Arsenal
Quiet summer in terms of transfers, despite big talk from
Wenger and the board. I don’t for one minute believe they had any intention of
ever signing Luis Suarez. Missing out on Higuain and Gustavo will have been disappointing for the fans. Can see them being slightly better than last season
but Spurs should pip them to 4th spot this time around.
Verdict: 5th
Aston Villa
Keeping hold of Benteke for another season was the best bit
of business they’ve done since they got £20m for Stewart Downing and close to
that again for Ashley Young. The relegation battle, if there is one, shouldn’t
be as dangerous as last year where they were in real trouble. Can’t see them making
the top half.
Verdict: 15th
Cardiff
Without doubt the most promising of the newly promoted
sides. Some good additions, particularly Steven Caulker means they shouldn't be in too much trouble with regards to relegation. That’s not to say survival won’t be the ultimate goal for them. It will.
And they should get it.
Verdict: 16th
Chelsea
This is a squad of players who up until late October of last
season looked unstoppable in the Premier League. Then came the defeat to
United, RDM being sacked, Rafa being appointed and the absolute turmoil that
followed. Yet the season still ended in a trophy and a 3rd place
finish. Add Mourinho (his effect on a squad of players is undeniable), Lukaku
(hopefully he gets a proper chance) and perhaps one other forward and they
should be champions.
Verdict: 1st
Crystal Palace
I have to say I know very little about the Palace side that
won promotion last year other than it was managed by Ian Holloway and heavily
influenced by Wilfred Zaha. Holloway is still there. Zaha is gone. Marouane
Chamakh is in. That can’t be good.
Verdict: 20th
Everton
Now that Moyes has gone I think Everton’s title of ‘Best of
the Rest’ after the top 6 could soon follow (although it is worth noting they
have beaten Liverpool the last two years). Personally I can’t see it being a seamless
transition and there will be some bedding in. Mirallas is class.
Verdict: 8th
Fulham
Darren Bent has just signed so it will be interesting to see
how he and Berbatov link up. They have a few other decent signings in so should
be a better side than last season. Teams won’t like coming to the Cottage but
they are notoriously bad travellers and until they sort this out they won’t
realistically have a hope of challenging for the lower European spots. A good
cup run is a strong possibility.
Verdict: 12th
Hull
Renamed the Hull City Tigers as the Premier League gets more
and more ‘Americanized’ every year. They have made a few decent signings and
should finish ahead of Palace but it will be straight back down to the
Championship for Brucey (in the off chance he lasts the full season). I hope
Robbie Brady does well.
Verdict: 19th
Liverpool
I can’t imagine even Liverpool fans like Luis Suarez
anymore. The lack of respect he and
Wayne Rooney have shown to the two biggest clubs in the land is appalling in my
opinion. Liverpool need not fear however as Danny Sturridge should be world
class if he realises his potential, Aspas looks a decent buy and Coutinho is a
magician. This won’t be the year they break back into the top 4 but they will
be closer.
Verdict: 6th
Man City
Mancini, Tevez and Balotelli are gone so City can’t blame a
lack of harmony for their failures this season. They’ve spent big this summer
on a number of players which can only be seen as a statement of intent. I think
with the amount invested this summer they must win the title this year or
Pellegrini will go the way of his predecessor.
Verdict: 3rd
Man United
The most uncertain summer in recent memory for the
champions. Failed bids for Baines and Fabregas, Rooney not willing to play,
would this have happened under Fergie? Maybe. Maybe not. Fergie is gone now
however and there is another grim faced Scot in charge. The squad is the same
as the one that walked the league last year. Add Wilfred Zaha and potentially
another midfielder and they still look like champions to me. However the Fergie
effect cannot be ignored. Moyes has never been through squeaky bum time before.
Mourinho has. That will make the difference.
