 |
| photo by Ade Oshineye |
- by Jonathan Nebel, writing from Overland Park, KS
At least, this story makes just as much sense as the other ones I've heard to describe the motives of the mobs.
But this is no sociological study, this is a look-ahead to the much-loved/hated English/Barclay's Premier League. So, let's get to it!
At the top of the table, competition for the top spot and the Champions League qualifications is going to be rough. Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur look to be the ones duking it out to be able to finish in the top 4, but then, if they miss that to adeptly dodge that dreaded 5th place spot and qualification to the annoingly much-maligned Europa League.
Right now, Manchester United looks set to defend their league title and to put even more space between them and Liverpool. At the refreshingly exciting Community Shield, in which United created one of their trademark comebacks, it seemed that United was stepping right back into stride. They have been wise with their purchases, bringing in Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David de Gea, and have kept all the pieces of their title-winning team. Their noisy neighbors, Manchester City, looked decidely disjointed during the Manchester Derby. It's sounds clichéd, but there is an important nugget of truth in the fact that United play as a team, whereas City seem to be a collection of individuals thrown out onto the field. Beyond that, the harder part for City is going to be dealing with their foray into the world of Champions League football. United, Arsenal and Chelsea have played this balancing act between domestic and European play for years; City have not. For City to pose a legitimate challenge, Mancini will need to keep this Frankenstein squad happy and playing together. The addition of Sergio Aguero will be a big boost to the team's hopes, as the young Argentine looks like he could be even better than Tevez.
Arsenal will be putting their best foot forward to tackle the might of United, but the hardest part is that even with the season a matter of hours away, no one knows whose foot that will be. The transfer sagas surrounding Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri have become as laughable as they are tiresome. At this point it seems that it might be coming to an end with Wenger finally capitulating to their departure. The loss will be a tough one for the Gunners. Juan Mata looks to be coming in to try and fill that gap, but Arsenal's play is based on the whole team playing as one. When I run this way, you run that way. It takes time to build that sort of connection. Nasri and Fabregas had put that time in; the newcomers will not have. After an embarrasing couple of days at the Emirates Cup, it seems that Arsenal might be just starting with their end-of-the-season collapse rather than building up the hopes of all their fans. How benevolent.
Amongst the overwhelming sea of player transfers, the biggest move of the season might be the acquisition of Andre Villas-Boas from Porto by Chelsea. Roman Abramovich seems to believe that this is the man that will take their storied team to the Champions League glory that they rightly deserve simply because they are Chelsea. That is: he'll believe up until Chelsea don't win the Champions League. Next! The Blues might find that the Essien's absence due to injury could hurt them, but new singings Romelu Lukaku and Oriel Romeu look highly promising. Combined with the return of Daniel Sturridge from a loan spell at Bolton, Villas-Boas will not be lacking in attacking options. They should still finish firmly in the top 4, but United will be just out of their reach. Don't count them out, though. Even after a poor run of form in mid-season, they managed to make up a 18-point gap pull within a single win over United of taking the title.
Tottenham and Liverpool are the poor mugs who finished outside the top 4 last year and are dying to take one of those spots amongst the gilded few. Liverpool have managed to rack up a wealth of midfielders who will create tons of chances for star signing of the winter window, Luis Suarez. And that other tall, brutish looking fellow that appeared around the same time and cost twice as much. Haven't seen much of him.
If Dalglish can find suitable ways to meld his myriad of new arrivals into his successful squad from the last half of last season, then the Premier League must beware. They will be a ever-present threat in front of goal. Being unhampered from European play should also help their league form. Watch for them to rise up the table and challenge for one of the domestic cups.
Tottenham, on the other hand, had to look away from their strikers to get the ball in the back of the net, turning to Rafael van der Vaart for most of their production. With a couple weeks left in the transfer window, the Spurs have yet to add anyone spectacular to cure their woes up top. Their most adept piece of business might just be holding onto one of the best players in the Premiership last year, Luka Modric, but that is looking less and less likely. Even if they do manage to keep him, he could upset the squad. Modric is the most important player at Spurs; if he leaves, there will be big shoes to fill. So far, Spurs have been incredibly quiet in the transfer window and could be looking to splash the cash once they get the money from Modric's sale. If they don't go out and find some newcomers, especially at striker, Tottenham will fall farther from the promised land of the Champions League.
