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It Could Be Arsenal's Year
As an Arsenal fan, I'm feeling pretty enthusiastic about the coming season. I'm not going to make any Scouse-esque 'It's our year' declarations but think we could really be in the mix.
We've signed new contracts on several of our players (RVP, Gibbs, Walcott etc) and haven't lost anyone yet. Cesc appears to be staying despite the crys of the red tops and Adebayor...well hard to say on him. If he plays ala 07/08 keep him, if not sell.
Second half of last season (once we were used to the departures of Hleb/Flamini and the absence of Rosicky, not to mention the useful acquisition of Arshavin) we made a lot of progress and showed championship contention form. No matter what anyone says, you lose three quarters of your first choice midfield you are going to feel it at first.
We've also signed Vermaelen who looks a sturdy if unspectacular signing, Rosicky/Eduardo MIGHT (I know, I know) stay fit giving us in effect two extra squad members from last year. If we buy that elusive midfield grafter/holder we've got a good chance of having a run at it. Song has potential but is not quite ready yet.
United are considerably weaker than last year regardless what any of their fans tell you, Giggs/Scholes can't do it forever. Liverpool have p*ssed 17million on a right back not good enough for Chelsea when they really needed a back up striker. If I had to put my money on anyone this year it would probably be Chelsea as Zhirkov is a real live wire, although they are probably a striker light (who they will buy no doubt).
Could be a tight top 5 this year.
Ian (Don't go Eboue!) Dorren, Essex
...If I was to back anyone to win the league this season, it would be Arsenal.
So far United have lost Whorenaldo and Tevez. Giggs, Neville and Scholes are well past it and their replacement for Whorenaldo didn't get his game for Bordeaux and only scored one goal on loan at Lorient.
Chelsea's squad meanwhile is one year older. While they have some impressive names on their books, I just think they are too old to fight on all fronts. While Ancelloti is well used to dealing with pensioners, I just feel that they need to make one or two quality signings to challenge. With Terry potentially unhappy also, it could be a tough season.
Liverpool is an interesting one and it's funny how everyone has such short memories. Yes, they had a great end to the season, but the first half was far from impressive. I think their squad still lacks serious quality in depth, and if they lose either of Alonso or Mascherano, I don't think they'll have the quality to challenge. Plus Carragher started showing his age last season, and I feel he is one the wane.
So, this leaves us with Arsenal. Again - everyone has very short memories. Arsenal have never won anything after a major International Tournament and the season before the Euro's they went damn close, but we all remember what happened on that afternoon playing Birmingham. Arsenal has an excellent squad, last season they were crippled by injuries yet they still got to the Semi's of the Champions League. With a full strength squad, Eduardo, Rosicky, Van Persie, Clichy, Fabregas they will definitely be challenging. While Chelsea's squad being one year older is a bad thing, Arsenals squad being one year older is a good thing. Lessons will have been learned from last season.
While all the other clubs are losing their star players, Arsenal are managing to keep theirs, while adding another defender to their books. Football is often about luck, and your squad being injured is purely down to luck. Arsenal has had very bad luck with injuries in recent years, and it's got to turn around sometime.
9/1 - definitely worth the punt.
Jovan, Dublin
United 2009=United 2003?
While sitting at work staring into space, I wondered whether this summer's transfer activity at Old Trafford was beginning to resemble that of 2003 which saw a big name player (Beckham) leave and a lot of less well known players come in:
In: Bellion, Djemba-Djemba, Kleberson, Howard and Ronaldo.
Out: (amongst others) Beckham and Veron.
Given this window's potential/confirmed movements so far does this mean that as well as a lot of chaff, there'll be one absolute corker of a signing?
Ben LUFC
We're 'Fickle', Apparently
My you people at Football365.com are fickle sometimes!
To already question Gabriel Obertan's move to Manchester United because he "was not even good enough for Bordeaux" (quoted from Laurent Blanc, I admit) is unbelievably judgmental. Have you people never heard of the word 'potential'? Many of the top clubs especially can afford to go for the stars of tomorrow, rather than today, and I think this is true of Obertan. And in this current climate, aswell as considering the £80m United have just banked for Ronaldo, the reported £3m paid for a French U21 international is peanuts.
