This week’s show is now up as a podcast. You can listen to the show from here, via the On Demand player, or you can subscribe to the show via iTunes.

Plenty to talk about on this week’s show.
* I break down the opening weekend of the Premier League discussing all the games I saw and some brief general thoughts on the others.

* The rantlines returned with the highlights being: the US Squad, Bruce Arena and the Galaxy, Rafa saying Liverpool need to get better, Joey Barton’s and Adrian Mutu’s bad weeks.

Any comments or feedback are always welcome. You can leave them here, on the CSRN Message Board, or at jstarling@csrnusa.com

Just my quick opinions on the other games from this past weekend.

Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion: In what looked like a replay of so many Arsenal games last season, Arsenal controlled the game against West Bromwich Albion, but were unable to put them away, only getting a 1-0 result.

Samri Nasri’s play today stood out to me as he looked comfortable on the ball all day long. However it was Arsenal’s dire finishing that kept West Brom in this contest. West Brom did themselves no favors as they were way too forgiving until the last twenty-five minutes when they started making a push for an equalizer. However their best chance came five minutes into the second half.

Still though, this game shows Arsenal has the same work to do from last season, finishing their opponents off when they have the chance to. West Brom scarred Almunia a couple of times and while not worthy to share the spoils, could have still stolen the most unlikeliest of points.

Hull City v Fulham: Paul Konchesky’s error nine minutes from time gave Caleb Folan the game winner as Hull City defeats Fulham in their first game in the top flight.

Credit has to be given to Phil Brown for not going defensive and being attack minded in his substitutions. Halmosi, Folan and Fagan all added to the work that Marcio Geovanni did and while they had to defend in a few stretches of the game, did so well with the lone exception of Seol Ki-Hyeon’s goal eight minutes in.

Fulham looked really disjointed for most of the game and their finishing looked even worse. Simon Davies had a chance to give Fulham a 2-0 lead and missed a sitter while Zoltan Gera had the perfect opportunity to give Fulham the lead again to start the second half, but timed his shot badly the result being way wide of the near post. The midfield didn’t seem to link with anyone for stretches of the game, their passing poor.

Hull City took advantage of the mistakes Fulham had at the back, and when you are at the top flight, things like closing down an on rushing attacker, properly handling back passes and not giving up on a play will go a long way in giving you a chance at staying up.

Everton v Blackburn: Andre Ooijer’s rebound finish gives Blackburn a late 3-2 victory in a sloppy game at Goodison Park.

Everton in the first half had no right to be in this game. Blackburn threw wave upon wave of pressure on the Everton back line and they simply weren’t able to cope. Was it because of Jack Rodwell? It doesn’t matter. Blackburn were simply that good in the first forty-five and it took a little Paul Robinson stupidity to keep them in the game.

In fact, the only reason Everton were in this game was because of the ineptness of Paul Robinson. Ignoring the near post on a free kick late in the first half, getting caught out too close to the near post after the hour, but it was the mental focus that cost Everton here. You simply cannot allow a goal less than 2 minutes after taking the lead and how Roque Santa Cruz was all alone with Tim Howard I’ll never know. The story of this game is finished chances, not those just missed.

Were the Everton subs ready for the tussle of the Premier League, probably not and ended up a hindrance than a help.

Blackburn looked solid in the attack, but surprisingly bad at the back. It goes to show the difference in having a good keeper keeping them organized than one who is really mediocre at best.

Three first half goals were plenty enough to see Chelsea past Portsmouth 4-0 on a day where Portsmouth showed up in body, but not in competition.

Roman Abramovich wanted beautiful football and brought in the man who he thought could bring it, Luis Felipe Scolari. The Chelsea performances of the last two seasons defensive yet steady. The performances had to get more pleasing on the owners eye, and if he wasn’t pleased today, I don’t know if he ever will be.

From the opening kickoff, Chelsea bullied Portsmouth around the park and exerted their dominance. From their opener twelve minutes in, to Deco’s blast one minute from the ninety, Portsmouth looked severely outclassed. It didn’t help that Portsmouth didn’t even bother to try and exert any initiative into any attack until about 2 minutes from halftime.

Chelsea’s passing was crisp, direct and straight to the point. Portsmouth couldn’t seem to stream more than one pass together before being dispossessed. Chelsea after about 20 minutes looked like they were toying with Portsmouth, Portsmouth didn’t have a response. Don’t let the ten shots fool you from Portsmouth, most of them came in two bunches that while testing Cech, were handled with some ease.

The one thing that had to be the most disheartening for Portsmouth was with how much ease early in the second half Chelsea was moving down the center of the park. It was surprising how out of position the defenders were for Portsmouth and how often David James was just a spectator to the sublime.  Deco’s ball movement was near perfect. Jose Bosingwa did a good job pushing forward. Portsmouth look disjointed and started pushing for things that just weren’t attainable. It was evident to me how much they missed Sulley Muntari’s service from the midfield.

While it is unrealistic for Chelsea to have 37 more performances like this in the league, this was the perfect start for a new era in Chelsea football. For Portsmouth, well they’ve only got Manchester United to worry about.

A Couple of Other Observations
1) If Distin’s hand ball was penalty worthy, why wasn’t Ricardo Carvalho’s? Carvalho’s was much worse and in fact it was his arm that drove the ball out for a corner kick and looked more a parry save than an accidental hand ball.

2) Can Harry Redknapp revise his role for Peter Crouch? Everyone knows he isn’t that spectacular in the air and he didn’t have any opportunities to chest the ball down.

3) Maybe it was my own eyes, but did it seem to others that Portsmouth pretty much gave up in the final twenty minutes? It seemed that way to me.

Two goals in the span of fifteen minutes saw Middlesbrough kickoff the new campaign with a 2-1 win.

