It's finally about to start! After 3 long months, the waiting is finally over. There's been a lot to keep me occupied sports wise over these 3 months, not least Euro 2008 and Wimbledon and the Olympics. But nothing comes close to the Premiership for me. Mainly cause I support Man Utd. Personally I think the Bundesliga is more entertaining overall. Honestly who gets excited over Bolton vs Wigan? But in any case, there can be no doubt that the Premiership is the greatest league in world football. The Champions League last season was ample proof. Three semifinalists. And that was the second time in as many seasons. Case closed.
Well since I'm not going to do an in-depth preview of the upcoming season, I have taken the liberty of linking to the BBC's Premiership guide. The top 4 will be exactly the same this season. The only question is whether Chelsea or Man Utd will finish first and whether Arsenal or Liverpool will finish third. I can see Spurs pushing to get into the top 4 if they have a good run of results but I think a successful season for them would be a top 6 finish. Then again, half the league are aiming for a top 6 spot. Everton, Villa, Spurs, Man City and Blackburn just to mention a few. Even Newcastle believe their defense is sufficient to challenge for a UEFA Cup spot. A dose of realism never hurt anyone. Only Thaksin.
The BBC has also done a decent piece on the Premiership newbies. I'll be keeping an eye on some players this season. Especially the ones who've joined Spurs. Gomes, Modric and dos Santos are not inexperienced teenagers and Spurs fans will be expecting them to lift their side to greater heights this season. It's the least they'd expect after shelling out over £16m on a player who's spent his entire career in the Bosnian and Croatian leagues. Personally I don't get the fuss over Modric. He played some decent games at the Euros and in qualification but apart from that what else? I haven't seen anything from him that suggests he would be an instant hit in the Premiership. Then again my opinion could change completely by the end of the weekend.
I'm more excited about dos Santos. That's one player I'd like to see hit the heights. Already highly rated, he only left Barcelona because he could not compete with Messi. No shame in that. I'll expect a lot more from him than Modric. Especially if Berbatov heads off to Old Trafford. He'll be used as a support striker for Bent a lot if that transfer goes through. Speaking of Bent, he's been very impressive in pre-season. Whether he can transfer that form into the Premiership is yet to be seen. He'd better. I have him in my fantasy team!
I'll also be watching Behrami of West Ham closely. Why he chose to leave a decent team like Lazio for the underachievers of West Ham I'll never know. A short list of others I'll be watching - Ramsey, Nasri, Degen, Deco, Elmander, Coloccini and of course the promoted sides. I don't know much about them as the Championship isn't exactly broadcast live around the world.
Bring on the new season! I've waited too long.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Did you see that?
Wow! What great penalties. Portsmouth will probably do better at a shootout next time they face one. Jermain Defoe's penalty was the only successful conversion and even that wasn't a convincing effort. Lassana Diarra and Glen Johnson were guilty of some truly horrific Beckham-esque penalties (I still hold the man in high regard. It's just a shame he had to miss the important ones!) and essentially gifted the Community Shield to Man Utd.
I don't have satellite television, being the poor soul that I am. I resort to reading reports and watching YouTube highlights so forgive me for not going in depth into matches as I probably won't have watched it. I watched the shootout though and from what I heard, United completely dominated, created the better chances and squandered them, one after another. Only another reminder to Fergie that we'll need a striker. Fast. Anyone who we've been linked to in the papers will do nicely. Berbatov, Villa, Huntelaar, hey even Henry looks attractive right now! Sure he might be past it but I'd like to see that particular move come off just to see what Arsenal fans would make of it. It won't happen but imagine if it did! Either way Fergie has acknowledged the need and is no doubt working on it.
I have two uni assignments to do and as much as I'd like to be writing more about football, I have to write on subjects on which I have half the understanding and motivation for. A big Premiership preview for my next post! Well it depends how I feel on Friday....
I don't have satellite television, being the poor soul that I am. I resort to reading reports and watching YouTube highlights so forgive me for not going in depth into matches as I probably won't have watched it. I watched the shootout though and from what I heard, United completely dominated, created the better chances and squandered them, one after another. Only another reminder to Fergie that we'll need a striker. Fast. Anyone who we've been linked to in the papers will do nicely. Berbatov, Villa, Huntelaar, hey even Henry looks attractive right now! Sure he might be past it but I'd like to see that particular move come off just to see what Arsenal fans would make of it. It won't happen but imagine if it did! Either way Fergie has acknowledged the need and is no doubt working on it.
I have two uni assignments to do and as much as I'd like to be writing more about football, I have to write on subjects on which I have half the understanding and motivation for. A big Premiership preview for my next post! Well it depends how I feel on Friday....
