Football : Season 2009/2010

[Russ]

As much as I hate to say it I reckon it's Chelsea's turn to take the premiership. United are on a roll right now but that only lasts as long as Rooney's fitness. We're a one-man team this season and we haven't been like that in donkey's years. I can see it coming down to the last few games of the season but Chelsea will probably take it. I reckon we have a good change in the CL though.

[Shadow Demon UK]

I actually think Arsenal have a really good chance of winning the league this year (probably better than the scousers chance last season), their run in from now until the end of the season compared to Chelsea and United's is so much better, their most difficult game is probably Spurs away, that says it all

It will be intresting to see if they bottle it (again) or if they have learnt from the mistakes from a couple of seasons ago.

[dev]

Originally Posted by Russ

As much as I hate to say it I reckon it's Chelsea's turn to take the premiership. United are on a roll right now but that only lasts as long as Rooney's fitness. We're a one-man team this season and we haven't been like that in donkey's years. I can see it coming down to the last few games of the season but Chelsea will probably take it. I reckon we have a good change in the CL though.

It may look like a one-man team but it really isn't. The problem is for the system to work (park/nani as wing-forwards) and 3 in midfield requires Rooney as the lone striker which neither Owen or Berbatov do well. So without Rooney that system is toothless and due to the lack of > 2 fit strikers, if Rooney doesn't play, there is no partner to play with Berbatov in a 4-4-2.

Originally Posted by Shadow Demon UK

I actually think Arsenal have a really good chance of winning the league this year (probably better than the scousers chance last season), their run in from now until the end of the season compared to Chelsea and United's is so much better, their most difficult game is probably Spurs away, that says it all

It will be intresting to see if they bottle it (again) or if they have learnt from the mistakes from a couple of seasons ago.

I think the great thing about Arsenal this season is they have found that resilience, consistency and state of mind that they missed in the last few seasons. They have not played free-flowing football every match, they have had injury issues, and yet they have managed to get victories from games where last season they would not have.

2 - 0 down to Bolton, 1 - 0 Down to Liverpool (in which we did not play well) are examples of this.

The true test I think came at Stoke. A hard game, Chelsea had lost, and we were 1 - 0 down. To have actually gone on to win that game was excellent.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by dev

It may look like a one-man team but it really isn't. The problem is for the system to work (park/nani as wing-forwards) and 3 in midfield requires Rooney as the lone striker which neither Owen or Berbatov do well. So without Rooney that system is toothless and due to the lack of > 2 fit strikers, if Rooney doesn't play, there is no partner to play with Berbatov in a 4-4-2.

To me that sounds like you're agreeing that the team doesn't function well without Rooney

[Turkey Machine]

Rooney with Ronaldo this year would have been a vicious combination. Rooney's on 30 goals already this year, with 15-odd games left to play.

Originally Posted by Turkey Machine

Rooney with Ronaldo this year would have been a vicious combination. Rooney's on 30 goals already this year, with 15-odd games left to play.

Rooney may not have grown into the role (or indeed be allowed there) with Ronaldo on the team.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Damien

Rooney may not have grown into the role (or indeed be allowed there) with Ronaldo on the team.

Good point - Rooney was wasted out on the left when Ronnie was ruling the place.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Damien

I think the great thing about Arsenal this season is they have found that resilience, consistency and state of mind that they missed in the last few seasons. They have not played free-flowing football every match, they have had injury issues, and yet they have managed to get victories from games where last season they would not have.

2 - 0 down to Bolton, 1 - 0 Down to Liverpool (in which we did not play well) are examples of this.

The true test I think came at Stoke. A hard game, Chelsea had lost, and we were 1 - 0 down. To have actually gone on to win that game was excellent.

As much as I'd prefer Arsenal to win it, I don't think they have sorted out their consistency issues, they have already lost six matches, the fact they are still in the race says more about how much weaker Chelsea, Utd and Liverpool have become than anything else imo. The pleasing thing about the Stoke game was how they reacted to Ramsey's injury, a couple of years ago they fell to bits with Eduardo's horror injury, this time they didn't and that bodes well.

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

As much as I'd prefer Arsenal to win it, I don't think they have sorted out their consistency issues, they have already lost six matches, the fact they are still in the race says more about how much weaker Chelsea, Utd and Liverpool have become than anything else imo. The pleasing thing about the Stoke game was how they reacted to Ramsey's injury, a couple of years ago they fell to bits with Eduardo's horror injury, this time they didn't and that bodes well.

We have lost the same amount of games as United but have already played United, Chelsea and Liverpool twice. Other than that we have picked up points consistently amongst all the other teams (and Liverpool) with few blips on the way.

I also think the other teams in the league have been stronger. Take out Liverpool and United and most of the other teams are stronger than last year. Arsenal certainly are. Chelsea kept up the performance from the end of last season. City, Fulham, Stoke, Spurs, Birmingham, even some of the struggles at the bottom.

It's been the best league in ages.

In fact Arsenal's performance this year mirrors that of United somewhat. United did very poor against the top 4 last year, Liverpool had the initiative, but United were consistant against the other teams and Liverpool were not.

We'll see anyway. I do think Arsenal can be consistent but it's matter of how much so and what the other teams will do.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Damien

We have lost the same amount of games as United but have already played United, Chelsea and Liverpool twice. Other than that we have picked up points consistently amongst all the other teams (and Liverpool) with few blips on the way.

Yes hence the reason why I said the top teams were weaker, Liverpool lost 2 games last year and didn't even win it, the winner this year will lose 3 or 4 times that, unheard of in recent years.

I also think the other teams in the league have been stronger. Take out Liverpool and United and most of the other teams are stronger than last year. Arsenal certainly are. Chelsea kept up the performance from the end of last season. City, Fulham, Stoke, Spurs, Birmingham, even some of the struggles at the bottom.

Chelsea aren't stronger, they are another year older with no fresh faces.

In fact Arsenal's performance this year mirrors that of United somewhat. United did very poor against the top 4 last year, Liverpool had the initiative, but United were consistant against the other teams and Liverpool were not.

Apart from the fact Utd only lost 4 games last year.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by gazzae

From another site..

Portsmouth players are preparing to dip into their own pockets in a bid to keep up to eight members of the training ground staff in work until the end of the season. (Various)

[Matty_]

Originally Posted by Russ

As much as I hate to say it I reckon it's Chelsea's turn to take the premiership. United are on a roll right now but that only lasts as long as Rooney's fitness. We're a one-man team this season and we haven't been like that in `donkey's years`. I can see it coming down to the last few games of the season but Chelsea will probably take it. I reckon we have a good change in the CL though.

I thought that was the period you where in now, since he came from Tottenham

[NoKnowledge]

And Russ' favourite player gets the final goal.

Yippee

[Russ]

Well, it's not like his goal was vital or anything, hell even Ferdinand has popped up to score the final goal in a 3-nil win before now.

SAF please offload him this summer and replace him with striker who can make a difference.