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8 games in. Prem season so far for all?

Batman

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Batman

Batman

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we all know we are a very good side now. probably have a bad spell and get beat at home when we shouldnt, but every teams does these days.

 

what else has impressed you or even surprised you so far in the league.

 

me.

 

Arsenal. Amazing that the 'big' player they have been crying out for has made the difference everyone expected. Ozil has been immense.

surprised they actually spend that sort of money on 1 player

 

everton. Always thought martinez was a good manager, but he has started brilliantly with everton

 

spurs. Thought they would have been much better than this so far this season

 

hull. Great start for them this season. only a few points behind us. really thought they would have spent ALL season around 17th

 

barkley/morrison have been good also

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DuncanRG

DuncanRG

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It's really kicked into gear in the last few weeks after a stodgy opening. Plenty of goals now, and Arsenal in particular are a joy to watch. Only a couple of teams I don't enjoy watching.

 

I hope four or five teams continue to keep pace at the top. I would hate to see league dominated by Utd replaced with one dominated by City.

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lickierambert

lickierambert

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City and Chelsea look to be moving from 3rd to 4th gear, which is ominous for Utd/Spurs/Liverpool.

 

Ask me about Arsenal in six weeks time, when they've played some better sides.

 

Hull and Cardiff have been better than expected, although Cardiff are 1 point off relegation, and Hull only 4. I think they will be dragged back.

 

Palace have one of the weakest ever Prem squads, they will be lucky to reach 25 points.

 

Sunderland, Fulham and Stoke all in for a long season, and 2 of them could conceivably be relegated.

 

As for Saints, my gut feeling is 8th is still the best we could achieve, years of ingrained pessimism tell me we'll struggle against mid table sides. If we're in the top six at Christmas then I'll reconsider.

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S-Clarke

S-Clarke

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Sunderland actually look doomed. This is probably what happens when you try to sign everyone under the sun at once. It's impossible to integrate that many new players into a club, that's already on a downer. Awful decision to allow Di Canio the scope to shape the squad as much as he did. And it's also clear ot see that Altidore hasn't improved as a player since his stint with Hull all those years ago. He actually looks worse.

 

I'm slightly surprised by Arsenal, before they signed Ozil the general mood around the camp was low. No one really had any expectation and I'm sure the players felt quite flat. But they pulled off a genuine world superstar signing on deadline day, and it's given absolutely everyone a lift. From the players, the management and the fans. After a summer whereby there were question marks over them, they're now united and are a force. They'll have a spell where they are sloppy for a few games, as usual, as I still don't think they're invincible, but Ozil will be the difference. Flamini has impressed me, he's made a great impact for them.

 

I always fancied Hull to do OK, as they'd bought well in the summer. Huddlestone and Livermore are good signings for a club like Hull, and they already had some decent players in the likes of Koren and Brady. They'll dip badly at some point, but I think they've given themselves a good platform.

 

Spurs - I think they've started OK, bar the result against WHU last time out. They've signed a fair few players as well, but not enough to cause major disruption. And the players they've signed are genuine proven class, so it makes a difference. I think they'll be exactly the same as last year, so after losing Bale, that's got to be seen as a positive for them.

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SaintBobby

SaintBobby

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Everton. I didn't expect Martinez to settle so quickly and thought the loss of Fellani would hurt them. Kind of expected them to end up mid table ish, but I think now they will be top 6 again and possibly Champs League.

 

Sunderland. Didn't expect them to be so dire. Still furious we dropped two points to them.

 

Arsenal. Potential champions.

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SuperSAINT

SuperSAINT

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The Gunners look in a great shape - Who'd have thought it after the start they had? I'd question the depth at the back and up front, but their midfield is fantastic. Ramsey looks like a £25m player, Ozil is on another level.

Flamini going back was a master stroke though, he allows all the others to go and play.

 

I think Chelsea just have needed time to find their balance in midfield. So many attacking midfielders. They are still lacking that top striker.

 

I think Spurs need more time to gel. What's surprising about them is that 2 of their best players this year has been Sigurdsson & Townsend - Not many people would've predicted that.

 

I thought Martinez would do a good job at Everton - I expected them to play nice stuff but wondered where their end product would be - but I think their deadline day business really took them onto another level.

 

I'd agree about Hull looking good - Bruce is a pretty solid manager in this league, IMO.

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Saint Garrett

Saint Garrett

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Think we're overachieving position wise, but we know we're a good side. Think the bottom half is about right if you swap Hull and Swansea. Can't imagine the table bein much different come may, and Arsenal have been terrific and chuffed for them as they have to be admired abou how they've gone about things.

 

Great seein man Utd struggle too.

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Batman

Batman

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Think we're overachieving position wise, but we know we're a good side. Think the bottom half is about right if you swap Hull and Swansea. Can't imagine the table bein much different come may, and Arsenal have been terrific and chuffed for them as they have to be admired abou how they've gone about things.

 

Great seein man Utd struggle too.

 

what is frightening about arsenal, they are ready and have the money to spend on more world class players.

all doing it without an abramovic

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benjii

benjii

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Arsenal's a funny one.

