OT: Community Shield

[Danners9]

Anybody watch this?

Second half I was almost asleep!! Curtain raiser, pff. Mourinho wants it to be considered pre-season still, by the sounds of things.

Chelsea sold 13,000 of their 25,000 allocation. Liverpool a bit more, 20-22k ish.

Although the Millennium Stadium is good, the sooner Wembley gets done the better.

Lampard was lucky not to be sent off, Cudicini made a huge error for Liverpool's opener, Ballack hobbled off injured after 20 mins, Shevchenko scored a good goal and Crouch won it with 10 to go.

Overall, underwhelming. Slightly annoying actually. I don't like Chelsea much anyway, but they should be able to sell more tickets than that. I know it's Cardiff on a sunday (Which is why i said about Wembley..) but still, this isn't the first time.

I came away from the game with more disdain for Chelsea than before. Not really sure why either. The side is packed with talent, but they don't seem to play as a team. Bedding in time will help of course, but the side is not balanced. Lots of attack and then 2 centre defenders and Makelele.

[ox utd]

Chelsea's defense looked very shaky - could've given up more than 2. Granted, the keeper should have saved the first goal, but the albatross was left wide open by Terry for the second goal, and that flubbed clearance in the second half was comical. Chelsea looked dangerous in attack, but, as Danners said, they forget about defending at times. Sound like a certain Spanish team filled with superstars that we all know???? I think Liverpool is going to be a dangerous side this year - Bellamy looked sharp, Reina (sp?) was solid in goal and some of their other new boys looked quite sharp.

[CelticOnFire]

I think Pool can definitly win the league to be honest...maybe this is the year Chelsea self-implode

[Skizz]

Riise's goal was the best of the game.

[Danners9]

By a long way.. almost all the pitch, in fact ;)

Poor goalkeeping for that though. Sheva's was a great pass, control and finish.

[THFC1]

I'm still not totally convinced with Liverpool, i think Man Utd are the only ones who can stop Chelsea, especially if they sign another striker but that is not looking likely.

[AllWhitebeliever]

Riise's goal was the best of the game.

Yes I agree, Riise Goal was a good old fashion hard drive shot. Whats so great about it was the bounced top spin along the ground which was gathering speed deceiving the Goalkeeper. I doubt that there was much the goalkeeper could actually do.

THFC1, I think Tottenham can also stop Chelsea this year and not Man Utd. I see lots of close games with them.

:cool:

Hang loose guys

[Liverpool_SC]

I'm still not totally convinced with Liverpool, i think Man Utd are the only ones who can stop Chelsea, especially if they sign another striker but that is not looking likely.
The premier league is won in the midfield. Chelsea and Mr. Didier Drogba have proven that single-handedly the past two seasons, with an assist from the Viera-less fourth place Arsenal last season.

And Manchester United's midfield is (decidedly) not up to snuff. They got by on smoke-and-mirrors last season and may be considerably worse (as in like Arsenal from last season) this year. Van Nistelrooy very well could be hard to replace. Saha is still injury prone. Rossi is still unproven. Rooney is still inconsistent and injury/suspension-prone and is NOT a great (volume) goalscorer. Ronaldo is very inconsistent and is a luxury player for a team (like Man Utd) that does not have the graft they need in midfield. Giggs and Scholes are not as influential as they once were.

The defense is pretty good and will help them no end, but where will they be if Van de Saar gets hurt or has any kind of decline? The adjustment to keeping for West Brom (where a mental error or two is obscured by the fact that the keeper is being forced to make boucoups saves) to a title challenger is huge.

I think that Liverpool has to be considered the top title challenger this season based on the consistency and solidness of the system that they play. I agree that Man Utd (if everything goes their way) may be a better team still. But it is going to be a long season finding them out. I think that if everything proceeds according to current circumstances Arsenal are going to be the best team in the Premier League in 3 - 4 (considering the awesome quality of their youthful and increasingly experienced players), but they are not as strong just now.

This is Chelsea's most vulnerable season of the last three. They are undergoing a major tactical adjustment and the Lampard/Ballack experiment has not been successful so far. In fact, Lampard is simply not the same player right now. They are still the best team in the league by a long-shot, but they are going to find it harder than before not to shed some points at least at the beginning of the season.

