"It's Liverpool's year."
It's a thought, and a feeling, that pundits, commentators and Reds fans across the globe inevitably say, think and feel before the first kick of each English Premiership season.
Come the end of each season though, the saying is invariably stale; a hard pill to swallow for those who have to eat their words year after year, as perennial rivals Manchester United rub salt into raw wounds or Russian-billionaire-inspired-Blues lift the coveted trophy that has avoided Liverpool's grasp for 19, long and arduous years.
This season, it has taken only 90 minutes, not 30-odd games, for the followers and authorities to begin swallowing their predictions, and the taste is, as usual, bitter for many.
The Reds' opening game at Tottenham always looked a hard fixture. Harder than United's clash with Birmingham, harder than Chelsea's opener against Hull. I'm not trying to argue that there is a conspiracy within the EPL fixture ranks against the Reds. But it's not ideal to go into a new season facing one of only two teams that managed to defeat you, twice, last season.
Of course you'd prefer drawing Spurs over one of the other 'big four' teams, or even the revolutionised Man City, but as I said, it was definitely not an ideal start.
I remember watching the Fox Sports footage before the game; it flashed up the odds, and despite being a Reds away game, they were placed at an attractive $1.95 for the win, a cheaper option for the gambler than picking Spurs or a draw.
The odds reflected the same optimism; that it'd be 'Liverpool's year.'
But as the game kicked off, a similar worrying feeling crept in.
Spurs were clearly on top. The gloss from the pre-season predictions was quickly wearing off. Huddlestone, the speedy Lennon and sharp-minded Modric were clearly posing the danger in midfield in comparison to the invisible Lucas, off-form Gerrard and clumsy Kuyt.
The Liverpool-Keane debacle looked like it would come back to haunt Benitez, but a Reina save after the Irishmen stooped to head unmarked between the non-existent 'pool defence, keep the Reds in the contest.
But only until Carragher battered Lennon across the face. The resulting free-kick was thumped home on the second attempt by defender Benoît Assou-Ekotto. A left-footed 30-yard drive that Gerrard would be proud of.
Ekotto's swaggering arrogance was evident as he walked towards the tunnel at half time, glancing at White Hart Lane's big screen which was replicating his image. He was certainly chuffed with the belting strike. Who wouldn't be? Reds fans, that's who.
The second half looked a little more promising as Liverpool began to finally string passes together, and a rampaging run from new-boy Glen Johnson won the away side a penalty. Gerrard cooly slotted home. We all knew it was against the run of play. Undeserved. It looked as though the Reds would pull-off another Gerrard-inspired comeback.
Three minutes later, and a glancing header, a rippled Liverpool net, and a sea of white ecstatic Spurs fans meant Tottenham had equalised.
Two set-pieces had undone the 'Pool. Not something Rafa would be proud of. After all, he's known for his technical mastery.
Benitez was furious with Referee Dowd in the dying stages as the Reds were denied two penalties, but as usual it was an image of the desperate manager on the sidelines begging for that last decision that would his side an undeserved three points.
It was Liverpool's first day loss in 16 years. Hopefully, in a ironic twist of fate, this defeat will Spur Liverpool to their first premiership in nearly 20 years.
NEGATIVES: As my mate Cam said, "there was no fluidity in the midfield" - spot on my friend. We severely missed the departed Alonso, while his replacement, Lucas is miles from the Spainard's standard. Mascherano's head was in Barca according to Cam, and again a spot on judgement, he was never in the game. If Gerrard and Torres fire, Liverpool fire. Were those two even playing? Didn't seem like it
POSITIVES: At least Skrtel and Carragher put their bodies on the line for the team. It may have cost us in terms of their fitness and dizziness throughout the match, but however clumsy the two of them looked when they went for that header, at least they were interested in winning the ball. Unlike the other nine players.
Reina looked relatively sharp; nothing he could do about the goals.
Benayoun and Johnson looked the goods, but inevitably it looks like we are really lacking depth, bringing on two u19 players in the dying stages.
We can only hope for a better result against Stoke....
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Premier League, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga Wrap
Goal! Weekly checks out the pick of the action from the big leagues across Europe.
