Before i start can id like to point out im actually a CHELSEA fan!
I think a team works up to winning the league. What I mean by this its a progression i.e gradual improvement. Liverpool are the only one of the big 3 who imo are currently on an upward spiral.( I must point out before anyone barks up that for me arsenal and man city are a million miles away from winning the league at present and therefore dont come in for any analysis!)
Last season Liverpool finished the season like a train winning everything even after the league was lost that impressed me greatly. Chelsea finished strongly also Man Utd on the otherhand were stumbling like you wouldnt believe. Liverpool also beat both their rivals home and away last season no mean feat! They had the best goal difference and scored the most goals something that i think would surprise some people given that they did draw a few blanks at anfield versus the lesser lights!
So on to the summer. Three major things happened.
1/ Chelsea lose Hid***** 2/ Man Utd lose Ronaldo and to a much lesser extent Tevez 3/ Liverpool lose Xabi Alonso
These are 3 devastating blows to all the teams but imo Liverpool have the lesser of the 3 evils to overcome.
I could write a lot more but based on what ive written and a bit of gut instinct I think Liverpool will win the league and at 4/1 are a fantastic bet to so.
Having watched the match today I feel even more optimistic in my investment. Especially as there is no doubt Chelsea are going to more interested in winning the Champions League and Utd just have a huge gap to fill!
Whatever your opinion there is no way Liverpool should be double the price of the other 2!
I felt the same until about 2 weeks ago... but now no alonso and been very poor pre season... benitez happy with lucas being involved more :D
One striker.... Torres. If he gets injured then they are going to struggle.
Chelsea have a very strong squad and should win it this year.
I felt the same until about 2 weeks ago... but now no alonso and been very poor pre season... benitez happy with lucas being involved more :DOne striker.... Torres. If he gets injured then they are going to struggle.Chelsea have a very strong squad a
I agree Chelsea are the strongest but they will lose Drogba and Essien to the African Nations Cup, and I don't think they have great strength in depth up front
I agree Chelsea are the strongest but they will lose Drogba and Essien to the African Nations Cup, and I don't think they have great strength in depth up front
I honestly dont think arsenal are a million miles away from winning the league!!!!
Ok they finished 4th, but they had a bad start last season, i think they went on a 19 match unbeaten run and as you say a team builds up to winning the league and arsenal have probably the best bunch of youngsters in the coutry
Add to that a fit eduardo should bang in a few that could turn draws to wins. Saying tat i do think they need an enforcer in midfield and it is funnyow wenger does not see this after the success he had with the likes of vieira & Petit. Unless he is trying to do thins the spanish way!!!!
I honestly dont think arsenal are a million miles away from winning the league!!!!Ok they finished 4th, but they had a bad start last season, i think they went on a 19 match unbeaten run and as you say a team builds up to winning the league and arsen
nah Liverpool overachieved and can't play as well as they did last season, some games they looked unstoppable - but they blew it
a more realistic standard of performance will be Liverpools this season and they will finish 3rd or 4th
nah Liverpool overachieved and can't play as well as they did last season, some games they looked unstoppable - but they blew ita more realistic standard of performance will be Liverpools this season and they will finish 3rd or 4th
Just cant see Arsenal picking up enough points in the North with that sort of team. Wenger just hasnt adapted in recent seasons for me. He's been very nieve imho!
Just cant see Arsenal picking up enough points in the North with that sort of team. Wenger just hasnt adapted in recent seasons for me. He's been very nieve imho!
United never looked at their best for the last half of the season but you see it as stumbling?
Up to that point they had a truly brilliant run with great defensive results, looked too much to Ronaldo to win games and ran out of ideas and steam too early. Will that happen again with hungrier players?
For me they crossed the line in second gear...
What if they actually take in players that want to win and prove themaselves ?
Personally I think it would be one of the best United wins again if they crossed the line stumbling but it is very close and I do not see anything and I mean anything from Liverpool that tells me they are likely to cross that line first...
Chelsea take on a very good manager who is capable and will be trying, as good as Hid*****at least...
For me Chelsea must be favourites but United clearly are capable.
HmnnnUnited never looked at their best for the last half of the season but you see it as stumbling?Up to that point they had a truly brilliant run with great defensive results, looked too much to Ronaldo to win games and ran out of ideas and steam to
Man Utd are so reliant now on Rooney its ridiculous with Ronaldo gone
Bit of luck needed for all of them here
The injury situation is precarious for all 3!Chelsea would be lost without Lampard and DrogbaLiverpool without Torres and GerrardMan Utd are so reliant now on Rooney its ridiculous with Ronaldo goneBit of luck needed for all of them here
cardinals ... don't you think it's a bit premature making a call like this with three weeks left of the transfer window and a strong possibility of Wenger still going into the market to strengthen his squad ? Maybe Red Nose too ......
cardinals ... don't you think it's a bit premature making a call like this with three weeks left of the transfer window and a strong possibility of Wenger still going into the market to strengthen his squad ? Maybe Red Nose too ......
