Premier League Preview Part Four - The Relegation Battle

Middlesbrough are probably the biggest enigma in the league. One week, they can frustrate the hell out of you as they succumb to a spineless loss, and the next week their new star striker bags a hat-trick as they beat Manchester City 8-1.

As such, Boro are often a difficult betting proposition, and anyone wanting to predict the outcome of their matches with any confidence is probably better off playing a round of roulette at the casino. Overall, Gareth Southgate’s outfit look pretty bare in all departments, and on paper they lack the heart of a side like Fulham.

They are heavily reliant on Brazilian striker Afonso Alves and have precious little back-up. The loss of George Boating , Lee Cattermole and Fabio Rochemback will surely deal quite a heavy blow to the squad, and with no Premiership experience, their replacements will not instil confidence in Boro fans.

The goalkeeping position is also a massive concern. Stalwart Mark Schwarzer has left for Fulham, and has yet to be replaced. Ross Turnbull and Brad Jones are Southgate’s only current viable options, and strikers all over the land will be licking their lips at the prospect of landing ‘goal of the season’ at the Riverside this year.

Verdict: Treading water in 17th, bye bye Gareth?

Ins: Didier Digard (Paris St Germain, £4m), Marvin Emnes (Sparta Rotterdam, £3.2m).

Outs: George Boateng (Hull City, £1m), Fabio Rochemback (Sporting, free), Lee Dong-Gook (released), Mark Schwarzer (Fulham, free), Steve Thompson (Port Vale, free), Lee Cattermole (Wigan, £3.5m).


Bolton have the tools to move up the table this season, so it’s a great shame that they probably won’t make the best of their abilities. Gary Megson is a pretty mediocre manager at best, and his incompetence during his tenure at Bolton has been dumbfounding at times. Having said that, it’s hard to criticise Megson too much - he was hired as manager to replace Sammy Lee (don’t get me started) after a shocking start to the season. In the end, Megson proved Bolton to be what they were under Sam Allardyce - the lesser of all evils.

The team relies on solidity all round the park to try and bore teams to death, and in the end they stayed up comfortably enough. However, although some may praise Megson for rescuing Bolton from a desperate situation, it should be noted that they only managed to finish one point above 18th placed Reading, and they were essentially saved thanks to the high turnover of managers in other clubs in the bottom half. In fairness, they did well to cope with the loss of Nicolas Anelka in the January transfer window, and managed to find enough goals to keep their heads above water.

Having been highly critical of Megson so far, I must commend him on some of his purchases this summer. Fabrice Muamba isn’t a cheap buy at £5 million, but he certainly has the talent to add a degree of flair to the side. Danny Shittu is an imposing presence in defence, but there are a couple of signings to really give Bolton fans cause for optimism.

Swedish striker Johan Elmander has joined from Toulouse, and is a record signing for Bolton at £10 million. It remains to be seen how he copes in the Premiership, but his quality is undoubted. The sensible strategy would have been to spend the money on two or three players, so it is a huge gamble to bank on Elmander at Bolton, considering their physical style of play and given that it is not easy for continental strikers to settle quickly in this league.

At the same time, Bolton have lost El Hadji Diouf, Ivan Campo, and the under-rated Stelios Giannakopolous, all who have been key members of the squad for a few years. It is also surprising to see that they have offloaded both Daniel Braaten and Andranik Teymourian, who seemed like promising players in their brief appearances last season.

However, one player who has flown under the radar is Mustapha Riga, who has moved to Bolton from Levante, who were relegated from La Liga last season. This is certainly not due to any lack of effort from Riga, who put in an incredible effort in losing causes last season. He is a dynamic and versatile player, with pace to burn. He is a no-nonsense tackler and his commitment to the cause can never be questioned. He should slot in perfectly to life in the Premiership. Riga is possibly one of the best buys of the summer, and he could become Bolton’s lynchpin for years to come.

Verdict - 16th, but with no real threat of relegation at any stage, as good signings are outweighed by the loss of key men in the dressing room.

Ins: Johan Elmander (Toulouse, £10m), Fabrice Muamba (Birmingham, £5m), Mustapha Riga (Levante, undisclosed), Danny Shittu (Watford, undisclosed).

