The Round Football Column 8.15.08: 167th Edition - Premier League Preview - Part Five
Posted by Tim O'Sullivan on 08.15.2008
We wrap up the preview columns with thoughts on Luka Modric's big-four-hunting-Tottenham side, The Baggies, some team blowing bubbles and erm...Wigan. One click away.
The Premier League is one day away from launch and I'm pumped. There's no getting around that fact.
TOTTENHAM
I fell in love with Sevilla under Juande Ramos. They were a really wonderful team, only slightly hindered by a small squad and a little inexperience against the smaller La Liga sides. But when they were on it – wow, they played some football. Their former manager's arrival at White Hart Lane didn't turn the heads of many, but anyone who follows the Spanish league closely will know how big a coup this was for Tottenham.
He's already guided them to their first win over Arsenal this decade and a Carling Cup Final win over Chelsea. However, all that was a warm-up to a summer where he re-built his squad and a season when he wants to get the big four thinking.
The time has come and it's clear that they are looking the strongest they have done in recent memory. The Luka Modric purchase is very pricey, but extremely ambitious and exciting. Gio Dos Santos suffered from the epitome of over-hype in Catalunia last summer, but is certainly a worthwhile risk at an initial fee of £4.7 million. Then they have two very impressive attacking full-backs in Hutton and Bale, even if they're a bit more inept in the defensive stakes.
A lot has been made of the pre-season form of Jermaine Jenas and Darren Bent, as well as the big-money departure of Robbie Keane, but only time will tell how relevant it all ends up being. As I write there's still no word on the Berba situation, but it goes without saying that Spurs will be a lot more dangerous with the Bulgarian in the ranks. He's overly nonchalant and a nudge lazy, but there aren't many classier players in Europe right now.
Overall, it's clear that Tottenham are looking very strong. They have an exceptional manager. Plus, they've made some very interesting signings including the as-yet unmentioned David Bentley and superb Heurelho Gomes between the sticks. More relevantly, if Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate steer clear of the dreaded physio room, and Gomes proves he's world-class, they could finally eradicate their defensive woes and turn some heads in the Premier League this season. This time they're serious!
KEY MAN: Jonathan Woodgate
ONE TO WATCH: Heurelho Gomes
ROUND FOOTBALL COLUMN VERDICT: In hindsight, the thought of Martin Jol's Tottenham threatening the top four last season was ridiculous. However, Juande Ramos' Spurs are a different animal and they could certainly make some waves and close some gaps come May.
PREDICTION: 5th
WEST BROM
From what I saw, read and heard last season this lot were the only proper football team in The Championship, and for that reason I see their transition to the Prem being far more comfortable than it will be for Hull and Stoke.
I'm confident that they'll just about escape relegation, but aside from the obvious lack of squad quality compared to others the main concern relates to whether or not they'll sacrifice their football methods when their backs are up against the wall. When they played Portsmouth in last season's FA Cup semi-final they seemed to panic during the game and abandon their football for more physical tactics. Whether it's at home to Bolton or a trip to Anfield, they need to stick to their book and play the game how Tony Mowbray wants it played.
Luke Moore is a really good buy and could finally show his true class with a full run of first-team action, while Jonathan Greening will be keen to showcase his recent form on a grander stage.
KEY MAN: Jonathan Greening
ONE TO WATCH: Luke Moore
ROUND FOOTBALL COLUMN VERDICT: They'll obviously struggle, but a clever manager with strong football morals could give them the chance to reach a height greater than 18th.
PREDICTION: 16th
WEST HAM
I'm forever blowing bubbly mediocrity. No, not me, but West Ham.
They're just yet another Premier League team that seems to stutter along without making many significant waves. Considering how well Alan Curbishley did with Charlton, it seems strange how disorganised his Hammers side look at times.
George McCartney is probably the most criminally underrated full-back in recent memory, Lucas Neill has a lot of good defensive qualities, Anton Ferdinand has improved, Matty Upson is overrated but still good, and everyone knows about Rob Green's class. That should all be the right ingredients for a top-class defensive unit, but somehow they still seem to struggle. Curbs has got to take a big slice of responsibility for that. If he can really get £9 million for Anton (surely that can't be true??!!) then maybe he should take it and bring the less commercial but more effective Gabbidon back in.
On their best day the likes of Noble, Parker and Etherington can be classy, effective midfielders, and the youngsters Sears and Tomkins are raising a few East London eyebrows, but the partnership of Ashton and Bellamy will probably determine the outcome of The Hammers' season.
KEY MAN: Dean Ashton
ONE TO WATCH: Mark Noble
ROUND FOOTBALL COLUMN VERDICT: I really love the idea of a fully-fit Ashton and Bellamy strike partnership getting close to a full season together, but you just know the physio will come sprinting on to the Upton Park pitch sometime in August and the usual inconsistency will spread again. They've got some really tidy players, though, and they'll probably grab some big scalps like usual.
PREDICTION: 12th
WIGAN
Visiting the JJB Stadium at the tail end of last season was a weird experience. They probably have the worst home fans in the league, the town cares more about rugby league, and there's just something not quite right about the way they carry themselves.
The problem is that with a half-decent squad in the bag and an improving manager at the helm, they might just be sticking around a while longer.
Like all the sides in the bottom bracket of the table, they have multiple flaws – notably the distinct inability to score goals – but they have some overlooked class. The wingers, Wilson Palacios and Antonio Valencia were superb in the second half of last season, and Paul Scharner is consistently prominent in everything they do well.
Chris Kirkland, Emmerson Boyce and Mario Melchiot are good enough to stifle many Premier League attacking forces, but when the goals dry up at the other end it can often look like their efforts are in vein.
KEY MAN: Paul Scharner
ONE TO WATCH: Antonio Valencia
ROUND FOOTBALL COLUMN VERDICT: Like Bolton, they have enough classy individuals to avoid relegation, but on the same page they certainly have enough flaws to be near the dreaded zone in the final months of the season. There are worse teams, though.
