Football 2010-2011

[pink_triangle]

not sure about that.

Spurs have started to make a loss (under 'Arry? Who'd have thought it ), and I'm again starting to doubt they'll have any Euro footie next season - Liverpool are starting to look good again for 5th place instead of Spurs. Those goals at the weekend have given Liverpool better goal difference (that's worth an extra point!), and Spurs have trouble scoring goals.

But even if Spurs do hang onto 5th, I think they're going to be a team on the way down again - they've missed the opportunity to get some of the very best players (in the one year they've been in the Chumps League), and they'll have trouble holding onto their better players .... which really only amounts to two of them anyway.

If they want to maintain themselves in the fight for the top 4, they'll have to spend VERY big - which I don't think the club will allow (I can't see them even re-investing what they get for who they sell) - or they'll have to get rid of 'Arry and start again with someone else who knows how to build a team without constant spending.

[eFestivals]

A lot of the media types are talking as if liverpool are certs for a top 4 place.

I dunno about certs, but...

The average of Liverpool's points under Kenny is better than the season's average for Spurs, City, and Arsenal.

And if you take off the first two League games under Kenny - where he had almost no time at all with the players (due to rest days) - then Liverpool under Kenny have also bettered the season averages of Chelsea and Utd too.

Given that the general opinion of Liverpool's squad (even with the addition of Suarez & Carroll) is pretty poor for a 'top' team, that's mightily impressive, and an amazing turn-around.

I don't think anyone doubts that they'll be strengthened further in the summer, so while they might not be 'certs' for the top four next year, they're very definitely going to be strongly in the mix.

[The Nal]

I dunno about certs, but...

The average of Liverpool's points under Kenny is better than the season's average for Spurs, City, and Arsenal.

And if you take off the first two League games under Kenny - where he had almost no time at all with the players (due to rest days) - then Liverpool under Kenny have also bettered the season averages of Chelsea and Utd too.

Given that the general opinion of Liverpool's squad (even with the addition of Suarez & Carroll) is pretty poor for a 'top' team, that's mightily impressive, and an amazing turn-around.

I don't think anyone doubts that they'll be strengthened further in the summer, so while they might not be 'certs' for the top four next year, they're very definitely going to be strongly in the mix.

[pink_triangle]

I dunno about certs, but...

The average of Liverpool's points under Kenny is better than the season's average for Spurs, City, and Arsenal.

And if you take off the first two League games under Kenny - where he had almost no time at all with the players (due to rest days) - then Liverpool under Kenny have also bettered the season averages of Chelsea and Utd too.

Given that the general opinion of Liverpool's squad (even with the addition of Suarez & Carroll) is pretty poor for a 'top' team, that's mightily impressive, and an amazing turn-around.

I don't think anyone doubts that they'll be strengthened further in the summer, so while they might not be 'certs' for the top four next year, they're very definitely going to be strongly in the mix.

[pink_triangle]

The main reason for Liverpool revival is they’re out of the Europa League. Massive improvement since then. Its too much of a stretch, that competition. Games Thursday and Sunday, one less training session a week, travelling to Cyprus and back at 4am etc. A mess. May not be worth it in the long run.

[spwan-of-the-devil]

Christ Shalke were awful. Roll on Wembley.

[eFestivals]

The main reason for Liverpool revival is they’re out of the Europa League. Massive improvement since then. Its too much of a stretch, that competition. Games Thursday and Sunday, one less training session a week, travelling to Cyprus and back at 4am etc. A mess. May not be worth it in the long run.

I'm not thinking it's an irrelevance, but it's not the big factor that suggests either. Liverpool were much improved before the were out of the Europa.

[pink_triangle]

Another accolade for Giggs, oldest ever scorer in the champions league. Despite his advanced age, he doesnt seem to have any problem scoring!

[The Nal]

Another accolade for Giggs, oldest ever scorer in the champions league. Despite his advanced age, he doesnt seem to have any problem scoring!

Edited April 27, 2011 by The Nal

[eFestivals]

I agree kenny has done a great job with liverpool this season. I think however people are assuming liverpool will improve while others stay similar to how they have been this season. One of the reasons that liverpools point average is above these teams you mention is that they have generally been under par and not got as many points as you would expect.

while it's been a funny old season, going by what Ralph posted (I think) last week, it's not been that funny either.

From memory, ralph posted something along the lines of Man Utd being just 3 points down on where they were at the same point last season - which means that Chelsea and Arsenal must be around the same level too. So I don't think it's all quite as you're thinking.

As for anything else, teams "strengthen" each summer, yet they remain around the same strength - most of the buying that goes on with the 'top' teams maintains position rather than particularly improves it.

If you could build a time machine and bring this current liverpool team back to the start of the season, I have no doubt they will finish top 4.

