Benitez: United has spent more than us so we can't win title

MDFC Manager · 13th September 2008, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlastonSpur

They are now 6 points clear of your team, albeit having played an extra game.

After each team's next two fixtures (you with Chelsea away and Liverpool at home to Stoke) that gap may well be 9 points. If that happens then I'd say a 9 point gap will merit them being considered as title rivals, despite it still being very early in the season.

In another thread I previously predicted that Liverpool would be hungrier and fight harder than MUFC. Today's game was a good illustration of this. I stand by my prediction (much-criticised on here) that Liverpool will finish 2nd, ahead of of MUFC.

I would be worried if they have a 9 point lead by christmas. At this stage though your prediction is bold if not completely retarded.

JazzG · 13th September 2008, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlastonSpur

They are now 6 points clear of your team, albeit having played an extra game.

After each team's next two fixtures (you with Chelsea away and Liverpool at home to Stoke) that gap may well be 9 points. If that happens then I'd say a 9 point gap will merit them being considered as title rivals, despite it still being very early in the season.

In another thread I previously predicted that Liverpool would be hungrier and fight harder than MUFC. Today's game was a good illustration of this. I stand by my prediction (much-criticised on here) that Liverpool will finish 2nd, ahead of of MUFC.

So what are your top 6 predictions?

Raven_Blade · 13th September 2008, 15:53

Maybe this is their year? Its one explanation.

ZIDANE · 13th September 2008, 15:56

Crap.

GlastonSpur · 13th September 2008, 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheReligion

why dont you worry about your own teams far deeper problems instead of judging United on one poor result?

I'm not judging United on one poor result - I made my prediction before today's game based on several factors.

As for your advice for me to focus on worrying about Spurs instead of posting about United in relation to Liverpool, I've read plenty of critical remarks on here from United fans about other teams, especially Liverpool. So my commenting on United/Liverpool is fair enough I reckon.

GlastonSpur · 13th September 2008, 16:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzG

So what are your top 6 predictions?

Chelsea
Liverpool
Man. United
Arsenal
Villa
Spurs

If it ends up differently to the above, the most likely changes IMO could be Arsenal in 3rd and United in 4th, with a slight possibility also that Spurs might finish 5th instead of Villa.

Brwned · 13th September 2008, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlastonSpur

Chelsea
Liverpool
Man. United
Arsenal
Villa
Spurs

If it ends up differently to the above, the most likely changes IMO could be Arsenal in 3rd and United in 4th, with a slight possibility also that Spurs might finish 5th instead of Villa.

Yianni · 13th September 2008, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlastonSpur

Chelsea
Liverpool
Man. United
Arsenal
Villa
Spurs

If it ends up differently to the above, the most likely changes IMO could be Arsenal in 3rd and United in 4th, with a slight possibility also that Spurs might finish 5th instead of Villa.

How on earth does a team who won the English Premier League and Champions League in one season finish third/fourth in the next? Especially when there is only one team (Chelsea) who made any significant additions to their squad.

cesc's_mullet · 13th September 2008, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLovin

Can someone just ban Glaston?

He offers nothing, just like his team.

You mean an opinion that differs to all the fanboys on here?

GlastonSpur · 13th September 2008, 16:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwned

It's the start of the season. By your logic since Middlesborough and West Ham are already 5 points ahead of your team, they should be regarded as definite challengers for the Uefa Cup places. Or since Hull are 3 points ahead they are in with a chance of challenging for that Uefa Cup place.

I'm simply pointing out that a 9 point gap, should it materialise, would surely need to be seen as significant - in contrast to a post that referred to Liverpool as not being serious rivals anymore.

The difference here between Liverpool and the teams you mention (aside from the obvious fact that 5 points or 3 points is less than a 9 point gap would be), is that Liverpool are capable of sustaining good form across the whole season. That doesn't mean that they necessarily will of course, just that they have that capacity.

Brwned · 13th September 2008, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlastonSpur

I'm simply pointing out that a 9 point gap, should it materialise, would surely need to be seen as significant - in contrast to a post that referred to Liverpool as not being serious rivals anymore.

The difference here between Liverpool and the teams you mention (aside from the obvious fact that 5 points or 3 points is less than a 9 point gap would be), is that Liverpool are capable of sustaining good form across the whole season. That doesn't mean that they necessarily will of course, just that they have that capacity.

A 5 point gap is significant too.

