La Galaxia de Estrellas

Aparaajit's Preview:

Chelsea! Chelsea! Chelsea! If everyone are goin to bet on the same old rich team winnin the league yet again, well they’d have to think deeply again. I think there are discussions by fans about teams like Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham that they’d be content fighting for second place!!! Now that’s rubbish!!!

How can this be???? When a season starts everyone are equal, which would technically mean that even a newly promoted team is in with a chance. Well, Wigan showed that last season, spending much of the first half of the season in the top 5 !!! Such cases are rare though!

The EPL has always lived upto its expectations. It’s such an exciting and unpredictable league and I think Chelsea could experience quite a few upsets this year. Well, last year Arsenal hammered Middlesbrough 7-0 and Chelsea lost to the same team 3-0. This is football and moreover the English Premier League, so anything is possible!!!!!

If one sees the teams on paper, it would take a brave man and someone who has zero football knowledge to actually say that the Chelsea roster isn’t the strongest. Adding Ballack, Obi Mikel, Shevchenko to this already impressive squad could only spell more danger for the other teams, but let’s think of this from another point of view.

Remember when Abramovich took over in 2003, it took one whole season for the side to develop and for the players to understand each other on and off the pitch…I think Chelsea could face a similar situation this year!! They’ve signed far too many players, and all of them being superstars have some kind of an egocentric attitude (something you find in almost all stars)
Bsides, tactically Chelsea have problems as well!!! There’s uncertainty about William Gallas’ future at the club and with Del Horno already out of England, they can only hope that Ashley Cole arrives from their London rivals. So as of now, they lack a proper left back.
Also, the problems are further intensified with the midfield battle. Ballack and Lampard play in more or less identical roles and if Mourinho were to play them in the startin line-up that would mean that either Essien or Makelele would have to watch from the sidelines!!
As for Manchester United, they have lost Ruud to Real Madrid, but they’ve made an important signing in Michael Carrick!!! They’ve lacked a proper central midfielder after the departure of Keane with Giggs and Fletcher playing in that position and even Kieran Richardson taking up that role! But now with Carrick, they’ve got a versatile central midfielder who can spray passes around and also get forward. They are tryin to further strengthen their central midfield options with Marcos Senna linked with a move to old Trafford. And with great players like Rooney, Giggs, Ronaldo, Scholes and Neville in the squad they are in with a shout!

Arsenal-conservative as ever. That’s Arsene Wenger’s style. Never looked too deep into the transfer market. They have attracted one star though- Tomas Rosicky who could possibly fill the gap left by Rober Pires who left the Gunners for Villareal. He’s not the only one who’s left the Gunners’ already small roster. With Dennis Bergkamp retiring and Sol Campbell in Pompey (plus the possibility of Cole and Reyes moving) it seems to be an inexperienced weak squad with the possibility of some young talents getting minutes on the pitch for the main team (a great example would be 17-year old Theo Walcott)… With players like henry on your side, you are always assured of goals especially with great support from midfield and fellow strikers like van Persie, Walcott and Adebayor. In fact , I dare say the Arsenal attack force is the best in the premiership!!

Liverpool.. hmm.. they’ve had a pre-season they’d love to forget!!! A nightmare!! But they did win 2-1 in the first leg of their champions league qualifiers. They have a talented squad with additions like Gonzalez, Craig Bellamy and Jermaine Pennant. But so far they’ve looked far from convincing. I think this wont be a great season for them and they’ll struggle. Hopefully, with their driving force and inspirational captain, they can hope to finish in the top 4 or 3 maybe

That’s not it. The EPL comprises of 20 teams and not just 4. There are the other contenders like Tottenham and Newcastle who have strengthened their squads and could really challenge the contenders or atleast secure a spot in Europe for sure.

And there are these small teams (mostly mid table and bottom half) who may not be contenders but might affect the points of the contenders.

MY PREDICTION:

1.Manchester Utd/Arsenal
2.Chelsea FC
3.Manchester Utd/Arsenal
4.Liverpool/Tottenham

And I think the Wigan wonderboys are definitely capable of doin some damage to the pther teams and finishing in a creditable position. The same with Newcastle united. The team that is really goin to struggle this year is Middlesbrough. Haven’t made any signings and with Southgate retiring (and becoming manager), he has ABSOLUTELY NO COACHING EXPERIENCE!!! THIS COULD WELL TURN OUT TO BE ONE OF THE GREATEST EPL SEASONS!!!! (that’s what people tell before the start of EVERY season, and I’m doin likewise)

My Preview:

The English Premier League. Arguably the best league in the world. And this season I think it will be up to our expectations. With more stars coming in and with a very few going out and many swapping clubs inside England, I think 2006-07 will have high quality competition. I only hope that there are lesser contoversies and more of fair-play football in the upcoming season.

