Post by vjaska on Sept 9, 2020 2:26:26 GMT
With the new season just days away, I'd thought it's time for a new thread and I'll start it off with a interesting question which is what do you think the final table will look like - granted, the transfer window is open until October but it would be interesting to see everyone's predictions so here is mine:
1) Man City - this is only on the basis they sign Koulibaly with some brown envelopes, if not, the defence may again come back to haunt them
2) Liverpool - many previous champions have made the error of not strengthening the team whilst on top and I feel Liverpool are falling into the same trap. Granted their first 11 is excellent but they still need some depth
3) Chelsea - let's face it, they've won the transfer window already with some astute and eye catching signings and if they gel quickly, they'll have a great season especially once they get that new keeper in
4) Arsenal - controversially, I think we can surprise many and pip Man Utd to that 4th spot but much depends on how consistent we can be and how Gabriel & Saliba get on. Auba is close to a new deal and Partey may eventually end up with us improving the squad further joining fellow new signings Ceballos & Willian
5) Man Utd - the attacking side is excellent for Utd but I worry the combination of their manager plus De Gea & the suspect centre backs they have could cost them a top 4 spot. Add in that Matic isn't as great as was and it could become extremely problematic for Solskjaer. Van Der Beek is a good signing however
6) Wolves - I feel they'll enjoy another great season but again, will fall shy of a top 4 spot. One position they must strengthen is a quality right back now Doherty has left and just make sure they have a bit more depth though no Europe this season should help
7) Everton - I'm 50/50 on James but I do like the signings of Allan & Doucoure especially the latter who I think is a underrated player. They are also heavily linked with Timori from Chelsea who would greatly improve the centre back area given Keane & Mina are quite suspect. They need to play a lot better than the latter end of last season if they are to grab 7th
8) Spurs - I feel 7th to 9th is pretty interchangeable and it all depends on how each team starts off and any others coming through the door. Doherty & Hojberg are smart signings though Hart is an odd one when Gazzaniga is a good deputy to Lloris. I feel Mourinho will be the reason why they could miss out on Europe altogether especially if the entire starting 11 is playing against the Fulhams & Leeds of this world all at left back and I suspect he could even be sacked by the end
9) Leicester - Losing Chilwell is a blow but also, bottling top 4 in the fashion they did could lead to a hangover from last season. Castagne has replaced Chilwell but time will tell if will be a good replacement - they still have Vardy & Maddison though it'll be interesting to see when Vardy begins to start slowing down
10) Newcastle - they have a habit of finishing somewhere you don't expect them to and I feel with Wilson, Fraser, Hendrick & Lewis all on board, they've had a pretty good window. Bruce did an excellent job last season when many, including myself, tipped them to struggle, and I see that continuing
11) Burnley - one word, Sean Dyche. If he goes, then I think they struggle but as long as he stays, Burnley will continue to do what they do every year. No signings so far but also no worries from me
12) Sheffield United - no second season syndrome but I do think they won't do as well as last season but comfortably stay clear of the drop zone. Some very signings like Aaron Ramsdale in goal replacing the impressive Dean Henderson whilst two young, good full backs in Max Lowe & Jayden Bogle have given some extra depth. What they need is a quality goalscorer - get that and they could finish higher
13) Southampton - although they've lost Hojberg, the rest of the squad has so far remained intact and they've got Walker-Peters permanently who played really well for them last season. I don't feel they'll end up in a scrap at the bottom though I also think Ings won't fire as many as last season but will still do well
14) Crystal Palace - likewise with Southampton, I feel they'll stay out of the scrap at the bottom with their excellent defensive record and some good signings like highly rated right back Nathan Ferguson and the potential incoming of Batshayui from Chelsea on loan. However, I do feel Zaha may finally leave for Everton in this window which could hurt them significantly
15) West Ham United - they seem to already have the look of a club in turmoil struggling to make signings and then the fallout of the sale of Diangana to West Brom where Noble openly criticised the decision on Twitter. They need to make some improvements otherwise I fear they could be in for a long hard season
16) Leeds United - Bielsa ball is finally here
Seriously, they are an excellent unit when in full flow but I think may find it much harder in the top flight especially playing a very intensive style of play. Some great signings like Rodrigo as well as resigning Jack Harrison back on loan and the permanent moves for the young goalie and Helder Costa but they do seriously lack depth beyond the starting 11
17) West Bromwich Albion - I feel their attacking options will help them survive but not by a lot. Defensively, I think they'll concede a ton of goals with Ferguson gone and Hegazi not the most reliable of defenders but the midfield is decent and if they nick some games 3-2 here and there, it may just get them over the line
18) Aston Villa - Grealish is still there but I don't feel this is enough to keep them up unless they revamp the defence considerably. They have brought a really exciting right back in Matty Cash but they really need a lot more - Mings is overrated personally and makes many mistakes whilst Hause & Konsa, though much better, don't feel me with enough confidence. Striker is also an issue though the imminent arrival of Championship player of the year Ollie Watkins should fix that but even then, it may not be enough
19) Brighton - I like them but I feel they are turning into that club that is running out of it's 9 lives and could slip out of the league altogether just like Bournemouth did. Lallana is a solid signing as is Veltman whilst Ben White fresh back from his loan should improve the defence alongside Lewis Dunk but like Villa, it just may not be enough. Relying on Maupay, as good as he is, and young Connolly whilst loaning Murray to Watford ould really come back to haunt them
20) Fulham - they said they would do things differently in this window compared to 2018-19 season where they signed 14 players and destroyed what got them promoted in the first place but over the few days, they have suddenly began agreeing a number of deals. There are some solid signings such as the permanent acquisitions of Harrison Reed, Ivan Cavaleiro & Anthony Knockhert who all had a great season with them but they must be careful not to repeat the same mistakes - they must also not sack Parker regardless of the outcome
