I'd say based on early season form (which doesn't count for too much) that United and Chelsea have a lot of work to do to claim a top 4 spot.
Costa is deadly. He has been immense this season so far but media/rival fans won't give him credit for it
Alan Shearer has done nothing but big Costa up on MOTD this season
Don't know yet.
For all Chelsea and Utd's 'troubles' they're both on 13 points. Win their next game and both clubs would be in top four positions.
I don't think Costa is in the same class but he's a good striker and he's scoring goals.
On top 4 I'd says it's very early days. Losing at the Emirates and against an in form Liverpool is hardly a disaster. Was important to bounce back after those results which we did against Leicester/Hull.
If our players heads don't drop like they did last season I think we should be alright. Don't forget we've still got Zouma and Terry coming back which we solidify our defence no end. So yes, I still expect us to finish 2nd/3rd/4th.
I said we wouldn't reach top 4 this season and would be over the moon with 5th. I stick to that.
As for signing top players, man for man our team are still one of the best in the league, but their seems a lack of desire or stagnated feel to our players. Like they've played with handcuffs on for too long. Add that to our defence getting shakier and their confidence seems ready to break at any minute and it isn't healthy.
Conte has a hell of a lot of work to do imo, ourselves and utd play some of the slowest tempo football i've ever seen.
augero out on a level on his own...but costa is in the group behind.....horrible caaant but super effective.
We ducked up by not getting a CB in June/July.
Get Zooms and JT back, we will be top 4
City
United
Chelsea
Arsenal
It will be tough for you, the level needed for top 4 will be a lot higher this season than last. Man City are pretty much nailed on for at least top 4, Spurs look as good as last season, Liverpool are much improved (whether they will keep that up remains to be seen) and Arsenal always make it in.
comment by CFC: FFP Champions (U20729)
posted 11 seconds ago
We ducked up by not getting a CB in June/July.
Get Zooms and JT back, we will be top 4
City
United
Chelsea
Arsenal
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Spurs are better than both Chelsea and Utd, yeah sure they don't have nearly as many stars but as a team they're superior.
He also said psg sold us a dud ie Luiz
Top 4
City
Spurs
Arsenal
Liverpool
I think the top 4 will be (in order);
City
Spurs/Arsenal
Arsenal/Spurs
United
Followed by;
Chelsea
Liverpool
Everton
Leicester
It's always the same thing with Pochettino's teams. They play high pressing and intensive game. Can they do that over the full season. Add the CL on top of that and it wouldn't be surprising if they run out of steam in April.
Font of all knowledge your mate eh...
comment by IAWT... or do we? (U10012)
posted 9 minutes ago
It's always the same thing with Pochettino's teams. They play high pressing and intensive game. Can they do that over the full season. Add the CL on top of that and it wouldn't be surprising if they run out of steam in April.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They had Europa league last season which arguably takes its toll more than CL and still got top 4. Plus they've improved their squad, particularly in the engine room (midfield). They'll get top 4 again but will be short in the title race.
comment by Sheriff JW Pepper (U1007)
posted 3 minutes ago
Font of all knowledge your mate eh...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
so it seems, he is actually an ardent analyst with a neutral perceptive and has featured on several radio shows, he believes that Hazard and Costa will leave by the end of the season if we don't make top 4.
You need a couple of players and your manager to start playing to the strengths of your best players. With Costa, Willian, Hazard and Fabregas - there are few excuses for not making the top 4.
comment by Yohan's Kebab Van (U8691)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by IAWT... or do we? (U10012)
posted 9 minutes ago
It's always the same thing with Pochettino's teams. They play high pressing and intensive game. Can they do that over the full season. Add the CL on top of that and it wouldn't be surprising if they run out of steam in April.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They had Europa league last season which arguably takes its toll more than CL and still got top 4. Plus they've improved their squad, particularly in the engine room (midfield). They'll get top 4 again but will be short in the title race.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Doesn't take the same toll if you play a much weakened side with squad players, see their line up against Dortmund last year in the Europa?
