Violent Blues were no match for us
Carlos Tevez has accused Chelsea of violent play in Sunday's bad-tempered clash at Old Trafford and warned them that Manchester United no longer view them as their main title rivals. The match featured a red card for midfielder John Obi Mikel and a tackle from Joe Cole that deserved another. United striker Tevez, scorer of United's first goal in their 2-0 win, said: "Chelsea pushed the violence to the absolute limit and there could have been other red cards during the match. But justice prevailed in the end and we deserved to win. Our game is totally superior to Chelsea's this season and the scoreline was actually a little short of what we deserved. I have seen the problems at Chelsea with the change of coach, but this season they have just not developed the rhythm of other years. I don't see that they are superior to any of our other title rivals. Chelsea were very nervous and it was impossible that we were going to lose the match."
Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail
The Mail also claim John Terry is facing censure from the FA after attempting to snatch the red card from referee Mike Dean's hand during Sunday's game.
Ryan Giggs has warned United's Premier League rivals Sir Alex Ferguson's side are about to embark on a long winning run and take control of the title race.
from:www.manutd.com
Thứ Tư, 26 tháng 9, 2007
Learning from the best
Fraizer Campbell admits he cannot wait to start learning from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as soon as the recently-retired striker begins imparting his knowledge on United's current crop of forwards.
Solskjaer took temporary charge of the Reds' Reserves against Sporting Lisbon this week, but it's the striker-specific work that excites Campbell, who is itching to learn from a man described by Sir Alex Ferguson as 'one of the best natural finishers I have seen'.
"I’ve done a bit of finishing practice with Ole before, but I was speaking to him recently and he said he’s going to do some work with the strikers," Fraizer told ManUtd.com. "First he wants to do a little work himself and get back into action."
Having seen the Norwegian in action at close quarters on Carrington's training fields, Campbell admits he will be privileged to tap into Solskjaer's finishing know-how.
"I’ve spent time watching him in the past during training, and his finishing is tremendous," said Fraizer. "He was sliding in and hitting it at awkward heights, and still picking out the corners of the goal each time. It’s something I’d like to be able to do.
"He’s probably even now one of the best finishers at the club, and for him to want to teach people like me is an honour really. I’m really looking forward to working with him and trying to learn from him."
from:www.manutd.com
Solskjaer took temporary charge of the Reds' Reserves against Sporting Lisbon this week, but it's the striker-specific work that excites Campbell, who is itching to learn from a man described by Sir Alex Ferguson as 'one of the best natural finishers I have seen'.
"I’ve done a bit of finishing practice with Ole before, but I was speaking to him recently and he said he’s going to do some work with the strikers," Fraizer told ManUtd.com. "First he wants to do a little work himself and get back into action."
Having seen the Norwegian in action at close quarters on Carrington's training fields, Campbell admits he will be privileged to tap into Solskjaer's finishing know-how.
"I’ve spent time watching him in the past during training, and his finishing is tremendous," said Fraizer. "He was sliding in and hitting it at awkward heights, and still picking out the corners of the goal each time. It’s something I’d like to be able to do.
"He’s probably even now one of the best finishers at the club, and for him to want to teach people like me is an honour really. I’m really looking forward to working with him and trying to learn from him."
from:www.manutd.com
Thứ Ba, 25 tháng 9, 2007
Giggs toasts timely goals
Ryan Giggs saluted his side's impeccable timing after United beat Chelsea with goals at the end of each half.
The Reds captain admitted the dismissal of John Obi Mikel could have worked against United - especially if the Blues had reached the break on level terms.
"When you play against ten men, they all get behind the ball," said Giggs.
"It can be difficult but we scored at the right time."
It was Giggs who delivered the right-wing cross for Carlos Tevez to nod home his first goal for the club as half-time beckoned.
"You get the ball into the area and hope the centre-forwards get in there," said Giggs.
"Carlos had made a great run – you’ll score loads of goals running across the near post and he managed to do that. I was really pleased to see it go in."
United's goal hero at the other end of the game was the substitute Louis Saha, who won and then converted a penalty to kill off any faint hopes Chelsea might have had of earning an ill-deserved equaliser.
“I think one-nil’s always a dangerous scoreline, even if you’re playing against
from:www.manutd.com
The Reds captain admitted the dismissal of John Obi Mikel could have worked against United - especially if the Blues had reached the break on level terms.
"When you play against ten men, they all get behind the ball," said Giggs.
"It can be difficult but we scored at the right time."
It was Giggs who delivered the right-wing cross for Carlos Tevez to nod home his first goal for the club as half-time beckoned.
"You get the ball into the area and hope the centre-forwards get in there," said Giggs.
"Carlos had made a great run – you’ll score loads of goals running across the near post and he managed to do that. I was really pleased to see it go in."
United's goal hero at the other end of the game was the substitute Louis Saha, who won and then converted a penalty to kill off any faint hopes Chelsea might have had of earning an ill-deserved equaliser.
“I think one-nil’s always a dangerous scoreline, even if you’re playing against
from:www.manutd.com
Thứ Hai, 24 tháng 9, 2007
League: Arsenal hit five
Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the league in style on Saturday, albeit against a poor Derby County side at the Emirates Stadium.Emmanuel Adebayor scored a hat-trick for Arsene Wenger's side, with Abou Diaby and Cesc Fabregas completing the scoring in an impressive 5-0 win for the Gunners.There was less good news for United's other title rivals, however. Liverpool looked sluggish at home to a determined Birmingham City side. Not even expensive substitute Fernando Torres could turn things around in the last half-hour as Steve Bruce's men earned an unlikely 0-0 draw at Anfield.Fulham and Manchester City played out a thrilling see-saw 3-3 draw at Craven Cottage, Danny Murphy coming off the bench to score a late equaliser for the home side.On Sunday, Newcastle
from:www.manutd.com
from:www.manutd.com
Thứ Năm, 20 tháng 9, 2007
Report: Sporting 0 United 1
Cristiano Ronaldo headed a fine winner on his return to former club Sporting Lisbon, giving United a winning start to the 2007/08 Champions League.
The Reds were solid, if unspectacular, in overcoming the Portuguese side, and were indebted to two superb saves from Edwin van der Sar either side of Ronaldo’s goal.
In a game of few chances, the Dutch goalkeeper's brilliant first-half save from Liedson was the platform for United’s triumph, while Nani and substitute Louis Saha both came close to doubling their margin of victory.
Ronaldo’s goal was enough to notch United’s 100th victory in the Champions League, however, and further good news was provided by a sprightly 71-minute outing for Wayne Rooney.
The England striker made his first appearance since suffering a fractured foot against Reading, and showed no lack of fitness as he ploughed a lone furrow upfront.
The opening exchanges between the two sides were bossed largely by the hosts, who seemed eager to test van der Sar from long-range at any given opportunity.
Having already been called into action on several occasions, the big Dutchman kept United on level terms in breathtaking fashion just before the half-hour mark, denying Liedson with an astonishing fingertip save.
The Brazilian was picked out on the edge of the United box and, having fashioned space for a shot, curled an effort which was bound for the top corner until van der Sar hurled himself towards the ball and clawed it around the post.
The 36-year-old was required again to keep out several long-range efforts from the hosts, including a deflected free-kick from Brazilian defender Ronny.
from:www.manutd.com
Chủ Nhật, 16 tháng 9, 2007
Vida delight at killer blow
Nemanja Vidic was delighted that his first United goal of the season came at such a crucial moment as the Reds snatched a late victory on Saturday.Sir Alex Ferguson says the Serbian has “a bit of the Brucies about him”, and that was certainly evident at Goodison. Much like former Reds centre-back Steve Bruce, Vidic possesses determination and bravery in abundance, prominent attributes that make him one of the Premier League’s finest defenders, but they are also major assets to attacking situations. “I have had a couple of chances this season and haven’t managed to score,” Vidic told MUTV. “This was probably the best moment to get my first goal of the season with less than ten minutes to go. We’ve won, so I’m happy.”It capped a wonderful defensive display from the solid Serb, who, alongside Rio Ferdinand, kept Everton striker’s Yakubu and Andy Johnson at bay. But Vidic modestly claims United’s solidarity was a team effort.“We played like a team,” he said. “It’s not just two players, everyone played well in defence and that helped us get the result. Yakubu is strong and Johnson is quick and likes the ball in the channels. But we knew about them and stopped them from getting chances.
from:www.manutd.com
from:www.manutd.com
Man United: Rooney cleared for Champions League
LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Sir Alex Ferguson has signalled that Wayne Rooney will make his return to action in Wednesday's Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese capital.
The England forward has not played since suffering a metatarsal fracture on the opening day of the season and, although he returned to full training last week, Ferguson declined to risk him against his old club Everton on Saturday.
United came through the encounter without him, Nemanja Vidic's late header proving enough to secure all three points courtesy of the club's third straight 1-0 win.
Afterwards United's manager revealed that he was planning to involve Rooney in Lisbon.
"He will be fit for Wednesday," said the Scot. "We have taken medical advice and they said it was a little bit too early for Everton. And after only five days he is a bit short of fitness but he will be training through until Wednesday."
After a shaky start to the season, Ferguson has been relieved to see his squad start to grind out results in tight matches.
"We all know we have not got our strongest side out at the moment due to injuries, but there is a good togetherness in the squad and it was a strong team effort, which it has to be at the moment.
"We defended well. They had one chance at 1-0 but Edwin van der Sar made a terrific save, and Rio Ferdinand made a fantastic block from the rebound.
"When we get our forward players back from injury we will be all right."
Cristiano Ronaldo's return to the United line-up after a three-match suspension was marred by a yellow card for diving and Paul Scholes was also booked by referee Alan Wiley -- both decisions which infuriated Ferguson.
"The crowd got Scholes that yellow card, the referee's view was blocked but he heard the crowd and showed him a card.
"Carlos Queiroz has watched the video (of Ronaldo's tumble), and it was outside the box but he was definitely caught by the Everton player.
"To get a yellow card for that was ridiculous. The referee thought he might have to give a penalty kick, so he booked Ronaldo instead, it was a bad decision."
Ferguson, who admitted that French defender Mikael Silvestre could be facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines after being stretchered off with suspected knee ligament damage, paid tribute to Vidic's contribution at both ends of the pitch.
"We are delighted with the win because people will see a very improved Everton this season," he said. "Teams will find it very hard coming here.
"But we stood up to Yakubu and Andrew Johnson, who will be handful for anyone, and our defenders showed great determination.
"Nemanja Vidic is a marvellous defender but he can get a goal as well. It's a bit of a concern that we are not scoring as many goals as we want, but until we get everyone back we will play like this.
"We are determined, we have a good team ethic, we have got a good shape and we had good passing. We will work away and this is a very good result."
Everton are hoping to have first-choice keeper Tim Howard back for next Thursday's UEFA Cup first round first leg game with Metallist Kharkov of the Ukraine.
He missed Saturday's game with a serious finger injury paving the way for German Stefan Wessels to make his debut.
The 28-year-old did not have a serious save to make before Vidic's winner.
"We didn't deserve to lose three points. It's very hard to take," said Everton boss David Moyes.
"A lapse of concentration has cost us. I'm always disappointed when we concede from set pieces.
"We had a go at them but our keeper hasn't had too many saves to make. The performance was good enough and we are improving.
"If we play like that then we'll win more than we lose."
from:www.espnstar.com
The England forward has not played since suffering a metatarsal fracture on the opening day of the season and, although he returned to full training last week, Ferguson declined to risk him against his old club Everton on Saturday.
United came through the encounter without him, Nemanja Vidic's late header proving enough to secure all three points courtesy of the club's third straight 1-0 win.
Afterwards United's manager revealed that he was planning to involve Rooney in Lisbon.
"He will be fit for Wednesday," said the Scot. "We have taken medical advice and they said it was a little bit too early for Everton. And after only five days he is a bit short of fitness but he will be training through until Wednesday."
After a shaky start to the season, Ferguson has been relieved to see his squad start to grind out results in tight matches.
"We all know we have not got our strongest side out at the moment due to injuries, but there is a good togetherness in the squad and it was a strong team effort, which it has to be at the moment.
"We defended well. They had one chance at 1-0 but Edwin van der Sar made a terrific save, and Rio Ferdinand made a fantastic block from the rebound.
"When we get our forward players back from injury we will be all right."
Cristiano Ronaldo's return to the United line-up after a three-match suspension was marred by a yellow card for diving and Paul Scholes was also booked by referee Alan Wiley -- both decisions which infuriated Ferguson.
"The crowd got Scholes that yellow card, the referee's view was blocked but he heard the crowd and showed him a card.
"Carlos Queiroz has watched the video (of Ronaldo's tumble), and it was outside the box but he was definitely caught by the Everton player.
"To get a yellow card for that was ridiculous. The referee thought he might have to give a penalty kick, so he booked Ronaldo instead, it was a bad decision."
Ferguson, who admitted that French defender Mikael Silvestre could be facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines after being stretchered off with suspected knee ligament damage, paid tribute to Vidic's contribution at both ends of the pitch.
"We are delighted with the win because people will see a very improved Everton this season," he said. "Teams will find it very hard coming here.
"But we stood up to Yakubu and Andrew Johnson, who will be handful for anyone, and our defenders showed great determination.
"Nemanja Vidic is a marvellous defender but he can get a goal as well. It's a bit of a concern that we are not scoring as many goals as we want, but until we get everyone back we will play like this.
"We are determined, we have a good team ethic, we have got a good shape and we had good passing. We will work away and this is a very good result."
Everton are hoping to have first-choice keeper Tim Howard back for next Thursday's UEFA Cup first round first leg game with Metallist Kharkov of the Ukraine.
He missed Saturday's game with a serious finger injury paving the way for German Stefan Wessels to make his debut.
The 28-year-old did not have a serious save to make before Vidic's winner.
"We didn't deserve to lose three points. It's very hard to take," said Everton boss David Moyes.
"A lapse of concentration has cost us. I'm always disappointed when we concede from set pieces.
"We had a go at them but our keeper hasn't had too many saves to make. The performance was good enough and we are improving.
"If we play like that then we'll win more than we lose."
from:www.espnstar.com
Thứ Bảy, 15 tháng 9, 2007
Boss: Ronaldo's return is a big plus
Sir Alex Ferguson says Cristiano Ronaldo could make a big difference to United’s attacking potency as the Portuguese winger returns from a three-match suspension this weekend.
The 22-year-old hasn’t played for the Reds since being shown a red card against Portsmouth on 15 August.
Despite 1-0 victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland, United have not looked as threatening in front of goal as at the start of last season, most likely due to the absence of Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
Both could play against Everton on Saturday, and Ronaldo is being tipped by Sir Alex to inject impetus to the team’s forward play.
“Without question, Cristiano’s return is a big plus for us,” said the boss. “You miss players that make a difference, create opportunities, score goals and change the pattern of games.
“With Ronaldo back that gives us some better attacking options than we have had in the last three games.”
Sir Alex says that Ronaldo may have to deal with the kind of provocation that led to his sending off against Portsmouth, which the United boss still feels was unjust, but is confident the winger has the temperament and attitude to cope.
“That’s a possibility [that players could try to provoke him],” he added. “I think that some players might try to do that. But that’s up to Ronaldo to control himself, to know what a good player he is. He knows that he’s only helping them by reacting to it. Also, you look for a strong referee that can sense the mood of the game.”
from:www.manutd.com
The 22-year-old hasn’t played for the Reds since being shown a red card against Portsmouth on 15 August.
Despite 1-0 victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland, United have not looked as threatening in front of goal as at the start of last season, most likely due to the absence of Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
Both could play against Everton on Saturday, and Ronaldo is being tipped by Sir Alex to inject impetus to the team’s forward play.
“Without question, Cristiano’s return is a big plus for us,” said the boss. “You miss players that make a difference, create opportunities, score goals and change the pattern of games.
“With Ronaldo back that gives us some better attacking options than we have had in the last three games.”
Sir Alex says that Ronaldo may have to deal with the kind of provocation that led to his sending off against Portsmouth, which the United boss still feels was unjust, but is confident the winger has the temperament and attitude to cope.
“That’s a possibility [that players could try to provoke him],” he added. “I think that some players might try to do that. But that’s up to Ronaldo to control himself, to know what a good player he is. He knows that he’s only helping them by reacting to it. Also, you look for a strong referee that can sense the mood of the game.”
from:www.manutd.com
Man United: Ferguson backs Benitez comments
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez's complaints over the Premier League fixture scheduling and claimed clubs like his own are being punished for their success.
Benitez is fuming at the number of Saturday lunchtime away games Liverpool find themselves involved in immediately after international breaks and Champions League weeks.
"Rafa is quite right to complain," said Ferguson. "If there is an unfairness against teams, it should be addressed but I don't know if the authorities would listen."
United often find themselves in the same situation and head to Everton on Saturday for a noon start at Goodison Park.
Although on this occasion the kick-off time has been determined by Merseyside Police rather than the TV companies, Ferguson does believe there is an issue to be addressed.
And the Red Devils chief is laying the blame squarely at the Premier League's door.
"Over the last five years, we have had more lunchtime kick-offs than anyone and you would think that deserves some kind of attention.
"The Premier League are to blame. I accept, given when the fixture lists come out, it is just unfortunate if you find yourself away from home after a European tie but Rafa is talking about the lunchtime kick-offs."
from:www.espnstar.com
Thứ Sáu, 14 tháng 9, 2007
Man Utd: Brown resigned to bench duty as Neville nears fitness
MANCHESTER (AFP) - With Gary Neville aiming for a return to the Manchester United first-team squad for the September 23rd meeting with Chelsea, his under-study Wes Brown is resigned to a return to the Old Trafford bench.
Brown has been an ever-present for Sir Alex Ferguson's side this season but he knows that club captain Neville is likely to displace him at right-back once he has regained full fitness.
"It has been great to play," Brown said. "It is always good to get a run in the side so early in the season. But Gary is getting close to his comeback now so when he does return I will make sure I am ready when needed.
"Gary is captain of the club, so when he is fit he will definitely be back in the side."
Brown is a natural centreback but his route into the United line-up in the middle of the defence is blocked by Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, whose partnership was the cornerstone of United's title-winning campaign last season.
from:www.espnstar.com
Brown has been an ever-present for Sir Alex Ferguson's side this season but he knows that club captain Neville is likely to displace him at right-back once he has regained full fitness.
"It has been great to play," Brown said. "It is always good to get a run in the side so early in the season. But Gary is getting close to his comeback now so when he does return I will make sure I am ready when needed.
"Gary is captain of the club, so when he is fit he will definitely be back in the side."
Brown is a natural centreback but his route into the United line-up in the middle of the defence is blocked by Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, whose partnership was the cornerstone of United's title-winning campaign last season.
from:www.espnstar.com
Man United: Charlton happy to relinquish record to Giggs
LONDON (AFP) - Sir Bobby Charlton insists he would be delighted if Ryan Giggs were to snatch his Manchester United appearance record.
Giggs is closing in on the mark of 759 set by Charlton during his 20-year playing career with the Red Devils.
The Welsh veteran is hoping to recover from a hamstring injury in time to feature in Saturday's Premier League encounter with Everton at Goodison Park.
If Giggs does make the trip to Merseyside, he will move onto 722 appearances and with an extension to his current contract, which expires next summer, expected to be agreed in the coming months, there appears no reason why the 33-year-old should not eclipse Charlton's all-time best mark.
"I would love it if Ryan got the record," said Charlton.
"It would be so fitting and I would be pleased to have the opportunity to go onto the pitch and present him with something. In fact, if they didn't ask me, I would pester them until they did.
"When I finished I could not believe anyone would play more games than that. I did so much running for so many years, I just didn't think it would be possible.
"But Ryan is almost there now. To physically put your body through what he has is very difficult and that is why I am so delighted for him."
Giggs has always had a special place in Charlton's affections because he was one of the first senior figures associated with United to see the Welshman in action.
The England World Cup winner has never forgotten the day he ventured up to the Red Devils' Lyttleton Road training ground to watch a group of triallists.
On wandering over to one of the furthest pitches away from the car park to meet Sir Alex Ferguson, he spotted a lithe young winger cutting a swathe through the opposition defence in a manner he had rarely seen before.
"I set off for Pitch 11, where Alex was, and got about halfway there when I saw this lit
from:www.espnstar.com
Giggs is closing in on the mark of 759 set by Charlton during his 20-year playing career with the Red Devils.
The Welsh veteran is hoping to recover from a hamstring injury in time to feature in Saturday's Premier League encounter with Everton at Goodison Park.
If Giggs does make the trip to Merseyside, he will move onto 722 appearances and with an extension to his current contract, which expires next summer, expected to be agreed in the coming months, there appears no reason why the 33-year-old should not eclipse Charlton's all-time best mark.
"I would love it if Ryan got the record," said Charlton.
"It would be so fitting and I would be pleased to have the opportunity to go onto the pitch and present him with something. In fact, if they didn't ask me, I would pester them until they did.
"When I finished I could not believe anyone would play more games than that. I did so much running for so many years, I just didn't think it would be possible.
"But Ryan is almost there now. To physically put your body through what he has is very difficult and that is why I am so delighted for him."
Giggs has always had a special place in Charlton's affections because he was one of the first senior figures associated with United to see the Welshman in action.
The England World Cup winner has never forgotten the day he ventured up to the Red Devils' Lyttleton Road training ground to watch a group of triallists.
On wandering over to one of the furthest pitches away from the car park to meet Sir Alex Ferguson, he spotted a lithe young winger cutting a swathe through the opposition defence in a manner he had rarely seen before.
"I set off for Pitch 11, where Alex was, and got about halfway there when I saw this lit
from:www.espnstar.com
Thứ Ba, 21 tháng 8, 2007
Youth trophy delights Welsh
United youth coach Andy Welsh was predictably beaming after guiding the Reds to glory in the inaugural Champions Youth Cup.
Febian Brandy hit a superb winner in Sunday's final against Juventus in Kuala Lumpur, sealing United's honour of being the first winners of the prestigious tournament.
"I'm simply delighted with the result," said Welsh after the game. "I was also extremely pleased with the performance of the players.
"They stuck to the game plan from the start and it paid off handsomely. We played a patient game and relied on counter attacks, and it worked tonight."
United successfully navigated a route past Porto, Boca Juniors and Internazionale in Group C, before seeing off Barcelona and Flamengo in the knockout stages.
Given the calibre of the opposition ousted along the way, and the overall experience of the tournament, Welsh is already looking ahead to United's defence of the title next year.
"It has been a fantastic tournament and we had a wonderful two and a half weeks here," said the former Royal Antwerp coach.
"The boys got to play teams from different part of the world and it was a learning experience for them. We will definitely return to defend the title next year."
from:www.manutd.com
Proud Owen left frustrated
Owen Hargreaves says stepping out at Eastlands on Sunday for his United debut marked the biggest moment of his career.
A bout of tendinitis in his knees had delayed the 26-year-old's competitive Reds' bow much to his obvious frustration.
But he was deemed fit enough to start the derby and produced an impressive performance, despite it turning out to be a hugely disappointing day for the Reds as City snatched an undeserved 1-0 victory.
Hargreaves thoroughly enjoyed his first United run-out and is confident the team can turns things around after suffering their worst start for 15 years.
"To make my United debut in a Manchester derby was the biggest moment of my career so far," admitted Hargreaves. "But I was disappointed not to win. I was hoping we could obviously with his being my first game. I am sure there will be more wins in the future.
"We need to score goals. The most important thing is to have those chances. We have made them but not utilised them. We could have scored one or two and they are things we have got to work on.
"We are missing Ronny [Cristiano Ronaldo] and Wazza [Wayne Rooney] and they are key players. We are going to miss those players at any time but we still had enough on the pitch to win the game.
"We still had a great team out there and we were comfortable. It is a shame that we only have two points from three matches because in those games we have pretty much dominated possession and could easily have won all three.
"We need to understand that we have played relatively well. We've played all this attractive football but not won games. We will get there. But we need to win games. That is the most important thing."
from:www.manutd.com
Thứ Hai, 20 tháng 8, 2007
Referee leniency concerns Sir Alex
Although there have been red cards for Reading and Portsmouth in United’s first two games for precisely that – late fouls – the Reds boss says referees are not clamping down on the problem sufficiently.Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off against Portsmouth for retaliating to what Sir Alex believes was persistent fouling on the United winger, and while the Reds manager does not condone his player’s reaction, he does feel more should be done to protect the game’s attacking players.“It was disappointing the other night,” said the boss at his Friday press conference “The referee was in a clear position to see it, and that is why he has given the red card. I am not saying that was the wrong decision because the minute you lift your hands or motion towards anyone with your head, you know the result of that. He got punished because he retaliated, and you can’t do that. But the guy grabbed him around the neck. I’ve seen that quite clearly, and the referee has just stood there and done nothing.“Every corner kick you see nowadays, players are getting manhandled every time. Every team is doing it. That has to be addressed, but there is no answer to it because referees are turning a blind eye to it every time“In a way, it’s very difficult to be angry with Cristiano because some of the things that happen to him on the pitch are not right,” he added. “Late challenges worry me. We saw it again on Wednesday night. The referee let late challenges go unpunished time and time again. So there is a concern that way. People like Ronaldo are going to be the victims and people that watch the game are going to be the victims. It will end up with
from:www.mautd.com
from:www.mautd.com
Scholes shoots to the top
Paul ScholesLeague apps: 308 (65)League goals: 961st league goal: 24/09/94 v Ipswich
The 32-year-old's strike on Wednesday at Fratton Park, a blistering drive from the edge of the box that flew into the corner of David James' net, was his 96th in the competition and saw him overtake Ruud van Nistelrooy at the top of the Reds' league scorers' chart. Scholesy's milestone arrived in his 373rd league appearance, giving him a strike-rate of slightly better than one goal every four games. Newcastle have been on the receiving end of nine Scholes goals in the league, while the former England midfielder has netted seven times against West Ham, Blackburn and Bolton.Scholes has scored four times against Sunday's opponents, Manchester City, the last coming in the Reds' 4-1 defeat in 2004
from:www.mautd.com
Tevez loving life as a Red
Carlos Tevez says he is loving life at Old Trafford playing alongside the "best players in the world."
The Argentine international made his United debut on Wednesday evening at Fratton Park in the Reds' 1-1 draw with Portsmouth.
Despite being unable to help his team-mates secure victory, Tevez did enough to suggest he will make a positive impact at Old Trafford.
Having endured a torrid few weeks whilst his move from West Ham to United was ironed out by the relevant parties, Tevez says he is now focused on ensuring the 2007/08 campaign is a successful one for his new team.
"When the move finally went through there was a real sense of relief that I’d signed," he told ManUtd.com."I feel very happy - I’ve joined the best club in the world with the best players in the world. It’s not difficult to see the qualities every one of them has.
"First and foremost I want to get games under my belt so I’m physically strong," he adds. "From then on I want to be part of this great team and hopefully begin to produce the kind of football I played last season to help the
from:www.manutd.com
Owen provides silver lining
Although United were unable to take any points from Sunday's Manchester derby, the promising debut of England midfielder Owen Hargreaves provided a welcome silver lining to a frustrating afternoon.Despite missing much of the Reds' pre-season preparations through injury, Hargreaves slotted seamlessly into midfield alongside Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick, much to the delight of Sir Alex Ferguson."He was absolutely superb," the Manager told MUTV. "I think it was a magnificent first performance from the lad, and he was a major influence for Manchester United today." The summer signing from Bayern Munich has been absent with a bout of tendinitis, and Sir Alex confirmed that he now faces a race against time to have Hargreaves fit for next Sunday's visit of Tottenham."His knees are a bit sore now," admitted Sir Alex. "He'll probably report for the game but I don't think he'll be anywhere near fit enough to play for England. He'll need a few days to recover and hopefully we can get him fit for the Tottenham game."
from:www.manutd.com
Man City vs Man Utd: Blow by blow
94th min - FULL TIME It's all over and Manchester City are top of the table. United's miserable start to the season continues. Micah Richards has been unbelievable today.
93rd min - BOOKED Tevez's misery is compounded by a yellow card.
Four minutes of injury time.
91st min - Tevez AGAIN misses when it looked easier to score. The ball comes across from a corner, everyone misses it but Tevez can only direct his far post header wide. Fergie is off the bench thinking his team have rescued a point.
89th min - Captain Richard Dunne is bloodied but unbowed, as he gives his team a much needed breather, but he's off the pitch now for a stitch or two in his eyebrow.
87th min - Confidence soaring through the City players as Mpenza tries his luck from distance. Sven might have appreciated him taking the ball into the corner though.
83rd min - United free-kick, Hargreaves floats it in but it's the brilliant Richards who clears once again. There's only one man of the match in my opinion.
79th min - United are on the back foot now. Rio clears his lines but it's all being played in the final third of United's turf at the moment.
