The last of my Premier League previews is here! I hope you've enjoyed them so far and I would be interested to hear your views on my opinions and any general feedback on the blog in general. But, let's crack on with the previews...
Tottenham Hotspurs
Now, you might have noticed from previous posts that I am not a huge fan of Harry 'Top, top, sloppy chops' Redknapp or his moron of a son. I'd like to start this off by having a little chuckle that Harry didn't get Joe Cole. Not because I think he'd have been any good, but because Redknapp obviously tought his 'ingenious' transfer methods were going to pay off and they didn't. Maybe he should have put a bit more in the brown paper bag? Having said all this, obviously Tottenham have now got a perfectly good team, as evidenced by their fourth place finish last year. So far though they have not been very active in adding to a squad that looked pretty thin to me last year. And with Man City spending big on good players that should be a worry for Spurs fans. Tottenham's strength is in their core of above average Premier League players in every position, and in Luka Modric I think they have a potentially world class one too. For all Harry's wheeling and dealing though they still don't possess a player that can set the league alight like their competitors do. If they were to get Luis Fabiano that might do it, but I think he'll end up in Italy myself. I can see an early European exit followed by a hangover in the league which lets Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester's City and United get a lead they wont overcome. I think they will return to their, perhaps rightful, position of between 5th and 8th in the league. I think they came good at the right itme last year, but I don't see that being repeated, especially not with Redknapp and his limited tactics.
West Bromwich Albion
The perennial yo-yo team return to the Premier League with the question being, can they stay up this time? Sadly I think the answer is a resounding No! Di Matteo seems a good manager at Championship level, but I think he'll struggle to make the step up with only 3 years management experience under his belt. Looking at the team he has assembled, it look like a Championship team, and there have been no additions to change that view. Graham Dorrans looked like the spark in the team last year, and I would expect him to impress, but other than that they look weak. They shipped goals last year and they will come up against considerably better strikeforces at this level. The release of Robert Koren was a strange decision, he was an experienced international player who looked able to put his foot on the ball and dictate things. Similarly Borja Valero impressed me whilst on loan in Spain last year, letting him go was an error in my opinion. I can foresee a season of struggle and they'll probably only stay off the foot of the table due to Blackpool's hopelessness.
West Ham
Under Gianfranco Zola last year West Ham were desperately poor at times. I went to the Stoke fixture at Upton Park towards the end of the season and was truly shocked by the lack of direction the team had. As nice a man and brilliant a player Zola was, a change needed to be made. I think they picked Avram Gran purely on him being flavour of the month after taking Portsmouth to the Cup Final, but he should be a solid appointment. The job he did at Chelsea is often mocked, which I've never understood. When Mourinho left he had divided the dressing room and Grant pieced it back together and led Chelsea to 2 major finals and almost to the league title. That they won nothing shouldn't overshadow the fact they were heading nowhere when he took over. He has already brought in Piquionne from Lyon and the Mexican forward Pablo Barrera. Piquionne hasn't got a great record for goals during his career, but he did impress at Pompey last year. And Barrera looked good when he played at the World Cup. Keeping Scott Parker will be key as he is the man the team looks to for inspiration and sets a brilliant workrate for the younger lads to learn from. I think a centre back is still needed to do better than lower mid-table this season, but last years relegation worries shouldn't resurface.
Wigan Athletic
A funny team Wigan! Capable of beating Chelsea, but losing by over 7 goals on 2 occasions. Roberto Martinez' management style reminds me of Kevin Keegan a bit. He seems to be good at coaching the teams attack, but the defence is rancid and lacks organisation at times. Having just signed another Scottish starlet in James McArthur it looks like they will agin be simply trying to outscore their opponents. They have also sold a first-choice centre back in Titus Bramble to Sunderland and replaced him with the unproven Antonin Alcaraz who played very little whilst on-loan at the DW Stadium last year. Dave Whelan has traditionally shown patience with his managers, but I think if they start as badly as I think they might then Martinez may be seeking alternative employment. His obvious preference for good football is no excuse for ignoring the fact that a team of their stature should be looking to have a solid backline before anything else. I see a season of struggle, and if few new signings are made then possible relegation. And with their pathetic support and annoying rent-a-quote chairman I for one wont be too sorry!
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Looking back on last season you might think Wolves had had a decent season having not really been in the relegation shake up at the very end. If you take a closer look though you will realise that this was more because of some truly wretched teams around them than through any quality of their own. They are another team that has seemed content to rest on their laurels as far as transfers go, and another I can see this approach costing. Teams like West Ham and Bolton have made good, interesting additions already, Wolves have signed Stephen Hunt! If they just stand still then inevitably teams will move ahead of them. I like Mick McCarthy when I see him, he seems like a nice, salt-of-the-earth Yorkshiremen. His record as a manager though points to him being a good Championship manager who struggles with the move up in level to the Premier League. I would have Wolves down to really struggle this year, mainly down to a lack of goals, and to be involved in a relegation fight that I think they may eventually succomb to.
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