Guide to the New Season
Over the next few posts, I will look at the forthcoming Premiership season 2014/15, on a club by club basis.
Arsenal
Last season promised so much, as Arsenal spent a large part of the season at the top of the league only to lose their way in the big games and drop back to their familiar 4th place. They did however break their trophy drought by winning the FA Cup.
Last year, Arsenal stepped up their game by signing Mezut Ozil, and this season they have spent in the summer as well, by signing Alexis Sanchez. He might provide the additional firepower to help push Arsenal back into the top 3.
Defensive midfield remains an issue, and Vermaelen is a loss for the cover he provides across the back four, Arsenal will need to replace him.
Arsenal have been hit by injury problems over the last few seasons, perhaps due to over-training or the wrong training. It could be that Shad Forsythe, fitness coach for the German national team, will turn out to be their best signing, if he can keep their best players on the pitch.
Prediction - 3rd
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| Is this Villa's biggest signing? |
Aston Villa
Aston Villa had a poor season, they took just 11 points from the last 15 games.
Paul Lambert remains in charge, albeit with a new backroom staff, which includes Roy Keane.
The signings of Senderos, Joe Cole and Kieran Richardson, don't inspire too much confidence, that Villa will be avoiding a relegation battle this season.
Without a fit Benteke at the start of the season, they could struggle from the start.
Prediction - 17th
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| Sean Dyche performed wonders getting Burnley promoted, can he do even better and keep them up? |
Burnley
Automatic promotion last season, was against the odds, as they faced sides with much bigger budgets and infrastructure.
Steven Reid and Matthew Taylor have come in to add Premiership experience to the squad.
They may lack goals up front if Danny Ings struggles with the step-up.
It's likely to be a long season for Burnley, but I think they'll give it a good go, but fall short at the end.
Prediction - 20th
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| Diego Costa - keeping fit using horse placenta |
Chelsea
Last season they were just 'little horses that needed milk', this season they will expect more than 3rd place.
Chelsea have as always invested, both in young talent, that will be farmed out, indeed at present 11 players are out on loan.
They've added Fabregas, Diego Costa and Filipe Luis, to a team that is solid at the back with Terry and Cahill in front of either Courtois or Cech, and with an array of attacking midfielders including Oscar, Schurrle, Salah, Hazard and Willian.
They will be there or thereabouts this season.
I don't think Costa will be that good this season, but they have goals elsewhere in the team that should make up for it.
Prediction - 1st
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| Tony Pulis - hats off to him, great season last year, can he follow up? |
Crystal Palace
They had never stayed up in the Premiership before, and were in trouble when Pulis took over, but he solidified the team, and they had some great form in 2014 to end in 11th place.
Scott Dann and Frazier Campbell should be good signings, Hangeland maybe past his best, but he fits the bill for Pulis, who likes to have big imposing centre backs, a la Shawcross and Huth.
Palace should be safe this season, and I'd expect Pulis to build on what he did last year. They'll be steady at the back and attack at pace, and Frazier Campbell fits that style perfectly, if he links well with Puncheon and Bolasie, they could be a potent combination.
Prediction - 9th
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