78th min - Wow - Corluka spanks one from 35 yards, it fizzes just over. City finally realise attack is the best form of defence.
76th min - Tevez blazes wide. 'Blue Moon' rings out from the home faithful at Eastlands.
74th min - Goalscorer Geovanni gets a standing ovation as he's replaced by Michael Ball. No giving away any penalties please Mr Ball.
73rd min - O'Shea and Campbell on for Brown and Carrick. Fergie's last thrown of the dice?
72nd min - Chris Eagles has made an instant impact since coming on. His work down the right nearly brings a goal, Schmeichel makes a decent save.
68th min - Show of petulance from Rio Ferdinand on Corluka. The pressure is beginning to tell on United's players. Twenty minutes left to rescue the situation.
67th min - Geovanni puts a very tepid free-kick into van der Sar's grateful hands.
65th min - Tevez very much off his game today. Nothing he tries goes to plan - crosses go long, backheels fail to find a red shirt. City owner Thaksin Shinawatra looks edgey.
Frank Stapleton believes United will go on to win, should they get an equalizer!
Micah Richards is the unsurprising favourite amongst the studio panel to be MOTM. Get your votes in now!
63rd min - Bianchi replaces Elano.
It's "just a case of WHEN United will score" according to former City player Steve McMahon.
60th min - How does Tevez miss? Inches wide but a firmer touch would have seen the equalizer.
59th min - Half chance from Scholes, flashing one over the bar. Nani replaced by Eagles, despite his early promise in this match.
57th min - BOOKED Corluka cautioned for a foul on Tevez.
56th min - BOOKED Didi Hamann collects a caution for bringing down a charging Ryan Giggs.
55th min - Micah Richards AGAIN. Clears from under his own posts. Man mountainous performance from the young fella.
51st min - More United pressure comes to nothing. Can they claw their way back into this derby?
47th min - Off the bar from Vidic! Fergie's half time roasting nearly has the desired effect.
HALF TIME - Ah, the beautiful game. United go to their City rivals, dominate possession, have more shots on and off target, and end the first half one down. Sven must wish England could have had the luck his team of video mercenaries are having at Eastlands. "Possession means nothing" says Steve McLaren as a million England fans say a prayer.
45th min - The crowd are surprisingly quiet now. United's possession has shut them up somewhat, as if they fear upsetting the Red Devils by cheering too much. Injury time in the first half now.
44th min - Nani a yard wide.
42nd min - Gorgeous feet from Tevez, yet he fails to find a confused looking Carrick as the furthest forward United player.
39th min - Schmeichel spills one and Richards cleans up. First sign of nerves from the 20 year old keeper. Scholes can't benefit.
38th min - Oles from the crowd at Eastlands. They are determined to enjoy the superiority for as long as it lasts.
33rd min - BOOKED Wes Brown collects his yellow card. It's been coming, let's be honest.
32nd min - GOAL What a turn up for the books. City go ahead with their first shot on target as Geovanni shows some magic by curling one in from outside the box. If a Brazilian had scored that we'd be talking about it for weeks. What's that? He IS Brazilian?
Frank Stapleton thinks United have "dominated" while City are just "sitting back and trying to catch them on the break".
29th min - More delicious footwork from Nani. No end result though.
27th min - Richards says "thou shall not pass" to Tevez once again, mopping up nicely at the back following a clever run from the Argentinian.
24th min - Patrice Evra pops up where Tevez wanted to be, wildly slashing wide when in on goal. What a chance wasted. Sir Alex wants a penalty.
21st min - Micah Richards saves City from a bursting through the middle Tevez
19th min - More profit down the left from United. One corner, followed by another. It's "all Manchester United so far" says John Dykes.
17th min - Nani denied by Schmeichel again. This duel will run and run you feel.
15th min - Wes Brown gives Martin Petrov something to think about, ruthlessly chopping him down by the touchline. Ref Clattenburg leaves him in no doubt his next foul will see him booked.
13th min - Nani is seeing a lot of the ball. Seems like Sir Alex wants him to press on against the home defence.
10th min - Things have settled somewhat. City are slowly finding their feet.
7th min - Bojinov is substituted after going over on his ankle. Not the best of starts for the home side. Mpenza gets on the pitch far earlier than he would have expected.
5th min - All United early on. Nani brings a fine save from the young Schmeichel. Like father like son, although dad's loyalties must be severely tested taoday
3rd minute - A spot of Latin temperament from Carlos Tevez as he fails to receive the ball as he wishes. The City fans love it!
Here we go – City to kick off.
It's 4-3-3 for visitors United, a solid 4-4-2 for City at home. Can United reverse their slow start to the season - can City continue their best Premiership start? Keep it here with espnstar.com to find out what's happening at Eastlands.
Team starting lineups:
Man CitySchmeichel, Corluka, Garrido, Dunne, Richards, Hamann, Elano, Geovanni, Johnson, Petrov, BojinovSubs: Hart, Onuoha, Ball, Bianchi, Mpenza
Man Utdvan der Sar, Brown, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Hargreaves, Scholes, Tevez.Subs: Kuszczak, Campbell, Eagles, O'Shea, Silvestre
from :www.espnstar.com
93rd min - BOOKED Tevez's misery is compounded by a yellow card.
Four minutes of injury time.
91st min - Tevez AGAIN misses when it looked easier to score. The ball comes across from a corner, everyone misses it but Tevez can only direct his far post header wide. Fergie is off the bench thinking his team have rescued a point.
89th min - Captain Richard Dunne is bloodied but unbowed, as he gives his team a much needed breather, but he's off the pitch now for a stitch or two in his eyebrow.
87th min - Confidence soaring through the City players as Mpenza tries his luck from distance. Sven might have appreciated him taking the ball into the corner though.
83rd min - United free-kick, Hargreaves floats it in but it's the brilliant Richards who clears once again. There's only one man of the match in my opinion.
79th min - United are on the back foot now. Rio clears his lines but it's all being played in the final third of United's turf at the moment.
78th min - Wow - Corluka spanks one from 35 yards, it fizzes just over. City finally realise attack is the best form of defence.
76th min - Tevez blazes wide. 'Blue Moon' rings out from the home faithful at Eastlands.
74th min - Goalscorer Geovanni gets a standing ovation as he's replaced by Michael Ball. No giving away any penalties please Mr Ball.
73rd min - O'Shea and Campbell on for Brown and Carrick. Fergie's last thrown of the dice?
72nd min - Chris Eagles has made an instant impact since coming on. His work down the right nearly brings a goal, Schmeichel makes a decent save.
68th min - Show of petulance from Rio Ferdinand on Corluka. The pressure is beginning to tell on United's players. Twenty minutes left to rescue the situation.
67th min - Geovanni puts a very tepid free-kick into van der Sar's grateful hands.
65th min - Tevez very much off his game today. Nothing he tries goes to plan - crosses go long, backheels fail to find a red shirt. City owner Thaksin Shinawatra looks edgey.
Frank Stapleton believes United will go on to win, should they get an equalizer!
Micah Richards is the unsurprising favourite amongst the studio panel to be MOTM. Get your votes in now!
63rd min - Bianchi replaces Elano.
It's "just a case of WHEN United will score" according to former City player Steve McMahon.
60th min - How does Tevez miss? Inches wide but a firmer touch would have seen the equalizer.
59th min - Half chance from Scholes, flashing one over the bar. Nani replaced by Eagles, despite his early promise in this match.
57th min - BOOKED Corluka cautioned for a foul on Tevez.
56th min - BOOKED Didi Hamann collects a caution for bringing down a charging Ryan Giggs.
55th min - Micah Richards AGAIN. Clears from under his own posts. Man mountainous performance from the young fella.
51st min - More United pressure comes to nothing. Can they claw their way back into this derby?
47th min - Off the bar from Vidic! Fergie's half time roasting nearly has the desired effect.
HALF TIME - Ah, the beautiful game. United go to their City rivals, dominate possession, have more shots on and off target, and end the first half one down. Sven must wish England could have had the luck his team of video mercenaries are having at Eastlands. "Possession means nothing" says Steve McLaren as a million England fans say a prayer.
45th min - The crowd are surprisingly quiet now. United's possession has shut them up somewhat, as if they fear upsetting the Red Devils by cheering too much. Injury time in the first half now.
44th min - Nani a yard wide.
42nd min - Gorgeous feet from Tevez, yet he fails to find a confused looking Carrick as the furthest forward United player.
39th min - Schmeichel spills one and Richards cleans up. First sign of nerves from the 20 year old keeper. Scholes can't benefit.
38th min - Oles from the crowd at Eastlands. They are determined to enjoy the superiority for as long as it lasts.
33rd min - BOOKED Wes Brown collects his yellow card. It's been coming, let's be honest.
32nd min - GOAL What a turn up for the books. City go ahead with their first shot on target as Geovanni shows some magic by curling one in from outside the box. If a Brazilian had scored that we'd be talking about it for weeks. What's that? He IS Brazilian?
Frank Stapleton thinks United have "dominated" while City are just "sitting back and trying to catch them on the break".
29th min - More delicious footwork from Nani. No end result though.
27th min - Richards says "thou shall not pass" to Tevez once again, mopping up nicely at the back following a clever run from the Argentinian.
24th min - Patrice Evra pops up where Tevez wanted to be, wildly slashing wide when in on goal. What a chance wasted. Sir Alex wants a penalty.
21st min - Micah Richards saves City from a bursting through the middle Tevez
19th min - More profit down the left from United. One corner, followed by another. It's "all Manchester United so far" says John Dykes.
17th min - Nani denied by Schmeichel again. This duel will run and run you feel.
15th min - Wes Brown gives Martin Petrov something to think about, ruthlessly chopping him down by the touchline. Ref Clattenburg leaves him in no doubt his next foul will see him booked.
13th min - Nani is seeing a lot of the ball. Seems like Sir Alex wants him to press on against the home defence.
10th min - Things have settled somewhat. City are slowly finding their feet.
7th min - Bojinov is substituted after going over on his ankle. Not the best of starts for the home side. Mpenza gets on the pitch far earlier than he would have expected.
5th min - All United early on. Nani brings a fine save from the young Schmeichel. Like father like son, although dad's loyalties must be severely tested taoday
3rd minute - A spot of Latin temperament from Carlos Tevez as he fails to receive the ball as he wishes. The City fans love it!
Here we go – City to kick off.
It's 4-3-3 for visitors United, a solid 4-4-2 for City at home. Can United reverse their slow start to the season - can City continue their best Premiership start? Keep it here with espnstar.com to find out what's happening at Eastlands.
Team starting lineups:
Man CitySchmeichel, Corluka, Garrido, Dunne, Richards, Hamann, Elano, Geovanni, Johnson, Petrov, BojinovSubs: Hart, Onuoha, Ball, Bianchi, Mpenza
Man Utdvan der Sar, Brown, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Hargreaves, Scholes, Tevez.Subs: Kuszczak, Campbell, Eagles, O'Shea, Silvestre
from :www.espnstar.com
Thứ Tư, 8 tháng 8, 2007
Carrick: Signings will flourish
Michael Carrick insists United's summer signings won't take long to settle into life at Old Trafford.
He should know: 12 months ago, the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder arrived in Manchester after a high-profile move that left him with a hefty price tag on his shoulders and a reputation to fulfil.
"As soon as you get in the dressing room there's a great bunch of lads and the staff are so friendly. You tend to settle very quickly," Carrick told ManUtd.com.
Indeed, Carrick found his feet almost immediately and forced his way into Sir Alex's starting XI. Once there, his form was so good that only Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney started more matches last season than the 24-year-old.
Now he believes the Reds' new signings will gel just as easily.
"I found that once I had a few games under my belt United really felt like home. It's a very enjoyable place to come and play football because everything else is taken care of; you don't have to think about anything other than playing football. That's the way it should be because, at the end of the day, players are judged on what we do on the pitch."
Despite the arrival of Owen Hargreaves
from:www.manutd.com
Rio confident of title defence
Rio Ferdinand insists United will be fighting tooth and nail to retain the Barclays Premier League title this season.
Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have enjoyed busy summers strengthening their respective squads, but Reds defender Ferdinand is typically unflustered ahead of the new campaign.
"There's no chance of us giving up our title easily," he said. "I had a great end to last season and a great summer. You can't beat that kind of feeling. You can't put it into words and we'll be doing all we can to retain the title. But any year it's hard to win the league."
While United's title rivals are heavily reinforced going into the season, Ferdinand is hopeful the Reds' own new signings can bed in quicker than those elsewhere and give Sir Alex Ferguson's side an early edge.
"The fact other teams have spent a lot of money poses questions," he said. "But will they gel? Will they become better teams? Will it be harder for their manager to cope with loads of players in their squad? Will he be able to juggle things around?
"So it's all ifs and buts, really. We'll know by Christmas which teams have dealt with their new acquisitions well and how everyone is doing.
"We're very experienced in that capacity, so hopefully that will give us the step in front that we want. I don't really care what the likes of Chelsea or anyone else do. I'm happy with what we're doing - that's all I'm concentrating on."
United have enlisted Anderson, Nani and Owen Hargreaves this summer, with Carlos Tevez set to follow, and Ferdinand feels the Reds are in good shape for the new season.
from :www.manutd.com
"The manager's moves in the transfer market have been very good," he said. "Nani and Anderson are very good players with great potential. Hargreaves, as we know, is a great player and will prove a great acquisition as well. It looks good for us - but you always need a bit of luck in terms of injuries."
Thứ Ba, 7 tháng 8, 2007
Papers: Heinze wants out
Heinze tells Fergie: I still want to goContract rebel Gabriel Heinze last night upped the ante in his row with Manchester United by telling Sir Alex Ferguson to his face that he wants to move to Liverpool.Defender Heinze returned to training with Untied as planned yesterday and headed straight for a meeting with manager Ferguson to thrash out his future.And the Argentine international told Sportsmail last night he remains set on a controversial move to Anfield and that his lawyers are looking at ways to force the deal through, despite United's oppositions.Heinze said: "I've spoken with the coach and I have insisted that my wish is to leave the club if a big offer appears on the table."Today, the only such offer is from Liverpool and it is this that is causing the problem. Earlier in the summer I received a promise from United that I could leave if the deal was good for both parties and at the moment there is an offer from Liverpool."Ian Ladyman, Daily MailMeanwhile, The Sun quote Rio Ferdinand as saying he's more determined than ever to win the Barclays Premier League this season. Rio said: "You can't put into words how exciting [lifting the trophy last season] was. We'll be doing all we can to retain that title."Cristiano Ronaldo is also determined to win the league again, but wants to go one better, according to The Daily Star. They quote the Portuguese winger as saying he's determined to win the Champions League as well.
The Sun also claim United have rejected a bid from Hull City to take Reserves striker Fraizer Campbell, 19, on loan, while The Daily Telegraph reckon Sir Alex has warned Roy Keane off a loan approach for stopper Tomasz Kuszczak.
Round up by Nick Coppack
from:www.manutd.com
The Sun also claim United have rejected a bid from Hull City to take Reserves striker Fraizer Campbell, 19, on loan, while The Daily Telegraph reckon Sir Alex has warned Roy Keane off a loan approach for stopper Tomasz Kuszczak.
Round up by Nick Coppack
from:www.manutd.com
Interview: Danny Simpson
Salford-born right-back Danny Simpson has spent the summer working with the Reds first team and is hoping for playing opportunities this season. We caught up with him for a quick chat about training at United and marking Ronaldo…You’ve been working with the first-team in pre-season. How much of a step up is it, even after your time at Sunderland last season?I had a great time at Sunderland but the standard in United’s first team is even higher. It helps to bring the best out of you because you have to continually raise your game.How has training changed even in your short career? Certain things have changed. From what I’ve seen at United and from chatting to coaches like Rene Meulensteen (Technical Skills Development Coach), a lot of kids nowadays work on their technique from a young age, probably seven or eight. Technique is something a lot of people have always said English footballers need to work on and from what I’ve seen recently that’s definitely happening. Youngsters spend more time practising their turns and working on one and two-touch passing and I think because of that we’re producing better players.Has working with Rene helped your game?It’s been great. Every session we have with him involves working on certain techniques, whether it be your turns or your passing. I’ve tried to apply what I’ve learnt in the sessions into game situations and personally he’s helped me a lot.As a full-back, what’s it like marking Cristiano Ronaldo in training?To be honest, I quite enjoy it! You want to play against the best and become the best yourself and marking Ronaldo day in, day out, can only help you improve. Nani is another one who’s tricky to play against. He’s a quality player and I can’t wait to see him and Ronny bombing down the wings for United this season.
from:www.manutd.com
from:www.manutd.com
Thứ Hai, 6 tháng 8, 2007
Papers: Chelsea in crisis
Jose HellJose Mourinho is facing an injury crisis which threatens to wreck Chelsea's start to the season. John Terry - who missed the Community Shield defeat - is out for four weeks with a knee injury, while Didier Drogba is set to miss next Sunday's Premiership opener against Birmingham with the same problem. Wayne Bridge, Andrei Shevchenko, Michael Ballack, Paolo Ferreira, Salomon Kalou and Claude Makelele were also absentees from yesterday's game.Darren Lewis, Daily MirrorVan der StarSir Alex Ferguson hailed Edwin van der Sar after the keeper’s Community Shield heroics for Manchester United. Dutch star Van der Sar, 36, saved Chelsea’s first three penalties in a dramatic Wembley shootout. Reds boss Fergie said: “He knew the penalties were coming and prepared himself. He’s studied players like Frank Lampard taking penalties and that experience has got us the result.”Ian McGarry, The SunThe Mirror also claims that Sir Alex mocked Chelsea's pragmatic approach under Jose Mourinho before Sunday's Community Shield, saying: "You can play chess for 10 hours, but then what?"The Daily Star looks at the personal rivalry between Wayne Rooney and Tal Ben Haim and says this season "there is clearly more to come in this X-certificate saga". Sounds interesting.The Sun says Liverpool transfer target Gabriel Heinze is due back in training at Carrington today. The same paper reveals that Owen Hargreaves would have played the full game against Peterborough on Saturday, instead of as a half-time substitute, if he hadn't been held up in traffic. The midfielder is, however, now hopeful of being fit to face Reading on Sunday.
Round up by Ben Hibbs
Round up by Ben Hibbs
Giggs excited by Tevez arrival
Ryan Giggs admits he's "really excited" at the prospect of linking up with Carlos Tevez, even if the Argentine's arrival means more competition for places in United's starting XI.Tevez is expected to sign for the Reds early this week after the Premier League accepted a proposal on Friday that will see the player's representatives pay West Ham a fee in the region of £2million.The striker should make his first appearance for United in one of Wednesday's pre-season fixtures, either at Dunfermline or Glentoran."I'm really excited about Tevez," Giggs told MUTV after Sunday's Community Shield win."He trained with us on Friday and fitted in straight away. He's a quality player – we saw that towards the end of last season with West Ham – and he'll give us that extra dimension."We've got plenty of attacking options this year and it keeps all the players on their toes."
Edwin's final revenge
Edwin van der Sar admitted the Reds' Community Shield success went some way to atoning for last season's FA Cup final disappointment.
The Dutch stopper was United's match-winner, saving penalty kicks from Claudio Pizarro, Frank Lampard and Shaun Wright-Philips.
"It's a great feeling," van der Sar told Sky Sports amid the Reds' celebrations.
"It's a little revenge for the cup final and also gives us a boost before the start of the league. I've never saved three penalties in a row."
Despite his heroics at Wembley, Van der Sar admits his record in shootouts is not the best.
"I was 5-2 down on penalty shootouts during my career, so this makes it 5-3," the 36-year-old said.
"I think we deserved the win – we played the better football and created more chances than them. Chelsea only had the one chance at the end of the first half."
from :www.manutd.com
Giggs: We deserved to win
It was disappointing a couple of months ago, so it was obviously nice winning the game and getting
the trophy." – Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs says United were the better side and fully deserved Sunday's Community Shield victory.
"I think we easily had the better chances over 90 minutes," he told MUTV. "We defended quite well and overall I'm pleased with our performance. It's always a tight game against Chelsea and there wasn't a lot in it."
Indeed, the game went to a penalty shootout after scores were tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes. It was Giggs who put the Reds in front on 35 minutes with a well-taken strike from 12 yards. Incredibly, it was the first goal the Welshman has scored at Wembley since he netted for England Schoolboys as a 14-year-old.
"I had a chance a little before I scored, which I should have tucked away," Giggs said.
"I tried not to make the same mistake with the next chance I got. There was some great play down the left, then Patrice Evra pulled it back and I just tried to get some height on the shot in order to get it over any defenders who may have been sliding in. It was great to see it go in."
Back in May, Giggs was a dejected onlooker as Chelsea climbed the steps to Wembley's Royal Box to receive the FA Cup. On Sunday, however, the 33-year-old was all smiles as United lifted a record 12th Community Shield.
"It was disappointing a couple of months ago, so it was obviously nice winning the game and getting the trophy."
From:www.manutd.com
Chủ Nhật, 5 tháng 8, 2007
Boss hails Gibson display
Sir Alex Ferguson heaped praise on Darron Gibson after he set the Reds on their way to a 2-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers on Friday evening.The 19-year-old midfielder opened the scoring twenty minutes from time with a sizzling left-foot drive which gave Rovers' substitute stopper Ben Smith no chance.Gibson had earlier struck the bar with an equally impressive hit and Sir Alex is hoping to see the young Irishman build on his solid performance at the Keepmoat Stadium."I thought Darron was excellent," he told MUTV. "He is potentially one of the best young players at the club. He's got good physical prowess, two great feet, good pace - he's got everything in his locker."He just needs experience and that's something he'll hopefully get plenty of this season."The United boss was pleased with his young team's overall display and believes debutant Anderson will have picked up some useful experience during his first half run-out."It was a good introduction to English football for him because Doncaster were very competitive and showed great commitment and made things difficult for us," explained the boss."He's picked up a little hamstring strain which we'll assess on Saturday. But hopefully it's nothing serious and he'll be okay."Sir Alex also confirmed Owen Hargreaves will play the full ninety minutes in Saturday's friendly at Peterborough.
from:www.manutd.com
Betting: Chelsea v United
Betfred boss and United fan Fred Done previews Sunday's match at Wembley...Summer's officially over! The weather may be getting better but the traditional season curtain-raiser is finally upon us.It's been a long wait as far as I'm concerned, so now it's time to get this season's new shirt on, dig out your scarf and get your singing voice back in tune for the Community Shield. After all the luck going against us at Wembley in May's FA Cup final, it will be good to see the Reds back in action there on Sunday.United's new signing Nani may be fit and ready to play against Chelsea. If you expect a flying start from the Portuguese ace, you can get Nani at 10/1 to score the first goal.I don't think either team will be looking to give much away so I fancy a closely matched 1-1 draw, priced at 5/1. However, for those of you who saw the perfect "game of two halves" against Chelsea at Old Trafford last season, I think the value is in backing half-time United - full-time draw at 12/1. Remember who told you first about it!I fancy Rooney to bang in a goal this weekend (13/2 for first goalscorer), as he's been looking sharp in training and my old pal Sir Alex tells me he's scoring for fun at the moment. If you think he'll bag a brace, you'll be pleased to hear I'm refunding any correct score, first scorer, last scorer and scorecast bets if any player scores twice in the 90 minutes. How's that for the Bonus King kicking off the season in style!Finally, after losing my bet to Fergie last season on Ronaldo scoring more than 15 league goals, I'm offering 10/1 on the boy wonder scoring over 20 league goals this term. For more bets on the match and the new season, visit
from:www.manutd.com
Thứ Tư, 1 tháng 8, 2007
Papers: Clubs hunt Smith
Everton are in pole position for SmithEverton are favourites to pop Newcastle in the scramble to sign Manchester United striker Alan Smith. Sportsmail revealed exclusively yesterday that Newcastle had a £6million offer accepted by the Premiership champions on Friday. Smith has reluctantly accepted his Old Trafford career is coming to a close and has held initial talks before deciding where to move to. He has rejected the chance to talk to Middlesbrough, even though they had a bid accepted, and Aston Villa have so far failed to make an offer. Smith's preference is believed to be Everton but their bid may hinge on striker James Beattie's £4m departure to Sheffield United.Simon Jones, Daily MailMeanwhile, The Daily Express claim Smith could be heading to Upton Park in a sensational double bid that would also see Barcelona's Eidur Gudjohnsen arrive at West Ham.But The Mirror believe Middlesbrough are closest to signing Smith, with the lure of £60,000 a week in wages. The paper claim Smith met Boro manager Gareth Southgate yesterday after United accepted a £6m bid. Incredibly, The Sun have Smith heading for a different location. It believes Sunderland have also met United's asking price and Smith will talk to Keane this week.
In other news, The Daily Mail report Juventus have confirmed their interest in Reds defender Gabriel Heinze. The paper quote the Italian club's general manager, Jean-Claude Blanc, as saying he wants to "see if something can happen with Heinze". Liverpool are also reportedly still interested, despite United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insisting he will not sell to the Merseyside club.
Round up by Nick Coppack
from:www.manutd.com
Juve chasing Heinze?
Italian club Juventus are reportedly interested in taking Gabriel Heinze to the Stadio Delle Alpi.The Argentina international's Old Trafford future has been cast into doubt with Liverpool keen to take Heinze to Anfield in a controversial switch across the North-west.That move has been rebuffed by Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson and United chief executive David Gill, who have both stated publicly that they do not want to sell Heinze to a Premier League rival.However, Gill was quoted in the press this week saying: "If there's interest from overseas and the valuation's right, I could see him moving."Juventus general manager Jean-Claude Blanc has said that the newly-promoted Turin club may move for the 29-year-old left-back."We'll have to see if something can happen with Heinze," he told the Daily Mail.Although his future remains unclear, as the situation currently stands Heinze is a United player and Sir Alex expects the defender back in training next Monday after three weeks' rest following his involvement in Copa America
.
from:www.manutd.com
Rossi to join Villarreal
United have agreed an undisclosed fee with Spanish side Villarreal for 20-year-old striker Giuseppe Rossi.
The Italian Under-21 international spent last season out on loan, having spells with Newcastle and his former club Parma in Serie A, where he scored nine goals in 19 appearances.
A club spokesman told ManUtd.com: "United have reached agreement with Villareal for the permanent transfer of Giuseppe Rossi for an undisclosed fee.
"The transfer is subject to a medical which is expected to take place in Spain tomorrow."
Rossi joined United from Italian side Parma in July 2004 and immediately impressed in United's Reserves, netting 13 times in his first 19 starts.
His performances in the second string quickly saw him called up to the first-team squad in November 2004, where he made his first-team debut against Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup in a 2-0 win.
A further 13 appearances and four goals followed, but the New Jersey-born forward couldn't quite earn a regular place in United's first team.
from:www.manutd.com
Nani a doubt for Inter
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Nani may miss Wednesday night's friendly against Inter Milan due to an ankle injury.
However, fellow new signings Anderson and Owen Hargreaves should make their non-competitive United bows in the coming days, and Gary Neville, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are racing to be fit for the start of the new season.
Portuguese winger Nani, who scored twice in as many appearances on United's Asia Tour, has been hampered in pre-season with an ankle injury he sustained in the European U21 Championships. An ankle injury in training this week is likely to rule the 20-year-old signing from Sporting Lisbon out of the match.
"Nani got a little injury in his ankle in training on Monday," said the boss. "He's a bit of a doubt for Wednesday's game."
The good news is that Hargreaves and Anderson, whose first day was on Monday, are both now in full training and could be involved in the match against Peterborough on Saturday. Brazilian teenager Anderson, who missed the Asia Tour due to his involvement in the Copa America, could also feature in Friday's trip to Doncaster Rovers.
As for Neville, Saha and Solskjaer, who all underwent surgery over the summer will be "roughly a couple of weeks for the three of them," according to the boss, which means they may not be fully match fit to start the season. Sir Alex also added that Paul Scholes is contuining his recovery from knee surgery, but gave no indication as to a return date.
from:www.manutd.com
Thứ Ba, 31 tháng 7, 2007
Papers: Tevez saga ongoing
You can have Tevez for £6m
West Ham have told Kia Joorabchian he can have Carlos Tevez for £6million. That is the minimum the Premier League will allow Hammers to be paid for Tevez’s registration. But Joorabchian looks sure to reject West Ham’s proposal and press ahead with his High Court action. That could take months and wreck Manchester United’s hopes of landing the Argie striker before the transfer window shuts on August 31.
Mark Irwin, The Sun
In a seemingly endless trail of Premiership clubs interested in moving for United striker Alan Smith, Newcastle are the latest club to emerge as favourites to sign him for £6million (Daily Mail).
The same paper reports that United are resigned to Gabriel Heinze leaving Old Trafford this summer but remain "adamant he must move abroad to further his career rather than travel 30 miles to Liverpool".
