Having looked at all of the activity going on in the transfer market - including speculation of who's in for who (no smoke without fire)....I'd like to start a discussion on who will finish top 6 next year. Manchester City: For me, they will remain the team to beat, potentially losing a few of their fringe players and will likely attract one or two star names, they still look like the team to beat. Manchester United: For me, they've over-performed in the last 2 years. As much as I cannot stand the man himself, you have to admire how Slur Alex eeks out every ounce of potential from his squad - still a couple of world class players light imo; how much longer can they rely on Giggs and Scholes, who can step up - More of a battle for a top 4 place this year, but they'll make it, they always do! Arsenal: Pivotal season for Arsenal. They will lose RVP and probably Walcott. RVP will be a massive blow for them; Podoloski is a decent player but i very much doubt he'll replace RVP in year one, if ever at all! Walcott, although patchy, created goals and assists....also tough to replace. Much depends on who else they buy but it does look like (another) rebuilding year for Arsenal - sometimes it clicks straight away, sometimes it doesn't. Spurs: Tough this one. Bale signing was great for them but losing Modric will be a big loss. Also, I connot put into words how much they'll miss King. When fit, he was a majestic defender. It's also hard to define how much AVB has learned from his time at Chelsea.....he is clearly a bright talented manager/coach but this is the big time, with big personalities, big expectations and big pressure - especially following in the footsteps of Harry - I fear a Harry loving press cull if they wobble a bit - can he handle it? I'm not so sure!! That said, linked with some very decent players this close season and look like they will splash the cash for their new manager; shame Harry never got the chance to do this; I think he deserved it. Chelsea: Looks like they'll clear the decks after the CL win, with the old guard fading away and new big names coming in to play a much more attractive style of football. Some fantastic signings so far and looks like much more to come. this on top of the talent they have bought in the last 12 months; Chelsea are a shoe in for top 4 for me BUT as with Arsenal, it may take some time for it all to click. For the record, I'm pretty sure that RDM is simply a caretaker manager until Pep feels rejuvenated enough to return to football Newcastle: Hats off to them; they've found a formula that has resulted in them acquiring great players at knock down prices. Many think that they were a one season wonder but I'm not so sure. This is a massive club and I believe that if they keep the playing staff intact and add one or two equally talented players into an establish playing style and they'll be sniffing around the top four for a good chunk of the season again. Everton: I don't care what you say. Moyes has performed miracles with Everton year after year on a shoe-string budget. I don't know what they pay him but I doubt it's enough. What will happen when he leaves? His loyalty to them has also got to be admired; make no mistake, this is a top manager who has over-performed year after year. I struggle to see them finishing higher than last year on the basis of no investment (yet (or yet again?)) Liverpool: Honestly, I just don't know! Bar from put the ball in the back of the net last year, we made several strides forward. Top four was there to be had last year and we didn't take our many chances....add crucial injuries to Lucas and Agger at pivotal time and the whole Suarez affair and I do wonder what could have been! I'd like to think that we will rectify that with pretty much the same personnel but as with Arsenal and Chelsea, transforming a team does not always happen overnight. Much depends on who we keep (Reina, Agger, Skrtel, Suarez, Carroll, Cole, Aqua.....actually quite a long list there!) and who else we buy and how quickly we settle into things compared with other top 4 rivals. I'd be over the moon with a top four finish but do not expect it in Rodgers first year tbh. Others: There's always one surprise package of the season. This year, I'd go for one of Villa, Fulham or QPR in that order to be making a nuisance of themselves So for me, my top of the table predictions are this: 1. City 2. Chelsea 3. Utd 4. Arsenal/Spurs/Liverpool/Newcastle 5. Arsenal/Spurs/Liverpool/Newcastle 6. Arsenal/Spurs/Liverpool/Newcastle 7. Arsenal/Spurs/Liverpool/Newcastle (too close to call but if I had to, it would be this order) 8. Villa 9. Everton 10. Stoke 11. Fulham 12. QPR Note, that I reserve the right to change my mind between now and the beginning of the season depending on new transfer news!! Would welcome your thoughts!
