NEWCASTLE
STEVE McCLAREN’S record
in English football – since his
international job – doesn’t inspire.
Last season neither did Newcastle
United. It won’t take long for the
Ashley Out brigade to surface if
things aren’t improving on last
season, the undercurrent will always
be there at St James’ Park. Is the
squad good enough to compete for
a top-seven spot? Even the top half
will be a big ask despite summer
signings.
ONE TO WATCH: Siem De Jong
PREDICTION: 14th
SUNDERLAND
ANOTHER season, another escape
act – same again this campaign?
There’s likely to be three Premier
League teams worse than the Black
Cats so they will stay up, but it’s up
to Dick Advocaat to really change
the playing outlook. The problem is
it may take longer than just a year
and does the wily Dutchman have
the spark and desire to last the
whole season?
ONE TO WATCH: Danny Graham
PREDICTION: 15th
MIDDLESBROUGH
SO close last season, it’s time to
go one better this time out. The
methodical Aitor Karana will ensure
Boro compete at the top and
they will be up there throughout.
Defensively sound, creative and
hard-working in midfield, all Boro
need, with Stewart Downing – the
best signing in the Championship
- supplying the bullets from behind
the front men, is that out and out
goalscorer to ensure they win the
title.
ONE TO WATCH: Stewart Downing
PREDICTION: 2nd
HARTLEPOOL
IT’S a big ask for Pools to be
transformed from relegation
certainties to promotion candidates,
but a new squad built by Ronnie
Moore will be far more competitive
than last season’s. There’s teams
with bigger budgets and better
teams, but Moore has engineered
some real camaraderie around the
club and, with supporters back on
board after the excitement of the
Great Escape, an improvement
beckons.
ONE TO WATCH: Scott Harrison
PREDICTION: 12th
DARLINGTON
THE non-league rollercoaster
continues as Martin Gray’s ability
to lift the club from the doldrums
shows no signs of easing. The step
up should be a smooth one.
ONE TO WATCH: Phil Turnbull
PREDICTION: 9th
SPENNYMOOR TOWN
LAST season’s step-up was smooth
and Jason Ainsley, in his ninth
season in charge, continues to keep
the club very competitive. The playoffs
beckon again.
ONE TO WATCH: Liam Henderson
PREDICTION: 4th
PREMIER LEAGUE 1 Arsenal, 2 Chelsea,
3 Man Utd, 4 Man City
RELEGATED Leicester, Watford,
Norwich
FA CUP Manchester United
LEAGUE CUP Arsenal
STAR OF THE SEASON Petr Cech
FLOP OF THE SEASON Claudio Ranieri
NEWCASTLE
STEVE McCLAREN’S coaching
expertise should ensure the
Magpies are much better organised,
and the purchase of Georginio
Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic
and Chancel Mbemba addresses
key weaknesses that were a major
issue last term. If Charlie Austin also
arrives, that will represent a good
transfer window, but the squad
remains light, especially in defence,
and some old failings could
reappear if injuries begin to bite.
ONE TO WATCH: Georginio Wijnaldum
PREDICTION: 12th
SUNDERLAND
DICK ADVOCAAT demanded “four
or five” quality additions when
he reversed his decision to leave
Wearside. Has this summer’s
transfer activity provided him with
that? Jeremain Lens is an exciting
arrival, and should provide some
of the pace and creativity that was
lacking last term. Sunderland could
do with another striker though,
and it remains to be seen whether
Younes Kaboul can shore up a
defence still lacking in pace.
ONE TO WATCH: Jeremain Lens
PREDICTION: 15th
MIDDLESBROUGH
AFTER last year’s play-off
heartbreak, Steve Gibson is doing
all he can to ensure Boro finish
in the top two this time around.
Stewart Downing’s £5m arrival from
West Ham is the standout piece of
transfer business in the whole of the
Football League, but even it will be
eclipsed if the Teessiders can prise
Jordan Rhodes from Blackburn. If
that happens, Boro can finish the
season as champions.
