I don't know much about the newly promoted teams except some info I've read. Who do you think will do best and where do you see them placing in the table by year's end?
For me West Ham and Sunderland should stay up with the Premiership new boys Wigan Athletic going down. West Ham and Sunderland have played in the Premiership for many years before being relegated a couple of seasons ago when Bolton beat out Glenn Roeder's West Ham to stay safe. Sunderland on the other hand have I think the second or third biggest stadium in England known as the Stadium of Light with a capacity of around 53,000 and have an excellent chance of staying because of their manager, McCarthy. He coached Ireland to success in the 2002 World Cup when they lost to Spain on penalties. West Ham have players who have Premier experience such as Teddy Sheringham and are a big name in English football. My prediction this year is that West Brom, Wigan Athletic, and possibly either Portsmouth or Blackburn go down.
It's the Stadium of Shite, and it's third biggest with 48,000, which has never been sold out apart from the tyne-wear derby. They have no money and a team made of rejects and old men..oh and they are managed by Lurch from the addams family Sunderland 20th come May 06
Sunderland look like they will struggle to score goals. Wigan just can't seem to persuade any good players to sign for them this summer. West Ham were the weakest team of the three, but have spent good money on better players. Not sure how they'll do.
I know it's just a friendly, but Sunderland was wacked 3-0 by the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night. Their back four was a comedy of errors, and McCarthy was not pleased. On an upside, Millar looked good in goal in the first half, which is important because Poom won't be healthy to start the season. Sunderland's biggest problem is in the back, so Millar should see lots of shots.
To be honest, all three look like they're starting at a significant disadvantage to the other 17. Yes, even the likes of West Brom and Portsmouth. Sunderland were the best team in the division last year, but they haven't recruited quality. To me, they look like they're trying to emulate what West Brom did three years ago - use the money to build an even better Championship side and make a determined push to stay up next time they get promoted. They have one of the best stadia in the country, but that's not going to keep them up. At this stage, certainties for the drop. Wigan have come from nowhere, but have the money to compete. They won't survive without buying a few players, but they are having difficulty finding players who want to join a team that currently looks doomed. If they can make the signings, they will have a chance. West Ham are difficult to assess. They have a decent top level pedigree over the last 50 years, and the name and location alone will help in signing big names. They look like they need big names because a team finishing 6th (IIRC) in the Championship has something to prove. If you're a betting person, bet on these three to go down as the most likely outcome. That isn't to say all three will go down. Chances are, based on past seasons, one will survive. The difficulty is picking which team will survive and which current team they will replace.
i wouldn't be surprised if West Ham beat out Blackburn to stay up this year. Sunderland, Wigan & Blackburn to go down.