Promoted Teams Start Battling
Wednesday, 01 July 09, 06:50 AM · Comments(0)
By Michael Sinnerton
The presence of Hull and Stoke in the top-flight this year offers real hope to the fans of Burnley, Wolves and Birmingham in their attempts to avoid relegation. As well as a stark reminder that staying up is very achievable, there should be a realisation that both Stoke, and in particular, Hull aren't that far away from top Championship standard. The bookies unsurprisingly have these 5 as the favourites to go down, with admittedly Stoke's excellent performances (and home record) last season seeing them at 3/1 to be relegated.
With Burnley clear favourites at 1/2 on to go down, the other three are covered by odds of 4/6 (Brum), 4/5 (Wolves) and 10/11 (Hull). I think Hull should really be second favourites to go down, and Portsmouth and Wigan may struggle depending partly on their new management teams.
What is without question is that all three promoted teams will require strengthening. So far Wolves have added Kevin Doyle (£6.5m) and Andrew Surman (£1.2m). Both are good young players who will add to Mick McCarthy's blend, although Doyle will be expected to have the kind of season he had with Reading upon promotion (13 goals) rather than more second season syndrome (4 goals). They have also signed Nenad Milijas who I have heard very little about, although what I have heard is fairly promising. Wolves need more, particularly at the back, but their transfer business so far seems good with those players decent investments even if they are relegated.
Birmingham have been busiest of the promoted clubs in the off-season so far bringing in no less than five new faces. Sensibly McLeish has strengthened at both ends of the pitch with Joe Hart on loan perhaps the best piece of business by any club in the window so far. Roger Johnson from Cardiff and Scott Dann from Coventry should add depth to the squad but I'm not sure how good they actually are. Christian Benitez is the player Brum fans will be expecting most from however having seen him break the clubs transfer record, whilst Gioavanny Espinoza should add some flair to the midfield.
Burnley have added Tyrone Mears for £500k which I think is a good piece of business for the 26 year old who has Premiership experience and should have learnt plenty whilst on loan at Marseille last year. He certainly offers more going forward than Mike Duff for instance. Their marquee signing, so far at least, is Stephen Fletcher. £3m for a player only proven at Hibernian may seem a lot but Fletcher is only 22 and has been monitored by Real Madrid amongst others. He should add a real goal-scoring threat to an already attacking looking Burnley side and isn't much of a risk given his resale value.
Who do you think the promoted clubs should add? And who has the best chance of staying up?
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Freddy said:Also never bet on a match involving your own side. Too messy!
obaino said:i love ibra and i think he's better than eto'o, for now cos eto'o have realy pl...
Freddy said:I'm curious to see if English sides maintain their domination. But some pretty ...
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