Season's greetings, from the top of the tree!

After the Championship and Football League got our domestic football underway last weekend, it is the turn of the big boys on Saturday. Put down your cricket bat, put away the rugby ball, the football season is back. It has been a long six weeks since England crashed out of the World Cup at the hands of Germany, and the likes of Wayne Rooney and John Terry (derided and booed during the Community Shield on Sunday) will be grateful to get back to business in the nitty gritty of the Premier League, and will be hoping for home comfort from the adorning masses. The final issue to be settled last season (the last Champions League place, between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City) kicks off the action at lunchtime on Saturday. In this light it is understandable that Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is more than a little peeved about the international friendly scheduled for just 64 hours before kick off at White Hart Lane, but that is an issue for another day. The World Cup has not produced quite the flurry of transfer of transfer activity as previous tournaments, but there is still plenty to get fans off their seats and excited. Be it Joe Cole's free transfer from Chelsea to Liverpool (with Yossi Benayoun moving in the opposite direction), the exciting prospect of Mexican starlet Javier Hernandez giving the sedentary Dimitar Berbatov or just the excitement of getting the opportunity of riding the big dipper when you go to see Blackpool away, one thing is for sure - this season is not going to be dull! After all, they never are!


ARSENAL

The general consensus at the Emirates is that this could be a make or break season for Arsene Wenger and his prodigious young team. There comes a time when promise has to be replaced by results, and it is five years since Patrick Vieira's winning penalty won the FA Cup against Manchester United, to give Arsenal their last taste of silverware. It will probably take a Premier League and/or Champions League challenge to keep Cesc Fabregas beyond the current season, and it remains to be seen whether there is the requisite quality to achieve either of these. There are a lot of 'what ifs' which could make or break Arsenal's season. The defence as a whole doesn't look strong enough. Manuel Almunia is still a little dodgy as a first choice goalkeeper. In defence, the experienced William Gallas has departed (which may not be a bad thing given that he has been prone to more than the odd tantrum). Thomas Vermaelen will look to build on an impressive debut season, and he could potentially be joined by Koscielny, who is an intriguing transfer from Lorient this summer. There is no doubting the ability of Arsenal going forward. Fabregas has already been mentioned, but when you add in Samir Nasri, Andrei Arshavin and Robin van Persie (who spent most of last season on the treatment table) there is enough to striker fear into any defence. But there are question marks in that department too. Nicklas Bendtner has to justify his own tag as 'the best striker in the world', while this could be a big season for both Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere, who is included in the full England set-up for the first time in his career. The free transfer of Marouane Chamakh is an interesting one, and shows that Wenger sees the need to become a touch more physical. The imposing presence of Abou Diaby aside, Arsenal can look a touch lightweight at times, and Chamakh has proved himself to be a superb leader of the line at Bordeaux. But, having said that, while he has a superb international goalscoring record (almost one in two for Morocco), his highest haul for the French side in eight full seasons was 13 league goals. a tally which will need to be improved on in North London. If Arsenal can lose the soft underbelly which saw them throw away advantages against the likes of West Ham, Wigan and Blackburn, they could challenge the big two. But that's a big if, and a lack of strength - both in personnel and depth - is likely to see them fall just short again.
VERDICT - 3RD.

ONE TO WATCH - JACK WILSHERE.
This could be a breakthrough season for the 18-year-old playmaker. He impressed during a 14 game loan spell at Bolton Wanderers last season, and he has returned to Arsenal looking a superior player. With the new Premier League squad rules coming into effect, he is likely to be given a greater chance in Arsenal's cosmopolitan squad this season. Possessing great technique and temperament for one so young, Wenger is a fan, as is Fabio Capello, who included him in his first post-England World Cup squad. That's not a bad fan club he is accumulating, and it is likely to grow over the coming season.


ASTON VILLA

So I turn on Sky Sports News, to see the 24-hour-rolling sports channel offering odds on the next Villa manager following the shock departure of Martin O'Neil - USA coach Bob Bradley, Alan Curbishley and Ajak boss Martin Jol are the front runners. So this makes the Birmingham club's preview slightly different, as the affable Northern Irishman quits just four days before the start of the season amid rumours of dressing room discontent and dissatisfaction with the lack of transfer funds. The sell-to-buy policy was something which clearly irked the former Celtic boss, and with James Milner as good as out the door with the likes of Brad Friedel and Ashley Young set to follow him, O'Neil felt he had no choice as the previously generous owner Randy Lerner refused to give him the funds from Milner's transfer to Manchester City. So where does that leave Villa heading into the new season. 12 months ago, O'Neil was talking up Villa's chances of qualifying for the Champions League - but found himself 'banging on a glass ceiling', as Villa flirted around the periphery while never really challenging Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester Ciy for the coveted final place. They have plenty of enterprise and ambition going forward, with Young (should he stay), Stewart Downing and Gabriel Agbonlahor, while Stylian Petrov holds the midfield together. The defence is solid, and Richard Dunne has proved himself an unsung hero since his transfer from Manchester City. Goals are also at a premium, with John Carew and especially Emile Heskey never going to be prolific, so a quality striker would be a good addition (if there's any money for the new man to spend). But there is a distinct lack of strength in depth, which has caused Villa to wilt towards the end of the season, stopping them finishing higher than sixth in each of the last three seasons. Maybe this is something that O'Neil was looking to remedy, but saw the forlorn nature of this cause. In this light, mid-table mediocrity may beckon for the Villains.
VERDICT - 10TH.

ONE TO WATCH - NATHAN DELFOUNESO

With goals hard to come by from established strikers Heskey and Carew, 19-year-old local boy Delfouneso should play a bigger role in the first team squad last season. He was blooded in gradually last season, in much the same way Agbonlahor was in the 2005/06 season. But he possesses tremendous pace, and when he refines the technical side of his game, he will be a devastating prospect. He has to date only scored one Premier League goal, but scored on his debut for the under-21's, showing the potential the new Villa manager will look to mould.


