The waiting is finally over, and in just a few immensely long hours, and minutes, the world's premier domestic football competition will return to full flow. Fans of Championship sides and those competing in the qualifying rounds of European competition have already whet their appetite with a return to action - whilst Arsenal and Real Madrid have already had their name engraved on silverware this season.
Following a belter of a campaign last time out, the stage is set for, incredibly, an even more enthralling show this season. Transfers in and out, coupled with intriguing managerial additions, have added some zing to the melting pot, and we honestly, for the second time in two years, have no idea where the famous trophy will end up, come May.
Through the promotion of Leicester, Burnley and QPR, as well as the coming of "King" Louis Van Gaal, the league has seen the influx of four huge managerial personalities - all with a point to prove. One thing is for certain, despite losing out of big world names to the Spanish La Liga, the English top flight has seemingly not suffered in the way of quality or intrigue.
Whilst a prediction is obviously not law - something lost on many Leeds and Norwich fans following my unkind assessment of their Championship chances (I did however allow myself a chuckle when both were beaten by Millwall and Wolves, respectively, in their opening fixtures) - we have tried to give our best prediction, based on transfers completed, form at the back end of last season, managerial change, and of course, finances, to give our assessment of how we see the Barclays Premier League panning out in the 2014/15 Season.
Arsenal
Nickname: The Gunners
City: London
Stadium (Capacity): Emirates Stadium (60,361)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 59,487
Manager: Arsene Wenger
One to watch: Alexis Sanchez
Position finished last season: 4th
Expectations for 2014/15:
The Gunners have already managed to get their name on some silverware this season, making that two trophies in their last two competitive matches. Their victory was conclusive over Manchester City in last week's Charity Shield, with impressive performances from across the squad, notably including new boys, Alexis Sanchez and Calum Chambers, and Aaron Ramsey.
The Gunners look set to go up through the gears, and could go one better than last season, finally breaking out of the shackles of 4th place. In order to do that though, they need further investment. Rumours of Sami Khedira have gone quiet, and though whilst the German would add some steel in midfield, it's not exactly Arsene Wenger's problem area. Central defence is still woefully thin, following the departure of Thomas Vermaelen to FC Barcelona last week. In order to become a title winning side, Arsenal must acquire at least two more defenders before the seasons gets fully going.
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| New kid on the block - Alexis Sanchez arrives from FCB following an impressive World Cup for Chile. |
Given some transfer magic, and a bit of fortune, could Arsenal be about to pull off the unthinkable and take the Premier League trophy back to North London for the first time in almost a decade? It's unlikely, given the quality they face around them. City, Chelsea and possibly Liverpool all have deeper and more tactically versatile squads. They will most certainly be one to keep an eye out for though.
Aston Villa
Nickname: The Villains
City: Birmingham
Stadium (Capacity): Villa Park (42,788)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 36,081
Manager: Paul Lambert
One to watch: Fabian Delph
Position finished last season: 15th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Villa
have been flirting with the drop for a couple of years now, with Paul Lambert
having been “blooding youth” for what feels like forever. Villa need to start
kicking into gear and pressing on up the league. However, with owner Randy Lerner
wanting out, this isn’t about to happen, as investment is at an all time low,
and has probably served to keep Paul Lambert in a job for longer than expected.
Villa
have had some money during the Lambert years, but it has been poorly invested.
Middlesbrough fans could barely breathe through laughing as Villa forked out
around £5m for Joe Bennett – a terrible left back even in the Championship.
One
positive is the arrival of Joe Cole, but in reality he will not make
significant impact where Villa really struggle – organisation at the back. In
this sense, maintaining the signature of Ron Vlaar following a mighty summer in
Brazil, could be invaluable if Villa are to beat the drop. This isn’t even a
certainty though, with Southampton new Dutch manager Ronald Koeman poised to
strike. They're desperate for a return to form from Christian Benteke, in order to form a decent axis with Fabian Delph.
The inpact of out-and-out winner Roy Keane could be massive this season. If Villa make a dire start, Keane could even see himself in the hot seat before January.
