I have tried to be as subjective as possible buts
it’s hard when you really dislike certain teams,
players and managers. It might interest you that,
when I started this review, I had Man City as
champions but after some research (and soul
searching) I came up with the below. It’s only MY
opinion and a bit of fun.
Apologies to fans of Man City, Man Utd, Aston
Villa, Leicester and Burnley as I am sure my
review will differ from where you think your
respective teams will finish.
1. Chelsea
Last year’s runners have the least liked manager
in the premiership, unfortunately, for the rest of
the league; Jose Mourinho is a born winner and
will not go two seasons without winning a trophy.
Shrewd signings of Felipe Luis, Diego Costa and
Cesc Fabregas make Chelsea stronger than last
season and the team to beat. They might
surprise people and play attractive football but I
wouldn’t hold your breath.
Prediction: If they can avoid Real Madrid expect
good CL run. Bizarrely, if Chelsea have a bad
start to the season I can see Mourinho is sacked.
It really is a fine line!
2. Arsenal
Arsene Wenger has finally been allowed to spend
some money on quality players. The signing of
Sanchez has sent a buzz around the club. The
loss of Sagna has been tempered with the
purchase of Debuchy who had, already replaced
Sagna in the French national team. Chambers
reminds me of a young Alan Hansen. Last year’s
4th placed team, 7 points off the winners – Who
knows what, would have happened last season
had Ramsey & Walcott not got injured.
Prediction: If they sign a quality defensive
midfielder could beat Chavski to the league.
CL – Quarter Finals and a good defence of their
FA Cup
3. Man City
For many, they have the best squad in the
Premiership but I am not so sure. I expected
them to sign the players that Barca and Real
bought! My tip for the FA Cup this season. In
players like, Yaya Toure and Ken Aguero, will
always be there or there about. I still have
reservations about Demichelis and a Kompany
injury makes them vulnerable.
Prediction: Eden Dzeko to score a hatful of goals
but Pelligrini to part company with Citeh.
CL – Quarter Finals and FA Cup winners
4. Everton
A lot of you will be surprised I haven’t gone for
Man Utd or Liverpool for last CL place. Martinez
has bought a very good striker in Lukaku who
now has a point to prove. Sound defensively and
with an ambitious manager, I expect them to
surprise a few people with their quality of
football.
Prediction: Everton to lead/2nd in the table at
Christmas
5. Liverpool
How do you replace the Suarez, simple answer is
you don’t and that might come back and
(pardon the pun) and bite them! Whilst I rate
Brendan Rogers, I can see a touch of what
Tottenham did last year with their Bale money.
Kid in a sweet shop? That said, in Coutinho,
Sterling, Llalana, Gerrard and Sturridge they
have great attacking options.
Prediction: Last year’s runners up to struggle
finding their best team.
CL Group stage & League cup winners
6. Man Utd
At least LVG doesn’t have to follow SAF: Has a
massive rebuilding job on his hands and whilst I
think Man Utd will be competitive, I don’t see
them qualifying for the CL places. They have lost
3 of their back 4 and look short in mid field.
Expect a move for Strootman before the window
closes.
Howard Webb resigning biggest blow of all.
Watch out premiership in 2015/16.
Prediction: League cup run
7. Tottenham
Where do I start? New manager/broom sweeps
clean!
Spending over £100m should at the very least
give you a good squad. I think they lack genuine
quality, haven’t signed anybody of note (yet).
That said, in Christian Eriksen they have a player
capable of 20 plus goals and the manager
proved how good he is even with limited
resources.
Prediction: At least a (light) year away from
winning a trophy.
8. Newcastle
They could get into the CL places and the fans
would still hate the owner and manager.
Last season, saw glimpses of what Newcastle
could achieve, did ever so well and then died a
death. Only team who can genuinely say their
fans are a 12th man. Two new strikers and a rock
hard midfielder could help Pardew win the fans
around.
Prediction: Fans to still hate Pardew
9. Sunderland
Gus Poyet performed a miracle last year. They
proved last season that they have better players
than people think, they have added Jack Rodwell
who will be keen to prove his worth.