BIRMINGHAM CITY

With the recent shenanigans at Villa park, Birmingham will feel they have a real chance of getting one over their city rivals following their highest league finish since 1959 (ninth). Their unprecedented (and unexpected) success brings with it problems as well as opportunities though. Manager Alex McLeish will have to make sure they are not 'one season wonders' and wants to guard against 'second season syndrome.' Cliches maybe, but ask George Burley and Ipswich about their threats. The Tractormen finished fifth after promotion in 2000/01, but with the pressure of increased expectations and the added burden of European football, relegation followed and they haven't returned to the top flight since. So that's the warning, but Birmingham should be looking to improve and push on. Strength at the back and togetherness are where the success of last season was built for Birmingham. Last season's revelation, Joe Hart, has been replaced by Ben Foster (who joins his predecessor in the England squad), and a central defensive partnership of Roger Johnson and Scott Dann, with not a top flight appearance between them prior to last season, was a revelation. Barry Ferguson and Lee Bowyer provide a formidable, tigerish, midfield barrier. Which is part of the problem posed - Birminham can not be described as expansive, adventurous, with much of their attacking intent coming through goalscoring Swedish winger Sebastian Larsson. Goals were a problem last season - just 38 of them in fact, four less than relegated Burnely. Striker Cameron Jerome had a good season though, getting into double figures in terms of league goals for the first time for Birmingham in either division. McLeish will be looking for a good season from Jerome, and then maybe England honours could be around the corner. Serbian striker Nikola Zigic has been signed, with an expectation of sharing the goal burden with Jerome. His is an intriguing transfer - despite having a poor World Cup, he has a good goalscoring record at club level, and his physical attributes should fit into both the Premier League and Birmingham's style of play. Expect another solid season at St Andrews.
VERDICT - 11TH.

ONE TO WATCH - BEN FOSTER

The coming season is a crucial one for Foster. The England goalkeeper knew he had to get out of Old Trafford, where he was never going to be first choice until the great Edwin van der Sar finally calls it a day. He has the opportunity to be the undisputed number one at St Andrews, and has already been rewarded with a place in Fabio Capello's first post-World Cup squad. With a greater chance of first team football than his sole rival Joe Hart at Manchester City, he could also cement his place as England number one. He is a fantastic shot stopper with undoubted ability, and a run of first-team football will only help his confidence and ability. A more than able replacement for Hart.


BLACKBURN ROVERS

Blackburn and Sam Allardyce are a little bit like Ronseal - it does exactly what it says on the tin. Both are often accused of anti-football (with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger a constant critic) but that won't bother Allardyce and his team, as they stayed up comfortably last season, even sneaking into the top half before the season's end. Rovers aren't exactly awash with resources in the manner they were in the Jack Walker days, so a combination of hard work and a strong team ethic have worked wonders at Ewood Park. As FourFourTwo says, 'Blackburn's strength is their strength.' You are unlikely to find a physically stronger central defensive partnership than Ryan Nelson (who will be on a high after New Zealand's unbeaten World Cup campaign) and Christopher Samba, while the re-emergence of Paul Robinson as a top class goalkeeper following his problems for England and at Spurs is possibly one of the greatest achievement of 'Big Sam' at Ewood. But, as with many teams outside of the top seven who are mainly fighting to survive (with fighting sometimes the apt word) goals are a significant problem. David Dunn, from midfield and finally enjoying a full season, was the top scorer with nine league goals, but the top scoring striker was Jason Roberts, with just five. That is frankly not good enough no matter the tactics, and if the team falls behind, then a paucity of goals is going to make defeat likely. Funds have been hard to come by for Allardyce though, and he will expect more from last summer's £6 million signing Nikola Kalinic, who national coach Slaven Bilic has described as the 'future of Croatian football', but failed to impress in his first season in Engligh football. But a strong spine, and a spate of talented youngsters such as defender Phil Jones and winger Martin Olsson should stave off any threat of relegation.
VERDICT - 13TH.

ONE TO WATCH - PHIL JONES.
Jones is a centre-back who surely has a great future ahead of him, having made his debut last season and made a real impact. He made his Premier League debut against Chelsea in March, and helped derail their title challenge with a towering performance while keeping a striker called Didier Drogba in his pocket. It drew praise from the likes of Alan Hansen, and he kept his place for the rest of the season. Strong in the air and a good reader of the game, it may only be a matter of time before he gets full England honours - 18-year-old has just been called up to the under-21's for the first time.


BLACKPOOL
When looking at the Seasiders' chances for the coming season, the term 'a fish out of water' instantly springs to mind. If you thought Burnley were out of their depth last season, Blackpool could be really embarrassed this season. Their record signing, last season's top scorer Charlie Adam, cost just £500,000, while their wage bill last season of just £6 million was one of the lowest in that division, while their average gate of just under 9,000 is behind the reason to expand Bloomfield Road. But this also means there first game of the season is away to Wigan, rather than at home, which lessens the chances of getting off to a flying start, and a good home record will be imperative if Blackpool are to have any chance of avoiding the trapdoor. Potentially the smallest club to reach the promised land (Swindon Town may have something to say about that, and look what happened to them), for all his quotes and anecdotes, manager Ian Holloway knows the magnitude of the task ahead. Goals were plentiful last season - but it won't be so easy this season, especially with their inability to turn the loan signing of DJ Campbell into a permanent deal. There has been very little transfer activity this summer, and Adam looks like the only player capable of the requisite quality for the top flight. Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Brett Ormerod will not striker fear into Premier League defences, and a defence which conceded 58 goals in the Championship will be cannon fodder for the likes of Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres and Wayne Rooney. A good start could make all the difference - but three of the first four away games are at Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. The Tangerines will have to use Hull City the season before last as the model to follow. They may well get relegated, but they will definitely enjoy the ride. And 'Olly deserves a crack at the big time. It was a miracle to give Blackpool this chance - he might need divine intervention to keep them there.
VERDICT - 20TH.

ONE TO WATCH - CHARLIE ADAM.
Scottish international Adam will need at least a repeat of his form last season, where he scored 16 goals from the wing. He is industrious and hard-working, but also provides the only real quality in this Blackpool side. He possesses a mean free-kick - as Cardiff City found to their cost in the play-off final - and also provides plenty of assists, and the vice-captain will have to show plenty of leadership qualities to try and squeeze the last drops of talent out of the side and try and bridge the quality gap.


