Premier League 2009/10 Season Preview

Nickname:
The Gunners
Ground:
Emirates Stadium
Capacity:
60,432
Founded:
1886
Manager:
Arsene Wenger
Web:
www.arsenal.com

In many peoples eyes, Arsene Wenger has never really managed to replace Patrick Viera or Thierry Henry—one physically strong captain with bags of experience, the other a prolific top 10 Premiership all time goalscorer. Instead he has opted for youth which has been a subject of deep discussion all last season.

Majority shareholders very rarely put their hands into their own pockets to boost a squad and it's understandable given that a new stadium has just been built but Wenger really needs to bring in experience.

The team will want to get off to a good start in the Premier League having received a wake-up call from Aston Villa last season reminding them that a top four finish is not a certainty anymore.

To make matters worse, some of the money for the purchase of Andrey Arshavin in January last season, comes from this summer’s transfer budget, so not only have they handed Wenger a toothbrush to paint a mural, they've also cut off his grapefruits.

I feel their season starts and ends depending on their activity in this summers transfer market because putting the Emirates stadium before investment in players will continue to cost them.

Wenger knows all too well of the situation because it's hard to believe he isn't aware of the positions that need strengthening in his own team. If he doesn't, he shouldn't be manager, simple as that. Apart from this, no team will play the beautiful game more beautifully.

First Five Games:

Everton (A)
Bolton (H) [Postponed]
Portsmouth (H)
Man Utd (A)
Man City (A)

Transfers:

IN: Thomas Vermaelen Undisclosed Ajax
OUT: Amaury Bischoff Contract Ended
Rui Fonte Contract Ended
Abu Ogogo Contract Ended
Paul Rodgers Contract Ended
Rene Steer Contract Ended

Nickname:
The Villans
Ground:
Villa Park
Capacity:
42,573
Founded:
1874
Manager:
Martin O'Neill
Web:
www.avfc.co.uk

I like Martin O’Neil as a manager and I think that he has a certain gift when it comes to the transfer market. Nobody agreed with Ashley Young's price tag from Watford but O'Neill seen something in him and how wrong we were to criticize.

Villa’s season will be made or broke depending on the Gareth Barry saga. He may be gone but are Villa going to sign a replacement or aren't they?

Barry leaving will not be the end of the world if O’Neill can quickly reinvest the money in new players.

A midfield partnership of Steve Sidwell and Nigel Reo-Coker will not get Villa into the top four. Another big setback is the loss of Martin Laursen as a leader and a player after retiring which will need to be addressed.

Randy Lerner has made it plain that team-building is not all about splashing the cash, but this is a pivotal summer for Martin O’Neill after three years at the helm and money is needed to take the club to the next level which was the scapegoat for last seasons slip-up, where O'Neill stressed that he had a very small squad and tiredness was creeping into their play on the home stretch.

First Five Games:

Wigan (H)
West Ham (A)
Liverpool (A)
Fulham (H)
Birmingham (A)

Transfers:

IN: None
OUT: Gareth Barry £ 12,000,000 Manchester City
Stuart Taylor Undisclosed Manchester City
Martin Laursen Retired

Nickname:
The Blues
Ground:
St Andrews
Capacity:
30,009
Founded:
1875
Manager:
Alex McLeish
Web:
www.bcfc.com

Already investing heavily, breaking their club record to bring in Christian Benitez, an Ecuador striker whose agent rates as better than Lionel Messi and says is worth “at least £30 million”, Birmingham have it all ahead of them.

Alex McLeish is no stranger to the Premiership so I think he'll have his squad tuned up and ready for kick-off but we'll have to wait and see what happens between now and then.

