In the blink of an eye, the hype of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa has vanished. English fans optimism dashed, and replaced by a sense of dejection and utter disappointment. Yet, for any true football fan, the real business has only just begun.
During the World Cup, I just could not manage to muster up the enthusiasm, for an England team packed full of overpaid prima donnas, as I seem to week in, week out with Ipswich Town. Indeed, the Blues are my real passion in the game – and one of the things I really enjoy in life.
Nothing can compare to the thrill of watching the team you have supported all your life play live, and nothing can rival that true sense of glee when they bag a precious three points on a Saturday afternoon.
Unfortunately, I was not able to attend Ipswich’s season opener away to Middlesbrough at the weekend due to work commitments – but trust me, I was following developments at the Riverside with a nervous expectation.
Nervous certainly would be the right word – Middlesbrough had spent the summer bolstering their squad with the best players Scotland seemingly has to offer, while Town have cleared the decks big time, but not really added much to their squad. I have to say; I was expecting nothing more than defeat.
Yet somehow, Ipswich Town sprung the surprise of the day to record a superb 3-1 victory. Goals from World Cup hero, Tommy Smith as well as Tamas Priskin and Jon Stead made it an afternoon to remember.
All-in-all, the nPower Championship season is off to a flyer. Watford’s opening day victory over Norwich City set the pulses racing, as well as giving me a degree of satisfaction at seeing the Canaries slump to an embarrassing defeat.
Millwall’s wonderful 3-0 win over David James’ Bristol City was another opening day shock, but could not match the hammering that Queens Park Rangers handed out to a sorry Barnsley side.
Portsmouth’s woes continue, after they fell to a 2-0 defeat at Coventry. For me, that was no surprise, and I can really see Pompey struggling, on and off the field this season.
And that brings me to my predictions for the season…
Although, my Ipswich Town heroes subjected title favourites, Middlesbrough to an opening day battering, I can see them recovering, and finishing at the right end of the table. They are my favourites for the title. I think Billy Davies’ Nottingham Forest will be a contender as well. If they can recapture the home form they showed lasted season, they can have a really good year.
I do have faith that Ipswich can make it into the play-offs – although promotion to the Premier League might just be beyond Roy Keane’s threadbare squad this time around. That third promotion place could well go to Burnley or Hull – both teams fresh from a season in the top flight.
Now, I’m not saying this just because I am an Ipswich fan – but I really do think Norwich will have a job to stay up this season. I have followed their progress over the last couple of seasons very closely, of course, as they are our archrivals. Indeed, my honest opinion is that their squad really is no better than the one they went down with a couple of seasons ago. Couple that with a defeat to Watford – another side I fancy for relegation – and they look to have a job on their hands.
I mention Watford – last season started so well for them, but they ended the campaign in free fall, and only managed to avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth. With influential loan players like Tom Cleverly no longer at the club, I can really see them struggling, despite a morale boosting opening day win.
The third club I tip for the drop is Millwall. Yes, I know they were good at the weekend, and pulled of a magnificent result – but that is precisely what it was, magnificent. There will not be a moment this season that will top that for them. Their squad is unfortunately not up to the demands of the Championship these days, which is why they will go down.
