Tottenham

Juande Ramos’s reign at White Hart Lane has been stop start so far this season.

He has raised Spurs’ commitment and fitness level on the pitch but their ever-unreliable defence is still the Spaniard’s main problem, not to mention the lack of natural left sided players. The 5-1 hammering of their north London rivals Arsenal in the Carling Cup showed us they are a major attacking force but the late equaliser against Manchester United in the league highlights their ongoing defensive frailties.

It is no secret there will be mass clearout come the summer but already he has come down on those he feels are surplus to requirements. Paul Stalteri, Antony Gardner, and surprisingly Jermain Defoe have all left Tottenham with the pint-sized England international joining Portsmouth having been quoted as saying he would stay at Spurs only last week.

Even so, Ramos seems to be happy with just Berbatov, Keane and Bent as his side’s main attacking threat. His signings in January are an indication that he wants to bring in quality in the areas that need improving. In comes central defender Jonathan Woodgate (Undis, approx £7m) from Middlesbrough and highly-rated Scottish right-back Alan Hutton (£8m). Add wing-backs Welshman Chris Gunter from Cardiff City (Undis) and left-sided Brazilian Gilberto (Undis) from Hertha Berlin and the Spurs defence looks to be strengthening, but only time will tell given Woodgate, King and Bale’s fitness troubles in recent times as to how solid the backline will be.

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When Paul Jewell announced he was leaving Wigan Athletic just twenty four hours after his side had won a last day relegation shoot-out at Sheffield United, few people criticised him. This, after all, was the man who had masterminded- with the aid of Dave Whelan of course- the club’s fairytale ascent of the Football League, and ensured they were more than just one season wonders in the Premiership, even leading the Latics to a League Cup final with Manchester United in the process.

Jewell himself cited the pressures of battling relegation as one of the major factors in his decision to walk away from the JJB Stadium, although the common consensus is that he also felt he would be unable to take a club with such a limited fanbase as Wigan much further.

Jewell is a fairly popular figure in football, a regular panelist on TV and radio, and his opinions are often worth hearing. When Chris Hutchings was sacked by Wigan after just a handful of league games, Whelan admitted that Jewell was his number one target. Jewell himself seemed to welcome the idea, with sources close to him stating that he was missing being involved with football day-to-day. But the glorious return to Lancashire never materialized for whatever reason, and Jewell was eventually unveiled as the man charged with the daunting task of reviving a Derby County side that was quickly and regularly finding out just how tough the Premier League can be. Derby fans were pleased to have a very good manager at the club, but to most outsiders, it seemed a strange move on Jewell’s part.

And that doubt seems to have spread since November, Jewell’s only victory as Rams boss so far came in an FA Cup Third round replay on penalties against a Sheffield Wednesday side currently languishing in 21st place in the Championship, and who had been ahead both in the initial match, and the replay.

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Liverpool and Arsenal lead the table after victories against Derby and Portsmouth respectively, the Reds hammering Billy Davies’ Rams side 6-0 with Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso scoring twice apiece as Liverpool indicated for the first time in a long, long time that they will sustain a challenge for the league. Arsenal recorded their most convincing victory of the campaign, 3-1 winners against Portsmouth, and despite the lack of transfer activity and departure of Henry, Arsène Wenger’s side also appear ready to contest for the title. While Liverpool and Arsenal have ten points after four matches, Chelsea stayed on that number following their fifth game and first defeat of the season. They fell to a 2-0 defeat against an impressive Aston Villa side with Zat Knight doing more than he did in eight years at Fulham by scoring the opener and keeping a clean sheet.

Everton also lie on ten points after Joleon Lescott netted in the 90th minute to give David Moyes’ outfit a 2-1 victory at struggling Bolton, who now reside in 19th position. The most exciting game of the weekend came from Craven Cottage as Tottenham threw away a 3-1 lead with 12 minutes remaining to draw against Fulham, Diomansy Kamara netting a brilliant overhead kick in the final minute to ensure the points were shared, although the visitors dominated throughout. Martin Jol’s position as coach has become even more precarious. Manchester United beat Sunderland by a single goal from Louis Saha as they continued to flounder in front of goal, and there were wins for Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Blackburn and West Ham too. Reading, after losing 3-0 at home to the Hammers, lie in the relegation zone and second season syndrome is hitting them hard.

