Liverpool FC Forum

by **Emerald Red** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 11:50 pm

I voted for other, meaning that the refs and that bast"rd Andy Gray is our main threat. Scudding bast"ard that.

by **ConnO'var** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:28 am

I don't think that Man Utd are our biggest threat this season. The amount of weakening that they have gone through requires a complete re-structuring of their tactings and playing methodology. This usually takes some time and it could be 8 -10 games before they gell again.

Arsenal is too young and the loss of Kolo Toure more than anything could be a huge factor. They should never have signed Gallas as he seems to have disrupted their backline no end.... the big girl's blouse. Without a hale and hearty defence, they could prove to be a leaky ship. Plus, they really need some steel and experience in midfield. Something that they have failed to address unless Wenger manages to convince Vieira to come back. Even with him, I think they'll fall short though I fully expect them to give most anyone a run for their money with that man in the side. Would be nice if we had actually made a move for him.

Man City actually looks a very sound side contrary to what many are saying. The balance of the team looks pretty ok. Of course they seem a little top heavy but if they can keep everyone happy, they'll worry a fair few sides including the members of the top four. The question really is, whether or not Sparky has what it takes.... and right now, IMO, the answer is no..... but given a couple more years of experience, they will threaten the stranglehold that the elite have on the premiership.

For me, the major threat will be Chelsea. Of course there are question marks about the new Italian manager and his ability to change his tactics and approach to suit the English game. But in truth, I don't really think that's really required to be honest. They have quality all over the park and they can easily dictate the pace of the game to suit any tactic in my opinion. Superb ball blayers all over the park. Excellent goalkeeper (no longer the best in the premiership but still an outstanding one). Rock solid defence with the best defender in the league in Carvalho (in fact, the weakest link in their defence, if I'm honest, is Terry.... all heart and effort but very little brains... good captain though).Dangerous midifeld with excellent wingers and superb central midfield bar Mikel. And an attack which is downright scary.... Anelka... pace, guile and excellent finisher who seems to have matured and is much stabler mentally and ............
Drogba. Beast of a player despite his cheating ways and bad attitude. On his day, he is an absolute nightmare to play against. Added to all that quality is a very simple but important fact that they will not need to go through a bedding in period as they, by and large, have been playing together for a while now.

WE have what it takes though.... even if we cannot quite match Chelsea's quality in terms of players but if we don't shoot ourselves in the foot or have too many injuries to key players.... the one team that represents the biggest threat to our title ambitions HAS to be Chelsea.

by **aCe'** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:41 am

ConnO'var wrote:I don't think that Man Utd are our biggest threat this season. The amount of weakening that they have gone through requires a complete re-structuring of their tactings and playing methodology. This usually takes some time and it could be 8 -10 games before they gell again.

Arsenal is too young and the loss of Kolo Toure more than anything could be a huge factor. They should never have signed Gallas as he seems to have disrupted their backline no end.... the big girl's blouse. Without a hale and hearty defence, they could prove to be a leaky ship. Plus, they really need some steel and experience in midfield. Something that they have failed to address unless Wenger manages to convince Vieira to come back. Even with him, I think they'll fall short though I fully expect them to give most anyone a run for their money with that man in the side. Would be nice if we had actually made a move for him.

Man City actually looks a very sound side contrary to what many are saying. The balance of the team looks pretty ok. Of course they seem a little top heavy but if they can keep everyone happy, they'll worry a fair few sides including the members of the top four. The question really is, whether or not Sparky has what it takes.... and right now, IMO, the answer is no..... but given a couple more years of experience, they will threaten the stranglehold that the elite have on the premiership.

For me, the major threat will be Chelsea. Of course there are question marks about the new Italian manager and his ability to change his tactics and approach to suit the English game. But in truth, I don't really think that's really required to be honest. They have quality all over the park and they can easily dictate the pace of the game to suit any tactic in my opinion. Superb ball blayers all over the park. Excellent goalkeeper (no longer the best in the premiership but still an outstanding one). Rock solid defence with the best defender in the league in Carvalho (in fact, the weakest link in their defence, if I'm honest, is Terry.... all heart and effort but very little brains... good captain though).Dangerous midifeld with excellent wingers and superb central midfield bar Mikel. And an attack which is downright scary.... Anelka... pace, guile and excellent finisher who seems to have matured and is much stabler mentally and ............
Drogba. Beast of a player despite his cheating ways and bad attitude. On his day, he is an absolute nightmare to play against. Added to all that quality is a very simple but important fact that they will not need to go through a bedding in period as they, by and large, have been playing together for a while now.

