The 2012/13 season was arguably the most disappointing for years, both at the top and bottom of the Barclays Premier League table. The fate of many teams was all but sealed months before the season’s climax, meaning there was little in the way of excitement for fans. We’re unlikely to see a repeat at the top this season, with new managers and big money signings expected to prevent one team running away with the title as Manchester United did last season. But what about at the bottom? Will the battle to avoid the drop be more competitive than last time round?
Here’s a look at who we can expect to see scrapping it out to spend another season in the Premier League, and who I believe will fall foul of the drop.
Crystal Palace
The obvious place to start is with a newly promoted team. Palace surprised many when they beat Watford in the Play-Off final and clinched the last remaining Premier League spot, but do they stand much chance of staying in the top division? I think honest Palace fans themselves would admit they don’t, but if there’s one thing that provides the London club with a lifeline, it’s their manager, Ian Holloway.
The 50-year-old has a reputation for being eccentric and outspoken, once ranting about the conduct of Wayne Rooney when the striker expressed his desire to leave Man United in 2010. But Holloway’s antics off the field often distract away from the fact he is a top manager, twice bringing Championship underdogs into the Premier League in the form of Blackpool and Crystal Palace.
Despite having the perfect man at the helm, Palace will find it hard to stay where they are for more than one season, with many predicting a rock bottom finish for the Eagles in the up and coming campaign.
Sunderland
Paolo Di Canio’s appointment as manager may have been received negatively by those on Wearside, but the fierce Italian managed to rescue a side rapidly slipping down the Premier League table last season.
Sunderland will have given Di Canio plenty to worry about, with the Black Cats struggling to score goals in the early parts of last season under previous boss Martin O’Neill. It’s impossible to tell whether Sunderland would’ve survived under O’Neill, but judging by some of the results the new boss has pulled out of the bag, it seems despite the criticism, Di Canio may be the right man for Sunderland.
His strict approach seems to have worked well so far, with some impressive Asia Trophy performances against Tottenham and Man City, but is it only a matter of time before the players start to lose patience with Di Canio and his management style?
Stoke City
A team that seem to be appearing in a lot of relegations predictions is Stoke, who also have a new manager in Mark Hughes following the dismissal of Tony Pulis. As always, Stoke will rely on their home form and the vocal backing of their supporters, who always ensure the opposition are given a hostile welcome to the Britannia.
Sacking Pulis was a huge risk, and one that could both pay off and go horribly wrong for the Potters. I think new boss Hughes will be determined to prove a point at his new club after a torrid time at QPR, but does the Welshman have the ability to take Stoke forward? Personally, I’d say no, and I think the Potters could be lurking dangerously around the drop zone this season. Will they go down? It’s a possibility.
Hull City
Another newly promoted team is Steve Bruce’s Hull, who finished second in the Championship last season. Bruce doesn’t have a great squad on his hands, but he’s added wisely in this transfer window by signing players who have Premier League experience.
Hull have a decent boss in Bruce, someone who has managed in the Premier League before, which can only be considered a bonus considering one of his main relegation rivals, Malky Mackay, hasn’t.
Like Palace, many tip Hull to go straight back down into the Championship, and it’s likely that will be the case, but the Tigers may put up more of a fight than some think.
Newcastle United
Despite finishing a disappointing 16th in the Premier League last season, I can’t see Newcastle being relegation threatened this season. Compared to the squads of the other teams expected to be fighting relegation, Newcastle’s is by far the strongest and features some fantastic individual players.
Now that Cisse and the club have resolved the shirt sponsor saga, and with top quality players such as Yohan Cabaye and Mohamed Sissoko in action for the Magpies, something would have to go seriously wrong to see a repeat of what happened last season.
The season before last, Newcastle were challenging for 5th spot, which just shows that their squad is more than capable of challenging at the right end of the Premier League table. I think last season should go down as a blip, and shouldn’t be an indicator of what is to come this season.
Cardiff City
The 3rd and final team to join the big boys in the Premier League is Cardiff City, and for the first time in the clubs history. Backed by a wealthy Malaysian businessman, Cardiff are the favourites of the three promoted clubs to stay up, but it still wont be easy for the Welsh side.
They have acquired some good players in the transfer window, notably Steven Caulker from Tottenham and Andreas Cornelius from FC Copenhagen, both of whom should prove wise investments, especially Caulker, who is still only 23.
It will be an important season for Cardiff, with the owner investing solely with the aim of establishing the club in the Premier League, and not for them to fall at the first Premier League hurdle.
Aston Villa
Like Southampton and Newcastle, Villa avoided the drop by just 5 points last season. Defence will be a major concern for Paul Lambert, with his team leaking more goals than any other club outside the relegation zone.
Lambert’s team is predominantly made up of young, inexperienced players, and that theme has continued into his summer spending, with most of his additions in their early twenties. For a club looking to stay in the Premier League, I’m not sure youth is the way to go. Lambert deserved credit for having the guts to leave the likes of Richard Dunne and Shay Given out of the team, and you could argue that, with Given in particular, Lambert’s gambling has paid off.
Paul Lambert proved himself in the top flight during his time at Norwich, and he did well to keep a very inexperienced Villa team up last season. Will he be able to do it again this season?
Southampton
My outside bet for relegation this season is Southampton. The Saints appear to have excelled under new boss Mauricio Pochettino and managed to avoided relegation last season, but as we’ve seen so many times in the past, the first few months of a managers rein don’t always provide an accurate assessment of things to come.
Worryingly, Pochettino speaks very little English, so communicating with his players must obviously be a lot tougher than normal. Perhaps even more concerning for Saints fans is that Pochettino has threatened to quit if the clubs chairman Nicola Cortese were to leave, giving the impression that he isn’t fully focused on the job at hand.
A positive for Southampton is that the club have showed a willingness to spend to succeed, with the Saints bringing in two new players totaling over £20 million.
Relegation prediction:
18. Aston Villa
19. Hull City
20. Crystal Palace
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