RedrebelI say Chelsea wins the Premier League this year because I believe they have the coach and squad to surpass Liverpool and be champions one more time and you?
06.01.2009
Robert O'CarlosI could say it 'til I'm blue in the face on this11, can't see Liverpool being able to sustain a challenge and it'll come down to being between the usual 2 again. If you need any more proof that Liverpool are cracking under the pressure already, ladies and gentlemen, I give you Steven Gerrard ...
;-D
Between Utd and Chelsea? Can't call it. Scolari has the blues looking more vulnerable than they have for a few years and Utd haven't kicked off properly yet. I can remember Utd being 9 points behind 2 or 3 years back with about 8 games to go though, and taking the title.
:-D
The relegation battle looks as though it'll be far more interesting than usual this year. And it'll give Arsenal's directors the kick up the Anita they need if they don't finish top 4.
07.01.2009
FeriAtsChelsea dropped too many easy points for my liking. I can't see them maintaining a momentum. It's going to be between Man U and Liverpool. Liverpool might be a little bit more motivated.
07.01.2009
RedrebelMan U, no my friend. I can tell you 100% sure Man U ain't winning champions league or Premier League. Maybe FA but I see it hard, just look at the game between Derby County and Man U.
08.01.2009
theformationnerd123Redrebel, I would say that man U can win UCL but not sure about PL. in UCL man u didnt lose any match they are in control right now. and also i saw the match between Man U and Derby. all i must say that Man players wasn't the right players. the missing players: Ferdinand, Berbatov,Park,Evra,and there is more but i dont remember. anyway those missing players are great not a stupid players. and also relieze how Derby was defending in the match man u had pressure on derby, derby had attacking moments and ManU had defending trouble. but in Old trafford, Derby is going down!! you know this, i know this. everybody know this.!
09.01.2009
Robert O'CarlosJust wondering if you're changing your mind after the Utd/Chelsea game, Redrebel.
;-D
With 2 easier games (on paper, admittedly) in hand, Utd will look to go a point clear of Liverpool with the same number of games played. Liverpool are showing too many signs of wilting under pressure and Chelsea are poor compared to previous years.
And I'd have to say anyone who counts the game against Derby as indicative needs a reality check. Hardly Utd's 1st team, was it?
;-D
11.01.2009
RedrebelWell, I don't see Man U on top of the Premier, and Derby just indicates Man U is not going to be as successful as last year. And no I'm not changing my mind.
11.01.2009
FeriAtsChelsa are officially out of the title race now. Whether hunger for success or experience will prevail is yet to be seen.
12.01.2009
Robert O'CarlosNo such thing as out of the title at the beginning of January, m8.
:-D
And, if Utd have a decent week, they'll be top of the table on Saturday, with no away games against the top teams left to play.
:-)
I really can't see anyone putting much store in a Carling Cup result indicating how successful a team is likely to be in the league. Otherwise the fact they beat a couple of sub standard teams and can be officially called the world's best team should suggest they'd win the league by 20 points.
:-D
12.01.2009
FeriAtsWell, Chelsea seem to have not found the bottom in their form yet. After that they will start to recover. I predict a good 4-5 weeks before they get back into title chasing form. Meanwhile Man U are on fire and Liverpool have a steady form this year. It is unlikely that they will be dropping points at the same rate with Chelsea. Come middle of February, the gap will be about 10-12 points and with Man U and Liverpool. You can catch one team from 10 points behind, but two? That's impossible.
Btw, did you hear Scolari after the game? He didn't seem to believe that they are in it.
12.01.2009
RedrebelIt's too soon to say Chelsea is out of the race, but I still believe Man U is not winning the Premier League. Any team can have a couple weeks of success and a couple weeks of downfall.
12.01.2009
FeriAtsChelsea aren't doing very well, are they? Give them a couple of weeks and they'll be down to fifth...
02.02.2009
RedrebelYeah, I can't believe Chelsea is going down.
02.02.2009
FeriAtsWell, that's the problem with older players. Once they lose their form, it takes ages to gain it back. Younger teams bounce back faster. Chelsea will find their form again, no doubt about that...It may be just too late.
03.02.2009
RedrebelIt's not late it is still possible only 5 points away it won't kill you.
03.02.2009
FeriAtsMind you, Man U has a game in hand. We are probably looking at a 8 point gap here. Even 8 points gap won't kill you, if the team is in form. Chelsea are not in form and 8 points behind. Now this combination is deadly.
03.02.2009
Robert O'CarlosI think Mike Riley could well have done for Chelsea this campaign - really surprised the blues aren't pushing harder than they are. I also think it says a lot that people are saying Liverpool have played some fantastic football, Chelsea have been off the pace, and yet they're still only a couple of points different from each other. Plus Rafa's really screwed up with the Robbie Keane thing.
Still expecting the league to finish red, blue, red ...
;-D
Seems a bold statement to have said Man Utd 100% not winning the league now, Redrebel. Stranger things have happened tho.