I wouldn't include Fabregas, he's past his best imo, almost a liability now and goes unnoticed in big games
comment by Yohan's Kebab Van (U8691)
posted 13 minutes ago
comment by IAWT... or do we? (U10012)
posted 9 minutes ago
It's always the same thing with Pochettino's teams. They play high pressing and intensive game. Can they do that over the full season. Add the CL on top of that and it wouldn't be surprising if they run out of steam in April.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They had Europa league last season which arguably takes its toll more than CL and still got top 4. Plus they've improved their squad, particularly in the engine room (midfield). They'll get top 4 again but will be short in the title race.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
we are playing part-time and it's only Matchday 7.
Let's see where Spurds and Chelsea are in Jan after CL games, festive programme and injuries start coming.... (and JT/Zooms back)
Top 4
City
Spurs
Arsenal
Liverpool
Top 8
Utd
Chelsea
Everton
Watford/Southampton or Palace
comment by Dr. Luke Capello (U17165)
posted 1 hour, 21 minutes ago
comment by Sheriff JW Pepper (U1007)
posted 3 minutes ago
Font of all knowledge your mate eh...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
so it seems, he is actually an ardent analyst with a neutral perceptive and has featured on several radio shows, he believes that Hazard and Costa will leave by the end of the season if we don't make top 4.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Then your mate is just repeating what Paul Merson said on Soccer Saturday. Probably word for word.
Top 4
City
Arsenal
Liverpool
Chelsea
Sign in if you want to comment
top 4
Page 1 of 3
posted on 3/10/16
I'd say based on early season form (which doesn't count for too much) that United and Chelsea have a lot of work to do to claim a top 4 spot.
posted on 3/10/16
Costa is deadly. He has been immense this season so far but media/rival fans won't give him credit for it
posted on 3/10/16
Alan Shearer has done nothing but big Costa up on MOTD this season
posted on 3/10/16
Don't know yet.
For all Chelsea and Utd's 'troubles' they're both on 13 points. Win their next game and both clubs would be in top four positions.
I don't think Costa is in the same class but he's a good striker and he's scoring goals.
posted on 3/10/16
On top 4 I'd says it's very early days. Losing at the Emirates and against an in form Liverpool is hardly a disaster. Was important to bounce back after those results which we did against Leicester/Hull.
If our players heads don't drop like they did last season I think we should be alright. Don't forget we've still got Zouma and Terry coming back which we solidify our defence no end. So yes, I still expect us to finish 2nd/3rd/4th.
posted on 3/10/16
I said we wouldn't reach top 4 this season and would be over the moon with 5th. I stick to that.
As for signing top players, man for man our team are still one of the best in the league, but their seems a lack of desire or stagnated feel to our players. Like they've played with handcuffs on for too long. Add that to our defence getting shakier and their confidence seems ready to break at any minute and it isn't healthy.
Conte has a hell of a lot of work to do imo, ourselves and utd play some of the slowest tempo football i've ever seen.
posted on 3/10/16
augero out on a level on his own...but costa is in the group behind.....horrible caaant but super effective.
posted on 3/10/16
We ducked up by not getting a CB in June/July.
Get Zooms and JT back, we will be top 4
City
United
Chelsea
Arsenal
posted on 3/10/16
It will be tough for you, the level needed for top 4 will be a lot higher this season than last. Man City are pretty much nailed on for at least top 4, Spurs look as good as last season, Liverpool are much improved (whether they will keep that up remains to be seen) and Arsenal always make it in.
posted on 3/10/16
comment by CFC: FFP Champions (U20729)
posted 11 seconds ago
We ducked up by not getting a CB in June/July.
