John Spinks wearing the Newcastle colors.
The Premier League kicks off again tomorrow night when Arsenal host Leicester City and so we've asked some die-hard fans to give us their thoughts about the 2017-18 season.
Joe Hurley, Manhattan, singer-songwriter, originally from London; a fan of West Ham United (11th place in 2016/17)
We had a rough season. Pretty poor football, toying with relegation most of the year, the Payet fiasco, some real tonkings, and outside of Lanzini, a general lack of creative players and fluid movement off the ball. The new stadium (which as our greatest legend Billy Bonds said, “Isn't a football stadium”) did nothing to help matters. We miss Upton Park badly, the soul of the club, the electric and intimidating atmosphere, the history-- the simple tonic of the sauntering walk down Green Street to the ground , the excitement building as the cockney calls from the claret & blue stalls rang out on matchdays, the scarves & badge sellers, the sing-songs in cafes and pubs. The Community. That's all gone. Heartbreaking.
Joe Hurley and fellow West Ham supporter and singer-songwriter Billy Bragg holding a copy of Hurley’s football-themed CD “Bleeding Claret and Blue.”
On the positive footballing front-We won’t be going down with the Christmas decorations. I believe in Bilic. He's made some top pre-season signings, experienced premiership players with a bit of pedigree and a winning mentality, particularly Hernandez upfront, (we've lacked a proven goalscorer for years, & if Carroll can stay fit, we've the looks of another Cottee & McAvennie pairing -- bring back the Boys of '86!)) Zabaleta at right back, & Joe Hart in goal, which should see a stronger consistency about the side, with Noble, Antonio, Kouyate ,and topman “Ginger Pele” all bleeding for the cause, we should have a more comfortable season, top half definitely, maybe even the giddying heights of 7th or 8th.
And, as always, without a doubt, this year the FA Cup has our name on it. Come on, you Irons!
West Ham begin their season away to Manchester United on Sunday at 4 p.m. local time.
Rosie Schaap, Brooklyn; New York Times Magazine columnist and author of “Drinking with Men” (a memoir partly set in Grogan’s of Dublin); a fan of Tottenham (runners-up)
On July 25, I had not yet awakened from the beautiful dream of last season as I watched Tottenham lose to Roma in the last gasp, after a thrilling, very late rally in which Spurs had equalized from 2-0 down. It had been a frustrating match throughout, compromised by bad reffing. And when it looked like Spurs might spectacularly save face, pfft.
I’m trying not to read too much into a pre-season friendly. But it was a reminder—as if we need reminding—that Spurs fans, even when we’ve got reasons to be cheerful, should never get complacent.
The loss at Red Bull was followed by Saturday’s decisive victory over Juventus at Wembley—but Wembley remains a worry. A house is not a home, and White Hart Lane was an especially intimate (if flawed) home, where Spurs played with exceptional brilliance last season. It will take time to adjust to Wembley’s scale and feel, and the timing is infelicitous and disruptive.
Spurs’ fan Rosie Schaap has reasons to be cheerful.
PHOTO BY M. SHARKEY
But I also remind myself that, as we enter this new season, we’ve still got a canny, galvanizing leader in Mauricio Pochettino, and a stunning squad. Among the glimmers of hope that strange night at Red Bull was the young defender Kyle Walker-Peters, whose similar name seems like an act of sympathetic magic, a confusing joke from a comic opera, an omen that we might be okay without the other, more seasoned Kyle Walker. The buoyant, hardworking Heung-Min Son has been my personal favorite since he joined the team; he’s like a human ray of sunshine on the pitch, and I expect his contributions to continue to grow. Dele Alli is on fire, and has not yet matured to his full potential—this season might be the time. This sounds platitudinous, I know, but the greatest joy of last season wasn’t how successful Spurs were on the scoreline, but what a joy they were to watch, unified and exuberant. More of that, please, and I’ll be happy if they don’t win the league this time, either.
But they will. Of course they will.
Tottenham travel to Newcastle for a 1:30 kickoff on Sunday.
