Lack of big signings = No pressure to challenge??

[Judge Jules]

No-one with any sense would write the Mancs off completely but, if the Mancs' record in the games they played without Ronaldo last season had extended over the season as a whole, we'd have won the title - that's how vital he was to them. They'll compensate in whatever way they can, and they'll do it as well as anyone could, but he'll be a massive miss.

I reckon Chelsea may well be our closest challengers by the end, but I don't agree the title's theirs to lose. They have a new manager and some new players to bed in and, despite Ancellotti's success at Milan, it remains to be seen whether he can turn all those big names into a cohesive unit as brilliantly as Mourinho did, now that he's come to a new country and a new league.

 

[HC]

I think his success at Milan suggest's he's more than capable of turning big name players into team players, Judge.

I'm only basing that on the fact that they are the only squad to have not been hit by a Madrid Fly by.

The back room staff at Chelsea are also a constant, it's not as if CA will just go in there and mix things up to the maximum.

 

[Rosco]

[quote author=Hardcastle link=topic=35123.msg920956#msg920956 date=1249733215]
I think his success at Milan suggest's he's more than capable of turning big name players into team players, Judge.

I'm only basing that on the fact that they are the only squad to have not been hit by a Madrid Fly by.

The back room staff at Chelsea are also a constant, it's not as if CA will just go in there and mix things up to the maximum.
[/quote]

When did Milan last win the league ?

 

[HC]

Are you suggesting that after a great period of success he all of a sudden just lost the ability to manage a football side?

 

[Tinto]

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=35123.msg920957#msg920957 date=1249733260]
[quote author=Hardcastle link=topic=35123.msg920956#msg920956 date=1249733215]
I think his success at Milan suggest's he's more than capable of turning big name players into team players, Judge.

I'm only basing that on the fact that they are the only squad to have not been hit by a Madrid Fly by.

The back room staff at Chelsea are also a constant, it's not as if CA will just go in there and mix things up to the maximum.
[/quote]

When did Milan last win the league ?
[/quote]

Quite.

Ancelotti's biggest problem at Chelsea will be player power and keeping his senior players happy. If he loses them in the same manner that Scolari did then Chelsea's challenge will fade away.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Tinto link=topic=35123.msg920961#msg920961 date=1249733489]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=35123.msg920957#msg920957 date=1249733260]
[quote author=Hardcastle link=topic=35123.msg920956#msg920956 date=1249733215]
I think his success at Milan suggest's he's more than capable of turning big name players into team players, Judge.

I'm only basing that on the fact that they are the only squad to have not been hit by a Madrid Fly by.

The back room staff at Chelsea are also a constant, it's not as if CA will just go in there and mix things up to the maximum.
[/quote]

When did Milan last win the league ?
[/quote]

Quite.

Ancelotti's biggest problem at Chelsea will be player power and keeping his senior players happy. If he loses them in the same manner that Scolari did then Chelsea's challenge will fade away.
[/quote]

The best thing we can hope for is a rusty start. If they waver in the league and are left with Europe and there's a risk that they might get knocked out, you can bet that Roman will get itchy fingered.

 

[Squiggles]

In terms of playing squad, yeah

But anything can happen in a managers debut season

 

[Tinto]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35123.msg920962#msg920962 date=1249733644]
[quote author=Tinto link=topic=35123.msg920961#msg920961 date=1249733489]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=35123.msg920957#msg920957 date=1249733260]
[quote author=Hardcastle link=topic=35123.msg920956#msg920956 date=1249733215]
I think his success at Milan suggest's he's more than capable of turning big name players into team players, Judge.

I'm only basing that on the fact that they are the only squad to have not been hit by a Madrid Fly by.

The back room staff at Chelsea are also a constant, it's not as if CA will just go in there and mix things up to the maximum.
[/quote]

When did Milan last win the league ?
[/quote]

Quite.

Ancelotti's biggest problem at Chelsea will be player power and keeping his senior players happy. If he loses them in the same manner that Scolari did then Chelsea's challenge will fade away.
[/quote]

The best thing we can hope for is a rusty start. If they waver in the league and are left with Europe and there's a risk that they might get knocked out, you can bet that Roman will get itchy fingered.
[/quote]

Can't disagree with that but Scolari had a wonderful start last year but that didn't stop their players from being dissatisfied in the end.

 

[peterhague]

[quote author=localny link=topic=35123.msg920707#msg920707 date=1249663131]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35123.msg920703#msg920703 date=1249662826]
[quote author=localny link=topic=35123.msg920677#msg920677 date=1249661117]
hand on heart, the lack of a decent replacement for Xabi (injury prone, inferior player), and the lack of a Torres alternative makes me think we're trying to wing it this year. This squad is NOT going to win the league.

If we made even one Silva or Villa signing, and gave ourselves a few more arrows in the quiver, I could believe, but currently it looks like last season was a fluke, with deadwood like Beniyoun etc having the season of their lives...not to be repeated.