Man Utd are so reliant now on Rooney its ridiculous with Ronaldo gone
Bit of luck needed for all of them here
That is why Arsenal will win the league! Its between them and Chelsea for me, Man u 3rd with man City 4th.
Liverpool are so over rated its unbelievable! The price has me laughing all day. The OP should know that managers win the big one and Benitez will never win the league trophy. He is technically lacking to do so....
werthecardinals 09 Aug 18:51 The injury situation is precarious for all 3!Chelsea would be lost without Lampard and DrogbaLiverpool without Torres and GerrardMan Utd are so reliant now on Rooney its ridiculous with Ronaldo goneBit of luck needed f
I think Wenger has become so stubborn its not true. He,s burying his head in the sand. I love watching the Arsenal youngsters play but they and theyre manager are too nieve to win the league. I was at the Emirates when Chelsea beat them 4-1 at the end of the season. They mauled us for twenty minutes with gr8 stuff and then we went and scored with our first 2 adventures up the park. Thats classic Arsenal for me.
They will still get outfought when it matters up north in Jan and Feb. Theyve signed noone and clearly dont want to step up to the plate in the wages war for the top players.
I think Wenger has become so stubborn its not true. He,s burying his head in the sand. I love watching the Arsenal youngsters play but they and theyre manager are too nieve to win the league. I was at the Emirates when Chelsea beat them 4-1 at the en
Leagues are won with a sound defence first and foremost.
Now theres a lot of words i could use to describe your defence but sound is a long long way down the list im afraid!
Arsenal fans should know better!Leagues are won with a sound defence first and foremost.Now theres a lot of words i could use to describe your defence but sound is a long long way down the list im afraid!
For the first time in recent memory, I think all top 4 teams have question marks. ManU losing Ronaldo will show if they relied on him that greatly or not. Chelsea have an ageing team. Liverpool might have been punching above their weight last season and not get that close this time, and wil alsol miss Alonso. Arsenal need to strenghten and bring in one or two more players, but I think they will be in the mix too, with City potentially up there too, it looks like being an interesting unpredictable season.
For the first time in recent memory, I think all top 4 teams have question marks. ManU losing Ronaldo will show if they relied on him that greatly or not. Chelsea have an ageing team. Liverpool might have been punching above their weight last season
Leagues are won with a sound defence first and foremost.
Now theres a lot of words i could use to describe your defence but sound is a long long way down the list im afraid!
1st I am not an Arsenal fan. Leagues are won in my opinion by the manager 1st. He is the player buyer,coacher etc etc. I believe that benitez has had long enough to prove his worth in the EPL and has failed miserably. He has spent a fortune on a good squad and granted I would have Liverpool on my list every year for the champions league but I think if he was astute enough they would have won the EPL by now. Christ they dont even have a sound youth structure in place with stars coming through...
I am going with Arsenal as I believe they will not have the distraction of champions league football....The kids will play in the Europa league and the men will be playing silky football in the prem... :)
werthecardinals 09 Aug 18:59 Arsenal fans should know better!Leagues are won with a sound defence first and foremost.Now theres a lot of words i could use to describe your defence but sound is a long long way down the list im afraid! 1st I am not
1st: Liverpool, 2nd: Man Utd 8/1 2 st: Chelsea, 2nd: Liverpool 17/2 1st: Liverpool, 2nd: Chelsea 10/1
Dutching those gives you just over 21/10, looks a really good bet to me. Its the waiting that puts me off.
1st: Liverpool, 2nd: Man Utd 8/1 2 st: Chelsea, 2nd: Liverpool 17/2 1st: Liverpool, 2nd: Chelsea 10/1Dutching those gives you just over 21/10, looks a really good bet to me. Its the waiting that puts me off.
I believe that benitez has had long enough to prove his worth in the EPL and has failed miserably.
You serious? Top goalscorers last year, lost the fewest game, won the top 4 league comfortably, only beaten by a team that went on to contest the champs league final.
Yep absolutely miserable stuff. A change in management is just what is required so that they can spend a further 2 years bringing in their 'own' players etc.
Continuity will bring success not the installation of a management revolving door.
I believe that benitez has had long enough to prove his worth in the EPL and has failed miserably.You serious? Top goalscorers last year, lost the fewest game, won the top 4 league comfortably, only beaten by a team that went on to contest the champ
weathercardinal what you said in your 1st couple of sentences was
the most important thing in your whole article .
A TEAM BUILDS UP TO WINNING THE LEAGUE never a truer word
was spoken and that is exactly why liverpool will win the league .
weathercardinal what you said in your 1st couple of sentences was the most important thing in your whole article .A TEAM BUILDS UP TO WINNING THE LEAGUE never a truer word was spoken and that is exactly why liverpool will win the league .
