It is that time of the season again, when everyone is full of
optimism and convinced that this season is going to be “the” season. The squads
are assembled, barring the usual last minute panic for scraps that is Transfer
Deadline Day, and all the pre-season work is over.
Of course within weeks there will be panic, recriminations
and general frustrations again but for one glorious day everyone can dream. At
least until you take a first half hammering and realise it is going to be a
long hard slog for the remaining 37 and a half games.
So hot on the heels of my pretty average World Cup
predictions (though I did get the Winners, Runners-Up and one of the Losing
Semi-Finalists right) I now present Tom’s
All-Conquering 2014/15 Premier League Predictions. Without any further ado
then;
CHAMPIONS –
Chelsea
For me, this is a two-horse race between Chelsea and
Manchester City. Most observers last season would have said that if Chelsea had
a 20-goal striker then they could really have run City closer. Defensively
Chelsea have relieved themselves of the burden that was David Luiz and they now
longer even stronger in midfield with the addition of Fabregas. Can Costa fire
them to the title? Well he didn’t look fit in the World Cup but his record last
season with Atletico was superb and it has been proven to be notoriously
difficult to retain the Premier League crown unless you are Manchester United.
RUNNERS UP
– Manchester City
I think City may be a couple of players short this year. The
additions of Mangala and Sagna to shore up the defence were necessary but I
don’t think they have addressed the “what happens if Yaya gets injured?”
conundrum. Aguero needs to stay fit and they will need some production from
Jovetic and Silva to take the burden off Toure in the midfield. They certainly
can win the title but they seem much more reliant on one player than Chelsea
and that is always risky.
THIRD –
Arsenal
Keeping Aaron Ramsey fit will be key for Wenger’s side. When
he was missing last year they really struggled and a lot rests on his
shoulders. Arsenal are blessed with multiple options across the midfield but
Ozil needs to sustain his production for a full season and it is important that
Sanchez settles quickly. Keeping Podolski fit will also be important and they
need to stop giving silly goals away too. They would need something special to
challenge for the title but they are the best of the rest in my eyes.
FOURTH –
Liverpool
Losing 30+ goals from a single player (no matter how divisive)
is going to be difficult, especially as it now places an even greater burden on
a back 5 that was more of a hindrance than a help for most of the season.
Rodgers has recruited in what appear to be the right positions but the question
will be how he deploys his resources to get the best of them. If Sturridge
stays fit then they have a chance but they have to play twice a week this year
and will also have to adapt their style now that Suarez has gone. It might seem
like a step back finishing fourth but if they can get that defence working
better and cope with a 60+ game season that it is actually forward progress in
the long run.
FIGHTING
FOR EUROPEAN SPOTS – Everton, Manchester United, Tottenham
Everton have kept hold of most of the pieces from last year’s
jigsaw and Martinez has added to the pot. I still feel we are short of another
goal-scoring option and maybe some cover at the back but Everton played some
great stuff last year and another full pre-season under Martinez should have
honed the style. We should challenge for the Top 4 again this season but it’ll
be a tough nut to crack. Martinez influenced a lot of games with his tactics
last season, will he keep up that good run this year?
I watched Manchester United the other night in a
friendly and they looked shockingly off the pace. Everything was being done at
walking pace and (although it was a friendly) there was no zip about them. They
boast a wealth of attacking options but are woefully short at centre half. The
good teams could pick them apart with reckless abandon and the new 3-4-3 formation
is a long way from established.
Spurs are a strange one. A new manager and plenty of money
spent but they seem to have regressed for me on paper. They lack real
creativity in the centre of the park and are heavily reliant on a
centre-forward who often doesn’t bother to show up. Pocchetino will get them
playing with more tempo but it might take more than that for Spurs to sneak
into Europe.
BATTLING
RELEGATION – Leicester, Burnley, QPR, West Brom, West Ham, Swansea
Leicester had a great season last year and were comfortably the
best team in the division for long periods of time. They have brought in a few
players with Premier League experience and in David Nugent have a man who still
knows where the goal is. But they have a tricky start though and could be
behind the eight-ball early on. I think they might finish lowest of the
promoted sides and that could see them drop back down.