I shall start off with my predictions. I think at the end of the season the top of the Premiership table will look like this:

1. Manchester United
   
2. Chelsea/Liverpool
   
3. Chelsea/Liverpool
   
4. Arsenal
   
5. Tottenham/Newcastle
   
6. Tottenham/Newcastle
   

Ok, I do know that Chelsea have bought Michael Ballack, Andriy Shevchenko, Obi Mikel and Kalou are in to strenghten their squad. But still I think that Man Utd have a better chance to clinch yet another title as they are a happier outfit than Chelsea. The team has become more solid with the arrivals of Kuszczak and midfield maestro Michael Carrick. Paul Scholes and Gabriel Heinze are fit again. Ruud van Nistelrooij has left Manchester Utd for Real Madrid which many say is for the better of Manchester United. I only hope that they bring in a striker or two along with another holding midfielder (Owen Hargreaves seems to be a perfect fit, Lets see if that can happen).
Liverpool have added speed to their team with the signatures of Mark Gonzales and Craig Bellamy. But I still doubt whether the strikers they have would score enough goals to get them any silverware this season. Stevie G would be as important as ever for them. Drastic pre-season friendlies, a narrow win at home in a Champions League Qualifier and finally a win against Chelsea in the FA Community Shield has displayed Liverpool's mixture of fortunes. I can only hope that their performance this season will be consistent and that they do edge Chelsea to finish second.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have a weakened squad from last season. I really doubt whether the squad they have now will better their 4th place finish last season. Tomas Rosicky's addition to the squad has strenghthened their attack. But with Chelsea on the verge of buying Ashley Cole and the departure of Sol Campbell has really weakened if not the capability atleast the confidence of their defence. But you cannot take anything away from the back four of Eboue, Toure, Senderos and Flamini as they broke the champions league record of most consecutive clean sheets.
With Lehmann, as their custodian, guarding the goal as if there is gold inside, I completely agree with Mr.Wenger that Cole's departure will not be as drastic as expected. Cesc Fabregas has been amazing pre-season, let us see if he can maintain his form during the season and help Arsenal. Overall, I, like any other gunner, hope that Wenger does get in a good defender in terms of experience atleast.
Newcastle and Tottenham are in a similar shape, atleast according to me. I think the players whom Newcastle bought last season will fire this season. With Glen Roeder as their manager I do hope something good happens to the toon army. Tottenham, well, cant say much about them. They have been a revelation under the guidance of Martin Jol. I hope the new signings combine well with the already present squad and help them on to a good top 6 finish.
For me West Ham will be a surprise package yet again this season. They have an amazing squad and Alan Pardew has made very useful signings when he brought in Robert Green, Lee Bowyer, John Paintsil, and Carlton Cole. They have an amazing talent in Dean Ashton and I really hope that the hammers do well come this season. Manchester City too have made great signings and have sold off most of their squad. Blackburn too, like city, have made value for their money. Aston Villa are yet to buy any player but they have got the golden signature of Martin O'Neill. Randy Lerner, a US business magnate has bought the club and has promised to spend in the transfer market. I really hope something good happens to this historic club. Wigan, this season I think will not be as good as they were last season as most of their hard working squad got dismantled.
To me, the biggest disappointment this season will be Bolton and Boro. I dont know why but I get this feeling that they will not be able to perform like last season.
In all, it is going to be yet another exciting season of the English Premier League and I too like any other football freak can't wait to see it!!!!

