Why have we been written off?

[bluemoon98]

If you haven't noticed how every year Yaya is less and less interested in defending and has become myopically focused on pushing forward to attack, and how porous this has made our midfield, then you just haven't been paying attention. True we won the league two seasons back, but that was more down to a combination of rampant, record-breaking goalscoring efforts, and underperformance by our closest competitors. We won in spite of the midfield, not because of it. Every year Yaya gets a little older and a little lazier. He is now 32 years old. But you still want to play him in a midfield 2? Think, man!

13-14 season yaya scored 20 goals in midfield pretty sure that helped along the way?

 

[Mightor]

13-14 season yaya scored 20 goals in midfield pretty sure that helped along the way?

But still left us exposed defensively, which was my point. And again, that was 2 seasons ago when Chelsea was much weaker, United was an embarrassment, and Arsenal fell apart as usual. Closest competition was Liverpool, which should tell you things were off! Yaya is even lazier now. I'm sure that's part of why Pelle has the team training in 433—he recognizes we can't get away with Yaya in one of the 2 of a 4231 but knows he can work as part of a midfield trio.

 

[bluemoon98]

But still left us exposed defensively, which was my point. And again, that was 2 seasons ago when Chelsea was much weaker, United was an embarrassment, and Arsenal fell apart as usual. Closest competition was Liverpool, which should tell you things were off! Yaya is even lazier now. I'm sure that's part of why Pelle has the team training in 433—he recognizes we can't get away with Yaya in one of the 2 of a 4231 but knows he can work as part of a midfield trio.

I was referring to you saying we won the league in spite of midfield not because of it. But I know what you mean yaya's defensive duties don't really exist any more ;-)

 

[Lancet Fluke]

Probably because of the way we defend. Certainly that's why I am writing us off. Pellegrini ditches the high line, playing offside and defenders diving in near the half way line and goes back to jockeying players, marking up and following runners and I'd expect us to win the league.

 

[squirtyflower]

I was referring to you saying we won the league in spite of midfield not because of it. But I know what you mean yaya's defensive duties don't really exist any more ;-)

Actually I think he's actually saying we were very lucky to win the league

I wouldn't bother feeding the troll

 

[ComfySeats]

were being wrote of because it sells newspapers and acts as click bait. If they were saying Watford will get relegated why would anyone click it/read it. If it was Liverpool will finish outside of top four well that's not exactly shocking, they cant say anything bad against the rags, because you know ...agenda and all that. They won't say anything against arsenal (who IMO wont win anything again until Wenger is gone), and Chelski have just won the league would be hard to write them off. So that just leaves our great club,

but seriously who give a flying cluck what these jumped 'Pundits/journo's' have to say, does it stop me sleeping at night no, does their opinion affect our season in anyway shape or form, no..........

1 word 3 syllables ' QUADROUPLE'

 

[CelesteItis]

Because of the Agenda. Cool.

 

[Gelsons Dad]

Great point - however, aren't you jumping the gun a bit with one of those names? Or is there something I should know?

not only jumping the gun but also forgetting that delphi is already injured. Also just remind me who our second and third strikers are? and if I remember correctly, Company was shit last year when not injured and continued that form in pre-season.

I don't see that we've been written off. That's just some fans inferiority complex see todays DT http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...ants-can-turn-title-race-into-a-thriller.html

I do however worry that we haven't addressed our full back positions or our centre midfield problem. I can only assume we will play 1 striker this year which should help but I don't think we quite have the defensive strength to win the big ones.

 

[supercity88]

Because of the fact that most media pundits can't remember what happened last season.

They remember Stoke beating Liverpool 6-1 and their whole assessment of Liverpool's season was based on that poor result and finishing out of the top 4. The only teams they've accurately assessed are Chelsea and the rags. Chelsea should be favourites again and they've retained their key players and should be better for a years development together. Terry would be the only concern and possible the fact they've lost a bit of cover in certain positions. The rags have failed to enhance their defence, look a bit toothless in attack and it's only the media love for them that keeps them being talked about.

We lost to the rags and Arsenal and didn't compete season long for the title so many pundits seem to think last season was abysmal. We lost to the best side in Europe in the CL. They don't seem to remember that either. After the two aforementioned defeats and poor away form we won our last 6, the best form of anyone. A result of tweaking the formation, something Pellegrini has geared the side up for in pre-season. It should mean more balance and will get the best out of Yaya. We've added Sterling and Delph. Denayer improves the squad. De Bruyne would make us even better in attacking areas.

Though Arsenal won the FA Cup everyone seems to think they were untouchable at the end of the season. Incorrect. From beating us and being clear favourites for 2nd they dropped points and we surpassed them.

We're the form side in the league, have strengthened more than our rivals and should be tipped to finish 2nd rather than 3rd/4th.

I'd prefer to be underdogs though. Get off to a decent start and we'll be okay. We've got so many options across the park that we'll be able to beat anyone. If the midfield is getting over run we now have Fernandinho and Delph to energise the middle of the park. We've pace, power and creativity. I'm very positive about this season.

 

[taleofbluehalves]

The same reason no one rates the 4x golden glove winner, same reason Augero and Silva are not in the team of the year, nominated as player of the year. Bizarre really.