BOLTON WANDERERS

For all the slack and 'Judas' accusations that flew his way in the wake of his trans-Lancashire move from Burnely, it is clear that manager Owen Coyle made the right choice. As Burnley look forward to the season back in the Championship, Bolton reached safety fairly comfotably, which was an achievement in itself given that they were languishing in the relegation zone when the Irishman took over in Janaury. The stodgy football displayed under his predecessor Gary Megson is now a distant memory, and there is the spine of a strong team at the Reebok for Bolton to push on this season. Jussi Jaasekelainen is still an outstanding goalkeeper, In front of him, Gary Cahill is an England defender in the making, and may well have gone to the World Cup were it not for a blood clot which prematurely curtailed his season. The midfield possesses plenty of strength without a great deal of flair. Fabrice Muamba has more than a bit of the young Patrick Vieira about him, and Matthew Taylor and Riccardo Gardner are proven Premier League performers. But the undoubted star of last season was South Korean winger Lee Chung-Yong. He was a constant menace with his tricky dribbling and probing crossing and a number of important goals. He carried on this form into the World Cup, where goals against Argentina and Uruguay helped them reach the second round. Goals up front are a problem which need to be rectified if another relegation battle is to be avoided. Johan Elmander was calamitous at times last season, and eight goals in 55 Premier League games over two seasons is frankly not good enough for an international striker. Kevin Davies is a willing trier and a good leader of the line, but he has never scored more than a dozen goals in a Premier League season, showing his limitations. The loss of last season's loan star Ivan Klasnic is a potential blow, as he had the star quality which regularly evaded the hapless Elmander. So maybe this all leaves the door slightly ajar from 18-year-old striker Danny Ward. After a promising loan spell at last season's beaten League One play-off finalists Swindon Town, he has returned primed for first team action. He can also play on the left wing, and Bolton's lack of striking options makes him a potential wild card. The free transfer of Martin Petrov from Manchester City should add more incisiveness to the attack, and Bolton fans should enjoy a more comfortable season than the last one.
VERDICT - 12TH.

ONE TO WATCH - MARTIN PETROV.
The signing of Petrov certainly has to go down as a coup for Coyle. The left winger was clearly a victim of circumstances at Manchester City, as player after player were bought in his position after a succession of injuries meant his successful debut season was a distant memory. It has to go down as a slight risk, but he is still only 31, and he showed last season his injury problems haven't affected his pace and he can still pop up with the odd goal.


CHELSEA
So, if you're Carlo Ancelotti, how do you better the club's first ever league and cup double in your first season? Probably by winning the trophy owner Roman Abramovich covets more than any, the Champions League. But on the domestic front, Chelsea will once again be the team to beat, and looking at the quality and strength in depth they possess, it is not hard to see why. Petr Cech behind a first choice defence of Jose Bosingwa, John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Ashley Cole, with Alex and Branislav Ivanovic in reserve is a prospect not many attacks are going to fancy their chances against. Florent Malouda will look to build on an outstanding season on the wing, and Frank Lampard will probably pop up with his customary 20 goals next season. Amazingly, Chelsea won the title despite being shorn of one of the world's best players last season, Michael Essien. So the return of the powerhouse in midfield will be like a new signing, especially as he also missed Ghana's World Cup adventure. Joe Cole will be missed, but he has been replaced by Yossi Benayoun, who is a selfless player both on and off the pitch and will be content to be rotated as a squad player, in much the same way he was at Liverpool. And up front, hopefully Nicolas Anelka has recovered from his World Cup strop, but in Didier Drogba, Chelsea have one of the greatest strikers in the world - not only is he a supreme goalscorer, he is also a provider and never gives opposition defenders a moments peace. And with a World Cup taking its toll on Chelsea's stars, youngsters like Michael Mancienne, Jeffrey Bruma, Gael Kakuta and Daniel Sturridge could have more chances to impress next season. So all things considered, it would be folly to bet against Ancelotti following 'The Special One' in winning his first two league titles on offer
VERDICT - 1ST.

ONE TO WATCH - MICHAEL ESSIEN.
If anyone thought Chelsea couldn't get anymore imperious, the return of Essien should dispel those hopes of the other 19 Premier League sides. With just 25 top flight appearances in the last two seasons, he will be chomping at the bit to make an impression and will add more drive (if it's even needed) to the Blues' midfield. No matter how much money Mr Ancelotti were to spend, he couldn't make a better new signing than Essien.


EVERTON

The problems which Everton find encapsulating them are similar to the ones Martin O'Neil experienced at Villa Park, and it remains to be seen whether David Moyes will go the same way as his Villa counterpart. It is undoubted that the Toffees have hit their 'glass ceiling'. They finished eight last season following fifth, fifth and sixth in the previous three seasons, and without investment, it will be hard for Everton to break into the hallowed top four. But they finished last season in sparkling form - if the season had started in January, they would have finished third. There is ability in their squad - just not enough depth. Tim Howard is a brilliant goalkeeper, and in front of him, Phil Jagielka, Sylvain Distin and Johnny Heitinga add strength to the defence, with Tony Hibbert and Leighton Baines competent, if limited, full-backs. To their eminent credit, the team is packed with ball players in midfield which reflects well of the style of football David Moyes tries to play. Steven Pienaar, Mikel Arteta, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Leon Osman certainly fall under that category, while Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini should guarantee plenty of goals from midfield. In attack, Yakubu Aiyegbeni will be looking to get over a shocking miss in the World Cup for Nigeria. His probable striker partner, Louis Saha, will be looking to build on his 13 goals last seaon, his second best return in the Premier League There are a couple of interesting wild cards in Everton's threadbare squad. Young defender Seamus Coleman is back, fresh from a successful loan spell at promoted Blackpool, while in attack, Jermaine Beckford finally gets his Premier League chance following a free transfer from Leeds United. Both should get opportunities next season. Transfer activity has been few and far between, which could count against David Moyes and his team over a long hard season. The loss of talented young midfielder Dan Gosling possibly shows the lack of ambition - and this needs to be rectified if one of the most talented managers in British football is going to be persuaded to turn down overtures from bigger clubs.
VERDICT - 7TH.

ONE TO WATCH - JERMAINE BECKFORD.
Having been a trainee at Chelsea, Beckford finally gets his top flight chance. And despite him being a free transfer and having never played at a higher level than League One, there will still be high expectations on his shoulders. He comes with a big reputation, but there are still doubts about his ability at the highest level. He was very hot and cold at Elland Road, scoring in streaks rather than on a regular basis and this is something which will have to be improved on at Goodison Park. He is a good goalscorer, but it is the rest of game which will have to be improved on.