ENGLAND
After an emotional one-minute applause for the late Sir Bobby Robson, Stamford Bridge was the scene of the long-awaited first kick of the 2009-10 English Premier League season, where Chelsea took on Hull City in the early kick-off.
The match was charged with the high intensity expected of season openers, with Chelsea eager to establish authority over the game and earn Carlo Ancelotti his first three points of the season.
This intensity was encapsulated in just the second minute, when Didier Drogba who should have given his side the lead from six yards out.
Hull’s debutant Stephen Hunt also illustrated the ferocity of the opening fixture, lunging studs-up on Frank Lampard in the first five minutes; an offence that could have easily seen him pick up the first red card of the season.
Hunt was warned by referee Alan Wiley, and instead of receiving his marching orders, the former Reading man netted the first goal of the season and handed the visitors a shock lead, on 27 minutes.
George Boateng unleashed a stinging drive from 20 yards out, which ricocheted off Ashley Cole and John Obi Mikel and into the path of Hunt, who buried into an empty net with Petr Cech floored by the deflections.
The home fans were furious with Hunt; they are yet to forget his challenge on Cech back in 2006 which left the keeper with a depressed skull fracture.
It was a stiffening blow for Chelsea who were starting to look worryingly like the unimaginative side that was governed by Luiz Felipe Scolari, until they earned a dubious free-kick 30 yards out on 38 minutes.
Replays suggested a Mikel dive, but despite the Hull protests, Drogba coolly stepped up and side footed a dipping rocket into the bottom corner of the Hull net, much to the relief of Ancelloti and the Stamford masses.
The second half resembled the first, with Chelsea dominating possession and chances, but Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill continued to pull off a string of fantastic saves to prevent, mainly Drobga, from taking the lead.
In the dying stages it seemed that Hull was destined to perform the first upset of the season, however, when referee Wiley added six minutes of stoppage time, there was a familiar feeling that Chelsea would snatch all three points.
They did just that two minutes in, when a neat one-two with Drogba and Deco sent the Ivory Coast international to the by-line, and his attempted cross dipped over Myhill into the back of the net to send the Bridge into rapturous scenes.
Meanwhile, rich-boys Manchester City wasted no time in issuing their intent on making money matter this season, with 25 million pound signing Emmanuel Adebayor smashing in their first goal of the campaign after just three minutes against Blackburn Rovers.
The multi-million dollar side used their new signings effectively, with Gareth Barry, Kolo Toure, Wayne Bridge and Adebayor ensuring that City were dominating the proceedings throughout.
Shaun Wright-Phillips was also in a fine mood, whose early one-two with Adebayor led to the opening goal, but Robinho was surprisingly quiet.
Another surprise was the decision by Mark Hughes to start Welshman Craig Bellamy in front of A$50 million man Carlos Tevez, whose endless industry was evident after he replaced the ineffectual Robinho.
After a solid performance and with stoppage time approaching, City stalwart Stephen Ireland fired in a superb effort right at the death to make it 2-0.
Burnley were given a typically inauspicious welcome to the Premier League after promotion, suffering a 2-0 loss at the hands of Stoke City.
Liam Lawrence and Stephen Jordan compounded misery on the newcomers; a feeling that the Clarets will no doubt become familiar with as the season progresses.
It was a similar outcome for fellow promotion boys, Wolverhampton Wolves, as they lost by the same score line at home to West Ham.
A Mark Noble goal and a rare Matthew Upson strike secured the away points at Molineux for Gianfranco Zola’s men.
A goal from the backside of Bobby Zamora was enough for Fulham to force Portsmouth into early season worries; many have tipped them to be embroiled in the relegation battle and this was definitely an example that this suggestion could be a reality for Pompey.
A powerful Clint Dempsey strike was deflected off Zamora’s nether region for the only goal of the match.
Arsenal shrugged off suggestions that they are no longer a top four team by thumping in six of the best against Everton.
In plain and simple terms the Gunners blew apart the Toffees, with singles from Denilson, debutant Thomas Vermaelen, William Gallas and Eduardo and a double from Cesc Fabregas doing the damage.
