I'm excited

[kopdan]

Going to be a good season this year. Bellamy is going to score a fair few and Fowler is going to have one hell of a season.

Come on

[Hillingdonred]

Lets hope so - number 19 on its way.

Would still like to see another 'proven' striker though. Not necessarily Kuyt or Trez, just someone that can bang them in for us on a regular basis.

[fatistuta]

I think Rafa has really improved the squad to a much higher level this time, even the reserves and the youth have got me excited.
And as for starting the season with two strikers of the calibre of Fowler and Bellamy....whoa!!!
It's been a while since we've had that quality firepower. I'm praying they both stay fit.

Just one quality right winger and I will be ecstatic.

This season is gonna RULE !

[Morse]

I'd like to think we will have a good season, but...

....Manure are quiet, but I can see them getting Carrick and Torres.

Arse have the new stadium and a feelgood factor.

Chelsea have Ballack and Cole and Sheva...but for some reason I don't fear them so much this year.

Spurs...good side on the rise, pretty much like ourselves.

LIVERPOOL...Stevie, Crouchie and Carra shellshocked after Germany...Rafa still frustrated by his transfer dealings...Kewell still with injury problems, still no news on the new stadium...

...quick someone save me from feeling glum before a ball is kicked in anger!!

[Rosco]

I'd like to think we will have a good season, but...

....Manure are quiet, but I can see them getting Carrick and Torres.

Arse have the new stadium and a feelgood factor.

Chelsea have Ballack and Cole and Sheva...but for some reason I don't fear them so much this year.

Spurs...good side on the rise, pretty much like ourselves.

LIVERPOOL...Stevie, Crouchie and Carra shellshocked after Germany...Rafa still frustrated by his transfer dealings...Kewell still with injury problems, still no news on the new stadium...

...quick someone save me from feeling glum before a ball is kicked in anger!!

Man United have failed in every bid they've made so far, the one they seem to be chasing most is that Polish keeper from West Brom, they look set to overspend on Carrick too. I'd be delighted if they did he's not good enough if they want to challenge for a title.

Arsenal have lost two senior players, signed only Rosicky and have trouble looming with the Ashley Cole saga ready to come to a head soon.

Chelsea have signed a couple of great players , both 29/30 possibly looking for their last big contracts. Neither have Premiership experience and to include both of them Chelsea will need to change their system. Sheva won't be a good lone striker. So Chelsea face the prospect of having to change the system they've dominated the league with for the past two seasons. Does anyone remember the last time Mourinho tampered with his tried and trusted method (FA Cup Semifinal) ?

Spurs - decent side , no leadership in the team. Nobody that stands out at all for them. Beatable.

LFC - Strong in defence, excellent in midfield. ****e up front. Bellamy and a fit Fowler will go a long way to solving our problems in front of goal but I still feel we need another striker if we want to really give Chelsea a run for the title this year. We've again improved this summer, with some shrewd signings being made. Onwards and upwards.

[Howard_lfc]

Going to be a good season this year. Bellamy is going to score a fair few and Fowler is going to have one hell of a season.

Come on

Agree with that. You sound a chirpy chappy today squire.

H

[kopdan]

yeah quite upbeat really

[scully]

Man United have failed in every bid they've made so far, the one they seem to be chasing most is that Polish keeper from West Brom, they look set to overspend on Carrick too. I'd be delighted if they did he's not good enough if they want to challenge for a title.

Arsenal have lost two senior players, signed only Rosicky and have trouble looming with the Ashley Cole saga ready to come to a head soon.

Chelsea have signed a couple of great players , both 29/30 possibly looking for their last big contracts. Neither have Premiership experience and to include both of them Chelsea will need to change their system. Sheva won't be a good lone striker. So Chelsea face the prospect of having to change the system they've dominated the league with for the past two seasons. Does anyone remember the last time Mourinho tampered with his tried and trusted method (FA Cup Semifinal) ?

Spurs - decent side , no leadership in the team. Nobody that stands out at all for them. Beatable.

LFC - Strong in defence, excellent in midfield. ****e up front. Bellamy and a fit Fowler will go a long way to solving our problems in front of goal but I still feel we need another striker if we want to really give Chelsea a run for the title this year. We've again improved this summer, with some shrewd signings being made. Onwards and upwards.

Great post. We definitely need another striker - four first-choice strikers is definitely the minimum needed. But I am excited as hell at the prospect of Bellamy latching on to the kinds of crosses Alonso and Gerrard will be passing his way. I'm pretty confident we'll be coming out all guns blazing this season, none of that slow-start business from last season.

I'm hoping that Scheva and Ballack are a step too far along the Real Madrid galactico-signing route. There are definitely too many egos in that dressing room and some of them are past their peak anyway.

I like what Jol's doing at Spurs and Berbatov's a good signing, but they're still a side in the making and next season is still too soon for them.

[Rosco]

Great post. We definitely need another striker - four first-choice strikers is definitely the minimum needed. But I am excited as hell at the prospect of Bellamy latching on to the kinds of crosses Alonso and Gerrard will be passing his way. I'm pretty confident we'll be coming out all guns blazing this season, none of that slow-start business from last season.

