England Squad Part 1

The England squad is announced tomorrow and just about everyone had their own thoughts on who should and shouldn’t go to the Euros. Quick simply here are my thoughts.

There is one big decision first, what are England planning for at the Euros, win it or blood the youngsters. Hodgson had already admitted he feels England are too big a nation not to try to win it and the recent two friendlies have shown exactly why. The win against Spain is the perfect example of the performance that will be needed, it may not be pretty but it’s results that matter. The Holland game showed how far the England youngsters are from being good enough. Add to that players like Wilshire and Rodwell being injured there just aren’t enough youngsters to go to this tournament.

With that out of the way let’s look at the squad.

Goalkeeper
Joe Hart is an easy choice, after that anyone one of 4 could go. Robinson and Foster are still retired so they won’t. Green hasn’t lit up the championship and neither did Stockdale. Carson had also had his chance and failed. My picks would be to young keepers who ate playing regularly. Ruddy at Norwich is easy bring the only other keeper playing regular premier league football. The other is current Celtic number 1 Fraser Forster who has had an excellent 3 years.

Defenders
For me the Chelsea defence has to go and be first choice, the Barcelona home game demonstrating exactly what they offer. Cahill is also a future England captain. So that’s Cahill, Terry and Cole. Baines in the obvious backup for Cole. His team mate at Everton, Jagielka, has to go too. He had been almost faultless for England and has great versatility. That leaves one centre back spot. For me Lescott is too error prone as he had shown for England and nearly costing City the championship. Ferdinand has an injury issue that can’t be overlooked and it appears only one of him and Terry can go. That leaves Phil Jones to slot in as cover and earn good experience for the future. Right back could pick itself if Walker can’t recovery in time but otherwise he had to go along side Johnson. There is little to pick between Johnson and Richards except Johnson’s vast international experience.

I’ll look at the midfield and strikers later.

No longer a laughing matter

Just under two years ago, after Norwich had just won League One, Norwich fans joked about a last-minute call up for cult hero Grant Holt to the England squad for the 2010 world cup. After England’s exit and more questions about England’s ability to score goals and lack of strikers were asked, Norwich fans again joked of a call up.

Fast forward today and the same things are being said, but these are no longer jokes. England have been struggling up front since Owen’s exile from the international scene. The only strikers to score regularly have been Rooney (who has failed to score at a tournament since Euro 2006) and Crouch who has been restricted to almost no international football under Capello (despite proving his worth when called upon).

Capello has since called upon both Defoe and Bent who have performed averagely and who are now both out injured. Bobby Zamora who is in his in is 30’s, has little experience, is also injured and in the middle of a spat with his manager and Kevin Davis who made one appearance before being discarded. Carroll is another out of form and not scoring.

There are a couple of younger prospects who do seem to have international futures. Danny Welbeck has been in and out of the team at Man United but on the whole only been called upon when the injury list piles up. Then there is Daniel Sturridge, currently a regular at Chelsea, their highest league scorer and with Rooney suspended he is the highest English scorer in the Premier League this season who can start he first game in the Euros. Excluding Sturridge who currently sits on 9 goals in 14 games (and the suspended Rooney who is on 13 in 17 games) only Defoe appears in the top 20 scorers table (6 goals in 12 games).

There are two English men I’ve yet to mention who do also appear and are higher than Defoe. The first is midfielder Lampard (7 in 16 appearances). His place is far from secure with Gerrard just returning from injury and Wilshire back soon too.

You should have guessed the final one by now, Grant Holt (7 in 17 appearances – about half of those from the bench). Now half way through the season the only English striker who can start England’s first Euro 2012 match and scored more than Holt is Sturridge. That is some feat considering he was playing League 2 football two and half years ago. Holt is more of a Kevin Davis style player, he’s also more of an aerial threat than Crouch. Though shorter, Holt is built like a brick and rarely goes down with it being his choice, he’s also not the quickest. He can certainly hold the ball up and is a good option when playing one up top. He is certainly not the sort of player Spain come up against regularly (if ever). He offers something different and Capello likes to pick players on form, with next friendly in February there may not be many other choices other than Holt.

