By Matthew Jones
July 30 2005

Rudolph from Norway, a regular site reader, and Akin, a regular poster, give thier views on the forthcoming season. If you wish to have your say, please e-mail tynetalk@gmail.com and your views will be published on the site on Tuesday.

RUDOLPH (Norway):

 

Starting from the top of the league, I would be very surprised if Premiership champions Chelsea do not repeat last seasons success. Despite failing to add a new striker to their books this summer, Didier Drogba is more than capable of scoring 20 goals. He has had a less than convincing first season, but now he has settled in and providing he stays injury clear, I am predicting him to have a good season. Even if he does not, the amount of attacking options Chelsea have will always mean that they will score goals. Shaun Wright-Phillips should have an excellent first season, and I think he will fit in to their 4-3-2-1 formation very well.

 

The chasing pack this year will include Liverpool for the first time in a while. They have added a lot of players to their squad, and have much more strength in depth. They were also unlucky with injuries last year; the loss of Xabi Alonso was crucial as he kept them ticking during matches. With him and Gerrard in the centre this season, with Sissoko available to replace either should they get injured, their midfield should be very strong. Manchester United are having their fair share of trouble during the pre season, with their current tour of the far east producing a surprise loss, an alleged fall out between Roy Keane and Alex Ferguson, and Rio Ferdinand swearing at the Man Utd fans. I do not think Park Ji Sung will have much impact, and this season I think their midfield could struggle, with Giggs Keane and Scholes all over 30 now. Arsenal can only keep the pace with Chelsea if they stay injury clear, but even then I am not sure if they have what it takes after the loss of Vieira this summer. He was a big player and a big character for them, and will be a huge loss. As it stands, they have not bought in a replacement, and have just failed with a bid to land Julio Baptista, meaning the heart of their midfield could be weak. These three teams will all be close to each other, but I think there will be a gap between them and Chelsea come the end of the season.

 

UEFA cup places are difficult to call, with so many teams clustered together in this section of the league, however I'm going to say Newcastle, Charlton and Bolton will nick them. Newcastle have shown ambition this transfer window, the signings of Parker, Emre and the imminent arrival of Craig Moore. I also think that their bids to land Anelka and Boa Morte will be successful, and we will see a new look Newcastle side come the start of the Premier League campaign. Charlton is a surprise call, but for the first time since they joined the Premiership, they have managed to make some convincing signings. Usually they trail off at the end of the season, however additions like Alexei Smertin and Darren Bent will keep them up there this season. Despite playing the most boring football in the league, Bolton should have another successful season due to manager Sam Allardyce and his ability to play to his sides strengths. They are always a danger from long balls and set pieces, making them not only a dangerous side, but a side who will often take points from away games. They have often proved to be a bogey team for the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal.

 

Relegation is another tough call, but I am going to go with the three who came up from the Championship. Despite reports of them having plenty of transfer funds, none of them have made any convincing signings yet. I would say West Ham probably have the best chance of staying up, but only marginally. Three teams who will be sucked in to the battle this year will be West Brom, Pompey and Fulham. West Brom fail to have added any quality to their side over the summer and I think they could be set for another roller coaster ride at the bottom of the league. The same applies for Pompey, and with the loss of Yakubu I can't see them picking up many points. If Fulham let Luis Boa Morte go, they will lose most of the attacking flair they have. Goals will be hard to come by, and with a very average defence it will be difficult to pick up victories.

 

As for the rest of the league, the teams bunched up in the middle of the league will again be very close. Tottenham will once again flatter to deceive, Everton’s luck will run out, and teams like Villa and Birmingham will once again have a steady, safe season.

 

Cup honours are also difficult to call, but I'm going to go with Chelsea to secure a domestic and European cup double, FA Cup and Champions League. I will tip Newcastle to win their first trophy in a long time through the less prestigious League Cup. Although it is probably not what Newcastle fans are really after, at least it is a trophy and it would get the media and rival fans off our backs about never winning anything.

 

I think players who could surprise football followers this season could be Darren Bent of Charlton, Robert Earnshaw of West Brom and Collins John of Fulham. Bent showed he is very capable in the Championship, and I think he will make the step up to the Premiership comfortably. Earnshaw was very prolific when he actually got games for WBA, and if they use him more this season he can enhance their chances of survival. Collins John has shown glimpses of what he can do, and if he gets a run in the team this year I think he will have quite a few goals to his name.

 

Finally, many people are talking about who will be the first manager to be sacked this season, with Graeme Souness the bookies favourite. However, after playing competitive games during the pre season, I think Newcastle should make a steady start to the league. I am going to go with Alain Perrin to be the first, as Pompey were less than convincing last season when he was in charge, and their team and squad has become weaker this summer.

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AKIN:

Newcastle will be just fine this season.. providing we get in a few more quality signings before the season starts. I think this could turn out to be one of the best seasons we have had in a long time. I'm tipping us for a cup win and a Champions League spot.

I dont care how our rivals do in all honesty, providing we are looking above them through out the course of the season... Sunderland will break records this year, they will be relegated with even less points than the last time... Boro mid table mediocrity as ususal

I think Fulham, Sunderland and Wigan will go down this season. Coleman is in over his head; Mackems will be the Mackems and Wigan have all that money but no pulling power.

I think we will be the suprise of the season... to jump from our poor finish last season to a Champions League spot will be suprising to most - especially the 'sack Souness' brigade.

Howay the lads

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Tyne Talk are looking for YOUR views one forthcoming season.

- How will the Toon fair?
- How will our rivals Sunderland and Boro do?
- Who will reach Europe?
- Who will be relegated?
- Who will the surprise team of the season be?

E-mail your articles to tynetalk@gmail.com and they will be published on the site in Tuesday's edition of our Mailbag.