Feeney wrote:Can we win the League Title this season?
Quite a contentious question, which no doubt will have been asked in many households and bars in LFC land.
Personally, I have my doubts that we can stay toe to toe over the course of a season. Chelsea have just bought 2 of the top 5 players in the world (Ronaldhino, Henry, Shevchenko, Ballack and Kaka IMO) and bolstered the remaining side with Kalou, Mikel and probably, soon to be Ashley Cole (who, admittedly, can't defend, but in a side like Chelsea's, it won't matter).
We also, have made signings, but at the moment, I have more reservations than excitement. In Bellamy, I think we have a player that has real quality who has an eye for goal, but not an exceptional one.
Gonsalez has flattered to deceive in the pre-season games so far (IMO, having seen first hand against Crewe, he was very poor) and I think this season will be more transitional for him than spectacular.
Pennant. Firstly, we paid far too much for him and I think we've been (on cost) done over like a kipper. My first reaction to his signing was that we have signed a big fish in a relagated pond who's got a criminal conviction. In any other business, that would constitute a huge risk for any employer and I don't see why that is different now. He can get crosses in which is certainly something we were lacking when Crouch was on the field but I do feel that he won't be used as an out n out winger to supply crosses all day.
With the players Rafa has signed, I can see us going back to the formation he started with last year - 4-2-3-1. Rafa wants to envelop teams with wave after wave of attacks to really kill games - in England, a game isn't over until it's at least 3-0 - and he wants to fend off any sort of retaliation from an opponent until the result is beyond doubt.
Chelsea over the last 2 years in the league have been simply unstoppable. They have exuded brilliance at times and grinded out results when required. However, I would say one chink is visable.
Their reliability on Frank Lampard - namely, his goals.
The signing of Ballack could have an unsettling effect on Lampard and as we have seen with Lampard and Gerrard in the England team, playing 2 players of a similar style nulifies the teams effectiveness by a huge amount. Lampard could find this season more difficult with the signing of Ballack and while i'm sure Ballack will score goals, I don't believe he will have the effectiveness or respect of opposing players as Lampard in the Prem.
Shevchenko, however, will carry on where he left off - scoring goals. No doubt.
So, back to my original question - Can we win the League Title this season?
Honestly, I wll say YES - but I do believe it will only happen if luck is on our side with regard to unsettled players, hopefully injuries to key players (no serious, I stress as I wouldn't wish that on anyone) and majority of our new signings settling in and performing brilliantly.
Not much to ask, but what do you think?
laza wrote:I would say we have a good chance of putting a decent challenge for the title. Though realistically we will needs some favours from other teams to help us get there. Chelseas Gold plated Rouble team will be the benchmark but team of superstars doesnt necessarily equate to superstar team ala Real Madrid.
On Pennant issue, I think your being a little harsh about price, while he wouldnt have been my choice. I thought the money paid isnt too bad considering the English factor.
Also remembering that Rafa has been frustrated for the last couple of seasons looking for a right sided player with several deals falling through. With our obvious need for some quality in that area, I thought the price wasnt too bad at all
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