Prediction: Sunderland to play attractive and
entertaining football, watch out for Giaccherini.
10, West Ham
West ham could easily finish in the top six but
equally could flirt with relegation. Big Sam needs
to start attracting players to West Ham BEFORE
they move to the Olympic Stadium. I suspect the
board undermining Sam will spur him on and
West Ham could easily surprise a few teams this
season. Great addition in goal last seasom and
Zarate (if his mindset is right) and Valencia will
score goals.
Prediction: Diego Poyet to win Young player of
the year.
11. Crystal Palace
I take back everything I ever said about Tony
Pulis. I used to think he was a dinosaur who
encouraged ugly football. What he did last
season is nothing short of miraculous. Build on
that and they’ll establish themselves as a
premiership team.
Prediction: Palace fans to be glad all over.
12. Hull
Steve Bruce is one of the games good guys. That
won’t help him this season. Whilst Snodgrass
and Ince are great buys, I can’t help feeling if
they lose Shane Long, they won’t be able to
replace him.
The Europa league won’t help their fight for
survival.
Prediction: Safety their priority
13. Stoke
Mark Hughes could be the first manager sacked
this season. It’s a shame as Stoke fans are
fantastic and deserve a better quality of football.
Great signing in Bojan Krkic, once touted as the
next big thing.
Prediction: Hughes to be sacked by Christmas
14. Swansea
I’d never heard of the manager when he was
appointed. Potentially have two very good
forwards in Gomis (who I suspect might take
time to adjust to the premiership) and Bony who
scored 25 goals in a poor team. Sigurdsson back
from Spurs will delight the Jack fans.
Prediction: Little to shout about this season but
safety assured.
15. Southampton
Last year’s surprise package and most people’s
tip for relegation. Still have the basis of a decent
squad and who knows what gems their academy
will unleash on the premiership this season?
Ronald Koeman is a winner and will sort the
Saints out.
Prediction: Pelle to score 20+ goals (he scored 50
in 57 for Feyernoord) and keep them up.
16. WBA
How many managers have they been through in
recent years? Best buy Joleon Lescott but they
need more if this season isn’t another struggle.
Prediction: Misery all round.
17. QPR
Welcome back to the Premiership. ‘Arry knows
his way round and if he keeps Remy, I’m sure
they’ll stay up. Great signings in Caulker and
Ferdinand (Rio). Some might argue their best
signing is that of Glenn Hoddle. This doesn’t sit
easy with me, time will tell.
Prediction: Good cup runs
18. Aston Villa
This might surprise a few of you but when you
combine, an owner who doesn’t want the club, a
manager who the fans want out and Roy Keane
hovering, then that’s a recipe for disaster. Their
three buys so far, Cole (Joe) Senderos and
Richardson have all been relegated in the past.
The warning signs are there.
Prediction: Lambert to be first manager sacked
and Keane to replace him.
19. Leicester
Their signings have that of journeymen at best,
most of the others I don’t know well enough to
pass comment, it looks to me they are preparing
for Championship football by signing two
Brighton players. No stand out player.
Prediction: Nigel Pearson to be managing a team
in the Championship by Christmas.
20. Burnley
Founder members of the league will struggle to
survive. Their signings of Baird, Gilks, Taylor and
Reid are all good Premiership professionals but
not enough. I wish them luck but fear for them.
Prediction: Burnley to be everybody’s second
team.
Champions League mini review If they can
avoid each other, Real Madrid will play Barcelona
in the Final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, the
attacking options available to them will be too
much for Chelsea and Bayern who I expect to
make the make semis. Quarter finalists will be
made up of Arsenal (who will finally win their
group), Man City, PSG and Ath Madrid.
Bad news for Italy with no clubs in the Q/F’s
again. They really need a competitive AC & Inter
in that league to challenge Juventus. Watch out
for a 16 year old called Hakim Mastour, he was
on the bench for AC Milan last season aged 15,
he is being touted as the Italian Messi.
Written by Stuart Leigh