To have any chance of winning the league...

[Dhav]

do we have to get knocked out of Europe early?

Looking at our squad, I certainly think it is the strongest I can ever remember in the Premiership era. We had a very strong team out there yesterday and outclassed Villa. Proven Premiership and international players like Crouch, Mascherano and Benayoun weren't even on the bench. So in theory, we should be strong enough to be able to compete on both fronts this season.

Having said that, the only season under Rafa where we've had a good league campaign was when we get knocked out in the 2nd round of the CL. We all know of Rafa's propensity to concentrate on Europe. It is so difficult to challenge for both your domestic league and the CL. It's no coincidence that both us and Milan ended nowhere in the league yet reached the final, while both Chelsea and Man Utd who were battling it out for the title both ran out of steam in Europe.

I just wonder, could another good run in Europe sabotage our chances to win the league this year, or can we realistically expect to be fighting it out in the latter stages of both competitions this year?

[Red Chilli]

The SCUM walked the league last season and only played 1 less game than us in Europe but got to the FA cup final whereas we submitted in January.

It can be done, however, if I was to have the choice I'd opt for #19

[JPK]

To win the league you need wingers to score 10-15 goals a season.
Pires and Ljungberg did it for years and Beckham and Giggs did too.
If we get alot of goals from that area then we have a great chance.

[Johnny]

To win the league you need a bit of luck and to finish above ManUre,so far so good.

[Red Chilli]

To win the league you need to get more points than anyone else.

[JPK]

To win the league you need a bit of luck and to finish above ManUre,so far so good.

Whoever finishes above Chelsea will win it this year IMO.

[Johnny]

Whoever finishes above Chelsea will win it this year IMO.

that might be more than one team

[CJ]

one reason milan didnt do too well in serie a was the points deduction at the begining of the season

so leeds there is hope for you yet

oops my mistake no there isnt!

[Bob]

We need to strengthen at LB.

We also need a Right Winger who is a proper winger, cause Pennant can't cut the mustard. Period.

[Johnny]

We need to strengthen at LB.

We also need a Right Winger who is a proper winger, cause Pennant can't cut the mustard. Period.

IYHO.

[stevie_gerrard_8]

Winning the league is about being consistent over 38 games

Winning the Champions League is about beating top teams over 2 legs

[Norbs]

To win the league you need to get more points than anyone else.

[rushscored4]

do we have to get knocked out of Europe early?

Looking at our squad, I certainly think it is the strongest I can ever remember in the Premiership era. We had a very strong team out there yesterday and outclassed Villa. Proven Premiership and international players like Crouch, Mascherano and Benayoun weren't even on the bench. So in theory, we should be strong enough to be able to compete on both fronts this season.

Having said that, the only season under Rafa where we've had a good league campaign was when we get knocked out in the 2nd round of the CL. We all know of Rafa's propensity to concentrate on Europe. It is so difficult to challenge for both your domestic league and the CL. It's no coincidence that both us and Milan ended nowhere in the league yet reached the final, while both Chelsea and Man Utd who were battling it out for the title both ran out of steam in Europe.

I just wonder, could another good run in Europe sabotage our chances to win the league this year, or can we realistically expect to be fighting it out in the latter stages of both competitions this year?

I suggested playing a different side for all cup games including the Champions League and got slagged off on here last week. If we had to choose between the two, I think most fans would prefer a sustained challenge for the league title this season rather than another good run in the CL.

Winning the league is about being consistent over 38 games. Winning the Champions League is about beating top teams over 2 legs

Apart from in the group stages...

[smither]

we need to be lucky with the fixtures after we've played away games in the champs league. too often we have to play away again, giving us a much harder task. i think chelsea only had to play away once last season straight after a champs league away game, certainly in group stages anyway

[Kilteragh]

We need more than just to improve ourselves.

Realistically we will need other top sides to get less points than they have had in recent years.

The points total that Utd. and Chelsea have won the league with in recent years has been enormous.

What it might boil down to is coming out on top in the matches against Scum, Chavs and Arse while maintaing a steady increase in points against other teams.

Not easy but doable.