Grit over glitter opening weekend preview from Turfy old school
Spurs roll the glamour train again
De Cuyper could shine for Brighton if they keep it simple
Villa remind us this is a business not a parade
Anfield hosts Bournemouth and two new signings
Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké must impress on their debuts
Bournemouth have lost most of last season’s backline to bigger clubs this summer
Defensive issues haunt more than just Bournemouth
Slot warned of pre season lapses before and after the Community Shield
Gravenberch misses again this time through suspension
But he says the team will be ready when the league starts
Liverpool must tighten the backline or the season will bite
The champions know defence is the key as the serious business begins
Expected goals means little when you bleed in transition
So we keep it to work rate and long balls not fantasies
Blackburn? No love lost from this side we want results not romantic yarns
The top six charm the media with soft spines Spurs included
Anyway expect a bruising start and a few lessons learned
TLDR – Work rate over glitter and glitz
TLDR – Defence and long balls win fights, not tidy expected goals
TLDR – Spurs are media darlings with soft spines; Burnley remains unimpressed
Florian Wirtz
Liverpool