Well I arrived back from the Euro’s to get a text saying my gardener had quit. Typical. Off the plane, straight into my new ‘pool outfit for the season, does anyone else find they get chaffing from bri-nylon? Still, vaseline is a useful thing to have around the house and it sorted my chaffage out no problem. I was once told to rub it in my nuts, it stops them getting rusty (on the car, when it rains….tsk silly!) any way I Β sprint out the back to discover Stevie looking quite gruff and with a terribly overgrown bush. I had to spend ages working hard between his legs to get him looking happier.
<Regular readers will be aware that Not Lawro has a lawn and hedge ensemble cunningly cut into the shape of Stevie G, so you can get that idea out of your minds, now: Ed>
Anyway all’s well with the world again and I can frolic like a mountain goat herder round the back garden. Time to think of what to do round the front ….<your not helping me here Not_Lawro: Ed>
Now the serious business starts again this weekend - the return of the Premiership. Will the new signings prove to be hits or misses, and how will the new boys fair ??? Here’s the first of this seasons predictions.
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (KO 12:45)
The Emirates is the place where this years Premier League kicks off and Arsenal have the perfect change to get a flying start. They are very much unchanged personnel wise from last season and will look to set the pace from the word go,
West Brom will see this as a baptism of fire but at least they will get one of their toughest games of the season out of the way already. Home win.
Prediction : 2-0
Bolton Wanderers v Stoke City
Bolton have spent big on a couple of players this summer and will be looking to avoid the poor start they made last season. Being at home to the new boys will certainly help them with that.
Stoke have not added too many to their squad and will rely on the organisation they had last year to survive. I can see them stealing a point here but they have tougher days ahead.
Prediction : 1-1
Everton v Blackburn Rovers
It is very much as you were with Everton as they have made no new buys. That is not necessarily a bad this as David Moyes has Everton very well organised.
Paul Ince has a tough 1st game as Blackburn boss and will be looking to his stars to help him through. But I can see Everton shading this one in a bruiser.
Prediction : 2-1
Hull City v Fulham
Hull are the final new boys of the Premier and the only one with a home game. They will be fired up and roared on by a full house and will be determined to get off to a winning start.
Fulham have been the most active of all Premiership clubs and have a very good side on paper. I am not convinced on how they will gel so I’ll hedge my bets on this one and go a draw.
Prediction : 1-1
Middlesbrough v Tottenham Hotspur
“They” have lost quite a few first team players and already have injury issues to other key personnel. Not the best way to start what I see (hope) is a long hard season for “them”.
Spurs look to have a very creative team now having acquired Bentley and kept hold of Berbatov and I see them making an ideal start to the campaign here.
Prediction : 0-2
West Ham United v Wigan Athletic
The hammers have been happy with their dealing and will look on this game as the ideal opportunity to start their season with a win.
Wigan come here with Steve Bruce trying to make them harder to beat following his summer dealings. I don’t know how adventurous they will be here but I see them just getting pipped
Prediction : 0-1
Sunderland v Liverpool (KO 17:30)
Roy Keane has invested wisely to try and avoid “second season syndrome” however the fixtures computer was not kind to him and Sunderland will be faced with an uphill task against the might of Liverpool.
Rafa can be very confident going into this season as Stevie G has had a summers rest, Torres is still on form and the team now oozes quality all over the field. Away win here for the champions-elect
Prediction : 0-2
Chelsea v Portsmouth (Sunday, KO 13:30)
Chelsea start life under Scolari with an interesting looking game against the FA Cup holders. They have only bought 2 players but have gone for quality rather than quantity and will also view being able to keep hold of Lampard and Drogba as bonuses.
Portsmouth showed in the Charity Shield they are primed and ready for this season. They are well organised and Crouch and Defoe will cause teams problems. However I can see their efforts coming up short in this game I think they will have a good season.
Prediction : 1-0
Aston Villa v Manchester City (Sunday, KO 15:00)
Villa have strengthened in almost every position as they look to consolidate into a top 6 team. It will be interesting to see how this team gels but it has the look of a very exciting young team.
City will be looking to put the boardroom issues behind them and make a winning start here. One thing is for sure, Hughes will insist on 100% commitment. This game could really go either way but I see Villa just edging it.
Prediction : 2-1
Manchester United v Newcastle United (Sunday, KO 16:00)
United already have one trophy in the bag and will be hoping it’s not the last one this season. However the lack of goals will worry Fergie and he may look to strengthen further before the window closes.
King Kev will be looking to virtually the same players he had last terms and I expect Newcastle to be better organised. However United were held at home last year and will be desperate to avoid a repeat of that. I can see them edging this one.
Prediction : 1-0