UCL Draw (after the draw of course)

Group A
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Liverpool - Eng	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Porto - Por	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Marseille - Fra	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Besiktas - Tur	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Full group fixtures

Group B
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Chelsea - Eng	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Valencia - Spa	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Schalke - Ger	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Rosenborg - Nor	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Full group fixtures

Group C
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Real Madrid - Spa	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Werder Bremen - Ger	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Lazio - Ita	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Olympiakos - Gre	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Full group fixtures

Group D
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
AC Milan - Ita	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Benfica - Por	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Celtic - Sco	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Shakhtar Donetsk - Ukr	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Full group fixtures

Group E
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Barcelona - Spa	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Lyon - Fra	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Stuttgart - Ger	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Rangers - Sco	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Full group fixtures

Group F
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Manchester United - Eng	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Roma - Ita	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Sporting Lisbon - Por	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dynamo Kiev - Ukr	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Full group fixtures

Group G
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Inter Milan - Ita	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PSV Eindhoven - Hol	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
CSKA Moscow - Rus	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Fenerbahce - Tur	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Full group fixtures

Group H
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Arsenal - Eng	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Sevilla or AEK Athens* - Spa/Gre	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Steaua Bucharest - Rom	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Slavia Prague - Cze	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Full group fixtures

Yes, yes I just copy and pasted the whole chunk up there.

Group of Death goes to Group E no doubt. With Barcelona, Lyon, Stuttgart, and Rangers, its a tough position to be in any of the clubs really, although overall, I think all the teams in pot 1 should have no problem making it into the next round. A lot of debate going on about Group E as which team should qualify with Barcelona. Lyon's been good in Europe, Stuttgart is untested, and Rangers, is seen as the dark horse of the group. To me, its going to be Lyon, I don't see Rangers have any chance of making it, maybe a Uefa Cup spot.

Group of Life award goes to Group H with Arsenal, Sevilla or AEK Athens, Steaua and Slavia Prague. And it gets worse if AEK makes it. Group of life means, all the minor teams have every chance in the world to make it through, while pot 1 Arsenal should have no problem playing reserves and scoring points.

Champions League draws are very funny. They bring back the past, give previous losers a second chance. We all know Chelsea's losing streak against Liverpool, this time, we will see Man Utd against Roma again, Milan versus Celtic, and Chelsea against Valencia.

Too early to predict a winner, but I would like Liverpool to win, naturally. And if they don't, I would like a Slavia Prague vs Shakhtar Donetsk final

UCL Draw

The draw is half as interesting as the games, and we are talking about the Uefa Champions League. One of the only European Club tournaments showing on local non-cable channels from where I live.

The pots for the draw are as follows

Pot 1

AC Milan
Barcelona
Liverpool
Inter Milan
Arsenal
Real Madrid
Chelsea
Manchester United

Pot 2

Valencia
Lyon
Porto
Sevilla/AEK Athens
PSV Eindhoven
Roma
Benfica
Werder Bremen

Pot 3

Celtic
Schalke
Stuttgart
Steaua Bucharest
CSKA Moscow
Sporting Lisbon
Lazio
Marseille

Pot 4

Rangers
Shakhtar Donetsk
Besiktas
Olympiakos
Dynamo Kiev
Fenerbache
Slavia Prage
Rosenborg

So how does this thing work?
Basically there will be groups of 4 and 1 team from each pot will fill 1 position in each group.
The other condition is that any team will not face another team of the same country in the group. For example, AC Milan and Roma, although they are in different pots, they cant be drawn into the same group.

Do the math and calculate your team's chances against different teams. Exciting tournament awaits.

Liverpool in UCL

I'l let the goal speak for themselves.

Just noting that all first team strikers opened their accounts, and Season is looking good. :)

Leto Debuts for Liverpool tonight

One of the reasons I'm writing this post is because I cant sleep.

Sebastian Leto will be handed his Reds debut in tonight's Champions League qualifier against Toulouse.

The young Argentine, who will be 21st birthday next week, starts on the left side of midfield, while Yossi Benayoun patrols the right on his home debut.

Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva could also make his debut after being named on the bench.

This is the line up

Reina, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Agger, Riise, Benayoun, Leto, Sissoko, Mascherano, Crouch, Kuyt.

Subs: Itandje, Finnan, Torres, Alonso, Pennant, Babel, Lucas.

To be honest, I'm a little worried. Liverpool only hold a 1 goal lead, the job is not done and this is a side that will depend on their wings to attack, namely Leto and Benayoun. I have yet to see both perform for Liverpool and I hope it all goes well.

