In For The Hat Trick

Chelsea 0-0 Stoke City- Defenses on top, as a collection of low price players showed their worth. Asmir Begovic in the Stoke goal was particularly impressive, while Alex and Bosingwa proved that they are value for money.

Unfortunately, the success of both back fours meant little to shout about further up, 12 million pound midfielder Frank Lampard failed to make a telling attacking contribution, while Torres and Drogba were scoreless.

MOTM: Asmir Begovic- Good saves, a clean sheet and an obvious pick for MOTM.
FOTM: Frank Lampard- Booked, and at that price you’ve got to be making more happen.

West Brom 1-2 Manchester United- A repeat of last year’s scoreline, Rooney and Young were the stars on opening day. As one of the most expensive players in the game, Rooney simply must score on a regular basis, and hopes are high that he will continue to find the net in games to come.

Shane Long could be good value for money, a cheap striker who should score on a regular basis, though he was helped up on this occasion by the hapless David De Gea.

Three defensive injuries are a major concern for United, star center back duo Vidic and Ferdinand are out for two and six weeks respectively, while Rafael won’t be back until October.

MOTM: Ashley Young- Two assists, and the most lively member of United’s attack.
FOTM: David De Gea- Sorry, but it has got to be him. Not a statistical nightmare, but he should have kept a clean sheet.

Manchester City 4-0 Swansea City- They started slowly, but boy did Man City turn it on by the end. Toure, Dzeko, Silva and Aguero look to have already forged a dangerous understanding – to be honest, Swansea just couldn’t deal with them.

Goals for Dzeko, Aguero and Silva make that trio the fantasy headline makers, but the performance in goal of Dutchman Vorm for Swansea was superb.

Interestingly, there were no bookings in this game, meaning no pesky little -1s!

MOTM: Sergio Aguero- Easy, this Premier League thing isn’t it? Two goals (one breathtaking) and an assist on debut day. Honorable Mention: David Silva- Performance wise the best, but Aguero scored more points.

FOTM: Steven Caulker- It could have been any of the Swansea defenders, Caulker the unlucky recipient. Four conceded, zero points.

Eight-eight minutes were on the clock, and Johan Djourou picked up the ball on the edge of his own penalty area. Charging forward, the Swiss center back navigated through two challenges, soon finding himself leading a charge of three against a defense of two. The next part was woeful. A ball designed to set Theo Walcott off and running towards goal was badly mishit, falling behind the England winger. Newcastle regrouped, the attack fizzled out, and Barton’s misdemeanors became the center of post match attention.

Inevitably, the question was asked. An update on the futures of Nasri and Fabregas searched for, but only in a feeble attempt  to generate more transfer column inches. After all, only so many papers can be sold with ‘Bolton top of the league’ as the headline.

As always with the English press, the football was ignored. “The crime-sheet carried far more of note than the stalemate between Newcastle United and Arsenal,” wrote Henry Winter this morning, a statement which more or less sums up the reaction. However, far more important things were learned yesterday evening than, that for all his philosophizing, Joey Barton is a thug to the core. How about the lackadaisical, almost invisible nature of Gervinho’s performance, on the occasion of his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt. Or the lack of imagination in attack from England’s most aesthetically pleasing side, without their two want away stars. Had the football been played out differently, then there never would have been a dive. There never would have been an angry reaction, a red card and the furor which followed.

Gervinho, though there was contact, is guilty of simulation. Not every touch warrants a fall, but the Ivorian felt he needed to go down. Arsenal were struggling to make things happen in attack, struggling to deal with the absence of their two most potent weapons. Had Wenger’s side been leading comfortably, Gervinho wouldn’t have acted in the way he did; for all the castigation that cheaters receive, diving is only ever a last resort. Milos Krasic’s infamous dive in last year’s Serie A was performed at 0-0, Ronaldo’s against Bolton at the same score line. Players don’t enjoy diving, their simulation is an unfortunate result of the culture of winning that those who criticize them create everyday. Joey Barton’s intention in faking injury was to gain an advantage for his team, not to undermine the moral brownie points accumulated by Ferdinand, Rooney and company in midweek. After seventy-five minutes, Newcastle should have been dead and buried; had they been, Barton wouldn’t have bothered. He wouldn’t have had anything to bother about.

Incidents like yesterday’s only manifest themselves in tight games. That match shouldn’t have been tight. Time and time again, Arsenal maneuvered the ball into dangerous positions, only to let themselves down with the final pass. They made what should have been an easy win a tense, hard fought draw. The real crime committed was not that of Joey Barton (or his hairdo), but of the Arsenal team as a whole, a side that now looks set to struggle in a department which initially appeared a strength.

