Professor Moriarty
Posts: 8814
Joined: 6/10/2005
From: the waters of Casablanca
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Just because I'm bored, half-way through the closed-season, here's my thoughts on the teams.
Arsenal
Last season it was all about losing opportunities for Arsenal. This closed season, it seems all about losing players. Wenger may well keep one (or even both of Nasri and Cesc), but I really worry about whether the Arsenal players' hearts are in it any more. I think it will be a tough season for Arsene, even if he's strengthened the team already by sending Denilson out on loan 
Villa
Having lost both Young and Downing (and getting well paid for them) I don't see why they'd be screwing about over 1M for N'Zogbia who I believe can do a job for them. I've great respect for Given, that should be a good buy. If the fans give McLeish a chance, the manager doesn't succumb to his want to play too defensive and Villa find a way to feed Bent, I think they could have a surprisingly good season.
Blackburn
Have got to be prime relegation candidates. Apparently they need to lose players before they can extend their bank loan and buy. And silly predictions of Champs League football must be way off now. I don't see goals in the team and think they'll struggle.
Bolton
Will need a good start after their collapse at the end of last season. Could still lose a couple of players and unless they can pull off another loan deal or Klasnic finally finds his scoring boots they could also struggle to score.
Chelsea
Seem to have had a quiet off-season so far (for Chelsea). Their new manager is smart enough to find a way that the team can play to Torres, but with Essien out for the season I do worry that another injury to Lampard will be a problem for them, even if Benayoun will be like a new signing. I'm expecting a late flurry of transfer activity from Chelsea.
Everton
The only surprise Everton have left to deliver is which half of the season they will be good in and which half they'll be relegation fodder.
Fulham
Probably will have played 20 games in Europe before the season kicks off. Jol has a squad that should be safe in the league, but I don't expect much more.
Liverpool
Suarez will provide the flair, Carroll the battering ram. I think a lot will depend on the first 5 games for 'pool. I like what Dalglish has done with the squad, which now has options. No Liverpool fan will tell you that the team is there yet, but I think they've made a big step forward and have some great potential coming through.
Man City
This is the season for their players to prove they went there for the vision, not just the pay cheque. I actually think that Champions League football will benefit the team's development as their are more chances to keep the squad happy, and that seemed to be a major challenge for the manager last season. Balotelli was talking the right talk at the end of last season, Dzeko I'm still not sure about, but who'd not want to see Aguero in the EPL?
Man Utd
I played in mid-field once in a school yard kick about. I'm also possibly the only player in that position not to have been linked with a move to Man Utd. Fergie did wonders with his squad last year, but unless he buys another 2 players I doubt if even he can pull that off again.
Newcastle
Out with the old, in with the young could be a very risky strategy at Newcastle. Ben Arfa will be like a new signing, and if Demba Ba stays fit they'll have goals. Should never be in danger of going down, so should really look for that cup run that means so much to Newcastle fans.
Norwich
I know nothing about, other than their manager is meant to be ace, but he's not going to be given much to work with, is he?
QPR
I also know nothing about, other than we all love to hate their manager. Who I'm expecting to be the first casualty of the season.
Stoke
Pulis struggled for once to motivate his team in the FA Cup Final. Like some other teams, I can see them struggling for goals this season. I see there is talk of Crouch possibly going there, which will have football fans all over the world reaching for the remote when they are on match of the day.
Sunderland
In a cunning strategy of stopping Man Utd being the worst Man Utd team for 25 years, Fergie is selling his worst players to Sunderland so they can actually be the worst Man Utd team. Having said that, there's worst teams in the EPL and if Gyan stays fit this season they'll do okay.
Tottenham
Has Harry bought anyone yet? I'm getting awfully worried for him. With a group of strikers who couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo, I'm still expecting Modric to join Chelsea for cash plus Drogba / Anelka / Sturridge
WBA
With 15 goals for West Brom last season, I'm surprised no-one has made a move for Odemwingie. Keep him and Roy keeps them up.
Wigan
Amazinly still in the EPL. Surely this can't last. I think Dave Whelan can see the inevitable coming and he'll sell off Rodallega and anyone else he can get good money for (well, just N'Zogbia and Rodellega then) before they go down.
Wolves
I can never help but think that Mick is like anti-lucky. I mean he just doesn't look like the type who'd be walking down the road and find a 50 quid note on the floor. Seriously, would you go to a casino and stand next to Mick, he'd be like The Cooler if he touched you. I reckon they'd win twice as many games without him, but then life just wouldn't be the same.
< Message edited by Professor Moriarty -- 19/7/2011 1:03:26 PM >
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Premier League 2011-2012 Results & Discussion - 
I'm really missing football already. The golf at the weekend, the cricket and Wimbledon all provide some passing interest, but its just not the same. 
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