With the big kick off just three and a bit days away, I caught up with fans our our new Premier League opponents to get their thoughts on what lies ahead…
Arsenal:-
Name:- Andrew Mangan
Team:- Arsenal
Website:- http://arseblog.com
Twitter:- @arseblog
What can we expect from your club this season?
Nice, attacking football, short passing, a reluctance to shoot from distance, generous defending, late calamities, the tease of a trophy and balanced, considered expressions of opinion from online fans.
Who is your most important player?
At the moment, with some of the summer still to go and the future of Van Persie still to be decided, I’d say Mikel Arteta. He’s a calm, experienced professional who really makes the team tick. I think if Van Persie goes we might see him step up.
Where do you predict you will finish this season?
Top four, but I can’t really be any more exact than that.
Who might win the Premier League?
I never rule us out, despite it being so long since we’ve won it we have challenged some seasons so you never know. So, Arsenal, United, Chelsea, Man City.
Who definitely won’t?
Everyone else. I don’t think Liverpool have the squad, I’m not sure Sp*rs do either although they’re definitely top six material, and apart from that the financial side of things pretty much precludes anyone else from challenging.
What is your most anticipated fixture?
Obviously the North London derbies but the rivalry with United for so long means I always look forward to those games.
What is your most anticipated fixture that doesn’t involve your club?
Man United v Man City. When United were winning everything I think there was a certain sympathy for City when they were being relegated and being cast under such a successful shadow. It shows how far things have come that this is a game I can’t wait to see and I want United to murder them.
How do you think Southampton will fare?
To be honest I haven’t seen much of Southampton since they were relegated but obviously there’s been a huge turnaround. When you consider how far you fell to have come back to the Premier League is a fantastic achievement. And the club seem to have the infrastructure and know-how to get up and stay up, which is the most important thing. It’s not at all unusual for a newly promoted team to have a fine first season, but it’s achieving the consistency over the next few years that will provide the real challenge.
You find yourself stuck in White Hart Lane. How do you escape unnoticed?
Hold my nose like that bloke out of Rent-a-ghost.
Aston Villa:-
Name:- Matt Turvey
Team:- Aston Villa
Website:- http://www.astonvillalife.com
Twitter:- @MatthewSTurvey for me, @AstonVillaLife for the site.
What can we expect from your club this season?
Some good, solid football. Now that Paul Lambert is in charge, the club seem to be going in the right direction and most of our fans are appreciative of that. Progress will take time, but I feel people will see more of our club’s potential this year. I also expect our new signings to draw the attention of some of the big clubs – Karim El-Ahmadi and Brett Holman will do well this year I feel.
Who is your most important player?
Stephen Ireland – he may well have had a mixed start to his career in his first season, but last year he was rightly fan’s player of the year, and showed a fantastic determination to play for the team. If he is on form, and signs seem to show he will be this season, he’s unplayable and, in my opinion, the most technically gifted player we have.
Where do you predict you will finish this season?
A solid mid-table finish. This might sound low in the eyes of some Aston Villa fans, but after the past two seasons and the need to change things, it is a good enough expectation. That doesn’t mean that we can’t do better, just that I am not expecting us to do more. You never know – we may end up surprising everyone like Newcastle did last year!
Who might win the Premier League?
It depends how you want me to answer. The obvious candidates, such as the two Manchester clubs, and Chelsea are, well, obvious. If you mean who could be a dark horse, then I think that it’s probably a stretch too far to pick one. The most likely candidate would be Tottenham Hotspur I imagine, although a lot will hinge on both how Andre Villas-Boas does at the club, and whether they can keep hold of key players like Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart.
Who definitely won’t?
Sad as it is to say, probably about 16 teams in the league. I know last season’s campaign was very competitive for the majority of the league members, but the title contenders were way ahead of even the Europa League places.
What is your most anticipated fixture?
It’s a strange pick from me in the eyes of some, but I’ll be interested to see the reaction our manager gets when we play Norwich away. I imagine it will be mostly positive, but I’m sure there are some Norwich fans who didn’t appreciate him leaving the club. Beyond that game, I just like teams who play football the right way, so I always like to see those kinds of games.
What is your most anticipated fixture that doesn’t involve your club?
The Manchester derbies – It’s highly likely that the winner of the Premier League will come from those two teams this year. Beyond those, any game that involves Manchester City. I know they may well just be buying success, but they play good football, and their last game of the season against QPR had me out of my seat – I’ve never known a more exciting conclusion to the title race than that.
How do you think Southampton will fare?
