Football 2014/15

[eFestivals]

anyway, big game today, what do people reckon? i think Arsenal could well do it today.

It was almost like a different Arsenal. They had balls and determination and drive and were (generally) solid.

On the basis of yesterday (tho I know it was a weakened City side) I can see Arsenal perhaps finishing 2nd this season.

[eFestivals]

The post Suarez LFC era. Awful.

I'd say it was a poor player selection. They needed to have more of a consistent team selection to have a better chance of riding thru the fact of Sturridge missing. It wasn't the day to have played (what was pretty much) 3 new players.

Mind you, Liverpool are still shit at corners. That was a big problem last season,m and something they need to sort out.

Villa did a good job of parking the bus, but they didn't do too much more.

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On a different note, I though Swansea looked impressive even tho they got beat. I can see them finishing higher than they did last season.

[eFestivals]

Wilshere must have been laying off the fags this week.

played further forwards.

But also for a change he didn't do so much of the dead-end/fall-over thing. I suspect that was more luck than form.

[TheGayTent]

I thought arsenal were slightly fortuitous and only managed a point because they got the rub of the green.

It'll be interesting to see whether Chelsea can tighten up their defence before Costa's goals dry up - he can't keep scoring more than a goal a game can he?

[eFestivals]

I thought arsenal were slightly fortuitous and only managed a point because they got the rub of the green.

they were definitely a tougher Arsenal than has been seen for a few years. I thought they really got at City.

But then again City are the 'top' team that they've done best against recently, so perhaps that's in the mix too.

But i do think if they keep up that tougher approach they'll be harder proposition this year - they probably won't be getting the same number of thrashings.

For me, Chelsea are gonna be the clear winners this season. City are a certainty for near the top, but I wouldn't be too surprised if Arsenal were above them.

(the others? Who knows).

[zahidf]

It was almost like a different Arsenal. They had balls and determination and drive and were (generally) solid.

On the basis of yesterday (tho I know it was a weakened City side) I can see Arsenal perhaps finishing 2nd this season.

I watched it in person at the Emirates: they seemed a lot more motivated than City and wouldn't stop pushing. City was just too defensively strong for them to break down though. Against a team with a less solid defence, i think arsenal would have been a few goals up by half time.

Chelsea seem clear favorites to win: no weak links at the moment. Even if Costa gets injured, remy is good enough to step up.

[Gucci Piggy]

played further forwards.

But also for a change he didn't do so much of the dead-end/fall-over thing. I suspect that was more luck than form.

I didn't see the game as I was playing cricket all day, but from MOTD he seemed to be playing the same advanced position as he has all season, in which he's been really good - better than Ramsey so far. Only problem is it leaves Özil on the wing, which is completely hopeless.

[zahidf]

they were definitely a tougher Arsenal than has been seen for a few years. I thought they really got at City.

But then again City are the 'top' team that they've done best against recently, so perhaps that's in the mix too.

But i do think if they keep up that tougher approach they'll be harder proposition this year - they probably won't be getting the same number of thrashings.

For me, Chelsea are gonna be the clear winners this season. City are a certainty for near the top, but I wouldn't be too surprised if Arsenal were above them.

(the others? Who knows).

Yeah, if Man Utd click, i can see them getting above Spurs, Everton and Liverpool.

[thetime]

People are getting a bit over excited about Chelsea, they have had a favourable fixture list so far.

City have had to play Liverpool and Arsenal so far.

[zahidf]

People are getting a bit over excited about Chelsea, they have had a favourable fixture list so far.

City have had to play Liverpool and Arsenal so far.

Everton aren't exactly walkovers...

Anyway, the point is all the other contenders lost against teams they should have beaten

anyway, Chelsea/Man city next weekend!

Edited September 14, 2014 by zahidf

[TheGayTent]

People are getting a bit over excited about Chelsea, they have had a favourable fixture list so far.

Agreed. They look good, but Everton aside they've had a kind fixture list. They have City, Arsenal, and Man Utd to play in their next 5 league games. I'll reserve judgement on how good they are until that little run is finished.

