Paul Fennessy
What do you hope to see this season? Similar to last season — an open title race, with three or four genuine contenders. It’s probably too much to expect to see more video technology introduced to better aid the increasingly over-worked officials, but I can always dream, can’t I?
Also, Irish players getting plenty of first-team football, ahead of what is a very important year for Martin O’Neill and co, would be nice.
What do you expect to see? Jose Mourinho giving a masterclass in moaning with most of the other managers following suit, plenty of diving and all-round cynical play, Gary Neville giving honest, intelligent and insightful assessments of everyone other than English players, Louis van Gaal proving a worthy belated successor to Alex Ferguson, Liverpool struggling to an extent without Suarez, Man City continuing where they left off last season…
Top tip… Stoke’s Bojan Krkic has looked very good in pre-season and presumably hasn’t lost all of the talent that enabled him to break Lionel Messi’s record as Barca’s youngest-ever player. Mark Hughes has signed some dodgy players in his time (remember Man City paid £19 million for Jo while he was in charge there?), but he could be onto a winner in this instance.
Also, Erika Lamela to get a proper run in the Spurs first-team and go some way towards showing why Tottenham paid £25.8m for him in the first place.
What will be the top 4 come the end of the season? Man City, Chelsea, Man United and Liverpool in that order. Unlike everyone else, Man City have countless players who know what it takes to win the Premier League. Chelsea have an excellent squad, but the new players will take time to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings.
Man United and Liverpool are harder to call, as they’re each expected to make at least one more big signing before the window closes, but the former appear vastly improved under Van Gaal (albeit judging by the notoriously unreliable indicator of pre-season), with Ander Herrera looking like an excellent signing, so I expect them to pip Liverpool to third, with the Reds’ new signings offsetting the loss of Suarez to a certain extent.
Finally, Arsenal have impressed at times in pre-season and Alexis Sanchez is a good player, but I suspect the same frailties that hampered their title bid last season haven’t really been addressed, so this might be the year when they finally miss out on a Champions League place, particularly with competition for a top-four spot arguably stronger than ever.
Who will be the first manager to get sacked? Seven of the bottom 10 clubs changed manager at least once last season, so I suspect it will be one of the so-called smaller clubs that act first.
Alan Irvine was hardly a popular appointment as West Brom manager and hasn’t exactly been strongly backed by the board, who have given him a 12-month rolling contract, so I suspect that could very quickly end in tears.
Who will get relegated? Leicester, Burnley and West Brom. Each of the three have average-enough-looking squads — none of their pre-season signings have impressed me greatly. I also expect QPR, Hull and Villa to struggle, but they each have enough big players to just about get them over the line.
Which Irish player(s) should we watch out for? Jack Grealish. Even in what was largely considered to be a fairly dire pre-season for Villa, he caught the eye. For an 18-year-old to be able to take on such responsibility in difficult circumstances (even if it was ONLY pre-season) suggests he may well have the character to match the hype he’s been provoking for quite some time now.
Describe the new Premier League season in one sentence. Stephen Ireland’s granny.
Steven O’Rourke
What do you hope to see this season? Like every year, I’d love to see someone outside the big four coming through. Last year Liverpool nearly did it, this year those plucky minnows from the red side of Manchester might just have what it takes to challenge for top spot. I’d also like to see something completely ridiculous happen that will make the Premier League introduce video replays. If I can see a controversial incident on a vine 15 seconds after it happens, surely it won’t delay games that much.
What do you expect to see? Manchester United making it back into the top four, Arsenal dropping out and Chelsea — with the best squad in the division — strolling to the league title with four games to spare.
Top tip… Some smartarse on Twitter to link to this midway through the season when Arsenal are top and Louis van Gaal has been sacked by United.
What will be the top 4 come the end of the season? Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool
Who will be the first manager to get sacked? Last year I triumphantly predicted Brendan Rodgers would be shown the door but it has to be Paul Lambert with Keano taking over at Villa Park.
Who will get relegated? Aston Villa, Leicester City, Southampton
Which Irish player(s) should we watch out for? Jack Grealish, just about the best thing about Aston Villa. Hopefully he wins a senior Ireland cap this season too.
Describe the new Premier League season in one sentence. Not started yet.
Hugh O’Connell
What do you hope to see this season? Plain and simple: Liverpool to get over the disappointment of last season and win the league
What do you expect to see? Liverpool in a battle for fourth place and Manchester United to return to being Manchester United under Van Gaal although not quite good enough to win the league.
Top tip… Not so much a top tip but Rickie Lambert is going to flop miserably at Liverpool.
What will be the top 4 come the end of the season? In no particular order… Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United.
Who will be the first manager to get sacked? Alan Pardew has to be a goner doesn’t he?
Who will get relegated? Southampton, West Brom and Burnley.
