My rant just before EPL footie season kicks off.
A whole month to go before a brand new English Premiership campaign starts in England and there's already massive changes taking place all over in Europe. This season though it is relatively quiet inside Britain with Chelsea targeting possibly only Gerrard and Gilardino. Man United is currently targeting no one famous but perhaps hoping for Gerrard's surprise signature. Arsenal being rather disgruntled no thanks to their lack of funds (again?!) and Everton having tough luck promoting their endless amounts of free Thai 'Chang Beer' for after-match celebrations in Goodison Park...not that they'll have many next season mind you.
Very much in demand, this boy.
Arsenal...oh God the mention of the world's dirtiest football club! Next to Chelski of course. This season we would expect to see, again, consistent goal-scoring from the master himself: Thierry Henry. This guy sure has skill and predatory presence! Unfortunately, of all their frailties in defense last season, Arsenal have been relatively quiet on the transfer market this club. Shows what a good reputation this club has built up throughout the years. No, Robinho you don't wanna go there.
With Everton's luck in the transfer market seemingly all but run out, I wouldn't be surprised if the Toffees manage a midtable position next season and that's the height of respect that I think they only deserve. They were last year's fluke; the 'Greece in Euro' effect so they say. Coupled with Liverpool's inconsistent Champions League run-in, it's a pure shame to the Merseyside faithful. They should start praying for Benitez to start proving that he's going to get it right next year around.
Man United look the strongest now though - with all the fiasco about the Glazer take-over seemingly lukewarm now. We really believe that the Red Devil fans should just sit it out and let things take shape first before they start pointing fingers. It's a no-brainer; whoever would invest such vast amounts of money and reputation into a football club would definitely prefer success than failure to the point of obscurity. After last season's instability inside our club no thanks to politicking, we sincerely look forward to the club's future success on the pitch for 2005-2006.
Will next season be the Devils'?
Tentatively, the way things stand (transfers and all), here's what I see by the end of the season next year:
1. Chelsea
2. Manchester United *it will not be their year unless they sell off Fletcher and O'Shea.
3. Liverpool *updated: with Crouch and Zenden, they're going to pretty exciting domestically.
4. Bolton
5. Arsenal *updated: Vieira to Juve!
6. Midsboro
7. Blackburn Rovers *updated: Bellamy in!
8. Man City *'Psycho' was always going to get the City boys some great team talks!
9. Newcastle *updated: will Scott Parker make the difference?
10. Pompey *updated: they have been buying...a lot...of talent...
11. Wigan *I reckon they'll be the surprise package!
12. Everton *updated: in pre-season by only significant addition being Davies?
13. Tottenham Hotspur
14. West Brom
15. Fulham
16. Birmingham
17. West Ham
18. Aston Villa *updated: Kevin Phillips...always unlucky no matter how many goals he fires in; will not be different this time around.
19. Sunderland
20. Charlton
Relegated: Sunderland, Charlton & Aston Villa (time's up O'Leary)
Promoted from 1st Division: Norwich City, Watford & Brighton
First EPL manager to get the boot: David O'Leary
Manager of the Season: Sir Alex Ferguson ;)
Golden Boot Award: I'll get back to you on this one.
Fair Play Award: Kinda cautious about this. Man Utd and West Brom are in with a shout of course!