ONE TO WATCH: Stewart Downing
PREDICTION: 1st
HARTLEPOOL
LAST season’s finale could hardly
have been more dramatic, but
Ronnie Moore would take a much
more sedate campaign if it meant
Hartlepool avoiding another
relegation battle. The squad is much
changed, with Billy Paynter set to
provide some welcome attacking
experience while his likely strike
partner, Rakish Bingham, offers
potential. The decision to re-sign
Matthew Bates was astute, and
Pools should be targeting mid-table.
ONE TO WATCH: Billy Paynter
PREDICTION: 14th
DARLINGTON
THINGS will get tougher, but the
squad that won promotion was
strong and Martin Gray has added
well. Salford will win the league, but
another play-off tilt beckons.
ONE TO WATCH: Stephen Thompson
PREDICTION: 3rd
SPENNYMOOR TOWN
ONLY Darlington stopped Moors
making last season’s play-off final,
and the league does not look as
strong this time around. Jason
Ainsley’s management will be key.
ONE TO WATCH: Liam Henderson
PREDICTION: 3rd
PREMIER LEAGUE 1 Chelsea, 2 Man Utd,
3 Arsenal, 4 Man City
RELEGATED Watford, Norwich City, West Ham United
FA CUP Man United
LEAGUE CUP Arsenal
STAR OF THE SEASON Wayne Rooney
FLOP OF THE SEASON Raheem Sterling
NEWCASTLE
MIKE ASHLEY finally appears to
be making a fist of it with players
of varying pedigree arriving at St
James’ and a new head coach
in Steve McClaren. The former
Middlesbrough boss has a
chequered past – it’s tempting
to suggest he’ll succeed. With a
£5bn TV deal beginning at the start
of 2016-17, avoiding relegation is
imperative, but achieving such a
meagre target will not be enough to
appease supporters.
ONE TO WATCH: Georiginio Wijnaldum
PREDICTION: 13th
SUNDERLAND
THE summer signings have been
so underwhelming it would be easy
to say Dick Advocaat should’ve
quit while he was ahead and not
returned to Wearside. Sebastian
Coates is an astute signing and
he will flourish given an extended
run in defence, which another
season of struggle awaits. However,
Sunderland should avoid their
traditional end of season panic by
securing top-flight safety a little
sooner than usual.
ONE TO WATCH: Sebastian Coates
PREDICTION: 16th
MIDDLESBROUGH
THE arrival of Stewart Downing is a
real fillip, as would be the potential
signing of Jordan Rhodes – the
Teessiders are ready to go again.
Given that Boro came so close to
achieving promotion in May, the
number of squad alterations at the
Riverside has been surprising and
Lee Tomlin’s exit is a shame. Still,
Aitor Karanka has proven that he
has what it takes to build a winning
team and the Teessiders will
continue from where they left off.
ONE TO WATCH: Grant Leadbitter
PREDICTION: 1st
HARTLEPOOL
THE morale-boosting Great Escape
behind them, Pools go into the
season with optimism. They’ve
signed a stack of senior pros,
who should ensure the club stays
away from the relegation trapdoor
this time around. Manager Ronnie
Moore and the club’s new hierarchy
will be aiming high, but whether they
will be good enough for the play-offs
is doubtful so a comfortable midtable
finish awaits.
ONE TO WATCH: Scott Harrison
PREDICTION: 15th
DARLINGTON
SALFORD CITY’S spending power
again gives them the edge, but
reaching the play-offs would be a fine
achievement in Quakers’ first season
in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.
ONE TO WATCH: Phil Turnbull
PREDICTION: 2nd
SPENNYMOOR TOWN
MICHAEL ROBERTS’ exit and
Andrew Stephenson going on the
transfer list is hardly encouraging,
but Moors should again reach the
play-offs comfortably.
