Welcome footballers and fans alike. I am Bobinho, Bobby for short. This website allows me to freely express my view on topics in the world's most popular sport. I write in three formats. Regular articals are most frequent. Short Thoughts happen when something pops into my brain during the day. Then you have your once a month Exclusive! Feel free to comment and interact to a variety of mouth watering subjects. Discuss and enjoy. I encourage your feed back and your ideas. Hit up the poll question that will be updated every 2 weeks or so. Tune into the easy to use chat and let your voice be heard. FDLI welcomes everyone. My Email is rmohr@lhup.edu if you would like to see a topic discussed. Beware Barca fans for I am a madridista. No Hard feelings. Viva el futbol y hala Madrid.

Notice

I am currently in a preseason of my own at college. I will write as much as I can for FDLI but my posts will be limited. Thanks for taking the time to read FDLI.

Bobby

Monday, August 10, 2009

English Premier League, Less Than a Week


The readers of FDLI seem to know what they are talking about when it comes to the up coming Premier League season. It was voted that Chelsea F.C. would be the ones lifting the League trophy at the end of May 2010. Well a week before the season they lifted the FA
Community Shield out of the reach Manchester United, edging them in penalties after the two sides were even at 2-2 after 90 minutes. This game means nothing to the EPL table but it shows how the Blues are stacking up to "Ronaldoless" United.

Chelsea have enjoyed a great preseason. They've come away with wins with friendly results against teams such as Interazionale, AC Milan, and Club America in the World Football challenge held in the United States. If anyone looks to be preseason favorites for the Premier Leage (and that doesn't mean a whole lot), it's them. The have all the qualities to bring the title back to West London. I would have to say the depth on Chelsea is greater than any other team in the world right now. It's a bold statement to make, but I feel like it is one I can confidently make. What has hurt Chelsea in the past couple of seasons is consistency. Perhaps, Carlo Ancelotti has the cure. Manchester United on the other hand have bigger things to worry about. I for one, back Sir Alex to find a way to replace Ronaldo but it really didn't show against Chelsea yesterday. I thought Nani was active until his injury but Valencia didn't do a great deal except foul a few times after he came on. Chelsea should have won the match in 90 minutes. Rooney was a hair offside on his second goal. United just lacked creativity, especially in the second half. Performances like the one against Chelsea will not win them a 4th title in a row. You have to feel sorry for the Red Devils (or maybe you don't depending who you are). They've gone down twice in penalties this preseason. This time around they shockingly only converted 1 to Chelsea's 4. Evra's was just simply awful. Cech could have spit at it and made the save.

But enough about the Community shield. It's a fun match, but nothing important. What is important is the first game of the season. Who'dya got? Home or away? Ready or not? Here it comes. Liverpool are looking to come off a preseason failure against Atletico Madrid 2-1. The Reds start with Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Harry Redknapp will looking to get underway with new signings such as Peter Crouch, while Liverpool go into battle without Xabi Alonso or replacement Aquilani. However when Liverpool misses key players, they are subject to underperform. But those players are Gerrard and Torres, not Alonso or Aquilani. So I would expect a win from the Merseyside outfit but not a blow out. Something along the lines of 2-1. The match I'm the most interested in on the first weekend in England's top flight is Everton at home against the Gunners. Everyone has been talking about Manchester City breaking into the top four now that Arsenal has the potential of dropping out, but traditionally Everton finish very close to the top of the pack. Wouldn't it be interesting if they got the North London side off to a rocky start while they try to keep their place in the Champions League against Celtic in the midweek fallowing the match? A bit cynical to think like that, but I seem to enjoy it.

Sunderland finally completed the Bent deal in time for the Black Cats to take on Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok. Coach Steve Bruce says "He's everything I want" when referring to Bent who, through Twitter, expressed his frusteration and impatience with Tottenham to let him join Sunderland. Blackburn Rovers will be eagerly awaiting their opening match against Manchester City to put a quick halt to former manager, Mark Hughes and the City spending that has taken place this summer. Franco Di Santo is anxious to be star for Rovers, despite being loaned out by Chelsea. He scored his first Chelsea goal and had the assist on the other goal when Chelsea triumphed over Mexican outfit, Club America, earlier in the summer. Now that we are talking about Chelsea again. They begin the season with Hull City who had fun making life hard for Big Four sides last season, especially Arsenal. But can the Tigers come into Stamford Bridge and get a shock result on opening day, unlikely. But anything can happen. Fulham will be eager to get another season underway after the run they had last year. They start with Pompey at Fratton Park. Pompey have been selling this summer in the midst of a takeover deal. Their agenda for the season will be stay afloat in the Premiership so next year the cash flow from the new Arab owner can be put to good use.