First Five Games:

Man Utd (A)
Portsmouth (H)
Stoke (H)
Tottenham (A)
Aston Villa (H)

Transfers:

IN: Giovanny Espinoza Undisclosed Barcelona Sporting Club
Roger Johnson £ 5,000,000 Cardiff City
Scott Dann Undisclosed Coventry City
Joe Hart On Loan Manchester City
Cristian Benitez Undisclosed Santos Laguna
OUT: Robin Shroot On Loan Burton Albion
Radhi Jaïdi Released
Artur Krysiak Released
Kemy Agustien Loan : Expired AZ Alkmaar
Carlos Costly Loan : Expired GKS Belchatow
Scott Sinclair Loan : Expired Chelsea
Stephen Kelly Undisclosed Fulham
Mehdi Nafti Free Transfer Aris Thessalonki

Nickname:
Rovers
Ground:
Ewood Park
Capacity:
31,367
Founded:
1875
Manager:
Sam Allardyce
Web:
www.rovers.co.uk

At times last season, Blackburn looked like they would be following Spurs down. A sluggish start after joining from MK Dons suggested the Premier League was a step too far for inexperienced manager, Paul Ince, and they were exposed by their naive, thin squad.

Enter Sam Allardyce.

Now, in the new season, surely the answer to their midfield creativity problem has to be answered. They've lost a legend among the fans, Tugay, and striker, Roque Santa Cruz. With word that City have overspent for his services, Blackburn have a bit of money to spend this summer.

Sam Allardyce will also have a chunk of the money Matt Derbyshire, the Paraguayan’s fellow forward who moved permanently to Olympiacos after a loan spell. The manager’s main targets are a box-to-box midfield player and a striker or two.

Paul Ince has since re-joined MK Dons in a managerial role as of yesterday. An unknown quantity outside the basement, but in serving his apprenticeship, he did rescue Macclesfield and then led MK Dons to the League Two title. I just hope his return to the Premier League one day will be more successful.

First Five Games:

Man City (H)
Fulham (A)
Sunderland (A)
West Ham (H)
Wolverhampton (H)

Transfers:

IN: Gael Givet Undisclosed Marseille
Steven N'Zonzi Undisclosed Amiens
Elrio van Heerden Free Transfer Club Brugge
Lars Jacobsen Free Transfer Everton
OUT: Roque Santa Cruz £ 17,000,000 Manchester City
Matt Derbyshire Undisclosed Olympiakos FC
Aaron Mokoena Free Transfer Portsmouth

Nickname:
The Trotters
Ground:
Reebok Stadium
Capacity:
27,879
Founded:
1874
Manager:
Gary Megson
Web:
www.bwfc.co.uk

Gary Megson’s appointment was not, it is fair to say, universally lauded in and around Bolton, however, given the size of the club and it's weekly gate numbers, Wanderers have consistently punched above their heads for years so clean slates all round!

If last seasons barnstorming is any yardstick, Bolton will play with a commendable spirit. As inspirational a figure in the dressing room as he was on the pitch, "Mr. Bolton" Kevin Nolan is now a Magpie, regrettably, given his new clubs relegation.

They have been linked with a £6 million move for Miguel Veloso but face a battle for the Sporting midfield player’s signature with other clubs.

First Five Games:

Sunderland (H)
Arsenal (A)
Hull (A)
Liverpool (H)
Portsmouth (A)

Transfers:

IN: Sean Davis Free Transfer Portsmouth
OUT: Blerim Dzemaili Undisclosed Torino

Nickname:
The Clarets
Ground:
Turf Moor
Capacity:
22,516
Founded:
1882
Manager:
Owen Coyle
Web:
www.burnleyfootballclub.com

Burnley have a tough start but they just need to secure that first win and get a few points on the board to get the confidence flowing. The opening month is when they have a little advantage because opponents will not be familiar with them and the excitement and novelty factor should let them play without fear.

A certain step-up is required of them and each of the players will be out to impress the manager.

I've heard they acquired the services of Hibernian's Steven Fletcher, a Celtic target, which is an achievement for a small club like Burnley. Owen Coyle says he wants to give the existing players a chance but knows he must splash out, with most areas of the squad requiring upgrades.