ONE TO WATCH: Glen Taylor
PREDICTION: 3rd
PREMIER LEAGUE Chelsea, 2 Arsenal,
3 Man City, 4 Man Utd
RELEGATED Leicester City, Watford,
Bournemouth
FA CUP Liverpool
LEAGUE CUP Manchester United
STAR OF THE SEASON Cristian Benteke
FLOP OF THE SEASON Danny Ings
NEWCASTLE
NEW head coach, fresh start. And
Steve McClaren has even had
money to spend. This could be a
good year for the Magpies. Or at
least it should be better and it will
be. McClaren has made a couple of
decent attacking additions and there
could be more before the end of the
month. There should be no threat of
relegation at least.
ONE TO WATCH: Georiginio Wijnaldum
PREDICTION: 12th
SUNDERLAND
DICK ADVOCAAT showed in a
short spell that he can get the Black
Cats organised and capable of
avoiding defeats. That should help
them improve this season, but he
has still not made the changes to
the squad that many had expected.
There remains time for him to do
that, but as things stand he will do
well to climb up towards the top half.
ONE TO WATCH: Adam Matthews
PREDICTION: 13th
MIDDLESBROUGH
STEWART DOWNING’S return to
the Riverside has given the fans a lift
and it should also have boosted the
rest of the squad. The experience
of a play-off final should also have
made the players hungrier for more,
although Aitor Karanka knows he
still needs more additions to make
his squad stronger. They have
more experience, and that could be
crucial.
ONE TO WATCH: Adam Forshaw
PREDICTION: 2nd
HARTLEPOOL
RONNIE MOORE showed exactly
what he could do to turn Pools
around last season but there is a
greater pressure on him this time
around because few expected the
Great Escape in May. How good will
Hartlepool be under him from the
start? It’s difficult to say given the
number of changes. A top half finish
would be a bonus.
ONE TO WATCH: Scott Harrison
PREDICTION: 10th
DARLINGTON
ANOTHER step up posing different
challenges. Promotion will not be
easy and Martin Gray will do well to
get them in contention, with Salford
likely to cause problems again.
ONE TO WATCH: Phil Turnbull
PREDICTION: 5th
SPENNYMOOR TOWN
JASON AINSLEY was unlucky to
miss out on promotion last season
so it should have made the Moors
even more determined to get the job
done this time around.
ONE TO WATCH: Glen Taylor
PREDICTION: 2nd
PREMIER LEAGUE 1 Arsenal, 2 Chelsea,
3 Man City, 4 Man Utd
RELEGATED Leicester City, Watford, Bournemouth
FA CUP Everton
LEAGUE CUP Liverpool
STAR OF THE SEASON Raheem Sterling
FLOP OF THE SEASON Fabian Delph
NEWCASTLE
STEVE McCLAREN has been busy
in the transfer market, but it was
necessary after a lack of investment
in previous years. Chancel Mbemba
is the sole defensive signing and
one more in at the back would
leave the Magpies in much better
health. In Wijnaldum and Mitrovic,
Newcastle have recruited genuine
quality and breaking into the middle
group of the Premier League
remains the goal.
ONE TO WATCH: Aleksandar Mitrovic
PREDICTION: 11th
SUNDERLAND
BUOYED by the return of Dick
Advocaat, Sunderland’s transfer
dealings have been astute. Adam
Matthews brings competition for
the right-back role, while Sebastian
Coates and Younes Kaboul will
augment their ageing backline.
Jeremain Lens has been a box of
tricks in pre-season while Leroy
Fer and Yann M’Vila will give the
midfield some real competition. Can
they avoid a relegation fight?
ONE TO WATCH: Jeremain Lens
PREDICTION: 12th
MIDDLESBROUGH
COULD Boro sustain another
crack at promotion? The signing
of Stewart Downing showed that
the answer is a resounding yes.
Brushing off the disappointment of
the play-off defeat, Boro have added
quality in Downing with international
class in Christian Stuani while
strengthening the areas that Aitor
Karanka felt the Teessiders were
weak. One question mark is whether
Kike can provide the goals Boro need.
