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- Joined
- 1 Apr 2010
- Posts
- 145
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- Ryton, Near Newcastle
In any order
Liverpool
Man Utd
Chelsea
Man City
Liverpool
Man Utd
Chelsea
Man City
Top 4 this year?
- Thread starter No1newts
- Start date
Good lad!
Interesting season ahead, I look at Man Utd and see a 2nd rate central midfield and Chelsea not looking much stronger without Essien out for 6 months, they just better hope Lampard stays fit. Other than that both teams are full of strength and options, both would love Modric but are unwilling to pay the inflated sum required to secure him and strengthen their weakest area.
Arsenal look to be short in defence with a prospect for a left full back and a CB pairing which looks hopeless without Vermaelen fit. They better hold onto Fabregas or sell Nasri soon so they can get some reinforcements, but whilst their futures are still up in the air Wenger is clearly reluctant to buy which could cost them dear.
Man City have an abundance of riches up front but without a settled team they still look inconsistent. If they keep hold of Tevez they have a great chance of a shot at the title, but I can't see them finding the consistency to achieve it.
My own team Tottenham are much the same as last season, except with a few youth players having stepped up (Sandro and Walker especially) and a couple of sicknote centre halves either gone or more crocked.
Friedel is a solid signing but I still think Gomes will hold onto the gloves at first, the increased competition will be the added incentive to not repeat his season of blunders. It's an if but without the blunders Gomes is capable of making saves that few keepers in the world can repeat.
There is talk of moves for Samba but I have faith in Dawson, Kaboul and Gallas. With Bassong as a decent backup and the incredible King (of the crocks) when fit are able to slot in, then there is also Khumalo possibly back from loan after Christmas meaning Spurs are fairly well covered in central defence.
The left fullback position is equally well covered with Assou-Ekotto looking like a top player for 95% of the time, with only the odd error marring some top displays. He is backed up by either attacking options of Bale or Rose with Bassong able to add a bit of steel there if needed.
The right fullback position will be contested between Corluka, Walker and Hutton. I have a feeling that Walker will get used more than the others since he has broken through into the England set up. Corluka is the most solidly defensive of the 3 but he just lacks that bit of pace and attacking nous required for a top fullback. Hutton could quite easily leave before the season starts, he's a decent player but Walker offers more both offensively and defensively.
Central midfield is IMO stronger than Man Utd's and Chelsea's without Essien, with Modric and Sandro looking like an incredible pairing, there is Huddlestone, Palacios and Jenas as decent alternatives able to step in.
On the wings the first options of Lennon and Bale especially are among the best in the league, I imagine Pienaar will be offering Lennon serious competition after his mediocre season. Which leaves the hot and cold Kranjcar and a broken Bentley still more than capable of slotting in and delivering performances.
Up front is the big question mark, first on the list is clearly Rafael van der Vaart, but his inclusion leaves question marks over his partner with the gangly Crouch offering assist after assist but failing to find the net himself. An out of sorts Defoe who the season before looked like an absolute top striker, sadly failed to find any semblance of form when he came back from England duty injured.
Then there is Pavlyuchenko who blows seriously hot and cold but is capable of stellar performances. I won't leave out the forgotten Keano who is still one of my favourite players, but he just sadly lacks the burst of pace that used to give him the edge.
A new signing up front is clearly the priority, but the market is fairly limited in affordable players that would improve Spurs that wouldn't be courted by clubs prepared to pay bigger wages. My choice would be Llorente in, Crouch and Keano out, but who knows there's even talk of Adebayor but I doubt the reality due to wage demands.
Whoever buys Modric out of Chelsea and Utd will give them the edge over the other and with it possibly even the league, otherwise the title could be between any of the top 6 depending on how they strengthen. I think Spurs have a good chance to break the top 4 but it will depend on if City lose Tevez, Arsenal lose Fabregas and Liverpool's signings fail to make the grade.
[optimism mode]
If Spurs sign Llorente or Adebayor and hold onto Modric they can challenge for and even win the league.
[/optimism mode]
Arsenal look to be short in defence with a prospect for a left full back and a CB pairing which looks hopeless without Vermaelen fit. They better hold onto Fabregas or sell Nasri soon so they can get some reinforcements, but whilst their futures are still up in the air Wenger is clearly reluctant to buy which could cost them dear.
Man City have an abundance of riches up front but without a settled team they still look inconsistent. If they keep hold of Tevez they have a great chance of a shot at the title, but I can't see them finding the consistency to achieve it.
