MOTFA Episode One – Close Season ‘08 Premiership Review

Safehands · Cult Status

MOTFA Episode One – Close Season ‘08 Premiership Review

Simon · Cult Status

I am not sure whether the Premiership will change next season. I have a worry that it will stay as it is; with a massive rift developing between 3rd and 4th, and 7th and 8th. It will take some doing to match the events of old FA's premiership where both Liverpool and Arsenal fell from grace and both Chelsea and Man U had aging teams with unrealiable managers who had not brought in youth so the teams just crumbled by the halfway stage (as AC Milan are doing this season).

Looking down the leagues, I can see only a few teams that I think will survive in the top league. Given some management I feel both Watford and Southampton can sucure a permanent spot and I also think despite their low finish; that Sunderland can also get there - they have a good squad that is not particularly old either.

From the Championship, I think that Everton's success will depend on a few quality players in a team that I feel lack substance. I also think that the manager will need to bring in some more talent to fill in the cracks in that team. I dont think that Fulham will cut it in the Premiership and I think that in a season later we will see them back in the Championship. From the playoffs, of course my pick would be West Brom - they are a quality team, who were unluck to finish 3rd and with a new manager coming in they could be one of the teams who break into that elusive middle group in the Premiership - although however much I want them to do well, I dont think they will break into the top three, that would be miraculous!

Of the other teams, I dont think Cardiff would survive; they might have a season ago, but I cant see what the current manager is doing. Whats his aims? All I have seen is the departure of the better players. I cant see where all the point are coming from in that team!

I dont have any preference on Reading. Similarly to Everton; they have a few good players and their success would depend on the performance of those indivduals. And finally I think Wigan could make something of themselves. They have a deep, strong squad and what seems to be a strong manager with Liam Reynolds.

He would be my tip as afuture manager, but realistically I think it will be West Brom who can hold their own in that league so long as the new manager plays to their strengths.

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Well......

I think that it's going to be really hard for the current "Chasing Pack" in the Premiership to break the top 3's stronghold but I think that there is some great managers in that pack and if there was ever a set of managers able to break it up then that's them. Obviously you have the evergreen Simon at Arsenal who has shon great determination to get hold onto the 4th spot after a very shakey start to the season. Paul at Portsmouth also has to be given credit and I truly believe that he is a manager in waiting for one of the major clubs. Yves at West Ham has also shown that you can really push the big boys despite only coming up from the Championship last season so a big well done to him.

That just leaves Spurs who as we all know, don't currently have a manager. I have been lucky to have worked with Jermain (Defoe) and Tom (Huddlestone) in my time at Leicester and both are definatley going to play a big part in pushing Spurs forward. If they are going to go forward then then next manager that goes in there HAS to be the right one and I know that Chris Hanton at Madrid is the front runner and I think Spurs fans should be very excited about the prospect of having such an accomplished manager at the helm.

As fo the other Leagues, My outside bet to win promotion from the Championship is Reading, I think that they have a very decent manager that is strong enough in the market to improve the squad into title challengers. You have also got the likes of WBA (if they don't go up this season), Southampton and Wigan that could all push for promotion. You can also neer leave out Jamie Walker at Watford who has continued to impress with another promotion and will look to prove again that he has what it takes to lead Watford to another succsessive promotion.

My old league, League 1 is a really tough one to call. As we don't yet know who will be going up this season..It's a real lottery. Personally, I think some of the best managers on the game are currently in that League and are built on trying to put together the best sides possible on very little money. In my opinion, Mark at Coventry, Gareth at Leeds, and Jonathan at Sunderland will be watched very closely by "Bigger" clubs during the playoffs and it wouldn't surprise me at all if one or two of them will be plying their trade in a higher division come match 1 of next season. Also due a mention is Jamie at Wolves who has really turned them into a force and I imagine that Jamie cannot wait to start the new season where he will look to break into the top 6 from the start.

