Rough Guide to Hull, Cardiff and Crystal Palace: Premier League Promotion Party
Following Crystal Palace’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Watford in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium on Monday afternoon, we now know the identity of the three promoted sides to the Premier League next season.
Ian Holloway’s Eagles will join both Malky Mackay’s champions Cardiff City and runners-up Hull City, managed by Steve Bruce, in the top flight for the 2013/14 campaign.
And so we at the Bleacher Report are here to give you the lowdown on our trio of new additions to Premier League…
Cardiff City
1 of 3Nickname: The Bluebirds
Founded: 1899
Stadium: Cardiff City stadium
Previous Premier League experience: None, but were in the top flight 51 years ago
2012/13 Championship record: Champions (Played: 46 Points: 87)
Manager
Malky Mackay has a growing reputation as one of the country’s brightest up-and-coming young coaches.
Star player
Keeper David Marshall enjoyed a sensational campaign between the sticks for Cardiff last time out and one gets the feeling that the shot stopper is going to be a busy boy in the top flight next campaign.
Chances of survival
As always, plenty will depend upon just how much Cardiff’s owners are prepared to give their manager to spend in the summer transfer window. However, coming up as champions should give them a vital head start on the other two promoted teams in this regard and so the Bluebirds will probably have the best chance of staying up of any of the three sides.
How can we expect them to play?
Defensively, with Mackay tendering to favour an ultra-cautious 5-4-1 formation with just the lone front man operating in attack supported by a packed five-man midfield. However, that will probably change when Cardiff play at home, especially against some of the “smaller” top-flight teams.
Possible new recruits
The club have been linked with a surprise move for experienced one-time France international attacker Bafetimbi Gomis, who plays for Lyon, according to the Daily Mail.
Most eagerly-awaited fixture
All Cardiff fans’ eyes will be focussed on one fixture, and one fixture only, when next season’s matchups are released, and that will be their home clash with arch-rivals Swansea City.
Hull City
2 of 3Nickname: The Tigers
Founded: 1904
Stadium: KC stadium
Previous Premier League experience: Spent two eventful and highly-entertaining years in the top flight between 2008 and 2010 under Phil Brown and latterly Ian Dowie
2012/13 Championship record: Second (Played: 46 Points: 79)
Manager
Steve Bruce is a highly experienced trainer with a plethora of Premier League experience from his time spent coaching the likes of Wigan Athletic, Birmingham City and Sunderland in the top flight. He will be looking for one last hurrah in the big time having never suffered Premier League relegation with any of his three previous sides.
Star player
If they can get Sone Aluko fit again after he missed the last five months of the season having injured his Achilles, the forward will be absolutely key to their chances of staying in the top flight and must hit the ground running.
Chances of survival
Slim and again, much like with both Cardiff and Palace, much will hang on just who they can entice to the club in the close season.
How can we expect them to play?
Bruce always likes his teams to play attractive attacking football whoever they come up against, home or away, which some will say is refreshing, while others may think is too naive for when he comes up against the so-called “big boys” in the top flight. The Tigers could also spring a surprise or two by deciding to continue with the 3-5-2 system using marauding wings backs which he deployed for much of the team’s successful Championship campaign.
Possible new recruits
Bruce’s first, and most pressing, priority will be to make a number of his current loan players permanent signings at the KC, including the likes of David Stockdale, Ahmed Elmohamady and George Boyd. And after accomplishing that, it is understood that he will look to use the financial backing of club owner Assem Allam to bring in Wigan’s Maynor Figueroa, report the Daily Express, although a new striker is most likey to be his top priority.
Most eagerly-awaited fixture
Well the Tigers’ supporters will just be happy to see their side take on any Premier League opponent, but their manager will most certainly be keeping an eye out for fixtures against his old clubs Norwich City, Manchester United and Sunderland.
Crystal Palace
3 of 3Nickname: The Eagles
Founded: 1905
Stadium: Selhurst Park
Previous Premier League experience: Founding members of the Premier League back in 1992, the south-east Londoners have spent the subsequent 20 years yo-yoing back and forth between the top flight and the Championship—in fact, this is the club’s fourth promotion to the Promised Land.
2012/13 Championship record: Fifth (Played: 46 Points: 72) Beat Watford 1-0 (aet) in the play-off final
Manager
Ian Holloway has one season of Premier League experience behind him, having previously guided Blackpool into the top flight in 2010-11.
Star player
Without a doubt it has to be 30-goal hero Glenn Murray, without whose goals the Eagles would not have made the play-offs it is fair to say.
Chances of survival
Fifty-fifty, although if anyone can mastermind a shock and keep Palace in the top flight against the odds, then it will be Holloway, although he will need to use all his 15-plus years of managerial experience to pull off a great escape.
How can we expect them to play?
Similar to how Blackpool thrilled fans in their sole campaign in the top flight, with attractive, free-flowing attacking football, however, Holloway may just decide to slightly temper that gung-ho formula after the ultimately bruising and unsuccessful experience that he endured with the Seasiders in the Premier League two years ago.
Possible new recruits
Priority No 1: Find a replacement for the Manchester United-bound Wilfred Zaha, although Holloway will also be desperate to recruit a proven goalscorer with top-flight experience given how problematic finding the net was at times last season. However, having only just secured their Premier League promotion on Monday, Palace are at a distinct disadvantage compared to the other two promoted sides in that they are already having to play catch-up in this key regard.
Most eagerly-awaited fixture
Their South London derby with West Ham United is the contest all Palace fans will be highlighting on their calendars.