To compound any misery Villa fans may already have, they need to face the entirety of last season's Top Six in their first ten games. Not looking good.
Burnley
Nickname: The Clarets
City: Burnley
Stadium (Capacity): Turf Moor (22,546)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 13,719
Manager: Sean Dyche
One to watch:
Position finished last season: Promoted from the Championship as runners-up.
Expectations for 2014/15:
If you are a regular viewer of The Footballer’s Football
Show, or Soccer AM, both on Sky, you are familiar with Sean Dyche. The
charismatic Burnley manager was one of the Championship’s biggest success
stories last campaign, overseeing the Claret’s return to the big time, as
runners-up, with a huge tally of 93 points. Dyche speaks with intelligence, and
has a methodical, astute view of the game, and it will be very interesting to
see how he fares up against the likes of LVG and Mourinho.
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| Sean Dyche - immortalised in Lego. |
Danny Ings and Sam Vokes formed a ferocious strike
partnership last season, bagging 41 between them. This time, you would imagine
they are not afforded the freedom of the opposition penalty area, and a similar
haul will be next to impossible. But with Ings receiving shouts for an England
call-up at the back end of last season, Burnley are certainly strong going forward.
They have added experience and depth across the squad, with the arrivals of
Matt Taylor and Steven Reid.
With one of the smallest budgets on the go, Burnley
may find it a struggle to keep up over the course of the season, but with a bit more investment, and
if Dyche can maintain his upward managerial curve however, there is no reason
why Burnley could stay up. We hope they do.
Chelsea
Nickname: The Blues
City: London
Stadium (Capacity): Stamford Bridge (41,798)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 41,482
Manager: José Mourinho
One to watch: Cesc Fabregas/ Diego Costa
Position finished last season: 3rd
Expectations for 2014/15:
Chelsea have shown themselves to be the shrewdest operators in the English transfer market in the last two seasons. The Special One and his "Little Horse" look ready to compete for top honours this time out, following the purchase of both Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa from La Liga. Costa comes fresh from a La Liga title and Champions League final, and is widely regarded as the second most dangerous front man in Europe, behind a certain Uruguayan chomper. Not to mention the return of club god, Didier Drogba.
And all of this whilst more-or-less breaking even. The sales of David Luiz (we've all seen the memes following Germany's thrashing of Brazil), Demba Ba, and Romelu Lukaku have more than subsidised the two big summer signings, and the wage bill has been slashed following the departures of Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, and Samuel Eto'o. Impressive.
José, for all the criticism of his methods, is unquestionably one of the world's tactical masterminds, and one of the Premier League's premium personalities. He is a seasoned winner, and he knows exactly how to extract the absolute best out of his Chelsea squad over the course of a season. We fancy Chelsea to lift the trophy, and possibly either win more domestic silverware, or go far in the Champions League.
Make no mistake though, this season is one of pressure for JM. Chelsea finished third last time out, and José still hasn't really shook the Real Madrid monkey off his back. His years in Spain were some of the worst in his career, and he is still looking to fully recover from them. A certain Roman Abramovich will no doubt be watching keenly.
And all of this whilst more-or-less breaking even. The sales of David Luiz (we've all seen the memes following Germany's thrashing of Brazil), Demba Ba, and Romelu Lukaku have more than subsidised the two big summer signings, and the wage bill has been slashed following the departures of Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, and Samuel Eto'o. Impressive.
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| Mourinho in conversation with the departed Frank Lampard. |
Make no mistake though, this season is one of pressure for JM. Chelsea finished third last time out, and José still hasn't really shook the Real Madrid monkey off his back. His years in Spain were some of the worst in his career, and he is still looking to fully recover from them. A certain Roman Abramovich will no doubt be watching keenly.
Crystal Palace
Nickname: The Eagles
City: London
Stadium (Capacity): Selhurst Park (26,255)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 24,377
Manager: Tony Pulis
One to watch: Mile Jedinak
Position finished last season: 11th
Expectations for 2014/15:
As
I was typing this piece up last night, I was about to write something for Crystal
Palace along the lines of; “Having won Manager of the Season last time out,
Tony Pulis has done a magnificent job and will undoubtedly look to make an
assault on the top half of the Premier League this campaign.”