 

There seemed to be a sense they were struggling at the start of the season (losing first gome at home didn't help) but I think I'm right in thinking they already had more Premier League points in 2013 than any other team which kind of suggests they were perfectly capable of winning the title, especially with one or two good additions. Obviously Ozil is one and Giroud has found form. They probably don't have the squad depth of a Chelsea or City which should see one of those two pick up the title but if Arsenal can sustain their form until Jan and maybe add another couple then there's no reason why they can't win it.

 

United have not been a particularly good team for the last few years but have managed to win the league a couple of times because City and Chelsea have conducted their management so badly. I wouldn't be surprised to see United between 4th and 6th.

 

Saints have done great away from home. At home, we should probably have more points as Sunderland and West Ham are rubbish. That said, we didn't play badly against them and were a tad unlucky. By contrast, we were pretty lucky to beat Swansea. I don't think we're playing as well going forwards as I'd hoped but when you are solid at the back it means you can win games anyway; we have enough talent to stick the ball in the net without playing superb football. Hopefully we continue to gel and improve. I think we lack another midfielder who can go past a player - Lallana has been very good for the last few games but if he were to go missing for a while I fear we would become very predictable in attack. In theory, Ramirez should be that player but you have to wonder whether the writing's on the wall there. Depends what's been said behind the scenes; if he's still in contention then I hope he plays his way into the team. If he doesn't then we should be looking to sign a player who can pick the ball up and drive forwards. Someone in the style of Ben Arfa would be perfect.

 

We have no depth at left back or goalkeeper and that could be a problem if we have long-term absences there but you can't really expect to have a squad without any weaknesses without spending City/Chelsea type money.

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Chewy

Chewy

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Arsenal are the surprise for me too. While ozil (rightly) gets the plaudits, I think flamini has been a master stroke. They never properly replaced vieira and IMO that's the reason they haven't won anything recently. Not saying flamini is as good but a solid dm allowing their flair players to do their thing is exactly what they needed. Still think they need a striker which they may get in January, but with ox and Walcott still to come back they could have a genuine chance. Chelsea and City still favourites, though.

 

Liverpool could also surprise. With coutinho to come back they look pretty tasty up top, but I think they'll get exposed at the back in some of the crunch games. Can't believe united have been so poor, yet looking at the players, aside from Rooney and van Persie, perhaps I shouldn't be - they're so short in genuine world class talent. Would Valencia, nani, young, clevrley, wellbeck, Hernandez get anywhere near the real or barca squad? And they have to replace vidic and rio too. Tough job for moyes there - he needs a big cheque book to stop them mirroring Liverpool once their domination ended.

 

Spurs are a surprise but think once the players gel they'll come good. Could be a shout for the cup.

 

As for the others I think villa and Everton are both doing better than expected as well as hull, the rest are pretty much in line with my expectations, I think the bottom 7 will be Sunderland, palace, hull, Cardiff, Fulham stoke and Norwich with palace and Sunderland obvious favourites for the drop. I still think we will be first or second in the next group of 7 teams behind the top 6 (us, Everton, west brom, Newcastle, Swansea, west ham and villa).

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Under Weststand

Under Weststand

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Arsenal have surprised me, can't quite believe one massive signing Ozil could have made such a difference. They real look good to watch, guess the next couple of months will tell if they are true title contenders.

Hull & Cardiff have been a breath of fresh air, and I hope both stay up.

Sunderland have been a complete basket case, and look doomed already. They've lost 2/3 of their best players & buying 14 players is no way to build a team. Crystal Palace look way out of their depth & Stoke look like it's going to be a long hard season for them again.

I thought Norwich would be doing better, seemed to have some decent signings.

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Dalek2003

Dalek2003

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Arsenal have surprised me, can't quite believe one massive signing Ozil could have made such a difference. They real look good to watch, guess the next couple of months will tell if they are true title contenders.

Hull & Cardiff have been a breath of fresh air, and I hope both stay up.

Sunderland have been a complete basket case, and look doomed already. They've lost 2/3 of their best players & buying 14 players is no way to build a team. Crystal Palace look way out of their depth & Stoke look like it's going to be a long hard season for them again.

I thought Norwich would be doing better, seemed to have some decent signings.

 

Norwich are very dour team, but Carrow Road is their asset. I think they will stay up through their home form.

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Strangely Brown

Strangely Brown

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Having decided years ago that following Saints would probably mean I would never live to see my pension, after 43 years this is the first season where I feel we could go anywhere in the Prem and get a positive result. The team, the manager and the Chairman are just providing such a positive vibe it is just great being a Saints fan at the moment .

That said, can't see past Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea being top three, however who knows without the hinderance of the Europa league we could push the Spuds, and the scousers for any of the the remaining top six places.

 

Just lovin it bring it on

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positivepete

positivepete

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The first ten games always throw up some surprise results, as do the last eight. The middle twenty is where the teams that show consistency make their mark and the league takes shape. Great to see the football that Arsenal are playing, but the article posted last week regarding the corresponding fixtures makes interesting reading and puts the start Arsenal have made into perspective. We are definitely the most improved side!