Interesting game from my point of view. There’s a reason why Justin Hoyte’s moving to Boro. They need a reliable left back. David Wheater on the day was a bit on the poor side leaving Brad Jones out to dry on a couple of occasions and looking very shaky on a couple more. However it was his involvement in the attacking third where he came good for such a bad performance at the back.

Juande Ramos claims the side he has is capable of competing with the top four. If that’s so, they need to come together as a team and fast. That includes everyone on the roster, Dimitar Berbatov included. In fact there is an argument that can be made that when Berbatov came on in the sixth-fifth minute, Spurs looked a little better. Though it can also be argued that Berbatov was also playing on the selfish side, playing one too many touches on the ball and being dispossessed in key areas of the park.

A few key things in this game stand out to me.
1) The disallowed goal in the thirty-second minute. It sure didn’t look like David Wheater was fouling Michael Dawson. In fact from my vantage point it was the other way around and the goal should have stood out. It was only poetic justice that it was Wheater who got the opener.

2) The passing from Spurs. While it was fine at the back and the midfield, it was their final balls that were sorely lacking. The fact they only got eight shots off while having sixty-five percent of the possession was bad. Middlesbrough did an exceptional job soaking up pressure.

3) Alfonso Alves is looking more and more comfortable by the day in the Premier League. His work up front Saturday caused havoc for the Tottenham defense.

4) David Bentley for the most part was extremely poor. His set pieces looked like they took the summer off as well. The only one that was anywhere near close to decent was the one at the end.

5) Middlesbrough needs to work on their counter attack. They had two clear breakaways they should have finished and did not.

6) The second Middlesbrough goal was questionable in how the sequence began. It looked like Didier Zokora kept the whole ball in.

I think it’s safe to say that it’s still an unsettled time at Tottenham right now. The mixed reports that Berbatov has handed in a transfer request hasn’t helped. The fact that Spurs need more forwards is evident. It’s also a side that despite playing well in the preseason, still need time to come together. Luka Modric didn’t look like the player we saw at Euro 2008 and Giovanni Dos Santos was incredibly average. The back four for the pressure they were put under did not play well.

You can say with Tottenham that until the issue with Dimitar Berbatov is settled, we will see Tottenham play like this. I tend to agree with that logic. Juande Ramos knows he can’t let Berbatov go, but his hand I think has been forced about as far as it can go. If Ramos caves in, all the column inches devoted to Tottenham this summer will definitely be for naught. While the core is there, if there’s no one of quality up front (Darren Bent can do it, but he’s too inconsistent for my liking), this could be another year where they play for the next.

Nothing too over the top, but something to start the debate.

I’m happy for Hull City. They went toe to toe with Fulham and Geovanni had a great game. However is this going to be the bright spot for Hull?

Paddy Power is going to pay off Stoke City being relegated. Well they did start paying out for Obama after he won the Iowa Caccus in January so they may know something we don’t already know.

Is this the only game this season Bolton score three goals in?

How many chances do Arsenal need in order to get a second goal. Granted West Brom only had a couple of chances to really scar Arsenal today, but boy they were well taken chances.

Sunderland can’t complain about their loss. They had plenty of chances in the first half to beat Reina. The quality of Torres saves Liverpool on the day…yet again.

Chat times this weekend at the Third Half:

Saturday 7:30 am and 7:15 pm

Sunday 8:15 am.

I’ll also be using Stickam this weekend as I haven’t heard anything yet about the issues the client I’m using now is having.

If you followed the EPL Talk Predictions League last year (that I started before moving to CSRN), I finished inside the top five (I think it was fourth, but I can’t remember). It was much higher than where my relegation bound fantasy football side finished. This year I thought it would be a good idea to do a blog with my quick thoughts of the weekend’s fixtures, TV Times on games for the entire week (so if you don’t have this fangled invention called a DVR or threw out your old VCR, you can still possibly catch the game either on Setanta Sports or Fox Soccer Channel). I’m also going to do these previews from the game I’m banking on this week all the way to the game I’m putting insurance on.

Please note all times are Eastern and subject to change without notice.
Banker Chip Game of the Week: Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (Saturday 7:45 am Setanta Sports. Replays Sunday 6:45 pm, Monday 12:45 pm, Thursday 6:15 am & 2:45 pm) West Brom gets a rude return to the Premier League going to the Emirates. West Brom may keep it close in the first half, but Arsenal should be able to pull away easily. I think West Brom gets a goal late. Arsenal 3 West Brom 1.

Manchester United v Newcastle United (Sunday Fox Soccer Channel 11 am & 11 pm, Tuesday 1 pm, Thursday 3 pm). It won’t be 6-0 like last season, but at Old Trafford, Manchester United shouldn’t have many problems dispatching of Newcastle. Manchester United 2 Newcastle United 0.

Sunderland v Liverpool (Saturday Fox Soccer Channel 12:15 pm and 11 pm, Wednesday 5 pm). Well Liverpool has to take their Champions League Performance out on someone and it’s unfortunate that Sunderland has to be it. However I do think the game will be closer than most people think. Sunderland 1 Liverpool 2.

Bolton Wanderers v Stoke City (Saturday 10 am. Same day delay Setanta Sports 4 pm, Sunday 1:15 pm, Wednesday 2:45 pm). Should be an interesting test for Stoke City in their bid to stay up. I don’t too many goals in it with an early goal being the difference. Bolton Wanderers 1 Stoke City 0.

Middlesbrough v Tottenham Hotspur (Saturday Setanta Sports 10 am & 5:45 pm, Monday 6:15 am, Tuesday 12:45 pm, Wednesday 6 pm, Thursday 11 am). Interesting tie to me as both sides need to get out to as quick a start as possible. I expect goals to be in this one, but no clear cut winner. In fact, I see this as a draw. Middlesbrough 2 Tottenham Hotspur 2.

