As promised in my last post I will be doing a series of previews of UK and European Leagues over the next week or so. I'm sure you've all been waited with baited breath since the prospect was mentioned so luckily for you the wait is now over! I will take a look at the English Premier League, or 'EPL' if you're a foreign reader, and I'll take a look at every team. I wont do this for all leagues I wouldn't think as that would require an ungodly amount of research, but I might do it as I do love the tedium of researching football! I will do 5 teams at a time as I have a job and this is all quite time-consuming!
English Premier League 2010/11
Aston Villa
Villa are probably going to be similar to the last few years with Martin O'Neill in charge. They'll look very good at points, dreadful at others. The dreadful times will probably coincide with a Carew injury and having to pick Heskey. As of yet Villa haven't really made any signings and aren't really being linked with anyone except Robbie Keane. I've not really seen the reason behind the high regard most people in the UK have for O'Neill. I think he was very good at smaller clubs with limited ambitions (Wycombe, Norwich, Leicester), and was also very good where 4-4-2 was the predominant tactical outlook (1990's England and with Celtic). Since he has been at Villa though I think his tactical limitations and lack of scouting outside of the UK in the main have stalled Villa's progress. There have been some successes and Villa have improved undoubtebly, but I think they have come as far as they can with him at the helm. Carew was a success, but the other strikers he has purchased have been enything but. Milner was a success, but then there was Nigel Reo-Coker and Stewart Downing, who look like expensive flops to me. None of his teams have ever been particularly creative either and this also limits them in my opinion. If the Plan A isn't working there is no Plan B or a player to change a game with a piece of skill. When Randy Lerner came in shortly after O'Neill that was the time for Villa to push on. Now, with Man City's riches and Tottenham's resurgence I think Villa could be poised for a fall unless O'Neill makes some good acquisitions. If Milner is sold for around £25-£30m then this would represent great business and could give them some financial muscle to make signings. If O'Neill fails to use this money wisely then I foresee a parting of ways. I think Villa will finish around 8th this year, possibly lower depending on signings.
Arsenal
There are, as always, a few if's and but's when it comes to Arsenal. I must admit I have a soft spot for them as I think Wenger is the most influential manager of the last 20 years and would love for his principles to show reward at some point. Having said all that, I'm not blind to their weaknesses. The goalkeeper has been a problem ever since Lehmann left and needs solving. The fact Wenger has already been active in pursuing Mark Schwarzer shows he has recognised the problem and is looking to solve it. Whilst Arsenal seem reluctant to pay Fulham's asking price of £4m for a 38 year old I still think he'd be worth it even if you only got 2 seasons out of him. Wenger also released 3 centre backs and has so far only brought in 1 in Laurent Kocielsny. I did a little review of him in my last blog for those that are interested and I think he look good, if a bit raw and inexperienced. I think Arsenal need to bring in a more experienced centre back too, but in usual Wenger fashion it probably wont be someone that anyone has thought/heard of! Midfield is probably Arsenal's strongest area, and it looks increasingly likely Fabregas will be staying. This a huge boost as last season Cesc was in brilliant form and is the player that Arsenal turn to for guidance and inspiration. Some defensive midfield cover for Alex Song would be a good idea, it will probably come in the shape of a young player being promoted or a young player being signed cheaply though. The signing of Marouane Chamakh looks good to me, I think this will herald Arsenal going full-time with the 4-2-3-1 formation that all top teams now seem to use. Chamakh is a strong player who can hold the ball up whilst Fabregas, Arshavin and Van Persie buzz round him. If all of these 3 stay fit then Arsenal should put in a strong challenge for the title. However, this has long been the achilles heel of Arsenal, their inability to keep anyone fit or to bring them back properly from injuries. If this problem can finally be fixed then I would be very tempted to back Arsenal for the League at the prices available.
Blackpool
Ian Holloway and his 'Ollyism's' will grace the Premier League next season! Sadly that might be the only reason to smile at Bloomfield Road. Whilst they did brilliantly to get promoted last year they probably weren't the best team in the play-offs and like Derby before them, it has probably all come too soon. Charlie Adam is their gem and I think he will impress enough to get a move when they are probably relegated, but I don't see anyone else with the class to cut it at the top level. The signings being talked about are not going to help much either. Getting DJ Campbell on-loan again is not going to secure your Premier League status and this seems to be the level of player they are aiming at. It all reminds me very much of West Brom's usual transfer plans of steadily building with a view to not stacking up debt and having a shot at promotion again if they went down. This is a sensible view to take I think, although it will probably leave the fans a bit disappointed. I can see them battling out some good results at home against other strugglers, but I don't see them staying up. I think they will finish bottom of the league.
Blackburn
Under the man known to many as 'Fat' Sam Blackburn are steadily morphing into his Bolton team of the early noughties. This is a double edged sword that the fans still seem unsure of. With Bolton Allardyce achieved impossible league finishes on a small budget, but did so playing some of the worst football the league has seen. This has led to calls for his head at both clubs regardless of the improvement in league position. Blackburn's form at Eewood Park has made it something of a fortress and they will probably beat everyone equal or worse than themselves at home and will probably cause some shocks against the big boys too. The club are being linked with 1 or 2 flair players, and they will probably provide the skills that Djorkaeff and Okocha did for Allardyce at Blackburn whilst the rest of the team concentrate on fouling and bullying the opposition. I'm really not a fan of Allardyce, or the style his teams play in. He's got a ridiculously good view of his abilities that just doesn't tie in with his achievements and he is Fergusons chief brown noser, and the in their faces football is terrible to watch. I can't deny it's effectiveness though and for this reason they could make a push for upper mid table and possible Europa League qualification.
Bolton
I think Bolton are going to be a bit of a suprise package this year. Owen Coyle is trying to get them playing good football and has made some good signings already. Getting Martin Petrov from Man City is a brilliant move I think. He could be the man that sets things moving that the Reebok Stadium hasn't had since Jay-Jay Okocha. As ever they will probably utilise Kevin Davies strength up front so they will need the midfield to be creative to help him out. Petrov and Wilshere (if the anticipated loan is done with Arsenal) will provide flair and thrust. They are still solid at the back with the ever impressive Jaaskelainen in goal and the emerging talent of Phil Jones at centre back. Fabrice Muamba provides protection and work-rate in midfield and the signing of Graham Alexander adds experience to a fairly youthful team. I think a cup run might be on, as we have seen Coyle is not afraid to use a full-strength team in the cups with Burnley. If it all fits together then I can see a push for European football too. Although I think a few teams might push on a bit this year and provide an interesting 4 or 5 way battle. I hink they will finish somewhere between 12th and 7th, depending on a cup run getting in their way.
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