15 Jan 2023 20:35:31
It's been an interesting season so far. Who would have thought Arsenal would be so far ahead, or that Liverpool and Chelsea would be struggling so much?

Klopp is talking of a rebuild and Chelsea are buying players at a rate that suggests they are doing the same. Right now we have a gap from the top 4 and whilst it isn't huge, it does feel like we have the right top 4 based on current form. Are we seeing a shift in the usual power base?

However, we are only halfway through, so plenty can change. I really can't see Luverpool or Chelsea making up the points to get to top 4, Spurs maybe, but they are currently struggling.

Arsenal are setting a ridiculous pace which has been a surprise given their inconsistency last season. I doubt they can maintain this for the full year, if they did they would get over 95 points which I can't see happening.

So, all to play for, how good is it to be in the mix for a change. We are not the finished article yet but if we can see off Arsenal then who knows?

On a different subject, Everton fans haven't covered themselves in glory this week have they? Credibly threats to Directors, completely unacceptable. And that muppet at Spurs today needs prosecuting and banning, fan behaviour seems to be regressing lately.

1.) 16 Jan 2023
16 Jan 2023 08:51:39
Big game Sunday Tony

Back to the old days when we was fighting each other for the title

In my opinion it’s between the two of us for the title.

2.) 16 Jan 2023
16 Jan 2023 09:03:36
Wasn’t long ago our own “fans” went to Woodward’s house threatening him and his family AJH….

3.) 16 Jan 2023
16 Jan 2023 10:19:19
I know Eric, I really don't understand people sometimes.

4.) 16 Jan 2023
16 Jan 2023 10:25:40
People seriously can not be writing off Manchester City out of the title race ?. We haven't even reached the halfway stage of the season yet.

5.) 16 Jan 2023
16 Jan 2023 10:43:45
Malaga,

I know we beat them but City are still above us in the table and are still the best side in the league with a striker capable of scoring 50 this season, if we are in the race then city are definitely in it, write them off at your peril.

6.) 16 Jan 2023
16 Jan 2023 11:04:20
Man City will get themselves going and I think win the league let’s see how arsenal handle adversity because so far they’ve not looked like dropping points but they will! We currently look the third best team in the league so if we finish any higher that’d be fantastic but for me let’s get top four and progress in the cups hopefully a trophy in one and all bodes well for next season with a proper pre season!

7.) 16 Jan 2023
16 Jan 2023 12:03:44
Arsenal are yet to play city, we have played them twice. Best squad wins this season, and we are lacking cover for the key players who have made the difference.

8.) 16 Jan 2023
16 Jan 2023 12:14:43
I think we need City to be in this title race as well if there was to be any outside chance we could pip the league. Pressure from City and United will all add to any nerves for Arsenal but if it was just United, I think Arsenal would be feeling a lot more comfortable. We've played City twice now so as far as they are concerned we don't need to worry about the game v them being and important game now whereas Arsenal v City have to play twice in the league and once in the cup. So the build up to those league games will be tense, especially if City are still close.

9.) 16 Jan 2023
16 Jan 2023 12:19:09
AJH,

Chelsea struggling was a surprise but linked to the sanctions etc I guess. As for Liverpool, I think there were signs that they were in decline last year. They had a lot of players entering their 30's and a number their mid 30's. Hats off, that team Klopp put together was incredible they just got a bit too long in the tooth to play the style that Klopp likes to play. Losing Mane was massive he was their pressing trigger most of the time, for a team that presses from the front its a huge loss. I think teams have just figured out the weaknesses in the current squad, the legs have gone in midfield and in CB meaning their opposition can exploit gaps on the flanks (mainly the right) that wouldn't of been there before. Does Klopp have the hunger to rebuild the squad? Their midfield needs a big overhaul, van Dijk is going to need rotating a lot more. Then you have the issue of paying someone £400K a week and the pressure it brings not to mention the precident it sets to the team and potential signings financially.

10.) 16 Jan 2023
16 Jan 2023 23:13:44
I think City will win, their depth should see them through, however, hats off to Arsenal they have been fantastic thus far.

City have not looked as strong this year. I think teams feel they can get at thier defence. As for Haaland, he's scored a lot, yet I don't think City are really playing to his strengths now. There was a number of times against us when Haaland went to make his run into space behind the defence and set of, only for City to revert back to their fart arsing about trying to pull the defence open with intricate play. The thing is the striker has already seen and committed to the play that would split the defence.

If you play with a No 9 like Haaland you sacrifice a footballer for a goal scorer, so the tippy tippy fart arsing is not so effective as it is with the false 9 creating space and opening holes for the entire team.

Then we have the difference playing Haaland has on the Midfield. City used to dominate this area of the pitch. The false 9 and the inverted full backs ensured the numerical advantage. Cancelo has gone off the boil, Walker isn't suited to this role and nor is Ake. Zinchenko could play this role but he's gone to Arsenal.

Teams can compete in the middle of the park with City much better than in previous years.

I think they have traded a dominant system where the created but squandered chances for a system that creates less but if the chance falls to the right man he puts it away.

However teams have also realised they can compete now with City in the middle, at least better than last year.

Finally I think Alvarez is a spectre hanging over them. I haven't seen much of him but when I have, I have been really impressed. Incredible worker, leads the press and very unselfish player. I think he makes City much better, his display against Chelsea was phenomenal.

Haaland is the superstar, Alvarez is the better footballer, better team player and for me City look better with him than without. Funnily enough he reminds me a lot of Gabriel Jesus who I thought was City's most underrated player.

I understand why Pep went for Haaland, specifically there was games in the ECL over the last couple of years especially last year in the Semi where City squandered chances and lost. So they got the guy that would have converted them, but in doing so I think they may have sacrificed the very thing that created thise chances in the first place.

Haaland was bought to see City over the line, he might score a record number of goals personally this year but I think its a failure if City Don win the prizes they are chasing namely the EPL and specifically the ECL.