[mse369]

I'm not worried about Man United right now. Most of players have had long seasons, last season especially with the world cup and all. And all the new faces are trying to fit it. I actually think this is a good start to the season for once and that's what really bothers me, we have a history of good starts and bad finishes and vice versa. Either way I know the teams form will pick up, and I don't expect much (if any) silverware. And I'm not being pessimistic but this is a rebuilding phase this kind of reminds me of back in 2004-2006 when Man United had that 3 year barren spell in the premier league and then returned for 3 years of dominance. A new goalkeeper needs to be brought in before the end of the season Foster and Kuzcy aren't doing it for me. The real real real thing that worries me is Chelsea's current form, I mean as much as I dislike them, wow so much respect for that team, Ancelotti has done a great job. So has Mancini at Man City (Can't wait for the derby!).

[Carefree]

Originally Posted by waldo92

agreed man, it's a crisis here....i mean, as we all know, the league IS won and lost in week 2

chelsea are clearly a team of demi-Gods, first they beat the massive club West Brom, then they smash Wigan, who conceded FOUR goals against the mighty Blackpool...at home

In 07/08 Man Utd drew Reading, Portsmouth, and lost to Man City in 07/08, and were in the relegation zone in week 3

07/08...now what else happened that season? Perfect 10, Moscow, i think that sums it up...not too shabby is it?

like you said, it's week 2, relax, 36 games still left in the league

Well said, it is only week 2, however I still believe that the only way United will contend this year is if Rooney has another breakout season. Personally, I don't think he will and I don't rate Chicarito at all. You can't really compare the squad of 07/08 with this squad. Rio and Vidic were at the top of their game, they certainly are not now. Giggs and Scholes were three years younger, which makes a big difference at their age. Also, lets not forget the most important difference, the absence of United's player of the decade Cristiano Ronaldo. Looking at United's best 11, I don't know how you can compare them to Chelsea. This is how I rate them.

LB: Cole > Evra
CB: Terry > Rio
CB: Alex < Vidic
RB: Ivanovic > Rafael or Neville

DM: Essien > Fletcher
LM: Malouda > Nani or Park
CM: Lampard > Scholes
RM: Benayoun < Valencia

ST: Drogba > Rooney (arguably)
ST: Anelka > Berbatov or Chicarito or Owen

GK: Cech = VDS

Of the 11 positions, Chelsea have more quality in 8, GK being equal. Do you honestly see it differently?

[scholes]

Originally Posted by mse369

I'm not worried about Man United right now. Most of players have had long seasons, last season especially with the world cup and all. And all the new faces are trying to fit it. I actually think this is a good start to the season for once and that's what really bothers me, we have a history of good starts and bad finishes and vice versa. Either way I know the teams form will pick up, and I don't expect much (if any) silverware. And I'm not being pessimistic but this is a rebuilding phase this kind of reminds me of back in 2004-2006 when Man United had that 3 year barren spell in the premier league and then returned for 3 years of dominance. A new goalkeeper needs to be brought in before the end of the season Foster and Kuzcy aren't doing it for me. The real real real thing that worries me is Chelsea's current form, I mean as much as I dislike them, wow so much respect for that team, Ancelotti has done a great job. So has Mancini at Man City (Can't wait for the derby!).

Just to let you know, Foster signed for Birmingham a while back. Ben Amos from the reserves has slotted in as third choice keeper. Man U do need to sign a new keeper but not as a replacement for Amos or Kuszczak but rather for Van der Sar (who is rapidly approaching 40).

[scholes]

Originally Posted by Carefree

Well said, it is only week 2, however I still believe that the only way United will contend this year is if Rooney has another breakout season. Personally, I don't think he will and I don't rate Chicarito at all. You can't really compare the squad of 07/08 with this squad. Rio and Vidic were at the top of their game, they certainly are not now. Giggs and Scholes were three years younger, which makes a big difference at their age. Also, lets not forget the most important difference, the absence of United's player of the decade Cristiano Ronaldo. Looking at United's best 11, I don't know how you can compare them to Chelsea. This is how I rate them.