1. Liverpool 2. Arsenal 3. Newcastle 4. Man City, 5. Chelsea, 6. Man Utd, 7. Everton 8. Spurs 9. Villa 10. Stoke In that order.
Rafa kept us competitive as H&G eroded the squad. We over-achieved in 2009, just as Utd have done. if there hadn't been so many problems causing uncompetitiveness in the rest of the top 4 it would've shown sooner but this is the season Utd have their 7th finish. Or maybe 13th for old time's sake. When they took out the bond issue the financial whizz-kids said they had to keep winning titles to keep the payments up. Last season they won nada. Zilch. Snake-eyes. You can fool the FA but you can't fool the money men.
MFG: the recent records suggest that when Man U lose the title (beaten into second place) they usually respond by winning it the following season. I personally think that this won't happen this time, I think perhaps Man City will again be too strong and their first win will give them even more confidence. So I think Man U, in all probability, will finish second. I could see a third place finish, with possibly Chelsea usurping them, but 7-13th? Doubtful. It's a brave prediction, though, and i'll happily apologize if you are correct.
Yep I agree and hate to say it, but you can never under estimate a Ferguson side! Begrudging credit where it is due
What The General is saying, and I have been saying since the start of last season, is that the cycle is changing. The old certainties are being eroded. When United were 8 points clear last season we all said that the race was over - but it wasn't! When the fat lady finally sang City were champions, giving us the opportunity to re-christen United as BOTTLERS. I have no idea where we will finish in the league this season. My only prediction is that United will not come back 'hard' as they would have done in previous seasons.
I agree that Man U won't respond as well as previously, but more because of the strength of Man City than anything else. Fergie always gets my grudging respect. I don't like the guy, but his teams always do well. If, as some contend (myself included), Man U have been hitting above their weight for a few seasons, they could drop a place or two and, sure, if left unchecked (without quality signings) this could worsen. But I think it's a little too soon to start writing them into mid-table mediocrity. Hopefully, BR can work a little magic and steady our ship. Personally, I'd rather worry about our end of year position than United's. But, in the spirit of the thread, and once again to showcase my total lack of prescience, here are my top 10 predictions: 1. Man City 2. Man United 3. Chelsea 4. Tottenham Hotspur 5. Arsenal (possibly interchange 4+5 if RVP stays) 6. Newcastle 7. Liverpool (although we could swap with the mags) 8. Everton 9. Aston Villa 10. Stoke Also, I think, despite a few player losses, Swansea will stay in the premiership. It'll never work...
Chelsea are signing some quality players so I expect them to be much better and Man City will go from strength to strength after winning the title. Man Utd's core are a year older (same comment yet again, can't go on forever) and the need reinforcements, they won't drop out of CL but, at this moment in time, Man City and possibly chelsea are looking too strong for them IMO. Arsenal look set to lose their prized asset and saviour of last season in Robin Van Persie, can Podolski and/or Giruod fill the gap? Tottenham have lost their manager and there seems to be hiccups with Adebayor joining permanently too. If Newcastle get Carroll back, they will have a very strong front line, could this get them fourth? And then there is us. New manager, new young players with the old guard disappearing, I don't see us doing much but I also think it is a transitional period too 1. Man City 2. Chelsea 3. Man Utd 4. Arsenal 5. Tottenham 6. Newcastle 7. Liverpool The rest in some sort of points order
I agree with that, but at the same time if a few things go our way we might just sneak into that 4th spot, think it might be a real knife fight from 4/8
Yeah, I think there are question marks over Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle and ourselves for varying reasons. If things go our way, we could certainly get above one or two of them but, if I am honest, I can't see us toppling all three. However, you never know. I didn't think we were good enough last year but we were holding our own until the turn of the year and THAT injury
I agree with that. To quote Anchorman: "You need your head on a swivel when you're in a vicious cockfight!"
If you ever read any of my debates with Swarbs and Ruffian on the Banter thread, you'll see that I never condemned United to mid-table obscurity or worse! They will like we did at the start of our decline always be thereabouts and a force to be reckoned with - just no longer the bride.
Of course it's not going to happen although I think it is more likely for one or more of Man Utd, Man City and/or Chelsea to drop out the top four this season than it is for us to win the league!
