The new season is nigh, and I for one am very excited. There’s always a certain level of expectation that is shared between fans all across the league spectrum, and that sense of budding optimism makes the opening day such a mouth-watering event. Last season the hype surrounding Queens Park Rangers was uncomfortable to say the least, odds on favourites to win the league, a lazy misconception from the bookies purely based on the size of the wealth of the owners, but nevertheless the opening day proved a success...just. With an elaborate display of fireworks and cheerleaders, the spectacle itself was fun to watch, ironic considering the football played last season. Well they say there’s no smoke without fire, but after the fireworks finished and the smoke finally cleared and instantly Barnsley scored. A through ball from Brian Howard countered by surprisingly slow defending left Ian Hume open to slot home. Thankfully for Rangers, a Fitz Hall brace secured the win and fans went home happy.

This year we welcome what is probably a rejuvenated Blackpool side. Any Ian Holloway side will be brimming with enthusiasm and intend to make life hard for the opponents, what I will say though is that without any standout signings to date, the Blackpool squad looks slightly weaker than last season, particularly in midfield, an area in which we are far superior. They still have the threats of Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Ben Burgess so it won’t be as easy as it looks on paper, but I’m still as positive as any other football fan right now and hope the expansive brand of passing football promised by Magilton proves too much for Blackpool.

Saturday seems so close yet far, a working week still to get through and a 2 hour train journey ahead of me, I’m itching to take my seat in the paddocks, even though rain is the predicated forecast, great. One of the reasons I’m eagerly anticipating the match is young Angelo Balanta. From all reports he sounds like he has really turned up the heat in pre-season and has earnt himself a starting place out on the left. He is now another valuable option for us to have and can play both wings, behind the striker and upfront, so really the Matthew Connolly of the attack, the utility player that should be given his best position and stick to it, but owing to natural ability is used in a variety of positions. It’s very good to see the youth given a chance and hopefully he will be starting Saturday.
I’m predicting a 3-1 victory, not convinced about the defence in pre season so could well see us conceding. But on the flipside we have scored plenty even without a top striker, so as long as the goals are scored consistently throughout the team we should be okay. I think Balanta will grab a goal, Rowlands and Taarabt to score too.

Come on You R's