The Top 6

[Mystic]

Chelsea surely have potential problems unless they buy
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Begovic, Blackman
Defence: Ivanovic, Azpilicueta, Terry, Cahill
Midfield:Ramiers, Matc, Mikel, Fabregas, Hazard, Willian, Oscar Moses, Cuarardo, Salah
Forwards: Costa, Remy, Falcao
U21: Zouma, Chalobah, Ake

Admittedly they are well stocked in midfield but surely weak in defence and up top, but as it stands they are a couple of injuries away from having an issue. Costa is already struggling and Falcao and Terry has to be coming to the end.

Chelsea's defence only looks "weak" because you forgot to include Zouma (he's much more than simply an U21) and Rahman, their defence is also fantastic at clocking up game time without looking bothered, it's well conditioned and seems to avoid injury, and it's anything but weak. Chelsea's squad is by far the most balanced, and simply the best in the league, they're the team to beat, the only real weakness they have is that they rely on their special players a little much to provide the spark that their conservative system starves off, an injury to Hazard and less so Costa could cause them to be a little impotent, turning wins into draws, but that's about it.

 

[carlv]

Chelsea's defence only looks "weak" because you forgot to include Zouma (he's much more than simply an U21) and Rahman, their defence is also fantastic at clocking up game time without looking bothered, it's well conditioned and seems to avoid injury, and it's anything but weak. Chelsea's squad is by far the most balanced, and simply the best in the league, they're the team to beat, the only real weakness they have is that they rely on their special players a little much to provide the spark that their conservative system starves off, an injury to Hazard and less so Costa could cause them to be a little impotent, turning wins into draws, but that's about it.

Obviously their defence has proved they are very good especially the way Mourinho sets them up, but I am highlighting their lack of depth a couple of injuries to their back line and hopefully they would struggle, especially with 2 games a week.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Fuck the doubters.

1. Liverpool

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Chelsea's defence only looks "weak" because you forgot to include Zouma (he's much more than simply an U21) and Rahman, their defence is also fantastic at clocking up game time without looking bothered, it's well conditioned and seems to avoid injury, and it's anything but weak. Chelsea's squad is by far the most balanced, and simply the best in the league, they're the team to beat, the only real weakness they have is that they rely on their special players a little much to provide the spark that their conservative system starves off, an injury to Hazard and less so Costa could cause them to be a little impotent, turning wins into draws, but that's about it.

Don't think they've signed him mate ...

 

[beejay]

Arsenal
Chelsea
Man City
Liverpool
Man Utd
Southampton

Arsenal now have a great goalkeeper and the best midfield plus they have revamped their fitness training team and they should win the league at a canter with their squad.

I fancy us with our new squad and some of the youngsters but I don't think Rodgers will make the most of them.

 

[Mystic]

Don't think they've signed him mate ...

They will though, loads of rags running it today.

 

[Mystic]

Obviously their defence has proved they are very good especially the way Mourinho sets them up, but I am highlighting their lack of depth a couple of injuries to their back line and hopefully they would struggle, especially with 2 games a week.

Every season people say this, but it never happens, the way Mourinho lines up exposes his defence to the minimal amount of pressure, meaning the defenders are worked / stretched much less than other teams, and can happily stay together as a unit, rarely venturing forward. That's how they can keep going twice a week, and how John Terry is still going strong despite being 400, they're well conditioned, and well protected.

 

[Leo]

City
Chelsea
Arsenal
Liverpool
United
Everton

I'd change 4th if United sorted out that clusterfuck of a back 4.

 

[Brizzle]

Chelsea
Arsenal
Liverpool
City
United

 

[Pesam]

City
Chelsea
Arsenal
Liverpool
United
Everton

I'd change 4th if United sorted out that clusterfuck of a back 4.

Leo you're the first person, on here or in the media, I've seen tip City to win it. What makes you think they'll perform better than last season? I think Sterling will improve them in that he's much better than Navas but other than that; Yaya is 32 or 33 and was poor last season, Kompany and Zabaletta were both poor last season and they don't have anyone trustworthy to play beside Kompany even if he does regain his form. Fernando and Fernandinho are no better than decent, Aguero is injury prone, Bony IMO isn't good enough if Aguero does miss matches. Even in goal; Joe Hart is a good keeper but not in the Courtois, De Gea league.

I'm not saying they won't win it as I think all the top teams have weaknesses but City look particularly vulnerable to me. I'm gonna back them not to finish Top 6 (as soon as I can get a decent price on Betfair....................I have £200 on offer at the moment at 1/50! The last bet I did like this was United not to finish Top 6 under Moyes which netted me a very tidy profit.

