PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW PART ONE Greg, 09/08/11
ARSENAL
What's changed from last year? Not enough as far as the fans are concerned. They have been crying out for a couple of proven performers to toughen up what is undoubtedly a talented squad. With Nasri and Fabregas set to join Clichy and Denilson in leaving, only the skillful AOC and Gervinho have been brought in, alongside young Carl Jenkinson from Charlton.
For: Honourably sticking to their 'not-pissing-money-up-the-wall' philosophy, attractive football, supremely talented young squad.
Against: Fans beginning to doubt Wenger, lack of steel down the spine of an already brittle team, prone to surrender, big names wanting to go.
A good season would be: A trophy. Preferably a league or Champions League, but many fans would take a Carling Cup and top four finish.
Breath of Fresh Air: Aaron Ramsey - will be more than capable of filling Cesc's rather delicate Nikes.
Fresh Air prediction: 5th and the Carling Cup.
ASTON VILLA
What's changed from last year? Too much. Lost their two best creative players in Young and Downing, though Charles N'Zogbia will take on much of the attacking responsibility. They have lost Brad Friedel but have an equally impressive replacement in Shay Given. The jury is very much out on already unpopular Alex McLeish.
For: Two words - Darren Bent. People laughed at the fee but his goals kept them away from the bottom last year and he will need to repeat that again this time around. Several youngsters already establishing themselves at Premier League level.
Against: Overly reliant on Bent, fans ready to explode if things start badly - McLeish won't be given any time to settle.
A good season would be: Staying away from the bottom.
Breath of Fresh Air: Gary Gardner. Craig's younger brother is expected to join the likes of Bannan, Albrighton and Delfouneso in the first team squad and replace the outgoing Reo-Coker.
Fresh Air prediction: 14th
What's changed from last year? Not enough as far as the fans are concerned. They have been crying out for a couple of proven performers to toughen up what is undoubtedly a talented squad. With Nasri and Fabregas set to join Clichy and Denilson in leaving, only the skillful AOC and Gervinho have been brought in, alongside young Carl Jenkinson from Charlton.
For: Honourably sticking to their 'not-pissing-money-up-the-wall' philosophy, attractive football, supremely talented young squad.
Against: Fans beginning to doubt Wenger, lack of steel down the spine of an already brittle team, prone to surrender, big names wanting to go.
A good season would be: A trophy. Preferably a league or Champions League, but many fans would take a Carling Cup and top four finish.
Breath of Fresh Air: Aaron Ramsey - will be more than capable of filling Cesc's rather delicate Nikes.
Fresh Air prediction: 5th and the Carling Cup.
ASTON VILLA
What's changed from last year? Too much. Lost their two best creative players in Young and Downing, though Charles N'Zogbia will take on much of the attacking responsibility. They have lost Brad Friedel but have an equally impressive replacement in Shay Given. The jury is very much out on already unpopular Alex McLeish.
For: Two words - Darren Bent. People laughed at the fee but his goals kept them away from the bottom last year and he will need to repeat that again this time around. Several youngsters already establishing themselves at Premier League level.
Against: Overly reliant on Bent, fans ready to explode if things start badly - McLeish won't be given any time to settle.
A good season would be: Staying away from the bottom.
Breath of Fresh Air: Gary Gardner. Craig's younger brother is expected to join the likes of Bannan, Albrighton and Delfouneso in the first team squad and replace the outgoing Reo-Coker.
Fresh Air prediction: 14th
BLACKBURN ROVERS
What's changed from last year? They lost a rock at the back, someone who really steadied the ship and was becoming an icon to the fans. Zurab Khizanishvili, you will be missed. Oh, and Phil Jones has gone. David Goodwillie (snigger) has arrived from Dundee Utd along with Argentine striker Mauro Formica.
For: They boast a few proven performers in Emerton, Pedersen, Dunn and Robinson. That's about it, other than youngster Junior Hoilett who will be expected to step up this year.
Against: Owners who are fast becoming the biggest joke in football. They promised Ronaldinho, Kaka and the Champions League. They got David Goodwillie (note: I have nothing against him, he looked good in the SPL. He just isn't Kaka).
A good season would be: Avoiding relegation and not making any more Venky's adverts.