ONE TO WATCH: Adam Reach
PREDICTION: 1st
HARTLEPOOL
TEN signings in, nine out – it has
been a revolving door policy this
summer. But what Ronnie Moore
has recruited is options, bringing
the flexibility to switch formations
throughout the campaign. If Billy
Paynter can recapture his earlycareer
form then Rakish Bingham
has the perfect foil in attack. The
Great Escape is done and dusted,
now it’s all about looking at the top
half of League Two.
ONE TO WATCH: Rakish Bingham
PREDICTION: 9th
DARLINGTON
THIS is Darlington’s biggest test
yet. This league is littered with some
of the bigger names of the non-league
scene who have all played
Conference North football.
ONE TO WATCH: Nathan Cartman
PREDICTION: 7th
SPENNYMOOR TOWN
UNFORTUNATE to share the
division with Salford and Darlington
last season, there is no reason why
Spennymoor can’t go up this term.
ONE TO WATCH: Joe Tait
PREDICTION: 1st
PREMIER LEAGUE 1 Chelsea, 2 Arsenal,
3 Man Utd, 4 Man City
RELEGATED Leicester City, Norwich,
Bournemouth
FA CUP Arsenal
LEAGUE CUP Liverpool
PLAYER OF THE SEASON Radamel Falcao
FLOP OF THE SEASON Danny Ings
NEWCASTLE
A rack of new signings have
refreshed the squad and, in some
positions, strengthened it. Janmaat
for Debuchy a prime example at right
back. But there’s plenty of apathy
among supporters aimed towards
the owner and seemingly unsackable
manager and it won’t take much for
the rumblings of discontent to come
to the fore.
ONE TO WATCH: Siem De Jong
PREDICTION: 11th
SUNDERLAND
A summer of change hasn’t quite
happened just yet. Too many
underwhelming players remain from
too many underwhelming seasons.
The Black Cats can’t be as bad as
they were for the majority of last
season, but they still lack a goal threat.
It’s a big ask for Connor Wickham
be the 15-goal a season man after he
went a long way to keeping them in the
Premier League last time out.
ONE TO WATCH: Jack Rodwell
PREDICTION: 14th
MIDDLESBROUGH
A sea change from recent campaigns
in that Boro have been positive in the
transfer market, not holding back in
transfer fees. It’s not promotion or
bust, as Steve Gibson will always fund
the club, but the Premier League is
the clear and undoubted aim. It’s now
Aitor Karanka’s side and he’s had his
grounding in England, so now is the
time to take it on a level. The play-offs
beckon.
ONE TO WATCH: Kike
PREDICTION: 5th
HARTLEPOOL
It’s early yet for Colin Cooper in that
he will land two or three loan signings,
players who can develop at Victoria
Park in the coming months. They will
help Pools improve on last season’s
unflattering 19th position. Pools
won’t concede a great deal, but they
won’t score enough either. However,
if Peterborough’s interest in Luke
James leads to his exit, they will be left
without their top marksman.
ONE TO WATCH: Michael Duckworth
PREDICTION: 12th
GATESHEAD
Is it too much to expect Gary Mills to continue working the oracle of last season’s success?
DARLINGTON
A more competitive division than last time means the single promotion place will be out of reach for Quakers.
SPENNYMOOR TOWN
Darlington showed last season that the gap isn’t much after promotion from the Ebac Northern League, but another leap is a big ask.
PREMIER LEAGUE1 Chelsea 2 Man City
3 Arsenal 4 Man United
RELEGATEDAston Villa, Leicester, Burnley
FA CUP Chelsea
LEAGUE CUP Liverpool
STAR OF THE SEASON Louis Van Gaal
FLOP OF THE SEASON Scottish football
NEWCASTLE
After 18 months without making a
permanent acquisition, the Magpies
have embarked on a spending spree
that was badly required. Remy Cabella
and Siem de Jong should provide
creativity and vision, while Emmanuele
Riviere has looked potent in preseason.
