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BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Let the show begin . . .

The new Premier League season kicks off today and I, like millions around the world, cannot wait for the action to begin.I will be sitting in front of the TV at 8.45am for the first match, Liverpool versus Stoke City, before the 11 o’clock fixtures begin. And things will kick into full gear with two more matches tomorrow (Crystal Palace v Tottenham and Chelsea v Hull), another on Monday (Manchester City v Newcastle) and then Chelsea v Aston Villa on Wednesday before the second round of matches next weekend.As usual I know it’s going to be an interesting season.One thing about the English, they may not be the best players in the world but they give you 110 percent every time.You know you’re going to get excitement, you know it’s going to be full of passion and you know the stadiums are going to be packed and I’m just looking forward to the season and hope it continues to grow like it has grown.It hasn’t been a long off-season for me because I’ve watched a lot of football this summer.I’ve even watched the replays, I watched a game the other night when Liverpool beat Newcastle 6-0 from last season.Speaking of Liverpool, I know they and Tottenham are desperate to break the stronghold that Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea have on the top four.Anything is possible but a lot will depend on what happens with Luis Suarez who is their main goalscorer.United, under a new manager, David Moyes, are still the team to beat, though there’s still a question mark over Wayne Rooney who is said to be unhappy and wants a move.I hope it turns out for Moyes well. He’s a decent fella and he deserves to do well.He did well at Everton in the last 11 years by keeping them in a good position without lots of money and I just hope he’s able to go to United and do a similar thing.All eyes will be on him because Manchester United are an institution like Real Madrid, Barcelona and are one of the biggest clubs in the world.You have Man City who are big spenders and have lots of quality players and football is all about having a good squad.Chelsea are going to be difficult because Jose Mourinho is back and Arsenal are going to be there or thereabouts, though they probably won’t win the league.It could be the same top four teams as has been the case in the last three or four years.It would be lovely to see Spurs. Liverpool or Everton get there but those top four teams are going to take some beating.Gareth Bale is going to be important for Spurs but as I said last week, if I was Tottenham I would sell him and cash in on the fee being offered by Real Madrid.If a club wants to give you close to 100 million pounds for someone you paid about two million for, that’s fantastic business.There are enough good players in countries like Argentina and Brazil who could come in and fill the void if Bale was to leave.If you want to compete with the big boys you’ve got to spend money wisely, not just spend it for the sake of spending it.The pressure will be on the three promoted teams, Hull, Cardiff and Crystal Palace, to hold on to their spots in the top flight. Whenever you get promoted it is always going to be difficult to stay up.Of the three teams, I tip Cardiff to hold their own because they have one or two players who have played in the Premier League before.But it is not going to be easy for any of the three clubs. Only time will tell whether they have what it takes to remain alongside the big boys.