A very interesting season ahead....

GuanYin

Well, well, well.

At the close of last season it really looked like Arsenal and Utd were streets ahead of everyone else and while newcastle and chelsea had made good ground, it was going to take something miraculous to stop the league continuing in the two horse race fashion.

Step up Roman Abramovich, a large wallet and hello Real Chelski. It will beinteresting to see if they can actually get a gelled team but in the pre-season game against Watford they were devistating. Speed, passing and movement everywhere and did you see the bench? Veron and Cole to come in and really its hard to know what to expect from Chelsea. Its said that you can't buy instant success but it'd be hard to argue against Chelsea going into any match.

Newcastle don't seem to have strengthened up much, but they had a good young squad, who are now more experienced and really they actually have more decent players in the reserves than people credit them for (Lua Lua, Cort, Ambrose, Acuna, Hughes and O'Brien).

Liverpool have strengthened up but are still missing 3 players. The fact is they don't have decent reserves and need good cover at centre back and up front. Most of all they need a good defensive central midfield player as cover for Hamann. Recently they've been linked with Van der Vaart and and that would probably boost there chances greatly.

Arsenal have brought in a new keeper to replace seaman and... well apart from a few youngsters, thats it. The thing is, Arsenals squad has always been arguably the strongest player for player, in the league anyway, so the "give youth a chance" cry from Wenger may not be a diversion away from their lack of spending. Quite a few of Wengers buys have taken a season to settle in and become the players theya re now (Pires, Lundberg, Henry,Wiltord and Viera anyone) so big things from Gilberto, Cygan and Toure this year and we'll probably get more of the same.

United have been spending. The thing is, with all these Rubles changing hands in London, no one has taken much notice. Djemba-Djemba is supposed to be be the much needed cover for Keane and Bellion is a touted as the new Henry. Yes they lost Beckham and Veron, but Scholes and Solskjaer were doing better in those positions anyway (and unlike Beckham, Solskjaer can actually beat a player). So business as usual at Old Trafford.

Blackburn, Southampton and Everton are the only other teams that look like they might be able to challange for a top 5 spot.

My prediction:

United
Chelsea
Arsenal
Newcastle
Liverpool

marct

One thing is for sure- There will be no predictions from me! I definitely cant call it as the momentum keeps switching with each passing day. Utd have been significantly weakened with now only one right-sided midfielder who is a striker in Solskjaer (if Veron agrees terms).Can they buy someone in time?
Exciting times to be a Chelsea fan with Abramovich on a one- man mission to win everything. They will need time to gel but the quality being bought is superb. Arsenal have addressed one of their problems and this is still the same team that were invincible until March this year, so I wouldnt count them out. Liverpool have brought in quality where needed but another cretive midfielder wouldnt go amiss. I reckon they are ok at centre-back though as Babbel and Carra can play there. Newcastle have consolidated but I would definitely be wary of any squad with nice guys like Bowyer, Woodie and Bellamy. They could have problems on and off the pitch this year.
All in all- cant wait!!:D

p.pete

I would go along with marct in being very cautious about making predictions, so here is mine:

Liverpool
Chelsea
ManU
Arsenal
Newcastle

You may laugh now, but I'll drag this post up at the end of the season (highly edited of course:D )

GuanYin

Originally posted by p.pete

Liverpool
Chelsea
ManU
Arsenal
Newcastle

You know in soccer, its not customary to call out the winners in reverse order....

p.pete

Originally posted by sykeirl
You know in soccer, its not customary to call out the winners in reverse order....

Apologies:

5: Newcaslte United
4: Arsenal
3: Manchester United
2: Chelsea
1: Liverpool

marct

Originally posted by sykeirl
You know in soccer, its not customary to call out the winners in reverse order....

You try to be consiliatory and a Devils advocate and this is my thanks:rolleyes:

GuanYin

Awww..sorry.

I'm just poking fun at pete, coz deep down he doesn't believe Pool will win the title. He's probably one of the most logical and rational people I know, so its just funny when his emotional irrational side comes out.....

Its like arguing with my mother!

p.pete

Originally posted by sykeirl
so its just funny when his emotional irrational side comes out.....

That just sucks, as soon as I try to show my gentle side you just laugh.

Surely you mean it's like arguing with "my" mother.

marct

OK out on a limb, Hail Mary, Superman if yer out there please help us prediction......

Arsenal for the league. That is all...:eek:

jEt|Dino

Hopefully 1st Liverpool

Realistically 1st Man Utd

JohnnyBravo

Liverpool wont win the league their play is one dimensional, Hoof the ball to owen and hope he scores. Any team playing the pool know all the defense has to do is sit back and thats owen out of commision Amsterdam Cup was a perfect example of this

p.pete

Originally posted by JohnnyBravo
Liverpool wont win the league their play is one dimensional, Hoof the ball to owen and hope he scores. Any team playing the pool know all the defense has to do is sit back and thats owen out of commision Amsterdam Cup was a perfect example of this

Actually the league last season was a perfect example. The Amsterdam Cup, as everyone knows is only a friendly tournament.

