Premier league 2011/12

[LeTiss]

I wouldn't rule United out just yet, but Fergie has to face facts about a certain player. Father time has caught up with Rio, he looks a spent force

The reason why alarm bells should ring for United is because if look at their team today, how many would get into City's team? Rooney for sure, and possibly Jones for Lescott, but apart from that, United's squad is starting to look inferior. Even Man Utd fans must realise that

[pdupre1961]

Jeff,

According to the ratings on Statto.com Chelsea are the best team EVER in England. I honestly believe that they have been the best team in England for seven years since taking over from Arsenal in 2005.

However, when things are not well at Chelsea - then they have not won. Manchester United only win because Chelsea don't. That doesn't make Man Utd the best team.

In England Man Utd are loved - by the FA and referees alike. When you have authority on your side you are easy winners (by default).

Four Chelsea managers have taken Man Utd defence apart. Think on that, and - as I predicted earlier, I would not be surprised to see Man Utd finish 5th this season.

Paul

[pdupre1961]

I wouldn't rule United out just yet

Le Tiss, don't get confused by what you read - Man Utd are finished...this result has been coming for some time.

Paul

[Iron]

How many would get into City's team? Rooney for sure, and possibly Jones for Lescott

I would say that De Gea, Vidic, Nani, Young, Chicharito & Berbatov might also make the starting 11 if they were City players.

The problem United have is that they don't have enough flair players. People like Park Ji Sung and Fletcher do the simple stuff very well, but you rarely see them scoring wonder goals or terrorising defences...

You may be right about Ferdinand's age, but I wonder whether it's simply the case that he lacks the focus and passion he had when he was younger. I think the main thing that lets him down is silly mistakes, not the fact that he can't run as quickly as he once could.

Jeff

[Iron]

Man Utd are finished...this result has been coming for some time.

Paul

You can lay Man U to win the Premiership at 3.15.

Will you be laying them, or do you think that Fergie could once again leave the critics eating their words?

Jeff

[freddy]

After today it's clear Q.P.R will win the Pl this year

what a bonkers day

[LeTiss]

I would say that De Gea, Vidic, Nani, Young, Chicharito & Berbatov might also make the starting 11 if they were City players.

Jeff

That's rubbish. You're a United fan and you're just being deluded. I'd never swap Hart for De Gea, or Milner for Young, or any strikers for Berbatov

Today reminds me of when a 19 year-old Roger Federer beat Pete Sampras at Wimbledon. At the time, everyone said it just one match, but history showed it was a changing of the guard. In 10 years from now, that's exactly how people will view today's match IMO

[pdupre1961]

You can lay Man U to win the Premiership at 3.15.

Will you be laying them, or do you think that Fergie could once again leave the critics eating their words?

Jeff

That would be a mad lay - tying up money for more than 24 hours is for mad bombers only.

Paul

[Iron]

According to the ratings on Statto.com Chelsea are the best team EVER in England.

I don't know how Stratto calculate their ratings, but I don't see how they can say that.

If we're talking about historical results, Man U and Liverpool far eclipse anything Chelsea has achieved.

And if we're talking about the current squad, Man U won the Premiership last season and got to the Champions League final, so they also have the better recent form.

I honestly believe that they have been the best team in England for seven years since taking over from Arsenal in 2005.

In that case, they have been very unlucky, because that hasn't been reflected in their results...

I bet that, if you added up the Premier League points that Man U and Chelsea have attained in that period, Man U would be ahead of Chelsea by a mile...

However, when things are not well at Chelsea - then they have not won.

But isn't that the case with any team? It's not enough to have the technical ability to win trophies - You need to have the psychological strength to go out there and produce the goods week after week.

In England Man Utd are loved - by the FA and referees alike. When you have authority on your side you are easy winners (by default).

Try telling that to Fergie!

Jeff

[Iron]

I'd never swap Hart for De Gea

De Gea is a top goalie - he cost 18 million quid.

Hart cost City 600K, and has played for clubs such as Shewsbury Town, Blackpool and Tranmere Rovers. He's not even good enough to get into the England starting 11, and it's not like he's up against really stiff competition!

I haven't seen Hart play much, so you could be right, but I'd be suprised if he was clearly a better goalie than De Gea. His early career suggests that he's not a naturally gifted superstar goalie...

Any strikers for Berbatov

Despite being a bench warmer for most of the season, Berbatov was the Premiership's joint highest scorer last season!

Why wouldn't you want him in your starting 11?

In 10 years from now, that's exactly how people will view today's match IMO

I hope you're wrong, but I have a feeling you could well be right...

Fergie is one of the best managers in history, but there's only so much any manager can do when his opponent has much deeper pockets. I'm just amazed that he's managed to be as successful as he has been since Abramovic bought Chelsea (although that also owes a lot to the behind the scenes problems at Chelsea).

Jeff

[pdupre1961]

In that case, they have been very unlucky, because that hasn't been reflected in their results...

I bet that, if you added up the Premier League points that Man U and Chelsea have attained in that period, Man U would be ahead of Chelsea by a mile...
Jeff

Since 2004-2005...

Team..............................Pld.....Pts
Chelsea.........................275.....613
Manchester United......275.....611
Arsenal..........................275.....529

Well I'm right anyway. But it should be a lot more.


Paul

[pdupre1961]

Also, in that time they have won the FA Cup 3 times - Manchester United None

Paul

[Iron]

OK, I stand corrected.

But would you agree that, over that many games, the fact that it's near as dammit honors evens is unlikely to be due to luck?

You say 'it should be a lot more', but on what basis? Overall, the similarity in points won suggests that both teams have been equally effective. You might argue that Chelsea have had more footballing skill, but in any activity, application is as important as ability in determining whether you succeed or fail...

Jeff

Since 2004-2005...

Team..............................Pld.....Pts
Chelsea.........................275.....613
Manchester United......275.....611
Arsenal..........................275.....529

Well I'm right anyway. But it should be a lot more.


Paul

[Iron]

And Man U have won 4 Premier League titles, 4 Community Shields, 3 League Cups, and a FIFA Club World Cup.

Oh, and one Champions League!

Jeff

Also, in that time they have won the FA Cup 3 times - Manchester United None

Paul

[pdupre1961]

I doubt many knowledgeable people would say that Steve Davis or Stephen Hendry were the best ever. Most winning I will give to Manchester United, as were Liverpool back in the eighties.

But, best goes to Ronnie O'Sullivan and Chelsea...

Talent is not always equalled by Success...

Paul