Tottenham news: Premiership preview
By Plug
August 11 2005
A fascinating season beckons in which the mind games between Fergie and Mourinho will dominate (Along with, hopefully, Spurs' Martin Jol), and the balance of power in North London begins to change. I suspect at least three managerial casualties before Christmas.
Another boring season in the premiership........
ARSENAL
Last year's position: 2nd
Plug's Prediction - 4th
The Team that we all love to hate have not really been a big player in the transfer market, and as a result still rely heavily on Mr Henry. Much as Hleb looks to be a good signing, I expect to see no improvement whatsoever in their league position, in fact I think they will suffer. The morale in the camp is fragile to say the least, with Campbell, Cole and Pires all having public moans about the club or their colleagues.
ASTON VILLA
Last year's position: 10th
Plug's Prediction - 13th
A few good signings, but no real promise of an improvement in my eyes. O'Leary no longer inspires any confidence to the degree he did at Leeds.
BIRMINGHAM
Last year's position: 12th
Plug's Prediction 16th
Again, not much has changed at St Andrews, and I predict that after a very sticky patch, Steve Bruce could be an early casualty. If they see Nicky Butt as a good acquisition, then I suspect they could finish very close to relegation.
BLACKBURN ROVERS
Last year's position: 7th
A much improved team who will no doubt pickup one or two cards over the season, however, I think that Bellamy will have a massive point to prove, and Hughes inspires a lot of confidence in his teams.
BOLTON
Last year's position: 6th
Plug's Prediction 11th
The decline will begin. Nothing of any major note has happened, and the distraction of Europe will mean that they will take their eye of the ball. A dull team, with an ageing star or two.
CHARLTON
Last year's position: 11th
Plug's Prediction 12th
Crap defensively, dull going forward, no change expected.
CHELSEA
Last year's position: Champions
Plug's Prediction 1st
Champions again
EVERTON
Last year's position: 4th
Plug's Prediction 8th
Will be caught out for what they really are this season. Already look to be out of Europe, and have struggled to make any big signings, which means they will struggle to make the top six this time around.
FULHAM
Last year's position: 13th
Plug's prediction: 15th
Possible Relegation fodder. Coleman inspires less confidence as each season passes.
LIVERPOOL
Last year's position: 5th
Plug's prediction: 3rd
Will replace Everton in 4th spot, but their squad is more suited to Cup competition than League. Will improve their position as a result of Arsenal & Everton's failings more than their improvement.
MANCHESTER CITY
Last year's position: 8th
Plug's prediction: 9th
Pearce is obviously a motivator and has the team on his side, but I wonder if he might get caught out this season. I expect a good start, but a crashing bad run in which his tactical ability is called into question mid season
MANCHESTER UNITED
Last year's position: 3rd
Plug's prediction: 2nd
The only serious competition to Chelsea, particularly if they sign Owen. Will need a much better start to the season than they have been used to, and perhaps a victory over Chelsea or Arsenal to announce their intentions.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Last year's position: 7th
Plug's prediction: 6th
I expect Boro to continue with their steady improvements of the last couple of years. Yakubu has the makings of a big signing for them, and Maclaren seems to have won the battle to keep Downing
NEWCASTLE
Last year's position: 14th
Plug's prediction: 10th
They have made tow good signings in Parker and Emre, but this does not go far enough in plugging the gaping holes in their morale and their team. They need four or five significant signings to get them back to where they were over the last few seasons. I'm not convinced that they will get these signings, and I'm not convinced that this is the fault of Souness. Something is rotten to the core at St James's and it starts with Mr Shepherd. Too many good men have gone by the wayside, and whilst I am no fan of Souness, I think he has done a better job than most of us thought he would.
PORTSMOUTH
Last year's position: 16th
Plug's prediction: 14th
A narrow survival. The new Southampton. Will need a striker to appear from nowhere if they are to progress, bit I like the look of their manager and believe they can start to make slight progress.
SUNDERLAND
Last year's position: Championship champions
Plug's prediction: 18th (relegated)
Relegation beckons. A Championship team who continue to make Championship signings.
TOTTENHAM
Last year's position: 9th
Plug's prediction: 5th
The most improved squad in the Premiership, under a coach who seems to have adapted to life in the premiership very quickly. An embarrassment of riches in Midfield and attack, possibly some strengthening required at the back, but with Robinson between the sticks, I think they will be fine.
WEST BROM
Last year's position: 17th
Plug's prediction: 17th
Narrow survivors again, but I wonder how long before they realise that Robson is not yet cut out to be a Premiership manager.
WEST HAM
Last year's position: 6th in the Championship (play-off winners)
Plug's prediction: 19th (relegated)
Not a cat in hell's chance of surviving, unless the Spurs Old boys develop a new set of skills.
WIGAN
Last year's position: 2nd in the Championship
Plug's prediction: 20th (relegated)
Need I waste my time? Brave relegation fodder
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