Premier League 2007/8
Arsenal FC (Gunners)
Manager: Arsene Wenger
Stadium: The Emirates Stadium
Wrightsby’s View: Arsenal have dropped in form of late which may have something to do with the loss of captain and king pin Thierry Henry early in the season. However, Arsene Wenger has a nack of buying talented young foreign players on the cheap. The current Arsenal team is young and exciting although they may have to wait a season or two to see the fruits of their labour.
gunners website
Aston Villa FC
Manager: Martin O’Neil
Stadium: Villa Park
Wrigtsby’s View: Over the last few seasons Aston Villa have been a mid-table medioka team. They’ve had international stars come and go but nothing’s really given them a boost. Milan Baros from Czech used to be a top player at international level for me, but never really came into his own at Villa. Martin O’Neil took over last season and things are looking better than they have for a while.
villa website
Birmingham City FC
Manager: Steve Bruce
Stadium: St. Andrews
Wrightsby’s View: Birmingham City had a 2 season spell in the premiership recently and after spending one back in the Championship, they have really dug deep and are back in the big time. Players to watch out for are DJ Campbell Birmingham’s SuperSub, Gary McSheffery who can really turn a game and Fabrice Muamba who is a real battler in midfield.
blues website
Blackburn Rovers FC
Manager: Mark Hughes
Stadium: Ewood Park
blackburn website
Bolton Wanderers FC
Manager:
Stadium: Reebok Stadium
bolton website
Chelsea FC
Manager: Jose Mourinho
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Accolades: 2006/7 Season - F.A. Cup & Carling Cup, Premiership Champions 2005/6 & 2006/7, other accolades include:…..
Wrightsby’s View: One of the most battling and exciting teams in my mind. Mourinho has really breathed life into Chelsea since his arrival - there’s never a dull moment. I really rate Joe Cole before his injury, he was the Chelsea super sub and then a real work-horse once he won his first team place. Frank Lampard has had a rocky time this season but you can’t deny he is one of the best players in the world - people are fickle, a few bad games doesn’t make him a bad player. Shawn Wright-Phillips is improving which is good news for the England team too.
chelsea website
Derby County FC
Wrightsby’s View: Derby Couty have battled their way into the Premiership and it will be interesting to see how they fair against the likes of Chelsea, Man U and Arsenal. Will they do a Wigan and Reading who both had outstanding first seasons in the top flight, or will they do a Sheffield United and go straight back down? Best watch this space!
derby website
Everton FC
Manager: David Moyes
Stadium: Goodison Park
everton website
Fulham FC
Stadium: Craven Cottage
Wrightsby’s View: What a shame Chris Coleman got sacked this season as manager of Fulham…
fulham website
Liverpool FC
Manager: Raphael Bennitez
Stadium: Anfield
Accolades: 18 League Championships, 14 League and FA Cups, plus 3 UEFA and European Super Cups, 5 European Trophies
Wrigtsby’s View: Liverpool are masters of the European circuit. Even though they were runners up in this year’s Champion’s League, they are still winners in this arena
liverpool website
Manchester City FC
man city website
Manchester United FC
Manager: Alex Fergusen
Stadium: Old Trafford
Accolades: Premiership Title x 16; F.A. Cup x 11; League Cup x 2; European Cup x2; UEFA Cup Winners Cup x 1; Intercontinental Cup x 1; European Super Cup x 1
Wrightsby’s View: I have issues with this team and that’s purely down to the attitudes of some of the players. My hat goes off to lifers like Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs who are Man U thru. The team changed for me when Beckham left, and they replaced him with arrogant twinkle toes Ronaldo. Give him his dues he has played some good football last season, but that skipping over the ball and his arrogance just annoys me, oh and the diving. Wayne Rooney is a big talent, but his attitude needs to get better.
man u website
Middlesborough FC
Manager: Gareth Southgate
Stadium: The Riverside
borough website
Newcastle United FC
Manager: Sam Allerdyce - newly appointed
Stadium: St. James Park
newcastle website
Portsmouth FC (Pompey)
Manager: Harry Rednapp
Stadium: Fratton Park
pompey website
Reading FC
Manager: Steve Coppell
Stadium: Madjeski?
Wrightsby’s View: Watch out for Leroy Lita, an ex Chelsea player scored against the Blues last season and was a real thorn in their side - he has talent. Reading had an excellent first season in the Premiership, I hope they continue!
reading website
Sunderland AFC
Manager: Roy Keane
Stadium: Stadium of Light
Wrightsby’s View: Roy Keane took over the Manager’s position early last season and his ‘take no crap’ approach has catapulted Sunderland into the Premiership. I think we will see big things from this Club next season.
sunderland website
Tottenham Hotspur FC
Manager: Martin Jol
Stadium: Whiteheart Lane
spurs website
West Ham United FC (Hammers)
Manager: Alan Kirbishly ?
Stadium: Upton Park
Wrightsby’s View: West Ham were involved in the relegation battle and the end of last season and they fought tooth and nail. Carlos Tevez was the real driving force behind their success in staying up however he may be on the move soon.
hammers website
Wigan Athletic FC
Manager:
Stadium: JJB Stadium
Wrightsby’s View: Also involved in the relegation battle last season, Wigan are an exciting team to watch who have not been helped by poor match changing decisions. Wigan were awesome in their first season in the Premiership and will sorely miss manager Paul Jewel who resigned at the end of last season for health reasons.
wigan website