First Five Games:

Stoke (A)
Man Utd (H)
Everton (H)
Chelsea (A)
Liverpool (A)

Transfers:

IN: Tyrone Mears Undisclosed Derby County
Steven Fletcher £ 3,000,000 Hibernian
David Edgar Free Transfer Newcastle United
OUT: -------

Nickname:
The Pensioners
Ground:
Stamford Bridge
Capacity:
42,522
Founded:
1905
Manager:
Carlo Ancelotti
Web:
www.chelseafc.com

Chelsea have gone through yet another managerial change, their seventh in six years. But contrary to popular belief, Ancelotti isn't going to raid Milan for players he left behind.

Kaka was given an interest but he signed for Real Madrid, Pato (which, in my eyes, was always the best Brazilian playing for Milan) has said his immediate future is with the Rossoneri and Pirlo continues to flirt with the prospect of moving to London but nothing definitive.

Other than that not too much has been happening at Stanford Bridge regarding transfers, just hearsay. It's worthwhile to note that managers seem to have a short lifespan at Chelsea.

Immediate results are crucial or the new appointment may well find himself in the same position as Felipe Scolari did last year. In fact, the only successful manager under Abramovich has been "The Special One", Jose Mourinho. I liked Guus Hiddink but he has responsibilities in Russia.

Being Italian, Ancelotti's defensive style of football may well counteract anything learned under Scolari but to be honest, if I was a Chelsea fan, I wouldn’t be too concerned about the way they play, just as long as the points are being put on the board. They do have an aging team though.

First Five Games:

Hull (H)
Sunderland (A)
Fulham (A)
Burnley (H)
Stoke (A)

Transfers:

IN: Daniel Sturridge Undisclosed Manchester City
Ross Turnbull Free Transfer Middlesbrough
Scott Sinclair Loan : Expired Birmingham City
OUT: Ben Sahar Undisclosed Espanyol
Slobodan Rajkovic On Loan FC Twente

Nickname:
The Toffees
Ground:
Goodison Park
Capacity:
40,565
Founded:
1878
Manager:
David Moyes
Web:
www.evertonfc.com

Everton manager David Moyes needs to add some depth to his squad as a couple of injuries to Cahill, Arteta, or Yakubu would seriously derail Everton’s European dreams like they did in the past. I understand Jo will return to training with them after adding an extension to his loan deal from Manchester City.

He has his "off days" but overall I like him. Many are predicting good things in his future and I think City are wise to loan him out now to get that much needed experience.

I think it will be more of the same from Everton next season. They've consistently been on the coattails of the top four for years now and I expect much of the same come next May.

First Five Games:

Arsenal (H)
Man City (A)
Burnley (A)
Wigan (H)
Fulham (A)

Transfers:

IN: None
OUT : Lars Jacobsen Free Transfer Blackburn Rovers
Nuno Valente Released
Andy van der Meyde Released

Nickname:
The Cottagers
Ground:
Craven Cottage
Capacity:
24,600
Founded:
1879
Manager:
Roy Hodgson
Web:
www.fulhamfc.com

Master of a miraculous escape two seasons ago, Roy Hodgson deserves a mention for his hard work as much as he deserves his final position in the table last season.

He offloaded some deadwood and those who had arrived were hardly world-beaters, still they've managed to have an extremely successful season.

A left-sided attacker would increase Roy Hodgson’s options, while the club’s forthcoming Europa League campaign will require increased squad depth.

However, Fulham’s impressive performance in last season means that some of their players have become targets themselves, especially Brede Hangeland, the defender.

The American, Dempsey, has put in a great shift in the Confederations Cup and now those who would have dismissed his abilities may well stand up and take notice of Fulhams talent.

First Five Games:

Portsmouth (A)
Blackburn (H)
Chelsea (H)
Aston Villa (A)
Everton (H)

Transfers:

IN: Stephen Kelly Undisclosed Birmingham City
OUT: Moritz Volz Released

Nickname:
The Tigers
Ground:
KC Stadium
Capacity:
25,404
Founded:
1904
Manager:
Phil Brown
Web:
www.hullcityafc.net

The first man to take Hull to the highest level and therefore a local hero, Phil Brown's ascension to the top of the Premier League was short lived as a final day escape from relegation left a bitter taste in the Toon army's mouths.