Baring injury we know Capello has said Rooney is going and Sturridge surely has to now. The other two or three striker positions are up for grabs. The likes of Ashley Young could be taken as a striker but he is more likely to play out wide. Agbonlahor is another one but he will need to score more with just 5 so far this season, as will his team-mate Bent who now also has to prove his fitness.

These goal scoring tables give a insight to to wear England can look for goals this summer.

Strikers
Player	PL Goals	Pos	Minutes	MinPerGoal	GoalEveryXMatches
Rooney	13	ST	1386	107	1.2
Sturridge	9	ST	1044	116	1.3
Holt	7	ST	957	137	1.5
Defoe	6	ST	691	115	1.3
Agbonlahor	5	ST	1480	296	3.3
Bent	5	ST	1227	245	2.7
Graham	5	ST	1261	252	2.8
Crouch	4	ST	1209	302	3.4
Welbeck	4	ST	772	193	2.1
Andy Johnson	3	ST	872	291	3.2
Zamora	3	ST	911	304	3.4
Midfielders
Player	PL Goals	Pos	Minutes	MinPerGoal	GoalEveryXMatches
Lampard	7	MD	1193	170	1.9
Adam Johnson	5	MD	534	107	1.2
Pilkington	4	MD	954	239	2.7
Eagles	3	MD	1172	391	4.3
Osman	3	MD	1357	452	5.0
Sinclair	3	MD	1533	511	5.7
Defenders
Player	PL Goals	Pos	Minutes	MinPerGoal	GoalEveryXMatches
Terry	4	DF	1620	405	4.5
R Taylor	3	DF	1485	495	5.5
Baines	3	DF	1530	510	5.7
All Players
Player	PL Goals	Pos	Minutes	MinPerGoal	GoalEveryXMatches
Rooney	13	ST	1386	107	1.2
Sturridge	9	ST	1044	116	1.3
Holt	7	ST	957	137	1.5
Lampard	7	MD	1193	170	1.9
Defoe	6	ST	691	115	1.3
Agbonlahor	5	ST	1480	296	3.3
Bent	5	ST	1227	245	2.7
Graham	5	ST	1261	252	2.8
Adam Johnson	5	MD	534	107	1.2
Crouch	4	ST	1209	302	3.4
Pilkington	4	MD	954	239	2.7
Terry	4	DF	1620	405	4.5
Welbeck	4	ST	772	193	2.1
Baines	3	DF	1530	510	5.7
Eagles	3	MD	1172	391	4.3
Andy Johnson	3	ST	872	291	3.2
Osman	3	MD	1357	452	5.0
Sinclair	3	MD	1533	511	5.7
R Taylor	3	DF	1485	495	5.5
Zamora	3	ST	911	304	3.4

Ordered by goals per 90 minutes

Player	PL Goals	Pos	Minutes	MinPerGoal	GoalEveryXMatches
Rooney	13	ST	1386	107	1.2
Defoe	6	ST	691	115	1.3
Sturridge	9	ST	1044	116	1.3
Holt	7	ST	957	137	1.5
Welbeck	4	ST	772	193	2.1
Bent	5	ST	1227	245	2.7
Graham	5	ST	1261	252	2.8
Andy Johnson	3	ST	872	291	3.2
Agbonlahor	5	ST	1480	296	3.3
Crouch	4	ST	1209	302	3.4
Zamora	3	ST	911	304	3.4
Player	PL Goals	Pos	Minutes	MinPerGoal	GoalEveryXMatches
Adam Johnson	5	MD	534	107	1.2
Lampard	7	MD	1193	170	1.9
Pilkington	4	MD	954	239	2.7
Eagles	3	MD	1172	391	4.3
Osman	3	MD	1357	452	5.0
Sinclair	3	MD	1533	511	5.7

Players with 2 of less league goals were excluded.

