NORFOLK LEAGUE SEASON PREVIEW THE CHANGES:
Amazingstoke Gooners and Highland Select have been promoted from Division One - Amazingstoke returning after a 1 season absence whilst Highland are back in the top flight for the first time since season 6. They take the places of Shawfield Reborn and Smallville.
THE CONTENDERS:
Ash Samba Boyz have won the league title for the past three seasons so will inevitably begin as the bookies favourites. Despite their successess of the last couple of seasons there have been recent signs of weakness. Both Amazingstoke and Hotshots got the better of them in the cups whilst Athletico Redhill were penalty kicks away from knocking them out of the cup this season. The loss of experienced players Tino Casillo and William Young will be a blow but there is plenty of quality throughout the squad to counter it. However, their run of just 2 defeats in their last 38 league matches suggests all challengers will have to be at their best if they are to deny the Samba Boyz top spot again.
Hotshots have made positve strides the past two seasons. They've reached 2 of the last 3 cup finals, including the 6-1 demolishing of Ash Samba Boyz last season. For a while they kept the Samba Boyz honest last season and it was only back to back defeats at the end of the season that ended their title charge. In Martyn Lines they have the most prolific goal scorer in the top flighr at the moment having netted 67 goals.
The decisive factor maybe whether they can produce the winning consistancy to claim the 30ish points total that may be needed to win the title.
City of Uhra will be out to win their trophy under Nicholas Millar and their team should be at its prime with majority of their regular starting 11 aged between 27 and 32 years old. As they proved last season, they are capable of beating anyone. They had the tightest defence last season conceding just 11 goals. They also have plenty of experience of winning major honours. Keep an eye out for 23-year-old defender Nick Millar who is developing well and could establish himself as a regular in the first team and a potential predecessor to the legendary Carl Kit.
Perhaps the strongest squad on paper is currently found at newly promoted Amazingstoke Gooners. Prallc's men proved themselves last season during their impressive League Cup campaign which saw them defeat Ash Samba Boyz, City of Uhra and Smallville en route to winning their first major trophy. Last season they scored a remarkable 71 goals in their 27 matches - 37 of which from the striking combination of Stepney, MacIrvine and O'Connor, Seppo Kankainen is one of the highest skilled players around. If they start well, they could be serious contenders for the title.
Dutch Warriors have been reshapping their squad of the past couple of seasons but they seem happy with the balance now. They survived relegation the last day of the season last term but remain difficult opposition, especially for the top sides. Last season they beat both City of Uhra and Hotshots and sewq away at Ash Samba Boyz which shows the potential is there. Remco Goossen was their outstanding player scoring 15 goals from midfield. Masao Totaki, Leonard Nok and Roger Opdam are all potential superstars and are gradually becoming proven players at this level.
Last season HM Gunners secured 4th place, equalling their best ever league finish. In the pre-season they have lost striker Jevgeni Dubrovskij to retirement but still have Edward Schillen, the Norfolk League's top scorer in Season 10. They ended last season on a fine run of 5 wins from their last 7 league games. Defender Önder Özgültekin is their star man having earned 43 xpert 11 selections from his 84 appearances.
Ross County Reserves secured survival on the final day of last season. They did spend nearly the entirity of the season outside of the relegation zone so fully deserve another season at this level. They have kept faith with the same squad so keep an eye out for their two star midfielders Jeremiah James and Humphrey Cornforth who are both approaching their prime. Goal scoring was their problem last term with just 16 goals scored in the league and only Vinnie Poole managed to score more than 2 in their league campaign.
After coming so close the previous season, Highland Select secured a return to the top flight last season after a 5 season absence. Their promotion charge was based around their thrilling end of season run that saw them claim 19 points from their last 7 matches. Only toon rejects had a better defensive record in Division One last term and under Zico55 they have only lost 3 times at home in the past 4 seasons in the league. Rafael Sainz will be their man to watch - he was runner up in the MVP award last season and is Highland's star player.
5 PLAYERS TO WATCH:
REMCO GOOSSEN, Midfielder, Dutch Warriors
The 26-year-old has been the Warriors leading scorer for the last 3 seasons and he scored 11 of their 17 league goals last term.
ANGUS MacIRVINE, Striker, Amazingstoke Gooners
The 31-year-old hit 13 goals last season for Prallc's men helping them to league cup glory.
OVIDIU POENARIU, Goalkeeper, Hotshots
The 22-year-old is one of the most talented young keepers around and will be hoping for a more regular starting role this season.
ANTONIO QUINTINO, Defender, Ash Samba Boyz
The 27-year-old was the Samba Boyz leading scorer with 12 last term earning 13 xpert 11 captain nominations in the process.
RAFEAL SAINZ, Midfielder, Highland Select
Sainz hasn't played in the top flight since he was 20. Now he has developed into a top-class player and has the opportunity to prove himself at the highest level.
THE BIGGEST SPENDERS (as of 20/01/2010):
11.9m - Amazingstoke Gooners
5.1m - Highland Select
BIG SIGNINGS:
Abdelatif Kharrazi, Amazingstoke Gooners, 11.9m
Emile Huntley, Highland Select, 5.1m
BIG DEPARTURES:
William Young, Ash Samba Boyz, 7.6m
Sherlock Darlington, City of Uhra, 7.1m
Wallace Spink, Amazingstoke Gooners, 6.8m
Lorcán Dunne, Amazingstoke Gooners, 4.4m
Tino Casillo, Ash Samba Boyz, Retired
Jevgeni Dubrovskij, HM Gunners, Retired
PREVIOUS WINNERS:
Season 11: Ash Samba Boyz
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:
3-2 Fav: Ash Samba Boyz
2-1: City of Uhra
3-1: Hotshots
4-1: HM Gunners, Dutch Warriors
6-1: Amazingstoke Gooners, Highland Select
10-1: Ross County Reserves
WHO THE MANAGERS THINK WILL WIN THE TITLE:
50% Amazingstoke Gooners
33% Ash Samba Boyz
17% Hotshots
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