I’ve watched the Premier League Highlights show covering the first three weekends of the English season in order to catch up in goings-on. So far, an interesting beginning to the season. Some random observations:

* Living in America, you’re fairly insulated from the British press. I say this because Tottenham must have been hyped as a Top Four team around the clock in the UK in the weeks leading up to the season. My question: Why? The only major acquisition was Darren Bent, a player they didn’t really need (although Gareth Bale looked good against Man Ure). It has been said that Spurs fans are either delusionally optimistic or eternally pessimistic. File me in that second category.

* It’s fair to say no one on the planet guessed that Man Ure would have all of five points from their first four games. I am hoping with all of my heart that Chelski suffers the same kind of stutter just to make things interesting. I don’t want to see an initial five point separation being the difference over another 30 weeks.

* Is it too soon to say Liverpool might well be the third horse in the title race? They look pretty damn good (I watched a bit of their dismantling of Toulouse yesterday too) and in truth, they should 3-0-0 and Chelski should be 3-0-1 due to the absolutely criminal penalty given at Anfield. Referees can’t be right all the time but that penalty was a diabolical decision and could have ramifications at the end of the season.

* Speaking of which, Spurs deserved at least a point of their own at Old Trafford. Spurs vs. Man Ure was the first game of the season I have watched and Spurs played very well. I’m in the minority, but I think Vidic’s foul on Berbatov was a more clear-cut penalty than the Brown handball. Tottenham looked good, though they’re still desperately in need of a towering defender and a creative central midfielder. Until they get them, they’re going to be UEFA Cup material rather than Champions League bound.

* Are Man City for real? Sven certainly seems to be working magic. Bolton, Fulham, and Derby look like relegation material already. West Ham also seem more fragile than their fans would hope for.

Erm. That whole “Sign David Beckham and watch LA rebound from a bad start to make the play-offs” plan isn’t shaking out exactly as planned. In league play, the Galaxy have amassed an 0-1-6 record since the addition of Goldenballs. True, the team has gone 3-0-1 and in the SuperLiga and play for the tournament’s inaugural trophy tonight (9:00 ET, TeleFutura) but I think MLS would prefer the results to happen during league play. Many folks thought that the Galaxy would finally get on a role once Becks arrived and pick up major points from all their games in hand, but that hasn’t happened. The Galaxy still have three or four games in hand over the competition but, in reality, they need to pick up maximum points from all those games in order to put themselves in play-off contention. Easier said than done.

Happily, the Chicago Fire have found their feet—it’s amazing what a quality striker or two can do for a club—and are now firmly in the hunt for that last play-off spot. I still think they’ll fall short since the East is a tougher division than the West, but let’s hope for a Rapids collapse, shall we?

That’s it for now. Pictures of Guatemala forthcoming…

Current Mood: Sure |