Revisited: Up or down?

We’re 10 games in now and the season is starting to take shape, by the end of the next 9 matches we’ll be at the half way point and at the end of 2011. For many teams much of their fate will already have been sealed and it’s easy to see where some teams will end up already.

The top of the premier league has been the strangest it’s been for a while, Spurs beating Liverpool 4-0, Man U beating Spurs 3-0, Man U beating Arsenal 8-2, Man City beating Man U 6-2 and then Arsenal beating Chelsea 5-3. They’re all beating each other and there are teams far lower in the league yet to be on the end of the results most of the top sides have. Man City have looked unstoppable in the Premier League but weak in Europe. it’s very reminiscent of United’s early Premier League dominance. An early exit in the Champions League could really help City in their aim of lifting the Premier League as they’re yet to show they can manage multiple competitions and are still to play most of the top 6.

The current top four looks unlikely to remain in that order or as that four. Newcastle will fade. There is one reason they are up there right now and that is because they are just about the only team at present who can defend. That won’t last; even if it does others teams will also tighten up. I expect Newcastle will end the season with a large amount of draws. Chelsea look in danger of missing out on top four this year as well. Their defence has never looked so bad. Terry has looked more vulnerable with every game for the last year or two and he looks like a player not longer good enough right at the top. United also seem to be in a similar position but despite their defeat to City they still know how to win a match even when they don’t play well.

Arsenal need to wrap Van Persie in cotton wool. Any injury would not only put pay to any hope of Champions League qualification but they look like they could struggle for a top half finish. Liverpool seem to blow hot and cold and Luis Suarez is beginning to look a little light weight. He has amazing skill but seems to go over too easily. I don’t agree with the view that he drives, I think he is just too weak and that is the view referees are taking. He falls when many other’s wouldn’t (or they’d at least put up more of a fight. The team that looks most like taking fourth are Spurs. They look more clinical in front of goal and King remaining fit has aided them massively in defence.

Top 6 revised prediction
1. Man United
2. Man City
3. Spurs
4. Chelsea
5. Liverpool
6. Arsenal

At the bottom it’s hard to see Wigan not finishing bottom. After playing the three promoted teams in their first three games they haven’t picked up a point since. Bolton were another team I tipped to struggle but their poor run has even surprised me. Coyle could well be the first manager to go. Blackburn have actually been the real surprise, mainly because they don’t appear to be a bad team; a manager change may help but they are certainly working for Kean and a bit of luck could see him keep his job. Wolves look like should be safe but they just aren’t getting the points or performances. They could end up in a rut if they don’t pick up quickly.

It’s been 10 years since all three promoted teams stayed up and though it is possible this year I’m not convinced. Each has it’s own weakness. Swansea rely too heavily on home form; once the big boys come nicking they could remove any home comfort and Swansea may not survive. I think they have a better chance than QPR though. They spent quite a bit in the end, Wight-Philip and Barton being the highlights, despite that they look poor. They have had a fair bit of luck so far, especially against Chelsea who out played QPR even with only 9 men. They’ve suffered a few hammerings including losing 6-0 to Fulham. Their position looks most inflated of the promoted teams. Norwich need a clean sheet, they always look like they can score but it teams defend properly against them then they will find this league is harder than it has been.

Revised bottom 3 prediction.

20. Wigan
19. Bolton
18. QPR

Mid table could end in any order. Norwich find themselves 8th and Wolves are 17th but they could easily both end up top half or both go down. There are a few teams that look set for comfortable mid-table obscurity.

Mid-table obscurity
Newcastle
Fulham
Stoke
Aston Villa
Everton

They are still all teams capable of a Europa League place or even relegation.

England in safe hands?

England in safe hands?