Not sure why I am so negative, but am just comparing our squad to others. Not much attacking prowess, am afraid..
[/quote]

I keep thinking about this, but we got by without Gerrard and Torres for large chunks last season and nearly won the league, people keep pulling up people like Voronin as scapegoats already, well if he'd been on the bench last season I'd wager he'd have maybe gotten us a couple of goals which could have led to a couple more points.

Obviously it's not ideal, and Voronin is hardly someone to fill us with confidence but it was marginal last season with a balanced squad, which is what we still pretty have despite the departures of Xabi and Arbeloa.

So I wouldn't say this squad is NOT going to win the league, I'd say there are no guarantee that we're going to win the league, but then there never should be.

We're more than capable, the sticking point will be if we're hit to a longterm injury to a big player and we how well we overcome it.
[/quote]

Good points Mark, but how will we replace Keane's (small amount albeit) of goals. I can think of one goal at Highbury that got us a point. Listen mayeb the ole team spirit thing under mr man management Rafa Benitez will help us out, but I would like to see some proven and consistent flair players signed - just one or two. We have the defensive thing down...just give us some flair for those games where the Championship promoted sides park the bus...
[/quote]


i can't believe you're citing the lack of a replacement for robbie fucking keane as a reason we won't win the league! gerrard and torres, the best partnership in the league, that's his 'replacement'.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=35123.msg920674#msg920674 date=1249660332]
So now that the season is almost upon us and we haven't signed any new attaching players either up front or out wide is the general thoughts of the forum that we won't win the league or that a challenge would be more a surprise than a must compared with last season where we demanded it?

And if we don't challenge as strongly again this year where next for Rafa to hide?

I for one am going to enjoy this season as I'm not going to get carried away but any results as simply cannot see us keeping enough of our very few match winners fit all season long.


[/quote]

My hole you will. You'll moan, and complain, and huff and puff for 9 solid months.

 

[localny]

[quote author=peterhague link=topic=35123.msg920968#msg920968 date=1249734069]
[quote author=localny link=topic=35123.msg920707#msg920707 date=1249663131]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35123.msg920703#msg920703 date=1249662826]
[quote author=localny link=topic=35123.msg920677#msg920677 date=1249661117]
hand on heart, the lack of a decent replacement for Xabi (injury prone, inferior player), and the lack of a Torres alternative makes me think we're trying to wing it this year. This squad is NOT going to win the league.

If we made even one Silva or Villa signing, and gave ourselves a few more arrows in the quiver, I could believe, but currently it looks like last season was a fluke, with deadwood like Beniyoun etc having the season of their lives...not to be repeated.

Not sure why I am so negative, but am just comparing our squad to others. Not much attacking prowess, am afraid..
[/quote]

I keep thinking about this, but we got by without Gerrard and Torres for large chunks last season and nearly won the league, people keep pulling up people like Voronin as scapegoats already, well if he'd been on the bench last season I'd wager he'd have maybe gotten us a couple of goals which could have led to a couple more points.

Obviously it's not ideal, and Voronin is hardly someone to fill us with confidence but it was marginal last season with a balanced squad, which is what we still pretty have despite the departures of Xabi and Arbeloa.

So I wouldn't say this squad is NOT going to win the league, I'd say there are no guarantee that we're going to win the league, but then there never should be.

We're more than capable, the sticking point will be if we're hit to a longterm injury to a big player and we how well we overcome it.
[/quote]

Good points Mark, but how will we replace Keane's (small amount albeit) of goals. I can think of one goal at Highbury that got us a point. Listen mayeb the ole team spirit thing under mr man management Rafa Benitez will help us out, but I would like to see some proven and consistent flair players signed - just one or two. We have the defensive thing down...just give us some flair for those games where the Championship promoted sides park the bus...
[/quote]


i can't believe you're citing the lack of a replacement for robbie fucking keane as a reason we won't win the league! gerrard and torres, the best partnership in the league, that's his 'replacement'.
[/quote]

Naah, it's not the only reason - it;s more that we don't have a second striker, a replacement as Torres will neen to be rotated.

 

[koze]

-----------Voronin/Babel---Kuyt------------

Riera--Mascherano--Gerrard--Benayoun


Should be good enough against the shit teams (I hope)

 

[doctor_mac]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=35123.msg921343#msg921343 date=1249794170]
[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=35123.msg920674#msg920674 date=1249660332]
So now that the season is almost upon us and we haven't signed any new attaching players either up front or out wide is the general thoughts of the forum that we won't win the league or that a challenge would be more a surprise than a must compared with last season where we demanded it?

And if we don't challenge as strongly again this year where next for Rafa to hide?

I for one am going to enjoy this season as I'm not going to get carried away but any results as simply cannot see us keeping enough of our very few match winners fit all season long.