As
the news unfolds this morning that Pulis has incredibly left the club –
apparently by mutual consent - over a rift in the boardroom regarding control
over transfers, we can’t help but feel that this is probably the worst way Eagles
fans could have possibly imaged kicking off the new year. In Pulis, Palace had
a manager who would guarantee top flight football, and in the managerial market
that Crystal Palace operate in, he will be very difficult to top - and we struggle
to think who might come in and do a better job.
No
doubt, Messrs Pearson, Dyche and Redknapp will be watching the news unfold with
glee, as this now very much opens up the opportunity for them to stay up at
Palace’s expense. Not only through the loss of manager, but to start the season
off with this level of uncertainty is never a comfortable feeling for any fan.
Everton
Nickname: The Toffees
City: Liverpool
Stadium (Capacity): Goodison Park (40,537)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 37,732
Manager: Roberto Martinez
One to watch: Ross Barkley
Position finished last season: 5th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Last season was just dreadful for poor David Moyes. Not only
did he find the United job to be far too much for him, but his old club managed
their biggest points haul since they last won the top flight. The perception
that Moyes had been overachieving with Everton was harshly swept away, and
replaced with one that suggested he might have done better with the squad he
had.
Life after Moyes for the Toffee’s has certainly exceeded
expectations. With a new brand of ultimately attractive attacking football,
built on a solid foundation at the back, has won the hearts of many neutrals
around the country. Coupled with the rise of a handful of home-grown
youngsters, the resurgence of Gareth Barry, and the awesome left foot of
Leighton Baines, Everton must take plaudits for their English core, in a time
when the like of Manchester City field a full starting XI of foreigners. If the
England team is to attempt to replicate the German model, it is teams like Everton
that will get the ball rolling,
Despite narrowly missing out on the Champions League last season,
Everton may find this season a bit tougher going. United will be a stronger
force, and will likely compete directly with Everton for 5th place,
as well as the Toffees now having to compete in the Europa League on Thursday
nights.
They have been very quiet on the transfer front, in terms of
volume of signings, with only really the permanent capture of Barry and Lukaku
to note, as well as the Loan signing of Christian Atsu from Chelsea.
Hull City
Nickname: The Tigers
City: Hull
Stadium (Capacity): KC Stadium (25,400)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 24,116
Manager: Steve Bruce
One to watch: Tom Ince
Position finished last season: 16th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Rebranding and dodgy new badges aside; it’s an exciting time to be from Hull (first time that has ever been said). Steve Bruce is really onto something at the KC, and Tigers fans can look forward to European football, owing to their FA Cup Final appearance in May.
They have recruited impressively - despite losing Shane Long
to Saints for “an offer too good to refuse” - adding Robert Snodgrass and Jake
Livermore, whilst beating Inter Milan to the signature of Tom Ince – we do not
understand how.
Despite only finishing 16th in the league last
season, this position doesn’t do Hull any justice, as their league form dropped
off severely, as they started to take the FA Cup more seriously – and rightfully
so.
Competing in Europe, whilst it may be an amazing experience
for the fans, could see league form suffer, but not to the extent of them being
in danger of the drop. There are definitely worse outfits in this league than
Hull. Hopefully the man at the top doesn't do anything drastic to spoil what could be a memorable season.
Leicester City
Nickname: The Foxes
City: Leicester
Stadium (Capacity): King Power Stadium (32,262)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 24,995
Manager: Nigel Pearson
One to watch: David Nugent
Position finished last season: Promoted from The Championship as runaway Champions.
Expectations for 2014/15:
The
Foxes absolutely ran away with the Championship last season – scoring an almighty
102 points haul. Nigel Pearson, a former General in his playing days, looks to employ
the same level of intense motivation in his managerial style, with players
ready to go the distance for him.
