The Quest: Choosing an English Premier League Team...Part 3 (eating a bit of crow)

So Here I sit...1 month into what I am now beginning to realize will be no passing fancy, but a full blown love affair with "the beautiful game." Now I've always loved soccer; I played it as a kid, love kicking the ball around with friends, love the World Cup and Euro competitions, but never have followed it on a week-to-week basis and can't believe how much I am enjoying it...to be honest, I'm really disappointed that I picked it up this season when I did because just a month from now everything will be over...but at least the off-season is only about 3 months. So let's review my first month:

Ballparking I have watched the following

About 15 or so EPL Fixtures

8 Champions League Fixtures

2 FA Cup Fixtures

3 (yes...3) Npower Championship Fixtures

1 La Liga Fixture (guess which one)

So...here is where I am....

I still hate Man U

I just do. They annoy me, they are too good (and they are good), and just too many people love them. They are the Yankees and I hate the Yankees.

But....

Ummm....

I have to eat some crow here.

I kicked out 2 teams early just because they were popular, and I regret this, because they are both fantastic and wonderful to watch.

First

They play beautiful football. The way they pass the ball, the way they move, everything is precise and sharp. One knock is the dude who owns the Colorado Avalanche owns them too...and I hate the Avalanche. But watching them play...I love that.

Next...

Chelsea...sweet sweet Chelsea...

I knew I would love you....I tried to resist...but how can I?

Didier Drogba may be my 2nd favorite player in the EPL (first I will tell you later). They dude is a freakin monster, he's so good. Frank Lampard (even though he can't kick a freaking ball against Man U) is a stud. Ramires, Ashley Cole, David Luiz...all awesome to watch with and without the ball. Fernando Torres...well...we'll ignore him for now. But overall, they are awesome. I was disappointed they lost to Man U...but apparently Ramires getting absolutely murdered in the penalty area...is totally legal if your Man U....but that aside...Chelsea....sweet Chelsea...I think I <3 you.

So Arsenal and Chelsea...i'm sorry for the original exclusion based on my weird "rules." I don't know that either will be "my team" but for now...you are back in the running.

Now for the bad news for 3 other teams. I originally had narrowed it down to 4 and 3 of those are now out. To be honest, not for any really good reason, more I just fell for another team in the process. So the 3 teams that will not be getting a rose (although I will still watch your games and generally root for you)

Wolves...just too terrible. Sorry, but it's true.

Everton. I really like this team and enjoy watching them play. Plus they have Timmy Howard, whom I love because he is the heart and soul of Team USA. I will always root for him...so I always want Everton to do well.

Fulham Football Club

I really really really like this team. I love Clint Dempsy. Craven Cottage looks like an awesome place, and when I go to London, I will go see a game there. When I watch their games I will root for them to win, but they just didn't make the cut.

So...which team did I fall for...and why? The 2nd question isn't as easy to answer, sometimes you don't always know why you like a team, you just do. Whether it's they style of play, the players themselves, who knows...in this case it's all of these and more.

So...that being said...let me introduce you to the one who gets the final rose:

Tottenham Hotspur a.k.a. Spurs

I love watching this team. Gareth Bale is my favorite player in the EPL, I worry that he will be moved at some point for a HUGE transfer fee, but I will enjoy him while he lasts (hopefully for a long time!). Peter Crouch looks crazy when he runs, but his presence around the ball is awesome. Van der Vaart is a strait up stud. Luka Modric is raw, but has huge upside. Gomes kinda annoys me...don't really know why, but just being honest here. Harry Redknapp looks like that uncle you have, and I love how he looks completely disinterested in what is going on during the match. I could go on, but I'll leave it there for now. I've watched 7 or 8 spurs games so far and I'm hooked. They HATE Arsenal, so it will make it tough to be a fan of Arsenal long term, but I'm okay with that. They still have a chance to make it to the top 4 (and thus the Champions League) and I'm holding out hope they can make it. But if not, I look forward to many seasons going forward with my Spurs. More to come...but for now I'll leave it at that...

p.s. Queens Park Rangers are my favorite Championship team so far...