In comparison to the competition?

[Montasura]

So we have lots of threads about our squad now after the window and weather we are stronger or weaker.

Setting that aside, I think its also important to look at how our closest rivals have done in the transfer window.

In comparison to Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, and even United I think we have strengthened slightly, and I hope that this puts us in a stronger position for that coveted 4th spot.

Personally I think United will not do as well this season, and the top two will be City and Chelsea. I see the next couple of spots contested by United, Arsenal, us, and strangely Everton.

Whilst weaker, I think United still have the Fergie factor, experience, and that grit and determination on their side. RVP is undoubtedly a great player, but his injury record will forever haunt him. And how does his arrival affect the fat one? Certainly Rooney didn't look too happy to be sat on the bench last week, but the injury takes care of that question for a few weeks. And Kigawa looks useful, but he is one new midfielder in a midfield that was in decline IMO.

Arsenal are very much an unknown quantity at the moment. They have a new forward line which could turn out to be crap or brilliant. Cazorla looks very good already and many on here said early in the window that they would love us to buy Giroud. Time will tell with the Arse.

Liverpool have definitely got a good player in Sahin, but have only two forwards, one of whom is new although well thought of by all accounts. Personally I think they look poor in midfield and defence and Lucas is back out until Christmas, but I won't rule out an improvement in the way they play as I do think they have a bloody good manager in Brendan Rodgers.

Newcastle will still be a threat with players like Cisse and Ba, but I think they punched above their weight last season and might just get found out this season.

Everton worry me. They traditionally start really poorly and can still manage respectable places in the table at the end. So far they have started brilliantly. They have Pienaar back, and Fellaini has been brilliant so far. Thay have brought in a couple of new faces, not well known to me, but Moyes is no fool. Definitely a team to watch.

City will be City, and Chelsea's only weak link for me is Di Matteo. Yes, they got thumped last night, but they have a hell of a midfield and Torres is firing again. I suppose if Torres gets injured then they could have a problem, and he certainly has that history of injuries. But they do look strong.

So by comparison I think we have done quite well and suspect that both Arsenal and Liverpool will look upon our transfer window with some jealousy. I know many United fans are gutted that they didn't get Dembele. but we also have question marks, new players, new manager, new system it seems. Time will tell and I'm not prepared to stick my neck on the line and predict where we will finish, but I'm optimistic

These are only my opinions of our rivals summer activity, but I'd love to hear your opinions...

 

[StartingPrice]

I am not convinced by the Goons at all. When linked with us, I was neither convinced by Podolski nor Giroud. I wasn't alone. Podolski is a home-boy who isn't prolific. Giroud stinks of Chamakh. They have lost RVP and replaced him with two strikers I think will struggle for goals. The goals of RVP were the only things preventing them from dropping out of the top 4, and even then they were incredibly lucky to finish above us. I note that we are two games in and have zilch goals. The have lost song and repalced him with <SCRATCH> - and they have always looked one Song-like player away from being easily bullied in; they have sold <SCRATCH> and replaced with Carzola - a player who indeed looks accomplished but also looks like a player who was bought to try to show RVP their ambition to persuade him to stay - and it didn't work. Add to that that he is pretty close to 29 and therefore approaching the age where Mr Whinger notoriously doesn't offer any more than one year contract extensions. He was suddenly available because his club are in a financial mess. Everything about this deal speaks a combination of opportunism and desperation. And he looks as much a goal-threat as ourt very own Luka did. We there have stayed the same is where IMHO they were most in need of change, and that is their defence. Like their errant strikers, I note the Goons are two games in and have failed to score. They may surprise me (you never know who the Whinger could suddenly introduce from the reserves), but, based on their transfer business, I think they are weaker.

As far as Liverpool are concerned, I would expect a little improvement in midfield, but not any stronger in attack, and probably weaker (how the fook can a team get rid of Andy Carroll and not be stronger in attack? ). I'm not convinced by their full-backs. In general, I think Rodgers is a good manager, but also think he made a lousy choice of job as he is looking at a 3 year job just to make them genuine challengers for the CL on a regular basis, and far longer (without a massive cash input) to even approach a title challenge, but I think the Sousers will be expecting a CL finish this season and a title charge next.

Chelsea, I think, have bought some exciting young players, all for the same positions, lost Essien (which, I believe, they will regret), and run the risk of having the type of young, exciting players with a lot of expectation on them who are fine when things are going well, not so fine when results dip and there is a bit of flak. Also, they have lost their talismanic striker, and not really replaced him. And I really don't rate RDM that much. They have started very strongly, so I could end up with egg on my face on this one, but I think they will be a bit hit-and-miss this season.