Sorry this wasn't earlier, I was on holiday, this has no involvement with opening week results....
So I've made my predictions on what the final top 8 positions will look like, now it's the middle and lower pack of the Barclays Premier League, like last season I can see two teams cut adrift at the bottom with the rest from about 13th downwards being a close scrap.
The Castaways
Despite the newly promoted sides coming up and showing fresh ideas, open attacking football and a nothing to lose mindset, in recent seasons, it's seemed to backfire. Burnley, Blackpool and Reading are the most recent examples of this, starting promisingly and pulling off great results, Burnley beating United at home, Blackpool winning at Anfield and with Reading's new year run seeing them beat Newcastle away. However, despite there attacking flair, there defenses were simply not up to the standard, with all 3 going straight back down with a total goals against tally, a colossal 233 goals in the back of there nets! This season I'm predicting Palace and Hull to be the victim's of this. Even worse for them, there attacks need vast improvement, as Palace start without talisman Zaha and Hull must rely on new man Yannick Sagbo, it could be a lack of goals being there problem.
The other newly promoted side Cardiff shows some hope for the new boys. With foreign owners prepared to spend, in come highly rated Andreas Cornelius from Denmark and Spurs' Stephen Caulker, alongside experienced captain Craig Bellamy, they have young talents mixed with proven class, it could be a good year for the Welsh again as it's the return of the South Wales derby!
The Middle Pack
For some it'll be season of mid-table obscurity hopping between near relegation battles and a decent cup or Europa League push. Newcastle are thankfully without Europe this season which will ease the burden on a tight looking squad, which was fully stretched last season after dealing with long-term absences Krul, Collochini, Ryan Taylor, Cabaye, Ben Arfa and the loss of Demba Ba, resulting in a french revolution, the squad will settle and I think have a easier ride this season, with the addition of Loic Remy, it should lighten the burden on Papiss Cisse, however, there's always something wrong at Newcastle with the strange appointment of Joe Kinnear as Chief Executive, maybe Alan Pardew's job isn't safe.... Meanwhile, great summer signings mean I believe Fulham, West Ham and Norwich will be safe as there squads look more than equipped for the season. Fulham have added considerably with Adel Taarabt, Maarten Stekelengburg and giant Derek Boateng added to class acts of Hangeland, Ruiz and Berbatov, this average side could turn into a once feared force. Norwich and West Ham seem not likely to suffer second-season-syndrome adding highly rated Nathan Redmond and loan success Andy Carroll respectively.
Two more are Southampton and Aston Villa, with both adjusting to new managers, they look settled and improving outfits both with highly-rated talented youngsters. The Saints, under Pocchetino now look a very good side, as shown with scalp's over Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool. He's also proven he's a shrude transfer tactician adding Arsenal target Victor Wanyama, Dejan Lovren of Lyon put with born and bred finishers Lambert and Rodriguez, they're a real threat again. A young Villa last season were certainties for the drop and conceded 15 goals in 3 games over the festive period, a turn around was needed, in came Christian Benteke. The big Belgian lead Lambert to safety and put his name on many's hopping list before signing a 4yr deal! Alongside up and coming talents Weimann, Westwood and Lowton with experienced Agbonlahor, Vlaar and Guzan, they should feel a lot more stress free this season.
The Relegation Dog-fighters
For me now there will be 3 who'll slowly but surely be the last ones fighting for survival, these are Stoke, Sunderland and West Brom. Stoke have changed from cult hero Tony Pulis to veteran Mark Hughes, opting to abide by the fan's wishes and no longer be rugby's football team. Hughes has already acquired some strength at full back with Muniesa and Eric Pieters from Barcelona and PSV respectively. Still with superhuman keeper Asmir Begovic, I believe they will also struggle to get goals, last season only QPR scored fewer than there measly 34 goals, a total nearly doubled by Robin Van Persie and Luis Suarez! Sunderland survived by the skin of there teeth last season, helped by a Tyne-Wear Derby win at St. James Park, however a hammering at Villa was a reality check for them. They've strengthend well with Juve's Giacherinni and big man Jozy Altidore, but they just never look convincing that they'll do wella and always end up struggling, Di Canio's spirit may drive them home, then again his passion and temper could see a breakdown and sacking! Finally, I think West Brom may have there own second-season syndrome and struggle with expectations this year after an amazing season last year, they may be hit with a taste of harsh reality and be back down the bottom end, with all the controversy over Odemwingie's transfer (or not) and the return to home club of Romelu Lukaku, who'll provide that spark this season. They've signed experience in Diego Lugano, despite his injury record, and strikers Matej Vydra and veteran Nicolas Anelka, i'm not convinced they'll deliver like Lukaku and Odemwingie did and used to. One thing is for certain it's going to go to the wire.
The Rest
9) Southampton
10) West Ham United
11) Aston Villa
12) Fulham
13) Norwich City
14) Newcastle United
15) Cardiff City
16) Sunderland
17) Stoke City
18) West Brom
19) Hull City
20) Crystal Palace
No comments:
Post a Comment