In
(the very much underrated) Marc Albrighton, and Matthew Upson, the Foxes have
recruited crucial top flight experience, to add to the likes of Kasper Schmeichel
and David Nugent, both of whom have had short-term outings previously. They may
feel a bit more comfortable with one or two solid signings before the end of
the transfer window, but in their current, well-organised hungry young squad,
with Pearson at the helm, they have every chance of staying in the Premier
League.
Liverpool
Nickname: The Reds
City: Liverpool
Stadium (Capacity): Anfield (45,276)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 44,671
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
One to watch: Raheem Sterling
Position finished last season: 2nd
Expectations for 2014/15:
Brendan
Rodgers has very much proven himself one of the more tactically astute managers
in the Premier League; and no doubt that loss against Chelsea at the end of
last season will have felt like an arrow to the heart, as the Reds were undone
by wily old Mourinho’s counter attack.
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| Expect to see a bit more of this in 2014/15 |
That
said – what a season it was for Liverpool last time out. The Reds very much go
into this season with high hopes, even after losing the world’s most dangerous
striker (for more than just his shooting ability). They have recruited well
this summer, and will be all too aware of the depth needed in the squad if they
are to compete on the European stage too this season. The arrival of
Southampton’s finest, in the form of Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert is a
mouth watering proposition, and will add to the already magnificent attacking
forces at Anfield, as well as steadying the ship at the back. No more unforced errors from poor Kolo Toure will be tolerated.
Jordan
Henderson has very much come into his own over the last season. Having suffered
significant stick for his performances during the Kenny Dalglish years, the
young Mackem was one of the outstanding figures at Liverpool last year. The
power shift in the England camp was evident also, as Henderson collared Wayne
Rooney, to remind him of his defensive responsibilities down the left wing
against Italy, following Liverpool teammate Daniel Sturridge’s goal. He may yet be even more crucial to Liverpool's title chances. Towards the end of last season, and throughout the World Cup, incredibly, we started to lose a bit of faith in Steven Gerrard's ability. The Scouse God may be forced to sit out a bit more of the season than he would like, in order to preserve his longevity.
We
expect Liverpool to try and press on and make another assault on the title.
However, given the quality of Chelsea and Manchester City, they will be hard pressed to outscore them both over an entire season, given that they will now face
midweek action in the Champions League also – they no longer have that
advantage this season.
Manchester City
Nickname: The Citizens
City: Manchester
Stadium (Capacity): Etihad Stadium (47,805)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 47,080
Manager: Manuel Pelligrini
One to watch: Sergio Aguero
Position finished last season: 1st
Expectations for 2014/15:
Despite a massively flat outing in the Charity Shield against Arsenal, in which they were amazingly, outclassed in every department - you can never write off a squad with this much talent from retaining their title. Having won the trophy twice now, City are now fully aware of what it takes to go the distance, albeit, clinching their first on the final minute of the season, and their second having lead the league the least amount of days out of anybody who had. They certainly wouldn't say no to a comfier ride.
That said, the pressure is starting to mount of City to make any sort of impact on Europe's biggest stage. Given the quality in their side, their last two Champions League campaigns must go down as massive failures. This squad, as a unit, is not used to competing for titles both at home and on the continent simultaneously - and concentration on either could see their form suffer in the other. Having taken two Premier Leagues now, we expect City to pour everything they can into the assault on Europe, which has been made slightly more difficult with their UEFA wrist slap - they must now operate on a budget of only £49m, and must register at least five homegrown players in their 21-man Champions League squad (which, after fielding an entirely foreign starting XI against Arsenal, could prove to be a stretch on quality).
Back home, they now face an even hungrier Mourinho, now in his second season back at Chelsea, with his "Little Horse" seemingly ready to race. We cannot see past Chelsea for the Premier League.
For this reason, we do not see City lifting the title in May. But they may fare better than they have done in the Champions League. Locking Vincent Kompany into a new four year deal is at least something to be over the blue moon about.
