Gribz

Good stuff...Im having a good start to the season with the bets.

Don't want to tempt fate but I backed Brighton half time full time today. If they come back and win 3-2 I will blame you.

Seaman surely??

Wilshire - yes if he proves he can string 10 games together. I Like Ox-Chamberlain, he seems to be a very level headed young man and is an attacking midfielder who can play all over the pitch so would get into my team. Don't understand how Wenger cant just get these over the line. Draxler has even stated he wants to join....you don't turn that player down.

I would take Lescott all day long. He is exactly what we need now. Davie Weir was a mentor when on the field, he got the best out of 3 or 4 other centre halfs playing next to them. He needs to do the same as an assistant manager. Doesn't always seem to work out though, Big Eck was a top centre half but didn't always improve defenders.

Agreed, over rated, decent keeper but not Champions league material. Forster should have been no.1 at the euros. I said that prior to the tournament. Hart fumbled twice in 2 games. Everton will sign him, and they have needed a keeper for years.

The other thing is I don't think Wenger knows his best formation never mind line up. Is it a 4-1-4-1 or a 4-2-3-1. Plus he has no natural winger. If he got the cheque book out he'd have Mustafi, Draxler and Lacazatte. If he added them then they would be champions. This side on paper is awesome and its 3 players away - all who are pretty much linked anyway. _______________________________Cech___________________________ Bellerin___________Koscielny__________Mustafi___________Monreal _______________________________Xhaka_____________________________ Sanchez__________Cazorla_____________Ox-Chamberlain_____Draxler ___________________________Lacazatte______________________________

I'll give you koscielny, he would be an improvement as Chambers has never made it at this level. I would have probably played Debuchy ahead of him, or Monreal at CH with Gibbs at LB. But I still cant see Ozil making a difference in that single game, he doesn't show up in the big matches. For me mate he is extremely disappointing. Agree with your assessment on some of the players. Cech - probably the best keeper ever in the EPL?? Bellerin - All the talent a RB needs. Monreal - The most improved player in the league. As Scott says - a Ray Parlour would walk into that team right now, as would big Martin Keown.

Last seasons kit was for sale here the other day for $35...(18 quid). No idea how the funds go there. I hope the Ashley situation gets resolved, I really need to buy this seasons kit, its vintage from late 80s. Just needs to be a bit bigger.

Whats the status with his fitness? Have to say whilst Rossiter is probably the best potential we have signed, Windass could be the dark horse and Im looking forward to seeing him. He will be an impact player who has a burst of class about him.

Senderos, jury is out with him. Had a few good games in England but also some bomb scare moments. He 'should' cruise our league though. Never heard of the Preston lad but Warburton knows this leagues inside out and there is some good talent there.

I have to say they wouldn't have Craig. Arsenal should never be in that situation anyway but as I said the team and club is stale. Something isn't right. Ozil looks like he doesn't want to be there and I cant see how he would have made a difference. Giroud isn't a top class striker. I don't like Mourinho but he is beginning to get it right about Wenger. They cant even sign this defender Mustafi, its getting embarrassing what they do in the transfer market.

They are not influential anymore though. Do you think Ozil would have made a difference? He is a cardboard cut out. You know I like the Arsenal and Wenger but it has gone stale there. As for 'fear' I mean their top 4 status. Aside - Just watched Chelsea v West Ham...bastards, I had 1-1 bet on . But I like the look of Conte, he is finally a Chelsea manager in his own right they are going to be entertaining this season.

Paulista was harsh but typical Arsenal. I don't know what he saw in Chambers, he hasn't done anything since that 16m move. But he is fluffing about with signing that Valencia centre half. I Understand Xhaka and Sanchez are different positions but the point being why rest the fit one but play the unfit one. Wenger has went in totally unprepared this season. I really fear for them this season, on paper they should be going for the title but they are a million miles away right now and wont finish top 4. I don't think Liverpool are anything great but they have a proper manager who gives the players a feel good factor, that will give them another 10 points a season. I questioned the Mane fee but he looks a player and a half. Arsenal have to go to Leicester and win next week or they will probably be 6 points behind Man Utd already.

A troubled 17 year old teenager more like

Its almost true, I admit I hadn't heard of the internet in 1996 and it was all about land lines for communication then. Those were the days....Comparing it to the robotic world of today is a world of difference - probably a discussion in its own right.

Yeah but Wenger knew the date of the first game and should have made the signings. They have been screaming for a centre half for 2 years. Plus he left Xhaka on the bench but played Sanchez who is clearly not fit. He just gets things wrong too often now Craig and its going to take its toll this season.

He was going to be top notch had he not got injured. Remember him being Chile's second striker to Zamaramo. I was sitting in Broomloan front when he caught his studs in the grass, you could tell straight away it was a bad one, so unlucky.

Same old Arsenal. Not sure why I tipped them for top 4, going by that performance top 8 will be a struggle for them.

Really don't see Lennon lasting the season. He may even have packed up by Christmas. Hearts out 2 cups also, last year they punched above their weight and for me it just proved there isn't much between 8 or 9 top flight clubs and the likes of Falkirk, Raith, QotS etc hence why a 18-20 team top flight makes more sense.

