So, straight in with the news that Martin O'Neill has quit Aston Villa with IMMEDIATE EFFECT. Love that term, it communicates a certain clinical coldness to way the way he left. The picture seems to be that it wasn't a happy ending at Villa for O'Neill. I mean, leaving 5 days before the league kicks off? This was surely a very quick, possibly knee-jerk decision. I wouldn't put that past O'Neill, he is a man who wears his heart on his sleeve. Very much a young disciple of his former manager Brian Clough in that way.
It seems quite embarrassingly obvious to me that O'Neill has fallen out with the board over the transfer of James Milner. Probably because O'Neill wanted more cash than the board are going to agree to sell him for. Thing is, it was never going be the thirty million that O'Neill was looking for, and I think O'Neill knew that, it seemed a classic ploy. No, Something tells me that it might not even be that O'Neill has been told he isn't getting all that money for Milner - the deal probably happened behind his back, undermining his position as manager and making his mind up to leave.
It has been sort of coming though...O'Neill leaving. There will be a group of people who point fingers at the Villa fans (sorry Dan) for their role in his departure. O'Neill has established Villa in an exclusive group of teams at the top of the Premier League. With expectations high, O'Neill was subject to booing last term and there must have been a part of him that wondered why after all the work he had done. He seemed to be over it (although he hadn't addressed any of Villa's frailties that had led to such booing) but now the Milner situation seems to have been the final straw.
Now I just hope Arsenal do the treble this season, Wenger leaves in a blaze of glory and we get O'Neill in at Arsenal. Would absolutely love that!
Who next for Villa? Who knows. American lad Bob Bradley seems a strong bet. Think he's got something to bring. Certainly a winning mentality being a yank.
Moving on there are some rather interesting stories moving around today in terms of players. Of course it is all going to go a bit mad now in terms of rumour and transfer. Ozil could be going to United, Chelsea or Barca (really hope it is the latter). From my point of view Shay Given's words about not wanting to be number two are interesting. Come to Arsenal Shay...please?
Milner seems imminent now, Poulsen to Liverpool as well and then you get stuff like Spurs to sign Adebayor for 22 million. Surely ludicrous. A completely non-Redknapp kind of player: expensive and lazy.
Other than that not a lot else to talk about. Liverpool will be taken over soon but we will cross that epic bridge when we come to it.
So onto the Prem League predictions for today......this time some teams I want to do well!
Blackpool: predicted finish 15th-17th - I am doing the unthinkable and backing them to stay up. They need to sign some players before the window starts, I am sure they will. Marlon Harewood and a few other free transfers have been knocked about. But as I said in my second blog, for a promoted team it is sometimes more about who you have at the helm. The players do not feel so much pressure as they are not expected to do well, but the manager is the man responsible for keeping a team alive. That will always be pressure. Holloway seems to be the kind of manager who can stir up such a fantastic spirit that anything is possible. I truly hope he keeps them in this league.
Everton: predicted finish 5th-7th - I like Everton. They have a good record against the bigger sides, so I always enjoy their games against Arsenal's direct rivals. They've not added a lot but they have lots of players coming back who have suffered with injuries. Arteta, Jagielka, Saha etc. I expect them to take last seasons strong finish into the beginning of this year so there will be no false start as there was in 09-10. Moyes is an excellent, loyal and passionate manager with an excellent squad. Holding on to Pienaar and Arteta was really important and a team that boasts a potential midfield five of Pienaar, Fellaini, Cahill, Neville and Arteta (with Rodwell and Osman and Bilyaletdinov as fantastic back up) can control games at this level. Wont quite have enough to beat City to fourth for me though. Good luck toffees.
Newcastle United: predicted finish 15th-17th - Another side I hope and believe can stay up. But this time it is more about the players they have. They do have a strong side but I don't think Chris Hughton will last. They need a manager capable of communicating to the Newcastle team that they are a promoted side, not a Premier League big boy. They just need to knuckle down and get the job done this year. Forget cups, forget finishing anywhere higher than 17th, just do it. So I can see a slow start, but a battling survival campaign which is eventually successful. Sol Campbell will be great for them, even as just a dressing room presence and Dan Gosling is also a good singing. If Andrew Carrol has a good season, it could be his last at St James' . Good luck to them.
West Ham United: predicted finish 12-10th - Traditionally my second club, I will always look out for the Hammers' scores and hope they are doing well. I think that Avram Grant is a fantastic signing as a manager. He will get a great spirit in the dressing room for the players (who have quality) to build on. It is very important that they keep Scott Parker because they have made good additions in Hitzlesperger, Piquionne and Barrera. There should be more to come and I think they will have an enjoyable mid-table finish this time round.
So there we go. More blog tomorrow on the big news, transfers and more predictions. Tomorrow I'm looking at Bolton, Man United, Wigan and Tottenham. The fuckers!
Till then.
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