PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW PART TWO Greg, 09/08/11
LIVERPOOL
What's changed from last year? Plenty. A squad reinvigorated by Kenny Dalglish in the second half of last season has been boosted with talented but arguably over-priced British players - Adam, Henderson and most importantly Downing have arrived. Even more good news came when Paul Konchesky and Milan Jovanovic left. With new owners, optimism has returned to Anfield.
For: The hype around Dalglish seems to have substance, and everyone is pulling in the same direction after years of upheaval. They should now be able to get the best out of £35m man Andy Carroll with Downing and Adam's arrivals. Add that to the success of Suarez and it seems that Liverpool are better equipped to challenge than ever.
Against: They still look unbalanced at the back with a left-back yet to arrive. Many fans would say that they could do with another centre-half to replace either the delicate Agger or unconvincing Skrtel. The huge fees paid for the likes of Henderson and Carroll in particular mean that if they fail to perform, national press coverage will be scathing.
A good season would be: A return to the Champions League and possibly an FA Cup. The money spent could even mean an optimistic tilt at the title.
Breath of Fresh Air: Martin Kelly. Another who is no longer unknown, but would be a real boost to the Liverpool Academy, and probably the England team, if he gets a season of regular football in a top team.
Fresh Air prediction: 4th and the FA Cup.
MANCHESTER CITY
What's changed from last year? Sergio Aguero. If he plays as he can, the likely loss of Tevez will barely be noticed. Gael Clichy has come, which will harm Arsenal more than significantly improve Mancini's team. Boateng, Given and Jo have left and the likes of Adebayor, Bridge and Bellamy will follow. More will arrive, with Nasri currently looking the most likely. However, the FA Cup win and Champions League qualification means the biggest change may well come in the mentality around the club - they are now a genuine force and not just 'noisy neighbours.'
For: Unlimited funds, the trophy duck broken, Champions League football, a squad littered with genuine world-class performers.
Against: Questionable mentality around the squad, ill-discipline, huge pressure to succeed, the dangers of keeping players happy with squad rotation.
A good season would be: Winning the league and getting to the latter stages of the Champions League.
Breath of Fresh Air: Sergio Aguero. The arrogance of the Premier League means we are quick to label players as superstars - Kun is the genuine article.
Fresh Air prediction: 2nd
What's changed from last year? Plenty. A squad reinvigorated by Kenny Dalglish in the second half of last season has been boosted with talented but arguably over-priced British players - Adam, Henderson and most importantly Downing have arrived. Even more good news came when Paul Konchesky and Milan Jovanovic left. With new owners, optimism has returned to Anfield.
For: The hype around Dalglish seems to have substance, and everyone is pulling in the same direction after years of upheaval. They should now be able to get the best out of £35m man Andy Carroll with Downing and Adam's arrivals. Add that to the success of Suarez and it seems that Liverpool are better equipped to challenge than ever.
Against: They still look unbalanced at the back with a left-back yet to arrive. Many fans would say that they could do with another centre-half to replace either the delicate Agger or unconvincing Skrtel. The huge fees paid for the likes of Henderson and Carroll in particular mean that if they fail to perform, national press coverage will be scathing.
A good season would be: A return to the Champions League and possibly an FA Cup. The money spent could even mean an optimistic tilt at the title.
Breath of Fresh Air: Martin Kelly. Another who is no longer unknown, but would be a real boost to the Liverpool Academy, and probably the England team, if he gets a season of regular football in a top team.
Fresh Air prediction: 4th and the FA Cup.
MANCHESTER CITY
What's changed from last year? Sergio Aguero. If he plays as he can, the likely loss of Tevez will barely be noticed. Gael Clichy has come, which will harm Arsenal more than significantly improve Mancini's team. Boateng, Given and Jo have left and the likes of Adebayor, Bridge and Bellamy will follow. More will arrive, with Nasri currently looking the most likely. However, the FA Cup win and Champions League qualification means the biggest change may well come in the mentality around the club - they are now a genuine force and not just 'noisy neighbours.'