Manchester United
Nickname: The Red Devils
City: Manchester
Stadium (Capacity): Old Trafford (75,713)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 75,207
Manager: Louis Van Gaal
One to watch: Ander Herrera
Position finished last season: 7th
Expectations for 2014/15:
"Nobody wants to be the man to follow Sir Alex Ferguson" - maybe not. But who wouldn't want to be the man to follow David Moyes? United have handed Dutchman, Louis Van Gaal one of the best managerial positions in world football, owing to the bashing that expectations took under the Moyes regime.
Following a strong World Cup, Louis Van Gaal appears to be on top form, and his strict methods are exactly what United crave at Carrington - off the back of one of their least disciplined periods of recent history. Van Gaal looks poised to instate a back three, as employed in Brazil - which could see heavy dependance on the wing backs from the Reds this campaign. With the rumour mill persistently churning out stories about Mats Hummels, Daley Blind, Marco Rojo and Angel Di Maria, it would appear United will make at least one more headline signing before the end of the transfer window, with Blind a perfect fit for the LWB slot.
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| LVG recently instated Wayne Rooney as the new captain of Manchester United, ending months of speculation. |
This season could very much be about Van Gaal getting the ropes in the Premier League, before making the squad his own next summer. Although, despite all of this, the lack of midweek European football will only serve to play into United's hands, much as it did for Liverpool last season. We expect United to be certainly fighting for their Champions League place back, but it might just be beyond them this campaign with their current squad.
Newcastle United
Nickname: The Magpies
City: NewcastkeStadium (Capacity): St. James' Park (52,405)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 50,395
Manager: Alan Pardew
One to watch: Tim Krul
Position finished last season: 10th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Patience
for mediocrity at Newcastle must be depleting as they see teams around them
galvanising, ready for the new season. Pardew has taken over following the
departure of the likeable Chris Hughton, and hasn’t really done all that much.
Let’s
make no mistake here, for a club the size of Newcastle, mid-table really isn’t
good enough. Whether that falls solely on Pardew’s shoulders or not, it is
usually the manager who takes responsibility regardless. Unless the Magpies
make early head way, Pardew might be a decent bet to not be around come Holiday
Season, harsh or not. Of course, headbutting opposition doesn’t help.
Very
much in the mould of a selling club, Newcastle have lost the services of one of
their best, in Mathieu Debuchy, following a decent World Cup, and of course Yahan Cabaye to PSG, last season. The arrival of Siem
de Jong from Ajax is a positive, but they will need key players, notably Papiss
Cisse, to bring their A-game.
A potential season of the unknown for Newcaslte,
but there are far worse clubs in the league. Despite universal hatred from the Geordie faithful, Mike Ashley has turned around the financial fortunes of the club, albeit without any sort of passion. The boardroom of St. James’ Park
is however, seemingly (incredibly) one of the more secure in the Premier League, and
Pards may yet be afforded another summer if Newcastle do have an indifferent
season.
Not an enthralling proposition though.
QPR
Nickname: The R's
City: London
Stadium (Capacity): Loftus Road (18,489)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 16,655
Manager: Harry Redknapp
One to watch: Joey Barton
Position finished last season: Promoted from the Championship as Play-off Winners.
Expectations for 2014/15:
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| There was real affection in the air between Barton and Fernandes at Wembley following QPR's victory over Derby in the Play-off Final |
At the beginning of last season, QPR were firm favourites to
bounce straight back into the Premier League, and the duly delivered. Despite
Joey Barton’s claims before the season had kicked off that he would “never play
Championship football”, with an eye on staying in France, the fans accepted his
apologies and welcomed him back with open arms. Never has such faith been
repaid in the way that it was by Barton last season. The standout player for
QPR, urging them on ferociously, whilst players like Nico Kranjcar couldn’t
have looked less interested in playing in the second tier. Barton’s game has
improved incredibly from the Rottweiler of the midfield, to a much more
cultured all-rounder, who’s eye for a pass is something to behold. He will be
key to their fortunes this season.