Another striker is required,
and there is still a lack of options at
centre-half. The squad is stronger than
it was though.
ONE TO WATCH: Remy Cabella
PREDICTION: 8th
SUNDERLAND
The next three weeks will be crucial
in determining Sunderland’s fate,
with Gustavo Poyet still hoping to
make up to six additions before the
window closes. As things stand,
it’s hard to claim the squad is much
better than the one that almost went
down last season, but a couple of
astute signings, particularly up front,
could change things at a stroke. Jordi
Gomez is an exciting midfield addition.
ONE TO WATCH: Emmanuele Giaccherini
PREDICTION: 16th
MIDDLESBROUGH
Aitor Karanka has tried to put his own
stamp on things this summer. The
Spaniard convinced Steve Gibson
to spend £2.8m on Kike, re-signed
Kenneth Omeruo, and is expected
to return to Chelsea for more young
talent. He still needs another striker,
but provided one arrives, Boro look
ready to kick on. Whether the squad is
deep enough to sustain a promotion
push, however, remains to be seen.
ONE TO WATCH: Kenneth Omeruo
PREDICTION: 8th
HARTLEPOOL
Colin Cooper has strengthened
Pools’ Middlesbrough links by signing
Matthew Bates and Stuart Parnaby,
and both look astute additions. Bates
should stroll through League Two.
More changes were required in
the wake of last season’s struggles
though, and for all that Cooper is
proving himself an effective manager,
it is hard to see enough of an
improvement to trouble the play-offs.
ONE TO WATCH: Matthew Bates
PREDICTION: 12th
GATESHEAD
Provided there is no Wembley hangover, Gateshead should be promotion candidates again. Again though, they might just fall short.
DARLINGTON
Salford’s financial clout means automatic promotion will be difficult, so it could be the play-offs again.
SPENNYMOOR TOWN
There isn’t much between the Evo-Stik and Northern League, so promoted Moors should finish in the top half.
PREMIER LEAGUE 1 Chelsea 2 Man City
3 Man United 4 Arsenal
RELEGATED Burnley, Aston Villa, Hull
FA CUP Manchester United
LEAGUE CUP Arsenal
STAR OF THE SEASON Cesc Fabregas
FLOP OF THE SEASON Rickie Lambert
NEWCASTLE
Mike Ashley’s gave the green light to
uncharacteristic spending spree at St
James’ that has seen some shrewd
additions to the squad. Siem de Jong
and Remy Cabella are two which can
be expected to make an impact, so
another top-ten finish is achievable.
Now that Ashley’s finally allowed
money to be spent, perhaps he’ll also
now permit a change of policy in cup
matches?
ONE TO WATCH: Remy Cabella
PREDICTION: 9th
SUNDERLAND
There’s been plenty of transfer activity
at the Stadium of Light, though of the
incoming players only Jack Rodwell
raised eyebrows. Jordi Gomez should
catch the eye in midfield, but Rodwell
has something to prove having been
marginalised at Manchester City.
Gustavo Poyet has a task on his hands
to lift the team above last year’s 14th
place finish.
ONE TO WATCH: Jack Rodwell
PREDICTION: 15th
MIDDLESBROUGH
Boro’s form gradually improved after
Aitor Karanka’s arrival and there’s little
to suggest that their ascendency will
not continue into this term. Kenneth
Omeruo should again stabilise the
defence and the signs in pre-season
have been that Kike will be a goal
threat. Karanka’s improved the squad
and he should keep Boro in play-off
contention.
ONE TO WATCH: Kenneth Omeruo
PREDICTION: 6th
HARTLEPOOL
Attracting experienced pros Tommy
Miller, Matthew Bates and Stuart
Parnaby this summer, but are they
enough to drag a team that finished
just above the relegation zone last
season into play-off contention?
Marlon Harewood can’t be relied on to
score enough, so young Luke James
will have to deliver again.