For: Unlimited funds, the trophy duck broken, Champions League football, a squad littered with genuine world-class performers.
Against: Questionable mentality around the squad, ill-discipline, huge pressure to succeed, the dangers of keeping players happy with squad rotation.
A good season would be: Winning the league and getting to the latter stages of the Champions League.
Breath of Fresh Air: Sergio Aguero. The arrogance of the Premier League means we are quick to label players as superstars - Kun is the genuine article.
Fresh Air prediction: 2nd
MANCHESTER UTD
What's changed from last year? Yet again, Fergie is creating a new team. Something of a changing of the guards - Brown, O'Shea, van der Sar and Scholes have been regulars for years and have been replaced by Phil Jones, Ashley Young and David de Gea for big money. Young loanees Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck have returned better players and will be in the first team squad. But can they cope with the loss of Bebe and Obertan?
For: Winning mentality, still the team to beat, and young players who are already competing at the top. Great strength in depth too, particularly at centre-back and up front.
Against: De Gea has huge gloves to fill and United have been stung by foreign goalkeepers in the past. The centre of midfield has lost a monster in Scholes and it is asking a lot for Fletcher, Carrick, Cleverley, Anderson and Gibson to fill the void.
A good season would be: Retaining the title and winning another Champions League.
Breath of Fresh Air: Welbeck and Cleverley. Both impressed last season and both have now forced themselves into the England reckoning. The Community Shield indicated the signs are good for these two.
Fresh Air prediction: 1st
What's changed from last year? Yet again, Fergie is creating a new team. Something of a changing of the guards - Brown, O'Shea, van der Sar and Scholes have been regulars for years and have been replaced by Phil Jones, Ashley Young and David de Gea for big money. Young loanees Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck have returned better players and will be in the first team squad. But can they cope with the loss of Bebe and Obertan?
For: Winning mentality, still the team to beat, and young players who are already competing at the top. Great strength in depth too, particularly at centre-back and up front.
Against: De Gea has huge gloves to fill and United have been stung by foreign goalkeepers in the past. The centre of midfield has lost a monster in Scholes and it is asking a lot for Fletcher, Carrick, Cleverley, Anderson and Gibson to fill the void.
A good season would be: Retaining the title and winning another Champions League.
Breath of Fresh Air: Welbeck and Cleverley. Both impressed last season and both have now forced themselves into the England reckoning. The Community Shield indicated the signs are good for these two.
Fresh Air prediction: 1st
NEWCASTLE UTD
What's changed from last year? As always, Newcastle have managed to make what could have been a promising summer of spending Carroll profit into one of in-fighting and fan discontent. On paper, Cabaye, Ba, Obertan and Marveaux look good signings, but losing Nolan leaves a gaping hole. With Barton and Enrique still looking likely to leave by September, Newcastle face a season without their FOUR best players over the last two years, if you include Carroll in that.
For: New signings look technically superior and more mobile than the hard-working players they will replace, the return of Ben Arfa. Despite the unpopular Mike Ashley, the club is now looking financially stable.
Against: The owner and MD Derek Llambias are hated by most fans and so it won't take much for everything to kick off. Pardew has handled a turbulent summer reasonably well but it is clear he isn't making decisions. If Joey Barton stays and relations between him and the board don't improve, it may well upset the dressing room.
A good season would be: At least the same mid-table finish as last year but perhaps a good cup run.
Breath of Fresh Air: Dan Gosling. The youngster was poached from Everton last year but has been injured almost ever since. Full of energy and long-touted as a future England player.
Fresh Air prediction: 12th
NORWICH CITY
What's changed from last year? Most signings have come from the lower leagues, with Steve Morison and Bradley Johnson just two of a handful. James Vaughan is the biggest name, with something to prove after he burst onto the scene with Everton in 2005.
For: The 'Norfolk Cafu' Russell Martin loves to bomb forward from the back, and Grant Holt has stayed despite being linked with Premier League clubs. Like Blackpool last year, they are full of players keen to prove they can hack it at the top and riding the crest of a wave after two successive promotions.
