Homebooby wrote:I don't think that ManU will suffer in the way that is being anticipated here to be honest, I think the majority of their success is purely down to tactics and the winning mentality that has been instilled in the team/club for the last 20 years. I don't think you lose that overnight and so long as Fergie still has all his faculties, I think they will be a force to be reckoned with and I am genuinely concerned that they will be even harder to beat this season than last. They have a lot to prove following the loss of some key/star players and I think that is exactly what Fergie needs. I hope I am wrong, but I think you'll see them solid out of the blocks, taking close to full points. It may not be pretty, but it will be workmanlike and effective.
Conversely I think that there is huge pressure on our squad and the only real doubt I have about them is whether they are mentally up to the task over the course of the 38 games. They stuck in there last year to the end, which was admirable, but it is easier chasing than staying ahead and we showed last year that we were incapable of sustaining and capitalising on our lead. I think every year that goes without a title adds massive pressure to the club as a whole and the fact that we are moving from star players in their prime (Gerrard/Carra) towards their twlight years adds significant additional strain and I am concerned that we don't lose the balance that the squad was starting to show last year through people trying too hard etc, a la Stevie 4 years ago. It's also key that we keep people fit this year, but currently if Torres or Stevie get knobbled in the first few weeks, we'll struggle again imho.
I guess what I am saying is that it is important to keep up with the pack and show the league that we are serious contenders cos I think that a lot of people are expecting us to fall behind quite quickly and that last year was more of a fluke. I don't think that is the case, but I have my doubts whether we actually have a winners mentality that will keep us at the front over the 40 games. We used to have that 20 years ago and I think we are still regaining that now and it really needs a title to solidify it in the minds of the team and club I think. I expect a bumpy ride this year, but hopefully we will have a good slice of fortune (as is often the way) that just pushes us over the edge.
I also think that a stable environment is essential for the mindset of the team. Let's hope we have a season without any nonsense and allow the lads to stay 110% focused.
bigmick wrote:The Real Deal wrote:HI Mick
new member here.
Im not getting my hopes up at the start of season. Just beacause I was excited that we started so well last season up until december. 10 pints clear or somewhat, then stevie gets arrested and we could not escape from 0-0 results with stoke (home and away) hull, fulham etc etc and threw it all away.
Im not nervous about the first few games. if we do happen to start well, i just wonder if we can keep it going.
Chelsea ....i expect to be just as strong, esp now under ancelotti. a v. good manager.
Man Utd.... Will be well organised although loss of tevez and Ronaldo (two best players) will mean they will strugle for top 4 finish.Owen, fit , sharp and playing in a good side could come bac to haunt us. i wanted him back at anfield.
Arsenal, loss of adebayor and toure will cost them i feel.
Man city , i think may be a dark horse in the top 4 race. but the players they have got....bellamy, adebayor, barry, tevez, robinho. ..many of them have never won a prem league title so pedigree is a question, so depends how they come together.
for LFC...all about can they keep it going. I just worry if stevie or Torres get a lay off for bit, what will happen. last season we looked a lot weaker without one or other.
Nice post mate, and you're almost certainly right about Gerrard and Torres. We showed last season that we can go without one or the other for a bit, but I think if we either had to do without one for a long period (particularly Gerrard I think) or perish the though do without both for half a dzen matches, we could be out of it quickly.
Sabre wrote:I'm worried this season, and the reason is not Alonso's departure.
The reason I'm worried is that we've been progressing these years, but there were still some areas we could improve. Last season I missed two things to win the league and win those draw games that we could have won: A proper replacement for Torres, and more dynamic game from the right wing (Hopefully Johnson alone will solve that but I'm not sure).
None of which seem to have been adressed in this transfer window when there's a week left to start the league
But in Rafa I trust.
bigmick wrote:I've a feeling anyone who doesn't come out firing on all cylinders is going to be under extreme pressure in terms of keeping up very quickly. Here's a look at each teams opening fixtures:
The Mancs Chelsea Liverpool
Birmingham (H) Hull (H) Spurs (A)
Burnley (A) Sunderland (A) Stoke (H)
Wigan (A) Fulham (A) Villa (H)
Arsenal (H) Burnley (H) Bolton (A)
Spurs (A) Stoke (A) Burnley H)
Man City (H) Spurs (H) West Ham (A)
Stoke (A) Wigan (A) Hull (H)
Arsenal Man City
Everton (A) Blackburn (A)
pompey (H) Wolves (H)
Man U (A) Pompey (A)
Man C (A) Arsenal (H)
Wigan (H) Man U (A)
Fulham (A) West Ham (H)
Now a couple of things are obvious. Firstly, if you were Arsene Wenger you'd want to wreck the computer, secondly, Man Utd and in particular Chelsea have easy starts. We've got to get rid of the monkey on our back of drawing winnable Home games straight away, And we are going to need I think to get at least 5 out of the first 9 points (1 win 2 draws) to be not immediately under pressure.
Does it matter anyway? What do you reckon?
burjennio wrote:Personally i think the title will be won with a lot less points this season, the top 4 do not look as strong and other teams have strengthened and improved, Spurs being the most obvious example as well as Man City, I think a total of 82-85 points could win it (no scientific method behind this, I just cannot see too many 10 game winning runs being put together this season)
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