At last, a preview!!

So here we are at last. One day to go to kick off and a brand new season. And honestly, I'm taking it with more trepidation, niggling fears, than with unbridled optimism.

Take this first game with Everton then. We've got half the friggin' world injured (as usual), and though we'll probably have a strong 3-4 in the Everton half, it's in defence where we'll be short. Here's the deal; reads like a bloody collation of dog tags after some gun-fight in My Lai (no offence intended):

Djourou (knee, blown off)
Rosicky (stepped on a landmine, still bothered by shards left in his wound)
Nasri (leg shot off below the knee)
Walcott (spinal injury)
Fabianski (knee, blown off as well)
Diaby (stepped on Rosicky, stepping on a landmine)

So based on the above, no, we don't need any new signings. No sir. Not at all. After all, if and when they return, they'll be like new signings. At the heart of our defence will be a fit-again Vermaelen and Gallas. All we'll need is Gallas falling awkardly on an uncut blade of grass, and we'll be screwed. So I say again, we do not need new signings.

The only good news I see for the game itself is that Everton seems to have gone through their own battles as well. I'd like us to continue with our excellent record in first games of the season, but I think I'd take one point and run. This is one we could very well lose and screw out first season even before it's started.

Now you may say: why the doom and gloom, Mr Arsewiper? Well, to tell the truth, it's a reaction to Le Boss's brutal honesty. He's basically said, screw it. We need to win the league:

"To talk of winning the league is an audacious statement but I built this team and I want to deliver."

And to tell even more truth, I don't really think this is the year. And to put so much emphasis on this being the year is only setting ourselves up for even greater disappointment. Finishing 2nd or 3rd will be an achievement in itself, and I'm just looking forward to a good run in Europe. Apart from hoping that the kids have learnt something from last season, I don't see how we're going to make up 18 points this time round just by a change in attitude, getting rid of a few players, and buying a £10 million defender. Life would be far simpler if players could be expected to just say: "Hmmm. We screwed up royally against the likes of Stoke, Hull, Man City, Fulham, Spurs last time round. Let's just not do it again." But life and football aren't so simple. I expect one or two more stupid performances. Just not seven or eight, hopefully.

I suppose there's some good news in that Pool, Man U and Chelski do not look very much stronger this season. In fact, Man U looks weaker, just as we do. Let's just see how it all evens out.

But since Le Boss has thrown down the gauntlet, so shall I. If we win jack shit again this season, I say Cesc will go, and therein will lie the roots of our own little revolution. Let's see who we need to expect more from this season:

Song - please, dude. Do something, anything.
Diaby - just try not to get injured. Wouldn't mind getting a Carling Cup game or two out of him.
Rosicky - I'm sorry, and I've said this before. Le Boss has been ruthless in off-loading the likes of Vieira in the past. I love the guy, but it's clearly time.
Eboue - if you're still around, it would be hard to do much worse.
Nasri - please get well soon
Bendtner - I trust you've been working on your shooting boots. You possibly the man, man!
Walcott - Trust you've been working on your shooting boots too, and try not to get injured too often as well. You're too young for that.

And everyone else - just keep up the good work, okay?

Abuot the little thing of a trip up north to Everton. The last time I've felt such trepidation was going in to sit for an exam I knew I hadn't studied for. Not good. *fingers crossed*

Elsewhere, couple of interesting look outs. Blackburn - Citeh, and on Sunday, Spurs - Pool. Would be interesting to see what Citeh can put together, with their version of Galacticos in baby blue. As for Pool, just as interesting a start as ours.

Let's go then.