Alright here goes. The first section on the preview of the teams participating in the Barclays Premier League next season. In the first installment of this series, we shall take a look at the teams who I feel will be involved in the relegation battle. Here goes…
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Player Watch:
1. Nick Shorey: Defender
- Needs to be more influential in the team if he is to live up to his
2. Leroy Lita: Forward
- Pace and physique can cause problems. Could move on to a bigger club next season if
3. Seol Ki-Hyeon: Attacking Midfielder
- Needs more games. Inexplicable why he had so few games after performing brilliantly in the first part of the season.
Lacks: Holding Midfielder.
Strengths: Home fans
Prediction: Mostly likely one of the 3 relegated but could be close.
Reasons: Lack of general quality as compared to the other clubs who were behind them last season, the loss of Sidwell with no capable replacement.
Chicken Soup for the Team: Purchase more quality subject to club’s attractiveness (which is low).
Parting Shot: The honeymoon’s over and you’re back to where you belong, fighting for survival.
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Player Watch:
1. Antti Niemi: Goalkeeper
- Will be in the thick of action as Fulham should be doing most of the defending throughout the season.
- My honest opinion is that he will be more of a problem than an asset. A shock to see him named skipper by Lawrie Sanchez as he is highly volatile and unfocused on the job at hand, very often getting involved in petty offences and red-card worthy tackles. The kind of player that can destroy a team; not the opponents but his own. (Edited - A move to Wigan looks imminent, looks like they will REALLY go straight down)
- A solid physical presence in defense but prone to errors. Has good physique and pace relative to that. Needs to show a bit more assertiveness on the pitch to make up for his lack of awareness and experience. Should move to a better club if he wants to improve.
Lacks: Goalscorer
Strengths: None notable.
Prediction: Will be competing against
Reason: General lack of quality that has not been made up for in the transfer market in pre-season.
Chicken Soup for the Team: Al-Fayed to pump in more cash for better purchases in the transfer market. Hire a proper manager, someone who can name Michael Brown as skipper is as daft as you can get.
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Player Watch:
1. Steve Howard: Forward
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- Very experienced player who once has stints in
Lacks: Quality all-round
Strengths: None notable.
Prediction: The League Championship is almost a surety.
Reason: General lack of quality that has not been made up for in the transfer market in pre-season, especially in midfield.
Chicken Soup for the Team: A Miracle (LOL)
Parting Shot: The backbone of the team is present, but the rest of the team lacks general quality and pace. May not be able to keep up with the speed of the modern game.
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Player Watch:
1. Henri Camara: Forward
- The brightest spark on the field for a relatively mediocre team. His abilities warrant a place in a better team. Could be their life-saver.
2. Titus Bramble: Defender
- Simply unfathomable. Bumbling Bramble can only mean trouble. God save the Latics. Nothing much to say here…
3. Leighton Baines: Defender
- England U21 regular with a bright future. Another of those that could move on to a better club to advance his career. (Edited - Sunderland looks to sign him now. Looks like a good deal for the Black Cats)
Lacks: Commanding centre-back
Strengths: Good depth and variety in the forward line
Prediction: Will be involved in the relegation dog-fight
Reason: Other than Chris Kirkland and Baines, the defense looks frail. Especially if Bramble is a feature. (Edited - They are going to sign Michael Brown, good luck)
Chicken Soup for the Team: Taking the game to teams and not sit back and defend. They have enough quality up front to cause problems, and enough potential problems at the back.
Parting Shot: Will the absence of Arjan de Zeeuw prove to be pivotal in
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Player Watch:
1. Dean Whitehead: Midfielder
- Not exactly the most graceful player, but he gets the job done. Disrupting the opposition’s rhythm, he is not the best at what he does, but it is sufficient.
2. Michael Chopra: Forward
- Has a brilliant goal record but has yet to cement himself in the top flight in his time at
3. Roy Keane: Manager
- Ok he is not a player. But his presence in the dressing room makes him the 12th player on the field. His never-say-die attitude and winning mentality has rubbed off on the players as seen in the Black Cats’ amazing run-in to promotion. Mark the dates of your calendar when
Lacks: Activity in the transfer market to improve quality especially in centre-midfield/defence. (Edited - Sunderland is looking to add Leighton Baines to the squad. Looks like a good move)
Strengths: Manager
Prediction: Will be involved in the relegation dog-fight
Reason: Lack of quality
Chicken Soup for the Team: Procuring the services of 2 quality/experienced centre-back and/or midfielders would go a long way to helping them avoid relegation.
Parting Shot: How much can a manager’s presence lift his normally ordinary team performance?
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I feel Derby is the weakest of the lot and are more or less going back down next season. The next two places will be keenly contested by Reading, Wigan and Fulham. Sunderland have an outside chance of relegation but Keano may just do enough to guarantee another season in the top flight for the Black Cats.
Coming up soon, a preview on the next 5 teams that I feel would probably be sandwiched between the European pretenders and League Championship potential. They could go either way. Tune in to find out more.
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