Elsewhere, Reds legend and Sunderland boss Roy Keane tells The Sun that he's ready for the managerial mind games that come with life as a Premier League boss. Says Roy: "Ferguson and Mourinho do it lots. I enjoy watching it and am relishing the challenge — the intensity. You need an edge."
Round up by Ben Hibbs
from:www.espnstar.com
from:www.espnstar.com
Thứ Hai, 30 tháng 7, 2007
This is Rooney's year
Wayne Rooney has been tipped to have a "great season" next year after his first uninterrupted pre-season with the Reds since joining in 2004.
Rooney finished up as United's joint-top goalscorer last term, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo with 23 goals. It followed a run of 11 goals in 16 games in the final three months of a campaign which began with some questioning his form.
But, according to Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson, the 21-year-old striker will benefit immeasurably from the freshness of having a rare close-season rest and full preparatory work ahead of the new campaign.
"He just loves football and loves training and he will be a big player next year, believe me," Sir Alex told The Sun.
"He will have a great season, because he's had a proper pre-season for the first time with us. He will be fine. Nothing bothers Wayne. He is incredible, a very strong character."
Rooney's insatiable hunger for football has left a lasting impression on the United boss, who describes the forward's appetite for training as "unbelievable".
"He's exceptional. He gets up and is the first in the training ground every morning," adds the boss. "We like the players to come in for breakfast and he is in at 8.45am, the first there. Unbelievable."
from:www.manutd.com
MANCHESTER, England, July 29, 2007 (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo could have gone in one of two directions at Manchester United last season.
Derided and despised by English supporters for his part in the World Cup sending off of United team-mate Wayne Rooney during Portugal's quarter-final penalty shoot-out victory in Gelsenkirchen, Ronaldo could quite easily have packed his bags and jetted off to Real Madrid or Barcelona, the two Spanish giants who desperately fought for his signature.
The persuasive powers of United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who jetted out to Portugal to convince Ronaldo to stay at Old Trafford, were enough to keep the Madeira-born forward in the Premiership.
And Ferguson's mercy dash proved crucial with Ronaldo scooping both domestic Footballer of the Year awards last season as he inspired United to their first Premiership title since 2003.
This time around, United start the campaign as favourites to retain their title having splashed out more than 50million pounds on new signings Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson.
But even if United add to that shopping list by landing West Ham's Carlos Tevez before the August 31 transfer deadline, Ronaldo is certain to be the key man again.
His goalscoring feats last season, when he bagged over 20 goals from a wide position, proved crucial for United and he has already displayed matchwinning form on the club's pre-season tour of the Far East.
Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes will all be major figures again, but even Ronaldo's United team-mates acknowledge that the 22-year-old has become their pivotal player.
Defender Wes Brown said: "Ronaldo is looking sharp again and he can get even better. Mentally, he has got it and he's the sort of player who always wants to do better the next season.
"I know he's young, but in the first few games of pre-season, he has shown he is ready and firing for the new season. He's a very hungry player and he wants to win things.
"He knows that last season was a great achievement for us to win the League back but he wants more and I'm sure he wants to win other things like the FA Cup and the Champions League, so he will definitely be trying his hardest again this season."
United launch the defence of their title when they face Reading at Old Trafford on August 12 and manager Ferguson admits he expects the toughest challengers to be the usual suspects - Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.
He said: "I expect Arsenal to improve and I don't think they'll suffer too much without Thierry Henry. His time had gone and I think Arsene Wenger knew that. They need more goals, but they've got Emmanuel Adebayor and they'll have Robin van Persie back, so they're not too bad, are they?"
"Liverpool have bought a group of players, right enough. Fernando Torres is athletic and he's brave and he'll run the channels for them, which he did well for Atletico Madrid. Chelsea have strengthened too, so it will be a tough league again."
Ferguson defiant over Heinze
GUANGZHOU, China, July 27, 2007 (AFP) - Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Gabriel Heinze that Manchester United remain confident they will not be forced to sell him to Liverpool - despite the Argentinian's decision to enlist Anfield solicitors in a bid to force the move.
Ferguson, speaking after United wrapped up their Far East tour with a 3-0 win against Chinese outfit Guangzhou Pharmaceutical on Friday, insists that United intend to stop Heinze moving to Liverpool.
The Argentinian full-back believes he has the right to negotiate a 6.8 million pound move to Anfield, but having made plans to take action against United, Ferguson has urged the defender to ensure he has the correct advice.
Ferguson said: "We're aware that he (Heinze) is taking legal advice, but that's good. I just hope it's good advice because we are confident about our position."
"It's straightforward for us because he has been instructed to return for pre-season training on August 6. That will have given him three weeks rest following the Copa America, but we expect him back a week on Monday."
Goals from Wayne Rooney, Nani and Lee Martin completed the win against Guangzhou in sweltering conditions in Guangdong Province.
Nani's first-half chip was his second in two games since his 17.3-million-pound arrival from Sporting Lisbon.
But despite his impressive start at United, Ferguson expects the 20-year-old to make more improvement before the start of the season on August 12.
He said: "After his injury during the European U-21 Championships, the first thing we had to do with Nani was give him some football in order to get him up to our level.
"But he is nowhere near our level at the moment and he will need at least a couple of weeks' more work before he shows a real improvement. He has the skills, though, and real speed and two goals in two games is a good start for him."
Ferguson admitted that United's four-game tour of Asia had been a perfect preparation base for the club's defence of their Premiership title, despite the tough conditions in the Far East.
"It was very, very hot out there and that contributed to the slowness of the play, but Guangzhou made it difficult for us and I was happy to go in 2-0 ahead at the break," said the United boss.
"This trip has been good for us, though, because all of the players have had plenty of football and I am happy about our preparation levels for the start of the season.
"Everything about the tour has been a success from my point of view, from the football to the reception we have had wherever we have been. It has been excellent."
from:www.espnstar.com
Ferguson, speaking after United wrapped up their Far East tour with a 3-0 win against Chinese outfit Guangzhou Pharmaceutical on Friday, insists that United intend to stop Heinze moving to Liverpool.
The Argentinian full-back believes he has the right to negotiate a 6.8 million pound move to Anfield, but having made plans to take action against United, Ferguson has urged the defender to ensure he has the correct advice.
Ferguson said: "We're aware that he (Heinze) is taking legal advice, but that's good. I just hope it's good advice because we are confident about our position."
"It's straightforward for us because he has been instructed to return for pre-season training on August 6. That will have given him three weeks rest following the Copa America, but we expect him back a week on Monday."
Goals from Wayne Rooney, Nani and Lee Martin completed the win against Guangzhou in sweltering conditions in Guangdong Province.
Nani's first-half chip was his second in two games since his 17.3-million-pound arrival from Sporting Lisbon.
But despite his impressive start at United, Ferguson expects the 20-year-old to make more improvement before the start of the season on August 12.
He said: "After his injury during the European U-21 Championships, the first thing we had to do with Nani was give him some football in order to get him up to our level.
"But he is nowhere near our level at the moment and he will need at least a couple of weeks' more work before he shows a real improvement. He has the skills, though, and real speed and two goals in two games is a good start for him."
Ferguson admitted that United's four-game tour of Asia had been a perfect preparation base for the club's defence of their Premiership title, despite the tough conditions in the Far East.
"It was very, very hot out there and that contributed to the slowness of the play, but Guangzhou made it difficult for us and I was happy to go in 2-0 ahead at the break," said the United boss.
"This trip has been good for us, though, because all of the players have had plenty of football and I am happy about our preparation levels for the start of the season.
"Everything about the tour has been a success from my point of view, from the football to the reception we have had wherever we have been. It has been excellent."
from:www.espnstar.com
England vs India: 2nd Test, Day 2
Can Sidebottom and England salvage a losing situation? (Action Images / Lee Smith)
England vs India: 2nd Test, Day 2
by Julian Guyer
NOTTINGHAM, England, July 28, 2007 (AFP) - Zaheer Khan took four wickets as India maintained their grip on the second Test at Trent Bridge here on Saturday.
Khan's return of four for 59 in 21 overs, his best against England, came as the hosts were bowled out for 198, with India needing fewer than 11 overs on Saturday to wrap their opponents' first innings.
At lunch India were 40 without loss, a deficit of 158.
Openers Dinesk Karthik (20 not out) and Wasim Jaffer (15 not out) came through 16 testing new-ball overs in conditions that had offered early assistance for swing and seam bowling provided the ball was pitched up.
But well though Ryan Sidebottom, on his Nottinghamshire home ground, James Anderson and Chris Tremlett bowled, they couldn't take a wicket.
That left England contemplating the prospect of having to bowl to the likes of India's star-studded middle order, featuring captain Rahul Dravid, former skipper Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, in conditions that were becoming increasingly good for batting.
Khan's haul improved upon the four for 79 he took during the second innings of the drawn first Test at Lord's where India clung on with one wicket standing before bad light and rain cut short play on Monday's final day.
Anil Kumble, the only other India bowler used on Saturday, took three for 32 in 12.3 overs.
England started the second day on 169 for seven, all their top order batsmen out, with India's seam attack exploiting helpful conditions for swing bowling following Dravid's decision to field first after a wet outfield meant no play was possible before lunch on Friday.
Tremlett, dropped on four, resumed on 16 not out with Sidebottom unbeaten on nought.
Kumble posed problems for Tremlett, who made a pair on his debut at Lord's and, in Saturday's fifth over, he bowled him for 20 as he misread a quicker, straighter delivery and played for turn instead.
But Khan, who last season was the second most successful bowler in English first-class cricket with 78 wickets for Worcestershire, had Monty Panesar edge full length delivery to Laxman for one.
Kumble then wrapped up the innings when he bowled Anderson for one with Sidebottom 18 not out.
from:www.espnstar.com
England vs India: 2nd Test, Day 2
by Julian Guyer
NOTTINGHAM, England, July 28, 2007 (AFP) - Zaheer Khan took four wickets as India maintained their grip on the second Test at Trent Bridge here on Saturday.
Khan's return of four for 59 in 21 overs, his best against England, came as the hosts were bowled out for 198, with India needing fewer than 11 overs on Saturday to wrap their opponents' first innings.
At lunch India were 40 without loss, a deficit of 158.
Openers Dinesk Karthik (20 not out) and Wasim Jaffer (15 not out) came through 16 testing new-ball overs in conditions that had offered early assistance for swing and seam bowling provided the ball was pitched up.
But well though Ryan Sidebottom, on his Nottinghamshire home ground, James Anderson and Chris Tremlett bowled, they couldn't take a wicket.
That left England contemplating the prospect of having to bowl to the likes of India's star-studded middle order, featuring captain Rahul Dravid, former skipper Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, in conditions that were becoming increasingly good for batting.
Khan's haul improved upon the four for 79 he took during the second innings of the drawn first Test at Lord's where India clung on with one wicket standing before bad light and rain cut short play on Monday's final day.
Anil Kumble, the only other India bowler used on Saturday, took three for 32 in 12.3 overs.
England started the second day on 169 for seven, all their top order batsmen out, with India's seam attack exploiting helpful conditions for swing bowling following Dravid's decision to field first after a wet outfield meant no play was possible before lunch on Friday.
Tremlett, dropped on four, resumed on 16 not out with Sidebottom unbeaten on nought.
Kumble posed problems for Tremlett, who made a pair on his debut at Lord's and, in Saturday's fifth over, he bowled him for 20 as he misread a quicker, straighter delivery and played for turn instead.
But Khan, who last season was the second most successful bowler in English first-class cricket with 78 wickets for Worcestershire, had Monty Panesar edge full length delivery to Laxman for one.
Kumble then wrapped up the innings when he bowled Anderson for one with Sidebottom 18 not out.
from:www.espnstar.com
Thứ Bảy, 28 tháng 7, 2007
Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson
Club:
Manchester United
Appointed:
06/ 11/ 1986
Date of Birth:
31/ 12/ 1941
Previous Clubs:
Aberdeen
St Mirren
East Stirlingshire
Honours:
Manchester United
2005-06
Barclays Premiership runners-upLeague Cup Winners
2003-04
FA Cup Winners
2002-03
Barclaycard Premiership ChampionsLeague Cup runners-up
2000-01
FA Carling Premiership Champions
1999-00
FA Carling Premiership Champions
1998-99
UEFA Champions League WinnersFA Carling Premiership ChampionsFA Cup Winners
1997-98
FA Carling Premiership runners-up
1996-97
FA Carling Premiership Champions
1995-96
FA Carling Premiership ChampionsFA Cup Winners
1994-95
FA Cup runners-upFA Carling Premiership runners-up
1993-94
FA Carling Premiership ChampionsFA Cup Winners
1992-93
FA Carling Premiership Champions
1991-92
Division One runners-upLeague Cup Winners
1990-91
European Cup Winners Cup Winners
1989-90
FA Cup Winners
Aberdeen
1985-86
Scottish Cup WinnersScottish League Cup winners
1984-85
Scottish Premier League Champions
1983-84
Scottish Cup WinnersScottish Premier League Champions
1982-83
European Cup Winners Cup WinnersScottish Cup Winners
1981-82
Scottish Cup Winners
1979-80
Scottish Premier League Champions
St Mirren
1976-77
Scottish First Division Champions
Alex Ferguson succeeded Ron Atkinson as Manchester United manager on 6th November 1986 and in his first full season guided United to a League runners-up position. This was nothing compared to the success he was to later enjoy at Old Trafford as he built a team capable of matching the best in Europe.
Born in Govan, Glasgow, Ferguson made his league debut for Scottish Second Division side Stranraer in 1957 having joined from amateur club Queen's Park and having represented his country at Youth and Amateur levels. He joined St Johnstone on a part-time basis in 1960 whilst completing his apprenticeship as a toolmaker for a typewriter manufacturer. He went on to score 19 goals in 37 league appearances for St. Johnstone before an exchange deal took him to Dunfermline Athletic as a full-time professional in 1964.
He gained his first taste of European football with the Fife club and moved to Rangers, the team he supported as a boy, in 1967, spending two-and-a-half years at Ibrox before joining Falkirk where he began to take on coaching duties. His final playing days were spent at Ayr United as a part-timer as he pursued business interests before being appointed to his first managerial position at East Stirlingshire in July 1974.
He moved to St. Mirren in October that year and promptly guided the Paisley club to the First Division Championship, in 1976-77. This led to a number of offers from the bigger clubs in Scotland and Ferguson accepted the manager's job at Aberdeen in 1978.
It was with the Granite City club that he really began to make a name for himself as The Dons eclipsed their Old Firm rivals taking three league titles, four Scottish Cups and a League Cup in eight seasons. Ferguson's greatest achievement at Pittodrie came in 1983 however, when he led Aberdeen to victory over Real Madrid in the European Cup Winners Cup.
The untimely death of Scotland manager Jock Stein in 1986 led to Ferguson taking over the national team temporarily for the World Cup finals in Mexico. He turned down the opportunity to remain in charge of Scotland on a permanent basis however, as well as several other lucrative offers, to move South of the border and manage Manchester United.
He was charged with returning the glory days to Old Trafford and United fans were expectant having waited over twenty years since their last league title. His first three years at United did not bring the success that he had enjoyed in Scotland however and it seemed at one stage that his tenure in Manchester may be short-lived.
Victory in the 1990 FA Cup final replay over Crystal Palace however began an incredible run that saw United win countless trophies as they dominated the English game. A European Cup Winners Cup followed in 1991 and a League Cup in 1992, as United were edged into second place in the League by Howard Wilkinson's Leeds United.
The following year saw the inauguration of the Premier League and Ferguson drafted in the mercurial French striker Eric Cantona, a League Championship winner with Leeds and a precocious talent. He was instrumental in helping United end their twenty-six year wait to capture the elusive League title, with Ferguson becoming the first man to manage teams to Premier League titles on both sides of the border.
1993-94 saw United and Ferguson repeat their success of the previous year, this time going one better, winning the League and Cup double. They almost made it an unprecedented treble but lost out to former boss Ron Atkinson and Aston Villa in the League Cup final.
Blackburn Rovers pipped the Reds to the league title in 1994-95 and Ferguson also tasted defeat in the FA Cup final, at the hands of Everton, but after a year of near misses United were triumphant once again, on both fronts, as they won another Double in 1995-96.
Another League title followed in 1996-97 before Arsenal stole the limelight, winning the Double themselves in 1997-98, coming from behind to snatch the Premiership trophy from the holders. This served only to stir Ferguson and his team into action as the 1998-99 season brought United an incredible treble. Despite losing his long-time assistant Brian Kidd halfway through the season, Ferguson - with the help of Kidd's replacement, Steve McClaren - led the Red Devils to victory in the League, the FA Cup and the European Champions League in an incredible two-week period, the like of which may never be repeated.
It earned him the respect and recognition - not that he didn't have that already - from his fellow managers as he was voted as the LMA's Manager of the Year by his peers.
Controversially, United did not defend the FA Cup the following year and they were knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by eventual winners Real Madrid. They made a successful defence of their Premiership title however, beating Arsenal by an incredible 18 points.
The following season brought United's seventh league title in nine years as they clinched the Premiership crown yet again, this time with a record five games to spare, making Ferguson the most successful manager in the history of English football.
Alex Ferguson became Sir Alex in 1999 (having already received the OBE and CBE honours in 1983 and 1995 respectively) as his achievements in football were recognised. It is largely thanks to his success in the transfer market that he has achieved so much in English football.
Signings such as Peter Schmeichel, Dennis Irwin, Eric Cantona, Paul Ince, Andy Cole, Jaap Stam, Roy Keane, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have all made significant contributions to United's success during Ferguson's time in charge. Alongside young players like David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Wes Brown, whose talents have been nurtured at Old Trafford, these players helped United produce an almost unchallenged level of performance that enabled them to dominate the domestic game in a similar fashion to the Liverpool side of the 1980's.
Having spent nearly £50million on two new players in the summer of 2001 - Ruud van Nistelrooy and Juan Sebastien Veron - Sir Alex took to the training field. Having served his apprenticeship as a coach at Derby and Old Trafford, Steve McClaren accepted an offer to become the manager of Middlesbrough. Having planned to retire as manager of United after the 2001/2002, Ferguson felt it would be unfair to recruit an new assistant for a single season and appointed Jim Ryan as his number two, taking on more of the coaching responsibilities himself.
Midway through the campaign, as speculation continued unabated as to who would replace Sir Alex, the United boss had a change of mind and signed a new three-year deal to stay on at Old Trafford.
Hoping to lead his team to Champions League glory once again, as well as a record fourth straight Premiership title, Ferguson was disappointed to end the year empty handed. Despite drawing both legs of their semi-final with Bayer Leverkusen, United went out of Europe's most prestigious competition on away goals.
To make matters worse, the league title was won by Arsenal - who completed another domestic double - and Liverpool snatched second place and automatic qualification for the following season's Champions League proper.
Nevertheless, Sir Alex's desire for success remains as strong as ever, as do his efforts to promote the work of the LMA and improve the lot of his fellow managers and the English game itself.
Prior to the beginning of the 2002-03 season, he appointed a new assistant, Carlos Queiroz, the Mozambique-born former Portugal and South Africa coach, and smashed the British transfer record to sign Rio Ferdinand from Leeds United for a fee believed to be over £30million; signally his intentions for the new campaign.
Several injuries to key players at the beginning of the season, which led to a number of operations, hampered United's chances of regaining the Barclaycard Premiership title. However, an amazing run from the turn of the year saw Fergie's side claim 45 points from 17 games as they fought back to reverse Arsenal's lead at the top and snatch the championship, helped in no small way by the prolific Ruud van Nistelrooy who scored an amazing 14 goals in nine consecutive games towards the end of the season.
The Gunners had knocked them out of the FA Cup, while Liverpool beat them in the Worthington Cup final, but United's league form was just too good as Arsenal faltered in the final run-in.
Having breezed through the two group stages of the Champions League, United appeared to have a good chance of going all the way to the final, to be held at Old Trafford. But paired once more with defending champions Real Madrid, Sir Alex's side could not contain the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Raul, Luis Figo and Ronaldo, who scored a hat-trick in the second leg to ensure the Spanish side's progression to the last four.
Immediately after claiming his eighth Premiership title in 11 years with United, the manager set his sights on repeating 1999's European glory and began to plan the Champions League challenge for the following year.
At the LMA's Annual Dinner, Sir Alex picked up two awards, having been named as the Barclaycard Manager of the Year and, unsurprisingly, the Premier League Manager of the Decade.
In January 2004, with a year-and-a-half of his deal remaining, Sir Alex signed an extension which will see him move onto a 12-month rolling contract.
Later that year he was celebrating a record fifth triumph in the FA Cup, as United beat Millwall 3-0 in Cardiff - having seen off Arsenal in the semis - to lift the famous trophy. Young Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo was the star of the final and it brought some consolation to Ferguson after a disappointing season in Europe and in the Premiership, where they finished third behind Arsenal and Chelsea.
Shortly after the end of the season, Ferguson signalled his intentions for 2004/05 with the £7million capture of Alan Smith from Leeds, while former assistant boss Carlos Queiroz returned to his post as the Scot's number two following his sacking from Real Madrid.
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However, the duo, along with the purchase of superstar Wayne Rooney, could not help Ferguson and his team collect any silverware in the 2004/05 season.
The season started badly for the Red Devils with defeats to their two nearest rivals Arsenal and Chelsea in the FA Community Shield and first game of the Barclays Premiership respectivly. Things did not improve for the men from Old Trafford.
If anything, rather than any defecit in strike power, Sir Alex's biggest problem was that he had too many strikers to choose from. With Wayne Rooney, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Alan Smith, David Bellion and Louis Saha all vying for places up front, a strong forward partnership - like the one between Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke in their time at Old Trafford - was hard to come by.
Despite this, United still managed good, though ultimatly unsuccessful, runs in the Carling and FA Cup - losing to Chelsea in the Semi-Finals of the Carling Cup and to Arsenal in the Final of the FA Cup.
Once again, Sir Alex was unable to inspire his team to emulate the European success of the 1998/99 season as the Red Devils crashed out in the Last 16 to finalists AC Milan.
But towards the end of the season, action on the pitch were overtaken by events off it. Despite the best efforts of protesting fans, American businessman Malcolm Glazer seized control of the United board.
In the 2005/06 season the tensions which had been simmering under between Ferguson and his captain Roy Keane finally came to the fore, resulting in Keane leaving the club by mutual consent.
Previously, Keane had criticised the team during a pulled interview on official club station MUTV after a disastrous 4-1 defeat away to Middlesbrough. Ferguson likes to keep a tight ship and was presumably unhappy with the media storm which came from Keane's comments.
In November 2005, Keane left the club, with Ferguson stating that the move was for the good of the club. United struggled without his leadership on the pitch, though they did recover in the latter half of the season, winning the Carling Cup and securing second place in the league.
Ferguson began the 2006/07 season under some pressure, but ended it as a champion once again. His decision to sell prolific striker Ruud van Nistelrooy paid off as it allowed United to play much more flowing football, and they lead the Premiership for most of the campaign, winning his ninth title with two games to spare.
They also reached the FA Cup final and Champions League semi-final, but were denied the chance for another treble or double by defeats to Chelsea and AC Milan respectively. Despite those disappointments, Ferguson had proved his doubters wrong and further cemented his reptutation as one of the game's truly great managers. And still he
Sir Alex Ferguson
Club:
Manchester United
Appointed:
06/ 11/ 1986
Date of Birth:
31/ 12/ 1941
Previous Clubs:
Aberdeen
St Mirren
East Stirlingshire
Honours:
Manchester United
2005-06
Barclays Premiership runners-upLeague Cup Winners
2003-04
FA Cup Winners
2002-03
Barclaycard Premiership ChampionsLeague Cup runners-up
2000-01
FA Carling Premiership Champions
1999-00
FA Carling Premiership Champions
1998-99
UEFA Champions League WinnersFA Carling Premiership ChampionsFA Cup Winners
1997-98
FA Carling Premiership runners-up
1996-97
FA Carling Premiership Champions
1995-96
FA Carling Premiership ChampionsFA Cup Winners
1994-95
FA Cup runners-upFA Carling Premiership runners-up
1993-94
FA Carling Premiership ChampionsFA Cup Winners
1992-93
FA Carling Premiership Champions
1991-92
Division One runners-upLeague Cup Winners
1990-91
European Cup Winners Cup Winners
1989-90
FA Cup Winners
Aberdeen
1985-86
Scottish Cup WinnersScottish League Cup winners
1984-85
Scottish Premier League Champions
1983-84
Scottish Cup WinnersScottish Premier League Champions
1982-83
European Cup Winners Cup WinnersScottish Cup Winners
1981-82
Scottish Cup Winners
1979-80
Scottish Premier League Champions
St Mirren
1976-77
Scottish First Division Champions
Alex Ferguson succeeded Ron Atkinson as Manchester United manager on 6th November 1986 and in his first full season guided United to a League runners-up position. This was nothing compared to the success he was to later enjoy at Old Trafford as he built a team capable of matching the best in Europe.
Born in Govan, Glasgow, Ferguson made his league debut for Scottish Second Division side Stranraer in 1957 having joined from amateur club Queen's Park and having represented his country at Youth and Amateur levels. He joined St Johnstone on a part-time basis in 1960 whilst completing his apprenticeship as a toolmaker for a typewriter manufacturer. He went on to score 19 goals in 37 league appearances for St. Johnstone before an exchange deal took him to Dunfermline Athletic as a full-time professional in 1964.
He gained his first taste of European football with the Fife club and moved to Rangers, the team he supported as a boy, in 1967, spending two-and-a-half years at Ibrox before joining Falkirk where he began to take on coaching duties. His final playing days were spent at Ayr United as a part-timer as he pursued business interests before being appointed to his first managerial position at East Stirlingshire in July 1974.
He moved to St. Mirren in October that year and promptly guided the Paisley club to the First Division Championship, in 1976-77. This led to a number of offers from the bigger clubs in Scotland and Ferguson accepted the manager's job at Aberdeen in 1978.
It was with the Granite City club that he really began to make a name for himself as The Dons eclipsed their Old Firm rivals taking three league titles, four Scottish Cups and a League Cup in eight seasons. Ferguson's greatest achievement at Pittodrie came in 1983 however, when he led Aberdeen to victory over Real Madrid in the European Cup Winners Cup.
The untimely death of Scotland manager Jock Stein in 1986 led to Ferguson taking over the national team temporarily for the World Cup finals in Mexico. He turned down the opportunity to remain in charge of Scotland on a permanent basis however, as well as several other lucrative offers, to move South of the border and manage Manchester United.
He was charged with returning the glory days to Old Trafford and United fans were expectant having waited over twenty years since their last league title. His first three years at United did not bring the success that he had enjoyed in Scotland however and it seemed at one stage that his tenure in Manchester may be short-lived.
Victory in the 1990 FA Cup final replay over Crystal Palace however began an incredible run that saw United win countless trophies as they dominated the English game. A European Cup Winners Cup followed in 1991 and a League Cup in 1992, as United were edged into second place in the League by Howard Wilkinson's Leeds United.
The following year saw the inauguration of the Premier League and Ferguson drafted in the mercurial French striker Eric Cantona, a League Championship winner with Leeds and a precocious talent. He was instrumental in helping United end their twenty-six year wait to capture the elusive League title, with Ferguson becoming the first man to manage teams to Premier League titles on both sides of the border.
1993-94 saw United and Ferguson repeat their success of the previous year, this time going one better, winning the League and Cup double. They almost made it an unprecedented treble but lost out to former boss Ron Atkinson and Aston Villa in the League Cup final.
Blackburn Rovers pipped the Reds to the league title in 1994-95 and Ferguson also tasted defeat in the FA Cup final, at the hands of Everton, but after a year of near misses United were triumphant once again, on both fronts, as they won another Double in 1995-96.
Another League title followed in 1996-97 before Arsenal stole the limelight, winning the Double themselves in 1997-98, coming from behind to snatch the Premiership trophy from the holders. This served only to stir Ferguson and his team into action as the 1998-99 season brought United an incredible treble. Despite losing his long-time assistant Brian Kidd halfway through the season, Ferguson - with the help of Kidd's replacement, Steve McClaren - led the Red Devils to victory in the League, the FA Cup and the European Champions League in an incredible two-week period, the like of which may never be repeated.
It earned him the respect and recognition - not that he didn't have that already - from his fellow managers as he was voted as the LMA's Manager of the Year by his peers.
Controversially, United did not defend the FA Cup the following year and they were knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by eventual winners Real Madrid. They made a successful defence of their Premiership title however, beating Arsenal by an incredible 18 points.
The following season brought United's seventh league title in nine years as they clinched the Premiership crown yet again, this time with a record five games to spare, making Ferguson the most successful manager in the history of English football.