Which Irish player(s) should we watch out for? Shane Long could really hit top form this season.
Describe the new Premier League season in one sentence. Not as good as last season.
Fintan O’Toole
(Everton signed Romelu Lukaku on a permanent deal recently)
What do you hope to see this season? An open title race that goes to the last day, Romelu Lukaku to justify that £28m price tag and another good season for a few Irish players.
What do you expect to see? Chelsea and Man City to battle for the title with Arsenal trailing just behind and a big scrap for fourth place. Off the pitch there’ll be some player involved in a Twitter storm, Sky’s hype machine will sound jaded after a few weeks and Neville and Carragher will give another few tactical masterclasses on Monday nights.
Top tip… Louis van Gaal will win over United fans quicker than David Moyes while Steven Gerrard will keep his footing and not make any big statements in team huddles.
What will be the top 4 come the end of the season? Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal, *Everton
*Rose-tinted glasses were on for that prediction.
Who will be the first manager to get sacked? Paul Lambert’s got to be on thin ice and if he goes, expect Mr Roy Maurice Keane to move into the reckoning to replace him.
Who will get relegated? QPR, Burnley and West Ham.
Which Irish player(s) should we watch out for? Seamie and Jamesie to continue lighting it up at Goodison Park.
Describe the new Premier League season in one sentence. A duller place without Luis Suarez.
Will Slattery
What do you hope to see this season? Last season was one of the most exciting ever with four teams in serious contention for most of the year. A repeat of that would do nicely.
What do you expect to see? City and Chelsea fight for the title and United, Arsenal and Liverpool going for the last two Champions League spots.
Top tip… Wayne Rooney over 15.5 goals at 5/6. He could have a poor season and still make that total.
What will be the top 4 come the end of the season? Chelsea, City, Arsenal, Liverpool
Who will be the first manager to get sacked? Ronald Koeman
Who will get relegated? Burnley, Leicester, West Brom
Which Irish player(s) should we watch out for? Shane Long and Rickie Lambert have the same amount of PL goals despite Long playing almost twice the number of games. Time for Long to deliver on the flashes he has shown.
Describe the new Premier League season in one sentence. Fighting like beavers.
Sean Farrell
What do you hope to see this season? Goals and plenty of them. I think the World Cup can set a tone for the years to follow and the one we’ve just had will encourage teams that playing five at the back doesn’t have to mean parking the bus. Attacking will win more than just hearts.
What do you expect to see? Litres upon litres of wasted ‘vanishing spray’ as referees get heavy-handed with football’s real problem; encroaching walls.
Top tip… Sunderland are my big tip for the… middle.
What will be the top 4 come the end of the season? Man City, Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal.
Who will be the first manager to get sacked? Eh, does Tony Pulis count? No? Steve Bruce then.
Who will get relegated? Leicester, Burnley, Swansea.
Which Irish player(s) should we watch out for? Who has time to watch players when Keano’s stalking the touchline at Villa Park.
Describe the new Premier League season in one sentence. It’s money!
Ruaidhri Croke
What do you hope to see this season?
United use the 3-5-2 formation that’s been in place during pre-season. Also looking forward to seeing Chelsea who should be able to play a more exciting style of football compared to last year now that they have a goalscoring striker for Hazard and Oscar to provide. It’ll also be very interesting to see how Southampton get on after losing so many players.
What do you expect to see? The title battle very quickly becoming a two-horse race between Chelsea and Man City. I reckon it’ll go right down to the wire with Chelsea eventually winning out thanks to a tighter defence than City’s. Arsenal and Man United will make up the other two places in the top four but will finish well behind the top two. Spurs will have the same lack of goals problem as last season and Everton will take fifth spot.
Top tip… Top goalscorer will be between Rooney and Costa, who will both have excellent seasons.
What will be the top 4 come the end of the season? Chelsea, Man City, Man United, Arsenal
Who will be the first manager to get sacked? Paul Lambert.
Who will get relegated? Burnley, Leicester and West Brom.
Which Irish player(s) should we watch out for? Seamus Coleman will impress again for Everton. Shane Long could also do very well at Southampton as the focal point of the team after such a big-money move.
Describe the new Premier League season in one word/sentence. With players such as Costa and Sanchez coming into the league as well as Rooney playing with lots of confidence, expect a lot of goals.
How do you see the season going? Let us know in the comments section below.
16 years in a row. After buying very good last 2 seasons and players back from injury.. And u say arsenal won’t finish in top 4. United bought a midfielder lost there best 3 defenders but will finish ahead of them.. With a weaker squad than last year.. Good thinking tho!!
He also didn’t mention palace in the relegation battle , so either written before last night or he hasn’t go a clue
Hate to admit it but I think this will be my beloved Villas last season in the premiership for a few years
Benteke has lost me so many vets over the past couple of seasons I’d say it’s literally around 10 at this stage, some of them accus!
