dholliday
deconstructed rep
I think most of us can agree that the top 3 are sorted. But the race for 4th is on! So who do you think will bag it? If you were a dead-eyed betting man, who would your money be on?
Spurs: they've got a new manager but not that much has changed from Harry's team: they still play riproaring instinctive football, prone to inconsistency. They've had a taste of Champions League, and so has their manager - their will to make it should be immense. In Bale they have that one potentially world-class player who could make it happen. But in Modric they lost one. I wouldn't put my money on them.
Arsenal: everytime we think they're finished, along comes a 7-3 hammering to remind us that Arsenal are still a force. They've had a lot of Champion League experience and will be burning to make it again. In terms of who's got the best overall squad out of the challengers, Arsenal might just have props on this. For that reason, my cold-hearted dead-eyed money would be on the Arse.
Everton: it sounds like a cliche, but on our day we know we can beat anyone. The three things we lack are a killer instinct in front of goal, an iron focus in defence and more quality outside of our first 11. But that first 11 we do have is arguably the strongest team out of the challengers (on our day). We're (in)famous for our brilliant second-halfs to the season, so let's hope we can repeat the trend, because if we do we will certainly finish 4th. A clever January signing (loan or otherwise) will be wise...
West Brom: could they really? The last time such an unfashionable club made top 4 was relatively a long time ago: Burley's Ipswich in the mid-90's. We're probably due another one. WBA have proven their mettle on the pitch, but the big challenge is not just maintaining their form, but upping a gear to secure that 4th place. To be fair, it's highly unlikely. Their players lack the big-game experience and, arguably, raw talent to make it that far. But the organisation and tactics they bring to the table might secure them top 6.
Liverpool: i hate to say it, but they do have an outside chance. That chance has a name: Suarez. Liverpool continue their longstanding tradition of signing utter cocks for their team, but this time the cock is genuinely world-class. He's that good he could push a revival and late spurt to 4th place. On top of that (and as much as we'd hate to admit it), they do have their European pedigree, and this can help the will of the players kick on. It's a huge ask, tho...for me Liverpool remain the outsiders of the challengers. A one-man team can only take you so far (unless you're Maradona, and that Suarez is definitely not).
Spurs: they've got a new manager but not that much has changed from Harry's team: they still play riproaring instinctive football, prone to inconsistency. They've had a taste of Champions League, and so has their manager - their will to make it should be immense. In Bale they have that one potentially world-class player who could make it happen. But in Modric they lost one. I wouldn't put my money on them.
Arsenal: everytime we think they're finished, along comes a 7-3 hammering to remind us that Arsenal are still a force. They've had a lot of Champion League experience and will be burning to make it again. In terms of who's got the best overall squad out of the challengers, Arsenal might just have props on this. For that reason, my cold-hearted dead-eyed money would be on the Arse.
Everton: it sounds like a cliche, but on our day we know we can beat anyone. The three things we lack are a killer instinct in front of goal, an iron focus in defence and more quality outside of our first 11. But that first 11 we do have is arguably the strongest team out of the challengers (on our day). We're (in)famous for our brilliant second-halfs to the season, so let's hope we can repeat the trend, because if we do we will certainly finish 4th. A clever January signing (loan or otherwise) will be wise...
West Brom: could they really? The last time such an unfashionable club made top 4 was relatively a long time ago: Burley's Ipswich in the mid-90's. We're probably due another one. WBA have proven their mettle on the pitch, but the big challenge is not just maintaining their form, but upping a gear to secure that 4th place. To be fair, it's highly unlikely. Their players lack the big-game experience and, arguably, raw talent to make it that far. But the organisation and tactics they bring to the table might secure them top 6.
Liverpool: i hate to say it, but they do have an outside chance. That chance has a name: Suarez. Liverpool continue their longstanding tradition of signing utter cocks for their team, but this time the cock is genuinely world-class. He's that good he could push a revival and late spurt to 4th place. On top of that (and as much as we'd hate to admit it), they do have their European pedigree, and this can help the will of the players kick on. It's a huge ask, tho...for me Liverpool remain the outsiders of the challengers. A one-man team can only take you so far (unless you're Maradona, and that Suarez is definitely not).