Alex Ferguson became Sir Alex in 1999 (having already received the OBE and CBE honours in 1983 and 1995 respectively) as his achievements in football were recognised. It is largely thanks to his success in the transfer market that he has achieved so much in English football.
Signings such as Peter Schmeichel, Dennis Irwin, Eric Cantona, Paul Ince, Andy Cole, Jaap Stam, Roy Keane, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have all made significant contributions to United's success during Ferguson's time in charge. Alongside young players like David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Wes Brown, whose talents have been nurtured at Old Trafford, these players helped United produce an almost unchallenged level of performance that enabled them to dominate the domestic game in a similar fashion to the Liverpool side of the 1980's.
Having spent nearly £50million on two new players in the summer of 2001 - Ruud van Nistelrooy and Juan Sebastien Veron - Sir Alex took to the training field. Having served his apprenticeship as a coach at Derby and Old Trafford, Steve McClaren accepted an offer to become the manager of Middlesbrough. Having planned to retire as manager of United after the 2001/2002, Ferguson felt it would be unfair to recruit an new assistant for a single season and appointed Jim Ryan as his number two, taking on more of the coaching responsibilities himself.
Midway through the campaign, as speculation continued unabated as to who would replace Sir Alex, the United boss had a change of mind and signed a new three-year deal to stay on at Old Trafford.
Hoping to lead his team to Champions League glory once again, as well as a record fourth straight Premiership title, Ferguson was disappointed to end the year empty handed. Despite drawing both legs of their semi-final with Bayer Leverkusen, United went out of Europe's most prestigious competition on away goals.
To make matters worse, the league title was won by Arsenal - who completed another domestic double - and Liverpool snatched second place and automatic qualification for the following season's Champions League proper.
Nevertheless, Sir Alex's desire for success remains as strong as ever, as do his efforts to promote the work of the LMA and improve the lot of his fellow managers and the English game itself.
Prior to the beginning of the 2002-03 season, he appointed a new assistant, Carlos Queiroz, the Mozambique-born former Portugal and South Africa coach, and smashed the British transfer record to sign Rio Ferdinand from Leeds United for a fee believed to be over £30million; signally his intentions for the new campaign.
Several injuries to key players at the beginning of the season, which led to a number of operations, hampered United's chances of regaining the Barclaycard Premiership title. However, an amazing run from the turn of the year saw Fergie's side claim 45 points from 17 games as they fought back to reverse Arsenal's lead at the top and snatch the championship, helped in no small way by the prolific Ruud van Nistelrooy who scored an amazing 14 goals in nine consecutive games towards the end of the season.
The Gunners had knocked them out of the FA Cup, while Liverpool beat them in the Worthington Cup final, but United's league form was just too good as Arsenal faltered in the final run-in.
Having breezed through the two group stages of the Champions League, United appeared to have a good chance of going all the way to the final, to be held at Old Trafford. But paired once more with defending champions Real Madrid, Sir Alex's side could not contain the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Raul, Luis Figo and Ronaldo, who scored a hat-trick in the second leg to ensure the Spanish side's progression to the last four.
Immediately after claiming his eighth Premiership title in 11 years with United, the manager set his sights on repeating 1999's European glory and began to plan the Champions League challenge for the following year.
At the LMA's Annual Dinner, Sir Alex picked up two awards, having been named as the Barclaycard Manager of the Year and, unsurprisingly, the Premier League Manager of the Decade.
In January 2004, with a year-and-a-half of his deal remaining, Sir Alex signed an extension which will see him move onto a 12-month rolling contract.
Later that year he was celebrating a record fifth triumph in the FA Cup, as United beat Millwall 3-0 in Cardiff - having seen off Arsenal in the semis - to lift the famous trophy. Young Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo was the star of the final and it brought some consolation to Ferguson after a disappointing season in Europe and in the Premiership, where they finished third behind Arsenal and Chelsea.
Shortly after the end of the season, Ferguson signalled his intentions for 2004/05 with the £7million capture of Alan Smith from Leeds, while former assistant boss Carlos Queiroz returned to his post as the Scot's number two following his sacking from Real Madrid.
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However, the duo, along with the purchase of superstar Wayne Rooney, could not help Ferguson and his team collect any silverware in the 2004/05 season.
The season started badly for the Red Devils with defeats to their two nearest rivals Arsenal and Chelsea in the FA Community Shield and first game of the Barclays Premiership respectivly. Things did not improve for the men from Old Trafford.
If anything, rather than any defecit in strike power, Sir Alex's biggest problem was that he had too many strikers to choose from. With Wayne Rooney, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Alan Smith, David Bellion and Louis Saha all vying for places up front, a strong forward partnership - like the one between Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke in their time at Old Trafford - was hard to come by.
Despite this, United still managed good, though ultimatly unsuccessful, runs in the Carling and FA Cup - losing to Chelsea in the Semi-Finals of the Carling Cup and to Arsenal in the Final of the FA Cup.
Once again, Sir Alex was unable to inspire his team to emulate the European success of the 1998/99 season as the Red Devils crashed out in the Last 16 to finalists AC Milan.
But towards the end of the season, action on the pitch were overtaken by events off it. Despite the best efforts of protesting fans, American businessman Malcolm Glazer seized control of the United board.
In the 2005/06 season the tensions which had been simmering under between Ferguson and his captain Roy Keane finally came to the fore, resulting in Keane leaving the club by mutual consent.
Previously, Keane had criticised the team during a pulled interview on official club station MUTV after a disastrous 4-1 defeat away to Middlesbrough. Ferguson likes to keep a tight ship and was presumably unhappy with the media storm which came from Keane's comments.
In November 2005, Keane left the club, with Ferguson stating that the move was for the good of the club. United struggled without his leadership on the pitch, though they did recover in the latter half of the season, winning the Carling Cup and securing second place in the league.
Ferguson began the 2006/07 season under some pressure, but ended it as a champion once again. His decision to sell prolific striker Ruud van Nistelrooy paid off as it allowed United to play much more flowing football, and they lead the Premiership for most of the campaign, winning his ninth title with two games to spare.
They also reached the FA Cup final and Champions League semi-final, but were denied the chance for another treble or double by defeats to Chelsea and AC Milan respectively. Despite those disappointments, Ferguson had proved his doubters wrong and further cemented his reptutation as one of the game's truly great managers. And still he
2007-08 English Premiership guide (Part One)
LONDON, July 28, 2007 (AFP) - Team-by-team guide to the English Premiership season, which kicks off on Saturday August 11 (all figures in pounds, one pound = two dollars).
ASTON VILLAManager: Martin O'NeillLast season: 11th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Nigel Reo-Coker (West Ham) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (West Ham) 4m
OUT: Steven Davis (Fulham) 4m, Gavin McCann (Bolton) 1m, Aaron Hughes (Fulham) 1m, Jlloyd Samuel (Bolton) free, Lee Hendrie (Sheffield United) free, Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls) free, Stephen Henderson (Bristol City) free, Robert Olejnik (Falkirk) free, Chris Sutton (retired)
OUTLOOK: Martin O'Neill has been a winner for too long to accept another season treading water at Villa Park.
After an initial surge of positive results following his arrival last year, Villa quickly reverted to type as O'Neill began to realise the extent of the task facing him.
His side mixed moments of class with the mediocre displays that have characterised much of the last 20 years at Villa Park and it was frustrating enough for major surgery to be deemed necessary.
The Irishman off-loaded a host of under-performing players and then spent a sizeable chunk of his transfer budget on West Ham duo Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon Harewood.
Neither former Hammer is a guaranteed hit but Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and John Carew at least give O'Neill a variety of attacking options as he targets a top six finish.
KEY PLAYER: Gabriel Agbonlahor. The lightning-quick winger has illuminated Villa Park with flashes of tremendous skill and is ready to become a real match-winner.
MIDDLESBROUGHManager: Gareth SouthgateLast season: 12th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Luke Young (Charlton) 2.5m, Jeremie Aliadiere (Arsenal) 2m, Tuncay Sanli (Fenerbahce) free
OUT: Mark Viduka (Newcastle) free, Stuart Parnaby (Birmingham) free, Abel Xavier (LA Galaxy) free, Danny Graham (Carlisle) free
OUTLOOK: The phrase mid-table obscurity could have been invented for Middlesbrough and comfortable survival remains the realistic limit of Gareth Southgate's ambitions.
Middlesbrough don't have the resources to compete with the big guns but chairman Steve Gibson is a generous enough benefactor to ensure they are always capable of attracting enough good players to stay afloat.
Southgate has been relatively quiet in the transfer market but he made a curious move by replacing Mark Viduka with French striker Jeremie Aliadiere, who never threatened to break into the first team at Arsenal.
There is no shortage of young talent at the Riverside Stadium however with the like of Lee Cattermole, Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson and James Morrison all impressing after coming through the ranks.
Southgate must get the best of these young prodigies if he is to break that cycle of anonymity.
KEY PLAYER: Jonathon Woodgate. Has enjoyed a new lease of life since moving to his hometown club and is firmly established as one of England's best centre-backs.
NEWCASTLEManager: Sam AllardyceLast season: 13th in Premiership, UEFA Cup last 16, FA Cup third round, League Cup quarter-finals
IN: Joey Barton (Manchester City) 5.5m, David Rozehnal (Paris Saint Germain) 2.9m, Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough) free, Geremi (Chelsea) free
OUT: Scott Parker (West Ham) 7m, Titus Bramble (Wigan) free, Antoine Sibierski (Wigan) free, Alan O'Brien (Hibernian) free, Lee Clark (retired)
OUTLOOK: The marriage of Big Sam to the club with perennially big expectations has the potential to be a match made in heaven.
Allardyce had long made it plain that he craved the opportunity to prove what he could do at a club with greater resources and potential than Bolton. Now he has that chance.
Newcastle have the support and stadium of a Champions League outfit and the rewards of realising that potential would be huge.
Allardyce has the tools to raise to the challenge. Although he established Bolton as a Premiership force with a brand of football that rarely pleased the purists, he is likely to be far more expansive now he has a wider range of talent.
Joey Barton's signing is something of a gamble given his notoriously short fuse, but Allardyce came up trumps when he persuaded Michael Owen not to ask for a transfer.
KEY PLAYER: Michael Owen. After two injury-ravaged years on Tyneside, the England striker owes the Toon Army a prolific campaign.
MANCHESTER CITYManager: Sven Goran ErikssonLast season: 14th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Rolando Bianchi (Reggina) 8.8m, Martin Petrov (Atletico Madrid) 4.7m, Gelson Fernandes (Sion) undisclosed, Geovanni (Benfica) free
OUT: Joey Barton (Newcastle) 5.5m, Sylvain Distin (Portsmouth) free, Stephen Jordan (Burnley) free, Trevor Sinclair (Cardiff) free, Nicky Weaver (Charlton) free, Nathan D'Laryea (Rochdale) free
OUTLOOK: Sven Goran Eriksson's decision to make a striker his first City signing showed he had been paying attention during his year away from the game.
Eriksson is back in management after his ill-fated reign as England coach and has wasted little time bolstering an attack that hit a Premiership record low of 10 home goals last season.
Rolando Bianchi arrives with a hefty price tag and Bulgaria winger Martin Petrov could add a creative spark, but the likes of Georgios Samaras and Darius Vassell must also shoulder some of the burden.
New Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra risked a tidal wave of opprobrium when he appointed Eriksson, but the Swede will surely be motivated to prove his army of critics wrong.
And suggestions that he is using City as a stepping stone to a more high-profile job will be rendered irrelevant if he fails to make an impact at Eastlands.
KEY PLAYER: Rolando Bianchi. Eriksson expects the Italian, who finished as one of Serie A's leading scorers last season, to breathe new life into City's moribund attack.
WEST HAMManager: Alan CurbishleyLast season: 15th in Premiership, UEFA Cup first round, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup third round
IN: Craig Bellamy (Liverpool) 7.5m, Scott Parker (Newcastle) 7m, Julien Faubert (Bordeaux) 6m, Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal) 3.5m, Richard Wright (Everton) Free
OUT: Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (Aston Villa) 4m, Paul Konchesky (Fulham) 2m, Tyrone Mears (Derby) 1m, Teddy Sheringham (Colchester) free, Roy Carroll (Rangers) free, Shaun Newton (Leicester) free
OUTLOOK: No other club manages to be in such a perpetual state of chaos as the Hammers and this close-season at Upton Park has been no different.
It took until mid-July before West Ham's Premiership status was finally secured when Sheffield United's legal challenge over the Carlos Tevez affair was brought to a close.
But Tevez has remained a weighty problem for the club's hierarchy, who found themselves embroiled in dispute with Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian over who should get the transfer fee due from Manchester United for the striker.
While that soap opera has dragged on for weeks, Alan Curbishley has been busy continuing a costly overhaul of his squad as he handed massive wages to the likes of Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker.
That expenditure was necessary as he tries to meet owner Eggert Magnusson's demands for European football. But with Julien Faubert ruled out for six months through injury, another roller-coaster ride is already underway in east London.
KEY PLAYER: Scott Parker. Will be desperate to recapture the form he showed under Curbishley at Charlton after under-whelming spells with Chelsea and Newcastle.
FULHAMManager: Lawrie SanchezLast season: 16th in Premiership, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Diomansy Kamara (West Bromwich) 6m, Steven Davis (Aston Villa) 4m, Chris Baird (Southampton) 3m, Lee Cook (QPR) 2.5m, Paul Konchesky (West Ham) 2m, Aaron Hughes (Aston Villa) 1m, David Healy (Leeds) undisclosed
OUT: Heidar Helguson (Bolton) 2m, Mark Crossley (Oldham) free, Matty Collins (Swansea) free
OUTLOOK: Lawrie Sanchez has embarked on the most surprising spending spree of the close season as he tries to convince Fulham's fans he is the right man to lead their club.
Although Sanchez ensured the London club avoided relegation at the end of last season, the dour style of his team meant his appointment on a permanent basis wasn't greeted with universal approval.
The former Northern Ireland coach needs to make his mark quickly to win over the Craven Cottage faithful and has turned to several of his former international charges to help him.
Sanchez splashed out 20 million pounds on virtually an entire new team and, although Senegal striker Diomansy Kamara was his biggest investment, it is four Northern Ireland stars who will form the spine of the team.
If Fulham are to avoid a repeat of season of struggle, Sanchez knows Chris Baird, Aaron Hughes, Steven Davis and David Healy will have to shine. His future could depend on it.
KEY PLAYER: Antti Niemi. The veteran goalkeeper is still one of the most consistent in the Premiership and could be in for a busy season playing behind a shaky defence.
WIGANManager: Chris HutchingsLast season: 17th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup second round
IN: Jason Koumas (West Bromwich) 5.3m, Carlo Nash (Preston) 300,000, Andreas Granqvist (Helsingborgs) undisclosed, Titus Bramble (Newcastle) free, Antoine Sibierski (Newcastle) free, Mario Melchiot (Rennes) free
OUT: Lee McCulloch (Rangers) 2.25m, Arjan De Zeeuw (Coventry) free, Matt Jackson (Watford) free, John Filan (retired)
OUTLOOK: It could be a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire at the JJB Stadium this season as Wigan face up to another fight for survival.
The club's dramatic escape from relegation on the final day was barely a week old when manager Paul Jewell's resignation ended the euphoria.
Losing a man whose ability to keep calm under pressure was crucial in the close weeks was a real blow, but it is the decision to hand his assistant Chris Hutchings the reins that could prove fatal.
Hutchings hardly looks an inspiring choice to build on Jewell's good work. His previous experience of management came in identical circumstances at Bradford when he replaced Jewell, only to be sacked after five months with his team already sliding towards the drop.
Signing error-prone defender Titus Bramble and erratic midfielder Jason Koumas was a brave, or possibly fool-hardy, way for Hutchings to start his bid to erase those bitter Bradford memories.
KEY PLAYER: Henri Camara. One of the league's most frustrating talents, the Senegal striker fluctuates between unstoppable and unwatchable.
SUNDERLANDManager: Roy KeaneLast season: Championship winners, FA Cup third round, League Cup first round
IN: Kieran Richardson (Manchester Utd) 5.5m, Michael Chopra (Cardiff) 5m, Greg Halford (Reading) 2.5m, Paul McShane (West Bromwich) 1.5m, Dickson Etuhu (Norwich) 1.5m, Russell Anderson (Aberdeen) 1m
OUT: Stephen Elliott (Wolverhampton) undisclosed, Arnau Riera (Falkirk) free
OUTLOOK: Life in the Premiership has been chastening for Sunderland but Roy Keane's inspirational presence should ensure a far more fulfilling experience this time.
Keane represents one of the more intriguing stories of the season. The former Manchester United midfielder took to management impressively as he hauled the Black Cats from the foot of the table to promotion.
His calm, considered touchline presence is a million miles from the ferocious image he cultivated at Old Trafford.
The enigmatic Irishman's positive approach worked wonders last season but now he has to prove he can cut it at the highest level with a club who have twice set the record of the lowest number of points in a Premiership campaign.
His signing of Michael Chopra raised eyebrows for the size of the fee as well as the striker's Newcastle roots. But Keane has always marched to his own beat and he will believe he can help Sunderland eclipse their local rivals in the national spotlight.
KEY PLAYER: Carlos Edwards. The Trinidad winger has pace to burn and enough tricks to suggest he will be a tricky customer for top-flight defenders.
BIRMINGHAMManager: Steve BruceLast season: Championship runners-up, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Fabrice Muamba (Arsenal) 4m, Olivier Kapo (Juventus) 3m, Garry O'Connor (Lokomotiv Moscow) 2.7m, Stuart Parnaby (Middlesbrough) free, Daniel de Ridder (Celta Vigo) free, Richard Kingson (Ankaraspor) free, Rafael Schmitz (Lille) season-loan
OUT: DJ Campbell (Leicester) 2.1m, Stephen Clemence (Leicester) 1m, Bruno N'Gotty (Leicester) free, Julian Gray (Coventry) free
OUTLOOK: Steve Bruce is on a mission to make amends for his past mistakes as he aims to prove he has learned the lessons of relegation two years ago.
Bruce tried to establish his side as a genuine Premiership force by signing a string of stars on big contracts. But those high-earners failed to deliver and Birmingham slumped into the Championship.
Relegation left Bruce fighting to save his job and he was within a game of being sacked last season until victory at Derby sparked a promotion charge.
With his St Andrews' stock on the rise again, Bruce has made some intriguing transfers moves that contrast with his previous purchases.
Fabrice Muamba, Olivier Kapo, Garry O'Connor and Stuart Parnaby may not be household names but they will play with a hunger to prove themselves that is certain to be invaluable as Birmingham scrap to stay up.
KEY PLAYER: Gary McSheffrey. A genuine star in the Championship who has to show he can make the step up to the highest level.
DERBYManager: Billy DaviesLast season: Third in Championship, promoted via play-offs, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Robert Earnshaw (Norwich) 3.5m, Claude Davis (Sheffield United) 3m, Tyrone Mears (West Ham) 1m, Lewis Price (Ipswich) undisclosed, Andy Todd (Blackburn) free
OUT: Lee Camp (QPR) 300,000, Ryan Smith (Millwall) 150,000, Lee Grant (Sheffield Wednesday) free, Lewin Nyatanga (Barnsley) six-month loan
OUTLOOK: If Billy Davies can ensure Derby's return to the top-flight is more than a brief cameo appearance he will have justified the flattering comparisons with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Davies had the same Glasgow upbringing and football education as his Manchester United counterpart and the similarities don't end there.
Like Ferguson, the Rams manager is a firebrand with the single-minded determination to impose his will on a club until he gets the success he desires.
The way the Scot transformed Derby from relegation strugglers to play-off winners in just one season underlined his growing reputation, but now he faces his toughest challenge.
Derby are firm favourites to go down and, unable to match their rivals' big spending, Davies has to rely on his ability to cajole another miracle from his over-achievers.
KEY PLAYER: Giles Barnes. The teenage midfielder has already attracted interested from a host of top clubs and now he has the chance to show what all the fuss is about.
To be continued ... LONDON, July 28, 2007 (AFP) - Team-by-team guide to the English Premiership season, which kicks off on Saturday August 11 (all figures in pounds, one pound = two dollars).
ASTON VILLAManager: Martin O'NeillLast season: 11th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Nigel Reo-Coker (West Ham) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (West Ham) 4m
OUT: Steven Davis (Fulham) 4m, Gavin McCann (Bolton) 1m, Aaron Hughes (Fulham) 1m, Jlloyd Samuel (Bolton) free, Lee Hendrie (Sheffield United) free, Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls) free, Stephen Henderson (Bristol City) free, Robert Olejnik (Falkirk) free, Chris Sutton (retired)
OUTLOOK: Martin O'Neill has been a winner for too long to accept another season treading water at Villa Park.
After an initial surge of positive results following his arrival last year, Villa quickly reverted to type as O'Neill began to realise the extent of the task facing him.
His side mixed moments of class with the mediocre displays that have characterised much of the last 20 years at Villa Park and it was frustrating enough for major surgery to be deemed necessary.
The Irishman off-loaded a host of under-performing players and then spent a sizeable chunk of his transfer budget on West Ham duo Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon Harewood.
Neither former Hammer is a guaranteed hit but Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and John Carew at least give O'Neill a variety of attacking options as he targets a top six finish.
KEY PLAYER: Gabriel Agbonlahor. The lightning-quick winger has illuminated Villa Park with flashes of tremendous skill and is ready to become a real match-winner.
MIDDLESBROUGHManager: Gareth SouthgateLast season: 12th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Luke Young (Charlton) 2.5m, Jeremie Aliadiere (Arsenal) 2m, Tuncay Sanli (Fenerbahce) free
OUT: Mark Viduka (Newcastle) free, Stuart Parnaby (Birmingham) free, Abel Xavier (LA Galaxy) free, Danny Graham (Carlisle) free
OUTLOOK: The phrase mid-table obscurity could have been invented for Middlesbrough and comfortable survival remains the realistic limit of Gareth Southgate's ambitions.
Middlesbrough don't have the resources to compete with the big guns but chairman Steve Gibson is a generous enough benefactor to ensure they are always capable of attracting enough good players to stay afloat.
Southgate has been relatively quiet in the transfer market but he made a curious move by replacing Mark Viduka with French striker Jeremie Aliadiere, who never threatened to break into the first team at Arsenal.
There is no shortage of young talent at the Riverside Stadium however with the like of Lee Cattermole, Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson and James Morrison all impressing after coming through the ranks.
Southgate must get the best of these young prodigies if he is to break that cycle of anonymity.
KEY PLAYER: Jonathon Woodgate. Has enjoyed a new lease of life since moving to his hometown club and is firmly established as one of England's best centre-backs.
NEWCASTLEManager: Sam AllardyceLast season: 13th in Premiership, UEFA Cup last 16, FA Cup third round, League Cup quarter-finals
IN: Joey Barton (Manchester City) 5.5m, David Rozehnal (Paris Saint Germain) 2.9m, Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough) free, Geremi (Chelsea) free
OUT: Scott Parker (West Ham) 7m, Titus Bramble (Wigan) free, Antoine Sibierski (Wigan) free, Alan O'Brien (Hibernian) free, Lee Clark (retired)
OUTLOOK: The marriage of Big Sam to the club with perennially big expectations has the potential to be a match made in heaven.
Allardyce had long made it plain that he craved the opportunity to prove what he could do at a club with greater resources and potential than Bolton. Now he has that chance.
Newcastle have the support and stadium of a Champions League outfit and the rewards of realising that potential would be huge.
Allardyce has the tools to raise to the challenge. Although he established Bolton as a Premiership force with a brand of football that rarely pleased the purists, he is likely to be far more expansive now he has a wider range of talent.
Joey Barton's signing is something of a gamble given his notoriously short fuse, but Allardyce came up trumps when he persuaded Michael Owen not to ask for a transfer.
KEY PLAYER: Michael Owen. After two injury-ravaged years on Tyneside, the England striker owes the Toon Army a prolific campaign.
MANCHESTER CITYManager: Sven Goran ErikssonLast season: 14th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Rolando Bianchi (Reggina) 8.8m, Martin Petrov (Atletico Madrid) 4.7m, Gelson Fernandes (Sion) undisclosed, Geovanni (Benfica) free
OUT: Joey Barton (Newcastle) 5.5m, Sylvain Distin (Portsmouth) free, Stephen Jordan (Burnley) free, Trevor Sinclair (Cardiff) free, Nicky Weaver (Charlton) free, Nathan D'Laryea (Rochdale) free
OUTLOOK: Sven Goran Eriksson's decision to make a striker his first City signing showed he had been paying attention during his year away from the game.
Eriksson is back in management after his ill-fated reign as England coach and has wasted little time bolstering an attack that hit a Premiership record low of 10 home goals last season.
Rolando Bianchi arrives with a hefty price tag and Bulgaria winger Martin Petrov could add a creative spark, but the likes of Georgios Samaras and Darius Vassell must also shoulder some of the burden.
New Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra risked a tidal wave of opprobrium when he appointed Eriksson, but the Swede will surely be motivated to prove his army of critics wrong.
And suggestions that he is using City as a stepping stone to a more high-profile job will be rendered irrelevant if he fails to make an impact at Eastlands.
KEY PLAYER: Rolando Bianchi. Eriksson expects the Italian, who finished as one of Serie A's leading scorers last season, to breathe new life into City's moribund attack.
WEST HAMManager: Alan CurbishleyLast season: 15th in Premiership, UEFA Cup first round, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup third round
IN: Craig Bellamy (Liverpool) 7.5m, Scott Parker (Newcastle) 7m, Julien Faubert (Bordeaux) 6m, Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal) 3.5m, Richard Wright (Everton) Free
OUT: Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (Aston Villa) 4m, Paul Konchesky (Fulham) 2m, Tyrone Mears (Derby) 1m, Teddy Sheringham (Colchester) free, Roy Carroll (Rangers) free, Shaun Newton (Leicester) free
OUTLOOK: No other club manages to be in such a perpetual state of chaos as the Hammers and this close-season at Upton Park has been no different.
It took until mid-July before West Ham's Premiership status was finally secured when Sheffield United's legal challenge over the Carlos Tevez affair was brought to a close.
But Tevez has remained a weighty problem for the club's hierarchy, who found themselves embroiled in dispute with Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian over who should get the transfer fee due from Manchester United for the striker.
While that soap opera has dragged on for weeks, Alan Curbishley has been busy continuing a costly overhaul of his squad as he handed massive wages to the likes of Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker.
That expenditure was necessary as he tries to meet owner Eggert Magnusson's demands for European football. But with Julien Faubert ruled out for six months through injury, another roller-coaster ride is already underway in east London.
KEY PLAYER: Scott Parker. Will be desperate to recapture the form he showed under Curbishley at Charlton after under-whelming spells with Chelsea and Newcastle.
FULHAMManager: Lawrie SanchezLast season: 16th in Premiership, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Diomansy Kamara (West Bromwich) 6m, Steven Davis (Aston Villa) 4m, Chris Baird (Southampton) 3m, Lee Cook (QPR) 2.5m, Paul Konchesky (West Ham) 2m, Aaron Hughes (Aston Villa) 1m, David Healy (Leeds) undisclosed
OUT: Heidar Helguson (Bolton) 2m, Mark Crossley (Oldham) free, Matty Collins (Swansea) free
OUTLOOK: Lawrie Sanchez has embarked on the most surprising spending spree of the close season as he tries to convince Fulham's fans he is the right man to lead their club.
Although Sanchez ensured the London club avoided relegation at the end of last season, the dour style of his team meant his appointment on a permanent basis wasn't greeted with universal approval.
The former Northern Ireland coach needs to make his mark quickly to win over the Craven Cottage faithful and has turned to several of his former international charges to help him.
Sanchez splashed out 20 million pounds on virtually an entire new team and, although Senegal striker Diomansy Kamara was his biggest investment, it is four Northern Ireland stars who will form the spine of the team.
If Fulham are to avoid a repeat of season of struggle, Sanchez knows Chris Baird, Aaron Hughes, Steven Davis and David Healy will have to shine. His future could depend on it.
KEY PLAYER: Antti Niemi. The veteran goalkeeper is still one of the most consistent in the Premiership and could be in for a busy season playing behind a shaky defence.
WIGANManager: Chris HutchingsLast season: 17th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup second round
IN: Jason Koumas (West Bromwich) 5.3m, Carlo Nash (Preston) 300,000, Andreas Granqvist (Helsingborgs) undisclosed, Titus Bramble (Newcastle) free, Antoine Sibierski (Newcastle) free, Mario Melchiot (Rennes) free
OUT: Lee McCulloch (Rangers) 2.25m, Arjan De Zeeuw (Coventry) free, Matt Jackson (Watford) free, John Filan (retired)
OUTLOOK: It could be a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire at the JJB Stadium this season as Wigan face up to another fight for survival.
