Olallana Posted 17 July, 2013 Share Posted 17 July, 2013 Looking at what´s happened so far in the transfer window it´s always a bit fun to speculate which teams that have improved (on paper and in opinions of course) and which has declined. For me it´s like this if I would put 3 in each category and NOT selecting from the top 6..... Improved: Norwich Aston Villa Saints Declined West Bromwich Newcastle Stoke I am also a bit unsure about Swansea, I think they might drop down a few places in the table this year cause I think they are changing too many players + they will have big expectations on them. Not that they would go down but I can see them ending up 12-13th and that would be a disappointment this year. Sunderland is another tricky one, they are also changing too much imo and I think their main loss is loosing Mignolet. Mannone is decent but not in Mignolet´s class imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCodfather Posted 17 July, 2013 Share Posted 17 July, 2013 Improved: Arsenal Chelsea Man City Liverpool Norwich Southampton Sunderland Declined: Everton Fulham Stoke West Brom West Ham Unsure: Man Utd Newcastle Swansea Tottenham To go down: Stoke Crystal Palace Hull City Obviously a lot of swings and roundabouts to happen yet with transfers etc so I could change my mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olallana Posted 17 July, 2013 Author Share Posted 17 July, 2013 Improved: Arsenal Obviously a lot of swings and roundabouts to happen yet with transfers etc so I could change my mind It´s ok to change your mind. But curious question. Arsenal has so far only signed Sanogo. You think they will improve as a team or has you put them there because of what´s rumoured in for them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintrich Posted 17 July, 2013 Share Posted 17 July, 2013 On paper Swansea's squad looks better - some good signings. But will be difficult to improve on last seasons performance. Sunderland have done a lot of business so I think it'll be interesting to see how they do. They've downgraded on goalkeeper by losing Mignolet and replacing with Mannone. Giaccherini is a good buy, but they are rumoured to be letting Sessegnon leave. Graham going out on loan and Altidore coming in is an improvement - Altidore has improved a lot the last few years and whilst it's hard to judge by excellent form in the Dutch league, I also saw him for USA in a few games and he looked good. The rest of their signings I have no idea who they are... Just looking quickly you'd say West Brom will decline (certainly in league position anyway) Bd Norwich have made good buys and will improve. For Villa Okore seems a good buy and the way they improved at the end of last season suggest they should be ok, not sure about other signings + they could lose Benteke. Change of style for Stoke will also be interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint86 Posted 17 July, 2013 Share Posted 17 July, 2013 Looking at what´s happened so far in the transfer window it´s always a bit fun to speculate which teams that have improved (on paper and in opinions of course) and which has declined. For me it´s like this if I would put 3 in each category and NOT selecting from the top 6..... Improved: Norwich Aston Villa Saints Declined West Bromwich Newcastle Stoke I am also a bit unsure about Swansea, I think they might drop down a few places in the table this year cause I think they are changing too many players + they will have big expectations on them. Not that they would go down but I can see them ending up 12-13th and that would be a disappointment this year. Sunderland is another tricky one, they are also changing too much imo and I think their main loss is loosing Mignolet. Mannone is decent but not in Mignolet´s class imo. You are setting your sites at the wrong level here. Arsenal - They have done nothing yet with which you could base an opinion. On the one had they have stability and a young squad that will improve. On the other hand Chelsea and city have already spent big and have appointed good managers. Man Utd look set to make some waves as well this summmer. And Tottenham have only strengthened. Villa - Young team that got to grips with the league last year, more signings in a similar vein. Expect them to improve. Cardiff - Get the impression they will be similar to us in terms of level... but with less style Chelsea - Improve in the league massively, them or city to win it for me. Crystal palace - Little to spend, but a manager who knows how to scrap. Think they are doomed sadly. Everton - Marginal improvement expected for me... The Martinez effect is yet to be felt so tactically they will be at an unknown level with those players. They have strengthened the squad however and more importantly not sold any key players. Fulham - So far they have been treading water, possibly due to Khan's takeover. Khan talks the talk but I don't think they will do much improving, in fact I expect them to go backwards relative to other mid-to bottom half clubs. Hull - Bruce can scrap, they will be there or there abouts at the end of the season. I'm expecting them to be dipping in and out of the relegation zone if I am honest. Liverpool - well, as usual, they