Could say the same about you coming on here after 2 comfortable league wins.
The Title Race 2013/14
- Thread starter Buchan
- Start date
"coming on here"? The hypocrisy of someone like you who is suddenly all over this forum like a rash. Rarely seen last year.
Not surprising really is it, seeing as we weren't in the title race. We currently are, hence the reason I'm justified in being here. So what's your point ?
ha ha, this is a United forum. If you're so giddy with Suarez spunk that you think you can order around United fans here then I really can't wait until the bust cycle sets in as it always does. And you won't be seen around then. As usual.
It's quite likely that we'll be two points off Liverpool after 19 games with them still to come to Old Trafford, this is with us playing like we've been in mourning for most of the season and having a new manager getting to know his squad who is renowned for his teams having much better second halves to seasons. I quite fancy our chances of finishing above them, with or without signings in January.
This doesnt work anymore!
Besides the odds that Liverpool are going to lose both City and us is unlikely, added to that United winning both their games which are not easy.
The gap will definitely be smaller, but not that small.
The gap will definitely be smaller, but not that small.
We are going in circles. First, we lose some games and write off the title, then we win several games in row and start to dream about the top spot, then we lose again and fear about getting a CL place, then we seem to have finally hit form, but our unbeaten run ends unexpectedly etc. Don't get your hopes high because you'll be disappointed.
Top 4 is my "title" this season.
I can imagine how much piss any rival team would get taken out of them if they were talking about the title after beating Villa and West Ham
. Wait til you have to go to Arsenal, Everton, Newcastle and us, thats when the real tests will come.Indeed, any crowing about Liverpool's amazing season so far seems laughably premature considering their final two games of the year.
They've been to Old Trafford 11 times in the last 10 seasons and have lost 10 times, including to a weakened United side this season. There's few clubs with a worse record.
I can imagine how much piss any rival team would get taken out of them if they were talking about the title after beating Villa and West Ham
When we're done with you at the halfway point, we'll have gone to all the top 12 away grounds except old trafford and st. Marys. Our remaining seven away games are all against the bottom 7.
With strong home form I think we have a good shot of flat track bullying our way to a sustained title challenge.
We've never lost two in a row under Rodgers.
That's a nice stat but it doesn't predict anything about the future. We lost two games in a row vs Everton and Newcastle even though it wasn't likely at all. We were unbeaten in the previous 12 games in all competions.
I'd say simply assuming that they will lose to City and Chelsea is premature if anything. Is the City game at the Etihad or Anfield?
We looked good vs Arsenal as well. And we looked great against Leverkusen. Didn't help us vs Everton and Newcastle. Maybe I'm wrong but I wouldn't hold my breath about our chances in the league this season.
we didn't look that good against Arsenal! We did an effective job on them.
We've won the last 4 games fairly comfortably now. We're getting into a good flow.
We've won the last 4 games fairly comfortably now. We're getting into a good flow.
I think you looked better after the Arsenal win. When you went 3-0 up in the first 25 minutes vs Fulham I was concerned as well. It seems that 4 game bad spell has made you forget how good you guys usually are!
Etihad. A defeat to City is quite possible. Chelsea is a different case, though.
People, again, are getting too carried away with calculation about likely results and narrowing gaps. Football has a thing about kicking you in the teeth. Previous pages of this thread are a recent proof.
Quite possibly Rob. I just don't think we've looked as consistently good this season as we have in the last few games. Fulham were going through a spell of having their bellies tickled at that point so I'd kinda disregard that performance, and after the big win in Germany we fell apart in the League. This has been a run of four good wins with two away from home and we've been getting consistently better in our actual play. Still far from the finished article but certainly a step in the right direction.
Hull and Norwich up next and IF we can get six points there then it'll be six (yes fecking six) wins on the bounce. Jesus we'll almost feel like United again is that happens and for the New Years day game against Spurs we might just have our feathers up again fully.
We'll put the shits up a few teams if we're within striking distance going into new year.
No title but could be a fun second half to the season.
No title but could be a fun second half to the season.
Well be in 6th on January 1st imo.
The teams above you keep winning too, although I know they cant tomorrow, but even so for both of us its a very tough fixture out of the way. Going to be an interesting festive period.
If United keep the winning run, I think 6th is where we'll be on the 11th Jan even. As Rob says, I think this could be a season of seasons.
Its certainly a very interesting title race, but for all the wrong reasons. No team has looked strong enough to run away with it, everyone has choked in games the shouldn't have, and squads are struggling to handle injuries.
Arsenal are being found out with each an every passing week. The buzz caused by the Ozil signing is disappearing and they've now lost their best defender to injury. Footballers are going back to their level and they've looked really poor vs the vast majority of the big teams. The only top games they've played vs the top teams has been against liverpool and Napoli at the emirates. The spanking at city must've been morale sapping.
Liverpool are looking good buoyed by suarez's incredible form but questioned have to be asked about how they'll cope when the big games come around. These games againt top sides are really important as they're all 6 pointers. No league will be won by only beating the week teams this season, if that's what they're planning, they need to think again. City and chelsea could burst their bubble in the near future.
City are a mess away and have lost their best player. Thankfully for them they have a very strong squad. However that defence without the injury prone Kompany is average at best.
Lord knows how chelsea win games. Mourinho is currently the difference between them being a title contender and a top 4 contender. They've strung plenty dire performances together and don't have a striker who understands his job description.
We are still recovering
Southamptons start has fizzled out due to lack of squad depth. Spurs have made a managerial change, but still don't have a proper manager. Newcastle are punching well above their weight and everton have a good thing going.
All in all I think city will win it. They've shown the highest peak and if they go on a run they'll be hard to reel in. January could be very interesting too. Some glaring weaknesses(I.e city defence, our midfield, liverpool's midfield, arsenal and chelsea's strikeforce) in teams could be sorted with an instant success which could drive a team on. Certainly a very intersting season.
