I'm not worried we wont challenge for the title.....i'm worried we wont make top 4!

[dannyrhinos89]

Definitely don't see us finishing above City or Chelsea in fact I think we'll be miles off them. United and Arsenal to battle it out for 3rd again with Liverpool lurking dangerously.

I think Arsenal will finish comfortably above us, they had a bad start yes but I fully expect them to start scoring and winning games soon their squad is too good.

1. City
2. Chelsea
3. Arsenal
4. United

 

[Steven Seagull]

I know this is heresy (and I also believe that DDG is a great keeper) but DDG actually faced around the same number of shots last season as Hart, Courtois and Ospina/Szczesny (adjusting for number of games played) and was pretty much tied with Courtois for the lowest save percentage in the group. He's a great goalkeeper for many reasons, but the "saving our butts" bit gets a little overstated.

Those stats are largely pointless if you aren't watching the games. Surely it doesn't needed to be pointed out to you that all saves don't have equal merit. When your keeper makes 3-4 outrageous saves in games where you play shit and win 1-0, he's pretty much "saved our butt"

 

[BringNaniBack]

As the transfer window closes and I see our squad I am still extremely worried. We simply aren't good enough in attack. It will be a battle for fourth again this year I think just as I thought when creating this thread.

 

[Jagga7]

I think we'll finish 2nd far behind City. Chelsea look in disarray at the moment and I think we're better than them this season.

 

[Roboc7]

Pretty much 50/50 between us and liverpool for fourth I think arsenal and Chelsea both look just as bad so far but I think they both have more quality than us and liverpool and the individual talent of players like hazard and Sanchez can paper over cracks which is something we lack.

January transfer window could be crucial and this may be one season where we have to be prepared to spend even if it isn't ideal.

 

[Tyrion]

I know our team is playing poorly and I doubt we will ever be in the title race properly this season but I don't think there are 4 teams in this league that are better than us. I would be absolutely shocked if we finish 5th or lower. If that happens, LVG will be under serious pressure but I doubt it. I think this is a case of the grass seeming greener on the other side.

So far this season, we've scored 3 and conceded 2. (+1)
Arsenal have scored 3 and conceded 3. (0)
Chelsea have scored 6 and conceded 9. (-3)
Liverpool have scored 2 and conceded 3. (-1)

Chelsea got hammered 3-0. Arsenal lost 2-0 to West Ham at home. Liverpool lost 3-0 to West Ham. We've already beaten Spurs. Imagine the absolute panic that would spread like a virus across the Caf if we had one of those results. People would be quitting their jobs and leaving their families to live as hermits in expectation of the coming apocalypse and Woodward would become the Harbinger of Doom and an incompetent fool at the same time.

We're 5th in the league and have a few key players either new to the team (Schneiderlin) or new to the league/country (Schweinsteiger, Darmian and Depay) so I can only see us getting better.

 

[KingMinger22]

Getting top 4 will be tight.

Other teams have started poorly, and except City, haven't really improved much.

That said, Arsenal and Chelski comfortably have stronger squads and first 11s than us.

The real fear is we are seriously, seriously going to struggle to score. Depay is going to have to start delivering goals instantly - big ask.

 

[sullydnl]

Can't see Liverpool overtaking us, whereas I do think we've gained ground on both Chelsea and Arsenal.

 

[izec]

Can't see Liverpool overtaking us, whereas I do think we've gained ground on both Chelsea and Arsenal.

Yep.

 

[stepic]

Getting top 4 will be tight.

Other teams have started poorly, and except City, haven't really improved much.

That said, Arsenal and Chelski comfortably have stronger squads and first 11s than us.

The real fear is we are seriously, seriously going to struggle to score. Depay is going to have to start delivering goals instantly - big ask.

We weren't that far behind Arsenal last season and weve clearly improved our team more than they have theirs.

 

[Robbie Boy]

I would like to think we can get third. At least it will be some form of progress.

 

[santeria13]

I would like to think we can get third. At least it will be some form of progress.

To be honest, based off our rivals current form in contrast to our own pathetic form, I don't see why we wouldn't be able to make 2nd. I do think a title challenge may be too much for us but beating City in a couple of weeks could change all of that, unlikely as it is.

 

[caisenma]

LVG will be gone if we dont get fourth, no question about it.

 

[Kaos]

LVG will be gone if we dont get fourth, no question about it.

He'll be gone if we only manage 4th with no cups IMO.

 

[caisenma]

He'll be gone if we only manage 4th with no cups IMO.

Yeah that's probably more accurate. He made his bed, now he can lie in it. Last year we had a big squad with few games, this year the exact opposite. I don't get it.

 

[Devil may care]

Despite their troubled start Chelsea have the best manager and the forward line of Hazard/Costa/Pedro is stronger than ours, Arsenal's and Liverpool's, so I expect them to definitely take one of the top 3 spots, most likely second.

