I wouldn't expect too much from these clubs. They are destined to fall short of European dreams, but they will be clear of any sort of relegation danger. For some of the clubs this is a step up, but for some this is the first step back.
13. Sunderland A.F.C.- (Prediction: 48 Points)
Definitely, one of the up and coming clubs in the Premier League. I love the plan of action that manager Roy Keane is enacting Tyneside. Too often clubs that come up from the Championship buy Championship quality players, and then wonder why they get sent right back down. Roy Keane gutted the garbage out of Sunderland last season, kept the few players of real quality, and added veterans and Irishmen. Veterans because they know how to win in the Premiership, and Irishmen..well, because Roy Keane is Irish. This season, Keane has added a little more quality and depth to the roster, and they should be able to push further than their 15th slot from last season. Keane was able to use Niall Quinn's promised purse to purchase Teemu Tainio, Pascal Chimbonda, as well as El-Hadji Diouff, and Steed Malbranque. Veterans who know how to win in the Premiership. The players he dumped went back to the Championship, or haven't found a job yet. I'd say that's a job well done. With the players that they've added up North, Sunderland should see a bit more attacking flair, and Chimbonda is a better fullback than he ever got credit for. They're going to be tough to beat at the Stadium of Light when it gets packed 49,000 deep. I've seen Sunderland, those people have nothing else to do but to cheer on their Black Cats. 12. West Ham United FC (Prediction: 51 Points)
Alan Curbishley has followed his own kind of plan, involving veteran foreigners. This team is slipping, and slipping fast. Last season they finished a deserving tenth, but I think this year they start slipping backwards. They haven't added anybody worth nothing, and they've lost a serviceable Freddie Ljungberg as well as Bobby Zamora and John Pantsil. In my opinion, when a club doesn't improve themselves, they instantly make themselves worse. Every season, teams improve themselves through transfers, management maneuvers and what have you. When you don't improve yourself, you cause yourself to become worse. So, with that logic in mind, West Ham have made themselves worse. Every team surrounding them, has become markedly better, while they have done nothing but sell on some of their better players. Sorry Hammer fans, this could prove to be a long season for you.11. Newcastle United FC (Prediction: 53 Points)
I'll admit I had this team lower in my rankings a few days ago. I bumped them up purely because Jose Mourinho picked them to surprise teams this year. I don't know why he said it, or if he has any basis for it whatsoever, but what Jose says is as good as gold to me. All the spending promised by Mike Ashley has gone out the window. He promised big bucks to the toon, and has not provided. Actually, he just announced a few days ago that the club is in some serious debt. Bad news for the magpies, because they haven't really been able to sign anybody this close season. Still, a full season of a healthy Michael Owen is good for a push in points. They didn't really lose anybody of note, and perhaps another year under King Kev (Kevin Keegan) will help the club gel a little bit. A lot of people don't believe in Keegan as a manager, but the way I look at it is that he was pretty successful in his first go around. There's no reason to believe he can't do it again. They literally just closed the deal for Argentinian central defender Fabricio Collocini. Collocini and Stephen Taylor should prove to be one of the more formidable defensive pairings in the Premier League. 10. Blackburn Rovers (Prediction: 54 Points)
One of the oldest and most storied clubs in the Premiership is destined to take a few steps back this season. Losing Mark Hughes is a huge loss to the mentality of the club, hiring Paul Ince as a replacement may be even further of a loss. Losing David Bentley will be critical, especially as they have not yet replaced him with anyone near the talent or style. Apparently Paul Ince has no control over the club. I was listening to World Soccer Daily the other day, and they were talking about a situation where he told someone to drop down and give him a pushup. The player laughed, and said, "I don't think so, mate." Not a good sign if you're looking for a manager in control of the situation. Blackburn also lost American legend keeper Brad Freidel and replaced him with Tottenham and England backup Paul Robinson. Yikes. It's not looking good in Lancastershire, and I wouldn't be surprised if this club fell even further than 10th.
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