Making their debut to Premier League since its establishment and joining English football top division since 1971, Blackpool will not go straight down to Division 1 after only one season without a fight. On paper, Blackpool FC has the worst talents and depth among all teams in Premiership. However, manager Holloway has proved to be one of the country top managers and will lead his troop to fight hard for every game. Blackpool won the promoting battle through play-offs after finishing 6th in Division 1 last season. History does indicate promotion teams to premiership through hard fought play-offs tend to surprise and manage to stay in top flight at least for 1 season. Yet, skimming through their squad, when the most well-known players include their captain, ex-Wimbledon veteran attacker Jason Euell and a few Welsh and Scottish fringe internationals, I start to worry if their obvious weak squad quality is capable of getting more than 20 points in total, let alone succeeding in staying in premiership beyond one season.
Prediction: Relegation
West Bromwich Albion
A team belongs to somwhere between the Premier League and Division 1. There is never a team promoting to the premiership for so many times, rarely survive in premiership beyond one season and then went straight back to premiership after relegation. This time around, their manager is ex-Chelsea and former Italian international Roberto Di Matteo. Yet, there isn't one Italian player in their squad. Their basic squad remains the same comparing to two season ago in their relegation season in premiership, including team captain and ex-Liverpool England GK Scott Carson and a few local and Czech based talent. Like Blackpool, their squad is not quite reaching the premiership level. If they aim to survive this season, they sure must get in a few new faces as their same squad proved to be vulnerable and incapable in staying in top flight 2 season ago.
Prediction: Relegation
Newcaslte United
One of the highest supporting teams in the country due to their football style "playing football in the right way: pass-and-move, keep the ball on the ground instead of mindless high cross, eye-catching attack and avoid physical play and hard foul to minimum". Newcastle's relegation to Division 1 two seasons ago hurt many fans. However, it only takes one season for Newcastle to win the Championship Division due to their obvious superior squad talents. After a hard lesson two years ago, Newcastle understands the importance of "playing for the result" and should now be a more balanced team to fight for survival. Comparing to two seasons ago, the major squad re-inforcement inludes the signing of veteran English CB Sol Campbell who could provides experience, leadership and stability at the backand English veteran AMF Kevin Nolan, who is the MVP in Division 1 last season. However, the x-factor determine whether the team can merely be a relegation surivor or a middle-table team are the three highly-rated future England internationals: CB Steven Taylor, CMF Dan Gosling as well as FW Andy Carroll. Andy Carroll is only 21 and has been the top scorer for Newcastle last season and an established scorer for England under 21 team. At 6'4', he is the future England hope especially England is now lacking of a natural CF. Will he be the next Alan Shearer or Dean Ashton?
Strongest line-up: <4-4-1-1>
Harper
Ryan-Taylor Steven-Taylor Campbell Enrique
Gutierrez Smith Guthrie Lovenkrands
Nolan
Carroll
Prediction: Survival - Midtable
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