Aston Villa v Manchester City (Sunday 10 am. Same day delay Fox Soccer Channel 1 pm). An interesting proposition for me as Manchester City looked lost on Thursday while Villa is looking like they’ve played a few games that mattered already (which they have). If Manchester City looked that bad at home, I hate to see what City looks like on the road. Aston Villa 2 Manchester City 0.

Everton v Blackburn Rovers (Saturday Fox Soccer Channel 10 am, Wednesday 1 pm). I honestly just can’t get a read on this game. Injuries to Everton and Ince’s first game league game in charge for Blackburn have had me tempted to use insurance on this game. But the more I think about it, the more I see draw. Everton 1 Blackburn  Rovers 1.

West Ham United v Wigan Athletic (Saturday 10 am. Same day delay Fox Soccer Channel 2:30 pm, Monday 1 pm). To me these are two evenly matched sides, but in my mind West Ham have the better subs. That will make the difference in my mind. West Ham United 1 Wigan Athletic 0.

Chelsea v Portsmouth (Sunday Setanta Sports 8:30 am and 5 pm, Monday 6 pm, Wednesday 12:45 pm). Two sides that are still adjusting to the moves of the summer. It’s going to be tight and it’s going to be close but I see Chelsea taking it in the end. Chelsea 2 Portsmouth 1.

May we see an exciting weekend! I’ll be doing this throughout the season and keeping track of how well I do. Hopefully it’s just a little better than I did last season.

Well I first off would like to say what a joy it’s been for writing these previews. But alas they must come to an end and tonight I conclude with the final four teams. If you’ve read up until now, you know I see the big four ending in the top four spots. So how do I see it playing out, let’s take a look.

Number 4: Chelsea
Biggest Ins: Deco (can play on the left or in the central midfield, though more comfortable on the left), Jose Bosingwa (someone who is expected to be the season long starter at right back).
Biggest Outs: Claude Makelele (even at his age, could control the midfield and is still an excellent holding midfielder).

Toughest Month: January. Two road matches against the big four sandwiched between two very winnable home games. The start the month at Old Trafford and end the month at Anfield, but their two home games in between see them play Stoke City and Middlesbrough. Oh and let’s also not forget about the FA Cup Third Round.
Easiest Month: February. Host Hull City and Wigan Athletic between a road trip to Aston Villa.

Five Questions I Have With Chelsea
1) Can their forwards stay healthy for an entire season? To add to that, do they have a season long right midfielder on their squad? This side was injured a lot last season and need to stay healthy to have any prayer of pushing for the title. I know some of the issues last season also have to do with the African Cup of Nations, but injuries hurt them as well.
2) How does this side adjust to the tactics of Luis Felipe Scolari and will Scolari be able to adapt to the schedule of a club side after so many years at the international level?
3) Is Chelsea’s midfield the narrowest midfield in the Premier League? Can Florent Malouda be successful out wide and can Shaun Wright-Phillips be effective on the other wing?
4) Will Chelsea be able to close out wins and not see them turn into draws? It was borderline on ridiculous to see how games would end for Chelsea last season, they have to hold off opposition late if they want a chance to think about the title.
5) How will Petr Cech’s mental makeup be after the shocker from Euro 2008?

My Ultimate Reality: This is one loaded squad and I personally feel they will be held back by Scolari and his tactics. Everyone who knows me knows I bleed Chelsea through and through. However I have been very outspoken of his hiring since day one. I think his tactics will end up proving too rigid and are well beyond their sell by date. The one thing that has me concerned about this team is the number of games they have played over the course of the last few years. I think that is what is going to undue them this season. I’m expecting a season of frustration, and I surely hope I’m wrong because as a fan I will not like being a part of it.

Number 3: Arsenal
Biggest Ins: Samir Nasri (Can play anywhere in the midfield and be effective in doing so and can also play up front).
Biggest Outs: Alexander Hleb and Mathieu Flamini (key contributors in the midfield).

Toughest Month: May. Probably the toughest close to the season, and that’s with hosting Stoke City at the end of it. They start out at Portsmouth before hosting Chelsea. If that isn’t enough, they have a trip to Manchester United on the second to last weekend of the season.
Easiest Month: August. Host West Brom before going to Fulham. They end the month hosting Newcastle United.

Five Questions I Have With Arsenal
1) If Eduardo Da Silva returns this season, how effective will he be? I say he ought to stay out until he is 100 percent certain he can go all out and rushing back could cost him some of his quality of life later on.
2) Is the injury bug going to hit them like it seems to have already hit them before the season begins? Fabregas and Senderos have tweaked hamstrings, Kolo Toure has a hip injury, Diabi is working through a thigh problem and Nasri is trying to get over a little knee knock. While Nasri and Toure should be okay for the season opener, it’s going to be these little injuries that could cost them over the whole of the season.
3) Will Theo Walcott rise to the expectations Arsene Wenger has put out for him in the press this season?
4) How long will it take for Samir Nasri to adjust to life in the Premier League? Having Arsene Wenger will help him with that.
5) Will this team try to grind out results late in games?

My Ultimate Reality: Beautiful football aside, their season last year screeched to a halt the moment Eduardo Da Silva was injured. However it became a calling card for them, not being able to get results when it appeared they had it in the bag. This team is really going to have to draw on all the experience of one Arsene Wenger, and on the experience of what could have been last season. While they lost key pieces in the midfield, I think Nasri should be able to fit in just fine. However the little injuries they already have could be what cost them in the end as it seems in my experience of watching any sport when one or two start developing little injuries, others seem to follow. I think this team has a chance at fighting for the title, but will probably be out of it come the beginning of April.