General reaction to this transfer seems to be from people who claim that (despite obviously never having heard of this player) Sir Alex, or United as a whole have lost it, and that this is another knee-jerk signing, seemingly at random. But the quotes from Ferguson today say it all, "Gabriel is a player we have tracked for a few years now." That doesn't surprise me in the slightest. Naive fans sometimes seem to think that even the top clubs pick players based on their reputation on Football Manager, but the reality is that they have intensive scouting programmes and watch players for months, years, before even considering a bid. It's a shame this work goes so often unnoticed and unappreciated.
David (Danny Welbeck only has one 'L', people!) Walker
You Might As Well Give It A Go
Liverpool sign a young French reserve player on the cheap: He's a flop (after 9 minutes of game time), Rafa doesn't know what he's doing, Liverpool will never win the title with players like David N'gog.
Manchester United sign a young French reserve player on the cheap: I guess he'll be keeping Nani out of the starting line-up.
My question: If I manage to develop a proper Scouse persecution complex, will that make me less of a "plastic"?
Parmesh (I can't believe nobody in the mailbox uses these parentheses to just draw boobies), Singapore
How United Might Line Up
With the summer's transfer dealings commencing and my sheer boredom from the lack of a proper sport to watch, I've decided to speculate on how my team will line up next season based on the comings and goings so far. Gabriel Obertan, Michael Owen and Luis Antonio Valencia are hitherto, Man Utd replacements for Ronaldo and Carlos kick-a-ball.
This to me can be translated as a straight 4-4-2 line up, with Sir looking to revert back to his swashbuckling side of the early 90's whereby for Kanchelskis and Giggs read Valencia and Nani/Park/Obertan. Hopefully this gives Rooney the freedom to plot the downfall of the opposition from his favoured free-roaming striking position, whilst one of Berba/Owen operating further forward in support. The central midfielders will be key here, they would have to be dynamic and have a good understanding with each other, taking turns to venture forward/sit deep. I'm looking at a Carrick & Hargo combination here with Ando and Fletcherinho the alternatives. Plan B could consist of the 4-2-3-1 so in vogue at the moment, with the 2 central midfielders moving down into the anchor role, leaving the wingers to push up and flank Rooney to help supply the lone striker.
This is so far the most logical assessment to me of the current Man Utd squad's tactical mandate, maybe Sir might have a surprise in store for us, who knows? But I would like to hear from others too; like how Wigan (sorry for pinching Valencia) would play under Martinez and without their forceful winger, what Birmingham would be like after 7 signings or perhaps Villa might alter their formula after losing two of their most important players. What do you think you team manager's chalkboard would look like?
Aaron (take me home, Utd road)
Why Terry Is Rubbish
Ashley Wilson seems a little perturbed by my criticism of John Terry in yesterday's mailbox. If you'll allow me a small amount of space on your hallowed pages I'll tell you exactly how bad he is...
1) His current form. I'll accept that 3-4 years ago, Terry was a quality defender. But all his individual accolades and acclaim came during that time, when he and Chelsea were in the ascendancy. It has been obvious to all but the most blinkered fan that over the last 2 years, Terry has been in decline.
2) His attitude. On the 12th of September 2001, where was John Terry?
Drunk, with Fat Frank and Jody Morris, in a hotel packed with American tourists shouting abuse at them. Now, whilst this and numerous other indiscretions were off the field, what it does do is give you an insight into his character. His attitude stinks and his persistent abuse of referees is an embarrassment, when what were really need is cool, calm leadership. The only thing John Terry is a leader of is knuckle-dragging neanderthals.
3) His flexibility. Terry has the turning circle of an oil tanker, he reminds me of the 'whomping willow' in Harry Potter: lethal with his limbs for all those who stray near, yet work out how to get past him and even a child could do it.
4) His handballing. A key tool in the Terry armoury, upon seeing that the opposition is about to shoot, he will dive at their feet and throw his arms into the air. The ball quite often hits his arms or hands, which as there has been a movement towards the ball, is a penalty. This happens about once in every 4 games. Howard Webb's decision to wait for the video evidence vs Egypt in the Confeds Cup suggests that these kind of offences may get found out a lot more often.
I could go on, but you get the idea. In 2006 Terry was rightly in the side on merit, but the 2010 Terry will be a shadow of that man and we will be exposed because of it.
