The Round Football Column 8.12.08: 164th Edition - Premier League Preview - Part Two

Posted by  on 08.12.2008

Can Frank Lampard, Mikel Arteta, Jimmy Bullard and erm...Dean Windass help their teams muster-up some Premier League smiles this season? Thoughts, one click away.

Previews are fun. Ultimately irrelevant, but oh so fun.



Here's another four, starting with Terry's tears...

CHELSEA

I like Scolari. He has a funny face and uses his hands to emphasise everything. It's a good look.

What isn't a good look is a team that has players who don't know where their next manager is coming from and question marks about whether or not they still want to be there.

Of course, they still have an abundance of quality and it wouldn't surprise anyone if they won the league. There are too many five-star players to reel off – the squad is that rich of class and ability. However, as much as a league title win can be about squad depth, it's just as imperative to have consistency and starting XI stability. The competition in midfield will undoubtedly see new line-ups and formations unveiled week after week.

Keeping Lampard and Drogba is a huge deal. Against Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final, second leg, Drogba was unplayable. He looked like a world-beater. Unfortunately, his attitude and drive isn't always at that level and he can often go missing. A few bad games and his mind will start wondering off to Milan again. At least with Lampard you know what you're getting. I've been heavily critical of Lamps in the past, and I think it's because I've seen him outclassed so often by more technical central midfielders. However, the thought of him joining Inter this summer made me happy, and I realised that delight was because he does so much for Chelsea. His consistent goals return is irreplaceable and in hindsight it makes sense to laud him amongst the top ten central midfielders in world football.

Elsewhere you've got the artful Deco, a left-back in Ashley Cole for whom I expect a lot more this season, one of the best players in the world in Michael Essien and one of the top centre-back partnerships you'll see anywhere. All that married with the charm of Big Phil makes it hard to doubt them, but I'm still not sure.

KEY MAN: Michael Essien

ONE TO WATCH: Ashley Cole

ROUND FOOTBALL COLUMN VERDICT: The quest for Champions League revenge may hinder their Premier League push and their midfield is so competitive that they may never get a good run of stability together. Plus, Scolari will probably play his best player at right-back again!

PREDICTION: 3rd


EVERTON

Everton are always an example I use in the pub / office arguments of why I think La Liga is stronger than the Prem. Our league is always lauded because we have four of the best six or seven teams in Europe. However, I'm never entirely convinced by the rest of the league and Everton epitomises that. On their best day with a fully-fit squad they are a very useful outfit, but any sign of a problem and they look inadequate. Just think of them playing La Liga's fifth-placed side, Sevilla in a two legged tie. I would expect the Spaniards to win both legs.

Of course, I'm impressed with their consistency in the first two-thirds of last season and in Jagielka, Yobo, Lescott, Arteta, Osman and Cahill they have some useful players, but every time they played a really good team last season I was totally unimpressed.

As I write this they could be wrapping up deals for Joao Moutinho, Darren Bent and others, but I can only call it as I see it now and I'm not impressed.

KEY MAN: Tim Cahill

ONE TO WATCH: Jack Rodwell

ROUND FOOTBALL COLUMN VERDICT: I'm doing this too early, aren't I? Sods law means Moyes will undoubtedly buy two or three superb players and make them dark horses for a Champions League spot again! However, I can only call it as I see it now and I think they'll fade in the wake of stronger teams below them.

PREDICTION: 9th


FULHAM

In the 16-year history of the Premier League, there haven't been many stories more endearing than Fulham's escape from relegation last season. Everything about it was nothing short of spectacular.

Unfortunately, Roy Hodgson must stop patting himself on the back and get on with a new campaign. He's made some good free signings, but used the actual cash like a mad man. I'd be surprised if he didn't make their position a lot more comfortable, but the league is so competitive near the bottom this season that they probably still can't do any better than 13th.

I'll be interested to see how Zoltan Gera does, I'm fascinated to see if Andy Johnson is worth even half his transfer fee, and a full season of Jimmy Bullard goodness never hurts anyone, but at the end of the day it's still not going to be easy for them, is it?

KEY MAN: Jimmy Bullard

ONE TO WATCH: Zoltan Gera

ROUND FOOTBALL COLUMN VERDICT: There's something a bit more stable about Fulham this season. Defensively they still look incredibly vulnerable, but in attack they have enough weapons to have a comfortable campaign.

PREDICTION: 14th


HULL CITY

No way, no chance, no thanks.

I like Hull and that fat striker that got them here last May. Having said that, I'm a big fan of realism – realism is good. Not even a thousand moody Phil Brown stares is going to push them away from the inevitable this season.

It would have been really interesting if they kept Fraizer Campbell, but alas that can't happen and for that reason I see them occupying bottom spot. Fulham, Blackburn and Wigan is a very nice opening trilogy of games to entertain themselves, but after that it won't be as pleasant.

Look out for defender Michael Turner to turn some heads, but aside from that I see them struggling heavily.

KEY MAN: Michael Turner

ONE TO WATCH: Boaz Myhill

ROUND FOOTBALL COLUMN VERDICT: I think Phil Brown is a very interesting manager and their arrival in the Prem is a very "pleasant" story, but sometimes you've just got to be realistic and start preparing for a 2009/10 Championship campaign.

PREDICTION: 19th


Another four tomorrow.

Done.