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What sides will we be competing with next season?

RuskyM

Well-Known Member
Jul 9, 2011
6,921
22,730
Basically a "likely 11" for our opposition. I'll just go for the rest of the top 6. Feel free to debate/nominate your own below. I was going to do an analysis but I'm lazy so I won't, this is just kind of for us to see what we'll be competing with.

Man United:
de Gea​
Rafael - Garay - Vidic - Evra​
Carrick​
Strootman - Thiago​
Kagawa​
RVP - Hernandez/they have no wingers​
Man City:
Hart​
Zabaleta - Nastasic - Kompany - Clichy​
Fernandinho - Yaya​
Navas/Silva ---------------------------- El Shaarawy​
Aguero - Cavani?​
Chelsea:
Cech​
Ivanovic - Terry - Luiz? - Cole​
Essien? - Lampard​
Schurrle - Mata - Hazard​
Cavani?​
Arsenal:
Szcensenynsdnfjsnnrny​
Sagna - Koscielny - Mertesacker - Nacho​
Wilshere - Fellaini/Kondogbia​
Cazorla​
Walcott - Higuain - Podolski​
Liverpool:
Mignolet​
Johnson - Agger - Toure - Enrique​
Gerrard - Lucas​
Coutinho - Mkjythrian - Coutinho​
Sturridge​
Everon:
i have no idea​
 

dontcallme

SC Supporter
Mar 18, 2005
33,985
81,904
Like-for-like comparisons only take you so far.

Chelsea have a squad full of top quality players but with Abramovich running things too much and constant manager changes they've been competing with us and Arsenal in the league when they should be competing for the title. I think Mourinho will bring them together and get them to the top three again and they'll be closer to 1st, pointswise, than 4th.

I think Utd, City and Chelsea will get top three.

We'll be competing with Arsenal for 4th and Liverpool will close the gap but finish 6th.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,985
30,494
We'll be battling it out with the goons yet again. Top 3 nailed on IMO. I imagine whichever 1 finishes 3rd will be a good 10 points in front of 4th
 

Lufti

Well-Known Member
Jan 3, 2013
7,994
16,635
3 way battle between arsenal liverpool and us for 4th


Not for me, I think Gerrard's had it and without Suarez we needn't worry about Liverpool. I really don't think they'll be near the top 4 next year and I don't rate Brenton Rodgers either tbh.

Would imagine Chelsea will be signing a good CM/DM, Lewandowski will join either City or Chelsea with Cavani going to the other, Baines will go to Utd and Everton wont be a threat
 

ClintEastwould

Well-Known Member
Jul 3, 2012
4,748
9,845
Not for me, I think Gerrard's had it and without Suarez we needn't worry about Liverpool. I really don't think they'll be near the top 4 next year and I don't rate Brenton Rodgers either tbh.

Would imagine Chelsea will be signing a good CM/DM, Lewandowski will join either City or Chelsea with Cavani going to the other, Baines will go to Utd and Everton wont be a threat
you are seriously underestimating liverpool

gerrard had a decent last season and still has at least another one or two to give. still yet to see what happens with suarez, plus they have been making some very shrewd signings. their form the last 3rd of the season was as good as anyone, frequently knocking out 4 and 5 nil wins. i agree on everton dropping off though
 

Lufti

Well-Known Member
Jan 3, 2013
7,994
16,635
you are seriously underestimating liverpool

gerrard had a decent last season and still has at least another one or two to give. still yet to see what happens with suarez, plus they have been making some very shrewd signings. their form the last 3rd of the season was as good as anyone, frequently knocking out 4 and 5 nil wins. i agree on everton dropping off though


We'll see, Suarez is the only world class player they've got and if they lose him they're really going to struggle imo. They're very good against lower teams which is important in getting a high table finish but they're just not good enough against other teams competing for the top 5/6
 

beats1

Well-Known Member
Feb 22, 2010
30,006
29,551
3 way battle between arsenal liverpool and us for 4th
I disagree, if we have this first team next season
Adebayor​
Villa ---------------Bale​
Dembele Paulinho​
Sandro​
Rose Vertonghen Kaboul Walker​
Lloris​
Subs: Friedel, Dawson, Smith/Naughton, Holtby, Siggy, Lennon/Townsend, Leandro​
And we are just challenging for fourth, I wouldn't blame Bale for leaving tbh!​
Fullbacks aren't great but both have a lot of potential and are young, the rest of the first 11 is players we have dreamt of for years and Bale is considered by many as one of the best 3 players in the world, if he is playing for a team nowhere near the title winning team then why should he stay?​
 

Lufti

Well-Known Member
Jan 3, 2013
7,994
16,635
I disagree, if we have this first team next season
Adebayor​
Villa ---------------Bale​
Dembele Paulinho​
Sandro​
Rose Vertonghen Kaboul Walker​
Lloris​
Subs: Friedel, Dawson, Smith/Naughton, Holtby, Siggy, Lennon/Townsend, Leandro​

And we are just challenging for fourth, I wouldn't blame Bale for leaving tbh!