Fabregas dedicated his goals to late friend Daniel Jarque, the Espanyol player who died of a heart attack last week, while Louis Saha gave David Moyes a scant consolation goal.
And in the first upset of the season, a rampaging Wigan Athletic overcame Aston Villa 2-0 on their own turf, through goals from Hugo Rodallega and Jason Koumas.
FRANCE
Reigning French Ligue 1 champions Girondins Bordeaux showed their championship colours with a hard fought 3-2 win over Sochaux.
Two headers by sought after Moroccan striker Maroune Chamakh made the difference, with his goals coming from two corners, to give Laurent Blanc’s side all three points.
The 25-year-old opened the scoring and then secured the result with 10 minutes to go, despite Sochaux replying twice through striker Charlie Davies.
Olympique Lyon, a perennial title-chaser, bounced back from an opening 2-2 draw last weekend, by defeating Valenciennes courtesy of new signing Bafetimbi Gomis.
Nancy shot to the top of the table after an impressive 4-0 demolishing of Monaco, while Toulouse overcame St Etienne 3-1.
GERMANY
Last season’s first-time champions VfL Wolfsburg came back from a 1-0 deficit to beat Colonge 3-1 to stay top of the Bundesliga after two matches.
Two goals in two minutes from last season’s top scorer Edin Dzeko and Pierre Wome (own goal) reversed the advantage after Wolfsburg fell behind to a Fabrice Ehret goal.
New signing from relegated English side Newcastle United, Obafemi Martins put the game beyond doubt with three minutes remaining.
The Bundesliga’s most expensive summer signing, Bayern Munich’s Mario Gomez, payed off some of his debt by salvaging a 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen.
Bayern were stunned six minutes before half time, but Gomez, who joined the Munich ranks from VfB Stuttgart for approximately 30 million Euros, saved the home side’s blushes with a goal 18 minutes from the final whistle.
ENGLAND
After an emotional one-minute applause for the late Sir Bobby Robson, Stamford Bridge was the scene of the long-awaited first kick of the 2009-10 English Premier League season, where Chelsea took on Hull City in the early kick-off.
The match was charged with the high intensity expected of season openers, with Chelsea eager to establish authority over the game and earn Carlo Ancelotti his first three points of the season.
This intensity was encapsulated in just the second minute, when Didier Drogba who should have given his side the lead from six yards out.
Hull’s debutant Stephen Hunt also illustrated the ferocity of the opening fixture, lunging studs-up on Frank Lampard in the first five minutes; an offence that could have easily seen him pick up the first red card of the season.
Hunt was warned by referee Alan Wiley, and instead of receiving his marching orders, the former Reading man netted the first goal of the season and handed the visitors a shock lead, on 27 minutes.
George Boateng unleashed a stinging drive from 20 yards out, which ricocheted off Ashley Cole and John Obi Mikel and into the path of Hunt, who buried into an empty net with Petr Cech floored by the deflections.
The home fans were furious with Hunt; they are yet to forget his challenge on Cech back in 2006 which left the keeper with a depressed skull fracture.
It was a stiffening blow for Chelsea who were starting to look worryingly like the unimaginative side that was governed by Luiz Felipe Scolari, until they earned a dubious free-kick 30 yards out on 38 minutes.
Replays suggested a Mikel dive, but despite the Hull protests, Drogba coolly stepped up and side footed a dipping rocket into the bottom corner of the Hull net, much to the relief of Ancelloti and the Stamford masses.
The second half resembled the first, with Chelsea dominating possession and chances, but Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill continued to pull off a string of fantastic saves to prevent, mainly Drobga, from taking the lead.
In the dying stages it seemed that Hull was destined to perform the first upset of the season, however, when referee Wiley added six minutes of stoppage time, there was a familiar feeling that Chelsea would snatch all three points.
They did just that two minutes in, when a neat one-two with Drogba and Deco sent the Ivory Coast international to the by-line, and his attempted cross dipped over Myhill into the back of the net to send the Bridge into rapturous scenes.
Meanwhile, rich-boys Manchester City wasted no time in issuing their intent on making money matter this season, with 25 million pound signing Emmanuel Adebayor smashing in their first goal of the campaign after just three minutes against Blackburn Rovers.
