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Newcastle

July 14, 2017 at 1:30 am

Newcastle  The Club

As one of the largest and most well-supported clubs in the country, Newcastle United are a rather unique enterprise. Their total lack of success and consistent European football is a scourge for a city with such open and incredible fans. A lack of success has become a major problem for a club that, for many years, was seen as one of the cornerstones of English football.

Now, they are better known for their support rather than trophies. With potential ownership changes on the horizon, though, that may change.

16-17 – How Was It?

As expected. The best team in the 2nd tier, the won the league on the last day. However, their quality of playing squad, immense changes to the playing staff and managerial mastermind in Rafa Benitez meant anything other than top two would have been a sackable offence at most clubs!

However, they came up with ease and are a welcome addition to the top tier once again. They have a good squad and with some smart signings being linked, there is no reason to think that they cannot take further momentum after what was a rather arduous and challenging campaign.

17-18 – What Lies Ahead?

A boring season, we think. Newcastle have a manager who should be aiming for Europe and a squad that should come in the mid-table places. They are a very good team to watch at times, but they lack a bit of thrust for the top-flight. Some big names are being linked but not many through the door.

Links to Joe Hart should cause palpations for Geordies, and a lack of real stellar progression on the name front could be a concern. With ownership wrangles still going on, though, that could all change in a flash – it depends on Mike Ashley.

Brighton & Hove Albion

July 6, 2017 at 4:06 am

Brighton & Hove Albion  The Club

The Seasiders are a rather interesting club, having enjoyed a stellar season last year that was the culmination of decades of work. From the old days at the Withdean to the disgraceful ownership of the club in the 80s and 90s, Brighton and Hove Albion finally look set for a return to the top tier.

With very little success in their existence, this is one of the highlights of the majority of their fanbases’ lives. It will be interesting to see what the future will hold.

16-17 – How Was It?

Amazing, in a single word. Despite being pipped to the Championship title, a runaway season that saw them never really look threatened to missing out was a dream. The likes of Anthony Knockaert set the tone for an incredible season, which seen the club finally reach the top tier after a few years of hard work in the Championship.

Under the stewardship of Chris Hughton, Brighton enjoyed a sensational season that seen them as one of the most dominant sides in the division. With not far off 1.7 goals per game, the club enjoyed a stellar run in the 2nd tier.

17-18 – What Lies Ahead?

A fight, you would presume. While a very impressively run club, Brighton are far down the pecking. Seagulls fans won’t like the comparison, but they are reminiscent of the Crystal Palace side that came up in the past: solid, sturdy, not really cut out for top-flight football. It will take a lot of smart work in the window to try and build a team capable of succeeding.

So far, the summer has been a quiet one, with the main signing being Mat Ryan. We expect more to come, but at present, 17/18 will be a relegation battle for sure.

How well do you know your race horses?

June 26, 2017 at 4:40 pm
Are you an ass or a thoroughbred when it comes to knowing your horses?
Can you bet your racing odds on getting most of the answer in our quiz correct? Test your knowledge of some of the funniest and strangest racing horse names. Play here:

 

Bournemouth

June 25, 2017 at 11:43 pm

Bournemouth  The Club

Arguably the smallest of the three South Coast clubs, Bournemouth – The Cherries – have been around since 1899 and in that time have yet to win a major trophy. They are a relatively well-liked club with a decent support and, with the investment put in by Maxim Demin in the last few years, has seen the club move forward in a rather impressive way.

While never a title challenger or even a second-tier club, their progress from the third tier to the top in a short space of time under player and manager Eddie Howe has been deeply impressive.

16-17 – How Was It?

Hit and miss. It started well, but a raft of the signings made – Jack Wilshere among them – failed to impress as expected and an expensive recruitment policy again looked flawed. Howe has been praised for his teams style time and time again, but not enough is made of his patchy record on the transfer market.

Signings such as Jordan Ibe and Brad Smith – not fair off £20m for the pair – were major flaws. The season was let down by a poor calibre of arrival, and a 9th place finish perhaps looks a touch flattering.

17-18 – What Lies Ahead?

Trouble. The summer window has been slow and the names linked do not look too impressive. Another scattergun season with lots of money on lots of potentially good players seems to be the most likely outcome. Howe has struggled in a serious way to build a cohesive transfer policy at the club since promotion and the links so far do not appear to be much better.

The 9th place finish was not expected nor, in many ways, deserved. Bournemouth could struggle next year if they don’t find a better balance to their squad and find more consistency on the field.