams like City and Chelsea as he can against relegation fodder.

 

[bluemoon2]

I never wanted to see Lamps play against us with Man City! I wonder how the Gooners will feel when Fabregas lines up against them!

 

[King Ossie64]

Based on last nights performance I'd say they will be suicidal.

 

[Krome]

He didn't want to play for us and forced his way out of the club, don't know why they would care

 

[Bodinki]

I also think Wenger can be tactically stubborn or naïve v the top sides. He thinks he can play the same against teams like City and Chelsea as he can against relegation fodder.

Definitely agree with this.
I have made my opinions of Wenger as a manager very clear.
He has an eye for talent, and nurturing said talent. But as a tactician, he is woefully lacking.
You just dont see him changing tactics, formation or players half way through a game to change his teams fortunes. SAF used to do that all the time, Jose still does.
His tactic seems to be, to throw his team out, and if we are better than them, we will win.
Its when he comes up against teams that are better or against teams with a decent tactician for a manager that he falters.

This is why Arsenal have been an epic fail in the Champions League.
How many times have we seen Chelsea beat teams that are "better than us"? We do it all the time.
Heck in 2012 when he won it, we weren't so much underdogs as we were notafuckingchancedogs
Yet we triumphed. Arsene doesnt have this in him, which is why Arsenal will never win the CL while he is in charge.

 

[Krome]

Wenger puts together attacking teams, you can't park the bus if you don't have the players to do it...

 

[Bodinki]

Wenger puts together attacking teams, you can't park the bus if you don't have the players to do it...

Its not just about "Parking the bus", there are several more tactics than just "All out attack" and "parking the bus".

You have man marking, formation changes, tactical substitutions, spotting weaknesses in the oppositions play and adapting your team to take advantage of said weakness.