NBCSN already have a big impact on EPL ratings

This past weekend kick off the start of the Premier League on NBCSN and it has been a success at least from a ratings point of view. According to Richard Deitsch, the media reporter for Sports Illustrated, NBCSN saw a 67 percent increase in ratings over last years opening weekend, which was broadcast on ESPN and Fox Soccer Channel. That is an amazing number and shows the continued growth of the sport in this country.

Start Spending Like Crazy

A list put together by BBC Sport on the top 50 players from around the world that could be on the move during the month ahead.

Mover over West Ham: Southampton Academy is now on top

For years West Ham United was considered to have the best academy in England but that appears to be changing. Southampton is looking to change that. After Walcott, Bale and Oxlade-Chamberlain, Southampton are aiming to create a new golden generation for Enlgand:

Is Ross Barkley the New Wayne RooneyEverton rising star Ross Barkley | Mail Online

While Everton might be a mess, when it comes to come money, they do have something to smile about: Ross Barkley. Everton's rising star Barkley is the best come out of their academy since Rooney. Over the last couple of years, Everton's academy has produced a ton of talent over the last couple of years and is starting to look like the West Ham Academy that produced so many great players in the '90's.

Could Spurs still end up at the Olympic Stadium

With West Ham United squarely looking at the trap door to the Championship, could their move to the Olympic Stadium be on hold? It's a question that needs to be asked.

On 11 February 2011 the Olympic Park Legacy Committee selected West Ham United and Newham Council as the preferred bidder to take over the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games. The decision in favour of West Ham's bid was unanimous. However Leyton Orient have complained that the stadium is too close too their ground and would breach FA rules. They claim that West Ham's plans could force them into bankruptcy. On 3 March 2011 West Ham United's proposed move to the Olympic Stadium was approved by the British government.

Their relegation to the Championship could throw a huge wrench into their plans, gone will be the huge crowds that watch Premier League football and the large revenue that comes from both tickets sales and the Premier League TV deals worldwide. How is a club with such a decline in revenue, even if its for just a year, going to be able afford to make the needed changes to the Olympic Stadium. It's expected to cost about £95m to convert the venue from an 80,000 seat stadium to a 60,000-seat venue for football, athletics and cricket, according to the BBC. The Olympic Delivery Authority is to give £35m of that to West Ham, while most of the remaining funds have been provided by a £40m loan arranged by Newham Council.

Could West Ham issues, allow Spurs to call the Olympic Stadium home. Spurs have the money to pay for the changes that need to be made to the stadium in order to bring it up standards for Premier League football. Spurs have the supporters to fill the stadium.

I know nothing is set in stone, but if it all plays out like this, it could be very hard for The Hammers to hold on to their proposed new home.

The Vertical's EPL Picks

So Endy went with a shocker and picked Chelski over his beloved Liverpool. Now its my time to give my picks. So here goes.

1. Chelski: The only thing that scares me is that there is really no cover if any thing happens to Drogba.
2. Liverpool: Might have the best starting 11 in the league last year. But a lack of depth killed then and letting Alonso go to Real Madrid means that they are still stuck on 18 titles.
3. Manchester United: Ronnie and Carlos are both gone, so this will be a year of transition for United. Maybe an FA Cup. But the 2010/2011 season you will see another championship side developed.
4. Arsenal: Its going to be close with them and City, but in the end Wenger knows what he is doing and Hughes does not.
5. Manchester City: see above. How about spending more money on a manager.
6. Aston Villa: Love the way this team is being built, through young English players.
7. Spurs: Crouch and Defoe, I think I saw this at Portsmouth.
8. Everton: Moyes might be the manager in premier league.
9. Sunderland: They spend a lot of money over the summer maybe they will show improvement on the field.
10. Fulham: Being in Europe will be a test for Fulham.
11. West Ham: Zola will have the hammers playing some good football, but in the end will not have the quality to get into the top half of the table.
12. Blackburn: Big Sam can always save teams from going down.
13. Wigan
14. Stoke City
15. Wolves
16. Birmingham City
17. Bolton
18. Burnley
19. Hull City
20. Portsmouth

First Manager to get the sack: Paul Hart Portsmouth
Best Signing: Mike Owen, Manchester United. They signed him for nothing and he could score double figures.
Golden Boot: Torres.
War of Words be Sir Alex and Rafa starts: I'm going to say that it has already started.

