With the Premier League now underway and West Ham's solicitor barely back to his day job, Smart and I thought it'd be a good time to look at the potential fortunes of all twenty teams involved.
In order to make the list a little more digestible, we're breaking it down into four small parts - this one being the first. So let's get underway with Part 1 and don't forget, whether you agree or disagree with what we have to say, why not tell us what you think? Leave us a comment and share your thoughts with your fellow fans...
Arsenal
Smart: "Everybody is talking about the loss of Thierry Henry - so I won't. Wenger is no mug and still holds a talented squad and it's time for a few of the youngsters to make the step up. The squad doesn't have the talent-in-depth of other title contenders but injuries aside they should be fine." Verdict: Champions League spot.
Chris O: "I think Wenger was crazy even to consider letting Henry go, given how prolific he was. He's now left with a bunch of young players and new signings, some of which are undoubtedly good but I wonder if they'll perform consistently as a team. Should be worth backing in the Cups, I'd say. Verdict: UEFA Cup spot.
Aston Villa
Smart: "A mixed summer in the transfer market with the departure of Liam Ridgewell and the arrival of Marlon Harewood and Nigel Reo-Coker, but who am I to question Martin O'Neills decisions - the man knows what he is doing. If Laursen stays fit and Petrov finds his goal scoring form an interesting season beckons." Verdict: Mid-table.
Chris O: "For once I'm questioning O'Neill's judgement. He's sold some useful players like Ridgewell, Gavin McCann, Stephen Davis and Juan Pablo Angel, and replaced them with Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon Harewood from West Ham. Unless there are more purchases to come, I think Villa are going to struggle. Verdict: Mid-table.
Birmingham City
Smart: "All of a sudden The Blues have players with Premiership experience and quality. Queudrue and Ridgewell will join Jaidi to strengthen at the back, plus they have an interesting signing in De Ridder. If (and it's a big if) Forsell stays fit, they may avoid relegation... but I can't see it." Verdict: Relegated.
Chris O: "If there's one thing that Birmingham are renowned for in recent years, it's scoring few goals. To my mind, they haven't addressed that with their many summer signings and though Steve Bruce will instil some spirit into them, I think they'll ultimately fail, sadly. Verdict: Relegated.
Blackburn Rovers
Smart: "How much of a toll will the UEFA Cup qualification process have on Blackburn? Hughes has strengthened well to add to the talents of Gamst Pedersen and Bentley but I fear that an early start to a long season will eventually undo a promising start to their Premier League campaign." Verdict: Top half.
Chris O: "Not much dabbling for Mark Hughes in the transfer market this summer, but Roque Santa Cruz and Maceo Rigters could make up for that. A side which already boasts the talents of Brad Friedel, Benni McCarthy, David Bentley, Morten Gamst Pedersen and my tip for the top, Matt Derbyshire, should do well again this season, if not slightly better. Verdict: Top half.
Bolton Wanderers
Smart: "Big Sam - or Sammy Lee as he is known - knows he has a lot to live up to, but he has a large enough squad to do it with. Boasting a midfield featuring Speed, Campo, Nolan, McCann and Stelios plus new boys Braaten and Wilhelmsson, it's not all gloom and doom at the Reebok Stadium. But is Sammy Lee up to the task?" Verdict: Bottom half.
Chris O: "I'm inclined to agree. Sammy Lee just doesn't seem to have the tactical insight and authority of his predecessor, so he'll be keeping his fingers crossed that his attackers - Anelka, Diouf and Davies - can score plenty this year. That and his defence leaking far fewer goals than last season. I think Lee might be a contender for 'first coach to be sacked' if things go as I suspect. Verdict: Bottom half.
Tomorrow: Part 2 (featuring Chelsea, Derby, Everton, Fulham and Liverpool).
Chris O -
ReplyDeleteI don't think Wenger had much of a choice whether to let Henry go or not. He clearly wasn't happy at Arsenal, and wanted to go to Barca. What's the use in having a highly paid, unmotivated morale drain (albeit a massively talented one)? Better to cash in on him (even though Barca got the deal of the century), and spend the money on some new, hungry blood.
Plus, I think we saw glimpses of the post-Henry era over the weekend. Everyone (especially Hleb!) was shooting alot more than looking for Henry to pass the ball to him, and it ended up paying off in the end. So while Arsenal now lacks someone that can win the game on their own, there's a much more cohesive, team-oriented squad.
But let's see how everything stands in mid-October.
I predict an improvement for Arsenal this year, maybe finishing as runner-ups. But I can't see them winning the title quite yet.
Very interesting the points you make, Adam. I always thought Henry was a real figure-head and a symbol of all that Arsenal could achieve, but I guess from the other side of the coin (as you suggest) the other strikers might have looked upon him with resentment that he was keeping them out of the team or demanding most of the passes in order to create goals.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've heard and read, most people are saying they'll do better than last time by finishing in the top 2, or (like me) are saying they'll drop as low as fifth for the first time in many years.
Should be interesting finding out which one happens...
I really cannot see Arsenal finishing higher than fourth. They struggled at home to beat a Fulham side that could be in the relegation ranks by season's end. And truth be told, if Fulham could have capitalized on just one of their many good chances in the second half, Arsenal may not have walked away with three points, let alone one.
ReplyDeleteAdebayor's absense may be partially to blame, but Rosicky will need to step up his game along with the back four if they are to mount any serious challenge.
Chris B -
ReplyDeleteFair point, but by the same token, the scoreline could just as easily have been 2-0. Lehmann's mistake was not something that happens every day, and that can't be seen as anything more than a fluke (I hope anyway, he better not go all Barthez this season).
Judging on one game is never a good idea, but I felt that the other top 4 teams struggled just as much in their games over the weekend. Liverpool had a helluva fight on their hands, and only won through a free-kick that Jesus himself couldn't have taken better. Man Utd was held to a draw against 10-man Reading at home. Chelsea managed to give up 2 goals (how often does that happen?).
As such, I'd put down the struggle down to the start of the season. And Fulham played pretty damn well, to boot.
I agree about Rosicky, he's got to step up. Maybe he has Gerrard-itis (if he plays anywhere other than central midfield he looks helpless).
Chris O -
Henry is a figure-head as long as he's happy. A motivated Henry is an asset for any team anywhere. However, if he's unhappy, he can be a detriment to the team, especially if he doesn't "believe" (whatever that means) anymore.
It'll be interesting to see how he does at Barca. I don't buy into the theory (as many Gooners do) that he's past it, maybe all he needed was a clean slate or whatever to shine again.
Overall, I don't think it's unreasonable to place Arsenal in any position from 2-4. They're the hardest to predict, this year, and it could prove to be a turning point, when everything comes together, or just another frustrating season of missed chances, and sloppy concessions.