*Official* English Football Season 2007-08

[Tom Halsey]

I find it laughable that just because a veteran is off for the section of a long gruelling campaign he's no longer considered excellent. I think he's till good but probably can't play as many games as he used to which was the reason for his poor performances IMO. After next season I think he should go to a midtable team where he'll have to contend with less than 45 games or so a season. Not that he's not excellent but he can't handle the amount of games a top four team plays per season.

If he was 25, I'd agree, but he's 38. And denying that someone who is 38 is past their peak is a bit blinkered IMO.

 

[roseboy64]

Holland.

Chelsea undeniably have excellent cover defensively this season, I agree to an extent that the strength of their squad last season was overrated, however the summer signings should sort that out.

I do think Chelsea are favourites only marginally however, as the area of biggest concern for me with our squad has also been sorted, as me and Sledge were debating earlier on in this thread.

I wouldn't class it as excellent but close to that. Still can't see them as favourites especially with Man Utd signing Tevez( hopefully a loan). Also Man Utd have shored up their weaknesses while Chelsea still have questions in their attacking line as it concerns Shevchenko, Kalou and how Pizarro will fare. He'll do a good job of adapting but I have a question mark over his quality. He should do better than Sheva and Kalou did last time out but that's not particularly hard to do.

 

[roseboy64]

If he was 25, I'd agree, but he's 38. And denying that someone who is 38 is past their peak is a bit blinkered IMO.

He's obviously not good as he once was but he would still be good for any of the top teams in Europe. Just don't think he can play the amount of games demanded from a European elite team number 1.

 

[Tom Halsey]

He's obviously not good as he once was but he would still be good for any of the top teams in Europe. Just don't think he can play the amount of games demanded from a European elite team number 1.

On current form he isn't, and at 38 he seems unlikely to regain form. The sooner we face up to his age, and give a young 'keeper with potential such as Foster a chance, the better IMO.

 

[Tom Halsey]

I wouldn't class it as excellent but close to that. Still can't see them as favourites especially with Man Utd signing Tevez( hopefully a loan). Also Man Utd have shored up their weaknesses while Chelsea still have questions in their attacking line as it concerns Shevchenko, Kalou and how Pizarro will fare. He'll do a good job of adapting but I have a question mark over his quality. He should do better than Sheva and Kalou did last time out but that's not particularly hard to do.

Tevez is a trifle unneeded IMO.

Chelsea have resources to fix any of their problems, and they only really need to score a goal a game to win most of them tbh, what with their defence. Chelsea may have slight problems, but so do United, because while we have signed Hargreaves, we still don't have an out-and-out goalscorer, which we need.

 

[roseboy64]

On current form he isn't, and at 38 he seems unlikely to regain form. The sooner we face up to his age, and give a young 'keeper with potential such as Foster a chance, the better IMO.

Foster's not ready yet and I feel a season of being his understudy would help.

 

[Matteh]

I wouldn't class it as excellent but close to that. Still can't see them as favourites especially with Man Utd signing Tevez( hopefully a loan). Also Man Utd have shored up their weaknesses while Chelsea still have questions in their attacking line as it concerns Shevchenko, Kalou and how Pizarro will fare. He'll do a good job of adapting but I have a question mark over his quality. He should do better than Sheva and Kalou did last time out but that's not particularly hard to do.

Well with Drogba in the team and the amount of goals th Chelsea midfield scores i don't think they'll have trouble getting goals.

 

[Matteh]

Bit overpriced I would think.

I laughed at the Chopra fee. Basically completely useless in the Prem when he was with Newcastle, had a good season with Cardiff last season and all of a sudden he's a 5m player, pffft.

 

[Matteh]

I find it laughable that just because a veteran is off for the section of a long gruelling campaign he's no longer considered excellent. I think he's till good but probably can't play as many games as he used to which was the reason for his poor performances IMO. After next season I think he should go to a midtable team where he'll have to contend with less than 45 games or so a season. Not that he's not excellent but he can't handle the amount of games a top four team plays per season.