Be a shame to see villa go down though!
So many people putting United back in the top 4. I don’t see it happening 5th or 6th for me
No Arsenal in the top 4. Is that serious? They came very close to winning the league last year and that was with Ramsey and Walcott missing half the season. Walcott will be back in less than a month and as well as that they have Sanchez. I think there is a much greater chance of them winning the league than being outside the top 4.
They came close to winning what league last season ?! They were top in February and then their season disintegrated, as usual. Ramsey, Walcott and Sanchez will improve things without doubt – but their defence is average, particularly full backs. 5th at best this season.
Yes they came very close to winning the league. 7 points is all they were off city. They also had the second most clean sheets after Chelsea so their defence isn’t a big problem. Terry and Cahill are the only pair better than Koscielny and Mertesacker in my opinion.
Hello everyone, I’m new to this site and I hope I will be welcome here. I really like football but I don’t support any team in particular. Thank you
#On – DAMN IT!!!!!!!
I see city as being a flop this season , they haven’t signed any quality players due to the FFP but instead renewed certain players contracts instead in fear of them being tempted to leave. They were quite lucky last year in wining it and with more stiffer competition this year I think they’ll be left behind
Hoping Pochettino can get Lamela off the ground, he may have just needed time to settle in Norf London and is an incredible talent. Get him, Soldado, Adebayor and Erikssen playing to their best, we could see good results from Spurs. Arsenal could pull a more decent challenge than fourth; wouldn’t rule ‘em out once Walcott is back and now they have Sanchez to add what Giroud is missing, that bit extra pace. Nice to see our friends in Shepherd’s Bush back in the league again, hopefully the ship has steadied in Loftus Road after their ridiculous spending spree in recent years.
Yeah it’ll be an interesting partnership to watch at QPR- hopefully Hoddle will keep his opinions on
Oops! Comments on disabled people to himself. He’s a bit of Ron Atkinson….
Eimear, god love ye if you find QPR interesting
Don’t see where the confidence in Chelsea is coming from. If Costa struggles for form or fitness, where are the goals coming from? Drogba and Torres? Also will miss the 12/15 goals that Lampard scored most years.
Adrian, unlike last season Chelsea will start the season with an in form striker, should Costa get injured i’d expect the others (Hazard, Oscar,Willian etc) to step up as the world cup is over so no need to fear injury, as for City I think the African Cup will hamper them, Liverpool have done a Spurs(bought squad players) United are rebuilding, Arsenal though are a real threat, forecast, Chelsea, Arsenal, City,Liverpool/United
Is Torres still there, I thought he was on loan at Accrington Stanley….as a substitute…for the tea lady
Tinker, you shouldn’t think so much you become confused
Are you referring to Costa as the inform striker? Played badly at WC and towards the end of last season. Those other players you mention are all midfielders, will score a few each ok but not enough if the front men are drawing a blank. Need a second top class striker badly!
Can Costa really be considered a striker ‘in’ form after the World Cup? I know Spain were bad as a whole but he was particularly awful.
Any football fan would be aware that Costa was injured for a good few weeks before the WC so was not in the right physical shape for a World Cup tournament. Oh also i dunno if you noticed but it’s a team sport and the rest of the team were just as bad as him.
No supply= No goals.
Have Man Utd suddenly got a Premier league / top 4 defence I’ve not been made aware of? Genuinely? Do Utd supporters hold out hope of Smalling, Jones and Evans actually anchoring a slipshod defence to a top four position?
No, but the signs are good. As LVG said after the 0-0 against Milan..”that was the best performance”. Obviously he sees potential that certainly didn’t show itself last year.
Forget about pre season, it means nothing
Surprised so many are giving Liverpool a chance. They overperformed last season, lost their best player and the teams around them have strengthened. Will battle with Tottenham for 5th I suspect.
What does “over preform” even mean?
Hugh O’Connell tips Southampton to be relegated but also tips Shane Long to have a good season. Seems like a bit of a contraction there Hugh though I guess it’s not beyond the realms of possibility !!! Did you do your predictions before the transfer went thru or, perish the thought, you were unaware that Shane Long had been transferred to Southampton??? If it’s the latter then perhaps you should consider a different line of work !!!
@slipper it is possible for an individual to have a good season but for the team not to,look at de Gea last year
@giller United are going to sign two talanted defenders probably Rojo & blind.
Everton will finish ahead of spurs.
Ye all got first manager sacked wrong !!
It’s a piece about the 2014-15 Premier League season, which hasn’t started yet, so Pulis doesn’t count.
Season hasn’t started yet though.
#semantics.
100% business cat. Pulis is the first manger gone
@Slipper it is possible for an individual to have a good season but for the team not to,look atde Gea last year
@giller United are going to sign two talanted defenders probably