have spent a fortune.... how many of there players would we take? Perhaps mignolet? (Not convinced), as for Aspas and co, I think we would all rather spend that money in other areas. I suspect they will improve marginally in relative standards, but not by much, and I think we will be fighting it out with them this year (good start and injury free season permitting). Man City - Considering what their squad is worth, they would be hard pushed to do worse in my honest opinion.. I think there transfers could be better, as with last year, but even so there is scope to improve them massively just through adjusting the tactics and getting them playing. United - Moyes is a good manager for sure, but he is not used to having money, not being at the centre of the media storms and mindgames at the level he will be this year. Talks of rooney out, cesc in... will it happen? Personally I didn't think that the united team was that good last year, and that it showed SAF's abilities once again to win the league the way they did. Under moyes, I expect a downgrade in position, perhaps scrapping for 3rd or 4th. Newcastle - Honestly, at the moment I think they will be struggling.. No good buys in, management in turmoil, fans angry at the hole debacle and no quality buys of the level they need to "improve" - I don't think they will be any better than last year and be bottom half and towards the relegation zone. Norwich - they have bought well, solid team last season and will remain so, perhaps with extra bite. I have them down to improve - comfortable mid table position? The Saints - Looks promising so far. Rock solid midfield, defence is better, and our first 11 line ups look pretty damn good. Get in a quality striker and a good winger and I really think we can look towards the heights of 6/7th with an injury free season. We shall see. Sunderland - God only knows, di canio is an unknown for me, based on swindon and some of his results at the end of last season, I think they will get better as a team but finish only a couple of places above the relegation zone, maybe. Definite consideration for the drop as the overall standard this year has improved at the bottom end. Swansea - Bony will be quality for me, and I think swansea will be one of our major rivals for final position this season, i have them down to improve once again. Tottenham - Marginal improvement in quality relative to last seasons top 4, I think some of the chasing pack are catching up on 3rd and 4th positions. if they don't get any strikers, or if bale get injures then I think we can have them though ';.;' West Brom - The player who were so deadly against us have gone and they are looking pace free at the moment... Don't think there usual counter attack yawn football will work on us or other teams next season and we will finish above them. Definite a declining team this year. West Ham - They have stood still next to those around them, therefore a declining position. We will devastate them with Wanyama - they won't understand what to do when they jump on someone and bounce off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olallana Posted 17 July, 2013 Author Share Posted 17 July, 2013 You are setting your sites at the wrong level here. VERY good post, I didn´t have the time to look into every team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JN9 Posted 17 July, 2013 Share Posted 17 July, 2013 Improved: Arsenal Chelsea Man City Liverpool Norwich Southampton Sunderland Declined: Everton Fulham Stoke West Brom West Ham Unsure: Man Utd Newcastle Swansea Tottenham To go down: Stoke Crystal Palace Hull City Obviously a lot of swings and roundabouts to happen yet with transfers etc so I could change my mind So, just no opinion on Villa either way then... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olallana Posted 17 July, 2013 Author Share Posted 17 July, 2013 Improve in form and ability or points? If the whole league improves, the latter might not. Swansea have little chance of a higher position or better season, but might actually be a better side this year. Think WBA will be average, Norwich struggle despite people thinking their Football Manager signings are amazing, and Sunderland a complete mess, but they'll have a run early on and some people will declare how good all the signings were and how amazing Di Canio is. Similar to how people declared O'Neill amazing for instantly turning them round, rather than replicate Bruce's record which is what he'd done, ending in wasted money and the sack. Sorry, a bit vague from me. I have mady my opinions out of the expectations that are on the teams for this year, compared to last year results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 17 July, 2013 Share Posted 17 July, 2013 IMO...... Improved: Arsenal Chelsea Man City Liverpool Norwich Southampton Villa Declined: Man Utd Everton Fulham Stoke West Brom West Ham Sunderland No real change: Newcastle Swansea Tottenham Unknown: Cardiff Palace Hull Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasoneuelllfanclub Posted 17 July, 2013 Share Posted 17 July, 2013 Final standings prediction based on current squads Chelsea Man city Man utd Arsenal Liverpool Spurs Saints Everton Newcastle West