Right so who do we think will be strong teams this season? To be honest not many teams have made any obviously good signings, Wigan have made a few and Watford have signed Vydra so if Deeny stays that's a good strike force... Norwich worry me after only losing one of there main players from last season. A lot of teams have lost players, Leeds have lost McCormack, Ipswich Cresswell, Leicester have bid for Ulloa of Brighton and teams are constantly linked to Deeny. The three relegated teams are usually up around the top six, Derby have kept what was a very impressive team from last season (should have gone up) For me the top six will come from these ten teams Norwich Cardiff Fulham Derby Blackburn Brighton Reading Forest Watford Wigan
Bournemouth just missed the play-offs last time, in their first season up from league one. They'll be better this year and I'd be amazed if they don't finish above some of the teams you list. Just don't ask me which ones! It goes to show what a competitive league we're in now.
Not sure I could add any more teams but spare a thought for Blackpool who, with less than a month to go before the season starts, only have 8 first team players. They had to cancel a pre-season tour. Out of the 8 players, 4 are strikers, 3 defenders and 1 midfielder. Surely they're certainties for relegation. You can back them at 5/4 to go down. Looks like easy money to me.
Why did I not follow my own advice? It just seems so obvious looking back. Oh, and good shout Captain.
Thanks Cottager and FI. Then again, I thought we'd be challenging for the play offs, so what do I know?
Hats off to Bournemouth and Watford they've done well - and I'd never have put them both down as the top two. I do like the fact Bournemouth have gone up. They had so many problems not so long ago - fan bucket collections, all pretty desperate. I went to Bouremouth Boxing day - very civilised, parking outside the ground for £1 and reasonable priced away ticket (compared to the Leeds away game a couple of weeks later) and good pubs. I wish them and their fans well, they deserved it.
Brilliant story for Bournemouth. 6 or 7 years ago they almost went in to administration and now they are in the Prem. Brilliant stuff.
I don't think there are any Premier League rules about minimum ground capacity, so Dean Court will br fine on that count, even without the plans to add a second tier to the South Stand (the one behind the goal nearest to the away fans, for those who were there on Boxing Day). The only way there would be a problem is if they can't fulfil all the media facility requirements. There hasn't been anything at all in the local media about this being a problem, and there's been so much focus on Bournemouth's promotion push that I can't imagine something like that had been overlooked. It'll be a bit of a reality check for visiting fans who are used to Old Trafford and the like.