Since the loss of David Seaman after the World Cup in Japan/South Korea England have been desperately in search of a new number one. For a time Paul Robinson, David James, Robert Green and Scott Carson have all held the shirt with other keepers like Kirkland and Foster have also fought for the position. None of them present the right skills or ability to hold on to the shirt of much time or be able to compete with other world class keepers.

Since David Seaman lost the England shirt we have also see a big decline in English keepers at top teams. Liverpool have tried more than most to establish an English keeper as their number one but have regularly been let down (Carson, James, Kirkland). Robert Green has been linked with Arsenal and Spurs but in the end has had to settle for two relegations from the Premier League. Ben Foster has been a cup winner at Manchester United (where he struggled to get games) as well as Birmingham where he was also relegated. He has now taken Scott Carson’s shirt at West Brom who has had to find football abroad. David James decided to drop down a division when he left Portsmouth and has been unable to get a call up since.

The few good keepers we do have are also turning their backs on playing for England, both Paul Robinson and Ben Forster are in international retirement/taking a break from international football. Times are worrying.

At present there are only four first choice English keepers in the Premier League which includes Joe Hart, the current number one, but the competition is limited.

1. Joe Hart – Manchester City – Current England number 1.
2. Paul Robinson – Blackburn Rovers – International Retirement 3. Ben Foster – West Brom – Taking a break from International Football 4. John Ruddy – Norwich City – No caps

There are a few other English keeps in the top flight but they are struggling for football. Stockdale at Fulham has needed to go to Ipswich on loan to find football and is now playing in one of the leakiest defences in the country. Another is Declan Rudd who has only just got his first under 21 call up and has played just 30 minutes of Premier League football for Norwich following John Ruddy’s red card.

It’s a tough time for English keepers as they struggle to make it at top teams and England must wonder what will they do if and when Joe Hart gets an injury.

Shaping England’s Future

Shaping England’s Future

Lets get one thing clear first, I really do not like Man United. Not because they win so much, its more the individuals at the club and their attitude on and off the pitch. For a long time it’s been their English players (Ferdinand, Neville & Rooney) that have been the worst. They are also three players I believe to be vastly over rated.

We’re only a few games in to the season and United have picked up injuries to the likes of Hernandez, Vidic and Ferdinand but what that has led to is brilliant. United have played very well (bar the West Brom game) so far this season and this has been mainly when the likes of Vidic and Ferdinand weren’t playing. The good thing about this is the amount of young English talent in the team with Ashley Young, at 26, being the oldest.

Phil Jones (central defence) – summer signing from Blackburn Rovers
Chris Smalling (centre or right-back) – signed in summer 2010 from Fulham
Tom Cleverley (central midfield) – youth product spent last season on loan at Wigan
Ashley Young (winger/striker) – summer signing from Aston Villa
Danny Welbeck (striker) – youth product spent last season on loan at Sunderland
Wayne Rooney (striker)

That’s 6 players who have the potential to be playing regularly together at the top end of the Premier League and in the Champions League. These players all played at least 80 minutes as Man United tore Spurs apart on Monday night. After the world cup many were calling for an overhaul of the England team, Capello said he would do it as well. Well it hasn’t happened. Young and Wilshire being probably the only two regular exceptions (though injuries have played a part in their selection. Here we have a potential England team being built at Man United. You only need to look at Spain and Barcelona’s first teams to see how similar they are and how much it’s helped their national team.

Take a trip down the road to Liverpool and something similar has started to happen there.

Martin Kelly  (Central defence/full back)
Joran Henderson (Central Midfield)
Stuart Downing (Winger)
Andy Carroll (Striker)
Flanagan (Defender)
Jay Spearing (Midfield)
Jonjo Shelvey (Midfield)

There’s another six english players playing together, four of which played for at least 70 minutes as Liverpool bossed Arsenal on Saturday. That doesn’t even include the ageing Jamie Carragher and Joe Cole and the injured Stephen Gerrard and Glen Johnson. In two teams there is almost an entire England team. Naturally the team needs boosting in a few areas but one you bring in a few Man City players you’re basically there.

