too damn hard to predict tbh.

Lol...so much Liverpool underrating.

Hapless_Hans wrote:too damn hard to predict tbh.

This.

El Cujo wrote:Lol...so much Liverpool underrating.

This, too. Yes, we lost Suarez, but he's just one player and we have added to the team - in pretty much every position - since last season and we finished second then.

Not really.

City are better anyway, Chelsea and Arsenal are clearly better than last season and the gap was tiny last year anyway.

A lot of people forget that the season before Moyes destruction that Man Yoo won the league, its only natural now they have a good manager again people expect them to challenge.

I don't without some additions but you can see why people would, no one is underrating anyone it's just the 5 teams being talked about there's a tiny difference in quality.

It's ridiculous really, the team who finishes 5th out of this lot would easily qualify for the CL in any other league.

I'm really torn.

Basically I see no reason why City and Chelsea should be weaker than last year. If only they are stronger so that makes them automatic favourites.

BUT Arsenal are stronger too.

and then United, I honestly wouldn't put it past van Gaal to get them going and win the thing. They could also not make top 4. HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO KNOW

Liverpool, I don't think they'll be there to win it. Rodgers is their only star now. Top 4 will be a great success for them imo.

But again, too damn hard to predict. Such a interesting season ahead, really looking forward to it.

Top 4 will depend largely on how each team can scrub kill. I like our chances of being the best flat-track bully of the top teams.

1) Citeh
2) Arsenal
3) Liverpool
4) Chelsea
5) Tottenham
6) Man Yoo
7) Everton

Can't wait till Spurs finish outside of the top 7 this season tho

There is something about City that makes me believe they will struggle this year. Just a question of effort IMO. Yanited under a new manager and after last season's catastrophic season will have a point to prove. Mourinho teams always battle hard, especially in his 2nd seasons. Arsenal could do with a Premier League title again at some point, only a world class CF and DM away from being proper elite. Liverpool will want to prove that they aren't only about Suarez. Spurs got the manager who almost relegated Espanyol, so basically top 3 in the English Mule League. But City? They've won it 2 times in the last 3 years which is a dangerous combination with players like 31 year old Yaya running your midfield.

Hapless_Hans wrote:I'm really torn.

Basically I see no reason why City and Chelsea should be weaker than last year. If only they are stronger so that makes them automatic favourites.

You remember how I was right about Spain at the World Cup, Hans?   

Well, I think City are facing the same danger.

I'm just not sure about their motivation. It's always the hardest thing in any sport to stay in lead and City's squad is staying pretty much the same.

I'm not sure if they've got the motivation to train and play as hard as the teams chasing them. The quality is certainly there, but is the hunger? It was the same question, imo, in Spain's case and that turned out bad. Or Man United's case, when they easily won the league and collapsed the next season. Not even a talent like Moyes can do that all by himself.

To cap it off, Pellegrini doesn't strike me like a manager who can whip his players into a frenzy. Actually he reminds a bit of Del Bosque, calm and warm with strong tactical beliefs. Not someone who is going to go hard on his players to light their fire.

City are the ones to flop in my book.

I don't 'not rate' Liverpool they're still a good side but imo i'm not impressed when they sell a player who guaranteed them a shit tonne of goals as well as overall danger and as of yet they haven't come close to replacing them whereas teams around them have improved significantly.

United haven't made a bunch of deals happen, but a competent manager and a happier squad makes a big difference.

Arsenal have got some nice firepower with Alexis Texas.

City have improved their squad nicely, Jovetic will be like a new signing. And even if they hadn't improved they still have a top 2 squad tbh

Chelsea have done some real work in the transfer market.

Chelsea are so overrated for me. If anyone does drop out I think it'll be them but that's just me

But I don't think anyone will drop out of the top 4 as United still haven't improved massively other than getting a competent manager.

Tbf I think Shaw and Herrera are quite significant for them, it's just not enough.

If they bring 2 or 3 more of of a similar standard then we can talk.