They are title challengers, but we're the better team and I'll make you a bet that we finish ahead of them? If you decide not to take this bet, it will just make it crystal clear that all you're trying to do is wind people up.

Although to be fair, you do it well.

ZIDANE · 13th September 2008, 16:26

A 9 point gap doesn't mean they become title rivals. They had 7 last year at this stage I think.

When it comes to January, February, or March and they are still up at the top, then they will become proper title rivals.

And don't discount a Portsmouth side or Everton in discussing fifth place. Equally as capable if not more than Villa and Spurs.

Yianni · 13th September 2008, 16:28

Didn't we start the same way last season? 1 win, 1 draw, 1 lose in the first 3 matches?

GlastonSpur · 13th September 2008, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yianni

How on earth does a team who won the English Premier League and Champions League in one season finish third/fourth in the next? Especially when there is only one team (Chelsea) who made any significant additions to their squad.

Keane is a significant addition to Liverpool's squad, even if I don't think he'll do as well there as he did playing with Berbatov at Spurs. Rieri may also prove to be an astute buy - we shall see.

I've mentioned a few reasons previously in another thread. They include:

* Being hungrier and will fight harder (less complacent, less arrogant)

* Liverpool have got off to a very good start.

* Ronaldo very unlikely to perform at anything close to last season's level, for several obvious reasons. His contribution last time was immense and masked some deficiencies elsewhere in the team.

* Several ageing players (e.g. Giggs and Scholes) - I'm not convinced that their intended long-term replacements will be able to make the step up as much as required.

The loss of your assistant manager is another factor I'd add, one that may prove quite significant.

One the plus side you now have Berbatov: a great player but he may take some time to bed in and whether this season he will score as many goals and make as many assists as he did at Spurs remains to be seen.

RedDevil#26655 · 13th September 2008, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yianni

Didn't we start the same way last season? 1 win, 1 draw, 1 lose in the first 3 matches?

W havnt drawn yet.

Edit: my mistake

VidaRed · 13th September 2008, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwned

A 5 point gap is significant too.

They are title challengers, but we're the better team and I'll make you a bet that we finish ahead of them? If you decide not to take this bet, it will just make it crystal clear that all you're trying to do is wind people up.

Although to be fair, you do it well.

you are right he totally ignored you're bet.

he's a WUM

Yianni · 13th September 2008, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedDevil#26655

W havnt drawn yet.

Newcastle?

Brwned · 13th September 2008, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZIDANE

A 9 point gap doesn't mean they become title rivals. They had 7 last year at this stage I think.

They are title rivals though. They have been right from the start of the season.

RedDevil#26655 · 13th September 2008, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yianni

Newcastle?

Oh yeah *slaps head*

GlastonSpur · 13th September 2008, 16:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwned

... They are title challengers, but we're the better team and I'll make you a bet that we finish ahead of them? If you decide not to take this bet, it will just make it crystal clear that all you're trying to do is wind people up.
.....

I can't take bets on every single difference of opinion that arises (quite apart from that fact that I'm only occasionally into gambling).

But I'm willing to enter into a token bet if you wish - for £5 or £10 for example.

GaryLifo · 13th September 2008, 16:39

Glaston is Peterstorey in disguise.

Although, not even pete is that deluded.

My point about them being historic rivals but not tital rivals is based upon zero challenge for 18 seasons.

If they push it this season they will be title rivals once again.

We lost a match today, not the title.

We look like a team that need to get the squad training together for a couple of weeks to get our coherence together. We'll not finish behind the scousers at the end of the season.

Brwned · 13th September 2008, 16:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlastonSpur

I can't take bets on every single difference of opinion that arises (quite apart from that fact that I'm only occasionally into gambling).

But I'm willing to enter into a token bet if you wish - for £5 or £10 for example.

£10 it is. Simple bet, if Liverpool finishes higher then you get the money, if United finish higher then I get the money. No ifs or buts to it.

I'll come back to this thread at the end of May and we'll so how it ended up.

ZIDANE · 13th September 2008, 16:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwned

They are title rivals though. They have been right from the start of the season.

Well you could claim any of the top 4 could win the title at the start of the season, like has been said for the last few years.

However, you can only tell after the new year about who is a true title rival. Were Liverpool title rivals last year? No.

Of course its silly to rule out anything but that doesn't mean you can call them title rivals - its way too early.

Brwned · 13th September 2008, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZIDANE

Well you could claim any of the top 4 could win the title at the start of the season, like has been said for the last few years.