LB: Cole > Evra
CB: Terry > Rio
CB: Alex < Vidic
RB: Ivanovic > Rafael or Neville

DM: Essien > Fletcher
LM: Malouda > Nani or Park
CM: Lampard > Scholes
RM: Benayoun < Valencia

ST: Drogba > Rooney (arguably)
ST: Anelka > Berbatov or Chicarito or Owen

GK: Cech = VDS

Of the 11 positions, Chelsea have more quality in 8, GK being equal. Do you honestly see it differently?

While I agree with some of your predictions, some of them are a quite distorted. How can you compare Lampard to Scholes? In terms of tackling, Lampard would definitely win. In terms of pace, they are equal (Scholes has lost quite abit due to age and Lampard, well, he never had it to begin with). However, when comparing vision and passing, there is no midfielder that reads the game like scholesy does. I'm sure Lampard would even agree. Don't get me wrong, I think frank is a great player but not anywhere close to Scholes.

Second main issue. LM. Sure, Malouda's current form may be better than Nani and Park. However, you seem to forget about one of the greatest players to have ever graced the Premiership, Ryan Giggs. The man is 36-37 and still has more pace and vision than Malouda will or ever achieve. If you can't see that, well, you're obviously not a fan of football.

Third Main Issue. You can't compare Anelka to Berbatov. Their games are completely different.

Other than that, I agree more or else.

[Carefree]

Originally Posted by scholes

How can you compare Lampard to Scholes? In terms of tackling, Lampard would definitely win. In terms of pace, they are equal (Scholes has lost quite abit due to age and Lampard, well, he never had it to begin with). However, when comparing vision and passing, there is no midfielder that reads the game like scholesy does. I'm sure Lampard would even agree. Don't get me wrong, I think frank is a great player but not anywhere close to Scholes.

Perhaps in his prime Scholes brought more to the pitch than Lampard, but which midfielder do you know that has scored 20+ goals for 5 or more seasons consecutively? Football isn't all about statistics, but Lamps had 22 goals and 14 assists in 36 games started last season. Scholes had 3 goals and 3 assists in 24 games started and 6 substitute appearances. Perhaps we are both wearing tinted glasses on this one, but in 2010 I'd always choose Lampard over Scholes.

Originally Posted by scholes

Second main issue. LM. Sure, Malouda's current form may be better than Nani and Park. However, you seem to forget about one of the greatest players to have ever graced the Premiership, Ryan Giggs. The man is 36-37 and still has more pace and vision than Malouda will or ever achieve. If you can't see that, well, you're obviously not a fan of football.

Perhaps Giggs has more vision, but I can't agree with pace and there's no doubt Giggs is lacking in endurance. Giggs played very well in parts of last season, but given his age do you think he has enough in the tank to replicate that? His current form doesn't seem to suggest that. Malouda on the other hand has been the best left sided player in the league since about January and there are no signs of his form wavering. If Giggs can bring more to a team than Malouda can, maybe you can explain why SAF doesn't start him more over the likes of Park/Nani? I see his role being nothing more than an impact sub at most this year, maybe I'm missing something though, is he injured?

Originally Posted by scholes

Third Main Issue. You can't compare Anelka to Berbatov. Their games are completely different.

Other than that, I agree more or else.

This is true, but I was just comparing strikers in general, which is why I included "Berbatov or Chicarito or Owen". If we were to compare strike force in general, Drogba and Anelka come out on top of any possible strike pair that United can bring to the table.

In general I think you're rating your players based on their performances in the past, not based on what they can offer for this season, which is what we're debating.

