PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW 2014/15
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