In other breaking news, Shearer is a ****er, you lot are unimpressed with the shade of our seats, and Bobby Robson was a legend.
Cisse is class, I'd have had him at United if we didn't sign RVP - although he's obviously not that good, let's not get carried away. But he's not the Francis Jeffers that the OP is trying to make him out to be (Franny Jeffers, Mush, that's up there for your worst signings thread!). Class is permanent, otherwise you wouldn't have signed Saha. The following is my opinions none of it has been thought about too much, fairly off the cuff, ad-hoc stuff so I won't go into too much detail. Best Player - Hatem Ben Arfa - I love the guy, sorry 'Mackems' I've watched him since his early Lyon days. Best Manager - Martin O'Neill Best Stadium - fairly equal, Newcastle's look a bit tacky nowadays with all that Sports Direct tat. Best Strip - Sunderland Home shirt Who makes the most noise at Old Trafford? Newcastle Who will win a trophy first? - Sunderland - O'Neill has it in his pedigree to whip out a Carling Cup surprise. Who will finish higher THIS season? - not as big a gap as last year but Newcastle again for me. Will either team qualify for Europe? - Man United, City, Chelsea, Everton for CL. Arsenal for 5th, so depends what happens in the cups - both are capable. Both will finish above Andre Villas Boas' circus. Who is worse, John Terry or Luis Suarez - Suarez, I wish Roy Keane was still playing. What's sport do you get abnormally excited about - Fish-o-mania, love it. Veered off towards the end, but you're both progressing from where I'm sat and that must make a very good change to what both sets have fans have had to put up with for long periods prior.
Pretty fair, and dare I whisper it, but I also have tracked Ben Arfa since Lyon, and I'm inclined to agree, capable, easily of playing top 4, even United or City. Interesting that you have Everton 4th, I also think there's a real chance, Mirallas of the mark yesterday & looks another astute signing, their first 11 is excellent, even the weaker players aren't week (Hibbert, Osman etc), and what they lack on the others in ability, they gain in passion for the shirt.
Mush I've said it for years about Everton, if they get even a half decent start they'll push for the Champions League places. They've opened their account this season emphatically, beating us then kicking Villa around their own back yard, and yes, they swept aside their cup opponents with ease. The regular Everton are usually out of the league cup by now after being beaten by Rochdale and are sitting bottom of the league after 3 straight defeats. Something different this time around for me, especially when you consider that Cazorla can't do it all on his own for Arsenal and nobody knows when Wilshere will be back again - I can't see them challenging, although I've been guilty of saying that before where they are concerned. Villas Boas will ruin Spurs too, I have no doubt about that!
I agree withh this. Didn't Everton finish 4th the last time they actually had a decent/good start... As for Europe- the teams you said in the earlier post will do so easily. The exception being Arsenal who'll be 5th, in a battle with Liverpool, Spurs and Newcastle. With our lot probably propping the rest up along side Fulham.
I agree withh this. Didn't Everton finish 4th the last time they actually had a decent/good start... As for Europe- the teams you said in the earlier post will do so easily. The exception being Arsenal who'll be 5th, in a battle with Liverpool, Spurs and Newcastle. With our lot probably propping the rest up along side Fulham.
I don't see anything to fear in Liverpool, far from a bad side, but bar the 2 CB's (assuming form and fitness), and Suarez, there's nothing 'wow' in the team. I do think Rodgers will sort the ship out, IF he's given the fans patience. Put it this way, I'd take a draw against Swansea tomorrow, but would I bollocks take one against Liverpool next week. I EXPECT us to beat them at home. That Sterling lad really was impressive v City mind.
Over The MON - I can't see Liverpool getting involved in the race for 5th. Their circus is still in the deconstruction process. Goalkeeper with no confidence, only 1 good defender (Enrique), Gerrard & Lucas both cripples, Downing shockingly poor, Borini will never score a goal again and Suarez scores 1 in 10 chances. These players are all pivotal to the success of Liverpool and not one of them can be heavily relied upon. I reckon given 5 years Rodgers will have them playing decent stuff, their team would look nothing like it does now, but the bindippers won't give him 5 years, he'll be lucky if they haven't forced him out by the end of 2012.
Everton top 4 is something I've been saying all summer, signing Mirallas only makes me more confident. Chelsea and City to battle for title, Man U 3rd (sorry Terry, don't rate your defence or DM's, especially if Vidic gets injured) Everton 4th, NUFC V Arsenal for 5th and 6th, then Sunderland, Spurs and Liverpool to fight for the next 3 places. Swansea to make up the top 10. You heard it here first.
No need to be sorry pal, everyone is entitled to their opinion and to be fair to you, Chelsea and City are more than capable of winning it on paper. In my opinion, we can't be written off simply because we've proved time and time again that we have what it takes to beat the teams that are better than us on paper. We were minus Vidic, Van Persie and Kagawa for all of last season more or less and we took City to goal difference on match day 38, so I'm gonna stick with us for now until we find out what Di Matteo is capable of domestically, at least.
I think that was down to City throwing it away to be fair mate, although 8 points clear I never believed it possible for you to throw it away, I wonder if that has hurt your lads confidence? The good news for you is that I've written you out of the title race the last 2 pre seasons aswell as this one
Yes, we threw it away, we handed it to City. It cannot be put simpler but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and I've no doubt we'll come out hungrier than ever this season. Face it, our strike force wastes whatever anyone outside of Manchester has to offer by a long shot and I'm fully expecting at least one Manchester City soap opera moment again so we have to be vigilant when that happens! In all honesty mate, I'd be a muppet to put money on it as I have no idea what will happen but it's great to be part of it as I'm sure you'll remember it was when you guys were in the mix mid 90's.
To be fair Terry, they threw it away first, they had it stitched up, blew it, then were handed it back on a platter. Was a crazy season. I can see Chelsea getting right back in the mix, within 4 points max of the 2 Manc clubs, whether they can win it I don't know, they lack something defensively in midfield, and can be ambushed down the right side. You've done well with the CL draw, no Basel this year anyway, they got Clujed!
Exactly that, Man City had it, blew it, Man U had it blew it, City had it, blew it then snatched it back in the dying seconds. Was insane. I'd be very confident if I was a Man U fan, I just think you have glaring weaknesses and yet somehow seem to mange fine with them every season, in my opinion it is nothing but Sir Alex Ferguson and when you sack him, a whole new defence should be on the shopping list imo. What an incredible manager.
This is it ain't it, Sir Alex is worth 15 points a season, that United side had no right to finish level on points. The man is utterly brilliant.