The middle of the table sees a myriad of teams who finished incredibly close to each other last year and who could easily shift around. Sunderland looks to be the most promising prospect of breaking this so-called Sky Six at the top. The introductions of John O'Shea and Wes Brown from Manchester United and Connor Wickham, who was captured in a bit of a coup from Ipswich Town, have given The Black Cats plenty to look forward to. If they can avoid a second-half dive in form, they give the top bunch a lot of trouble.
Fulham, who I wrote up a full preview for here, is back in Europe. Their last trip in Europe was a miracalous one that took the Whites all the way to the final. In that same year, though, Fulham's league form dipped somewhat and they finished 12th. With a year of experience in Europe and a manager more accustomed to the pressures of European football in Martin Jol, Fulham ought to do a better job of balancing priorities. The spine of the squad looks to be a powerful force. Mark Schwarzer has performed admirably; Brede Hangeland is an absolute rock and center-back, who even adds goals; Danny Murphy controls the tempo of the game and distributes the ball wonderfully; Bobby Zamora, as long as he is healthy, is a powerful striker who can nail the ball into the back of the net. The Cottage will be a fortress for teams coming in keeping them well out of the relegation fight, but away form will keep them from flying too high up the table.
Everton has seen no players come in and with the looming threat of Phil Jagielka's departure, the blue side of Liverpool could struggle. Then again, that's been said for years of Moyes' teams and every year he seems to get his players up and ready for the challenge. It seems, though, that his magic can only work for so long. Eventually, the lack of financial backing is going to catch up to them. It could be this year and, if it is, they could fall to the lower half of the table. A faster start than past seasons is vital if Everton hope to surprise the league.
Villa Park has been no stranger to controversy this summer. The introduction of Alex McLeish to the mangerial post has been met with a strong amount of ire from the Villa faithful. McLeish was the brains behind the perfect crime that took place across town. As his men went out and snuck away with the Carling Cup they quickly scampered back into the getaway that took them straight to the Championship. No one would find them there! Watching Ashley Young and Stewart Downing walk out the doors left glum faces on supporters and on Darren Bent, who might just find himself pining to be back at Sunderland. They might have given a soft grin as Charles N'Zogbia walked back in that same door, but the outlook isn't great. The 1982 European Cup champions might be hoping that they can rekindle old glories, but for now hopes rest firmly within mid-table and a possible cup run.
Last year's newcomers, West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United seem to be heading in opposite directions. West Brom seem much more likely to be able to solidify their position within the top-tier of English football. Roy Hodgson has found life in the Midlands much more suitable than life in Merseyside. He's at a level where he can be successful. The capture of Shane Long from Reading could prove vital in providing goals, while Hogdson's teams always play very disciplined defense.
Newcastle, on the other hand, has been mired in controversy. Players, namely Joey Barton and Enrique, have expressed distrust with the ownership. The whole situation looks like it could be disastrous for the team. Amongst all the craziness, they have managed to bring in two proven players in Demba Ba and Gabriel Obertan, but the team will only be successful if Alan Pardew can keep them all together and all happy. That's a big if. Their first match brings Arsenal into town. It will not only be a rematch of the stunning 4-4 game from last year, but will also fit two clubs whose fanbases, players, coaching staff and ownership seem to all be falling out with each other.
FA Cup finalist, Stoke City, and FA Cup semi-finalist, Bolton Wanderers, will be looking to improve their position on the table after finishing much lower than many thought they would mid-season. Stoke will be making their run around Europe as the "can X win on a wet Wednesday in Stoke" trope gets beat to a bloody pulp. For that reason alone, I hope they drop out of the competition quickly! But my selfish desires don't determine the outcome of these games. Yet. Stoke City have taken over the mantle from Bolton as the beating pole for those who wail against the game being played wrong. I love watching Arsenal and even Wigan keep the ball on the ground and pass it in intricate patterns, but Stoke simply don't have the personnel for that sort of game. Tony Pulis gets the most of his players and that's what matters. His bigger job this year is going to be keeping his team going with the strain of midweek European matches. Stoke managed to snag a juicy morsel off of West Ham's carcass in the form of Matthew Upson. Combined with the other new addition, Jonathan Woodgate, Robert Huth and Ryan Shawcross, Stoke have a firm defensive line that won't tire under multiple competitions.
Bolton has managed to rid themselves of the title of shin-kicking, hoof-balling miscreants by playing a much more fluid and flowing game under the tutelage of Owen Coyle. Unfortunately for them, the talisman of this passing game, Stuart Holden, is still injured and is going to miss a good chunk of time at the start of the season. Without the distribution from the American midfielder, the edifice could crumble much as it did without Holden at the end of last season. The departures of Chelsea loanee, Daniel Sturridge, back to his club and Johan Elmander, seemingly just when he was coming into form, will comfort opposing netminders. New signings, Nigel Reo-Coker and Darren Pratley, don't look capable of filling the goal-scoring gap. Bolton could be thrown into the relegation scrap, but with the improving health of Holden, they should manage to stay alive.
