Once more we find ourselves at the dawn of a new football season, and that can only mean one thing – fans of the beautiful game the length and breadth of the country will be eagerly anticipating the big kick-off and, of course, daring to dream once again.
The European championships and Team GB’s Olympic endeavours sated our burning desire for football for a while over the summer months. But, you just can’t beat the feeling that a new league campaign instils deep inside those of us who are steeped in the trials and tribulations of football.
For a short time at least, it is a level playing field. As the teams prepare to enter the fray, towards the long haul for glory, safety or despair roughly nine months from now.
Football, being the microcosm of life that it undeniably is, attracts the optimists, the type of fan who can be found around this time excitedly crossing the days off until the first league match, and promising all and sundry that this, finally, is going to be the mother of all seasons, with silverware as good as in the bag.
Similarly, others by nature will be rather more circumspect, possibly even viewing the clouds ominously gathering on the horizon as being of a rather darker hue. Still, whatever your outlook, the adrenalin will be pumping, and the new season can be approached with renewed vigour.
Football supporters are frequently castigated for being a fickle bunch, and in a sense there’s perhaps some merit in the accusation. However, being a fan isn’t easy and it’s perhaps just as well that we can recharge the batteries over the summer as nerves are frayed, tempers stretched, and nails gnawed to stumps for a larger proportion of the calendar year than would be good for you!
Clearly those who insist that it’s only a game haven’t the faintest idea – Bill Shankly’s tongue was almost certainly firmly lodged in his cheek when he talked about football’s importance relative to life and death, but some of us appreciate the message behind his words just the same…..
And so, what will this coming season have in store for us? That the SPL looks set to be a one-horse race is likely to mean a more significant interest from Scotland in matters south of the border. In that regard, the big question appears to be this – who can stop Manchester City making it back-to-back Premiership titles?
You can bet that Sir Alex Ferguson will be more determined than ever to reclaim the championship from the ‘noisy neighbours.’ The summer must have been absolute torture for Fergie, and he was fooling nobody with that dreamy demeanour when he was spotted lording it with the strawberries and cream brigade at Wimbledon’s centre court a few weeks back.
That United look odds-on to secure the services of Robin Van Persie from Arsenal demonstrates his clear intent, and you have to suspect that the Dutchman will significantly enhance the Old Trafford club’s prospects this season.
The same player’s subsequent departure will surely be acutely felt by Arsenal. Given Van Persie’s astonishing scoring ratio over the last couple of seasons, that seems like stating the blindingly obvious, although Arsène Wenger’s side will be eager to be involved in the title race towards the business end of the season.
The same could be said for Tottenham and Chelsea, and, given the latter’s high-profile dalliance with the transfer market lately, you would expect Roberto di Matteo’s side to certainly improve on last season’s sixth place finish. Whether Spurs (with or without Modrić ) can help AVB rekindle his reputation as a top-class manager remains one of the more intriguing stories in the coming months.
You also wonder whether any of the other clubs can squeeze into the higher echelons, particularly Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool. The feeling persists that that will be a tall order, but, well, you never know.
Although, come to think of it, sometimes you do actually know all too well. We’re back in Scotland again, and Celtic’s inevitable retention of their SPL crown. The winners of their third division will hardly be shrouded in mystery either……
Whichever team you support, sit back and enjoy the ride. Let the fun commence!