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Chewie's Universe » My Favorite time of year…..

My Favorite time of year…..

My Favorite time of year….. With the start of the EPL season, I find myself in a euphoric state of mind.  Is there really anything better than this time of the year?  All of the Big European leagues have started, or about to, and that feeling is in there air.  EPL for me is by far the most entertaining, and exciting league in the world, and I am more than happy it is back.  The summer months in the US are a little tough for a non-baseball fan.  No American Football, no college sports of any kind, and very little Football on that I truly enjoy.  I prefer the European style of play (especially the GK’s) to that of South America or MLS.  MLS has taken lots of forward steps in the past few years, but it is hard to compare EPL and MLS.  The speed, intensity, and quality is amazing.  You just have to look at the first week to see what I mean.  Arsenal, Chelsea in barn burners, Liverpool winning on an amazing free kick by Stevie G in the last minute, and Marcus Hannehman almost single handedly earning a point for Reading. Here are my predictions for EPL…Manu winning the league on the last game of the year.  Chelsea 2nd, Liverpool a distant third.  I would love to see Villa 4th, but I think Arsenal or Tottenham will take that spot.  My beloved Newcastle, and Blackburn are my tips for Uefa cup spots, and I think Bolton, Derby, and Wigan will go down…I think the Keepers to watch are Tim Howard, Craig Gordon, and Robert Green.  Keepers that may struggle this year are Jens (not just because of this past weekend’s Gaff), Jussi, VDS (I think he will lose his spot by the 5th game), and Reina.  Martins to win golden boot (biased pick) with Drogba second due to injury.  I think we will see an influx of foreign keepers before the end of the two transfer deadlines, and maybe some of the big name keeps calling it the quits VDS, Given (if injuries continue), and maybe Big Brad Friedel. All in all I think it will be another fantastic year of EPL football.  I also love the Bundesliga, French League 1, Eridivise, etc, but nothing seems to get my blood going like a Saturday morning match.  Even the lowliest of teams rarely disappoint, and the speed and standard are just amazing.   I also like the fact that the weather will soon be cooling, and playing a match on a Sunday will not cause heat stroke…I like to see kids training for school matches,  and the smell of fresh cut pitches.  I wish fall lasted all year, instead of 3 short months.   Till next time, Cheers, Chewie

 

Posted Aug 14 2007, 08:37 AM by ChewieGK1

Comments

stetsonfutbol wrote re: My Favorite time of year…..
on 08-14-2007 2:23 PM

Haha, everytime I replay the botched Lehman clearance, I smile!

justin07 wrote re: My Favorite time of year…..
on 08-14-2007 3:44 PM

Bolton down, that's a bold pick. Although they did look pretty toothless on Saturday. I can't see West Ham staying up again - No Tevez to bail them out, and they are astonishingly short of creativity. Robert Green will have to work miracles all season to keep them up.

Ocke wrote re: My Favorite time of year…..
on 08-15-2007 3:29 PM

I believe that Man City will grab a UEFA spot this year, with Sven-Göran and his crew. Yes he got his millions to buy 6 new players (so far) but it´s nothing compared to Abramovich (sp) and his spending, thats why I´m not a huge fan of Chelsea. And maybe cos I support Arsenal ;-)

Speaking of the Gunners I think they will struggle. The team seems too inexperienced and I wonder how Arsene spends his money these days. He is known to buy cheap and hand picked players, so I hope he will surprise me but this year I am realy concerned. The fight of the premiership will be fought between Che£$ea, Man U and Liverpool, in which order is hard to say. But definately look out for Man City, can´t wait for the derby against the U´s this weekend.

Jens....Jens...Jens... I have never liked that guy and I was a bit angry when Arsene bought him. To his defence I must say that he has been solid the last 2 years but he´s getting old and seems "satisfied". I don´t know much about Fabianski yet, but I sure know that Almunia isn´t a good back up.

The keeper to watch this season is Andreas Isaksson in Man C. Struggling with injuries last season he finaly managed to get the nr 1 shirt and it´s time the world sees what a good keeper he can be. Remember watching him when he made his debute in the top division in Sweden only 16-17 years old. Played 3 games I think before Juventus bought him. A class keeper when in form. At the moment he is injured (again) and Peter Schmeichels son Kasper is guarding the net, thats a keeper who I believe will be great in the future!

Reina will probably be as solid as usuall and I hope he can compete against Iker Casillias for the nr 1 shirt for Spain. Iker is imho overrated. Can make great saves but he´s often too moody and lacks concentration. Santiago Canizares of Valencia has allways been a favourite of mine, but I think the competition from Timo Hildebrand may make him loose his spot to the end of the season.

Glad to see Gianluigi Buffon back in the Seria A with Juventus. Allthough still the nr 1 for Italy he needs the big games to hold his place as one of the top 3 keepers in the world. Peter Cech and his helmet will also be solid, as usuall.

ChewieGK1 wrote re: My Favorite time of year…..
on 05-11-2008 10:53 AM

Well we have the end of the year....I had the top two right.  With Aresnal and Liverpool swapping spots.  Totally wrong on the next few (Newcastle, Villa) and only one out of three for drops (Derby).  I guess I will keep my day job ;)

Sepp wrote re: My Favorite time of year…..
on 05-11-2008 8:42 PM

Chewie mate, you had the top 2 correct.....I think my grandma's pet cat even predicted that!!!!! Ha ha!!! As you said yourself....Don't give up the day job.........

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