This is the first season in awhile where none of the top sides stand out above eachother. It should be a really good season.
I think Arsenal will be closer than they were last time due to having Arshavin for the whole season -- he will give them the 'extra' to sweep aside many of the lesser teams; they stumbled a bit here last season. Liverpool wil miss Alonso, but they may also get to use Gerrard and Torres in more league games this year, whch should mean converting some of those home draws from last season into wins (they did draw against some very average sides at home).
Man United have been the top side but have of course lost Ronaldo. A very strong defense and a defensively sound midfield, they are still gonna be up there. They excel at beating the cannon fodder, I don't see that changing too much. Chelsea look to have the strongest squad imo. They do have a new coach though. If anyone could run away with things, it'l be Chelsea, but we don't have a crystal ball regarding injuries etc.
Anyway Spurs for the league :P (COYS!)
This is the first season in awhile where none of the top sides stand out above eachother. It should be a really good season. I think Arsenal will be closer than they were last time due to having Arshavin for the whole season -- he will give them the
( I must point out before anyone barks up that for me arsenal and man city are a million miles away from winning the league at present and therefore dont come in for any analysis!)
after reading this original posters statement, I stopped reading. I would expect man utd and chelsea to be fighting it out this year, but out of the top 4 teams, Arsenal are the only one that I can see dramatically improving on last years performance, and I wouldn't be remotely surprised if they were up there towards the business end of the season.
( I must point out before anyone barks up that for me arsenal and man city are a million miles away from winning the league at present and therefore dont come in for any analysis!)after reading this original posters statement, I stopped reading.I wou
arsenal and man city are not contenders end of story.
ancelotti will go through the same teathing problems as scolari.
and before he susses out the premiership the rest will have flown.
liverpool and man utd are the only 2 possible winners imo .
and im fairly sure the no1 target for liverpool this year is the league.
which sways me in their favour.
also regarding chelsea the number 1 target will be the champions league.
arsenal and man city are not contenders end of story.ancelotti will go through the same teathing problems as scolari.and before he susses out the premiership the rest will have flown.liverpool and man utd are the only 2 possible winners imo .and im f
Benitez has 2 priorities as I see it Win the league & make the knock out round of the champs league They lost the league in january when incredibly Rafa played Torres & Gerrard in the cup at Preston & both got crocked soon after The cup games with everton were an unmitigated disaster, he should have let that slide, admitted Everton are a big club & let them win or at least played his squad players Maybe, just maybe he's learnt his lesson but nobody knows the ins & outs of the season better than Sir Fergs. The 4/1 about Liv is way too skinny
Benitez has 2 priorities as I see itWin the league & make the knock out round of the champs leagueThey lost the league in january when incredibly Rafa played Torres & Gerrard in the cup at Preston & both got crocked soon afterThe cup games with evert
Liverpool over achieved last season - red scousers are gonna be bitterly disappointed this season
Man United losing Ronaldo will be a loss not even Fergie will believe - last 3 seasons not just his goals but his attacking threat forced defences deep leaving more space to play - teams will adjust and will move up and close games down and Utd don't have the creativity to adjust
Arsenal under Wenger now are a big game team - they havent got and dont possess the ability or mental strength to compete for a season - should do well in the cups though
leaving CHELSEA - although with a poorer manager now than Hid*****a far superior one than Scolari and even though their squad is ageing their power, strength and pace will prove to be the difference - it won't be pretty but their consistency will win at the end of the day
1. Chelsea 2. Man Utd 3. Liverpool 4. Arsenal
Liverpool over achieved last season - red scousers are gonna be bitterly disappointed this seasonMan United losing Ronaldo will be a loss not even Fergie will believe - last 3 seasons not just his goals but his attacking threat forced defences deep l
liverpool to win the league and heres why.......................actually no no no and no!
i cannot see a single reason why they would win the league.....they are too erratic away from anfield and without torres they struggle for goals!...gerrard carries the midfield and defensively the are very ordinary......i am not even sure they will be in the top 4 this year!
liverpool to win the league and heres why.......................actually no no no and no!i cannot see a single reason why they would win the league.....they are too erratic away from anfield and without torres they struggle for goals!...gerrard carri
United & Chelsea are set up to compete on multiple fronts. They have stronger/deeper squads and SAF has come along way in blending that squad, (Hid*****is unproven in EPL- but no mug).
Liverpool & Arsenal are setup to win one piece of silverware at the most imo. I doubt you will see either win the leage tbh, but if one were to have a perfect run it would be arsenal before liverpool.
Besides, who will replace Glenn Johnson in January ;-)
United & Chelsea are set up to compete on multiple fronts. They have stronger/deeper squads and SAF has come along way in blending that squad, (Hid*****is unproven in EPL- but no mug).Liverpool & Arsenal are setup to win one piece of silverware at