:-D
04.02.2009
FeriAtsLong time, no see Rob...Where have you been?
You've got a very good point in Keane's departure. If I were a betting man, I would put all my money on Manchester United now.
04.02.2009
RedrebelIt's too early to give conclusions, I still believe 100% Man U is not winning the league.
04.02.2009
Robert O'CarlosDon't take offence at this post, Redrebel - only meant as a good natured comment.
:-D
Just made me giggle to read your comment about how it's too early to form any conclusions, closely followed up by concluding Man U won't win. Just struck me as arguing with yourself for a moment.
As far as Liverpool goes, Gerrard went off injured in the game recently and Liverpool countered by shuffling their formation and moving players around. A sure sign they don't have the depth of squad to keep playing the same way if they get a couple of injuries? How would you read it?
:-)
07.02.2009
theformationnerd123Man u won derby 4-2 and man u is on top the league. and also man u 3-0 chelsea liverpool 2-0 chelsea. Chelsea are driving to the wrong way ;)
07.02.2009
Robert O'CarlosI've got to admit I was expecting Chelsea to start putting some performances in again by now. The 0-0 with Hull is starting to get me thinking it's more than Chelsea's blip for the season.
:-)
07.02.2009
RedrebelYou never walk alone.
07.02.2009
FeriAtsScolari sacked! Now the season is truly over for Chelsea. It is a fight for Champions League spot for them and I doubt they can pull that off.
09.02.2009
prekaziI really don't want Man u to get the title again but I can't see how they will drop it after this moment! I don't really believe Liverpool has what it takes to be the champions. Or maybe it's just because I don't like Benitez at all... would really love to see Villa getting it :-)
09.02.2009
RedrebelAs long as Man U doesn't win anything I am happy.
10.02.2009
theformationnerd123Chelsea are just going the bad way. but Redrebel, if even man u didnt win anything this season its ok. but im sure they will win premier league. because they have 2 matches they played yet. and still on top of the league!. also Arsenal are like everton noW! aston villa will take arsenal place arsenal are bad!
11.02.2009
theformationnerd123they didnt*** played yet
11.02.2009
CaptainGerardMan U had a very decent run, credit where it's due. I am hoping that they won't be able to keep up their form in the last quarter. Liverpool and Aston Villa are well positioned to exploit if that happens.
11.02.2009
Robert O'CarlosAfter the Scolari thing, I'd be prepared to concede it could now go either way for Chelsea. Either it'll be too late to organise and rally them, or Hiddink will have a miraculous effect and they'll push up the league again. I have to say I'm not so sure of my earlier prediction that Chelsea would finish 2nd anymore tho.
:-D
I'm still expecting Liverpool to start showing the signs of feeling the pressure. Perhaps they already are, with Torres showing signs of burning out for the season and not having a recognised talent (like Keane) to come in for him. Rafa has royally messed that one up imho.
No guarantees as to how teams will progress but United are traditionally better in the 2nd half of the season. Can't see them having too many problems in hanging on to top spot.
15.02.2009
FeriAtsI cannot see Hiddink turning things around at Chelsea for two reasons:
1)There's just not enough time. If he had a 2 or 3 week break, he would be able to impose his philosophy. But there is none. All he can do is little tweaks on the tactical side. I doubt that will help.
2)His best performances are always with underdogs. He doesn't do well with high profile clubs outside of Eredivise. Do you remember his Real Madrid days?
16.02.2009
RedrebelDon't underestimate coaches.
16.02.2009
FeriAtsDon't underestimate oder coaches too. Is Hiddink so better than SAF that he will take a team with 10 points deficit with no time to raise pyhsical conditions of the players and still beat him in 13 games. Add the other teams in front of them and see how impossible Hiddink's undertaking is.
17.02.2009
RedrebelRemember, football is unpredictable. You never know when something is going to happen.
17.02.2009
Robert O'CarlosPompey for the league, it is then.
:-D
17.02.2009
FeriAtsSure, there's a level of unpredicitibility but it is not dice rolling either.
The question now is, will both Man U and Liverpool drop so many points and Chelsea win every game till the end of season. Does lightning strike thrice?
19.02.2009
RedrebelYou never know, but it can happen.
19.02.2009
Robert O'CarlosNo certainties, obviously, but I'd say Chelsea are looking likely to have a resurgence. On the other hand, Liverpool must surely be feeling the pressure with Torres burning out, Gerrard injured and Benitez's future in doubt with reports of arguments with the owners and his refusal to sign a new contract.
Only 3 point between these 2 clubs now. I think Utd are almost certain to take the league now (on current form), but the 2nd/3rd place race is looking interesting.
Having said all that, we're still only 2 thirds of the way through.
22.02.2009
RedrebelI hope Manchester United gets in a loosing streak.
22.02.2009
Robert O'CarlosIt could happen. They say every team gets a bad run sooner or later during the season.
Luckily for Utd, they've already had a bad run (for them anyway) at the start of the season.