FULHAM
The last two seasons under Roy Hodgson have been beyond the wildest expectations of even the most optimistic Fulham fans. After avoiding relegation on the last day of the 2007/08 season, what followed was a seventh place finish in the league (the highest in their history) and then a remarkable run to the Europa league final, where the likes of Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus, Wolfsburg and Hamburg were put to the sword. But with Roy Hodgson's tremendous achievements recognised by Liverpool, it is up to Mark Hughes to continue his excellent work - and it will be no easy task. Mark Schwarzer may be approaching 38, but he is still an excellent last line of defence. In front of him, John Pantsil and Brede Hangeland are a formidable in protecting him, but the midfield are pragmatic more than expansive. Dickson Etuhu, Jonathon Greening and Danny Murphy come under this category, and this certainly helped the parsimony at the back. It was going the other way where the problems lay. Despite an outstanding season which saw him move to the brink of an England call-up, Bobby Zamora only scored eight league goals (with just as many in the Europa League) and Andy Johnson needs to overcome his injury problems to save his career at the highest level. A lack of strength in depth has seen winger-cum-forward Clint Dempsey employed up front on his own, which isn't utilising his talents. Hodgson was also adept at resurrecting careers, as shown by his work with Zamora and Damien Duff, and Hughes has his work cut out to carry on this task, and replicate the achievements of his predecessor, and it is probably true that Fulham have gone as far they can go. But if he can hold on to his best players like Hangeland and Zamora, the Cottagers should be OK come May.
VERDICT - 14TH.

ONE TO WATCH - BOBBY ZAMORA
After gaining plenty of recognition for his performances last season, this season will be crucial for Zamora to continue his late-career development. He has finally been called up to the England squad at the age of 29, and this will do his confidence the power of good. He is a brilliant natural finisher and he was backed by Hodgson more than any of his previous bosses - he is a confidence player, and it is no surprise that he displayed the best form of his career last season. When the BBC's live text commentary backed Zamora for England's World Cup squad, it was very much tongue-in-cheek - by the end of the season, no one was laughing.


LIVERPOOL

The Rafalution is over, and Roy Hodgson is the man tasked with saving the once great club. It is the biggest (a hardest) job in his 34-managerial-career. As Hodgson said in his first press conference, 'each club has it's problems and issues, I can't deny it's not going to be easy sorting them out.' That might be a contender for understatement of this fledgling century - with huge debts, unpopular owners (the club is on the verge of being sold, however), a playing squad which struggles to complete with Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, let alone mega-bucks Manchester City and the other traditional big three, and a historic (but small) stadium which is holding the club back in terms of match day revenue. So quite a list of problems, and it is hard to know what Hodgson can personally do to improve the situation. He can certainly put his famous man-management techniques to task - he has already seemingly persuaded Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres at Anfield for at least the coming season, and it looks like Javier Mascherano will be the only big name departure. The strength in depth is a real issue, but until there is investment in the club, he will not be able to prove the squad. Joe Cole is a quality addition on a free transfer, as will Milan Jovanovic from Standard Liege, but the only money spent so far this transfer window has been the £2 million on young Rangers defender Danny Wilson. There are no problems between the sticks - Pepe Reina is probably the best keeper in the league. Glen Johnson should improve after his debut season, and a defence including Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger is sound rather than spectacular. There are undoubtedly areas which could be improved on - especially the wings and support for Torres in attack (where David N'Gog is adequate at best). The keys for Hodgson will be fleshing out the squad as much as he can, and keeping Gerrard and Torres fit and in form. But that could be easier said than done. The fans may be appeased if they are content with fighting for fourth, but even that could be a forlorn hope.
VERDICT - 5TH.

ONE TO WATCH - JOE COLE.
The midfielder, released on a free transfer by Chelsea, will be keen to prove he still has a lot to offer at the age of just 28. In the last two seasons, he has struggled for both form and fitness, but still showed flashed of brilliance, especially the glorious flicked finish in the crucial title deciding game at Old Trafford. This is the form which Hodgson will be trying to coax out of him. To his credit, the former Fulham boss looks like he is going to play Cole in his favoured position - in the hole behind a striker, being the team's schemer. It could be a match made in heaven, and a bargain for Liverpool.


MANCHESTER CITY
Can money buy you happiness? Man City fans will be hoping you can, and that the point will be proved in the coming season. Having been pipped to the final Champions League qualifying place by Spurs, reaching the 'coveted' fourth spot will be the minimum requirement for manager Roberto Mancini and his megabucks superstars. That is the least the Arab owners will expect, and a trophy wouldn't go amiss either. They reacted to last season's disappointment by splashing out big transfer fees (and wages) on Yaya Toure, David Silva, Aleksander Kolarov and Jerome Boateng, but it remains to be seen if they resemble genuine title contenders. There is definitely strength of depth. Who wouldn't want Shay Given and Joe Hart as your two goalkeepers? They would walk into most teams in the top flight. For the outfield players, it is hard to know where to start. In defence, you have Joleon Lescott, Kolo Toure, Pablo Zabaleta grown prospects like Nedum Onouha and Micah Richards. Further forward, there is no guarantee that the younger Toure's £200,000 a week is going to ensure him of a first team place - Nigel de Jong, Vincent Kompany, Patrick Vieira and Gareth Barry all play in his position. Attacking options are provided by the likes of Adam Johnson, and Shaun Wright-Phillips, and strikers in the shape of Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Craig Bellamy lends itself to goals. And that's even before mentioning the likes of Stephen Ireland and Michael Johnson, the forgotten men of Eastlands, or Robinho, fresh from his loan spell at Santos and an excellent World Cup. But it takes more than throwing money at a team to reach the top of the tree - when Chelsea suddenly found overnight riches, it took Jose Mourinho being appointed manager to foster a genuine title winning team spirit. Almost overnight, John Terry and Frank Lampard seemed to become world class players. Man City lack a leader, and that is something which cannot be bought. Liverpool have Steven Gerrard, Chelsea have Terry and Manchester United have Ryan Giggs, who all embody the spirit of their particular clubs. Even Given has gone as far as admitting this. It is one thing challenging to qualify for the Champions League, it is quite enough trying to win the title and I think this is definitely likely to be at least a season too soon for Man City.
VERDICT - 4TH.

