Liverpool FC Forum

[115-1073096938]

I'm going to suprise a few here and p#ss a few people off as always but this is how i think it will pan out next season.

First place. Arsenal. Still very strong. However i feel they've peaked this season. I think next season they might improve either at right back or centre half but i still don't think they can have a repeat performance of this season. i think they'll lose AT LEAST 3 or 4 games next season, which i doubt they'll lose in this one. I say this because once a team reaches a certain level with the same players its very rare the same group can reach the same level in my opinion. I am also unsure as to weather they have what it takes to win the league two years running... but to be honest i can't see anyone else doing it.

Second place. Liverpool. With the addition of Cisse this will ease the seasonal loss of Michael Owen for a couple of months. I feel with Cisse, Sinama and Baros as backup to Owen we'll be in a stronger position when Owen picks up his injuries. Kewell will start showing what he is capable of more often and Finnan will be settled into our team and i feel will improve the side more so next season, than they have this season. Imo there is no question Steven Gerrard has moved up a level these last few months becoming a genuine world class footballer. I think Owen will start next season with more confidence and this will also be a deciding factor in our season. As long as one of those two is on form, we can get a result out of any match. I also trust Houllier to sign the right centre half to play with Sami. I had a thought the other day though that his preffered back four now... could be Riise, Hyypia, Carragher, Finnan, will be interesting to see once Finnan comes back to fitness. I think he deserves one last chance to show us all he can achieve something. He deserves it imo after the success he brought a few years ago.

Third place. Chelsea. For all there big money signings i think the lack of continuity and there ever changing first 11 will be a deciding factor in them not achieving there target of winning the league.  I also think we'll see one or two players leave and players stating there unhappiness at playering for such a club. I can't see them winning the league next season.

Fourth place. Manchester United. I was torn between them and Newcastle but i had to go with United on experience. I think Saha and RvN could be one of the best partnerships in Europe but i feel there midfield is aging and passing its best. They won't be able to replace Giggs and Keane so easily who are both past there brilliant best and i feel both will continue there decline next season. I think Defensively aswell they could struggle as Neville is starting to age aswell and i feel Silvestre, since the loss of Ferdinand has been somewhat found out.

Fifth place. Newcastle. I think they'll be a good side next season, the loss of Bellamy for most of the season hasn't helped there cause and i thikn the sale of Solano was a mistake, especially as Bowyer is yet to recover the form he shown for Leeds. However i think this will change next season, they'll sign a full back and Bowyer will make a difference. However i feel Shearer has now started to decline. I'm not saying he's a bad player, just not the player he was last season and i think he's starting to lose it, this is a major reason in them finishing 5th and not 4th in my opinion.

Overall i don't think the gap between 5th and 1st will be anything like it was this season. I honsetly believe this season is a one off in terms of Arsenal's form, Chelsea keeping so many players happy, Man Utd over achieving, Newcastles players not being on form and Liverpool's injury crisis and lack of form.

[stmichael]

i've got a sneaky suspicion that next year may be chelsea's year if they have a new manager and offload some of their excess baggage. we will finish 3rd in my opinion, behind chelsea and arsenal, with manure in 4th.

[JBG]

Fairly well thought out Stu, although you show a lot of faith and optimism in Gerard Houllier.

I think that if GH stays we will stabilise slightly, and I can't see things getting worse than this year. I think we will improve as a team next year if GH stays, but the improvement will be small. Cisse will be a gamble, and a lot depends on who else Houllier signs.

I could see something dramatic happening in that Didi Hamman could be forced out if Houllier stays and be replaced by a new signing.

Owen is also due an excellent season, and I always said that if he stays fit he will do great things for us.

Kewell and Baros will also be better next year.

However, I still see Liverpool having inconsistent form and we will still drop points to the likes of Birmingham etc.

My top 5 for next year is:

1. Chelsea: Abaramovich goes crazy in the summer, bringing in 2 or 3 Galacticos plus a new manager.

2. Arsenal: they have yet to show that they can win 2 in a row under Wenger and I think next season could see them having an off day.

3. Man UTd. Never rule them out, but objectively they are in danger of slipping away.

4. Liverpool: a lot closer to the big three next year, but still 12-15 points off the winners at the end.

5. Newcastle: the usual bad start, followed by a good run. The Toon will be more consistent next year but are still a small bit short of Liverpool.

[stmichael]

man u are going to struggle to win the premiership in the next few years because of chelseas chequebook and the fact that arsenal have taken the bar to another level. everyone has to hope that the gunners have peaked this season.

[greenred]

Cisse will have to be a one man team to lift us into second place.Second is possible but not under Houllier.

[The Manhattan Project]

Next season:

1- Arsenal.
2- Chelsea.
3- Manchester United.
4- Liverpool.
5- Newcastle United.

[bpm1976]

Have to agree with greenred, to finish 2nd we would need alot more than Cisse, Man U will strengthen as alot of the recent signings they have made arent up to their standards, pretty much like ourselves.  Chelsea can afford the best so will push Arsenal all the way with Man U battling with them as well.  The points gulf between us and the top 3 this season speaks volumes, at present we are off the pace big time.  We will need at least 2-3 quality signings to even get near, not sure if Cisse fits in to that, guess time will tell.