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West Ham continued their slow start to the new season with a tame 1-1 draw with third-placed Wigan, as Chris Hutchings continues to prove his critics wrong. Bolton also got off the mark by hammering Reading, and there were wins for Aston Villa and Birmingham while a draw was played out at Goodison Park between Everton and Blackburn as Roque Santa Cruz continued to impress for the visitors. Sam Allardyce says he wants to bring in new faces before the transfer window closes on Friday after watching another draw for his Newcastle side. A visit to the Riverside saw them lead twice only to allow Middlesbrough to level almost immediately on both occasions.

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Defending champions Manchester United already have a big mountain to climb if they are to retain their crown after falling 1-0 at Manchester City, thanks to a Geovanni effort. United dominated but lacked a cutting edge, leaving them on just two points after three matches having scored only one goal in that period and they lie five points off favourites Chelsea, who benefited from a stroke of luck to earn a 1-1 draw at Anfield against Liverpool. Fernando Torres scored a brilliant opener, but Frank Lampard levelled when referee Rob Styles incorrectly ruled that Florent Malouda had been fouled in the box. Both sides remain unbeaten and look set to battle it out for top spot over the next few months, especially after Arsenal failed to take advantage of their rivals’ results. A 1-1 draw at Blackburn offered little indication that the Gunners would compete any better this season than they did in the last.
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Portsmouth v Bolton (1245 UK)
A relegation struggle is looming for Sammy Lee’s Bolton after defeats to Newcastle and Fulham, but while their own defence is struggling, they face a Portsmouth side potentially without Sol Campbell, Noe Pamarot, Gary O’Neil, Dejan Stefanovic and Lauren, while Sulley Muntari’s suspension could leave Harry Redknapp with just 16 senior players.

It already seems imperative that Bolton take at least a point from this encounter as Lee struggles to work his 4-4-2 formation, a change from Sam Allardyce’s successful 4-3-3 tactic. Portsmouth’s half-time adjustments versus Manchester United triggered a much-improved performance, which gained them their second point of the season, and eyes will be on goalscorer Benjani and expensive new striker signing David Nugent to provide the impetus.

Prediction: 1-1

Birmingham v West Ham
An early relegation ‘six-pointer’ against Sunderland yielded only one point following a stoppage time equaliser from old boy Stern John and while their fellow promoted club have picked up four points, Steve Bruce’s side look set for a difficult campaign. They will have midfielder Olivier Kapo and central defender Johan Djourou back, and after West Ham’s sluggish start to the new campaign, there is hope and expectation that Birmingham will pick up their first victory.

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Arsenal
There’s little chance of Arsène Wenger’s side winning the Premier League, so it’s down to the Champions League to make something of the Gunners’ season. However, the departure of Thierry Henry and lack of a comparable replacement makes success on the continent difficult to envisage. Wenger’s future is unresolved and the team lacks direction as a result, meaning success in the domestic cups might be as good as it gets though medium term prospects are excellent.
Prediction: 4th

Aston Villa
New American owner Randy Lerner has not delivered the anticipated revolution to Villa Park, and the close season has brought in just two familiar names both from West Ham. Too many draws last season ensured the Martin O’Neill miracle failed to transpire – for once – and his squad still looks far too thin for European push. Without a major overhaul, Villa look set to continue to mingle with mediocrity and mid-table finishes.
Prediction: 12th

PREDICTION TABLE 1 Chelsea 2 Liverpool 3 Manchester United 4 Arsenal 5 Tottenham 6 Newcastle 7 Portsmouth 8 Everton 9 Manchester City 10 Blackburn 11 West Ham 12 Aston Villa 13 Reading 14 Bolton 15 Fulham 16 Middlesbrough 17 Birmingham 18 Sunderland 19 Wigan 20 Derby

