It's a Marathon not a sprint...
Arsenal) There seems to be disquiet among the Gooners about their club not spending any money so far this season,most notably on twitter from Piers Morgan who appears to have installed himself as leader of the unofficial Wenger out campaign.Despite losing to a young Villa team on opening day they will be fine.Nowhere near as bad as their own fans think.Have to get a settled forward line and drop the needless red cards...
Aston Villa) Had a tough time last year but survived with help from the goals of Benteke.Need to keep him if it's possible.They're a very young team but have some decent players.However sometimes watching them is like watching kids in the park all chasing the ball at the same time...Dare i say they need some experience down the spine of the team.
Cardiff)What a great fillip the 3-2 win over Man City is for them.One of the favourites to get relegated but may well survive if they can make the most of their home form in front of a hostile crowd.Maybe the away teams will be blindsided by the blue & red shirts donned by the Blue(red)birds fans...
Chelsea)Roman Abramovitch once got shot of Jose Mourinho because he wanted Chelsea to play attractive football all the time whilst still winning league titles.Six/seven/eight managers later---seriously who's counting?---and he's sussed that for league titles pragmatism may win the day so bought back the self styled "Special One" ----Don't know if Jose knows that being called "Special" in the UK has different connotations to his meaning---After three games his team have played well for one half and ground out the rest of the games gaining seven points on the way.Last night at Old Trafford he employed the Craig Levine school by not playing a striker...It's gonna be a long season.But ultimately could be a title winning one.
Crystal Palace) Everyone's whipping boys i'm afraid.Not that i think they're really that bad but not strong enough for the Premiership.For one thing they won't score enough goals.When the lily livered Chamakh is your striking focal point you have severe problems.Expect lots of unfounded conspiracy theories concerning bias from boss Ian Holloway...
Everton)Will Roberto Martinez turn them into Wigan part 2? If they lose their best players in the next two transfer windows they could well struggle to emulate the relative success of recent years...Expect discontent from their fans especially if ex manager Moyes buys Fellaini & Baines...
Fulham) With Super Mario taking over the reigns from freaky Al Fayed at The Cottage they have more money to spend on players.Have already bought Parker & Taarabt to compliment Berbatov but need to strengthen the defence...Will do what Fulham tend to do and finish mid table after flirting with relegation...
Hull City) Their new owner has insisted they be called Hull City Tigers.They won't be of course,except in jest.Did well to bring in Livermore & Huddlestone from Spurs.Tom Huddlestone in particular is a fine addition as he will run their midfield,he's not going to cut his hair till he scores.We're all hoping he grows the biggest Afro in history before that day comes....Think they'll have enough to stay up,just...
Liverpool) Say it quietly but there may be finally something going on at Liverpool after years of under achieving.If Sturridge can strike up his partnership with Suarez again---Providing Suarez does'nt spend half the term at the FA getting suspended---goals won't be a problem.Have also signed one of the best Premiership goalkeepers in Mignolet.Might be challenging for top four...
Man City) Got rid of Roberto Mancini for some reason or other---Footballing reason's barely seem to matter these days---Could win everything.Could just as easily not win a thing.This is Man City we're talking about here and messing up seems to be hotwired into their DNA(And this coming from a Wolves fan!) No one better going forward when they hit their straps but struggle at the back when Kompany is'nt playing.Joe Hart has also lost his mojo a bit too...
Man Utd) New manager! That's not been written about United for twenty five years.New boss David Moyes clearly clued up on Fergie's handbook by whinging about the fixtures even before the season began.Still need to strengthen at the back and get a commanding midfielder in.If Rooney goes and Van Persie gets injured may struggle(By struggle i mean finish second of course.It's all relative...)
Newcastle)Mags boss Alan Pardew is already getting his excuses in early so we can expect a hard season ahead.Like Man City you can always trust Newcastle to find ever inventive ways of messing up...If results don't go their way expect to see an unshaven Pardew by mid October...Expect to see a new manager by November.
Norwich)Signed the wonderfully named Ricky van Wolfswinkel in the summer.Does'nt appear to do much but very good in the air.Needs a good supply of crosses from the wing.Need to start picking up more points away from Carrow Road to remain away from bottom six...
Southampton) Always look good and with the manic Pablo Osvaldo joining Ricky Lambert upfront will be a bit of a force.Top ten is clearly not out of the question.Saints keep producing good youngsters too,especially left backs and they have unearthed another in Shaw.Expect a £10m bid from an un-named London club soon...
Spurs) "One nil to the Tottenham" Two games,two 1-0 wins.Both goals from penalties...George Graham would be proud.The Bale saga is still ongoing.Obviously the sooner it's sorted out the better for all concerned,especially Spurs, as---let's be honest here---£90m is a shed load of money and no player is worth that.Mind you Real Madrid still have'nt paid up for the last player they got from Spurs so don't hold your breath.Top four a possibility esp if they've gone all Arsenal circa mid 90's on us...
Stoke) A football revolution is taking place in the Potteries.Instead of just humping the ball to the big lads upfront,under Mark Hughes they now pass it to each other a couple of times before humping the ball to the big lads upfront...Have struggled to score goals the last few seasons and will continue to do so...
Sunderland)This is the season we find out if Paolo Di Canio is any good as a top manager.Needs a goalscorer if Fletcher remains sidelined for much longer.Like Newcastle the fans will get restless pretty quickly if things don't start going right soon...Di Canio is already referring to himself in the third person.A worrying sign...
Swansea)So South Wales have two representatives in the Premiership for the first time ever.Doubtful if Swansea can reproduce the form from last season but have enough to stay out of trouble.Expect a lot of puns from newspapers with their impressive looking new signing Wilfried Bony...
West Brom) Suppose i'd better be objective here---Much as it pains me---West Brom will be fine but nowhere as good as last season.Now they have lost Lukaka and possibly Anelka(along with the recalcitrant Obemiwinge) They will be relying on Shane Long for goals.He's ok but will never get more than maybe ten a season.Needs help.Have done well to sign Sinclair from Man City's reserves.A lot could depend on how long the impressive goalkeeper Ben Foster is out for...
West Ham)Big Sam has finally laid the ghost of the "West Ham way" and now seems to have most Hammers fans onside...The service Matty Jarvis provides will be crucial.Still the best crosser of a ball in the Premiership by a mile.If Kevin Nolan & Joe Cole can keep producing the goods i can see a top ten finish...
So that's my look at the Premiership teams...
Meanwhile in Division One...
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