Football 2013-2014

[pink_triangle]

If I had to bet right now on which was the better bet, Utd finishing 5th or lower, or Liverpool finishing 4th or higher, I reckon the odds are about even - I wouldn't much like to bet on either one with any confidence.

[eFestivals]

I would bet on man utd everytime out of those 2, man utd have flaws but in terms of squad depth and experience in a run in, I think they are significantly ahead of liverpool.

if fergie was in charge I'd be of the same opinion.

I'm having trouble applying the same idea with Moyes there tho, cos not only have the results been poor the way the team has played has been poor too.

They look like they've lost that extra edge that used to win them games, and that's causing teams to approach a match against them with greater confidence.

My opinions haven't moved so much as to be surprised if they turn it around, but I wouldn't put a bet on them doing it as things stand.

[pink_triangle]

I'm having trouble applying the same idea with Moyes there tho, cos not only have the results been poor the way the team has played has been poor too.

They look like they've lost that extra edge that used to win them games, and that's causing teams to approach a match against them with greater confidence.

My opinions haven't moved so much as to be surprised if they turn it around, but I wouldn't put a bet on them doing it as things stand.

[kaosmark2]

it's probably a reverse version of all those people who are currently going "wow" (for different reasons) about Utd's form - that they don't want to get carried away so early in the season cos we all know that things can change.

If I had to bet right now on which was the better bet, Utd finishing 5th or lower, or Liverpool finishing 4th or higher, I reckon the odds are about even - I wouldn't much like to bet on either one with any confidence.

[kaosmark2]

Fergie has apparently said that he turned down Chelsea about 10 years ago - before they first appointed Moaniho.

While that might be true, I suspect that it's probably a kick at "the special one", to suggest that he'd be a relative nobody if fergie had gone to Chelsea and not be special at all.

Why would fergie do that? Cos Moaniho has been bullshitting about knowing that fergie was leaving to save face, when the cry-baby stories say that he knew sweet FA.

[strummer77]

I'm surprised how quiet the Liverpool regulars have been. I guess there's both other reasons not to be on these boards, and possibly a thing of not wanting to brag and get carried away, but still, Strummer made a post a couple of pages back so must still be vaguely around.

[kaosmark2]

Just not trying to curse it . Plus I don't think we're playing that well even if picking up results. Still expect us to be 5th-7th come May.

[thetime]

it's probably a reverse version of all those people who are currently going "wow" (for different reasons) about Utd's form - that they don't want to get carried away so early in the season cos we all know that things can change. :lol:If I had to bet right now on which was the better bet, Utd finishing 5th or lower, or Liverpool finishing 4th or higher, I reckon the odds are about even - I wouldn't much like to bet on either one with any confidence.

[kaosmark2]

Don't be suprised if both finish outside the top 4.

[thetime]

I didnt see them yesterday but it was a good away draw. Looking at man utd results they have lost to wba, but man city, liverpool and arsenal have also lost to mid table premiership sides. Looking at the other 3 games man utd have dropped point man c (a), chelsea (h), liverpool (a), I think liverpool will struggle to take more points than man utd from the same 3 (counting man u (a) as the equivalent) games. Untill theres a trend of man utd regularly dropping point to lesser teams, I think its too early to draw conclusion.

[thetime]

Starting to worry?

[kaosmark2]

Not really but it can happen, I still think it will be a Manchester 1 and 2.

The clubs at the top won't be there at the end of the season and were only 3/4 points behind the proper challengers. Cut out the silly mistakes for example rio Ferdinand's mistakes against west brom and liverpool and we will be shooting up league.

[eFestivals]

Mourinho would have still got a major break if he hadn't gone to Chelsea. He'd just won the Champs Lge with Porto (beating Fergie along the way). Hell, if Fergie had chosen to go he may have even got the Man U job. Anyone would have to be deluded if they think Chelsea made Mourinho's rep.

I'd say that Porto established him but that Chelsea made his rep.

I agree he wasn't a nobody, but I reckon things stood a good chance of turning out very differently for him if they'd been someone else at Chelsea with all that cash to spend. It was the big spending at Chelsea that got the football world's attention, rather than the manager who was doing the spending - tho of course he then exploited the opportunity for attention as much as he could.

[kaosmark2]

I'd say that Porto established him but that Chelsea made his rep.

I agree he wasn't a nobody, but I reckon things stood a good chance of turning out very differently for him if they'd been someone else at Chelsea with all that cash to spend. It was the big spending at Chelsea that got the football world's attention, rather than the manager who was doing the spending - tho of course he then exploited the opportunity for attention as much as he could.

[Bobs]

Again not to be on the Moyes bashing once more, i can't see United finishing second, and i have my doubts on them finishing in the top 4, that final spot will be between Spurs and United imho.

The difference is that United are highly lacking in quality, outside of Rooney and Van Persie, there isn't much there, they have experienced heads like Giggs, Ferdinand and Vidic, but they're all ghosts of previous players they were, but i think the main problem for United is the manager, when you look who he's up against Pellegrini, Wenger, Villas-Boas and Mourinho, they're all experienced in these situations, with the only exception being that Pellegrini hasn't done it in England of course, and whilst it may change over time, Moyes is very inexperienced in having a go for titles, infact he's the only one out of that group whos not won a Domestic title.

