I've been smitten with English League soccer for the last couple of years. Here's my hand at the year end table.
1. Chelsea - one of my two fav teams. Just too much firepower.
2. Manchester United - the hated ManU . . . one can hope for relegation, eh?
3. Liverpool - Torres, Gerrard? `nuff said.
4. Aston Villa - great moves off season.
5. Arsenal - beautiful football peters out over the long haul.
6. Tottenham - a lot of offense, but gave up a lot, too.
7. Portsmouth - Crouch and Defoe may click after a time.
8. Everton - didn't do squat in the off season.
9. West Ham Utd. - average last year, average this year.
10. Sunderland - greatly improved, tough manager, Keene.
11. Manchester City - owner turmoil, should self destruct.
12. Blackburn - new manager, up four levels. Can Ince keep it going?
13. Newcastle - my other fav team, but a whacked team. Who knows where they'll be.
14. Wigan - team as tough as their manager, Bruce.
15. Fulham - scrappy team who made improvements.
16. Middlesbrough - in the mix for relegation.
17. West Brom - relegation battle to the last day?
18. Bolton - just not impressed, manager will probably be the first to go, too.
19. Hull City - my heart says they stay up, but my head says down for the drop.
20. Stoke City - nobody could be as bad as last year's Derby, right?
These predictions are always a challenge. The August transfer window is still open and there are still rumors of pending transfers. In addition, the January transfer window allows those still hanging in there to make a bold move. I just hope Newcastle doesn't implode.