The club's dramatic escape from relegation on the final day was barely a week old when manager Paul Jewell's resignation ended the euphoria.
Losing a man whose ability to keep calm under pressure was crucial in the close weeks was a real blow, but it is the decision to hand his assistant Chris Hutchings the reins that could prove fatal.
Hutchings hardly looks an inspiring choice to build on Jewell's good work. His previous experience of management came in identical circumstances at Bradford when he replaced Jewell, only to be sacked after five months with his team already sliding towards the drop.
Signing error-prone defender Titus Bramble and erratic midfielder Jason Koumas was a brave, or possibly fool-hardy, way for Hutchings to start his bid to erase those bitter Bradford memories.
KEY PLAYER: Henri Camara. One of the league's most frustrating talents, the Senegal striker fluctuates between unstoppable and unwatchable.
SUNDERLANDManager: Roy KeaneLast season: Championship winners, FA Cup third round, League Cup first round
IN: Kieran Richardson (Manchester Utd) 5.5m, Michael Chopra (Cardiff) 5m, Greg Halford (Reading) 2.5m, Paul McShane (West Bromwich) 1.5m, Dickson Etuhu (Norwich) 1.5m, Russell Anderson (Aberdeen) 1m
OUT: Stephen Elliott (Wolverhampton) undisclosed, Arnau Riera (Falkirk) free
OUTLOOK: Life in the Premiership has been chastening for Sunderland but Roy Keane's inspirational presence should ensure a far more fulfilling experience this time.
Keane represents one of the more intriguing stories of the season. The former Manchester United midfielder took to management impressively as he hauled the Black Cats from the foot of the table to promotion.
His calm, considered touchline presence is a million miles from the ferocious image he cultivated at Old Trafford.
The enigmatic Irishman's positive approach worked wonders last season but now he has to prove he can cut it at the highest level with a club who have twice set the record of the lowest number of points in a Premiership campaign.
His signing of Michael Chopra raised eyebrows for the size of the fee as well as the striker's Newcastle roots. But Keane has always marched to his own beat and he will believe he can help Sunderland eclipse their local rivals in the national spotlight.
KEY PLAYER: Carlos Edwards. The Trinidad winger has pace to burn and enough tricks to suggest he will be a tricky customer for top-flight defenders.
BIRMINGHAMManager: Steve BruceLast season: Championship runners-up, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Fabrice Muamba (Arsenal) 4m, Olivier Kapo (Juventus) 3m, Garry O'Connor (Lokomotiv Moscow) 2.7m, Stuart Parnaby (Middlesbrough) free, Daniel de Ridder (Celta Vigo) free, Richard Kingson (Ankaraspor) free, Rafael Schmitz (Lille) season-loan
OUT: DJ Campbell (Leicester) 2.1m, Stephen Clemence (Leicester) 1m, Bruno N'Gotty (Leicester) free, Julian Gray (Coventry) free
OUTLOOK: Steve Bruce is on a mission to make amends for his past mistakes as he aims to prove he has learned the lessons of relegation two years ago.
Bruce tried to establish his side as a genuine Premiership force by signing a string of stars on big contracts. But those high-earners failed to deliver and Birmingham slumped into the Championship.
Relegation left Bruce fighting to save his job and he was within a game of being sacked last season until victory at Derby sparked a promotion charge.
With his St Andrews' stock on the rise again, Bruce has made some intriguing transfers moves that contrast with his previous purchases.
Fabrice Muamba, Olivier Kapo, Garry O'Connor and Stuart Parnaby may not be household names but they will play with a hunger to prove themselves that is certain to be invaluable as Birmingham scrap to stay up.
KEY PLAYER: Gary McSheffrey. A genuine star in the Championship who has to show he can make the step up to the highest level.
DERBYManager: Billy DaviesLast season: Third in Championship, promoted via play-offs, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Robert Earnshaw (Norwich) 3.5m, Claude Davis (Sheffield United) 3m, Tyrone Mears (West Ham) 1m, Lewis Price (Ipswich) undisclosed, Andy Todd (Blackburn) free
OUT: Lee Camp (QPR) 300,000, Ryan Smith (Millwall) 150,000, Lee Grant (Sheffield Wednesday) free, Lewin Nyatanga (Barnsley) six-month loan
OUTLOOK: If Billy Davies can ensure Derby's return to the top-flight is more than a brief cameo appearance he will have justified the flattering comparisons with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Davies had the same Glasgow upbringing and football education as his Manchester United counterpart and the similarities don't end there.
Like Ferguson, the Rams manager is a firebrand with the single-minded determination to impose his will on a club until he gets the success he desires.
The way the Scot transformed Derby from relegation strugglers to play-off winners in just one season underlined his growing reputation, but now he faces his toughest challenge.
Derby are firm favourites to go down and, unable to match their rivals' big spending, Davies has to rely on his ability to cajole another miracle from his over-achievers.
KEY PLAYER: Giles Barnes. The teenage midfielder has already attracted interested from a host of top clubs and now he has the chance to show what all the fuss is about.
To be continued ...
LONDON, July 28, 2007 (AFP) - Team-by-team guide to the English Premiership season, which kicks off on Saturday August 11 (all figures in pounds, one pound = two dollars).
ASTON VILLAManager: Martin O'NeillLast season: 11th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Nigel Reo-Coker (West Ham) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (West Ham) 4m
OUT: Steven Davis (Fulham) 4m, Gavin McCann (Bolton) 1m, Aaron Hughes (Fulham) 1m, Jlloyd Samuel (Bolton) free, Lee Hendrie (Sheffield United) free, Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls) free, Stephen Henderson (Bristol City) free, Robert Olejnik (Falkirk) free, Chris Sutton (retired)
OUTLOOK: Martin O'Neill has been a winner for too long to accept another season treading water at Villa Park.
After an initial surge of positive results following his arrival last year, Villa quickly reverted to type as O'Neill began to realise the extent of the task facing him.
His side mixed moments of class with the mediocre displays that have characterised much of the last 20 years at Villa Park and it was frustrating enough for major surgery to be deemed necessary.
The Irishman off-loaded a host of under-performing players and then spent a sizeable chunk of his transfer budget on West Ham duo Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon Harewood.
Neither former Hammer is a guaranteed hit but Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and John Carew at least give O'Neill a variety of attacking options as he targets a top six finish.
KEY PLAYER: Gabriel Agbonlahor. The lightning-quick winger has illuminated Villa Park with flashes of tremendous skill and is ready to become a real match-winner.
MIDDLESBROUGHManager: Gareth SouthgateLast season: 12th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Luke Young (Charlton) 2.5m, Jeremie Aliadiere (Arsenal) 2m, Tuncay Sanli (Fenerbahce) free
OUT: Mark Viduka (Newcastle) free, Stuart Parnaby (Birmingham) free, Abel Xavier (LA Galaxy) free, Danny Graham (Carlisle) free
OUTLOOK: The phrase mid-table obscurity could have been invented for Middlesbrough and comfortable survival remains the realistic limit of Gareth Southgate's ambitions.
Middlesbrough don't have the resources to compete with the big guns but chairman Steve Gibson is a generous enough benefactor to ensure they are always capable of attracting enough good players to stay afloat.
Southgate has been relatively quiet in the transfer market but he made a curious move by replacing Mark Viduka with French striker Jeremie Aliadiere, who never threatened to break into the first team at Arsenal.
There is no shortage of young talent at the Riverside Stadium however with the like of Lee Cattermole, Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson and James Morrison all impressing after coming through the ranks.
Southgate must get the best of these young prodigies if he is to break that cycle of anonymity.
KEY PLAYER: Jonathon Woodgate. Has enjoyed a new lease of life since moving to his hometown club and is firmly established as one of England's best centre-backs.
NEWCASTLEManager: Sam AllardyceLast season: 13th in Premiership, UEFA Cup last 16, FA Cup third round, League Cup quarter-finals
IN: Joey Barton (Manchester City) 5.5m, David Rozehnal (Paris Saint Germain) 2.9m, Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough) free, Geremi (Chelsea) free
OUT: Scott Parker (West Ham) 7m, Titus Bramble (Wigan) free, Antoine Sibierski (Wigan) free, Alan O'Brien (Hibernian) free, Lee Clark (retired)
OUTLOOK: The marriage of Big Sam to the club with perennially big expectations has the potential to be a match made in heaven.
Allardyce had long made it plain that he craved the opportunity to prove what he could do at a club with greater resources and potential than Bolton. Now he has that chance.
Newcastle have the support and stadium of a Champions League outfit and the rewards of realising that potential would be huge.
Allardyce has the tools to raise to the challenge. Although he established Bolton as a Premiership force with a brand of football that rarely pleased the purists, he is likely to be far more expansive now he has a wider range of talent.
Joey Barton's signing is something of a gamble given his notoriously short fuse, but Allardyce came up trumps when he persuaded Michael Owen not to ask for a transfer.
KEY PLAYER: Michael Owen. After two injury-ravaged years on Tyneside, the England striker owes the Toon Army a prolific campaign.
MANCHESTER CITYManager: Sven Goran ErikssonLast season: 14th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Rolando Bianchi (Reggina) 8.8m, Martin Petrov (Atletico Madrid) 4.7m, Gelson Fernandes (Sion) undisclosed, Geovanni (Benfica) free
OUT: Joey Barton (Newcastle) 5.5m, Sylvain Distin (Portsmouth) free, Stephen Jordan (Burnley) free, Trevor Sinclair (Cardiff) free, Nicky Weaver (Charlton) free, Nathan D'Laryea (Rochdale) free
OUTLOOK: Sven Goran Eriksson's decision to make a striker his first City signing showed he had been paying attention during his year away from the game.
Eriksson is back in management after his ill-fated reign as England coach and has wasted little time bolstering an attack that hit a Premiership record low of 10 home goals last season.
Rolando Bianchi arrives with a hefty price tag and Bulgaria winger Martin Petrov could add a creative spark, but the likes of Georgios Samaras and Darius Vassell must also shoulder some of the burden.
New Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra risked a tidal wave of opprobrium when he appointed Eriksson, but the Swede will surely be motivated to prove his army of critics wrong.
And suggestions that he is using City as a stepping stone to a more high-profile job will be rendered irrelevant if he fails to make an impact at Eastlands.
KEY PLAYER: Rolando Bianchi. Eriksson expects the Italian, who finished as one of Serie A's leading scorers last season, to breathe new life into City's moribund attack.
WEST HAMManager: Alan CurbishleyLast season: 15th in Premiership, UEFA Cup first round, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup third round
IN: Craig Bellamy (Liverpool) 7.5m, Scott Parker (Newcastle) 7m, Julien Faubert (Bordeaux) 6m, Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal) 3.5m, Richard Wright (Everton) Free
OUT: Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (Aston Villa) 4m, Paul Konchesky (Fulham) 2m, Tyrone Mears (Derby) 1m, Teddy Sheringham (Colchester) free, Roy Carroll (Rangers) free, Shaun Newton (Leicester) free
OUTLOOK: No other club manages to be in such a perpetual state of chaos as the Hammers and this close-season at Upton Park has been no different.
It took until mid-July before West Ham's Premiership status was finally secured when Sheffield United's legal challenge over the Carlos Tevez affair was brought to a close.
But Tevez has remained a weighty problem for the club's hierarchy, who found themselves embroiled in dispute with Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian over who should get the transfer fee due from Manchester United for the striker.
While that soap opera has dragged on for weeks, Alan Curbishley has been busy continuing a costly overhaul of his squad as he handed massive wages to the likes of Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker.
That expenditure was necessary as he tries to meet owner Eggert Magnusson's demands for European football. But with Julien Faubert ruled out for six months through injury, another roller-coaster ride is already underway in east London.
KEY PLAYER: Scott Parker. Will be desperate to recapture the form he showed under Curbishley at Charlton after under-whelming spells with Chelsea and Newcastle.
FULHAMManager: Lawrie SanchezLast season: 16th in Premiership, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Diomansy Kamara (West Bromwich) 6m, Steven Davis (Aston Villa) 4m, Chris Baird (Southampton) 3m, Lee Cook (QPR) 2.5m, Paul Konchesky (West Ham) 2m, Aaron Hughes (Aston Villa) 1m, David Healy (Leeds) undisclosed
OUT: Heidar Helguson (Bolton) 2m, Mark Crossley (Oldham) free, Matty Collins (Swansea) free
OUTLOOK: Lawrie Sanchez has embarked on the most surprising spending spree of the close season as he tries to convince Fulham's fans he is the right man to lead their club.
Although Sanchez ensured the London club avoided relegation at the end of last season, the dour style of his team meant his appointment on a permanent basis wasn't greeted with universal approval.
The former Northern Ireland coach needs to make his mark quickly to win over the Craven Cottage faithful and has turned to several of his former international charges to help him.
Sanchez splashed out 20 million pounds on virtually an entire new team and, although Senegal striker Diomansy Kamara was his biggest investment, it is four Northern Ireland stars who will form the spine of the team.
If Fulham are to avoid a repeat of season of struggle, Sanchez knows Chris Baird, Aaron Hughes, Steven Davis and David Healy will have to shine. His future could depend on it.
KEY PLAYER: Antti Niemi. The veteran goalkeeper is still one of the most consistent in the Premiership and could be in for a busy season playing behind a shaky defence.
WIGANManager: Chris HutchingsLast season: 17th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup second round
IN: Jason Koumas (West Bromwich) 5.3m, Carlo Nash (Preston) 300,000, Andreas Granqvist (Helsingborgs) undisclosed, Titus Bramble (Newcastle) free, Antoine Sibierski (Newcastle) free, Mario Melchiot (Rennes) free
OUT: Lee McCulloch (Rangers) 2.25m, Arjan De Zeeuw (Coventry) free, Matt Jackson (Watford) free, John Filan (retired)
OUTLOOK: It could be a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire at the JJB Stadium this season as Wigan face up to another fight for survival.
The club's dramatic escape from relegation on the final day was barely a week old when manager Paul Jewell's resignation ended the euphoria.
Losing a man whose ability to keep calm under pressure was crucial in the close weeks was a real blow, but it is the decision to hand his assistant Chris Hutchings the reins that could prove fatal.
Hutchings hardly looks an inspiring choice to build on Jewell's good work. His previous experience of management came in identical circumstances at Bradford when he replaced Jewell, only to be sacked after five months with his team already sliding towards the drop.
Signing error-prone defender Titus Bramble and erratic midfielder Jason Koumas was a brave, or possibly fool-hardy, way for Hutchings to start his bid to erase those bitter Bradford memories.
KEY PLAYER: Henri Camara. One of the league's most frustrating talents, the Senegal striker fluctuates between unstoppable and unwatchable.
SUNDERLANDManager: Roy KeaneLast season: Championship winners, FA Cup third round, League Cup first round
IN: Kieran Richardson (Manchester Utd) 5.5m, Michael Chopra (Cardiff) 5m, Greg Halford (Reading) 2.5m, Paul McShane (West Bromwich) 1.5m, Dickson Etuhu (Norwich) 1.5m, Russell Anderson (Aberdeen) 1m
OUT: Stephen Elliott (Wolverhampton) undisclosed, Arnau Riera (Falkirk) free
OUTLOOK: Life in the Premiership has been chastening for Sunderland but Roy Keane's inspirational presence should ensure a far more fulfilling experience this time.
Keane represents one of the more intriguing stories of the season. The former Manchester United midfielder took to management impressively as he hauled the Black Cats from the foot of the table to promotion.
His calm, considered touchline presence is a million miles from the ferocious image he cultivated at Old Trafford.
The enigmatic Irishman's positive approach worked wonders last season but now he has to prove he can cut it at the highest level with a club who have twice set the record of the lowest number of points in a Premiership campaign.
His signing of Michael Chopra raised eyebrows for the size of the fee as well as the striker's Newcastle roots. But Keane has always marched to his own beat and he will believe he can help Sunderland eclipse their local rivals in the national spotlight.
KEY PLAYER: Carlos Edwards. The Trinidad winger has pace to burn and enough tricks to suggest he will be a tricky customer for top-flight defenders.
BIRMINGHAMManager: Steve BruceLast season: Championship runners-up, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Fabrice Muamba (Arsenal) 4m, Olivier Kapo (Juventus) 3m, Garry O'Connor (Lokomotiv Moscow) 2.7m, Stuart Parnaby (Middlesbrough) free, Daniel de Ridder (Celta Vigo) free, Richard Kingson (Ankaraspor) free, Rafael Schmitz (Lille) season-loan
OUT: DJ Campbell (Leicester) 2.1m, Stephen Clemence (Leicester) 1m, Bruno N'Gotty (Leicester) free, Julian Gray (Coventry) free
OUTLOOK: Steve Bruce is on a mission to make amends for his past mistakes as he aims to prove he has learned the lessons of relegation two years ago.
Bruce tried to establish his side as a genuine Premiership force by signing a string of stars on big contracts. But those high-earners failed to deliver and Birmingham slumped into the Championship.
Relegation left Bruce fighting to save his job and he was within a game of being sacked last season until victory at Derby sparked a promotion charge.
With his St Andrews' stock on the rise again, Bruce has made some intriguing transfers moves that contrast with his previous purchases.
Fabrice Muamba, Olivier Kapo, Garry O'Connor and Stuart Parnaby may not be household names but they will play with a hunger to prove themselves that is certain to be invaluable as Birmingham scrap to stay up.
KEY PLAYER: Gary McSheffrey. A genuine star in the Championship who has to show he can make the step up to the highest level.
DERBYManager: Billy DaviesLast season: Third in Championship, promoted via play-offs, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Robert Earnshaw (Norwich) 3.5m, Claude Davis (Sheffield United) 3m, Tyrone Mears (West Ham) 1m, Lewis Price (Ipswich) undisclosed, Andy Todd (Blackburn) free
OUT: Lee Camp (QPR) 300,000, Ryan Smith (Millwall) 150,000, Lee Grant (Sheffield Wednesday) free, Lewin Nyatanga (Barnsley) six-month loan
OUTLOOK: If Billy Davies can ensure Derby's return to the top-flight is more than a brief cameo appearance he will have justified the flattering comparisons with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Davies had the same Glasgow upbringing and football education as his Manchester United counterpart and the similarities don't end there.
Like Ferguson, the Rams manager is a firebrand with the single-minded determination to impose his will on a club until he gets the success he desires.
The way the Scot transformed Derby from relegation strugglers to play-off winners in just one season underlined his growing reputation, but now he faces his toughest challenge.
Derby are firm favourites to go down and, unable to match their rivals' big spending, Davies has to rely on his ability to cajole another miracle from his over-achievers.
KEY PLAYER: Giles Barnes. The teenage midfielder has already attracted interested from a host of top clubs and now he has the chance to show what all the fuss is about.
To be continued ... LONDON, July 28, 2007 (AFP) - Team-by-team guide to the English Premiership season, which kicks off on Saturday August 11 (all figures in pounds, one pound = two dollars).
ASTON VILLAManager: Martin O'NeillLast season: 11th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Nigel Reo-Coker (West Ham) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (West Ham) 4m
OUT: Steven Davis (Fulham) 4m, Gavin McCann (Bolton) 1m, Aaron Hughes (Fulham) 1m, Jlloyd Samuel (Bolton) free, Lee Hendrie (Sheffield United) free, Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls) free, Stephen Henderson (Bristol City) free, Robert Olejnik (Falkirk) free, Chris Sutton (retired)
OUTLOOK: Martin O'Neill has been a winner for too long to accept another season treading water at Villa Park.
After an initial surge of positive results following his arrival last year, Villa quickly reverted to type as O'Neill began to realise the extent of the task facing him.
His side mixed moments of class with the mediocre displays that have characterised much of the last 20 years at Villa Park and it was frustrating enough for major surgery to be deemed necessary.
The Irishman off-loaded a host of under-performing players and then spent a sizeable chunk of his transfer budget on West Ham duo Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon Harewood.
Neither former Hammer is a guaranteed hit but Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and John Carew at least give O'Neill a variety of attacking options as he targets a top six finish.
KEY PLAYER: Gabriel Agbonlahor. The lightning-quick winger has illuminated Villa Park with flashes of tremendous skill and is ready to become a real match-winner.
MIDDLESBROUGHManager: Gareth SouthgateLast season: 12th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Luke Young (Charlton) 2.5m, Jeremie Aliadiere (Arsenal) 2m, Tuncay Sanli (Fenerbahce) free
OUT: Mark Viduka (Newcastle) free, Stuart Parnaby (Birmingham) free, Abel Xavier (LA Galaxy) free, Danny Graham (Carlisle) free
OUTLOOK: The phrase mid-table obscurity could have been invented for Middlesbrough and comfortable survival remains the realistic limit of Gareth Southgate's ambitions.
Middlesbrough don't have the resources to compete with the big guns but chairman Steve Gibson is a generous enough benefactor to ensure they are always capable of attracting enough good players to stay afloat.
Southgate has been relatively quiet in the transfer market but he made a curious move by replacing Mark Viduka with French striker Jeremie Aliadiere, who never threatened to break into the first team at Arsenal.
There is no shortage of young talent at the Riverside Stadium however with the like of Lee Cattermole, Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson and James Morrison all impressing after coming through the ranks.
Southgate must get the best of these young prodigies if he is to break that cycle of anonymity.
KEY PLAYER: Jonathon Woodgate. Has enjoyed a new lease of life since moving to his hometown club and is firmly established as one of England's best centre-backs.
NEWCASTLEManager: Sam AllardyceLast season: 13th in Premiership, UEFA Cup last 16, FA Cup third round, League Cup quarter-finals
IN: Joey Barton (Manchester City) 5.5m, David Rozehnal (Paris Saint Germain) 2.9m, Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough) free, Geremi (Chelsea) free
OUT: Scott Parker (West Ham) 7m, Titus Bramble (Wigan) free, Antoine Sibierski (Wigan) free, Alan O'Brien (Hibernian) free, Lee Clark (retired)
OUTLOOK: The marriage of Big Sam to the club with perennially big expectations has the potential to be a match made in heaven.
Allardyce had long made it plain that he craved the opportunity to prove what he could do at a club with greater resources and potential than Bolton. Now he has that chance.
Newcastle have the support and stadium of a Champions League outfit and the rewards of realising that potential would be huge.
Allardyce has the tools to raise to the challenge. Although he established Bolton as a Premiership force with a brand of football that rarely pleased the purists, he is likely to be far more expansive now he has a wider range of talent.
Joey Barton's signing is something of a gamble given his notoriously short fuse, but Allardyce came up trumps when he persuaded Michael Owen not to ask for a transfer.
KEY PLAYER: Michael Owen. After two injury-ravaged years on Tyneside, the England striker owes the Toon Army a prolific campaign.
MANCHESTER CITYManager: Sven Goran ErikssonLast season: 14th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Rolando Bianchi (Reggina) 8.8m, Martin Petrov (Atletico Madrid) 4.7m, Gelson Fernandes (Sion) undisclosed, Geovanni (Benfica) free
OUT: Joey Barton (Newcastle) 5.5m, Sylvain Distin (Portsmouth) free, Stephen Jordan (Burnley) free, Trevor Sinclair (Cardiff) free, Nicky Weaver (Charlton) free, Nathan D'Laryea (Rochdale) free
OUTLOOK: Sven Goran Eriksson's decision to make a striker his first City signing showed he had been paying attention during his year away from the game.
Eriksson is back in management after his ill-fated reign as England coach and has wasted little time bolstering an attack that hit a Premiership record low of 10 home goals last season.
Rolando Bianchi arrives with a hefty price tag and Bulgaria winger Martin Petrov could add a creative spark, but the likes of Georgios Samaras and Darius Vassell must also shoulder some of the burden.
New Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra risked a tidal wave of opprobrium when he appointed Eriksson, but the Swede will surely be motivated to prove his army of critics wrong.
And suggestions that he is using City as a stepping stone to a more high-profile job will be rendered irrelevant if he fails to make an impact at Eastlands.
KEY PLAYER: Rolando Bianchi. Eriksson expects the Italian, who finished as one of Serie A's leading scorers last season, to breathe new life into City's moribund attack.
WEST HAMManager: Alan CurbishleyLast season: 15th in Premiership, UEFA Cup first round, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup third round
IN: Craig Bellamy (Liverpool) 7.5m, Scott Parker (Newcastle) 7m, Julien Faubert (Bordeaux) 6m, Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal) 3.5m, Richard Wright (Everton) Free
OUT: Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (Aston Villa) 4m, Paul Konchesky (Fulham) 2m, Tyrone Mears (Derby) 1m, Teddy Sheringham (Colchester) free, Roy Carroll (Rangers) free, Shaun Newton (Leicester) free
OUTLOOK: No other club manages to be in such a perpetual state of chaos as the Hammers and this close-season at Upton Park has been no different.
It took until mid-July before West Ham's Premiership status was finally secured when Sheffield United's legal challenge over the Carlos Tevez affair was brought to a close.
But Tevez has remained a weighty problem for the club's hierarchy, who found themselves embroiled in dispute with Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian over who should get the transfer fee due from Manchester United for the striker.
While that soap opera has dragged on for weeks, Alan Curbishley has been busy continuing a costly overhaul of his squad as he handed massive wages to the likes of Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker.
That expenditure was necessary as he tries to meet owner Eggert Magnusson's demands for European football. But with Julien Faubert ruled out for six months through injury, another roller-coaster ride is already underway in east London.
KEY PLAYER: Scott Parker. Will be desperate to recapture the form he showed under Curbishley at Charlton after under-whelming spells with Chelsea and Newcastle.
FULHAMManager: Lawrie SanchezLast season: 16th in Premiership, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Diomansy Kamara (West Bromwich) 6m, Steven Davis (Aston Villa) 4m, Chris Baird (Southampton) 3m, Lee Cook (QPR) 2.5m, Paul Konchesky (West Ham) 2m, Aaron Hughes (Aston Villa) 1m, David Healy (Leeds) undisclosed
OUT: Heidar Helguson (Bolton) 2m, Mark Crossley (Oldham) free, Matty Collins (Swansea) free
OUTLOOK: Lawrie Sanchez has embarked on the most surprising spending spree of the close season as he tries to convince Fulham's fans he is the right man to lead their club.
Although Sanchez ensured the London club avoided relegation at the end of last season, the dour style of his team meant his appointment on a permanent basis wasn't greeted with universal approval.
The former Northern Ireland coach needs to make his mark quickly to win over the Craven Cottage faithful and has turned to several of his former international charges to help him.
Sanchez splashed out 20 million pounds on virtually an entire new team and, although Senegal striker Diomansy Kamara was his biggest investment, it is four Northern Ireland stars who will form the spine of the team.
If Fulham are to avoid a repeat of season of struggle, Sanchez knows Chris Baird, Aaron Hughes, Steven Davis and David Healy will have to shine. His future could depend on it.
KEY PLAYER: Antti Niemi. The veteran goalkeeper is still one of the most consistent in the Premiership and could be in for a busy season playing behind a shaky defence.
WIGANManager: Chris HutchingsLast season: 17th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup second round
IN: Jason Koumas (West Bromwich) 5.3m, Carlo Nash (Preston) 300,000, Andreas Granqvist (Helsingborgs) undisclosed, Titus Bramble (Newcastle) free, Antoine Sibierski (Newcastle) free, Mario Melchiot (Rennes) free
OUT: Lee McCulloch (Rangers) 2.25m, Arjan De Zeeuw (Coventry) free, Matt Jackson (Watford) free, John Filan (retired)
OUTLOOK: It could be a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire at the JJB Stadium this season as Wigan face up to another fight for survival.
The club's dramatic escape from relegation on the final day was barely a week old when manager Paul Jewell's resignation ended the euphoria.
Losing a man whose ability to keep calm under pressure was crucial in the close weeks was a real blow, but it is the decision to hand his assistant Chris Hutchings the reins that could prove fatal.
Hutchings hardly looks an inspiring choice to build on Jewell's good work. His previous experience of management came in identical circumstances at Bradford when he replaced Jewell, only to be sacked after five months with his team already sliding towards the drop.
Signing error-prone defender Titus Bramble and erratic midfielder Jason Koumas was a brave, or possibly fool-hardy, way for Hutchings to start his bid to erase those bitter Bradford memories.
KEY PLAYER: Henri Camara. One of the league's most frustrating talents, the Senegal striker fluctuates between unstoppable and unwatchable.
SUNDERLANDManager: Roy KeaneLast season: Championship winners, FA Cup third round, League Cup first round
IN: Kieran Richardson (Manchester Utd) 5.5m, Michael Chopra (Cardiff) 5m, Greg Halford (Reading) 2.5m, Paul McShane (West Bromwich) 1.5m, Dickson Etuhu (Norwich) 1.5m, Russell Anderson (Aberdeen) 1m
OUT: Stephen Elliott (Wolverhampton) undisclosed, Arnau Riera (Falkirk) free
OUTLOOK: Life in the Premiership has been chastening for Sunderland but Roy Keane's inspirational presence should ensure a far more fulfilling experience this time.
