Fans View: The Season Ahead

By tufatz
July 20 2004

Message Board user 'tufatz' gives us his view on the season ahead.

Arsenal won't be as good as last season...many players have kind of lost the confidence in them. Viera wants out because he thinks Arsenal wont win the champions league, which is his ambition. And if he goes Arsenal would lose that vibe they have, the vibe which keeps them like a team.

Man U would easily go for the title, with only Chelsea the big team, and maybes Arsenal, for them to look out for. They have a habit of winning big when they dont do aswell the season before hand.

Chelsea wouldn't finish anywhere behind the top 3. If the start to their season dosen't go to plan, then Abramovich will get out the cheque book and they will sign a few players...would say Wayne Rooney here. Any player that has a good half season and plays for one of the other clubs, ie not Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man U or Newcastle, would end up at the Bridge. Mourinho wouldn't get as much out of the Chelsea squad, bar the new signings here, because his new regime is VERY different to that of Ranieri. Also the players have been told they HAVE to preform well or face the chop, which is a bad strain to put on Chelsea's youth stars.

Liverpool would slip this season, managing a 5th place. Though there squad would be better than last seasons under the new manager, but they wouldn't get fourth because the other top teams, Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle, would improve and generally be better than Liverpool -- where Liverpool will drop points the others wont etc.

Newcastle - I feel some silverware coming this season...either the UEFA cup or the FA cup...and maybes both The season would be much better than last...we will improve much and learn from our mistakes...some players have goals they need to accomplish and this season is the one they have to do it in. Shearer will be more determined than ever...its his last season. Bowyer will play better...dont think we will get Butt, as Speed would free up a CM place, which as we wall know Bowyer thrived in the season close. Jenas would be expected to fill Speeds boots...and will do so. Ambrose and Milner will fight for a place...one of them obviously being benched.....or even both if Dyer is given the RM. Last match...against Chelsea...I can see Shearer scoring twice and maybe handing another team the title!

The other teams....

Tottenham: They should improve...maybe managing 7th this season....maybe!

Fulham: Wont be as good as last season! Haven't managed to get a good striker in! Maybe 9-12th.

Charlton: Would be better than Fulham...could easily target anywere between 7-9th.

Aston Villa: Showed what they could do last season...I think they would go 5-6th.

Birmingham: Anywhere between 6-13th!!! Specially after all them signings!

Boro: 7-3th....not gonna get champ league...who are they kidding...

The three I would think would go down are the ones that cam up last season (they're most likely anyways):
WBA
Palace
Norwich

These teams I expect to finish near the bottom...if not just avoid relegation...or maybe be relegated:
Man City
Everton
Portsmouth

These I expect not to be relegated and maybe reach somwere between 7 - 14th:
Blackburn
Bolton

Which one have I missed?!!
Southampton ... 10-13th.