The French league got underway on 7th August, and whilst the season may only be two fixtures old the Ligue 1 table already has an interesting look to it. For a start the current champions Marseille have managed to lose both of their two opening games, to Caen and Valenciennes respectively. The latter may have finished in a respectable 10th place last season but Caen is the real surprise package...
After much speculation and some predictable developments Cardiff City have secured Craig Bellamy on a season-long loan deal. The Welsh capital team are amongst the strong favourites for Championship promotion after their performances last season saw them finish fourth and narrowly lose the play-off final to Ian Holloway's Blackpool 3-2.
Now having secured Bellamy in their quest for the Premier League, Cardiff City have made a massive statement to the rest of the Championship contenders. By placing the erstwhile striker up front with the impressive Michael Chopra, Dave Jones' team have a forward line-up that would be intimidating enough for rivals in the Premier League alone.
Time draws near for the beginning of the new football seasons across Europe. This weekend (aghh tomorrow- time waits for no fan then!) the Football League will get up and running again in England. The following weekend will be the Premier League’s turn (August 14th).
In fact one of the Premier League clubs have already got their season underway- Liverpool having just begun in their quest to emulate Roy Hodgson's former team Fulham. By entering the Europa League at the third qualifying round they face the prospect of a long and arduous season, but Liverpool fans will be hopeful that their new manager can raise his team to the challenge like he did last season.
The big news from beneath the Premier League this last week was all about Bristol City, or namely all about David James. The current England no. 1 signed a one-year deal for the Championship side last Friday after the confirmation of his release from Portsmouth (where he had initially been offered a new contract after their relegation last season).
This was subsequently withdrawn after the appointment of Steve Cotterill as their new manager, a position James was rumoured to have been keen on whilst also wishing to prolong his playing career. Instead Steve Coppell has made the first seismic signing in his Ashton Gate surroundings and bolstered those fans hoping for a repeat of his Reading successes.
Congratulations are in order for Liverpool FC, not only have they appointed Roy Hodgson as their man to replace Rafa Benitez as manager, but it now appears that their captain has been talked into extending his love affair with the club. Add this to the acquisition of Joe Cole on a free transfer from Chelsea, and the red half of merseyside have possibly had their best week since the tail end of the season before last!