Teams ahead of us

[Sheva. 5,373]

Based on what?

Torres gets a lot of stick, but in my honest opinion he has improved in the last 3 games.

All he has to do now is start the season with a bang!

[bababoom 4,478]

I think right now we are the second best team in England, which is pretty obvious as we have finished second last season. Man united really impressed me yesterday, despite conceding two goals they came back in fashion, and the second goal was class. Man city had spells in which they was good but overall Mancini makes them too defensive which i don't like, but i do think they will be right up there this season. Outside the Premiership i can only think of two teams that are actually better than us, and i think that is Barcelona and Real Madrid.

[DYC. 7,542]

Yeah many here don't give Utd the credit they deserve. They started the 10/11 season horribly but they got better and better. They may not have the names in their side that will make you shiffer but football is still about the collective and Utd have a very strong collective.

And City have more quality than us but Mancini's their coach so that's very good news for us.

[diskoviolente 425]

I think United again have done some shrewd buisness. Since they already have a very good squad post-Scholes/VdS/Neville and soon Giggs they just needed to adjust. It will be between us and them, both losing points to City and Arsenal. Liverpool still not there..

[manpe 10,861]

Actually it's a relief that we're not considered the favourites anymore... takes some pressure off It's always the hardest to defend the title and cope with expectations. With a new boss and new managing staff, we will have the element of surprise, hopefully he's more of a tinkerman than Ancelotti was (I have mad respect for Carlo, but in just 2 years he was getting too predictable). And it's only a plus that Di Matteo is his assistant, as he already has premier league experience under his belt, as does Holland... and of course AVB himself, when he was working for Mourinho back in the days. Remember, Villas-Boas used to be our opposition scout, he's no stranger to EPL and some of the teams.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/crucial-role-of-boy-scout-who-is-mourinhos-eyes-and-ears-552798.html

"My work enables Jose to know exactly when a player from the opposition team is likely to be at his best or his weakest. I will travel to training grounds, often incognito, and then look at our opponents' mental and physical state before drawing my conclusions and presenting a full dossier to Jose."

Mourinho got all the praise, but in reality it was Team Mourinho, including Villas-Boas, who were so successful... and I believe he was the main man who complemented his team. I'm trying not to get too excited, but I can't help myself