Couldn't find a thread for the new season, but starting to get excited for this afternoon's matches. I didn't catch yesterday's Sheffield Wednesday Southampton game but soinds like Southampton made a good start to life in the Championship.
I'm a West Bromwich Albion supporter, we're away today at Blackburn, hopefully the couple of new signings we've made will make a bit of difference but I suspect we'll struggle this year...ongoing issues with the owner, no Prem money for the first time in 20 years or so and a worrying financial outlook with the loan we took out against the stadium. Will be interesting to see the atmosphere up there next Saturday.
A week before the big league starts...so looking forward to watching games again.
Wolves fan here. Feeling a bit disappointed with how the club has fell foul of FFP but if there’s no money then so be it, nothing the fans can do. I just hope the rumours of our coach leaving are just that! If Julen stays then I think we might just be ok.
I really hope the Baggies find a solution to their financial problems, the fans deserve much better. Best of luck for the season ahead, it would be great if you could get back up as we all miss the BCD.
Living where I live pretty much all of my mates are Wolves, it does sound worrying...but they are mostly confident. It's shit how we can both be in this kind of situation.
Reading fan here, gone from one of the best run clubs to a basket case due to poor, corrupt ownership. Being fined by the same organisation that should have vetted our owners is galling.
That rings a bell Caher, Albion were always known as a.prudent club, then Lai came in and rinsed it. Always had a soft spot for the Royals, hopefully you'll smash Posh today...
Ipswich starting away at Sunderland tomorrow, which is my dad's team. Might ring him before the game, not an easy first game back in the Championship.
Norwich fan here, strangely delighted that the football season is starting again.
Not sure what sort of season we can expect but strangely looking forward to one where my expectations of success are pretty low.
The championship starting before the charity shield isn't something I recall noting before, is this normal or still a hangover from covid and mid season world cup?
Norwich fan here, strangely delighted that the football season is starting again.
Looking forward to the Old Farm derby
Looking forward to the Old Farm derby
bit worried about it! You’re on the up and we’re on a downward spiral!
As I’m not local I think it’s good to have it back…. But obviously hope it follows the results over last few years! 🙄
Huddersfield here. The long trip to Plymouth today but not for me. Warnock will get a great reception.
Any predictions for the Championship then chaps? It’s surely the most unpredictable league in the world? Whoever is normally tipped to go up rarely does and there’s always a few shockers in the mix for the play offs at the end
I’m a West Bromwich Albion supporter, we’re away today at Blackburn, hopefully the couple of new signings we’ve made will make a bit of difference
When Sarmiento is fit, you should have one hell of a player there. I was a bit disappointed that he’s gone out on loan but think it makes sense as with Adingra and Pedro coming in he has fallen down the pecking order a bit.
Reading fan here, gone from one of the best run clubs to a basket case due to poor, corrupt ownership. Being fined by the same organisation that should have vetted our owners is galling.
Yep. We're going to be hugely reliant on a few old pros and kids, which makes me strangely excited. Andy Carroll might be interesting at this level, he's a better player than he gets credit for.
No denying Carroll's quality, he's just weapons grade injury prone.
On another note I just think the season is too early - not had summer yet.
Wednesday fan. But disappointed with last night but have been like rabbits in the headlight in the first half but looked more solid in the second.
Be interesting to see how the new signings fit in over the coming games. Certainly no need to panic after one game...
Any predictions for the Championship then chaps?
I was reading BBC Sport yesterday and they were commentating about how stacked the league looked. Some decent teams relegated from the prem, some "big" teams promoted from League 1. I think it's going to be a tough and pretty entertaining season
As a Tractor Boy I'm clearly hoping for back to back promotions, was going to stick a tenner on it but seems the bookies think might be possible too. Also hoping not to be disappointed at old farm derby time.
some “big” teams
And one massive one 😀
Villa fan here. Actually looking forward to a season for the first time since the MoN era.
No denying Carroll’s quality, he’s just weapons grade injury prone.
Watching him against us last season, when he was responsible for that horrendous challenge on Erickson, he looked like a red card waiting to happen from the second he stepped on the pitch, and it didn't take him long
And one massive one
MOT
As a Tractor Boy I’m clearly hoping for back to back promotions
If we get a decent start this season, the premiership clubs will come knocking for McKenna when they panic and sack their managers
There were rumours he was being hunted end of last season. I'm glad he stayed and he seems a decent chap but I'd be really surprised if he's still with us next season unfortunately
@dannybgoode fellow owl 🦉 too😄
First half was a don Goodman induced sky ****athon about James ward prowse, for all their possession they only had that shot of note in the first half.
Second half we were a lot better I thought, plenty to build on, especially with the new lads coming in.
Good goal to equalise and then a sleepy defence for the saints winner 😭
Referee was card crazy!! But also very inconsistent I thought
Reading fan here, gone from one of the best run clubs to a basket case due to poor, corrupt ownership.
Criminal how these things are allowed to happen. Wrexham fan here so the complete opposite story to you. Got a dose of reality after today's result though.
