Thursday, June 20, 2013

Stage is set for Tottenham and Liverpool


Four of the top six sides in the premier league are undergoing managerial changes this summer. Considering the enormity of the task at the hands of the new bosses, it can be predicted that Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Everton might not be able to repeat last season’s heroics- a fact that other teams in the top half must take advantage of.
When we look at the teams in the top half, we see that two teams-Liverpool and Tottenham have been in transition for quite some time now. Both Brendan Rodgers and Andre-Villas Boas have impressed the owners who in turn have reinstated their faith for the second term. It hasn’t been smooth sailing for them, but it is fair to say that they haven’t been as severely scrutinized as Rafael Benitez or Roberto Mancini. But this is where honeymoon ends and the marriage begins. Liverpool fans, who were unexpectedly patient last season, will rain hell on Rodgers if his side loses to Aston Villa or West Brom again. Similarly, Spurs fans have dealt with enough heart break season after season by just missing out on the top four. Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale- the two magicians who have time and again saved their managers from embarrassment are set to leave this summer. Confirmations are pending, but we all know what happens when a striker’s future is ‘uncertain’ in the premier league. It is all up to the managers now. Villas-Boaz’s task might be wee-bit harder than Rodgers, owing to the fact he wasn't as active as the man in charge at Anfield during the January transfer window.
Chelsea might welcome back miracle worker Jose Mourinho, which means sport magazines will be busier with the premier league more than ever. The owners at Old Trafford never think short term which means David Moyes can take his time to make the players and fans suited to his style. After Wayne Rooney’s departure to United several years ago, Everton have ended up being in the wrong end of the bargain once again. With Moyes gone and the tight financial condition that they have, a mid table finish is all the fans can expect. Manchester City are awaiting the arrival of Manuel Pellegrini, but coaches from La Liga have rarely done wonders in the debut season in the premier league, Rafael Benitez being a not so honourable exception.
Before anybody gets impatient, yes, Arsenal too have an opportunity of a life time to win...well, everything. If they buy a match winner, wait sorry, it’s Arsenal right? If one of the kids at the London outfit comes of age in the next season, and if, for once Arsenal could get lucky in the Champions league the trophy drought will surely end. That’s a lot of ifs. Tottenham need belief more than anything if they want to finish over their London rivals. Not so far away from London, Liverpool have a near perfect squad and manager who believes in them. All of us have been optimistic about the Reds during pre-seasons, but this is the first time something amazing might happen at Anfield.

The one that is certain is that the premier league trophy won’t be easily won as we saw this year. The race will be tighter, the competition will be fiercer. We know that the coming season will be different from many previous seasons, let’s hope it’s the best one too.