All three title favorites began their campaign today.
Chelsea have beaten Manchestar United 1-0 in the heavyweight encounter. Arsenal brushed aside Everton 4-1.
Couldn't watch the Arsenal-Everton game because those weird people at SUN TV as always removed SS3 whilst in the middle of another match.
Watched the boring Chelski vs MU encounter. Mourinho was clearly going for the defensive-counterattack tactics, which is not how Chelsea played under Ranieri. Maybe as they gel they may just get better as the season progresses.
Couldn't watch the Arsenal-Everton game because those weird people at SUN TV as always removed SS3 whilst in the middle of another match.
Watched the boring Chelski vs MU encounter. Mourinho was clearly going for the defensive-counterattack tactics, which is not how Chelsea played under Ranieri. Maybe as they gel they may just get better as the season progresses.
As much as i used to dislike Liverpool - i think they will do a lot better this season - and could even be pushing for 2nd if things go well for them. Cisse should be fantastic - and they should start playing more exciting football now Houllier is gone.
Newcastle have done bloody well getting Kluivert and Butt - Milner is fantastic too...can still see them underacheiving but should be good to watch.
Chelsea has seen as much turnover as last year - and that did not buy them the title - however - Chelsea fans should prepare themselves for a good season. I think Chelsea have a great chance of winning the league, especially after what I've read from the pre-seasons...Kezman looks on FIRE...gonna be good.
Man U will have trouble - the age will show with injuries - do they have the mid-field strength to compete every day? Will the youngsters, Djemba-Djemba, Kleberson(at least in experience) and Fletcher be able to fit in and develop or will we have a John O'Shea sophomore slump? Will Ruud's injury affect him for the entire year? Can Ronaldo keep his form up over the grind or will he be treated with kid gloves again?
Arsenal will not go undefeated - but their fire power and style of football will not be harmed.
i look for Birmingham to progress nicely - Boro too have at least become deeper if not simply older - Everton is my pick to go down allowing someone to stay in the EPL from those promoted this year.
This will be the most intriguing year in recent history to follow.
i can't bloody wait!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fixtures for Saturday, 21 August 2004
Southampton vs Blackburn Rovers
Birmingham City vs Chelsea
Man Utd vs Norwich City
Charlton vs Portsmouth
Liverpool vs Manchester City
Newcastle vs Tottenham
Crystal Palace vs Everton
Fulham vs Bolton
Fixtures for Sunday, 22 August 2004
West Brom vs Aston Villa
Arsenal vs Middlesbrough
Arsenal scored 4 goals from players other than Henry which would be very encouraging for them. If they keep this performance up with an Henry firing on all cylinders, then another unbeaten season run, let alone Premiership run is not inconceivible. Having said that, not every team will be as easy to face as a Rooney-less Everton. I expect good performances from younger players like Fabregas, Pennant, Reyes, and Van Persie.
Chelski will be tough and irritating customers if they master the art of winning with dull and boring football at cruicial games. They may refind the flow they developed under Ranieri once they gel into a solid unit. Would love to see both Robben and Duff in the starting line-up playing at right and left wing respectively.
Liverpool should also gel with time before getting into the groove Kirkland should be given more chances in goal. Expect Gerrard to be Anfield's star once again.
Other teams that look promising after the first weekend of matches are Villa and Bolton but its too early to say anything about their season progress.
And finally, England beat Ukraine 3-0 with a more committed performance from Beckham (a goal and an assist), and a superb debut for young Shaun Wright-Phillips with an awesome run culminating in his first International goal.
Arsenal scored 4 goals from players other than Henry which would be very encouraging for them. If they keep this performance up with an Henry firing on all cylinders, then another unbeaten season run, let alone Premiership run is not inconceivible. Having said that, not every team will be as easy to face as a Rooney-less Everton. I expect good performances from younger players like Fabregas, Pennant, Reyes, and Van Persie.
Chelski will be tough and irritating customers if they master the art of winning with dull and boring football at cruicial games. They may refind the flow they developed under Ranieri once they gel into a solid unit. Would love to see both Robben and Duff in the starting line-up playing at right and left wing respectively.
Liverpool should also gel with time before getting into the groove Kirkland should be given more chances in goal. Expect Gerrard to be Anfield's star once again.
Other teams that look promising after the first weekend of matches are Villa and Bolton but its too early to say anything about their season progress.
And finally, England beat Ukraine 3-0 with a more committed performance from Beckham (a goal and an assist), and a superb debut for young Shaun Wright-Phillips with an awesome run culminating in his first International goal.
Arsenal has just won an incredible game of football 5-3 against middelsbrough(sp?) Arsenal was up 1-0 till 44th minute. Middlesbrough scored 3 in next 10 minutes and it looked like Arsenal's unbeaten run is finally coming to an end. But Arsenal unbelievable three goals in next 10 minutes devestated middlesbrough totally. Second half alone had six goal in total with incredible five goals coming in first 20 minutes, it was like seasaw.
