Another season is fastly approaching, and with cash been passed around the premier league like hot dinners are we in for a season where the top 4 isn't so routine? This is how i see things panning out anyway, team by team;
ARSENAL
We all know that Arsene Wenger will stick to his policys once again, and no doubt the 25 million received from the sale of Emmanuel Adebayor will be minimally used. Nobody can deny though that he is quite simply the best manager the Premiership has ever seen at youth development. Regardless of how lazy Adebayor was they'll need to replace him, Arsenal lack two things in my opinion, goals and experience, both will need to be addressed to hold onto their 4th place.
PREDICTION: 4th
ASTON VILLA
Martin O'Neill has quite simply worked wonders at Villa Park since his arrival and i think a fair majority thought his side might have had the pace to hold onto 4th place last year only to see Arsenal sneak in and let usual service resume. Villa over the last 12 months have become a great side to watch, plenty of young, pacey prospects capable of giving many a defender a hard-time.
You'de have to say the Premiership has taken ANOTHER step-up in standard though, Everton under Moyes continue to produce the goods, Tottenham will more than likely be a force under Redknapp, and Man City and their millions will no doubt ruffle a few feathers. The race for the Uefa cup places is getting more interesting by the season, and providing Villa can have a similar start to their 08/09 campaign they'll have ever chance of being amongst it.
PREDICTION: 7th
EVERTON
I've always been an admirer of Everton and what they have achieved through several years of tough financial times. Bill Kenwright is one of the few remaining chairman's in the business to be 100% dedicated to his club rather than making a weekly profit. Last season's achievements were massively under-rated when you take into account the length of time they played without a recognised striker! It's key for them keep hold of the likes of Lescott and Cahill and build on their squad once again.
Prediction: 6th
SUNDERLAND
Sunderland last season were nothing short of absymal let no mistake be made about that, and had the sides below them capitalised they could've found themselves in the Championship now. You could say things have very much gone down hill for the Black Cats since Roy Keane wasted 80+ million over two seasons on average players. The reality of it is they ended the 08/09 season as the worst team in the division based on form. But now a new era, Steve Bruce at the helm could paint a very different picture, a manager with a proven CV at premier league level. I personally can't see them being anywhere near the relegation zone next season, especially if they invest further. This prediction may ruffle a few feathers!
Prediction: 9th
WEST HAM UTD
Last season West Ham suprised many with their flowing attacking football and impressive league finish and credit must be laid at the door of Mr Zola. Many of their previously average players stepped up to the mark, Carlton Cole in particular would've probably been amongst my top 4 strikers last season. Another solid and comfortable season for the Hammers I reckon!
PREDICTION: 10th
MAN CITY
Possibly the most interesting and difficult prediction of them all, purely because the gap between now and August 31st could very much change my thoughts! I guess i had too much faith in the modern footballer when i said Man City wouldn't attract the big names, the fact they've already attracted Tevez and Adebayor to club shows what the power of many can bring, and money can ultimately bring status. Man City should really give Mark Hughes a full season to see how things pan out but you cant help think that a run of 3 straight defeats could see him down the job centre. Approving on their away form will be key to whether they can break into the top 4, I personally think they will fall a season short, just.
PREDICTION: 5th
TOTTENHAM
Harry did a fantastic job at steadying a sinking ship last season, Spurs for a lengthly spell looked desting for a relegation dog fight. Darren Bent importantly found his goalscoring boots and repaid some of his fee but his days seem numbered at White Hart Lane. A full season under Redknapp could see Spurs achieve alot, Levy will give him the money he needs, although he'll no doubt be offering hooky microwaves for proven talent like any good wheeler and dealer!
Prediction: 6th
FULHAM
Roy Hodgson for me has been nothing short of fantastic since arriving at Craven Cottage, not only keeping the side in the division, but then finding it in him to finish around mid-table with limited extra funds. Brede Hangeland was the capture of the 08/09 season in my opinion, only Stephen Ireland would rank above him in being my player of the season! Fulham will continue to be a handful for any side on home turf, but will undoubtably have to improve on away form to take that extra step.
Prediction: 11th
LIVERPOOL
Many a scouser thought the glory days were returning to Anfield last season only to fall short to Ferguson and Man Utd. Benitez has answered alot of critics though, I will happily admit to being one of the few that said Liverpool would never win the league under a manager who focussed too much on Europe and for a while i thought i was going to be tucking into a slice of humble pie!
It has to be said though, there was far too many bore draws at home for Liverpool, far to many points dropped and that ultimately cost Liverpool the title at a time when Man Utd were for the taking! Keeping Torres and Gerrard fit is key, but i expect a slightly less successful season for Liverpool this time round.
Prediction: 3rd
CHELSEA
Chelsea's success in the 09/10 season will no doubt be dependant on how long Ancelotti gets at the helm, far too much of late Chelsea have swapped and changed and like Newcastle over recent seasons suffered because of a lack of stability. There is no doubt a Chelsea side firing at all cylinders can take Man Utd right to the wire but it's all whether the Drogba's of the world can step upto the mark on a cold tuesday night at St Andrews. Ancelotti is unproven in the premier league but his CV in foreign leagues speaks volumes, I'm going to stick my neck on the line and have faith in Abramovich's patience.