Joe Hart (Goalkeeper)
Micah Richards (Full back/central defence)
Joleon Lescott (Centre back)
James Milner (Midfield)
Gareth Barry (Midfield)
Adam Johnson (Winger)

There is another six again. five of those played every minute against Bolton and Johnson came on as a sub. in three teams there is 18 players, only five short of a full squad. Naturally a few will need to be called in from other teams to make up the numbers like Willshire, Gibbs & Walcott (Arsenal), Cole (Chelsea), Jagielka (Everton) and a from Spurs (Lennon, Crouch & Dawson) as backups plus a couple of keepers from somewhere. There are still others coming through like Danny Rose at Spurs, Jack Rodwell at Everton and Henri Lansbury at Arsenal.

Essential three teams (which look set to all finish top 4 this season) could supply almost the entire England team with a very low average age. England’s future can be bright but we can’t afford to wait until these players are well into the late twenties before they’re playing international football. Get them in now.

Goalkeepers are still an issue with several pulling out of England duty for the forseeable future (Robinson and Foster), others relegated or move to lower division clubs (Green, James) and others not even getting a chance to play (Kirkland). Carson has moved aboard so it will be interesting to see how he gets on but at present there are only XX of English goalkeepers playing regularly in the Premier League. Joe Hart at Man City and John Ruddy at Norwich. One other option is Newcastle’s Fraser Forster who is set for a second season on loan at Celtic.

Squad:

Goalkeepers:
Hart (Man City – 24), + 2 others

Defenders:
Richards (Man City – 23),
Jones (Man Utd – 19),
Smalling (Man Utd – 21),
Kelly (Liverpool – 21),
Jagielka (Everton – 29),
Gibbs (Arsenal – 21),
Dawson (Spurs – 27),
G Johnson (Liverpool – 27)

Midfield
Young (Man Utd – 26),
Cleverley (Man Utd – 22),
A Johnson (Man City – 24),
Milner (Man City – 25),
Downing (Liverpool – 27),
Henderson (Liverpool – 21),
Willshire (Arsenal – 19),
Lennon (Spurs – 24)

Strikers
Carroll (Liverpool – 22),
Welbeck (Man Utd – 20),
Walcott (Arsenal – 22),
Rooney (Man Utd – 25)

Average age: 23

Two games down, thirty six to go

Two games down, thirty six to go

Norwich are now two games in to their first Premier League season under Paul Lambert and so far there have been two very different performances.

Wigan (Away)

Norwich’s first game back in the top flight against one of the relegation favourites. Norwich weren’t great and rarely troubled the Wigan goal. Fortunately a small mistake by the normally reliable Al-Habsi in the Wigan goal allowed "Wessi" to nick an equaliser. Despite the lack of edge up front Norwich will feel a bit hard done by about the penalty that was awarded. DeLaet was stronger than Santos who went down very easily under no real pressed. It was a fifty fifty ball which would be unlikely to bring a free kick anywhere else on the pitch. The worst part was that contact was outside the box. The linesman gave it so the referee can probably be let off. Things were evened up later when Santos was tripped in the box by Russell Martin. Wigan really pressed on by the Norwich defence looked strong but a bit too much hesitation from the central defenders nearly cost City several times. Based on the performance Norwich should feel pleased with a point on the opening day of the season.

Stoke (Home)

Stoke are now an established Premier League team with a host of strong players throughout their team. There were always going to be question marks about whether Stoke would handle European and league football, not amazingly was the answer. Lambert changed six players and the team was transformed. It took a little bit of time for Norwich to settle but once they did the moved the ball around brilliantly and only a few last second blocks prevented the likes of Pilkington opening the scoring. In the end in was Pilkington who won a free kick, flicking the ball passed Woodgate who clattered him. The ball was whipped in decently and the slightest of flicks from DeLaet saw Norwich take the lead.