Even though it is not likely - I see this year and next year as Liverpool's best chance for a Premier League title. Not suggesting they cannot keep competing well beyond that. And much can change in the ensuing years. But the relative distance between 'Pool and Chelsea (or whomever is front-runner) is not going to get this close for some time.

It is, therefore, very important for teams like Spurs, 'Pool, Arsenal and Man Utd to put some pressure on them by getting maximum points in the early going.

BTW - I see Spurs making it to 4th place for certain this season. My prediction:

Chelsea
Pool (very tight race, 30% chance Pool squeaks by Chelsea)
Arsenal
Spurs
Manchester United.

[Colm]

Liverpool did look good yesterday, i think it will be a close race for the title.

Still have Chelsea to win due to there squad depth.

[Mort09]

Typically i don't read too much into charity shield results, i remember one year arsenal tonking man utd only to get destroyed in the league.

And let's face it, Liverpool are way ahead of chelsea in terms of preparation having already played in the CL. As a result, expect chelsea to be fresher towards the end of the season.

It's gonna be touch-and-go whether we get 4th or 5th.

Worringly Newcastle seem to be buying well, shame Souness had to leave, and i imagine they'll be there or thereabouts.
Liverpool look good with Bellamy giving them some extra pace.
Man Utd haven't improved, even with Carrick.
Arsenal will be a bit weeker without Cole, though he didn't figure in their run to the CL final.

I really think this year will see a number of improved sides and competition will be greater than ever. Thankfully we've improved more than most!

[Danners9]

Newcastle have only bought Duff, while selling loads of deadwood. They need defence and attack. Almost as many mids as us.

[MartinJol]

yeah it was a dull game - but it was chelsea-liverpool so i didn't really expect anything else. unfortunately the player i was most looking forward to seeing went off injured after only 20 minutes. Overall, i thought chelsea looked rusty - as mort09 said liverpool's extra preparation was evident.

as for the title - chelsea will run away with it again. yes liverpool have improved but chelsea have added the best midfielder in the world and the second best striker in the world (and he looked very sharp yesterday), and have by far the best squad of players in the league.

one final word on donkey terry - him being made england skipper means the best defender in the league will continue to be on the bench. he was at fault for both goals yesterday and made more mistakes in that one game than king usually makes in a season. he is on a par with frank lampard as the most overrated player in the premiership.

[Liverpool_SC]

And let's face it, Liverpool are way ahead of chelsea in terms of preparation having already played in the CL. As a result, expect chelsea to be fresher towards the end of the season.

Playing one important game one week earlier than Chelsea's first match is not going to make the difference in terms of squad fitness at the end of the season. Rather - the effect of the World Cup schedule and effective squad depth (impact of injuries, rotation policies, etc) is going to make the biggest difference there.

Plus, Chelsea has had a much more gruelling pre-season schedule with all of the recent travel and such. That is probably as much to blame for the early season 'blues' as anything.


It's gonna be touch-and-go whether we get 4th or 5th.


I sure cannot see you doing any worse than last season. Your team HAS improved. I think it will be tougher for teams like Blackburn, Bolton and West Ham to keep up with you given some of your recent signings.

Worringly Newcastle seem to be buying well, shame Souness had to leave, and i imagine they'll be there or thereabouts.

Definitely the team most likely to make a big jump in quality. But their defense is still downright terrible. Their late run showed that they can play well. But they have some holes that will be tough to fill. Given is injured for awhile, their striker depth is not tremendous/proven and the center-back situation is shambolic.


Man Utd haven't improved, even with Carrick.


That's the spirit.


Arsenal will be a bit weeker without Cole, though he didn't figure in their run to the CL final.


Are they certain to lose Cole? The problem with Arse is that they have so many fabulous youngsters who already have a ton of experience (Fabregas, Senderos, Clichy, Eboue, Toure, Reyes, Adyenbor, Van Persie, etc). As these guys grow into their bodies and improve mentally - they are going to be world-beaters. Rosicky is a great addition, as well. I reckon the Arse are still two years from their peak (still a tad lightweight in central midfield), but expect them to improve every year until then.

