Predictions for the top five:
Arsenal haven't made any signings to solve their problems in central defence or in goal, & the two best creative midfielders leaving is too not too promising either. No doubt they will flatter to deceive again this season & Gervinho may be able to score the goals when Van Persie is injured.
Liverpool can be contenders if they continue the form they showed last season when King Kenny took over. With players like Adam, Suarez, Carroll, (& Gerrard if fit) they look strong in attack but how strong is their defence ?
Man City might be the closest challengers to Man U, but I think even with their squad & the addition of Aguero, they will struggle to cope with balancing their their first season in the Champions League with a title run.
Chelsea have yet to make any big new signings but new coach Villas-Boas had a fantastic season with Porto, & if he can inspire Torres back to form they can push United.
I can't see anyone stopping Man U though. Rooney, Nani, Hernadez/Berbatov in attack & now Ashley Young has been added to the list of top class wingers at Man U. The defence with Vidic & Ferdinand/Smalling should be as tight as last year. the Community Shield win over Man City showed once more that they are the comeback kings, as they did v Blackpool & West Ham in the league last season, they overcame a two-goal defecit to win.
So my top 5 is
1. Man U
2. Chelsea
3. Man City
4. Liverpool
5. Arsenal
Friday 12 August 2011
Monday 8 August 2011
Yes We Khan
July review
Amir Khan’s five round demolition of Zab Judah keeps him firmly on course for a megabucks showdown with Floyd Mayweather next year. Judah, though 33 & with six losses on his record, had previously only lost to top drawer opposition (Kostya Tszyu, Mayweather etc).
On the same night, the British heavy title fight between Tyson Fury & Dereck Chisora exemplified the best of boxing. It only takes one punch with the heavyweights to turn a fight, but in this contest both fighters were even more vulnerable. Fury was wobbled in the 2nd & Chisora was often under sustained barrages, but both fighters showed their guts with fightbacks from the brink of defeat. In the end the fight went the distance, with mutual respect enhanced, & Fury took a well-deserved points victory.
In my last blog I introduced a new feature, which, given the frequency which I write this blog, I’m going to rechristen:
Performance of the Month
For pure sporting achievement, Cadel Evans win in the Tour de France, after twice finishing second, could take top spot. Honourable mention to Mark Cavendish for winning five stages & the green jersey for the first time.
It wasn’t just Cav, July was a great month for the Brits. There was British success at the world swimming championships with golds for Becky Adlington, Liam Tancock & Keri-Anne Payne; Michael Phelps also added to his extensive medal collection, though Ryan Lochte got the better of him twice (200 free & 200 IM).
Lewis Hamilton & Jenson Button won the German & Hungarian GPs respectively.
The England cricket team are 2-0 up in the Test series against India, Stuart Broad in particular has stood out with both bat & ball, taking up the all-rounders mantle of Botham & Flintoff.
But my perf of the month goes to Darren Clarke. The amiable Northern Irishman has had to deal with well documented personal tragedy, & his win at the Open was his first major at the age of 42, having been a 200-1 shot with the bookies before the tournament.
Amir Khan’s five round demolition of Zab Judah keeps him firmly on course for a megabucks showdown with Floyd Mayweather next year. Judah, though 33 & with six losses on his record, had previously only lost to top drawer opposition (Kostya Tszyu, Mayweather etc).
On the same night, the British heavy title fight between Tyson Fury & Dereck Chisora exemplified the best of boxing. It only takes one punch with the heavyweights to turn a fight, but in this contest both fighters were even more vulnerable. Fury was wobbled in the 2nd & Chisora was often under sustained barrages, but both fighters showed their guts with fightbacks from the brink of defeat. In the end the fight went the distance, with mutual respect enhanced, & Fury took a well-deserved points victory.
In my last blog I introduced a new feature, which, given the frequency which I write this blog, I’m going to rechristen:
Performance of the Month
For pure sporting achievement, Cadel Evans win in the Tour de France, after twice finishing second, could take top spot. Honourable mention to Mark Cavendish for winning five stages & the green jersey for the first time.
It wasn’t just Cav, July was a great month for the Brits. There was British success at the world swimming championships with golds for Becky Adlington, Liam Tancock & Keri-Anne Payne; Michael Phelps also added to his extensive medal collection, though Ryan Lochte got the better of him twice (200 free & 200 IM).
Lewis Hamilton & Jenson Button won the German & Hungarian GPs respectively.
The England cricket team are 2-0 up in the Test series against India, Stuart Broad in particular has stood out with both bat & ball, taking up the all-rounders mantle of Botham & Flintoff.
But my perf of the month goes to Darren Clarke. The amiable Northern Irishman has had to deal with well documented personal tragedy, & his win at the Open was his first major at the age of 42, having been a 200-1 shot with the bookies before the tournament.
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