Fans Comment
Andy Rowlands

Can we stay up?
23 July 2004

David Moyes: can he keep what is ostenisbly the same team in the Premiership this coming season?

As our board of directors seem intent on self-destruction, and our manager is unable to attract anyone decent to bolster the squad, I think all of us fans are dreading the forthcoming season like never before. The ‘Championship’ (what a name) is littered with ex-Premiership clubs with little chance of getting back into the big time, and it looks like we could be the next!

But I beg to differ. If the season were to start tomorrow, what would our chances be?

You always look to see if there are at least three teams worse than us that will fill the relegation places, and I believe that this season we will see the polarity of quality in the Premiership yet again.

Whilst Chelski continue to spend spend spend, they, along with the Arse and Man U will battle away for the title once again, leaving the rest of the Premiership to battle out the minor places.

You’ve got a second tier that will dream of UEFA football (but probably be knocked out in the first couple of rounds) and maybe the fourth Champions League place – the likes of the Toon, our Red neighbours, Villa, Boro, Charlton and maybe Brum. I say dream, because there’s always one of these sides that underachieves to a staggering level. I hope its Liverpool, but more likely Boro – they have the money, but you can see players steadily thinking ‘what the hell am I doing here?’ as they find out what a dump Middlesbrough is.

Then we have the ‘surprise packages’. Remember 2002/03 – that was us! Last season it was a combination of Fulham, Brum and Bolton at various points. This season, I reckon Tottenham might have a bright spot, only to slide down the table later in the season.

The rest – average at best, and I’m afraid that includes Everton. But I can’t see any of the promoted teams doing well. Palace only scraped promotion thanks to Iain Dowie’s surprise management skills (far better than his playing skills), Norwich are a nice fluffy side – who won’t have anything like the quality to stay up. And I can’t see West Brom doing much better than a couple of seasons ago when they were woeful.

Then you have Pompey – everyone’s tip to go down last season, and mine to struggle this. Even with the Rhino in their ranks, the second season is always harder that the first. The same could be said for a Fulham team without Saha, a poor Blackburn team and underachieving Man City, all three will play a couple of blinders, but have long barren runs when they are utter shite. Bolton I like – its amazing the players they attract, they’ll be alright, but nothing amazing. And finally Southampton, no Strachan this season and I think they’ll struggle too.

So even though no other team has had as disruptive a close season as us, I passionately believe we can finish above the three promoted teams, and with a bit of luck one or two others – especially Pompey and Blackburn.

The Premiership – the best league in the world? I don’t think so! We’re not going to make any great shakes this season for sure, but I believe we’ve got enough about us to survive this term and hopefully the club will have sorted itself out come next season!

Remember - the glass is always half full!

Andy Rowlands