The race for fourth place

[miko]

Ok, all you Newcastle and Liverpool fans. Lets be honest. None of the teams outside the top three are going to get close to Arsenal, Manchester Utd or Chelsea this season.

So how long is this domination going to go on for? Liverpool have been disappointing, and to make a challenge on the top three next season they're going to have to improve a lot. Newcastle have been good at times, but are far too inconsistent. And I can't really see Charlton, Fulham or Southampton challenging.

I'l go for Liverpool to get fourth, but it'll be damn close. Next season though, will it be a different story or will it be the same three teams challenging for the title once again.

I'm guessing one of the three teams will probably win again next season, but if Liverpool and Newcastle make some good transfers, and improve their weaknesses, it may be a closer race.

[geordienation]

Thanks for your patronizing, if brutally obvious, analysis.

The difference being that neither Toon nor Liverpool's fortunes are tied to one person's purse strings. If your Russian owner were to die in a fire, so would your title hopes.

[Scouse]

i hope NUFC claim 4th....still, as long as it's not the red *#*#*#*#*#e eh?

TOON ARMY!

[The Double]

Originally posted by geordienation
If your Russian owner were to die in a fire, so would your title hopes.

:D

[leftwing]

Originally posted by geordienation
Thanks for your patronizing, if brutally obvious, analysis.

The difference being that neither Toon nor Liverpool's fortunes are tied to one person's purse strings. If your Russian owner were to die in a fire, so would your title hopes.


Keep dreaming. He's not going away and neither are we.

[rawdog]

I think that Liverpool and Newcastle need to spend muuch more than they do if they are ever going to be competitive with the likes of Man U, Arsenal and Chelsea. It does not make sense that they are competing for fourth place to get in the Champions League and they are not able to beat any of the top clubs in Europe, particularly at home. These clubs are doing every thing on the cheap, with their purchasing of these second rate stars, that's why they are getting second rate results.

[Clan]

Originally posted by geordienation
Thanks for your patronizing, if brutally obvious, analysis.

The difference being that neither Toon nor Liverpool's fortunes are tied to one person's purse strings. If your Russian owner were to die in a fire, so would your title hopes.

Highly probable.

However, if he doesn't die in a fire - highly improbable - then what :)

[Clan]

Originally posted by rawdog
These clubs are doing every thing on the cheap, with their purchasing of these second rate stars, that's why they are getting second rate results.

Actually Liverpool have spent vast amounts of money in the past 5 years - almost £100 Million i believe - and would be in the top three spenders if Abramovichs spree wasn't counted.

Their problem isn't that they haven't spent - it's that the players they bought haven't performed in any way shape or form.

As for the toon, they have spent as well.
£5 million for a young teenager is a bold move.
Their biggest problem though is the strength of the teams above them - and slow starts.

[Milos]

Newcastle in 4th place this season and next, but I think next season they and Liverpool will still be miles behind Man U, Arsenal and Chelsea.

[rawdog]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Clanblue
Actually Liverpool have spent vast amounts of money in the past 5 years - almost £100 Million i believe - and would be in the top three spenders if Abramovichs spree wasn't counted.

Their problem isn't that they haven't spent - it's that the players they bought haven't performed in any way shape or form.

As for the toon, they have spent as well.
£5 million for a young teenager is a bold move.
Their biggest problem though is the strength of the teams above them - and slow starts. [/QUOTE That's 20 mil a year for the last 5 yrs. That's not going to get you any big name players, especially if you want to compete for a championship. Forget about Abramovich, he is over paying and out bidding clubs for talent because he has no budget. Look at the championship teams for the last five yrs in the EPL, Spain and Italy, I bet all have spent way more than 20 mil per year.

[michaec]

Originally posted by rawdog
That's 20 mil a year for the last 5 yrs. That's not going to get you any big name players, especially if you want to compete for a championship. Forget about Abramovich, he is over paying and out bidding clubs for talent because he has no budget. Look at the championship teams for the last five yrs in the EPL, Spain and Italy, I bet all have spent way more than 20 mil per year. I can't believe this rubbish is coming from an Arsenal fan. It's not all about spending money, it's about building a team. Look at Arsene Wenger you moron. He doesn't spend £20m a year, but we've got a top team. And I thought Ranieri did a top job getting Chelsea into fourth last season with bugger all cash.

[Scouse]

Originally posted by rawdog
These clubs are doing every thing on the cheap, with their purchasing of these second rate stars, that's why they are getting second rate results. i partially agree...liverpool have bought second rate stars

but they most certainly haven't done it on the cheap.

