Charity Shield Today

[Ric.ror]

The unofficial start to the new premier league
Who will be the Heroes or villains who will come good who will disappoint
Which team with a new manager will walk it and prove the critics wrong (despite winning it last year will an astounding 11 point gap)
It's all so exciting and I wish your team the best of luck (except for 3 teams I have in mind)

[Mattk]

As a Man Utd fan I actually fear for them this season!
Man City are stronger and so are Spurs. Not so sure Mourinho will be the success at Chelsea that he was before and Arsenal are making the right noises too.
I think Man Utd will be expecting top 4 with anything less being a failure.

Its good to see that what was the big two became the big 4 and now with Spurs is the big 5.

[Ric.ror]

Why do you fear?
We still have the same squad as last year with (maybe) more to come
Jose is good but is he really 11 points good
If moyes needs a 'bedding' period so will city and to some extent Chelsea management too
Arsenal have yet to buy big unless they do I don't see a real threat from there and it doesn't look like spurs will keep hold of bale so it could be all change there
I do see it as being a lot closer this year but we have the experience players to ease a new manager through the tail end of a close season
I think

[Mattk]

Rooney will (almost certainly) leave and at this moment I can't see anyone of equal quality coming our way. Fellaini is rumoured but not sure he has enough to make the difference at United.
Personally, I think they spent too long chasing Fabregas.

On paper Utd should still be the team to beat but we shall see.

[DJHawkes]

just watched the bit about the new goal line technology! wow, had not realised it was being introduced this season, it wil be interesting.

[redman41]

More insincere twaddle from the 'Theatre of Dross' propaganda brigade !

[Ric.ror]

Well it seems Rooney is training with the first team and should be back for the Swansea game so perhaps all is not as quoted in the media

[Ric.ror]

Well that's the first piece of silverware won for this season
Can't wait for the next.
Sincerely!

[tonyav]

C'mon the Villa.

[Hopkirk]

Without Gareth Bale, I can't see Spurs hurting many people.

[Arksided]

^Agree about Bale. The baggies keep edging toward Europe.

United are bookies third favourite to win and RETAIN the title, have to agree in some ways with the new set up in place a lot has to be in doubt. (No more Fergie time just for the sceptics But none of SAF's Championship winning players have being sold yet?

As for the others mentioned Chelsea, his team when he was in charge have moved on or older so It'll be a waiting game to see how long before he's sacked again.

Arsenal... Wengers last season! Man City biggest threat again with the spending power... but again new team and management.

Well all have to wait for the transfer window to end as well which IMO is ridiculous after the season has kicked off. Nobs!

And the parasite at littlepool, without him... PMSL.

[Hopkirk]

Unfortunately the Baggies form for the second half of last season was more like creeping towards the Championship, Arky.

Hopefully Nicholas Anelka will be our Lukaku this season.

I just hope he isn't one of those players who takes the money, but is half way into retirement already. John Hartson did that to us.

[tali1]

Money spent it really should only be Chelsea and Man City.
Man utd should be miles away dreaming of past glories
.Spurs with or without Bale are 5th at best
"Mr Number 2" Clarke had a freak season at Baggies imho

[Mass_Hysteria]

Am I right that the Champions league squads have to be declared tomorrow pm?

If so it is unlikely that Fabregas, Surez, Bale, Rooney etc will be making any moves this window.

[Arksided]

tali1 Man utd should be miles away dreaming of past glories Love it...erm Current Champions, who hold it until the end of the season.

Money spent on players well yes... top two are set.. Jose taking most wages... but will they play as a team?

[Arksided]

No the squads may have to be named... but Cup-Tied... means if you kick a ball (or even take to the field) for one club in any cup Domestic or otherwise.. They are then illegible to play in that competition for another club.

[Mass_Hysteria]

So Ark, how can the likes of United, Chelsea, City, Real etc, name their squads if the "new" players don't yet play for them? Can the squads be changed later?

[Arksided]

Yes... player added... 'not Cup-tied.'

[Mass_Hysteria]

Thanks Ark,

Why not just wait until end August after the window closes, some teams have already played C.L?

[Arksided]

Why indeed? gives the Nobs at UEFA a job to do. transfers much easier to do after most Squads submitted.

[Mass_Hysteria]

Right, so no real reason then!! lol