 

http://www.soccersouls.com/2013/10/southampton-top-the-table-while-manchester-united-chelsea-are-at-the-bottom-corresponding-fixtures-table/?

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Batman

Batman

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Still see it like this

 

Chelsea

City

Arsenal

United

Liverpool

Spurs

Everton

And then hopefully us but you never know, we have had a pretty easy start to the season, obviously United and Liverpool away but they are the bonus 4 points that could really help at the end of the season.

in what way is any 8 games in this league 'easy'

 

all but 1 team finished above us last season.

and throw in palace

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Barry Sanchez

Barry Sanchez

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I would say that going to Anfield and Old Trafford in the first 8 games, isn't exactly a doddle of a start. Why are you trying to belittle it? We've been fabulous, and fully deserve our position in the league.

I'm not trying to belittle it at all, if you believe the clapper speak on here going to Anfield and Old Trafford is a doddle as we are Champions League material, we have been good in some games, the best was Liverpool but we have been awful in some like Norwich for all.

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Batman

Batman

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For the investment made,

 

Our home games have been very kind to us and in our aways we have picked up points where most would have not expected it, we could have had a difficult set of games like last season.

 

Investment made?

Not much more than your beloved Norwich

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S-Clarke

S-Clarke

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I'm not trying to belittle it at all, if you believe the clapper speak on here going to Anfield and Old Trafford is a doddle as we are Champions League material, we have been good in some games, the best was Liverpool but we have been awful in some like Norwich for all.

 

But overall we have had an excellent start to the season, no matter who we have played against. Your point against Norwich not being great is interesting, as that kind of confirms that no game in this league is easy. You can't take any for granted.

 

We haven't, we're defensively outstanding, gritty and determined.

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Barry Sanchez

Barry Sanchez

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But overall we have had an excellent start to the season, no matter who we have played against. Your point against Norwich not being great is interesting, as that kind of confirms that no game in this league is easy. You can't take any for granted.

 

We haven't, we're defensively outstanding, gritty and determined.

 

We can thank Lovren for that, what seems to be an absolute bargain, a Dean Richards.

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Batman

Batman

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You dont think Mesut Ozil has been the catalyst for Arsenals rise? I think you may be alone in your thoughts on that, Ramsay has been playing superb as have others but everything goes through Ozil, arguably the best player in the League at the moment.

 

Oh sorry. You are right. It's always down to just 1 player

 

It's all lovren for us, and all ozil for them

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Barry Sanchez

Barry Sanchez

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Oh yeah one player, take your pick out of Ozil, Ramsey or Flamini

 

I'll go with Ozil, Flamini was there before and let go, Ramsay has been there years and only come good now, Ozil has turned up, scored goals, created them and Arsenal are top of the League, I am not Ironside but he is the player Madrid should not have let go, the fans did not want him to go, their best player Ronaldo was baffled at the decision, I'll go with Ozil cheers.

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KelvinsRightGlove

KelvinsRightGlove

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I'll go with Ozil, Flamini was there before and let go, Ramsay has been there years and only come good now, Ozil has turned up, scored goals, created them and Arsenal are top of the League, I am not Ironside but he is the player Madrid should not have let go, the fans did not want him to go, their best player Ronaldo was baffled at the decision, I'll go with Ozil cheers.

 

Unsurprisingly, your logic is utter nonsense.

 

He was gone for 5 years. Longer than he was there to start with. Of course him coming back makes an impact.

 

Ramsey was also starting to look good before Ozil arrived.

 

Ozil has had a huge impact, no doubt. But, not everything is just him. Flamini certainly allows him a lot more licence to get on with his job, in a way he may not have been able to had he (Ozil) signed last season and been playing without Flamini.

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Barry Sanchez

Barry Sanchez

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Unsurprisingly, your logic is utter nonsense.

 

He was gone for 5 years. Longer than he was there to start with. Of course him coming back makes an impact.

 

Ramsey was also starting to look good before Ozil arrived.

 

Ozil has had a huge impact, no doubt. But, not everything is just him. Flamini certainly allows him a lot more licence to get on with his job, in a way he may not have been able to had he (Ozil) signed last season and been playing without Flamini.

 

 

Speculation, lets go on what we know, when did Ramsay start looking good before Ozil arrived?

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Wes Tender

Wes Tender

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Investment made?

Not much more than your beloved Norwich

It would be interesting to hear Bazza's thoughts on that brought up to date. He was deriding our lack of investment in new players when compared to the likes of Norwich. Looking at where they are compared to where Saints are, tends to suggest that their signings, added to their existing team, doesn't match up to what we added to our existing team.

 

Barry?

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Batman

Batman

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Cantona was instrumental is United's rise, Messi is the difference, so was Zindane for Madrid, Le Tissier for us,one player can inspire a whole side.

 

Like Leroy fer at Norwich. Remember you angrily using them as a benchmark this summer

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