Well, with the new season drawing ever nearer, I thought I`d put pen to paper, or finger to keyboard in this instance, and provide you all with my Premiership Season Preview – not biased towards Chelsea in any way =)
It should be an interesting season, with mega-rich City, United coping without Christine, the Gooners unloading some good players and, of course, our new fodder from The Championship. So, here are my thoughts?.
Arsenal
I think they realised last year that a top four finish for them is no longer guaranteed. The Gooners are simply not the side they were when they seemed to single-handedly competing with Manure for the league. They`ve lost Adebayor and a good defender in Toure, however, whilst I don`t like Wenger, his sides do play good football and I believe they have a gem of a player in Arshavin. I reckon they`ll finish fourth.
Villa
Barry is a loss and I`m not sure they`ve got a strong enough midfield now he`s left. Ashley Young looks like he has a bright future, as does Agbonlahor. Martin O`Neill is a shrewd manager, and one that in days gone by I would have loved to see at The Bridge. Having said that, if things didn`t go well with Carlo, I`d welcome O`Neill quite happily. I say they`ll miss out on top four again, but may push Arsenal close again for fourth.
Birmingham
Very solid defensively in The Championship last season, but the Premiership is a whole different ball game. Literally. They`ve invested quite heavily, especially in Christian Benitez, who`s agent reckons he`s better than Lionel Messi. Yeah – nice one. I reckon they`ll stay up, mainly due to Alex McLeish, who is no stranger to the premiership.
Blackburn
Tugay and Santa Cruz gone, but Allardyce will spend. I don`t think they have a fantastic squad and I can`t see them finishing much above half way. They`ll avoid relegation, but it won`t be a memorable season for them.
Bolton
Not sure what to say about Bolton, apart from they never seem to actually achieve anything (cue abuse). They always seem to play with their heart on their sleeves, but again, I view them as battling with Blackburn for mid-table mediocrity.
Burnley
You`re down. Forget it.
Chelsea
Premiership winners 2009/2010. That`s my tip. A full season from Essien, the retaining of John Terry, a Drogba on fire and the appointment of CA will help us snatch the Premiership Crown back from the Mancs. Zhirkov could be awesome, we`ve got the best two wing backs in the country in AC and JB and we`ll be more solid at the back under Carlo (trust me). The Mancs will not the same side with Ronaldo gone and Liverpool will probably never win the Premiership (how many times have we heard that ‘this is our year?`)- Chelsea will win the league this season.
Everton
A small squad may hamper their hopes of pushing for a top six finish, but if they stay fit, Moyes has the players to do so. He`s not a stupid manager and they have some good players.
Fulham
Ahhh – the neighbours. If Hangeland stays, they`ll stay up. If they sell him, they`re in for a mighty fight to stay up, despite last season`s positive season.
Hull City
Well done last year boys – well done. Everyone expected you to go down, but you surprised us all. But, your squad was kaput towards the end of the season and results showed it. An impressive start again will be needed, along with keeping your small squad fit. I reckon you`ll be ok.
Liverpool
You`ll finish second to us. You`ll probably start well, Gerrard and Torres will be the toast of Merseyside in the first half of the campaign and you`ll start harping on about how this will be your year. I`ve got bad news for you – it won`t. But, you`ll beat the Mancs to second which will be enough to keep us happy.
Money-bags City
Who the hell are you going to play up front?! You`ve got too many options! You`re biggest problem this year will be Mark Hughes. I don`t believe he has the tactical knowledge to guide a big squad of talented players to realistically challenge for honours. Don`t be surprised if he`s gone by Christmas. You won`t push us for the league, you`ll be battling it out with the usual suspects for fifth or sixth position finish. At best.
United
Ronaldo`s gone – you`re screwed. I wrote an article on here a while ago saying that the loss of Christine was too big, and I stick by my guns. He was a good player, he scored too many goals for you and inspired your team. Although I hated him, he was class, and you`re going to miss him. Michael Owen will score a few, if he stays fit, but that`s it. Third for you Sir Alex!
Portsmouth
13th
Stoke
Stoke did well last season in my eyes. Tony Pulis has done well and you can expect them to frustrate a few teams this season. They`re never going to challenge for a top six finish, but equally, I think they will be too good to go down this season.
Sunderland
Stevie Bruce is not a bad manager, but I can`t see them doing much apart from finishing in the bottom half of the table. Not much to report here, but then again, Sunderland is a pretty boring place.
Spurs
It looks like Robbie Keane may be asked to play a more midfield role this season, with Harry surely opting for the aptly-named Crouch and the pint-sized Defoe up front – Little and Large reborn! Lennon should continue to improve this season and will supply fodder for the 12-foot hit man, but I put them firmly in the bracket of trying to finish top six. I think they probably will, but only just. Sixth or Seventh for me.
West Ham
I love Zola, but you`ll be finishing in the bottom half of the table. Again. You won`t go down, but it will be a drab season at Upton Park.
Wigan
They have lost a spark in Wilson Palacios and Valencia could be a good buy for United. I think Wigan’s great jump up the table midseason was a result of managerial intellect from Steve Bruce and secondly, players digging their heels in for 90 minutes. However, I think Wigan are on the decline and will finish in the bottom third of the table. Will they avoid relegation – just.
Wolves
Kevin Doyle should score a few, but you`ll be battling to avoid relegation. Sorry lads!
In summary, I expect us to win the league, Liverpool to finish second and the Mancs to beat Arsenal to fourth (by a fairly long way). Everton will improve, as will Spurs, and Villa will also make good representation of themselves. City will not win the league and Hughes could disappoint the billionaires.
hat do you reckon? Am I way off the mark or are my predictions close to the money?
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