Oncy

[Tinto]

That's a good post, Vlad.

Although, I think having so many teams being serious contenders for a top 4 place, and perhaps more, could be a good thing for us if, and this is a big if, we started to take care of our own results as there's a greater chance of the other contenders taking points from each other.

It is looking potentially to be the most open race for the title in years as there's question marks against all the contenders at the moment with no team has being utterly dominant as has been the case in recent seasons. At the moment, most of the question marks are against us and we need to get it right sooner rather later.

 

[Vlads Quiff]

[quote author=Tinto link=topic=36492.msg965429#msg965429 date=1255946203]
That's a good post, Vlad.

Although, I think having so many teams being serious contenders for a top 4 place, and perhaps more, could be a good thing for us if, and this is a big if, we started to take care of our own results as there's a greater chance of the other contenders taking points from each other.

It is looking potentially to be the most open race for the title in years as there's question marks against all the contenders at the moment with no team has being utterly dominant as has been the case in recent seasons. At the moment, most of the question marks are against us and we need to get it right sooner rather later.
[/quote]

Exactly so. This game with United is a big one.
regards

 

[the_khl]

As poor as the weekend showings were I still believe we'll now go on and batter Lyon and United.

We've had an awful slump in form and our fair share of bad luck of late, but this will all change now.

We are after all a far better team when we're in desperate need to do well.

 

[Sunny]

I admire your optimism khl. It's a shame it's not based on reality though.

 

[the_khl]

[quote author=Sunny link=topic=36492.msg965496#msg965496 date=1255950561]
I admire your optimism khl. It's a shame it's not based on reality though.
[/quote]
There are some key-points as to why I think it's fair to feel optimistic despite.

1. We are only seven points adrift despite having already lost more games this Season than compared to the 08/09-one.

2. We are getting key-players back in Gerrard, Torres, Masher and Agger and are yet to witness the revelation that is Aquilani.

3. Chelsea are already loosing games too against the likes of Wigan and Villa and will miss their best players for a whole month come January.

4. United have won a lot but boy they are looking toothless to me. They'll miss key-players for Sunday too.

5. Arsenal, albeit playing some wonderful football at times, are still to prove their worth when the going gets tough.

6. We are often performing better with our backs against the wall. I think we'll see proof of exactly this starting tomorrow against Lyon.

Bottomline is I really don't think now is the time for all the doom-mongering. There are positives to be found you just have to look for them mate.

 

[Niall K]

[quote author=the_khl link=topic=36492.msg965514#msg965514 date=1255951674]
[quote author=Sunny link=topic=36492.msg965496#msg965496 date=1255950561]
I admire your optimism khl. It's a shame it's not based on reality though.
[/quote]
There are some key-points as to why I think it's fair to feel optimistic despite.

1. We are only seven points adrift despite having already lost more games this Season than compared to the 08/09-one. We havent looked like beating a decent side this season.

2. We are getting key-players back in Gerrard, Torres, Masher and Agger and are yet to witness the revelation that is Aquilani.We had Gerrard and Torres when we lost to Spurs,Chelsea, Villa & Fiorentina

3. Chelsea are already loosing games too against the likes of Wigan and Villa and will miss their best players for a whole month come January. True, but their squad is a lot stronger than ours

4. United have won a lot but boy they are looking toothless to me. They'll miss key-players for Sunday too. They are still top of the league without having hit form yet which they are bound to do at some stage

5. Arsenal, depsite playing wonderful football at times, are still to prove their worth when the going gets tough.

6. We are often performing better with our backs against the wall. I think we'll see proof of exactly this starting tomorrow against Lyon.Usually I'd have no worries about playing anyone at home in Europe . I'm seriously worried about tomorrow though

Bottomline is I really don't think now is the time for all the doom-mongering. There are positives to be found you just have to look for them mate. Let us know when you find them

[/quote]

 

[the_khl]

[quote author=Niall K link=topic=36492.msg965525#msg965525 date=1255952459]
[quote author=the_khl link=topic=36492.msg965514#msg965514 date=1255951674]
[quote author=Sunny link=topic=36492.msg965496#msg965496 date=1255950561]
I admire your optimism khl. It's a shame it's not based on reality though.
[/quote]
There are some key-points as to why I think it's fair to feel optimistic despite.

1. We are only seven points adrift despite having already lost more games this Season than compared to the 08/09-one. We havent looked like beating a decent side this season. No-one would've had any complaints had we got at least one point from the Bridge. A very even match against two very similar teams. The first game against Spurs were abysmal and the Villa game wasn't anything to write home about either. Having said that we are often performing poorly from the off, this time around we've just been punished even more than in 'normal' years.