Number 2: Liverpool
Biggest Ins: Robbie Keane (someone who can partner with Fernando Torres) and Andrea Dossena (effective player on the left side either at the back or in the midfield).
Biggest Outs: The only real big loss of note is Peter Crouch, but it wasn’t like he was going to crack into the starting eleven with the formation Rafa Benitez was using.

Toughest Month: December. At Manchester City where they went nil nil last season before hosting Wigan in the only winnable game of the month. They then go to Stamford Bridge before ending the month hosting Portsmouth.
Easiest Month: April. Only one difficult challenge. They start at Fulham before hosting Blackburn. They then host Arsenal before ending the month going to Hull City.

Five Questions I Have With Liverpool
1) Will Fernando Torres have a better second season in the Premier League than the first? If not, is Robbie Keane the guy to pick up the slack?
2) While only losing four games last season, they drew thirteen times. Can they turn draws into wins when things just aren’t going their way?
3) Does this team have the least amount of depth amongst the ‘big four’?
4) Will we see Rafa the Rotator again this season?
5) What will be this team’s first priority this season? If it isn’t the Premier League, could Benitez be out of a job come season’s end?

My Ultimate Reality: They may not have gotten their man in Gareth Barry (yet), but I don’t know if he was really all that needed. I don’t see much of a trade off between Alonso and Barry. While in hunt of Barry, Rafa may have accidentally done something right and that is get rid of some of the surplus requirements at the club. That will prevent him from making whole sale changes it seemed like Benitez would do between games. I don’t think it will take too long for Mascherano and Babel to readjust to the club once they get back from Olympic duty. Really in the end, Rafa knows he better put all his energy into winning the Premier League title. If they are out of it early, and also out of the Champions League, I could see Hicks and Gillette cutting ties with Rafa and starting anew. However I see them making a deep run into the Premier League season with a chance at the title but falling just short.

Number 1: Manchester United
Biggest Ins: Sir Alex said he was only going to bring in one guy this summer. It hasn’t happened yet, but Berbatov has been mention since it seems the beginning of the rumor mill this summer.
Biggest Outs: Gerald Pique (not much of a loss really as he was surplus requirement at the back).

Toughest Month: September. At Anfield and Chelsea before ending the month against a little bit of a bogey side in Bolton. While it’s at Old Trafford, they seem to give Manchester United a tougher game than most teams do.
Easiest Month: December. Host Sunderland before their toughest trip of the month at Tottenham. They then host Wigan. The 48 hours of madness see them travel to Stoke City before hosting Middlesbrough.

Five Questions I Have With Manchester United
1) What kind of form will Manchester United have without Cristiano Ronaldo? Will they have to rely on him as much as they did last season? And will Ronaldo
2) Will Nani continue the progression he showed through last season? Will Anderson start that same progression this season?
3) I have to give Sir Alex credit for saying he needs to define Wayne Rooney’s role this season, what will it ultimately be?
4) Can Manchester United secure the services of Dimitar Berbatov? If that happens, could we just declare the title over?
5) Can Edwin van der Sar have another season like last year?

My Ultimate Reality: Sir Alex Ferguson knows when to not mess with a good thing and has identified their only major need and is working to secure that need. If they get Berbatov, I don’t think the title chase is close. However if they don’t get Berbatov, it’s going to be interesting to see who scores the goals. We know Ronaldo will score them when he gets back, however it’s going to be interesting to see how he’s marked this year. Carlos Tevez can score and Rooney can if he’s played in position to. The problem is Rooney has played so many positions of late I think he’s confused and Sir Alex has to quickly define his role this year. The only thing that could possibly put them behind the eight ball is if injuries pile up, something that really didn’t happen until Vidic was hurt towards the end of last season. When it’s all said and done, I expect them to have the title secured by the end of April into the first game of May.

Now may the season begin!

So as these previews wind down, we start taking a look at those clubs that can make a push for the European places. With the way the UEFA Cup will work starting from next season, this will guarantee seven teams will start in the UEFA Cup qualification rounds and possibly eight depending on how the Fair Play Table shapes out. Here’s how that will shape out.

Fifth place will guarantee a start in the 4th Qualification Round
FA Cup Winner will guarantee a start in the 4th Qualification Round
Carling Cup winner will guarantee a start in the 3rd Qualification Round.

Should the FA Cup or Carling Cup winner already qualify into Europe, sixth place will start in the 4th Qualification Round. Should both winners already be in Europe, seventh place will start in the third qualification round. At least I’m sure that is how it will work out.

So here’s how I see these European places shaping out.

Number 8: Tottenham Hotspur
Biggest Ins: David Bentley (dynamic midfielder on the right hand side and good at linking the play forward), Luka Modric (a good technical midfielder who can also track back)
Biggest Outs: Robbie Keane (Bulldog up front), Younes Kaboul (Leaves Spurs thin of quality at central defense).

Toughest Month: March. Host Middlesbrough before going to Aston Villa. To top it off, they host Chelsea to end the month.
Easiest Month: October. Host Hull before traveling to Stoke. They host Bolton before going to the Emirates. Could be nine points maybe ten if they can sneak a result against Arsenal.

Five Questions I Have With Tottenham Hotspur
1) Can Tottenham keep a hold of Dimitar Berbatov? Even more so, can Spurs find another striker?
2) How will it take for the new signings Heuelho Gomes, Luka Modric and Giovani Dos Santos to adjust to to the Premier League?
3) Can Juande Ramos find a season long left back?
4) Can Spurs this season turns draws into wins and losses into draws late in games? With their goal output, they should have had a better goal differential than plus five.
5) How fit will Tottenham be this season?