Keane represents one of the more intriguing stories of the season. The former Manchester United midfielder took to management impressively as he hauled the Black Cats from the foot of the table to promotion.
His calm, considered touchline presence is a million miles from the ferocious image he cultivated at Old Trafford.
The enigmatic Irishman's positive approach worked wonders last season but now he has to prove he can cut it at the highest level with a club who have twice set the record of the lowest number of points in a Premiership campaign.
His signing of Michael Chopra raised eyebrows for the size of the fee as well as the striker's Newcastle roots. But Keane has always marched to his own beat and he will believe he can help Sunderland eclipse their local rivals in the national spotlight.
KEY PLAYER: Carlos Edwards. The Trinidad winger has pace to burn and enough tricks to suggest he will be a tricky customer for top-flight defenders.
BIRMINGHAMManager: Steve BruceLast season: Championship runners-up, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Fabrice Muamba (Arsenal) 4m, Olivier Kapo (Juventus) 3m, Garry O'Connor (Lokomotiv Moscow) 2.7m, Stuart Parnaby (Middlesbrough) free, Daniel de Ridder (Celta Vigo) free, Richard Kingson (Ankaraspor) free, Rafael Schmitz (Lille) season-loan
OUT: DJ Campbell (Leicester) 2.1m, Stephen Clemence (Leicester) 1m, Bruno N'Gotty (Leicester) free, Julian Gray (Coventry) free
OUTLOOK: Steve Bruce is on a mission to make amends for his past mistakes as he aims to prove he has learned the lessons of relegation two years ago.
Bruce tried to establish his side as a genuine Premiership force by signing a string of stars on big contracts. But those high-earners failed to deliver and Birmingham slumped into the Championship.
Relegation left Bruce fighting to save his job and he was within a game of being sacked last season until victory at Derby sparked a promotion charge.
With his St Andrews' stock on the rise again, Bruce has made some intriguing transfers moves that contrast with his previous purchases.
Fabrice Muamba, Olivier Kapo, Garry O'Connor and Stuart Parnaby may not be household names but they will play with a hunger to prove themselves that is certain to be invaluable as Birmingham scrap to stay up.
KEY PLAYER: Gary McSheffrey. A genuine star in the Championship who has to show he can make the step up to the highest level.
DERBYManager: Billy DaviesLast season: Third in Championship, promoted via play-offs, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Robert Earnshaw (Norwich) 3.5m, Claude Davis (Sheffield United) 3m, Tyrone Mears (West Ham) 1m, Lewis Price (Ipswich) undisclosed, Andy Todd (Blackburn) free
OUT: Lee Camp (QPR) 300,000, Ryan Smith (Millwall) 150,000, Lee Grant (Sheffield Wednesday) free, Lewin Nyatanga (Barnsley) six-month loan
OUTLOOK: If Billy Davies can ensure Derby's return to the top-flight is more than a brief cameo appearance he will have justified the flattering comparisons with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Davies had the same Glasgow upbringing and football education as his Manchester United counterpart and the similarities don't end there.
Like Ferguson, the Rams manager is a firebrand with the single-minded determination to impose his will on a club until he gets the success he desires.
The way the Scot transformed Derby from relegation strugglers to play-off winners in just one season underlined his growing reputation, but now he faces his toughest challenge.
Derby are firm favourites to go down and, unable to match their rivals' big spending, Davies has to rely on his ability to cajole another miracle from his over-achievers.
KEY PLAYER: Giles Barnes. The teenage midfielder has already attracted interested from a host of top clubs and now he has the chance to show what all the fuss is about.
To be continued ...
LONDON, July 28, 2007 (AFP) - Team-by-team guide to the English Premiership season, which kicks off on Saturday August 11 (all figures in pounds, one pound = two dollars).
ASTON VILLAManager: Martin O'NeillLast season: 11th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Nigel Reo-Coker (West Ham) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (West Ham) 4m
OUT: Steven Davis (Fulham) 4m, Gavin McCann (Bolton) 1m, Aaron Hughes (Fulham) 1m, Jlloyd Samuel (Bolton) free, Lee Hendrie (Sheffield United) free, Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls) free, Stephen Henderson (Bristol City) free, Robert Olejnik (Falkirk) free, Chris Sutton (retired)
OUTLOOK: Martin O'Neill has been a winner for too long to accept another season treading water at Villa Park.
After an initial surge of positive results following his arrival last year, Villa quickly reverted to type as O'Neill began to realise the extent of the task facing him.
His side mixed moments of class with the mediocre displays that have characterised much of the last 20 years at Villa Park and it was frustrating enough for major surgery to be deemed necessary.
The Irishman off-loaded a host of under-performing players and then spent a sizeable chunk of his transfer budget on West Ham duo Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon Harewood.
Neither former Hammer is a guaranteed hit but Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and John Carew at least give O'Neill a variety of attacking options as he targets a top six finish.
KEY PLAYER: Gabriel Agbonlahor. The lightning-quick winger has illuminated Villa Park with flashes of tremendous skill and is ready to become a real match-winner.
MIDDLESBROUGHManager: Gareth SouthgateLast season: 12th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Luke Young (Charlton) 2.5m, Jeremie Aliadiere (Arsenal) 2m, Tuncay Sanli (Fenerbahce) free
OUT: Mark Viduka (Newcastle) free, Stuart Parnaby (Birmingham) free, Abel Xavier (LA Galaxy) free, Danny Graham (Carlisle) free
OUTLOOK: The phrase mid-table obscurity could have been invented for Middlesbrough and comfortable survival remains the realistic limit of Gareth Southgate's ambitions.
Middlesbrough don't have the resources to compete with the big guns but chairman Steve Gibson is a generous enough benefactor to ensure they are always capable of attracting enough good players to stay afloat.
Southgate has been relatively quiet in the transfer market but he made a curious move by replacing Mark Viduka with French striker Jeremie Aliadiere, who never threatened to break into the first team at Arsenal.
There is no shortage of young talent at the Riverside Stadium however with the like of Lee Cattermole, Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson and James Morrison all impressing after coming through the ranks.
Southgate must get the best of these young prodigies if he is to break that cycle of anonymity.
KEY PLAYER: Jonathon Woodgate. Has enjoyed a new lease of life since moving to his hometown club and is firmly established as one of England's best centre-backs.
NEWCASTLEManager: Sam AllardyceLast season: 13th in Premiership, UEFA Cup last 16, FA Cup third round, League Cup quarter-finals
IN: Joey Barton (Manchester City) 5.5m, David Rozehnal (Paris Saint Germain) 2.9m, Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough) free, Geremi (Chelsea) free
OUT: Scott Parker (West Ham) 7m, Titus Bramble (Wigan) free, Antoine Sibierski (Wigan) free, Alan O'Brien (Hibernian) free, Lee Clark (retired)
OUTLOOK: The marriage of Big Sam to the club with perennially big expectations has the potential to be a match made in heaven.
Allardyce had long made it plain that he craved the opportunity to prove what he could do at a club with greater resources and potential than Bolton. Now he has that chance.
Newcastle have the support and stadium of a Champions League outfit and the rewards of realising that potential would be huge.
Allardyce has the tools to raise to the challenge. Although he established Bolton as a Premiership force with a brand of football that rarely pleased the purists, he is likely to be far more expansive now he has a wider range of talent.
Joey Barton's signing is something of a gamble given his notoriously short fuse, but Allardyce came up trumps when he persuaded Michael Owen not to ask for a transfer.
KEY PLAYER: Michael Owen. After two injury-ravaged years on Tyneside, the England striker owes the Toon Army a prolific campaign.
MANCHESTER CITYManager: Sven Goran ErikssonLast season: 14th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Rolando Bianchi (Reggina) 8.8m, Martin Petrov (Atletico Madrid) 4.7m, Gelson Fernandes (Sion) undisclosed, Geovanni (Benfica) free
OUT: Joey Barton (Newcastle) 5.5m, Sylvain Distin (Portsmouth) free, Stephen Jordan (Burnley) free, Trevor Sinclair (Cardiff) free, Nicky Weaver (Charlton) free, Nathan D'Laryea (Rochdale) free
OUTLOOK: Sven Goran Eriksson's decision to make a striker his first City signing showed he had been paying attention during his year away from the game.
Eriksson is back in management after his ill-fated reign as England coach and has wasted little time bolstering an attack that hit a Premiership record low of 10 home goals last season.
Rolando Bianchi arrives with a hefty price tag and Bulgaria winger Martin Petrov could add a creative spark, but the likes of Georgios Samaras and Darius Vassell must also shoulder some of the burden.
New Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra risked a tidal wave of opprobrium when he appointed Eriksson, but the Swede will surely be motivated to prove his army of critics wrong.
And suggestions that he is using City as a stepping stone to a more high-profile job will be rendered irrelevant if he fails to make an impact at Eastlands.
KEY PLAYER: Rolando Bianchi. Eriksson expects the Italian, who finished as one of Serie A's leading scorers last season, to breathe new life into City's moribund attack.
WEST HAMManager: Alan CurbishleyLast season: 15th in Premiership, UEFA Cup first round, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup third round
IN: Craig Bellamy (Liverpool) 7.5m, Scott Parker (Newcastle) 7m, Julien Faubert (Bordeaux) 6m, Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal) 3.5m, Richard Wright (Everton) Free
OUT: Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (Aston Villa) 4m, Paul Konchesky (Fulham) 2m, Tyrone Mears (Derby) 1m, Teddy Sheringham (Colchester) free, Roy Carroll (Rangers) free, Shaun Newton (Leicester) free
OUTLOOK: No other club manages to be in such a perpetual state of chaos as the Hammers and this close-season at Upton Park has been no different.
It took until mid-July before West Ham's Premiership status was finally secured when Sheffield United's legal challenge over the Carlos Tevez affair was brought to a close.
But Tevez has remained a weighty problem for the club's hierarchy, who found themselves embroiled in dispute with Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian over who should get the transfer fee due from Manchester United for the striker.
While that soap opera has dragged on for weeks, Alan Curbishley has been busy continuing a costly overhaul of his squad as he handed massive wages to the likes of Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker.
That expenditure was necessary as he tries to meet owner Eggert Magnusson's demands for European football. But with Julien Faubert ruled out for six months through injury, another roller-coaster ride is already underway in east London.
KEY PLAYER: Scott Parker. Will be desperate to recapture the form he showed under Curbishley at Charlton after under-whelming spells with Chelsea and Newcastle.
FULHAMManager: Lawrie SanchezLast season: 16th in Premiership, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Diomansy Kamara (West Bromwich) 6m, Steven Davis (Aston Villa) 4m, Chris Baird (Southampton) 3m, Lee Cook (QPR) 2.5m, Paul Konchesky (West Ham) 2m, Aaron Hughes (Aston Villa) 1m, David Healy (Leeds) undisclosed
OUT: Heidar Helguson (Bolton) 2m, Mark Crossley (Oldham) free, Matty Collins (Swansea) free
OUTLOOK: Lawrie Sanchez has embarked on the most surprising spending spree of the close season as he tries to convince Fulham's fans he is the right man to lead their club.
Although Sanchez ensured the London club avoided relegation at the end of last season, the dour style of his team meant his appointment on a permanent basis wasn't greeted with universal approval.
The former Northern Ireland coach needs to make his mark quickly to win over the Craven Cottage faithful and has turned to several of his former international charges to help him.
Sanchez splashed out 20 million pounds on virtually an entire new team and, although Senegal striker Diomansy Kamara was his biggest investment, it is four Northern Ireland stars who will form the spine of the team.
If Fulham are to avoid a repeat of season of struggle, Sanchez knows Chris Baird, Aaron Hughes, Steven Davis and David Healy will have to shine. His future could depend on it.
KEY PLAYER: Antti Niemi. The veteran goalkeeper is still one of the most consistent in the Premiership and could be in for a busy season playing behind a shaky defence.
WIGANManager: Chris HutchingsLast season: 17th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup second round
IN: Jason Koumas (West Bromwich) 5.3m, Carlo Nash (Preston) 300,000, Andreas Granqvist (Helsingborgs) undisclosed, Titus Bramble (Newcastle) free, Antoine Sibierski (Newcastle) free, Mario Melchiot (Rennes) free
OUT: Lee McCulloch (Rangers) 2.25m, Arjan De Zeeuw (Coventry) free, Matt Jackson (Watford) free, John Filan (retired)
OUTLOOK: It could be a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire at the JJB Stadium this season as Wigan face up to another fight for survival.
The club's dramatic escape from relegation on the final day was barely a week old when manager Paul Jewell's resignation ended the euphoria.
Losing a man whose ability to keep calm under pressure was crucial in the close weeks was a real blow, but it is the decision to hand his assistant Chris Hutchings the reins that could prove fatal.
Hutchings hardly looks an inspiring choice to build on Jewell's good work. His previous experience of management came in identical circumstances at Bradford when he replaced Jewell, only to be sacked after five months with his team already sliding towards the drop.
Signing error-prone defender Titus Bramble and erratic midfielder Jason Koumas was a brave, or possibly fool-hardy, way for Hutchings to start his bid to erase those bitter Bradford memories.
KEY PLAYER: Henri Camara. One of the league's most frustrating talents, the Senegal striker fluctuates between unstoppable and unwatchable.
SUNDERLANDManager: Roy KeaneLast season: Championship winners, FA Cup third round, League Cup first round
IN: Kieran Richardson (Manchester Utd) 5.5m, Michael Chopra (Cardiff) 5m, Greg Halford (Reading) 2.5m, Paul McShane (West Bromwich) 1.5m, Dickson Etuhu (Norwich) 1.5m, Russell Anderson (Aberdeen) 1m
OUT: Stephen Elliott (Wolverhampton) undisclosed, Arnau Riera (Falkirk) free
OUTLOOK: Life in the Premiership has been chastening for Sunderland but Roy Keane's inspirational presence should ensure a far more fulfilling experience this time.
Keane represents one of the more intriguing stories of the season. The former Manchester United midfielder took to management impressively as he hauled the Black Cats from the foot of the table to promotion.
His calm, considered touchline presence is a million miles from the ferocious image he cultivated at Old Trafford.
The enigmatic Irishman's positive approach worked wonders last season but now he has to prove he can cut it at the highest level with a club who have twice set the record of the lowest number of points in a Premiership campaign.
His signing of Michael Chopra raised eyebrows for the size of the fee as well as the striker's Newcastle roots. But Keane has always marched to his own beat and he will believe he can help Sunderland eclipse their local rivals in the national spotlight.
KEY PLAYER: Carlos Edwards. The Trinidad winger has pace to burn and enough tricks to suggest he will be a tricky customer for top-flight defenders.
BIRMINGHAMManager: Steve BruceLast season: Championship runners-up, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Fabrice Muamba (Arsenal) 4m, Olivier Kapo (Juventus) 3m, Garry O'Connor (Lokomotiv Moscow) 2.7m, Stuart Parnaby (Middlesbrough) free, Daniel de Ridder (Celta Vigo) free, Richard Kingson (Ankaraspor) free, Rafael Schmitz (Lille) season-loan
OUT: DJ Campbell (Leicester) 2.1m, Stephen Clemence (Leicester) 1m, Bruno N'Gotty (Leicester) free, Julian Gray (Coventry) free
OUTLOOK: Steve Bruce is on a mission to make amends for his past mistakes as he aims to prove he has learned the lessons of relegation two years ago.
Bruce tried to establish his side as a genuine Premiership force by signing a string of stars on big contracts. But those high-earners failed to deliver and Birmingham slumped into the Championship.
Relegation left Bruce fighting to save his job and he was within a game of being sacked last season until victory at Derby sparked a promotion charge.
With his St Andrews' stock on the rise again, Bruce has made some intriguing transfers moves that contrast with his previous purchases.
Fabrice Muamba, Olivier Kapo, Garry O'Connor and Stuart Parnaby may not be household names but they will play with a hunger to prove themselves that is certain to be invaluable as Birmingham scrap to stay up.
KEY PLAYER: Gary McSheffrey. A genuine star in the Championship who has to show he can make the step up to the highest level.
DERBYManager: Billy DaviesLast season: Third in Championship, promoted via play-offs, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Robert Earnshaw (Norwich) 3.5m, Claude Davis (Sheffield United) 3m, Tyrone Mears (West Ham) 1m, Lewis Price (Ipswich) undisclosed, Andy Todd (Blackburn) free
OUT: Lee Camp (QPR) 300,000, Ryan Smith (Millwall) 150,000, Lee Grant (Sheffield Wednesday) free, Lewin Nyatanga (Barnsley) six-month loan
OUTLOOK: If Billy Davies can ensure Derby's return to the top-flight is more than a brief cameo appearance he will have justified the flattering comparisons with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Davies had the same Glasgow upbringing and football education as his Manchester United counterpart and the similarities don't end there.
Like Ferguson, the Rams manager is a firebrand with the single-minded determination to impose his will on a club until he gets the success he desires.
The way the Scot transformed Derby from relegation strugglers to play-off winners in just one season underlined his growing reputation, but now he faces his toughest challenge.
Derby are firm favourites to go down and, unable to match their rivals' big spending, Davies has to rely on his ability to cajole another miracle from his over-achievers.
KEY PLAYER: Giles Barnes. The teenage midfielder has already attracted interested from a host of top clubs and now he has the chance to show what all the fuss is about.
To be continued ...
from:www.espnstar.com
ASTON VILLAManager: Martin O'NeillLast season: 11th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Nigel Reo-Coker (West Ham) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (West Ham) 4m
OUT: Steven Davis (Fulham) 4m, Gavin McCann (Bolton) 1m, Aaron Hughes (Fulham) 1m, Jlloyd Samuel (Bolton) free, Lee Hendrie (Sheffield United) free, Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls) free, Stephen Henderson (Bristol City) free, Robert Olejnik (Falkirk) free, Chris Sutton (retired)
OUTLOOK: Martin O'Neill has been a winner for too long to accept another season treading water at Villa Park.
After an initial surge of positive results following his arrival last year, Villa quickly reverted to type as O'Neill began to realise the extent of the task facing him.
His side mixed moments of class with the mediocre displays that have characterised much of the last 20 years at Villa Park and it was frustrating enough for major surgery to be deemed necessary.
The Irishman off-loaded a host of under-performing players and then spent a sizeable chunk of his transfer budget on West Ham duo Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon Harewood.
Neither former Hammer is a guaranteed hit but Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and John Carew at least give O'Neill a variety of attacking options as he targets a top six finish.
KEY PLAYER: Gabriel Agbonlahor. The lightning-quick winger has illuminated Villa Park with flashes of tremendous skill and is ready to become a real match-winner.
MIDDLESBROUGHManager: Gareth SouthgateLast season: 12th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Luke Young (Charlton) 2.5m, Jeremie Aliadiere (Arsenal) 2m, Tuncay Sanli (Fenerbahce) free
OUT: Mark Viduka (Newcastle) free, Stuart Parnaby (Birmingham) free, Abel Xavier (LA Galaxy) free, Danny Graham (Carlisle) free
OUTLOOK: The phrase mid-table obscurity could have been invented for Middlesbrough and comfortable survival remains the realistic limit of Gareth Southgate's ambitions.
Middlesbrough don't have the resources to compete with the big guns but chairman Steve Gibson is a generous enough benefactor to ensure they are always capable of attracting enough good players to stay afloat.
Southgate has been relatively quiet in the transfer market but he made a curious move by replacing Mark Viduka with French striker Jeremie Aliadiere, who never threatened to break into the first team at Arsenal.
There is no shortage of young talent at the Riverside Stadium however with the like of Lee Cattermole, Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson and James Morrison all impressing after coming through the ranks.
Southgate must get the best of these young prodigies if he is to break that cycle of anonymity.
KEY PLAYER: Jonathon Woodgate. Has enjoyed a new lease of life since moving to his hometown club and is firmly established as one of England's best centre-backs.
NEWCASTLEManager: Sam AllardyceLast season: 13th in Premiership, UEFA Cup last 16, FA Cup third round, League Cup quarter-finals
IN: Joey Barton (Manchester City) 5.5m, David Rozehnal (Paris Saint Germain) 2.9m, Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough) free, Geremi (Chelsea) free
OUT: Scott Parker (West Ham) 7m, Titus Bramble (Wigan) free, Antoine Sibierski (Wigan) free, Alan O'Brien (Hibernian) free, Lee Clark (retired)
OUTLOOK: The marriage of Big Sam to the club with perennially big expectations has the potential to be a match made in heaven.
Allardyce had long made it plain that he craved the opportunity to prove what he could do at a club with greater resources and potential than Bolton. Now he has that chance.
Newcastle have the support and stadium of a Champions League outfit and the rewards of realising that potential would be huge.
Allardyce has the tools to raise to the challenge. Although he established Bolton as a Premiership force with a brand of football that rarely pleased the purists, he is likely to be far more expansive now he has a wider range of talent.
Joey Barton's signing is something of a gamble given his notoriously short fuse, but Allardyce came up trumps when he persuaded Michael Owen not to ask for a transfer.
KEY PLAYER: Michael Owen. After two injury-ravaged years on Tyneside, the England striker owes the Toon Army a prolific campaign.
MANCHESTER CITYManager: Sven Goran ErikssonLast season: 14th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Rolando Bianchi (Reggina) 8.8m, Martin Petrov (Atletico Madrid) 4.7m, Gelson Fernandes (Sion) undisclosed, Geovanni (Benfica) free
OUT: Joey Barton (Newcastle) 5.5m, Sylvain Distin (Portsmouth) free, Stephen Jordan (Burnley) free, Trevor Sinclair (Cardiff) free, Nicky Weaver (Charlton) free, Nathan D'Laryea (Rochdale) free
OUTLOOK: Sven Goran Eriksson's decision to make a striker his first City signing showed he had been paying attention during his year away from the game.
Eriksson is back in management after his ill-fated reign as England coach and has wasted little time bolstering an attack that hit a Premiership record low of 10 home goals last season.
Rolando Bianchi arrives with a hefty price tag and Bulgaria winger Martin Petrov could add a creative spark, but the likes of Georgios Samaras and Darius Vassell must also shoulder some of the burden.
New Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra risked a tidal wave of opprobrium when he appointed Eriksson, but the Swede will surely be motivated to prove his army of critics wrong.
And suggestions that he is using City as a stepping stone to a more high-profile job will be rendered irrelevant if he fails to make an impact at Eastlands.
KEY PLAYER: Rolando Bianchi. Eriksson expects the Italian, who finished as one of Serie A's leading scorers last season, to breathe new life into City's moribund attack.
WEST HAMManager: Alan CurbishleyLast season: 15th in Premiership, UEFA Cup first round, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup third round
IN: Craig Bellamy (Liverpool) 7.5m, Scott Parker (Newcastle) 7m, Julien Faubert (Bordeaux) 6m, Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal) 3.5m, Richard Wright (Everton) Free
OUT: Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (Aston Villa) 4m, Paul Konchesky (Fulham) 2m, Tyrone Mears (Derby) 1m, Teddy Sheringham (Colchester) free, Roy Carroll (Rangers) free, Shaun Newton (Leicester) free
OUTLOOK: No other club manages to be in such a perpetual state of chaos as the Hammers and this close-season at Upton Park has been no different.
It took until mid-July before West Ham's Premiership status was finally secured when Sheffield United's legal challenge over the Carlos Tevez affair was brought to a close.
But Tevez has remained a weighty problem for the club's hierarchy, who found themselves embroiled in dispute with Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian over who should get the transfer fee due from Manchester United for the striker.
While that soap opera has dragged on for weeks, Alan Curbishley has been busy continuing a costly overhaul of his squad as he handed massive wages to the likes of Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker.
That expenditure was necessary as he tries to meet owner Eggert Magnusson's demands for European football. But with Julien Faubert ruled out for six months through injury, another roller-coaster ride is already underway in east London.
KEY PLAYER: Scott Parker. Will be desperate to recapture the form he showed under Curbishley at Charlton after under-whelming spells with Chelsea and Newcastle.
FULHAMManager: Lawrie SanchezLast season: 16th in Premiership, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Diomansy Kamara (West Bromwich) 6m, Steven Davis (Aston Villa) 4m, Chris Baird (Southampton) 3m, Lee Cook (QPR) 2.5m, Paul Konchesky (West Ham) 2m, Aaron Hughes (Aston Villa) 1m, David Healy (Leeds) undisclosed
OUT: Heidar Helguson (Bolton) 2m, Mark Crossley (Oldham) free, Matty Collins (Swansea) free
OUTLOOK: Lawrie Sanchez has embarked on the most surprising spending spree of the close season as he tries to convince Fulham's fans he is the right man to lead their club.
Although Sanchez ensured the London club avoided relegation at the end of last season, the dour style of his team meant his appointment on a permanent basis wasn't greeted with universal approval.
The former Northern Ireland coach needs to make his mark quickly to win over the Craven Cottage faithful and has turned to several of his former international charges to help him.
Sanchez splashed out 20 million pounds on virtually an entire new team and, although Senegal striker Diomansy Kamara was his biggest investment, it is four Northern Ireland stars who will form the spine of the team.
If Fulham are to avoid a repeat of season of struggle, Sanchez knows Chris Baird, Aaron Hughes, Steven Davis and David Healy will have to shine. His future could depend on it.
KEY PLAYER: Antti Niemi. The veteran goalkeeper is still one of the most consistent in the Premiership and could be in for a busy season playing behind a shaky defence.
WIGANManager: Chris HutchingsLast season: 17th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup second round
IN: Jason Koumas (West Bromwich) 5.3m, Carlo Nash (Preston) 300,000, Andreas Granqvist (Helsingborgs) undisclosed, Titus Bramble (Newcastle) free, Antoine Sibierski (Newcastle) free, Mario Melchiot (Rennes) free
OUT: Lee McCulloch (Rangers) 2.25m, Arjan De Zeeuw (Coventry) free, Matt Jackson (Watford) free, John Filan (retired)
OUTLOOK: It could be a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire at the JJB Stadium this season as Wigan face up to another fight for survival.
The club's dramatic escape from relegation on the final day was barely a week old when manager Paul Jewell's resignation ended the euphoria.
Losing a man whose ability to keep calm under pressure was crucial in the close weeks was a real blow, but it is the decision to hand his assistant Chris Hutchings the reins that could prove fatal.
Hutchings hardly looks an inspiring choice to build on Jewell's good work. His previous experience of management came in identical circumstances at Bradford when he replaced Jewell, only to be sacked after five months with his team already sliding towards the drop.
Signing error-prone defender Titus Bramble and erratic midfielder Jason Koumas was a brave, or possibly fool-hardy, way for Hutchings to start his bid to erase those bitter Bradford memories.
KEY PLAYER: Henri Camara. One of the league's most frustrating talents, the Senegal striker fluctuates between unstoppable and unwatchable.
SUNDERLANDManager: Roy KeaneLast season: Championship winners, FA Cup third round, League Cup first round
IN: Kieran Richardson (Manchester Utd) 5.5m, Michael Chopra (Cardiff) 5m, Greg Halford (Reading) 2.5m, Paul McShane (West Bromwich) 1.5m, Dickson Etuhu (Norwich) 1.5m, Russell Anderson (Aberdeen) 1m
OUT: Stephen Elliott (Wolverhampton) undisclosed, Arnau Riera (Falkirk) free
OUTLOOK: Life in the Premiership has been chastening for Sunderland but Roy Keane's inspirational presence should ensure a far more fulfilling experience this time.
Keane represents one of the more intriguing stories of the season. The former Manchester United midfielder took to management impressively as he hauled the Black Cats from the foot of the table to promotion.
His calm, considered touchline presence is a million miles from the ferocious image he cultivated at Old Trafford.
The enigmatic Irishman's positive approach worked wonders last season but now he has to prove he can cut it at the highest level with a club who have twice set the record of the lowest number of points in a Premiership campaign.
His signing of Michael Chopra raised eyebrows for the size of the fee as well as the striker's Newcastle roots. But Keane has always marched to his own beat and he will believe he can help Sunderland eclipse their local rivals in the national spotlight.
KEY PLAYER: Carlos Edwards. The Trinidad winger has pace to burn and enough tricks to suggest he will be a tricky customer for top-flight defenders.
BIRMINGHAMManager: Steve BruceLast season: Championship runners-up, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Fabrice Muamba (Arsenal) 4m, Olivier Kapo (Juventus) 3m, Garry O'Connor (Lokomotiv Moscow) 2.7m, Stuart Parnaby (Middlesbrough) free, Daniel de Ridder (Celta Vigo) free, Richard Kingson (Ankaraspor) free, Rafael Schmitz (Lille) season-loan
OUT: DJ Campbell (Leicester) 2.1m, Stephen Clemence (Leicester) 1m, Bruno N'Gotty (Leicester) free, Julian Gray (Coventry) free
OUTLOOK: Steve Bruce is on a mission to make amends for his past mistakes as he aims to prove he has learned the lessons of relegation two years ago.
