Is Van still the Man?

As the Premier League gets up to speed, two gameweeks have been played and we've already seen shocks, late goals and a managerial departure.  As well as that, the Capital One Cup reached the second round where the top teams face potential cup upsets and with the transfer window reaching deadline day, deals are being done by the minute.

Premier League

So, the new season began with a new era starting in Manchester, again.  'King Louis' started with a home tie against Swansea City, routine win surely?  David Moyes opened his reign with a win over Swansea however, so a win shouldn't be a sign of things to come.  But a win nevertheless was vital for United who had Ander Herrera making his League debut.  Yet, the problems at Manchester United were never going to be fixed by a change in manager.  The team is simply not good enough and the right players need to be brought in, something Moyes did not do when signing Zaha, Fellaini and Mata.  Swansea would prevail 2-1 winners with goals either side of half-time from Ki Seung-Yung and Gylfi Sigurdsson.  Wayne Rooney had equalised but United's defence was and isn't strong enough for Van Gaal's system.  Playing Ashley Young as a Left Wing Back and Jesse Lingaard at Right Wing Back emphasise the lack of depth, as well as the appearance of Tyler Blackett, who failed to get into Balckpool's team last season.  This was followed by a 1-1 draw at Sunderland where they were again unconvincing, Van Gaal needs wins and fast, starting at Burnley.

The main title contenders have 100% records so far.  Chelsea and Manchester City have started well and seem destined to maintain title tilts this campaign.  Chelsea, Spanish recruits and all saw past Burnley then Leicester with Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas putting in impressive showings.  City had tougher encounters but made equally light work of Newcastle then Liverpool.  Despite not many signings being added due to UEFA implications, the current crop are still potential world beaters when Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Sergio Aguero come together.  Arsenal are also unbeaten after two games.  Less convincing performances but signs of improvement with a gritty win over Palace and enthralling comeback at Goodison Park against Everton.  The Arsenal of last season caved in but with goals from Aaron Ramsey then Olivier Giroud, Arsenal claimed an unlikely point.

Crystal Palace have struggled.  Tony Pulis leaving days before their trip to Arsenal didn't help, yet they were still close to earning a point there.  A humbling at home to West Ham has dampened morale and now with Neil Warnock at the helm, can they start their season fresh. QPR have also looked weak.  A clearout still needed and new players still to bring in, Redknapp will hope for some deadline deals.



Capital One Cup

This week saw the return of the Capital One Cup and as usual it brought its share of upsets.  Leyton Orient knocked out Villa at Villa Park, Burton dumped QPR out, but the biggest shock would be at Stadium MK.  Manchester United arrived expecting an easy ride this was far from it.  United were sluggish and lazy, epitomised by Jonny Evans' error for Will Grigg's opener.  His second, a sublime improvised finish.  Arsenal loanee Benik Afobe put pain to United's defence, bulldozing his way to a double, 4-0 to the Dons, United need a miracle to challenge now, or maybe just an Angel?




I will do a Deadline Day blog, reviewing the weekend and Deadline Day as it has happened to that point!

Signing off, sjt

Life at the Bottom

I've looked at the top half and teams I predict to have successful and settled seasons.  Now I will look at the bottom half and teams I predict to struggle and battle for survival in the annual Premier League relegation scrap.  This year I think 6 teams will be in the mix of possible relegation this year, obviously only three will suffer the agonising drop.  Who will it be?