The multi-million dollar side used their new signings effectively, with Gareth Barry, Kolo Toure, Wayne Bridge and Adebayor ensuring that City were dominating the proceedings throughout.
Shaun Wright-Phillips was also in a fine mood, whose early one-two with Adebayor led to the opening goal, but Robinho was surprisingly quiet.
Another surprise was the decision by Mark Hughes to start Welshman Craig Bellamy in front of A$50 million man Carlos Tevez, whose endless industry was evident after he replaced the ineffectual Robinho.
After a solid performance and with stoppage time approaching, City stalwart Stephen Ireland fired in a superb effort right at the death to make it 2-0.
Burnley were given a typically inauspicious welcome to the Premier League after promotion, suffering a 2-0 loss at the hands of Stoke City.
Liam Lawrence and Stephen Jordan compounded misery on the newcomers; a feeling that the Clarets will no doubt become familiar with as the season progresses.
It was a similar outcome for fellow promotion boys, Wolverhampton Wolves, as they lost by the same score line at home to West Ham.
A Mark Noble goal and a rare Matthew Upson strike secured the away points at Molineux for Gianfranco Zola’s men.
A goal from the backside of Bobby Zamora was enough for Fulham to force Portsmouth into early season worries; many have tipped them to be embroiled in the relegation battle and this was definitely an example that this suggestion could be a reality for Pompey.
A powerful Clint Dempsey strike was deflected off Zamora’s nether region for the only goal of the match.
Arsenal shrugged off suggestions that they are no longer a top four team by thumping in six of the best against Everton.
In plain and simple terms the Gunners blew apart the Toffees, with singles from Denilson, debutant Thomas Vermaelen, William Gallas and Eduardo and a double from Cesc Fabregas doing the damage.
Fabregas dedicated his goals to late friend Daniel Jarque, the Espanyol player who died of a heart attack last week, while Louis Saha gave David Moyes a scant consolation goal.
And in the first upset of the season, a rampaging Wigan Athletic overcame Aston Villa 2-0 on their own turf, through goals from Hugo Rodallega and Jason Koumas.
FRANCE
Reigning French Ligue 1 champions Girondins Bordeaux showed their championship colours with a hard fought 3-2 win over Sochaux.
Two headers by sought after Moroccan striker Maroune Chamakh made the difference, with his goals coming from two corners, to give Laurent Blanc’s side all three points.
The 25-year-old opened the scoring and then secured the result with 10 minutes to go, despite Sochaux replying twice through striker Charlie Davies.
Olympique Lyon, a perennial title-chaser, bounced back from an opening 2-2 draw last weekend, by defeating Valenciennes courtesy of new signing Bafetimbi Gomis.
Nancy shot to the top of the table after an impressive 4-0 demolishing of Monaco, while Toulouse overcame St Etienne 3-1.
GERMANY
Last season’s first-time champions VfL Wolfsburg came back from a 1-0 deficit to beat Colonge 3-1 to stay top of the Bundesliga after two matches.
Two goals in two minutes from last season’s top scorer Edin Dzeko and Pierre Wome (own goal) reversed the advantage after Wolfsburg fell behind to a Fabrice Ehret goal.
New signing from relegated English side Newcastle United, Obafemi Martins put the game beyond doubt with three minutes remaining.
The Bundesliga’s most expensive summer signing, Bayern Munich’s Mario Gomez, payed off some of his debt by salvaging a 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen.
Bayern were stunned six minutes before half time, but Gomez, who joined the Munich ranks from VfB Stuttgart for approximately 30 million Euros, saved the home side’s blushes with a goal 18 minutes from the final whistle.
Gold Coast United Preview
Julius Ross
Ever since Gold Coast United FC was officially announced as an expansion team for the A-League’s 2009-10 season on 28 August last year, the billionaire-backed franchise from Queensland has gone from strength to strength.
Not only did the new boys on the block secure the signatures of an experienced coach and a number of high-profile players, but the side has completed an impressive pre-season which included claiming the scalp of English Premier League side Fulham in July.