I believe the game will go Liverpool's way as long as they can feed high balls to Crouch. Simple effective game plan that works in European football.

May Leto and Leiva do wonders and shock the world.

RIP Antonio Puerta

Sevilla defender Antonio Puerta was in "very serious" condition Sunday after two cardiac arrests during his team's 4-1 win over Getafe a day earlier.

"He is in the intensive care unit where he has been given assisted ventilation and is experiencing hemodynamic instability," a medical statement issued by the Virgen del Rocio hospital said. "The prognosis is very serious."

And he is only 22 years old, and probably has a great future ahead of him. Quality young player as well. Sad moment in football.

Man Utd's first win

Argh they finally won. But against a very unlucky Tottenham side, and it could have been a disaster for United.

Nani scored a very good looking goal, but truthfully, it was pretty close to the centre just showing how bad Paul Robinson's positioning was. It was a good goal though.

I was waiting for a Man Utd defeat as they were 2nd from the bottom before the game. It could make a good conversation ice breaker to friends that enjoys football like I do.

Arsenal beaten Man City and nearly did not succeed and ended Man City's excellent start.

Weekend of football.

The Spanish League and the Italian League begins this week.

Spotlight will be on the new Real Madrid taking on city rivals Athelico Madrid. With new signings, new manager, new style of play, on paper, Real Madrid is actually quite strong. But how long before they gel as a team? I really don't know.

Juventus is back in the Serie A and the tussle for the title is wide open again. No more one horse race, but lets rememeber, Juventus is now a weaker side compared to 2 years ago.

EPL matches of the week would be Sunderland against Liverpool, Arsenal against Manchester City and Man Utd against Tottenham.

My pick would be a Liverpool win, Arsenal sharing points with Man City, and Man Utd yet to score their first week, which will spark more articles about their bad start. Heh heh heh.

See you on the other side :)

Mad transfers

Honestly, I expect deals like Heinze to Real Madrid to have more of a saga, something the press would enjoy. Or at least something done minutes before the transfer window closes. Pretty much something more dramatic.

Suddenly, without any warning, Belletti moves to Chelsea, Robben goes to Madrid, Heinze to Madrid, and Daniel Alves to stay another year?

Smartest move of the lot would be Belletti to Chelsea. This is one classy right back, playing second fiddle to Zambrotta in Barcelona. Coming to Chelsea means first team football and a team that is hungry of trophies. Yes, Alves is an exceptional talent, but he deserves to stay at Sevilla for one more year before moving to Liverpool next season. Ho ho ho.

And Real Madrid, once collecting galacticos, then started to collect Brazilians, then a bunch of use to bes, then prospects, and now the Dutch collection.

Funny isn't it?

What is wrong with Man Utd?

Out of 3 matches, 2 draws and a loss. One would expect this start for a team battling relegation. It might be just 3 games, but this is the worst start Man Utd have in years. Some are just debating that its the early season jitters. Just a little early bump they say. 16th place as off now. Thats just bad.

The English Champions, making great signings as far as paper goes. Nani, regarded as a Cristiano Ronaldo Clone. Hey, which team wants to handle 2 Cristiano Ronaldos? Anderson is seen as another Paul Scholes, Owen Heargreaves, one of England's best in the previous World Cup, and Carlos Tevez, we all know what he did with West Ham last season.

Put all of these together with the current squad, sounds really good right?

Or so we thought.

I can tell you what is wrong with a couple of keywords.

Hype, aging, expectations.

All leads to failure.

EPL week 2

I think saikaiball.com said it right.

Liverpool 1 Referee 1.

Okay, I only saw clips, look at stats and read match reports. Let me first say that the Torres goal was really really good.

Then comes the part where Malouda tripped over the ball. 60000 pairs of eyes watching it live in the stadium, millions tuning in at home, and replays to back them, Mr Rob Styles is the only one that saw a foul.

Mr Styles, when a player falls down in front of another player without direct contact, that is not a foul. This game should be won by Liverpool no doubt.

Man City 1 Man Utd 0

When the lights go on, and reality sets in, you shall now all bow to me and say that I was right all along and you should have believed me. Muahaha. As close as Man Utd gets, they are denied by the much better Man City (compared to themselves for the past season). Eriksson's football at its best, not many chances created, a little boring, but can be effective. Worst start for Man Utd, and I believe it could only get worse. Titles are not won or lost in August though.

Another worth mention would be Tony Warner's butter fingers goalkeeping.

At this level, mistakes like that are never forgotten.

The Champions Youth Cup

In case if you don't know, the finals will be between Man Utd and Juventus.