Relegation Victims

This year I think it'll be swift returns to the Championship for Leicester and Burnley, whilst following them will be Southampton.  I think Leicester will struggle the most out of the three sides.  Leicester were excellent in the Championship and swept aside almost everyone to win the title.  However, they do not posses many top players who can assert themselves in the top flight.  They are a very good Championship team, yet I think the Premier League is possibly one step too far.  They have some talented players in Antony Knockaert, Chris Wood and Liam Moore along with Premier League experience from Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Mark Albrighton.  Leonardo Ulloa will add more firepower upfront but is he capable in England's top division.  Burnley are a tougher one.  They have a upcoming, young manager in Sean Dyche and a battling, determined team spirit.  On the other hand, they may not have the quality and know-how to escape the drop as shown in their last campaign.  Albeit they are a better side now, I'm not sure they will have the consistency.  If they retain Danny Ings it can boost their chances of survival but their team, like Leicester, is a good Championship side but will the Premier League be one step too far?  As for Southampton, it's been a sad sight to the vast exile of the side.  Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Luke Shaw, Rickie Lambert and Calum Chambers have all departed already along with manager Mauricio Pocchetino.  Morgan Schneiderlin and Jay Rodriguez have also been lined up by Spurs as potential signings.  Ronald Koeman has come in and the signs have been unconvincing.  Graziano Pelle arrived from Holland and Ryan Bertrand on loan from Chelsea.  Yet, with more possible exits and a lot of gaps to fill, Southampton need to get busy or risk falling through the trap door.

That leaves three sides who will cling on to Premier League existence, West Brom, Hull and Aston Villa.  West Brom are under the management of Alan Irvine who's highest role arguably, was assistant to David Moyes at Everton.  Irvine had a spell in charge at Preston which didn't last long so his hiring is a risk.  West Bro narrowly survived last season and still look under threat this coming season.  If Irvine has a bad start, don't be surprised if the fans turn on him, especially if club record signing Ideye Brown doesn't settle and start scoring goals.  Their is stars in this side like Stephane Sessegnon, Morgan Amalfitano and James Morrison which if managed properly can lift the side out of trouble, but Irvine will have a big task in his first top flight job.  Hull are a good side who surprised many last season with their mid-table finish and cup final appearance.  However, they will be in the Europa League this year which as shown with other clubs can hinder their league form, like Newcastle and Swansea.  But, with a front two of Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long they should be fine.  Then there's Aston Villa.  With Roy Keane added to the coaching staff there will be more fight and discipline around Villa Park.  However, the same problem will still come to fruition.  When star man Christian Benteke is missing, Villa are not the same fast, attacking and confident side as seen in the past.  The Belgian is their main source of goals and without him they struggled to find a consistent goal scorer to fill his space.  Andi Weimann and Gabby Agbonlahor chip in with a few a season but not often enough.  Villa though should be fine as in previous years if the Darren Bent of old is given another chance and Ron Vlaar is retained. 

Cup Winners

The FA Cup and Capital One Cup are also up for grabs this season and this time, anyone of the Football League's 92 teams can win it, or Non-League in the FA Cup.  This year I think Arsenal can seriously put up a good defence of their FA Cup but as you've seen, these competitions are impossible to predict most of the time.  Manchester City will defend the Capital One Cup and probably enter as favourites but this year I see two new winners of these trophies. 

FA Cup-  Manchester United
Capital One Cup-  Chelsea

So, I've done my predictions and will wait to see if I'm right come May 2015.

1)  Chelsea                                                      2)  Manchester City                                           3)  Arsenal
4)  Manchester United                                     5)  Liverpool                                                       6)  Everton                                                           7)  Spurs                                                             8)  Newcastle United                                         9)  Swansea City                                           10)  West Ham United   
11)  Stoke City
12)  Sunderland
13)  Crystal Palace
14)  QPR                         
15)  Aston Villa
16)  Hull City
17)  Southampton
18)  Burnley
19)  West Brom
20)  Leicester City
             

Life After Fergie, Take 2

After a summer of thrills in Brazil, the time we as football fans look forward to most is upon us, the build up to the new season.  As this season attempts to follow the fantastic campaign of 2013/2014, there are bound to be just as many shocks, just as many stunning goals and just as many entertaining games of football.  The champions Manchester City will attempt to defend their second Premier League title, however this year may be the toughest yet in the race for the title with seemingly 5 teams in with a shot of the crown.  Manchester United will want to forget last season and start a fresh with Louis Van Gaal as they try to return to the Champions League places. Whereas the newly promoted sides Leicester, Burnley and QPR will look to build on their promotion momentum and stay in the Premier League.  I will try and predict how I think all 20 teams will fair this oncoming season, obviously I probably won't be right but that's part of the fun, you never know with the Barclays Premier League. 