Burnley will need Ings and Vokes to get regularly on the
score sheet or their stay will be a short one.
Sean Dyche has done a great job at Turf Moor and their home form is
critical. The atmosphere at the home games could be key and on the flip side they
will need to make sure they are defensively sound away from home as goal
difference matters. I can see them scoring enough goals to stay up though,
unless one of their strikers gets poached mid-season.
QPR dragged themselves up via the playoffs after tailing
away towards the end of the season. They have experience in the dugout with
‘Arry but have they learnt the lessons of last time? They changed too much and
got away from the team that got them up and it cost them. Ferdinand still has
enough about him to marshal a Premier League defence and they should have
enough firepower to stay up. Just.
West Brom survived last season mainly because there were three
even worse teams come the end. Alan Irvine has a job on his hands and I don’t
know if he has the personnel to keep them up. A lot relies on Chris Brunt and
they need to score more goals than they did last season. I think it’ll go down
to the wire and I don’t think they’ll stay up.
I’ll get it out straight away. I don’t like Allardyce. I hate
the way his teams play football and I’ve never known someone bleat more about
referees than him. He is effective though and usually manages to keep his teams
up. This season I’m worried for West Ham though; Carroll and the new
striker Valencia aren’t fit, Nolan is getting on in years and I think
defensively they are as weak a unit as there is in the Premier League.
Especially if Adrian plays in goal. The fans play a big part here too, if they
get a bad start with their “lump it” approach then they will be on Big Sam’s
back and that usually doesn’t end well.
Swansea are a strange one. They play great stuff when they are
on but when they aren’t they really struggle. They will need to keep Bony and
his goals could be the difference. They will always have plenty of the ball but
I worry for them defensively as they’ve lost a few starters and that is never
easy. I think they’ll just be OK but don’t think they’ll challenge further up
the table.
GOING DOWN: Leicester, West Brom and West Ham
THE REST–
Aston Villa, Newcastle, Sunderland, Stoke, Southampton, Hull City, Crystal
Palace
Aston Villa – A bit of off-season turmoil but
this team has come through plenty in the last two seasons and have two years’
experience to draw on. I think they’ll be ok if they can get Benteke back and
retain Weimann through the transfer window.
Newcastle – The only thing certain about Newcastle is that
Pardew is in his last chance saloon. They should have jettisoned him last
season but stuck by him despite a terrible run of performances from when Cabaye
left. Again goals may be a problem but I don’t think they are as bad as some of
the other teams and they will probably be ok.
Sunderland – After the miracle of escape last
season, this one is all about consolidating for Poyet. Hopefully he’ll keep
Rodwell fit as the boy is a great player. If they can bring Borini in and
Wickham can continue his development then they’ll be mid table and battling to
finish above their local rivals.
Stoke City – A great finish to the season
from Stoke and they will be looking to push on. Hughes has them playing
football and it is a breath of fresh air from the Pulis days. Bojan is an
intriguing signing as the ex-Barcelona player has all the tools. They have a
great goalkeeper and, shall we say “rugged”, centre-halves so they won’t be
bullied by anyone.
Southampton – They have been gutted since last
season and will undoubtedly regress. But they still have a lot of good, young
players and plenty of quality remains. Long would be a great signing and
defensively I still think they will be solid, especially with the addition of
Forster between the sticks.
Hull City – Losing Long would be a blow but Hull had a great
season last season and I can see Bruce keeping them in the mid-table region.
Jelavic will be key if he can rediscover his shooting boots and they are
usually pretty solid at the back. Huddlestone and Livermore need to dominate in
midfield and then they should be fine.
Crystal Palace – Tony Pulis did wonderfully last
year and this time he starts from a level playing field. Frazier Campbell’s
addition should help to increase the goals tally and they have plenty of young
talent which should see them through. They are short of pace at the back but
their attitude and work-rate is spot on and they won’t get rolled over very
often.
So there it is. The title may be making its way out of
Manchester for the first time in 5 years and it seems like a bad season to have
the word “West” in your team name. It should be a cracker though and there will
be plenty of entertain and drama throughout the season. Good luck whoever you
support and let’s hope we only have good things to talk about this campaign.
Till next time,
DT