My own team Tottenham are much the same as last season, except with a few youth players having stepped up (Sandro and Walker especially) and a couple of sicknote centre halves either gone or more crocked.
Friedel is a solid signing but I still think Gomes will hold onto the gloves at first, the increased competition will be the added incentive to not repeat his season of blunders. It's an if but without the blunders Gomes is capable of making saves that few keepers in the world can repeat.
There is talk of moves for Samba but I have faith in Dawson, Kaboul and Gallas. With Bassong as a decent backup and the incredible King (of the crocks) when fit are able to slot in, then there is also Khumalo possibly back from loan after Christmas meaning Spurs are fairly well covered in central defence.
The left fullback position is equally well covered with Assou-Ekotto looking like a top player for 95% of the time, with only the odd error marring some top displays. He is backed up by either attacking options of Bale or Rose with Bassong able to add a bit of steel there if needed.
The right fullback position will be contested between Corluka, Walker and Hutton. I have a feeling that Walker will get used more than the others since he has broken through into the England set up. Corluka is the most solidly defensive of the 3 but he just lacks that bit of pace and attacking nous required for a top fullback. Hutton could quite easily leave before the season starts, he's a decent player but Walker offers more both offensively and defensively.
Central midfield is IMO stronger than Man Utd's and Chelsea's without Essien, with Modric and Sandro looking like an incredible pairing, there is Huddlestone, Palacios and Jenas as decent alternatives able to step in.
On the wings the first options of Lennon and Bale especially are among the best in the league, I imagine Pienaar will be offering Lennon serious competition after his mediocre season. Which leaves the hot and cold Kranjcar and a broken Bentley still more than capable of slotting in and delivering performances.
Up front is the big question mark, first on the list is clearly Rafael van der Vaart, but his inclusion leaves question marks over his partner with the gangly Crouch offering assist after assist but failing to find the net himself. An out of sorts Defoe who the season before looked like an absolute top striker, sadly failed to find any semblance of form when he came back from England duty injured.
Then there is Pavlyuchenko who blows seriously hot and cold but is capable of stellar performances. I won't leave out the forgotten Keano who is still one of my favourite players, but he just sadly lacks the burst of pace that used to give him the edge.
A new signing up front is clearly the priority, but the market is fairly limited in affordable players that would improve Spurs that wouldn't be courted by clubs prepared to pay bigger wages. My choice would be Llorente in, Crouch and Keano out, but who knows there's even talk of Adebayor but I doubt the reality due to wage demands.
Whoever buys Modric out of Chelsea and Utd will give them the edge over the other and with it possibly even the league, otherwise the title could be between any of the top 6 depending on how they strengthen. I think Spurs have a good chance to break the top 4 but it will depend on if City lose Tevez, Arsenal lose Fabregas and Liverpool's signings fail to make the grade.
[optimism mode]
If Spurs sign Llorente or Adebayor and hold onto Modric they can challenge for and even win the league.
[/optimism mode]
The team is settled though apart from the forwards. But there is already a good idea of who will play there. The back 4 and midfield barely changed throughout last season only in the early cup games and the odd prem game.
The defence is rock solid as is midfield, those positions were sorted last year and if you look at the team sheets for each game that is visible.
That is what Mancini focused on and that is evident in the stats and results. Up front we did not score near the goals others did but that was because Mancini was yet to tackle that part.
This pre-season and the addition of Aguero suggests that he has now and if the plan comes together like it has in midfield and defence then we have a potential Premier League winning team..
Soldato
- Joined
- 22 Mar 2007
- Posts
- 3,875
Isn't it a bit worrying as a City fan that no player other than Tevez got double figures in the league last season? City's midfield are too defensive and don't get enough goals, and the other strikers need to come good and take some of the burden from Tevez. Defensively you look rock solid but you can't win the league without at least 2 or 3 players getting double figures.
edit: that's why I'm personally not too worried about Chelsea either, as their strikers were utterly hopeless last season.
edit: that's why I'm personally not too worried about Chelsea either, as their strikers were utterly hopeless last season.
It is but i put that down to Mancini not focusing on the forwards but rather the plan of every team has to be built on a strong midfield and defence.
Dzeko and Balotelli have now had a proper pre season with no injuries and have looked in good form and seem to have built a real strong relationship. So i can only expect that Mancini has got them working now and so they will be the key for this season whilst Aguero gets accustomed to Prem.
In midfield whilst we play De Jong and Barry goals arent expected but Yaya got quite a few and Silva if he is selfish this year will also get a few.
Richards and Clichy will also get forward a lot and so will not necessarily help with goals but with assists for the forwards and midfielders.