Let me just say that this competition is held at the wrong time, and the attendance is just pathetic. Yes, even the news was debating on this. We are talking about the future of football, and drawing crowds fewer than matches of the local leagues, I'm not sure whether to be proud or sad.

Both finalist, I have yet to watch a single match on any of them. So my guess of the outcome is as good as any body's. If Liverpool's in this tournament, I believe they will have a good chance of winning, since they are the domestic youth champions for a couple of years already.

Looking at the youth system of both Man Utd and Juventus, both are pretty impressive. Man Utd can churn a talentless Luke Chadwick to peak when he's barely 20. Juve's youngsters are well, they have a history of creating careers for plenty of Italian internationals.

My rough pick would be Man Utd to win the tournament. The best team doesn't always win things like that, it comes down to determination and luck. Good luck!

18/8/07 EPL weekend preview

Who cares about the other matches, the spot light is on Liverpool vs Chelsea and Manchester City vs Man Utd.

About Liverpool vs Chelsea, Since Mourinho and Benitez was in charge the league record favours Chelsea, and the Cup record favours Liverpool, and this is the League. Statistics will tell us that this match is going Chelsea's way. And mind you, these 2 men I believe are not friends.

Another issue that is brought up would be the spending habits of the both clubs. Liverpool spending 40 million pounds, and Chelsea not in their usual shopping mood but gotten themselves a couple of players. Will this match be decided by the new signings, most probably. Malouda is showing that he's a hell of a player, and with Drogba out, Pizarro wants to prove more of himself, while Ben Haim is trying to prove that he is not Boulahrouz. On the Liverpool's side, I believe the strikers would like to open their EPL accounts, and All eyes will be on Fernando Torres. Will he shine?

Man City vs Man Utd, Local derby, and its not the usual Man City we know. Sven might not do well in the national level, but history is with him at club management. City might not be equipped with Trophy winning materials, but they are one of the surprise packages of the season that I believe a lot of people overlooked.

In this match, with a Rooney and Ronaldoless Man Utd playing, I would love to watch them fall. It will be a preview of Scholes, Giggs and Neville showing that their past is the only thing they can be proud of, Nani showing that he is no Cristiano Ronaldo no matter what people say, Tevez wished he was still in West Ham, O'Shea striking again(hahahahaha) Van der Sar's oily gloves, oh the pleasure!

Beckham scores in debut

Woo hoo! What a surprise! Confetti can be thrown, parties can be started, and holidays can be announced!


For your info, La Galaxy have yet to score in a long long time, which means that they are winless, for a long long time.



So Beckham starts, scores a free kick, made an assist in Major League Soccer. Let me repeat myself, Major League Soccer!

No offence to the MLS, but I see it as the equivalent to the Championship league in England. And LA Galaxy is comparable to Crewe Alexandra. Once again no offence. I like Crewe.

haha!

Rooney out for 2 months

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this has to be the third time, Rooney had a foot injury. This time it is only a fracture, but it would take 2 months to heal and probably another month to get back on form.

I think a lot of people will blame it on the boot, Nike's been defending themselves about this. But seriously, 20% of the players in the EPL is wearing this boot. Half of them got a fractured foot? Broken bone?

Can blame it on pure bad luck, but 3 times in 3 years is a little too common I must say. It comes down to this. Hype. Everyone wants to tackle the player that can win games. And when they do it passionately, no body wants to be Wayne Rooney any more.

Personally I hoped that he would be injured for the rest of the season, causing striking problems for Man Utd, hence ending their title reign.

Not too bad.

Malaysia lost to Bayern Munich 2-1, drew Chelsea 0-0 and lost to PSV 2-0 in the Youth Champions cup.

Not too bad, and I think the team can be proud of their achievements. Teams like Chelsea are filled with players of different nationalities, prodigies or from a very good youth system. Teams like Malaysia is built from players from school standards, and literally villages around the country.

At least we were once above Chelsea in the table... for 2 Match days!

Kudos Malaysia.

Aston Villa 1 Liverpool 2

Its been quite some time since Liverpool won their first game of the season.

Early on, Liverpool did not start off well, but managed to create good chances against the villains. Soon, Fernando Torres proves his worth by making good runs, making good chances, taking important shots, and showing that he's not a selfish player who wants to score on his debut. Any Liverpool fan can be satisfied by his debut. If he plays like this all Season long, the goals will come.

On the 31st minute, it was Torres' shot that contributed to the first goal, a well taken shot, parried by Stuart Taylor then an excellent hoof by Kuyt sending the ball into the 6 yard box, where Laursen's clearance ended up in the net for a goal. Even if he failed, Torres and Riise was in position to tap the ball into the empty net.