Friday, August 1, 2008
I can't wait for the start of the new season. We'll all be free from the irritatingly inaccurate transfer rumours newspapers write to fill in some space and sell some papers.
The long running transfer sagas have been dragging on throughout the summer and have come nowhere to concluding. Like those irritating Chinese soap operas that run for years. Like Bold and the Beautiful. Like Paolo Maldini except at least he has the decency to reveal his plans nice and early. Take a look at the drawn out proposed deals of the summer. Cristiano Ronaldo to Madrid, Frank Lampard to Inter, Gareth Barry to Liverpool, Samuel Eto'o to somewhere else. They all have died down to some extent but there's always another "sensational" story that pops out of nowhere to keep the drama going.
After a few days of Ronaldo-less news, he drops a bombshell by sensationally "announcing" that he will join Madrid next week. You can't really be sure whether he actually said that or not, knowing how the press twists and edits every little word uttered. Whatever they've done, another episode has been added to this long winded drama and the ending is nowhere in sight yet.
As for Lampard, Jose Mourinho seems to have finally given up his pursuit of his former player after signing Sulley Muntari instead. Great signing by the way. Cheaper, younger and may be better than Lampard in a few years.
Barry's move to Liverpool might still be on though. Apparently Liverpool missed the deadline to respond to Villa by 15 minutes although that's probably more newspaper fabrication. Another saga that needs to be resolved quickly although I don't see that happening anytime soon. Liverpool signing Robbie Keane for an initial fee of £19m means they probably needs to seel before they can buy again. Good signing for Liverpool by the way, but a bit overpriced. Nonetheless Fernando Torres finally seems to have an ideal strike partner, a proven Premiership goal scorer at that. Liverpool's attack will definitely be one of the most potent in Europe this season.
Moving onto Eto'o, well, you just don't know where he'll end up this summer. Apparently there is still interest from several big clubs, but it's well known that his preferred iption is to stay at the Nou Camp although he is surplus to requirements. His work ethic however, has impressed the club president who said Eto'o may still stay with Barcelona this season. I can see it happening although I think a move will suit him better than staying loyal to employers who don't want him. It's like a girl hanging onto what's left of her relationship even though the guy doesn't want anything to do with her. Not a good way to spend a couple of months. In Eto'o's case, it could be a lot longer than that if he ends up staying.
And another mini saga of sorts - Man Utd's search for a new target man. They're one of two Premiership sides that haven't brought anyone in yet over the summer (the other being Everton). They still have 30 days left, but fans must be wondering who the club have in mind. I think they'll still take their time over their targets but if Louis Saha (somehow) manages to stay fit, he'll be like a new signing. When on form, his finishing is deadly and will easily fit into the United side. There's also Manucho, the Angolan international who has proven himself at international level. Whether a work permit has been approved for him is still unknown but he is a proven goalscorer and could be the answer to United's striker shortage. As a United fan I'm following this very closely and anyone who the papers have linked us with will do nicely but if I had to pick I'd take Dimitar Berbatov for sure. He's a proven Premiership goalscorer and although he's a target man, he's got other fantastic skills that will be an asset to the club. Although he's got the Ronaldo-esque whining, his goalscoring ratio makes up for it.
I'm very interested to see how Tottenham line up this season. They have made some very shrewd signings and their midfield has been strengthened considerably. Luka Modric, Giovani dos Santos and David Bentley are not unknown quantities and in Juande Ramos, they have a tactically sound manager who won't stand for any nonsense from his players. If Arsenal or Liverpool have another mediocre season, Tottenham could very easily finish above them. However, a realistic finish that would satisfy most Spurs fans would be a UEFA Cup spot based on their league position.
Meanwhile, the Champions League 3rd qualifying round has thrown up a very intriguing tie - Atletico Madrid vs Schalke 04. Both clubs would have fancied making the group stage and now one of them has to miss out. Luck of the draw. It can be a blessing or a curse. The media in Britain are hyping up the other "intriguing" tie between Arsenal and FC Twente, managed by the disaster that is Steve McClaren. Although McClaren is a better tactician than given credit for (thank the English media for that), most fans outside Holland would struggle to name even one player from his side. Arsenal, I believe will stroll into the group stage without any major problems.
I still want to see at least one mega transfer this summer, involving a massive club and player. The odds of that happening dwindle with each passing day although transfer deadline day has always provided some spectacular last minute signings. Wayne Rooney's transfer to Man Utd in 2004 was concluded just hours before the deadline. It can happen. Who knows. Maybe we'll see one of Ronaldo, Lampard, Barry, Eto'o, Berbatov, Villa, Silva, Alonso, Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko or Robinho make a move. You never know.