In manager Harry Redknapp, QPR have a seasoned vet, who knows
what it takes to stay in the big time. Owner Tony Fernandes’ pockets are deep,
and with him withdrawn interest from his other sport, Formula 1, looks set on
focussing all attention in staying in the Premier League. Whilst the bookies
don’t appear to fancy QPR, many will tip them to be most likely to stay up out
of the promoted teams. The signing of Rio Ferdinand will add to this, as the
former England captain will add steel, and a desire to win, amidst his endless
experience. Keep an eye out also for Charlie Austin, who would have been a
Premier League player regardless of the switch he made from Burnley last
season.
Southampton
Nickname: The Saints
City: Southampton
Stadium (Capacity): St. Mary's (32,589)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 30,212
Manager: Ronald Koeman
One to watch:
Position finished last season: 8th
Expectations for 2014/15:
You’ve got to feel for Saints fans. Never before has a club
seen such a summer of Exodus, following a great previous season. Southampton
are a victim of their own design, in the sense that through nurturing all of
their young talent, they have become the envy of many, including the big boys.
The departures of Shaw, Chambers, Lambert and Lallana – not to mention the man
behind the meteoric rise last season, Mauricio Pochettino, came as a hammer
blow. But in new boss Ronald Koeman, they have one of the game’s all-time
greats, fresh from turning Feyenoord back into a Dutch force.
Having sold the aforementioned stars of last season Saints
have reaped somewhere close to a staggering £100m in transfer fees, so there is
plenty in the “warchest” for them to rebuild effectively – so long as they don’t
do what Spurs did with Gareth Bale’s £90m. Still, influential players in the form
of Wanyama, Rodriguez and Ward-Prowse remain, so there is a foundation with
which to build on, and with the arrival of Fraser Forster from Celtic, Shane
Long from Hull, and Ryan Bertrand on loan from Chelsea, Saints looks to be in
recovery mode. The opening weeks will reveal the problem areas no doubt, but
Saints fans shouldn’t fear the worst. We tip them to stay up, and consolidate
lower-mid table. They’ve done it once before and they’re in decent shape to do
it again.
Stoke City
Nickname: The Potters
City: Stoke
Stadium (Capacity): Britannia Stadium (27,740)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 26,137
Manager: Mark Hughes
One to watch: Bojan
Position finished last season: 9th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Few were expecting the degree of change that Mark Hughes
would bring with him, but incredibly, Stoke are now fairly attractive to watch.
Starting to stagnate a bit in the bottom half, change was necessary from the
Pulis era, even if he did go on to become Manager of the Season with Palace.
Stoke have been fairly quiet on the transfer front, aside
from the signing of a certain diminutive attacking player from Barcelona.
Lionel who? We’re talking about Bojan, of course. Probably the biggest sign of
change at the Britannia – Bojan would never have gotten into a Pulis team,
where direct play was king. Now the onus is very much on the players to get the
ball, and keep it.
We expect a solid mid-table effort from Stoke. They havn’t
yet the squad to trouble the top half to any significant degree.
Sunderland
Nickname: The Black Cats
City: Sunderland
Stadium (Capacity): Stadium of Light (48,707)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 41,090
Manager: Gus Poyet
One to watch: Jack Rodwell
Position finished last season: 14th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Incredibly, Sunderland managed to finish 14th in
the league last season, following one of the most remarkable turn-arounds ever
witnessed, under BBC favourite Gus Poyet. It was quite a task undoing the mess
brought about under Paolo Di Canio’s tenure, and Poyet will look to invest much
more astutely than his predecessor.
Sunderland have been in a relegation dog-fight now for the
last two seasons, something which is never a comfortable feeling – unless you’re
master escape artists Wigan (until recently). If this season is to be
considered any sort of success, Poyet will need to take stock, and look to push
on towards the safety of mid-table, consolidating mathematical safety a good
few weeks before the end of the season.
Swansea City
Nickname: The Swans
City: Swansea, Wales
Stadium (Capacity): Liberty Stadium (20,750)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 20,407
Manager: Gary Monk
One to watch: Wilfried Bony
Position finished last season: 12th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Swansea were a team that I loved a couple of seasons back.