Aston Villa tried to fight back in the second half. Ashley Young is showing everyone why he should be in the England squad soon, and John Carew proving his worth in the air.

Soon, Carew's header ended up hitting Jamie Carragher's hand for a handball in the penalty box, where Gareth Barry scored. This happened in th 85th minute, what many thought would be the decisive goal and both teams share the spoils.

2 minutes later, Steven Gerrard hits an amazing freekick that curled right into the top corner.
Watch it here.


And what a goal it was.

2-1's the final score.

The other signing that impressed me would be Ryan Babel, showing both speed and technique and I believe he can improve Liverpool's game.

In other important games, Sunderland showed spurs that they are a middle sized fish in a big pond with a last minute strike to win 1-0 and Martins scored a superb bicycle kick against Bolton in a game that finished 3-1.

EPL final table prediction

Don't kill me if I'm wrong.

1. Chelsea
2. Man Utd
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
5. Tottenham
6. Newcastle
7. Everton
8. Man City
9. Portsmouth
   
10. Aston Villa
    
11. Blackburn
12. Sunderland
13. West Ham
14. Bolton
15. Middlesbrough
16. Fulham
17. Reading
18. Wigan
19. Birmingham
20. Derby County
    

Wigan Athletic Season preview

haha! I made it before the start of the season!

Last team would be Wigan Athletic. The team that missed out on relegation after the last match day. And its time to go down and out of the EPL.

With the resignation of Paul Jewell, his number 2 Chris Hutchings, steps up to be the boss, and is contending to be one of the first few managers to be sacked. Besides that, an edition of overrated and overpriced players Bramble. Antoine Sibierski(okay, this is a good one), Mario Melchiot and Jason Koumas, Wigan needs a miracle this season to stay up.

I have nothing much to say about Wigan but just enjoy your year. Make some money and see you in the lower divisions.

More Champions Youth Cup results

I couldn't make it to any more games but these are some of the scores of last night's games.

Malaysia 0 Chelsea 0
Oh my!

Bayern Munich 1 PSV 0
I read about the defensive tactics of Bayern. Well done.

Flamengo 2 Arsenal 1

Ajax 0 Milan 1

West Ham Season Preview

So much controversies, not so many points, but enough to stay up to fight for another year.

And the fight gets tougher with more high profile sales, including Nigel Reo Coker, Youssi Benayoun, Marlon Harewood and Carlos Tevez.

And replacing them would be Craig Bellamy, Scott Parker, the injured Faubert, Richard Wright and Freddy Ljungberg. But honestly, the game of West Ham this season lies on the shoulder of Last season's survivals such as Matthew Upson and Dean Ashton. Both were sidelined by injuries and are back to prove a point that they are driving forces of the club to bring them away from relegation to the top 10.

Having said that, I would like to mention that West Ham United is a very unpredictable club. One season, they can be so underrated and do excel in the league and another season they can show so much potential earlier on and get themselves into a lot of trouble.

Its hard to predict the outcome of this season, but after last season's circus performances, I would like to make a guess that this season West Ham will doing well enough to secure a mid table position. Its just a guess, like other predictions that are done before this.

Tottenham Hotspurs Season Preview

Tottenham Hotspurs. Not too long ago, I see this side as a really dull and boring side, where they are simply too good to be in a relegation battle and too weak to fight for an European spot. So many changes since then.

I would like to compare them with Leeds in the early 2000s, not their spending habits though, at least not really. Even though there is a rise in the quality of the team and the football itself, Tottenham never won a trophy or qualified for a Champions League spot. They did secure the tag, 'the best of the rest.' Is Martin Jol's job safe?

Major signings includes Darren Bent (almost the same price as Henry), Gareth Bale, Younes Kaboul, and Kevin-prince Boateng. One to watch would be Gareth Bale. Pleas play him very often, the world wants to see what the hype is al about. We don't want another Theo Walcott.

Overall the squad is very very decent. I believe they have the potential of pushing for 4th place again, but there is all to it. What the fans need is a cup win this season. If not its going to be another so close yet so far season.

Sunderland Season Preview

Roy Keane is back in the EPL! But this time as a manager.

In the past 2 attempts at the Big League, Sunderland did so badly they probably make Watford look like Overachievers last year.

Which team that just got themselves promoted to the Premiership spends 27million pounds on players, including 9 million pounds on a Scottish keeper?

Craig Gordon. A classy keeper, quality, reliable. But 9 million? Why not just try loan Scott Carson or someone else for the season?

Other players includes Michael Chopra, Dickson Etuhu, Greg Halford, Paul McShane and Kieran Richardson. Not exactly the star lineup but its more or less an acceptable grab for a promoted team that plans to stay up and safe.

