DownSwinging.com

Hello, I’m back. I appreciate the multitude of ‘get well soon’ emails I received when I was down with the flu over the past several days. It was a little overwhelming. Aside from that, my return to health closely coincides with a return to meaningful football. Despite what the Chelsea and Man Utd fans think, I am not referring to the “high-intensity”, and “controversial” match that took place on Sunday, which despite what the pundits said, has no correlation to how a squad does the coming year. (See 1998: Man Utd lost 3-0 to Arsenal in the Shield, and then went on to win the treble.) This Saturday marks one of the most joyous days of the year. Its the beginning of yet another Premier League campaign, and as is the case every year it has been dubbed “the most titilating season yet”. A weekend where people will even be fully gripped watching the full highlights to Stoke v Burnley. And I love that. So I, myself, have bandied up a nice little season preview for you lot. Along with my designations I will provide reasoning and commentary. You can discuss and debate what you think will happen on our new forum!

2009/10 Predicted Table

1. Arsenal
2. Chelsea
3. Manchester United
4. Liverpool
5. Everton
6. Manchester City
7. Aston Villa
8. Tottenham
9. West Ham
10. Fulham
11. Blackburn
12. Sunderland
13. Bolton
14. Stoke City
15. Wigan
16. Portsmouth
17. Burnley
18. Birmingham City
19. Wolves
20. Hull City

Champions League: Okay, so lets discuss. Arsenal are top?! How could this be?!?! Well, first, I’m an Arsenal supporter, but secondly I see no overriding reason why any of the other big four teams should be chosen above them. And while many people have bought into the ‘the sky is falling’ stories surrounding Arsenal, I just don’t see it. With Eduardo and Rosicky, who will be back at full strength come the stretch run, Arsenal have regained two of their most potent and impactful players. Combine that with Wenger’s new interest in the 4-3-3 set up (modeling it after that of Barcelona) things seem to be on the up and up. Chelsea got a year older and changed managers once again. Lampard’s impeccable bill of health has been a point of pride for Chelsea over the seasons, but how long can it continue? Furthermore, I feel as though Ancelotti’s appointment has indicated Chelsea’s true aim, to win the Champions League. Manchester United, on the other hand, lost fay Ronaldo and replaced him with an out and out winger in Antonio Valencia. Valencia is not a goalscorer. He can score terrific goals, sure, but not with consistency. Sir Alex will probably switch back to a 4-4-2, and we’ll have to wait and see how that will work out. Liverpool lost their cog in Xabi Alonso, and signed a walking injury in Alberto Alquilani. Not having started more than 11 Serie A games in a season since 2006 doesn’t bode well for the already injury-prone Scousers. Also, £18m for Glen Johnson? Mental.

Europa League Challengers: As for the rest of the top half, Everton have had no big losses this summer, which leads me to believe that David Moyes’ men are in for yet another 5th place finish. Tim Cahill hopes to have an injury-free season, and a frontline of Yakubu and Jo should be rather useful now that they are growing more accustomed to one another. Man City for me, don’t have what it takes to finish sixth right now. However, I feel that with additions that are yet to be made, both in the next two weeks and in January, they should get there. A hot trot in the second half, due to the team’s eventual cohesion, should see the Citizens overcome a tired Aston Villa. Villa though, also have reason to be optimistic, despite losing Gareth Barry to the Manchester al City, Villa have made some good additions in Boro’s Stewart Downing and Leeds’ Fabian Delph. Look for Martin O’neill to work more wonders at Villa park.

Zola's Magic at Upton Park Set to Continue

Tottenham look to round out the list of Europa Cup hopefuls, finding themselves in 8th. Harry Redknapp has had a very busy summer, bringing in the likes of Newcastle’s Sebastian Bassong as well as Crouchy from Portsmouth. Despite this though, I don’t feel Tottenham have what it takes to upset any of the top 6 fixtures just yet.