Top 4

This season's race for the Champions League places will be arguably the tightest yet, never mind the race for the title!  I think it'll be a four horse race for the title in the end, which also shows who I think will get those important Champions League positions.  The two favourites for the title being Chelsea and Manchester City, I think these teams will finish 1st and 2nd.  With Arsenal and Manchester United close behind in 3rd and 4th, all four sides I think will last the race and possibly all still be in with a chance of the title come game week 34.  Chelsea have the best team going into the season, with the signings they've made this summer I think this could be Mourinho's 3rd Premier League title.  Thibart Courtois will finally get his chance in goal for Chelsea this season I expect, with Filipe Luis, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas following from La Liga, Chelsea look a very strong unit.  Despite the departures of Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard, they have the talent to more than replace them and win their first league title since 2010.  The men from Manchester will prove very tough competition.  City, as defending champions, will try and do a better job of defending a title than they did in the 2012/2013 campaign.  As financial fair play rules have hit City, acquisitions have been controlled and limited with free agent Bacary Sagna joining from Arsenal and Fernando arriving from Porto.  Although, it's not like they need many new players with the exceptional squad they posses, especially up front with Sergio Aguero, Stefan Jovetic, Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko.  City emerged late from the pack to take the Premier League title, winning it with a record low of 14 days at the top.  Those two will be the leaders of the pack. 

Arsenal I believe will provide a tougher fight for the title than last season.  I won't be biased, but I do believe they will be a better side next season.  The traumatic experiences last season at Stamford Bridge, The Etihad and Anfield will have had a strong and damaging effect on the side.  Yet, May's FA Cup triumph, a first trophy in 9 years, will have shown the players they can win things.  They had a tough road to Wembley and were even 2-0 down after 10 minutes in the final, yet prevailed.  This needed to be followed up by Arsenal and strengthen a squad highly tested last campaign due to injuries.  New medical staff have been brought in and four new signings in before August began.  The departure of Lukasz Fabianski left way for the arrival of David Ospina from Nice.  Defenders Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers were also welcomed to the Emirates, Debuchy a like for like replacement for Sagna.  But, the big name signing was the first done.  Alexis Sanchez, a year after Arsenal's last La Liga swoop of Mesut Ozil, joined from FC Barcelona for around £35 million.  Sanchez was Chile's star man at the World Cup and often impressive at Barcelona but was overlooked with the presence of Lionel Messi and Neymar.  He is bound to be the focal point of Arsene Wenger's side and adds much needed pace and power in attack which was found wanting with Olivier Giroud.  I do not expect them to go all the way as I think in the games that count, we can still get caught out and over powered, 3rd place for me.  The return of Manchester United will see them return to Europe's elite stage and finish 4th.  Louis Van Gaal has a very privileged pedigree.  As seen in Brazil, he is a shrewd tactician and excellent man manager.  United are a team needing a pick me up and no doubt will be woken up by the Dutchman and any slacking will result in a shove out of the Old Trafford exit door.  Despite the new coach's arrival, experienced faces have departed Carrington in Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra, the ever-presents in the last Sir Alex period of success.  Van Gaal has brought in Luke Shaw to replace Evra and will implement a back 3 system, as seen with Holland.  Central defence is an area which still needs strengthening I think as well as a dominating central midfielder to sit back whilst the latest in La Liga imports Ander Herrera accompanies Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney and co. in attack.  Pre-season has been confident and accomplished from United with 5 wins in 5 games, but this means nothing as now the question will be as to whether Van Gaal can bring the arrogance and intimidating manner back to Old Trafford?