ONE TO WATCH: Stuart Parnaby
PREDICTION: 16th
GATESHEAD
Gary Mills is one of non-league’s best managers and despite the Heed’s relatively small crowds he’ll keep them involved in the promotion race.
DARLINGTON
Experience of the league is in Quakers’ favour, as are some wise additions to the squad, though it will be tough to finish ahead of Salford.
SPENNYMOOR TOWN
There’s been some cracking signings at the Brewery Field, so expect Moors to be involved in the promotion race.
PREMIER LEAGUE 1 Chelsea 2 Man City
3 Man United 4 Liverpool
RELEGATED Leicester, Burnley,
Southampton
FA CUP Liverpool
LEAGUE CUP Manchester United
STAR OF THE SEASON Alexis Sanchez
FLOP OF THE SEASON Joe Cole
NEWCASTLE
This is a big year for Alan Pardew. The
manager has been given the backing.
He has added a number of players to
suit the style of play he likes to adopt
and, crucially, some creativity. It is
difficult to know how the team will
perform after so many changes, but
Pardew does not have any excuses
after making the additions he has with
money raised by the sales of Yohan
Cabaye and Mathieu Debuchy.
ONE TO WATCH: Remy Cabella
PREDICTION: 10th
SUNDERLAND
Gustavo Poyet’s preparations have not
gone as well as he would have liked.
He wanted the vast majority of his
summer rebuild to have taken place
before the trip to Portugal and now
it is about getting any new signings
to adjust as quickly and smoothly as
possible. What happens in the transfer
market before the end of August is
likely to be what makes or breaks
Sunderland’s season.
ONE TO WATCH: Billy Jones
PREDICTION: 12th
MIDDLESBROUGH
Chairman Steve Gibson is desperate
to have a real go at promotion this
season – and he hopes Aitor Karanka
will be the man to deliver. The problem
facing Karanka, however, is the money
flying around above them. Fulham’s
£11m deal for Ross McCormack is
just one example that Gibson is just
one of the Championship’s chairmen
desperate to go up and the impact of
Spanish striker Kike could be crucial.
ONE TO WATCH: Kike
PREDICTION: 7th
HARTLEPOOL
After a full year in charge, Colin
Cooper wants to make this season a
successful one. Having gone through
last season with a very youthful squad,
the Pools boss has added greater
experience with the likes of Matty
Bates and Stuart Parnaby. How the
older heads gel with the younger
talents like Michael Duckworth and
Luke James will be pivotal if there is to
be a promotion part come May.
ONE TO WATCH: Michael Duckworth
PREDICTION: 6th
GATESHEAD
More than capable of repeating their push to the play-off final at Wembley.
DARLINGTON
Facing another difficult season to clinch automatic promotion but have made some decent additions.
SPENNYMOOR TOWN
The momentum is with Jason Ainsley’s men after promotion and will aim to build on that.
PREMIER LEAGUE 1 Chelsea 2 Man City
3 Arsenal 4 Man United
RELEGATED Southampton, Burnley,
Leicester
FA CUP Liverpool
LEAGUE CUP Tottenham
STAR OF THE SEASON Ander Herrera
FLOP OF THE SEASON Andy Carroll
NEWCASTLE
A busy transfer window has filled many
with confidence. But while Newcastle
have strengthened well in midfield
and attack with Remy Cabella and
Emmanuele Riviere, the Magpies look
short in defence, despite the signing
of Daryl Janmaat. It is not long since
protests against the board and Alan
Pardew, and a poor start to the season
may bring those criticisms to the fore
once again.
ONE TO WATCH: Rolando Aarons
PREDICTION: 10th
SUNDERLAND
Until the signing of Jack Rodwell,
Sunderland’s transfer business
had been underwhelming. Patrick
van Aaanholt, Billy Jones and Jordi
Gomez merely replaced players that
have departed in Marcos Alonso, Phil
Bardsley and Craig Gardner. There
are still key areas where Gustavo
Poyet needs to strengthen – attack
and midfield - and their chances hinge
on the right players coming in.
