Football Chat: United turn it up, early signs from the Premier League and what’s Sven Goran Eriksson up to?

Welbeck netted for United last night

Manchester United turn on the style against Tottenham…

The new signings and the young players returning from loan spells are looking so good at United. Phil Jones and Ashley Young look the part and youngsters Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck are shining brightly. Goalkeeper David De Gea (apart from one moment that didn’t prove costly) looks to have settled down and is clearly going to be a star for the Champions. United have not lost at Old Trafford in the Premier League for so long that you just cannot see what threat Arsenal will pose this coming weekend. In contrast to United, Arsenal need to sign some strikers before the end of this month!

Does Sven Goran Eriksson spend wisely?..

Its always been hard work supporting Leicester. I started when I was five in 1951 (I AM older than I look) going with my grandad who lives near the ground. Up and down like Sheffield Wednesday we were known as the yo-yo team. Not much has changed apart from owners in recent years and plenty of managers. The latest owners, seriously wedged up Thais who own all the duty free outlets in Thailand, have given wedged up manager Sven Goran Eriksson everything he needs and everyone is expecting a Manchester City style upgrade to the Premier League. But Sven has been left shaking his head as those expensive signings and contracts (by Championship standards) are in danger of flopping. They are not good! Still, nice easy home game on Saturday against in-form unbeaten Championship leaders Southampton who have 12 points from 4 games. Knowing football the Foxes will possibly go and win it and make this blog look stupid!

Two draws underlie Norwich’s chances of survival…

Norwich are the best bet among the promoted sides to remain in the Premier League for two good reasons. One is that they will win most of their home matches; two, they have the best up and coming manager in Paul Lambert, a clone of Martin ‘’Neill in talent, appearances, mannerisms and attitude. OK, on Sunday they were held 1-1 by a last gasp Kenwyne Jones goal for Stoke but they were down to 10 players.

Blackburn bottom and are my bet to go down…

Blackburn do not look too clever. Its early days but they are already on the bottom. I would have money on them to do down. Other two? Love Swansea’s football but do not fancy them to stay up. And I think that while Neil Warnock is good at his job, QPR will go down even with their new expansive owner.

Wolves the surprise early package…

Wolves, what a start! So pleased for Mick McCarthy. Doyle, Jarvis and Hunt all playing really well; Roger Johnson, a terrific buy from Birmingham, at centre-half; O’Hara good news too, so they should have a much better season but Aston Villa away next Saturday at lunchtime is a hard ask. Villa have made a good start, just what Alex McLeish needed after moving over the city from managing Birmingham. Still, Alex and I talked at the time of his move and we agreed its all about results. You win and the fans love you; you lose and they want you out. The results were always going to decide this talented Scot’s popularity. I believe it was a good move for both club and manager. But what of McLeish’s former employers? Chris Hughton is a good football man and he’ll need all the luck he can muster… the Blues seem in a mess off the field and have at least seven injured players in an already depleted squad.

For more from Gary Newbon, visit his official site at garynewbon.com.

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