[zahidf]

Agreed. They look good, but Everton aside they've had a kind fixture list. They have City, Arsenal, and Man Utd to play in their next 5 league games. I'll reserve judgement on how good they are until that little run is finished.

At the moment, Arsenal v Chelsea is the big one!

[thetime]

At the moment, Arsenal v Chelsea is the big one!

Why?

[zahidf]

Why?

Because they are both playing really well and would have top 3 implications.

And it's a London derby!

[strummer77]

Because they are both playing really well and would have top 3 implications.

And it's a London derby!

Arsenal played well in bits yesterday but hadn't looked impressive before that at all. In fact almost everybody has blown hot and cold so far.

[thetime]

Because they are both playing really well and would have top 3 implications.

And it's a London derby!

You sure? It's not the arsenal I've been watching then. Is this the same arsenal that have just the one premier league win scraping past Crystal Palace at home.

[TheGayTent]

Because they are both playing really well and would have top 3 implications.

And it's a London derby!

Must be watching different games.

[eFestivals]

Agreed. They look good, but Everton aside they've had a kind fixture list. They have City, Arsenal, and Man Utd to play in their next 5 league games. I'll reserve judgement on how good they are until that little run is finished.

Given that they weren't a shoddy team last season, and have then improved their striker options from almost-no-strikers, and have upgraded Fat Frank for Fabregas, it's hard to judge them as anything worse than they were last time.

Unless Utd astound everyone by becoming a real force again this season then I reckon Chelsea will win by a fair margin.

Edited September 14, 2014 by eFestivals

[Gucci Piggy]

Yeah Arsenal were pretty rubbish in the first three games.

[zahidf]

You sure? It's not the arsenal I've been watching then. Is this the same arsenal that have just the one premier league win scraping past Crystal Palace at home.

Or, Arsenal are undefeated at the moment...

I think getting draws away against everton and against city at home are perfectly decent results.

[TheGayTent]

Unless Utd astound everyone by becoming a real force again this season then I reckon Chelsea will win by a fair margin.

What have Man Utd got to do with Chelsea's title hopes??

[ThomThomDrum]

What have Man Utd got to do with Chelsea's title hopes??

Exactly!

Utd haven't got a hope of winning it as far as I can see

Also I have to agree with the "everyone has blown hot and cold" point above. Chelsea of course have won all their games but let's see how they get on against the top dogs first before we crown them champions. Yes they have looked impressive but so did Arsenal early last year

A lot of people are saying "if Utd click" blah blah...well let's wait for them to click before we talk of them in the top 4. Sure if Liverpool click....blah blah.... They could beat anyone.yada yada.

Still think top 2 will be the blue teams and 3rd and 4th is between the Gunners and the Pool. Utd have done nothing thus far for me to be able to predict anything positive for them but it's early doors and there is a lot of ball left to play

Edited September 14, 2014 by ThomThomDrum

[LondonTom]

If I wasn't a WHU supporter I'd be having a bet on Diame scoring on Monday.

I reckon its part of the transfer contract that he has to

[pink_triangle]

Given that they weren't a shoddy team last season, and have then improved their striker options from almost-no-strikers, and have upgraded Fat Frank for Fabregas, it's hard to judge them as anything worse than they were last time.

I agree with all that. People talk about Liverpool throwing away the league title, but to me Chelsea were the side who really threw away the title last season. They did all the hard work and messed up the easy games. While its true that we need to see Chelsea playing some better teams to make a judgment, I think last seasons performances allow us to make an educated guess. My main concern for them would be lack of options in defence and JT being a year older.

[pink_triangle]

Still think top 2 will be the blue teams and 3rd and 4th is between the Gunners and the Pool. Utd have done nothing thus far for me to be able to predict anything positive for them but it's early doors and there is a lot of ball left to play

I think Man Utd have had a pretty good transfer window (should be with the amount spent) while Liverpool have had a poor one. I think both will compete for 4th place. I see Arsenal being closer to 2nd than 4th this season, but probably 3rd.