ONE TO WATCH - ADAM JOHNSON.
Amid all the flash signings being made from around the globe, it was refreshing to see that one of the first pieces of business carried out by Mancini was to sign the young Middlesbrough winger for £7 million. Not huge money by Man City's standards, but so impressive was Johnson, that he cemented his place in the team, and moved to the brink of England's World Cup squad. He just missed the cut, but Fabio Capello is clearly a fan, and he should add to his one England cap in the friendly against Hungary. With more big money signings (such as David Silva in his position) the onus will be on him to continue to improve and make that left-wing position his own.


MANCHESTER UNITED

It has been a relatively quiet summer so far for Sir Alex Ferguson and his team by their standards, so he clearly feels there is no need for major improvements - either that or the money isn't there from the Glazers! Last season was a question of so near yet so far, and the over-reliance on Rooney became apparent with his injury in the Champions League quarter-final first leg in Munich - an implosion in both the main competitions quickly followed. So there's an area to address, namely there is not enough strength in depth in attack. Michael Owen's best days are clearly behind him, while Dimitar Berbatov is lethargic and laid back almost to the point of being horizontal. In that context, the pre-World Cup signing of Javier Hernandez from Guadalajara is a potential god-send, not least because if they'd waited until after the finals, the price tag of 'La Chicharito' would have rocketed on the bad of his two goals in South Africa. The other main problem area is in the centre of midfield - the new Premier League squad rules will probably keep the injury prone Owen Hargreaves out of the squad for the first half of the season, while there is no doubt Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes have seen better days physically, even if there undoubted ability is still present. Anderson is the most un-Brazilian player besides Lucas Leiva, and Michael Carrick regressed in the last season, reducing him to a bit part player in the England set-up. Apart from that, everything seems rosy. Edwin van der Sar is as reliable as ever in goal, and if Rio Ferdinand regain his fitness he will continue his formidable partnership with Nemanja Vidic at the heart of Manchester United's defence. Partice Evra will relish the chance to return to club football after his humiliating summer in South Africa, and then, obviously there is Rooney, who will be hoping to put his own dismal summer behind him. He should be plenty of chances from the likes of Antonio Valencia and Nani, who were unsung heroes on the wings last season, and the energy and commitment of Park Ji Sung is always an asset. Ferguson will be hoping youngsters like Federico Macheda, Darron Gibson and Danny Welbeck continue their development this season to add more strength in depth to the squad. But can all this add up to overhauling a formidable looking Chelsea outfit? That will be the acid test.
VERDICT - 2ND.

ONE TO WATCH - JAVIER HERNANDEZ.
The £10 million Mexican was bought with an eye on the future, but in the World Cup, he already looked the part. He seems a natural goalscorer, with his efforts against France and Argentina taken with exquisite composure, and he also possesses great movement, pace and positional awareness. Could he be the perfect foil Wayne Rooney has been crying out to be given for so long?


NEWCASTLE UNITED.

As Richard Madeley might say on his hit TV show, 'Welcome back.' And what a welcome back it is for the Geordies, fresh from their humiliating relegation a year ago - Manchester United at Old Trafford in the first Monday night game of the season. No pressure then. But this is a different Newcastle to the one which endured the heartbreak of relegation - stars such as Damien Duff, Mark Viduka, Michael Owen and Shay Given are no more, but rookie manager Chris Hughton fostered a real team spirit, and his charges won the title with 102 points and clinched promotion with a month to spare, a good reward after one of the longest trips in football, away to Plymouth Argyle. The squad is refreshingly English, apart from the Argentine World Cup duo of Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez, Spanish pair Jose Enrique and Xisco and Danish striker Peter Lovenkrands, and this could stand them in good stead for the coming season. The Newcastle faithful are often hopelessly optimistic, but they shouldn't kid themselves that anything other than avoiding relegation will be a successful season. The summer business done by Hughton shows the kind of market Newcastle are now buying in - the experienced (but ageing) Sol Campbell, Dan Gosling, pinched from under the noses of the Everton hierarchy, and James Perch from Nottingham Forest, who is completely untried and untested at this level. There is plenty of Premier League experience though, as the majority of players didn't jump the sinking ship - including Steve Harper, Alan Smith, Joey Barton, Danny Guthrie, Ryan and Steven Taylor and Shola Ameobi. Captain Kevin Nolan is far too good for the Championship, as shown by his 17 goals as a box-to-box midfield player - pushing for the England squad is far more his level. Goals are an area where Newcastle might struggle - Ameobi has never looked at home at the highest level, and neither has Lovenkrands. So there could be a huge onus on the young (but equally broad) shoulders of Andy Carroll. The 21-year-old local lad scored 17 goals last season (when he wasn't fighting with his teammates) and Hughton has rewarded his form with the hallowed number nine shirt. For a Geordie, that's a big thing, and he will be hoping to be more of an Alan Shearer than an Obafemi Martins. The ability is their to survive - it's just a question of belief, with the memories of Villa Park last May still fresh in the memory.
VERDICT - 15.

ONE TO WATCH - ANDY CARROLL.
This has the potential to be a big season for the big target man, but he can't afford any of the bad headlines he subjected the club to last season, with the glare of the Premier League fixed firmly on him. He is great at leading the line, strong in the air and on the ground, and he also added a clinical element to his game last season. The Premier League will be a step up in quality, but judging from his character, it's one that he will relish. Charles N'Zogbia and Steven Taylor might have something to say about his qualities as a teammate, but if they can be rectified, he has the potential to be a top class striker.


STOKE CITY

It may not be pretty, but like Sam Allardyce at Blackburn, Stoke boss Tony Pulis won't care, as he has turned the Potters into an established Premier League outfit, and such is his confidence, he will back his team to improve on finishes of 12th and 11th in their first two seasons in the top flight. And despite the obstacles you wouldn't bet against them. Such is the bias towards the handful of teams at the top of tree, Sir Alex Ferguson's many fall-outs with his top players - Jaap Stam, David Beckham, Ruud van Nistlerooy and Roy Keane for starters - are inspired and needed for regeneration, while the same from Pulis is bad man-management. But if the man in charge doesn't have a strong hold on discipline, how are any of his players going to respect him? James Beattie and Tuncay Sanli found this out to their cost last season, but Pulis is unlikely to change. Their qualities are in defence - a solid foundation built on Thomas Sorensen in goal, and a central defence of Robert Huth, Abdoulaye Faye and Ryan Shawcross which is almost as good as anything else the Premier League has to offer. The midfield, as with so many teams outside the top seven or eight, is put out there mainly to disrupt rather than to create. After all, Rory Delap is predominantly in the team for his assists from long throws. Deany Whitehead, Salif Diao and Glenn Whelan are industrious rather than adventurous, but Liam Lawrence and Matthew Etherington provide quality from the wings which plays to Stoke's strengths - getting balls into the penalty area for big strikers like Dave Kitson, Mamady Sidibe and Ricardo Fuller to get on the end of. With a little more quality up front, Stoke could really push on this season. At the time of going to press,Tuncay and Fuller add the only real quality, and this will only get Stoke so far. But whoever Pulis brings in, his philosophy is unlikely to change - and as long as that continues to bring relevant success to the Britannia, the Stoke masses won't care. A bit more unity and team spirit wouldn't go amiss either.
VERDICT - 9TH.