Breath of Fresh Air: Junior Hoilett. Looked impressive last year but will need to score goals this time around as there aren't many who will. Grant Hanley could also step into Phil Jones' position at centre back.
Fresh Air prediction: 20th.
What's changed from last year? They lost a rock at the back, someone who really steadied the ship and was becoming an icon to the fans. Zurab Khizanishvili, you will be missed. Oh, and Phil Jones has gone. David Goodwillie (snigger) has arrived from Dundee Utd along with Argentine striker Mauro Formica.
For: They boast a few proven performers in Emerton, Pedersen, Dunn and Robinson. That's about it, other than youngster Junior Hoilett who will be expected to step up this year.
Against: Owners who are fast becoming the biggest joke in football. They promised Ronaldinho, Kaka and the Champions League. They got David Goodwillie (note: I have nothing against him, he looked good in the SPL. He just isn't Kaka).
A good season would be: Avoiding relegation and not making any more Venky's adverts.
Breath of Fresh Air: Junior Hoilett. Looked impressive last year but will need to score goals this time around as there aren't many who will. Grant Hanley could also step into Phil Jones' position at centre back.
Fresh Air prediction: 20th.
BOLTON WANDERERS
What's changed from last year? They have lost some impressive performers - Sturridge is back at Chelsea (for now), and Elmander and Matt Taylor have gone. Those brought in are steady but unspectacular - Reo-Coker, Pratley and Eagles. If Cahill stays, they will be strong at the back.
For: A good manager who plays good football, big characters like Kevin Davies.
Against: Injuries are already adding up - Tyrone Mears and Lee Chung-Yong have both broken a leg over summer and Stuart Holden will miss the start of the season, where they play City, Liverpool, United, Arsenal and Chelsea within their first seven games.
A good season would be: Top half and a good cup run.
Breath of Fresh Air: Tom Eaves. Tall but skillful, the former Oldham man could break through into the team this season. At least Coyle won't drive the skill out of him like Big Sam might have done.
Fresh Air prediction: 11th
CHELSEA
What's changed from last year? The manager, who is a personal favourite of ours. All eyes on Andre please. Squad players like Zhirkov, Borini and Mancienne have gone, and expensive youngsters Lukaku, Courtois, Romeu and Piazon have come in. Expect more to happen before September 1st.
For: Talented, forward-thinking manager with incredible attention to detail. A squad that is the envy of most in world football, full of proven internationals. Unlike Arsenal, they boast strength and character in almost every position.
Against: Essien has already knacked himself and will miss most of the season. Villas-Boas is under immense pressure given what happened to his predecessors. The size of their squad works against them at times - can a young manager handle all the egos? How can they accomodate Torres, Drogaba, Anelka, Kalou, Sturridge, Lukaku and Malouda in a 4-3-3?
A good season would be: Regaining the title and winning the Champions League with Torres rediscovering his pre-2010 form.
Breath of Fresh Air: Daniel Sturridge - no longer unproven, can he do it at the top level?
Fresh Air prediction: 3rd but Champions League finalist. Things may change in the next couple of weeks.
EVERTON
What's changed from last year? Hardly anything. Young defender Eric Dier from Sporting Lisbon has arrived on loan. James Vaughan has left for Norwich. The only club in the league not to have signed anyone yet this summer.
For: A proven manager, steady squad and supportive fans. An enviable record against top teams. Tim Cahill's head.
Against: Still yet to find a consistently fit goalscorer. Saha could do it but can't play every game unfortunately. Not in any trouble financially but won't be able to kick on and cement themselves in the top 6 or 7 without investment.
A good season would be: Top 7 and a good cup run - could their small squad cope?
Breath of Fresh Air: Would have been good to see Coleman start a season as first choice but injury will rob us of that for a while. Jose Baxter has long been touted as a good prospect so it's now or never for him.
Fresh Air prediction: 8th
What's changed from last year? They have lost some impressive performers - Sturridge is back at Chelsea (for now), and Elmander and Matt Taylor have gone. Those brought in are steady but unspectacular - Reo-Coker, Pratley and Eagles. If Cahill stays, they will be strong at the back.