Arsenal are looking incredibly devestating with their football. It could be an early contender for the game of the season.
Spanish League started yesterday with Real Madrid winning first match through a Ronaldo goal. Owen made his first apperance and assisted in the goal. Their potentially toughest rival Barcelona also won comfortably. Barcelona after acquiring the services of Larsson, Deco, Guily etc are really gonna give a real go at winning la liga and champions league.
p.s I thought it would be a good idea if both english and spanish seasons are discussed in same thread because champions league desesrved a seperate thread and not sure that Spanish league alone would attract enough posters to warrant a seperate thread. Any suggestions in this regard are welcome. We can always split the threads if there is a need to do so.
saby: i think this is the best format. You would like to add the Italian SerieA as well..it will start next week
yes, Real have a good squad, but i think Barcelona is gonna win it this time. They have young good players that haven't won much so they are all eager, whereas Real's have been there, done that...so they don't have that much incentive. And don't rule out Valencia: the core has remained the same (Aimar, Vicente) and they've added some very good italian players
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by NeSCio: *
saby: i think this is the best format. You would like to add the Italian SerieA as well..it will start next week
yes, Real have a good squad, but i think Barcelona is gonna win it this time. They have young good players that haven't won much so they are all eager, whereas Real's have been there, done that...so they don't have that much incentive. And don't rule out Valencia: the core has remained the same (Aimar, Vicente) and they've added some very good italian players
[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the input Nes, Yes serieA updates too will be added here.
Regarding Real, I think they suffered enough last season and got a lot more to catch up to. But yes Barcelona seems to be their biggest threat with a lot of quality players in Larrson, Ronaldinho, Deco.
Premiership
Chelsea dropped their first points of the campaign when they drew with Aston Villa. Manchestar United's terrible start continued and so did Arsenal's incredible one. Arsenal have scored incredible 19 goals in five games so far.
both Real and Barcelona won their second match in the competition.
Real with a Beckham free kick and Barca 2-0 against Sevilla. Although both have 6 out of 2, Barca seem to be the better team: in both matches they have been in control even without the injured Ronaldinho. Real on the other hand have struggled to win on both occasions, winning only 1-0 twice.
in Italy, title favorites Inter were held to a 2-2 draw, and so too holders AC Milan.
^ I thought Real played really well yesterday and their goal was never under threat seriuosly apart from one occassion. They seriuosly need to do something about Raul who is sadly out of form since a while. I will agree about Barcelona though, they will push Real Madrid all the way with their new look attack, in both champions league and la liga.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by saby: *
Premiership
Manchestar United's terrible start continued and so did Arsenal's incredible one. Arsenal have scored incredible 19 goals in five games so far.
[/QUOTE]
Controversial match at the cottage - call me a bit biased - the referees got all the big calls right.
fulham were clearly the better team for an hour and arsenal was lucky to be level - but then Wenger released reyes - and in 10 minutes Arsenal led 3-0.
Just came back and read that Real Madrid's coach has resigned after the poor start to the season when they lost to Espanyol 0-1. Real Madrid is in a mess.
Juve will win today as well…the’re 0-3 up…what an in-form team 
:k:
so Juve are alone at the top with 9 out of 3 without any goal against them
Milan lost miserably at home to lowly Messina 1-2
In Spain Valencia showed they are among the contenders for the title once again with an amphatic 5-0 win against Depor. This result will also be pleasing for Ranieri, who is showing Chelsea that their failures weren't due to the manager, but the players or perhaps the managerial staff
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by NeSCio: *
In Spain Valencia showed they are among the contenders for the title once again with an amphatic 5-0 win against Depor. This result will also be pleasing for Ranieri, who is showing Chelsea that their failures weren't due to the manager, but the players or perhaps the managerial staff
[/QUOTE]
Thats just one game, and Valencia being contenders is the least youd expect from last seasons champions. His Chelsea also beat Newcastle (5-0) and won at Lazio (4-0), last season. He was also a title contender last season. The point is he hasnt won any major trophies, and didnt win anything in the 5 seasons at Chelsea. He also buggered up the substitutions in Chelseas Chmpions League semi-final first leg last season.
So he wont be able to stick it up to them, unless he wins either the League (I fancy Barcelona) or wins the Champion League (which is always difficult).
Real finally got a win after two horrible games against Leverkusen and Espanyol. They still have their second spot and will take over soon. I saw that match and Real players were quite passionate. Their goal scoring touch is still missing but it will get back.
Regarding Valencia, Ranieri may not have won any trophies but he believes in Flair and attacking style of play. But the way he screwed up in CL semi final last year was ridiculous. Lets see how he fares this time around with Valencia.