Well it seems we started the week with a resignation and almost completed the week with a resignation. Martin O'Neill resigned as Aston Villa manager on Monday, which seemed a suprise to many especially so close to the start of the season. The true reason? who knows, Im sure that will come out at the end. Friend of Lerner's claimed that he thought that O' Neill believed he was bigger than the club. I wouldnt have thought that. I'm not a Villa fan myself, but what I will say is that the Irishman was very passionate about the game to say the least. Im sure it wont be too long before we see O'Neill in charge somewhere.
Steve Coppell called time on his management career after resigning two games into the Championship season. Not the greatest of timings and it seems his love just wasnt there. Word is that the arrival of David James helped the former Reading and Crystal Palace manager to make his decision. This isnt of course Coppells first early departure from managing a football club.
It was Internationals week this week. England had to perform but Capello was hit with retirements and 'injuries'. England came from behind, another dubious goal where technology would have helped. Steven Gerrard lead the way with two goals. The victory slightly overshadowed by the fact that Capello appeared to call time on Beckham's international career. Well Capello it would have been nice for you to tell him first if that was the case. I remember the last manager to call time early on Beckham's career lost his job post European Championship qualifiers.....anyone for a bit of history repeating?
Liverpool fans can start to look towards a new era. The Hicks and Gillett debacle is almost at an end. Hopefully the board will not repeat the mistakes of the last time and make a choice which will see the club climb from the depths of debt. Never again can the club be drawn into the dark gloom of misery that has plagued it off field. On field things are looking positive. Gerrard, Torres both staying, new signings including Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen, Milan Jovanovic, Danny Wilson, Fabio Aurelio. Hodgson has also started to shift the deadwood from the club too. Riera gone, Degen out on loan. This can only be good as Hodgson gets to grips with the task. The Mascherano saga continues to move along. Although Hodgson wants to keep him, its unlikely the Argentinian will stay as Barcelona and possibly now Inter Milan can sign him.
Man City continue their spending splurge with Mario Balotelli finally putting pen to paper. Not too much pressure on Mancini this season. Surely if they dont win the title this season then the Italian will be gone? Balotelli's departure may mean Javier Mascherano gets his preferred transfer to Italy to reunite with Rafa Benitez.
In last weeks Community Shield, Chelsea took a beating, Man United beating the Double winners 3-1 at Wembley. Nothing can be taken from this although the Blues will be hoping their Pre Season form doesnt continue into the new season.
Arsenal will be hoping that their defence will be more shipshape going to Anfield for the season opener. A repeat of the sloppy goalkeeping and defending will hopefully not be too much in the minds of the Arsenal fans as they take the long trek north. With Hodgson taking a more attacking approach than Benitez, the last thing Arsenal need is a keeper going awol in the penalty area at the wrong time.
So with hours to go lets see my predictions and how they fair
Tottenham v Man City 2-2
Tottenham to hold the City spending spree
Aston Villa v West Ham 2-1
O Neill maybe gone but the Villa still keep going
Blackburn R v Everton 0-3
Resounding opening win from the Blue half of Merseyside
Bolton v Fulham 2-1
Fulham's away day blues to continue
Sunderland v Birmingham 3-1
Last seasons heavyweight wannabes clash leaving the home side taking the points
Wigan v Blackpool 1-2
New boys Blackpool ride into town with a Premier League debut win
Wolves v Stoke City 2-1
Wolves start their battle for survival with a home win against the Potteries club
Chelsea v West Brom 3-0
The Boys in Blue back to business as they thump the Albion on their return
Liverpool v Arsenal 2-1
The air of hope around sends Liverpool to victory with Gerrard continuing his Hungary form
Man Utd v Newcastle Utd
No repeat of the last opening result between these two. Its the United in Red that take three points from this one*
*Im now dipping my hands in hot tar to get over what I just typed.
Where ever you are, who ever you support here's to a nine month journey of nervousness, misery, gloom and thats if you're a Gillingham fan
Steve Coppell called time on his management career after resigning two games into the Championship season. Not the greatest of timings and it seems his love just wasnt there. Word is that the arrival of David James helped the former Reading and Crystal Palace manager to make his decision. This isnt of course Coppells first early departure from managing a football club.
It was Internationals week this week. England had to perform but Capello was hit with retirements and 'injuries'. England came from behind, another dubious goal where technology would have helped. Steven Gerrard lead the way with two goals. The victory slightly overshadowed by the fact that Capello appeared to call time on Beckham's international career. Well Capello it would have been nice for you to tell him first if that was the case. I remember the last manager to call time early on Beckham's career lost his job post European Championship qualifiers.....anyone for a bit of history repeating?
Liverpool fans can start to look towards a new era. The Hicks and Gillett debacle is almost at an end. Hopefully the board will not repeat the mistakes of the last time and make a choice which will see the club climb from the depths of debt. Never again can the club be drawn into the dark gloom of misery that has plagued it off field. On field things are looking positive. Gerrard, Torres both staying, new signings including Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen, Milan Jovanovic, Danny Wilson, Fabio Aurelio. Hodgson has also started to shift the deadwood from the club too. Riera gone, Degen out on loan. This can only be good as Hodgson gets to grips with the task. The Mascherano saga continues to move along. Although Hodgson wants to keep him, its unlikely the Argentinian will stay as Barcelona and possibly now Inter Milan can sign him.
Man City continue their spending splurge with Mario Balotelli finally putting pen to paper. Not too much pressure on Mancini this season. Surely if they dont win the title this season then the Italian will be gone? Balotelli's departure may mean Javier Mascherano gets his preferred transfer to Italy to reunite with Rafa Benitez.
In last weeks Community Shield, Chelsea took a beating, Man United beating the Double winners 3-1 at Wembley. Nothing can be taken from this although the Blues will be hoping their Pre Season form doesnt continue into the new season.
Arsenal will be hoping that their defence will be more shipshape going to Anfield for the season opener. A repeat of the sloppy goalkeeping and defending will hopefully not be too much in the minds of the Arsenal fans as they take the long trek north. With Hodgson taking a more attacking approach than Benitez, the last thing Arsenal need is a keeper going awol in the penalty area at the wrong time.
So with hours to go lets see my predictions and how they fair
Tottenham v Man City 2-2
Tottenham to hold the City spending spree
Aston Villa v West Ham 2-1
O Neill maybe gone but the Villa still keep going
Blackburn R v Everton 0-3
Resounding opening win from the Blue half of Merseyside
Bolton v Fulham 2-1
Fulham's away day blues to continue
Sunderland v Birmingham 3-1
Last seasons heavyweight wannabes clash leaving the home side taking the points
Wigan v Blackpool 1-2
New boys Blackpool ride into town with a Premier League debut win
Wolves v Stoke City 2-1
Wolves start their battle for survival with a home win against the Potteries club
Chelsea v West Brom 3-0
The Boys in Blue back to business as they thump the Albion on their return
Liverpool v Arsenal 2-1
The air of hope around sends Liverpool to victory with Gerrard continuing his Hungary form
Man Utd v Newcastle Utd
No repeat of the last opening result between these two. Its the United in Red that take three points from this one*
*Im now dipping my hands in hot tar to get over what I just typed.
Where ever you are, who ever you support here's to a nine month journey of nervousness, misery, gloom and thats if you're a Gillingham fan
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