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Season 2021-2022

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 It is here. I absolutely love this time of the year. Summer is still with us and all of a sudden we have the dawn of a new season. Those few weeks in the year when hope still exists before the trundling inevitability of the season's outcomes dawns upon us all!

It truly feels like no time at all has passed since the end of last season. This is the sort of thing that my mum or wife, or a football hater, tends to say. But this year, even I feel it. We rolled right from the season into the Euros, then straight into the season. We've got players like Kane who have only been back in training for a day, many teams are the same with international players still resting post Olympics etc and to an extent the start feels premature. 

Add to that the transfer window. Is it my imagination, or did we last year enjoy a window that closed [like it should] before day 1 of the season kicked off. No such luck this year - when the likes of Southampton will be wondering if they'll have the ability to field a first eleven come the end of August - for the vultures are circling! 

To add to the early season distraction, I'm pretty sure there's a whole host of internationals in September and October - so things are at risk of having something of a false start. To this end, I'd definitely be in favour of a 'winter qualifying break' or something - where essentially we compress our tournament qualification efforts into a 3-4 week long sequence of qualifying games during a league hiatus. I think that'd be cool - rather than having the slow drip feed of international weeks through the season. I like the intense focus on one thing at a time - and actually think those games would generate more interest, as it could be marketed as a mini-tournament in itself. 

Tonight we get to see Arsenal vs Brentford. As a Villa fan, I have something of a soft spot for Brentford, since we have Dean Smith as manager (and Konsa & Watkins as ex-Brentford players). I also, perhaps optimistically see Arsenal as direct competitors in terms of league placement - so will definitely be chanting for the Bees tonight. 

Have a great season everyone. Hopefully Stevie and Kev will join in - any anyone else who wants to contribute to this blog - feel free to reach out and let me know what you have to offer. A collection of voices is always welcome. the purpose of the blog is to share those perspectives, however occasionally they might come. For actual news I recommend actual news outlets!

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