Here are my 2010/11 Premier League predictions and previews. I will be going in reverse order, starting with the the team I think will finish last up until #11 for this post. Later in the week, I will post who I think will finish in the top 10 in the league table. Enjoy.
20. Blackpool
Manager: Ian Holloway
2009/10 Finish: Promoted
Players to Watch: Neil Eardley, Brett Ormerod, Charlie Adam
Preview: Blackpool are just happy to be up in the top league. Many newly promoted teams like to keep a tight budget for players. Blackpool is no different. The most they've ever spent for a player is £500,000. The big four teams pay 12-year old youth players that amount. Almost all the players on Blackpool's roster are from the UK or Ireland.
While Blackpool have a good manager in Holloway, their roster is just not up to Premier League standards. I have a feeling they will be back in the Championship next season.
19. West Bromwich Albion
Manager: Roberto Di Matteo
2009/10 Finish: Promoted
Players to Watch: Yossuf Mulumbu, Graham Dorrans, Chris Wood
Preview: West Brom are more prepared to face the Premier League than Blackpool. That said, I still think they will be relegated. The "Baggies" have a more experienced roster than Blackpool, and have a small chance to stick around in the Premier League.
18. Wigan Athletic
Manager: Roberto Martinez
2009/10 Finish: 16th
Players to Watch: Emmerson Boyce, Chris Kirkland, Charles N'Zogbia
Preview: I think Wigan were lucky to avoid relegation last season. Their goal differential was worst in the EPL last season at -42. I don't think they'll be so lucky this season.
17. West Ham United
Manager: Avram Grant
2009/10 Finish: 17th
Players to Watch: Scott Parker, Matthew Upson, Robert Green
Preview: West Ham just avoided an relegation last season. Of course, 17th wasn't their ideal finish. They do have some quality players however. Captain Matthew Upson started center back at center back for the English national team in the World Cup. Green gave up that soft goal against the USA, which lead to a 1-1 draw. West Ham will just escape relegation this season.
16. Newcastle United
Manager: Chris Hughton
2009/10 Finish: Promoted
Players to Watch: Kevin Nolan, Sol Campbell, Nile Ranger
Preview: After bringing in Sol Campbell from Arsenal, Newcastle basically have no money for any more players. That said, they still have a decent enough squad to stick around in the Premier League. Newcastle gained their promotion by winning the Championship. They will avoid relegation, but they will not finish higher than hated rival Sunderland.
15. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Manager: Andy Dalziel
2009/10 Finish: 15th
Players to Watch: Kevin Doyle, Michael Kightly, Ashley Hemmings
Preview: Wolves surprised many by avoiding relegation last season. This season they are expected to stay in the league as they try to become a Premier League mainstay. They brought in Stephen Fletcher to play with Irishman Kevin Doyle up front. Wolves may surprise some people again this season.
14. Stoke City
Manager: Tony Pulis
2009/10 Finish: 11th
Players to Watch: Ricardo Fuller, Matthew Etherington, Rory Delap
Preview: Stoke terrorized Arsenal and Man City in in the F.A. Cup and finished 11th in the table. Everyone was shocked by Stoke City last year and Rory Delap's long throw-ins. That will not be the case this season. Teams that took Stoke lightly last season will not this season.
13. Birmingham City
Manager: Alex McLeish
2009/10 Finish: 9th
Players to Watch: Ben Foster, Roger Johnson, Stephen Carr
Preview: Birmingham had a great season in 09/10. Ben Foster will have to come up HUGE if Birmingham hope to crack the top 10 this season. Joe Hart, on loan from Man City, saved Birmingham time and time again last season. Birmingham will return back to earth this season.
12. Bolton Wanderers
Manager: Owen Coyle
2009/10 Finish: 14th
Players to Watch: Lee Chung-yong, Kevin Davies, Gary Cahill
Preview: Bolton finished a disappointing 14th last season. Acquiring Martin Petrov will help them, but they will still not get into the top 10. They need more young talent to inject some creativity into the side.
11. Blackburn Rovers
Manager: Sam Allardyce
2009/10 Finish: 10th
Players to Watch: El Hadji Diouf, Steven Nzonzi, Phil Jones
Preview: Blackburn have a lot of young talent. That is great for the future of the club, until bigger clubs snatch them away that is.
Check in tomorrow for my prediction as to who will finish in the top 10 in the Premier League.
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