Verdict: 2nd
Newcastle
I hate Joe Kinnear. Everything about him. Hate him. My
theory is that he was only brought in to force Pardew to resign because they
don’t want to pay off the remaining seven years of his contract. On the pitch
they look about as good as they did last year but that didn’t serve them well.
Essentially the same squad that finished above Chelsea in 2012, chances are
they won’t this time.
Verdict: 13th
Norwich
Surprise package of last season. The most in-form team
throughout the Autumn, Chris Hughton has built a team that is difficult to
beat. A few good signings, especially Ricky Van Wolfswinkel and they should not
have to worry about a relegation scrap
at all.
Verdict: 14th
Southampton
I like Southampton. Most clubs are content just with consolidation
once they get into the Premier League but the Saints seem to be intent on
pushing for Europe. Good to see. Lovren and Wanyama are already on board. I’d
expect more to arrive before September and I expect Southampton to break the
top 10 this year.
Verdict: 10th
Stoke
I don’t like Stoke. I can’t be the only one who was happy to
see Tony Pulis go. Effective as his tactics may have been in their early years
in the PL they didn’t win over many fans. I don’t rate Mark Hughes as a manager
and hopefully this will be the year Stoke do the decent thing and go down.
Verdict: 18th
Sunderland
No one else to talk about other than Paolo Di Canio really. The
controversial Italian who inspired them to a 3-0 win at Newcastle to help
secure Premier League status for another year can be a bit hit and miss. I can
see him deciding one morning (perhaps inspired by a wayward Adam Johnson shot
in training) that he’s had enough and Sunderland aren’t worth his time
anymore. If things click and all works
well Sunderland could be comfortably mid-table. I don’t think they will though.
Verdict: 17th
Swansea
Successfully avoided the mass murderer that is ‘Second
Season Syndrome’ last year to finish in the top half and win the League Cup.
The main priority this summer has been be adding to the depth of the squad to
lessen the effects of competing in Europe. I think their adventures across the
continent on Thursday nights will have an adverse effect on their league
chances and they will struggle. Wilfred Bony looks a decent player however.
Verdict: 11th
Tottenham
It looks like they may keep hold of Gareth Bale for another
year. Maybe someone at Madrid realised
the utter stupidity of paying £100m for a footballer who isn’t Lionel Messi or
Maradonna 1986 version. Expect Spurs to be less of a one man team this year
with the addition of Soldado and Paulinho, lessening the load on G-Bale (wish
that name would catch on a bit more…). A return to Europe’s top
table is there for the taking.
Verdict: 4th
West Brom
I like Steve Clarke. He’s done a great job in his first
season and looks set to build on that in his second. They won’t miss Lukaku’s
goals as much with Anelka there to add a bit of firepower. Hopefully from an
Irish point of view Shane Long will hit some decent form. They are Europa
League contenders, no doubt.
Verdict: 7th
West Ham
It’s easy to forget (as in I just did until I looked it up)
West Ham went into last season as a newly promoted side. With a fully fit Andy
Carroll (later on in the year), Kevin Nolan (complete pub footballer, but
effective) and Stewart Downing (this is his level, he will be good) West Ham
have a very English/Allardyce-ish core to their attack. I reckon they’ll stay
in the top 10.
Verdict:9th
Table
1.
Chelsea
2.
Man United
3.
Man City
4.
Spurs
5.
Arsenal
6.
Liverpool
7.
West Brom
8.
Everton
9.
West Ham
10. Southampton
11. Swansea
12. Fulham
13. Newcastle
14. Norwich
15. Villa
16. Cardiff
17. Sunderland
18. Stoke
19. Hull
20. Palace
Others
FA Cup: Chelsea
League Cup: Man City
Best English side in the Europa League: Spurs (Quarter
Finals)
Best English side in the Champions League: Chelsea (Semi
Finals)
Surprise Package: Cardiff could shock a few.
Individual
Player of the Year: Eden Hazard
Young Player of the Year: Wilfred Zaha
Golden Boot: Robin Van Persie
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