For that, I have less certainty than you do it seems. While I've no doubt they would have had a better season overall than they have, I very much doubt that the form they've had under Kenny would have been the same right thru the season.

However I feel that the bar will be raised next season. No doubt liverpool will aim to strengthen but they will be limtted to players who are willing to accept not being in the champions league.

I think that's going to be a FAR bigger issue for Spurs. Despite their slide, Liverpool are still very much a 'glamour' club, and having a legend like Kenny back in charge - and him showing he's still got it as he has done - should I reckon be enough to attract good enough players.

It's not like going for 'the best' gives any guarantees anyway - just look at Shitty.

That aside, I'm not sure that Liverpool are going to go on the spending spree that some are expecting. Kenny clearly has a lot of faith in the youngsters at the club (not surprising, given his involvement with them before becoming manager), and some are starting to show they're more than good enough to be squad players if not having a greater 'first choice' role. And John Henry isn't someone who spunks money on big-name players, he's much more interested in buying decent prospects.

In a way Kenny took liverpool on at a decent time, despite what some pundits said liverpool werent going to get relegated but they werent going to challenge for the champions league.

I'd have agreed fully with that at the point he took over, but now I sort-of look at Kenny's time as an opportunity lost. They could have made the top four, when you look at the games they've lost - Blackpool, West Ham, and WBA.

A few weeks ago I wrote them off to climb above Spurs, but that's looking more than possible again. Fingers crossed that they do it, because (even if they don't) the turn-around has been phenomenal.

We wont really know how a kenny dalgliesh liverpool react under real pressure untill next season. The trouble for them is not what they can do but the strengths of others. Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea record suggests even in poor seasons they qualify in the top 4 while man city are the biggest spenders in world football. If I was a betting man I would predict 5th place for liverpool.

The thing is - given their relatively poor squad strength - that Liverpool will find it easier to strengthen than the other teams. Just about anyone can see where Liverpool need to strengthen, while for the others it's far more of a balancing act and one where it's as much about maintaining squad strength as improving.

I'd say next season is likely to be five teams fighting for those top four places (with Spurs falling away), and just about any of them could be the ones to drop out. OK, some will probably be less likely than others (Utd, & Chelsea), but then again just a couple of months back it looked like Chelsea could have been the ones to miss out this season.

I wouldn't go as far as saying that Liverpool were a certainty for the top four next season, but neither would I go as far as predicting them as finishing 5th as you have - I think those top five positions could see any of those five teams in that place, with the biggest factor on how they do turn out being who they buy in the summer and how well the squads as a whole gel after those buys.

[eFestivals]

He ran 11K last night. Hes 38 this year. Just incredible.

he's getting better with age, not worse.

Here's betting that Nani is going to be feeling sick on Chumps final day.

Regarding Liverpool and the Europa, I thought Kennys results were similar to Woys up until they got knocked out of the Europe League?

It's difficult to make a definitive judgement on, I'd say.

Kenny's first two league games (Blackpool & Everton) can sort-of be discounted, given how little time he had with the squad before those.

Then there weren't too many league games before they went out of the Europa, but they'd definitely shown a big improvement in those league games.

And I'm not sure now how much was choice and how much was forced on him, but the teams that Liverpool put out for those Europa games weren't of the strength that Liverpool could have fielded - tho it didn't help that Suarez was cup-tied.

[pink_triangle]

I think that's going to be a FAR bigger issue for Spurs. Despite their slide, Liverpool are still very much a 'glamour' club, and having a legend like Kenny back in charge - and him showing he's still got it as he has done - should I reckon be enough to attract good enough players.

It's not like going for 'the best' gives any guarantees anyway - just look at Shitty.

That aside, I'm not sure that Liverpool are going to go on the spending spree that some are expecting. Kenny clearly has a lot of faith in the youngsters at the club (not surprising, given his involvement with them before becoming manager), and some are starting to show they're more than good enough to be squad players if not having a greater 'first choice' role. And John Henry isn't someone who spunks money on big-name players, he's much more interested in buying decent prospects.

I'd have agreed fully with that at the point he took over, but now I sort-of look at Kenny's time as an opportunity lost. They could have made the top four, when you look at the games they've lost - Blackpool, West Ham, and WBA.

The thing is - given their relatively poor squad strength - that Liverpool will find it easier to strengthen than the other teams. Just about anyone can see where Liverpool need to strengthen, while for the others it's far more of a balancing act and one where it's as much about maintaining squad strength as improving.

I wouldn't go as far as saying that Liverpool were a certainty for the top four next season, but neither would I go as far as predicting them as finishing 5th as you have - I think those top five positions could see any of those five teams in that place, with the biggest factor on how they do turn out being who they buy in the summer and how well the squads as a whole gel after those buys.