marct

Originally posted by JohnnyBravo
Liverpool wont win the league their play is one dimensional, Hoof the ball to owen and hope he scores. Any team playing the pool know all the defense has to do is sit back and thats owen out of commision Amsterdam Cup was a perfect example of this

Can we stick to the issue at hand rather than embarking on (YET) another bout of opposition bashing...:o

JohnnyBravo

we are sticking to it we are discussing liverpools title ambitions for the coming season
its what makes the seaon interesting analyizing the oppositions weaknesses which is what we are doing

marct

Originally posted by JohnnyBravo
we are sticking to it we are discussing liverpools title ambitions for the coming season
its what makes the seaon interesting analyizing the oppositions weaknesses which is what we are doing

No, thats what you saw. What we were doing was discussing the merits of everyone's chances and then coming up with ( undoubtedly wrong ) predictions. Just trying to keep needless Pool/ManU bashing to a minimum as its probably the most boring thing in the world!

JohnnyBravo

ok point noted im not bashing liverpool but the point was made liverpool would win the league and i am merely pointing out why that wont happen its like saying utd will miss beckham and chelsea wont gel

Tellox

1: Chelsea
2: Arsenal
3: ManUre
4: Newcastle
5: Liverpool

Bannor

As a Liverpool fan I'm quite happy to see Liverpool written off as contenders before the season has started. It'll make it all the more sweet if we finish in the top 3.

Despite the strengthening of Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal are still the teams to beat and are in a league of their own. Chelsea and Liverpool have the potential to join them but it won't be this season.

Newcastle have great midfielders but their defense (Woodgate apart) is quite average and if you get at them they will concede goals. Their ability to get results when the Bellamy/Shearer partnership isn't firing is also questionable - look at their run in to the end of last season.

My predictions:
1-2 : Arsenal/Man Utd
3-4 : Chelsea/Liverpool
5 : Newcastle

jonno

I agree 100% with Bannor.

Newcastle took advantage of Liverpools dreadfull season last year and that gave them third spot. They are very weak at the back. Their strongest area is midfield and with teh addition of Bowyer it will pay dividends. However a weak defense will be exposed some time.

Chelsea will undoubtedly be an exciting team next season with so many quality players coming into the squad. They haqve individual quality in abundance. The only problem they might have is the time it takes to gell a team together. With the arrival of 4 first team players (possibly 6) it can't all just fall into place just like that.

Arsenal have the same team as last year with only one new face - a 33 year old keeper. That will maintain the experience at the back. They will be contenders and one of the hot favourites due to their performances last year.

Man Utd have sold the best place kicker in the game but that will not really hinders the teams play. Solksjaer can do a more than adequate job in that position anyway so nothing lost. They will continue as the same team as last year IMO with cover for midfield and strikers the only additions this summer; and as such will be favourites for the title again.

Liverpool last but definately not least have improved part of their squad but there are still weak positions in the squad. Defensively they will survive well now that Carragher will be used as centre half cover when Finnan is fit. Also the pre-season performances of Gregory Vignal will definately give Risse some competition to think about. Obviously the big talking point is where GH will play Kewell. In any position he is a great addition to the squad but GH must pick a position for him and stick to it whether it be on the left or in the free role. Central midfield is solid with Stevie G, Hamman, Murphy to choose from and with Cheryou and Le Tallac as cover. I think Le Tallac will get a few runs in the first team but not too much resposibiltiy until next year. Also the form of Smicer and Heskey in pre-season will give GH something to think about.

So sum up it will be a very interesting season and noone can judge how the teams will perform until the season starts. Also I don't think the criticism of Liverpool is justified just yet:)

Not going to call in any predictions because I honestly think it is too close to call yet

p.pete

Odds at the moment are:

ManU 5/4
Arsenal 9/4
Chelsea 7/1
Liverpool 8/1
Newcastle 12/1

150/1 available on Blackburn and 250/1 available on the next 4 teams

CL odds:
ManU 6/1
Arsenal 14/1
Chelsea 33/1
Newcastle 54/1

jesus_thats_gre

While Liverpool admitedly do not play the most stunning football, they still hammer out results. Part of Liverpool's season last year was the worst run in their history and they still just missed out on 4th place. Before that dreadful run, they were playing good football and were a fair bit ahead at the top of the table after 10 weeks.

If Liverpool can play consistently this season, they will finish in the top 3 I think. Mind you, any of those 5 teams can win it, I am beginning to beleive Arsenal will be the weakest of the bunch as they have not made any big additions to their squad.

But sure that is just my opinion.

Bannor

Originally posted by p.pete
Odds at the moment are:

ManU 5/4
Arsenal 9/4
Chelsea 7/1
Liverpool 8/1
Newcastle 12/1

Looks like the bookies agree with me. :eek:

9/4 is very good odds for Arsenal - As jonno pointed out they've only changed their goalkeeper and they'll also have Pires and Ljunberg available from the start of the season unlike last year.

The Muppet

If Liverpool can play consistently this season, they will finish in the top 3 I think

Is that the top 31 you mean?:)

Indeed livepool were going great at the start of last season and the one before but they seem to peter out at xmas for some strange reason.

