united they stand.

Last week saw the start of the 2009/2010 football league season, and my word did it kick off with a bang! plenty of goals which sadly im sure 95% of went past Swindon against Gillingham. It felt like it anyway. And this week sees the start of the new Premier League season, and the opening week will be just as explosive and intriguing.

Even though the Premier League is now more predictable, you still get your entertaining shocks that make it the best league in the world. Think back to last season, the late equaliser by Jenas to complete a Tottenham comeback at Arsenal, Arshavin's 4 goals v Liverpool at Anfield and Rory Delap being the good part of a team, and now you will see that anything can happen in the Premier League!

(don't worry lads, i'll save you!)

The summer has seen lots of money going back and forwards, but not alot within the country. Except Man City who are buying the premier league dream team! Its like fantasy football to them, but there making It realistic. What a cracking idea!

Summer Signings for City include Gareth Barry, Tevez, Adebayor and Toure. Some top name players, who City have paid big money for, espically Tevez who cost 25.5 million. Will Citys spending however bring quick success? not for me It won't. They need to start playing as a team and with big name players It takes a while to gel and play as a team. Anything though outside a european spot would be seen as a failure at Eastlands. Money also brings expectation, and I'm sure Mark Hughes Is aware of that.

Ronaldo has now left our shores for the sun of Spain and finally ended the ongoing, and in my opinion boring, transfer speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid. United will miss his presence this year, They would be silly not to admit that, anyone worth £80 million is going to be missed.

United though have replaced Ronaldo with Wigan winger Antonio Valencia. Valencia is a good player, but no Ronaldo. If he is the straight replacement then United haven't filled the gap left, but players like Nani can still come through and be crucial players for United this season and in seasons to come. Rooney will now be able to play upfront where he should be, not out wide and hopefully he can have a great saeason before winning England the world cup in 2010....maybe im going off topic! United though still have the power to win the league. There squad is full of quality and still has more depth than any of the title challengers. Players like Anderson can't get in the united first eleven and to me he is defintely going to be a world class midfielder.

The other title challengers though, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have had quiet summers. Arsenal have sold players like Adebayor and Toure, whilst signing Ajax defender Thomas Vermaalen. He comes with a good reputation and could help improve Arsenals defence. Another crucial thing to remember about Arsenal is that it is Arshavin's first full season. He was a class act towards the end of last season and I'm sure more is on its way. They still need a more quality squad to compete for the title but they will keep up with the others longer than what they did last season when fighting for Villa for 4th place. How embarrasing was that for Arsenal.

Watching Sky Sports News today made me realise why Liverpool won't win the title this season. There fans were saying they would win it because they have the best fans...sadly that won't get you three points! Liverpool have Torres up front, and thats it. Great striker, but he gets injured and they are struggling. David N'Gog and Voronin don't do it for me sadly. Alonso has gone but Liverpools strongest part of the team is the centre of Midfield and have plenty of back up, espically buying Aquiliani for 20 million from Roma. The defence looks an issue for the start with injuries, but that doesn't mean that Liverpool should spend 12 million on Michael Turner from Hull. Im sure someone must be laughing about making that one up and now it is in the press, that can't be true! Liverpool's defence always gets you plenty of fantasy league points so it must be good.

Chelsea may have won the community shield and now feel they have the pschological advantage but Im not sure that matter sone bit when It comes to United. With Sir Alex as manager, they won't be fussed too much by that defeat.

Chelsea have added only two players to there squad in Zhirkov, who is a highly rated Russian left midfielder or defender, and Daniel Sturridge from Man city on a free who is someone who is tipped to be a future star. These could both be great assets to Chelsea for now and future. I still see the problem at Chelsea in there depth upfront. Drogba can be stroppy and Anelka, even though top goalscorer last year can be hot or cold. They needed ito invest in a solid quick goalscorer. The big issue last year was can Chelsea play them both together and will they try it this season under Ancelotti? Thats another issue, will Ancelotti do a Scolari? We will see. Ancelotti will have a season to prove himself and his number one aim will be the Champions League. The Premier League is more realistic but Mr Abramovich craves that Champions League trophy still after numerous semi finals.