The long running transfer sagas have been dragging on throughout the summer and have come nowhere to concluding. Like those irritating Chinese soap operas that run for years. Like Bold and the Beautiful. Like Paolo Maldini except at least he has the decency to reveal his plans nice and early. Take a look at the drawn out proposed deals of the summer. Cristiano Ronaldo to Madrid, Frank Lampard to Inter, Gareth Barry to Liverpool, Samuel Eto'o to somewhere else. They all have died down to some extent but there's always another "sensational" story that pops out of nowhere to keep the drama going.
After a few days of Ronaldo-less news, he drops a bombshell by sensationally "announcing" that he will join Madrid next week. You can't really be sure whether he actually said that or not, knowing how the press twists and edits every little word uttered. Whatever they've done, another episode has been added to this long winded drama and the ending is nowhere in sight yet.
As for Lampard, Jose Mourinho seems to have finally given up his pursuit of his former player after signing Sulley Muntari instead. Great signing by the way. Cheaper, younger and may be better than Lampard in a few years.
Barry's move to Liverpool might still be on though. Apparently Liverpool missed the deadline to respond to Villa by 15 minutes although that's probably more newspaper fabrication. Another saga that needs to be resolved quickly although I don't see that happening anytime soon. Liverpool signing Robbie Keane for an initial fee of £19m means they probably needs to seel before they can buy again. Good signing for Liverpool by the way, but a bit overpriced. Nonetheless Fernando Torres finally seems to have an ideal strike partner, a proven Premiership goal scorer at that. Liverpool's attack will definitely be one of the most potent in Europe this season.
Moving onto Eto'o, well, you just don't know where he'll end up this summer. Apparently there is still interest from several big clubs, but it's well known that his preferred iption is to stay at the Nou Camp although he is surplus to requirements. His work ethic however, has impressed the club president who said Eto'o may still stay with Barcelona this season. I can see it happening although I think a move will suit him better than staying loyal to employers who don't want him. It's like a girl hanging onto what's left of her relationship even though the guy doesn't want anything to do with her. Not a good way to spend a couple of months. In Eto'o's case, it could be a lot longer than that if he ends up staying.
And another mini saga of sorts - Man Utd's search for a new target man. They're one of two Premiership sides that haven't brought anyone in yet over the summer (the other being Everton). They still have 30 days left, but fans must be wondering who the club have in mind. I think they'll still take their time over their targets but if Louis Saha (somehow) manages to stay fit, he'll be like a new signing. When on form, his finishing is deadly and will easily fit into the United side. There's also Manucho, the Angolan international who has proven himself at international level. Whether a work permit has been approved for him is still unknown but he is a proven goalscorer and could be the answer to United's striker shortage. As a United fan I'm following this very closely and anyone who the papers have linked us with will do nicely but if I had to pick I'd take Dimitar Berbatov for sure. He's a proven Premiership goalscorer and although he's a target man, he's got other fantastic skills that will be an asset to the club. Although he's got the Ronaldo-esque whining, his goalscoring ratio makes up for it.
I'm very interested to see how Tottenham line up this season. They have made some very shrewd signings and their midfield has been strengthened considerably. Luka Modric, Giovani dos Santos and David Bentley are not unknown quantities and in Juande Ramos, they have a tactically sound manager who won't stand for any nonsense from his players. If Arsenal or Liverpool have another mediocre season, Tottenham could very easily finish above them. However, a realistic finish that would satisfy most Spurs fans would be a UEFA Cup spot based on their league position.
Meanwhile, the Champions League 3rd qualifying round has thrown up a very intriguing tie - Atletico Madrid vs Schalke 04. Both clubs would have fancied making the group stage and now one of them has to miss out. Luck of the draw. It can be a blessing or a curse. The media in Britain are hyping up the other "intriguing" tie between Arsenal and FC Twente, managed by the disaster that is Steve McClaren. Although McClaren is a better tactician than given credit for (thank the English media for that), most fans outside Holland would struggle to name even one player from his side. Arsenal, I believe will stroll into the group stage without any major problems.
I still want to see at least one mega transfer this summer, involving a massive club and player. The odds of that happening dwindle with each passing day although transfer deadline day has always provided some spectacular last minute signings. Wayne Rooney's transfer to Man Utd in 2004 was concluded just hours before the deadline. It can happen. Who knows. Maybe we'll see one of Ronaldo, Lampard, Barry, Eto'o, Berbatov, Villa, Silva, Alonso, Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko or Robinho make a move. You never know.
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