This has to be the most wide open start to a season that I can recall. Id say there is 6 realistic title contenders. For me its Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd and Spurs. Although I do think the top 2 will be the Manchester clubs. Arsenal - Top 4 experts but once again haven't signed in the right places. Its a myth that Wenger doesn't spend, he does (Sanchez 37m Ozil 42m, Welbeck 16m, Chambers 16m, Debuchy 8m, Xhaka 31m, etc), he just doesn't spend it in the right areas. He got the keeper position sorted last summer but they have been crying out for a world class centre half for years. They have got rid of players who were finished - Rosicky, Flamini and Arteta - and the midfield if injury free looks scary - Wilshire (if fit), Xhaka, Coquelin, Elneny, Ramsay, Cazorla, Ozil, Ox-Chamberlain. But 3rd for me due to injuries and they are 2 players short of being champions. Chelsea - This is the first Chelsea appointment since Ranieri where they look exciting. Pre-Mourinho 2004-05 they were the entertaining side to watch. All the other managers came and went but it was still Mourinho's type of team. I have no idea what to expect from this Chelsea, I can see them having 4-2 and 3-3 games this season. I like the look of Conte and he will adopt a typical strong Italian defence but attacking going forward and they have some terrific pacey players. I think 4th for them. Liverpool - Surprised how much they have spent yet none of the players brought in are world class. Klopp is a top manager who puts together good units and gets an extra 10% out of players but they are short of top players to be title contenders. Its Klopps first full season so expectations should be top 4 but I think 5th. Man City - Looking forward to seeing how Pep sets out the team. His attacking players are top notch but transforming the defence to his passing style may mean they have plenty mistakes in them. The battle between Pep v Jose is intriguing. Its a bit of a rebuilding job with Toure aging and Kompany always injured, but the quality they have should still see them top 2. I'll say 2nd. Man Utd - Fast returning to the mid to late 90s of the team everyone loves to hate - that's down to Jose. What he has done with Schweinsteiger and Mata is typical Jose and is the difference between Jose and Sir Alex. The latter would never have done things publically. The signings have been what they have needed for years and they have a proper shape about them again. Bailly looks a top centre half and Pogba completes their midfield. They have plenty options in midfield, on the wings and upfront. Jose knows how to win games even when playing poorly. I hope they are outside the top 4 but I can see them being Champions. Spurs - Kept all their players and added a few. Having Champions league games may take a bit out of them. Last year they made 11 changes for the Europa so they could have a title run but in the CL they will play their strongest sides. It will be good to see how they react from almost champions to slipping to 3rd. Its all about how you go again and they will either be the same again or drop down to around 6th. The group of second level teams has never been stronger also. Champions Leicester will be in this group IMO. They have only lost Kante so far but added a few good players but I cant see them doing the same again especially with CL football. But what a season it will be for them again with CL. I see an improved Everton, West Ham and Stoke in this section. Southampton could be in this tier but I think they will go a bit backwards after losing Koeman, yet I thought the Dutchman was wrong to leave St Marys for Goodison as he was building something good there and was a possible replacement for Wenger in 12 months time or a possible next Barcelona manager. Everton are ambitious but its a bit of a side step IMO. Sunderland and Moyes looks a good match and I think Middlesboro will be ok along with Palace, Swansea and West Brom. There isn't much between these teams. I think Hull are already down, they only have about 10 fit players and no manager. I think Watford were crazy to change their manager which could cost them and then its one from Bournemouth or Burnley to drop down. Im predicting. Man Utd Man City Arsenal Chelsea Liverpool Tottenham Everton Leicester West ham Stoke Swansea Southampton Crystal Palace Sunderland West Brom Middlesboro Bournemouth Burnley Watford Hull

Watched the first half and we totally dominated the game bar a 3-5 minute Hamilton spell where they got the goal which was well taken. I thought we opted to go down the flanks too much and need some more creativity in the centre of the final 3rd, that's where I think Windass will be important. But McKay continues to impress and Tav is Arsenal-Esk at flying down the wing. Thought Kranjcar was well of the pace. Waghorn should have been where Miller was from the start. It was one too many 35+ year old in the starting line up. Id feel much more comfortable if we do some good business at centre half though, thinking about trickier away games - Id be a bit nervous with any 2 of our current 3. Hill may get up to speed with a few games but for 40+ games further improvements are needed.

Thanks Pete. I think its not a case of accepting 2nd, I think its more seeing the progress. Seeing a competitive team fighting for the league would be an achievement. I do think we can win the league but there would be no shame in being runners up all things considered.

Top 2 for me is acceptable in this return to the top flight. That's realistic. I certainly don't think Aberdeen and Hearts are better than us. Celtic do have a higher budget and know how to win against the rest which they have done for a few years now. Head to Head we proved at Hampden in April we can match them. Our challenge is beating the rest of the league on a weekly basis now and not in a one off cup match - I think with the players we have we will certainly be top 2. I like the look of Windass and Rossiter while Barrie McKay is reborn with the talent we knew he had. If Barton can produce 75% of what he did last season he will control every game. I actually think not having Europa League is to our advantage, its a season too early on the football side whilst it would have been a financial welcome. But with hindsight, not getting promotion under McCall at Motherwell a year ago was better as it gave Warburton a year of settling without the pressure of top flight, I think playing Thursday / Sunday would hamper our challenge this season. For me 2nd and challenging would be good stead similar to when Walter came back and replaced PLG - it was a statement that season and then we won 3 in a row....however 1st and winners is not beyond us at all.

Results certainly went their way at the weekend but I just get the feeling they will still go. But its super close down their now.