2. We are getting key-players back in Gerrard, Torres, Masher and Agger and are yet to witness the revelation that is Aquilani.We had Gerrard and Torres when we lost to Spurs,Chelsea, Villa & Fiorentina Torres has looked extremely knackered and haven't really excelled so far. Same could be said about Gerrard but I'm positive they'll soon find their best form. They normally do.

3. Chelsea are already loosing games too against the likes of Wigan and Villa and will miss their best players for a whole month come January. True, but their squad is a lot stronger than oursI don't know about that. Who'll score their goals when/if you remove Anelka and Drogba? I don't even know if they've got any more strikers to chose from? And they've got a lot of aging legs outthere as well - let's not forget that it's a long season.

4. United have won a lot but boy they are looking toothless to me. They'll miss key-players for Sunday too. They are still top of the league without having hit form yet which they are bound to do at some stage That's maybe a valid argument I just don't believe it. They've been thoroughly outplayed at home against Arsenal and even though they won the three points, I can't recall a United-team of late looking as bleak as they did in that game. You could argue that those are signs of an extremely good United-season or instead you could bet on, that their luck's going to change come Sunday. I know I will.

5. Arsenal, depsite playing wonderful football at times, are still to prove their worth when the going gets tough.

6. We are often performing better with our backs against the wall. I think we'll see proof of exactly this starting tomorrow against Lyon.Usually I'd have no worries about playing anyone at home in Europe . I'm seriously worried about tomorrow though I'm worried too of course but I am still pretty confident that the players will turn on a great display. History has shown us that they often do when we're in need.

Bottomline is I really don't think now is the time for all the doom-mongering. There are positives to be found you just have to look for them mate. Let us know when you find them You need more?

[/quote]
[/quote]

 

[LadyRed]

[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=36492.msg964592#msg964592 date=1255800288]
In retrospect, Xabi and Sami were two huge losses - and so far we can't really be said to have adequately replaced either of them.
[/quote]

I didn't need retrospect to know that.

 

[madmax]

We are going to win it.

Our situation is quite comparable to Valencia 2003/04.

La Liga was very very competitive then. The smaller teams were wel capable of taking points of the big teams. In a scenario like that, i would back us to finish strong, unless someone fucks up big time. Now our league is very similar to that. So it ain't over till it's over.

1. We have never had a really extended run of bad form under Rafa. We have always bounced back quickly from what appeared to be the nadir of our performance, and have always gone on to have a strong run.
2. So if we can put our customary dip in form behind us this early in the season and still be only 7 or 8 points behind the leaders, i'd back us to claw back.
3. We always finish strong
4. We are yet to have our main summer signing step in and make an impact. Anything that gets rid of Lucas from the midfield has to be a positive. He is worse than Diao.

 

[madmax]

[quote author=LadyRed link=topic=36492.msg965662#msg965662 date=1255961711]
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=36492.msg964592#msg964592 date=1255800288]
In retrospect, Xabi and Sami were two huge losses - and so far we can't really be said to have adequately replaced either of them.
[/quote]

I didn't need retrospect to know that.
[/quote]


Woman's intuition....Rafa should have listened....

 

[TheBunnyman]

[quote author=madmax link=topic=36492.msg965889#msg965889 date=1255988452]
Anything that gets rid of Lucas from the midfield has to be a positive. He is worse than Diao.

[/quote]

No he's not.

 

[aqua.Lai.ni]

[quote author=madmax link=topic=36492.msg965889#msg965889 date=1255988452]
We are going to win it.

Our situation is quite comparable to Valencia 2003/04.

La Liga was very very competitive then. The smaller teams were wel capable of taking points of the big teams. In a scenario like that, i would back us to finish strong, unless someone fucks up big time. Now our league is very similar to that. So it ain't over till it's over.

1. We have never had a really extended run of bad form under Rafa. We have always bounced back quickly from what appeared to be the nadir of our performance, and have always gone on to have a strong run.
2. So if we can put our customary dip in form behind us this early in the season and still be only 7 or 8 points behind the leaders, i'd back us to claw back.
3. We always finish strong
4. We are yet to have our main summer signing step in and make an impact. Anything that gets rid of Lucas from the midfield has to be a positive. He is worse than Diao.

[/quote]

how can anyone in our current squad be worse than diao