Week 2 of the Premiership has arrived, although it is no less exciting. This weekend Manchester
City travel to the Reebok, in our first (of many) Northwest derbies of the season. This has been
billed as a top of the table clash, which is technically true as City were the only other club to
win by more than a 1 goal margin, and they also smashed 4 unanswered goals past new promoted
opponents.
Long time Premiership striker John Carew is back in England after spending a summer back in
Norway. The giant striker found himself unattached after seeing his contract with Aston Villa
expire, and will now ply his trade at Upton Park with recently relegated West Ham United.
"The manager (Sam Allardyce) was very good," Carew told West Ham's official website.
West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce has called on his players to live up to their reputations and
deliver an instant bounce-back to the Premier League. The Hammers were unlikely relegation victims
last season, but are among the favorites for promotion as the new season kicks off this
weekend.
"We are the favorites, the big boys in this league and I have told the players 'Everyone wants
your scalp, you are going to have to live up to your reputation from day one because they are going
to want to turn you over,'" said the former Bolton boss.
Will it be West Ham or Leicester for Championship Glory?
The waiting is almost over as the Championship kicks back in to action on Friday night as Hull
face Blackpool at the KC Stadium. For lower league fans all across the country the time is now upon
you as reality kicks in. Will your pre season optimism turn to a nightmare?
As I said previously, I've always liked Matty Taylor. Perhaps it's the fact that he's Matty and
I'm Mattie. Regardless, he is now gone to West Ham for something around £2.4 million.
Realistically this is a good move for both parties. Taylor's career at Bolton has been winding down
for the past couple of seasons, and at 29 it's a good time for "a new challenge" as he put it.
As I said previously, I've always liked Matty Taylor. Perhaps it's the fact that he's Matty and
I'm Mattie. Regardless, he is now gone to West Ham for something around £2.4 million.
Realistically this is a good move for both parties. Taylor's career at Bolton has been winding down
for the past couple of seasons, and at 29 it's a good time for "a new challenge" as he put it.
You've heard all the jokes already, but that won't stop me from making them. Ever since Sam
Allardyce took over at West Ham, it seems that he's been trying to recreate his glory days at
Bolton by snapping up his players from that era. It appears he's now trying to reunite with a
certain Matty Taylor for somewhere in the region of £1-£2.
With the longest active losing streak in the Premier League at three games, Bolton have the
potential to end their last five matches of the year with absolutely zero points to show for it.
Blackpool need the full three points from a big win in order to have any shout of staying in the
top flight for another year.
Here are the important notes from the team news focused mostly on the two-match teams: Bolton - Not
sure how to feel about the supposition that the "weary trio" of MPet, Elmander, and Klasnic will
make way for Sturridge, Mark Davies, and Matty Taylor. Sturridge will have a spot because he's
been awesome and was only out due to being Cup tied.
Winless in five of their last six Premier League matches, the Wanderers would look to turn
fortunes around at the Reebok. Bolton would try to make an impact on what was already an emotional
night following the death of the greatest Wanderer ever, Nat Lofthouse.
Bolton came out of the gates firing on all cylinders, keeping the ball in the Chelsea half for the
entirety of the first three minutes.
