I find it very sad that a team like West Ham, who will probably finish in the top half of the table, cannot give Man City a game at home.

Money has affected football so much, I mean City are really no more than a mid to lower PL club but to use a Wenger expression they have been financially doped to make them worldbeaters.

Not sure what the answer is. Pundits are saying that other teams have to find a way to plug the gap but realistically they've spent £120m on two players this summer, one of whom is a fullback.

Had Roman kept spending and Man Utd's big signings panned out, it would have been battle of the billionaires at the top but I wouldn't surprise me if the PL looks like the SPL but not nearly as dominant as Celtic but basically City winning 4 or 5 on the trot and the league becomes a race for top 4 and maybe a domestic trophy if they can knock city off.

PSG is making the French league boring. Bayern as well in the Bundesliga albeit they made their money sans an Emir or Oligarch.

Not true. Only 1 of the top 10 transfers of all time involved city. They are better because they are better coached. The Hammers lost because their defence was rubbish.

Over the last 10 years City's net spend is over £1.1bn. That's nearly £400m more than any other club in the world in the same period.

http://www.sportbible.com/football/top- ... d-20190713

City have won two on the trot. I think it’s a little early to give them four or five, especially as they won last season very narrowly.

People moan about City’s wealth but if it’s stopped United winning the league so often, that’s a good thing in my view.

Confirmation about further incident with Özil
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/201 ... nt-charged

Dead right Soc ....... was just thinking along similar lines . No football for a few months , we've bought well so there is a bit anticipation in the air

...and then these clowns with unlimited $$$$$$$$ stroll out and put an ice cold shower on proceedings

Pundits will be wetting their pants over their style , flair etc etc gushing " how many trophies will they win this year " ...... NO -ONE mentions or thinks to address the unfairness of the whole situation .

Hmmm ...... of course Bernard you probably have some logical deep seated reason for hating Utd ......[ your first ever love threw you over for a Red Mancunian ]
and I'm not their greatest fan ...... but in my book they EARNED their titles through a brilliant manager , exceptional youth system and buying very well .

Their money was generated fair and square from marketing , ticket sales , merchandise etc .

I don't give Man City one iota of credit for winning anything since the sheiks have been in control ... great club when they had the likes Frannie Lee , Rodney Marsh , Mike Summerbee , Tommy Booth

................... a great steaming pile of camel dung now .

Marauding start to the season from the top guns. We need to step it up tonight. Go Arsenal!

Hmm the blokes charged sound Turkish ... maybe I was a bit off the mark with the down the pit comments the other day .

Some wacko with some sort of weirdo politico agenda on your case would be really scary .

Just heard we got whacked by you Aussies in the rugby ... didn't even realise it was on to be honest such is my lack of interest in union these days .
Like rugby league ... Raiders v the Roosters this afternoon should be good .

First match up after 'stealing' the World Cup from NZ ........ the Poms getting their come uppance in the cricket

#facts!

Even when they started out with mediocre managers they elevated up the table rapidly from where they were prior to the money. It's plainly obvious their money is the reason. The Thai billionaire's money made them a force on the rise. They just didn't have the name to bring in big name players. They threw money at whomever they could till they had the trophies and brand recognition to attract elite players. Even if Mancini and Pelligrini stayed and they didn't win a title they'd have been firmly a top club something they wouldn't have achieved were it nor the for the money.

Anyone not seeing that has their head in the sand.

Had a wisdom tooth out a couple of days ago and still having some problems. Heard the rugby was on but did not watch it and won’t bother watching any replays. Cricket - hmm - I suppose most of the Millwall fans (barmy army) will be at games from now on. Didn’t watch it but was glad we won but just as unhappy at losing the netball.

The amount of money in sport coupled with the advice to gamble responsibly has resulted in interest waning quickly. Been more interested in doing my art as an interest. I was at Lord Howe Island for some tuition. It gives me more pleasure than some absolute moron who earns a million dollars because he is reasonably coordinated in doing something with a ball.

Probably best that its out, Gaz, as it didn't appear to be imparting much wisdom

Yeah felt similar in a "oh how boring" way. Man C certainly hit the ground running and West Ham a bit of a mess. Something that annoyed me was that all matches at the start of the season don't start at 3pm. Everyone is excited about the start of the season and we get dealt it in dribs and drabs. Got up this morning ready to watch Arsenal because I had assumed it would be a 3pm kick off and now can't watch it all because it's on late on Sunday night. Then there's probably the most interesting match of the weekend on a bloody Monday.

I actually smiled. Bit of subtle humour is always appreciated.

Right now, I'd like to leave with a draw. But I hope for the best always.

Why would you like to leave with a draw? That would immediately put us two points behind others in the race for a top four place, Tottenham as well as City and Liverpool, plus whichever one wins out of Chelsea and Man Utd (unless they draw).

Kiwi, something to gladden the heart. Bathurst and Roos

https://youtu.be/awwQC-32R2k

That's net spend. The actual amount they spent is a little above other big teams. They are successful because they are well managed.

They might be well managed. How is a billion pounds not a factor??

Nelson and Willock starting.

Strange starting line up. Exremely strong bench. Youngsters starting including Chambers at CH.

If we get overrun at the beginning the teams confidence will take a kicking imo.

I wish he'd started with some of the players on the bench......

1Leno
15Maitland-Niles
21Chambers
5Papastathopoulos
18Monreal
29Guendouzi
34Xhaka
7Mkhitaryan
28Willock
24Nelson
14Aubameyang

Substitutes
8Ceballos
9Lacazette
11Torreira
19Pépé
23David Luiz
26Martínez
35Martinelli Silva

Atknson the ref, enough said, I'm worried.

So they could afford to recoup 400m quid less than any other club in that period?

Seems that net spend is the best indicator of extravagance/financial doping.

That time of year again... Mustafi and Xhaka still here? Sixth place here we come!!

Oh. It looks like last season’s side. Not what I was expecting.

Hi ltg,

It is what I was expecting for reasons mainly to do with the lack of time the new signings have had to integrate and also some players are only back in training fairly recently after summer tournaments.

It does not look a side that inspires confidence, however the bench is strong.

Let's hope that Willock and Nelson can give us a lift.

Not sure what you mean, Gun, "net" is the actual amount they have spent.

Blimey, has the football season started already?

Strange lineup.

Good chance for Nelson and Willock to show their mettle

Am I bias, or did Mkhitaryan made at least 2 poorly weighted passes already?

Good spot by Atkinson............

Our away jersey is *%^@.

We need a new manager.

Mkhi not impressing today..............

*%^@*** mhikitaryan

He’s so useless

After 20 minutes !

Who pissed in your cornflakes?

I thought it was peas