Juan Sebastián Verón is an Argentine professional football player who plays as a midfielder for Estudiantes de La Plata. He is the son of Argentina striker Juan Ramón Verón, who was known as La Bruja (The Witch) and who scored against Manchester United in the 1968 World Club Championship at Old Trafford for Estudiantes. In 1993 La Brujita (Little Witch) signed from school for Estudiantes de La Plata – his father's former side. In 1996 he joined Boca Juniors, playing 17 games and scoring three goals. He made his international debut for Argentina, against Poland, in the same year. Sven-Göran Eriksson signed him for Sampdoria shortly afterwards.
In 1998, after starring for Argentina in the World Cup, he signed for Parma in a £15m deal. The following year, Parma won the Coppa Italia. Eriksson then signed him again, this time for Lazio in an £18.1m deal, reportedly netting a weekly wage of £48,000. Coincidentally, he made his debut for Lazio in the Italian side's 2-0 victory over Manchester United in the European Super Cup in Monaco.
In 2000, Verón was the driving force for Lazio as they captured the scudetto, the Coppa Italia and the Italian Super Cup. But in February the following year, the rumours about the validity of his passport caught up with him.
After the 2001 season he moved from Lazio to Manchester United on July 12 for £28.1 million in a five-year deal, the most expensive transfer in English football at that time. Upon signing for Manchester United, he said he had no fear of the Premiership. Unfortunately, after an impressive start, the pace of the English game started to get the better of him, as some games passed him by, and he was unable to settle into the United midfield. His future at United was constantly debated throughout the season and into the 2002 World Cup, where he again started well, but faded as Argentina fell at the first hurdle.



There was plenty of pressure on him at the start of his second season at Old Trafford, and his performances did seem to improve considerably, especially in the Champions League where he scored four goals and was at the heart of United's successes in the group stages. However, injury meant that he missed much of the end of the season, and that may have convinced Sir Alex Ferguson that he could do without the Argentinian.
When Chelsea came in for him following the arrival of billionaire Roman Abramovich, Verón claimed that he wanted to stay and fight for his place at Old Trafford, but Ferguson was willing to let Chelsea talk to him, and he was eventually convinced by then Chelsea manger Claudio Ranieri that his future lay at Stamford Bridge, where he had much to prove. His transfer fee to Chelsea was about half that of his record-breaking transfer of just two years before, signed 4-years-deal, showing both the fall in the transfer market and the decline of his reputation.
Verón made an excellent start to his Chelsea career by scoring the opening goal in a 2-1 victory away at Liverpool, but, as in his two seasons with United, he fell away as the 2003-04 season progressed and made only 14 appearances for Chelsea. He was bothered by a back injury for most of the season, and even if he was fit, most Chelsea fans would have preferred Frank Lampard and Claude Makelele operating in midfield. Those 14 appearances and that one goal at Anfield would be all that Veron achieved in a Chelsea shirt, leading to Veron being regarded one of the worst flops in the history of the club. Certainly, Veron's failure - after the costly outlay in signing him - was a factor in Chelsea's decision to part ways with manager Ranieri.



After José Mourinho took over as manager following the season, Verón became the first casualty of Mourinho's promised cleanout of the Chelsea roster. He was loaned out to Inter, where he found the slow tempo and thoughtful game to his liking much more than the physical, energetic, "attack at all costs" mentality of the English Premier League, for the 2004-05 season, and from 24 June 2005 he subsequently returned to Inter on loan for a further two seasons, which finished the contract with Chelsea F.C.. With Inter, he won the 2005 and 2006 Coppa Italia.
In mid 2006, when he expressed his desire of returning to his home country, he received offers from Boca Juniors and River Plate, but he preferred to return to his first team, announcing on June 5, that he would play for Estudiantes in the 2006-07 season.
In 2004, he was chosen for the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé as part of FIFA's centenary observances.
Verón has Italian citizenship. He also has a tattoo of Che Guevara on his right arm.

PROFILE:

Full name: Juan Sebastián Verón
DOB: March 9, 1975
Birthplace: La Plata, Argentina
Nationality: Argentinian
EU passport: No
Height: 186 cm
Weight: 80 kg
Club: CA Estudiantes La Plata
Position: Midfielder [R, L, C]
Number:
Contract Expires:
Previous Clubs: Estudiantes de La Plata > Boca Juniors > Sampdoria > Parma > Lazio > Manchester Utd > (£15m) Chelsea > Internazionale > Estudiantes La Plata
International debut: June 1996, v Poland
Caps: 55
Goals: 9
World Cups: France 1998, Japan-Korea 2002
Palmares:

• Argentinian Second Level League (95)
  
• Italian Cup (99, 00, 06)
  
• UEFA Cup (99)
  
• European Supercup (99)
  
• Italian Serie A (00)
  
• Italian Supercup (00, 05)
  
• English League (03)
  
• Italian Cup (05)
  

A red-faced village cricket team have blamed a "dodgy wicket" after 10 of their batsmen were out for a duck and the last man was left stranded on nought. Goldsborough 2nds went into bat against table-topping Dishforth in North Yorkshire's Nidderdale Amateur League knowing they would be in for a tough game. But they expected at least one of their batsmen to trouble the scorers. Goldsborough did escape the ignominy of finishing their innings on zero, thanks to five extras from the generous Dishforth bowlers, who removed their opponents inside 12 overs. They were also spared the title of English cricket's worst-ever side, thanks to Midlands team Shepstone, who were all out for four extras in 1931. Goldsborough chairman Henry Webster did his best to defend his players, saying:

It was a very, very dodgy wicket. When Dishforth came in to bat, they only needed six but they were 0 for two at one point - and we dropped two catches as well. It could have been nought for four.