Newcomers Burnly will set sail on their EPL journey against last year's newcomers, Stoke who have taken Dean Whitehead from Sunderland in late July. Burnley to have some key signings though. They picked up a 19 year old Ecuadorian winger by the name of Fernando Guerrero on loan from Independiente de Valle as well as Steven Fletcher from Hiberian £ 3 million. They'll be one of the many clubs fighting for their spot in the top flight. Aston Villa will be looking to crack the Big Four this year, starting against EPL scrappers Wigan at the JJB. Villa conquered Juventus in the preseason Peace Cup tournament on penalties and will be looking to swing their momentum directly into Wigan on opening day with the key signing of England Under 21, Fabian Delph from Leeds. Birmingham have also returned to the Prem this season. They get the Manchester United welcoming comitee to escort them back to the big leagues. To their luck, they will at least get to play against the threepeat EPL winners at home. Home advantage is usually a key factor, but less relative when United comes to town. They will be looking to bounce right back up after their loss to Chelsea yesterday. Finally Wolves, last year's Championship winners will be taking on the Hammers. They too will be starting their campaign at home. West Ham boss, former Chelsea great, Gianfranco Zola is still looking to grab the signature of Barcelona's out of place Gudjohnsen. If it does happen, I doubt it would be in time for the match against the hungry Wolves.

There's a quick overview for Week 1 of the EPL. I wanted to to start the season off with an over view like this so we have a basic understanding of where everyone in the league is. For me, the more shock results the better. It makes it so much more interesting. For others, they just want to see their team do well. Nonetheless, everyone can't be smiling when the season is said and done!

Viva el futbol y Hala Madrid

Bobby

6 comments:

  1. Chelsea u fink aye? hmmm i reli dnt no, I still fink tho dat Man U ave 2 b favourites, dey ave just won the league for the last 3 years, nd even tho dey ave lost Ronaldo i fink overall dey will b a more balanced team now, wit Valencia putting more crosses in, nd Owen who if he starts will score goals, nd Rooney playing in the middle, who i dnt fink England ave many world class players but Rooney is definitly 1 of them who r. I may b wrong nd dey mite miss Ronaldo's goals but i fink more players will get on the score sheet dis year cuz i fink especially in the CL final dey just relied 2 much on Ronaldo nd playin him central nd Rooney on the wing was stupid, but now dey will benifit from avin actualy wingers nd strikers playin der positions. But nooo way was i sad 2 c utd lose on penalties the amount of decisions dey get especially at old trafford, remeber utd vs spurs last season? Even tho i guess i wanted utd 2 win ova Chelsea.

    As a I support West ham in the PL, i'll go c dem a few tyms, but i dnt expect much dis season agen lol, 8th wuld b gr8.

    who u fink will get relegated Bobby?

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  2. Haha I'd like to think Chelsea Zizou. As John Terry said before the Community Shield. He is fed up with united winning tropheys and so am I. I think if United want to win again they have a lot to sort out. Everyone in the states loves West Ham because of that Movie, Green Street Hooligans. The Average American asks me if I seen it rvery time I mention I play and fallow the beautiful game. As for relegation? That's a toughy. I can see pompey struggling for sure. Of course the premoted teams are always the brunt of everyones relegation choices but they have theit surprises, just look how well wigan has done compared to how well they were supposed to do when they first arived in the prem. lol. Other than that I think it's up for grabs. There is always surprises in the Relegation fight. Just ask Newcastle! Haha... that was mean

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  3. lolz so its more of the fans americans love den the actualy team haha yer sunds rite fans r gr8, team hmm not so much, Actors lyk Ray winston, Danny dyer etc r west ham fans nd r in laods of filmf lyk dat u heard of dem? nd bout utd winnin everyfink, yee it is anoying but as the onli top 4 team i'd want 2 win the league is Arsenal, nd dey dnt seem lyk winnin it atm, even tho i do fink dey will come close, especially if Eduardo has a full season, nd dey got Arshavin for a full season, u c his goals in the emirates cup pre season fing? anyways i don't mind utd winnin it ova the ofa teams tbh

    Dunno bout relegation, surely teams can defend Stoke's throw ins now so dey culd b in trouble, but i do fink Burnley even tho i'd love em 2 win the league or even finish top in 10, but i can c em goin dwn, Sunderland mite strugle wit Bent up front now 2.

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  4. Haha yeah I recognize the Actors names. Believe me, I'd love to see the gunners pull something out of their hat but it just looks unlikely this go-around. Rosicky should just become a coach with his injury problems. Im interested to see how eduardo does. Someone has to fill the gap left by Adebayor!... and toure for that matter

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  5. Dey definitly need a quality centre bck ( mayb even 2) Gallas is gettin on now, Silevstre dunno reli gd player not gr8, havn't seen der new player play before from Ajax i fink? Up front tho i fink if Van Persie becomes der main striker den he will score 20+ goals, he's an awesome striker, Mayb shuld ave bought Hunterlaar? 2 dutch players up front, plus he's the finisher dey need.

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  6. They are going to need 20 plus goals from somebody. I wouldn't count out Walcott now that he is starting mature as a player. Although i doubt him getting 20 goals. I think he can do damage tho. But I don't really think Bendtner has what it takes. He is young but at times i find his performances shocking..

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