Stoke rarely threatened until the second half where the referee (not the linesman) had questions to answer. The ball got away from Barnett, Walters ran passed and was slightly ahead of the Norwich defender when there was a slight tangle of legs. Walters appeared to go down more from tripping over the ball than from the contact but it was probably a foul. This one was a considerable distance outside the box, Walters took an age to hit the ground from when he actually started to fall and the referee (unaided by the linesman) gave a penalty. Walters wasn’t baring down on goal, he was wide of goal, the was another defender beyond him (though on the other side of the keeper). The referee deemed this sufficient to send of Barnett. Rewind to the previous week where Richardson tripped Suarez miles inside the box as he was about the slide the ball home (will no covering defenders) and only saw yellow. There are clearly question marks over consistency. Walters (the ex-Ipswich man) stepped up to take the penalty. It was poor and Ruddy comfortably saved it. Some justice by half an hour with 10 men was always going to be hard. Stoke missed a few sitters afterwards but in the last couple of minutes of added on time Jones out jumped the Norwich defence to head in the equaliser. Rough justice on Norwich who without the red card looked more like extending the lead than losing it.

Lambert may well have accepted two points before the start of the season but based on the games he’ll feel they should have at least three by now (even if that meant losing to Wigan). He’ll also have a lot of questions about the officials who twice gave penalties against Norwich for contact outside the box and then a red for incident where a Sunderland player previously saw yellow more a more clear cut foul the previous week. Norwich are unbeaten though and have scored in both games and putting the first goal past Stoke this season (who had already played Chelsea). Next up Chelsea away, let’s hope Torres struggles as much as he has already this season. No goals for City’s strikers so far may be a slight worry.

Up or down?

Up or down?

The football season has already started but as usual the Premier League likes to do things a little differently by starting and finishing a week later the football league (and has 8 games less to fit in). Last Saturday felt very strange with most teams starting their seasons and Norwich still waiting a week (though a 3-0 friendly win over Parma wasn’t a bad Saturday afternoon).

In the final weeks run up to the start of the Premier League season previews appear all over the place so it feels only right that throw my two pence in as well.

Norwich

This season already looks very different from the last time Norwich were in the top flight. Last time Norwich won Division 1 (as it was then) by a good distance in the end, built on a very good defence. Their home form was stunning, but their away form wasn’t the greatest even if they did win the title. They let many regulars and “heroes” leave (Malky MacKay, Iwan Roberts etc..) and brought overpaid “journey men” like Thomas Helveg, David Bentley, Mattias Jonson etc… and then kicked off the season will a very tricky run in. Home games against the likes of newly promoted Crystal Palace and Arsenal as well as away trips to Spurs, Man Utd and other difficult games which was a big reason it took 13 games to get the first win.

This season and Norwich come up with back to back promotions, narrowly finishing second (and not far behind long time leaders QPR) with a very leaky defence but the best goal tally in the division. There home and away form was almost identical and they scored late late goals so often that had they not they would have nearly been relegated. They have signed young hungry players like Anthony Pilkington, Elliot Bennett, James Vaughan etc… and held on to the players that got them up last season (and many the season before) with only players leaving who didn’t really feature last year. The fixture list has also been a little kinder with an away trip to Wigan, Chelsea and Bolton with home games against Stoke, Sunderland and Swansea.

Though this looks very difficult it is easy to see the main reasons Norwich went down last time. 13 games without a win and no win away from home hurt them badly, one more win would have kept them up so an early win (a repeat of Blackpool’s away win on Day 1 last year a Wigan for example) would really help them. Their strong defence last time round was very leaky when up against Premiership opposition, they will need their goal scorers (their strength last year) to adapt better than their defence did last time. One key thing that turn the tide last time was the January signing of Dean Ashton, Norwich need to hope that amongst the 7 players Lambert has brought in that they already have the extra spark. The big advantage already is Norwich got their squad together over a month ago and should be able to hit the ground running. It may just give them those extra few points they need.