As United’s first-ever A-league season kicks off, Jason Culina will be the man in focus at United on the pitch, while Miron Bleiberg and Clive Palmer and the ones to watch off it.
Culina will not only represent the blue and yellow of GC United as the marquee captain, but he will don the captain’s armband to lead the club for the their inaugural season.
In search of a “new challenge” and ready to promote our national competition, Culina’s exciting return to Australian football, after knocking back a contract extension at PSV Eindhoven, will undoubtedly please the fans as one of the Socceroos’ finest prepares to raise the standard on home soil.
Culina will be looking to use his exquisite passing ability to pick out his newly-signed striker Shane Smeltz, who has made the (wise) move away from perennial strugglers Wellington Pheonix to sign a three-year deal with Gold Coast.
Smeltz has been a prolific striker in the A-League, notching 12 goals last season to win the Golden Boot award for the HAL’s top scorer, and the German-born forward will be looking to penetrate the opposing backlines once more to help United’s title tilt this season.
Smeltz hasn’t wasted any time finding the back of the net for his newly acquired club, the New Zealand international smashing nine goals on his debut – although it was a pre-season friendly against minnows Mudgerraba S.C.
Culina, Smeltz and co. will be under the managerial command of Miron Bleiberg, who has had vast experience coaching in the Australian game, after he defected from Brisbane Roar (formerly Queensland Roar), while Paul Okon will fill the assistant manager’s position.
Although United will be a fairly unknown entity entering into their first season, their pre-season has been extremely impressive, with their final fixture against Perth Glory ending in a commanding 1-0 victory.
This result came on the back of a memorable come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Premier League side Fulham in July and a 5-0 thrashing of Hong Kong FC.
While Blieberg and his charges are not getting carried away with their impressive pre-season form, the Gold Coast’s franchise’s billionaire backer, Clive Palmer, is.
Queensland’s richest man and Gold Coast’s master spruiker has declared that his side will go through the 2009-10 season unbeaten; a bold prediction to say the least.
Only time will tell, and as United prepare to take on fellow newcomers North Queensland Fury on the opening day of the season, they should not be discounted as genuine title contenders for this season’s shield.
Ever since Gold Coast United FC was officially announced as an expansion team for the A-League’s 2009-10 season on 28 August last year, the billionaire-backed franchise from Queensland has gone from strength to strength.
Not only did the new boys on the block secure the signatures of an experienced coach and a number of high-profile players, but the side has completed an impressive pre-season which included claiming the scalp of English Premier League side Fulham in July.
As United’s first-ever A-league season kicks off, Jason Culina will be the man in focus at United on the pitch, while Miron Bleiberg and Clive Palmer and the ones to watch off it.
Culina will not only represent the blue and yellow of GC United as the marquee captain, but he will don the captain’s armband to lead the club for the their inaugural season.
In search of a “new challenge” and ready to promote our national competition, Culina’s exciting return to Australian football, after knocking back a contract extension at PSV Eindhoven, will undoubtedly please the fans as one of the Socceroos’ finest prepares to raise the standard on home soil.
Culina will be looking to use his exquisite passing ability to pick out his newly-signed striker Shane Smeltz, who has made the (wise) move away from perennial strugglers Wellington Pheonix to sign a three-year deal with Gold Coast.
Smeltz has been a prolific striker in the A-League, notching 12 goals last season to win the Golden Boot award for the HAL’s top scorer, and the German-born forward will be looking to penetrate the opposing backlines once more to help United’s title tilt this season.
Smeltz hasn’t wasted any time finding the back of the net for his newly acquired club, the New Zealand international smashing nine goals on his debut – although it was a pre-season friendly against minnows Mudgerraba S.C.
Culina, Smeltz and co. will be under the managerial command of Miron Bleiberg, who has had vast experience coaching in the Australian game, after he defected from Brisbane Roar (formerly Queensland Roar), while Paul Okon will fill the assistant manager’s position.
Although United will be a fairly unknown entity entering into their first season, their pre-season has been extremely impressive, with their final fixture against Perth Glory ending in a commanding 1-0 victory.
This result came on the back of a memorable come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Premier League side Fulham in July and a 5-0 thrashing of Hong Kong FC.