I believe this season Sunderland will do well, like many other promoted clubs that shows promise in the first season. In their opening game against Tottenham, Sunderland has the potential to shock us and start well. A good mid term plan for the team is to collect 25 points by Christmas, and I think they can get it done.

Good Luck Sunderland, one for the neutrals.

Reading Season Preview

Reading. Haha. Weird name

Anyways, many promoted clubs that does well in the first season will agree that the second time round is always tougher. And if they survive this season, they can pretty much secure their Premiership status for a couple of years to come, as long as they make the right moves. Last time, Reading was too decent, this is the true test of what they are made off.

Whats worst? Losing star player Steve Sidwell to Chelsea, or losing Sidwell to Chelsea? I don't need an oracle to tell me that shit is coming this way.

Signing of the season would be Kalifa Cisse. Because he's the only one. I've seen clips and he plays like Sisoko. Offers a lot to the midfield, but nothing in the attack. Pressure on Kevin Doyle and Leroy Lita.

Yeap, looks like relegation battle to me.

The Champions Youth Cup Kuching 08/08/07

I spent a good RM12 for some quality football last night.

I was a little surprised that one match is only 70 minutes instead of 90, but we have to remember that these are basically kids playing.

Kuching is Hosting Group G that includes Bayern Munich, Chelsea, PSV Einhoven and Malaysia.

Its a safe bet to say PSV and Chelsea are the favourites to go through because these clubs have a very good youth system. Even so, you can have the best system in the world, but you can make talent, they have to be discovered.

Here are some pictures.


PSV players drinking water.. (oooo)


Bayern Munich warming up.



The start of the Malaysia vs Bayern Munich


Half time, people filling holes with sand. What???


Shevchenko?

Match one was Bayern Munich vs Malaysia. I've heard about our under-19 team being rather strong, eased my fears of watching my home side getting trashed. And nope, that didn't happen. Although Bayern was attacking most of the time, holding possession a little longer, it took them 35 minutes to finally score a goal, right before the end of the first half. In the second half, Malaysia bounced back with a quick counter and I actually get to use my flag! When it looks like 1-1 would be the final scoreline, a completely embarrassing mix up near the end gave Bayern an easy goal to win 2-1.

Malaysia can leave the pitch with no shame and their heads held high, heroes of the day. The goal scorer can walk around telling everyone that he scored a goal against Bayern Munich and no one can take that away from him.

Second match of the night was Chelsea vs PSV Einhoven. Now this is a match to remember. You can really experience the beauty of the game, and the intelligent plays that you take for granted all the time on tv. It was a close game with PSV scoring one goal to win 1-0.

Now lets talk about the players that were somewhat impressive last night and might have a good future in professional football.

From Bayern Munich I can pick out one that can be potentially good, but not great.

This is 18 year old Thomas Müller, looks younger in real life. What he can do is to get into space and make intelligent runs. He even assisted the first Bayern Munich goal.


18 year old Miroslav Stoch from Chelsea. This is one fast dude, and when I say fast I meant really really fast. Fast = dangerous = fast.


And this is 16 year old Gael Kakuta. From last night, this French player is the next Mekelele. No joke, he's a really good complete midfielder. No joke, really no joke. Really, really.



17 year old Nigel Hasselbaink. I was told he is Jimmy Floyl Hasselbaink's sone. This kid has poor fitness, but he makes up in his unique dribbling skills.


Mr Sunsilk here is 17 year old Stijn Wuytens from Belgium. He has the word playmaker written all over him, what do you mean you cant see? Creates chances for team mates and isn't afraid to take some of them.

Hopefully we will see these kids again on tv in a few years time.

Portsmouth Season Preview

6 more teams to go. Sorry about the lack of quality lately <:D

They have a very weird Emblem. Crest and Star, can be found in a Malaysian Flag in the same colour that represents our King and Islam as a national religion.

Ever since Portsmouth came to the EPL, they always struggle to keep up. Last Season, they never look like they were in danger, at all. Scoring 54 points in 38 games finishing 9th position, fans can be very proud of their club and players.

Most talked about signing would probably be David Nugent. Its been a while since a Championship player play for the English first team and scores. A lot of people are waiting to see what he can do in the EPL itself.

Okay, Sulley Muntari is quite something, but who's heard of him?

Overall what could be expected of Portsmouth is more or less the repeat of last season, hopefully maybe better. Maybe a UEFA cup spot by the end of the season...

Newcastle United Season Preview

So Alan Shearer is long gone. But just look at the striker's line up for this season.