Premier League Run Down

Champions: Manchester United

They lost a couple of brilliant old timers in Scholes and Van Der Sar but their squad is a lot stronger than last year. Their home for was amazing and their away form awful, both will probably change this season and the opposition surely can’t falter as much. The additions of Jones and Young will bring much needed defensive cover and a new attacking option to see them over the finish.

2nd – 4th : These three could finish in any order.

Chelsea, new manager but on the whole the same squad and an owner who is desperate to win the Champions League which will probably cost them. Getting Torres to click again will be key to their chances of taking back the title.

Manchester City, the Tevez saga has become silly but he was so important to them last year. They were truly awful at times without him which they may well have to get used to before September or in January. Their negative style will be their down fall as teams learn to combat it more. The Premier League is not like other leagues and no one has won it without out scoring a serious number of goals.

Liverpool, only Chelsea and Man Utd scored more points than Liverpool last year once Dalgleish took over. Their squad is much stronger than last year and full of youth, though they are still missing a left back. With the fans behind them they should make the top four and may give United a few scares too.

5th – Arsenal

Wenger maybe happy with this by the end of the season, just about every decent Arsenal player has been linked with a move away from the club and though only Clichy has gone more will surely follow. Fabregas is yet to taste serious action in pre-season and surely won’t be ready even if he doesn’t leave. The lack of replacements could also finally see the end for Wenger.

6th – 8th

Spurs, a lack of funds (rare for Spurs) has seen them buy no-one while everyone else looks to be strengthening (bar Arsenal). Bale won’t be as effective as more teams work him out and without the striker they are desperate for they’ll fall short.

Everton, another will little to no money. They need to hold on to Jagielka and other key players like Cahill and Arteta. The problem again will be goals. Not many teams look good enough to go above them but Everton are missing too much to make a push any higher.

Sunderland, they fell like a stone at the end of the season and when the goals dried up too but Steve Bruce has bought almost a whole new team. Former title winners O’Shea and Brown will add some extra steel at the back and hot prospects like Wickham should see them sustain their form for longer this season.

9th – 12th

Fulham, having started European qualification in July they should hit the ground running but fade towards the end. What Jol can do with the team in his first season will be interesting as is the signing of ex-Liverpool left back Riise. They key for them will be keeping Zamora and Johnson fit to score the goals.

Stoke, the worry for Stoke is European football may distract them. An early but respectable exit may really help. They are hard to beat but a cup run will still be their best chance at European football again.

Aston Villa, with Young and Downing gone Villa looked like a relegation scrap could be on but Nzogbia may just be enough to save them from that fate. McLeish should have learned his lessons from Birmingham’s relegation last year. Fridel is a big loss but there is no one better than Shay Given to fill in. Albrighton will need to step up this season.

West Brom, this season should be a stable season for West Brom. Without many transfers going through they look about as strong as last season. The top looks stronger and the bottom weaker so they should sit comfortably mid table.

13th – 18th

Wolves, they beat 4 of the best sides in the league last season including the champions but still nearly went down on the last day. Roger Johnson should improve their back line and with other teams looking poorer this season they should be safe.

Bolton, injuries and players leaving for free or back to their home clubs leaves Bolton looking light on players. Coyle did an amazing job last year but without much coming in they could be left short very easily. Chris Eagles may offer the creativity they need but a goal scorer is really needed.

Norwich, after back to back promotions relegation looks likely but with other teams looking weak this year maybe their chance. With a squad full of untested players at this level they could end up anywhere from bottom to 8th. A lot rests on the shoulders of Holt, he needs to be nearing 20 goals again. With bags of creativity in Hoolahan, Bennett and Pilkington there is enough spark there to cause teams problems.

Swansea, promoted sides are always expected to be in a relegation scrap, Swansea may just avoid them. The big challenge will be making sure their defence can cope with the premier league. Scott Sinclair will be their star man and could just be the difference between staying up or not. An opening day mauling at ManCity must be avoided at all costs.

