New season, new challenges

With just a week to the start of the Football League, two weeks to the start of the Premiership and five weeks to the start of the Sussex Woman and Girls League, my taste buds are starting to tingle and my heart is full of excitement and anticipation. I love this time of the season - the newspapers full of (often incorrect) gossip, teams are being written off, players too - so this blog is my turn, my predictions about what 2009/10 will bring.

Dynamo Girls: I think this is going to be a great season for the club. Its a shame that we haven't been able to get any new teams off the ground, but our Junior section will be overflowing this year and I'm really looking forward to seeing how Joe takes the girls forward. This season I am confident that we will win our first league silverware with our U12 team. They looked superb in the recent Oakwood tournament and I think Martin and the girls will push on from the good work Mandi put in last season. Our U15s are also looking a great prospect and with plenty of new signings this could be the season they deliver after so many years of unfulfilled promise. Follow our girls...

The Arsenal: We have been criticised in much of the press over the last few weeks and are apparently now regarded as being a "selling" team. Personally I'm more then happy to see the back of Adebayor and Toure especially given the tosh they have both said about Arsenal since their departures. Adebayor had one good season at Arsenal then failed to deliver. He has too much ego and has simply moved for the money. Toure was indeed a rock in the heart of our defence, but since contracting malaria last season failed to hold down a regular place. Put your money on Arshavin becoming this seasons Player of the Year - a wonderful talent, and backed up by the return of Rosisky, Nasri, Fabregas, Van Persie and the like - how anyone can write off Arsenals challenge is beyond me. Arsenal's winning start...

The Premiership: For all of Man City's big spending I don't see them being a contender this season. Mark Hughes will be under enormous pressure to deliver with his stable of superstars, but the egos won't gel and they will be lucky to get to 6th. Aston Villa and Everton could be pushing again this season, but more down to their excellent managers then the abilities of their respective teams and another surprise one could be Sunderland. It will sadly be the usual top 4 fighting it out. Man Utd have sold two of their best players and have some golden oldies in their squad coming to the end of their time. I think this year they will be off the pace and Fergie will start looking into retirement villas in Spain. Liverpool are the perennial chokers and having sold one of their key midfielders will be looking for crumbs this season. For me it will be a fight between Chelsea and Arsenal. Chelsea have a new manager, depth in their squad and will make a couple of late signings to freshen things up. Arsenal have the most continuity out of the top 4 and the least pressure as they have already been written off by most commentators. I have to side with my beloved Arsenal - you wouldn't expect anything else would you?! The bookies guide...

The Rest (local!): I think Brighton will struggle again this season. Until they get to their new stadium (which is beginning to take shape) they will struggle to attract signings so mid table mediocrity is on the cards. Crawley will probably have another good season by I still can't see them progressing into the play off places until new management takes control. This could be an excellent season for Eastbourne Borough. Last years performance was a great surprise and I hope their steady climb continues - they are how all football clubs should be run. The opposite side to that is poor old Lewes who had a dismal spell in the Conference Premier. A return to the Southern league should be good for them,. Finally - how about a decent FA cup run for one of our non-league teams, my money is on Horsham or perhaps St Francis Rangers. Brightons new stadium...

Good luck to all, may battle commence....