The countdown is nearly over. Just four more days to the big kick-off in England and passion is obviously running high amongst you fans of the Premier League.
On Saturday I asked for your predictions as to who will be taking the title home in nine months time and some of the responses I got where unexpected to say the least.
Most of you seem to think it is a foregone conclusion and that Chelsea will walk away with it again. I tend to agree. But for my predictions you will have to wait until Saturday when I promise to wheel out the dusty and somewhat cracked crystal ball and find out what the season has in store for us.
In the meantime, here are some reader’s thoughts for your to chew over:
“I read with great interest your article dated 6th August 2005. I’m a big United follower and am looking forward to the upcoming season. However despite having full confidence in my boys, I believe no-one will dethrone Chelsea as champions! Just not going to happen! And it’s not because they scored what 72 times... they only conceded 15 goals throughout the campaign. Arsenal conceded 36 and my beloved United 26! That is quite a feat with so much competition.
“And sure we can all point our finger at Mourinho having all the financial backing of the Russian but honestly, money doesn’t always buy success. Real Madrid is a good case in point. Mourinho is the glue that is keeping all these egos together. And after such a memorable campaign for Chelsea, Mourinho will have all the bragging rights for the upcoming season, so us United, Arsenal and Liverpool fans can just look forward to battling it out for second!” Joe Vella, Qawra
“You may think I am a little crazy but my money would be on Spurs to be the dark horses in the Premiership this season. They have spent wisely in my opinion and now have the players to challenge for the title. What is most encouraging is that they have spent money on English players over the past year and that is always a bonus when it comes to playing in the English league. They have more passion and commitment and a greater desire to win. I have been a Spurs fan for nearly 25 years and this is the first time I have looked forward to a season so much. Go Martin Jol!” Adrian Micallef, St Julian’s
“I really can’t see anybody other than Chelsea winning the league this season as much as I don’t want them too. They are just too strong and neither Arsenal or Manchester United have done enough to challenge them properly. Liverpool too are not good enough to win the league. They didn’t even really deserve to win the Champions League and I think they will struggle in that competition too. I am a Newcastle fan but I think we will have more chance of relegation than promotion this season!” S. Portelli, Marsascala
“There is only one team for the league this season and that’s Wigan. You may laugh but Paul Jewell knows what he is doing. Just because we haven’t signed any decent players does not mean we won’t be challenging at the top. Jewell for England!” B. Forester, email
“The only thing I can say for sure is that Arsenal will not win the league this year. Selling Patrick Viera was a big mistake. I will admit that he was not at his best last season but even when not at his best he is still an excellent player. Arsenal have nobody to replace him. Fabregas and Flamini are too young to take over that job and even if they do buy Jenas he will prove to be no substitute for Patrick. As an Arsenal fan I can only imagine one of two things. Either Wenger has some incredible master plan for winning the league or the building of the new stadium is costing so much that the bank account is empty. Whatever the reason for Arsenal’s demise it is Chelsea who will win again this year.” Norman Ellul, Mosta
“It won’t be Sheffield United winning the league, that’s for sure.” Steve Testa, email
There you go. That’s the pick of them. Some sensible, some interesting, some bordering on the insane. With the possible exception of Steve who is not bordering on it so much as having crossed it entirely. Bless him.
Contact James on: [email protected]