I would back newcastle arsenal and united to finish ahead of them next year.
It will be interesting to see the new chelsea . If They Gel early
they will be a force to be reckoned with

Pepe LeFrits

1st - ManU/Arse
3rd - Chelsea
4th - Newcastle/Liverpool

Man Utd will be good all season long once again, their confidence should be very high at the mo. Arsenal's confidence will be dented from last season, but the squad is the same and losing the league should give them greater determination.

Chelsea may have made a load of signings but if ManU and Arse play like they did last season it won't matter. I imagine it will only lift them above Newcastle.

If Liverpool play a bit more positively this season they may pip Newcastle. I'm not convinced though.

tuxy

Newcasltles defence lookeed pretty dodgy last season and the 1 before.But heres an interesting stat newcaslte had morre clen sheets than man utd -13 arsenal -10 chealsea -13 and every other side in the league except liverpool -14 (same as the toon) and blackburn -15

My predictions

Arsenal(but only if veira signs new deal)

Man utd

Newcaslte

Chealsea(might win it next year but too many signings to blend too quick)

Liverpool

GuanYin

Remember, if Given is in form, he's a one man defence (ask McCarthy).

I think the key to Newcastles defence is to drop Bramble and Dabizas.

I'm biased, but for me Woodgate-O'Brien are the two best defenders. Bramble has the defensive positioning of a mongoose.

marct

33/1 for Chelsea to win the CL with Viieri next to come in next week. Worth a punt...

colster

This season is going to be very close.
I think that Chelsea must be up there. All this rubbish about the players gelling is ridiculous.
You'd swear that they were all going to play.
I can only see about 3-4 changes to their starting line up based on the signings they've made already and all of these players have already played in the Premiership so won't have to settle.
The problem with Chelsea will be in an area they haven't strengthened yet. They need a ball-winning midfielder. Although Geremi could fill this role. If they were to get Makelele/Emerson then they will have a great chance.

Utd potentially would have a greater problem with gelling their team if Djemba-Djemba and Kle
berson come into their line-up and having to get accustomed to the Premiership and a new culture.

I don't know about Arsenal. They'll be up there but winning it will depend on the new goalkeeper and Cygan/Senderos settling in as a decent partner to Campbell. If this works then I think they will win the League.

Liverpool won't win the League. I don't think that Kewell is going to make the difference for them. OK he's going to go past players and get crosses in but Heskey is not good enough and Owen not tall/strong enough to convert the majority of these chances.
I think they should splash out on Kluivert or even Beattie as a replacement for Heskey.
Liverpools chances rest on how well Heskey is going to use the crosses that Kewell puts in.

Newcastle won't win the title and won't qualify for the CL because they don't have enough strength in centre-midfield and so cannot grind out results when they're not playing well. Bowyer is not going to solve that problem for them.

My prediction would be
1st Arsenal
2nd Man Utd
3rd Chelsea
4th Liverpool
5th Newcastle

AngelofFire

Man UTD- the team who finish ahead of them will win the premiership and its hard to see anyone doing that. They have lost beckham however solskjear should have no problem filling his shoes he has done a great job on the right flank in the past and was even selected for that postion in favour of david beckham on a number of occassions. the central midfield duo of Kleberson and Djemba Djemba should be the best in the premiership. Roy keanes role as a centre half should strengting the defence. The attacking force of Van Nistelrooy Scholes and perhaps even Bellion will strike fear into the heart of any centre half in the world. They will also have a competent net Keeper in Tim Howard.

Arsenal-They have only made one new signing this season. there will be a lot of pressure from both the fans and the club on Lehmann to fill seaman`s boots. Their defence is weak with martin keown prone to slip ups every now and then as we saw against bolton. They are need of another striker Bergkamp is towards the end of his career and Wiltord seems to be needed on the rightside of midfield. Patrick viera the club captain and playmaker is yet to put pen to paper this doesnt do the clubs confidence any favour.

Newcastle-They havnt gotten any worse. Arguably the best striker combination in the premiership however they are prone to dismal runs of form as we saw towards the end of last season when they were defeated by west brom. the recruitment of lee bowyer adds physical prescence to the midfield it also adds venom to their attacking force. However his contraversial incidents off the pitch may cause tension within the sqaud.

Liverpool-Probably one of the best defences in the premiership now that they have signed steve finnan. Kewell will spring new life into the midfield provided houllier uses him properly. Liverpool need to get rid of the system where hypia and henchoz hit long balls to michael owen and el hadj diouf. The abscence of dietamar hamann will not do the midfield where confidence is low a favour. Their sqaud is still inferior to the likes of Chelsea Liverpool Man Utd arsneal and perhaps newcastle. its hard to see them finish higher than 5th.

Chelsea-Roman abramovich`s cash injections have already brought some pre season promise with the signings of Duff Veron Geremi and Joe cole. There will be fierce battles amongst players for a staring line up-this should keep them motiviated provided the team is performing well in the league and champions league. The new additions will affect the teams equlibriam and it could take a while for them to gell together. No team can buy a title but chelsea have a good manager in claudio ranieri

top 5
Man u
chelsea
Arsenal
Newcastle
Liverpool