We need LvG to get De Gea back in goal and settled, and we need Rooney to get his shit together otherwise we are in trouble.

 

[Vato]

Despite their troubled start Chelsea have the best manager and the forward line of Hazard/Costa/Pedro is stronger than ours, Arsenal's and Liverpool's, so I expect them to definitely take one of the top 3 spots, most likely second.

We need LvG to get De Gea back in goal and settled, and we need Rooney to get his shit together otherwise we are in trouble.

Chelsea are definately ending in the top 4, I can see them challenging again with their squad, easily.

I bet United is going to find it even harder to end in the top 4 than last season. I can't see LVG being United's manager next season.

 

[Devil may care]

Chelsea are definately ending in the top 4, I can see them challenging again with their squad, easily.

I bet United is going to find it even harder to end in the top 4 than last season. I can't see LVG being United's manager next season.

Agreed, Chelsea are in no danger of falling out of the top 4, but I think City might create such a big gap by Christmas that catching them will be tough.

I'm not sure he's the right guy for us in truth, if he snagged top 4 and then called it a career and we got Klopp I'd be happy enough. We are going into a season with a striker who looks shot and 2 youngsters as the main hopes for our goals, it's pretty crazy.

 

[Raoul]

He'll be gone if we only manage 4th with no cups IMO.

I don't think he'll go if we don't win any trophies - City look favorites in the league and we would do well to finish 2nd. I think he will push for 2nd and for a CL semi spot.

 

[Rich_H_1989]

He'll be gone if we only manage 4th with no cups IMO.

I think he should be gone if that's what we manage but I'm not sure he will be. The club have backed him financially and I don't think they'd cut their ties unless he fails to get us in to the top 4.

I hope I'm wrong because as far as I am concerned if we don't improve on last season that's unacceptable. The team will have had another season under LVG to get used to his philosophy plus we've invested heavily again. Top 3 plus a trophy should be a minimum.

Sadly based on our lack of attacking depth, our lack of goals and the question marks over our defence and more importantly GK I think top 3 is out of the question. That's just my view of course but based on what I've seen and the knowledge that we always pick up key injuries I think 4th would be an achievement.

We've got to remember last season Liverpool and arsenal both started awfully. I don't see them doing the same this season (by start I don't mean 4 games I'm talking maybe even up to November). Liverpool have added goals plus may get Sturridge back. Arsenal have added a top keeper who will win them points.

 

[RedDevilCanuck]

I think we will do well in big games and go far in Europe but struggle against mid and lower table teams but we will ultimately get 4th or 3rd.

 

[KingCantona87]

I personally don't think LVG will be here next season. Given how we've started off I can see no shred of evidence to suggest we are suddenly going to turn it on and play to an acceptable level.

I'm not calling for him to be sacked either as sacking him now/at Christmas etc would only be the start of our nightmare. We're in that dreaded place of damned if we do and damned if we don't.

What intrigues me the most is the fact that his overall record is EXACTLY the same as Moyes despite spunking a stupendous sum of money on players. I'm not a Moyes apologist either, hated the bloke and was very vocal about wanting him to go. But when you look at it the style of football hasn't changed for the better.

 

[prath92]

I personally don't think LVG will be here next season. Given how we've started off I can see no shred of evidence to suggest we are suddenly going to turn it on and play to an acceptable level.

I'm not calling for him to be sacked either as sacking him now/at Christmas etc would only be the start of our nightmare. We're in that dreaded place of damned if we do and damned if we don't.

What intrigues me the most is the fact that his overall record is EXACTLY the same as Moyes despite spunking a stupendous sum of money on players. I'm not a Moyes apologist either, hated the bloke and was very vocal about wanting him to go. But when you look at it the style of football hasn't changed for the better.

With Moyes we were 7th(from 1st) and with LVG we finished 4th(from 7th). That's the overall record. Doesn't seem different?

 

[KingCantona87]

League position is different to what I was referring to yes.

Moyes:
Games 51
Wins: 27
Draws: 9
Losses: 15
Win %: 52.94

LVG:
Games 50
Wins: 27
Draws: 12
Losses: 11
Win %: 54.00

 

[prath92]

League position is different to what I was referring to yes.

Moyes:
Games 51
Wins: 27
Draws: 9
Losses: 15
Win %: 52.94

LVG:
Games 50
Wins: 27
Draws: 12
Losses: 11
Win %: 54.00

So you are in short saying we are in the same position as what we were at the time Moyes was sacked?

 

[All 3 United]

The next league game at home to Liverpool, is huge it could well define our season. In terms of timing it's not great for us but they have just lost at home to West Ham.... Huge game....