Paddy McCarry picks his top six and a dark horse.
Paddy McCarry, N.Y. Shamrocks Soccer Club Over 30s coach; a fan of Manchester United (6th)
Manchester City will win the league this year. They have spent the money to improve their defense and Pep has had a full pre-season with them. I still think they will buy one or two more players before window opens. If Aguero stays fit, they will be very hard to stop.
2nd Manchester United- Jose will push City hard this year. I just don't think he has the squad yet to compete in Europe and the league.
3rd Spurs - they have not strengthened their squad at all so they should probably drop a place.
4th: Chelsea - I expect a big drop off this year. Matic is gone and Costa as well; two massive players for them last year who are not there anymore. They should have brought in more quality.
5th Arsenal - They don't have the defense to compete for the league and only bringing in one player is not enough.
6th Liverpool - their defense is not good enough. If they qualify for the Champions League, they will finish sixth. The squad is not big enough.
My dark horse is Everton if the young players click and Rooney finds form they might just break into the top four. They have a brilliant manager and one of the best young keepers around.
Kieran Quilligan, Yonkers; a fan of West Ham United (11th)
With new signings Hart, Zableta, Arnautovic and Chicarito a top-eight finish is realistic and a top six is possible if we can avoid injuries. Another poor start however would crank up the pressure on manager Slavin Bilic. And after the teething troubles of moving into our new home last season the worst is hopefully over for Slavin Bilic. I fancy the hammers to inhabit the top half at least this season. “Bubbles flying high.”
John McKiernan, Belfast, a fan of Arsenal (5th)
I like Arsenal's new signings, although they could still sign one or two more players to improve their squad if they are to challenge for big trophies this season. Lacazzette is a proven goal scorer and that's what Arsenal have been missing the past few seasons - he is someone who can deliver. I think Arsenal have a good chance of winning the league if they keep their players fit - something that happens every season. Finally, they definitely need to keep hold of Sanchez.
John Spinks, a visual artist living Brooklyn; County Clare-born, Newcastle-raised; a fan of Newcastle United (promoted)
In Newcastle the litany of the faithful is “We need a striker.”. Mitrovic has swagger and physical presence, he has done the job at international level but failed to deliver in Black and White. Gayle, a sly poacher, he did well in the Championship but he is injury prone, a major flaw at this level. We have speed and guile on the flanks with Ritchie and Perez. On his day Jonjo Shelvey can run a game with his astute vision and passing.
The American Yedlin is developing well in defense and counterattack. I was dismayed at the sale of young Gibson to Everton - we should nurture local talent – and in that regard, watch for Jacob Murphy, a good young prospect and a Toon fan. In defense Lascelles, Hayden, Clark and Dummitt could be vulnerable at Premiership level. We have five goalkeepers and Rafa is still shopping for one that he likes.
We now have five Spanish players at the club. Rafa must be more persuasive in his own tongue. Merino, the latest acquisition, has impressed in the Pre-Season. Fans have been frustrated in the lack of a big name signing but I believe the team to be “a work in progress.” Rafa has an overall conception of the team he wants - however, even if Ashley has given a goodly sum it’s hard to compete in today’s market against the Big Four. The money gulf in the game is seriously harming the League - some shop at Harrod’s while others have to settle for the Thrift Store.
As a neutral, I’ll be keeping an eye on our fellow promotion upstarts - Brighton and Huddersfield. I developed a respect for them last season and admire the spirit in both clubs. Chris Hughton acquitted himself well at Newcastle. I like him and the German lad at Huddersfield. The other subplot that we’ll all be watching closely is the “Return of Rooney” - fascinating prospect. Then there’s the ongoing evolution of Spurs. Bring ‘em on!
Adrian Rayward, the Bronx; a fan of Chelsea (champions)
Manchester United may be buying all the stars, but class will tell and Chelsea will be there at the end. Conti will outsmart Jose!
Chelsea open their season at home on Saturday at 3 p.m. against Burnley.
Edited by Peter McDermott