However, you can only tell after the new year about who is a true title rival. Were Liverpool title rivals last year? No.

Of course its silly to rule out anything but that doesn't mean you can call them title rivals - its way too early.

I would call any of the top 4 title rivals. They are all in with a good chance of winning the title.

GlastonSpur · 13th September 2008, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwned

£10 it is. Simple bet, if Liverpool finishes higher then you get the money, if United finish higher then I get the money. No ifs or buts to it.

I'll come back to this thread at the end of May and we'll so how it ended up.

OK

Yianni · 13th September 2008, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlastonSpur

Keane is a significant addition to Liverpool's squad, even if I don't think he'll do as well there as he did playing with Berbatov at Spurs. Rieri may also prove to be an astute buy - we shall see.

United already has a very superior squad, one which really only needed another striker to compete with both Rooney and Tevez. As a result we've added Berbatov and Manucho. Berbatov we know is an exceptional player, Manucho on the other hand is unknown but time will tell.

Quote:

I've mentioned a few reasons previously in another thread. They include:
Being hungrier and will fight harder (less complacent, less arrogant)

This is a ridiculous reason. There is no argument for this because frankly it is a very silly point. Do I need to explain why or have you finally realised it yourself?

Quote:

Liverpool have got off to a very good start.

Same thing happened last year, we all know how that turned out. I wouldn't draw any substantial conclusions from this result.

Quote:

Ronaldo very unlikely to perform at anything close to last season's level, for several obvious reasons. His contribution last time was immense and masked some deficiencies elsewhere in the team.

Same was said after the season before last. He will make a significant contribution to this season, may not be identical or exceed last season's contribution but nonetheless the outcomes could still be the same.

Quote:

Several ageing players (e.g. Giggs and Scholes) - I'm not convinced that their intended long-term replacements will be able to make the step up as much as required.

No different to last season, both still showed their class and if anything, their replacements now have a whole season experience coming into this new season.

Quote:

The loss of your assistant manager is another factor I'd add, one that may prove quite significant.

Only valid point. I can't argue this one because I actually agree with it but it's not going to be something which will derail us and turn us from champions to 3rd/4th spot quality in the league.

Quote:

One the plus side you now have Berbatov: a great player but he may take some time to bed in and whether this season he will score as many goals and make as many assists as he did at Spurs remains to be seen.

Same can be said about Keane, Reira etc who you seem to believe will propel Liverpool into 2nd.

Kelvin · 13th September 2008, 16:58

Why the fuck Ronaldo won't repeat his feat, why would we not be hungry to win more trophies, We have a better team than last season with berbatov, glaston logic is flawed.

13th September 2008, 15:53	#163 (permalink)
Raven_Blade Attention Whoring Common Crow Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: In Man Utd's Defence. Posts: 18,262	Maybe this is their year? Its one explanation.

13th September 2008, 15:56	#164 (permalink)
ZIDANE First Team Sub Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: "..undoubtedly the best midfielder of his generation." Zizou on Scholes Posts: 5,516	Crap.

13th September 2008, 16:26	#172 (permalink)
ZIDANE First Team Sub Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: "..undoubtedly the best midfielder of his generation." Zizou on Scholes Posts: 5,516	A 9 point gap doesn't mean they become title rivals. They had 7 last year at this stage I think. When it comes to January, February, or March and they are still up at the top, then they will become proper title rivals. And don't discount a Portsmouth side or Everton in discussing fifth place. Equally as capable if not more than Villa and Spurs.

13th September 2008, 16:28	#173 (permalink)
Yianni First Team Sub Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 7,259	Didn't we start the same way last season? 1 win, 1 draw, 1 lose in the first 3 matches?

13th September 2008, 16:39	#181 (permalink)
GaryLifo Nice Bloke Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Davo thinks I'm weird Posts: 3,525	Glaston is Peterstorey in disguise. Although, not even pete is that deluded. My point about them being historic rivals but not tital rivals is based upon zero challenge for 18 seasons. If they push it this season they will be title rivals once again. We lost a match today, not the title. We look like a team that need to get the squad training together for a couple of weeks to get our coherence together. We'll not finish behind the scousers at the end of the season.

13th September 2008, 16:58	#187 (permalink)
Kelvin First Team Regular Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 10,345	Why the fuck Ronaldo won't repeat his feat, why would we not be hungry to win more trophies, We have a better team than last season with berbatov, glaston logic is flawed.