I would also like to speak briefly about Seria B where I will be managing next season. Beni at Liviorno has done a superb job in wrapping up the title this season and I will be keeping a close eye on Cagliari's result again Palermo this evening and wishin Jonny and the boys all the best. I hope that I can continue in Jonny's good work there and take the team on ever further.

It will be a great new challenge and I will miss League 1 but it will also be nice to concentrate abit more on the football side of things instead of the politics.

-- Edited by Bluebird99 at 14:15, 2008-06-09

Safehands · Cult Status

"Well the new season is apon us all and there has been some movement amongst the premiership teams to report

Some top youth prospects have come through the ranks most notably at West Ham and Man City and some new targets set for some of the bigger clubs

Does this change anyones oppinions of the destination of the title and the fortunes of the chasing pack? And what about the bottom of the table?"

Simon · Cult Status

I dont think the youth players will make much of a differece - especially as they are already being loaned out!

To be honest, I dont think there will be any change but my opinion is pretty useless considering how my tips for the playoffs went! I am willing to be proven wrong though; if its exciting then Ill be interested.

The fate of Man U. will depend on if Iain gets the Madrid job and who fills his boots. I still think it will be Chelsea who will be top of the Premiership no matter what happens.

Steve, your opinions?

Simon
RV

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Couldn't agree more that the Youth players won't have a massive bearing on the major challenges within the Premiership. I think that Luke @ Man City will be very happy with Joe Hart coming through and will either loan him out or even use him as bait to get a big name into the club.

Obviously pleased to see the Arsenal boys increase that spent time with me at Leicester. Myself and Simon have sorted out a programme that will see a few of them join me in Italy this season and I will continue to nurture them through although it's only a matter of time before young Theo will be ready for the Arsenal first team.

I think that there will be some surprise teams this season and Valladolid are a team that people may under-estimate at their peril. Hopefully this panel can enjoy a very pro-active season.

Simon · Cult Status

Well I agreed up until the Valladolid bit! To be honest, mid-table would be seen as an achievement. I need to be getting points out of the easier games or else I can kiss goodbye to the La Liga.

Really, of the youth players Ive looked at; I think that mine is going to make one of the biggest difference - other than the fact that he's already as good if not better than the strikers I already have, but he's not being loaned out, so he will get the experience of playing in a harder league (I think that makes a difference to how quickly they improve?).

But back to the Premiership, transfers in particular. I'm not really sure what Man. U are doing. Why would they offer their whole team for sale and then offer to leave? And although he says everyone can go, I'm not sure anyone could afford Rooney or Ronaldo. I also think that Arsenal's degree of success may balence on the reapings of their search for a new goalkeeper.

-- Edited by Simon at 08:39, 2008-06-18

dirkdiggler · World Class Player

Just to clarify something, I have not put the whole team up for sale. As stated, I want to freshen up the team which requires selling some players. To make life a bit easier I am prepared to listen to offers for any player. It doesn't mean that I will sell them.

Also, I have expressed an interest in the Real Madrid job (a day after posting on the transfer board). Does that mean that I cannot continue with trying to improve Man Utd in the meantime? Who's to say I will even be offered the Real Madrid job anyway.

Iain, Man Utd

Luke_C · Cult Status

I think its going to be a very tough season in the Premiership for everyone with the exception of Chelsea maybe who still have a strong hold. Chairman have set very high targets and the pressure will be on a number of clubs to improve. Arsenal and us (Manchester City) have been given 10m to spend but both have very high targets and in today's market will 10m bring that much? Hopefully it can make the difference

Spurs have a very strong squad and some money to spend and with the right management could break into the top four very soon while West Ham have some great big game players and will be tough for anyone.

As for us at Manchester City I feel the long term future is very bright. A lot of players are leaving for experience this season but I still feel this is our most balanced and strongest squad to date. We have Tamudo, Benjani and Aqualini all coming in on loan type deals to cover the younger players leaving and still have some money to spend on the right area when needed. We will look to strengthen both long term and short term however and feel we can improve on last seasons finish.