Football 2013-2014

[The Nal]

The thing is, lots of people have been looking at Man U's squad for years and thinking it's a bit weak on quality. There's always been a psychological factor at Man U of winning mentality, winning habit, opponent's fearing them, ref decisions, etc. that's meant the team's remained competitive at the top level, however lots of people are attributing that to Fergie - and even moreso now he's gone. It could well be that the squad and players retain that belief, arrogance and psychology under Moyes, but it's hard to be confident of that. Add in greater and superior investment at other clubs, and Mourinho returning to Chelsea, it makes it very hard to think Man U will be as much of a force as they were - particularly when they've already lost a game.

[kaosmark2]

Its sometimes the case that Utd are bottom half after 4-5 games. Last year was an exception. No doubt replacing the greatest manager ever (and a great chairman and negotiator in Gill) is a tough one but people need to give it time.

[The Nal]

How do you see the top 4 panning out?

[the_hedge]

I think Chelsea will win it with some to spare this season. Spurs could nick 4th but they will need to gel quickly. Arsenal (even with Ozil) may well fall out of the top 4. They will have to be very lucky with injuries to get that 4th place. Liverpool will improve and could be a surprise package. If I had to put my house on it I would go:-

Chelsea

Man United

Man City

Spurs

[kaosmark2]

Spurs could nick 4th but they will need to gel quickly. Arsenal may well fall out of the top 4. They will have to be very lucky with injuries to get that 4th place. Liverpool will improve and could be a surprise package.

[thetime]

I'm going with

Man city

Man utd

Chelsea

Liverpool

I just can't see Chelsea winning the league with limited strikers, although if eto'o hits it of in the prem.

Also think Liverpool will sneak in there as ozil won't have as many assists(poor strikers) as people think with arsenals strikers.

I think spurs might take a few months to gel properly.

[eFestivals]

Jolly good, I think we're being written of far to quickly.

I'll just point out: me, constantly called an ABU, am not writing Utd off.

But I really really want to ( ), and there's enough to start to think it.

[eFestivals]

Are we still going to challenge for titles in the next 5 years? Yes

While it's more than possible that might turn out to be true, such a solid arrogance of it being a certain fact is worthy of it being wrong.

I refer you to to when Busby stepped down.

[thetime]

While it's more than possible that might turn out to be true, such a solid arrogance of it being a certain fact is worthy of it being wrong.

I refer you to to when Busby stepped down.

[eFestivals]

A little different don't you think?

It's not identical, granted. But failing is failing, and can happen to anyone with any set of circumstances.

I'm sure Liverpool fans said all the same things after (the first time) Dalglish left, and with all the same arrogance as Utd fans are saying it now.

The idea that Utd can't fail is laughable. Far too many Utd fans (not just here, not even particularly here) are displaying that laughable arrogance.

[Wooderson]

Just how far towards brawn over guile Moyes goes will be fascinating to see in the coming weeks. From the least interesting season in years, this one is full of promise, intruige and unpredictability.

[TheGayTent]

The idea that Utd can't fail is laughable. Far too many Utd fans (not just here, not even particularly here) are displaying that laughable arrogance.

Edited September 3, 2013 by TheGayTent

[eFestivals]

There's arrogance amongst some Man Utd fans for sure. Just as there was amongst some Mickeys in the 70s and 80s.

I'm not so sure it's laughable arrogance though. After all, there were generations of Liverpool supporters just as there are now generations of Man Utd supporters, that had or have never known an unsuccessful side. In the last 20 years the longest Man Utd supporters have had to wait for a league title is 3 years. They haven't finished outside the top 3 in the same time period. So they've been there or thereabouts (or challenging for the title if you like).

Despite the upheaval of the drunk scot departing it would still be very surprising for Man Utd to finish 4th or worse, and not at least mount a title challenge, if they don't win it.

I think "very surprising" is stretching it. "Surprising" I'd go with.

The difference now to other times of managerial change is that, despite Utd's obvious strength over other teams last season, things have the ability to change around quite quickly nowadays via the spunking of large amounts of cash (which Utd haven't done, let's not forget).

Add in the facts of the biggest spenders this year being a non-top-four club, and that the other challenger to get in there has one of the world's best players (even if he is a bit of a c**t on the pitch) alongside another fairly hefty spend, and there's decent reasons to think there might be a change.

And if there's a change to the top four someone's got to lose out, and I don't think that any of the current top four can be discounted entirely from being the one that misses out.

I can't make up my mind enough to give a top four prediction for this season. The strongest I do feel able to predict is that I think there's likely to be a top four change - but not who's coming in or who's going out.

[kaosmark2]

I can't make up my mind enough to give a top four prediction for this season. The strongest I do feel able to predict is that I think there's likely to be a top four change - but not who's coming in or who's going out.

[TheGayTent]

I think "very surprising" is stretching it. "Surprising" I'd go with.

The difference now to other times of managerial change is that, despite Utd's obvious strength over other teams last season, things have the ability to change around quite quickly nowadays via the spunking of large amounts of cash (which Utd haven't done, let's not forget).

.

[Wooderson]

Utd outside of the top 4 ain't happening.

[kaosmark2]

Carlton Cole to return to West Ham?

Must hurt both player and club that after saying goodbye both have had to resort to returning. I think he's a decent player who can still do a job for a Prem team, but it can't be good for morale of either.

[TheGayTent]

Carlton Cole to return to West Ham?

Must hurt both player and club that after saying goodbye both have had to resort to returning. I think he's a decent player who can still do a job for a Prem team, but it can't be good for morale of either.

[kaosmark2]

G&S are interested in pound notes that's it. They will sell the club within 2 years of the olympic stadium move - they will spend as little as possible to stay in the top flight

[pink_triangle]

Never went through.

[pink_triangle]

The trouble with Arsenal in the last few years is their lack of a leader, someone in the middle of the park who will stop them getting bullied. They also let in a lot of goals from set peices. Fellani will help with both of those problems. I can see that the Ozil signing sends out a statement but they already have lot's of creative players. Saying all that they still need a goalkeeper, another striker and a center back.

[pink_triangle]

Well depends how optimistic or negative you are?

City/arsenal have poor strikers in comparison with RVP/Rooney/Hernandez/wellbeck. I think every team has got his weakness and city really struggle when kompany isn't there.

I really can't see Chelsea winning the league with eto'o, Torres and ba. The same can be said for arsenal there not going to be anywhere close to the league with giroud/podolski.

[pink_triangle]

Can't really see felliani playing that far forward no, do you? He was very limited attacking wise at Everton.

I don't see Evans a liability no, he's a very good centre back and is under rated.

[pink_triangle]

Nah. I don't think Man U have declined enough to drop out of the top 4. Arsenal know how to manage themselves in a top 4 race, I don't think Chelski have ANY chance of dropping out with Moaninho there. I've tipped Citeh to finish ahead of their neighbours, but of the 4 I think they're most at risk - mainly because of their manager being an unknown quantity in the Prem, as shown by the loss to Cardiff. If something goes wrong there it could exacerbate and leave them a bit further cold, but I don't think anything will go seriously wrong there.

I can see Spurs and Liverpool challenging to get in, but I don't believe either are likely to finish top 4.

[kaosmark2]

I thought they had recruited a keeper in Viviano on loan. As for centre back Kocielny was one of the most improved players in the league last season, I think Metzelder is soild enough and Vemaelen shouldbt be written off on the basis of 1 season. I agree there are position that Arsenal could have prioritized higher, but its difficult to make a statement from buying defensive players.