Get Zooms and JT back, we will be top 4
City
United
Chelsea
Arsenal
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Spurs are better than both Chelsea and Utd, yeah sure they don't have nearly as many stars but as a team they're superior.
posted on 3/10/16
He also said psg sold us a dud ie Luiz
posted on 3/10/16
Top 4
City
Spurs
Arsenal
Liverpool
posted on 3/10/16
I think the top 4 will be (in order);
City
Spurs/Arsenal
Arsenal/Spurs
United
Followed by;
Chelsea
Liverpool
Everton
Leicester
posted on 3/10/16
It's always the same thing with Pochettino's teams. They play high pressing and intensive game. Can they do that over the full season. Add the CL on top of that and it wouldn't be surprising if they run out of steam in April.
posted on 3/10/16
Font of all knowledge your mate eh...
posted on 3/10/16
*Fond
posted on 3/10/16
comment by IAWT... or do we? (U10012)
posted 9 minutes ago
It's always the same thing with Pochettino's teams. They play high pressing and intensive game. Can they do that over the full season. Add the CL on top of that and it wouldn't be surprising if they run out of steam in April.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They had Europa league last season which arguably takes its toll more than CL and still got top 4. Plus they've improved their squad, particularly in the engine room (midfield). They'll get top 4 again but will be short in the title race.
posted on 3/10/16
comment by Sheriff JW Pepper (U1007)
posted 3 minutes ago
Font of all knowledge your mate eh...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
so it seems, he is actually an ardent analyst with a neutral perceptive and has featured on several radio shows, he believes that Hazard and Costa will leave by the end of the season if we don't make top 4.
posted on 3/10/16
You need a couple of players and your manager to start playing to the strengths of your best players. With Costa, Willian, Hazard and Fabregas - there are few excuses for not making the top 4.
posted on 3/10/16
comment by Yohan's Kebab Van (U8691)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by IAWT... or do we? (U10012)
posted 9 minutes ago
It's always the same thing with Pochettino's teams. They play high pressing and intensive game. Can they do that over the full season. Add the CL on top of that and it wouldn't be surprising if they run out of steam in April.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They had Europa league last season which arguably takes its toll more than CL and still got top 4. Plus they've improved their squad, particularly in the engine room (midfield). They'll get top 4 again but will be short in the title race.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Doesn't take the same toll if you play a much weakened side with squad players, see their line up against Dortmund last year in the Europa?
posted on 3/10/16
I wouldn't include Fabregas, he's past his best imo, almost a liability now and goes unnoticed in big games
posted on 3/10/16
comment by Yohan's Kebab Van (U8691)
posted 13 minutes ago
comment by IAWT... or do we? (U10012)
posted 9 minutes ago
It's always the same thing with Pochettino's teams. They play high pressing and intensive game. Can they do that over the full season. Add the CL on top of that and it wouldn't be surprising if they run out of steam in April.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They had Europa league last season which arguably takes its toll more than CL and still got top 4. Plus they've improved their squad, particularly in the engine room (midfield). They'll get top 4 again but will be short in the title race.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
we are playing part-time and it's only Matchday 7.
Let's see where Spurds and Chelsea are in Jan after CL games, festive programme and injuries start coming.... (and JT/Zooms back)
posted on 3/10/16
Top 4
City
Spurs
Arsenal
Liverpool
Top 8
Utd
Chelsea
Everton
Watford/Southampton or Palace
posted on 3/10/16
comment by Dr. Luke Capello (U17165)
posted 1 hour, 21 minutes ago
comment by Sheriff JW Pepper (U1007)
posted 3 minutes ago
Font of all knowledge your mate eh...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
so it seems, he is actually an ardent analyst with a neutral perceptive and has featured on several radio shows, he believes that Hazard and Costa will leave by the end of the season if we don't make top 4.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Then your mate is just repeating what Paul Merson said on Soccer Saturday. Probably word for word.
posted on 3/10/16
Top 4
City
Arsenal
Liverpool
Chelsea
Page 1 of 3