 |
Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home
How to get
started
PMF
League
Other Competitions & Awards
PMF Shield
Club Information
PMF Editorial
PMF
Interactive
Site Information
|
BRAID AND WALKER ANALYSE UP TO XMAS Expert comments on the opening third of the season Official PMF Newspaper correspondant, Liam Braid and Mark Walker got together to analyse the PMF teams performances up until the Xmas break, and put together their tips for the top. DIVISION ONE Braid: I personally feel that Liverpool have come out on top here, and are my tips to get the title this season. Riley leaving was predicted to be a huge loss to the club, but after Harboe's shrewd signing, I think this has turned the tables, and I install them as the opening seasons favourite club. Harboe is as shrewd as they come on the transfer market, he's a smart man who seems to get the best from his players, and as long as his small squad stays injury free I feel that the gap will only greaten in the coming year. The main opposition I can see will come from Arsenal and Newcastle. Palat has been unlucky on the transfer market so far, but I'm sure the Arsenal kitty is just getting stronger and stronger, and with a strong side already, maybe Palat is playing his cards close to his chest. I think Newcastle may have surprised a few, they've installed virtually a brand new team, but with Moeri at the helm they have seemed to have gelled fairly quickly. I can't see Leeds competing this term, they have the players, but I don't see them as championship material. As for the other four, its a tale of who gets their acts together quicker. I think Richards won't be at United for too much longer, and if they get the right man, then perhaps they can get something from this season, but I wouldn't count on it. Chelsea, Sunderland and Tottenham are all underachieving at the moment. Chelsea aren't firing at all at the minute, Spurs never started firing, and perhaps running Sunderland with one eye on Scotland was a bad move for McRich.
BRAIDS PREDICTED TABLE Walker: I feel that Arsenal are still the team to beat in the top division, Palat is a great manager, and his teams are always very hard to beat. Palat builds from the back, and although he lost out on Hofland, I think Palat already has the basis of a championship team. Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle should run them close, and perhaps even Sunderland and Man Utd could draw themselves back into it. With Carew hitting the net and Sunderland being hard to beat I don't see why they still can't make a challenge. I think that Chelsea and Spurs have it all to do though, and I see these two having to have excellent New Years to pull something back from this season.
WALKERS PREDICTED TABLE DIVISION 2 Braid: Jones is still wanting Everton to be classed as the underdogs, so thats what I'll say aswell - my tip for the top spot is Charlton!, it may shock a few but I feel that with their strengthening in midfield, by signing Koumas and Pedersen, they look a hard team to beat. They're not scoring many goals, but they're not letting in many either, surely a team like this is perfect for promotion. I don't think Everton will miss out though, and see them finishing second. I can see the rest of the division being very tight, there are a few good managers being appointed in the second division, which is a relief for the followers of these clubs, who've had some very anonymous names recently. I think Villa have a lot to do to compete though, and after losing their second manager of the season I can see them finding it hard to come back. For outsiders for promotion I'd go for Southampton, Kolacz is a highly rated manager, and if he can work his magic then they may be one team to watch out for.
BRAIDS PREDICTED TABLE Walker: It's Everton all the way, there is a huge gap forming, and with the signing of Emerton now, they look worlds apart from the other clubs in the second division. Jones is one of the best managers in the league, and he handles his team and players incredibly well. I think it will be a runaway victory for the Australian. It will be tough for the second spot, and I think it is still one of 6 teams, minus Villa, who look down and out at the moment. I would be putting my money on McCabe making it an Australian double though.
WALKERS PREDICTED TABLE DIVISION 3 Braid: Despite there being a gap again, I'm putting my money elsewhere - I think Derby have a team which would give most first division clubs a run for their money. There were a few question marks over the signing of Rix, but his transfer dealings have been very pleasing for Derby fans. With renewed optimism I can see them clawing back the gap and finishing clear top. Whether Bradford hold on to promotion is another thing, I believe they have serious contention from Fulham, and Sheffield Wednesday. Both teams are peforming at the moment. Coventry are outsiders for me, they've got the makings of a better club, but they've got a lot of work to do if they want to compete at a higher level. For relegation I can't see any further than Bolton and Wimbledon.
BRAIDS PREDICTED TABLE Walker: Bradford have done enough in the first third to keep the top spot, but I certainly don't think it will be a huge margin that they win the third division by. The quality of teams like Fulham and Derby will surely shine through and I can see these two being hard teams to beat next year, not only by third division opposition, but they have the class to beat anybody on their day. Wednesday are my outside bet, and I feel that Bolton may crawl out of relegation, sending Wimbledon and Coventry, or perhaps Blackburn down.
WALKERS PREDICTED TABLE DIVISION 4 Braid: Manchester City should come out top of this tight division, Hansen is a passionate man, and he'll do all he can to get the team up into the third, there will be a lot of competition standing in his way though. Whitmore on his day can get Birmingham firing on all cylinders, and you can't count out the re-emergence of Sheffield United, Wolves or Notts Forest. At the bottom of the table Norwich have it all to do, but with Henri at the helm, they'll take some beating. Picking up points here and there may bring them up and out of the relegation, and perhaps even early season leaders Barnsley could run out of luck, with Moe leaving, and sending them down.
BRAIDS PREDICTED TABLE Walker: I agree that Barnsley's season looks doomed now, I'd also predict them to go down this season. Norwich are putting together a young team, and may have enough energy to scrape out of this one. For the top spot I'm predicting Man City and Birmingham to be the top two, both have great following, and this support should edge them up the divisions. It will be interesting to see how important Birmighams win over Manchester City proves.
WALKERS PREDICTED TABLE
|
