by bigmick » Tue Jul 20, 2010 4:38 pm
It's interesting to revisit this after two momentous bit of news in last 24 hours. Both were a bit of a shock to be perfectly honest, even for someone like me who is into a bit of blind and mindless optimism these days (it won't last I've no doubt ). I really thought Stevie would go to be honest, and I didn't think in a million years that Joey Cole would leave London.
So where does that leave us now? Well obviously I was already optimistic we'd improve on last season even without Cole and Gerrard, so now they're here as well what's the new goal? I strongly believe now that we have the makings of a really good team, and if Torres stays I think we can even strongly challenge for the title if we get a left back and some striker cover and have a bit of luck for a change.
I know that sounds ridiculously optimistic (and it probably is), but I really am fired up for the coming campaign. It's not just about the likes of Cole and Gerrard, there are other players too. Players like Danny Agger who probably have a bit to prove but have huge potential to do so, Ryan Babel even, all that potential and now a fresh start. We've got Glen Johnson who's got that tricky first season out of the way, and we've of course got Pepe, the best keeper in the league. We've got Alberto Aquilani who is probably going to be given a few more opportunites to showcase his obvious talents, and if he stays of course we've got Fernando Torres, the best striker of his type in the league.
And what of the others? Well Chelsea have bought Yossi Benayoun, and some of their older players must surely start to show the signs soon. It's normally a mistake IMHO to win the title then not look to kick on with a big signing or two, and they may yet pay the price.
The Mancs have bought Smalling (who isn't ready yet IMHO) and the kid from Mexico. The Mexican kids obviously got bags of ability, but they absolutely never show it first season from South America. I remain convinced that it was Fergusons greatest ever achievement to get THAT team to challenge for the title last season, and I honestly think if our players stay mostly fit we've got a chance of finishing above them.
Arsenal have done their usual and bought a couple of blokes I've never heard of, but although they will play great and flatter, I've a hunch we can try and get above them too.
City will will eventually actualy win it I think, but they've spent huge amounts to get there.
Spurs haven't signed anyone yet, and their lack of a midfield player who can score a goal must surely impact upon them, as will their Champions League exploits. Villa I think will lose Milner their best player, and there must be a limit to the amount of blood even O'Neill can squeeze out of that particular stone.
So my revised prediction from fifth is that we will now get into the top four, and be right up there. We will get above either or both of the Mancs and Arsenal, and the top two will eb City and Chelsea in that order.
I can't wait for it to get started though, bang up for it.
"se e in una bottigla ed e bianco, e latte".