Time for a bump in this thread, tomorrow (or well today) Premier League will finally start again.
I don't think I've ever had this big of an urge for some football, even though there were some U21-games during the summer, nothing really comes close to Premier League, and after a turbulent summer with a lot of action on the transfer-market, this season might be closer then ever.
Initially I had plans on making a huge sorta "guide", with what all the teams had bought/sold, and their situations and such, but I haven't had much time in the last few days, and a lot of things are heating up now and will probably not be resolved until after the league-start, so I'll probably just settle with this wall of text.
Some thoughts about transfers and some of the teams:
Manchester United have done interesting purchases in the transfer-market. The loose against Barcelona was tough, but I think we've gotten some really good players, which will improve the squad further.
De Gea and
Jones are two brilliant young players, and speaking of young,
Ashley Young is a great addition to our midfield.
Chelsea on the other hand haven't done much, though the small things they have done might have a huge impact on how they will perform as a club.
André Villas-Boas is a really interesting coach, and
Lukaku is a really interesting player, considered by many to be the "new" Drogba, only time will tell.
Arsenal have had a pretty slow summer, with the additions of
Gervinho from Lille, and
Jenkinson from Charlton, their transfer-season is almost coming too late.
Fabregas leaving for Barcelona and
Nasri for Manchester City, the additions of
Campbell and
Oxlade-Chamberlain won't fill those spots right away.
A lot of talks about possible replacements like
Mata and
Hazard, but I think Wenger should focus on a really good defender for starters,
Cahill would be a good addition.
I think
Ramsey will do a
Wilshere this season, and fill the shoes of
Fabregas perfectly.
Liverpool have done some interesting transfers, players like
Downing,
Adam and
Jose Enrique are by no means world class players, but they have performed well in Premier League, and the two former will most likely assist
Carroll with many goals.
City are still City, one of the best teams on paper, but when it comes to actually performing... not as strong. They have quality, but their style of football is just as attractive as watching
Blackburn Rovers versus
Wolves.
Tottenham are still in desperate need of a GOOD striker, the 4 they have are not even good if you would combine them, and Spurs can kiss the CL-spots bye bye unless they bring on a really good striker, I would say that they should go for
Llorente,
Adebayor or
Falcao.
Sunderland however, is the team I'm almost the most eager to follow this season. Being a middle-team, they have done some really good additions to their squad, players like
Brown and
O'Shea from Man U, then other good players like
Larsson from Birmingham and
Wickham from Ipswich.
The first fixtures in Premier League: (games in bold are the ones I'm going to follow on TV, I also added how I think the games will end)
Saturday 13th August 2011:Blackburn Rovers vs Wolverhampton Wanderers [X]
Fulham vs Aston Villa [X]
Liverpool vs Sunderland [1]
QPR vs Bolton Wanderers [1]
Wigan Athletic vs Norwich City [X]
Newcastle United vs Arsenal [2]
Sunday 14th August 2011:Stoke vs Chelsea [2]
West Bromwich vs Man United [2]
Monday 15th August 2011:Man City vs Swansea [1]
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For those who haven't heard, Tottenham - Everton was post-poned due to the riots in London.
I hope you'll all follow PL now.