Beefymcfc wrote:mr_nool wrote:Beefymcfc wrote:The BBC have asked their pundits to predict the outcome of this years PL. The average result looks like this:
Chelsea
Arsenal
Rags
City
Had to rub my eyes as the best team over the last 5 years but we are now predicted to come fourth, with the Rags, who I don't think have strengthened, coming above us?
Premier League Predictions
You don't think Schneidersteiger is an improvement of their midfield?
I think they are idiots to get rid of di Maria, but he wasn't contributing last seasons, so in that respect they haven't got weaker. RvP was over the hill, so real loss there either ... I think the scum look dangerous this season (it pains me to say). I still think we will end up above them, mind.
If they lose the donut thief then I'd say they are definitely weaker. Do Maria is a class player and I'm glad he's gone and with falcao gone we'll have to see if he becomes the player he once was, just a little pissed he went to the chavs.
And although I like the pig fucker there is a huge element of risk, confirmed by PGs recent comments. The rest are on trial and the only exception I'll put to my original statement would be the money they bring in on the 2 deals and how they further strengthen. At present I'd put them on par with the Dippers, fighting for the Wenger Trophy.
However, 4th for us is just not taking anything binto account and just playing up to the old Sky 4 bullshit. I prefer to see what the bookies say, at least they have an element of objectivity.
Beefy old pal, I'm not playing up to anything other than trying to be totally realistic.
Apart from the Aguero/Bony concern, we don't know what sort of season PabZab is going to have, although the portents may not be too promising if he's now in decline.
Sagna is also a spent force and Kolarov doesn't justify his place in the team, based upon all the negative attributes he displays. Clichy can be solid enough, given a lengthy run in the side, but he's not going to set the world on fire, in an attacking sense, down the left
Kompany is an accident waiting to happen in every game and Mangala gives me the shudders (he might, conceivably, be better at left back, rather than in the middle).
Yaya, in spite of all his periodic spouting, is always liable to go missing in any game and fail to put in consistent levels of performances overall.
Nasri is so erratic and of questionable mental strength, whilst Fernando is a complete mystery as to what he brings to the table. Delph looks as though he has all the makings of being another sick-note, whilst Fernandinho, at the age of thirty, might find his best days are all behind him.
That leaves a heavy burden to fall upon the shoulders of old man DeMichelis, together with Silva and Sterling (and Joe, providing his head - and shoulders - is right) and will be a lot to ask for any youngsters who might be drafted in this season to fill the gaps.
I hope I'm totally wrong and that our rapidly ageing and declining squad has a brilliant and injury free 'Indian Summer' before finally being dismantled, to be completely rebuilt, by the [putative] new manager who will likely be coming in from the following season.
I just can't see it however and, on that basis and no matter how unpalatable it may be, I feel the best we can hope for is to finish fourth.