I feel if he went a little bit more adventurous he'd be okay, but the defensive mindset he sets up with really is killing United, because they aren't great defensively. Whilst he may of got away with being negative, or defensive, that's probably what it is at Everton, it won't work at United, because teams going to OT or facing a big team like United step it up.

Home form will be key to who wins the title, and Chelsea, just like in their old regime with Mourinho are solid away from home, and grind out results, whilst a lot more slick at home, they may have only beaten Fulham, Villa and Hull at home, but that's points on the board, whilst registering credible points at Spurs and United.

City are similiar, they're comprehensive at home, they've looked very good infact, but jittery away, if they turn that away form around, they'll win the league for me, Everton will be a big test for City this weekend.

Arsenal's key is not getting injuries, they're very much a confidence squad, so by winning like they have been they can continue getting stronger, and certainly whilst some teams are having major blips at the moment, they're getting points on the board, and have won 5 games on the trot now including 3 away wins!

Spurs, well i don't think they'll be strong enough, but there's no doubting they're a quality team, with incredible depth, it'll be interesting to see how AVB keeps all the players happy, but they have a solid defense, and could easily be up there if Soldado gets his shooting boots on, but i think they'll be up against United for 4th.

Everton and Liverpool, well i thought i'd mention them because, well i am a blue, but much like United, i feel their managers are too inexperienced! I also feel the quality of players is not strong enough to maintain a push, if Suarez and Sturridge got injured for Liverpool, or Lukaku for Everton, that would end what little chance they've got! But good to dream right?!

[metallimuse]

So that's why Zaha hasn't been getting a game for United!

[thetime]

So that's why Zaha hasn't been getting a game for United!

[kaosmark2]

Again not to be on the Moyes bashing once more, i can't see United finishing second, and i have my doubts on them finishing in the top 4, that final spot will be between Spurs and United imho.

The difference is that United are highly lacking in quality, outside of Rooney and Van Persie, there isn't much there, they have experienced heads like Giggs, Ferdinand and Vidic, but they're all ghosts of previous players they were, but i think the main problem for United is the manager, when you look who he's up against Pellegrini, Wenger, Villas-Boas and Mourinho, they're all experienced in these situations, with the only exception being that Pellegrini hasn't done it in England of course, and whilst it may change over time, Moyes is very inexperienced in having a go for titles, infact he's the only one out of that group whos not won a Domestic title.

I feel if he went a little bit more adventurous he'd be okay, but the defensive mindset he sets up with really is killing United, because they aren't great defensively. Whilst he may of got away with being negative, or defensive, that's probably what it is at Everton, it won't work at United, because teams going to OT or facing a big team like United step it up.

Home form will be key to who wins the title, and Chelsea, just like in their old regime with Mourinho are solid away from home, and grind out results, whilst a lot more slick at home, they may have only beaten Fulham, Villa and Hull at home, but that's points on the board, whilst registering credible points at Spurs and United.

City are similiar, they're comprehensive at home, they've looked very good infact, but jittery away, if they turn that away form around, they'll win the league for me, Everton will be a big test for City this weekend.

Arsenal's key is not getting injuries, they're very much a confidence squad, so by winning like they have been they can continue getting stronger, and certainly whilst some teams are having major blips at the moment, they're getting points on the board, and have won 5 games on the trot now including 3 away wins!

Spurs, well i don't think they'll be strong enough, but there's no doubting they're a quality team, with incredible depth, it'll be interesting to see how AVB keeps all the players happy, but they have a solid defense, and could easily be up there if Soldado gets his shooting boots on, but i think they'll be up against United for 4th.

Everton and Liverpool, well i thought i'd mention them because, well i am a blue, but much like United, i feel their managers are too inexperienced! I also feel the quality of players is not strong enough to maintain a push, if Suarez and Sturridge got injured for Liverpool, or Lukaku for Everton, that would end what little chance they've got! But good to dream right?!

[kaosmark2]

So that's why Zaha hasn't been getting a game for United!

[Bobs]

Funny though.

And supposedly he's said that if he doesn't get regular games soon he wants to go on loan, with us as his preferred destination - something I'd be delighted with.

[thetime]

Newcastle as his preferred destination? Really? Any reason behind that?

Not saying that it's bogus mind, just unusual, I thought he'd want to go to Palace.

Incidentally there's a lad on the fringes at Everton called Apostolos Vellios, and he was meant to be banging Moyes' Daughter, and he got frozen out, so maybe there COULD be a little bit of truth in it, however i'm not one to say it's true.

[pink_triangle]

Not really but it can happen, I still think it will be a Manchester 1 and 2.

The clubs at the top won't be there at the end of the season and were only 3/4 points behind the proper challengers. Cut out the silly mistakes for example rio Ferdinand's mistakes against west brom and liverpool and we will be shooting up league.

[LondonTom]

Yes but that's just twitter rumour.

[metallimuse]

Incidentally there's a lad on the fringes at Everton called Apostolos Vellios, and he was meant to be banging Moyes' Daughter, and he got frozen out, so maybe there COULD be a little bit of truth in it, however i'm not one to say it's true.

[kaosmark2]

Anyone seen this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24333604

Quite interesting, and I hope it goes through. It references how FFP is a way of maintaining the status quo and reducing competition, and it's excellent that it's being challenged on the grounds of fair competition.

The big thing for me about owner funding is that owners shouldn't be allowed to "donate" in terms of loans, it should be flat out funding, not then drawing the money later when they get bored, leaving the club in the lurch.