The new season

The new season has begun and what a start it has been, we've already had great goals, red cards and controversy so here's my opinion on some of the games gone by.

The surprise of the week was West Broms tremendous victory over Liverpool, there was so much hype in pre season about the reds becoming a fresh new side with the introduction of Brenden Rodgers but it really didn't show last Saturday with horrible defencive displays from Skrtel and Agger, the latter picking up a slightly harsh looking red card. There were positives as they looked dangerous in attack with Suarez missing a fair few chances, but we cant take anything away from the baggies now under Steve Clarke who's team was very well organised at the back and broke into fast paced counter attacks when necessary. Zoltan Gera scored the first contender for goal of the month with a fizzing volley and it would seem to me as though a top ten finish for West Brom is not so far out of reach, while it may take some time for Rodgers to bring a new philosophy into Anfield, the question is will he be given the time and resources to do it?

The champions started their title defence against newly promoted Southampton, a routine win you may have thought but no, the visitors thought hard and bravely against City's fire power which was slightly weakened with the injury of Aguero to the annoyance of many a fantasy football team manager (including myself). From all of the saga that was Carlos Tevez last season he now looks sharp and ready to score goals, he opened the scoring at the Etihad, but with a stroke of managerial genius Nigel Adkins released his talismanic striker Ricki Lambert from the bench and he had an immediate impact on the game scoring a very stylish equaliser and as the momentum shifted, the saints scored again through another tidy finish and put the away end in delirium. However Mancini's men came right back with the answers, 2-1 down before Dzeko headed in to level the scores... it was happening all over again, sure enough Samir Nasri came up with a late winner to seal the 3 points. Southampton look a very good side with the experience of Lambert up front, who could prove to be the new Grant Holt who also rose from the lower leagues to become such a prolific goalscorer.

Other teams that looked particularly impressive were Swansea and Fulham both beating their opponents by five goals, Petric for Fulham looks to be a sterling find for Martin Jol and Laudrops Swansea followed last season by playing a very good passing game, they took apart a promising QPR team who could well be in trouble over the next few months if they don't consolidate at the back.

Another surprise was Everton beating Manchester United, Kagawa looked promising while Van Persie barley had a touch, to much approval of Arsenal fans, after coming on as a late sub. Chelsea beat Wigan comfortably and last night came from behind to secure a 4-2 win over Reading with Eden Hazard showing his talent by racking up 5 assists already.

Looking forward to the rest of the season but we must remember we can't really come to any solid conclusions just yet as it could take a few weeks for relegation candidates and title contenders to show up.

Please if you have some time, share this blog and even drop a comment, I'm always looking on ways to improve and as an aspiring journalist it is much appreciated, thanks for reading!

   

Gera Smashing home a cracking volley for West Brom

 

 

Premier league 2012/2013

Exciting times for football as the new season is about to begin, or for many lower leagues and the capital one cup campaign, has already started! What always makes the start of a new football year better is the buzz around the top transfers of the summer, so who can we look forward to this time? These are the following players that I am most looking forward to seeing next season:

As a Chelsea fan I'm going to have to start with Hazard, a pacey attacking midfielder who can play either on the wing or just behind the striker. A very interesting player considering the whole dramatic transfer race - who will get him, where will he go... I was very pleased to see he had chosen the blues but with a hefty £35 million price tag there comes certain expectations, I for one do not want to have another Torres situation, who is now seemingly settled (I desperately hope). However, with a league 1 player and young player of the year award, Hazard looks promising, I have been watching friendlies and although not sparkling just yet I'm sure he will be able to do special things in the prem!

Now what about Arsenal, amidst all the RVP controversy Wenger has made a few marquee signings and brings exciting times for any arsenal fan, with or without Van Persie. Olivier Giroud got hardly any time in the euro’s to show his talent but did help Montpellier to an amazing Ligue 1 title ahead of the big guns in PSG, tall and powerful but with good technical ability and a deft touch that could definitely see him bag a few goals. Alongside him there is Podolski whether out on the left or through the middle we have always seen his talent among a dazzling German team, you don't get picked alongside the likes of Lahm and Schweinsteiger for no reason so let’s hope he can show the same ability he has in a slick new Arsenal set up.

Another player that fills me with excitement is Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa, in the summer of 2010 he was bought for a modest €350,000 from Cerezo Osaka and in just a couple of years he is the Manchester United new boy worth around £17 million, a real find with great movement and an ability to pick out the perfect pass when needed. He bagged 13 goals along with a good number of assissts and key passes, so we can expect a hardworking player capable of spectacular runs and a decent finish to boot surely looking to link up with the likes of Rooney and even maybe a certain RVP if the rumours of that big money transfer become true.

There are many more exciting players to look forward to Marin, Oscar, Corzola and many more, we can definitely look forward to a feast of premiership delights in the new season!

As Great Britain's greatest Olympic day came to an end, so did the medal dreams of our football team. Like me, many thousands of people across the UK were so disappointed to see another loss in a penalty shootout. In my opinion we had such a lacklustre first half and the few good moves we had luckily resulted in two vital penalties one put away by Ramsey and one saved - both poor and tame. As the match came to extra time you could just sense the shootout looming, but lets take the positives from the whole experience... Firstly; its a great experience for all involved and, even without clear chants to sing, I thoroughly enjoyed watching team GB play. The young talent of today are given a chance to shine and we have seen this with Jack Butland the rising star in the squad, Birmingham city have a great young keeper and would be wise to play him next season before a probable move to the Prem. Another point about this tournament is that, in my view, it seems to be a very good pre season for the players to get into shape and full fitness before their season begins, they look sharp and ready witch is surely a benefit to both players and clubs.

I have got to tip Brazil to take the gold with the players they have, the likes of Neymar and Hulk are so impressive while Chelsea new boy Oscar looks to run the show in midfield, Thiago Silva now at PSG holds vast experience and dominance at the back - I just can't see anything other than a triumph for the South Americans.

I'm going to predict a Brazil - Mexico final with the final score being 3-1, of course I'm not psychic so i wouldn't put your house on it but I very much look forward to both Semis and the final. As well as being in such anticipation for the coming premier league season, lets hope it's just as dramatic as the last!