Fulham
What I Said: Mid-table obscurity, 1 or 2 more reinforcements may be required in order to compete in the Premier League and Europa League- Bobby Zamora hast to improve on last season's tally of 2 league goals
What Actually Happened: 12th counts as mid-table obscurity I guess. They didn't half compete in the Europa League, though, making it all the way to the final. Zamora's improvement brought him to the verges of the England squad
Hull City
What I Said: They will need to start in a similar manner to last season if they are to survive- it will be fascinating to see how US striker Jozy Altidore adapts to the Premier League. Phil Brown will need to demonstrate all his managerial skills in order to keep the Tigers roaring in the Premier League
What Actually Happened: Went down not roaring, but with something of a whimper. Brown "relieved of his duties" in February, replaced by Elephant Man Iain Dowie. How did Altidore get on? 1 league goal, 1 red card
Liverpool
What I Said: There is an over-riding feeling that last season was their best chance to win the league in many years. And they blew it. Now with Xabi Alonso departed, and doubts over the strength in depth in attack, if injuries affect Torres and Gerrard, they could lose touch with the lead
What Actually Happened: 7th place is most definitely out of touch with the lead. By all accounts, a dreadful season for the bin dippers. A revamp of the squad appears necessary, regardless of who the manager is come August
Manchester City
What I Said: They have spent money as if it is going out of fashion, although their bid for the Death Star looks likely to fail. If Mark Hughes can get his team set up the way he wants, then anywhere from 7th upwards should be considered a success
What Actually Happened: Finished 5th. Lost 3 derbies in injury time. Hughes got the sack just before Christmas, for falling short of the club's stated projected points tally of 70. Lost 3 derbies in injury time. Brought in Roberto Mancini, who seemed awfully keen on playing 3 defensive midfielders. Lost 3 derbies in injury time. Ended the season on 67 points. Did I mention that they lost 3 derbies in injury time?
Showing posts with label Fulham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fulham. Show all posts
Thursday, 13 May 2010
Friday, 14 August 2009
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.
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.
Monday, 29 June 2009
Well....
'Tis difficult to preview matches right now when there aren't any of any significance being played (last night's Confed Cup Final notwithstanding- my laptop broke, hence the lack of an in-depth preview), so right now, this writer is working hard (hahahaha) trying to find good bets for next season. I've already posted a few (Wolves to go down, Ipswich to win the Championship, Real to win La Liga or Pellegrino to be sacked- one is bound to happen), so here are another couple (more will follow over the next few weeks):
Premier League Bottom Half Market
Only William Hill have got odds upon this market so far, but there could still be value in a few teams. The likes of Burnley, Wolves and Birmingham will be expected to struggle (a good season for all 3 would constitute finishing 17th), while Hull and Stoke will be expected to suffer Second Season Syndrome, a condition that either side could greatly enhance by completing the rumoured signing of Michael Owen. As such, none of these sides are available at particularly tempting prices (Stoke are best priced at 1/9). However, some value could be had in Fulham (4/9), whose squad looks set to be stretched by Europa League football in much the same manner as Portsmouth's last season, and, like Portsmouth did last season, Fulham lack the funds to significantly strengthen. Should influential Norwegian centre-back Brede Hangeland depart, expect that price to shorten further. Another side who could find themselves 11th or lower are Tottenham (8/1). Harry Redknapp is set to sell approximately 937 members of his current squad, some with a proven track record in the Premier League, and will no doubt look to sign a plethora of players. Redknapp's transfer record is decidedly patchy, so should any of his signings (he has already been told he will have to sell before he buys, so the squad may well lack depth, and he hasn't had a decent young player come through in any of his sides since his West Ham days) turn out to be turkeys, expect to see the side fall, and 8/1 look ever more tempting.
Premier League Worst Disciplinary Record Market
This is one table that we can fairly safely rule out the big 4 from dominating. Last season, this was a market dominated by 3 sides, fairly predictably: Stoke (their physical, intimidating style saw them "top" the table, with 74 yellow cards and 5 red cards, although had Arsene Wenger been refereeing their games, at least 2 zeros would have to be added to those totals), Newcastle (so awful were they, defenders simply had to try and stop opposition forwards by any means necessary- many of their 8 red cards were simply desperate defenders hauling dowm opposition forwards who were clean through) and Blackburn (Sam Allardyce is now their manager. I don't think I need to say any more). Rovers in particular have added hard-as-nails French (I know that's a bit of an oxymoron) defender Gael Givet, and Stoke look set to persist with their somewhat primitive style, so expect those two to dominate again. At the moment, only Sky Bet have prices up, but those prices are appealing, with Stoke at 7/2 and Blackburn 9/2.
PS: I hope y'all backed Real Madrid when I first posted them for the Champions League at 10/1. They're now at a general 6/1
Premier League Bottom Half Market
Only William Hill have got odds upon this market so far, but there could still be value in a few teams. The likes of Burnley, Wolves and Birmingham will be expected to struggle (a good season for all 3 would constitute finishing 17th), while Hull and Stoke will be expected to suffer Second Season Syndrome, a condition that either side could greatly enhance by completing the rumoured signing of Michael Owen. As such, none of these sides are available at particularly tempting prices (Stoke are best priced at 1/9). However, some value could be had in Fulham (4/9), whose squad looks set to be stretched by Europa League football in much the same manner as Portsmouth's last season, and, like Portsmouth did last season, Fulham lack the funds to significantly strengthen. Should influential Norwegian centre-back Brede Hangeland depart, expect that price to shorten further. Another side who could find themselves 11th or lower are Tottenham (8/1). Harry Redknapp is set to sell approximately 937 members of his current squad, some with a proven track record in the Premier League, and will no doubt look to sign a plethora of players. Redknapp's transfer record is decidedly patchy, so should any of his signings (he has already been told he will have to sell before he buys, so the squad may well lack depth, and he hasn't had a decent young player come through in any of his sides since his West Ham days) turn out to be turkeys, expect to see the side fall, and 8/1 look ever more tempting.
Premier League Worst Disciplinary Record Market
This is one table that we can fairly safely rule out the big 4 from dominating. Last season, this was a market dominated by 3 sides, fairly predictably: Stoke (their physical, intimidating style saw them "top" the table, with 74 yellow cards and 5 red cards, although had Arsene Wenger been refereeing their games, at least 2 zeros would have to be added to those totals), Newcastle (so awful were they, defenders simply had to try and stop opposition forwards by any means necessary- many of their 8 red cards were simply desperate defenders hauling dowm opposition forwards who were clean through) and Blackburn (Sam Allardyce is now their manager. I don't think I need to say any more). Rovers in particular have added hard-as-nails French (I know that's a bit of an oxymoron) defender Gael Givet, and Stoke look set to persist with their somewhat primitive style, so expect those two to dominate again. At the moment, only Sky Bet have prices up, but those prices are appealing, with Stoke at 7/2 and Blackburn 9/2.
PS: I hope y'all backed Real Madrid when I first posted them for the Champions League at 10/1. They're now at a general 6/1
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