Endy in the Outfield's EPL Preditions

The Premier League Season is set to start in less then a day, so its time for OTWT resident Liverpool Fan Endy in the Outfield to gives us his thoughts the marathon that is the premier league.

1. Chelsea
2. Liverpool
3. Manchester United
4. Arsenal
5. Manchester City
6. Fulham
7. Tottenham
8. Everton
9. Aston Villa
10. Blackburn
11. West Ham
12. Wigan
13. Sunderland
14. Stoke City
15. Bolton
16. Birmingham City
17.Wolverhampton
18. Burnley
19. Hull City
20. Portsmouth

First manager to get sacked: Phil Brown, Hull City
Best signing: Carlos Tevez, Manchester City
Golden boot: Fernando Torres, Liverpool
War of words between rafa and sir alex start: Week of Sept 19th.

The proper way to honor a legend

What is the proper way to honor a legend?

Is it to retire his jersey, have a special day for them, or build a statue in their honor. That is what we do in the United State, but in England they do it a different way. Take a look around at the classic stadiums in England and many of them have stands that are named after long time club heroes.

Take West Ham United's Upton Park, two of their stands are named after all-time great players Bobby Moore (above) and Sir Trevor Brookings. Nottingham Forest has a stand named after their iconic manager Brian Clough at the City Ground, and Wolves have a stand named after Wolves legend Bill Wright at Molineux.

I know what people are asking right now, what is the point of this. Last week the Eagles lost long time Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson. Johnson was the heart and soul of the defense and meant so much to the crazy fan base. I wonder how the Eagles are going to handle honoring a man that was one of the faces of the franchise for so many years.

The Eagles should name one of the stands after the Johnson. Doing this would allow fans from all generation to remember how much Johnson contributed to the Eagles. At West Ham, kids ask their parents to tell stories about Moore and Brookings, just imagine the situation at Lincoln Financial Field when a young child ask his father about how great a coach Jim Johnson was, all because they are sitting in the Jim Johnson Stand. I know the Eagles will do the right thing and honor him in a variety of different ways, but naming a stand after him would allow the fans to keep his memory for a long time.

Say it with me, the Jim Johnson Stand, it has a real nice ring to it.

OTWT Non-Top Four All EPL Team

All of the trophies have been given out, the season has officially come to an end, so now its time to name the Only Time Will Tell Non-Top Four All EPL Team. It would have been easy to select an all EPL team that included the top four sides, but this was a little more fun.

So here goes:

Goalie: Tim Howard, Everton
Defense: Brede Hangeland, Fulham (pictured right)
Defense: Phil Jagielka, Everton
Defense: Lucas Neill, West Ham
Defense: Glen Johnson, Portsmouth
Midfielder: Ashley Young, Aston Villa
Midfielder: Stephen Ireland, Manchester City
Midfielder: Tim Cahill, Everton
Midfielder: Antonio Valencia, Wigan
Forward: Robinho, Manchester City
Forward: Luka Modric, Spurs

If you have any issues with this team post your comments below. I can not wait for the start of the 09-10 season. Its only approximately 10 weeks away.

Save Carlos

A new signing for the show. The worlds most famous Hammers fan joins the crew for next season.

And you thought the NBA and NHL were bad.

During the last couple of years, the NBA and the NHL have been know as coach killing leagues. You hire a coach and then after a run of 10 bad games or so they are shown the door. Now that is happening the Barclays Premier Leagues, coaches are going left and right.

First in September it was Alan Curbishley and Kevin Keegan being shown the door. In late October the Magic Juande was shown the door at Spurs. Premier League clubs took November off and then the manager changes started in early December when Roy Keane left Sunderland and Paul Ince was shown the door at Blackburn Rovers. Managers in the league were safe in January but come February it has been a different story, yesterday as Big Phil was shown the door at the Bridge and Pompey sent Tony Adams packing.

In a 20 team league, 8 teams have changed manager this season and with the situation at 'Boro and Manchester City there is no saying that number could not be higher by the end of the year.

Some of the tenures of the managers that are being axed are less then a year, I know this is going to sound craxy, but the reason that teams like Manchester United and Arsenal have dominated the last decade is that they have stability at manager. Sure Sir Alex and Mr. Wenger do it differently but the one thing they have in common is that they have been at their clubs long enough to install a system and stick to it.

Maybe teams should look at Arsenal and United to see what stability at manager can do for a club.

EPL review in song

Chris Cohen sings about the EPL at the quarter pole mark, like always quality.