While Blieberg and his charges are not getting carried away with their impressive pre-season form, the Gold Coast’s franchise’s billionaire backer, Clive Palmer, is.
Queensland’s richest man and Gold Coast’s master spruiker has declared that his side will go through the 2009-10 season unbeaten; a bold prediction to say the least.
Only time will tell, and as United prepare to take on fellow newcomers North Queensland Fury on the opening day of the season, they should not be discounted as genuine title contenders for this season’s shield.
English Premier League Preview 2009-10 Season
For many, it’s been a long and agonising wait for the English Premier League to once again resume proceedings, but the start of the 2009-10 season is only a matter of days away.
Goal Weekly! checks out the prospects of the eighteenth Premier League season.
The Title Tilt
It’ll be interesting to see how Manchester United will cope with the substantial loss of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, but to write off United collecting their fourth successive title would be a school-boy error.
Sir Alex has been able to chuck in a couple of (dubious) replacements, but the injury-prone Michael Owen and the somewhat inexperienced Antonio Valencia just don’t seem to have the ability to strike fear into defences that the Portuguese pretty-boy and the Argentine assassin did last year.
United have the uncanny ability to win games when they’re not playing well, and whether us neutrals like it or not, that’s what winning Premierships is all about.
As we said, write them off at your peril.
Arguably United’s biggest challenge will come from the blue-boys of London, Chelsea.
They’ve ousted their interim coach and have picked up the big signature of Carlo Ancelotti, who will undoubtedly bring vast experience to Stamford Bridge.
England is foreign territory for Ancelotti, but if Chelsea can back up their impressive pre-season and the Italian can get Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka firing on all cylinders, they may have the deadliest strike-force in the league, governed by a master manager.
While it’ll be hard to predict what Ancelotti will bring to Chelsea (we hope it’s attractive attacking football), the mystique surrounding this season’s title challenge from West London makes it hard to discount the Blues taking the challenge to United.
Liverpool went point-for-point with United last campaign until the dying stages, but whether they can sustain a second title challenge without big-name signings is questionable.
Every year they appear to be ready for a serious title tile, but every season they disappoint.
Once again they’ll rely on the pairing, and fitness, of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, who are deadly as a package, but the Reds struggle when they’re on the sidelines.
Alberto Aquilani has big boots to fill to fit into the Anfield structure with the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid a real concern for the Red’s regimented midfield.
If Gerrard and Torres can stay fit for the 38 games of the season – a highly unlikely scenario – then Rafa’s Reds may be able to muster a title challenge.
It’s a big IF.
Arsenal are unlikely to challenge for the top position, with the failure to sign big names likely to come back to bite Arsene Wenger’s side on the backside once more.
That’s our prediction anyway. In the current footballing climate where big money equals big results (in most cases), Arsenal have failed to match the big spending necessary to mount a necessary title challenge this term.
The loss of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor to rich boys Manchester City may see the light-blue side of Manchester vie for Arsenal’s grip on their comfortable but-going-nowhere fourth position on the league table.
We’ve got no idea why Wenger sold such talent to a potential fourth-place rival, but our diagnosis suggests the Frenchman may be in need of a psychiatrist to sort out where his head’s at.
They’ve managed to hold onto much sort-after star Cesc Fabregas for another season, but the lack of signings may see Arsenal struggle to feature in the top four, where there has been a position for them in their poor previous seasons.
Manchester City are likely to pip the Londoners of fourth place, with Mark Hughes’ extravagant spending spree enticing Tevez, Adebayor, Toure, Roque Santa Cruz, and Gareth Barry to a already strong line-up.
Nearly on par with Real Madrid’s shopping antics, City will definitely be a side to watch.
They even have the potential to go all the way if the necessities click.
Mid-Table mediocrity
It’d be hard to go past Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa vying for the remaining European places, but Fulham had a surprise year last year and finished about 10 places higher than they are accustomed to, so predicting who will fill out the mid-table places is difficult to say the least.
West Ham have their moments, but it’s unlikely that Wigan, Stoke and Wanderers will finish higher than 10th.
Relegation Dog-fight
Will another big-name team like Newcastle or Middlesbrough face the dreaded drop, or will newly promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham City or Burnley go straight back down?