Our 3 first choice strikers are injured but we do have fifteen wingers, so I think we’ll be alright if 49ers can find a striker not made of biscuit.
promotion? Unlikely. Relegation ? Possible if we don’t get some decent reinforcements in
MOT ALAW
Leeds fan here. Lots of players left after relegation and uncertainty about whether there will be more departures of some of last season's first team squad. Pleased we got Farke and hope he will steer us back to the Premier League, but reckon we might struggle due to loss of players, lack of new signings and injuries - 3 strikers already injured before a ball has been kicked in anger, including Bamford (just for a change!)
#MOT #ALAW
Leeds fan too.
I was feeling quite confident for a change until the latest round of injuries.
Also will be following Birmingham as my 10 yr old is a keeper in their academy. We can get tickets but are on holiday when Leeds are playing Birmingham. 🙁
That is some midfield Arsenal has now.
It’s going to be interesting to see how they measure up against Citeh here
Big money signings taken off and then the game has to go on until Arsenal score.
They got there in the end, bless ‘em
I’d had a bet on a draw (4/1) too 😃
Arsenal have just won the World Cup! At least that’s how they celebrated - when did the Community/Charity shield become more than a pre season kick about?
when did the Community/Charity shield become more than a pre season kick about
It didn’t. It’s a meaningless friendly. City will turn Arsenal over twice this season, as they do every season
Havertz was as reassuringly shite as he was at Chelsea. I just can’t fathom why they bought him, especially for the ludicrous sun of 65 million. That’s getting into Harry Maguire territory 😳
Arsenal have just won the World Cup! At least that’s how they celebrated – when did the Community/Charity shield become more than a pre season kick about?
Let them have their moment, this is their favourite trophy.
Meanwhile, a nice result for the Tractor Boys away at Sunderland. I may mention it to my Sunderland supporting father tomorrow.....
I was going to ask how the hell you end up supporting Ipswich when you’re dad supports Sunderland, but my dads a lifelong bloody Liverpool fan. 😂
but my dads a lifelong bloody Liverpool fan
I bet Sunday dinner was somewhat frosty when Manu overtook Liverpool in titles?
I was going to ask how the hell you end up supporting Ipswich when you’re dad supports Sunderland, but my dads a lifelong bloody Liverpool fan.
He was brought up in South Shields. I was brought up in East Anglia.*
Even better, he married my mum who was born in Leeds. My earliest memory is watching "that" FA cup funal at my aunts!
*my lad is a Derby fan, having been born and brought up here
Premier league kicks off tonight, and the transfer market is heating up.
Kane looks like he is off to munch sausages, and Liverpool have agreed 110 million deal for Caicedo. I think that brings Liverpool right back to being contenders for the PL title, and spurs to possibly slipping into the bottom half.
I think there will probably be a clear top 3 this year, City, Arsenal and Liverpool, with United and Chelsea maybe capable of taking points head to head with the top 3 but not being consistent enough to sustain a title challenge. Newcastle have strengthened, but not perhaps as much as the other teams they want to compete with, they overperformed last year and I suspect will struggle a bit more this year, to consolidate with a top 6 should still be seen as a positive, aston villa may also be in the mix, 4-7 could be a real scramble.
It’s difficult to remember a season starting with so many changes in key personnel at the big clubs. As a Gooner I am not unhappy with our business but scratch my head at Havertz. Perhaps my favourite move is the departure of Kane from our annoying neighbours. Difficult to see us replicating last season’s finish for us and I fear it’ll be Citeh’s name on the trophy when all is done and dusted.
Caicedo for £110Mn !!
It's all Citeh's fault for splashing all that cash on Maguire, Pogba, Sancho, Antony, Havertz, Mudryk, Rice, Enzo Fernandez, Lukakukakukaku, Fofana, Kepa, van Dijk etc. etc.
I can't believe Citeh get so much flack when all this nonsense is going on all around them.
As a Brighton fan, I’m gutted that we’ve lost Caicedo, McAlister and Gomez! 🤷♂️
Transfer fees are almost irrelevant IF the player is successful. Liverpool desperately need a holding/defensive midfielder. They are probably thinking it's the difference between challenging for the title (and getting into the CL next year) or getting 5/6th place and losing tens of millions in prize money etc. If Caicedo moves and helps with the overall objectives then he would have easily paid for the premium he's likely to cost.
Watford season ticket holder. Low expectations for 1st game comfortably exceeded. Took an early chance to sing we are top of the league - probably the first and last opportunity. Mid table but bucking the trend, predict only 1 manager. Think Pozzo might have run out of money to pay off another with coaching staff.
As a Brighton fan, I’m gutted that we’ve lost Caicedo, McAlister and Gomez!
This happy and is not nice. A few years ago Reading lost Steve Sidwell to Chelsea, our best player, and he sat on the bench all season.
Transfer fees are almost irrelevant IF the player is successful.
They always seem to be relevant when it's City doing the spending.
This table needs a quick update:
https://www.squawka.com/en/news/premier-league-net-spend-2022-23/
and Liverpool have agreed 110 million deal for Caicedo.
Looks like the Liverpool move might be off now
https://talksport.com/football/1529673/chelsea-hijack-moises-caicedo-liverpool-brighton-transfer/
Think Man U did the best business this summer. Got rid of Maguire & convinced West Ham to pay £30,000,000 for him.
Can't see anyone but Man City winning this again.
As a Newcastle fan, I would be very happy with top 6 and a decent run in the CL and domestic cups.