The facts are crystal clear. Hull need to organize themselves and re-invent the form they showed at the start of last season. The squad was running on empty at the end, with a lack of quality and depth showing up in most areas.

A fit Jimmy Bullard will address some needs—the midfield player is due to return from a cruciate ligament injury—but a lack of forward creativity when Geovanni is off his game is glaringly obvious.

First Five Games:

Chelsea (A)
Tottenham (H)
Bolton (H)
Wolverhampton (A)
Sunderland (A)

Transfers:

IN: Steven Mouyokolo Undisclosed Boulogne
OUT: None

Nickname:
The Reds
Ground:
Anfield
Capacity:
45,362
Founded:
1892
Manager:
Rafael Benitez
Web:
www.liverpoolfc.tv

It isn’t until the Champions League knockout stages that the value of squad rotation becomes really clear. Rafa Benitez has been criticized because of his policies but there is a method to his madness.

I'm not a qualified mathematician or statistical analyst so I lack the necessary skills and ability to decipher the Spaniards thoughts on the subject but what I do know is that the tactic is more familiar to foreign players than Britons who love to be involved as much as possible and don't appreciate being dropped after a great performance.

This coming season see's the fixture computer needing a good scanning for knock-off cheap-as-chips virus protectors following a “Fergie Filter” applied to reduce the wrath of Alex Ferguson's fuse blowing and hazardously taking down the whole regions electricity supply so I wouldn't put money against another outburst from Benitez concerning his "Facts."

Hoping Steven Gerrard gives the ball to Fernando Torres is a nail biting past time and I truly saw Liverpool depend far too much on those two players for goals last season.

When Gerrard wasn't playing, Torres wasn't as prominent, simple as that but I feel Glen Johnson's arrival offers more than just a solid defensive option.

First Five Games:

Tottenham (A)
Stoke (H)
Aston Villa (H)
Bolton (A)
Burnley (H)

Transfers:

IN: Glen Johnson
OUT: None

Nickname:
Citizens
Ground:
City of Manchester Stadium
Capacity:
47,500
Founded:
1887
Manager:
Mark Hughes
Web:
www.mcfc.co.uk

The "Middle-Eastlands" revolution is certainly underway at City.
They took at big step forward with the signing of Roque Santa Cruz because what the team needs is competitiveness among the players for places.

With Bellamy also making a return from injury, Hughes is the man to oversee the two as both players had a great record at Hughes's Blackburn, albeit different seasons.

Hughes may also be the very man to control Bellamy because he does have a history of "going off on one."

Last year, he spent his summer holidays attacking a charity worker in Sierra Leone; the season hadn't even started and the man whose ideal night out ends with him being charged with racially aggravated assault had already had a spat with Ipswich fans during a preseason unfriendly.

What will this guy get up to next? I wouldn't want to accidentally "blow wind" while in the same room as him because your schedule for the next week could potentially be filled having to pick your teeth up off the floor—God only knows what Riise, ex-Liverpool, said for him to justify getting swung at with a golf club. There’s more to come, there’s always more to come with Craig Bellamy.

Not getting the most out of certain players haunted City last season I think. Robinho might as well of been sitting in the stands with the on-lookers when City have traveled.

It will be interesting to see how his game changes with the new talent coming in this summer. Carlos Tevez should sign in the coming week and Samuel Eto'o could yet put ink to paper.

I think City's idea of having a smaller squad with a greater capability is just what the doctor ordered as opposed to purchasing "superstars" based on a marketing project which is what Real Madrid are obsessed with doing.