Newcastle, if Joey Barton and Enrique leave their season could end is disaster. Good players have been leaving since Carrol in January and the quality hasn’t been replaced. No Barton or Nolan in midfield could see them over run. There are big question marks about where the goals will come from too. Second season syndrome could be on the cards.

Blackburn, some fans already want to set up Rovers FC, getting rid of Alladyce looked bad them and really stupid now. They survived last year as they had a decent defence but with Jones gone and Samba likely to follow and relegation scrap looks a certainty.

19th – QPR

They came up as champions but with an ageing squad built on a strong Championship defensive they will find it a lot tougher. Unproven players like Boothroyd and Premier League failures like Routledge mean this season looks difficult for them. Taarabt was found out by most top Championship sides last year and was lucky on several occasions not to see red (TV camera’s won’t be as kind this year). Too many draws for QPR will cost them.

20th – Wigan

Losing your top goal scorer and best midfield player and not replacing them is bad for anyone. When you survived on the last day it looks like curtains. Moses may well add something but Nzogbia’s shoes are hard to fill and Cleverley’s call up already shows what a miss he’ll be.

These teams may not finish in these positions but one thing is clear, the top is stronger and the bottom weaker and there will surely be many managerial changes too.

The 3 Point Bonus

I don’t know if you’re a fan of football but I am, I’m also a Norwich City fan but that doesn’t stop watching other teams. I like sport as a whole but quite often I get a bit annoyed by sport and normally football. What this stems from is that you can so easily watch a match for 90 to 95 minutes and only get about 5 minutes of action. Defences seem to rule the game now. Many people don’t understand my view on this but I don’t enjoy watching Barcelona. Yes they are some of the most skilled players around but they will quite happy sit passing the back along their back line for an hour. They will normally pull of something great within that 90 minutes but if that’s the way football is going why don’t they just play 10 minute matches and scrap the dull bits? That isn’t enjoyable, that isn’t entertainment. Sport is meant to be entertainment. Just because there is a lot of money doesn’t change that fact.

Last season the Premier League was great at times, especially towards the end. Not because of what was happening at the top. The was just about as dull as it has ever been. It was down at the bottom. Two out of five teams could have gone down on the last day. One of them that did will be missed more than most. Blackpool.

Blackpool captured what football should be like. I’ve never liked Manchester United but at their best (some years ago now) their mentality was simply “we’ll score more than you”. That didn’t work in Europe so in order to make Champions League finals they’ve changed their style a bit. Blackpool didn’t. They want to score goals, fans want to see them score goals. I’ll take a 4-3 rather than a 1-0 any day, especially if I’m paying £40, £50 or even £60 (and more at some grounds) to see a game. Blackpool’s tactics possible caused their relegation but no one can say they didn’t give it a go and their fans will go down feeling far happier than other teams. The players and the fans have enjoyed their 12 months in the top flight and they’ve picked up more fans on the way. If Norwich go back down I hope Blackpool are the team to replace them.

What was Blackpool’s reward on the pitch for the entertainment they gave us? Nothing really. There’s nothing there that will encourage others to follow the same plan. It’s rare that any team scores 4 goals against Man U, Blackpool did but they lost both games. Don’t we want to see teams have a go against every team rather than “park the bus” and hope for a goalless draw. How often have we seen an early couple of goals kill a game off? Last season Newcastle came from 4-0 down against Arsenal at half time to draw 4-4. How and why should that be worth the same as dull 0-0 draw?

I don’t believe it should. What I would love to see is a change to the points system. It’s something that’s been done in other sports like Rugby. Give teams a bonus point for scoring so many goals. My preference is 3. A team could be 8-1 down but they’d still have something to fight for. The teams that entertain should rise higher up the leagues and winning 1-0 every week would hopefully not win you the league.

Fans want entertainment and teams just want to win. Hopefully this would mean entertainment was required to win.