As has happened in the past, a moment of controversy veiled a more pressing problem. Master managers like Ferguson know how to create such issues, but Wenger didn’t need to query the referee’s fitness – Joey Barton had already done all the work for him. As a manager whose every move is usually analyzed to the most minute detail, Wenger should thank Barton for his actions, not criticize them. The enduring image of this game will be a scuffle in the area, and not Johan Djourou’s misplaced pass. If Fabregas and Nasri leave though, eventually a time will come where no get-out-of-jail-free card presents itself.

A quick review of Saturday’s fantasy implications…

Queens Park Rangers 0-4 Bolton Wanderers- Some fantastic fantasy performers in this one, headlined by goalscoring defender Gary Cahill. Cahill’s curling shot in first half stoppage time put Owen Coyle’s on their way to an impressive 4-0 win, one which consigned QPR to a disappointing opening day loss. Further up the pitch, Ivan Klasnic scored and assisted – kudos to those of you had him in your starting XI.

At 4.5 million, Kieron Dyer was supposed to be one fantasy football’s best deals this season. Tragically though, he was stretchered off after only four minutes with a suspected broken metatarsal.

MOTM: Gary Cahill- A goal and clean sheet points – likely to be the day’s top point scorer.
FOTM: Clint Hill- Four conceded and sent off to boot, a day to forget for Mr. Hill.

Blackburn 1-2 Wolves- Not many were talking about Blackburn signing Mauro Formica pre season, but the Barcelona youngster forced his names into the papers with a goal that will help only a select few fantasy managers. On the other hand, Steven Fletcher is a player who plenty had high expectations of, and he scored on opening day for the second consecutive year.

Kevin Doyle’s missed penalty will do nothing to improve his score, but the striker should take consolation in Stephen Ward’s goal soon after.

MOTM: Stephen Ward- Goals from midfield: priceless.
FOTM: Kevin Doyle- A missed penalty, and no goal to make up for it.


Fulham 0-0 Aston Villa- A turgid affair that wasn’t particularly easy on the eye, but a game which will benefit many a fantasy manager nonetheless. Clean sheets for both of the back fours will benefit some, but upfront promising players disappointed. Johnson, Bent and Zamora all missed chances, while N’Zogbia was uninspiring on his debut.

MOTM: Shay Given- Brilliant saves, a clean sheet and likely performance points.
FOTM: Charles N’Zogbia- Much hype around him pre season, disappointed on his debut.

Liverpool 1-1 Sunderland- Liverpool will see a draw as two points very much dropped, but Sunderland should take heart from a sterling second half performance. Initial promise from Charlie Adam faded during the second half, though the Scotsman did set up Suarez’s opener. As for the Uruguayan, a goal was offset by that early penalty miss, making what could have been a decent showing very average.

Seb Larrson scored on his debut, though overall, none of Sunderland’s players stood out. Jack Colback looked particularly uncomfortable in the first half, but committed no action negative enough to warrant a point subtraction.

MOTM: Sebastian Larrson- A goal from midfield and not much else, but the only real candidate.
FOTM: Kieran Richardson- Yellow card, penalty conceded and nothing more. He wasn’t terrible, but still deserves Flop of the Match.


Wigan 1-1 Norwich- The value of penalty takers was underlined by the game’s opening goal. A conversion from twelve yards will boost Ben Watson’s point haul, and help out those (few) savvy enough to sign him up.

Wesley Hoolahan was the other goalscorer, taking advantage of an Ali Al Hasbi mistake to equalize. The Norwich striker missed several chances though, and I can’t see him becoming a useful fantasy player any time soon.

MOTM: Ben Watson- Moses was the game’s top performer, but in terms of fantasy impact, Watson ruled supreme.
FOTM: Ritchie De Laet- Gave away a penalty, didn’t keep a clean sheet, but arguably a little unlucky to be named FOTM.

Newcastle United 0-0 Arsenal- Like the Villa-Fulham match, this is a game which will mainly impact defensive scoring. For all there supposed woes at the back, Arsenal came through quite comfortably in this one, with the dirt cheap Kieran Gibbs the best value for money.

As for Newcastle, not many were willing to splash on any of their defenders, but those who did will be rewarded with a few extra clean sheet points.

MOTM: Kieran Gibbs- Value for money. Should be a really useful player for the rest of the season.
FOTM: Gervinho- No doubt about this one, Arsenal’s new signing endured a debut to forget, receiving his marching orders after seventy-five minutes.

Read more of our fantasy coverage.