WE have what it takes though.... even if we cannot quite match Chelsea's quality in terms of players but if we don't shoot ourselves in the foot or have too many injuries to key players.... the one team that represents the biggest threat to our title ambitions HAS to be Chelsea.

good stuff...

by **taff** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:43 am

ConnO'var wrote:I don't think that Man Utd are our biggest threat this season. The amount of weakening that they have gone through requires a complete re-structuring of their tactings and playing methodology. This usually takes some time and it could be 8 -10 games before they gell again.

Arsenal is too young and the loss of Kolo Toure more than anything could be a huge factor. They should never have signed Gallas as he seems to have disrupted their backline no end.... the big girl's blouse. Without a hale and hearty defence, they could prove to be a leaky ship. Plus, they really need some steel and experience in midfield. Something that they have failed to address unless Wenger manages to convince Vieira to come back. Even with him, I think they'll fall short though I fully expect them to give most anyone a run for their money with that man in the side. Would be nice if we had actually made a move for him.

Man City actually looks a very sound side contrary to what many are saying. The balance of the team looks pretty ok. Of course they seem a little top heavy but if they can keep everyone happy, they'll worry a fair few sides including the members of the top four. The question really is, whether or not Sparky has what it takes.... and right now, IMO, the answer is no..... but given a couple more years of experience, they will threaten the stranglehold that the elite have on the premiership.

For me, the major threat will be Chelsea. Of course there are question marks about the new Italian manager and his ability to change his tactics and approach to suit the English game. But in truth, I don't really think that's really required to be honest. They have quality all over the park and they can easily dictate the pace of the game to suit any tactic in my opinion. Superb ball blayers all over the park. Excellent goalkeeper (no longer the best in the premiership but still an outstanding one). Rock solid defence with the best defender in the league in Carvalho (in fact, the weakest link in their defence, if I'm honest, is Terry.... all heart and effort but very little brains... good captain though).Dangerous midifeld with excellent wingers and superb central midfield bar Mikel. And an attack which is downright scary.... Anelka... pace, guile and excellent finisher who seems to have matured and is much stabler mentally and ............
Drogba. Beast of a player despite his cheating ways and bad attitude. On his day, he is an absolute nightmare to play against. Added to all that quality is a very simple but important fact that they will not need to go through a bedding in period as they, by and large, have been playing together for a while now.

WE have what it takes though.... even if we cannot quite match Chelsea's quality in terms of players but if we don't shoot ourselves in the foot or have too many injuries to key players.... the one team that represents the biggest threat to our title ambitions HAS to be Chelsea.

Thats how I feel about it all. Especially with Essien in the team. I do think that all is not entirely well at Chelsea and something might happen behind the scenes if it doesnt go well at the start for Ancelotti and the African cup will have an impact. But its entirley possible they get it right as well and be seriously strong in the league.

While Man Utd are a serious threat and even favourites by many pundits I get the feeling that Ferguson knows its going to be tight and may go to Liverpool but is pragmatic enough to bide his time to spend that huge budget they must have. Or he has more faith in his attack than most other people

by **Scottbot** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:48 am

ConnO'var wrote:I don't think that Man Utd are our biggest threat this season. The amount of weakening that they have gone through requires a complete re-structuring of their tactings and playing methodology. This usually takes some time and it could be 8 -10 games before they gell again.

Arsenal is too young and the loss of Kolo Toure more than anything could be a huge factor. They should never have signed Gallas as he seems to have disrupted their backline no end.... the big girl's blouse. Without a hale and hearty defence, they could prove to be a leaky ship. Plus, they really need some steel and experience in midfield. Something that they have failed to address unless Wenger manages to convince Vieira to come back. Even with him, I think they'll fall short though I fully expect them to give most anyone a run for their money with that man in the side. Would be nice if we had actually made a move for him.

Man City actually looks a very sound side contrary to what many are saying. The balance of the team looks pretty ok. Of course they seem a little top heavy but if they can keep everyone happy, they'll worry a fair few sides including the members of the top four. The question really is, whether or not Sparky has what it takes.... and right now, IMO, the answer is no..... but given a couple more years of experience, they will threaten the stranglehold that the elite have on the premiership.

