Liverpool v manutd

[michelmas]

I just can't help thinking that next season is going to be the one that sees us take on MU for the premiership. Chelsea have had their time and class will take over. Arsenal are in transition and Spurs don't have the nous to challenge (regardless of transfers).

The whole Heinze thing is a prologue to the coming term and if we can win the legal battle we could well have the upper hand in the fight or the title.

How many years has it been since the two big teams has really batlled it out for supremacy for the league?

This is not based on pre-season form or recent transfers or anything like that. It is rather based on the absolute necessity of this ancient rivalry in the face of recent trends of foreign ownership and the like.

I truly believe that a close run championship between the two biggest clubs in england (a la La Liga this year) will be the biggest marketing coup for this league for many a year.

Of course it could only ever be heralded as the best premiership year ever if we lift that long eluded cup in May (or perhaps April) leaving the rest in our wake - regardless of past glories (glorious as they may be).

I think this is our year! One to remember!

If last year was Ferguson's best, this will be Rafa's!

[rushscored4]

I just can't help thinking that next season is going to be the one that sees us take on MU for the Premiership. Chelsea have had their time and class will take over. Arsenal are in transition and Spurs don't have the nous to challenge (regardless of transfers).

The whole Heinze thing is a prologue to the coming term and if we can win the legal battle we could well have the upper hand in the fight for the title.

How many years has it been since the two big teams has really battled it out for supremacy for the league?

This is not based on pre-season form or recent transfers or anything like that. It is rather based on the absolute necessity of this ancient rivalry in the face of recent trends of foreign ownership and the like.

I truly believe that a close run championship between the two biggest clubs in England (a la La Liga this year) will be the biggest marketing coup for this league for many a year.

Of course it could only ever be heralded as the best Premiership year ever if we lift that long eluded cup in May (or perhaps April) leaving the rest in our wake - regardless of past glories (glorious as they may be).

I think this is our year! One to remember!

If last year was Ferguson's best, this will be Rafa's!

Good post, michelmas (and good editing) and I hope you're absolutely right...

[Redneck]

I share your belief that we finally have a squad that is capable of challenging the scum, providing we spice up our attacking flare like they have done over the past couple of years.

The new signings are a good sign that Rafa is looking to do just that.

[tommyg]

I bet if we had of signed Louis Saha, there would have been an uprising on these forums and cries of "not good enough" yet he turned out to be a cracking signing for the scum

[rushscored4]

I bet if we had have signed Louis Saha, there would have been an uprising on these forums and cries of "not good enough" yet he turned out to be a cracking signing for the scum

Is that the same injury prone Louis Saha that Man Utd are desperately trying to get rid of?

[MARTINOZ]

I bet if we had of signed Louis Saha, there would have been an uprising on these forums and cries of "not good enough" yet he turned out to be a cracking signing for the scum

Huh !?! Are you serious ?

I still reckon we need one more winger ala Quaresma and defensive cover , but we are close .

[Howard_lfc]

For us to challenge - we have to improve mentally. No more snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, no more horror away days where we just dont turn up and definitely no more sitting back waiting for things to happen - we must MAKE it happen.

[fah-q]

I agree more aggression in the last third would be a help

[bobbyfallon]

I agree more aggression in the last third would be a help

much as i hate to say it the way scum finish teams off and score 4,5 or even 6 goals is exciting to watch.............we get 2-0 up and next min a defensive midfielder is on....... would love to see us make attacking substitutions for some excitement in the last 20 mins rather than run down the clock.

[magicalbarnes]

Im sorry but my moneys on Chelsea this season

[dww]

Is that the same injury prone Louis Saha that Man Utd are desperately trying to get rid of?

They are now but when he got into the team ahead of Ruud he signaled a new style of play for United and enhanced their team, which no one thought would happen. I think it is one of the most clear examples of an inferior player improving a team due to the difference in team style they allowed.

[bobbyfallon]

Im sorry but my moneys on Chelsea this season

going to be there or there abouts for definate with the scum and ourselves. i tink 4th place is up for grabs all the same, arsenal could be ppushed by spurs

[JohnDoe]

Im sorry but my moneys on Chelsea this season

I think so too. People forget that Chelsea still have a world class side and now they're even stronger in depth. They made some clever signings and kept the important core of their team intact. Cover at CB was their urgent problem.

Losing Robben isn't a blow because he was injured half the season anyway and I think Malouda will be very effective in their team. If they get rid of Shevchenko, go back to 4-3-3 instead of that ****e diamond formation they used last season then they're my favourites for the prem.

Cech
Ferreira Carvalho Terry A.Cole
Lampard Essien Ballack
J. Cole Drogba Malouda

Mourinho is also desperate to prove he doesn't need a lot of money to win titles and the mind games have already begun.

[breffniboy]

Chelsea are still the team to beat. United were lucky that injuries never really visited a squad that leacked real depth and that veterans were in the form of their lives. They'll struggle to repeat that even if they have spent big and I always think they're just a little suspect defensively.

As for us, I wouldn't jump the gun on saying we're fit to challenge. We certainly need to or else it's b'bye Rafa I'd say, but until the new guys are settled in and playing well, there always has to be a certain degree of doubt over how they'll perform. The flank play and finishing in front of goal were what let us down badly last year and in that respect, nobody can say for sure if Babel, Yossi and Torres will be the answer - we just hope they will.

And then there's the question as to whether or not Rafa can change his habits and open up a little bit, be less cautious against weaker teams that we have the talent to be bashing 3 or 4 nil.

It's very much wait and see for Liverpool as far as I'm concerned, but you have to be hopeful when Rafa has committed himself to signing attacking players in the problem positions, at least he's identified the worry spots even if addressing them is another step entirely.

[Shaggy]

Yep, agreed that Chelsea are the team to beat and, if I had to have a punt, I'd be backing them to win it.