It is exciting times again as the dawn of a new EPL season is upon us!
Player movement continues until August 31st and while the next 19 days will give certain fans more confidence about their team’s fortunes in the season ahead, for others it may be total heart break.
While fans at the Emirates Stadium have been biting their nails anxiously about who they might lose, United’s noisy neighbors have been rubbing their hands about who they might sign. Both sets of fans must be so disgusted about the recurrent transfer tag of war that their captains subject them to every transfer window; they are now ready to say good riddance to their heroes. The destiny of their respective clubs in the new season will however depend on their respective managers finding the right balance between their vastly different personalities. Wenger will need to give up his frugal style purchases and add some steel to his defense and midfield, while Mancini will need to take more adventure and allow his lavishly assembled talent to express themselves especially against the big teams.
Anfield will be reeling after they were recently knocked off their perch as England’s most successful club, but in Daglish they have a man who eats and breathes Liverpool. With the backing of a generous check book that has allowed him to sign over £ 100 million worth of talent during his short reign, the fans are justifiably optimistic. Their conquerors at Old Trafford though embarking on a massive rebuilding spree that has seen the need to replace old war heads will have been encouraged by the promise of the young lads coming through. After the success of what is commonly labeled “Class ‘99”, these kids will know that unlike Emirates, youth is not an excuse for failing to win silverware at Old Trafford.
One side that does not go into field battle with kids is Chelsea. The question is whether their Mourinho era Warlords are too old to last the distance, or if they have just the right blend of experience that their undoubtedly intelligent but youthful coach needs to continue his trophy laden career.
Chelsea has so far succeeded in keeping their London rivals Tottenham on the back foot as they battle to keep Modric, their prized asset away from Chelsea’s clutches. With no acquisitions for a Spurs’ squad that was stretched so thin last season by the rigors of Champions League football, the White Hart Lane faithful must be concerned that for them, this may be one of those seasons to forget.
With the promotion of Queens Park Rangers, one thing London will not have in short supply is local derbies. West Ham may have been relegated but together with Fulham, QPR complete the traditional roaster of five London teams competing in the EPL. The Craven Cottage faithful may have taken encouragement from Jol’s replacement of the ungrateful Hughes as manager, but QPR will be relying on Warnock’s hunger to prove he can keep a team in the division after his Sheffield United woes.
The battle to stay in the division will traditionally be one that the other promoted sides; Norwich City and Swansea will have also braced themselves for. The former brings excellent English football tradition to the EPL while the latter will have EPL teams facing an unfamiliar trip to Wales. Given their limited transfer activity so far, the battle against relegation is one that last season’s final day survivors; Wigan, Wolves and Blackburn will expect to join.
Sunderland have been busy using the check they received from Liverpool’s Henderson purchase to assemble a full team. The question fans at the Stadium of Light will be asking of Bruce is whether this team will have the stamina to sustain their Europa League qualification challenge through the second half of the season.
Unlike Chelsea, Sunderland's derby rivals with black and white stripes have got rid of their proven EPL Warlords and replaced them with less illustrious bargains. Whether St. James’ Park will have joy or remorse will determine whether Pardew will finally be taken to heart by these most faithful of fans.
Other interesting events were at Villa Park who had the audacity to sign their manager from bitter rivals Birmingham. Having lost their two star players, McLeish will have to hit the ground running if he is to avoid a backlash from the fans.
Stoke have surprisingly thrown their weight around during this transfer window and should have some more exciting EPL games to supplement their Europa League adventure. A survey last season indicated that Man City fans were the happiest set in the league, a title that looks like shifting to the Britannia Stadium this time around.
Bolton Wanderers, Everton and West Brom complete the lineup with the division’s arguably most shrewd shoestring budget managers. Top half of the table finishes may just be enough to please their respective fans that have learned to be realistic about their clubs’ ambitions.
Watch this space for predictions through the season about who will win the title, Champions League qualifiers, Europa League qualifiers and Relegation candidates. Have your say!