Ham Fulham Swansea Villa Stoke WBA Norwich Sunderland Cardiff Hull Crystal Palace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 17 July, 2013 Share Posted 17 July, 2013 Baggies fans are worried but the Stokies are actually quite upbeat. Already had a few ££ with my Stokie colleagues regarding finishing league positions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olallana Posted 17 July, 2013 Author Share Posted 17 July, 2013 Baggies fans are worried but the Stokies are actually quite upbeat. Already had a few ££ with my Stokie colleagues regarding finishing league positions. Wish I could get in on that bet Well, on one hand I can understand that they wanted to get rid of Pulis despite the great job he´s actually done but it´s a bit of "care for what you wish"-situation imo.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasgow_Saint Posted 17 July, 2013 Share Posted 17 July, 2013 Newcastle have made additions that actually make them worse! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olallana Posted 17 July, 2013 Author Share Posted 17 July, 2013 Newcastle have made additions that actually make them worse! Is Joe playing?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
110_Persaint Posted 17 July, 2013 Share Posted 17 July, 2013 You are setting your sites at the wrong level here. Arsenal - They have done nothing yet with which you could base an opinion. On the one had they have stability and a young squad that will improve. On the other hand Chelsea and city have already spent big and have appointed good managers. Man Utd look set to make some waves as well this summmer. And Tottenham have only strengthened. Villa - Young team that got to grips with the league last year, more signings in a similar vein. Expect them to improve. Cardiff - Get the impression they will be similar to us in terms of level... but with less style Chelsea - Improve in the league massively, them or city to win it for me. Crystal palace - Little to spend, but a manager who knows how to scrap. Think they are doomed sadly. Everton - Marginal improvement expected for me... The Martinez effect is yet to be felt so tactically they will be at an unknown level with those players. They have strengthened the squad however and more importantly not sold any key players. Fulham - So far they have been treading water, possibly due to Khan's takeover. Khan talks the talk but I don't think they will do much improving, in fact I expect them to go backwards relative to other mid-to bottom half clubs. Hull - Bruce can scrap, they will be there or there abouts at the end of the season. I'm expecting them to be dipping in and out of the relegation zone if I am honest. Liverpool - well, as usual, they have spent a fortune.... how many of there players would we take? Perhaps mignolet? (Not convinced), as for Aspas and co, I think we would all rather spend that money in other areas. I suspect they will improve marginally in relative standards, but not by much, and I think we will be fighting it out with them this year (good start and injury free season permitting). Man City - Considering what their squad is worth, they would be hard pushed to do worse in my honest opinion.. I think there transfers could be better, as with last year, but even so there is scope to improve them massively just through adjusting the tactics and getting them playing. United - Moyes is a good manager for sure, but he is not used to having money, not being at the centre of the media storms and mindgames at the level he will be this year. Talks of rooney out, cesc in... will it happen? Personally I didn't think that the united team was that good last year, and that it showed SAF's abilities once again to win the league the way they did. Under moyes, I expect a downgrade in position, perhaps scrapping for 3rd or 4th. Newcastle - Honestly, at the moment I think they will be struggling.. No good buys in, management in turmoil, fans angry at the hole debacle and no quality buys of the level they need to "improve" - I don't think they will be any better than last year and be bottom half and towards the relegation zone. Norwich - they have bought well, solid team last season and will remain so, perhaps with extra bite. I have them down to improve - comfortable mid table position? The Saints - Looks promising so far. Rock solid midfield, defence is better, and our first 11 line ups look pretty damn good. Get in a quality striker and a good winger and I really think we can look towards the heights of 6/7th with an injury free season. We shall see. Sunderland - God only knows, di canio is an unknown for me, based on swindon and some of his results at the end of last season, I think they will get better as a team but finish only a couple of places above the relegation zone, maybe. Definite consideration for the drop as the overall standard this year has improved at the bottom end. Swansea - Bony will be quality for me, and I think swansea will be one of our major rivals for final position this season, i have them down to improve once again. Tottenham - Marginal improvement in quality relative to last seasons top 4, I think some of the chasing pack are catching up on 3rd and 4th positions. if they don't get any