I got the notifications one after the other, it was completely lighthearted. No need for bad feelings at all.

Good, then there's no hard feeling all around. My original point was made in jest although you guys have gone in for a lot of players it seems. Maybe that's because we're going to sign no one.....ha.

Be surprised if Benzema goes to Arsenal. It's not like Real are flush with CFs and there aren't any available on the market, not in the calibre of what they would require anyway. United should know - they do need a striker, otherwise they are an injury away from relying on a youngster with little experience and a new-to-the-league converted winger.

Edited August 7, 201510 yr by Virosh

Be surprised if Benzema goes to Arsenal. It's not like Real are flush with CFs and there aren't any available on the market, not in the calibre of what they would require anyway. United should know - they do need a striker, otherwise they are an injury away from relying on a youngster with little experience and a new-to-the-league converted winger.

 

They do have Morata, who they can get almost instantly with the buy-back clause but it would make no sense. Benzema is established and is the finished article contrary to Morata and Perez loves him. Cannot see Arsenal signing Benzema with low wages without any competition.

 

Wise thing to do is observe Morata's progression from a far this season, if he has a killer season buy him back and if not look else where and stick with Benzema.

Madrid may play Ronaldo up top this season.

My first attempt at amateur football journalism - a season preview for Leicester City:

 

http://thisisfutbol.com/2015/08/blogs/leicester-citys-201516-premier-league-season-preview

My first attempt at amateur football journalism - a season preview for Leicester City:

 

http://thisisfutbol.com/2015/08/blogs/leicester-citys-201516-premier-league-season-preview

 

All I'll say is... please tell me who I should put in my fantasy team. (I thought Mahrez was a good option but looks like he's not a certain starter?)

 

Oh and excellent preview. 

Edited August 8, 201510 yr by footballoholic

All I'll say is... please tell me who I should put in my fantasy team. (I thought Mahrez was a good option but looks like he's not a certain starter?)

 

Oh and excellent preview. 

 

I didn't make the graphics - I submitted two potential XIs: the 3-4-1-2 (basically the same as they played at the end of last season) and a 4-4-2; Ranieri has said that he sees Mahrez as a wide man (on either flank, with Albrighton as the alternative on the right and Schlupp on the left) and he is one of Leicester's key attacking players, so I'd expect him to start most games.

 

(4-4-2)

Schmeichel; De Laet-Huth-Morgan-Fuchs; Mahrez-King-Kanté-Schlupp; Ulloa/Vardy-Okazaki

OK, deal! How do we make this happen?

After having bought Depay, Darmian, Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger, I was very very confident but the last few weeks have been a bit unsettling. We seem to be selling one of two world class players whilst the other wants to leave and if we don't replace Di Maria, we'll be in a dangerous position of requiring Depay to be outstanding in his first season.

We've been ok in our pre season - were good against barca and unlucky/poor defensively against PSG. We seem to be lacking upfront, so hopefully we can get Pedro or someone else to bolster the attack.

Van Gaal also seems to be up to his usual shenanigans by playing Blind (a cdm/lb) at CB. He's also playing Depay at CAM whilst he has Mata (who's been very good) on the wing. Mental.

The first game should be interesting as both of us have a very tough game in each other. How are you guys doing?

Too early to say.

We've sold more than we've bought in the Summer and the squad is now 27 players and much more manageable, I hope. Some big names have left but they are are players who mainly didn't perform consistently: Kaboul, Stambouli, Paulinho, Holtby. I didn't want Holtby to go as he is bothered and a hard worker.

In return, we have a small number of buys (inc. Trippier, Wimmer, Alderweireld) of quality players. On paper, our first team looks strong. The pre-season tour has been intense so we ought to be match fit!

My concern with Poch is that we can lack width and playing a high line. If the buys and Poch working with a more settled core of players means that we can address the defensive weaknesses that made the high line risky last season then we may do ok.

I think Kane will keep scoring. Possibly not 29 league goals but a decent tally.

Too early to say.

We've sold more than we've bought in the Summer and the squad is now 27 players and much more manageable, I hope. Some big names have left but they are are players who mainly didn't perform consistently: Kaboul, Stambouli, Paulinho, Holtby. I didn't want Holtby to go as he is bothered and a hard worker.

In return, we have a small number of buys (inc. Trippier, Wimmer, Alderweireld) of quality players. On paper, our first team looks strong. The pre-season tour has been intense so we ought to be match fit!

My concern with Poch is that we can lack width and playing a high line. If the buys and Poch working with a more settled core of players means that we can address the defensive weaknesses that made the high line risky last season then we may do ok.

I think Kane will keep scoring. Possibly not 29 league goals but a decent tally.

 

Go on Spud - get the season off to a flyer with an away win at Old Trafford!

Go on Spud - get the season off to a flyer with an away win at Old Trafford!

I'd love it. Thing is, it is us and it is them and they often have our measure. A win would feel amazing.

And so it begins again

My first attempt at amateur football journalism - a season preview for Leicester City:

 

http://thisisfutbol.com/2015/08/blogs/leicester-citys-201516-premier-league-season-preview

Excellent read, really impressive mate. Well done.

Madrid may play Ronaldo up top this season.

I think this was Benitez' plan initially. He wanted a left sided attacker to compliment Ronaldo but for whatever reason they didn't follow up on signing Reus who was their main target. Reus, Ronaldo and Bale is a frightening combination.

James' and Modric are decent supply too. Frightening attacking power.

watching fletch&sav, ian wright swears on live tv and redknapp talks about di canio shagging all night

yea, football's back

Edited August 8, 201510 yr by havelschayes

Excellent read, really impressive mate. Well done.

 

Cheers man (and footballoholic), I wrote a Chelsea one as well but I'm not sure it's up yet.

 

Absolutely buzzing for the first day of the season - I'm working at the King Power this afternoon, hopefully I'll get in for Leicester - Sunderland, and then after that it's straight home/to the pub for the Chelsea game. f**king brilliant!

Spurs are finding it really easy to move the ball through United's midfield - could be a shock here...

Damn.

Sorry Spud - kiss of death

Sorry Spud - kiss of death

No prob mate :-). With Spurs, such things are an occupational hazard. When we're playing well, I'm always waiting for the 'but'.

Watchig United - Spuds now. No way are they title contenders right now, they look very raw and haphazard.

I heard an account on the radio earlier this year about Man U's record of success against Spurs. Apparently, SAF didn't even bother with a team talk when playing us. He'd just pop his head around the dressing room door and say 'Lads - it's Spurs'. Damning really.

I heard an account on the radio earlier this year about Man U's record of success against Spurs. Apparently, SAF didn't even bother with a team talk when playing us. He'd just pop his head around the dressing room door and say 'Lads - it's Spurs'. Damning really.

 

I feel for you, Spud. I remember in the years before Roman came Arsenal similarly had our number and we could never get a win out of them. I bet you beating them with AVB was sweeeet, as sweet as it was for us when Bridge scored that famous goal.

I feel for you, Spud. I remember in the years before Roman came Arsenal similarly had our number and we could never get a win out of them. I bet you beating them with AVB was sweeeet, as sweet as it was for us when Bridge scored that famous goal.

It was great. I remember that hold Arsenal had on CFC. Well and truly broken now (charity shield was a blip i think).

45 mins to save something today.

I cannot believe how hopeless Spurs's midfield looked after conceding the goal, couldn't even string 2 passes together.

Spurs could score twice in the first 20 minutes, Eriksen had a great chance.