First Five Games:

Blackburn (A)
Everton (H) Postponed
Wolverhampton (H)
Portsmouth (A)
Arsenal (H)

Transfers:
IN: Gareth Barry £ 12,000,000 Aston Villa
Roque Santa Cruz £ 17,000,000 Blackburn Rovers
Stuart Taylor Undisclosed Aston Villa
Richard Martin Loan : Expired Burton Albion
OUT: Joe Hart On Loan Birmingham City
Danny Mills Released
Darius Vassell Free Transfer Ankaragucu
Dietmar Hamann Released
Michael Ball Released
Daniel Sturridge Undisclosed Chelsea

Nickname:
Red Devils
Ground:
Old Trafford
Capacity:
76,212
Founded:
1878
Manager:
Alex Ferguson
Web:
www.manutd.com

Manchester United’s early fixtures look far easier than last year, so SAF is bound to be happy about that. One look at the calendar tells you why Alex Ferguson carried such a deep squad.

The comings and goings at United have not finished but so far I'd imagine the fans are confused with what Fergie is doing.

Ferguson must be frustrated that Real Madrid snatched Benzema right from under their noses and have also taken their biggest asset, Ronaldo. The showman is gone but the show goes on.

There is £80million to spend on exciting new players but Michael Owen's free services (not including wages) was the one signing that Real Madrid didn't try to hijack and for good reason as many people think his best years are from a period when Marlyn Monroe still wore school attire.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks but there's no doubt that the fans want bigger names than Valencia.

The best team in the land are meant to play with a certain style, flexibility and panache, plus the ability and desire to scrap when necessary and a complete absence of mercy; however, I didn't see any of that in the Champions League final in Rome and now they are essentially weaker because of Real Madrid's activity and Tevez going walkabout.

I believe Wayne Rooney will step up to the plate now that Ronaldo is gone. As far as I'm concerned, Ferguson may have lost a star but he has gained a team.

First Five Games:

Birmingham (H)
Burnley (A)
Wigan (A)
Arsenal (H)
Tottenham (A)

Transfers:

IN: Antonio Valencia Undisclosed Wigan Athletic
Michael Owen Free Transfer Newcastle United
OUT: Rodrigo Possebon On Loan Braga
Cristiano Ronaldo £ 80,000,000 Real Madrid

Nickname:
Pompey
Ground:
Fratton Park
Capacity:
20,288
Founded:
1898
Manager:
Paul Hart
Web:
www.pompeyfc.co.uk

My concern with Pompey is that Campbell and James will wake up one morning and realize their ages. Portsmouth has not ready replacements for these two and are really depending on them to be playing at a high level in 2009/10.

I'm not too sure about whats going on with the current negotiations but any deal that intends to be done regarding a take-over must be sorted out as quick as possible (even if it is a controversial topic) because who knows what plans the new owner will have involving the managers role and indeed, new signings because the squad as is, are keen, but unattractive and never more so than now, as Glen Johnson has taken the high road to Liverpool.

The gaps in the squad are obvious—a central defender, a left back, a creative midfield player, a winger and a second striker to play alongside Peter Crouch, if he stays, are frustratingly needed.

First Five Games:

Fulham (H)
Birmingham (A)
Arsenal (A)
Man City (H)
Bolton (H)

Transfers:

IN: Aaron Mokoena Free Transfer Blackburn Rovers
OUT: Glen Johnson Undisclosed Liverpool
Noe Pamarot Contract Ended
Jerome Thomas Contract Ended
Lauren Contract Ended
Djimi Traore Contract Ended
Glen Little Contract Ended
Sean Davis Free Transfer Bolton Wanderers
Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo Free Transfer Standard Liege
Andre Blackman Free Transfer Bristol City

Nickname:
The Potters
Ground:
Britannia Stadium
Capacity:
28,218
Founded:
1863
Manager:
Tony Pulis
Web:
www.stokecityfc.com

All right, so it isn’t pretty, but it worked a treat last season. Tony Pulis has done a magnificent job with Stoke thus far and his fountain of creative intent, Liam Lawrence, is one to watch this coming campaign.

They will want to increase the quality in the squad and may wait for the big hitters to do their business and assess the best of the leftovers towards the end of the window.

No doubt they'll frustrate teams again come next season and with the superb support at home, they may end up in a better position than last year.