strikers, or if bale get injures then I think we can have them though ';.;' West Brom - The player who were so deadly against us have gone and they are looking pace free at the moment... Don't think there usual counter attack yawn football will work on us or other teams next season and we will finish above them. Definite a declining team this year. West Ham - They have stood still next to those around them, therefore a declining position. We will devastate them with Wanyama - they won't understand what to do when they jump on someone and bounce off. This is a great and thorough summary that I wholeheartedly agree with. Though I'm not quite sure what those words and phrases in bold indicate. They seem to be quite random. They kind of take away from the effectiveness of your post and frankly make it quite difficult (and rather annoying) to read coherently without trying to put an emphasis on the bold parts that seem to be completely unnecessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint86 Posted 17 July, 2013 Share Posted 17 July, 2013 Don't know how they got there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torrent Of Abuse Posted 17 July, 2013 Share Posted 17 July, 2013 Newcastle have made additions that actually make them worse! But are they new signings or old players with their names mispronounced? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Secret Site Agent Posted 18 July, 2013 Share Posted 18 July, 2013 This is a great and thorough summary that I wholeheartedly agree with. Though I'm not quite sure what those words and phrases in bold indicate. They seem to be quite random. They kind of take away from the effectiveness of your post and frankly make it quite difficult (and rather annoying) to read coherently without trying to put an emphasis on the bold parts that seem to be completely unnecessary. I think you will find the bold is the bullet points that if you just look at the team, and the boldyou can make out the gist without the need to read the whole statement. so that a double :facepalm: to you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tajjuk Posted 18 July, 2013 Share Posted 18 July, 2013 (edited) Arsenal - no movement either way, with the current squad top 4 challenge, IF they pick up some of their targets then maybe they'll challenge better. Villa - Should do better I think, their team is young and will learn from last year plus they've added a few decent signings but crucial that they get a decent replacement for Benteke as he basically kept them up last year. Cardiff - Unknown, they have shown intent in the transfer market but only Cornelius signed so far they will be battling relegation. Chelsea - The Mourinho factor is huge I think, add in no Fergie to rival him, if they get Rooney I think the title could be going their way. Palace - Going to struggle I think. Everton - I think they will do worse this season, probably 8th or 9th, if they loose Baines and Fellaini then they might be in more trouble. Their signings aren't that inspiring, basically half of a very poor Wigan team. The change of style may impact them as well. Fulham - Potential strugglers I think, aging squad, lost a quality keeper. Form and fitness of Berbatov could be key. Hull - Will be interesting to see if Bruce sticks with the wing backs in the Prem, I reckon they will struggle. Liverpool - Suarez factor, how much they get for him and who they get to replace will determine their season. They have made some decent signings but not sure they are massively better than what they have. Their early season form last year let them down, decently replace Suarez and they might push that top 4. Man City - A new manager, not sure about their signings, a lot of money spent but Fernandinho, Navas and Negredo whilst good players seem a level below what you would expect from a title challenging team and don't seem much better than what they have. They seem to have lost out in the big spender battles to new boys Monaco and PSG as well. Pellegrini is a better manager than Mancini though and I think they will have a better team spirit than they did last year. I also think they will miss Tevez as he was the kind of player that got them results when they played poorly. Man Utd - Again new manager, end of an era, I think Rooney is more important to them than they think, if he leaves with Moyes under pressure in his first year they could dip. Maybe 3rd for them. Newcastle - No new signings, club in a bit of turmoil. The French revolution didn't do as well as expected and their best striker refusing to play at the moment. Probably too good to go down but I think they will struggle again. Norwich - Good signings to build on a good solid team, expect them to be comfortably mid table. Saints - Get the top striker and Banega, I think we will push into that top 8 spot. Current squad is good enough for staying well clear of relegation. Stoke - Interesting one, a few new defensive signings but not much else. They struggled for goals last year and surely Hughes won't play as direct as Pulis but do they have the players to change style? I think they need a couple of decent Midfield additions to stay clear of relegation. Sunderland - Who knows? There is a potential for