we will win the league

[Elvoz]

This is a tough opening, many physical teams here, we could end up worst case with 6 points from this lot

[Joe Le Toff]

A good start is always important, i seem to remember we got one last year up to the Portsmouth draw away?? Then followed a spate of draws against lower sides as we lost our momentum through over rotation more than anything else.

Not trying to be downbeat, but i think that realistically we wont the league this year, but if we can turn some of them frustrating draws against "lesser" teams into wins then i can see us making a decent challenge for it and breaking up the top 2.

[Liverpool]

I have a nasty feeling that Sunderland away will, trip you up. 1-1.

Were not Spurs.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

If we win all six of those game i will amazed ! there not easy games and we will be missing Mascher and Babel as well as Lucas for the first couple.

[Assassin]

Coming from Mr positive "If we"

[Assassin]

i do not rant. i offer constructive criticism and set high standards

having said that by xmas.......I will need some new toys for my pram

[alex1982]

Im not too concerend by the other games even if we draw a few. The biggest thing will be beating the manc scum as has proven over the last few years, our record over chavski scum and arsenal has been our biggest stumbling block. they will drop point against the likes of villa sunderland boro just like we do but they always pick up the points against us.
If we want to challenge for the league then we need to start taking point off them.

[The_weatherman]

Sarb, I put you on ignore but you seem to be the most quoted man on the site so it doesn't do me any good

[Reece]

Sarb, I put you on ignore but you seem to be the most quoted man on the site so it doesn't do me any good

Put everyone on ignore mate

[SK]

Im not too concerend by the other games even if we draw a few. The biggest thing will be beating the manc scum as has proven over the last few years, our record over chavski scum and arsenal has been our biggest stumbling block. they will drop point against the likes of villa sunderland boro just like we do but they always pick up the points against us.
If we want to challenge for the league then we need to start taking point off them.

i wouldn't think so, last year was the same, if those draws against spurs, brum etc were wins we'd be a lot closer to the top 2 come end of season even when we hadn't won a single match against the top 3

[dww]

yeah think it is just two - we would still have gerrard and either barry alonso or possibly both. Plus we have given plessis a good pre season so hopefully he can cover if needed.

I reckon the first two games we will play 4-4-2 something like

Reina
Carragher
Skirtel
Agger
Dossena

Yossi
Gerrard
Barry/Alonso
Kuyt

Keane
Torres.

then once babel/masher get back - it will be interesting to see hwat happens - obv a lot depends on form/fitness of players etc

I really think the improvement of Plessis is a huge bonus for us. He for me is the natural player to come in for Mascher if we wish to use the same formation we would with him. I don't really see Barry as a specialist holding/defensive midfielder - he has worked best at Villa slightly further forward given a little more freedom.

[alex1982]

Were only talking about two wins over the scum last year and the league would have been ours.
A win against them or chavski would have given us the confidence in other games then to have got wins instead of draws.

[Roboklopp]

Our record in the league vs Gooners &Chavs has been the same as they against us iver the last 2 years- ie 2 draws or a win a piece. So we are much better there recently.

It's against the scum we really need to improve now.

[Exiled_red]

IMO there's 4/5 games we *should* win in there, I just worry about the opening game as we sometimes struggle especially if the CL qualifier tie is still open ahead of the second leg. Also I imagine MON and Villa will be keen to get one over on us early in the season after all this Barry business.

It probably goes without saying but the Scum result is the big one, given our poor recent record against them (and other top 4 sides) in the league, an early season win over them would be a huge confidence boost and hopefully give us the belief we can go all the way

[Red Chilli]

if we win our first 6 games

sunderland away
boro home
villa away
scum home
stoke home
bitters away

simple as that

anyone disagree ?

or what do you expect from these games

I disagree, we were top after 6 games last season and we finished in a different galaxy to SCUM.

Before Xmas- all you have to do is be within 6 points.
After Xmas is when the men are sorted from the boys.

From those games I expect:
WWDLWW