First Five Games:

Burnley (H)
Liverpool (A)
Birmingham (A)
Sunderland (H)
Chelsea (H)

Transfers:

IN: None
OUT: None

Nickname:
Mackems/BlackCats
Ground:
Stadium of Light
Capacity:
49,000
Founded:
1879
Manager:
Steve Bruce
Web:
www.safc.com

Ricky Sbragia may have stepped down but Niall Quinn was quick to replace him with Steve Bruce, a proven manager who has a gift at getting smaller clubs with limited talent to play above their capabilities.

With the miniature funds and facilities available to him at Birmingham and Wigan, he's now living on another level. Had he played his cards less adroitly, he could of been managing a bigger club.

Instead, he’s bagged the top job at Sunderland. His remit: not to go another season without a trophy. Nothing too difficult there, then.

Typically, with spirit up front, creativity in midfield and frailty in defense, the whole package rarely gels and seen the bad side of a hammering to Bolton among others last season.

Bruce has been credited with an interest in Darren Bent, Titus Bramble, Lee Cattermole, David Bentley and Richard Dunne. All are realistic prospects and reflect Bruce’s desire to recruit Premier League experience.

However, given his previous success in signing little-known foreign players,
expect at least one surprise arrival.

First Five Games:

Bolton (A)
Chelsea (H)
Blackburn (H)
Stoke (A)
Hull (H)

Transfers:

IN: None
OUT: Greg Halford Undisclosed Wolverhampton Wanderers
Peter Hartley Free Transfer Hartlepool United
Michael Chopra £ 4,000,000 Cardiff City
Arnau Riera Released
David Connolly Released
Dwight Yorke Released
Nick Colgan Released
Darren Ward Released

Nickname:
Spurs
Ground:
White Hart Lane
Capacity:
36,236
Founded:
1882
Manager:
Harry Redknapp
Web:
www.spurs.co.uk

Harry Redknapp has done a remarkable job turning Spurs season around from perennial relegation candidates to Europa contenders. His buys at the start of this year have stabilized the team.

With Robbie Keane and Jermaine Defoe returning, Bent and Pavlyuchenko may look for new clubs, especially as Redknapp is looking to bring in another forward.

Another position that needs to be looked at is the goalkeeping role. I thought Gomes was woeful at the start of the season and even though he regained his confidence, Cudicini was already brought over from Chelsea although he has spent much of his time on the bench.

Plus shock, horror—Tottenham actually get to play their opening day fixture at home instead of on the road. The last time Spurs had an opening day fixture at White Hart Lane was five years ago in 2004 when they played Liverpool—who coincidentally are the same opponents for the Lilywhites on the opening day this season, Aug. 15, 2009.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Dutch Real Madrid forwards, were under consideration but I'm not sure if interest has been lost, nevertheless, I expect 'Arry to do some good business.

First Five Games:

Liverpool (H)
Hull (A)
West Ham (A)
Birmingham (H)
Man Utd (H)

Transfers:

IN: None
OUT: Ricardo Rocha Contract Ended

Nickname:
The Hammers
Ground:
Upton Park
Capacity:
35,657
Founded:
1895
Manager:
Gianfranco Zola
Web:
www.whufc.co.uk

Zola seemed to spend last season making the point (not wholly without justification) about his injury list. This season, even if the Ebola virus sweeps through East London, they can't repeat that trick.

Strategically, nine players are to be behind the ball but Zola calls it attacking football because it is all about the way they "build out of defense", apparently.

Personally, I like the small Italian because the difference between him and other managers is that Zola gets on with it in as positive a frame of mind as anyone could imagine.

Perhaps the will-they, won't-they sponsorship fiasco's and potential bankruptcy issues of the last year will take a backseat and let the Hammers football make the back pages for once instead of their financial problems.

I'm not expecting to see a host of new faces come August because the manager has already been told that he needs to sell in order to buy. Yet it was Zola that bought Savio, a 19 year old unproven record signing at the time when a direct replacement for Bellamy was needed. Make of that what you will.

