Whether Englands top flight regains some of its lost lustre or peters out predictably once more, one certainty is that were going to be kept entertained at press conferences until next May.  

Three days after Roy Keane pitched the No WAGS signs up around Wearside, his former boss at Old Trafford put forward a contender of his own for quote of the week.

Asked if he would accept Sven-Goran Ericssons offer of a £415 post Manchester derby bottle of wine on Friday, Alex Ferguson said yes, but stipulated: I will not be sharing it with him. I will take it home instead.”

Rather like the presumably choice bottle of red Sven will have under his arm on Sunday, Fergusons sense of humour has blossomed with age. Yet hes merely the elder statesman in the leagues greatest cast of characters to date.

His Swedish drinking buddy will be keeping the hacks busy all season, as of course will Jose Mourinho. Lawrie Sanchez has already flexed his plain speaking muscles (and has since apologised), while no less candour is expected from the likes of Sam Allardyce, Mark Hughes and Harry Redknapp over the course of the season.

Could it get even better in a year’s time? Very much so should Plymouth Argyle mount a serious promotion challenge, given the style in which manager Ian Holloway kicked off his BBC column this week.  

Tell all the WAGs we’ve got a brand new shopping centre in Plymouth called Drake Circus and it’s superb, says Argyles main man.  My daughters are going there this afternoon and I’ve nicked my wife’s purse so she can’t spend anything. So they’ll all be doing some window shopping beautiful.

Padraic Halpin, London