August 29, 2009

The Survivors

Blackburn Rovers FC


Manager: Sam Allardyce

Ground: Ewood Park (Capacity: 31,367)

Last season: 15th


Key Player: Morten Gamst Pederson

Star-in-waiting: Franco Di Santo


MAJOR TRANSFERS:

INs: Gael Givet (Marseille, undisclosed), Lars Jacobsen (Everton, free), Franco Di Santo (Chelsea, loan), Nikola Kalinic (Hajduk Split, £6 million), Michel Salgado (Real Madrid, free)

OUTs: Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City, £16 million), Matt Derbyshire (Olympiakos, undisclosed) Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, free)


Sam Allardyce managed safety for Blackburn with a few games remaining last season. This season should see Big Sam continue to build his team in the same way.

Roque Santa Cruz has been replaced by Franco Di Santo, and the youngster, along with Benny McCarthy and Jason Roberts, will shoulder the responsibility for attacking with Morten Gamst Pederson pulling the strings. Expect the defence to be strong and stingy, not to give away any freebies.


Final Verdict: The Rovers should finish 12th, safely mid-table.


Bolton Wanderers FC


Manager: Gary Megson

Ground: Reebok Stadium (Capacity: 28,101)

Last season: 13th


Key Player: Kevin Davies

Star-in-waiting: Gary Cahill


MAJOR TRANSFERS:

INs: Sean Davis (Portsmouth, free transfer), Paul Robinson (West Bromwich Albion, loan), Zat Knight (Aston Villa, undisclosed), Sam Ricketts (Hull City, undisclosed)

OUTs: Blerim Dzemaili (Torino, undisclosed)


Gary Megson’s side play some of the most unattractive, yet effective football. Effective in the sense that it ensures them mid-table existence, and this seems to be Megson’s primary target.

Sean Davies’ capture will bolster the midfield, while Zat Knight should be able to shoulder the responsibility of shoring up the defence with Gary Cahill. Kevin Davies will look to latch on to the balls into the box to fire in the goals.


Final Verdict: Another season of mid-table existence beckons for Megson’s men: 15th.


Stoke City FC


Manager: Tony Pulis

Ground: Britannia Stadium (Capacity: 28,383)

Last season: 12th


Key Player: James Beattie

Star-in-waiting: Ryan Shawcross


MAJOR TRANSFERS:

INs: Dean Whitehead (Sunderland, undisclosed)

OUTs: Seyi Olofinjana (Hull City, £3 million)


Stoke were one of the unlikely survivors of last season, and they had achieved this success with quite a few games left to play. Tony Pulis has built a team that is tough to beat at home, and the support of the Stoke fans has helped with that.

On the pitch, Rory Delap, James Beattie and Thomas Sorenson will be key components if Pulis’ men have to taste success again. Ryan Shawcross is developing well in defence for the Potters.


Final Verdict: Another successful season should see the Potters finish 13th.


West Ham United FC

Manager: Gianfranco Zola

Ground: Upton Park (Capacity: 35,303)

Last season: 9th


Key Player: Carlton Cole

Star-in-waiting: Junior Stanislas


MAJOR TRANSFERS:

INs: Luis Jimenez (Inter Milan, loan) Jack Lampe (Harlow Town, free), Fabio Daprela (Grasshoppers Zurich, undisclosed)

OUTs: Lee Bowyer (Birmingham City, free), Lucas Neill (free agent), Freddie Sears (Crystal Palace, loan)


Gianfranco Zola had a decent introduction to managing in England last season, with the Hammers performing creditably. The second season, however, sees him tackle many different problems. With cash at a premium, getting in new players, especially strikers, seems to be a major problem for the Italian, who has brought in many young players from the academy.

The players at the club will have to make a major step up to improve upon last year in this scarcity of resources. This seems unlikely to happen though.


Final Verdict: Zola’s youngsters should finish 11th. With some new signings, they have the chance of breaking into the top half though.


Wigan Athletic FC


Manager: Roberto Martinez

Ground: DW Stadium (Capacity: 25,135)

Last season: 11th


Key Player: Jordi Gomez

Star-in-waiting: James McCarthy


MAJOR TRANSFERS:

INs: Jordi Gomez (Espanyol, £1.7 million), Hendry Thomas (Deportivo Olimpia, undisclosed), Jason Scotland (Swansea City, £2 million), Scott Sinclair (Chelsea, loan)

OUTs: Antonio Valencia (Manchester United, undisclosed), Lee Cattermole (Sunderland, £6 million)


Wigan are an all-new look team this season, with a new manager, new stadium name, and new players. With the star of last season, Antonio Valencia having trotted off to Old Trafford, the onus is on Roberto Martinez to not only prove himself at the highest level, but also bring in players he thinks could substitute his losses.

Last season’s position is nowhere in sight this season though, and if Martinez can ensure survival without too many hiccups, I believe Wigan fans should be happy.


Final Verdict: The Latics will survive, not too easily, but they will. A 14th place finish for them.

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