Shaw is overrated and terrible signing for that much money. Herrera is legit. Think he'll be special but they still have glaring holes that need addressing for me.

Tom did u mean to type alexis Texas or is it a joke I missed?

As much as I hate Mourinho, his 2nd season at a club is usually pretty awesome.

I actually like a lot of the players they got rid of and never believed the hype of how he tried to claim they were short handed last year, nor did every other GM in Europe apparently if you look at the money they got for the talent that was on that team or under contract at Chelsea.

I know were all supposed to act like David Luiz sucks and they will be better for selling him, I don't believe it for one second. I like David Luiz and thought he brought heart and class to that team especially when they won the CL.

I think they had a ton of talent last year and by either loaning out or freezing out certain players Mou kind of made an ass of himself and had to play the whole poor us were not that good song and dance to justify where they ended in in the league when it was wide open for them or City or Pool to win.

The bottom line for me is, usually I would bet all day on Chelsea/Mou in his second season to win the league but I just don't think bringing Mou back was a good idea. A lot of the players who were/are loyal to him are either old or gone and for some reason it just seems to be a weird almost Non-Chelsea mix of players they have and they have also have 4 Spanish players plus others who played in LA Liga who probably are not the biggest Mourinho fans and are there because either there teams didn't want them anymore or they want a huge paycheck. I just don't think it's a good mix nor do I think they have a starting 11 better than City especially if Mou starts Cech.

I will go

City
Chelsea
Pool
United

And yes, City will probably lose both times they play Chelsea.

cyberman wrote:Tom did u mean to type alexis Texas or is it a joke I missed?

He's been called that before on here.

Nice that you recognize the pun, though..

I just said that lol, I disagree with Shaw being overrated anyway.

People are just hating because of the price, kid is legit and he'll prove it this season.

I meant it

Don't call me James wrote:Shaw is overrated and terrible signing for that much money. Herrera is legit. Think he'll be special but they still have glaring holes that need addressing for me.

Shaw cost about the same as Lallana and has been outstanding for two seasons now and is only 19..
I haven't heard from anyone how he's overrated other than Liverpool fans since we signed him..

Art Morte wrote:

cyberman wrote:Tom did u mean to type alexis Texas or is it a joke I missed?

He's been called that before on here.

Nice that you recognize the pun, though..

I honestly googled it to see if it was a joke. Who remembers porn stars names?
Now I have to clear my search history..

I don't think Shaw has been outstanding. He's got glaring holes in his game like any up and coming fullback.

What's you point of comparing Lallana and Shaw?

If you insist Lallana was bought for 23m, Shaw for around 30m and Lallana has been Soton's best player for two seasons running. what's your point?

How has he not?
Is those liver bird glasses impairing your view?
He's been a rock for Southampton at full back, universal praise.
But please tell me what glaring weakness this 19 yo has

City will win again.

They are amazing at beating Scrubs, and they're outstanding going forward.

They've addressed the weaknesses in their squad very well with some smart signings.

I'm more amazed that everyone is dismissing Everton/Spurs. Anyteam that gets 70+ points has a decent chance of top 4, and I can see 7 teams capable of achieving that.

Agreed Sepi on City, not on the Spurs and Everton thing though they are level below IMO.

You guys are so wrong about City it's not even funny.

^Thing is Mole...I see everyone having Man U as their top 3 mostly because of a new "MANAGER", where apparently Spurs have no chance despite them having a new competent manager. Yea, LVG is of course more credible than Poch, but the logic still applies.

Don't forget that EL winner gets CL next year, so be interesting to see how Spurs/Everton approach that.

On City, one thing sets them apart than anyone else in the league. Their fullbacks. Never in my life I've seen a team in PL era with so much contributing fullbacks going forward. That's the thing I was so jealous of their attack last year (and comes from someone whose team scored 101 goals)....Really hope Moreno/Manquillo help us get even half as good as their fullbacks going forward.

THOSE OVER-LAPS are unreal to defend again. Much harder when you're likes of Burnley/Villa.