My Ultimate Reality:With everyone picking them to make a push for breaking into the top four, all I can do is sit and laugh. I understand that Ramos is a capable manager, but this the team of oh so close but always so far. They are extremely thin up front, and the quality at the back tells me that they will give up goals maybe at not the same clip at last season but very close to it. Ramos has been resolute in their stance over Berbatov but if he leaves, this club is in trouble. I do think Spurs will be fitter this season but their schedule does them no favors with the UEFA Cup. When it’s all said and done, I don’t see Spurs making the push like everyone claims. They simply aren’t good enough.

Number 7: Everton
Biggest Ins: We’re still waiting…for someone, anyone.
Biggest Outs: Andrew Johnson (No big loss really).

Toughest Month: January. This could be the toughest month of any team this season. Okay so they have an easy game against Hull City after the FA Cup Third Round. Then at Anfield before hosting Arsenal. They play Manchester United to end the month.
Easiest Month: February. Everton host Bolton before going to Newcastle and ending the month with West Brom. Should be at least seven points.

Five Questions I Have With Everton
1) Is this the thinnest squad in the Premier League for the upcoming season?
2) How does the loss of Steven Pienaar to start the season affect the midfield? To add to that, what does this team do if Tim Cahill misses any significant time?
3) Who will end up being the effective partner up front for Yakubu?
4) Will Everton be able to close down at the back in the same manner they did last season?
5) Does David Moyes get frustrated with the lack of funds?

My Ultimate Reality: If I had to be honest with myself, this team isn’t seventh place material and in hindsight this could be the one team I am taking the biggest gamble on with table placement. I think everyone is in a state of shock that Everton haven’t brought anyone in despite the courting of Joao Moutinho. The frankness is Tim Cahill was the main reason this team finished so high up the table last season and it’s still a coin-flip if he’ll make it in time for the start of the season. So right there they are already behind the eight ball. Tim Howard will keep them in games, but he is vulnerable on set pieces. If Cahill misses any major chunks to this season, Everton could be a team that makes a quick UEFA Cup exit and a side that may have to fight until late in the season to stay up. This is a side that maybe the most interesting to watch if only to see how everything comes together.

Number 6: Aston Villa
Biggest Ins: Brad Friedel (Needed a strong guy between the posts), and Curtis Davies (they got their man in central defense).
Biggest Outs: Luke Moore (could never crack into the starting lineup). Olof Mellberg (couldn’t agree to a contract and after his outspokenness regarding Gareth Barry, probably would have been let go had he not already agreed to terms with Juventus).

Toughest Month: October. They travel to Stamford Bridge before hosting Portsmouth. They have a tricky tie with Wigan at the JJB before ending the month hosting Blackburn. The first two will be difficult, the second two are almost trap games.
Easiest Month: January. Host West Brom before traveling to Sunderland. They then go to Fratton Park in the lone difficult tie of the month before ending it hosting Wigan. A good chance for 10 points.

Five Questions I Have With Aston Villa
1) How will this squad cope with the extra games associated with the Intertoto Cup and possibly the UEFA Cup as the season goes on?
2) What happens up front if Gabriel Agbonlahor is injured for any length of time this season?
3) Can they find two guys who will be season long starters at right back and on the right side of the midfield? Their starter at right back is not at Juventus and it was almost right back by committee last year due to Petrov and nagging injuries.
4) Can Brad Friedel have the same success he had between the posts as he had at Blackburn? Will this mean Brad Guzan could be shipped off on loan?
5) Have Gareth Barry and Martin O’Neil patched up their differences and moved on from their summer of discontent?

My Ultimate Reality: I love Martin O’Neill as a manager. He is the ultimate motivator and can adjust on the fly if he has to. The one problem they had last season is giving up too many goals, but to be kind about that they scored more goals than any team outside the top four (well top three, but let’s leave the big four debate for another day), and still had a respectable goal differential of plus twenty. To me the success of the club relies on four players, Brad Friedel, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Gareth Barry, and Martin Laursen. If these four play well, the rest of the club does as well but if any of these four have an off day, the club will as well. While a little on the thin side, this side has good chemistry and will also fight for fifth. I think the schedule will come back to haunt them in the end as I could see them fading from fifth into sixth place.

Number 5: Portsmouth
Biggest Ins: Younes Kaboul (a decent enough center back who could come in and start straight away), Peter Crouch (vastly underrated, however isn’t that great in the air).
Biggest Outs: Sulley Muntari (their most dynamic midfielder).

Toughest Month: August. Start out at Stamford Bridge before hosting Manchester United. They end the month at Everton.
Easiest Month: November. It’s not exactly easy due to the UEFA Cup, but their schedule is easily navigable. They start out the month hosting Wigan Athletic before going to Sunderland and West Ham. They end the month hosting Hull City and Blackburn. This could very well be an eleven point month.

Five Questions I Have With Portsmouth
1) Can they improve their form at Fratton Park? They ended up with more draws than wins and on the whole were better away from home than at home. They have to get better at home this season.
2) How does losing Sulley Muntari hurt the dynamic in the midfield? He isn’t someone who can be easily replaced. To further that, what does the midfield look like now Muntari is gone?
3) Will the Peter Crouch/Jermain Defoe partnership up front work as it seems most people think it will?
4) Will the fixture congestion associated with the UEFA Cup hurt them through 2008? The tough start doesn’t help them either and it will be important not to panic if they don’t have a good opening five games.
5) Is David James at the start of the downside of his career or does he have another year like last year in him?

