Predicted Final Table

Comments (9)

I took a shot at predicting what the final table might look like when the smoke clears in ten months. It was tempting to put the Shite in 18th but I was shooting for some semblance of objectivity. My rule of thumb is to try not to be off by more than 3 places for any team. So far, I am 0-for-the last three seasons albeit with a close call last year ? damn you, Reading!). Here's my go, along with a (pointless) explanatory blurb for each. Feel free to agree/disagree/read something else/call me an idiot.

1. Chelsea ? Contingent on a healthy Robben & Terry, they're just a little more consistent & physically strong for me than...
2. Man Utd ? I think it's Van der Sar's turn to get injured this year, Foster not yet ready for the spotlight, also look for them to drop costly points early (9/15, hopefully) as they get everybody integrated into the side.
3. Liverpool ? I actually visualize Voronin becoming more of a menace than the over-rated Torres. They'll probably make another run of it in the cups, but I don't see the staying power to hang with the big 2.
4. Arsenal ? I see the possibility of a decline for Arsenal but don't think it will be as sudden or pronounced as some believe. We've still got some ground to cover before we displace them in the top 4.
5. Everton ? Our solid back line and 'keeper will serve as a strong foundation as we scrounge for goals early in the absence of Vaughan & Cahill. If we field our best eleven, we are a match for anybody on our day. Expect a lot of one-goal victories & draws as Moyes goes into the shell with small leads. Finish approx. 6-8 points out of Champs League, not much of a cup run due to lack of squad depth.
6. Spurs ? They will score and be scored upon frequently. They may win the UEFA Cup due to their overwhelming attack & top-shelf strikers, but their leaky back line & subpar keeper (David James for England!) will lead to demoralizing blowout losses to the upper tier Premiership teams.
7. Blackburn Rovers ? Steady improvement from this side, Gamst & Derbyshire to make positive strides. Friedel is one hell of a keeper. Why did Kasey Keller play in the World Cup again???
8. Aston Villa ? Another slowly improving side, Martin O'Neill has added quality depth while jettisoning malcontents. This is where they would have finished last year if not for the litany of draws in the early season.
9. Reading ? I am sold on Coppell & despite the loss of Steve Sidwell they have two burgeoning stars in Doyle & Lita. I for one would not be surprised if Doyle leads the league in goals this coming season.
10. Newcastle ? After these guys stumble over each other in the early season trying to get used to one another (again!) & we all have had our laughs, look for Fat Sam to have them among the top-6 second half teams.
11. Portsmouth ? David James will steal some points for this otherwise subpar squad. If Kanu is interested, he may score about 13. Still, no real threat of relegation ? yet.
12. Bolton ? This is year 1 of the 2-year path to the Championship for them. Anelka will sulk, then depart (hopefully not for Goodison Park).
    
13. Man City ? Sven's international group of unknown quantities will prove little more exciting or effective than Stuart Pierce's efforts. If they pip points off us, that would be a shame.
    
14. West Ham ? Other than Parker, their additions are far inferior to the departures in my view. Ljungberg in particular will struggle in smaller areas of operation than what he is used to at Highbury/Emirates. They only stay up because the overall quality of the bottom third has worsened since last season.
15. Middlesbrough ? Boring Boro, Viduka was a decent workmanlike striker but he is gone, if we had our pick of their players for free the only ones I would want are Woodgate & Yakubu & Schwarzer, everyone else is shite.
    
16. Fulham ? Fulham has seen Northern Ireland's fast start to Euro 2008 qualification & decided they would rather have that team than Fulham's, so they have combined that side with a few Americans & will now proceed to hold their collective breath for 10 months. Not a strong side.
    
17. Sunderland ? Also not a strong side, Richardson & Chopra were overpriced but may bring enough quality to keep them up for now. Keane would be wise to leapfrog for a more-established club soon after the season's close.
    
18. Wigan ? We just bought their best player, they employ Kilbane (& pay him money!!), they lost their under-rated manager & replaced him with a no-name, then they signed Titus Bramble. = relegation
19. Derby ? I think I'm the only one who rates them this highly. Team spirit & cohesion may serve them well against Fulham, but they will be non-competitive in at least half their fixtures due to a 'talent discrepancy'.
    
20. Birmingham City ? Without Bendtner, they never would have been promoted. Without him, the situation will soon be put right this season.

Sorry, too wordy, got a little self-indulgent there...
Thoughts/Comments/Insults?

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