It probably won't continue! - Starting Eleven
Finally the Premiership got underway on Saturday with the opening round of matches kick off the 17th season of the English top flight. As usual there were fairytale stories with Hull City getting their first win, Nasri and Elmander scoring on their club debuts and Paul Ince getting his first win as Blackburn manager thanks to a late winner. At this stage of the season the table isn’t even worth looking at with several teams yet to play and only a handful of sides playing anything like their full potential. Here are a few things from the opening day which will probably not be a theme of the rest of the campaign.
Respect the Ref – The FA’s new campaign in partnership with the Premier League for players and managers to respect the officials was hardly mentioned on the opening day of the season but it’s hard to imagine that the whole campaign going by without the whole thing being mentioned or somebody falling foul it with their behaviour.
No Red Cards – It is very rare that a Premiership weekend goes by without any player being dismissed but the opening weekend saw all the teams finishing with eleven players. It’s very difficult to see this continuing throughout the rest of the campaign and as soon as the action gets competitive tempers are sure to flair at some point.
Hull Cruising to Victory – Their manager Phil Brown and Hull supporters might tell you otherwise but this season is most likely to be a struggle for Hull City which is why their supporters should be making the most of every second of their victory against Fulham. A Derby discovered last season, you never know where your next one is coming from.
Gallas Shooting From Long Range – Willam Gallas tried his luck from long distance in Arsenal’s win over West Brom and although the Arsenal captain scored for the Gunners in midweek it’s probably not likely that he will try his luck from 30 yards again, let alone score from that distance.
Goalfest at the Reebok – Bolton taught Stoke a lesson on the opening day of the season with a comfortably victory and although they are hoping to not struggle as badly as they did last campaign, it is very doubtful that they will score three goals in every first half game they play at the Reebok.
Goal of the Season Contenders – Steinsen, Dunn, Giovanni and Torres all hit fantastic goals in their team’s wins from long range Premiership goalkeepers have often complained that he weight of the new balls give strikers and advantage but sure the high quality of strikes will not be kept up throughout the campaign.
West Brom’s Long Ball Tactics – The baggies played some of the best football in the Championship last campaign and Tony Mowbray has promised that his side will play a very similar way this season. After being caught out by an early goal at the Emirates however it is doubtful whether or not they will resort to the tactics of playing direct football which brought them their best chances against Arsenal.
Everton Home Defeats – Blackburn came away from Goodison Park with three well earned points but it is not likely that many other sides will go to Everton this season and claim the spoils as only Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool did so last campaign.
Manchester United and Chelsea Mid-table – It may be a little to early to be using the League table as a guide but last seasons top two currently sit mid-table by virtue of having not played a game. It is unlikely that they will be anywhere but the top four come May and could conceivably in their positions from last season with good wins tomorrow.
Good Weather – The sun is always shining on the opening day of the season but the British forecast will undoubtedly turn against football at some point during the season and during winter there is sure to be the usual wet Wednesday’s in Wigan.
Talking Points – No penalties awarded, no yellow cards which should have been followed by a red and no irate managers on the touchline complaining about decisions not being given to their team. The talking points this weekend were rare, the negative ones anyway.
No Red Cards – It is very rare that a Premiership weekend goes by without any player being dismissed but the opening weekend saw all the teams finishing with eleven players. It’s very difficult to see this continuing throughout the rest of the campaign and as soon as the action gets competitive tempers are sure to flair at some point.
Hull Cruising to Victory – Their manager Phil Brown and Hull supporters might tell you otherwise but this season is most likely to be a struggle for Hull City which is why their supporters should be making the most of every second of their victory against Fulham. A Derby discovered last season, you never know where your next one is coming from.
Gallas Shooting From Long Range – Willam Gallas tried his luck from long distance in Arsenal’s win over West Brom and although the Arsenal captain scored for the Gunners in midweek it’s probably not likely that he will try his luck from 30 yards again, let alone score from that distance.
Goalfest at the Reebok – Bolton taught Stoke a lesson on the opening day of the season with a comfortably victory and although they are hoping to not struggle as badly as they did last campaign, it is very doubtful that they will score three goals in every first half game they play at the Reebok.
Goal of the Season Contenders – Steinsen, Dunn, Giovanni and Torres all hit fantastic goals in their team’s wins from long range Premiership goalkeepers have often complained that he weight of the new balls give strikers and advantage but sure the high quality of strikes will not be kept up throughout the campaign.
West Brom’s Long Ball Tactics – The baggies played some of the best football in the Championship last campaign and Tony Mowbray has promised that his side will play a very similar way this season. After being caught out by an early goal at the Emirates however it is doubtful whether or not they will resort to the tactics of playing direct football which brought them their best chances against Arsenal.
Everton Home Defeats – Blackburn came away from Goodison Park with three well earned points but it is not likely that many other sides will go to Everton this season and claim the spoils as only Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool did so last campaign.
Manchester United and Chelsea Mid-table – It may be a little to early to be using the League table as a guide but last seasons top two currently sit mid-table by virtue of having not played a game. It is unlikely that they will be anywhere but the top four come May and could conceivably in their positions from last season with good wins tomorrow.
Good Weather – The sun is always shining on the opening day of the season but the British forecast will undoubtedly turn against football at some point during the season and during winter there is sure to be the usual wet Wednesday’s in Wigan.
Talking Points – No penalties awarded, no yellow cards which should have been followed by a red and no irate managers on the touchline complaining about decisions not being given to their team. The talking points this weekend were rare, the negative ones anyway.