Order of top four finish
Manchester United -they were the best of an inconsistent group last season and experience secured them the title. They have added a couple of astute signings in Ashley Young and Phil Jones while the likes of returning loanees Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck will be like new signings and provide the team with another youthful infusion. They will be champions for the 20th time and will win with a little more flair than last season.
Chelsea '03 or Manchester City '08 - Both teams will push United a lot closer this season. Chelsea '03 have experience for another title tilt and if Torres finds his scoring touch his goals will see them top the league at various times throughout the season. City '08 have the players and the squad to challenge United, but as was seen in the Community Shield they might lack the mental fortitude, fitness and tactical flexibility to mount a serious threat.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham - The race for fourth will be every bit as fascinating as the race for the title. One and possibly two of the Sky Four could find themselves out of the Champions League this time next year. Arsenal are in a bit of turmoil with questions marks hanging over the futures of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas. Arsene Wenger is not one to panic and his experience could be decisive in competition with Kenny Dalgligh and Harry Redknapp. Liverpool have spent heavily and despite the backing of their ex-players in the media there are still some gaps in their squad. Not being in Europe might be a bonus, but can they deal with the pressure and level of expectations, which was lacking for much of the 2010-11 season? Spurs have been written off by every pundit who have forgotten how comprehensively they outplayed both City '08 and Liverpool in the final weeks of the season. Luka Modric is going nowhere and the manager still has money to spend. If Redknapp can add another center half and a proven goal scorer there is no reason Spurs cannot finish fourth. The heart says Spurs to take the final CL place, but the head says Arsenal.
Manchester United -they were the best of an inconsistent group last season and experience secured them the title. They have added a couple of astute signings in Ashley Young and Phil Jones while the likes of returning loanees Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck will be like new signings and provide the team with another youthful infusion. They will be champions for the 20th time and will win with a little more flair than last season.
Chelsea '03 or Manchester City '08 - Both teams will push United a lot closer this season. Chelsea '03 have experience for another title tilt and if Torres finds his scoring touch his goals will see them top the league at various times throughout the season. City '08 have the players and the squad to challenge United, but as was seen in the Community Shield they might lack the mental fortitude, fitness and tactical flexibility to mount a serious threat.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham - The race for fourth will be every bit as fascinating as the race for the title. One and possibly two of the Sky Four could find themselves out of the Champions League this time next year. Arsenal are in a bit of turmoil with questions marks hanging over the futures of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas. Arsene Wenger is not one to panic and his experience could be decisive in competition with Kenny Dalgligh and Harry Redknapp. Liverpool have spent heavily and despite the backing of their ex-players in the media there are still some gaps in their squad. Not being in Europe might be a bonus, but can they deal with the pressure and level of expectations, which was lacking for much of the 2010-11 season? Spurs have been written off by every pundit who have forgotten how comprehensively they outplayed both City '08 and Liverpool in the final weeks of the season. Luka Modric is going nowhere and the manager still has money to spend. If Redknapp can add another center half and a proven goal scorer there is no reason Spurs cannot finish fourth. The heart says Spurs to take the final CL place, but the head says Arsenal.
Relegated
Two of the promoted clubs, Swansea City and Norwich City should go down although neither will struggle at the start of the season. Both play open football and are easy on the eye, but as Blackpool found out last year it is difficult for a promoted club to play that way all season. QPR will stay up by virtue of the money they will spend and because Neil Warnock knows how to grind out the results needed in a relegation battle. The third team going down will be from a group of Wigan, Wolves, Blackburn and Newcastle. Don't let the final positions fool you, Newcastle and Blackburn were in relegation form as the season concluded while Wigan and Wolves escaped on the final day. All four clubs have failed to strengthen and with Rovers and the Magpies in turmoil off the field they could both find themselves in a relegation fight with Blackburn to fall through the trap door.
Player of the Year
Scott Parker was not the Player of the Year last year, but won the award due to the split vote for a number of Man United players. United will have some contenders again this season with Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic the early candidates. Vidic's role in front of a young keeper will be pivotal throughout the season and his leadership will be needed to see United keep clean sheets. Rooney has matured as a player and while he is not a prolific goal scorer he has modified his game to become United's leader and talisman despite not wearing the captain's arm band. If Fernando Torres or Sergio Aguero score goals then they will be in consideration.
Two of the promoted clubs, Swansea City and Norwich City should go down although neither will struggle at the start of the season. Both play open football and are easy on the eye, but as Blackpool found out last year it is difficult for a promoted club to play that way all season. QPR will stay up by virtue of the money they will spend and because Neil Warnock knows how to grind out the results needed in a relegation battle. The third team going down will be from a group of Wigan, Wolves, Blackburn and Newcastle. Don't let the final positions fool you, Newcastle and Blackburn were in relegation form as the season concluded while Wigan and Wolves escaped on the final day. All four clubs have failed to strengthen and with Rovers and the Magpies in turmoil off the field they could both find themselves in a relegation fight with Blackburn to fall through the trap door.
Player of the Year
Scott Parker was not the Player of the Year last year, but won the award due to the split vote for a number of Man United players. United will have some contenders again this season with Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic the early candidates. Vidic's role in front of a young keeper will be pivotal throughout the season and his leadership will be needed to see United keep clean sheets. Rooney has matured as a player and while he is not a prolific goal scorer he has modified his game to become United's leader and talisman despite not wearing the captain's arm band. If Fernando Torres or Sergio Aguero score goals then they will be in consideration.
Young Player of the Year
The award is usually given to a flair player, so the likes of Jack Wilshere, Adel Taraabt and Kyle Walker will be the contenders this year. Wilshere and Walker will have the London media behind them. Taraabt has the potential to be the player to surprise and entertain everyone as long as he remains at QPR.
First manager to be sacked
There are only a few managers in the league who will be sacked if their teams get off to bad starts and they are Newcastle's, Alan Pardew; Blackburn's, Steve Kean and QPR's, Neil Warnock. None of the chairmen involved have any patience and my money is on Kean to be the first to go, but I would not be surprised if one of the other two beat him to the unwelcome honor.
The award is usually given to a flair player, so the likes of Jack Wilshere, Adel Taraabt and Kyle Walker will be the contenders this year. Wilshere and Walker will have the London media behind them. Taraabt has the potential to be the player to surprise and entertain everyone as long as he remains at QPR.
First manager to be sacked
There are only a few managers in the league who will be sacked if their teams get off to bad starts and they are Newcastle's, Alan Pardew; Blackburn's, Steve Kean and QPR's, Neil Warnock. None of the chairmen involved have any patience and my money is on Kean to be the first to go, but I would not be surprised if one of the other two beat him to the unwelcome honor.
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