Hull, Blackburn and Wigan better watch their backs too; they’re often embroiled in the dog-fight that is the relegation battle.
Only time will tell, but don’t be surprised if the likes of Portsmouth – who has lost several key players – head down to the Coca-Cola Championship next season.
Goal Weekly! checks out the prospects of the eighteenth Premier League season.
The Title Tilt
It’ll be interesting to see how Manchester United will cope with the substantial loss of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, but to write off United collecting their fourth successive title would be a school-boy error.
Sir Alex has been able to chuck in a couple of (dubious) replacements, but the injury-prone Michael Owen and the somewhat inexperienced Antonio Valencia just don’t seem to have the ability to strike fear into defences that the Portuguese pretty-boy and the Argentine assassin did last year.
United have the uncanny ability to win games when they’re not playing well, and whether us neutrals like it or not, that’s what winning Premierships is all about.
As we said, write them off at your peril.
Arguably United’s biggest challenge will come from the blue-boys of London, Chelsea.
They’ve ousted their interim coach and have picked up the big signature of Carlo Ancelotti, who will undoubtedly bring vast experience to Stamford Bridge.
England is foreign territory for Ancelotti, but if Chelsea can back up their impressive pre-season and the Italian can get Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka firing on all cylinders, they may have the deadliest strike-force in the league, governed by a master manager.
While it’ll be hard to predict what Ancelotti will bring to Chelsea (we hope it’s attractive attacking football), the mystique surrounding this season’s title challenge from West London makes it hard to discount the Blues taking the challenge to United.
Liverpool went point-for-point with United last campaign until the dying stages, but whether they can sustain a second title challenge without big-name signings is questionable.
Every year they appear to be ready for a serious title tile, but every season they disappoint.
Once again they’ll rely on the pairing, and fitness, of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, who are deadly as a package, but the Reds struggle when they’re on the sidelines.
Alberto Aquilani has big boots to fill to fit into the Anfield structure with the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid a real concern for the Red’s regimented midfield.
If Gerrard and Torres can stay fit for the 38 games of the season – a highly unlikely scenario – then Rafa’s Reds may be able to muster a title challenge.
It’s a big IF.
Arsenal are unlikely to challenge for the top position, with the failure to sign big names likely to come back to bite Arsene Wenger’s side on the backside once more.
That’s our prediction anyway. In the current footballing climate where big money equals big results (in most cases), Arsenal have failed to match the big spending necessary to mount a necessary title challenge this term.
The loss of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor to rich boys Manchester City may see the light-blue side of Manchester vie for Arsenal’s grip on their comfortable but-going-nowhere fourth position on the league table.
We’ve got no idea why Wenger sold such talent to a potential fourth-place rival, but our diagnosis suggests the Frenchman may be in need of a psychiatrist to sort out where his head’s at.
They’ve managed to hold onto much sort-after star Cesc Fabregas for another season, but the lack of signings may see Arsenal struggle to feature in the top four, where there has been a position for them in their poor previous seasons.
Manchester City are likely to pip the Londoners of fourth place, with Mark Hughes’ extravagant spending spree enticing Tevez, Adebayor, Toure, Roque Santa Cruz, and Gareth Barry to a already strong line-up.
Nearly on par with Real Madrid’s shopping antics, City will definitely be a side to watch.
They even have the potential to go all the way if the necessities click.
Mid-Table mediocrity
It’d be hard to go past Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa vying for the remaining European places, but Fulham had a surprise year last year and finished about 10 places higher than they are accustomed to, so predicting who will fill out the mid-table places is difficult to say the least.
West Ham have their moments, but it’s unlikely that Wigan, Stoke and Wanderers will finish higher than 10th.
Relegation Dog-fight
Will another big-name team like Newcastle or Middlesbrough face the dreaded drop, or will newly promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham City or Burnley go straight back down?
Hull, Blackburn and Wigan better watch their backs too; they’re often embroiled in the dog-fight that is the relegation battle.
Only time will tell, but don’t be surprised if the likes of Portsmouth – who has lost several key players – head down to the Coca-Cola Championship next season.
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