TSB's pre-season thoughts

Well we're off again, and as ever with the EPL, it's a bit of a madhouse. There's plenty going on at every club [except Boro] to get the pulse going :

Sven, Mr QVC, is spending faster than my mother and girlfriend combined. God knows how Man City will function as a team, especially with Mr Evil overseeing everything. But it'll be entertaining, as it always is with the Citizens.
West Ham, not to be outdone in the nouveau riche stakes, have also been spending like drunken democrats. They used to be most people's favourite London club, but maybe not for much longer.
ManU and Liverpool have also spent big, but the pressure is probably greater on Benitez, despite his new little goatee diverting attention. Will he finally stick to a settled team? It's asking a lot of Torres to be the new Rushie from the get-go, and provide some needed penetration. They still look like they'll struggle to break down defensive teams. God knows how Fergie is going to keep all his players happy - there will be competition just to get on to the bench. Pool getting Heinze would add some spice.
If their pre-season friendlies are a good guide then the stories of Arsenal's death are greatly exaggerated, but they'll still continue to entertain and frustrate in equal measure. They surely need to start scoring more goals from midfield - while Pires used to shoot on sight, Hleb and Rosicky seem to wait for Saturn and Jupiter to align. For me, much well depend on Gallas' fitness, not to mention state of mind.
Could this be the year Spurs turn the big four into the big five? They've certainly made some great young signings. Unfortunately they're all injured. And Jol still needs to sort out the left flank.
Newcastle have thankfully pushed out one fat, pertinacious, boor in Freddie Shepherd, sadly they've added another in Sam Alladyce. And Joey Barton, and Alan Smith. Imagine sitting at a table with those three dickheads. But it'll be interesting to see how Martins and Owen play together - which will probably happen around Xmas.
Signing Jagielka and Baines can only make Everton stronger, but hardly more entertaining. Moyes will be sweating on Cahill's fitness.
Unfortunately there does seem to be a few teams competing for the title of most boring team. Sanchez is re-assembling N. Ireland in Fulham, while all Southgate needs to do is sell Yakuba and he'll have totally rid Boro of goals. I also fear Derby could park the team bus in front of the goal all season. I have to admit I hope Fulham struggle, as their treatment of Chris Coleman was a joke. Hardly fair on the fans, but I hope Al Fayed pays for being a twat.
Other things to look forward to:
Keano's back.
Jimmy Bullard will be back soon - hopefully.
Titus Bramble is still here, unbelievably.
Jose's going all mellow. Good job there's no injury crisis at Chelsea like last year to tax his nerves.

Dodgy predictions: Blackburn, if the keep Benni, will have a good season, as will Everton. Bent will have a strong year, and Rooney, just to annoy the Editor, will also be in the goals. And Da Silva. Hargreaves will excel in the EPL, as will Malouda, esp. if he forms a partnership with his left back like he did at Lyon. Clichy will come into his own at Arsenal. Wigan and Bolton will struggle, maybe Reading too, though I hope not. Hutchings wont make to the end of the season and even Curbs could be sacked. Derby will have the league sewn up by the end of March, meaning they'll field their youth team when Arsenal visit in May.