My Ultimate Reality: I’ve never been too high on Harry Redknapp. From crying over the African Cup of Nations, to not being able to adjust to tactical adjustments in game, Redknapp has over achieved in my mind. While I like the core at the back, this side somehow has to find more goals, the main reason Redknapp is taking a gamble on surplus at Liverpool Peter Crouch. He has his flaws but as I say about MLS player Nate Jaqua, he somehow gets the job done. If this squad is able to stay healthy, they could go far. While I don’t see them challenging for the top four positions, I see this side giving everything they have to finish fifth. I think they will overtake Everton late in the season and take fifth place away from them. It will also be fun to see the atmosphere inside of Fratton Park on UEFA Cup nights should they get to the group stages.

Tomorrow between recording this week’s The Third Half, I will finish my previews. I’ve also changed the name of the blog as I’m sure you can figure out who are left. That title ‘The Big Four and the Push for the Title’. Until then, these are my thoughts, what are yours?

I think the name sells itself. The teams that won’t be fighting for relegation come the start of April, but won’t be in the fight for those European places. I have a feeling some of the table placements may surprise you here.

Number 13: Sunderland
Biggest Ins: Steed Malbranque (capable down the left and can play the right if needed), Pascal Chimbonda (competent utility man on the back line).
Biggest Out: Ross Wallace (was okay, nothing spectacular and ended up surplus requirements with this year’s crop of transfers).

Toughest Month: August. Start off the season hosting Liverpool before going to Tottenham and ending the month hosting Manchester City. Getting three points in one of those is going to come at a premium.
Easiest Month: September. The first two should be three points as they travel to Wigan and then host Middlesbrough. The end the month away to Aston Villa.

Five Questions I Have With Sunderland
1) Can Roy Keane find a season long starter at right back or is Chimbonda going to be that answer?
2) Will relying on surplus requirements at Tottenham be too much of a high risk, little reward proposition?
3) Will picks up the slack in Kenwyne Jones early season absence?
4) Will Craig Gordon have to continue keeping this team in more games than should be required because of a shaky back four?
5) Who will emerge as a natural leader on the park this season?

My Ultimate Reality: Roy Keane has at least shown to me that he can do the business as a manager. From taking a side that had every right to be relegated two seasons ago, the fact he survived in his first season in the top flight is a remarkable. The back four isn’t exactly the best in the world, but Chimbonda should be able to steady them out. The midfield is a workman like group not exactly of the same quality Roy Keane was back in his heyday, but they can do the business. However the biggest concern if you are a Sunderland fan that I would have is where are the goals going too come from up front. I’m not fond of El-Hadji Diouf as he is too much of a trouble maker when things don’t go his way and I see him not happy with the touches of the ball he’ll get. But when it’s all said and done, Keane will guide this team to the lower end of safety to where they’ll never be a threat for relegation.

Number 12: Blackburn Rovers
Biggest Ins: Paul Robinson (needed a replacement for Brad Friedel with no keeper on roster with first team experience), Danny Simpson (surplus for Sir Alex and will get more time to play at right back).
Biggest Outs: Brad Friedel (he served the club well in his years behind the post and was ready for a new challenge), David Bentley (their most dynamic midfielder who did the lions share of link play between the midfield and forwards).

Toughest Month: May 2009. Travel to Manchester City before hosting Portsmouth. Their season ends going to Stamford Bridge before hosting West Brom in what could be a relegation decider for West Brom.
Easiest Month: January 2009. Travel to Fulham before hosting Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers. They end the month away to Middlesbrough but this is a month I could see them ending with at least 9 points, possibly 10.

Five Questions I Have With Blackburn Rovers
1) Who becomes the link player in the midfield to replace David Bentley?
2) Can Roque Santa Cruz continue is goal form in his second season in the Premier League? We’ve all heard of the second season slump and if he does find a slump, can Benny McCarthy or Matt Derbyshire pick up some of the slack?
3) Can Paul Robinson step in at the same level of Brad Friedel the last few seasons?
4) How much does this team’s dynamic change under new manager Paul Ince?
5) Can they turn draws into wins? Last season they had thirteen which was a tie for the most along with Liverpool, and Tottenham and is a major reason they are not playing European football this season.

My Ultimate Reality: Paul Ince doesn’t even have his coaching badges to coach in the top flight, but in his limited time in management has undertaking some daunting tasks and been successful in them. From keeping Macclesfield Town in the Football League, to guiding Milton Keynes to their first piece of silverware and subsequent promotion to League 1, Ince has shown he can do the business. However stepping up from the lower leagues to the Premier League is a major step and I expect there to be some growing pains as he adjusts his game to that of the Premier League. Losing Bentley and Friedel hurt as there is no one in the midfield who can be the game changer he is. I’ve never rated Paul Robinson as a keeper and he is going to cost them more points than Brad Friedel would have this season. When it’s all said and done, I see this team having a few games of brilliance followed by a few games where you go ‘who are these guys’. I don’t think they will ever be in trouble of relegation, but they won’t ever make a push for Europe. This is in effect a rebuilding year and Paul Ince will have to figure out how to mold a squad that was successful playing in the way Mark Hughes had them playing.

Number 11: West Ham United
Biggest Ins: Valon Behrami (can play on the right side either in midfield or at the back and can create).
Biggest Outs: John Pantsil and Bobby Zamora (ended up surplus requirements for Alan Curbishley).

Toughest Month: December. Six games, starting at Anfield before a derby hosting Tottenham. If that’s not enough West Ham have a trip to Stamford Bridge before hosting Villa. Their forty-eight post Christmas bonanza sees them off to Portsmouth before hosting Stoke City, their only winnable game in this stretch.
Easiest Month: January. A good chance for seven points as they travel to Newcastle before home ties with Fulham and Hull City. They end the month at the Emirates, the toughest challenge they face.