The best bet for knocking Arsenal down a few pegs was your pipping them for fourth last season and seeing (inevitably) Cole and Henry leave the team in pursuit of UCL football. Since that is not going to happen - I think they are going to be fine.

[THFC1]

THFC1, I think Tottenham can also stop Chelsea this year and not Man Utd. I see lots of close games with them.

I'm not sure how long you have supported Tottenham but that is a little ambitious. We have a good team but not that good, yet!
In recent years we have been strong at home but we need to be more consistant in away games.

[AllWhitebeliever]

I'm not sure how long you have supported Tottenham but that is a little ambitious. We have a good team but not that good, yet!
In recent years we have been strong at home but we need to be more consistant in away games.

What can I say? I am more hopeful than previous years. However, I just got a funny feeling that Chelsea is not getting together as they could despite the stars in their team. I think they are getting too much like Real Madrid with too many big stars losing quantity hard work and relying on quality too much. The balance is lopsided somewhat and it will shoot themselves in the foot.

I really think that top 3 places would be Liverpool, Man Utd and Chelsea in that order. I tend to think that Tottenham, Arsenal and Newcastle will get wins againest the top 3 teams with Chelsea suffering the most for their inconsistency.

I think its Liverpools turn on top with their preparation and balance.

Man Utd is next with some consistent balance but not as red hot as I feel that Liverpool is going to be.

Chelsea will have tactical problems of having too stars in the team and lose consistentcy in their line ups and so will lose and draw games when they should have the vital wins againest the top 6 teams.

Then since we got a really good balance of young men in the side we could sneak a 4th place or even a 3rd place over Chelsea.

Arsenal is still a pain right next to us and be placed behind us this time round with their youngsters getting some more time on the field. I am more worry about them the year following as they will have a season of experience under their belt and will challenge the top two again.

Next season, I think we would see Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham running the show, with Chelsea and Man Utd doing hard sell and buys to keep competitive balance. It would be closer that season than the season starting now, I think. Although, I think that it won't be a two horse race this season either.

:cool:

Hang loose guys

[Danners9]

We don't beat Chelsea, simple as that.. we come close to getting something and then something happens. Whether it's a stoppage time goal, a dodgy penalty, someone who has never scored before scores.. something.

[AllWhitebeliever]

We don't beat Chelsea, simple as that.. we come close to getting something and then something happens. Whether it's a stoppage time goal, a dodgy penalty, someone who has never scored before scores.. something.

Yeah, point taken but since Chelsea are over slotting their stars on the field, most stars have scored goals and the ones who have never scored can't score if they are on the bench and there is another star prefer above the non-star as well. Some stars lose their competitive quality sitting on the bench and having less on field-time especially if they are young and competitive. If they were older, they may not mind taking a few breaks during the season but if you are younger, the need for competitiveness combined with youth can mentally lower self esteem and be also self-destructive in some cases. Thats why I think the Chelsea may not do as well as last season, having heaps of young high profile stars in a squad could be a real hard to management. Real Madrid had their shares of trouble in the past and that had an effect on their performance. It takes more juggling of players. If Chelsea have a couple of striaght defeats or draw, then change star players around in different positions and general experiment with lineups could unsettle them enough to lost their top sport to a more balance team like Liverpool.

Well I like to think that Tottenham would be team that leads to their demise. I could hope for the best can't I?

:cool:

Hang loose guys

[Danners9]

They can self destruct all they want but they will still beat us.

1991 was the last time. Gary Lineker scored. Although we did thrash them in the cup, 4-1 i think, but the week later they beat us 4-0 in the league.

Since then Spurs have come close, even been in winning positions.. there was one game in the mid-90s when Spurs went 2-0 up and still blew it. Mark Stein scored a penalty for them to win it.

Our team is much better though, that "park the bus" game we could have won with Keane right at the end but it's just not to be.

[Dave_M]

I think Pool can definitly win the league to be honest...maybe this is the year Chelsea self-implode

Ive said the same thing in a thread in this very forum. I got on at 8/1.

Arsenal are a best priced 8's I think, and Id probably want nearer 10 for it to be worth a punt.

Spurs each way to thrid place would be nice at 80/1, but no one goes more than second on the EW bet. :(.