Fullbacks aren't great but both have a lot of potential and are young, the rest of the first 11 is players we have dreamt of for years and Bale is considered by many as one of the best 3 players in the world, if he is playing for a team nowhere near the title winning team then why should he stay?



Swap Rose for a more seasoned left back, add a better striker than Adebayor and we might just be looking at challenging for the title
 

beats1

Well-Known Member
Feb 22, 2010
30,006
29,551
Swap Rose for a more seasoned left back, add a better striker than Adebayor and we might just be looking at challenging for the title
I disagree as those left backs for the other teams are poor or starting to become worse. Evra had his best season going forward but his decision making when with Jones next to him was insanely poor.

Cole has been getting poorer and poorer and is almost like a lap dog, being paraded around for being the biggest shit around but being english

Clichy has been decent at City, Monreal has been poor but may get better and Enrique has been meh. Rose has had a very good season and isn't that bad but Baines is miles ahead tbh

As for Ade I think he has been struggling to adapt to AVB style of play and him Vila could potentially work brilliantly and its normal not have 3 great goal scorers in a front 3 and Villa and Bale are more than good enough to supply goals especially with Paulinho behind them
 

Lufti

Well-Known Member
Jan 3, 2013
7,994
16,635
I disagree as those left backs for the other teams are poor or starting to become worse. Evra had his best season going forward but his decision making when with Jones next to him was insanely poor.

Cole has been getting poorer and poorer and is almost like a lap dog, being paraded around for being the biggest shit around but being english

Clichy has been decent at City, Monreal has been poor but may get better and Enrique has been meh. Rose has had a very good season and isn't that bad but Baines is miles ahead tbh

As for Ade I think he has been struggling to adapt to AVB style of play and him Vila could potentially work brilliantly and its normal not have 3 great goal scorers in a front 3 and Villa and Bale are more than good enough to supply goals especially with Paulinho behind them


Yeah but just because other teams' left backs aren't great doesn't mean ours shouldn't be. I'm not saying Rose is bad, but by the sounds of things every top Prem team is trying to beef up their attack. Seems like we should be solidifying our defence (AVB would be proud of me) and especially if you reckon all the other teams have bad left backs - let's get a leg up on them. As for Ade, it can only be a good thing to have another striker in.
 

beats1

Well-Known Member
Feb 22, 2010
30,006
29,551
Yeah but just because other teams' left backs aren't great doesn't mean ours shouldn't be. I'm not saying Rose is bad, but by the sounds of things every top Prem team is trying to beef up their attack. Seems like we should be solidifying our defence (AVB would be proud of me) and especially if you reckon all the other teams have bad left backs - let's get a leg up on them. As for Ade, it can only be a good thing to have another striker in.
Problem is sooner or later you have to give the younger player a chance, I think a defence of Caulker, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Rose and Walker is very strong but I think we need a stronger LCB as caulker isn't one and if they are able to cover LB as well then we are sorted. Which is why i though Abidal would be perfect
 

Lufti

Well-Known Member
Jan 3, 2013
7,994
16,635
Problem is sooner or later you have to give the younger player a chance, I think a defence of Caulker, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Rose and Walker is very strong but I think we need a stronger LCB as caulker isn't one and if they are able to cover LB as well then we are sorted. Which is why i though Abidal would be perfect


If you like young English talent then let's get Luke Shaw in! :D
 

mill

Well-Known Member
May 21, 2007
10,385
37,100
Thing about a winning a title is you often need a near miss to realise it the next season (Leeds, man u, Blackburn) not set in stone but it's not just about quality of players, but mental strength and belief.
 

TheGreenLily

"I am Shodan"
Aug 5, 2009
12,023
8,699
I think Chelsea are favourites, with Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Man U and us (Spurs) fighting for the rest.

Chelsea - Well the chosen one is back, I don't think they will have much of transitional period.

Man U - Who knows how Moyes will get on. Massive boots to fill and will be under massive pressure. Man U is a different kettle of fish than Everton. Not saying he is a crap manager or and thing, just that there is a ?

Man City - New manager, good squad, lots of ins and outs and I think they will have a transition this season.

Arsenal - Always strong, always seem to make it regardless of crap some might think their squad is, champion potential is a different matter.

Liverpool - Ended the season strong, Brendan Rogers has a full season now and a summer break to really get his ideas across and strengthen the squad. Could well be challenging this season or at the very least, very much improved.

Spurs - AVB, very astute manager and done wonders with a weakened squad. I think we could be challenging top 3 this season, but only if we get the right players in and the youth can make the jump. Two strikers and a winger are very very important, Paulinho if we actually sign him would bring something to midfield, but we also need a proper LB cover, maybe a CB if Kaboul is injured (JJ's ITK about bone on bone type stuff). We don;t have to spend stupid money, but we must must fill those key positions if we are to stand any kind of chance.
 
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