I think they will do well. I’ve got a lot of time for Nigel Adkins and few can doubt the way he has taken the club to two successive promotions. In that regard, he is much like our current manager. My only concern for Southampton is that if they do well, I imagine bigger clubs will be looking at Adkins as a potential candidate for their clubs. That’s no disrespect to Southampton as a club, rather the fact that you can be very proud of what your manager has achieved.
You find yourself stuck in St. Andrews. How do you escape unnoticed?
Ah, the lovely St Andrews, home ground of Birmingham City. Assuming I was there for a match (there’s no real other reason why I’d be there), then I’d probably just try to fit in with their usual fan base by adopting a heavy Birmingham accent and looking constantly miserable. If I kept that up, I’d fit in nicely and be able to escape. I guess the only thing against me is that I write for one of the regional papers, so a fair number of them may well know my face!
Stephen Ireland could be a key man for Villa.
Chelsea:-
Name:- Denise Hope
Team:- Chelsea
Website:- http://thechelseablog.org/
Twitter:- @TheChelseaBlog
What can we expect from your club this season?
As ever with Chelsea, you can expect the unexpected. We haven’t had a particularly exciting pre-season although it’s worth bearing in mind the last time we had such an unspectacular pre-season we won the double. I’m not suggesting we’ll repeat that but I do think we’ll have a much more attack-minded side this season rather than the constant defensive displays that saw us defy some remarkable odds last season. I should mention we’re Champions of Europe here really (just because I can).
Who is your most important player?
Historically in this squad that probably has to be John Terry, just for his sheer contribution as a leader and motivator. However, if we’re talking about who will be a key player for us in the coming season, I can see Hazard, Mata and Marin all causing a few nerves in opposition defences but for me our success or failure could fall at the feet of Fernando Torres. If he has the sort of season we bought him for, we’ll be flying – if he doesn’t, we’ll be f***ed.
Where do you predict you will finish this season?
Top two for sure this season. Our final position in the Premier League last season was down to the damage done under AVB’s management (that’s not laying the blame squarely on his shoulders either). There was no real way back for Di Matteo from that and he was right to go for the Champions League instead. This season though, he’s already made his intention clear to address our Premier League standing, and I’ve every faith he’ll do that.
Who might win the Premier League?
We might! If not us, then United – they won’t take last season laying down, that has to have hurt everyone at Old Trafford and they’ll make sure they finish above City this time. Hopefully that’ll still leave them behind us though.
Who definitely won’t?
Spurs! Not that they’d have a hope in hell anyway but from some of the bitter stuff he’s already had to say in the press, it’s clear AVB’s more focused on Chelsea than anything else in the Premier League – never a good thing.
What is your most anticipated fixture?
Of course our game against QPR will have even more added spice than previous meetings but to be honest, JT will undoubtedly have a camera rammed up his left nostril (with an obligatory microphone courtesy of some new FA ruling) and it’ll be too much of a circus to get too excited about it. So, I’ll go with Spurs – these derbies are always much anticipated and it’ll be an interesting one against them having put them out of the Champions League, not to mention meeting our former manager as the opposition.
What is your most anticipated fixture that doesn’t involve your club?
After events on the final day last season, the Manchester derby should be well worth a watch shouldn’t it?
How do you think Southampton will fare?
If I’m honest, will you edit it out? Just kidding! I think you’ll have a honeymoon season, so you’ll do ok. Maybe a finish around 14th?
You find yourself stuck in The Emirates Stadium. How do you escape unnoticed?
To be honest, if I was stuck in Arsenal’s ground, escape wouldn’t be too difficult. I’d sneak out ten minutes before the end along with the rest of them – no-one would think that was unusual.
Everton:-
Name:- Phill Nuttall
Team:- Everton
Website:- www.evertonfc.com
Twitter:- @phillipnuttall
What can we expect from your club this season?
This season will see a more dynamic Everton in the premier league. We have let go of players who were not making the desired impact, eg Rodwell, Cahill & fringe players, and brought in more industrious players such as Gibson, Naismith & Jelavic, fans can expect to see Everton better in possession, defensively solid, and more free flowing in the goals department.
Who is your most important player?Jac
It’s a coin toss between Steven Pienaar and Maruane Fellaini.
Where do you predict you will finish this season?
If we start the season how we finish it then top 6 for Everton this season.
Who might win the Premier League?
City/Chelsea
Who definitely won’t?
The other 18 teams.
What is your most anticipated fixture?
Chelsea, always a great game between us.
What is your most anticipated fixture that doesn’t involve your club?