Bruce tried to establish his side as a genuine Premiership force by signing a string of stars on big contracts. But those high-earners failed to deliver and Birmingham slumped into the Championship.
Relegation left Bruce fighting to save his job and he was within a game of being sacked last season until victory at Derby sparked a promotion charge.
With his St Andrews' stock on the rise again, Bruce has made some intriguing transfers moves that contrast with his previous purchases.
Fabrice Muamba, Olivier Kapo, Garry O'Connor and Stuart Parnaby may not be household names but they will play with a hunger to prove themselves that is certain to be invaluable as Birmingham scrap to stay up.
KEY PLAYER: Gary McSheffrey. A genuine star in the Championship who has to show he can make the step up to the highest level.
DERBYManager: Billy DaviesLast season: Third in Championship, promoted via play-offs, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Robert Earnshaw (Norwich) 3.5m, Claude Davis (Sheffield United) 3m, Tyrone Mears (West Ham) 1m, Lewis Price (Ipswich) undisclosed, Andy Todd (Blackburn) free
OUT: Lee Camp (QPR) 300,000, Ryan Smith (Millwall) 150,000, Lee Grant (Sheffield Wednesday) free, Lewin Nyatanga (Barnsley) six-month loan
OUTLOOK: If Billy Davies can ensure Derby's return to the top-flight is more than a brief cameo appearance he will have justified the flattering comparisons with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Davies had the same Glasgow upbringing and football education as his Manchester United counterpart and the similarities don't end there.
Like Ferguson, the Rams manager is a firebrand with the single-minded determination to impose his will on a club until he gets the success he desires.
The way the Scot transformed Derby from relegation strugglers to play-off winners in just one season underlined his growing reputation, but now he faces his toughest challenge.
Derby are firm favourites to go down and, unable to match their rivals' big spending, Davies has to rely on his ability to cajole another miracle from his over-achievers.
KEY PLAYER: Giles Barnes. The teenage midfielder has already attracted interested from a host of top clubs and now he has the chance to show what all the fuss is about.
To be continued ... LONDON, July 28, 2007 (AFP) - Team-by-team guide to the English Premiership season, which kicks off on Saturday August 11 (all figures in pounds, one pound = two dollars).
ASTON VILLAManager: Martin O'NeillLast season: 11th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Nigel Reo-Coker (West Ham) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (West Ham) 4m
OUT: Steven Davis (Fulham) 4m, Gavin McCann (Bolton) 1m, Aaron Hughes (Fulham) 1m, Jlloyd Samuel (Bolton) free, Lee Hendrie (Sheffield United) free, Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls) free, Stephen Henderson (Bristol City) free, Robert Olejnik (Falkirk) free, Chris Sutton (retired)
OUTLOOK: Martin O'Neill has been a winner for too long to accept another season treading water at Villa Park.
After an initial surge of positive results following his arrival last year, Villa quickly reverted to type as O'Neill began to realise the extent of the task facing him.
His side mixed moments of class with the mediocre displays that have characterised much of the last 20 years at Villa Park and it was frustrating enough for major surgery to be deemed necessary.
The Irishman off-loaded a host of under-performing players and then spent a sizeable chunk of his transfer budget on West Ham duo Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon Harewood.
Neither former Hammer is a guaranteed hit but Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and John Carew at least give O'Neill a variety of attacking options as he targets a top six finish.
KEY PLAYER: Gabriel Agbonlahor. The lightning-quick winger has illuminated Villa Park with flashes of tremendous skill and is ready to become a real match-winner.
MIDDLESBROUGHManager: Gareth SouthgateLast season: 12th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Luke Young (Charlton) 2.5m, Jeremie Aliadiere (Arsenal) 2m, Tuncay Sanli (Fenerbahce) free
OUT: Mark Viduka (Newcastle) free, Stuart Parnaby (Birmingham) free, Abel Xavier (LA Galaxy) free, Danny Graham (Carlisle) free
OUTLOOK: The phrase mid-table obscurity could have been invented for Middlesbrough and comfortable survival remains the realistic limit of Gareth Southgate's ambitions.
Middlesbrough don't have the resources to compete with the big guns but chairman Steve Gibson is a generous enough benefactor to ensure they are always capable of attracting enough good players to stay afloat.
Southgate has been relatively quiet in the transfer market but he made a curious move by replacing Mark Viduka with French striker Jeremie Aliadiere, who never threatened to break into the first team at Arsenal.
There is no shortage of young talent at the Riverside Stadium however with the like of Lee Cattermole, Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson and James Morrison all impressing after coming through the ranks.
Southgate must get the best of these young prodigies if he is to break that cycle of anonymity.
KEY PLAYER: Jonathon Woodgate. Has enjoyed a new lease of life since moving to his hometown club and is firmly established as one of England's best centre-backs.
NEWCASTLEManager: Sam AllardyceLast season: 13th in Premiership, UEFA Cup last 16, FA Cup third round, League Cup quarter-finals
IN: Joey Barton (Manchester City) 5.5m, David Rozehnal (Paris Saint Germain) 2.9m, Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough) free, Geremi (Chelsea) free
OUT: Scott Parker (West Ham) 7m, Titus Bramble (Wigan) free, Antoine Sibierski (Wigan) free, Alan O'Brien (Hibernian) free, Lee Clark (retired)
OUTLOOK: The marriage of Big Sam to the club with perennially big expectations has the potential to be a match made in heaven.
Allardyce had long made it plain that he craved the opportunity to prove what he could do at a club with greater resources and potential than Bolton. Now he has that chance.
Newcastle have the support and stadium of a Champions League outfit and the rewards of realising that potential would be huge.
Allardyce has the tools to raise to the challenge. Although he established Bolton as a Premiership force with a brand of football that rarely pleased the purists, he is likely to be far more expansive now he has a wider range of talent.
Joey Barton's signing is something of a gamble given his notoriously short fuse, but Allardyce came up trumps when he persuaded Michael Owen not to ask for a transfer.
KEY PLAYER: Michael Owen. After two injury-ravaged years on Tyneside, the England striker owes the Toon Army a prolific campaign.
MANCHESTER CITYManager: Sven Goran ErikssonLast season: 14th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Rolando Bianchi (Reggina) 8.8m, Martin Petrov (Atletico Madrid) 4.7m, Gelson Fernandes (Sion) undisclosed, Geovanni (Benfica) free
OUT: Joey Barton (Newcastle) 5.5m, Sylvain Distin (Portsmouth) free, Stephen Jordan (Burnley) free, Trevor Sinclair (Cardiff) free, Nicky Weaver (Charlton) free, Nathan D'Laryea (Rochdale) free
OUTLOOK: Sven Goran Eriksson's decision to make a striker his first City signing showed he had been paying attention during his year away from the game.
Eriksson is back in management after his ill-fated reign as England coach and has wasted little time bolstering an attack that hit a Premiership record low of 10 home goals last season.
Rolando Bianchi arrives with a hefty price tag and Bulgaria winger Martin Petrov could add a creative spark, but the likes of Georgios Samaras and Darius Vassell must also shoulder some of the burden.
New Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra risked a tidal wave of opprobrium when he appointed Eriksson, but the Swede will surely be motivated to prove his army of critics wrong.
And suggestions that he is using City as a stepping stone to a more high-profile job will be rendered irrelevant if he fails to make an impact at Eastlands.
KEY PLAYER: Rolando Bianchi. Eriksson expects the Italian, who finished as one of Serie A's leading scorers last season, to breathe new life into City's moribund attack.
WEST HAMManager: Alan CurbishleyLast season: 15th in Premiership, UEFA Cup first round, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup third round
IN: Craig Bellamy (Liverpool) 7.5m, Scott Parker (Newcastle) 7m, Julien Faubert (Bordeaux) 6m, Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal) 3.5m, Richard Wright (Everton) Free
OUT: Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (Aston Villa) 4m, Paul Konchesky (Fulham) 2m, Tyrone Mears (Derby) 1m, Teddy Sheringham (Colchester) free, Roy Carroll (Rangers) free, Shaun Newton (Leicester) free
OUTLOOK: No other club manages to be in such a perpetual state of chaos as the Hammers and this close-season at Upton Park has been no different.
It took until mid-July before West Ham's Premiership status was finally secured when Sheffield United's legal challenge over the Carlos Tevez affair was brought to a close.
But Tevez has remained a weighty problem for the club's hierarchy, who found themselves embroiled in dispute with Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian over who should get the transfer fee due from Manchester United for the striker.
While that soap opera has dragged on for weeks, Alan Curbishley has been busy continuing a costly overhaul of his squad as he handed massive wages to the likes of Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker.
That expenditure was necessary as he tries to meet owner Eggert Magnusson's demands for European football. But with Julien Faubert ruled out for six months through injury, another roller-coaster ride is already underway in east London.
KEY PLAYER: Scott Parker. Will be desperate to recapture the form he showed under Curbishley at Charlton after under-whelming spells with Chelsea and Newcastle.
FULHAMManager: Lawrie SanchezLast season: 16th in Premiership, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Diomansy Kamara (West Bromwich) 6m, Steven Davis (Aston Villa) 4m, Chris Baird (Southampton) 3m, Lee Cook (QPR) 2.5m, Paul Konchesky (West Ham) 2m, Aaron Hughes (Aston Villa) 1m, David Healy (Leeds) undisclosed
OUT: Heidar Helguson (Bolton) 2m, Mark Crossley (Oldham) free, Matty Collins (Swansea) free
OUTLOOK: Lawrie Sanchez has embarked on the most surprising spending spree of the close season as he tries to convince Fulham's fans he is the right man to lead their club.
Although Sanchez ensured the London club avoided relegation at the end of last season, the dour style of his team meant his appointment on a permanent basis wasn't greeted with universal approval.
The former Northern Ireland coach needs to make his mark quickly to win over the Craven Cottage faithful and has turned to several of his former international charges to help him.
Sanchez splashed out 20 million pounds on virtually an entire new team and, although Senegal striker Diomansy Kamara was his biggest investment, it is four Northern Ireland stars who will form the spine of the team.
If Fulham are to avoid a repeat of season of struggle, Sanchez knows Chris Baird, Aaron Hughes, Steven Davis and David Healy will have to shine. His future could depend on it.
KEY PLAYER: Antti Niemi. The veteran goalkeeper is still one of the most consistent in the Premiership and could be in for a busy season playing behind a shaky defence.
WIGANManager: Chris HutchingsLast season: 17th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup second round
IN: Jason Koumas (West Bromwich) 5.3m, Carlo Nash (Preston) 300,000, Andreas Granqvist (Helsingborgs) undisclosed, Titus Bramble (Newcastle) free, Antoine Sibierski (Newcastle) free, Mario Melchiot (Rennes) free
OUT: Lee McCulloch (Rangers) 2.25m, Arjan De Zeeuw (Coventry) free, Matt Jackson (Watford) free, John Filan (retired)
OUTLOOK: It could be a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire at the JJB Stadium this season as Wigan face up to another fight for survival.
The club's dramatic escape from relegation on the final day was barely a week old when manager Paul Jewell's resignation ended the euphoria.
Losing a man whose ability to keep calm under pressure was crucial in the close weeks was a real blow, but it is the decision to hand his assistant Chris Hutchings the reins that could prove fatal.
Hutchings hardly looks an inspiring choice to build on Jewell's good work. His previous experience of management came in identical circumstances at Bradford when he replaced Jewell, only to be sacked after five months with his team already sliding towards the drop.
Signing error-prone defender Titus Bramble and erratic midfielder Jason Koumas was a brave, or possibly fool-hardy, way for Hutchings to start his bid to erase those bitter Bradford memories.
KEY PLAYER: Henri Camara. One of the league's most frustrating talents, the Senegal striker fluctuates between unstoppable and unwatchable.
SUNDERLANDManager: Roy KeaneLast season: Championship winners, FA Cup third round, League Cup first round
IN: Kieran Richardson (Manchester Utd) 5.5m, Michael Chopra (Cardiff) 5m, Greg Halford (Reading) 2.5m, Paul McShane (West Bromwich) 1.5m, Dickson Etuhu (Norwich) 1.5m, Russell Anderson (Aberdeen) 1m
OUT: Stephen Elliott (Wolverhampton) undisclosed, Arnau Riera (Falkirk) free
OUTLOOK: Life in the Premiership has been chastening for Sunderland but Roy Keane's inspirational presence should ensure a far more fulfilling experience this time.
Keane represents one of the more intriguing stories of the season. The former Manchester United midfielder took to management impressively as he hauled the Black Cats from the foot of the table to promotion.
His calm, considered touchline presence is a million miles from the ferocious image he cultivated at Old Trafford.
The enigmatic Irishman's positive approach worked wonders last season but now he has to prove he can cut it at the highest level with a club who have twice set the record of the lowest number of points in a Premiership campaign.
His signing of Michael Chopra raised eyebrows for the size of the fee as well as the striker's Newcastle roots. But Keane has always marched to his own beat and he will believe he can help Sunderland eclipse their local rivals in the national spotlight.
KEY PLAYER: Carlos Edwards. The Trinidad winger has pace to burn and enough tricks to suggest he will be a tricky customer for top-flight defenders.
BIRMINGHAMManager: Steve BruceLast season: Championship runners-up, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Fabrice Muamba (Arsenal) 4m, Olivier Kapo (Juventus) 3m, Garry O'Connor (Lokomotiv Moscow) 2.7m, Stuart Parnaby (Middlesbrough) free, Daniel de Ridder (Celta Vigo) free, Richard Kingson (Ankaraspor) free, Rafael Schmitz (Lille) season-loan
OUT: DJ Campbell (Leicester) 2.1m, Stephen Clemence (Leicester) 1m, Bruno N'Gotty (Leicester) free, Julian Gray (Coventry) free
OUTLOOK: Steve Bruce is on a mission to make amends for his past mistakes as he aims to prove he has learned the lessons of relegation two years ago.
Bruce tried to establish his side as a genuine Premiership force by signing a string of stars on big contracts. But those high-earners failed to deliver and Birmingham slumped into the Championship.
Relegation left Bruce fighting to save his job and he was within a game of being sacked last season until victory at Derby sparked a promotion charge.
With his St Andrews' stock on the rise again, Bruce has made some intriguing transfers moves that contrast with his previous purchases.
Fabrice Muamba, Olivier Kapo, Garry O'Connor and Stuart Parnaby may not be household names but they will play with a hunger to prove themselves that is certain to be invaluable as Birmingham scrap to stay up.
KEY PLAYER: Gary McSheffrey. A genuine star in the Championship who has to show he can make the step up to the highest level.
DERBYManager: Billy DaviesLast season: Third in Championship, promoted via play-offs, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Robert Earnshaw (Norwich) 3.5m, Claude Davis (Sheffield United) 3m, Tyrone Mears (West Ham) 1m, Lewis Price (Ipswich) undisclosed, Andy Todd (Blackburn) free
OUT: Lee Camp (QPR) 300,000, Ryan Smith (Millwall) 150,000, Lee Grant (Sheffield Wednesday) free, Lewin Nyatanga (Barnsley) six-month loan
OUTLOOK: If Billy Davies can ensure Derby's return to the top-flight is more than a brief cameo appearance he will have justified the flattering comparisons with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Davies had the same Glasgow upbringing and football education as his Manchester United counterpart and the similarities don't end there.
Like Ferguson, the Rams manager is a firebrand with the single-minded determination to impose his will on a club until he gets the success he desires.
The way the Scot transformed Derby from relegation strugglers to play-off winners in just one season underlined his growing reputation, but now he faces his toughest challenge.
Derby are firm favourites to go down and, unable to match their rivals' big spending, Davies has to rely on his ability to cajole another miracle from his over-achievers.
KEY PLAYER: Giles Barnes. The teenage midfielder has already attracted interested from a host of top clubs and now he has the chance to show what all the fuss is about.
To be continued ...
LONDON, July 28, 2007 (AFP) - Team-by-team guide to the English Premiership season, which kicks off on Saturday August 11 (all figures in pounds, one pound = two dollars).
ASTON VILLAManager: Martin O'NeillLast season: 11th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Nigel Reo-Coker (West Ham) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (West Ham) 4m
OUT: Steven Davis (Fulham) 4m, Gavin McCann (Bolton) 1m, Aaron Hughes (Fulham) 1m, Jlloyd Samuel (Bolton) free, Lee Hendrie (Sheffield United) free, Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls) free, Stephen Henderson (Bristol City) free, Robert Olejnik (Falkirk) free, Chris Sutton (retired)
OUTLOOK: Martin O'Neill has been a winner for too long to accept another season treading water at Villa Park.
After an initial surge of positive results following his arrival last year, Villa quickly reverted to type as O'Neill began to realise the extent of the task facing him.
His side mixed moments of class with the mediocre displays that have characterised much of the last 20 years at Villa Park and it was frustrating enough for major surgery to be deemed necessary.
The Irishman off-loaded a host of under-performing players and then spent a sizeable chunk of his transfer budget on West Ham duo Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon Harewood.
Neither former Hammer is a guaranteed hit but Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and John Carew at least give O'Neill a variety of attacking options as he targets a top six finish.
KEY PLAYER: Gabriel Agbonlahor. The lightning-quick winger has illuminated Villa Park with flashes of tremendous skill and is ready to become a real match-winner.
MIDDLESBROUGHManager: Gareth SouthgateLast season: 12th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Luke Young (Charlton) 2.5m, Jeremie Aliadiere (Arsenal) 2m, Tuncay Sanli (Fenerbahce) free
OUT: Mark Viduka (Newcastle) free, Stuart Parnaby (Birmingham) free, Abel Xavier (LA Galaxy) free, Danny Graham (Carlisle) free
OUTLOOK: The phrase mid-table obscurity could have been invented for Middlesbrough and comfortable survival remains the realistic limit of Gareth Southgate's ambitions.
Middlesbrough don't have the resources to compete with the big guns but chairman Steve Gibson is a generous enough benefactor to ensure they are always capable of attracting enough good players to stay afloat.
Southgate has been relatively quiet in the transfer market but he made a curious move by replacing Mark Viduka with French striker Jeremie Aliadiere, who never threatened to break into the first team at Arsenal.
There is no shortage of young talent at the Riverside Stadium however with the like of Lee Cattermole, Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson and James Morrison all impressing after coming through the ranks.
Southgate must get the best of these young prodigies if he is to break that cycle of anonymity.
KEY PLAYER: Jonathon Woodgate. Has enjoyed a new lease of life since moving to his hometown club and is firmly established as one of England's best centre-backs.
NEWCASTLEManager: Sam AllardyceLast season: 13th in Premiership, UEFA Cup last 16, FA Cup third round, League Cup quarter-finals
IN: Joey Barton (Manchester City) 5.5m, David Rozehnal (Paris Saint Germain) 2.9m, Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough) free, Geremi (Chelsea) free
OUT: Scott Parker (West Ham) 7m, Titus Bramble (Wigan) free, Antoine Sibierski (Wigan) free, Alan O'Brien (Hibernian) free, Lee Clark (retired)
OUTLOOK: The marriage of Big Sam to the club with perennially big expectations has the potential to be a match made in heaven.
Allardyce had long made it plain that he craved the opportunity to prove what he could do at a club with greater resources and potential than Bolton. Now he has that chance.
Newcastle have the support and stadium of a Champions League outfit and the rewards of realising that potential would be huge.
Allardyce has the tools to raise to the challenge. Although he established Bolton as a Premiership force with a brand of football that rarely pleased the purists, he is likely to be far more expansive now he has a wider range of talent.
Joey Barton's signing is something of a gamble given his notoriously short fuse, but Allardyce came up trumps when he persuaded Michael Owen not to ask for a transfer.
KEY PLAYER: Michael Owen. After two injury-ravaged years on Tyneside, the England striker owes the Toon Army a prolific campaign.
MANCHESTER CITYManager: Sven Goran ErikssonLast season: 14th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Rolando Bianchi (Reggina) 8.8m, Martin Petrov (Atletico Madrid) 4.7m, Gelson Fernandes (Sion) undisclosed, Geovanni (Benfica) free
OUT: Joey Barton (Newcastle) 5.5m, Sylvain Distin (Portsmouth) free, Stephen Jordan (Burnley) free, Trevor Sinclair (Cardiff) free, Nicky Weaver (Charlton) free, Nathan D'Laryea (Rochdale) free
OUTLOOK: Sven Goran Eriksson's decision to make a striker his first City signing showed he had been paying attention during his year away from the game.
Eriksson is back in management after his ill-fated reign as England coach and has wasted little time bolstering an attack that hit a Premiership record low of 10 home goals last season.
Rolando Bianchi arrives with a hefty price tag and Bulgaria winger Martin Petrov could add a creative spark, but the likes of Georgios Samaras and Darius Vassell must also shoulder some of the burden.
New Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra risked a tidal wave of opprobrium when he appointed Eriksson, but the Swede will surely be motivated to prove his army of critics wrong.
And suggestions that he is using City as a stepping stone to a more high-profile job will be rendered irrelevant if he fails to make an impact at Eastlands.
KEY PLAYER: Rolando Bianchi. Eriksson expects the Italian, who finished as one of Serie A's leading scorers last season, to breathe new life into City's moribund attack.
WEST HAMManager: Alan CurbishleyLast season: 15th in Premiership, UEFA Cup first round, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup third round
IN: Craig Bellamy (Liverpool) 7.5m, Scott Parker (Newcastle) 7m, Julien Faubert (Bordeaux) 6m, Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal) 3.5m, Richard Wright (Everton) Free
OUT: Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (Aston Villa) 4m, Paul Konchesky (Fulham) 2m, Tyrone Mears (Derby) 1m, Teddy Sheringham (Colchester) free, Roy Carroll (Rangers) free, Shaun Newton (Leicester) free
OUTLOOK: No other club manages to be in such a perpetual state of chaos as the Hammers and this close-season at Upton Park has been no different.
It took until mid-July before West Ham's Premiership status was finally secured when Sheffield United's legal challenge over the Carlos Tevez affair was brought to a close.
But Tevez has remained a weighty problem for the club's hierarchy, who found themselves embroiled in dispute with Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian over who should get the transfer fee due from Manchester United for the striker.
While that soap opera has dragged on for weeks, Alan Curbishley has been busy continuing a costly overhaul of his squad as he handed massive wages to the likes of Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker.
That expenditure was necessary as he tries to meet owner Eggert Magnusson's demands for European football. But with Julien Faubert ruled out for six months through injury, another roller-coaster ride is already underway in east London.
KEY PLAYER: Scott Parker. Will be desperate to recapture the form he showed under Curbishley at Charlton after under-whelming spells with Chelsea and Newcastle.
FULHAMManager: Lawrie SanchezLast season: 16th in Premiership, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Diomansy Kamara (West Bromwich) 6m, Steven Davis (Aston Villa) 4m, Chris Baird (Southampton) 3m, Lee Cook (QPR) 2.5m, Paul Konchesky (West Ham) 2m, Aaron Hughes (Aston Villa) 1m, David Healy (Leeds) undisclosed
OUT: Heidar Helguson (Bolton) 2m, Mark Crossley (Oldham) free, Matty Collins (Swansea) free
OUTLOOK: Lawrie Sanchez has embarked on the most surprising spending spree of the close season as he tries to convince Fulham's fans he is the right man to lead their club.
Although Sanchez ensured the London club avoided relegation at the end of last season, the dour style of his team meant his appointment on a permanent basis wasn't greeted with universal approval.
The former Northern Ireland coach needs to make his mark quickly to win over the Craven Cottage faithful and has turned to several of his former international charges to help him.
Sanchez splashed out 20 million pounds on virtually an entire new team and, although Senegal striker Diomansy Kamara was his biggest investment, it is four Northern Ireland stars who will form the spine of the team.
If Fulham are to avoid a repeat of season of struggle, Sanchez knows Chris Baird, Aaron Hughes, Steven Davis and David Healy will have to shine. His future could depend on it.
KEY PLAYER: Antti Niemi. The veteran goalkeeper is still one of the most consistent in the Premiership and could be in for a busy season playing behind a shaky defence.
WIGANManager: Chris HutchingsLast season: 17th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup second round
IN: Jason Koumas (West Bromwich) 5.3m, Carlo Nash (Preston) 300,000, Andreas Granqvist (Helsingborgs) undisclosed, Titus Bramble (Newcastle) free, Antoine Sibierski (Newcastle) free, Mario Melchiot (Rennes) free
OUT: Lee McCulloch (Rangers) 2.25m, Arjan De Zeeuw (Coventry) free, Matt Jackson (Watford) free, John Filan (retired)
OUTLOOK: It could be a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire at the JJB Stadium this season as Wigan face up to another fight for survival.
The club's dramatic escape from relegation on the final day was barely a week old when manager Paul Jewell's resignation ended the euphoria.
Losing a man whose ability to keep calm under pressure was crucial in the close weeks was a real blow, but it is the decision to hand his assistant Chris Hutchings the reins that could prove fatal.
Hutchings hardly looks an inspiring choice to build on Jewell's good work. His previous experience of management came in identical circumstances at Bradford when he replaced Jewell, only to be sacked after five months with his team already sliding towards the drop.
Signing error-prone defender Titus Bramble and erratic midfielder Jason Koumas was a brave, or possibly fool-hardy, way for Hutchings to start his bid to erase those bitter Bradford memories.
KEY PLAYER: Henri Camara. One of the league's most frustrating talents, the Senegal striker fluctuates between unstoppable and unwatchable.
SUNDERLANDManager: Roy KeaneLast season: Championship winners, FA Cup third round, League Cup first round
IN: Kieran Richardson (Manchester Utd) 5.5m, Michael Chopra (Cardiff) 5m, Greg Halford (Reading) 2.5m, Paul McShane (West Bromwich) 1.5m, Dickson Etuhu (Norwich) 1.5m, Russell Anderson (Aberdeen) 1m
OUT: Stephen Elliott (Wolverhampton) undisclosed, Arnau Riera (Falkirk) free
OUTLOOK: Life in the Premiership has been chastening for Sunderland but Roy Keane's inspirational presence should ensure a far more fulfilling experience this time.
Keane represents one of the more intriguing stories of the season. The former Manchester United midfielder took to management impressively as he hauled the Black Cats from the foot of the table to promotion.
His calm, considered touchline presence is a million miles from the ferocious image he cultivated at Old Trafford.
The enigmatic Irishman's positive approach worked wonders last season but now he has to prove he can cut it at the highest level with a club who have twice set the record of the lowest number of points in a Premiership campaign.
His signing of Michael Chopra raised eyebrows for the size of the fee as well as the striker's Newcastle roots. But Keane has always marched to his own beat and he will believe he can help Sunderland eclipse their local rivals in the national spotlight.
KEY PLAYER: Carlos Edwards. The Trinidad winger has pace to burn and enough tricks to suggest he will be a tricky customer for top-flight defenders.
BIRMINGHAMManager: Steve BruceLast season: Championship runners-up, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Fabrice Muamba (Arsenal) 4m, Olivier Kapo (Juventus) 3m, Garry O'Connor (Lokomotiv Moscow) 2.7m, Stuart Parnaby (Middlesbrough) free, Daniel de Ridder (Celta Vigo) free, Richard Kingson (Ankaraspor) free, Rafael Schmitz (Lille) season-loan
OUT: DJ Campbell (Leicester) 2.1m, Stephen Clemence (Leicester) 1m, Bruno N'Gotty (Leicester) free, Julian Gray (Coventry) free
OUTLOOK: Steve Bruce is on a mission to make amends for his past mistakes as he aims to prove he has learned the lessons of relegation two years ago.
Bruce tried to establish his side as a genuine Premiership force by signing a string of stars on big contracts. But those high-earners failed to deliver and Birmingham slumped into the Championship.
Relegation left Bruce fighting to save his job and he was within a game of being sacked last season until victory at Derby sparked a promotion charge.
With his St Andrews' stock on the rise again, Bruce has made some intriguing transfers moves that contrast with his previous purchases.
Fabrice Muamba, Olivier Kapo, Garry O'Connor and Stuart Parnaby may not be household names but they will play with a hunger to prove themselves that is certain to be invaluable as Birmingham scrap to stay up.
KEY PLAYER: Gary McSheffrey. A genuine star in the Championship who has to show he can make the step up to the highest level.
