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Chelsea Kicks off with Man U
The FA Community Shield, formerly known as the Charity Shield, is the traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season and this Sunday, Wembley is once again the setting.
The format of the game usually pitches the league champions up against the FA Cup holders but the dominance of Chelsea last season caused a problem with that.
As the Stamford Bridge club managed to win both the English Premier League and the FA Cup, they have to play someone else, as Chelsea v Chelsea reserves wouldn¡¯t be too exciting a fixture. Some people felt that FA Cup final losers Portsmouth would have been invited but they are struggling to field a team at the moment.
Thankfully, the rulebook has presented English Premier League runners-up Manchester United the opportunity to contest with Chelsea. Given that United picked up the other major domestic piece of silverware from last season, the League Cup, it is probably quite fitting that they will be at Wembley.
The game is appealing to a TV audience and as both fans has a large London fanbase, it should be a convenient way to get along and support the two teams. The FA Community Shield is not as pressurised a match as a league game but it is a good way to start the season.
English football has been in the doldrums since the World Cup and it will be interesting to see how those involved react. John Terry and Frank Lampard of Chelsea underperformed at the World Cup and Wayne Rooney was a disaster for England. A lot of this was due to the huge amount of pressure placed upon him but it was obvious that Rooney struggled to live up to expectations. His very public outburst at the end of the England versus Algeria game will live long in the memory. Do not be surprised if a few boos are aimed at Rooney from the Chelsea fans.
Then again, if you think that the English players at the World Cup had a bad time of it, what about Anelka from France?
The Chelsea forward didn¡¯t even get to see out the group stage of the tournament as he was sent home in disgrace by Raymond Domenech. Domenech, by this time, had no business being in charge of an ice cream van let alone a football team but to the detriment of the French national football team, he was the man in charge.
Anelka was sent home early but United¡¯s Patrice Evra was also involved in a few unsavoury moments during the tournament, notably leading the French players strike from training. It may well be that two players on either side of the divide at Wembley on Sunday have something to share in common.
One man who doesn¡¯t want to share anything is Sir Alex Ferguson, the United boss, who will be extremely keen to get off to a winning start. Ferguson knows that the Community Shield doesn¡¯t mean too much in the grand scheme of things but it is always nice to add some silverware to the season.
United will be looking at Champions League or Premier League success as their main aim but any trophy is great. United started their campaign last season with a loss at Wembley as Chelsea triumphed on penalties so Alex will want a psychological boos from the start. Winning the Community Shield isn¡¯t going to make much of a difference but if his squad realise that Chelsea are beatable from the start, it may put them in a stronger position to challenge this season.
Equally, Carlo Ancelotti enjoyed quick fire success as the Chelsea boss with a win in this tournament and their 4-1 penalty shoot-out win may have been one of the factors that gave the Blues confidence to take into the season. If you win the game, you can say you take a lot from it, if you lose the game, you can say that it doesn¡¯t mean a lot. However, if you are talking before the game, you have to be careful about how much importance you put on the game or your comments could look foolish after the match.
Both Manchester United and Chelsea had gone straight into the Champions League so this will be the first semi-serious action the sides have had this season. Both clubs have been travelling around the world, extending their fanbase and playing to new fans but this is the first point where things kick off for the new season. In this respect, it would be good to see both teams come roaring out of the block in an attempt to lay a marker for the season but in reality, it would not be a surprise to see a cagey affair.
It has already been mentioned that the team that wins the game could take a big boost from the outcome so neither side will want to lose and hand their rival an early advantage. Taking into consideration last years FA Community Shield, it may be wise to predict a draw and the outcome being decided by penalty kicks. This is exactly what happened at Wembley at the start of the 2009/10 season when Manchester United and Chelsea clashed. On that occasion, the blue half of the stadium was rejoicing in a 4-1 victory but will the same be said this time around?
With just under a month to go of the transfer window, there are likely to be deals and movements involving both of these clubs, making it hard to say what impact this game will have on the season. After all, both sides may well strengthen their side with a purchase or two, changing the outcome of the season ahead.
For all that many teams in the English Premier League like to think they are contenders for the title, they will have to realise that both of these sides remain at the top of the tree. If anyone can get past united and Chelsea, they will be deserved winners of the English Premier League. Sunday is the time when other teams can start looking for any sign of weakness of the teams involved.
by Andrew Reilly
for The Silver Circle at www.footballtip.co.uk
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Dear Greg,
I've been a member since July 2003, maybe one of the first to join the Silver Circle.
2004 was a good year but I really enjoyed the long run we had in, I think, July 2005. It was exhilarating! 2006-2007 was not as exciting although still quite profitable and so far 2007-2008 looks quite good. I'm wondering if we're going to hit a long one again soon. Anyway, it's been a pleasure as always with your service, Greg. Armstrong and you are one of the few people I trust on the internet. You have made my retirement so much more fun and financially happy!
Best Wishes, Trent Wrayford, Sidney
