As another Premier League season gathers momentum fans everywhere are hoping that this will be as close a run one as the last one. Although Manchester City have started predictably well, winning their first four games convincingly, the inquiry into their financial practices in the past could cast a shadow over their season.
This is especially true if it results in the points deduction that teams like Everton, Nottingham Forest and Leicester have had imposed on them in the past.
Also starting strongly have been Arsenal, so perhaps this could well be their year. As a team they are undoubtedly keen to put their reputation as last-minute chokers behind them. Liverpool will also be hoping to open the post-Klopp era with a strong showing. But it might be an uphill struggle for them and they are probably best regarded as a team in transition.
But how about the teams that might be descending into the Championship next May if the Premier League odds prove to be accurate? Already there are some frontrunners, or it may be backrunners, who could be facing the drop if things don’t go their way.
Ipswich Town
The Tractor Boys are back. After a long 22 years out of the top flight of football their second-place finish in the Championship last season gave Portman Road something to really cheer about.
But the question now is whether Kieran McKenna’s squad has the depth and resilience to become another Bournemouth or Brighton.
The bad news is that many of the pre-season previews anticipated that Ipswich would be in the relegation zone come the end of the season.
While the summer has seen some very good signings the fear is that they won’t provide the considerable firepower that any successful Premier League team needs.
Big successes for McKenna have been the signings of the defender Jacob Greaves who was lured over from Hull with Omari Hutchinson making the permanent move over from Chelsea.
Also bolstering the defence has been the West Ham right back Ben Johnson along with Aro Muric and Liam Delap.
However, the overall squad looks a little light when there’s a long campaign ahead. There are also injuries to key players like forward Nathan Broadhead with striker George Hirst also sidelined for the foreseeable future.
Southampton
Hot on the heels of destroying the promise of promotion for Leeds in last season’s play-off finals, Southampton are also back where fans believe they belong.
After a short stay in the Championship, relegated in the 2022-23 season, it does seem like they might well be one of those yo-yo clubs who are too good for second-tier football but can’t quite cut it at the top level.
Manager Russell Martin certainly fulfilled his brief by getting the club promoted in his first season in charge. This was all the more remarkable following the need to rebuild a team after a major loss of players after relegation.
One of his first moves in preparing for life in the Premier League has been to lure Adam Lallana back from Liverpool. He will bring some much-needed experience of playing at the top level, though he’s not likely to play in every game.
They have also strengthened the squad across every area. Ben Brereton Diaz will bring goal-scoring ability and defence will be strengthened by the arrival of Ronnie Edwards and Nathan Wood. But they have lost Che Adams and Stuart Armstrong so the pressure on Brereton Diaz and fellow striker Adam Armstrong will be intense.
Much of the Saints’ success last year came from their aggressive tactics. It could be this that proves to be their ultimate undoing when they come up against stronger and more resilient opposition.
Leicester
It would be fair to say that you should never underestimate Leicester. People did back in the 2014 -15 season, and look how that turned out.
However, they are starting their return to the Premier League following the departure of manager Enzo Maresca and start player Kiernan Dewsbury Hall for Chelsea. They also have a possible points deduction hanging over them to further hinder their progress.
New manager Steve Cooper therefore has a very tough task ahead of him as he tries to introduce a more counter-attacking style of play than the Maresca approach of maximising possession.
The squad’s been bolstered by Caleb Okoli, Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Michael Golding. Of the old guard, Jamie Vardy might still add value, but that remains to be seen.
There’s also considerable fan unrest thanks to ticket price increases, along with the need for a £25 season card to buy ticket for individual matches.
So the outlook is decidedly gloomy for the Foxes, and it will take considerable cunning if they’re to avoid the drop.
It all adds up to a season which will be as intriguing at the bottom end of the table as it is at the top. As to whether these predictions will come true, we’ll just have to wait and see.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login