Prediction: 1st
MAN UTD
I'm sure everyone is fully aware than Man Utd will be right in the thick of the premiership race once again and it'll take something pretty special to stop them from retaining it. But it has to be said, Man Utd showed signs of vulnerability last season, even Van Der Sar in the latter stages showed the odd mis-judgement and will be expecting Foster right up his backside this season. Many may look at the Ronaldo and Tevez sales and Antonio Valencia and Michael Owen replacements as bad business, but when you think of the 80 million they recieved off Ronaldo, and the fact they've brought in two PROVEN premier league players for a minority of that price it all of a sudden doesn't seem so crazy. Ferguson says business is closed, do we believe him? Do we buggery! Another long season awaits for the champions.
Prediction: 2nd
PORTSMOUTH
It's been a very interesting pre-season so far for Pompey, with the recent takeover and expected investment from the club. Don't expect too much business on the south coast though, there is no doubt that Pompey will invest in players but selling Peter Crouch in particular would be a dent in their season from the start. Whether Paul Hart remains at the club remains to be seen, i suspect he'll be occupying a role within the backroom staff come August 15th. A solid season for Pompey and fairly comfortable survival.
Prediction: 13th
BLACKBURN
Sam Allardyce is another man who has come into a sinking club and steadied the ship. It was plain to see Ince was out of his depth and would've relegated Rovers had the club not acted. He's very much a man who plays by his policys but the reality is it delivers the goods! He worked wonders at Bolton and made the Reebok something of a fortress and i'm sure he intends to make Ewood Park the same. He wont be working with the same amount of funds as a lot of clubs but i'm sure he'll invest well and achieve a solid finish.
Prediction: 12th
BOLTON
Gary Megson for some unknown reason is a very disliked man in the area of Bolton. Megson for me has always been a ' write the team on the back of fag packet ' manager. But his record throughout all the divisions reads well! Bolton will need to keep hold of the likes of Kevin Davies and invest that little bit more with the funds available. They also might aswell trade Johan Elmander in for a packet of Smoky Bacon crisps, because no team this side of the galaxy is going to way in with the cash for his services!
Prediction: 14th
STOKE CITY
Having been deprived of top flight status for 23 years the Stoke supporters, players and coaching staff were always going to up for the challenge last season. Through hard-work, hostility, and the occasional long throw Stoke achieved something quite remarkable. Stoke are very much a side that stick two fingers up at the purists and base their achievements on the points on the board come May, and that mentality delivered survival, comfortably!
Peter Coates has invested heavily in the potters over the last 18 months and ultimately it's reaped its rewards, but the question is do Stoke have it in them to take an extra step forward?
I'm sure every potters fan would snap your hand off for 17th place, but i'm sure they'd be very much happy to see Uefa Cup football and ' Ajax down't brit duck! '
Prediction: 15th
WIGAN
Roberto Martinez sure has some big boots to fill in the place of Steve Bruce at the JJB Stadium, having had no experience at this level the press will no doubt be sharpening their knives, but you can't fault what he has done at the Liberty Stadium. Expect flowing football at Wigan next season, but don't expect a season to remember, survival, just, awaits for the Latics.
Prediction: 16th
BURNLEY
Another side to make their debut in the Premier League, a great day for football in my opinion to see two more of the football league founders back in the top flight ( Wolves and Burnley ) Coyle has produced great success for the passionate Clarets supporters, and i have no doubt whatsoever that he'll continue to play to his principles next season and take the game to teams home and away. We've already seen Stoke and Hull debut in the Premiership and beat the drop, it may just happen again!
Prediction: 17th
WOLVERHAMPTON
Wolves have been very much the nearly men of recent seasons in the championship, but finally through hard-work Mick McCarthy has brought them back to the Premier League. It's no coincidence that the clubs fortunes have took a turn for the better since the arrival of Steve Morgan and i'm sure he'll make the funds available this season. McCarthy has a decent CV at this level, but he'll know he MUST invest with the right players to be the drop. Kevin Doyle is a commanding fee for a big gamble and no doubt in 12 months time we'll be discussing a shrewd or poor piece of business. Wolves already have some capable players at their disposal, I've no doubt they'll cause a few upsets along the way, but i see them falling short, just.
Prediction: 18th
HULL CITY
Hull last season for a lengthly time were the talk of the division with their results seeing them ease to the top 6, but the pundits called it right before Christmas even started, the Tigers were very much still in a dog-fight. You could argue that things started to go down-hill the minute Phil Brown sat them on the pitch at the City of Manchester Stadium on boxing day, ultimately losing the dressing room and contributing a large proportion of Hull's near relegation. I don't expect them to beat the drop again, they'll be found out this season and hopefully Phil ' Ego Ridden ' Brown will be sent packing to go an audition for a role in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.
Prediction: 19th
BIRMINGHAM CITY
You can't fault what Alex McLeish has done over the last 12 months bringing Birmingham right back to the premier league but the question is for how long. Birmingham in the past have failed to beat the drop and I see no reason why they will this time. They've spent several million on unproven players and will be relying massively on their form at St. Andrews to give them a sniff of a chance.
Prediction: 20th
No comments:
Post a Comment