It is perhaps the most uncomfortable position a club can find itself in; no targets, no expectations – just another season of mid table mediocrity. For some, a season without trauma isn’t really a season at all – for others though, it is a blessing, a chance to enjoy the final weeks, soaking up the drama engulfing supporters below and above.

Fulham, Sunderland, Stoke, West Brom, Villa, Bolton, Newcastle – all clubs consigned to a kind of limbo, no realistic aspirations of Europe, but confident in their chances of survival. Some may slip into a “race” for the poisoned chalice that is Europa League football, others dragged into the outskirts of the Premier League survival battle, but all will likely end up where they started: mid table and mediocre.

For Fulham, this pursuit is unfamiliar in its comfort. Many forget that only two years before the glory of a Europa League run the Whites were firmly ensconced in the bowels of relegation’s keenly avoided no man’s land. Only magic from Jimmy Bullard and Roy Hodgson’s inspiration pulled them out – and it would take a spectacular season from those currently below to drag them back in. Already, they are involved in a Europa League adventure, one that will only improve morale, if perhaps not league form. Midfielder Clint Dempsey, a star figure over the past three seasons, is positive heading into the new campaign, desperate to see his club improve on their promising post Hodgson form.

“We want to better what we did last season,” he said. “We have a good core group of guys who have been here through the most successful period. These last three years have been great. We want to make a good run in the Europa League and see what we can do in the cups.” Notice that no mention of the league was made. Dempsey, in his heart of hearts, must know that there is only so far a club of limited financial clout can go in a league where unscrupulous billionaires are valued more than friendly little clubs, however picturesque their setting.

While Fulham’s transfer activity remains limited, that of some of their fellows does not. Sunderland embarked on yet another rebuilding project this summer, seeking to cure the malaise which fell over Steve Bruce’s team around the turn of the year. For a club so often accompanied by predictions of success when heading into a new season, this summer has been no different. Fans will hope though, that the Black Cats finally make good on early promise.

There is no question that Bruce’s activity thus far has been clever; bringing in solid, experienced veterans like John O’Shea and Wes Brown, to complement up and comer Connor Wickham and jaded, relegation hardened midfielders Craig Gardner and Sebastian Larrson. However, it has been the loss of Henderson to Liverpool which has caught observer’s eyes the most, and it will take a gargantuan effort by the new signings to surpass the impact he made during his three year tenure.

Once perennial participants in the race for fourth, Everton and Aston Villa have seen their fortunes slip in accordance with the influx of money to Manchester City. Unable to compete with the financial juggernauts up North, Villa and Everton are outsiders looking in on developments in the table’s top quarter. The Toffees this summer offered little encouragement to their passionate support – the only Merseysiders mentioned in the gossip columns were the ones clad in red. At Villa, outgoing stars have seen the club’s stock drop further, as has the PR blunder which resulted in Alex McLeish taking the reigns at Villa Park. While still a good player, there is a reason why Liverpool and United were after Young and Downing rather than Charles N’Zogbia, a man who’s form is more spotty than the before pictures in Proactive advertisements. Following two major exits and one iffy signing, Villa fans won’t have been encouraged by what manager McLeish had to say on the subject of money.

“I’ve said, all along, since I joined the club, that we won’t be bringing players in until we trade. We still have a very heavy wage bill and we’ve got to try and work with Randy Lerner and Aston Villa to adjust that.” If it makes Villa supporters feel any better, at least Gabby Agbonlahor has pledged his future to the team.

For two of last year’s FA Cup finalists, this season looks to be one of mainly consolidation. It’s been a while since Stoke’s 5-0 drubbing of Bolton at Wembley, but little has changed at either club. Both still play in contrasting styles, Bolton preferring a measured, attractive approach and Stoke a more traditional long ball game. The Potters this year, have a Europa League campaign to think about, one which has seen Jon Walters’ meteoric rise continue towards the next level. However, it seems unlikely that the club famed for owning a throw in specialist will ever develop a cosmopolitan feel, after all, Kenwyne Jones’ ability in the air is too good to waste.

When not answering questions about Joey Barton, Alan Pardew has been busy fueling a summer of movement at St. James’ Park. Gone is top scorer Kevin Nolan, as well as star full back Jose Enrique. In there stead, are a group of promising if perhaps overly raw youngsters, headlined by former West Ham striker Demba Ba and Manchester United flop Gabriel Obertan. For a club known for flair in the attack, those two signings represent a return to the old habit – push forward with no interest in defense. Pardew has made it clear that creative midfielder Joey Barton is still welcome to play, though I doubt anything other than Twitter could possibly tear him away from Nietzsche at the moment.