So, for me Manchester United are still the team to beat. They have the quality all across the pitch and under Alex Ferguson always have the best man in charge. They always seem to pop up with a goal when its needed, which is the sign of champions.

(John O Shea stood in the right place...out of the way!)

Its always a tough one predicting, thats why i don't bet...but I'll have a go with this predicted top ten.

1. United - Have a good quality squad who can get a goal when its most needed.
2. Chelsea - Great team, lack a depth of quality and might struggle up front.
3. Liverpool - too relient on Torres and Gerrard to mount a challenge yet.
4. Arsenal - some great individulas but as a team struggle to break down teams.
5. Villa - No great players signed but have good players and manager but lack depth.
6. Man City - with that quality bought, they got to make europe. simple.
7. Tottenham - good squad, good manager but again, too many strikers to juggle with.
8. Everton - haven't spend, Lescott might still leave, but a club I hope do well.
9. West Ham - Zola have bought some players, could get them playing well like himself
10. Fulham - Miracle last season with there finish, why not again?

The other teams to me just don't have anything that makes my top ten. Wigan might make it in but It Is the usual culprits for me!

You will be shocked how long that took me to decide, thought i'd just write that out in one go...anyway, heres too a cracking Premier League Season and a successful one for your team...if your a Birmingham, Burnley, Portsmouth or Hull fan...I'm not sure your going to enjoy this season. No particular reason obviously....

Caddy calls it a day.

One of England's greatest bowlers Andy Caddick has decided to retire from first class cricket at the end of the season.

Andy Caddick, Caddy, Big Ears is my cricket idol. Being a Somerset fan myself it is slightly bias but he was a brilliant opening bowler for England, sadly when England weren't at there best.



I started playing cricket when i was 11 and Caddy was my inspiration, so much so my nickname at Calne when I play is Caddy. (I like to think its because im just as good, but i think the big ears have a part to play) His run up is also brilliant and his bowling action is extradionary! if you have never seen it, check it out, and have a go at copying it, its very hard!

I was watching the compliation of tributes put together by Sky and the one that caught my eye was a comment by David Lloyd. He said that on his day, he was unplayable. That is a big statement to make, but many people out there will know what he could do with a ball. His sheer pace and bounce at times did make him look impossible to play.

I remember watching him in his greatest moment for England when taking four wickets in an over against the West Indies in 2000. I was 10/11 years old in my front room watching it and it was incredible to see. West Indies collapsing to 69 all out. Caddy could change a game but was also prone to some wayward bowling but when you knew that magic was there you allowed him to not be perfect all the time!
His last test match was in Australia when taking seven wickets in the final ashes test match in the 2003 Ashes. It was fitting that he started his test career against the Aussies and finished that way.



In 2007, Caddy had a great season taking 72 first class wickets. He helped Somerset get back to where they belong, into division one of the county championship. His performances were that impressive, many spoke about a shock England return, which sadly didn't happen. Caddy though had ended on a high in 2003 and wouldn't have ever been able to reach that standard again at the age of 38. I think he thought the same too and was just glad to help Somerset out.

The numbers of wickets do the explaining for Caddy and clearly show why he is a cricket legend. In his test career he took 234 wickets at an average of just under 30, which for a test career of 10 years, is a good standard to maintain. He has taken over 1,000 first class wickets, and to be precise It's now 1170 first class wickets but with a month of the season still to go, he will be hoping for that 1200 mark. If he can do that, I would love it for his career to end with a county championship. I don't think there are many people that would begrudge him, in the cricket world, that honour. Unless your a Durham player/fan!

All i hope of now, is to make a trip down to Taunton to see the man bowl one more time.

My Grandad use to tell me about the great england fast bowlers he watched like Bob Willis and many others that I have forgotten but I'm pretty sure one day i will have the same conversation with my grandson about Andy Caddick and hopefully, he will care just as much as i do.