The Premiership: Week One

[Smacktalks]

Well, now you've had time to reflect on the opening weekend of the Prem, what'd you think?

Spurs beating Liverpool was a big shock, but Arsenal sticking 7 past Everton was the shock of the weekend imo. I'd been writing Arsenal off, but if they can put 7 past Everton (even on a bad day) then they've a definite chance.

The Man Utd/Birmingham game was what I expected, pretty lack-lustre with fewer chances and a slower pace without Ronaldo, but it was great to see Rooney take centre stage and get the winner. Owen's chance at the very end would have been the icing on the cake for the opening day for me, but it was a shame to see him blow it.

Chelsea I wasn't convinced with either, they played ok, but I still think it'll be the same old grinding out results team that wins by the odd goal and I doubt they'll finish top this season.

[RingMaster2001]

I'm not convinced by Chelsea at all and am baffled as to why people are predicting them to win the league.

They haven't bought anyone to improve their rapidly ageing squad, plus they have brought in a manager who firstly managed AC Milan to the point that all of their squad was over thirty without buying anyone to readily replace them to rebuild it. Second, in eight years at AC Milan, he won one league title; hardly a prolific league winning manager. I do strongly believe that Chelsea have brought him in to win the Champions League.

They'd have been better off breaking the bank to keep Hiddink. After the World Cup next year I can see him coming back once he has finished with Russia.

Arsenal were immense. If they have more luck with injuries this season, they can challenge anybody.

Good win for us to start the season. I am never too keen on starting the season away to a promoted team, as it can either be a surprisingly comfortable victory (which it turned out to be) or a loss by an odd goal. I do think Wolves will go down this season; if only for the inadequacy of Mick McCarthy at this level.

Edited August 17, 2009 by RingMaster2001

[Aero]

a few points to note about the 1st week of the prem -

1. it was only 6 goals for arsenal.... great result tho, makes it look like it'll be the big 4 again this season.

2. there was a definate stroke of luck for chelsea, watch this space

3. sky sports live summed up the man united match perfectly for me "united won without really getting out of second gear where as birmingham will probably play alot worse this season and still get a win" united need to pick up the pace soon too

4. liverpool... what can i say, i've deemed harry redknapp a bogey manager for us as much as middlesborough where a bogey team and harry proved my point. much like man utd and chelsea, liverpool didnt look too convincing but i will say this, im ALMOST glad we lost (a draw would have got my point across better but with an extra point ). why? because liverpool work better as the underdog, a few games at the start of the season where they are playing catch up will hopefully lead to them recapturing what they found at the end of last season when it was 2 late. 3 points behind man united/chelsea is fine when you still have to play them twice.

[Smacktalks]

6pts behind now, although it's only till tomorrow night{?) imo.

I didn't see the Chelsea game tonight but I was listening to it on the radio and it was all Chelsea, it seemed that they'd worked out the kinks they had at the weekend and come back from 1-0 down to win 3-1. It's not fully convinced me though, I still think they'll struggle against a better class of opposition.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow night to see how well United play at Burnley, I doubt it'll be the stroll it was with Birmingham. The pitch, etc. will all prove a big factor tomorrow night imo.

[Aero]

guess it proved a bigger factor than expected eh?

[Smacktalks]

Apparently Fergie said the pitch was in great condition, we just didn't take our chances and Burnley played great.

I had a bad feeling before the game when Sky Sports said we hadn't lost against Premier League new comers since we Lost to Norwich back in 2005, 20+ games, scoring 44 goals.

Like you said with Pool, I hope this loss hits home and we get our act together as a result of it like Liverpool did tonight.