ONE TO WATCH: Jordi Gomez
PREDICTION: 16th
MIDDLESBROUGH
Aitor Karanka’s first pre-season has
allowed him to commence rebuilding
of a team that has fallen short in the
past. With the three relegated teams
now enjoying a greater parachute
payment than ever before – Ross
McCormack moving for £11m to
Fulham a case in point – Karanka’s
job has got even harder but the
Spaniard had Boro well-organised and
hard to beat by the end of last term.
ONE TO WATCH: Emilio Nsue
PREDICTION: 6th
HARTLEPOOL
At one point last season Pools were
on course for a play-off berth, but
the wheels came off at the end of
the campaign and Colin Cooper’s
side could have ended up being
relegated. Cooper will hope his team
can emulate the former, rather than
the latter. Stuart Parnaby and Matthew
Bates will add class and substance to
the defence, while Tommy Miller will
be a fine acquisition for League Two.
ONE TO WATCH: Matthew Bates
PREDICTION: 10th
GATESHEAD
The Conference is the toughest league to get out of but Heed have strengthened well.
DARLINGTON
They fell just short in the end, but no reason why they can’t be top three this season.
SPENNYMOOR TOWN
Will compete alongside Salford and Darlington as the big spenders in the Evo-Stik Division One North.
PREMIER LEAGUE 1 Chelsea 2 Man City
3 Man United 4 Arsenal
RELEGATED Aston Villa, West Brom,
Burnley
FA CUP Manchester United
LEAGUE CUP Liverpool
PLAYER OF THE SEASON Diego Costa
FLOP OF THE SEASON Aston Villa
NEWCASTLE
Christmas, birthday and Easter
have come all at once for those of a
black and white persuasion, but will
Newcastle hit the ground running after
such significant changes? The squad
has undoubtedly been strengthened
and Alan Pardew now has the players
to utilise his preferred system, but with
that brings the pressure that the boss
can no longer use the excuse that he
needs reinforcements.
ONE TO WATCH: Siem de Jong
PREDICTION: 8th
SUNDERLAND
After last season’s near-miss, this
summer was crucial in terms of
rebuilding. Several players have left
the Stadium of Light, but Gus Poyet
will be frustrated by the time it has
taken to get Sunderland’s recruitment
drive into full swing. The arrival of
Jack Rodwell is a statement, but the
fact the club has left it late to get key
players in could mean they are behind
teams when the new season starts.
ONE TO WATCH: Jack Rodwell
PREDICTION: 15th
MIDDLESBROUGH
With each year that passes, getting
out of the Championship becomes
harder and this season will be no
different. The Teessiders improved
under Aitor Karanka towards the end
of last season and the hope will be
they continue to build. The Spaniard
is still a few players shy of having a
complete squad and getting those
in are imperative if his side are to
challenge for a top six place.
ONE TO WATCH: Kenneth Omeruo
PREDICTION: 6th
HARTLEPOOL
Colin Cooper will hope for a better
start than last season, when it took
Hartlepool six attempts to get their
first league win. He has made some
astute signings, and the likes of Stuart
Parnaby and Matthew Bates should
be a big hit. They also add some
much needed experience to a youthful
squad, but what Pools really need is to
find consistency after going from one
extreme to the other last term.
ONE TO WATCH: Bradley Walker
PREDICTION: 9th
GATESHEAD
Expect Gary Mills’ side to mount another challenge for promotion despite last season’s play-off final defeat.
DARLINGTON
Quakers should be in the promotion mix once again, but competition will be as strong as ever.
SPENNYMOOR TOWN
Jason Ainsley has made some great signings and his squad looks more than capable of challenging.
PREMIER LEAGUE 1 Man City 2 Chelsea
3 Man United 4 Arsenal
RELEGATED West Brom, Hull, Burnley
FA CUP Liverpool
LEAGUE CUP Everton
STAR OF THE SEASON Diego Costa
FLOP OF THE SEASON Ronald Koeman