Obafemi Martins, Michael Owen, Alan Smith, Albert Luque, Shola Ameobi, Mark Viduka and Andrew Carroll. Wait what am I talking about? Luque is a joke in England, and Owen's always injured.

Hey, Andrew Carroll is an upcoming new quality player that might not get a lot of action this season. Better get a loan deal somewhere.

Okay, enough talking about the strikers. Lets talk about the managers. As far as I remember, in the past 10 years, none of the high profil men in black won anything with Newcastle. And they all got sacked one by one. We all know Big Sam's success from Bolton, is he the man that can bring this big club back to the top 5? Shoestring budget with Bolton and European football, what about Newcastle with a lot of money would mean Champions League football?

Overall I'm pretty confident with the direction this club is going. Its going to take a damn lot of time for any trophy success, but at least I firmly believe Newcastle is heading back to the European scene.

With all the new signings, you've got to be impressed.

MIddlesbrough Season Preview

Honestly I'm surprised that Gareth Southgate was not sacked last season. Good news for him, he's got a second chance, and not everyone gets a second chance.

Inconsistency is the team's middle's name. One day they beat chelsea, another they get thrashed 4-0 by portsmouth, Oh i even remember those days. Last season, smart move no.1 was Jonathan Woodgate, coming back to England and getting his career back. Middlesbrough finished 11th last time, not that bad, a little too good for relegation, but honestly they should be pushing for European football after appearing in the UEFA cup final the year before.

I like to see last season as beginners luck for Southgate, not screwing up to bad, but still underachieving, and this season, they will struggle like Charlton a few months back.

The promising signing award goes to Sanli Tuncay. He is another one of those FM game greats thriving to prove them self in reality.

But at the end of all the struggle, you know what, they are just too good to go down. Finishing near the bottom, safely, another year of under achievement.

Manchester United Season Preview

The Champions are going to defend their title this time around.

I don't like Manchester United, and my reason is that A lot of United fans are not sincere, (not all) but there are a lot who just wants to support them because of glory. Same goes to Chelsea fans too. I could never understand how this person who is a Man Utd fan 4 years ago, suddenly became a Chelsea fan and finally a Man Utd fan all over again. No loyalty.

Last season, two names brought United the title, Rooney and Ronaldo. Both have a heavy burden to bear again this season. This season, new signings, Anderson, Nani, Owen Hargreaves and the not yet signed Tevez, just made the team sound so darn strong on paper. Nani's the new Ronaldo, Tevez, we know him too well, bla bla bla. Great hype comes great expectations.

And I would like to see them fail like crazy!

Haha!

I think the worst they could finish is probably a 3rd spot in the League and I hope they do. How? Screw up the first few games, injuries to strikers meant that United will be forcing the goals out of their midfield, and we will see Giggs and Scholes slowing down to grandpa's pace, plus over ambitious Ferguson starting to play midfielders as strikers, and defenders as midfielders. The Charity shield will be the only trophy they will win all season!

muahhahahah!

Manchester City's Season Preview

Yes I know I'm running out of time before the League starts but I plan to do a few teams today to catch up with procrastination.

With Stuart Pearce sacked, Joey Barton gone, Distin gone, new Chairman, new manager and so many new signings, this is definitely an all new team to watch this season. I'm sure its a safe bet that the team will score more than 10 goals at home this season, and the fans can only get happier.

I believe soccernet has a very good description on the new signings.

His spending so far, surely not at an end, has been prolific if curious. £8.8m for Rolando Bianchi, a player who impressed for struggling Reggina after being largely scoreless at Atalanta and Cagliari, does not completely have the look of the signing an out-an-out goalscorer to soothe the goal-starved stomachs of the City faithful.

Geovanni, a Brazilian most famed in the football world for a brief and unflattering spell at Barcelona at the start of this decade, looks an intriguing signing, though the record of South Americans settling in Manchester is not good. One thing in his credit account among City fans would be a goal that ended United's participation in the 2005/6 Champions League. Very much a 'wait and see' player, Geovanni has as much as anyone to prove at City. In enticing winger Martin Petrov from Atletico Madrid, Eriksson showed he still possesses some standing in the transfer market. Petrov has been a genuine star for club and country and his explosive approach could add some zest into City's previously somnambulent attack.

And John Berwin is right! Petrov in the EPL! finally!

Of course other signings like Elano and Valery Bojinov whom excelled in the football manager world. Wonder how they will do in reality tv. ho ho ho.

It would take nearly forever for Man City to outdo their city rivals, but this season is going to be better than the last. However, I believe Man City will not make it to European football just yet but finishing in a more respectable League position.