I'm hoping that Scheva and Ballack are a step too far along the Real Madrid galactico-signing route. There are definitely too many egos in that dressing room and some of them are past their peak anyway.

I like what Jol's doing at Spurs and Berbatov's a good signing, but they're still a side in the making and next season is still too soon for them.

The other thing I neglected to mention about Chelsea is the story that Roberto Carlos will be signed. Why ? Because he's the favourite player of Abramovich's son. I really hope it happens.

I'm certainly looking forward to seeing Bellamy up front. Last season there was literally no movement up front when Crouch and Morientes played together. At exactly the same time Xabi seemed to be going through a lean spell.

But when you think about it Xabi's game is all about threading the ball in behind a defence to somebody running behind. Neither Crouch or Moro were capable of doing that, but now we've got Bellamy who will stretch defences and Fowler who's clever movement will give Xabi the outlet for incisive passes.

[scully]

The other thing I neglected to mention about Chelsea is the story that Roberto Carlos will be signed. Why ? Because he's the favourite player of Abramovich's son. I really hope it happens.

We can all sing "I predict a diet, I predict a diet" whenever he touches the ball.

[Rich]

This season has the potential to be the best Premiership season so far. Potentially there are 5 teams that could really challenge each other.

Obviously the favourites (rightly so) are Chelsea. However there are signs of weakness and it does look like Mourinho has lost some of power in the boardroom. Purchasing Roberto Carlos will be an expensive mistake, no doubt. However, if/when they sign Ashley Cole, he will bring an extra dimension to their play, specifically if the system is changed to accommodate Ballack and Shevchenko. They still have a very strong spine to the team.

Man U - Finished second last year even though their midfield was some kind of joke. I do think that selling Ruud VN will be a big mistake as I don't believe Saha is a patch on the Dutchman. They have a decent keeper and defence, and obviously Rooney will have a great year. I am surprised they haven't signed anybody yet, but if they do get Carrick, he will improve their midfield. You always know they are going to be strong.

Arsenal, obviously Henry will continue to be the premierships most prolific creative player, plus Wenger will bring the usual best out of a talented bunch - I just think they are missing some leadership out on the pitch.

Tottenham - had the busiest summer, they look a real threat, but like Arsenal I think they are missing some leadership on the pitch.

Us - more of the same from us, we have a stronger squad this time around, much better strike force (with hopefully one more to come in) better cover in virtually all positions. Plus Reina has a year under his belt, same with Crouch. All we need is to start picking up points against the other contenders and to get off to a flyer. I am very excited about this season, I can't wait for it to start!!!

[Red_Polo]

Chelsea have signed a couple of great players , both 29/30 possibly looking for their last big contracts. Neither have Premiership experience and to include both of them Chelsea will need to change their system. Sheva won't be a good lone striker. So Chelsea face the prospect of having to change the system they've dominated the league with for the past two seasons.

Eggggsackly!!

Chelsea will be toast this season, they need major changes to their winning formula just to repeat last season's total. A total we are well capably of topping. This is the one for number 19. It's ours I tell thee.

[Rosco]

Eggggsackly!!

Chelsea will be toast this season, they need major changes to their winning formula just to repeat last season's total. A total we are well capably of topping. This is the one for number 19. It's ours I tell thee.

I'm not quite so optimistic, I wouldn't go so far to say that Chelsea are toast but they are beatable and do have issues of their own to address.

I'm not convinced no.19 is the way this season, but the signing of a top striker could convince me otherwise.

[LFCman]

There was a good article on .tv talking about our average age. The time is about right for us to now launch a real raid on the title. We have experiance, youth, hunger, talent, know how and strong leaders throughout the squad. Not to mention a manager who is 2nd to none IMO.

We need to keep believing because I feel this season we certainly will have more ups then downs and hopefully one of those ups is Stevie lifting the Premiership trophy UP above his shoulders.

[Red_Polo]

I'm not quite so optimistic, I wouldn't go so far to say that Chelsea are toast but they are beatable and do have issues of their own to address.

I'm not convinced no.19 is the way this season, but the signing of a top striker could convince me otherwise.

Hahaha I'm just getting fired up mate : )

I do think even without a new striker we'll have a great chance this season. I know we're lacking a little up front, but Bellamy, Fowler and Crouch are all fantastic for the team in that they offer a lot even when not scoring.

Ultimately whoever we sign, nothing is guaranteed. When all is said and done this is a team game and it's more about how our players work together than what their names our. Luckily that works in our favour though, because in Rafa we have one seriously damn talented manager.

We came within 10 points of Chelsea last season having had our poorest ever start to a season, and having suffered a goal drought or two. With a fitter Fowler and Bellamy now on board, as well as new wide midfielders added, we now certainly appear to be capable of being more clinical in the final third. All at no cost to the way our team played last season.

In conclusion - Chelsea are toast :0ptimismshakey: