Brown Nose
Well-Known Member
So, we now know the twenty sides that will make up next seasons Premier League. We've lost three pretty awful sides (Cardiff, Fulham and Huddersfield) and they've been replaced with more heavyweight opposition - Villa, Sheff Utd and Norwich. I expect all three of those sides to put up more of a fight than the three sides that went down last time round. It will be very hard for them all though.
Brighton are the most at risk of the rest. They were terrible and have already changed their manager in an attempt to be stronger. The change is a gamble though.
The really interesting thing next season will be who the strugglers will be. Newcastle look like being taken over with major investment to follow. That will keep Benitez in post and they look solid. All the other 'second level' sides seem pretty strong and solid. The vultures are circling around Bournemouth players such as Ake, Brooks, Fraser and Wilson. They could find it tough next season if they're not careful. If Palace lose Zaha, will they be any good? I think Southampton and Burnley will be fine. My outsiders to struggle are Wolves. They had a terrific season with a very small squad but next season will be very different. They've got the July Europa League qualifiers to play, and everyone knows them now. They've got to get injuries next season. I think their bubble will burst.
Have Watford peaked? Will Everton and West Ham be able to sustain some consistency to push on?
At the top end, it's hard to see Chelsea, Man Utd, Spurs or Arsenal threatening the top. I also can't really see Liverpool being as strong again so it may be another stroll for Man City. Dull.
And where are we in all this? We probably need to add 15/20 points to challenge the top six, are we really likely to be able to do that? What if we recruit badly and start badly? Might we struggle?
It will be an interesting season, I think, everywhere except at the top.
Brighton are the most at risk of the rest. They were terrible and have already changed their manager in an attempt to be stronger. The change is a gamble though.
The really interesting thing next season will be who the strugglers will be. Newcastle look like being taken over with major investment to follow. That will keep Benitez in post and they look solid. All the other 'second level' sides seem pretty strong and solid. The vultures are circling around Bournemouth players such as Ake, Brooks, Fraser and Wilson. They could find it tough next season if they're not careful. If Palace lose Zaha, will they be any good? I think Southampton and Burnley will be fine. My outsiders to struggle are Wolves. They had a terrific season with a very small squad but next season will be very different. They've got the July Europa League qualifiers to play, and everyone knows them now. They've got to get injuries next season. I think their bubble will burst.
Have Watford peaked? Will Everton and West Ham be able to sustain some consistency to push on?
At the top end, it's hard to see Chelsea, Man Utd, Spurs or Arsenal threatening the top. I also can't really see Liverpool being as strong again so it may be another stroll for Man City. Dull.
And where are we in all this? We probably need to add 15/20 points to challenge the top six, are we really likely to be able to do that? What if we recruit badly and start badly? Might we struggle?
It will be an interesting season, I think, everywhere except at the top.