Shifty's Season Preview Part 4 of oh jeebus I'm pushing it to have them all on by Saturday afternoon

Everton

Last season was Everton's strongest for many years: 5th place, reaching the FA Cup Final and bloodying the noses of all those above them. David Moyes' stock grows with each passing day, and one cannot help but admire his steely resolution in his desire to keep Joleon Lescott. The retention of Lescott, along with all their other key players, give Evertonians reason to believe they can compete near the top again. Hope will still remain that Moyes can add to his squad in terms of quantity: it will be intriguing to see just how well Everton perform in the Europa League this season: European success is the last box that Moyes needs to check if he is to be considered as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor, a role that many have tipped him for.

Verdict: Last season, Everton keeper Tim Howard set a club record 15 league clean sheets. Retaining their key players should give them a platform to build on this, however (I had to put a however in somewhere) one cannot help but feel that they will struggle to match last season's achievements without 1 or 2 additions, particularly upfront: Jo looks a shrewd addition in loan, but will Saha and Yakubu stay fit? They should be close to last season's 5th place finish

The Fulham Football Club

It's hard to think of anyone who actually dislikes this quaint, tidy club. Last season they were superb, qualifying for the Europa League (in which they have already comfortably dispatched Lithuanian side FK Vetra) as a result of finishing 7th. Crucial to their hopes will be maintaining last season's excellent defensive record, and crucial to this will be the retention of 18ft 7 centre-back Brede Hangeland. A lot will again be expected of keeper Mark Schwarzer, while the likes of Clint Dempsey, Andrew Johnson and Danny Murhph will be expected to source and score goals, while Bobby Zamora simply has to improve on last season's meagre tally of 2 league goals. Reinforcements have arrived in the forms of right-back Stephen Kelly and midfielders Bjorn Helge Riise and Kagiso Dikgacoi (I'm going to award myself a Gold Star for spelling that right) (at the time of writing, Damien Duff was mooted as a possible arrival), but one suspects that 1 or 2 more may be needed if Fulham are going to be able to compete in the Premier League and the Europa League.

Verdict: This writer's gut instinct says mid-table obscurity. Retaining Hangeland is critical to their hopes, but they will face even more intense competition to make last season's 7th place

Hull City are still in the Premier League. No, really

Despite a horrific 2nd half of season nosedive that a drunken pilot would be disappointed with, Hull City somehow kept themselves in the Premier League. Phil Brown will be acutely aware of his side's desperate need for improvement, given that he does not want to go home. "This is the best trip I've ever been on", he says. Quite.
The Tigers have made a few interesting signings: it will be fascinating to see how US international striker Jozy Altidore adapts to life in the Premier League: fast, strong, and with a powerful shot, he could be tailor made for the Premier League, once he gets over the language barrier between English and East Yorkshire. Stoke midfielder Seyi Olofinjana will offer bite in midfield, and slightly more mobility than George Boateng, while expect Stephen Hunt to furiously buzz around on the wing. Hull could probably still do with a right-back, though, given the departure of Sam Ricketts. The early season fixture list has been kind to Hull, with many winnable games in the opening weeks (remember, they were the only side last season to remain unbeaten from trips to Stamford Bridge, a field and the Emirares). They will need to start in a similar manner to last season if they are to survive.

Verdict: Phil Brown divides opinion unlike most other Premier League managers. While he is idolised on Humberside, so is the Greek god Poseidon, with local teenage girls regularly sacrificing their 1st born child to him. Others are sceptical of Brown, complaining about his lack of charisma and control over the econo...oh, wait a minute, wrong Brown. Phil Brown will need to demonstrate all his managerial skills (maybe put in a call to his mate Sir Alex, Fraizer Campbell and Manucho have both impressed on loan in the past) in order to keep the Tigers roaring in the Premier League. And he might just do it.