Are we better ?

[RedStar]

I dont think for one minute he was actualy contemplating a move to Arsenal..

A. It was and still is media Hype..
B. He and/or his agent where probably using them to force Madrids Hand..
C. You would have to be incredibly stupid to jump from a club like Liverpool to Arsenal... out of the 3 teams battling for 4th place, with Bale being sold and Arsenals lack of transfer activity, you would have to say Liverpool are probably in the strongest position to fight for 4th right now..
D. Arsenal have not yet guarenteed Champions League football.

In what way are we stronger contenders for 4th place than a team that finished 12 points ahead of us last season?

 

[6TimesaRed]

In what way are we stronger contenders for 4th place than a team that finished 12 points ahead of us last season?

We have strengthened our squad and looking like we are continuing to do so, Arsenal haven't and look lost in the Transfer Market, Spurs are about to weaken theirs.. and on our 2nd half of the season form.. if that had been all season we would of easily finished 4th..

The fact we dont have any European Distractions could be a great bonus for us too..

 

[localny]

Just to be Devil's Advocate here:

We have added
Toure CB -
Aspas
Luis Alberto
Mignolet

And we have lost
Reina -
Carroll -
Shelvey
Carragher -
Wilson -
Gulacsi -

Is this what strengthening looks like? As it looks like we have really replaced like maybe like.. all potential unfulfilled.

 

[Mystic]

 

[red_maradona]

Just to be Devil's Advocate here:

We have added
Toure CB -
Aspas
Luis Alberto
Mignolet

And we have lost
Reina -
Carroll -
Shelvey
Carragher -
Wilson -
Gulacsi -

Is this what strengthening looks like? As it looks like we have really replaced like maybe like.. all potential unfulfilled.

And we have not got rid of downing yet, just joimimg in the devil's advocate thing

 

[doctor_mac]

Just to be Devil's Advocate here:

We have added
Toure CB -
Aspas
Luis Alberto
Mignolet

And we have lost
Reina -
Carroll -
Shelvey
Carragher -
Wilson -
Gulacsi -

Is this what strengthening looks like? As it looks like we have really replaced like maybe like.. all potential unfulfilled.

Although, for the sake of a proper comparison for a potential points tally against last season, we should probably compare against the squad that started last season. In that respect we have added:

Sturridge
Coutinho
Toure
Aspas
Luis Alberto
Mignolet

The top 2 on the list have the potential to be among the best players in the league, going on last season's evidence. If we sign a couple of high quality players then I think we're looking better than some people realise. If Allen gets back to his early season form and Lucas finds the form that preceded his injury (something that was always going to take 12 months given the nature of his injuries) then we could be looking good, especially with the return of Kelly who will be like a new signing for us. I'm quietly confident with the way things are shaping up.

 

[localny]

 

[peterhague]

I take the point about the best comparison being between the side who started last season and the one that'll start this. I'd add a note of caution though by pointing out that we had a great second half of the season in 2011 once the pressure was off. So maybe that was a bit of a factor too. Only maybe, like.

I think we might well get a good start because it's a nice fixture list and we can put out a strong XI, more or less. It's beyond that that I'd really worry. Imagine trying to come up with a notional 'second' XI for us, and it doesn't look pretty

Jones
Kelly
Skrtel
Wisdom
Robinson
Henderson
Teixeira
Alberto
Downing
Sterling
Aspas

 

[Stulikesdrums]

Yeah, but only City could probably field. Decent second XI.
If you did the same for Utd Nd Arse it'd look pretty short on quality too.

 

[6TimesaRed]

Although, for the sake of a proper comparison for a potential points tally against last season, we should probably compare against the squad that started last season. In that respect we have added:

Sturridge
Coutinho
Toure
Aspas
Luis Alberto
Mignolet

The top 2 on the list have the potential to be among the best players in the league, going on last season's evidence. If we sign a couple of high quality players then I think we're looking better than some people realise. If Allen gets back to his early season form and Lucas finds the form that preceded his injury (something that was always going to take 12 months given the nature of his injuries) then we could be looking good, especially with the return of Kelly who will be like a new signing for us. I'm quietly confident with the way things are shaping up.

That kinda where I was getting at... A few more signings through the door LB already done CB and another attack minded player.. I am quietly confidant too..

 

[keniget]

Arsenal are another of those teams that are a little hard to figure out as they don't look particularly strong on paper. They do come together to form a decent side though and I guess have the benefit of a long standing system at the club.

I think we need a better midfield, but beyond that we're still waiting to see if our manager has what it takes. It's going to be an interesting season.

 

[Ijg]

There's a lot of if's and but's to this argument, be interesting to see, and the argument of if we had the same form over the last few months throughout the season, well we didn't and we always finish strong so doesn't count for much.

Although saying that, I am optimistic that we can do well, but the next month's transfer activity is key.

 

[LarryHagman]

In what way are we stronger contenders for 4th place than a team that finished 12 points ahead of us last season?

We're not. Anyone who thinks that needs a lie down in a darkened room.