Andy Suggitt
Thoughts On The Terry Move
Dear MC,
There are a couple of points that people don't seem to be addressing about JT's potential transfer to Manchester City:
1 - Carvalho looks set to leave this summer. Are Chelsea willing to dispense with both him and Terry in the same window? Ashley Wilson may feel that Carvalho is overrated, but he has been as central to their success in recent seasons as anybody, is experienced, tough, cynical and good on the ball (perfect for Serie A really). Is Ivanovic and Alex the CB partnership they want, with Mancienne as cover?
2 - Nick Miller feels that they can spend big to replace Terry, but on whom? Given Chelsea/Abramovitch's apparent necessity for instant success, will it be a defender from a different league who may need time to adapt? What CB's in the Premier League would fill the void left by Terry/Carvalho going?
3 - With the 6+5 rule becoming a concern, is losing an experienced English player a good idea?
John (I don't think he's going anywhere) LFC
Terry: Not Much Better Than Dunne
If Man City sell Richard Dunne for 5 million and buy Terry for 30 million it will really be terrible business, there isn't much difference between the two, both are slow who depend on last ditch tackling heroics to make up for other deficiencies. Dunne may have had a few uncomfortable moments last season but he's been city's best player for 4 of the last 5 seasons and he's the main reason Ireland are in with a shout of SA2010. Terry doesn't offer much more than him, certainly not enough to warrant paying 30 million.
AM, Dublin
He's Not The Reason
I just wanted to comment on all the deluded Chelsea fans who are throwing all these stats around about Chelsea's great defensive record with John Terry.
Chelsea have such a good defensive record not because of John Terry. It's because they refuse to play.
Open expansive football. Instead they splash out hundreds of millions supposed world class players and make them sit in front of the back four and not play their natural game. They then hoof the ball up to the 2 whiney arseholes they have up front and hope they score or if that doesn't happen hope the fat lad in midfield can score a deflected free kick.
Fred, Dublin
Two Words
To Archis, Red in Serbia...
"John Terry is not good enough to win the Champions League".
2 words for you pal.
Djimi Traore.
Tom (.)(.) Manchester
Some More Elevens
....To provide some stern opposition for Mark Tredwells Premiership foreign XI I have come up with a worthy opponent, namely The All Time Scottish Prem XI!
GK - Goram (only played a couple of games for man u but at his best was as good as Schmeichel)
DR - Hutton (struggled last season with injury, but named in Jose Mourinho team of the season the previous year)
DC - Hendry (Braveheart, the Maradona of the last ditch tackle/block)
DC - Weir (steady as a rock for Everton for years)
DL - Naysmith (Aye, alright, he's pretty rotten but couldn't think of anyone better)
MR - Fletcher (Man u's most consistent player last season?)
MC - Strachan (Ball-winning ankle-biting ginge)
MC - Gary McAllister (The rolls royce of Scottish midfielders)
ML - Collins (Classy left foot, excellent set-pieces)
FC - McClair ('Choccy' typically hardworking Scottish forward)
FC - Ferguson (Cos if you beat us he'll kick the s**t out of you)
Bearing in mind that it would be managed by SAF assisted by David Moyes, I think this team could easily lead us to a glorious 2-1 defeat.
Nick (Glorious failure > winning) Scotland
...Inspired by the quite excellent selection of elevens in this morning's mailbox (well done chaps)...I have taken time out of my busy schedule(!) to try and fashion a - mildly politically incorrect - 'Ginger World XI', so I hope this hasn't been done before. Anybody wishing to take me on with perhaps a hairy eleven (Rene Hagita etc) or facial mask eleven (try Mabbut, Djorkaeff and Cech for starters) is more than welcome. Here goes:
Oliver Kahn,
Wes Brown, Alexi Lalas, Steve Staunton, John Arne Riise
Steve Lomas, Scholes, Neil Lennon, Nicky Butt
Gordon Strachan, John Hartson
Clearly there's an over dependence on dogged centre midfielders, but Scholes and Strachan have enough magic to unlock the face mask brigade for sure. They'd be managed by Shhhhteve McClaren of course.
Richard, MUFC
Tools
Ian Hewison, I don't mean to be rude, but I thought only complete tools, wannabe WAGS/Reality TV stars and Jermaine Defoe went to Face's?
Still, nice to read something that wasn't about Manu's possible transfers/Owen/Ronaldo(the greasy one).
JT, AFC, N4