Arsenal are being found out with each an every passing week. The buzz caused by the Ozil signing is disappearing and they've now lost their best defender to injury. Footballers are going back to their level and they've looked really poor vs the vast majority of the big teams. The only top games they've played vs the top teams has been against liverpool and Napoli at the emirates. The spanking at city must've been morale sapping.
Liverpool are looking good buoyed by suarez's incredible form but questioned have to be asked about how they'll cope when the big games come around. These games againt top sides are really important as they're all 6 pointers. No league will be won by only beating the week teams this season, if that's what they're planning, they need to think again. City and chelsea could burst their bubble in the near future.
City are a mess away and have lost their best player. Thankfully for them they have a very strong squad. However that defence without the injury prone Kompany is average at best.
Lord knows how chelsea win games. Mourinho is currently the difference between them being a title contender and a top 4 contender. They've strung plenty dire performances together and don't have a striker who understands his job description.
We are still recovering
Southamptons start has fizzled out due to lack of squad depth. Spurs have made a managerial change, but still don't have a proper manager. Newcastle are punching well above their weight and everton have a good thing going.
All in all I think city will win it. They've shown the highest peak and if they go on a run they'll be hard to reel in. January could be very interesting too. Some glaring weaknesses(I.e city defence, our midfield, liverpool's midfield, arsenal and chelsea's strikeforce) in teams could be sorted with an instant success which could drive a team on. Certainly a very intersting season.
It's a bit dire when you are checking on Newcastle's results and fixturesBut we can only win what's left and hopefully other teams will feck it up. If we are near/in the top 5 come new year, it's something we can work with. Our aim now is to secure a top 4 finish, one or two cups and a strong run in the Champs league. In all my years of supporting United (only Fergie years mind you) , I've always checked for future fixtures to see how many points we'll probably end up with. This is the first time I'm just taking each game and not looking for the next fixture.
It's weirdly exciting.
Are you telling me!! I keep saying when are they going to lose Why should I even have to care
Good well balanced post, I agree with you.
Chelsea have been as bad as us but they are only 3 points off the top, surely they can only improve.
Giroud is not good enough, if they win with him as their main striker i'll be astounded.
Great summary so far and agree with most of your post, one thing to add is that we have yet to see United and Chelsea's peak but I would be worried as a Chelsea fan given their forward situation.
For me it's impossible to call. The league is so unpredictable this year. If I had to sum up the top teams in a sentence or two:
United: Looking like things are on the up but a big gap to close and confidence can quickly be shot with a bad result. Currently affected by injuries and overall have struggled against other top half teams this season.
Arsenal: Ozil buzz and Ramsey's purple patch seem to be closing in. I struggle to see how a team with such defensive lack of depth and only Giroud and Bentdner as strikers can win the league.
City: look unstoppable at home but weaker away. If they can pick up their away form, I rethink they've got to be favourites as I can't see them dropping any points at home.
Chelsea: playing some poor football yet grinding some results. However have had some shock defeats and a bit like United you don't know which Chelsea will show up. However with Mourinho they again are a side who won't drop too many points at home.
Liverpool: Currently look very good to be honest but as the title draws closer it's difficult to predict if they'll have the bottle as the weight of history will begin to have an effect. However they have Suarez who is probably the best player arm in the league and against weak teams he virtually guarantees them points.
Spurs: don't think it needs to be said but they are not really in it.
Everton and Newcastle: playing well and with big teams dropping unexpected points they could creep into the top four with some luck on the way but never challenging for the title.
United: Looking like things are on the up but a big gap to close and confidence can quickly be shot with a bad result. Currently affected by injuries and overall have struggled against other top half teams this season.
Arsenal: Ozil buzz and Ramsey's purple patch seem to be closing in. I struggle to see how a team with such defensive lack of depth and only Giroud and Bentdner as strikers can win the league.
City: look unstoppable at home but weaker away. If they can pick up their away form, I rethink they've got to be favourites as I can't see them dropping any points at home.
Chelsea: playing some poor football yet grinding some results. However have had some shock defeats and a bit like United you don't know which Chelsea will show up. However with Mourinho they again are a side who won't drop too many points at home.
Liverpool: Currently look very good to be honest but as the title draws closer it's difficult to predict if they'll have the bottle as the weight of history will begin to have an effect. However they have Suarez who is probably the best player arm in the league and against weak teams he virtually guarantees them points.
Spurs: don't think it needs to be said but they are not really in it.
Everton and Newcastle: playing well and with big teams dropping unexpected points they could creep into the top four with some luck on the way but never challenging for the title.
Everyone's shite.
Well yea there is this.
Only way you will be flat track bullying would be if Suarez sustains this form. Only match he did not click, you lost deservedly to Hull
And 3 of the four matches he didn't play, we won.
Pretty much what I think too.
Its City's title this year imo. Best squad in the league alongside us and they actually have a top 11 too unlike us. Reckon Chelsea will finish 2nd and it'd be between ARsenal, us and Pool for the remaining 2 spots.
yep, City's to lose really...which is very annoying. To be honest, if we can't win it, then I would prefer Arsenal to get it. The thought of Liverpool or City winning it can already ruin my prospective summer!!
City look the strongest, they remind me of us in 2010/11. Imperious at home and shite away. Liverpool and Arsenal are a few injuries away from falling away but you could say that about almost all the teams. Having lost Carrick, RvP, Rooney, Vidic and Rafael at various points It's no surprise we're off the pace. We can close the gap but we will need things like this to start swinging in our favour.
You under rate Everton. They can concentrate entirely on the league. And Spurs could surprise, too. Watch us struggling in our home game vs Spurs.