After the article on teams in the relegation battle, we now look forward for the small matter of those clubs who win nothing and lose nothing. Hence called the mid table obscurity.
Fulham:
- After Mark Hughes left the club, Fulham have finished at a very respectable 9th last season under Martin Jol.
- After players like Pavel Pogrebnyak, Andrew Johnson etc. moved on it looks highly unlikely that star player Clint Dempsey is going to leave too.
- In that scenario, Fulham will be in deep trouble as they have made a couple of signings including Hugo Rodallega.
- In Juan Arne Riise, Bryan Ruiz and Dembele, Fulham have a very competitive squad to finish in the top 15.
- Will they finish in top 10? No.
Sunderland:
- After a disappointing start to the season, even Sunderland had sacked their manager Steve Bruce and he has replaced with Martin O’Neill and it did prove an astute signing as he steadied the ship.
- After getting rid of the deadwood and the signings of the likes of Carlos Cuellar, Martin O’Neill is building his own Sunderland FC.
- The likes of John O’Shea, Wes Brown, Sessegnon etc. will all play a vital part of where Sunderland will finish this season.
- With a very good manager in Martin O’Neill, Sunderland can also expect a strong cup run.
- Will they finish in top 10? Yes.
Swansea City:
- Last season Swansea played some very good possession football under Brendan Rodgers but now he’s starting the season with Liverpool and Swansea start theirs with Michael Laudrup.
- They finished at 11th (not bad for a newly promoted team playing good football right?) but their star players have left the club. Gylfi Sigurdsson and Joe Allen have left to Tottenham and Liverpool.
- However, Swansea has made the signings of Michu and Jonathan De Guzman who on their day are on par with their predecessors if not better.
- With a new manager at the helm it could work in Swansea’s favour or it could prove to be a disaster. And let’s face it, to succeed Brendan Rodgers after all the good work he has done, is tough.
- Will they finish in top 10? No.
West Bromwich Albion:
- Roy Hodgson left WBA to manage England after ending the season in 10th position.
- He is now replaced by ex-Chelsea and ex-Liverpool assistant coach Steve Clark, who is known to be a very good observer of the game.
- WBA have had a decent start in the transfer market as they signed GK Ben Foster and Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea (on loan) among others
- Their hopes of finishing in the top 10 will be resting on the likes of top scorer Peter Odemwingie, Ben Foster and midfielder Mulumbu.
- Will they finish top in 10? Yes.
Norwich City:
- After getting promoted, Norwich have finished 12th last season under Paul Lambert in a successful season. But since then, Paul Lambert left the club for Aston Villa.
- Replacing Paul Lambert is an exciting Chris Hughton (ex-manager of Newcastle), who managed Newcastle in the Championship and helped them get promoted to the PL.
- The signing of Michael Turner might help but Norwich’s squad is a bit weak and needs to be strengthened.
- Grant Holt has signed a new deal at Norwich and will be pivotal if Norwich have to finish in mid-table.
- Will they finish in top 10? No.
Stoke City:
- Stoke City famous (rather infamous) for their long-ball tactics sat 14th in the table under manager Tony Pulis.
- They are a formidable proposition at home and even the top 4 teams tend to struggle at the Britannia Stadium.
- They have signed ex-Wolves winger Kightly who is a good crosser of the ball. It should help a certain Peter Crouch.
- They are also in pursuit of free agent Michael Owen and if signed he will be vital along the likes of Rory Delap (and his throw’s), Robert Huth etc.
- Will they finish in top 10? No.
Be the first to comment