Champions and Strugglers 2007/08
Posted by Jasper Reed in Andriy Shevchenko, Bolton, Chelsea, Jermain Defoe, Liverpool, Man United, Middlesborough, Owen Hargreaves, Premiership, Tottenham, Wayne Rooney, Wigan | 9 August 2007
For what it's worth (and from a neutral perspective, given Charlton’s decision not to compete in this year’s Premier League) my pre season selections for Champions League and relegation:
Champions: Man Utd - they have only strengthened this season with the signings of Tevez and Hargreaves and will surely back up their win from last year. Doubts remain around Roo's ability to play with Tevez, and a distinct lack of full back options with want away Heinze and the aging Neviller, but will anyone get close enough to test them out?
2nd Liverpool - yes, said it last year, but Liverpool have to get it right sometime. If Kuyt can show the form he did last year, and Torres/Babel can add some flair, this might finally be the year the Reds show enough consistency to challenge
3rd Chelsea - not the force they were, and I seriously doubt they have enough goals in them to challenge. Shevchenko is likely to be a bit part player at best, and much is reliant on Drogba. Also suspect at the back if Terry is out for too long
4th Spurs - I think I tip Spurs more often that Spurs fans do, but they have got themseleves a bargain in D Bent. The lad is an out and out star, the most trustworthy striker in England and will, mark my words, lead England's assault on Euro 2008. If Berbatov can continue to impress, and Keane/Defoe can deputise, they have the most fearsome strike force in the country. Will be good to watch if nothing else
At the other end of the table, perm any 3 from 5:
Bolton - take a strong, settled manager from a strong, settled club, stand well back and watch the fireworks. For Charlton in 2006 read Bolton in 2007. Poor, holding pattern signings, inexperienced manager, grumpy striker...can it end in anything but tears?
Birmingham - look up ‘panic’ and 'buying' in the dictionary and you'll find a picture of Steve Bruce. Desperately devoid of quality, I cant see them being out of the bottom 3 all year
Middlesborough - have deceptively moved from being 'high fliers' to 'selling club' in recent years, and the route to success is rarely 'sell your best strikers'. Sadly, with Yakubu likely to follow Viduka in plying his trade away from Teeside, it’s hard to see where the goals are going to come from. Add to that a (blindly) loyal chairman, and the writing could be on the wall very early on.
Derby - 4 words; out of their depth
Wigan - like Bolton, have lost their driving force. They have recruited better and more widely than the other stragglers, but it remains to be seen if Chris Hutchings can pull it together. A more experienced man at the helm may have a chance to save them late in the season if Hutching’s fails to succeed.... Neil Warnock, anyone…?
Comments
Jasper, being a gooner I have to say I somewhat disagree with your prediction. You don't appear to have even considered Arsenal in the top 4, which I find somewhat surprising!
I agree that Chelsea aren't the team they were and have done little in the transfer market to strenghen their side. Spurs have a better strike force, but seriously, do you think they will finish above us this season!
Jasper writes: I have been guilty of underestimating Arsenal in the past, but this year I think I might be right. Thier main problem last season was sticking the balll in the net, and I dont think that has been addressed. Throw in the takeover turmoil, doubts about Wenger and a general lack of squad depth, and I think they will have a tough year.
I hope they disturb the two horse race at the top between United and Chelsea, but I can't quite see Liverpool creeping into it this season. Middlesborough are a good spot regarding teams that are in danger of going down, and they have an alarming number of players not fit for the opening weeks of the season as well. I am calling upon your unbiased side as a charlton fan when i ask, do you not think West Ham have the potential to find themselves struggling?
Jasper writes:I would love to see the Hamsters struggle, and thier policy of buying 'tabloid' quality is actually quite amusing. They do, however, have proven goalscorers in Bellamy and Ashton and quality in the middle with Parker. I dont think they'll challenge the top 6 and I think 'kid in a sweet shop' Curbs might be gone by Christmas, but are there 3 worse sides in the league? I think yes, so they will be OK.
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