As promised, or threatened, or both, here is part 2 of my club by club analysis...
ASTON VILLA
Rumours were rife that Randy Lerner was ready to sell the club, so news today that he has had enough comes as no surprise. I have no idea at this stage what his reasons may be, but I'll take a shot in the dark and consider his willingness to sell coincides with the Premier league fair play rules(which Villa DID vote against, tellingly..so maybe he had half an eye on getting out even then) and the amount of money Villa would haemorrage to get anywhere near the position Martin O'Neill had them in a few years ago. This leaves the club in a dangerous position. What were the positives from last season?..excellent results against City, Arsenal, Chelsea, and a well deserved point against pool at klanfield suggested that there was a platform to build from...but the side is hot and cold during one half of football let alone two or three games and if Benteke, Weimann and Agbonlahor(who has his limits but could easily play for and serve well a top 8 side) depart or remain injured, as in Bentekes case, then its same as...new owner or not.
NEXT SEASON:Will hope for three teams worse off
SUNDERLAND
How do you quantify Sunderlands season?...the table, in their case, does lie. Only because its just about the highest position they managed throughout the 38 games. If you take into consideration how far they were behind compared to those around them, not just in results but in terms of the whole mentality at the club during the tenure of Di Canio, and their resurgence, especially late on, with performance in cup competitions, you have to conclude that it wasnt too shabby an effort, and in the end there is optimism around the club, almost befitting a newly promoted side over-achieving, which is strange considering they were written off by almost everyone a very short while ago. The club made a disastrous appointment, in hindsight, but have they now made a brilliant one or merely a better one?.. Gus Poyet has to take a lot of credit for turning things around, and after Di Canios implosion he couldnt do any worse...but had a shedload of work to do and it wasnt Pulis from the flames until very late. They have the makings of a solid top half side there, but im not sure Poyet is limited in his ambition, I can see him walking away if a better offer comes in. Im glad they stayed up...even if it only means we have another chance to score at their place...
NEXT SEASON:Will occupy mid table...if Poyet stays..
WEST HAM
Allardyce did what it said on the tin. Stay up. Some would say thats the most west ham fans should expect, and that is where I beg to differ. This season could have been a disaster for the club, and after the 6-0 league cup semi final defeat to us I saw no way back for them. I thought the attributes (if you can call it that) of an Allardyce team had melted away, and they were left with a soft underbelly which, in keeping with the bond that seemingly exists between our two clubs, became painfully reminiscent of our own long banished capitulations. Allardyce had initially, at least it seemed to me, decided on a game plan that rested on his key players being immune from injury, suspension, or loss of form. One problem away from no plan B...and right on cue, no Carroll...with no reliable partner or deputy. It seemed done and dusted to me..but then, things turned, briefly...and they had managed to swim far enough away from the whirlpool to avoid being sucked in. I know several hammers fans, and none are happy with Allardyce. I read that he is the 13th highest paid manager in world football, and if that is the case, well done Sam, you've come a long way. I happen to think they could do a lot better, and not have to pay someone as much as that to do it.
NEXT SEASON:Will finish mid table
SWANSEA
Did Michael Laudrup think he was doing Swansea a favour by managing them?...seemed that way. If its true that he barely bothered with training sessions himself then in my view that is totally unacceptable. Im sure the new manager throws himself wholeheartedly into the role, which is the least one should expect, considering, with all due respect, he has been appointed with no credentials in management...that is a gamble and all well and good promoting from within, but will it be enough for Swansea next season?. The club reached its limit during the previous campaign in my opinion, which culminated in a trophy and premier league pipe and slippers territory (PAST)secured...it couldnt get much better, realistically. Now,they are relying on Michu to return to partner Bony in attack and if that happens and they sign solid players then they will be in for a solid, if unspectacular season results wise next time out...although I will remain silent on the future prospects of Monk.
NEXT SEASON:will be safe
CRYSTAL PULIS...sorry PALACE
Dear Tony..well done. There, got that out of the way. No...well done Tony Fucking Pulis. Freedom of the club shop for you pal.... When Ian Holloway, arsehole to some, amenable arsehole to others, fell on his sword early doors, it was curtains for Palace. Who thought otherwise?... They were used to it, everyone was used to that scenario. "Lets condemn Palace". Just the same when they had come up under Dowie last time, they seemed raw and unready for it...unprepared...even though they made the signings...seemingly without thought(and they are not the only ones I would criticise on that front, as mentioned in the Cardiff segment) but the question is still the same as it was last summer.. will Palace ever establish themselves in this league?...to me, its a quick answer...no. Its a temporary stay....maybe another one or two seasons..they just arent a big enough club to grow and progress at the rate needed to look at anything other than survival in this league. Full credit to Pulis for what he has done there this season...and he should have been manager of the year AND LMA manager of the year considering how early on he took the reigns, how dishevelled they were, and what he did when he was in the saddle, but.. if he does it again next season my opinion of him is downgraded from twat to tolerable...and that is high praise indeed.
NEXT SEASON:Will stay up..just
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