However, they have lost their way a bit. In Michael Laudrup they had one of the
great up and coming managers, playing stylish football, and generally winning
the hearts of many. Cue a boardroom bust-up, the departure of Laudrup and the
promotion of club-captain Gary Monk into the manager’s office and you have the
modern Swans.
Monk is still an inexperienced manager. Swansea have been scrambling
around a bit for quality throughout last season and never really looked like getting
going. Losing influential keeper Michel Vorm and Ben Davies, both to Spurs is a
blow, but they have brought in some quality, in the form of Lukasz Fabianski, and
the returning, hugely underrated, Gylfi Sigurdsson, as well as French hit man Bafetimbi
Gomis from Lyon/ Although, quite what Swansea think they’re purchasing in
Marvin Emnes is beyond me. A proven flop at both Premier League and
Championship level, Emnes is a sight for sore eyes at the Riverside, and I’m
delighted to have gotten rid of him. Sorry Swans fans. Although, hanging on to Wilfried Bony, under pressure, was a result.
Tottenham Hotspur
Nickname: Spurs
City: London
Stadium (Capacity):White Hart Lane (36,284)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 35,808
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino
One to watch: Cristian Eriksson
Position finished last season: 6th
Expectations for 2014/15:
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| Eriksen has been a real success at Spurs. |
Who knows what this season will hold for Spurs. Probably more
of the same. The squad has had a bit more time to settle down now, following
the monumental waste of money that was Gareth Bale’s transfer fee. One positive
has to be the form of Christian Eriksen under Sherwood, who looks to be a real
piece of quality. Football Manager fan’s will have us know that he has always been
this good. Particularly when they masterminded Ajax to the treble.
West Bromwich Albion
Nickname: The Baggies
City: West Bromwich
Stadium (Capacity): The Hawthorns (26,445)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 25,194
Manager: Alan Irvine
One to watch:
Position finished last season: 17th
Expectations for 2014/15:
The question on many people’s lips this summer regards new
WBA boss Alan Irvine. People mainly want to know who he is. David Moyes’ former
assistant has had a relatively decent run with Preston recently, before being
sacked from Sheffield Wednesday whilst they languished in League 1 mediocrity.
Not the most inspiring managerial acquisition, and just at
the wrong time too. The Baggies had a poor season last year, avoiding the drop by the finest of margins, and would have
looked to try and grab somebody in the shape of Tony Pulis to keep them up this
season.
However, given their inexperienced manager, and perilously thin squad –
having lost many of their experienced players – WBA are staring down the barrel
of a gun, even if they have brought in Joleon Lescott, rather impressively.
West Ham United
Nickname: The Hammers
City: London
Stadium (Capacity): The Boleyn Ground (35,016)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 34,197
Manager: Sam Allardyce
One to watch:
Position finished last season: 13th
Expectations for 2014/15:
It’s safe to say Big Sam wasn’t the most popular man around
East London, last season. Famously cupping his ear to boo-ing home fans,
unhappy with his robust style of play – “But it’s not the West Ham way!” –
whatever the West Ham way actually is, I’m not sure many people actually know.
This season is crunch time for Sam, if Andy Carroll remains
fit, there’s no reason to suggest any danger. West Ham are capable of both playing
some decent stuff, and grinding out a win – both could come in handy over the
course of a season.
The signing of Enner Valencia, having burst onto many people’s
radar in Brazil is an apparently good addition, and shipping out trouble-maker
Ravel Morrison is also a wise move.
The Lone Striker Table Prediction
"How The Bookie Sees It" Final League Table
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| Odds derived from Ladbrokes, 15/08/2014. Top half positions calculated using "Outright Winner" market, Bottom half odds (marked with a *) are calculated using the "To Get Relegated" market. |
That concludes our Premier League Season 2014/15 Preview. Whilst certainly more predictable than the Championship, the top flight is sure to throw some massive results and upsets our way over the course of the next ten months. We can't wait.
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The Premier League season officially kicks off on Saturday, 12:45pm, at Old Trafford, where Louis Van Gaal's Manchester United face Swansea in their first test of the new season.