For: A good manager who plays good football, big characters like Kevin Davies.
Against: Injuries are already adding up - Tyrone Mears and Lee Chung-Yong have both broken a leg over summer and Stuart Holden will miss the start of the season, where they play City, Liverpool, United, Arsenal and Chelsea within their first seven games.
A good season would be: Top half and a good cup run.
Breath of Fresh Air: Tom Eaves. Tall but skillful, the former Oldham man could break through into the team this season. At least Coyle won't drive the skill out of him like Big Sam might have done.
Fresh Air prediction: 11th
CHELSEA
What's changed from last year? The manager, who is a personal favourite of ours. All eyes on Andre please. Squad players like Zhirkov, Borini and Mancienne have gone, and expensive youngsters Lukaku, Courtois, Romeu and Piazon have come in. Expect more to happen before September 1st.
For: Talented, forward-thinking manager with incredible attention to detail. A squad that is the envy of most in world football, full of proven internationals. Unlike Arsenal, they boast strength and character in almost every position.
Against: Essien has already knacked himself and will miss most of the season. Villas-Boas is under immense pressure given what happened to his predecessors. The size of their squad works against them at times - can a young manager handle all the egos? How can they accomodate Torres, Drogaba, Anelka, Kalou, Sturridge, Lukaku and Malouda in a 4-3-3?
A good season would be: Regaining the title and winning the Champions League with Torres rediscovering his pre-2010 form.
Breath of Fresh Air: Daniel Sturridge - no longer unproven, can he do it at the top level?
Fresh Air prediction: 3rd but Champions League finalist. Things may change in the next couple of weeks.
EVERTON
What's changed from last year? Hardly anything. Young defender Eric Dier from Sporting Lisbon has arrived on loan. James Vaughan has left for Norwich. The only club in the league not to have signed anyone yet this summer.
For: A proven manager, steady squad and supportive fans. An enviable record against top teams. Tim Cahill's head.
Against: Still yet to find a consistently fit goalscorer. Saha could do it but can't play every game unfortunately. Not in any trouble financially but won't be able to kick on and cement themselves in the top 6 or 7 without investment.
A good season would be: Top 7 and a good cup run - could their small squad cope?
Breath of Fresh Air: Would have been good to see Coleman start a season as first choice but injury will rob us of that for a while. Jose Baxter has long been touted as a good prospect so it's now or never for him.
Fresh Air prediction: 8th
FULHAM
What's changed from last year? Massively popular Martin Jol makes a welcome return. A lot of squad players have gone, with John-Arne Riise the only really familiar arrival. Other signings such as Pajtim Kasami and Marcel Gecov have decent credentials but are unproven. The Michael Jackson statue is still there unfortunately.
For: Solid, consistent and almost ever-present central defensive partnership of Hughes and Hangeland backed up by the equally talented Schwarzer. Creative and experienced midfield in Duff, Murphy and Dempsey, and Dembele and Zamora up front.
Against: Beyond the players mentioned above, the squad looks thin. An Arsenal-esque run of injuries and they could plummet down the table. Expect that to be remedied by the end of the window.
A good season would be: A trophy and solid top-10 finish
Breath of Fresh Air: John-Arne Riise - he's back! With Hitzlsperger gone, we need a replacement to rattle it in from 30 yards.
Fresh Air prediction: 7th
What's changed from last year? Massively popular Martin Jol makes a welcome return. A lot of squad players have gone, with John-Arne Riise the only really familiar arrival. Other signings such as Pajtim Kasami and Marcel Gecov have decent credentials but are unproven. The Michael Jackson statue is still there unfortunately.
For: Solid, consistent and almost ever-present central defensive partnership of Hughes and Hangeland backed up by the equally talented Schwarzer. Creative and experienced midfield in Duff, Murphy and Dempsey, and Dembele and Zamora up front.
Against: Beyond the players mentioned above, the squad looks thin. An Arsenal-esque run of injuries and they could plummet down the table. Expect that to be remedied by the end of the window.
A good season would be: A trophy and solid top-10 finish
Breath of Fresh Air: John-Arne Riise - he's back! With Hitzlsperger gone, we need a replacement to rattle it in from 30 yards.
Fresh Air prediction: 7th
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