19 things we want to see in 2018-19
CAN you feel it? The new football season has arrived and the buzz is back once again.
Will Manchester City dominate once more or are we in for a genuine title race?
Here, our man Tony Stenson spells out the things he would love to see in this campaign.
1. It would be wonderful if that feeling of players, journalists and fans all being in it together, created by England manager Gareth Southgate at the World Cup, was to be embraced at club level. No more them-and-us.
2. For Harry Kane to return to his very best form. I thought he had an average World Cup, nothing like the player he is for Spurs. Penalties won him the Golden Boot. Come on, Harry!
3. Unai Emery to sort out Arsenal’s defence and make them contenders again for the top honours in English football.
4. Arsenal to build a statue of Arsene Wenger outside The Emirates.
5. Jose Mourinho to learn how to smile again and stop blaming others for his side’s issues.
6. Wolves to do well. The Midlands need a huge football lift and who better to lead it than those famous Old Golds?
7. Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and other English or British managers to be given a chance when a big job comes up.
8. Manuel Pellegrini to give West Ham fans something to shout about once more.
9. The injury-prone Jack Wilshere to make his stay at The Hammers a success and eventually play for England once more.
10. Jack Grealish to show he is the player we thought he might be and play alongside Wilshere for England.
11. Pep Guardiola to continue his magic and make record-breaking Manchester City even better.
12. Raheem Sterling to score regularly. In Russia he put his heart and soul into games but never put the ball into the net often enough.
13. The experiment with VAR to continue. Other sports get it right, why does football always struggle with the 21st century?
14. Football clubs to tell TV bosses they run football, not them. Ensure kick-off times suit all. Having fans travel long distances for 5.30pm Saturday night matches is shocking.
15. Everton fans to ask manager Marco Silva why he paid
£40million to buy Richarlison.
16. Referees to keep a close watch on jostling in boxes when either a corner or a free-kick comes in.
17. To be able to buy a pint again at a Champions League match.
18. Burnley to keep defying the odds – everyone loves the Clarets. No big-time Charlies, just blokes putting in a shift under a top boss.
And last but by no means least... 19. AFC Wimbledon to win League One, have a good cup run and when they return home ensure there is a statue built for Dave Bassett, the man who started the dream factory.