Liverpool's Season Preview

I might be a fan but I'll try to have a neutral view on this.

Emblem is not up yet cause I have problems with it putting it up now. So might have it up later.

Okay, its Rafa Benitez's forth season with the club. By right, its about time that this rafalution wins the EPL. I'm not sure if they will this season, but what I and most realistic Liverpool fans expect is a strong challenge to the title.

It comes down to focus. Benitez likes to focus on one tournament. And then uses his superpowers to bring success to the club. In the past, its all about European Glory. Love them or hate them, it was a successful fun. 2 finals in 3 years is no fluke, its no joke. Such achievements can only make Mourinho jealous.

But its about time we have a strong domestic League challenge.

New major signings are heard about everywhere. Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel, Voronin, and Benayoun.

Torres is obviously a gamble. For so much money, everyone expects so much. Make no mistake, gambles do pay off.

Ryan Babel is a very interesting player. I love to watch his progress with Liverpool, Voronin can be a surprise package, and Benayoun is a fringe player, good but not great.

How will they do this season?

I secretly hope Liverpool can win the title this season, but if they start strongly in the first 10 games, Liverpool should have enough quality to push either Man Utd or Chelsea for that valuable second spot. I hope for good cup runs, and cup wins on the way.

Manchester United wins Charity Shield

After a 1-1 draw, Man Utd won the game by penalties. 3-0 is the scoreline.

But lets look at the game first. Man Utd, having an average game, open the scoring with Ryan Giggs unmarked, blasting the top corner of the goal, leaving the defense helpless, while Malouda is showing a lot of promise with his effort that got him the goal a few minutes later.

Other players that shined includes Shaun Wright Phillips. My only concern is that this young dude does not look at where he's crossing.

With Terry out as well, we get to see Ben Haim. And he plays like Boulahrouz!

In the end, I confirmed my knowledge that Chelsea does not know how to take penalties in a shootout. 3 misses out of 3 is weak in any level.

What Chelsea can be satisfied about is the fact that the Charity Shield winner usually does not win the EPL. We'll see.

Fulham Football Club Season Preview.

Fulham is another one of those dull sides I don't mind to see relegated this season.

Lawrie Sanchez took over near the end of last season trying to save Fulham from relegation, and he did it with a very poor streak. Okay, I take that back, its just not convincing.

But at the end of the day, they finished fifth from the bottom winning only 8 games all season, winning more games then Watford. What kept them up was the number of draws, 15 draws in total, second only Aston Villa the other draw specialist.

For such a small club in the League(really really) spending 20 million on players is a very very big deal. The clubs was once filled with players like Louis Saha, Sean Davis, Steed Malbranque, Steve Finnan and Luis Boa Morte is now replaced with David Healy, Lee Cook, Chris Baird, Paul Konchesky, Adam Watts and Diomansy Kamara. Only Paul Konchesky shows real promise.

Lawrie might have a good run in Northern Ireland before this but over here, another contender as one of the first few managers to get sacked. Its even easier when he spent so much money on a bunch of lower league players.

I hope they get relegated if no drastic change is made

Everton Season Preview

Last Season, Everton did fairly well overall, finishing as the second best of 'rest'.

What can we expect this Season.

Like many clubs, their seasons depend on how they start the whole tournament, how they do in the first 10 games of the league. From there, they become pretty consistent until July. For Everton, this is usually the case.

Everton has a decent squad, one that is good enough to compete in Europe

Signings this season includes Steven Pienaar and Phil Jagielka. And I would love to see the progress of Steven Pienaar in England. This player is one to watch.

Of course about Everton, the weakness comes in the lack of offensive power. Last season's flop, James Beattie has just left the club leaving Andrew Johnson and the only high profile striker left in the club. I doubt James Mcfadden and James Vaughan would be scoring enough. They should, and I hope they will sign a striker a little better than Andrew Johnson if Everton is looking for any chance to break into the top four this time around.

That being said, Everton has a very good midfield. Or at least the squad contains good midfielders on paper. Let hope David Moyes didn't plan to flood the center the pitch and play a boring 1 striker game.

Overall, I think Everton will finish somewhere near the top and has a small but hopeful chance of breaking the top 4. European football for the Season after that is pretty possible. As long as they don't screw up each game like the one against Man Utd the last time.

Derby County Season preview.

I don't even need to say anything and everybody knows that this team is the next Watford. Well done for entering the EPL. Goodbye and come again by the end of April.

New signings includes Claude Davis, Andy Todd, Robert Earnshaw, Lewis Price and Ben Hinchliffe. At the premiership level, all of these names except Robert Earnshaw are John Does. And they will stay that way.

