'Jose's Right About Toothless Reds'
Posted 04/08/06 09:55
A lot of the bookies might have Liverpool as the favourites to get closest to Chelsea this season, but I just don't see that at all. I agree with Jose, it's Manchester United and Arsenal who pose the biggest threat, and although Liverpool might move closer, I think they're still playing catch-up.
They've proved they're a difficult team to beat but they draw too many games to be a threat over a Premiership season - they've yet to find the perfect combination between tightness at the back and the attacking verve to break down defences. Maybe they'll find that this season, but I fear it may take a little longer.
Rafa Benitez has addressed the major problems from last season - the lack of a genuine right-sided midfielder who would look to get crosses in the box rather than always look inside, and a striker who can stretch defences.
They have filled those gaps with Jermaine Pennant and Craig Bellamy, two players who arrive with reputations for off-field problems. But they would have to be stark-raving bonkers to mess up this chance at a fantastic club, and I would be amazed if they do. They might arrive with question marks over their characters, but Liverpool fans are football fans and they will judge them on what they do on the pitch.
They have been handed a brilliant opportunity at a fantastic club and they would be stupid to do anything to jeopardise that. They have the chance to earn themselves utter adulation from the Kop if they perform, and if they help Liverpool to challenge for the title again, they will become legends amongst those fans. What fool would mess that up?
But for me, they will struggle to get anywhere near Chelsea, because you just wonder where the goals are going to come from in that team. Peter Crouch has a lot to prove at this level, Robbie Fowler has obviously seen better days and Craig Bellamy's 13 goals in the Premiership last season was his best-ever haul.
It's a rare title-challenging side that doesn't have a 20-goal player, and for Liverpool to expect Steven Gerrard to be that player is a little optimistic I think. He looked jaded this summer and I just can't see him having that sort of season again.
No, I'd have to say that United in particular are still ahead of them, especially with the signing of Michael Carrick, the potential arrival of Marcos Senna and the return of Paul Scholes to strengthen the centre of midfield. That had to be the number-one priority this summer, and I think if the business ends there, Sir Alex will be happy to shut the wallet and wait until January.
The only player he's lost is Ruud van Nistelrooy, and if that keeps Cristiano Ronaldo at the club, Sir Alex will be happy. Anyone who thought he would get rid of that kid is barking mad, you don't sell one of the best five young players in Europe.
As it is, they're a striker down, but they do have Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha, Guiseppe Rossi and Alan Smith, who knows how to finish. If they could get in somebody with experience who didn't cost the earth, then fair enough, but I don't think United fans should be too perturbed about starting the season with the current squad.
Arsenal also have reasons to be cheerful. They needed to keep hold of Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas and that's what they did, while adding Tomas Rosicky for extra legs after losing the flagging Robert Pires. Alexander Hleb and Emmanuel Adebayor will also be better for having had a bit of time to adjust to the Premiership - all in all, Gunners can look forward to this season whatever happens with Ashley Cole.
Chelsea will of course take a bit of catching, but we have to believe they can be caught. They might not like to hear that it's time for a change, but I think it's fair to say that all neutrals hope that we get a proper title race this season - hopefully down to the last weekend. I hope so, Sky certainly hope so and I suspect the majority of you lot do too...
Linky
Posted 04/08/06 09:55
A lot of the bookies might have Liverpool as the favourites to get closest to Chelsea this season, but I just don't see that at all. I agree with Jose, it's Manchester United and Arsenal who pose the biggest threat, and although Liverpool might move closer, I think they're still playing catch-up.
They've proved they're a difficult team to beat but they draw too many games to be a threat over a Premiership season - they've yet to find the perfect combination between tightness at the back and the attacking verve to break down defences. Maybe they'll find that this season, but I fear it may take a little longer.
Rafa Benitez has addressed the major problems from last season - the lack of a genuine right-sided midfielder who would look to get crosses in the box rather than always look inside, and a striker who can stretch defences.
They have filled those gaps with Jermaine Pennant and Craig Bellamy, two players who arrive with reputations for off-field problems. But they would have to be stark-raving bonkers to mess up this chance at a fantastic club, and I would be amazed if they do. They might arrive with question marks over their characters, but Liverpool fans are football fans and they will judge them on what they do on the pitch.
They have been handed a brilliant opportunity at a fantastic club and they would be stupid to do anything to jeopardise that. They have the chance to earn themselves utter adulation from the Kop if they perform, and if they help Liverpool to challenge for the title again, they will become legends amongst those fans. What fool would mess that up?
But for me, they will struggle to get anywhere near Chelsea, because you just wonder where the goals are going to come from in that team. Peter Crouch has a lot to prove at this level, Robbie Fowler has obviously seen better days and Craig Bellamy's 13 goals in the Premiership last season was his best-ever haul.
It's a rare title-challenging side that doesn't have a 20-goal player, and for Liverpool to expect Steven Gerrard to be that player is a little optimistic I think. He looked jaded this summer and I just can't see him having that sort of season again.
No, I'd have to say that United in particular are still ahead of them, especially with the signing of Michael Carrick, the potential arrival of Marcos Senna and the return of Paul Scholes to strengthen the centre of midfield. That had to be the number-one priority this summer, and I think if the business ends there, Sir Alex will be happy to shut the wallet and wait until January.
The only player he's lost is Ruud van Nistelrooy, and if that keeps Cristiano Ronaldo at the club, Sir Alex will be happy. Anyone who thought he would get rid of that kid is barking mad, you don't sell one of the best five young players in Europe.
As it is, they're a striker down, but they do have Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha, Guiseppe Rossi and Alan Smith, who knows how to finish. If they could get in somebody with experience who didn't cost the earth, then fair enough, but I don't think United fans should be too perturbed about starting the season with the current squad.
Arsenal also have reasons to be cheerful. They needed to keep hold of Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas and that's what they did, while adding Tomas Rosicky for extra legs after losing the flagging Robert Pires. Alexander Hleb and Emmanuel Adebayor will also be better for having had a bit of time to adjust to the Premiership - all in all, Gunners can look forward to this season whatever happens with Ashley Cole.
Chelsea will of course take a bit of catching, but we have to believe they can be caught. They might not like to hear that it's time for a change, but I think it's fair to say that all neutrals hope that we get a proper title race this season - hopefully down to the last weekend. I hope so, Sky certainly hope so and I suspect the majority of you lot do too...
Linky
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