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PREVIEWS

SEASON PREVIEW - NORFOLK LEAGUE
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THE CHANGES:
Smallville FC and Hotshots have been promoted and have replaced N.Y.Muggers and Dros Delnoch.

THE CONTENDERS:
Having clinched all 3 major trophies last term, the Ash Samba Boyz appear to be the team to beat again this term. There has been no player movement but a numbr of the players have improved and there is plenty of depth and quality throughout the squad. Their away form stands out having gained 19 points from their 7 away games last season, conceding just 2 goals in the process.

City of Uhra are potentially the most likely side to challenge them this season. After a managerial change at the start of last season, Nicholas Millar appears to have got his side playing the way he wants to now after they ended the season with 16 points from their last 7 games. With 4 Norfolk League titles behind them you write them off at your peril.

The other side in this division that have previously won the title are Dutch Warriors. Braindead's men are going through a period of transition at the moment with 7 players having departed in the last 2 months. Nearly 29 million has been spent to rejuvinate the squad but if they gell quickly the Warriors could have a good season.

Newly promoted Hotshots appear to be the dark horses for a title challenge. They have finished 2nd twice before. They appear to have a good blend of talented youngsters and quality players approaching their prime. They did also reach the latter stages of both cup competitions last term.

Shawfield Reborn performed outstandingly well last term. Despite having one of the weakest squads on paper, they managed to finish 2nd and kept the Samba Boyz honest in the title race until the closing couple of games. Adhogan has kept faith with the same playes. Last term only 3 sides in all divisions won more games away from home.

HM Gunners survived last term by the skin of their teath with a dramatic last day away victory. Their squad remains the same from last season as they look to improve the players they already have. Home form was their major weakness last season securing just 5 points from 7 games - that will need to be rectified if they want to secure an 8th consecutive season in the top flight.

Ross County started and finished last season well but a poor mid season nearly cost them their top flight status. They are still quite reliant on James and Cornforth. Scoring goals wasn't a problem last season though - MacLeod's side were second top scorers with 27 last term.

Smallville are back for their 2nd experience of football in the top flight. They look in a better position this time though. Hector Beer has been bought to try and resolve their striking problems. They are currently unbeaten in 20 league games and if they can continue that run in the early season matches they could go well.

10 PLAYERS TO WATCH:
JOHN CENA, Smallville FC, Defender
If Smallville are to maintain their newly found top flight status, the 25-year-old will need to be in good form. He won the MVP award for Division One last season.

REMCO GOOSSEN, Dutch Warriors, Midfielder
Goossen won the Young Player of the Season award for Division One in season 9 and he proved his quality in the top flight hitting 10 goals in his 21 appearances last season.

BERNARD IRONS, Hotshots, Striker
The 22-year-old struck an outstanding 17 goals in 19 matches last season including two in the League Cup final. He was the top goal scorer in all competitions last season.

JEREMIAH JAMES, Ross County Reserves, Midfielder
County's star man has nearly scored 50 goals for the club. Last season County won just 1 of 6 matches without their starman - a run that nearly saw them relegated.

VICENTE JOSE, Shawfield Reborn, Striker
The key man for Adhogan's side. He was their top scorer last term with 9 goals proving he can cut it at the highest level. He also gained 10 xpert Eleven team selections last season.

DARIUS LAIDLOW, Ash Samba Boyz, Goalkeeper
Much was made of the Samba Boyz' phenominal attack last season but no goalkeeper kept more clean sheets in the league in any division than Laidlow.

CARL KIT, City of Uhra, Defender
The 31-year-old has been Player of the Season 4 times and has won the MVP award five times in the Norfolk League. If the City of Uhra are to regain the title their need their tallisman in top form.

OVIDIU POENARIU, Hotshots, Goalkeeper.
Replacing Richard Langley will be a tough job for Hotshots but their new 21-year-old appears to have the talent to replace him in the long term - even if he starts as second choice.

ANTONIO QUINTINO, Ash Samba Boyz, Defender
Last seasons player of the season hit an incredible 13 goals from defence and won 23 Xpert Eleven selections from 25 appearances (14 as captain).

EDWARD SCHILLEN, HM Gunners, Striker
The Gunners have discovered a new goal machine. The 26-year-olds 11 goals proved crucial in the Gunners survival including one in their last day decider against the then named Dros Delnoch.

THE BIGGEST SPENDERS:
28.9m - Dutch Warriors
11.5m - Hotshots
9.8m - Smallville FC
9.5m - City of Uhra

BIG SIGNINGS:
Ovidiu Poenariu, Hotshots, 11.5m
Vinko Gilezan, Dutch Warriors, 9.7m
Mattis Iveby, City of Uhra, 9.5m
Norman Ansved, Dutch Warriors, 9.3m
Hector Beer, Smallville FC, 7.8m
Darmott Seabury, Dutch Warriors, 6m
Danilo Bertone, Dutch Warriors, 4m
Ulrik Engmark, Smallville FC, 2m

BIG DEPARTURES:
Kim Venema, Dutch Warriors, 16m
Robert Swales, City of Uhra, 7.05m
Ricky Langley, Hotshots, 6.47m
Álvaro De Costa, Smallville FC, 5.2m
Jeremy Otter, Smallville FC, 3.95m
Gustavo Imperto, Dutch Warriors, 3.78m
Leonid Gostev, City of Uhra, 3.4m
Baas Meerdink, Dutch Warriors, 2.93m
Glenn Almén, Dutch Warriors, Retired
Geoff Mohan, Hotshots, Retired.
Holger Mjällby, Smallville FC, Sacked.

PREVIOUS WINNERS:
Season 10: Ash Samba Boyz
Season 9: Ash Samba Boyz
Season 8: City of Uhra
Season 7: City of Uhra
Season 6: City of Uhra
Season 5: City of Uhra
Season 4: Dutch Warriors
Season 3: Ash Samba Boyz
Season 2: Ash Samba Boyz
Season 1: Toft Monks Athletic

BETTING ODDS:
2-1 Fav: Ash Samba Boyz
3-1: City of Uhra
4-1: Hotshots
5-1: Smallville FC, Dutch Warriors
6-1: HM Gunners
8-1: Shawfield Reborn
9-1: Ross County Reserves


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