Challenger watch - PL

[growler]

I like to keep a watch on what our rivals are doing, but rely on info from others and have to go their forums. I Thought a single thread to keep up to date on how they are performing, their squads, finances, general news etc would be useful.

 

Its interesting that we now have the same opening record as the mancs, yet they are still seen as a stronger team. I am hoping the press keep building them up, so they are seen as favourites with a strong squad. Hopefully its November before they realise the truth about the emperors new clothes. Or even september 1 is fine!

 

as for Arsenal, they were given a bye into the CL group, even with the new draw, so hopefully they are there, or thereabouts this season. (FYI, my rule for this season, is we win it or otherwise anyone but the mancs)

 

Chelsea look like they will win games regardless of how they play. The Drogba factor is important for them though, if he drops form, it will have an impact.

 

Both Arsenal and Chelsea will be weakened in the African Cup of Nations, so lets hope we are in a position to capitalise on that.

 

Anyone know the fixtures between 'the top 4'? That would be good info to have too.

[Falconhoof]

Everton have yet to really click into gear.

[dorgie]

(FYI, my rule for this season, is we win it or otherwise anyone but the mancs)

 

er...should that not be your 'rule' every season ?

[schmuckdonald]

Both Arsenal and Chelsea will be weakened in the African Cup of Nations, so lets hope we are in a position to capitalise on that.

 

Chelsea without Essien, Mikel and Droggers? That's basically the heart of their team. Although I suppose it is comprable to us losing El Zhar...

Edited August 20, 2009 by robmcburger

[Flight]

Both Arsenal and Chelsea will be weakened in the African Cup of Nations,

 

 

Is it around January time ?

[sutty]

Interesting reaction from the mancs from yesterday - on a par with ours post spurs

 

Owen unsurprisingly getting little slack and rumours of both Vidic and (surprising one for me this one!) Carrick being unsettled.

[Stevie H]

Interesting reaction from the mancs from yesterday - on a par with ours post spurs

 

Owen unsurprisingly getting little slack and rumours of both Vidic and (surprising one for me this one!) Carrick being unsettled.

london lad isn't he? seem to remember him being a bit homesick when he first went north?

[smithdown]

Carrick's a geordie, isn't he?

[sutty]

Carrick's a geordie, isn't he?

 

 

Aye, he's a geordie

 

Story is that he had a massive falling out with ginsoak post CL final and the relationship is still poor.

 

Might be s****.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

well only Spurs & Chelsea are undefeated (having played more than one game) so I see it as a 2-horse race now

[Falconhoof]

well only Spurs & Chelsea are undefeated (having played more than one game) so I see it as a 2-horse race now

 

Neither of them can afford to drop any points now or they are out of the hunt.

[matty]

I'm a bit worried that Chelsea could have a good season. In fact, as far as the league is concerned, they'll either piss it, or it'll be a big old scrap between quite a few. Don't see the mancs dominating and Arsenal will have wobbly spells. Spurs and City could stay on the fringe most of the season but don't see them making a title challenge.

 

Chelsea's season will depend on fitness and maybe how much Abramovich wants the CL. Drogba/Essien/Lampard/Terry. Couple of those injured and they'll be very beatable.

[Sion]

Chelsea have played two likely bottom half sides (sunderland probably around 10-13th, Hull probably around bottom) and haven't looked that convincing.

[growler]

Everton through to the group stages of useless cup. That kills their chance of a challenge for top 4 with their squad.

[stressederic]

Only just realised that the Arsenal - United game is coming up soon. That'll be an interesting one. Arsenal may well fancy their chances in midfield.

[meepins]

Chelsea have played two likely bottom half sides (sunderland probably around 10-13th, Hull probably around bottom) and haven't looked that convincing.

They were alright. I think Chelsea should have a strong year, undoubtedly have the squad for it. Their passing in the two games was very good at times, if quite narrow.

[growler]

on the podcast (guardian midweek one) paul doyle said man u most at risk from dropping out of the top4. Interesting comment.

[cymrococh]

Aye, he's a geordie

 

Story is that he had a massive falling out with ginsoak post CL final and the relationship is still poor.

 

Might be s****.

Ferguson saying that they would have won had he scored the penalty could be construed as critical of him.

[Stevie H]

Ferguson saying that they would have won had he scored the penalty could be construed as critical of him.

yeah, that was unusually personal of him wasn't it? i'd have been asking where rooney and owen's testicles were myself.

[cymrococh]

yeah, that was unusually personal of him wasn't it? i'd have been asking where rooney and owen's testicles were myself.

I read it as a definite 'blast' myself.

 

I'm amazed that Rooney didn't take it.

[Stevie H]

I read it as a definite 'blast' myself.

 

I'm amazed that Rooney didn't take it.

or owen in front of the watching capello.

 

it was definitely a blast. ferguson publicly blamed one single player for the team losing. he never does that.

[Case]

I like this thread. It's cathartic.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

I should know better, but...

 

 

It is not often, however, that you see a United player lack so much in confidence that he is incapable of executing a straightforward 10-yard pass, as happened to Owen shortly before he was put out of his misery by a hook from the bench in the 63rd minute. It is always telling when a player does not cleanly put his foot through the ball and Owen's body language was reminiscent of his most trying days at Newcastle United.

 

Later, the stands at Turf Moor shook, literally, with schadenfreude when Giggs slipped a clever pass in behind the Burnley defence and Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov both went for the ball. They hesitated, left it to one another and suddenly realised they had made a pig's ear of it. These two have been playing together for nearly a year now and in that time they have created how many goals directly for one another? Two.

 

Finding a solution to that issue could be as difficult for Ferguson as the task of bringing out some of the old Owen. "I think he's probably in need of two or three games," the manager said of his summer signing. "I think that'll help him."

 

Sadly, this already sounds like Fergie-speak for admitting that Owen is struggling – with his touch, his belief, his positioning, all the things that used to come naturally to him. Ferguson does not openly criticise his players; you have to read between the lines. A goal might retrieve some of Owen's lost confidence but, then again, the next miss might just shatter it. United's season could depend on which comes first.

[Stevie H]

that's united's pet guardian journo who wrote that too. the guardian football writers are going for new levels of short-termism at the minute though.

[Knox_Harrington]

that's united's pet guardian journo who wrote that too. the guardian football writers are going for new levels of short-termism at the minute though.

It's f***ing astonishing, this search for comments from blerts.