For me, the major threat will be Chelsea. Of course there are question marks about the new Italian manager and his ability to change his tactics and approach to suit the English game. But in truth, I don't really think that's really required to be honest. They have quality all over the park and they can easily dictate the pace of the game to suit any tactic in my opinion. Superb ball blayers all over the park. Excellent goalkeeper (no longer the best in the premiership but still an outstanding one). Rock solid defence with the best defender in the league in Carvalho (in fact, the weakest link in their defence, if I'm honest, is Terry.... all heart and effort but very little brains... good captain though).Dangerous midifeld with excellent wingers and superb central midfield bar Mikel. And an attack which is downright scary.... Anelka... pace, guile and excellent finisher who seems to have matured and is much stabler mentally and ............
Drogba. Beast of a player despite his cheating ways and bad attitude. On his day, he is an absolute nightmare to play against. Added to all that quality is a very simple but important fact that they will not need to go through a bedding in period as they, by and large, have been playing together for a while now.

WE have what it takes though.... even if we cannot quite match Chelsea's quality in terms of players but if we don't shoot ourselves in the foot or have too many injuries to key players.... the one team that represents the biggest threat to our title ambitions HAS to be Chelsea.

Good post mate, Chelsea are actually the most settled team in terms of personnel with virtually no changes to their line-up but of course they have the biggest change of all to deal with ie. a new manager. They will be very strong again no doubt, but for me the mancs are still the team to beat. They've won it 3 years running and if they remain as miserly in defence as they have been and can keep Owen fit they will be very strong I think. City seem to have been written off by many on the assumption that Hughes isn't up to the job but if they start well you know there will be serious funds available in the January window to really push on.

But i would say the biggest threat to our title chances at the moment is ourselves. The manager needs to make a couple of signings (a striker and a centre-half) and if he doesn't (or isn't allowed) to make the right moves we'll be in a bit of trouble i believe.

by **ConnO'var** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:20 am

taff wrote:Thats how I feel about it all. Especially with Essien in the team. I do think that all is not entirely well at Chelsea and something might happen behind the scenes if it doesnt go well at the start for Ancelotti and the African cup will have an impact. But its entirley possible they get it right as well and be seriously strong in the league.

While Man Utd are a serious threat and even favourites by many pundits I get the feeling that Ferguson knows its going to be tight and may go to Liverpool but is pragmatic enough to bide his time to spend that huge budget they must have. Or he has more faith in his attack than most other people

I agree Taff..... Essien is seriously under rated. He is a very important member of their team and can fill in at several posts.

The thing with the Mancs last season though is that the presence of the greasy haired one (a player I absolutely detest btw even if I do respect his talent) made it much easier for them to bring in the 3 points against the weaker clubs.

These clubs simply do not have the ability the handle the pace and guile of Ronaldo and as such, the mancs were able to make mincemeat of them. Against the stronger teams, they were eventaully found out.

Without him there, we'll see if Ferguson's ploy of the last 3 years (hoof it Ronaldo and let him do the work...... tongue firmly in cheek of course) has led to an overdependence on one player.

I find it hard to see where they can find a supply line to the attack from midfield. Valencia looks useful..... Scholes is still good but is probably past it.... Giggs has lost his legs.... Nani is not too bad..... Anderson is dangerous but inconsistent. Fletcher is a mongrel of a player but is effective but not the most potent of goal threats.

I strongly suspect that this year, they'll make much heavier going against the minnows. Having said that, Ferguson has a habit of pulling the rabbit out of the hat often enough to still make me wary.

by **ConnO'var** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:28 am

Scottbot wrote:But i would say the biggest threat to our title chances at the moment is ourselves. The manager needs to make a couple of signings (a striker and a centre-half) and if he doesn't (or isn't allowed) to make the right moves we'll be in a bit of trouble i believe.

I actually think that there is a lot of merit to that. Given the dependence we have on Gerrard and Torres. The fact that Aquilani will not be fit for a couple of months means that there maybe a likelihood that we have to break-up the Gerrard-Torres tandem.

In truth, I still think that we underutilise the best box-box midfielder in the world by playing him just behind Torres. But there is no choice with our current playing staff, tactics and set-up. Which is why, I was a little mystified as to the choice of Xabi's replacement..... unless of course we are planning to change formation which I doubt. We are seriously understaffed to handle that sort of change (wings and forward). Lucas I think has the qualities to make a place in central midfield his own but he strikes me as a confidence player and will require a lot of time to make that happen. He's no Xabi of course, but the potential is there in my eyes.