[ralph250]

Chelsea are 10 pts off their last season's tally after 34 games. United are on the same as last years now. Arsenal are 7 pts off, City 3 pts off, Spurs 6 pts. Liverpool 4 pts off.

Man Utd 34 73 (73)

Chelsea 34 67 (77)

Arsenal 34 64 (71)

Man City 33 59 (62)

Spurs 33 55 (61)

Liverpool 52 (56)

Maximum this year if win remaining games is Man Utd 85, Chelsea 79, Arsenal 76 and obviously Utd still to play Chelsea & Arsenal, so not all can reach maximums.

09-10 Chelsea 86, Man Utd 85

08-09 Man Utd 90, Chelsea 86

07-08 Man Utd 87, Chelsea 85

06-07 Man Utd 89, Chelsea 83

05-06 Chelsea 91, Man Utd 83

[strummer77]

He ran 11K last night. Hes 38 this year. Just incredible.

Regarding Liverpool and the Europa, I thought Kennys results were similar to Woys up until they got knocked out of the Europe League?

[strummer77]

Oh and Reina has suggested he's staying. Also hints the owners plans for the summer are big/interesting. Won't be Man City style- we will sell some to buy- but don't expect a soft summer. They're in it to win it. I'd expect a marquee signing amongst some squad replacements for Cole etc.

[eFestivals]

Oh and Reina has suggested he's staying. Also hints the owners plans for the summer are big/interesting. Won't be Man City style- we will sell some to buy- but don't expect a soft summer. They're in it to win it. I'd expect a marquee signing amongst some squad replacements for Cole etc.

do you think they'll succeed in getting rid of Cole then? While they desperately need to get rid of him cos of his £90k a week, that £90k a week means that there won't be any takers for him.

Unless he's only on a one year contract - but surely that won't be the case?

[pink_triangle]

do you think they'll succeed in getting rid of Cole then? While they desperately need to get rid of him cos of his £90k a week, that £90k a week means that there won't be any takers for him.

Unless he's only on a one year contract - but surely that won't be the case?

[strummer77]

do you think they'll succeed in getting rid of Cole then? While they desperately need to get rid of him cos of his £90k a week, that £90k a week means that there won't be any takers for him.

Unless he's only on a one year contract - but surely that won't be the case?

Edited April 27, 2011 by strummer77

[Jaybles]

Wow..... Messi scored another cracker

[The Nal]

I think Johnny Evans may have a slight issue if he plays in the champions league final!!

[eFestivals]

I think Johnny Evans may have a slight issue if he plays in the champions league final!!

I think that Man Utd may have a slight issue if they play in the champions league final.

In all seriousness, if Moaniho can't park the bus and get the better of a Barca he's familiar at playing, I'm struggling to see how Utd will manage it too. The one thing in Utd's favour is the unfamiliarity I guess, but their style of allowing the opposition to have the ball and soaking up the pressure isn't one that's hugely likely to bring success against a side that's so capable at using the ball.

But it'll be a single game, and Utd will have 'home' advantage, so anything can happen. It's not over till it's over I guess.

[pink_triangle]

I think man utd v barcelona will be very different to the last game. Two years ago man utd went into the game as favourites while they will go into the next match as underdogs. I dont think barca will have another easy run, however an early goal could be a disaster. I personally would love to see messi really turn it on in the final. To me this barcelona team are a really memorable club side, where as the man utd current team even if they win the double wont be discussed when people talk about the best man utd side ever, never mind the best club side ever.

[Jaybles]

Apart from Messi it was a hugely disappointing El Classico.

Both teams were diving and cheating all over the place. Barca were even worse than Real (or better at cheating)

Needs to be addressed. Players should not be allowed to surround the ref like that. If a player waves an imaginary card at the ref trying to get someone carded then the response should be the ref giving that player a yellow. Its the only way i can think that it will stop it. Then they need to ban players for simulation after the game if they cant see it in game.

Messi rose above it all last night and showed why he is regarded as the best. Ronaldo was hugely frustrated at the tactics mourinho was playing, it meant he never got the ball in the final third of the pitch.

[jump]

Whilst everyone is talking about Barca already being through to the final the predicting octopus is saying it's gonna be Real.

I found it very strange that Pepe who worked so well in the other game played so shit last night as he couldn't pass and showed he's out of postion.

Edited April 28, 2011 by jump

[The Nal]

I think that Man Utd may have a slight issue if they play in the champions league final.

In all seriousness, if Moaniho can't park the bus and get the better of a Barca he's familiar at playing, I'm struggling to see how Utd will manage it too. The one thing in Utd's favour is the unfamiliarity I guess, but their style of allowing the opposition to have the ball and soaking up the pressure isn't one that's hugely likely to bring success against a side that's so capable at using the ball.

But it'll be a single game, and Utd will have 'home' advantage, so anything can happen. It's not over till it's over I guess.

Edited April 28, 2011 by The Nal