Football 2015/16

[zahidf]

there's been rumours of a striker - and you probably need one, too.

 

Is it Lorente that's been the main rumour, or am I confused with something else?

 

Muller is the one LVG wanted.

 

Oh, and Ronaldo of Course:-)

 

Saying that, i think Rooney said that he wil playing alone up top for the season, so they are probably just looking for a back up striker

Edited July 31, 2015 by zahidf

[thetime]

there's been rumours of a striker - and you probably need one, too.

Is it Lorente that's been the main rumour, or am I confused with something else?

If the rumours are true (I'm not convinced they are as clubs would need to talk first) then it's going to bbe a bigger name than llorente.

[thetime]

I think those two in the middle should be a big improvement to Utd's all-round game. I've been saying for at least 2 years that players like those for that position was what you needed (surely you remember?).

I'm on about your actual defenders. They got exposed a lot last season and often showed themselves not up to it, but your goalie bailed them out. They shouldn't be so exposed but players will still get at them and there's perhaps not a goalie to bail them out - so it could end up worse.

I'm not trying to say they (or Utd) are crap and there's sensible reasons to hopeful of improvements in the coming season from the last one ... but there's also plenty of reasons to be nervous that it won't go as you might hope.

I think consolidation is what they need this season, the top 3 are so much smoother and have much beetter cohesion.

Man Utd and Liverpool need to settle there teams down, they are not going to get any where signing 5/6/7 players every summer. It's going to take both clubs a couple of months to settle into a team, by then Chelsea and City will be well in front.

[thetime]

Muller is the one LVG wanted.

Oh, and Ronaldo of Course:-)

Saying that, i think Rooney said that he wil playing alone up top for the season, so they are probably just looking for a back up striker

Support striker is how I see it, so is there much point. Might aswel have a gamble and play Wilson/janusaj more often.

If they bring in a big name striker, then Rooney would have to play number 10 with depay on the wing. If they do that there's not much point signing Pedro, so can't see that happening.

Edited July 31, 2015 by thetime

[eFestivals]

Man Utd and Liverpool need to settle there teams down, they are not going to get any where signing 5/6/7 players every summer. It's going to take both clubs a couple of months to settle into a team, by then Chelsea and City will be well in front.

 

Liverpool probably have less of an issue on that front and in theory should get up to speed faster, as their main signings bar Firmino have come from the Prem. It's probably a bigger issue for the existing players to fit to a new shape (as it's expected they'll play 4 at the back). It's hard to know how they'll go and I don't think top 4 is impossible, tho I expect them to finish a way off.

[thetime]

Liverpool probably have less of an issue on that front and in theory should get up to speed faster, as their main signings bar Firmino have come from the Prem.

Didn't help them much last season with Lambert, llalana, lovren, balotelli.

[eFestivals]

Didn't help them much last season with Lambert, llalana, lovren, balotelli.

 

lol - true.

 

Tho I think most people would agree that Milner, Clyne, and Benteke are better quality than those you've named.

 

Losing Suarez was a huge blow, and Sterling similar, yet their squad is hugely better than it's been for years, aside from that season where Suarez was mind-bogglingly good.

[eFestivals]

just seen that the guardian have utd to finish 2nd,

 

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jul/31/premier-league-2015-16-preview-manchester-united

[zahidf]

I can't see top 4 for Liverpool. He'll given there first 8 games, they may be below 12 come Xmas!

[thetime]

just seen that the guardian have utd to finish 2nd,

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jul/31/premier-league-2015-16-preview-manchester-united

Can't see that, 3rd max.

[eFestivals]

I can't see top 4 for Liverpool. He'll given there first 8 games, they may be below 12 come Xmas!

 

i can't see it either, yet if Firmino lives up to his rep and everyone else is on their game, who knows? The players are defo good enough to scrape in there if they're at their best (and to be fair to Rodgers, he has managed to get the best out of some players in the past). They're a bit of an unknown quantity for the moment.

 

But I'd be more willing to put money on your outcome.

[kaosmark2]

Who gets top 4 could well be determined by injuries.

 

Don't agree with the Guardian at all re. Man U 2nd City 4th. City have their problems but they're always worse when defending titles. The key for them is how permanent Kompany's loss of form is.

[zahidf]

i can't see it either, yet if Firmino lives up to his rep and everyone else is on their game, who knows? The players are defo good enough to scrape in there if they're at their best (and to be fair to Rodgers, he has managed to get the best out of some players in the past). They're a bit of an unknown quantity for the moment.

 

But I'd be more willing to put money on your outcome.

 

Yeah. I just think that Liverpool are ( for the moment) a top 7 club, and that the Suarez year was an aberation.

[eFestivals]

Yeah. I just think that Liverpool are ( for the moment) a top 7 club, and that the Suarez year was an aberation.

 

There's no replacing Suarez.

 

But Sturridge was an important part too, and Benteke's stats speak for themselves. There's plenty of firepower there if they're firing.

[eFestivals]

Don't agree with the Guardian at all re. Man U 2nd City 4th.

 

I think it's particularly difficult to know which of the top four might end up where for this season. Chelsea are the strongest team but teams tend not to win it 2 years on the trot; Arsenal are improving year on year now after a decade in the dumps, Utd this season is definitely going to be a different Utd to last season, and there's plenty of changes at City too.

[zahidf]

There's no replacing Suarez.

