|
Last Season – Seventeenth
When new signing Paul Merson admitted he is dreaming of a Play-Off place for the Saddlers, you had to wonder if he was back on the drink. In all seriousness, the Midlands side should have a better year with Merse in the side but talk of reaching such giddy heights is frankly laughable for one of the division’s smallest clubs.
Neil Emblem and Stefan Oakes have also been added to what is now a tidy squad, as has Vinny Samways, the former Tottenham player. There should be no relegation battle for Colin Lee’s side this year due to the quality of the additions to the squad.
Reading MAD Predict: Expectations are high, but the reality could prove somewhat sobering for Merson and his new team mates.
|
Last Season – Thirteenth
The Hornets were delighted to complete the signing of Manchester United striker Danny Webber this summer. The youngster turned down a new deal at Old Trafford in order to play his football at Vicarage Road. Watford will now pin the weight of their hopes and expectations in the youngster.
Ray Lewington’s side are no better than average, and should achieve no more than an average placing in the First Division this season. Leading striker Heidar Helguson will hope for another prolific campaign having ended up as the club’s highest scorer last year.
Last season was all about financial worries, but thanks in part to the brilliant run to the FA Cup Semi-Finals, money matters can take a spot on the back burner this season.
Reading MAD Predict: Average Watford should achieve another average mid-table finish.
|
Last Season – Nineteenth (Premiership)
Not good enough for the Premiership, West Brom look too good for the First Division. Albion have a stronger squad now than they did a year ago when they began their short stay in the Premiership.
The impressive close-season additions of Thomas Gaardsoe, Bernt Haas, Rob Hulse and James O’Connor make Gary Megson’s outfit the side to beat this year.
The only cloud of uncertainty over the Hawthorns on the eve of the new season surrounds Jason Roberts. The classy striker has handed in a transfer request and could be on his way out soon.
The Baggies problems last year lay in scoring goals. Lee Hughes, Scott Dobie, Daniele Dichio et al should find First Division back lines much easier to break down. Also, new signing Rob Hulse, who expertly unlocked Division Two defences last year, should have no trouble keeping his scoring run going with the Albion. Goals shouldn’t prove to be a problem.
Reading MAD Predict: Not only do the Baggies have a strong first eleven they have strength in depth as well. It will take an excellent team to wrestle the championship off them.
|
Last Season – Eighteenth (Premiership)
West Ham were surprise relegation candidates last season but must adapt quickly to life in Division One. Two months ago the Hammers were being touted as team who could run away with the division, but with Joe Cole, Freddie Kanoute, Glen Johnson, Les Ferdinand, Lee Bowyer, Paulo di Canio and ten other players summer departees, Glenn Roeder's squad is looking extremely threadbare. Whatsmore, Jermain Defoe, a player West Ham could expect maybe twenty-five goals from, is reportedly set for the exit.
Had it not been for the additions of Neil Mellor, David Connolly, Rob Lee and Matthew Etherington, the Hammers could have been staring a bottom half finish in the face. However, the signings all look clever, the capture of Connolly particularly so (24 goals in 28 games last season). England number one David James remains a major asset between the sticks.
Glenn Roeder, who was lucky to hold onto his job for the whole of last season, could be one of the first managers in the country to collect his P45 this season if things get off to a bad start.
Reading MAD Predict: If they perform to their potential, the Hammers will walk the title. However, if they had produced their best regularly last year they would have finished in the top half of the Premiership. Roeder’s side look a good bet for the Play-Offs, but could easily finish up in the bottom half if they aren’t motivated enough to perform.
|
Last Season – Champions (Second Division)
Wigan Athletic enter their first ever season in English football’s second tier, and no not what to expect as there is no past to base any expectations on. Judging by the likes of Preston and Reading who have shot into the Play-Offs the year after being promoted, it could be a good year for the Latics.
Paul Jewell has added just Gary Walsh to the squad that romped to the Second Division championship last season. Whilst in-comings and out-goings have been limited to all but nothing at the JJB Stadium this summer, a side that amassed over a hundred points in Division Two should be more than able to hold its own in the First Division.
Striker Nathan Ellington, who has hit the headlines in the past for his goals in the Cup competitions, will be expected to have a big season. The 22-year-old attacker, signed for a seven figure sum 18 months ago, has a big reputation following a prolific twenty-two goal campaign last year.
Reading MAD Predict: League Cup wins over West Brom, Man City and Fulham last season suggest Paul Jewell’s side could be dark horses for the play-offs.
|
Last Season – Tenth
The club’s move into administration this summer, due in part to it’s ever-dwindling fan base, has seen David Connolly and Neil Shipperley sold in order to raise much needed finances. The pair scored forty-eight goals between them last season, 63% of the clubs 76 league goals.
The Dons, who should move to the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes this autumn, continue to play in front of mini crowds which do the team no good in the long term. Wimbledon, who are probably the most loathed club in football right now, could find themselves preparing for life in Division Two this time next season.
The only chink of light lies in the young trio: Patrick Agyemang, Captain Nigel Reo-Coker and Jobi McAnuff. The youngsters impressed last season and will need to again if Division One status is to be maintained.
Reading MAD Predict: Wimbledon are on a seemingly unbreakable downwards spiral. If Charles Koppell chooses to keep the club in existence for the entire season, they will probably end up relegated.