I’m looking forward to watching Chelsea v Arsenal given their signings.
How do you think Southampton will fare?
I hope they stay up, robbed of many young talents in recent years but back where they belong, can’t see them.finishing top 10 – a season of consolidation for the saints.
You find yourself stuck in Anfield. How do you escape unnoticed?
Anfield – Go dressed as donkey from Shrek – people will just say “Hi Suarez”.
Everton will look to their midfield pair to chase the leading pack.
Fulham:-
Name:- Kyle Bonn
Team:- Fulham
Website:- FulhamsFinest.com
Twitter:- @FulhamsFinest
What can we expect from your club this season?
This question depends a lot on what happens in the final few weeks of the transfer window. Martin Jol recently said that Fulham is far from done, and they haven’t spent a pound in the transfer market yet despite having brought in Hugo Rodallega, Mladen Petric, and Sascha Riether. If Jol can find two more strikers and a midfielder like he said he’s looking for, this club has a ton of potential.
Fulham are a club that have flown entirely under the radar in the last few seasons, and without attracting the attention of much of the media and fans have grown up in the Premier League, making themselves a mainstay in the middle of the pack. Not only that, but a few top-10 finishes in the last couple of years have the fan base buzzing with thoughts of Europa League qualifying dancing in their heads. With the overhaul Martin Jol has brought to the squad this offseason and the mystery surrounding Clint Dempsey’s future, there may a settling-in period, but to expect another 9th place finish isn’t overestimating this squad by any means.
Who is your most important player?
The American Clint Dempsey, with the shroud covering his future, can almost be thought of as too much a distraction. However, he’s still no question the most well-rounded talent on the club who can strike at any time from the midfield. The question is, where will he be when the window comes to a close? And if he’s still on the Fulham roster, what role will he play? He’s been locked out of all preseason action so far, with rumors of misgivings with management abound (although the club insists his fitness is the issue). Liverpool are the no-doubt frontrunners for his services at the moment, but with Fulham requiring £10 million to complete the deal, and Dempsey about to top 30 years of age, the Reds are reluctant to pull the trigger.
My prediction has always been for Dempsey leaving in the winter, and it’s looking more and more like that will be the case. However, if Fulham do indeed find themselves in the race for a Europa League spot, they may find more value in his playing services than in the cold, hard cash they would receive from a team. Letting him walk for free would hurt, but at the same time if he successfully helped the team to previously unreached heights, most would be content to overlook that.
Where do you predict you will finish this season?
Like I said earlier, 9th place is a realistic expectation this season, but the future is bright.
Who might win the Premier League?
I can’t bet against Manchester United, who with their successful acquisitions this offseason, and the lack of moves made by their derby rivals, they once again the upper hand.
Who definitely won’t?
I know this isn’t going out on much of a limb these days, but Arsenal’s struggles to secure hardware will continue this season. As much as Wenger has figured out how to sign cheques and complete transactions once again, and has used that to his advantage to secure a number of excellent buys, they won’t have a major impact until the second half of the season, by which time it will be too late. Next season, however, I would beware the Gunners.
What is your most anticipated fixture?
No doubt Fulham fans this season will be looking forward to both ends of the fixtures with Queens Park Rangers. Fans have developed a fearsome hatred for each side, being fueled with QPR’s hiring of Mark Hughes, completing his traitorous departure from Craven Cottage. Fulham fans sat back last season with a wry smile while they watched their London rivals squirm their way out of relegation. The Cottagers thumped QPR 6-0 in the home fixture, and took another 3 points 1-0 across London, giving firm bragging rights to the banks of the Thames. The first matchup will be much-anticipated, and fans will have to wait until December 15 for the rivalry to continue at Loftus Road.
What is your most anticipated fixture that doesn’t involve your club?
The Manchester derby has to be the most exciting fixture. While I’m sure that doesn’t surprise anyone, these two clubs have to be considered once again the top two in the country. They very well could decide the championship, and it doesn’t get much better than that.
How do you think Southampton will fare?
Unfortunately I think Southampton will struggle to stay in the Premiership. This isn’t to underestimate Southampton, but rather a number of teams that finished in the bottom quarter of the league last season have spent a great deal of money this offseason and unfortunately for Southampton this puts them at a disadvantage. Look at what clubs such as Queens Park Rangers, Aston Villa, and even newly promoted sides West Ham and Reading have added this offseason, they may be distancing themselves from other more dormant clubs like Southampton.
Thanks to all the contributors for their input! Look out for the next three parts soon!
Chris