In the turbulent, unpredictable world of English football, there are very few certainties. One of them is that West Brom’s top flight stints expire after two years at the maximum. However, punters will have to look for another dead cert to bet on this time around, West Brom seem to be preparing themselves for a longer stay than usual. Finally, the midlands club are armed with a capable playing staff and an inspirational manager – had Roy Hodgson been in charge from the start last season, then the club probably wouldn’t even have needed Peter Odemwingie’s goals to stay up. This time around, striker and coach are ready and in position – no excuses then, if things suddenly go pear shaped.

For the clubs mentioned, 11/12 is likely to be a season of limited excitement. Some might even climb high enough up the Premier League ladder to catch a glimpse of the effulgent world that is Champions League football, while others might find themselves dangerously near to the abyss. For fans of the teams involved though, go out, do it. Go buy yourself a nice pair of nail clippers. Your teeth won’t be overworked in the gnawing department.

Check out the other two parts of INFTH’s Premiership season preview:
Cannon Fodder: The Race To Avoid The Drop
United Primed To Reclaim Title

With the return of the Premier League comes the return of one of our readers’ favorite features: The INFTH Premier League predictions.

Blackburn vs Wolves-  A rematch of one of the final games last season, Blackburn take on Wolves in what will be a spectacle not suitable for the aesthete. There is a reason both these sides were battling to avoid the drop all the way to the end last year – neither of them is very good.

However, both will still fancy themselves to remain in the top flight this time around, after all, there are a new batch of promoted teams arriving, and none of them splashed huge amounts of money over the summer.

It’s always difficult to call the first few matches of a season, with no form to go off of and injuries at a minimum, the two sides look very even. The obvious edge for Blackburn though is that the game will be played at Ewood Park, so I’ll go with a win for Rovers.

Prediction: 2-1

Fulham vs Aston Villa- This match is a very interesting one if only because it marks the debuts of two managers new to their respective clubs. Having popped around Europe for a few years following his dismissal at Tottenham, Martin Jol has finally returned to the English game with Fulham, while former Birmingham manager Alex McLeish moved across town this summer, taking up the reigns at Aston Villa.

McLeish’s appointment was particularly controversial, and the Scotsman will need to get off to a satisfactory start, or risk seeing his name sore up the sack list. Losing Stewart Downing and Ashley Young will no doubt come as a blow to them, but the arrival of Charles N’Zogbia from Wigan should help to make up for those sales.

Fulham remain largely the same side that finished last season, keeping strikers Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora fit will be key to their chances.

Prediction: 1-1


Liverpool vs Sunderland- Liverpool and Sunderland have been two of the most active teams in this summer’s transfer market; Liverpool bringing in the likes of Adam, Henderson and Downing, while Sunderland have signed Wickham, O’Shea and Gardner to name but a few.

A visit to Anfield would not have been Steve Bruce’s first choice for an opening day fixture, but if the Black Cats think back to last season then they might remember a very impressive 2-2 draw they got there, courtesy of a Darren Bent brace.

It will be interesting to see how all the new signings on display meld with their teammates – things could go disastrously wrong or wonderfully well for either of the sides.

Prediction: 3-1

QPR vs Bolton- It is difficult to stress how big a game this is for Queens Park Rangers. A home opener to kick off their first season back in the Premiership, Loftus Road will be packed, and Bolton must adjust to a side cheered on by vociferous home support.

Pre season hasn’t been particularly rosy for Owen Coyle’s team, they lost Lee Chung Yong to a long term injury, and Stewart Holden’s return date is yet to be confirmed. Up front, key man Johan Elmander left for Turkey, and that coupled with Sturridge’s return to Chelsea leaves strikers Kevin Davies and Ivan Klasnic with a lot on their shoulders.

According to reports, Shaun Wright Phillips could be about to arrive at the Reebok, but that move won’t be finalized in time for Saturday’s match – leaving Wanderers short of personnel.

Prediction: 3-0


Wigan vs Norwich- If this game was being played the last week of the season rather than the first, it would be dubbed a relegation six pointer. Both teams are almost certain to be involved in the battle for survival, and both will see a three points haul as a must.

Having lost Charles N’Zogbia to Aston Villa, Wigan’s attack looks a lot less dangerous than it was last campaign, though Martinez will hope to benefit from the services of promising winger Victor Moses.

Norwich’s players will be pumped up for this fixture, many of them were part of the team beaten 7-1 on Championship opening day last year, and an auspicious start is in the forefront of their minds.

Roberto Martinez learned a year ago the folly of underestimating newly promoted opposition on opening day, and he will be looking to avoid a similar performance to that which saw Wigan fall 4-0 to Blackpool.