 

[Rednotdead]

The next league game at home to Liverpool, is huge it could well define our season. In terms of timing it's not great for us but they have just lost at home to West Ham.... Huge game....

Precisely. I've seen nothing so far this season to suggest we'll do anything but struggle to make 4th.

 

[marlowe78]

League position is different to what I was referring to yes.

Moyes:
Games 51
Wins: 27
Draws: 9
Losses: 15
Win %: 52.94

LVG:
Games 50
Wins: 27
Draws: 12
Losses: 11
Win %: 54.00

The thing I'm asking myself now - if there hadn't been the player insurrection under Moyes and the squad soldiered on that year, would Moyes's record have been better than LVG's after 50 games? After New Year's Day, the players pretty much gave up playing for Moyes so there were practically defeats before the first kick was made.

 

[Ringo 07]

If we can get 4th this season then it will have been another hugely successful season......I say that because we have a lot of very talented young players, some will need a season to bed in....Depay and Martial will not fully show what they can do for another season...Even Darmian will need a season to get used to things......Then there's Pereira also who will be great i a year or two....Januzaj may come back a much stronger player from his loan in Dortmund

So by this time next year we are definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with.....but this season is a season where kids will need time to find their way and we won't be winning trophies......but a year from now then Van Gaals master-plan will hopefully be heading in the right direction and challenging for trophies

 

[El Zoido]

League position is different to what I was referring to yes.

Moyes:
Games 51
Wins: 27
Draws: 9
Losses: 15
Win %: 52.94

LVG:
Games 50
Wins: 27
Draws: 12
Losses: 11
Win %: 54.00

I find this staggering, I really do. The football under Moyes was tumescent and we were so devoid of confidence it looked like we could lose every game. We look so assured under LVG and we look more like a proper side. I'm also amazed Moyes managed 50 games and wasn't even here a full season.

 

[Spoony]

League position is different to what I was referring to yes.

Moyes:
Games 51
Wins: 27
Draws: 9
Losses: 15
Win %: 52.94

LVG:
Games 50
Wins: 27
Draws: 12
Losses: 11
Win %: 54.00

I think folk would've been asking for LvG's head had he replaced Fergie. It's likely that our expectings have lowered because of Moyes's failure.

 

[villain]

League position is different to what I was referring to yes.

Moyes:
Games 51
Wins: 27
Draws: 9
Losses: 15
Win %: 52.94

LVG:
Games 50
Wins: 27
Draws: 12
Losses: 11
Win %: 54.00

We won quite a number of games under Moyes in the CL.

Maybe its better to compare league win percentage against each other.

 

[dannyrhinos89]

I don't think he'll go if we don't win any trophies - City look favorites in the league and we would do well to finish 2nd. I think he will push for 2nd and for a CL semi spot.

That's a brave prediction.

 

[dsch]

The thing I'm asking myself now - if there hadn't been the player insurrection under Moyes and the squad soldiered on that year, would Moyes's record have been better than LVG's after 50 games? After New Year's Day, the players pretty much gave up playing for Moyes so there were practically defeats before the first kick was made.

If people are going to crucify LVG for supposed bad "man management," it would be silly to exonerate Moyes' record by hypothetically assuming that he didn't lose the dressing room.

 

[SalfordRed1960]

So you are in short saying we are in the same position as what we were at the time Moyes was sacked?

Difference is Moyes chose not to change players, gave no direction, had no philosophy and basically destroyed any confidence the players had.
LVG has put everything in place and now has to deliver. On paper has one hell of a squad only really lacking at the striker level.

 

[mu4c_20le]

I think folk would've been asking for LvG's head had he replaced Fergie. It's likely that our expectings have lowered because of Moyes's failure.

LvG was brought in to steady the ship and undo the damage done by Moyes. It was never about win % it was about philosophy, making top 4, and rebuilding the squad, something Moyes failed to do properly besides everything else.

 

[foolsgold]

There is a clear case to be made that LvG inherited a better squad that Moyes.

Moyes may have done awful, but Sir Alex gave him a total hospital pass with a squad on it's last legs.

He signed Mata and gave AJ his debut.

 

[Spoony]

LvG was brought in to steady the ship and undo the damage done by Moyes. It was never about win % it was about philosophy, making top 4, and rebuilding the squad, something Moyes failed to do properly besides everything else.

And you know this...how?

 

[mu4c_20le]

And you know this...how?

Because of what he said.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29949390

That leads me to believe that the board understood he needed time to rebuild, but at the same time achieve a reasonable target.

 

[Organic Potatoes]

With De Gea back in goal and a settled back four, we should be able to grind out enough results against bottom-mid table teams (not named Swansea) simply by way of our defensive record. And we have good evidence of producing points against the top teams last season.

The top 4 will stay the same, though in a different order