Last season's relegation battle came to an exciting finish at the end of the year. Last minute goals made the difference between being sent down to the Championship and spending another year in the sunshine of the Premier League. Blackburn Rovers, Wigan Athletic, and Wolverhampton Wanderers managed to stay just safe and are looking to make this season a little less dodgy on the heart. In the mean time, supporters are busy throwing out the bacon and buying a good treadmill to ward off another heart attack. And, it's a good thing, too. All three look little improved and will probably be seen struggling for survival at season's end. Wolves might be best out of the bunch, because they have at least managed to hold on to their best players. Wigan have lost an influential playmaker in Charles N'Zogbia; they desperately need the money, though. It seems unlikely that Roberto Martinez can continue to create miracles with such low budgets and shrinking attendances. Blackburn have watched Nikola Kalinić and Phil Jones leaves the Venky's amusement park. The Rovers are starting to face the realities of being owned by an Indian chicken company. The abrupt sacking of Sam Allardyce and the placement of Steve Kean at the helm was just the first of many odd decisions to come from half-way around the world. The chickens are coming home to roost, as the say. The poor decisions look to be ending up in relegation for Blackburn.
All three newcomers to the Premier League bring with them an attractive brand of attacking football that has brought them plaudits from all sides. The question to going to be whether or not they can continue as they are and achieve a second year in the top-flight. New additions and a continuation of form from the year previous will be key for all three teams. Queen's Park Rangers, the so-called richest club in the world, have not splashed this supposed cash. The biggest buy has been DJ Campbell from Blackpool. Campbell proved himself to at least be capable at this level, but he's not a world-beater and can't keep the team up himself. Kieron Dyer and Danny Gabbidon should be hoping to just be capable of playing after spending most of their time on the physio's table at West Ham. From the moment QPR got promoted, their life in the Premier League looked rough. Talk ran wild of Neil Warnock and their talisman, Adel Taarabt, leaving the club, and although, they've been able to keep both, this could change either in the last weeks of this window or in the winter transfer window. The problems at the club seem to be based at the ownership level and these are not simple issues to solve. QPR look like the club most apt to be sent back down to the Championship.
Norwich City hit an excellent run of form at the end of last season, taking 14 points from their last 6 games, scoring 15 goals in that span, that shot them to 2nd place and automatic promotion. They have managed to keep all their important pieces, especially the powerful striker, Grant Holt. Paul Lambert has the team playing attacking football that excites the crowd and should be a great thing for the league. I think it will be a great thing for Norwich, too. The team that was sitting in League One just two years ago will now be traveling to Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge and it could be easy for them to get overawed at it. More likely, though, the team will continue to ride this wonderful run of form that they are on to safety and another year in the Premier League under the leadership of an up-and-coming manager.
Swansea City showed off their footballing ability during an exciting playoff final against Reading. Scott Sinclair put in a wonderful performance that took the team to the top-flight. Unfortunately, Sinclair, along with Stephen Dobbie are the only two of Swansea's top four goal-scorers from last year still on the squad. Darren Pratley was moved to Bolton; Fabio Borini's loan spell ended. To make up for this, Brendan Rodgers has brought in Danny Graham, who banged in 27 goals in 49 appearances for Watford last season. If he can continue this form, Swansea ought to be able to maintain their goal-scoring ability. Rodgers seems to be setting his squad up well for being able to stay alive, but it is going to come down to the wire. If the squad stays healthy, they should be able to make it just clear.
Overall, it ought to be an exciting year in the Premier League. The race for the top four spots should be tighter than ever and the relegation battle is always exciting. Below, I've listed out how I think the table will end up. So, go ahead and bookmark this page of save the text, so that you can mock me at the end of the season when I look like an idiot.
My Predictions
1. Manchester United
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Manchester City
5. Tottenham Hotspur
6. Arsenal
7. Sunderland
8. Fulham
9. Everton
10. West Bromwich Albion
11. Aston Villa
12. Norwich City
13. Newcastle United
14. Stoke City
15. Bolton Wanderers
16. Swansea City
17. Wolverhampton Wanderers
18. Wigan Athletic
19. Blackburn Rovers
20. Queen's Park Rangers