Outs: Daniel Braaten (Toulouse, undisclosed), Andranik Teymourian (Fulham, free), Stelios Giannakopoulos (released), Ivan Campo (Ipswich, free), El Hadji Diouf (Sunderland, £2.5m).

Hull look doomed from the start. They have done their best to attract players in the close season, but having only reached the Premiership via the play-offs, they have had precious little time to even try to attract players of Premiership quality.

Their only ‘big money’ buy so far has been Peter Halmosi from Plymouth, for £2 million. I don’t blame you if you’re unimpressed.

Nabbing Geovanni from Manchester City could yet prove to be a smart piece of business, but apart from fellow new arrival George Boateng, Hull really look desperately short of a squad even approaching Premiership quality.

On the plus side, manager Phil Brown knows what it takes to thrive in the Premier League on a limited budget, having been assistant manager to Sam Allardyce at Bolton, and he will surely look to model his current Hull side on them. It is their only hope.

Verdict - There’s no shame in 19th place.

Ins: Peter Halmosi (Plymouth, £2m), George Boateng (Middlesbrough, £1m), Tony Warner (Fulham, free), Bernard Mendy (Paris St Germain, free), Geovanni (Manchester City, free), Craig Fagan (Derby, £750,000), Anthony Gardner (Tottenham, loan).

Outs: Michael Bridges (Carlisle, loan), Henrik Pedersen (Silkeborg IF, free), David Livermore (Brighton, free).


Stoke look doomed from the start. Their squad looks totally devoid of any quality, and with little Premiership experience, they will surely struggle badly this season.

It is surprising that they’ve splashed out £5.5 million on Dave Kitson, who will work hard for the side but is probably not the out-and-out goal scorer that Stoke need. With Seyi Olofinjana as their only other summer signing to date, Stoke’s squad is of a Championship standard, and that is surely where they will return.

Verdict - 20th and challenging Derby for worst ever Premiership team.

Ins: Seyi George Olofinjana (Wolves, £3m), Dave Kitson (Reading, £5.5m).

Outs: Marlon Broomes (Blackpool, free).


West Bromwich Albion look doomed from the start. However, they have much more hope than fellow promoted sides Hull and Stoke.

In the Championship last season, WBA were renowned for their attacking style of play under manager Tony Mowbray, so it’s encouraging to see that they have bolstered their squad from the back. Although they are now missing Kevin Phillips, Martin Albrechtsen, and most crucially, their playmaker Zoltan Gera, Mowbray has strengthened his defence with a couple of solid signings.

Scott Carson is worthy of a regular slot in England’s squad, and will have plenty of work to do this season. Marek Cech could prove to be a snip at £1.4 million from FC Porto, and will provide much-needed solidity with his Champions League experience. Elsewhere, Luke Moore will have a deserved chance to prove himself at the top level as WBA’s main striker, and it will be intriguing to see whether he sinks or swims.

Verdict: WBA finish agonisingly short of safety in 18th place.


Ins: Scott Carson (Liverpool, £3.25m), Marek Cech (FC Porto, £1.4m), Gianni Zuiverloon (Heerenveen, £3.2m), Luke Moore (Aston Villa, £3m).

Outs: Kevin Phillips (Birmingham, free), Curtis Davies (Aston Villa, undisclosed), Martin Albrechtsen (Derby County, free), Zoltan Gera (Fulham, free), Luke Daniels (Shrewsbury, loan), Tininho (released).


NJ's Bets:

West Ham to beat Boro (season match bet) - 5pts @ 1.83 (Betfred)

WBA to be top promoted team - 2pts @ 2.1 (Coral)

Stoke to finish bottom - 2.5pts @ 2.87 (Skybet)

Hull/Stoke/WBA to all be relegated - 3.5pts @ 3.5 (SkyBet)

Tottenham to finish bottom with +18pts handicap - 1pt @ 16.0 (E/W, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1/4) (SkyBet)

Newcastle to finish bottom with +28pts handicap - 1pt @ 13.0 (E/W, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1/4) (SkyBet)