Against: The squad lacks proven Premier League players, defensively may well struggle, and they will have to adapt their attacking game to avoid going the same way as Blackpool.
A good season would be: Staying up.
Breath of Fresh Air: James Vaughan will relish being the main man and Paul Lambert will hope he can hit the ground running.
Fresh Air prediction: 18th but they will push others very close.
QPR
What's changed from last year? Quite a few have left but the fans will be excited to see how Keiron Dyer, Jay Bothroyd and DJ Campbell will perform. Danny Gabbidon is maybe less exciting but has plenty of Premier League experience. Adel Taarabt and Neil Warnock are still there, which had looked unlikely at various points in the summer.
For: A manager who gets everything from his players, walked the Championship last year so will be confident, plenty of money (in theory).
Against: Their best player, Taarabt, can be a liability and makes Balotelli look like the consummate pro. Boardroom unrest will undoubtedly rear its head at some stage and Warnock will stir up controversy somewhere. QPR were relatively low scorers last year so if the new signings don't score it isn't clear who will.
A good season would be: Staying up.
Breath of Fresh Air: Adel Taarabt. Another colourful character returning to the Premier League but now with a reputation and an ego to match.
Fresh Air prediction: 19th
What's changed from last year? As always, Newcastle have managed to make what could have been a promising summer of spending Carroll profit into one of in-fighting and fan discontent. On paper, Cabaye, Ba, Obertan and Marveaux look good signings, but losing Nolan leaves a gaping hole. With Barton and Enrique still looking likely to leave by September, Newcastle face a season without their FOUR best players over the last two years, if you include Carroll in that.
For: New signings look technically superior and more mobile than the hard-working players they will replace, the return of Ben Arfa. Despite the unpopular Mike Ashley, the club is now looking financially stable.
Against: The owner and MD Derek Llambias are hated by most fans and so it won't take much for everything to kick off. Pardew has handled a turbulent summer reasonably well but it is clear he isn't making decisions. If Joey Barton stays and relations between him and the board don't improve, it may well upset the dressing room.
A good season would be: At least the same mid-table finish as last year but perhaps a good cup run.
Breath of Fresh Air: Dan Gosling. The youngster was poached from Everton last year but has been injured almost ever since. Full of energy and long-touted as a future England player.
Fresh Air prediction: 12th
NORWICH CITY
What's changed from last year? Most signings have come from the lower leagues, with Steve Morison and Bradley Johnson just two of a handful. James Vaughan is the biggest name, with something to prove after he burst onto the scene with Everton in 2005.
For: The 'Norfolk Cafu' Russell Martin loves to bomb forward from the back, and Grant Holt has stayed despite being linked with Premier League clubs. Like Blackpool last year, they are full of players keen to prove they can hack it at the top and riding the crest of a wave after two successive promotions.
Against: The squad lacks proven Premier League players, defensively may well struggle, and they will have to adapt their attacking game to avoid going the same way as Blackpool.
A good season would be: Staying up.
Breath of Fresh Air: James Vaughan will relish being the main man and Paul Lambert will hope he can hit the ground running.
Fresh Air prediction: 18th but they will push others very close.
QPR
What's changed from last year? Quite a few have left but the fans will be excited to see how Keiron Dyer, Jay Bothroyd and DJ Campbell will perform. Danny Gabbidon is maybe less exciting but has plenty of Premier League experience. Adel Taarabt and Neil Warnock are still there, which had looked unlikely at various points in the summer.
For: A manager who gets everything from his players, walked the Championship last year so will be confident, plenty of money (in theory).
Against: Their best player, Taarabt, can be a liability and makes Balotelli look like the consummate pro. Boardroom unrest will undoubtedly rear its head at some stage and Warnock will stir up controversy somewhere. QPR were relatively low scorers last year so if the new signings don't score it isn't clear who will.
A good season would be: Staying up.
Breath of Fresh Air: Adel Taarabt. Another colourful character returning to the Premier League but now with a reputation and an ego to match.
Fresh Air prediction: 19th
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