Yesterday I looked at Everton, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester City and United. Today it’s the turn of Newcastle, Norwich, Southampton, Stoke and Sunderland.
Newcastle:
Are the Newcastle fans looking forward to this season? Certainly the last few seasons have been dire both on and off the pitch. Calls for the Chairman to sell and talks of boycotting the club were dominating the back pages of the news in that part of the world. Alan Pardew left during last season and Mike Ashley remains. John Carver took over, secured their Premiership survival, and was then dismissed. Now they have Steve McClaren as head coach but released Jonas Gutierrez and Ryan Taylor.
Pre-season has not done anything to excite the fans either. A 1-0 win against Gateshead was followed by defeats to Club Atlas and Portland Timbers 2. A solitary win, thanks to an own goal against Sacramento before their latest, very lethargic display against Sheffield United.
Final Position:
Another season spent at the wrong end of the table with more action in the stands than on the pitch. I am not sure they are bad enough to go down but, with Mike Ashley backing Steve McClaren, they soon could be
Norwich:
Back up from the Championship at the very first attempt the Canaries will have to be much better this time around. I think they have improved but not brought in too many new faces to disrupt the togetherness they had to get that promotion. Yossouf Mulumbu from West Brom on a free was certainly a great piece of business but the talking will be done on the pitch and I think there will be no relegation battle going on at Carrow Road come seasons end.
Final Position:
As I said earlier I don’t think there will be a relegation battle involving the Canaries this season. I think maybe a good 50 points plus would not be out of the question and that will put them solidly in mid table.
Southampton:
Last season was great for the Saints, finishing 7th on 60 points with European football on the cards for the first time in 12 years. Although fans enjoy the atmosphere of these European nights I think they distract and put a toll on the side which affects the domestic success.
Final Position:
I do not think the Saints will do as well as they did last season. That is not a judgement on their acquisitions or departing players but more so to do with the Europa League. The further they go in that competition the less Premiership points they will amass.
Stoke:
Stoke are another side who performed above expectations last season. Unlike Southampton they have no European commitments this year, but I think they will come unstuck with all the transfers going on. Six players in and five out can be positive or negative depending on how quickly they gel. The good news is that in Shay Given and Glen Johnson they have seasoned Premiership players. The bad news is that in Shay Given and Glen Johnson they have seasoned Premiership players with a combined age of almost 70 years.
Final Position:
Again I do not think they will improve on last seasons total. A possible relegation battle could be on the cards if players fail to gel but I think ultimately they will be safe and finish at the top of bottom half of the Premiership table.
Sunderland:
It could be a good season for the Black Cats as Dick Advocaat decided to stay on as Manager while the transfers have been neat. Last season they were in a relegation battle and ended up with 38 points, only three above the bottom three. While I do not think they will bother the top six this season I do think they will end in the top half or very close, with the bonus of watching their favorite rivals struggle with a real relegation battle.
Final Position:
Bottom of the top half, ninth possibly. No relegation worries while laughing at the Toon Army is always a good season for a Sunderland fan.
Let me know what you think of these predictions and come back tomorrow when I will look at the last five teams.
Jason is a Freelance Soccer Writer. You can follow him on Twitter @PACityboy and www.facebook.com/jasonbardwell1979
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