DERBYManager: Billy DaviesLast season: Third in Championship, promoted via play-offs, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Robert Earnshaw (Norwich) 3.5m, Claude Davis (Sheffield United) 3m, Tyrone Mears (West Ham) 1m, Lewis Price (Ipswich) undisclosed, Andy Todd (Blackburn) free
OUT: Lee Camp (QPR) 300,000, Ryan Smith (Millwall) 150,000, Lee Grant (Sheffield Wednesday) free, Lewin Nyatanga (Barnsley) six-month loan
OUTLOOK: If Billy Davies can ensure Derby's return to the top-flight is more than a brief cameo appearance he will have justified the flattering comparisons with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Davies had the same Glasgow upbringing and football education as his Manchester United counterpart and the similarities don't end there.
Like Ferguson, the Rams manager is a firebrand with the single-minded determination to impose his will on a club until he gets the success he desires.
The way the Scot transformed Derby from relegation strugglers to play-off winners in just one season underlined his growing reputation, but now he faces his toughest challenge.
Derby are firm favourites to go down and, unable to match their rivals' big spending, Davies has to rely on his ability to cajole another miracle from his over-achievers.
KEY PLAYER: Giles Barnes. The teenage midfielder has already attracted interested from a host of top clubs and now he has the chance to show what all the fuss is about.
To be continued ... LONDON, July 28, 2007 (AFP) - Team-by-team guide to the English Premiership season, which kicks off on Saturday August 11 (all figures in pounds, one pound = two dollars).
ASTON VILLAManager: Martin O'NeillLast season: 11th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Nigel Reo-Coker (West Ham) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (West Ham) 4m
OUT: Steven Davis (Fulham) 4m, Gavin McCann (Bolton) 1m, Aaron Hughes (Fulham) 1m, Jlloyd Samuel (Bolton) free, Lee Hendrie (Sheffield United) free, Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls) free, Stephen Henderson (Bristol City) free, Robert Olejnik (Falkirk) free, Chris Sutton (retired)
OUTLOOK: Martin O'Neill has been a winner for too long to accept another season treading water at Villa Park.
After an initial surge of positive results following his arrival last year, Villa quickly reverted to type as O'Neill began to realise the extent of the task facing him.
His side mixed moments of class with the mediocre displays that have characterised much of the last 20 years at Villa Park and it was frustrating enough for major surgery to be deemed necessary.
The Irishman off-loaded a host of under-performing players and then spent a sizeable chunk of his transfer budget on West Ham duo Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon Harewood.
Neither former Hammer is a guaranteed hit but Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and John Carew at least give O'Neill a variety of attacking options as he targets a top six finish.
KEY PLAYER: Gabriel Agbonlahor. The lightning-quick winger has illuminated Villa Park with flashes of tremendous skill and is ready to become a real match-winner.
MIDDLESBROUGHManager: Gareth SouthgateLast season: 12th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Luke Young (Charlton) 2.5m, Jeremie Aliadiere (Arsenal) 2m, Tuncay Sanli (Fenerbahce) free
OUT: Mark Viduka (Newcastle) free, Stuart Parnaby (Birmingham) free, Abel Xavier (LA Galaxy) free, Danny Graham (Carlisle) free
OUTLOOK: The phrase mid-table obscurity could have been invented for Middlesbrough and comfortable survival remains the realistic limit of Gareth Southgate's ambitions.
Middlesbrough don't have the resources to compete with the big guns but chairman Steve Gibson is a generous enough benefactor to ensure they are always capable of attracting enough good players to stay afloat.
Southgate has been relatively quiet in the transfer market but he made a curious move by replacing Mark Viduka with French striker Jeremie Aliadiere, who never threatened to break into the first team at Arsenal.
There is no shortage of young talent at the Riverside Stadium however with the like of Lee Cattermole, Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson and James Morrison all impressing after coming through the ranks.
Southgate must get the best of these young prodigies if he is to break that cycle of anonymity.
KEY PLAYER: Jonathon Woodgate. Has enjoyed a new lease of life since moving to his hometown club and is firmly established as one of England's best centre-backs.
NEWCASTLEManager: Sam AllardyceLast season: 13th in Premiership, UEFA Cup last 16, FA Cup third round, League Cup quarter-finals
IN: Joey Barton (Manchester City) 5.5m, David Rozehnal (Paris Saint Germain) 2.9m, Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough) free, Geremi (Chelsea) free
OUT: Scott Parker (West Ham) 7m, Titus Bramble (Wigan) free, Antoine Sibierski (Wigan) free, Alan O'Brien (Hibernian) free, Lee Clark (retired)
OUTLOOK: The marriage of Big Sam to the club with perennially big expectations has the potential to be a match made in heaven.
Allardyce had long made it plain that he craved the opportunity to prove what he could do at a club with greater resources and potential than Bolton. Now he has that chance.
Newcastle have the support and stadium of a Champions League outfit and the rewards of realising that potential would be huge.
Allardyce has the tools to raise to the challenge. Although he established Bolton as a Premiership force with a brand of football that rarely pleased the purists, he is likely to be far more expansive now he has a wider range of talent.
Joey Barton's signing is something of a gamble given his notoriously short fuse, but Allardyce came up trumps when he persuaded Michael Owen not to ask for a transfer.
KEY PLAYER: Michael Owen. After two injury-ravaged years on Tyneside, the England striker owes the Toon Army a prolific campaign.
MANCHESTER CITYManager: Sven Goran ErikssonLast season: 14th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Rolando Bianchi (Reggina) 8.8m, Martin Petrov (Atletico Madrid) 4.7m, Gelson Fernandes (Sion) undisclosed, Geovanni (Benfica) free
OUT: Joey Barton (Newcastle) 5.5m, Sylvain Distin (Portsmouth) free, Stephen Jordan (Burnley) free, Trevor Sinclair (Cardiff) free, Nicky Weaver (Charlton) free, Nathan D'Laryea (Rochdale) free
OUTLOOK: Sven Goran Eriksson's decision to make a striker his first City signing showed he had been paying attention during his year away from the game.
Eriksson is back in management after his ill-fated reign as England coach and has wasted little time bolstering an attack that hit a Premiership record low of 10 home goals last season.
Rolando Bianchi arrives with a hefty price tag and Bulgaria winger Martin Petrov could add a creative spark, but the likes of Georgios Samaras and Darius Vassell must also shoulder some of the burden.
New Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra risked a tidal wave of opprobrium when he appointed Eriksson, but the Swede will surely be motivated to prove his army of critics wrong.
And suggestions that he is using City as a stepping stone to a more high-profile job will be rendered irrelevant if he fails to make an impact at Eastlands.
KEY PLAYER: Rolando Bianchi. Eriksson expects the Italian, who finished as one of Serie A's leading scorers last season, to breathe new life into City's moribund attack.
WEST HAMManager: Alan CurbishleyLast season: 15th in Premiership, UEFA Cup first round, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup third round
IN: Craig Bellamy (Liverpool) 7.5m, Scott Parker (Newcastle) 7m, Julien Faubert (Bordeaux) 6m, Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal) 3.5m, Richard Wright (Everton) Free
OUT: Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (Aston Villa) 4m, Paul Konchesky (Fulham) 2m, Tyrone Mears (Derby) 1m, Teddy Sheringham (Colchester) free, Roy Carroll (Rangers) free, Shaun Newton (Leicester) free
OUTLOOK: No other club manages to be in such a perpetual state of chaos as the Hammers and this close-season at Upton Park has been no different.
It took until mid-July before West Ham's Premiership status was finally secured when Sheffield United's legal challenge over the Carlos Tevez affair was brought to a close.
But Tevez has remained a weighty problem for the club's hierarchy, who found themselves embroiled in dispute with Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian over who should get the transfer fee due from Manchester United for the striker.
While that soap opera has dragged on for weeks, Alan Curbishley has been busy continuing a costly overhaul of his squad as he handed massive wages to the likes of Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker.
That expenditure was necessary as he tries to meet owner Eggert Magnusson's demands for European football. But with Julien Faubert ruled out for six months through injury, another roller-coaster ride is already underway in east London.
KEY PLAYER: Scott Parker. Will be desperate to recapture the form he showed under Curbishley at Charlton after under-whelming spells with Chelsea and Newcastle.
FULHAMManager: Lawrie SanchezLast season: 16th in Premiership, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Diomansy Kamara (West Bromwich) 6m, Steven Davis (Aston Villa) 4m, Chris Baird (Southampton) 3m, Lee Cook (QPR) 2.5m, Paul Konchesky (West Ham) 2m, Aaron Hughes (Aston Villa) 1m, David Healy (Leeds) undisclosed
OUT: Heidar Helguson (Bolton) 2m, Mark Crossley (Oldham) free, Matty Collins (Swansea) free
OUTLOOK: Lawrie Sanchez has embarked on the most surprising spending spree of the close season as he tries to convince Fulham's fans he is the right man to lead their club.
Although Sanchez ensured the London club avoided relegation at the end of last season, the dour style of his team meant his appointment on a permanent basis wasn't greeted with universal approval.
The former Northern Ireland coach needs to make his mark quickly to win over the Craven Cottage faithful and has turned to several of his former international charges to help him.
Sanchez splashed out 20 million pounds on virtually an entire new team and, although Senegal striker Diomansy Kamara was his biggest investment, it is four Northern Ireland stars who will form the spine of the team.
If Fulham are to avoid a repeat of season of struggle, Sanchez knows Chris Baird, Aaron Hughes, Steven Davis and David Healy will have to shine. His future could depend on it.
KEY PLAYER: Antti Niemi. The veteran goalkeeper is still one of the most consistent in the Premiership and could be in for a busy season playing behind a shaky defence.
WIGANManager: Chris HutchingsLast season: 17th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup second round
IN: Jason Koumas (West Bromwich) 5.3m, Carlo Nash (Preston) 300,000, Andreas Granqvist (Helsingborgs) undisclosed, Titus Bramble (Newcastle) free, Antoine Sibierski (Newcastle) free, Mario Melchiot (Rennes) free
OUT: Lee McCulloch (Rangers) 2.25m, Arjan De Zeeuw (Coventry) free, Matt Jackson (Watford) free, John Filan (retired)
OUTLOOK: It could be a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire at the JJB Stadium this season as Wigan face up to another fight for survival.
The club's dramatic escape from relegation on the final day was barely a week old when manager Paul Jewell's resignation ended the euphoria.
Losing a man whose ability to keep calm under pressure was crucial in the close weeks was a real blow, but it is the decision to hand his assistant Chris Hutchings the reins that could prove fatal.
Hutchings hardly looks an inspiring choice to build on Jewell's good work. His previous experience of management came in identical circumstances at Bradford when he replaced Jewell, only to be sacked after five months with his team already sliding towards the drop.
Signing error-prone defender Titus Bramble and erratic midfielder Jason Koumas was a brave, or possibly fool-hardy, way for Hutchings to start his bid to erase those bitter Bradford memories.
KEY PLAYER: Henri Camara. One of the league's most frustrating talents, the Senegal striker fluctuates between unstoppable and unwatchable.
SUNDERLANDManager: Roy KeaneLast season: Championship winners, FA Cup third round, League Cup first round
IN: Kieran Richardson (Manchester Utd) 5.5m, Michael Chopra (Cardiff) 5m, Greg Halford (Reading) 2.5m, Paul McShane (West Bromwich) 1.5m, Dickson Etuhu (Norwich) 1.5m, Russell Anderson (Aberdeen) 1m
OUT: Stephen Elliott (Wolverhampton) undisclosed, Arnau Riera (Falkirk) free
OUTLOOK: Life in the Premiership has been chastening for Sunderland but Roy Keane's inspirational presence should ensure a far more fulfilling experience this time.
Keane represents one of the more intriguing stories of the season. The former Manchester United midfielder took to management impressively as he hauled the Black Cats from the foot of the table to promotion.
His calm, considered touchline presence is a million miles from the ferocious image he cultivated at Old Trafford.
The enigmatic Irishman's positive approach worked wonders last season but now he has to prove he can cut it at the highest level with a club who have twice set the record of the lowest number of points in a Premiership campaign.
His signing of Michael Chopra raised eyebrows for the size of the fee as well as the striker's Newcastle roots. But Keane has always marched to his own beat and he will believe he can help Sunderland eclipse their local rivals in the national spotlight.
KEY PLAYER: Carlos Edwards. The Trinidad winger has pace to burn and enough tricks to suggest he will be a tricky customer for top-flight defenders.
BIRMINGHAMManager: Steve BruceLast season: Championship runners-up, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Fabrice Muamba (Arsenal) 4m, Olivier Kapo (Juventus) 3m, Garry O'Connor (Lokomotiv Moscow) 2.7m, Stuart Parnaby (Middlesbrough) free, Daniel de Ridder (Celta Vigo) free, Richard Kingson (Ankaraspor) free, Rafael Schmitz (Lille) season-loan
OUT: DJ Campbell (Leicester) 2.1m, Stephen Clemence (Leicester) 1m, Bruno N'Gotty (Leicester) free, Julian Gray (Coventry) free
OUTLOOK: Steve Bruce is on a mission to make amends for his past mistakes as he aims to prove he has learned the lessons of relegation two years ago.
Bruce tried to establish his side as a genuine Premiership force by signing a string of stars on big contracts. But those high-earners failed to deliver and Birmingham slumped into the Championship.
Relegation left Bruce fighting to save his job and he was within a game of being sacked last season until victory at Derby sparked a promotion charge.
With his St Andrews' stock on the rise again, Bruce has made some intriguing transfers moves that contrast with his previous purchases.
Fabrice Muamba, Olivier Kapo, Garry O'Connor and Stuart Parnaby may not be household names but they will play with a hunger to prove themselves that is certain to be invaluable as Birmingham scrap to stay up.
KEY PLAYER: Gary McSheffrey. A genuine star in the Championship who has to show he can make the step up to the highest level.
DERBYManager: Billy DaviesLast season: Third in Championship, promoted via play-offs, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Robert Earnshaw (Norwich) 3.5m, Claude Davis (Sheffield United) 3m, Tyrone Mears (West Ham) 1m, Lewis Price (Ipswich) undisclosed, Andy Todd (Blackburn) free
OUT: Lee Camp (QPR) 300,000, Ryan Smith (Millwall) 150,000, Lee Grant (Sheffield Wednesday) free, Lewin Nyatanga (Barnsley) six-month loan
OUTLOOK: If Billy Davies can ensure Derby's return to the top-flight is more than a brief cameo appearance he will have justified the flattering comparisons with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Davies had the same Glasgow upbringing and football education as his Manchester United counterpart and the similarities don't end there.
Like Ferguson, the Rams manager is a firebrand with the single-minded determination to impose his will on a club until he gets the success he desires.
The way the Scot transformed Derby from relegation strugglers to play-off winners in just one season underlined his growing reputation, but now he faces his toughest challenge.
Derby are firm favourites to go down and, unable to match their rivals' big spending, Davies has to rely on his ability to cajole another miracle from his over-achievers.
KEY PLAYER: Giles Barnes. The teenage midfielder has already attracted interested from a host of top clubs and now he has the chance to show what all the fuss is about.
To be continued ...
LONDON, July 28, 2007 (AFP) - Team-by-team guide to the English Premiership season, which kicks off on Saturday August 11 (all figures in pounds, one pound = two dollars).
ASTON VILLAManager: Martin O'NeillLast season: 11th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Nigel Reo-Coker (West Ham) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (West Ham) 4m
OUT: Steven Davis (Fulham) 4m, Gavin McCann (Bolton) 1m, Aaron Hughes (Fulham) 1m, Jlloyd Samuel (Bolton) free, Lee Hendrie (Sheffield United) free, Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls) free, Stephen Henderson (Bristol City) free, Robert Olejnik (Falkirk) free, Chris Sutton (retired)
OUTLOOK: Martin O'Neill has been a winner for too long to accept another season treading water at Villa Park.
After an initial surge of positive results following his arrival last year, Villa quickly reverted to type as O'Neill began to realise the extent of the task facing him.
His side mixed moments of class with the mediocre displays that have characterised much of the last 20 years at Villa Park and it was frustrating enough for major surgery to be deemed necessary.
The Irishman off-loaded a host of under-performing players and then spent a sizeable chunk of his transfer budget on West Ham duo Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon Harewood.
Neither former Hammer is a guaranteed hit but Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and John Carew at least give O'Neill a variety of attacking options as he targets a top six finish.
KEY PLAYER: Gabriel Agbonlahor. The lightning-quick winger has illuminated Villa Park with flashes of tremendous skill and is ready to become a real match-winner.
MIDDLESBROUGHManager: Gareth SouthgateLast season: 12th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Luke Young (Charlton) 2.5m, Jeremie Aliadiere (Arsenal) 2m, Tuncay Sanli (Fenerbahce) free
OUT: Mark Viduka (Newcastle) free, Stuart Parnaby (Birmingham) free, Abel Xavier (LA Galaxy) free, Danny Graham (Carlisle) free
OUTLOOK: The phrase mid-table obscurity could have been invented for Middlesbrough and comfortable survival remains the realistic limit of Gareth Southgate's ambitions.
Middlesbrough don't have the resources to compete with the big guns but chairman Steve Gibson is a generous enough benefactor to ensure they are always capable of attracting enough good players to stay afloat.
Southgate has been relatively quiet in the transfer market but he made a curious move by replacing Mark Viduka with French striker Jeremie Aliadiere, who never threatened to break into the first team at Arsenal.
There is no shortage of young talent at the Riverside Stadium however with the like of Lee Cattermole, Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson and James Morrison all impressing after coming through the ranks.
Southgate must get the best of these young prodigies if he is to break that cycle of anonymity.
KEY PLAYER: Jonathon Woodgate. Has enjoyed a new lease of life since moving to his hometown club and is firmly established as one of England's best centre-backs.
NEWCASTLEManager: Sam AllardyceLast season: 13th in Premiership, UEFA Cup last 16, FA Cup third round, League Cup quarter-finals
IN: Joey Barton (Manchester City) 5.5m, David Rozehnal (Paris Saint Germain) 2.9m, Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough) free, Geremi (Chelsea) free
OUT: Scott Parker (West Ham) 7m, Titus Bramble (Wigan) free, Antoine Sibierski (Wigan) free, Alan O'Brien (Hibernian) free, Lee Clark (retired)
OUTLOOK: The marriage of Big Sam to the club with perennially big expectations has the potential to be a match made in heaven.
Allardyce had long made it plain that he craved the opportunity to prove what he could do at a club with greater resources and potential than Bolton. Now he has that chance.
Newcastle have the support and stadium of a Champions League outfit and the rewards of realising that potential would be huge.
Allardyce has the tools to raise to the challenge. Although he established Bolton as a Premiership force with a brand of football that rarely pleased the purists, he is likely to be far more expansive now he has a wider range of talent.
Joey Barton's signing is something of a gamble given his notoriously short fuse, but Allardyce came up trumps when he persuaded Michael Owen not to ask for a transfer.
KEY PLAYER: Michael Owen. After two injury-ravaged years on Tyneside, the England striker owes the Toon Army a prolific campaign.
MANCHESTER CITYManager: Sven Goran ErikssonLast season: 14th in Premiership, FA Cup quarter-finals, League Cup second round
IN: Rolando Bianchi (Reggina) 8.8m, Martin Petrov (Atletico Madrid) 4.7m, Gelson Fernandes (Sion) undisclosed, Geovanni (Benfica) free
OUT: Joey Barton (Newcastle) 5.5m, Sylvain Distin (Portsmouth) free, Stephen Jordan (Burnley) free, Trevor Sinclair (Cardiff) free, Nicky Weaver (Charlton) free, Nathan D'Laryea (Rochdale) free
OUTLOOK: Sven Goran Eriksson's decision to make a striker his first City signing showed he had been paying attention during his year away from the game.
Eriksson is back in management after his ill-fated reign as England coach and has wasted little time bolstering an attack that hit a Premiership record low of 10 home goals last season.
Rolando Bianchi arrives with a hefty price tag and Bulgaria winger Martin Petrov could add a creative spark, but the likes of Georgios Samaras and Darius Vassell must also shoulder some of the burden.
New Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra risked a tidal wave of opprobrium when he appointed Eriksson, but the Swede will surely be motivated to prove his army of critics wrong.
And suggestions that he is using City as a stepping stone to a more high-profile job will be rendered irrelevant if he fails to make an impact at Eastlands.
KEY PLAYER: Rolando Bianchi. Eriksson expects the Italian, who finished as one of Serie A's leading scorers last season, to breathe new life into City's moribund attack.
WEST HAMManager: Alan CurbishleyLast season: 15th in Premiership, UEFA Cup first round, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup third round
IN: Craig Bellamy (Liverpool) 7.5m, Scott Parker (Newcastle) 7m, Julien Faubert (Bordeaux) 6m, Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal) 3.5m, Richard Wright (Everton) Free
OUT: Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa) 8.5m, Marlon Harewood (Aston Villa) 4m, Paul Konchesky (Fulham) 2m, Tyrone Mears (Derby) 1m, Teddy Sheringham (Colchester) free, Roy Carroll (Rangers) free, Shaun Newton (Leicester) free
OUTLOOK: No other club manages to be in such a perpetual state of chaos as the Hammers and this close-season at Upton Park has been no different.
It took until mid-July before West Ham's Premiership status was finally secured when Sheffield United's legal challenge over the Carlos Tevez affair was brought to a close.
But Tevez has remained a weighty problem for the club's hierarchy, who found themselves embroiled in dispute with Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian over who should get the transfer fee due from Manchester United for the striker.
While that soap opera has dragged on for weeks, Alan Curbishley has been busy continuing a costly overhaul of his squad as he handed massive wages to the likes of Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker.
That expenditure was necessary as he tries to meet owner Eggert Magnusson's demands for European football. But with Julien Faubert ruled out for six months through injury, another roller-coaster ride is already underway in east London.
KEY PLAYER: Scott Parker. Will be desperate to recapture the form he showed under Curbishley at Charlton after under-whelming spells with Chelsea and Newcastle.
FULHAMManager: Lawrie SanchezLast season: 16th in Premiership, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Diomansy Kamara (West Bromwich) 6m, Steven Davis (Aston Villa) 4m, Chris Baird (Southampton) 3m, Lee Cook (QPR) 2.5m, Paul Konchesky (West Ham) 2m, Aaron Hughes (Aston Villa) 1m, David Healy (Leeds) undisclosed
OUT: Heidar Helguson (Bolton) 2m, Mark Crossley (Oldham) free, Matty Collins (Swansea) free
OUTLOOK: Lawrie Sanchez has embarked on the most surprising spending spree of the close season as he tries to convince Fulham's fans he is the right man to lead their club.
Although Sanchez ensured the London club avoided relegation at the end of last season, the dour style of his team meant his appointment on a permanent basis wasn't greeted with universal approval.
The former Northern Ireland coach needs to make his mark quickly to win over the Craven Cottage faithful and has turned to several of his former international charges to help him.
Sanchez splashed out 20 million pounds on virtually an entire new team and, although Senegal striker Diomansy Kamara was his biggest investment, it is four Northern Ireland stars who will form the spine of the team.
If Fulham are to avoid a repeat of season of struggle, Sanchez knows Chris Baird, Aaron Hughes, Steven Davis and David Healy will have to shine. His future could depend on it.
KEY PLAYER: Antti Niemi. The veteran goalkeeper is still one of the most consistent in the Premiership and could be in for a busy season playing behind a shaky defence.
WIGANManager: Chris HutchingsLast season: 17th in Premiership, FA Cup third round, League Cup second round
IN: Jason Koumas (West Bromwich) 5.3m, Carlo Nash (Preston) 300,000, Andreas Granqvist (Helsingborgs) undisclosed, Titus Bramble (Newcastle) free, Antoine Sibierski (Newcastle) free, Mario Melchiot (Rennes) free
OUT: Lee McCulloch (Rangers) 2.25m, Arjan De Zeeuw (Coventry) free, Matt Jackson (Watford) free, John Filan (retired)
OUTLOOK: It could be a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire at the JJB Stadium this season as Wigan face up to another fight for survival.
The club's dramatic escape from relegation on the final day was barely a week old when manager Paul Jewell's resignation ended the euphoria.
Losing a man whose ability to keep calm under pressure was crucial in the close weeks was a real blow, but it is the decision to hand his assistant Chris Hutchings the reins that could prove fatal.
Hutchings hardly looks an inspiring choice to build on Jewell's good work. His previous experience of management came in identical circumstances at Bradford when he replaced Jewell, only to be sacked after five months with his team already sliding towards the drop.
Signing error-prone defender Titus Bramble and erratic midfielder Jason Koumas was a brave, or possibly fool-hardy, way for Hutchings to start his bid to erase those bitter Bradford memories.
KEY PLAYER: Henri Camara. One of the league's most frustrating talents, the Senegal striker fluctuates between unstoppable and unwatchable.
SUNDERLANDManager: Roy KeaneLast season: Championship winners, FA Cup third round, League Cup first round
IN: Kieran Richardson (Manchester Utd) 5.5m, Michael Chopra (Cardiff) 5m, Greg Halford (Reading) 2.5m, Paul McShane (West Bromwich) 1.5m, Dickson Etuhu (Norwich) 1.5m, Russell Anderson (Aberdeen) 1m
OUT: Stephen Elliott (Wolverhampton) undisclosed, Arnau Riera (Falkirk) free
OUTLOOK: Life in the Premiership has been chastening for Sunderland but Roy Keane's inspirational presence should ensure a far more fulfilling experience this time.
Keane represents one of the more intriguing stories of the season. The former Manchester United midfielder took to management impressively as he hauled the Black Cats from the foot of the table to promotion.
His calm, considered touchline presence is a million miles from the ferocious image he cultivated at Old Trafford.
The enigmatic Irishman's positive approach worked wonders last season but now he has to prove he can cut it at the highest level with a club who have twice set the record of the lowest number of points in a Premiership campaign.
His signing of Michael Chopra raised eyebrows for the size of the fee as well as the striker's Newcastle roots. But Keane has always marched to his own beat and he will believe he can help Sunderland eclipse their local rivals in the national spotlight.
KEY PLAYER: Carlos Edwards. The Trinidad winger has pace to burn and enough tricks to suggest he will be a tricky customer for top-flight defenders.
BIRMINGHAMManager: Steve BruceLast season: Championship runners-up, FA Cup fourth round, League Cup fourth round
IN: Fabrice Muamba (Arsenal) 4m, Olivier Kapo (Juventus) 3m, Garry O'Connor (Lokomotiv Moscow) 2.7m, Stuart Parnaby (Middlesbrough) free, Daniel de Ridder (Celta Vigo) free, Richard Kingson (Ankaraspor) free, Rafael Schmitz (Lille) season-loan
OUT: DJ Campbell (Leicester) 2.1m, Stephen Clemence (Leicester) 1m, Bruno N'Gotty (Leicester) free, Julian Gray (Coventry) free
OUTLOOK: Steve Bruce is on a mission to make amends for his past mistakes as he aims to prove he has learned the lessons of relegation two years ago.
Bruce tried to establish his side as a genuine Premiership force by signing a string of stars on big contracts. But those high-earners failed to deliver and Birmingham slumped into the Championship.
Relegation left Bruce fighting to save his job and he was within a game of being sacked last season until victory at Derby sparked a promotion charge.
With his St Andrews' stock on the rise again, Bruce has made some intriguing transfers moves that contrast with his previous purchases.
Fabrice Muamba, Olivier Kapo, Garry O'Connor and Stuart Parnaby may not be household names but they will play with a hunger to prove themselves that is certain to be invaluable as Birmingham scrap to stay up.
KEY PLAYER: Gary McSheffrey. A genuine star in the Championship who has to show he can make the step up to the highest level.
DERBYManager: Billy DaviesLast season: Third in Championship, promoted via play-offs, FA Cup fifth round, League Cup second round
IN: Robert Earnshaw (Norwich) 3.5m, Claude Davis (Sheffield United) 3m, Tyrone Mears (West Ham) 1m, Lewis Price (Ipswich) undisclosed, Andy Todd (Blackburn) free
OUT: Lee Camp (QPR) 300,000, Ryan Smith (Millwall) 150,000, Lee Grant (Sheffield Wednesday) free, Lewin Nyatanga (Barnsley) six-month loan
OUTLOOK: If Billy Davies can ensure Derby's return to the top-flight is more than a brief cameo appearance he will have justified the flattering comparisons with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Davies had the same Glasgow upbringing and football education as his Manchester United counterpart and the similarities don't end there.
Like Ferguson, the Rams manager is a firebrand with the single-minded determination to impose his will on a club until he gets the success he desires.
The way the Scot transformed Derby from relegation strugglers to play-off winners in just one season underlined his growing reputation, but now he faces his toughest challenge.
Derby are firm favourites to go down and, unable to match their rivals' big spending, Davies has to rely on his ability to cajole another miracle from his over-achievers.
KEY PLAYER: Giles Barnes. The teenage midfielder has already attracted interested from a host of top clubs and now he has the chance to show what all the fuss is about.
To be continued ...
from:www.espnstar.com
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