English Premier League Preview – Part 1 of 5
Below I’ll do a quick recap of each team, broken down with an obvious bias. I’ll include transfers, although they will not be complete, but should be pretty current, and any additional information I can think of…Don't mind the mis-spellings and please feel free to add any comments/critiques/critisms below - I'm typing these up at work, and mostly off the top of my head, so there is not much done in the way of fact checking
This year’s English (Barclay’s) Premier League I see as a two dog race. Simply put, these two teams are talented and deep enough to handle the long, arduous season best. No surprise really ….
1-Man United.
Of course I have my homer glasses on, but I really think bringing RVP onboard puts them over the edge. The question going into last year was offense, but I certainly do not believe that was an issue, as they scored at a fantastic rate, second only to City, with 89 gf. The issue at the end of the year was defense, particularly alarming was goals allowed at home – not just the 6 allowed to City, but 3 to Blackburn and 4 to Everton ffs, which really killed the season imo. And while not much went on in the offseason, with only Kagawa being brought on board, and only Park leaving as “key” moves, well, well, well, look what happens at the 11th hour. Not we also get to see the return of a hopefully healthy Vidic and Anderson and Cleverly – and another year of experience for DeGea who at times looked brilliant and at times, looked dreadful, I think that should sure up the team enough to make them a formidable opponent at every level.
2-Man City
I can’t argue the depth of talent at every position with this team, and it humors me to no end to see Mancini ##### and moan about all the moves that need to be made to make this team competitive. Come on. You have talent to burn everywhere, so much so that there is no room for Adebayor who was 5th in the league in total scoring last year on a fun Spurs team. Not much movement was made, only grabbing long time United target Jack Rodwell, but no one was really lost either. City’s strength starts at the back with a great back 5. Arguably the best gk in the league, and no real weaknesses at any defensive position. Then move onto the midfield, and oh, there is David Silva, perhaps the best player in the premier league. And Nasri, and Yaya Toure one of the most formidable physical presences in the league…and lets get to the attack with Arguero, Balotelli, Tevez. It would seem only a homer
could pick against this team, and alas, I will. To me, it’s all about the drama that swirls the likes of Super Mario and Tevez. I just can’t see this not leading to another infamous blow up in some manner during the course of the season. When they are all on, it pours goals for City – but I think over the long season, patience and durability will prevail and hopefully City falls apart because no one likes them really.
Below I’ll do a quick recap of each team, broken down with an obvious bias. I’ll include transfers, although they will not be complete, but should be pretty current, and any additional information I can think of…Don't mind the mis-spellings and please feel free to add any comments/critiques/critisms below - I'm typing these up at work, and mostly off the top of my head, so there is not much done in the way of fact checking
This year’s English (Barclay’s) Premier League I see as a two dog race. Simply put, these two teams are talented and deep enough to handle the long, arduous season best. No surprise really ….
1-Man United.
Of course I have my homer glasses on, but I really think bringing RVP onboard puts them over the edge. The question going into last year was offense, but I certainly do not believe that was an issue, as they scored at a fantastic rate, second only to City, with 89 gf. The issue at the end of the year was defense, particularly alarming was goals allowed at home – not just the 6 allowed to City, but 3 to Blackburn and 4 to Everton ffs, which really killed the season imo. And while not much went on in the offseason, with only Kagawa being brought on board, and only Park leaving as “key” moves, well, well, well, look what happens at the 11th hour. Not we also get to see the return of a hopefully healthy Vidic and Anderson and Cleverly – and another year of experience for DeGea who at times looked brilliant and at times, looked dreadful, I think that should sure up the team enough to make them a formidable opponent at every level.
2-Man City
I can’t argue the depth of talent at every position with this team, and it humors me to no end to see Mancini ##### and moan about all the moves that need to be made to make this team competitive. Come on. You have talent to burn everywhere, so much so that there is no room for Adebayor who was 5th in the league in total scoring last year on a fun Spurs team. Not much movement was made, only grabbing long time United target Jack Rodwell, but no one was really lost either. City’s strength starts at the back with a great back 5. Arguably the best gk in the league, and no real weaknesses at any defensive position. Then move onto the midfield, and oh, there is David Silva, perhaps the best player in the premier league. And Nasri, and Yaya Toure one of the most formidable physical presences in the league…and lets get to the attack with Arguero, Balotelli, Tevez. It would seem only a homer
could pick against this team, and alas, I will. To me, it’s all about the drama that swirls the likes of Super Mario and Tevez. I just can’t see this not leading to another infamous blow up in some manner during the course of the season. When they are all on, it pours goals for City – but I think over the long season, patience and durability will prevail and hopefully City falls apart because no one likes them really.
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But, the real key I think will be having a healthy Gerrard and Lucas back in the fold. That will bring a lot of stability and continuity to their play. This will be a tough team I think, especially if Carroll can take another step forward as he did torwards the end of last year. He is very good in the air, and if he can control long balls effectively, get the ball to Suarez in open areas when he is making his runs, and get a few goals off corners, well, that should be enough offense for them. If Liverpool can get leads, they will be more able to control play and play to their strengths. Playing from behind is a bit of an issue. I was a bit surprised they let Bellamy go, as he was a spark plug to that attack when needed, but they did bring in Borini from Roma who has a penchant for the timely goal too. The defense is pretty deep – whether or not Agger stays, but I really think having Lucas back will help out tons. I do feel Carragher’s best days are behind him, so they are probably a central defender or two away from being an excellent side, but this is a good side and I expect a surprising breakthrough this year. And hell, if I’m wrong, all the better for the rest of us 
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I think he will be under tremendous pressure this year without Modric around, And although when you think of Spurs, you think of a pretty open brand of attacking soccer…..there are limited striking options. Dos Santos has never fit in, and if Adebayor misses a number of games, I’m just not sure who is going to get the goals here. And don’t think the loss of Ledley King will not be felt in the back. Sure, he was not the player he once was, but he was still as steady central defender when put out there. They have a bunch of attacking defenders in the likes of Walker & Assou Ekotto, but I’m not sure the Kabul & Dawson (Bassong) are enough, there are other pieces, old Gallas, but just not a great defense overall, certainly will be under pressure from counter attacks. Friedel is Friedel, steady eddy back there, but this could be a long season – I’ll enjoy watching them play, not sure they will be for the faint of heart if you support them.
Not sure that's the best way to support your team though.
and they are actually pretty deep with the addition of Cuellar. If they can keep most of their home points and not get into open games, I think opponents are going to find Sunderland an annoying opponent to play – second to probably Stoke. A top 10 finish could be….and I think they get a deal for a striker to bolster the attack and climb over some other sides.
Gotta love transfer gossip.
