Football 2013-2014

[RobertProsineckisLighter]

Agreed they have the worse team/squad/wage budget in the league and 18/19th would be a good season but still end up in.relegation. The way I look at it is they didn't expect to go up, so this season is a bonus. They aren't making gambles that may not pay off and will return to.the championship stronger with parachute payments.

[thetime]

Or alternatively, it'll be talked about as the year the manager refused to play the best player in the world, Kagawa - cos every time Moyes doesn't play him, a mass of Utd fans say that's why they're losing. It's nothing to do with very average performances right round the pitch.

[pink_triangle]

It will be a very interesting 45 minutes in terms of analyzing arsenal. Its one thing winning while your ahead, however a completely different thing coming from behind and that's an attribute that most championship sides have, but I worry that arsenal and Liverpool do not.

I have a worrying season that this season is going to be like one of those long distances track races you see often. The plucky underdogs doing the front running, while the wiley established stars line up behind their shoulder, ready to pounce with inevitable results.

[pink_triangle]

On another note you have to hold your hands up when you get it wrong. I was with the majority enraged at Soton when Adkins was sacked. While I don't think he would have taken them down, the owner made the right call being ruthless and getting rid of someone who wasn't doing a terrible job, because someone who could take them further became available.

[RobertProsineckisLighter]

It will be a very interesting 45 minutes in terms of analyzing arsenal. Its one thing winning while your ahead, however a completely different thing coming from behind and that's an attribute that most championship sides have, but I worry that arsenal and Liverpool do not.

I have a worrying season that this season is going to be like one of those long distances track races you see often. The plucky underdogs doing the front running, while the wiley established stars line up behind their shoulder, ready to pounce with inevitable results.

[VCK]

well done to Man Utd for winning a tough game against the mighty Sunderland.

The doubters were wrong, Moyes is the man. #MoyesIn

[Jackmypie]

Spurs letting me down on £330 from £3 against a team who hadn't scored an away goal before this game!

[pink_triangle]

I think people went ott about spurs at the start of the season. You need more than a load of great midfielders to succeed at this level.

Their squad looks a bit short to me, they have a good core of predominantly foreign players but the significant amount of English players that supplement this core have a bit of an "england b" feel about them.

I like vertonghen but thinking back at successful premiership sides, can people see a defence of walker, naughton, vertonghen and Dawson being at that level. Also if you have aspirations of top 4 are you going to get there with soldado and defoe as your main goal threats.

[thetime]

I think people went ott about spurs at the start of the season. You need more than a load of great midfielders to succeed at this level.

Their squad looks a bit short to me, they have a good core of predominantly foreign players but the significant amount of English players that supplement this core have a bit of an "england b" feel about them.

I like vertonghen but thinking back at successful premiership sides, can people see a defence of walker, naughton, vertonghen and Dawson being at that level. Also if you have aspirations of top 4 are you going to get there with soldado and defoe as your main goal threats.

[pink_triangle]

I think most teams are weak in positions, are arsenal any stronger with just giroud/podolski? Or Chelsea ba/Torres/eto'o?

Edited October 6, 2013 by pink_triangle

[RobertProsineckisLighter]

Pains me to say it but the scummers are flying at the moment. Keeping clean sheets too.

[kaosmark2]

I think people went ott about spurs at the start of the season. You need more than a load of great midfielders to succeed at this level.

Their squad looks a bit short to me, they have a good core of predominantly foreign players but the significant amount of English players that supplement this core have a bit of an "england b" feel about them.

I like vertonghen but thinking back at successful premiership sides, can people see a defence of walker, naughton, vertonghen and Dawson being at that level. Also if you have aspirations of top 4 are you going to get there with soldado and defoe as your main goal threats.

[kaosmark2]

I think most teams are weak in positions, are arsenal any stronger with just giroud/podolski? Or Chelsea ba/Torres/eto'o?

[Essex_George]

Big problem with Arsenal is they don't have anyone to bring on to change a game when its not going for them. Today they brought on Rosicky and Bendtner. They are hardly game changers.

[kaosmark2]

Big problem with Arsenal is they don't have anyone to bring on to change a game when its not going for them. Today they brought on Rosicky and Bendtner. They are hardly game changers.

[Essex_George]

Because their injury list includes Walcott, Ox, Podolski and Santi Cazorla... Of the top teams they've had the WORST set of injuries so far and are still top.

[kaosmark2]

Who again out of that list could come on and change a game? Ox is maybe the only one.

[Bobs]

Who again out of that list could come on and change a game? Ox is maybe the only one.

[pink_triangle]

Who again out of that list could come on and change a game? Ox is maybe the only one.

[Essex_George]

Santi Cazorla is one of the best in the league at threading out passes. Ozil, Hazard and Silva would be above, but I'd rate him as 4th or 5th.

Walcott's pace could make a huge difference, particularly against tired defenders. And he learned how to cross last season.

Podolski has an eye for goal, decent pace, decent cross and a natural left foot. He's not a top top player, but you don't get that many caps for Germany by being insignificant. He'd be an improvement over either of Spurs' strikers, and definitely is a better option to bring on than Bendtner.

[Essex_George]

It's funny how people see things differently, he is the last name on the list I would expect to change a game, he got the "young and English" hype, but I'm not sure he has ever done anything that has stood out for me. I think your comment about squad depth is relevant though and what will be the deciding factor when chelsea or city win the title.

[kaosmark2]

It's funny how people see things differently, he is the last name on the list I would expect to change a game, he got the "young and English" hype, but I'm not sure he has ever done anything that has stood out for me. I think your comment about squad depth is relevant though and what will be the deciding factor when chelsea or city win the title.

[pink_triangle]

Walcott is still too hit and miss though. He can run but end product is still lacking. Dunno about Santi, nice player but not sure he is really top class. Podolski is no better then average.

[pink_triangle]

I don't think Arsenal lack for squad depth though, except up front. I rate Giroud and Podolski but I don't think there's backup.

[Essex_George]

Maybe my average comment was bit harsh on Podolski, would take him as a squad player at LFC no problem!