But I digress...... the team that is the most likely challenger this year (outside of us) is Chelsea, I feel.

by **Owzat** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 6:28 am

by **aCe'** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 6:59 am

Owzat wrote:Rafa

straight to the point

by **bigmick** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 7:34 am

I said similar to that earlier (though not as harshly in truth) and GYBS got himself in a right old pickle. I had a post or two deleted as well as copping a fair old bit of stick, and since then pretty much everyone else has offered an alternative opinion to the bog standard "Man Utd" or "Chelsea" on offer. Nothing has been said since, everyone has been permitted to offer an opinion of any type without any drama (which is entirely as it should be).

It was one of the stranger attacks I've come under on here, and there's been a few over the years.

by **account deleted by request** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:00 am

I would say that H&G are doing a good job of being our biggest hurdle. I feel we are still a couple of players short of what we will need going into the new season. Lets get the funds buy the players and then there can be few excuses, don't give Rafa the funds and the blame will lie squarely at their door if we fail.

Other than that I think Chelsea will prove the best of the rest.

by **andy_g** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:22 am

bigmick wrote:I said similar to that earlier (though not as harshly in truth) and GYBS got himself in a right old pickle. I had a post or two deleted as well as copping a fair old bit of stick, and since then pretty much everyone else has offered an alternative opinion to the bog standard "Man Utd" or "Chelsea" on offer. Nothing has been said since, everyone has been permitted to offer an opinion of any type without any drama (which is entirely as it should be).

It was one of the stranger attacks I've come under on here, and there's been a few over the years.

that's what you get for 'running the place', mick. i mean, having the sheer audacity to frequently offer some thoughts on football and even the bare faced cheek of writing more than 3 lines about subjects you feel strongly about. what's not to hate?

as usual for me its between us, united and chelsea again. in think we are less likely to trip ourselves up again this season as long as aquilani beds in quickly. united are always there and have the habit of winning so deeply ingrained that a few changes of personnel shouldn't make much difference. its only when ferguson goes that we'll see them significantly weekened.

its chelsea then. no big players leaving, a couple of good additions in and quality everywhere. lampard will have been practising his deflections all preseason and essien will have been practising running straight through people then scoring from 30m yards. i also think that ancelotti will get his head around the premiership a lot quicker than scolari.

by **account deleted by request** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:42 am

andy_g wrote:that's what you get for 'running the place', mick. i mean, having the sheer audacity to frequently offer some thoughts on football and even the bare faced cheek of writing more than 3 lines about subjects you feel strongly about. what's not to hate?

Spot on Andy, there seems to be a lot of strange comments and attacks going on at the moment, hopefully once the football starts we can get back to discussing football more.

Mick adds a great deal to this site and I think some of the pathetic attacks on him are completely out of order.

by **loopyliverpool** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:55 am

There will, as always, be several factors to take into account when considering our title chances. However, the 'team' that in my opinion will pose the greatest challenge is Chelsea. They have a fantastic squad that can cope with injuries in all areas and they have Essien back for the whole campaign, who is an outstanding player. Utd will be there or there abouts too, but I do think they will miss Ronaldo, not so much against the big four but against the 'lesser' teams where he crushed them. Arsenal will be the team I couldn't really comment on as Wenger always seems able to produce sides from nowhere after poor seasons. Man City will just be interesting to watch and if Hughes makes a team out of his buys then you never know. For me though Chelsea are the biggest threat. The bookies make them and Utd joint favourites at 2-1 followed by us at 11-4 and they are never too far off the pulse.

by **Sabre** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:01 am

aCe' wrote:
Sabre wrote:I voted Manchester United. Chelsea are similarly strong, but Manchester United have that bunch of submissive coaches and refs, who, alongide with a few F.A. bástards, mean some points every season. So Manchester United will be the toughest rivals.

Fecking F.A and refs

no wonder we havent won it in so long thats always been something of a mystery to me

Look Ace', it's not a thread about Liverpool but about our rivals, and I dared to say something negative about them. I was not implying that's the reason we've had droughts of titles.

So it's ok that when I compare Liverpool and Manchester midfielders you defend Manchester midfielders, and when I say something negative about how Ferguson rules in England you also defend them, I'm used to "that" already. It's what you do.

But please don't go to another thread that is talking about what we need and mention my reference to the refs. I preffer to correct you now and not having to read later that I'm making excuses or something like that.

So just in case, disclaimer: I was freely insulting Manchester United, I didn't mean we don't have anything to improve nor we don't make mistakes.

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