Here we go again then. Not in the Whitesnake way, but in the sense that it’s a new season and the plan to win absolutely everything is underway. We are sensationally good when we can be arsed.
I finished the last blog quite abruptly before even the awards so let’s get caught up. Marseille had to face the French Cup final with this squad due to ludicrous call ups:
Unsurprisingly they lost 4-0 to second division Laval after only being able to field 9 players.
Anyway, back to Barnsley business. Bakayoko wouldn’t sign a contract, left on a free but decided to come back. Severely reduced pay for everybody!
Anyway, awards time. Ronny is good.
Really good.
As am I.
Why is Steve Marlet at Swansea?
Goodbye sweet Beppe. You helped bring us to the next level.
This is Laurent Blanc’s regen. Bit of backup.
The Charity Shield is the perfect way to kick things off. Trophy 1 in the bag.
Sunderland ran us all the way in the FA Cup final so I’m worried about this…and rightly so. Bastards.
Normal service resumes at Oakwell. We are up and running.
We draw at Oxford because this bloody game likes to test your patience. Twenty shots. 20.
Norwich threaten to go the same way but eventually we break their resistance and win 3-0.
What kind of a draw is this?! Nightmare. Ajax was last season’s final.
Ronaldo has had a quiet start to the season but he destroys Preston. He’s no ordinary boy.
Banter FC are brushed aside.
Anfield represents one of the toughest assignments of the season made all the tougher by Ronaldo seeing his early penalty saved. We go behind twice but swiftly equalise to earn us a point.
The repeat of the final doesn’t disappoint. An early flurry of goals is then followed by 70 minutes without one. Despite Shota Arveladze’s best efforts, Ronaldo wins it.
0-0 with Arsenal. David James unbeatable
Villa are brushed aside. Charvet is back from injury and he makes a big difference
Dinamo Moscow should be the easiest opponent in this awful group but we have to work hard for our win.
Pompey make a game of it but you can’t give us a two goal head start in the first 6 minutes
Forest have caused us problems before but not today. Scoring early always a help.
Big result! Real Madrid are battered by the Barnsley freight train from hell. That should give us some breathing space.
If we can beat Ajax at home that might be enough.
Newcastle and their superstar team are in £8m of debt. Not a happy house and we take full advantage.
It takes extra time to finally beat Wolves. It’s not an easy 3rd round tie but we have to beat everybody and win everything so no letting up. Henry the difference in the end.
A good start then, still in with a chance of everything and for once not chasing anybody down.
Derby trying to match us in the entertainment stakes but those draws are costly it seems.
Next week is of course the crucial middle week, where we will have the chance to win the World Club Cup and the European Super Cup as well as putting a dent in all the other competitions. Meet me back here, won’t you?