Prediction: 2-1

Newcastle vs Arsenal- Suffice to say, this match probably won’t end 4-4. However, when these two sides are playing goals are always a possibility, though Arsenal’s two main attacking weapons look to be on their way out.

Newcastle have been quietly effective in their transfer dealings this summer, bringing in men like Demba Ba and Yohan Cabaye to complement the returning Hatem Ben Arfa. The sale of Kevin Nolan to West Ham leaves them without their top scorer from last season, but the new signings should help to cover for him as well as estranged pseudo philosopher Joey Barton.

Ravaged by injuries at the moment, it is unclear exactly what starting line-up the Gunners will put out. Theo Walcott and Robin Van Persie are both doubts, while Nasri and Fabregas are busy completing moves to Manchester City and Barcelona respectively. The absences could mean a debut for winger Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, who will likely make his bow alongside fellow new boy Gervinho.

Prediction: 2-2

Stoke vs Chelsea-

Chelsea have been unusually quiet on the transfer front this season, seeing bids to sign Javier Pastore and Luka Modric run out of steam. Last January’s marquee signing Fernando Torres is likely to miss this game with injury, leaving the goalscoring burden to Didier Drogba.

It is never easy to play Stoke at the Brittania, the home team’s all action style of attack often forces defenses out of their comfort zone, and on opening day, Chelsea’s will be ripe for the taking.

Prediction: 2-1


West Brom vs Man United- Manchester United seem to be every one’s favorites to win the Premiership, but their opening games are far from easy. Away trips to Bolton and West Brom are the easy ones, with home ties against Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea also on the horizon.

For West Brom, the summer was headlined by the retention of Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie, and it will be interesting to see how he fares in his second season at the Hawthornes. Too many players have slumped second time around for Baggies fans to be one hundred percent confident in him, but certainly, the signs last year were good.

In the wake of a stunning Community Shield victory over Manchester City, much attention has been focused towards United attacking midfielder Tom Cleverley. The young Englishman received numerous plaudits for his second half display, including a call up for the eventually cancelled England match versus Holland. Against City, Cleverley formed part of a dangerous flexible attack, and Ferguson will hope his side can reproduce the verve and panache of Sunday a week on.

Prediction: 1-3

Man City vs Swansea- This game is worth watching if only because of the imminent appearance of Sergio Aguero in a Manchester City shirt. The Argentine attacker was fabulous at the Copa America, and many see him as an upgrade on unhappy striker Carlos Tevez.

For Swansea, Monday night’s game is likely to be a baptism of fire, although, the beginning of the season is usually the best time to take points off the big boys. Brendan Rodgers’ team promises to play attractive, exciting football this year, and it is in that regard that I fear for them.

Naivety tends to be the curse of at least one newly promoted side, in the past two years, both Burnley and Blackpool found themselves straight back down after a season of risk taking. However, from the neutral’s perspective, Swansea are a great addition to the league, entertainers who will entertain – no matter the consequence.

Prediction: 4-1

Be it in the chicken farms of India or the outskirts of Lancashire, the new Premier League season has many chewing their nails already. From eternal fighters, experienced in the art of last day escapes, to those praying not to be found out on their first ever visit to English football’s promised land, the characters preparing to participate in this campaign’s drama are only hours away from the start of a thirty eight games of purgatory.

Fitting perhaps, for the concept of purgatory is religious in derivation, that prayer and faith are likely to be two themes of pre match ritual for supporters of the Premier League’s basement dwellers.While Kaka cruises to wins with Real Madrid, fans will have to hope that their struggling team really does belong to Jesus.

In Wigan, this pre season’s premonitions of gloom and doom are not unfamiliar – boss Roberto Martinez by now is used to seeing his team bottom of hypothetical tables, and his name reportedly leading the sack race. However, this year the Latics enter in particularly dire straights, having only barely stayed up last time around, they have been stripped of their finest player and allowed pricey flop Mauro Boselli to make his inevitable exit. For Martinez and Wigan, another relegation battle could see Lady Luck’s tolerance begin to run out.

Newly promoted as champions, Queens Park Rangers seem to be every one’s favorites to go down – led by the eccentric Neil Warnock, their main summer coup remains the retention of Moroccan creator Adel Taarabt. A bust at Spurs, the Loftus Road faithful will look to Taarabt for inspiration – else be forced into an extreme game of brinkmanship: placing all the eggs in a Kieran Dyer shaped basket. Up front is where Warnock seems to be most confident though, paricularly in new striker Jay Bothroyd.  