 

But Sturridge was an important part too, and Benteke's stats speak for themselves. There's plenty of firepower there if they're firing.

 

I think Sturridge is perma-crocked:0

 

Benteke could be ace, but there was a stage when he was rubbish at villa as well.

 

Anyhow, they could get lucky again, but i think they will need one of the Manchester's to have a massive collapse.

[zahidf]

I think it's particularly difficult to know which of the top four might end up where for this season. Chelsea are the strongest team but teams tend not to win it 2 years on the trot; Arsenal are improving year on year now after a decade in the dumps, Utd this season is definitely going to be a different Utd to last season, and there's plenty of changes at City too.

 

I think it will be between Arsenal and Chelsea, unless Utd's signings really fly out the gate.

 

Sterling aside, i think City's signing are a bit weak. I think they are waiting for Pep next year before getting together a Championship winning team

Edited July 31, 2015 by zahidf

[eFestivals]

I think it will be between Arsenal and Chelsea

 

me too.

[kaosmark2]

Arsenal have the best squad, City probably have the best first 11 (if Kompany's form last season was an aberration), Chelsea definitely, no question, have the best first 16.

 

Man U and Liverpool have closed the gap a bit with signings so far, but the distance was fairly big in the first place, and I suspect all of them will make another signing before the window closes.

[thetime]

Sanchez not even back in training yet is he? Could be decisive first month or so, same with city and aguero.

Don't think Chelsea have the same problem, this could give Chelsea an early march early season.

Edited July 31, 2015 by thetime

[zahidf]

Sanchez not even back in training yet is he? Could be decisive first month or so, same with city and aguero.

Don't think Chelsea have the same problem, this could give Chelsea an early march early season.

Sanchez has the first game against west ham off as a holiday/rest after the copy. Will apparently be back then.

First month of the season aren't too bad for arsenal

[eFestivals]

Liverpool are a striker lighter, with Lambert now at wba

[pink_triangle]

Its hard to judge until you know the final squads. City still have the advantage of having the best player in the league in Aguero, if he stays fit they are always a force. Bony is a bit of an unknown at the top level, I haven't got a clue whether he can cut it or not.

Chelsea are solid, but not spectacular. I think if their defence is exposed then they may not keep their current reputation. If Hazard and Costa get long term injuries they could be in trouble.

I see Man Utd as being a more solid team, I don't see them doing worse than last season. They have a huge save in terms of wage budget and you would think theres 1 (if not 2) big signing to come.

Liverpool have taken a similar gamble to City signing a prolific player from further down the league. I think I would take Bony over Benteke, but cant decide how either will do. They are gambling on a Brazilian (a nation where players have often struggled to adapt) and I think how he does is the key. As a neutral we want to see some great players in the league.

Arsenal will show promise and not deliver as they always do. I tip them every year, so Im hoping for some reverse psychology here. As for Spurs I cant remember who they have bought this summer!

[Gucci Piggy]

Isn't pre season all about trying new things(with fitness) out see if they work? Depay isn't at United to play as a winger. I would of thought that was clear as they're maybe signing Pedro, also having young.

I would say United's best signing has been darmian, he looks a player and another position filled.

It is, but with a week to go until the season surely he'll want to get his first XI playing together? If Smalling's on the bench against Spurs then I'm baffled.

Is Depay not there to be a winger? If they sign Pedro he'll surely replace Young in the current team, and then I'd still swap Depay with Mata. Let's be honest you needed a winger anyway, and after Di Maria leaves then you need two brought in over the Summer (Memphis and Pedro). Mata's a proven world class number 10, and Depay's just been player of the season in Holland playing as a winger coming in and scoring a bucketload of goals, so I don't see why Van Gaal would use them how he currently is.

Main criticism I've read from United fans of their pre-season games is that there's too much space between their midfield and attack, due to them playing two defensive midfielders in the double pivot, with Memphis pretty much playing on top of Rooney. Easiest way to fix this is surely to use Mata at number 10 instead, or bloody play Herrera.

For me the obvious way to go (and it seemed like LVG was going to do this based on his signings) is to play a 4-3-3 with Carrick/Schwieni, Schneiderlin and Herrera in midfield, and Depay, Rooney, Mata as a front three (based on the current Pedro-less squad).

Agree on Darmian, seems like he'll be a good signing. Think Schneiderlin and Depay will be brilliant signings, although Depay probably won't hit the heights straight away that some are expecting, due to coming over to a much tougher league at his young age.

Actually think Schweinsteiger will be the worst of the bunch on the pitch, but the experience and leadership he brings will be very valuable, and he was pretty cheap anyway.

[Gucci Piggy]

At the moment (with Di Maria gone and DDG looking like he might be on his way after LVG's comments), I'll go for this:

1. Chelsea

2. Arsenal

3. United

4. City

Did think United would be second until it looked like they'd be losing those players.

An injury to Agüero or Silva and City are in trouble for me. Do they really have the best first XI in the league? I don't think it's better than Chelsea's, and then add Mourinho into the equation and there's no contest.

Could be an interesting season, though. If Chelsea finally have some injuries their depth isn't great; if United's signings gel quickly they could challenge; if Arsenal maintain form for a full season they're in the race; City could go either way - if Kompany/Toure re-capture their form they'll challenge, but if they don't and Agüero/Silva get long term injuries their top 4 hopes could be in trouble.