An intro to a London blog started by Luke Bryson.

So the season is finally here and a typically dramatic opening weekend saw a number of eye-opening results involving the capitals teams. As usual more questions were raised and probably more problems exposed than solved.

In the top flight both the hammers and spurs fans had to endure painful 90 minutes, which must have shattered nebulous pre-season hopes, and triggered perhaps fatalistic realisation that another season of dashed dreams is around the corner.  The spurs fans sense of despondency is probably reaching new lows as I write, having just been humbled at home to Everton. Less than a week in to the season their match at the lane against Wigan on Saturday has already assumed importance of epic proportions with their perhaps premature ambitions of breaching the seemingly impregnable top four in danger of becoming somewhat of a joke.

Searching for positives amongst the early season wreckage the encouragingly dominant and composed performance of Kaboul at Sunderland, the imminent return of King and Gale, and the fact that spurs can’t possibly continue in this vein with such a talented squad point to a brighter future once Jol figures out how to get the best out of his quartet of strikers. Their recovery from an unbelievably dismal start last year also points to the probability of brighter times ahead with the primary question seemingly if they will be able to recover in time to achieve their lofty goals?

Over in east London the problems exposed by Sven’s rampant ragbag of you-tube wonders seem much more serious in the long term.  After the Tevez inspired euphoria of the latest greatest escape brought crashing back down to earth with new season only eight mins old as Elano strolled past Upson to set up Bianchi. The dire form of Lee Bowyer and Louis Boa Morte, the sickening injury to Faubert and the fact that Ljunberg is well past his best point to a not particularly imposing midfield. On the plus side once he settles parker should be an asset despite an propensity for overly conservative passing and Ashton and Bellamy could form a dangerous partnership if the former can stay fit and the latter can avoid going golfing, or to karaoke bars for that matter, with his new team mates. Despite these crumbs of comfort I can’t help feeling the man who ridiculously made his fortune from biscuits will quickly get tired of the limited curbs and it will be another season of turmoil at Upton park.

In the other corners of town fans have more cause for cautious optimism. Chelsea despite spending considerably less than their main rivals for the first time since that hateful oligarch gangster Ambramovich arrived have significantly strengthened. The signings of Ben Haim and Alex should mean the absence of John terry shouldn’t be as catastrophic as last season (although Sundays shaky defence against Brum was encouraging for others), Pizarro and Sidwell both look like shrewd additions and Malouda looks like he could be the sort of signing Liverpool fans and Rafa Benitez will rue letting slip through the net for years to come. On top of this the imminent signing of arguably the best player in Spain last year, Daniel Alves, is a frightening prospect. Personally, I am just hoping that the transition to the rough and tumble of the premiership and the fact that the Chelsea team will not be set up to accommodate his unorthodox roving right back role will mean that he does not set English football alight like he has the Spanish.

After a strange summer in which they sold their talisman and one of the best footballers in the world and made a net gain in transfers there seems to be real spirit and belief about arsenal.  The fact that Wenger has been so serene about the departure of Henry and placed so much faith in his precocious young team and new signing Eduardo seems to have had a galvanising effect. While I have deep suspicion of stats and the opta culture after listening to Benitez attempts to claim Liverpool were the most entertaining team by virtue of their having the most shots, Wenger insists that last season arsenal created more chances and had faster and more accurate passing than the year they went unbeaten and far be it for me to question his judgment. Thus, if Van Persie and Fabregas can adopt the mantle of Henry and Eduardo can prove slightly more foxish in the box than Franny Jeffers then Arsenal really could surprise a few people and I feel predictions of their post-Henry decline are very premature.  However, despite the undeniable potential I can’t help feeling their Achilles heel of a midfield that however talented will too often be bullied out of matches will prevent them winning the championship. A repeat of 2006 and an assault on the champions league seems more likely to me.

Over in west London the northern Irish colony at Fulham have made an encouraging start with a battling victory against Bolton following a battling and unlucky defeat at Ashburton. While craven cottage will probably not be the destination of choice for the football purists the signs are encouraging that the fans won’t have to endure another season of truly dismal away form and the worrying scepter of relegation hanging over them till the end of the season. Al Fayed seems to for some reason have become interested again and I think Sanchez has spent his money quite wisely; at 2 million Healey’s international scoring record including that hatrick against Spain and a double against Sweden mean he was always worth a gamble and two goals in two games isn’t a bad start; Chris Baird, while it is hard for me to believe having played against him regularly as a 16 year old, has become a dependable defender who was Southampton’s player of the year last season and was wanted by a number of clubs; Steven Davis, who played for the same junior team as Baird, was being linked with a move to united prior to falling out of favour with O’Neill last season and is undoubtedly a hugely talented player; Lee Cook, QPR’s player of the year, represents another gamble having never played at this level, but with a wand of a left foot he could prove a bargain; and finally Diomansy Kamara was widely regarded as the best attacking player in the championship and will offer Fulham the pace that is so vital at this level.

Outside the top flight, Palace and Watford couldn’t have hoped for better starts than the impressive away wins at St Mary’s and the Molineux starts. Palace will surely mount a more sustained challenge after last seasons debacle while if Aidy Bothroyd’s comically preposterous 60 million price tag manages to scare off DERBY County and they can retain Marlon King Watford should be a safe bet for play off and an outside for an automatic return.  Over at Charlton if Pardew can recreate his success at reading and west ham in this division and new signings Varney and McLeod can make the step up they should also be safe bets for play-offs. They also seem to have unearthed a crowd favourite in new right back Moutaouakil. Finally, over at Loftus the loss of their best player and the ever-present shadow of administration make me think it could be another hard slog for QPR despite Saturday’s spirited 2-2 opener at Ashton Gate.

As for league two… Well who really gives a fuck??? Sorry, sorry, sorry but I know even less about league two than I do the championship and it’s getting late so I‘m not going to patronise you with my sketchy predictions and daily star style summaries any longer. Anyone who actually does know what their talking about, especially about issues relating specifically to the club you follow write in and enlighten the rest of us.  

Luke Bryson - Capital Punishment