“Andy Carroll is good in the air, but you cannot tell me he has more about him than Jay Bothroyd when he is on song.” said Warnock .”I think Jay has got everything to fight for his England place and it is really up to him.” It wouldn’t be the first time exaggeration has crept into a manager’s press conference – but then again, Liverpool’s Carroll wasn’t the subject of much expectation in the summer of 2010. 


Travel North of London, and you might reach the home of Paul Lambert’s runners up – Norwich City are looking to maintain their position as a top tier team following two consecutive promotions. After crushing his current club seven-one on opening day of last year’s Championship, Lambert was handed the reigns at Carrow Road in one of the most bizarre managerial switches ever made. To say things improved for Norwich following their hiding at the hands of Colchester would be to put it mildy – a startling ascent up the standings led to relatively comfortable automatic promotion. However, this time around, Norwich fans will hope to start in a more auspicious manner. Belief seems to be the watchword so far in terms of talk of survival, and an opening day hammering would do nothing to create that. Certainly, striker Grant Holt made sure that reporters were well aware of its significance.

”Once you get into the top flight you want to stay in it because so much hard work is required to get to that stage. The Premier League is where this club belongs and I’m sure that the manager and the team will do everything they can to make us stay there. The performances of previously promoted clubs have given everyone hope and belief of staying in the top flight and that is a big thing for sides that get to this level. You need belief and heart to have any chance of making that happen and the likes of West Brom and Wigan have shown that clubs that go up don’t necessarily come back down.”

 Since taking over midway through last season, Steve Kean has endured a baptism of fire in top level management. Headed by the controversial Venkys group, Blackburn Rovers have found themselves part of more jokes than wins. I guess that’s what happens when last day survivors talk up their Champions League chances. However, for all the cheap cracks, chicken and Chris Samba exit rumors, Kean will be able to content himself with one major transfer success – the signing of long time Rangers target David Goodwillie. While the name will only inspire more feats of jest off the field, the player will help to insure fewer of them on it – prolific in Scotland, Goodwillie could provide the cutting edge that was so sorely lacking last year.

“He’s a player that scores all types of goals, headers, left-foot, right-foot, tap-ins, which are always the best for the strikers to score. I think he’ll give us a different dimension.” said Kean of Goodwillie. “He’s bubbly, he’s a natural finisher and I think he’ll be a great addition to the already up and coming young ones.” If Blackburn are to reach top level European competition within the next four years, then Goodwillie will have to prove his manager’s compliments are more than just defense over a major expenditure.

With Blackpool and Burnley holding the spot as every one’s  favorite second team over the past few seasons, it is only appropriate that their role as attractive, attacking new boys should be filled for this campaign. A 4-2 win at Wembley in the play off final epitomises what Swansea Football Club are all about. Attack, attack, attack will likely be the club’s mantra,  their style was once described by former Reading striker Shane Long as resembling that of Barcelona. It is one thing to talk Barca, another thing altogether to play it – fans will enjoy watching the Welsh side pass, but the punishment for naivety in this league tends to be severe.

One thing that Mick McCarthy’s team will never be accused of is naivety, his sides always bunker down to work, and you shouldn’t expect much talk of Barca and Wolves, save from a book of footballing antonyms that is. Wolves’ signings this summer say a lot about the current team’s style, the headline edition remains center back Roger Johnson, who despite impressive performances couldn’t keep Birmingham up. Bizarrely, Johnson was handed the armband soon after his arrival, in the wake of…well, let Johnson say it for himself. “On the day we had a right barny at each other and he did say that was one of the things he liked.” If ever an incident could sum up a manager, it was that one.


As another long ball slung up by a burly center back is headed away powerfully by another equally traditional defender, the armchair fan might be tempted to switch over to Barca’s annihilation of the more aesthetically pleasing cannon fodder available in Spain. Sure, McCarthy is ever the pragmatist and Warnock’s most poignant commentary on his side remains “I certainly don’t think any team will be fitter than us” but the excitement remains of vintage quality. Last season ended with perhaps the most exciting final day in Premier League history, and there is no reason to believe that the upcoming campaign will produce anything other than more of the same.

Read more by The Chairman at Red Flag Flying High. Follow him on Twitter @INFTH

Chris Mann previews Fulham’s season for FoxSoccer.

John Brewin previews the Premier League season for ESPN.

A typically impressive tactical piece by Michael Cox looks at the Italian Super Cup.

Richard Jolly looks at the top ten summer transfers in the EPL.

ESPN looks at a few players who need to perform in 11/12.

Norman Hubbard on the rise and fall of Dimitar Berbatov.

ESPN’s fantasy preview. Enjoy INFTH’s fantasy coverage here.

