Football Focus

[Otta]

Which is likely to be Balotelli's debut...

Don't really know what to expect from Liverpool yet. Tonight will obviously be an early indicator as to where we are in terms of the big boys.

[red devil]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> Anyway, the real test is when Spurs play

> a halfway decent team.

I don't think that's holds true anymore. The PL is far more competitive than it used to be. If a team is going for the Championship then I agree they have to beat, or at least not lose to the other challengers, but as Chelsea found out last season, it's just as important to not drop points against the so called lesser teams...

[Alan Medic]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/11054725/Are-big-matches-really-that-important-in-deciding-who-wins-the-Premier-League-title.html

On that subject it seems the team who does better against the top teams wins the league. Chelsea were an exception.

http://www.soccerstats.com/homeaway.asp?league=england_2014

United did well away from home last season if you look at the stats. So apart from an awful home record their season might have ended quite differently.

[Otta]

Lots of people including Liverpool fans writing them and Rogers off after tonight.

For me we played pretty well and made some big errors. Certainly not a disaster in my book given how good City were.

[Otta]

Although Lambert could've made it an exciting stoppage time if he'd just had a bloody shot!!!

[Jah Lush]

Didn't see it but it's early days and you've got nine new players to bed in. That's two more than Spurs last season. So by my reckoning seeing as we finished sixth back then Liverpool will finish eighth.

[Jah Lush]

So Man Utd pay ?60 million for Angel Di Maria (overpriced in my opinion) and takes their spending this season to ?132 million and they are still three or four players short of a decent squad. It's going to be a long and very expensive rebuild at Old Trafford.

[Otta]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> Didn't see it but it's early days and you've got

> nine new players to bed in. That's two more than

> Spurs last season. So by my reckoning seeing as we

> finished sixth back then Liverpool will finish

> eighth.

What I like is that he's not throwing them all straight in. Last night's starting line up didn't look too unfamiliar. We were arguably the better side for the first half but made a couple of big errors which get punished by teams as good as City

And I have no bloody idea how Ague was allowed to score with his first touch about 25 seconds after coming on. Thought I was watching a replay or something.

[Parkdrive]

From what I've seen of the 2 supposed main contenders for the title, the chavs and City, I'd say City look far superior. CSKA Fulham weren't convincing in their two gams against newly promoted sides, and while you could argue that City didn't overpower Newcastle and Liverpool, what they did do was take their chances with ruthless efficiency. For me, that is what will win the title.

[Otta]

Parkdrive Wrote:

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> and while you could argue that

> City didn't overpower Newcastle and Liverpool,

> what they did do was take their chances with

> ruthless efficiency. For me, that is what will win

> the title.

Agreed

[Otta]

Lampard has confirmed retirement from international football. Saw this comment on the BBC site which really made me laugh. If he really said that, I like him a bit more.

"Good effort Frank! met him the other day shortly after he arrived at City and says he's settled in well, adding: "I recognise many of the fans from when they supported Chelsea"

[Parkdrive]

Otta Wrote:

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> Lampard has confirmed retirement from

> international football. Saw this comment on the

> BBC site which really made me laugh. If he really

> said that, I like him a bit more.

>

> "Good effort Frank! met him the other day shortly

> after he arrived at City and says he's settled in

> well, adding: "I recognise many of the fans from

> when they supported Chelsea"

And most likely Yanited before that, and Liverpool in the 70's and 80's.

[El Pibe]

not to mention a brief patch supporting Newcastle!! Where are all those shirts these days I wonder, unloved at the back of a cupboard?

[Parkdrive]

El Pibe Wrote:

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> not to mention a brief patch supporting

> Newcastle!! Where are all those shirts these days

> I wonder, unloved at the back of a cupboard?

Funny thing you mentioning old shirts, do you ever see anyone wearing a Chav shirt that pre dates 2003? Nah, me neither.

[Alan Medic]

Out of the blue I know, but I feel really sorry for Sevilla. They always seem to get a decent team and then have to sell their best players. If they want fair play in Spain they should divide the TV money like they do here. It's virtually a two team league each season, apart from the last one.

[Bluerevolution]

Otta you are going to get a slap ! We still had gates of over 30,000 in league 2 !

http://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attnclub/manc.htm

[Otta]

Settle down BR, everyone knows what great support City had when things weren't so great, but equally anyone that thinks success doesn't bring glory hunters is just plain deluded.

But Lampard (if he really said that) was clearly joking anyway.

[red devil]

Nice one Blue, that shows perfectly how consistently poor your attendances were despite what division you were in...thanks! :)

[Bluerevolution]

milton keynes dons lmfao !!!!!

[StraferJack]

Makes me very happy that RVP is a united player. Him having won the league with them will mean nothing compared to the current abyss which is his future career

[Otta]

Don't hold a grudge though ;-)

[StraferJack]

Against some people no. Sagna will be applauded by gooners if he wins the league. Fabregas was always welcome back (Chelsea might change that)

But the little boy? Nope

[Otta]

I can't stand him, was pulling your leg.

[SCSB79]

MM where art thou?

You doing the champions league hokey pokey?

In, out, in, out...

[Mick Mac]

I'm here and quite relaxed, this team needs to start on the learner slopes before the black runs. Europa league ok for me - but suspect we will lose rather than gain players.