There may be three clubs clinging on for survival at the bottom of the English Premier League as the relegation battle goes down to the wire, but in reality, two EPL teams have already been replaced.
West Bromwich Albion won the Coca Cola Championship (England's second tier) and will be joined in the EPL by Stoke City, who finished second. They will be joined by a third side after the play off lottery but for now let's have a look at the two automatically promoted sides.
West Brom have been termed an EPL yo yo side by many, with them being up (in the EPL) one season and down the next over the last few years. An excellent run in the FA Cup this year, where they got to the semi final at Wembley, has helped garner some optimism that this squad have the fight required for the top flight.
Manager Tony Mowbray is fast earning a reputation as a good manager but he will have to earn his corn, in the transfer market this summer. He also hopes to persuade trio Kevin Phillips, Zoltan Gera and Martin Albrechtsen to sign on for a season in the top flight.
Many of the squad have played a few seasons in the EPL and this will be of great value to Mowbray when top class football returns to the Hawthorns in August.
In keeper Dean Kiely, they have a mountain of experience. The former Charlton Athletic number one will be hoping to start next season as first choice, despite being 37.
The defence looks pretty good too, look out for young Leon Barnett (22) alongside Premiership veterans like left back Paul Robinson and the above mentioned Albrechtsen, should he put pen to paper on a new deal.
One new name to you EPL watchers will be Belgian, Carl Hoefkens. The defender funnily enough signed from Stoke City last summer, was an almost ever present this season and the 29 year old will now get his first crack at the big time in England.
The most famous name in the WBA midfield is of course Jonathan Greening. The former Manchester United starlet has always looked more than comfortable in the EPL and will be one of West Brom's trump cards.
Elsewhere in midfield we have Zoltan Gera, a quality winger on his day as well as Slovenian Robert Koran, who has been a revelation since his free transfer from Lillestrom. Former Middlesbrough youngster James Morrison will be another eager to impress on his return to the EPL.
In attack they are spoilt for choice with names like Phillips, Roman Bednar, Craig Beattie and Ishmael Miller. All five are capable of scoring in the EPL and this may well be the department that helps them stay up next season. I have a sneaky suspicion they will do just that.
Stoke City are completely new to the EPL, which in recent years has been a good thing, with the likes of Reading and Wigan Athletic making names for themselves after being promoted.
Stoke are one of the oldest clubs in the world having been formed in 1863. That's a whopping 145 years ago, to those of you who can't be bothered working it out. They are the hometown club of a certain Sir Stanley Matthews, he had two spells at the club, firstly between 1932 and 1947 and then returning in 1961. He played his last game or the club (which was in the top flight) in 1965, aged an amazing 50!
12 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Salomon Gonzales about 1 year ago
I love Jonathan Greening, he's calm and collected on the ball every time I see him. With their attacking force, I dont think staying up will be a problem for them. They can easily compete with the likes of Bolton, Reading, Fulham, Boro', Wigan, Sunderland....
I worry for Stoke though, I think they'll go straight back down...
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Andrew McNair about 1 year ago
A lot will depend on the budget just like everything else in football these days.
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Salaar Arshad Shamsi about 1 year ago
Greening was once a United player..he's underrated..quality player..I agree with Salomon..I think Stoke need to expand their squad..not the stadium before..like the owner was saying..
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Andrew McNair about 1 year ago
Yeah they will definately need to improve the squad. I can't see too many big names being attracted though, especially after what happened to Derby and Birmingahm (just about). They will be picking from the cream of the Championship I'd guess.
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Jon Naylor about 1 year ago
Like you say, Stoke are new to the Premier League but they are no strangers to the top flight. They are a great club with a rich history and I truly wish the best for them next year.
It was extremely sad to see a club with the stature of Derby go through the mill this year and I hope that Stoke avoid a similar fate.
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Andrew McNair about 1 year ago
I really hope so to for the benefit of the league!
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Simon Williams about 1 year ago
Nathan Ellington left West Brom in August 2007, he plays for Watford now, after a 3.25m transfer.
West Brom will definitely stay up, they play the right way and Tony Mowbray is a quality manager. I think they could 'do a Wigan/Reading' and finish very nicely around 10th place with a few good signings.
Stoke is a different matter, they, and whoever wins the play-offs, face a mountain, and will amost certainly be in the relegation dog-fight. Its a regular occurence now that 2 of the 3 teams promoted go straight back down, last season it was Sheff Utd and Watford who enjoyed just a 1 year stay. This season it will be Derby and probably Birmingham. Next season, I fear it will be Stoke, plus whoever wins the play-offs.
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Andrew McNair about 1 year ago
Sorry for the error. I shall remove his name.
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Mike Flohr about 1 year ago
I know this has nothing to do with anything but I really hope Leeds United get back to the Prem in the next couple years. I am dying to see a Manchester United/Leeds United match(being a fan for only a little less than 4 years). I hear they're just can't miss footy. Is there anything better in sport than relegation/promotion? I don't think so.
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Andrew McNair about 1 year ago
It does add tremendous value to a competition. Leeds will be back...let's just hope they don't take as long as Stoke!!!!
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Michael Griffin about 1 year ago
I hope they both flourish in the top flight. Both have worked incredibly hard to get to where they are. Nice article Andrew, mate.
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Andrew McNair about 1 year ago
Yes they have. Thanks for the pick bud.
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