The Chairman on Tom Cleverley, expectations and unfair comparisons.

England’s youth is evaluated in The Guardian.

As always, comment with links that caught your eye.

While Manchester City exited Wembley Stadium last Sunday with heads down and tails between legs, a feeling of inevitability began to spread across England. From Chelsea to Liverpool and back over to Eastlands, a cloud was looming large – one which last season engulfed all  en route to its nineteenth title triumph.

The never say die attitude which has fast become a cliched description of every Ferguson team seems to be permeating through to the next generation at Old Trafford. In a week marked by Paul Scholes’ testimonial, Ferguson’s mind was shifting towards a changing of the guard – a switch symbolized most poignantly at the time of Scholes’  Old Trafford bow, when the Englishman was replaced by promising French teenager Paul Pogba. Had City managed to hold on to their two goal lead, then perhaps Pogba would have remained the brightest shining light in United’s youth set up, instead though, an Englishman called Tom Cleverley arrived to end the Frenchman’s fifteen minutes of fame.

While Wesley Sneijder’s name will continue to be bandied around until the clock strikes midnight on August 31st, Cleverly has offered concerned United fans a source of optimism heading into the new season – that is, if they ever really needed one. Despite lacking the creative endeavor provided by players like Sneijder, United still cruised to Premier League success last term, and if Roy Keane is to be believed, they are on their way to a repeat.

“Even Sir Alex Ferguson said the other day the league’s getting tougher. But I don’t think so, if United are really at it, which they will be, they’ll win it comfortably. Even last year when United were slipping up, no team was strong enough to take advantage of it.” Keane, who turned forty years old today, made his message clear – United are still the team to beat.

“United have bought well. People talk about losing experience and I appreciate that Van der Sar, Neville and Scholes have all retired. But they have good young players coming through – and Wayne Rooney can play better than he did last season.”

There is no doubt that the Englishman is the man who United supporters will expect most from next season, having successfully navigated through the summer without a dose of controversy, Rooney is primed to be a key figure as United seek to fulfill Keane’s bullish prophecies. While strikes from Berbatov and Chicharito helped to paper over the Rooney sized chasm in United’s attack last campaign, it would be risky to count on them again. In only is second season at the top level, Chicharito shouldn’t be expected to repeat his feats of last year, and while Berbatov is likely to remain, his career as a first choice starter at United has ended.

“When you look at the players they have left behind, they have Vidic, Rio, Darren Fletcher – these are all international players. And Giggsy is still there, too. United don’t let players go unless they know they have players coming through to replace them.” As a man who was once the rock of a brilliant Manchester United team, it is no surprise that Roy Keane appreciates those who have come to succeed him in that role. While players like Chicharito and Rooney garner the most attention, it is the group mentioned by Keane which works most, silently at times, for the benefit of the team. Still, Nemanja Vidic remains a top class center back, and if Darren Fletcher manages to battle back from the illness which has kept him out since winter, then Ferguson will have available another player capable of providing the bite in midfield which was sorely lacking last May at Wembley.

The two Dutchman dominating United’s summer thoughts.

While internal movement and external signings have dominated explanations as to claims of title success, the lack of action from competitors is a boon equally worthy of thankfulness from the United faithful. Chelsea have endured an uncharacteristically quiet summer under the stewardship of new manager Andre Villas Boas, with moves for Luka Modric and Javier Pastore petering out sadly. For an aging side in need of invigoration, more is required than just young Belgian Lukaku and Spanish prospect Romeu.

On the other side of the city, United’s noisy neighbors have been active in the market, but only in an attempt to secure replacement for unsettled striker Carlos Tevez. On the evidence of Sunday’s match, City remain miles behind their Manchester rivals in terms of footballing quality – a problem that they will seek to address over the next few months. Sergio Aguero remains an unproven entity, while the rest of Mancini’s bloated squad is packed with too many ordinary players for the Citizens to be considered true title contenders.

Of all of the top teams, Liverpool have been the least frugal in their spending, with Kenny Dalglish splashing exorbitant amounts on a series of players who, according to Keane, are acquisitions intended to reinforce the wrong positions.

“Liverpool have bought good attacking players but I think it’s actually defenders that they need,” Keane said. “I think we’ve seen that a little bit in pre-season. Don’t get carried away, Liverpool are in no position to win the league, nowhere near.” Keane’s bold pronouncement will come as a stinging rebuke to Reds fans hoping for a quick end to United’s reign as record title winners – many still see Suarez, Carroll and Downing as the men to lead them to that elusive nineteenth championship.