a QPR, lots of signings, some decent some unknown, an unpredictable manager with a controversial style who could end upsetting half his squad with his boot camp methods. Swansea - Some good signings, Bony gives them something different going forward, some more decent La Liga recruits who will probably slot into the squad easily. Europa league though will take it's toll, so I think not quite the heights of last year. Spurs - Paulinho is a very good signing but they still need a striker, if they get Benteke, keep Bale then they could challenge for the title I think. WBA - Without Lukaku I think they will struggle to reach the same heights of last year. West Ham - Would love to write them off and would love to see them relegated buit they'll find ways of winning games and will probably stay clear of relegation in safe mid table. The teams I think we could potentially overtake this year:- West Ham West Brom Swansea Fulham Stoke maybe Everton at a long shot Liverpool have a very poor season struggling to replace Suarez. I also don't think we will see the closeness in the league like we did last year where at one point like 9th to 17th was less than 6 points. I think the title race is more open than it was, the top 4 is probably from 6 teams with Liverpool being the outside bet for it. I think the newly promoted teams this year will be poor and they are probably favourites for the drop, with Newcastle, Fulham , Sunderland and Stoke being the other potential relegation candidates. We'll be battling to finish top of the midtable bunch I reckon. Edited 18 July, 2013 by tajjuk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsbridge Saint Posted 18 July, 2013 Share Posted 18 July, 2013 Man City are gone - mid table. We are a decent shout to finish above them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max_saints Posted 18 July, 2013 Share Posted 18 July, 2013 Man City are gone - mid table. We are a decent shout to finish above them. really? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie May Posted 18 July, 2013 Share Posted 18 July, 2013 Stoke will have a solid season, IMO. Too many of us are rating our team too highly, IMO. Think we'll be in for a shock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie May Posted 18 July, 2013 Share Posted 18 July, 2013 Imo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 18 July, 2013 Share Posted 18 July, 2013 (edited) Improve Chelsea - possible title winners after recent league underachievement Arsenal - potential title challenge with instability at the other top clubs Villa - showed improvement late on last season and likely to do a bit better Saints - you've got to think we'd build on last season with the new signings so far and experience Regress Everton - difficult to see them keeping their best players with Moyes circling Fulham - don't seem to have added quality and been treading mid-table water for a long time Man Utd - too much instability at the moment, won't drop far, but enough. Stoke - Hughes is rubbish and not the man to turn them into an exciting team, unrest, transition and problems, could go down. Sunderland - will be hilarious and probably rubbish, Di Canio probably won't make the end of the season. West Brom - Lukaku will be a big loss, Anelka unlikely to feature as much Same Liverpool - can't see Rodgers taking them much further, will still be top half but not contenders Man City - in and around the top 3 with their squad Newcastle - ridiculous and will remain so. Norwich - mid to lower table, much of a muchness. Swansea - difficult to know, could push on or might suffer from all the newcomers, could even it out Spurs - Will be top 6 but not much else... unless Bale gets injured. West Ham - same style, same players, same result. Edited 18 July, 2013 by The9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Convict Colony Posted 18 July, 2013 Share Posted 18 July, 2013 Over the last 2 weeks this site has become infested with To try and get us onto a new icon if we get 1 of the strikers we are associated with and Banega which combined with the current bonhomie about where we will finish I will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainchris Posted 19 July, 2013 Share Posted 19 July, 2013 Looking at what´s happened so far in the transfer window it´s always a bit fun to speculate which teams that have improved (on paper and in opinions of course) and which has declined. For me it´s like this if I would put 3 in each category and NOT selecting from the top 6..... Improved: Norwich Aston Villa Saints Declined West Bromwich Newcastle Stoke I am also a bit unsure about Swansea, I think they might drop down a few places in the table this year cause I think they are changing too many players + they will have big expectations on them. Not that they would go down but I can see them ending up 12-13th and that would be a disappointment this year. Sunderland is another tricky one, they are also changing too much imo and I think their main loss is loosing Mignolet. Mannone is decent but not in Mignolet´s class imo. A great idea for a thread and agree with your assessment completely... Pardew may find life difficult this season...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now