What can be expected from the current squad in the upcoming EPL?

Nothing!

Except a season where they will be constantly thrashed and have games where they can nearly win but just not close enough, and a few point snatches, and a good game or 2 against another Premiership struggler.

Just enjoy your moments, cherish your rare wins, play your best, and thats it. My prediction is very simple. At the end of the Season, they are Rock bottom, collecting less than 30 points.

If Derby County can get 17th position or higher at the end of the Season, I'm going to chop of my.................

Rhain Davis

Ever since a few years back, instead of signing super stars, a lot of teams are signing potential stars. These potential stars are young and are showing promise that they can be world class players. Signing them young means that you can get them for cheap, and you get all the credit for discovering a gem.

Any football manager player would know about Freddy Adu, before he even have a glimpse of him in action. I found him in the game at 13 years of age, like a lot of others. They said he's promising, a future great, so much promise, and I think he just peaked when he was 15.

Point is, these hot prospects are getting younger and younger. A few years back, signing a 20 year old would be considered young.

And these talents get younger and younger. There are so many next (insert footballer name).. and so on.

This kid is no exception.



Watch this video.

Rhain Davis. He's only 9. And Manchester United wants to sign him. Compared to Wayne Rooney, bla bla bla..

He's bloody nine! When I was 9, I went to class and my English Teacher told us Enid Blyton is a horrible writer.

He's bloody 9! Yes, he has a great footballing gift no doubt, but if he improves his game to a level where he can play with the big boys (we always assume they get better dont we?), when will that be? Okay, lets say he starts his first team career young. How bout in 7 bloody years.

Soon, they will be signing 2 year olds who can kick a plush toy as far as 10 meters. And they will call him the next Eric Cantona.

Okay, I'm assuming you saw the video by now. That's talent! :)

Chelsea Season Preview.

Its about time.

Love them or hate them, Chelsea in my opinion is the favourites for this years title. No, not the clear favourites, but if injury does not strike, its hard to see them not winning. The Domestic League I meant.

The overall picture with this club is as simple as this, Russian Billionaire comes over and buys the club, injects it with a lot of money, and soon hire an arrogant Portugese who thinks he's the best. With that, Trophies are expected year after year, and of course the not yet achieved European glory, humbled by the great Liverpool!

Last season we saw the rise of a defender who poses fear to Strikers and players all over. Khalid Boulahrouz. No I'm not joking. Anyone who plays against him is always afraid of his tackles, of course usually done by his hands.

Okay, seriously, Chelsea's game relies on the back 2. Peter Cech and John Terry. What they do is simple, keep clean sheets. If they do that often enough, an odd goal that usually appears out of no where can secure 3 points no problem. About the fireworks at the other end, Chelsea have the reliable Drogba to get the job done. If not, Lampard and the other usual suspects are ready to supply. Plus, the addition of Claudio Pizzaro, it looks good. Should I add Shevchenko in that list? Wait? Who's Shev?

When you are a 30 million pound striker, winning the European Player of the year, having quality midfielders that can feed you chances, and scoring as much as Ivan Campo, tsk tsk...

Other player that proved his worth the last time was Michael Essien. Crap, how did he do that?

Okay, we know they will be really high up there in the Domestic League. How will they do in Europe? Same like any other season... Showing so much promise and hope... and failing later on... I hope they get knocked out by Liverpool again. haha!

Bolton Wanderers Season Preview

And they have a very weird looking emblem too.

After that Dramatic departure of Sam Allardyce, we will witness the start of a new era. The Sammy Lee era.

I know Sammy Lee, no not in person. He was a coach from Liverpool a couple of years ago. And I think he is actually quite a good coach. But as a manager of Bolton? I'm very sure, Sammy will not surprise us this season, and is in contention to be one of the first managers to be sacked. I'll be surprise if he's still in office by January.

Bolton, I see it as a very difficult side to manage. Sam Allardyce has done miracles with this team. Working on a budget fit for a relegation fighting side, he made Bolton stand out. Of course by using boring tactics, set pieces, and players that are desperate to build up on their retirement funds.

The team does have a couple of quality players like Nicolas Anelka, Kevin Nolan and Kevin Davis. Quality players, but like it or not, the other pieces of the Bolton Puzzles are made up of rejects. Okay, fine, Gary Speed is important too.

Perhaps the only brightside, is the incoming of Swedish winger Christian Wilhelmsson, on loan. believe he has the pace to cope in the Premier League, and my friends, heavy shoulders for him this season.

How will they do this time?

Working too hard finding themselves flirting with the bottom 3. Unless a major change happen, this is how it's going to be.