Bournemouth and Fulham are weak. Could see them struggling. I may have mentioned it, but Everton are very bad and I think they might be in major trouble. I think that, unless our new lot are a complete disaster, we’ll be fine to survive this season and then we’ll probably know the ceiling of most of these lads.
Don’t worry Tom, I’ve got this. Everton, Bournemouth and Fulham absolutely will go down. End of story. I’d stake Boris Johnson’s reputation on it.
Bournemouth are in a bit of bother. I'm surprised their lack of financial support from their Russian owner hasn't had more attention...
Yet they have still announced the development of their training ground which has been and will be a money pit….?!!??
I think Everton will be okay mainly because I don't see Frank seeing October (cos he's rubbish). Think it's 3 from promoted sides, Brentford, Leeds and us (in order of likelihood). Brighton and Palace are my potential dark horses. Expect they'll both be fine but Vieira could fall victim to the Martinez effect. Think Leicester and Toon will do worse than most expect them to but not actually be dragged into it. As I said the other day I honestly see us being either one extreme or the other. We'll either finish comfortably 11th and threaten top half or we'll crash and burn and be bottom 3 all season.
Remember that Everton were in serious trouble pre-Frank. And haven’t strengthened. So him being gone by October might not help at all. They were languishing near the bottom with Rafa Benitez Your prediction is in line with the bookmakers What do you consider to be the “Martinez effect”? Not something I have heard of . Or rather I’d consider it to be - an attacking manager who benefits from the handover from a defensively solid manager in the short term but the longer he is there the more it falls apart at the back. Is that what you mean? And that it applies to Vieira ?
You're right about Martinez effect. That short term period where a defensive side has some attacking flair instilled before it falls apart because the new guy can't coach a defence (like he did at Everton post Moyes). I don't necessarily think Vieira does fit that criteria but it's a definite possibility as he's a bit unknown at the moment. I think it will definitely happen to Howe at Newcastle though, albeit probably not until post world cup or following season even. Everton were bad pre Frank but I don't particularly rate Rafa either (now at least) and he was always on a hiding to nothing there given the toxicity surrounding his appontment. Tarkowski will improve them defensively (under someone competent) and I'm assuming they'll replace Richarlison too. They've got a lot of issues but their squad is still comfortably better than the worst sides in the league. A better manager than Frank would have got another 5/6 points quite easily imo which would have put them 13th-ish iirc.
I'm really not sure about Everton. They've bought very very poorly over a number o years noe and have a bloated, overpaid squad lacking any real star quality as a result. Sure there's more that could be got from this group, and Calvert-Lewin back should make a difference - but they sold their best player and are relying on the likes of Iwobi, Alli, Gray and Townsend trying rediscovering some form. I'd much rather be in our position. Ward Prowse and the promise of youth (sounds like J.K.Rowling's next bestseller )
If you’re relying on Alli, Iwobi and sodding Townsend then I really question how much anyone should be expecting out of that group. Their squad is not very good and in successive windows they’ve sold their best players. They need so much and they just reek of “Crisis Club” right now. From the boardroom to the stands, to the field, everything feels wrong there.