Fixture List Time

It's never too early to look forward to the new EPL season, the league released its 2008-2009 schedule this morning.
The champion, Manchester United, open up at home with the Toon, while Liverpool open up at Sunderland. Thanks to the Daily Mail for graph.

D-Day in the EPL

Since mid August teams have been battling for the throphy with the crown on it and it came down to last day. Here are some random thoughts during the day.

• As a United fan it started really well as at church the priest was dressed in his best reds. Was that a good omen,we will all know later.
• Nothing is like the final day, drama all over the table. Hey Liverpool would never say that because they treat fourth like the new first.
• Not a great day for John Terry, first he wears the wrong shorts for the new jersey's then he does not make it to the end of the first half because of a serious arm injury.
• Peter Cech looked like a big orange in the new Chelski goal keeping shirt.
• Glad to see Gary Megson is sporting the latest in Cheslski hats.
• I guess the players at Man City really wanted Sven back 8 -1. I guess that is a no.
• It's a great day for all the Joe Wolf's Vertical Jump Family as United are crowned champions and Fulham USA avoid the Fizzy Pop League.
• Every year people talk about great escapes. Is Fulham's escape up there with West Ham from last year and West Brom from a couple of years ago?
• Everyone kills FSC for their coverage of the EPL but props to them for going to the Setanta coverage of the trophy presentation.
• I know it's in Italy but are Inter going through the greatest choke ever.

Harry Kewell is the Scott Rolen of Soccer

Salaries reports always make for interesting reading and a recent report on soccer salaries is no different. Some players are just stealing money.

Here is the Only Time Will Tell All Overpaid Starting XI.

Goal: Carlo Cudicini, Chelski, $5.6 million.
Defender: Asier Del Horno, Athletic Bilbao, $4.7 million.
Defender: Kakha Kaladze, AC Milan, $6.3 million.
Defender: Giuseppe Favalli, AC Milan, $3.1 million .
Defender: Robert Huth, Middlesbrough, 4.7 million.
Midfielder: Harry Kewell, Liverpool, $7.3 million.
Midfielder: Fabio Rochembach, Middlesbrough, $4.9 million.
Midfielder: David Beckham, LA Galaxy, $6.5 million.
Midfielder: Patrick Vieria, Inter Milan, $7.8 million.
Strikers: Michael Owen, Newcastle, $10.19 million.
Strikers: Louis Saha, Manchester United, $8.68 million.

A couple of notes on the salary report: Now you know why AC Milan is struggling this year, they have all older players being paid a ton of money. Salaries are so out of control that Mr. West Ham United Broken Leg King Kieron Dyer makes $7.8 million.

And you thought that you traveled a lot

Many people in the world travel for business, but few have done it more over the last couple of weeks then West Ham United's American defender Jonathan Spector. There is no game, either for the national team of the his club that he will not play in.

This traveling nightmare started a couple of weeks ago when Spector joined the United States U-23 team for Olympic Qualifying in Tampa. Then after completing group play in Tampa the team then moved to Nashville for the semi-finals. After winning the semi-final on a Thursday and clinching a spot in this summer's Olympics, Spector was allowed to return back to West Ham.

While back at West Ham Spector came on as a second half substitute in their match against Everton. After playing the for the Hammers it was on to Poland to join the senior national.

So to recap, Tampa, Nashville, Liverpool and Poland all in the same 10 period. No matter what the game or the location everyone knows that Spector will be there ready to play. Hey he would even play in a reserve match against West Brom. He really does not care.

We all love Searsy

Two games: one goal one post. Not bad for the newest West Ham United Academy kid.

Freddie Sears, who stands a Michael Owen like five foot seven, has burst on to the EPL in a big way. Last week Sears scored winner in the Hammers 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers. Now this week against Everton, Sears came on late in the game and created two chances that could have given the hammers the win, even going as far as hitting the post.

Sears pace is something that is needed in the current West Ham set up. With golf swing expert Craig Bellamy out for most of the season. Sears pace has been a great answer to Dean Ashton height.

Sears has been able to find the back of the net at all levels. He had scored 25 goals in 24 matches for the youths and reserves in the 2007/08 campaign. So the Upton Park faithful will hope that he continues to do that for the senior squad.

So in a couple of years we might be adding Sears' name to the long list of academy graduates at the home of football that include: Carrick, Lampard, Cole, and Ferdinand.