Birmingham
Steve Bruce’s side exited the top-flight following a terrifically dull season of mundane football, but now the former Manchester United defender is expected to steady the Birmingham ship and rebuild their status as an established Premier league club. And of the promoted clubs, Birmingham appear to have the most capable squad. The likes of Garry O’Connor, Olivier Kapo, Daniel de Ridder and Franck Queudrue have all arrived, complementing present talent such as Larsson, McSheffrey, Jerome, Forssell and Jaidi. Don’t suppose that attacking football will be served up, but Birmingham have invested considerably in order to avoid the drop and they have the means to reach 40 points.
Prediction: 17th

Blackburn Rovers
Mark Hughes has done a tremendous job at Rovers and there is no sign of any slip-up just yet. An FA Cup semi-final and promising progress in the Uefa Cup were the highlights from last season, and a late surge in the league earned Blackburn an Intertoto Cup place, meaning another season of Uefa Cup football is imminent. The astute signing of Roque Santa Cruz has strengthened their front line and an accomplished squad containing Pedersen, McCarthy, Bentley and Savage is again set to compete for a position inside the top six, though their bid may be hampered by the focus on cup competitions.
Prediction: 10th

Bolton Wanderers
Sam Allardyce was the driving force behind Bolton’s unlikely recent successes, but his departure means the club will struggle to overachieve again. Sammy Lee has little managerial experience and didn’t impress at the end of last season, but he has brought in a host of new players, stamping his own authority over the squad, and can rely on Allardyce players like Diouf, Campo, Nolan, Jaaskelainen and Anelka. Regular scalps of the top four and top six finishes may be off the cards for next season at least, but Lee has enough quality at his disposal for a comfortable mid-table climax.
Prediction: 14th

Chelsea
For the first time in five years, it has been a relatively sensible summer at Stamford Bridge – no galacticos, no rifts, and no lack of concentration on the season’s objectives. A hat-trick of free transfers can do no harm and Jose Mourinho beat Liverpool to the signing of French international Florent Malouda. The pressure this campaign is on Manchester United, not Chelsea, and Mourinho’s side will revel in their underdog status, especially with much expected of the other contender, free-spending Liverpool. A great work ethic and unprecedented desire to succeed and avenge last year’s demons stands Chelsea in good stead to recapture the Premier League crown from their Manchester foes.
Prediction: 1st

Derby
Unsurprisingly, the Rams are favourites for the drop having failed to lure much in the way of Premier League talent. Billy Davies paid a mammoth £3.5m for Robert Earnshaw – unimpressive for Norwich when they were in the top-flight – while Andy Todd and Andy Griffin will bring some experience to the back line. A few notable players, such as Barnes, Howard and Fagan, may save Derby from embarrassment but at a time when even relegation contenders are spending big, the club’s frugality will surely cost them.
Prediction: 20th

Everton
The yo-yo club of the Premier League, Everton have again reacted to qualifying for Europe by failing to strengthen their squad substantially. Phil Jagielka arrived early on for £4m, but David Moyes has been frustrated since by inflated transfer fees though seems ready to spend £5m on Leighton Baines and has bid £11m for the dexterous Lucho Gonzalez. With the existing squad, success on two fronts – in the league and Uefa Cup – looks improbable so progress on the continent could compromise the chase for another top six finish.
Prediction: 8th

Fulham
It would ironic if new manager Lawrie Sanchez, who has spent as much this summer as predecessor Chris Coleman did in four years, fails to match the Welsh rookie’s relatively good performance, but in spending more than £20m on untested Premier League players, a season of struggle seemingly awaits. Sanchez himself is distrusted by the majority of Fulham fans and the pre-season matches have witnessed a tentative and directionless side. Such expenditure ought to ensure relegation is off the agenda, but the West Londoners seem set to spend the next ten months endeavouring to reach the golden 40-point mark.
Prediction: 15th

Liverpool
A year ago, a frightening number of pundits predicted Liverpool would win the league but that dream soon evaporated on the back of continuing poor away form and results against their immediate rivals. The same prediction now would have far more substance following Rafa Benítez’s spending spree, which included bringing in Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel, but are Liverpool ready to flatter to deceive once again? Their lack of consistency has cost them in recent years but with such significant investment this time around, pressure is on Benítez to succeed away from cup competitions. An immensely talented squad must perform, and with constancy, if Liverpool are to keep pace with Manchester United and Chelsea.
Prediction: 2nd

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