Premier League Preview 2011-2012

You don’t mind if I start with a baseball analogy do you? Bare with me, you just might agree.
Growing up here is St. Louis I was naturally baseball Cardinals fan. One night in the late 90’s I was up past my bead time to watch a west coast game against the San Diego Padres. When your dad is a shift-worker you can get away with staying up late on school nights and a variety of other misfit adventures. Anyway … Watching the Cards play the Padres never meant anything in terms of league titles or drama. In the 80’s and 90’s, baseball fans only watched the Padres for thing…Tony Gwynn. More specifically, we had to watch Tony Gwynn hit. 

For anyone that doesn’t know, Tony Gwynn is a lifetime .338 hitter, sure fire hall of famer and the owner of one of the great left handed swings in the history of baseball. I will always remember this night and more importantly this particular at bat because of the call from the Redbirds announcer Mike Shannon. Gwynn was his typical self this at bat. He carefully eyeballed everything every pitch that was a whisker out of the strike zone. He playfully fouled off a few pitches just for fun. And when Gwynn got the high and outside fastball he was looking for he simply lined a base hit to the opposite field. 

This wasn’t a game winning hit or some steroid induced 550 ft shot into the bleachers at ‘The Murph’ that made this at bat memorable. It was Shannon’s call. When Gwynn did what he did over 3,000 times in his career Mike Shannon laughed and said, “Boy, he sure does got this league figured out doesn’t he” … And that quote makes me think of Sir Alex Ferguson. He sure does have the Premier League figured out… Doesn’t he. 

SAF may have put in his best performance as a manger last season. He navigated injuries to his captain (Rio), he weathered the storm that was Hurricane Rooney last year. How quickly we forget that Rooney publicly stated he wanted out of Manchester last year!

Just when it looks like Arsenal and Chelsea have knocked United off their perch (yes it’s theirs now), SAF’s men turn on a gear that no other team has and they glide into their 19^th league title. Those Bastards! I will never root for Man U, but I have to respect them. And now United are back with a new look youthful side. Ashley Young, David De Gea and Phil Jones join Rooney and Hernandez into a side looking for their 20^th league title. As much as this pains me to say, Manchester United are clearly the team to beat.

Challengers…

Now that my eyes have stopped bleeding from reading my previous paragraphs, I can write about the sides that will be looking towards the title.

Let’s start with the most successful club in the history of English Football, The Mighty Reds of Liverpool. I love what king Kenny has done this offseason. The attacking duo of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll are going to give EPL teams fits this year. Suarez ran riot over Man U and host of other sides last season in 5 months of electric football. He followed that up by winning the Player of the Tournament award at this summers Copa America. Suarez was at his attaching best as the Uruguayans brought the trophy home to Montevideo. New signings Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam bring excitement and depth to Liverpool’s midfield.

Some detractors say that these signings crowd the midfield and that King Kenny is mad. I don’t see it that way. One of the problems Liverpool faced last year was a sever lack of depth. When Captain Steven Gerrard returns, KK will have a host of talented options to choose from. With no European football to distract the Reds this year I fully expect a top four finish. I actually expect more… that’s right. You’ve read it here first, Liverpool will do the Double this year and bring home the League and FA cup Trophies!!!  As a great man once said, "Mark it down Dude"

Man united and Liverpool will be strongly challenged this year by Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham. Manchester City have spent like oil rich sheiks who don’t give a damn what a player cost. Oh, that’s right… they are oil rich sheiks who don’t give a damn what a player costs. Tottenham have so far held on to their two brightest stars, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale. The transfer window is not closed yet so don’t be surprised to see Spurs bring in a last minute Striker. 

Chelsea’s big addition is new manager Andre Villas-Boas. This dude has a hyphenated name and he coaches a bunch of overrated, diving d-bags. I hate him already. I actually thought that a summer without a major international competition or qualifying would be a good thing for Fernando Torres, but he suffered a concussion the other day and may miss the first game. I am thinking that the Reds got rid of him just in time. 

Arsenal’s summer has been highlighted by the swirling rumors surrounding Cesc Fabregas and Samir nasri. It looks like Cesc will finally be heading to Barcelona. Thank God! I am tired of hearing his crap. Send him on his way and re-invest those 30 million Euros. Samir Nasri leaving has got to be driving Arsenal fans crazy especially if he goes to Man U or Man City. Nasri was the best player in the league during first half of last season before Arsenal did their usual nose dive. 

This season promises to be a great one. Clubs like Sunderland, Everton, Stoke, Bolton and West Brom will provide the occasional upset. The idea of a Big Four is long gone. With Manchester City spending like drunken sailors and the emergence of Liverpool and Tottenham mean that the EPL now has a big 7!

Predictions:

League Title – Liverpool

FA Cup – Liverpool
Carling Cup – Manchester United

Player of the Year – Luis Suarez.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post. Feel free to leave your own predictions in the comments section!

YNWA