Not really had time to look at these teams in depth due to our busy schedule but have followed the Championship throughout. Hopefully I'll be going to all these 3 away especially the Spammers but not sure what to make of these. No disrespect to Reading or Southampton but I genuinely believe West Ham were the strongest team and will fare best. Southampton will be alright I feel, play good football, nice stadium and good atmosphere which will take them through the tough encounters. I could easily see them finishing above st least 3 teams. Possibly Wigan, Villa, Reading and Norwich. QPR will strengthen IMO and won't be near relegation fights now or in the immediate future. Swanseas stay will depend on how they start the season and ability to keep top player but even moreso Rodgers. With Bolton, Wolves and Blackburn out IMO this is a really strong league now, no more easy pickings. West Ham and Southampton are big clubs with the infrastructure to easily be mid table. Reading have a superb manager and a superb team ethic. Kebe and Mcanuff were comfortably the two best players in that division for two seasons running IMO. I'm tipping the Spammers and Saints to stay up, On the fence with Reading
Don't think West Ham were the strongest hence why they finished 3rd but I think they are best equiped to do well in the P.L with their boring hard to beat football and cash to invest. Plus they already have premier league players like Green, Cole, Nolan etc.
They had by far the best away record and only finished 3rd because they drew 7 home games in a row but a lot of that was due to their fans and the booing/negativity surrounding the club
WHU will put up the best battle ! 2 good derbies but 4 points for us! The others will be hammered by the CL Champions!
No **** Anyone says otherwise they'd be delusional. I agree vastly with what OP said. Despite going up through play-offs and even as a saints fan I believe WHU are better equipped for the Prem. Mcunuff is a very good player but Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert weren't in the top 3 players of the season for no reason. And with Rickie deservedly getting the award please don't be naive and think he's just some lump who hits a good ball Congratulations in winning CL, great achievement.
Good luck to all of them, they are going to need it. Big step to take, West Ham seem best equipped to take it. Time will tell. Bumpy season ahead for a lot of clubs, probably including ours if we don't stop ****ing around with managers.
Outside West Ham, Arsenal and Spurs, Southampton away is the fixture I'm looking forward to more than any other. Teams will find it tough going there and I'm sure Arry is looking forward to a great reception
