Team by Team Season Preview – Part 1

By: Rob | August 10th, 2009

And so here we are, just days away from an all new season. In a year the Premier League has changed immensely and all the stories of last season are now in the past, and we are holding on for more endless twists and turns between now and the World Cup next June.

So much like last season, i’m going to preview the season team by team, in alphabetical order, giving you a lo-down on the new signings, the players that need big buys, and all-importantly my prediction as to where everyone is going to finish. Who will be a hit? Who will be a miss? Who will get sacked first? Will Man United get the record breaking fourth title in a row? I’ll answer all in due course.

Arsenal to Bolton after the jump.

Arsenal

Last Season Another season another fourth placed finish, but a run to the Champions League semi-final and the signing of Andrei Arshavin broke the malaise.

New in Town Thomas Vermaelen. The Belgian arrived from Ajax in the summer to plug up Arsenal’s defence, which since has lost Kolo Touré. If Vermaelen can stike up a partnership with the increasingly temperamental William Gallas though it could be the start of great things.

They Will Be Wearing An oddly classy pinstripe away kit.

Who Needs A Big Year Jack Wilshere – Showed flashes of it last season, but if he breaks into the Arsenal team, could be a surprise pick for Fabio Capello in South Africa come June.

Perfect Season No injuries. Getting hands on some silverware, the young talent finally stepping up to start a dynasty that could dominate for years to come.

What They’ll Get Probably just about getting into the Champions League places again. Arsenal do have a really good starting XI, but they are constantly injury ravaged. If they can keep players fit, and could sign a decent defensive mid, they could actually challenge again. The FA Cup is more likely though. 4th.

Aston Villa

Last Season Looked like they actually would break into the Champions League, and then fell away and ended up 10 points adrift of Arsenal.

New in Town Stewart Downing. A player who genuinely divides people, he is going to need a big year if he is to prove he is the real deal.

They Will Be Wearing Like Arsenal the usual, and then pinstripe away.

Who Needs A Big Year See above.

Perfect Season Beating Birmingham twice and landing in that Champions League place at last.

What They’ll Get Alot less. Villa have sold Gareth Barry, arguably their best player, and with Man City having spent alot of money and Everton snapping at their heels, they’ll struggle to repeat last season’s form. 7th.

Birmingham City

Last Season Spent pretty much the entire year in a battle with Reading for Second place in the Championship, which eventually they secured.

New in Town Christian Benitez. The South American has already caused a bit of a stir by constantly referring to himself in the third person. He has the ego to match Arshavin, bluenoses will be hoping he has the ability as well.

They Will Be Wearing A really horrible blue and white home kit, and hopefully the away kit more often.

Who Needs A Big Year Barry Ferguson, if he wants to be remembered as anything other than the petulant sod who got himself banned from playing for his own country.

Perfect Season Beating Villa twice in the league as well as once in the cup. Staying up would probably prove a nice bonus too.

What They’ll Get McLeish is probably canny enough to keep them up, especially amongst the dreadful bottom of the league sides. With the signings they’ve made, i’ll say 15th.

Blackburn Rovers

Last Season Paul Ince came in from MK Dons, and Rovers promptly flirted with relegation. He was sent back, and replaced with Big Sam Allardyce, who made sure the club was well safe.

New in Town Stephen N’Zonzi, who cost a tiny 400k. Could be another classic Big Sam Bargin.

They Will Be Wearing The home kit is nice, but the away kit pits white with blue and red. One or the other, please.

Who Needs A Big Year Morten Gamst Pedersen could do with one to prove he wasn’t just a one season wonder.

Perfect Season A return to title winning days is a bit much to ask, I’m sure Blackburn fans would be pretty happy if Big Sam could push Blackburn up the league as he did with Bolton.

What They’ll Get Mid table I reckon, Sam can be trusted to keep them away from the dogfight. 11th

Bolton

Last Season After many expected them to crash post-Sam, they kept climbing with a respectable 13th. So not quite the Allardyce years just yet, but getting there.

New in Town Sean Davis. Started in what is now League Two with Fulham, will be looking to make an impact in the Premier League at last.

They Will Be Wearing Oddly asymmetrical look-we’re-trying-to-do-something-to-warrant-charging-£40 kind of thing.

Who Needs A Big Year Gary Cahill was knocking on the door of an England Squad place in the summer, if he has a big year, who knows?

Perfect Season Sam Allardyce sensationally resigns from Blackburn proclaiming Bolton the only club he truly loved, before coming back in January and signing a load of 35 year old players that appear past it.

What They’ll Get I think they’ll be pulled back down the table again this year, but will again survive and mark their 10th straight year in the Prem. 16th