Heskey for £11m?
Diouf for £10m?
Diao for £4.7m?
to name but a few...

here's to them wasting another £13m on Cisse!

[sendorange]

Originally posted by Clanblue
Highly probable.

However, if he doesn't die in a fire - highly improbable - then what :)
Your lot were on the brink of administration before Roman stepped in. When the KGB nick him Chelsea will do a West Ham.

[Clan]

Originally posted by sendorange
Your lot were on the brink of administration before Roman stepped in. When the KGB nick him Chelsea will do a West Ham.

That is quite true mate, and if you have read any posts of mine on the Chels board for the past few years i was always one of his biggest opponents with the way he ran the whole CV thing as opposed to good financial management.

There is no question whatsoever that we lucked out, although a Leeds style melt down would not have happened as we had other real assets than players to realise to stave of the money men.

Also the ground and pitch were held by other PLC's and would have ran in their own right - what would have happened though is that the whole white elephant that was Chelsea Village would have been sold of piece meal, Gallas would be playing in Spain and Terry would be wearing the red of your neighbours - in 2007 though when the final Eurobond payment was due the ground would have been sold as it was used to finance the buliding of the west stand.
No, there wasn't a bright future there to be honest and if Sheff Weds do get him they better have quite a few accountants looking at what he actually does.

Besides, he may be in more trouble than is being let on what with his ties to Tollman and the FBI on his case.He's lieing through his teeth and it's only a matter of time before one of the people "cuts a deal".
The only thing Bates has going for him is that the American authorities are after the weasels in the bank defrauding scheme in the States and he's just getting caught up in the fall out.

But, as i said above, it's a great time to be a Chelsea fan, especially for the ones that suffered through the dross of the late 70s to mid 90's era.

Who knows what will happen in the future.

[sendorange]

True, true, can't see Chelsea doing a Blackburn either. Putting Kenyon as chief executive was a great move, that's a sign that even if the club is a plaything and a refuge, at least it's going to be a relatively well run one.

Bates is a muppet, it's his fault Wembley is ridiculously overpriced. I was so glad to see his programme notes taken away for him and for him to be shunted off into the background. He doesn't deserve to ride off into the sunset.

[miko]

Originally posted by geordienation
Thanks for your patronizing, if brutally obvious, analysis.

The difference being that neither Toon nor Liverpool's fortunes are tied to one person's purse strings. If your Russian owner were to die in a fire, so would your title hopes. Then lets hope he doesn't die in a fire. Whether you like it or not, Chelsea have title hopes (or so they did, maybe not after today's loss), and if its because of Abramovich so be it.

Oh, and your welcome for my analysis.

[the_baron]

I still think Liverpool will get 4th place. Newcastle aren't consistent enough.

[Paddster]

I would like somebody apart from Newcastle or Liverpool to come 4th. I would like to see Fulham, but I doubt it.

[Coach_McGuirk]

Originally posted by rawdog
I think that Liverpool and Newcastle need to spend muuch more than they do if they are ever going to be competitive with the likes of Man U, Arsenal and Chelsea. It does not make sense that they are competing for fourth place to get in the Champions League and they are not able to beat any of the top clubs in Europe, particularly at home. These clubs are doing every thing on the cheap, with their purchasing of these second rate stars, that's why they are getting second rate results.

Real quick, and check me if I'm wrong, but of those 5 clubs, Arsenal and Newcastle have spent the least, and Arsenal will continue to "go cheap" until Ashburton Grove gets done (if it ever does).

Spending money is great, but as someone else pointed out, you have to spend it wisely.

[rawdog]

Originally posted by michaec
I can't believe this rubbish is coming from an Arsenal fan. It's not all about spending money, it's about building a team. Look at Arsene Wenger you moron. He doesn't spend £20m a year, but we've got a top team. And I thought Ranieri did a top job getting Chelsea into fourth last season with bugger all cash. You are an ass h#le. Arsenal have already built a team that has won championships. All they need to do is tinker and maintain the high standard that they have attained. Has Liverpool won the Epl in recent time ? Has Newcastle? NO DUMB ASS! Not because Arsenal did not spend large sums of $$$ the last two seasons means LP and toons can do that. They must spend more to bridge the gap between the big 3. Even if Lp or Toon come fourth, they will be destroyed by the elite teams in the champions league, you bit*h.