1) Man City - this is only on the basis they sign Koulibaly with some brown envelopes, if not, the defence may again come back to haunt them
2) Liverpool - many previous champions have made the error of not strengthening the team whilst on top and I feel Liverpool are falling into the same trap. Granted their first 11 is excellent but they still need some depth
3) Chelsea - let's face it, they've won the transfer window already with some astute and eye catching signings and if they gel quickly, they'll have a great season especially once they get that new keeper in
4) Arsenal - controversially, I think we can surprise many and pip Man Utd to that 4th spot but much depends on how consistent we can be and how Gabriel & Saliba get on. Auba is close to a new deal and Partey may eventually end up with us improving the squad further joining fellow new signings Ceballos & Willian
5) Man Utd - the attacking side is excellent for Utd but I worry the combination of their manager plus De Gea & the suspect centre backs they have could cost them a top 4 spot. Add in that Matic isn't as great as was and it could become extremely problematic for Solskjaer. Van Der Beek is a good signing however
6) Wolves - I feel they'll enjoy another great season but again, will fall shy of a top 4 spot. One position they must strengthen is a quality right back now Doherty has left and just make sure they have a bit more depth though no Europe this season should help
7) Everton - I'm 50/50 on James but I do like the signings of Allan & Doucoure especially the latter who I think is a underrated player. They are also heavily linked with Timori from Chelsea who would greatly improve the centre back area given Keane & Mina are quite suspect. They need to play a lot better than the latter end of last season if they are to grab 7th
8) Spurs - I feel 7th to 9th is pretty interchangeable and it all depends on how each team starts off and any others coming through the door. Doherty & Hojberg are smart signings though Hart is an odd one when Gazzaniga is a good deputy to Lloris. I feel Mourinho will be the reason why they could miss out on Europe altogether especially if the entire starting 11 is playing against the Fulhams & Leeds of this world all at left back and I suspect he could even be sacked by the end
9) Leicester - Losing Chilwell is a blow but also, bottling top 4 in the fashion they did could lead to a hangover from last season. Castagne has replaced Chilwell but time will tell if will be a good replacement - they still have Vardy & Maddison though it'll be interesting to see when Vardy begins to start slowing down
10) Newcastle - they have a habit of finishing somewhere you don't expect them to and I feel with Wilson, Fraser, Hendrick & Lewis all on board, they've had a pretty good window. Bruce did an excellent job last season when many, including myself, tipped them to struggle, and I see that continuing
11) Burnley - one word, Sean Dyche. If he goes, then I think they struggle but as long as he stays, Burnley will continue to do what they do every year. No signings so far but also no worries from me
12) Sheffield United - no second season syndrome but I do think they won't do as well as last season but comfortably stay clear of the drop zone. Some very signings like Aaron Ramsdale in goal replacing the impressive Dean Henderson whilst two young, good full backs in Max Lowe & Jayden Bogle have given some extra depth. What they need is a quality goalscorer - get that and they could finish higher
13) Southampton - although they've lost Hojberg, the rest of the squad has so far remained intact and they've got Walker-Peters permanently who played really well for them last season. I don't feel they'll end up in a scrap at the bottom though I also think Ings won't fire as many as last season but will still do well
14) Crystal Palace - likewise with Southampton, I feel they'll stay out of the scrap at the bottom with their excellent defensive record and some good signings like highly rated right back Nathan Ferguson and the potential incoming of Batshayui from Chelsea on loan. However, I do feel Zaha may finally leave for Everton in this window which could hurt them significantly
15) West Ham United - they seem to already have the look of a club in turmoil struggling to make signings and then the fallout of the sale of Diangana to West Brom where Noble openly criticised the decision on Twitter. They need to make some improvements otherwise I fear they could be in for a long hard season
16) Leeds United - Bielsa ball is finally here
Seriously, they are an excellent unit when in full flow but I think may find it much harder in the top flight especially playing a very intensive style of play. Some great signings like Rodrigo as well as resigning Jack Harrison back on loan and the permanent moves for the young goalie and Helder Costa but they do seriously lack depth beyond the starting 1117) West Bromwich Albion - I feel their attacking options will help them survive but not by a lot. Defensively, I think they'll concede a ton of goals with Ferguson gone and Hegazi not the most reliable of defenders but the midfield is decent and if they nick some games 3-2 here and there, it may just get them over the line
18) Aston Villa - Grealish is still there but I don't feel this is enough to keep them up unless they revamp the defence considerably. They have brought a really exciting right back in Matty Cash but they really need a lot more - Mings is overrated personally and makes many mistakes whilst Hause & Konsa, though much better, don't feel me with enough confidence. Striker is also an issue though the imminent arrival of Championship player of the year Ollie Watkins should fix that but even then, it may not be enough
19) Brighton - I like them but I feel they are turning into that club that is running out of it's 9 lives and could slip out of the league altogether just like Bournemouth did. Lallana is a solid signing as is Veltman whilst Ben White fresh back from his loan should improve the defence alongside Lewis Dunk but like Villa, it just may not be enough. Relying on Maupay, as good as he is, and young Connolly whilst loaning Murray to Watford ould really come back to haunt them
20) Fulham - they said they would do things differently in this window compared to 2018-19 season where they signed 14 players and destroyed what got them promoted in the first place but over the few days, they have suddenly began agreeing a number of deals. There are some solid signings such as the permanent acquisitions of Harrison Reed, Ivan Cavaleiro & Anthony Knockhert who all had a great season with them but they must be careful not to repeat the same mistakes - they must also not sack Parker regardless of the outcome