I think Mancini has assembled a really good squad that is now looking closer every game to a team which is whats needed to win titles. If Aguero clicks straight away we really could win the title.
I think Manchester City have a fantastic team now, I think to dismiss them so easily is a little misguided.
I think the major thing for City will be Mancini, City have good players, they can attack with pace, power and skill. They looked very good against Inter, but it's all dependant on if Mancini will let the players play and express themselves, rather then try and dictate them and continue this negative boring football.
I think the major thing for City will be Mancini, City have good players, they can attack with pace, power and skill. They looked very good against Inter, but it's all dependant on if Mancini will let the players play and express themselves, rather then try and dictate them and continue this negative boring football.
1. Man U
2. Man City
3. Chelsea
4. Liverpool
4th place is where the battle is for me between Arsenal, Liverpool and possibly Spurs. I can't see much of a challenge for first. Man City are too inconsistent (and Mancini too boring) and Chelsea too old.
Thread makes me LOL.
2. Man City
3. Chelsea
4. Liverpool
4th place is where the battle is for me between Arsenal, Liverpool and possibly Spurs. I can't see much of a challenge for first. Man City are too inconsistent (and Mancini too boring) and Chelsea too old.
Thread makes me LOL.
Everyone writes off Arsenal, they have for the past 5 years always saying it'll go bad, and they always get into the top 4 and in some seasons lead the league to the later stages. Just from history and how good the team can be, they are my wildcard champions this year, I believe they can do it. Plus that defence lead the league last year up untill the end as well, he's sure to add to it also. We all saw what they did to united and chelsea and man city last season not to mention the first leg against barca, I cant write them off after everytime someone has in the past they've been wrong in predicting they wont make top 4.
1.Arsenal
2.ManCity
3.Chelsea
4.ManU
1.Arsenal
2.ManCity
3.Chelsea
4.ManU
Okay I know this isn't exactly the thread to be poking fun at peoples predictions but seriously LOL at that.
Firstly Arsenal ALWAYS bottle it come the end of the season, how many seasons will it take before people stop thinking that the next year will be any different?
Secondly what Arsenal did to United, City, Chelsea and Barca? You lost twice to United once when we had a midfield of Rafael, Fabio, O'Shea and Gibson. You beat City only once they had a defender sent off after 5 minutes, fair play on beating Chelsea and Barca? What exactly did you do against them other than get dominated for 90 minutes, survive a blatant penalty appeal and have the luck of a perfectly good goal being disallowed. Fair play you beat them but lets not make more of it than what it was, a very lucky night.
To top it all off you not only think Arsenal will finish 1st (fair enough) but you think United will finish 4th?
I dont necessarily agree with all the Arsenal naysayers but you're on completely the other end of the scale
Okay I know this isn't exactly the thread to be poking fun at peoples predictions but seriously LOL at that.
Firstly Arsenal ALWAYS bottle it come the end of the season, how many seasons will it take before people stop thinking that the next year will be any different?
Secondly what Arsenal did to United, City, Chelsea and Barca? You lost twice to United once when we had a midfield of Rafael, Fabio, O'Shea and Gibson. You beat City only once they had a defender sent off after 5 minutes, fair play on beating Chelsea and Barca? What exactly did you do against them other than get dominated for 90 minutes, survive a blatant penalty appeal and have the luck of a perfectly good goal being disallowed. Fair play you beat them but lets not make more of it than what it was, a very lucky night.
To top it all off you not only think Arsenal will finish 1st (fair enough) but you think United will finish 4th?
I dont necessarily agree with all the Arsenal naysayers but you're on completely the other end of the scale
Just for the united games Arsenal outplayed united at the emirates. but granted the other two games abit with a lot of arsenal possession they lost, fair enough. And what makes you think im a gunner
Just a prediction, just nice for Arsenal fans to see abit of optimism, everyone bashes them and says they'll do nothing, well I for one think they will do something, there's nothing wrong with thinking that, im sure parts if not all of the prediction could well turn out wrong, im sure yours will be the same, just changing the flow of the tide, nice to have another view on something rather than mainstream one is all.
You're not an Arsenal fan?
With all the doom and gloom from them they could certainly do with you
Alright Im a gunner
And of course comes with that a degree of bias.But I just dont share the pessimism the rest have, i mean look at this poll on the ARSENAL website!
Offical Arsenal.com Poll
Champions:15%
Runners-up:0%
Third:8%
Fourth:31%
Fifth or below:46%
And yeah Arsene should higher me as a motivational speaker, it can help pay back the almost £2k i spent on going to games last season