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Trophyless Season Ahead for English Giants
Trophyless Season Ahead for English Giants | Before Sunday’s game between Liverpool and Manchester United, Liverpool were supposedly in crisis. While their manager Rafa Benitez has got some relief from the enormous pressure on him, the questions regarding the team’s dependence on Gerrard and Torres will come up again in the future. Liverpool fully deserved their victory and this does not reflect well on the quality of the United team.
One thing that is for certain is that it will be a miracle if United or Liverpool win the Premier League this season. If Chelsea don’t self destruct like they did last season then they are certainties to win the league. Any of the opposition are simply not good enough. Arsenal showed in their game against West Ham a clear lack of experience and threw away three points that should have been in the bag. They are poor in defense, and apart from the games against the Manchester teams have had a very easy run of fixtures this season so far.
Liverpool lack strength in depth and the usual frailties will be their downfall. Manchester United’s total ineptness up front meant that Sunday the lack of pace in the Liverpool defense was never highlighted. Unless Alberto Aquilani proves to be a brilliant signing, then the Liverpool midfield will still miss Xabi Alonso, and this will lead to problems against weaker teams who come with a very defensive approach. Liverpool showed their strengths in Sunday’s victory, the persistent fouling took away United’s offensive threat, Mascherano and Lucas soaked up any United pressure, and Torres showed why he is the best striker in the world.
United, on the other hand, were abysmal. Defensively United were poor, although Nemanja Vidic’s sending off was harsh considering how late in the game Liverpool’s midfield were punished for the persistent fouling on United players. United’s midfield was once again destroyed. Michael Carrick once again showed he is a nothing player who contributes nothing in big games for United unless Fletcher or Hargreaves is there to compensate for his inadequacies.
This was also a game that should have seen Anderson play – he would have provided some ball winning ability and good energy levels in the game. Wayne Rooney did not have one of his better days, but he did not get the service from midfield to allow him to show his ability. Dimitar Berbatov was once again terrible and £34 million now looks like a big mistake on this player. The shocking performance of Berbatov was summed up by a pass in the second half which had no United player within 30 yards of where it went.
Michael Owen at least made an impact when he came on, creating a chance for Valencia and then being fouled by Carragher who was the last man. Surely it is time to give Owen some starts alongside Rooney if Berbatov can only contribute the odd fancy flick in a game. Owen Hargreaves can only come back soon enough for United and put some steel in the United midfield while Darren Fletcher was also missed for Sunday’s game.
Finally, Liverpool showed how bad United are on Sunday. This current batch of Red Devils is a shadow of the teams that won three Premier Leagues and a Champions League. United and Liverpool are simply two teams not good enough to win the title this season.
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I agree that Liverpool and Manchester United will find it difficult to win the Premier League Trophy. So we are left with Chelsea and Arsenal. Chelsea has lot two of their away matches and Arsenal has lost two matches as well but against Manchester City & United.
I am sure Aston Villa and Manchester City will try to make their position into top 4 this season. Let’s see if Manchester City can manage with the bunch of good players …
I’m not a Chelsea fan, i’m a Man Utd supporter and i feel it is right to criticise my team for their poor displays, Ronaldo has not been replaced and the hunger of the past 3 seasons is no longer there. The midfield is weak and the team relies too much on Wayne Rooney.
So Chelsea look a certain to win, hmmmmm??? Better get good at defending corners I’d say!
See you at the Brigde the weekend after next!
so the author is a chelsea – yawn yawn