He's not worried

[mathewbet1]

Sir Alex Ferguson issues title warning to Liverpool

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By David Mcdonnell 29/12/2008

 

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United's title-winning experience will see them secure a third straight Premier League title this season - and equal Liverpool's record haul of championships.

 

United have won 17 domestic titles to Liverpool's 18 and Fergie claimed his current crop of players have what it takes to draw level with their Anfield rivals and create another slice of history.

 

Although United are playing catch-up this season, with games to make up following their involvement in the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA World Club Cup, Fergie knows his players can haul their way back into contention despite Liverpool's impressive win at Newcastle yesterday.

 

"We'd rather be top, there's no question about that," said Fergie. "But with our experience of being involved in these races, you'd expect that not to be an issue.

 

"The second half of the season is the most important. When you lose a game it really means something, in particular when you get to March and April.

 

"My experience tells me that the teams at the top generally drop points.

 

Sometimes you don't expect to drop points, but it happens so you need the experience to see that through."

 

United face a frantic fixture schedule in the coming weeks which will see them play nine games in the next month alone - including a two-leg Carling Cup semi-final against Derby.

 

Their league matches against Fulham and Wigan have been re-arranged for January 14 and February 17, games United must win to keep the pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea at the top.

 

"We've got the squad so, hopefully, we can cope," said Fergie. "At the moment there's a trend of the sides at the top dropping more points.

 

"It happened last season, teams getting results you didn't expect. Manchester City beat us twice and we also lost at Bolton. It tells you that in this league you can lose anywhere, because it's so competitive."

Edited December 31, 2008 by charlie clown

[Guest PaulMcC]

Stupid headline.

 

He doesn't mention us.

 

Still a c***.

[Magic8Ball]

they're in a good position, but that won't matter so much if we beat them, Arsenal beat them and they draw with Chelsea

[mathewbet1]

They do have a lot of fixtures pilling up and they looked knackered last game and where lucky to win. he's trying to take pressure off them. It's very well having games in hand, but you still got to win them. And they play Chelsea next week.

[gns]

Well with our captain facing 5 years in HMP Liverpool we should be the ones worried.

[mathewbet1]

Should get the freedom of southport.

[Ramón Benítez Hernández]

Fair enough to post the article, but why go through the trouble of putting the senile drunkard's picture up.

[David Hodgson]

I read something where he said they had 2 home games in hand on us, which isn't correct is it ? I know their spare games may technically be home games, but in absolute terms they've only played at home once less than us.

 

Am I wrong, or is long overdue senility finally settling in for Ferguson ?

[charlie clown]

Fair enough to post the article, but why go through the trouble of putting the senile drunkard's picture up.

 

Fixed. Hope that helped you keep your lunch down.

[Ramón Benítez Hernández]

Fixed. Hope that helped you keep your lunch down.

 

Thank you.

[Maldini]

I was just thinking, if we win against Stoke and then United and Chelsea draw the next day we could be 5 points ahead of Chelsea and 9 ahead of United. That'd be nice.

 

Also, they've City and Arsenal right at the end of the season, a couple of tricky ties there.

Edited December 31, 2008 by Maldini

[David Hodgson]

I was just thinking, if we win against Stoke and then United and Chelsea draw the next day we could be 5 points ahead of Chelsea and 9 ahead of United. That'd be nice.

 

Also, they've City and Arsenal right at the end of the season, a couple of tricky ties there.

 

I'd rather they play them sooner. The earlier that they are presented with opportunities to drop points the sooner we get a chance to build a pyschologically powerful lead over them. Also, for all we know, those end of season games could be meaningless to City AND Arsenal by then (they may be having good cup runs and need to rerst players too).

[Maldini]

I'd rather they play them sooner. The earlier that they are presented with opportunities to drop points the sooner we get a chance to build a pyschologically powerful lead over them. Also, for all we know, those end of season games could be meaningless to City AND Arsenal by then (they may be having good cup runs and need to rerst players too).

 

Maybe, the way things are going though they'll need the points for a relegation battle/4th place. I don't think either side would ever willingly step aside to let United win though. Put it this way, I'd have a few worries if we had Everton and Arsenal in two of our last 3 games. Also, just looked at their fixtures and their second catch-up game (to bring them level on fixtures with us) is on a Tuesday after they've played on the Sunday. That strange bit of scheduling might help us.

Edited December 31, 2008 by Maldini

[David Hodgson]

Maybe, the way things are going though they'll need the points for a relegation battle/4th place. I don't think either side would ever willingly step aside to let United win though. Put it this way, I'd have a few worries if we had Everton and Arsenal in two of our last 3 games.

 

Give me the option and I'd rather have the harder games later on. I think the key is to build a lead. It would enable the team to play with increasing confidence, and not be fearful that every point dropped could cost us top spot.

[Maldini]

Give me the option and I'd rather have the harder games later on. I think the key is to build a lead. It would enable the team to play with increasing confidence, and not be fearful that every point dropped could cost us top spot.

 

Maybe yeah, hopefully we can stretch our lead a bit in the next 6 weeks before they catch up game-wise. Everton and Chelsea in that time, so if we can stretch it a bit it'll be a big statement of intent.