First Five Games:

Wolverhampton (A)
Aston Villa (H) Postponed
Tottenham (H)
Blackburn (A)
Wigan (A)

Transfers:

IN: Herita Ilunga Undisclosed Toulouse
Luis Jimenez On Loan Inter Milan
OUT: Freddie Sears On Loan Crystal Palace
Kyel Reid Free Transfer Sheffield United
Joe Widdowson Free Transfer Grimsby Town

Nickname:
The Latics
Ground:
JJB Stadium
Capacity:
25,000
Founded:
1932
Manager:
Roberto Martinez
Web:
www.wiganlatics.co.uk

Wigan is quite possibly a team on the slippery slopes. Their heartwarming rise from mediocrity has, sadly, not caught the imagination beyond a town where football has only recently begun to share top billing with rugby league.

Despite the negativity, new manager Roberto Martinez done a wonderful job at Swansea but whether it can be replicated in the Premier League remains to be seen.

I think Wigan's great jump up the table midseason was a result of managerial intellect from Steve Bruce and secondly, players digging their heels in for 90 minutes.

Between Bruce catching the train to Sunderland, Zaki's expired loan deal, Wilson Palacios's departure to London and more recently, Manchester United's swoop for Valencia, Wigan are a significantly weaker side than this time last year.

First Five Games:

Aston Villa (A)
Wolverhampton (H)
Man Utd (H)
Everton (A)
West Ham (H)

Transfers:

IN: Hendry Thomas Undisclosed Olimpia (Paraguay)
Jordi Gomez Undisclosed Espanyol
OUT: Antonio Valencia Undisclosed Manchester United
H Camara, A Sibierski (both released), A Zaki (Zamalek, loan ended), Mido (Middlesbrough, loan ended).

Nickname:
Wolves
Ground:
Molineux
Capacity:
29,277
Founded:
1877
Manager:
Mick McCarthy
Web:
www.wolves.co.uk

I was happy to see Kevin Doyle sign for Wolves this week. I thought he was a terrific prospect for club and country while at Reading and he has played his socks off for the Republic of Ireland in their bid to qualify for next years World Cup.

All good things come in two's and I believed Stephen Hunt might follow him to Mick McCarthys club but nothing as of yet has materialized. Let's cross our fingers for his sake because I think Wolves will do well.

Steve Morgan, the chairman, has a £30 million treasure chest to make Wolverhampton Wanderers competitive and Mick McCarthy, scarred by his Sunderland experiences, would not stand around if he was not being backed.

The Championship winners will have a lot expected of them so lets hope they "don't do a" West Brom and seal their faith months before the end.

First Five Games:

West Ham (H)
Wigan (A)
Man City (A)
Hull (H)
Blackburn (A)

Transfers:

IN: Greg Halford Undisclosed Sunderland
Nenad Milijas Undisclosed Red Star Belgrade
Marcus Hahnemann Free Transfer Reading
Andrew Surman Undisclosed Southampton
Kevin Doyle Undisclosed Reading
OUT: None

Even though Manchester United has lost two big names, anyone who feels they're going to give up their trophy without a fight is very much mistaken and I can see them lifting it again next May.

Liverpool may well have something to say about that because the form they showed last season was that of a hungry team who wanted to end the 19-year drought more so than win the Champions League.

Chelsea, in my opinion, are an aging team and need an influx of new blood just to ruffle a few feathers.

There are too many players in that dressing room who'll sulk if they're not included, hence the sacking of Scolari. Yet, they proved their capabilities in the position they finished at last season, pushing Liverpool all the way to the wire so I wouldn't write them off.

Arsenal need new players or they won't win anything, simple as that.

I fully expect another performance from Everton, Aston Villa and Spurs next season in pushing the top four all the way to the end even if Fulham are to be a one hit wonder.

Lastly, who knows what sort of a storm Manchester City whip up or if it will be nothing more than a small drizzle?

And if the newcomers can raise their game from lower league status to upset a few big sides then we could very well be looking at another one or two high profile relegation's.

Add to this, my opinion that a few managers won't see the next side of Christmas, and it's fair to say I think this could turn out to be the most exciting Premiership season yet even though it has lost it's "biggest star."