 

[Woland]

Loving your beautiful thoughts on this difficult Monday afternoon, Pesam.

 

[Hansern]

Pesam have made this day much better. I'm hungover ass hell.

City lost 4-2 to Stuttgart the other day and their defence were all over the place.

 

[Leo]

Leo you're the first person, on here or in the media, I've seen tip City to win it. What makes you think they'll perform better than last season? I think Sterling will improve them in that he's much better than Navas but other than that; Yaya is 32 or 33 and was poor last season, Kompany and Zabaletta were both poor last season and they don't have anyone trustworthy to play beside Kompany even if he does regain his form. Fernando and Fernandinho are no better than decent, Aguero is injury prone, Bony IMO isn't good enough if Aguero does miss matches. Even in goal; Joe Hart is a good keeper but not in the Courtois, De Gea league.

I'm not saying they won't win it as I think all the top teams have weaknesses but City look particularly vulnerable to me. I'm gonna back them not to finish Top 6 (as soon as I can get a decent price on Betfair....................I have £200 on offer at the moment at 1/50! The last bet I did like this was United not to finish Top 6 under Moyes which netted me a very tidy profit.

I think Sterling will add far more than Navas will.
Probably 6 or 7 more goals and a fair few assists.
I think Fernando and Mangala will improve this season too (wouldn't be hard) but last season bar Aguero and Silva the rest of the squad was completely off their game and they still finished second.
I just don't think Chelsea will be as dominant this season especially if Costa keeps picking up suspensions and injuries and I think City are far more likely than any other team to pick up the pieces if Chelsea falter.

 

[Woland]

Liverpool
Arsenal
Chelsea
City
Manure
Spurs

 

[keniget]

Do some of you really believe these predictions or is it just bluster?

 

[Leo]

Do some of you really believe these predictions or is it just bluster?

Where is last year's?
Be interesting to see if anyone was correct.

 

[Woland]

I can't see any other outcome but us winning the league. Last season we went on a boss run and won like 13 games on the spin or something without a striker. Now we've got one of the best ones in the world - how are we not going to win the league? Milner is obvs a zillion times better than how Gerrard ended up. The only problem is the defence, but as we saw a couple of years ago, that doesn't really matter.

 

[Woland]

OK, if Benteke gets injured we might come second.

 

[Squiggles]

The issue for me is nobody has really played together and preseason has been a joke and poorly organised.

We've managed to get the signings in early this year, but it's all been pointless because nobody has been able to link up. I just hope they can all adjust quickly and be at a decent level before the tough fixtures roll round. As it stands I think we'll be out of the race for the title by November.

 

[Pesam]

Loving your beautiful thoughts on this difficult Monday afternoon, Pesam.

And just think we might only be 3 points off top by next Monday!

 

[Athens]

And just think we might only be 3 points off top by next Monday!

We could even be two points clear at the top...

 

[Pesam]

Do some of you really believe these predictions or is it just bluster?

I reckon if Mourinho was our manager this season he could win the league with our current squad. I haven't given up on Rodgers yet and am glad he's been given another chance but the squad has enough quality it's up to Rodgers to prove he's a good manager now.

 

[Halmeister]

Some bilge in here la

 

[peterhague]

What I would offer in terms of optimism is that the other sides haven't strengthened anywhere like as much as I expected. Arsenal still lack quality along the spine of their team, City have all kinds of emerging frailties, and Utd's squad is a weird bloated mess.

There's simply no doubt, IMO, that we're currently stronger vis a vis those teams than we were last season. Even Chelsea look a bit vulnerable to Costa's continuing injury issues.

But no DM? Lovren at CB? The fucking state of our defence the last 3 years? In short, Rodgers still in the dugout?

Nope, sorry. I can't see us getting back in the top 4.

 

[Skullflower]

I know. I just can't imagine Rodgers winning anything anymore.

 

[willby]

Arsenal
Chelsea
Liverpool
United
City
Spurs

 

[ChastenedMUFC]

Chelsea to win it quite comfortably.

After that is very hard to call.

Arsenal look strong on paper but that is the case most years and they are rarely close. They might however finish second this season mainly due to the weaknesses of the rest.

Us, city and Liverpool will finish in spots 3 to 5. The order dependant on remaining new/exiting players and the time they take to settle and gel.

If I had to pick I'd go for City 5th as I think their squad is ageing in lots of key areas and no sign of a blank cheque book coming out to fill those holes yet.