[/quote]

My hole you will. You'll moan, and complain, and huff and puff for 9 solid months.
[/quote]

I honestly don't think I could take another season of DB's OTT manic depressive attitude.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=35123.msg921343#msg921343 date=1249794170]
[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=35123.msg920674#msg920674 date=1249660332]
So now that the season is almost upon us and we haven't signed any new attaching players either up front or out wide is the general thoughts of the forum that we won't win the league or that a challenge would be more a surprise than a must compared with last season where we demanded it?

And if we don't challenge as strongly again this year where next for Rafa to hide?

I for one am going to enjoy this season as I'm not going to get carried away but any results as simply cannot see us keeping enough of our very few match winners fit all season long.


[/quote]

My hole you will. You'll moan, and complain, and huff and puff for 9 solid months.
[/quote][quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=35123.msg921518#msg921518 date=1249823275]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=35123.msg921343#msg921343 date=1249794170]
[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=35123.msg920674#msg920674 date=1249660332]
So now that the season is almost upon us and we haven't signed any new attaching players either up front or out wide is the general thoughts of the forum that we won't win the league or that a challenge would be more a surprise than a must compared with last season where we demanded it?

And if we don't challenge as strongly again this year where next for Rafa to hide?

I for one am going to enjoy this season as I'm not going to get carried away but any results as simply cannot see us keeping enough of our very few match winners fit all season long.


[/quote]

My hole you will. You'll moan, and complain, and huff and puff for 9 solid months.
[/quote]

I honestly don't think I could take another season of DB's OTT manic depressive attitude.
[/quote]

if you can't vent in a football forum of your team, where can you?

 

[doctor_mac]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35123.msg921524#msg921524 date=1249823441]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=35123.msg921343#msg921343 date=1249794170]
[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=35123.msg920674#msg920674 date=1249660332]
So now that the season is almost upon us and we haven't signed any new attaching players either up front or out wide is the general thoughts of the forum that we won't win the league or that a challenge would be more a surprise than a must compared with last season where we demanded it?

And if we don't challenge as strongly again this year where next for Rafa to hide?

I for one am going to enjoy this season as I'm not going to get carried away but any results as simply cannot see us keeping enough of our very few match winners fit all season long.


[/quote]

My hole you will. You'll moan, and complain, and huff and puff for 9 solid months.
[/quote][quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=35123.msg921518#msg921518 date=1249823275]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=35123.msg921343#msg921343 date=1249794170]
[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=35123.msg920674#msg920674 date=1249660332]
So now that the season is almost upon us and we haven't signed any new attaching players either up front or out wide is the general thoughts of the forum that we won't win the league or that a challenge would be more a surprise than a must compared with last season where we demanded it?

And if we don't challenge as strongly again this year where next for Rafa to hide?

I for one am going to enjoy this season as I'm not going to get carried away but any results as simply cannot see us keeping enough of our very few match winners fit all season long.


[/quote]

My hole you will. You'll moan, and complain, and huff and puff for 9 solid months.
[/quote]

I honestly don't think I could take another season of DB's OTT manic depressive attitude.
[/quote]

if you can't vent in a football forum of your team, where can you?
[/quote]

There's venting and there's persistent, almost premeditated miserablism. And then of course, the famous hyper critical responses to players' performances after not even seeing the game.

 

[Dreambeliever]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35123.msg921524#msg921524 date=1249823441]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=35123.msg921343#msg921343 date=1249794170]
[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=35123.msg920674#msg920674 date=1249660332]
So now that the season is almost upon us and we haven't signed any new attaching players either up front or out wide is the general thoughts of the forum that we won't win the league or that a challenge would be more a surprise than a must compared with last season where we demanded it?

And if we don't challenge as strongly again this year where next for Rafa to hide?

I for one am going to enjoy this season as I'm not going to get carried away but any results as simply cannot see us keeping enough of our very few match winners fit all season long.


[/quote]

True and at the end of the day we didn't win the league and Keane was a flop, the two things that I thought all along would happen.

We haven't gotten the 2nd striker we needed and have lost the player that makes us tick behind Gerrard and Torres.

It could be a long season.

My hole you will. You'll moan, and complain, and huff and puff for 9 solid months.
[/quote][quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=35123.msg921518#msg921518 date=1249823275]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=35123.msg921343#msg921343 date=1249794170]
[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=35123.msg920674#msg920674 date=1249660332]
So now that the season is almost upon us and we haven't signed any new attaching players either up front or out wide is the general thoughts of the forum that we won't win the league or that a challenge would be more a surprise than a must compared with last season where we demanded it?

And if we don't challenge as strongly again this year where next for Rafa to hide?

I for one am going to enjoy this season as I'm not going to get carried away but any results as simply cannot see us keeping enough of our very few match winners fit all season long.


[/quote]

My hole you will. You'll moan, and complain, and huff and puff for 9 solid months.
[/quote]

I honestly don't think I could take another season of DB's OTT manic depressive attitude.
[/quote]

if you can't vent in a football forum of your team, where can you?
[/quote]