: Sun Jul 19, 2009 5:10 pm  

If you two want to have a personal argument do it via PM.

: Sun Jul 19, 2009 5:16 pm  

Asim wrote:

If you two want to have a personal argument do it via PM.

Read and noted.

: Sun Jul 19, 2009 6:02 pm  

with next season possibly being the closest title races in years after we more or less had hand on the trophy last year from march, who do people see as the champions? I don't think we will win it as I think it was Nemanja has pointed out before that to win 3 on the bounce is very hard to do. We're gonna need a player of the year performance from Rooney and for Owen to be the bargain of the century, we can keep goals out but it's going to be those tight games when we need something extra where we pciked up points last season where we may struggle this. I have a sneaky feeling about Chelsea as they finished last season quite well and will have Essien for the full season, I hope Liverpool will have a bit of a hangover similar to Arsenal last year after they over-achieved, but with Gerrard and Torres in tandem they can win any game. If City get lescott and terry then their may be a MASSIVE surprise.

: Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:13 pm  

Robbie Rotten wrote:

Never really arrived as an out and out striker like Torres. Came as a left forward, played wide left in a 4-3-3, even when he has played up front, the only time he's shown promise was against Marseille.

Last season, Madrid and Marseille were arguably his best games, other than that he done almost nothing.

It's hard to do much when you are limited to 20 minutes every other week, though. I'm not saying I'm his biggest fan, just that he could be a good player if given an extended run.

: Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:28 pm  

Mark wrote:

with next season possibly being the closest title races in years after we more or less had hand on the trophy last year from march, who do people see as the champions? I don't think we will win it as I think it was Nemanja has pointed out before that to win 3 on the bounce is very hard to do. We're gonna need a player of the year performance from Rooney and for Owen to be the bargain of the century, we can keep goals out but it's going to be those tight games when we need something extra where we pciked up points last season where we may struggle this. I have a sneaky feeling about Chelsea as they finished last season quite well and will have Essien for the full season, I hope Liverpool will have a bit of a hangover similar to Arsenal last year after they over-achieved, but with Gerrard and Torres in tandem they can win any game. If City get lescott and terry then their may be a MASSIVE surprise.

I'm not sure really Mark, it's hard to predict right now. We could well be losing Alonso this week, which will instantly make us weaker. I doubt we'll be able to find a replacement of equal quality, so we'll either have to change things up, or continue with this system but be weakened. United will always compete, the winning culture is spread throughout the team, and it's hard not seeing them being there or thereabouts. I'm mixed on Chelsea, they done really well under Hiddink, but looked average at times under Scolari. I think Ancelotti is a good manager, I think they'll hit the ground running on the back of Hiddink's brilliant work, but I think the pressure might just be too much for his first year.

Arsenal could well drop out of the top 4 this season, unless Wenger gets the backing to buy a defender, a midfielder and possibly a replacement for Adebayor, as well as maybe a 'keeper, then they're seriously going to struggle, especially with the quality over at City.

It should be interesting, I can see Chelsea leading early on, but when it gets to January, I can see it being a three horse race, which will much depend on the luck of injuries and so on. I think United will lack firepower, we'll lack a bit of strength and quality in midfield with Alonso possibly leaving, and Ancelotti may struggle to adapt his tactics to achieve consistent victories which are needed in the league.

: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:06 pm  

Robbie Rotten wrote:

I'm not sure really Mark, it's hard to predict right now. We could well be losing Alonso this week, which will instantly make us weaker. I doubt we'll be able to find a replacement of equal quality, so we'll either have to change things up, or continue with this system but be weakened. United will always compete, the winning culture is spread throughout the team, and it's hard not seeing them being there or thereabouts. I'm mixed on Chelsea, they done really well under Hiddink, but looked average at times under Scolari. I think Ancelotti is a good manager, I think they'll hit the ground running on the back of Hiddink's brilliant work, but I think the pressure might just be too much for his first year.

Arsenal could well drop out of the top 4 this season, unless Wenger gets the backing to buy a defender, a midfielder and possibly a replacement for Adebayor, as well as maybe a 'keeper, then they're seriously going to struggle, especially with the quality over at City.

It should be interesting, I can see Chelsea leading early on, but when it gets to January, I can see it being a three horse race, which will much depend on the luck of injuries and so on. I think United will lack firepower, we'll lack a bit of strength and quality in midfield with Alonso possibly leaving, and Ancelotti may struggle to adapt his tactics to achieve consistent victories which are needed in the league.

However if we signed Villa the whole outlook could change, how often is Guillem right.

: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:20 pm  

Mark wrote:

However if we signed Villa the whole outlook could change, how often is Guillem right.

I've never really done a tally and read through what he's said then seen the results. Often with Liverpool he gives many mixed signals, sometimes people say he does it as a favour for Rafa, to try and sway off the press away from real signings. With other teams he often gets things pretty right, I remember way back in January he said the Valencia deal to Real was off because a sudden agreement with United was made or something, a few days/weeks later it was being said in the media.

I'd say when he speaks about goings on he's normally spot on, but with end results it's kind of sketchy because so many things can change. If Barca sign Ibra, I'd say United would become the favourites for Villa and, depending on what he wants to do, will sign Villa if he decides moving to England is right.

: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:22 pm  

Robbie Rotten wrote:

I've never really done a tally and read through what he's said then seen the results. Often with Liverpool he gives many mixed signals, sometimes people say he does it as a favour for Rafa, to try and sway off the press away from real signings. With other teams he often gets things pretty right, I remember way back in January he said the Valencia deal to Real was off because a sudden agreement with United was made or something, a few days/weeks later it was being said in the media.

I'd say when he speaks about goings on he's normally spot on, but with end results it's kind of sketchy because so many things can change. If Barca sign Ibra, I'd say United would become the favourites for Villa and, depending on what he wants to do, will sign Villa if he decides moving to England is right.

I'm thinking having your contingent nearby may help in terms of settling down etc as guessing he has a few friends at the club.

: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:26 pm  

Mark wrote:

I'm thinking having your contingent nearby may help in terms of settling down etc as guessing he has a few friends at the club.

I read last year Pepe Reina's his best mate. It would obviously help, and would give United the edge over Chelsea if they were to make another bid or something.

Thing is, if United did sign Villa, what would it mean for Rooney or Berbatov? Will Rooney be back on the left? Berbatov to the bench?

: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:49 pm  

Robbie Rotten wrote:

I read last year Pepe Reina's his best mate. It would obviously help, and would give United the edge over Chelsea if they were to make another bid or something.

Thing is, if United did sign Villa, what would it mean for Rooney or Berbatov? Will Rooney be back on the left? Berbatov to the bench?

I think that Rooney will be given a free role next season playing off the back of two strikers. Villa would be a similar type of player to Owen so i'd think those two would mix it up with Berba.