[Stan Laurel]

Interesting post, Stu

I do agree with you about buying a centre back to partner with Sami, which centre back do you like to buy? I feel that we need a pacey centre back, what do you reckon?

[Coley]

I don't know if he has been thought of before, but what about Michael Svensson (correct spelling?) from Southampton.  I reckon he's one of the best centre halves in the country.  He's an international, resonably quick, strong in the air, scores goals (he's been in my fantasy team all season!!!).  Got to be better than some untried Frog for £8m?

What do you think?   I just get the feeling that he would fit in well.

[brian cresswell]

next season all depends on this season, if liverpool finish 4th houllier stays so next season will be another season of underacheving. If we finish out of the top four this season i cant see houllier staying so maybe something may be possible next year, although then people will say the new manager will need time to gell his players toghether so as  long as we finish above manure and stop being so inconsistant i'll be happy

[oldredeyes]

Good thought provoking post Stu.
As things stand now I can't see us doing better than fourth unless we sign a strong centre back who can pass a ball - a good midfield player to take the weight of Stevie (Malbranque?) and get rid of some of the dross we have collected.
The rest will be down to how Arsenal cope with the pressure of being the best team in the country - Man Utds ability to shoot themselves in the foot and Chelsea's endless search for top class players.
Newcastle could have a dodgy term next season because their best player isn't getting any younger.
As far as the rest of this season goes, I agree with your back four suggestion. Carragher should partner Hypia in the short term and see how they go - Finnan and Riise should cover the full back spots (if fit).
Biscan should be sent packing with the other wasters.
But I wish we had a manager with the vision, skill and authority to go for number one spot within the next two years.
It's long, long overdue.

[zackboxer]

1. Arsenal
The team to beat but can't see them playing for a second year in a row with the consistency and brilliance they have
played with this year. Will still be good enough to win the title.

2. Chelsea
With so much money available for players and probably a new manager will run Arsenal very close but it's bound to take a while for new manager and players to settle in and for the team to gel.

3. Manchester United
Don't write them off! They will be there or there about's next year, they are every year. Can't stand Ferguson but give him his dues he is a winner and accepts nothing less from his players. I don't think they'll be more than 6 points seperating the top 3.

4. Liverpool
Can't see the team playing any worse than this season, which by and large has been very poor. I think the squad we have with 2 or 3 good signings and getting rid of the deadwood could be a threat but it would also require a manager that can get the squad to produce the potential that is there and can get the best out of his players. If things stay the same can't see us getting within 10 or more likely 15 points of the top three.

5. Newcastle (Probably?!)
Can't see them being any closer and don't see them making any great strides next year, will probably be the best of the rest.

Ps. I'd agree with Coley on Michael Svensson if you could get him for the right price, he'd do a good job, he's not flash but never seems to have a bad game and is pretty solid. Even if you used him as cover for you're first choice centre backs.
Got to be an improvement on playing Biscan back there!

[Scottbot]

1. Arsenal

I feel they will be the team to beat for several years. Players like Henry, Pires, Campbell, Viera and Cole are still in their prime. Players like Toure, Reyes and Clichy will only get better + the new stadium build means there is no more speculation over the futures of Wenger, Henry and Viera.

2. Man. Utd

It is tempting to write them off. With the exception of Tim Howard, Fergies recent purchases do not look like they will make the grade + the youth system doesn't seem to have thrown up the next Beckham or Scholes. However, i simply can't see them falling from grace just yet - Saha and RVN will always score goals - The defence will be more solid with Rio back (remember the Mancs were neck an neck with the a#se till his ban). The midfield is not so formidable with Keane and Giggs another year older but i would expect Fergie to go out and sign a marquee player (someone like Van de Vaart) in the summer to strengthen this area.

3- Chelsea

I don't think Roman will be able to buy the title as quickly as he would like. Chelsea have so much depth that their reserves could finish in the top 5. However, if you look at Arsenal. They win so many games because they are the consumate TEAM - The players know eachothers game inside out and Wenger makes very few changes. That for me, is the key to winning the championship and is the reason Chelsea won't do it next season. Also, who will mange them next season?

4- Liverpool

Assuming GH stays - I imagine we will improve on this seasons effort but i cannot see us breaking back into that top 3 just yet. The dead wood must be cleared out although i wonder if Houllier will do this as it will mean admitting his judgement of several players was poor. A new centre-back is a must, Carra could do a job but i desperately would like to see us bring in a player with lots of pace, who is also confortable bringing the ball out from the back (how often do we see Sami hoofing the ball long when there is no-one within 15 yards of him?) A genuine right midfielder is a must - The majority of us like Malbranque and i am no different. I don't know if we can afford to fill these 2 positions if we are gonna pay so much for Cisse - Of course, so much will depend on him and whether we can keep Mikey.

For me - The big question is how will Houllier attempt to play? He is a defensive minded coach who gave in to the critics and the fans and tried to play attacking football this season. I do not believe GH can produce a team to play in this manner - We will never play like Arsenal with GH. In hindsight, i believe GH probably wishes he had stuck to his own footballing principles and perhaps results (not necessarily performances) would have been better.

Can't see it happening but, if we brought in O'neil - I believe we would end next season back in the top 3.

[Scottbot]

Notice this post had dissapeared before anyone had a chance to answer it - So have dragged it back it back up as is the only interesting post up at the moment.

[115-1073096938]

Yay!!!