Five Questions I Have With West Ham United
1) How will injuries affect their depth this season? If you look at the lineup trends, The only place where there was problems is in the midfield. Can their entire roster stay healthy this season with only minimum injuries?
2) How long does it take for Valon Behrami to adjust to life in the Premier League?
3) While West Ham are decent up front, are they a little too thin?
4) To follow up with number three, how much more does Fred Sears develop this season?
5) How well does West Ham United navigate a tough November and December and will that put them on the front foot or back foot?

My Ultimate Reality: I have never rated Alan Curbishley as a manager. His sides have always had this ability to light up the world for a few games and put you into a false sense of security before having four or five games where you ask yourself if they know how to play football. As I’ve mentioned in my five questions, I have this bad feeling that West Ham is just a little thin up front and any injuries to Dean Ashton and Carlton Cole will cripple them up front. The back line is what it is, not spectacular but not awful either. This is a side much like Tottenham to me, but further down the pecking order. You know they go on mini-streaks but when it’s all said and done won’t contend for anything and will be happy to finish somewhere in the mid table.

Number 10: Newcastle United
Biggest Ins: Jonas Gutierrez (a good attacking midfield option), Fabricio Coloccini (adds a good player at center back who can push forward if need be).
Biggest Outs: Emre (could never get over the injury bug), David Rozehnal (he was already out the door in January on loan, so it isn’t as big of a loss as it would have been had he left this summer).

Toughest Month: August. Have to travel to Old Trafford and the Emirates Stadium in between hosting Bolton.
Easiest Month: February. They don’t really have an ‘easy’ month if you will but February gives them the best option to get nine in nine. They go to West Brom and Bolton sandwiched between a home tie against Everton.

Five Questions I Have With Newcastle United
1) Who on earth starts at keeper the most this season? Shay Given and Steve Harper are about one and the same and neither one separates from the other. I think Shay Given will start but the leash will be a short one.
2) Can they stop leaking goals? Allowing 65 goals was the worst amongst the teams that survived in the Premier League. It will have to get better this year.
3) This squad still has a core from what Sam Allardyce built. Can Kevin Keegan get this team to believe in his system?
4) To follow up with number four, when will this side start to think for the future and not for the now. The core of this team is starting to get up there in age and with the injury
5) How long will it really be before Joey Barton will be able to return to the first team?

My Ultimate Reality: Once Kevin Keegan started adjusting his tactics, he was able to get nominal results to not only guide them out of a relegation dog fight, but surprisingly up the table until twelfth position. I still think it was a mistake to fire Allardyce last season but the past is the past and they seem stuck in the past with Keegan at the helm. Sometimes a little forward thinking isn’t a bad idea, but with Keegan’s attacking mentality, I don’t know if they won’t leave the same gaps at the back as they did last season. The question is really going to be can this team stay healthy for a full season? Knowing the history I don’t think they will. When it’s all said and done though, they’ll be playing out games starting in about the middle of January just waiting for the next season to begin.

Number 9: Manchester City
Biggest Ins: Jo (Dynamic forward that can not only play centrally, but on either wing).
Biggest Outs: Andreas Isaksson (they made up their mind to start Joe Hart and he’s not going to play second fiddle to anyone), Bernardo Corradi (was too much of a hot head and couldn’t work his way into the starting eleven).

Toughest Month: May. Host Blackburn before road trips to Old Trafford and White Hart Lane. The end the season against Bolton in what I think will be a relegation decider.
Easiest Month: December. After traveling to Fulham, they host Everton. A trip to West Brom follows a home match with Hull City before 48 hours later going to Ewood Park. A good chance to end the month with possibly 10-11 points.

Five Questions I Have With Manchester City
1) How surprising is it that Roland Bianchi is back at the club after the quotes he said about England? I thought he wasn’t going to to be back but somehow Mark Hughes has convinced him to come back.
2) Will this side be able to adjust to life in the UEFA Cup in the sense of the fixture congestion?
3) Will Mark Hughes have more success with a bigger club, or will this be Sam Allardyce at Newcastle all over again?
4) Will the players revolt from Hughes strict regime after the life of luxury Sven seemed to give them even though it led to their late season collapse?
5) How will Jo and Benjani partner up front for City once Jo comes back from the Olympics?

My Ultimate Reality: I think Mark Hughes is one of the more underrated managers in the Premier League. However one problem he had with Blackburn last season was seeing so many games end in draws. I don’t think the UEFA Cup fits well for them as with a new manager it’s going to take a full season I feel for this side to get use to his style of play. The back four is a bit of a concern for me as they allowed the most goals of any side in the top half of the table last season (okay I understand the last game of last season they allowed 8, still shouldn’t have happened. It’s going to be an interesting season for this side to see how they gel together as Hughes has a little more to work with, but with the fixture congestion they will have early in the season, I don’t know how they will hold up late in the season. It really all boils down to how well the back four play.

The next two days will see these previews conclude. I hope you have enjoyed reading these unique looks as much as I have. Check back here tomorrow not only for the teams I see making the push for Europe, but for a new page to appear that will not only have all these previews in one convient location, but also links to Michael James previews as well. Until then, these are my thoughts, what are yours?

So here we are again taking a look at the upcoming season. I would like to thank those who took the time to let me know how much they enjoyed the first round of previews.

It’s funny when I was coming up with the names for the categories I am fitting these teams into, late season survival was one of the first ones I came up with. With a couple of people asked me to define it, my mind instantly drew a blank. Sounds about right with how my brain operates from time to time. So when I did start to think about it, I kicked my own backside as the name gives it away. It was just shortening the time frame that was the most puzzling.

So late season survival to me are the teams that will gain Premier League survival between mid April and mid May. The teams that I more or less stretch into my relegation spots in my 100 games to go blog even though I know in my heart of hearts I see them staying up.

Three teams fit into this category for me. Fulham, Middlesbrough, and Wigan Athletic. Where do I see them finishing, let’s find out.