So therefore he's not excellent, and because he's not playing that much (relatively) anymore he's almost a liability.

 

[roseboy64]

Tevez is a trifle unneeded IMO.

Chelsea have resources to fix any of their problems, and they only really need to score a goal a game to win most of them tbh, what with their defence. Chelsea may have slight problems, but so do United, because while we have signed Hargreaves, we still don't have an out-and-out goalscorer, which we need.

I agree with Tevez being unneeded which is why I hope it's a loan with the option to buy. Also, has last season showed an out and out scorer isn't necessary. In any case, I feel Rossi would be able to perform that role. The only thing that might affect that is his height but he's a brilliant finisher and I'd back him to overcome those obstacles. Besides Italy isn't an easy place to play and based on his form and records he could have been challenging for top scorer if he'd spent a full season.

 

[roseboy64]

Well with Drogba in the team and the amount of goals th Chelsea midfield scores i don't think they'll have trouble getting goals.

What if Drogba goes down then? Utd still have people capable of putting in the goals if one/both of Rooney and Ronaldo got injured.

 

[roseboy64]

So therefore he's not excellent, and because he's not playing that much (relatively) anymore he's almost a liability.

Not really, the question I have about him is his ability to last the season for an European elite. His actual ability I have no doubts of.

 

[roseboy64]

I laughed at the Chopra fee. Basically completely useless in the Prem when he was with Newcastle, had a good season with Cardiff last season and all of a sudden he's a 5m player, pffft.

Agreed there. Quite a big gamble by Keane and it looks like a waste of money. 1m at most and 4mil for Nugent based on potential.

 

[Matteh]

What if Drogba goes down then? Utd still have people capable of putting in the goals if one/both of Rooney and Ronaldo got injured.

Solskjaer, Saha and Smith? Are you seriously saying that they're better than an off form Shevchenko, Kalou and Pizzaro?

 

[roseboy64]

Solskjaer, Saha, Smith, Rossi and Tevez I'd back over those three. A 3 on 3 match up of Tevez, Saha and Smith is definitely better. Ole can still bang the goals in as well.

 

[Matteh]

Solskjaer, Saha, Smith, Rossi and Tevez I'd back over those three. A 3 on 3 match up of Tevez, Saha and Smith is definitely better. Ole can still bang the goals in as well.

Tevez, was pretty average at first. Only thing he has going for him is reputation and the fact that he finally clicked at the end of last season. Based on that, looks like he takes a bit to settle in.
Saha, injury worry naturally, can score a fair few when he's on form granted, but he's exactly the upper echelon.
Smith, never ever has really belted them in. At one point well into his career he had more yellow cards than cards in fact.
Rossi, sure he demolished Burton Albion, but he's still unproven at Premiership level.
Solskjaer, it's safe to say he's past his peak and is only going to get worse.

Tevez, yeah fair enough, but you don't really want him there. Saha when he's actually able to walk is alright. But the third striker position is frankly average.

 

[roseboy64]

Not really fussed if Smith scores a boatload or not really. Solskjaer past his prime for sure but if stays fit he'll score a bit. He's still got an eye for goal as evidenced by a good goal tally last season and especially so when considering how many games he played. Rossi is uproven in the Premiership for sure but he looks to be able to make the step up.

 

[Tom Halsey]

Tevez, yeah fair enough, but you don't really want him there. Saha when he's actually able to walk is alright. But the third striker position is frankly average.

Tbf I don't like Chelsea's back-up either.

 

[Fiery]

Except he isn't in NZ?

True. Highest paid NZ sportsman I obviously should have said

 

[BoyBrumby]

Ryan Nelsen has just signed a new deal with Blackburn which officially makes him the highest paid sportsman in NZ.
I don't get to see much of the Premiership these days. I would like to hear some British or overseas opinions. How good is he?

He's very steady, but wouldn't get a run at one of the bigger clubs for mine. Decent touch & good in the air but seriously lacks pace and can get exposed by this on occasions.

Can't believe he earns more than the ABs sqaud put together tho; that's seriously messed up.