ONE TO WATCH - RYAN SHAWCROSS.
His abilities as a defender are undoubted - his abilities as a human are, after his potential career ending tackle on Aaron Ramsey last season. This probably prevented him from making his England debut last season, which should be rectified tomorrow against Hungary. This forced an impassioned defence of his character from his manager, and he is certainly a fine defender - good in the air, strong in the tackle (no pun intended) and a great reader of the game, and he is surely a future England regular in the making.


SUNDERLAND

After a season of so near yet so far, Sunderland will be looking to really push on in Steve Bruce's second season in charge. The Black Cats started the season quickly, with 17 points from the first 11 games, including home wins over Arsenal and Liverpool (with a beach ball even getting on the score sheet), and were just outside the Champions League places by the end of October. They nosedived thereafter with a 15 game winless run, but the foundations of a challenge for a European spot are in place. The Wearside club has a strong spine, with Craig Gordon a solid presence between the sticks. John Mensah, Anton Ferdinand, Michael Turner and George McCartney make up a strong defence in front of him, while Lee Catermole and new Paraguayan signing Cristian Riveros will hold the midfield together with a blend of tenacity and creativity. Cattermole especially will be a key player, as Sunderland lacked fight at times last season - this was most notable when the former Middlesbrough youngster was on the treatment table. The onus will be on Steed Malbranque and Kieran Richardson to provide the chances for one of the best striker partnerships outside the top six - Darren Bent and Kenwyne Jones, with the English striker scoring an outstanding 24 Premier League goals last season, which somehow wasn't enough to be on the plane to South Africa. His record of scoring with one in every four shots shows he's the most genuine matchwinner Sunderland possess, and Jones is the perfect foil. Keeping those two fit and firing, and the deep pockets of owner Ellis Short, are key to a happy Stadium of Light in the coming season. Another key decision for Bruce will be replacing captain and his on-field general Lorik Cana, after the Albanian joined Galatasaray after just one season on Wearside. Cattermole or Turner seem the most likely candidate.
VERDICT - 8TH.

ONE TO WATCH - LEE CATTERMOLE.
The tigerish midfielder is likely to be a key player for Sunderland in the coming season. He played just over half the Premier League games in his debut season, and his absence was keenly felt by his teammates. Not so much his technical ability, but his fighting and leadership qualities. Every team needs one player like this, and he is Sunderland's - if he continues his current development, a call up to the full England squad is surely just around the corner.


TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR.

Old 'Arry in the Champions League - who would have thought it?! But Redknapp deserves the opportunity to rub shoulders with Europe's elite, after more than serving his apprenticeship at Bournemouth, West Ham United, Portsmouth (twice) and Southampton. When he saw the implosion that was heading to Fratton Park and jumped ship for a second time, to take over at a Spurs side bottom of the league, may have seemed a folly decision to some. Bbut Redknapp knew what he was doing. The players were there, and the funds were available, and in the space of 18 months, he has taken Spurs from the relegation zone to Europe's top table. And looking through their squad, it is not hard to see why - for strength in depth, few teams can match them. If you are talking about improved players, none are likely to challenge Brazillian goalkeeper Hereulho Gomes. In defence, Jonathon Woodgate is likely to be left out of the squad for the first half of the season, due to his constant injuries and the new regulations. But he is unlikely to be missed, with Michael Dawson and Ledley King forming an imperious partnership, Younes Kaboul and Sebastian Bassong more than able back up. At left-back, Gareth Bale is a definite contender with Gomes for the title of most improved player in the league (and his record 24 matches before being on the winning side in a Premier League match is a distant memory, especially following winning goals against Arsenal and Chelsea). Once again, Benoit Assou-Ekoto is a more than able deputy. In midfield, there is plenty of pace and creativity in Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon, Tom Huddlestone, David Bentley and Niko Kranjcar, with solidity being provided by Wilson Palacios and the returning Jamie O'Hara. Simple numbers show not all these players can make the first team, and this makes for a very strong bench. There should be no problem with goals - Jermain Defoe, as he showed at the World Cup, is as natural a goalscorer as you are likely to see, and Peter Crouch, besides being the perfect foil and brilliant at linking the play, also complements Defoe's game perfectly. And on the bench, former captain Robbie Keane has returned from a successful loan spell at Celtic, and Roman Pavlyuchenko will probably join him in warming the bench. When you factor in youngsters like Giovani dos Santos, Danny Rose, and the highly rated Sandro, a highly rated £11 million signing from Internacional, and it is not hard to see why Harrry is talking up a potential title bid. But it could be a case of after the Lord Mayor's Show, and the twin job of juggling a Premier League challenge with a Champions League campaign will be an alien concept.
VERDICT - 6TH.

ONE TO WATCH - DANNY ROSE.
For all the stars at White Hart Lane, it is young Danny Rose who has got the tongues wagging in N17. To be fair, scoring a stunning 30 yard volley 11 minutes into your debut against bitter rivals Arsenal must surely help. He had to be withdrawn at half time in that game thanks to an ankle injury, but the 30-year-old should feature more in the coming season, with a combination of pace and invention making him a good option on the left side of the midfield.


WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Boing boing, and like that, they're back again. Since 2000/01, when they finished sixth in the then first division and losing in the play-offs, they have either been promoted, escaped relegation on the last day of the season, been relegated or lost in the play-off final in the subsequent nine years. So, whatever happens in the ensuing season, it is unlikely to be boring. In four seasons in the Premier League, the Baggies have been relegated three times - and Roberto di Matteo will look to succeed where Gary Megson, Bryan Robson (eventually) and Tony Mowbray failed. A strong start is in imperative, and they need to lose the soft centre they displayed on too regular a basis two years ago, when they finished last despite some pretty football. So in that respect, Slovenia playmaker Robert Koren has been released, but di Matteo has highlighted a new defender and a proven Premier League goalscorer as priorities. At least the Italian will know should the defence prove porous, Scott Carson will prove a consistent last line of defence. But while the likes of Jonas Olsson and Abdoulaye Meite proved adequate in the Championship, but were constantly found out at the highest level. West Brom's strength lies in midfield. Graham Dorrans and Chris Brunt provide some vital creativity, and James Morrison is a reliable Premier League performer. Goals are sure to be a problem for di Matteo. Ishmael Miller, Simon Cox and Luke Moore do not look good enough to be Premier League match winners. Roman Bednar provides a more consistent goal threat, but his off-field problems have been well documented and he reliability has to be a question with the Czech target man. A lot of these players proved inadequate for the Premier League two years ago - are many of them really any better in the time passed? Only time will tell.
VERDICT - 18TH.

ONE TO WATCH - CHRIS BRUNT.
In their last venture into the promised land, the Northern Irish left winger was one of the few players to look up to the task in the top flight. He possesses great pace and physical attributes, as well as a brilliant left foot, both in terms of crossing and set-pieces. He is also not shy of a goal, and his form will be crucial in the hard months ahead.


WEST HAM UNITED

After a dismal season where only the fact that Burnley, Hull and Portsmouth were so inept saved them from an inevitable relegation, and rookie manager Ginafranco Zola inevitably fell on his sword. The circus behind the scenes with the Davids, Gold and Sullivan, and a huge injury list hardly helped matters. In Avram Grant, West Ham have a replacement who knows how to cope admirably in hard situations, and he may find himself in one in the coming season. The squad is long on numbers, but short of quality and commitment - only the inspirational Scott Parker and Mark Noble wear their hearts on their sleeves, and fellow Englishmen Robert Green and Matthew Upson are returning from World Cup horror shows. Green in particular will need more protection than he received last season from the likes of Upson, Jonathon Spector and Manuel da Costa as he looks to get over his nightmare moment in Rustenburg. The commitment of the likes of Benni McCarthy, Luis Boa Morte and Julien Faubert has to be questioned, and it is hard to say whether the word 'mercenary' or 'journeyman' is more apt. So in this light, Grant's policy of buying up more foreign players (such as Frederik Piquionne, Tal Ben Haim, Winston Reid and Pablo Barrera) is slightly folly, especially in light of the Premier League's new squad regulations. The goal threat will be focused on Carlton Cole, should he stay, and he will be hoping to showcase his abilities having been recalled to the England squad. On his day, with his touch and physical presence, he can be as good as anyone in the league. Unfortunately, he doesn't have those days often enough, which is much the same as many Hammers players. So, Grant getting the best out of his troops could be the difference between them battling relegation and mid-table security.
VERDICT - 17TH.

ONE TO WATCH - TOMASZ HITZLSPERGER
An intriguing free transfer (and technically he qualifies as a homegrown player due to his schooling at Aston Villa). His career has stagnated somewhat in the last year or so, from being deposed as Stuttgart captain by coach Markus Babbel to being sent out on an unsuccessful loan spell to Lazio, and being released by the German club. But he has one of the best left foots in Europe - you don't get a nickname like the hammer for nothing - and he will add some craft and creativity to the West Ham midfield. His Premier League experience will also be vital.


WIGAN ATHLETIC.

If any established Premier League team is on the verge of implosion, it is Wigan. Spanish boss Roberto Martinez endured a difficult first season at the JJB, despite rousing home wins over Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal - this was probably due to losing 9-1 at Spurs and 8-0 at Chelsea on the final day of the season, and it is these kinds of results which suggest a season of struggle could lie ahead. The club haven't adequately replaced star performers like Antonio Valencia and Wilson Palacios, and a small squad could count against them. Chris Kirkland is a good keeper but brittle-boned, and Mike Pollitt as his deputy is long past the veteran stage at the age of 38. Their defence is shockingly porous, and won't be helped by the transfer of Titus Bramble to re-join Steve Bruce at Sunderland. Quality in defence last season came from Honduran Maynor Figueroa, but he was better known for 50-yard free-kicks than last ditch tackles, and the signing of Antolin Alcarez, a mainstay of Paraguay's stoic defence in the World Cup could be crucial as Gary Caldwell quickly found that there is a significant step in quality from the SPL to the top flight in England. Going forward, there is a clear over-reliance on both Charles N'Zogbia and Hugo Rodallega for both goals and creativity, and they will need more support if Wigan are to beat the drop. Jason Scotland looks frankly hopeless at the highest level, so Wigan will need to look elsewhere. To their credit, they have bought some excitin young talent into their ranks in the last year - expect James McCarthy, Victor Moses and this summer's signing James McArthur to play more of a role over the coming season in a wafer-thin squad. And amid all the purse tightening around English football this summer, Wigan chairman Dave Whelan put his in his pocket to break the club's transfer record - £5.8 million for Argentine striker Mauro Boselli. He scored 32 goals in 57 games and narrowly missed out on Diego Maradona's World Cup squad, but still represents something of a gamble. If it plays off, Martinez will fancy is chances of leading Wigan to survival. But it's a big 'if.'
VERDICT - 19TH.

ONE TO WATCH - JAMES MCARTHY.
The young Irishman impressed sporadically in his debut season, and more will be expected of him second time around. He scored on his full debut (a 2-0 win away to Wolves) and showed maturity beyond his years during the relegation battle Wan endured. His passing is a real asset, and the arrival of McArthur, his former teammate at Hamilton, will surely only increase his confidence and progression. A bright prospect, and he clearly has a wise head on his shoulders - he turned down offers from the likes of Liverpool and Celtic, because he knows the importance of first team football at this stage in his career.


WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

And so we reach the end of the road, and Wolves will be looking to consolidate on a steady first season back in the top flight. It wasn't always pretty, but it was effective, and chairman Steve Morgan looks like he is ready to back his manager Mick McCarthy in the transfer market to ensure the Black Country side consolidate themselves in the top flight. The foundations of Wolves survival were built in a strong defence, especially in terms of the last line, keeper Marcus Hahnemann. The veteran American showed he still has what it takes to compete at the top level. Steven Mouyokolo has been drafted in from Hull to aid a defence already containing Christophe Berra and Richard Stearman, although the loss of loanee Michael Mancienne back to Chelsea will be a big blow. There is plenty of industry in midfield, but very little creativity - and this is born out by a shocking return of goals (32 was the lowest in the division last season). they failed to score in almost half their league games, and despite being willing runners, captain Karl Henry and David Jones don't provide the necessary thrust going forward. Serbian Nenad Milijas enjoyed an impressive debut season, with his long range shooting especially catching the eye, but more will be expected of him next term. The same can be said of 'the non-league Ryan Giggs', Michael Kightly, who endured a frustrating, injury hit first Premier League campaign. The signing of Stephen Hunt should help on the creative side of things, but it is in attack where Wolves real problems lie. Kevin Doyle was easily their top scorer with nine league goals, and is an adequate performer at the highest level. But he needs more support, and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, while being one of the best in the second tier, doesn't seem to be the answer. But the club's £6.5 million joint record signing Steven Fletcher (after a fine season for Burnley despite their subsequent relegation) just might. McCarthy will be hoping the goals from the Scot and the Irishman will make for a slightly more comfortable season second time around.
VERDICT - 16TH.

ONE TO WATCH - MICHAEL KIGHTLY.
Much is expected of the young winger, he performed wonders in Wolves' promotion season, but injuries, a lack of form and a lack of opportunities prevented him doing the same in the top flight last season. But with a full pre-season behind him, he will be raring to go, not least to prove right those Giggs comparisons. He has more than a little of Giggs about him - he is a quick, direct runner, and is a good crosser. It just remains to be seen if he can do it at the highest level.




PADDY POWER'S TOP TEN BETS

So that's the up-coming season in a nutshell. But why not make it interesting? Everyone who loves football loves a flutter, and here are my top ten bets from Paddy Power for the season to come:

1) TEAM TO SCORE LEAST LEAGUE GOALS - STOKE CITY, 6/1.
The Potters may be on the verge of becoming an established Premier League side, but there success is based solely on their defence. As FourFourTwo magazine puts it, 'their strikers are shier than a blushing virgin.' Although they should be safe from relegation, the scorers can think about putting their feet up when Stoke are involved.

2) FIRST PLAYER TO BE SENT OFF THIS SEASON - LEE BOWYER, 80/1.
And how popular it would be too. With his famous hot-headed temperament still unruffled by his advances years, expect him to be flying into tackles that will leave the official reaching for the dreaded red card.

3) JERMAINE BECKFORD TO SCORE NO GOALS IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE - 5/1.
Such short odds on a striker scoring no league goals over a whole season show just how unproven Beckford is at the highest level. Injuries and form permitting, he is unlikely to force his way past Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Louis Saha into the starting line-up, and the latest transfer gossip is that Everton have been linked with highly rated Nice striker Loic Remy, which would only push him further down the pecking order.

4) WAYNE BRIDGE AND JOHN TERRY TO SHAKE HANDS WHEN MANCHESTER CITY AND CHELSEA MEET AT STAMFORD BRIDGE, SEPT 27 - 3/1.
Quite short odds considering the (justifiable) hatred from the former to the latter. But they say time is the best healer, and eight months down the line, how bitter will Bridge really be towards his former Chelsea and England teammate. After all, while maybe not having the last laugh, he did help his current team beat his former team when they met at Stamford Bridge in February, and the thoughts of a title challenge may occupy his mind to a greater extent. But he may not even have the chance to shake hands, with the Serbian left back Aleksander Kolarov bought for big money from Lazio.

5) BLACKPOOL TO GET THE LEAST POINTS IN PREMIER LEAGUE HISTORY (10 OR LESS) - 16/1.
This is only four wins, which explains why the odds are so long. But this Blackpool side does not look capable of even attempting to stay in the top flight, and the summer hasn't exactly been harmonious, with a lack of transfer activity, problems with the ground, and rumours over Ian Holloway's future as manager. A good start is imperative, but if they don't get that wish, this could be a long, hard season - and this could be a decent bet!

6) FULHAM TO KEEP MOST CLEAN SHEETS - 28/1.
This is an even longer shot, but if Mark Hughes can engineer the same fighting spirit witnessed under Roy Hodgson, a defence containing Brede Hangeland and John Pantsil (should the Cottagers keep hold of them) is a fearsome proposition, and they were famously parsimonious in defence under the affable Hodgson.

7) GREEN AND GOLD BANNERS/SCARVES BANNED FROM OLD TRAFFORD - 33/1.
Apparently David Beckham didn't know the significance of someone handing him a scarf with those colours after AC Milan's defeat at Old Trafford. That's about as believable as suggesting Sir Alex wasn't aiming for him with the football boot. The protests will continue and the Glazers will remain as unpopular as ever, no matter what happens on the pitch. This would be a drastic step but I wouldn't put it past them.

8) ROB GREEN TO SCORE AN OWN GOAL IN THE LEAGUE THIS SEASON - 9/2.
A harsh one, but the (probably former) England keeper can expect a rocky ride at away grounds, judging by the reaction of the MK Dons fans following his first touch in pre-season for West Ham. If he lets the pressure of the training camera lenses, waiting for a mistake, get to him, who knows what will happen?

9) BLACKPOOL TO BEAT MANCHESTER UNITED IN THE LEAGUE - 6/1.
Unlikely really. More like improbable. But, on a given day, you never know what can happen on the football field. Just ask Burnley, who beat Man United at Turf Moor in their first home game of the season. Unfortunately for Blackpool, their first home encounter with a big team is the first weekend in December - the surprise factor might have worn off. But let's hope Blackpool can do the business, because the post match interview with Ian Holloway would be priceless.

10) DARRENT BENT TO BE TOP SCORER - 20/1.
While it is nigh on impossible for a smaller team to win the Premier League, players from smaller teams have had astonishing seasons to claim the golden boot. Marcus Stewart did it at Ipswich and Kevin Phillips did it at Sunderland, the same place where Bent almost achieved the feat last season. In a team which spent much of the season in the bottom half, Bent had the outstanding record of scoring a goal every four shots he took, and he would have been even more prolific had he not missed two penalties at home to Spurs. With stronger support next season, he could claim the prize all strikers covet.