Arsenal meanwhile, have done little but provide entertainment to fans in need of a laugh – Wenger’s side’s unfortunate place as the butt of a few jokes too many looks set to stick, as both Nasri and Fabregas scoot towards the exit. Underwhelming in the extreme, even the most optimistic of Arsenal fans would surely settle for a solitary League Cup victory, and an end to what has been a hellish six years for them. As John Carter so succinctly put it in his piece for ESPN, in Arsene, the trust is slipping.

The pretenders which are Tottenham Hotspur surely have no realistic chance of a title tilt – their unconvincing strike force remains unimproved, as the lion’s share of attention remains with those wishing for an exit. It seems an eternal curse of Tottenham, that their finest should seek pastures new – Redknapp can only hope that Modric chooses to reject the precedent set by Berbatov and Carrick.

In a season riddled with unanswered questions, the initial signs point to a United victory. While rivals fail to build on squads in need of a refresher, Ferguson’s perpetual project continues to mature. Youngsters like Cleverley and Pogba will help to augment a squad already rich with talent – one that, undoubtedly, doesn’t need a retired Dutchman, nor one at the peak of his powers, to challenge for number twenty.

Billy Witz on US Soccer and the start of the Klinsmann era.

Andy Brassell previews the upcoming Portuguese season.

Chris Mann preview Everton’s Premier League campaign.


Henry Winter praises the English national team for their anti-riot effort.


An excellent tactical feature on MLSSoccer about pressure.

As always, comment with links that you feel are worthy of inclusion.

I think that it is fair to say, a lot has happened in the history of Italian football. For the history of Italian football is not just the history of a game, but the history of Italy itself.

Legends, scandals, great games and great controversies, Italy has had it all; a mix of the brilliant and the surreal that has produced one of the most polarizing sporting leagues ever.

Everyone who thinks about Italian football tends to have a strong opinion. For years, the English derided the defensive aspects of the game, while more cosmopolitan footballing cultures appreciated it for its tactical and technical genius.

Until the publication of Calcio, the English speaking world – too often stubborn in their perspective of the Italian game – had no real resource with which to examine the fascinating history of Italian football. John Foot’s excellent book covers all angles though, looking at the players, managers, events and tactical trends that have made the Serie A and Italian national team what they are today.

Calcio is organized thematically rather than chronologically, an unorthodox scheme, one which turns the book into less of a narrative and more of an encyclopedia. Foot’s work doesn’t need to be read page for page, such is the thematic nature of the chapters, that it is easy to look up certain specific subjects. Even the chapters themselves are broken up into numerous sub categories – bold headings denoting sections dedicated to a single player/event/manager etc.

While the set-up limits the sort of flow provided by other footballing histories like David Goldblatt’s The Ball Is Round, Foot’s masterpiece is nonetheless logically ordered – moving in a sequence designed to enable flipping back and forth. The book starts, naturally, at the beginning, with the origin of Italian football in the early twentieth century. However, instead of moving directly into the Fascist glory days of the 1930s and Italy’s first two World Cup triumphs, Calcio is then organized into a series of sections describing cities, clubs, players and managers, before moving into tactics, scandals, fans and the media.

Each bold faced category is richly detailed with anecdotes, interviews and factual evidence used to explain Italy’s most important sporting concepts, as well as entertain the reader with stories varying from the saddening to the comedic.

From accounts of players’ on the pitch styles, to their tragic deaths and family lives, Foot successfully conveys a multi dimensional look at each footballer he describes, thoughtfully educating the reader in a simple and straight forward manner. Additionally, an in depth knowledge of the media workings in Italy allows Foot to provide interesting and thought provoking commentary on the Italian press’ perspective of each of his subjects. Really fascinating stuff.

Beyond the actual football, Foot’s book has plenty to inform the reader of – Calcio is equally descriptive in relaying accounts of the Superga tragedy, Berlusconi’s rise to power and Ultra culture as it is in evaluating refereeing decisions and Gianni Rivera’s passing range.

To the British reader, Foot’s analysis of the Serie A careers of men like Luther Blissett and Paul Gascoigne could be particularly interesting, as might his theories about the negative opinion most Italians have of English football fans. In vastly different ways, Brits in Serie A have risen to cult status – be it as an incompetent striker, later used as code word for Italian anarchists, or as a man who’s brilliance exalted him to the position of benchmark for all British players entering the league.

Comprehensive is the number one descriptor when thinking about Calcio, quite simply, it is the only English language book of its kind. There have been other fantastic books about Italian football, but none as thorough and detailed as this one. To understand Italian football, you must also understand Italy, and John Foot’s Calcio will help you understand both.

Buy Calcio on Amazon.