11 Aug 2019 18:33:01
Kept pace with United and got a 3 point head start on Chelsea.
In the race for 4th a good days work in my opinion.


1.) 11 Aug 2019
11 Aug 2019 20:50:55
That was a bad result for Chelsea bet Luiz was laughing.


2.) 11 Aug 2019
11 Aug 2019 21:07:16
Yep they sure missed their apparent 4th choice centre back lol

That was a solid 3 points, away in the north east and in rubbish weather, with Pépé and Lacca not starting, I’ll take that especially as we normally lose our first games.


3.) 11 Aug 2019
11 Aug 2019 21:33:21
Don't like to read to much into it at such a early stage but I feel it between us and Utd for 4th. You can see Chelsea will struggle for a consistent goalscorer without Hazard and their defence looks shaky without Rudiger and Kante as the shield in front. It will be a difficult season I feel for Lampard but you have to give him leeway without being able to buy players.

Obviously our defence is also a little dodgy atm still without Bellerin and now Tierney as the 1st choice fullbacks but we have more overall expierence than the Chelsea back line with Sokratis and now Luiz.

On paper at least you would say Utd's back 4 and keeper are a stronger unit than ours but for me we have more creativity and guile going forward. A lot will rest on Pogba's form and attitude for them.

If Spurs happen to lose Erickson in the next week or so which is still a possibility then I think 3rd and 4th places will be a lot closer together. He would be a big lose for them as their main creator.


4.) 11 Aug 2019
11 Aug 2019 22:23:21
It would take a crazy offer to make Spurs let him go at this stage Ryan so I doubt that would happen mate.
Rashford is an excellent finisher but I think he might struggle over a season to consistently bail them out and I genuinely think Pogba will go too and they need a full firing Pogba to be a real force as without him they are pretty hit and miss at best.
Chelsea might surprise a few people as things settle down and Kante returns but I do think we are in a good position for 4th if Emery is sensible and is prepared to graft out wins by keeping it tight as well as blow teams away when the opportunity is there.
Our attitude towards how important it is to be defensively efficient will be key to our success or failure in my opinion and that will be tested next week v Burnley when displine will be needed and again the week after at Anfield when a huge team effort will be a must.


5.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 07:32:53
Chelsea have made a poor choice in Lampard and I believe it will be between us and Man U to replace them in the top 4.
In a window when Chelsea couldn't make any signings they have lost two experienced defenders in Luiz and Cahill, as well as selling Hazard and Morata.
Lampard will be gone by Xmas.

{Ed047's Note - I wouldn’t be inclined to big up United who could have been 2 nil down before the penalty followed by Chelsea having a defensive melt down.

Nor right off Chelsea who were missing Rudiger, Kante, Willian, Hudson-Odoi and Loftus-Cheek with Pulisic not up to speed yet.


6.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 09:27:37
To be fair it is only the first game and we looked far from impressive ourselves so I would not right any team off getting in top 4 it will be close this year I think wolves could be closer this year to maybe Everton if the team gel
Enough.


7.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 09:39:22
If United keep Pogba they might push for top 4 but if they lose him they would require niether us or Chelsea to improve on last year.
Podga wasn't at his best yesterday but still everything that was good about United going forward Pogba was involved in.
United need Pogba more than Spurs need Ericsson in my opinion but still have a huge battle to keep a determined Pogba and Zidane apart from each other over the next couple of weeks.


8.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 13:12:28
I agree Stephen I think either Everton or Wolves might gatecrash the 4th place race if ourselves Chelsea and United all falter again this time round
I'm always tipping Everton to join the 4th place race so was going to give them a fighting chance this time round by not tipping them :-) but you forced it out of me mate :-)