[mse369]

Originally Posted by scholes

Just to let you know, Foster signed for Birmingham a while back. Ben Amos from the reserves has slotted in as third choice keeper. Man U do need to sign a new keeper but not as a replacement for Amos or Kuszczak but rather for Van der Sar (who is rapidly approaching 40).

Riighhtt!!
I completely forgot about Foster joining Birmingham!
But yeah from the very little I've seen of Amos, although talented I don't think he'll end up world class.
United need to get a good young goalkeeping talent in the mold of Hart back in 2007/08 when he was very underrated and still learning (GK is the only position where I envy City hah).
Problem is with goalkeepers is sometimes you never know, they're a very confusing bunch.
Some can show great potential and end up flops and others can be awful at one club and world class at another. Either way a new goalkeeper is needed Fergie!

[Carefree]

Do any of you play FIFA 10 on XBOX Live? If so, we should setup some matches.

[mse369]

Sorry I'm a PS3 type of guy haha.On a side note however, I'm pretty damn excited about FIFA 11!

[waldo92]

Originally Posted by danzai

Its stupid Nani that messed up otherwise the game was in the bag no doubt.....Scholes has just been superb so far. Why hasn't Fergie played Park yet ? :S

Park started against Fulham

[xxsumz]

Sigh...one can only hope but this year I think Bolton Wanderers will win it. If not - just another disappointing season

[mse369]

Originally Posted by waldo92

Park started against Fulham

He also played in the community shield. I fear a park injury especially after such a longgg season.

[waldo92]

Originally Posted by mse369

He also played in the community shield. I fear a park injury especially after such a longgg season.

pfffft...injury
those things are for humans

the man has 3 lungs...

[mse369]

Originally Posted by waldo92

pfffft...injury
those things are for humans

the man has 3 lungs...

hahahaha sooooo true!

[waldo92]

Originally Posted by Carefree

Well said, it is only week 2, however I still believe that the only way United will contend this year is if Rooney has another breakout season. Personally, I don't think he will and I don't rate Chicarito at all. You can't really compare the squad of 07/08 with this squad. Rio and Vidic were at the top of their game, they certainly are not now. Giggs and Scholes were three years younger, which makes a big difference at their age. Also, lets not forget the most important difference, the absence of United's player of the decade Cristiano Ronaldo. Looking at United's best 11, I don't know how you can compare them to Chelsea. This is how I rate them.

LB: Cole > Evra
CB: Terry > Rio
CB: Alex < Vidic
RB: Ivanovic > Rafael or Neville

DM: Essien > Fletcher
LM: Malouda > Nani or Park
CM: Lampard > Scholes
RM: Benayoun < Valencia

ST: Drogba > Rooney (arguably)
ST: Anelka > Berbatov or Chicarito or Owen

GK: Cech = VDS

Of the 11 positions, Chelsea have more quality in 8, GK being equal. Do you honestly see it differently?

I don't see the point of comparing the teams player-by-player. If you apply this to last year's CL, then Madrid should have smashed Lyon, Chelsea should've defeated Inter, Utd should've beaten Bayern, and Barca should've won it. A team is more than just a collection of 11 players (although, in a sense, i guess it's just that and nothing more, but that would be missing the point).

Another thing, how much of Chicharito have you seen to write him off already?! If you're like me, then you've seen him since the World Cup and the pre-season friendlies, and if so, how can you possibly not be impressed? so far, he's shown loads of potential and ability, and Ferguson is very good at helping players fulfil their potential (all of the Fledglings, Keane, Fletcher, Rooney, Ronaldo, Nani, Anderson, to name a few).

I wasn't comparing Utd 07/08 to Utd now, I just brought that up to say that one shouldn't read too much into a team's results early in the season.

Btw, Evra > Cole, and VDS > Cech, Rio > Terry, especially after the Wayne Bridge business

[TheBrickWall]

EPL Soccer is always fun to watch, but this season I'm thinking of getting some spanish games in too. Barcelona with a stacked team, and Madrid with Mourinho