With Spurs threatening to make the Big 4 a Big 5, it’s surely just a question of what order they finish in. Similarly we can all predict all too easily who will be struggling at the foot of the table.
We reckon the most interesting sub-plot is the one being played out amongst the clubs jostling for position behind the Top 5.
Man City and West Ham are spending frankly obscene amounts of money to try to muscle their way onto top table, and even Pompey are trying to keep up.
Villa, whilst acting a little less ostentatiously, clearly have an owner and a manager not lacking in ambition, and similarly Everton are flexing what financial muscle they can to stay in touch.
However, we’ve decided to focus on Newcastle. In the late 90s they twice finished second, qualified for the Champions’ League, and reached two Cup Finals. At a time when pre-Abramovich Chelsea were arguably a cup team, the Mags looked the best bet to gatecrash the then Big 3’s party.
Things since then haven’t quite gone according to Sir John Hall’s plan (other than the bit where he lines his already wealthy pockets even more). However, with the third biggest ground in the League still regularly sold out, a new super-rich (English) owner on board, and the most successful English manager of recent years freshly installed and desperate to prove himself at a better funded club…well, could this be the year the Toon really start to realise their undoubted potential?
Who better to ask than the editor of long-running fanzine The Mag, and co-owner of the excellent The Back Page, book shop, Mark Jensen…
For full Toon Q&A click here
With the Prem more than ever a ‘League of two halves’ (ok, some might say four quarters, but that doesn’t sound so good), we are also focussing on a team unlikely to mount a European charge.
Last month we looked at yo-yo clubs WBA and Sunderland, this month it’s the turn of Birmingham City. Tim Gilder shares his thoughts…
For full Blues Q&A click here