:-D
23.02.2009
RedrebelWell, its never too late to get a second one.
24.02.2009
Robert O'CarlosTrue enough. Like I said, it could happen.
:-D
I think Utd would have to have a monumental catastrophe now though. Liverpool would have to better Utd's results by 3 wins (7 points but with an inferior goal difference) over the last 12 games, and their respective forms since the turn of the year favours Utd.
I just can't see Utd getting it that wrong.
:-)
For Liverpool to get some confidence and give it a real go between now and the end of the season, Rafa really needs to sort out his contractual issues and bring some stability back to the club.
26.02.2009
Robert O'CarlosLiverpool have seemingly given it up for this season now.
:-)
Torres has faded in the second half of the season, Gerrard has picked up another injury on his comeback from being out for 3 weeks, and the 2-0 loss to Middlesbrough all but seals it for Utd in the league (7 points clear with a game in hand).
To add insult to injury, Chelsea have leapfrogged them into 2nd place.
There are 3 automatic Champions League places in the EPL these days, but Liverpool may find themselves in the situation of having to start looking over their shoulder at Villa's results now.
:-D
Anyone got money on Rafa quitting?
28.02.2009
RedrebelMaybe, but I think Liverpool is going to wait more.
28.02.2009
CaptainGerardIt isn't over, till it's over. Man U had it's good run and it's going to be shaky from now on. Whether we, or Chelsea can expoit this, is another question tho.
16.03.2009
Robert O'CarlosForm and squad depth would suggest that Man Utd and Chelsea will perform better than the pack during the run in. With Utd's game in hand (and assuming that result goes according to the stats), Utd will be 3 games ahead with only 9 games left to play.
But you never know ...
Besides Liverpool are the team who are notorious for having a dodgy spell after a period of great results.
16.03.2009
RedrebelI wish for Man U to lose 4 games the least.
16.03.2009
Redrebel46 comments not bad.
16.03.2009
CaptainGerard1 down 3 to go Red. Your dream does not seem too far off now. Man U seemed all over the place against Fulham and we were simply unstoppable. I can feel the title coming our way now.
23.03.2009
RedrebelYessss, Man U lost, Liverpool is 1 point from Man U, I hope Man U loses again.
23.03.2009
RedrebelI wish all the unluck to Man U in the world for tomorrow! :} Hope they loose.
06.04.2009
Robert O'CarlosI said at the top of this thread that I couldn't see Liverpool having the spirit to push United for the title. Time to hold my hands up and admit I got that one wrong. It might have been closer between the top 3 if Chelsea hadn't gone with Scolari at the start of the season but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
:-)
I think Liverpool changed their tactics from the Real Madrid game forward and realised that a defensive formation can be effective if you chase teams down higher up the pitch as well. It kick started them at the right time of the season to make a go of it. Ultimately, well played Liverpool.
:-D
As I write this, United have just tupped Wigan to go within 1 point of a 3rd consecutive title with an out of form Arsenal and Hull still to play, so I'm not seeing it as too much of a gamble being magmanimous to Liverpool now.
:-D
13.05.2009
RedrebelAs long as there is hope there is still a chance.
13.05.2009
Robert O'CarlosI get the impression even Liverpool have given it up now. All the noised coming out of Anfield are about giving it a go next season now.
:-)
15.05.2009
Robert O'CarlosUnited's league. Normal service resumed.
:-D
16.05.2009
RedrebelWhy does it have to be Manchester United?
17.05.2009
FeriAtsBecause they collected more points than any other team.Simples :)
Joking aside, they totally deserved it. SAF has improved an already very good team with addin Berba in the mix. Liverpool are nowhere near Man U in depth of squad. Chelsea suffered a lot of unstability throughout the season. Arsenal are a bunch of kids.
17.05.2009
Robert O'CarlosNicely put, FeriAts.
:-D
United did deserve the win. A league system is the one true marker of how teams compare against each other.
As for Liverpool, they've only lost 2 matches all season (with 1 game left anyway) and I think that highlights their downfall. For two thirds of the season, Liverpool were too defensive and didn't attack games enough. Hence the lesser number of 3 pointers.
Chelsea suffered from having Scolari at the helm, and the players lack of response to him. Pure and simple. If Hiddink had been in from day 1, Chelsea would have won the league.
And Arsenal didn't have enough midfield steel and experience to close their opposition out.
All in all, United were the best team, and played the most enjoyable football (Arsenal possibly excluded).
:-)
Would be nice to hear Benitez join with Wenger, Hiddink and the rest in saying well done to United now. Not holding my breath though.
:-D
17.05.2009
RedrebelBarcelona is taking Man U down.
26.05.2009
Robert O'CarlosYou really just don't like United, do you, Red?
:-D
26.05.2009
RedrebelI like Man U, but I just don't like one team dominating the world of football.
27.05.2009
RedrebelLooks like Man U's luck ran out. Barcelona best team in Europe!
27.05.2009