What he failed to mention was that Dishforth put their worst batsmen in first to try to give their beleaguered rivals a sporting chance - taking seven balls to wrap up an eight-wicket win.
Goldsborough captain Peter Horseman was a little more realistic, admitting:

It was surreal and embarrassing. We almost got a run but the batsman turned it down because he'd just been hit on the foot the ball before.

Horseman's opposite number, Steve Wilson said:

If I hadn't seen it I wouldn't have thought it was possible.

Gavin Hardisty was the pick of the Dishforth bowlers, finishing with figures of 7-0, while Gary Lawson was the game's top scorer with five. Chairman Webster refused to be disheartened by the performance, adding:

This team were 210-2 a few weeks ago. They can bat. One of the players hit 109 not out. They really are not that bad. It's not something we're proud of but we have to look on the funny side of it.

And England thought they had problems.

#1:
A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?"
Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."
#2:
A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day... 30,000 to a man's 15,000. The wife replied, "The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men...
The husband then turned to his wife and asked, "What?"
#3:
A man said to his wife one day, "I don't know how you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time." The wife responded, "Allow me to explain. God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me; God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!
#4
Husband and wife were in the midst of a violent quarrel, and hubby was losing his temper. "Be careful," he said to his wife. "You will bring out the animal in me." "So what?" his wife shot back. "Who is afraid of a mouse?"

Don't get too proud girls coz the vice versa of the above jokes happens all the time. The above is a girl's version of them.

Only for guys!

1. Watch the sunset together.
   
2. Whisper to each other.
   
3. Cook for each other.
   
4. Walk in the rain.
   
5. Hold hands.
   
6. Buy gifts for each other.
   
7. Roses.
   
8. Find out their favorite cologne/perfume and wear it every time you're together.
   
9. Go for a long walk down the beach at midnight.
   
10. Write poetry for each other
    
11. Hugs are the universal medicine.
    
12. Say I love you, only when you mean it and make sure they know you mean it.
    
13. Give random gifts of flowers/candy/poetry etc.
    
14. Tell her that shes the only girl you ever want.Don't lie.
    
15. Spend every second possible together.
    
16. Look into each other's eyes.
    
17. Very lightly push up her chin, look into her eyes, tell her you love her, and kiss her lightly.
    
18. When in public, only flirt with each other.
    
19. Put love notes in their pockets when they aren't looking.
    
20. Buy her a ring.
    
21. Sing to each other.
    
22. Always hold her around her hips/sides.
    
23. Take her to dinner and do the dinner for two deal.
    
24. Spaghetti? (Ever see Lady and the Tramp?)
    
25. Hold her hand, stare into her eyes, kiss her hand and then put it over our heart.
    
26. Dance together.
    
27. Let your girl fall alsleep with her head in your lap. (It looks real cute)
    
28. Do cute things like write I love you in a note so that they have to look in a mirror to read it.
    
29. Make excuses to call them every 5 minutes
    
30. Even if you are really busy doing something, go out of your way to call and say I love you.
    
31. Call from your vacation spot to tell them you were thinking about them.
    
32. Remember your dreams and tell her about them.
    
33. Always tell her how pretty she looks.
    
34. Tell each other your most sacred secrets/fears.
    
35. Be Prince Charming to her parents.(Brownie Points)
    
36. Brush her hair out of her face for her.
    
37. Hang out with ! his/her friends. (more brownie points)
    
38. Go to church/pray/worship together.
    
39. Take her to see a romantic movie and remember the parts she liked.
    
40. Learn from each other and don't make the same mistake twice.
    
41. Describe the joy you feel just to be with him/her.
    
42. Make sacrifices for each other.
    
43. Really love each other, or don't stay together.
    
44. Let there never be a second during any given day that you aren't thinking about them, and make sure they know it.
    
45. Love yourself before you love anyone else.
    
46. Learn to say sweet things in foreign languages.
    
47. Dedicate songs to them on the radio.
    
48. Fall asleep on the phone with each other.
    
49. Stand up for them when someone talks trash.
    
50. Never forget the kiss goodnight. And always remember to say, "Sweet dreams."