With the start of the 2013/14 Premiership season just around the corner I thought I would take a look at the various teams and the transfers in and out. What can the supporters of each team really expect from the upcoming season.
Each day I will take five teams in what will be a four part preview. Yesterday was Everton, Fulham, Hull, Liverpool and Manchester City. Today it is the turn of current Champions Man Utd, Newcastle, Norwich City, Southampton and Stoke City.
Manchester United:
Last seasons Champions I think are already finding out how tough life will be without Alex Ferguson in the dugout. Alex Ferguson was more than the head coach, or team manager, he WAS Manchester United. Players came and went, good ones too, but Fergie was the constant and now he is no longer there leaves a massive hole. Paul Scholes also retired, again, which is another big hole in the midfield for new boss David Moyes to fill.
As for transfers and players in, well so far just the single 20 year old Uruguayan defender. It is not that they haven’t been linked with big name players but for some reason things are just not happening right now for the Red Devils, and I have a theory. When players do really well at smaller clubs it is always a risk that they may not be able to take that step up. Look at Scott Sinclair for United’s neighbors. He was fantastic at Swansea, but not even really on the radar now at City, due to performances. I think the same is being thought of with David Moyes now, he is untested at a club as big in a worldwide aspect as Manchester United. It is also the last season in Europe before the World Cup in Brazil and, for a player to get picked for his National side he first has to have a good season with his club side, and that is where the hesitation comes in I think.
This also would explain why Wayne Rooney now wants to leave United again, for the third time. Moyes had recently stated publicly that his role at United would be as backup for Robin Van Perse. Again I refer you to the upcoming World Cup for a possible reason why that wasn’t the smartest move by Moyes.
Barcelona are still rebuffing United’s advances for Cesc Fabregas and it is yet to be determined how that saga will play out but Moyes needs to be very careful with his new superstar playing staff, something he really didn’t have at Everton. Yes he had good players but not these guys and all their egos.
David Moyes will put a side out in the Community Shield on Sunday 11th August and this will be a must win. His first games of the season will be away at a very tough Swansea side before a home tie with Chelsea. September sees a trip to Liverpool and Manchester City and if he goes into October not in double figures then he will start to hear the dissenting voices I am sure.
Newcastle:
Newcastle struggled last season and they will find it tough going this season too. Alan Pardew, like Moyes, has been linked with several players but nothing has come to fruition as yet. Deals for Darren Bent from Villa seems to have broken down and deals for QPR striker Loic Remy and Lyon forward Gomis are far from secured. The only saving grace for Pardew is the fact that the fans dislike for owner Mike Ashley will probably be the focus for their venom if things go south early doors. After a string of decisions to annoy his paying customers the latest of employing a Director of Football Joe Kinnear really has put a wedge between the two parties. It really is a case of history repeating with Ashley installing Dennis Wise as Director of Football causing the Newcastle messiah, Kevin Keegan to resign.
After the resignation in 2008 the owner said he was going to sell the club. Two months later though he took the club off the market. He put it back on at the end of May the following year, August it was back off again. He has allowed the sale of Demba Ba and Andy Carroll with no replacement and renamed the famous St James Park.
For the members of the Toon Army this is most likely going to be another bumpy season, lets just hope Pardew manages to hold on for the duration
Norwich City:
Chris Hughton has taken the Canaries up to another level last season. They were comfortably safe in the end although it was touch and go towards the end after a great start. Strengthening was needed and the investment has come, which was something a Norwich City manager of five or so years ago would not have expected.
Grant Holt is the big name departure from Carrow Road but the Canary fans will not shed too many tears when they look at their new signings, the most marquee of which is Ricky Van Wolfswinkel. I was very surprised when this deal was announced and I think it shows intent from the Norfolk side. Ricky is only 24 years old and has already over 60 goals in just over 150 appearances in the Dutch and Portuguese leagues. He has represented the National side at various age levels but is yet to make his mark in the senior side, although he did just start against Indonesia in June this year. With a good run at Norwich you will probably see him in Brazil next summer. Also joining City is Rickys International team mate, Leroy Fer. This guy was at Twente for the last two seasons and Feyenoord before that.
Martin Olsson, defender, joins from Blackburn and ex Manchester City Goalkeeper, Carlo Nash provides cover between the sticks. Young winger Nathan Redmond was signed from Birmingham and last years loan signing Javier Garrido is made permanent. Just recently added was the Celtic striker, Gary Hooper. The 25 year old scored 63 goals for the dominant Scottish side and reportedly turned down QPR to sign for City.
The rumors are still flying about more comings and goings at Norwich so who knows what other surprises Delia Smith will cook up, but I am sure even if this is it Norwich City fans may be heard saying Grant who?
Southampton:
The Saints returned to the Premiership last season for the first time since all their financial troubles almost left the club ruined. Many, including myself, expected their promotion to immediately result in a relegation the following May. In the end though they were only five points away from a top half finish.
Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino certainly guided his side well last season since taking over from Nigel Adkins in mid January. Victor Wanyama arrives at St Mary’s from Celtic and the Kenyan can play as centre back or defensive midfielder, a $20million buy that shows just how far this team has come since those days in administration. Also joining is another defender, Croatian Dejan Lovren, moving from Lyon it certainly is a signal as to what Pochettino thinks is needed to improve the squad from last season. The question is, will it be enough.
Stoke City:
New manager for this season the preparations have been very quite when you consider the movements at other clubs and this is because it really has been nothing special. Erik Pieters from PSV Eindhoven and a young Spanish defender who only played twice for Barcelona’s first team.
Stoke were after Nelson Oliveira but he chose to go on loan to French club Rennes. This signing would have been good for the Potters, especially after Michael Owen retired which now leaves Peter Crouch and Kenwyne Jones as the two main strikers at the club. Sure they also have Cameron Jerome and Jonathan Walters but with a combined 28 goals in 151 appearances for the club, although with a new Manager they may thrive under his style.
Stoke were only 6 points away from relegation last season and Hughes will certainly want to strengthen the side before the season kicks off. For American fans though keep and eye on Brek Shea, Maurice Edu and even Geoff Cameron.
So that completes the third part of the Premiership preview. Tomorrow I will finish it off with a look at Sunderland, Swansea, Tottenham, West Brom and West Ham
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