10 Nov 2025 10:58:22
With yet another international break upon us what is your view on the race for the title and top 4 ED01? I think it is still wide open between Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City for the title and I think we will be ok for top 4 although Villa and possibly Man U might be in the frame? Spurs are Spursy and Newcastle look off the pace.

{Ed001's Note - if Slot keeps reverting to the dog muck of yesterday, Liverpool are miles out of the title race. Even if he does play a system and style to suit the players, I can't see any more than maybe pipping Arsenal to second if they collapse. At the very best.

Chelsea are in the battle for top 3/4 places, but this season everyone has been so inconsistent, other than Arsenal, that it is hard to really be sure. With Arsenal, there is always Artita to hold them back, every time they look like running away with it. Maresca is a bit too cautious as well, which is why I would not put you in a title battle.

I think Villa will be up there, Emery always get results. Newcastle look like a proper Howe team now - shambolic. Spurs are dreadful right now and United are punching above their weight, but that might be enough this season to put them in the top 4 battle. I wish I could say Sunderland will be in the fight, but they will drop down a few more places as the season goes on, I do fancy them to stay up though and actually did say that before the season kicked off on the Rangers site. I like the look of them under Le Bris. Just not enough to get in the top 4. Might be a chance of Europe though.

It is odd how English clubs have spent so much money in the last few years, yet not one team has a squad that doesn't have at least one obvious glaring hole that could cost them.}

1.) 10 Nov 2025
10 Nov 2025 15:05:56
Thankyou for your insight ED01, a long way to go and all to play for. Some of my Liverpool mates are in serious "Slot out" mode and are of the opinion he inherited a brilliant set up from Klopp and is really out of his depth.

That said, I think the 2 of them, my mates that is, are fickle and spoilt and always want the next shiny toy, a bit like some Chelsea fans as well.

{Ed001's Note - it is odd how much of a mess Slot is making this season. It is like he took all the wrong lessons from his first season and is now applying them.}

2.) 10 Nov 2025
10 Nov 2025 18:23:19
Ed001, I totally agree with your point about English clubs having so much money and not spending it wisely. Chelsea and Liverpool being prime examples. Arsenal and City will probably take the top two spots and I believe Liverpool will get better As for Chelsea if we don’t make top four it is a failure considering the money we have spent.

Apart from Arsenal all the teams fighting for the top four have been inconsistent: there are 6 points between 2nd and 12th place. As for Arsenal the title: anyone but Arsenal.

{Ed001's Note - on paper Arsenal should stroll it, but you just look at Arteta and you know he will give the rest of the Prem a chance.}

3.) 10 Nov 2025
10 Nov 2025 21:04:16
People often overlook the difference between Gross spend and Nett spend, over the last 5 years Arsenal have spent more than both Chelsea and Liverpool!

Nett spend over last 5 years.

1.Man Utd £678M
2.Arsenal £672M
3.Chelsea £646M
4.Spurs £564M
5.Newcastle £436M
6.Liverpool £426M

Add to that the fact Artita has been backed to the hilt by the Arsenal board for 6 years with just 1 trophy to show for it they really should walk the league.

4.) 11 Nov 2025
11 Nov 2025 08:56:34
RPD, I presume net spend is calculated by deducting the amount of money received from transfers out from money spent. However, to give a more accurate picture you would have to factor in the profits or losses made on players who the club have signed and then sold on.

Anyway, the point was that English clubs spend huge amounts of money on players and not all of it is spent wisely and in the right areas. If Arsenal win the title it will be down to their defence where any team with aspirations to win trophies need to start.

5.) 11 Nov 2025
11 Nov 2025 10:31:59
I think we all agree that Arsenal have spent the most money, have the best defence and have allowed the coach/manager ample time (6 years and counting) to assemble the best squad with all the tools to walk the premier league Jimbo. From a Chelsea perspective we might do well to copy their model of supporting the coach/manager and not only giving him time but also backing him when he asks for a player, Maresca was adamant the moment Levi got crocked that he needed a new CB with experience and the ability to play out from the back, let's hope the club back him going forward and we can then challenge Arsenal, Liverpool and City for the title.

6.) 11 Nov 2025
11 Nov 2025 12:59:05
My guess is CFC has made a profit on overall sales.

Anyway RBD I found your Nett spend numbers interesting. It’s been said many times before that transfer doesn’t guarantee success.

7.) 11 Nov 2025
11 Nov 2025 14:10:34
100% Tom, we have made some hefty profits on players in recent years.

You are also correct about money not guaranteeing success, do you remember how Peter Ridsdale spent a fortune at Leeds only to see them fail and nearly end up out of business!

8.) 11 Nov 2025
11 Nov 2025 17:22:31
RPD, I doubt whether Maresca has much influence on signings given the number of sporting directors, performance directors and chief and other scouts at the club otherwise they would have nothing to do. I can’t honestly believe a head coach would say please sign a load of young players and I don’t want anyone over 22.When you say challenge Arsenal etc I presume you mean in the future, we certainly aren’t at a level to seriously challenge for the title this season.

9.) 11 Nov 2025
11 Nov 2025 20:33:01
I was very happy to stick with my pre season prediction with us finishing between 2nd-4th but I’m now convinced we will win the premiership this season! ??.

10.) 11 Nov 2025
11 Nov 2025 21:45:25
Jimbo, if you follow the thread you will see I posted I think we will challenge for 4th spot.
Tom, I enjoy your humour mate but can you imagine if we did win the league this season? A few on here would go into meltdown.

11.) 12 Nov 2025
12 Nov 2025 06:39:49
RBD, I think some call it Yin and Yang. I seem to remember my science teacher telling something like “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. ”

Or, as my old mum used to say “it’s just as easy to be happy as it is to be miserable. ”

If possible, always look in the bright side of life until Chelsea spoil it. ??.