Mid-table: Gianfranco Zola’s West Ham looked really good last season. They play some really attractive football, and I expect this to continue. I really hope City don’t get their hands on Matthew Upson though, as he has become a very important cog in their defense. Rumors also abound that Zola is looking to sign either, former teammate, Eidur Gudjonson or Luca Toni…not bad. Next on my list were last years overachievers Fulham. I say Fulham were overachievers not because of their talent, as Roy Hodgson has built a talented squad at Craven Cottage. I say this because of Fulham’s squad size. They were very lucky last season in terms of injuries and I just don’t see it happening again, especially with their foray in the Europa Cup going peachy thus far, meaning more games. I expect a resurgent Blackburn under Sam Allardyce to make some noise this season. Ugly, physical football will be the name of the game, and Ewood park will not be a place anyone will relish visiting. In 12th, I have Steve Bruce’s Sunderland. With multitudes of cash after the clubs most recent takeover, Bruce has found himself with more spending money than he’s ever had (not saying much). He’s bought Albanian nutter, Lorik Cana from Marseille, and the ever combustible Darren Bent from Spurs. I feel that all in all, Bruce’s squad should have enough to be at the top of the bottom and safely away from relegation. Bolton, I feel are the last team listed, who should find themselves safely clear of relegation come April and May. Gary Megson has quietly done quite well with his team over the past several seasons. And with no big departures, I can’t see this squad falling too far, or for that matter, rising too far this season. I expect a safe mid-table finish for the Wanderers.

Battling Relegation: Surprising Stoke City will experience a small sophomore slump this season under Tony Pulis. They play a very physical direct style of football which makes things very difficult for the Arsenal’s of the world. Especially when, thanks to Rory Delap, every throw-in on Stoke’s side of the pitch is essentially a set piece. I still expect them to nick points in some big games, however, I feel that many teams will be simply more familiar with their game plan. However, after some adjustments, I expect Pulis to steer Stoke clear of any final day hysteria. Next, I have Roberto Martinez’s Wigan. The former Swansea boss joined on after Bruce’s departure to Sunderland. And, I feel that Wigan found the right man for the job. Swansea, believe it or not, played pretty football under Martinez, and that could be a worry for Wigan supporters. In the past, Wigan have ground out 0-0’s against the bigger clubs and snuck wins against lower opposition. It was a byproduct of how they played. This year, however, if Wigan are looking to switch things up and play attractive football, they could be in for a rude awakening. Paul Hart will have a number to do if he is going to help Portsmouth out of their current position. Having lost almost their entire strike force

Expect Stunts Like These to Haunt Phil Brown

(seemingly minus David Nugent) in the last 6 months, without making any impactful additions, Pompey look destined to be cellar-dwellers this time around too. Whether or not the proposed takeover has happened yet is still unclear, and nobody will pray more than Pompey fans that some cash is infused into the club, before its too late. Owen Coyle’s Burnley strike me as a team that could escape relegation but barely. Playing Man Utd, Everton, Chelsea and Liverpool in their 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th games respectively, They will undoubtedly have around 2/3 points come mid-September. The question then is, how will they respond?

Relegation Station: As usual, Birmingham City shouldn’t get too comfortable in the top flight. Boss, Alex McLeish has made some decent signings in Ecuador’s Christian Benitez. But questions over how he’ll adapt to the English game still loom large. All in all, the blues will have a tough time scoring goals and by extension earning points. Wolves on the other hand, will have little trouble scoring goals under Mick McCarthy. They however, will concede the most goals of any other side in the Premier League. Without fail. Their defensive needed work last year. And after promotion to the best league in the world, proper work has still yet to be done. Expect to see some 4-3’s at Molineux this season. Lastly, we have Hull City. Lets see, love the club, hate the manager. Phil Brown’s antics will finally catch up with him this season. He won’t get his miraculous start this year and should continue Hull’s desperate run of form from January. They’ll be lucky to finish outside of the bottom three.

My Picks:

Golden Boot: Wayne Rooney

Best Buy: Lorik Cana, Sunderland, £5m

Worst Buy: Glen Johnson, Liverpool, £18m

Rising Stock: Jack Wilshere, Federico Macheda and Fabian Delph

Falling Fast: Ryan Giggs (as if he hasn’t fallen far enough), Ashley Cole, Roque Santa Cruz

First to win the Sack Race: Mark Hughes (Man City)