Chasing Pack

As these four will slowly pull away from the rest, it will be a very tight call from 5th down to 10th next season.  Let's start with the two just short of Champions League football, Liverpool and Everton.  I think the Merseyside teams will have good campaigns, but probably not as successful as the extremely high standards of the last campaign.  Roberto Martinez's first season instilled at Goodison went just short of perfectly, whilst Liverpool out did themselves entirely with a valiant title challenge.  At Anfield, a once hailed Uruguayan has sailed his ship to sunny Spain.  Luis Suarez, despite being under a 4 month ban from football activity has joined FC Barcelona for £75 million.  Liverpool, therefore, have spent this money widely.  Southampton trio Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert signed on for a total fee of £49 million.  Winger Lazar Markovic followed in from Benfica after a successful treble campaign in Portugal.  Divock Origi was next after a breakthrough World Cup with Belgium, he was though loaned back to Lille for next season.  Liverpool have a strong team, whether they can compete in Europe is one question, whether they can fill the void of the irreplaceable Luis Suarez is another.  Daniel Sturridge can be the main answer for goals, yet other than him, there are not many convincing candidates.  Adam Lallana is a talented player clearly, can he deliver at a high stage, at a top team with high expectations, maybe.  Phillipe Coutinho is also a player with immense quality, but goals is not his forte.  You can always count on Steven Gerrard to come up with a few goals but as he sits back into a deep lying midfield role, will he get as many opportunities to make those trademark late runs to the penalty area? Possibly not.  So I'll say 5th this year for Rodgers' side, yet a big name forward to replace Suarez brought in can change this.  Everton also have European football again, which may strain the squad.  It was important they got Gareth Barry after a superb season on loan, likewise Romelu Lukaku.  A club record £28 million forked out for the Chelsea striker.  With his proven record in England in loan spells at West Brom and Everton, it could be a top buy from Martinez.  A few more players will be needed at Goodison though with a demanding Europa League campaign ahead.  A top 4 push could be on the cards but I think it will be just beyond them again, 6th.  

7th to 10th will be close.  Spurs will have a settled season with Mauricio Pocchetino as his system is implemented at White Hart Lane, whether he will last the season, is the real question however.  A couple of signings have already joined up from Wales in Ben Davies and Michel Vorm.  Not high profile names, but players who are improving and prospects.  As is Eric Dier.  The England U21 signed from Sporting Lisbon, ex-Everton is one for the future.  Deadwood is needed to be cleared, but give Pocchetino time and he can drive Spurs up the table in a couple of seasons.  Swansea City and Newcastle United are next.  Newcastle are a very unpredictable side.  6th come the new year, but they drifted to an appalling finish to the season and finished 11th.  The goals of Loic Remy will need replacing and new faces have arrived in numbers up north.  Emmanuel Riviere joined up from Monaco to fill the void, yet another Ligue 1 addition to St James, likewise Remy Cabella, a long time target from Montpellier.  The needed replacement for Yohan Cabaye could guide the Geordies to a successful campaign, a cup run could be on the cards.  Swansea, under Garry Monk, will look to emulate the form in their first couple of seasons and avoid a repeated relegation battle.  The additions of Bafetimbi Gomis and welcome return of Gylfi Sigurdsson are ones which promise a good season ahead.  The retention of Wilfried Bony will be crucial, as Michu has departed on loan, a strike-force of Bony and Gomis with Jonjo Shelvey feeding from midfield is a trio full of talent.  Monk is a man who knows the club inside-out and know how he wants his club to play and be portrayed as, Swansea will be a tough side again next season.  Finally, middle of the pack, West Ham United.  West Ham were in dire trouble last season, but escaped with the know-how and experience of Sam Allardyce.  They have strengthened with World Cup standout Enner Valencia, forward Mauro Zarate and midfielder Diego Poyet.  I think West Ham are a side you never quite know what you're going to see from them, week from week.  They may be towards trouble again come the New Year, but will guide themselves away again.  Whether Allardyce lasts the season, who knows, but it would be a big mistake to sack him if their start is not what they expect. 

That's the top half done, next I will review the bottom half and strugglers for the next Premier League season as well the possible winners of the FA Cup and Capital One Cup.