Number 16: Middlesbrough
Biggest Ins: Didier Digard (can play either in central midfield or on the right wing and is only going to improve with age), and Maruin Emnes (while I don’t see him starting, I see him making a competent late game substitution when in need of a goal).
Biggest Outs: Mark Schwarzer (his exit leaves Middlesbrough without a credible Premier League keeper), and Lee Cattermole (was a decent enough defensive midfielder).

Toughest Month: December 2008. Has to travel to Hull and Fulham in between hosting Arsenal. In the 48 hours of madness with Boxing Day and the Sunday after, hosts Everton before having to play Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Easiest Month: April 2009. Goes to Bolton before hosting Hull City and Fulham. This is a stretch of games where I see them ensuring they have enough points to stay above the relegation curve. They end the month at the Emirates Stadium. It won’t be three points, but it will be a bigger fight for Arsenal than they will want.

Five Questions I have for Middlesbrough
1) Which keeper will step up and replace Mark Schwarzer in goal? Neither Ross Turnbull, Brad Jones or Jason Steele invoke fear. To follow up, could Brad Guzan come in on a season long loan despite the fact Premier League clubs rarely loan between each other (Scott Carson last year was the exception to the general rule).
2) How good will the partnerships up front be for Middlesbrough? Afonso Alves came into his own at the club at the end of last year and has a good partner already in Tuncay. Emnes and Aliadiere can also fill in that role as well.
3) Is Middlesbrough in the middle of rebuilding their squad? This is a team that is rather on the young side.
4) How big of a factor is Stewart Downing in the midfield? Is his presence overstated?
5) Will Middlesbrough have to rely on getting points in high scoring shootouts this season?

My Ultimate Reality: I look at this team and just wonder if Gareth Southgate is trying to do too much of a rebuilding job. I see their keeping situation costing them more points than should be acceptable. The back four can do the business, but will have to step up their game even more this season to make up for the inexperience behind them. They have a good midfield that can link up front and I really rate Alves up front. However I just see the loss of Schwarzer as being something that is going to take a while to overcome and I could very well see them going after a keeper in January if anything for a stop gap. In a league where you have to at times protect 1-0 leads, I just don’t see them being able to do it this season and will be teetering between survival and relegation, staying up thanks to a forgiving enough April. If this team learns the lessons of this season, they could make a push next year up the table.

Number 15: Fulham
Biggest Ins: John Pantsil (a player who can play on the right side either in midfield or back), and Bobby Zamora (will get an opportunity to show his talents this season).
Biggest Outs: Carlos Bocanegra (average center back but still played a role in the squad), Brian McBride (when healthy, was their major target man up front).

Toughest Month: August 2008. If starting away to recently promoted Hull City wasn’t bad enough, they then host Arsenal and then end the month at Old Trafford.
Easiest Month: March 2009. They host Hull City and go to Bolton. That should be six points before playing Manchester United at home. No game against the big four is easy. However this is one month where they could easily get six points.

Five Questions I Have for Fulham
1) Has Roy Hodgson turned this squad over too much in the summer? They were one of the more active teams in the transfer market this summer and could it take a while for them to gel as a unit.
2) How important is Jimmy Bullard to how far this team goes this season?
3) Does Fulham have one of the weakest forward lines in the Premier League?
4) How short of a leash will Eddie Johnson be on this season or will he be shipped off on loan before he’s given a chance?
5) Will injuries to key players haunt them like they did last season?

My Ultimate Reality: Roy Hodgson is an underrated manager in my eyes and knows how to work with the pieces he’s given. Mark Schwarzer is a capable keeper who will fill the number one role this year in goal. When I look at their crop of defenders, I see average players. The midfield is a good functional unit with hard working players in Alexei Smertin, Jimmy Bullard and Simon Davies. I look at these forwards and they worry me. Andrew Johnson seems to only be able to score from the spot, Zoltan Gera will have a second chance in the Premier League to show his worth. I think Hodgson’s workmanlike demeanor he will give this side will be plenty enough to see this side to safety with about a month to spare.

Number 14: Wigan Athletic
Biggest Ins: Amr Zaki (can score plenty of goals), and Olivier Kapo (a versatile player in that he can play on the left or central midfield and up top).
Biggest Out: Marcus Bent (while he was on loan to start with, was a key piece up front).

Toughest Month: December 2008. Go to Arsenal before hosting Blackburn. They then follow that up by going to Manchester United before a 48 hour excursion hosting Newcastle United and then going to Bolton.
Easiest Month: May 2009. They host Bolton before going to West Brom and Stoke City. To me that’s nine points before they play Portsmouth to end the season.

Five Questions I Have for Wigan Athletic
1) Can the back line be as resolute as they were last season? For a bottom half side, they didn’t concede that many goals. There also isn’t that much depth.
2) Is Amr Zaki the only reliable forward Wigan have?
3) How far can Steve Bruce take them in his first full season with the club?
4) Will their unique home pitch advantage help them more than it did last season?
5) How well will Lee Cattermole fit into this midfield set up?

My Ultimate Reality: Steve Bruce is a good manager for this club and came into a bad situation last season and saw them to safety. When you look at this squad though, you have to question if Amr Zaki will be able to make the step up to the Premier League and get the same goal output. I think they are also think at the back and any long term injuries could see this team in trouble. Kirkland for all his faults I feel is a decent enough keeper that he will help keep them in games. They won’t have an easy season but Steve Bruce knows how to tactically set his sides up in order to get results. 14th was exactly where they finished last season, I see them finishing there again this season.

Tomorrow, I will be posting my show notes for this week’s The Third Half and Saturday posting part three to my Premier League previews. Until then, these are my thoughts, what are yours?