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| Bood's Season Verdict | ||||||||||
| Arsenal- Having just been the first team to go the whole season unbeaten last season, almost everyone had expected great things. And at the start of the season they didn't disappoint. They eventually got to 49 games unbeaten when they made the travel to Old Trafford. This infamous match proved to be the turning point for them. They lost it 2-0 and couldn't get back on track for a long time. However they did manage to finish 2nd which isn't bad seeing as Chelsea got the most points in history. Aston Villa- Were expected to do well having finished 6th last season but not getting Uefa Cup. However, they finished 10th but on a small budget with a small squad they did do well. This summer given the funds could go far next season. Birmingham- Last season were phenomenal with a sturdy defence and a great goalscorer in Mikael Forsell but this season didn't seem to recapture that form. Emile Heskey was a brilliant signing for them being the only real positive of the season. Walter Pandiani also made an impact that only lasted 2 or 3 weeks. Finished 12th which isn't bad but to be honest more was expected of them. Blackburn- After seeming to be down and out with Graeme Souness people were already writing them off but when Souness did leave to join Newcastle that turned out to be the pivotal moment of the season. Mark Hughes was brought in and along came a whole arrary of new ideas. He managed to pick up the team and slowly but surely take them up to 15th with the only signing being Robbie Savage for �2M. Bolton- What a season for them. Next season is going to bring Uefa Cup football for them after finishing 6th. Were so close to reaching that 4th Champions League spot losing it in the final few weeks of the season. Sam Allardyce has thus far been amazing and the Bolton fans will hope that they can progress in Europe. Charlton- Mid table finish for Charlton. Critics are saying that not enough progress is being made as now people are beginning to call for his sacking. Chelsea- 95 points- the most ever in the premiership, 15 goals conceded- lowest ever in the premiership, 22 clean sheets- most ever in the premiership, 32 games won- most games won in the premiership. Jose Mourinho lead his team to success and most people expect them to next season build upon this. Crystal Palace- It was brilliant of them to gain entry to the Premiership and Crystal Palace were part of the famous Survival Sunday and were so unlucky to lose out to a Fortune goal in the last 10 minutes. Also has the success of the season in the form of Andy Johnson who scored 21 goals finishing 2nd in the top goal scorer list. Everton- Lost Rooney and were losing almost every single person of the board but somehow managed to gain a Champions League spot finishing 4th. Hats off to David Moyes and the team. Fulham- Were close to being relegated at one stage but never really looked like they were going down due to the arrival of Andy Cole giving them a real boost.. Finished comfortably in 13th and will be looking to spend some money in the summer. Liverpool- Finished 5th losing out to Everton's 4th spot on the second last day of the season. Would be seen as disapointing but I think the Liverpool fans will be more content with the fact that Liverpool reached the Champions League final rather than missing out to 4th. Manchester City- People predicted bad things for Kevin Keegan's last game of the season but he proved them all wrong by taking Manchester City and steering them in the right direction. Also sold Nicolas Anelka for �7M helping to pay off some of their debts. And next season looks bright with Stuart Pearce being announced as the new manager. Manchester United- Another season of underachievement from Man Utd finishing 3rd. The season was overshadowed however by Malcolm Glazer's takeover bids and Rio Ferdinand's refusal to sign a new contract. Were still able to make it to the FA cup final however. Middlesbrough- They finished 7th this season and will be delighted to be getting more Uefa Cup final. And with Yakubu to be soon arriving things are looking bright for Middlesbrough. Newcastle- Sacked Sir Bobby Robson after 4 games, Sold Jonathan Woodgate without a replacement, Kieron Dyer refused to play on the right, made an outrageous attempt to sign Wayne Rooney, brought in Graeme Souness, got in a bust-up with Bellamy, Bowyer and Dyer had an infamous fight and Newcastle finished 14th. A season that Newcastle will want to see the back of straight away. Norwich- Prior to the last few games of the season had no chance but a string of wins agaisnt the likes of Man Utd and Newcastle put them in the driving seat on survival Sunday. However, a 6-0 thrasing agaisnt Fulham saw all their hopes shattered. Portsmouth- A season of oddity. Everything was going so well until Milan Mandaric decided to bring in a Director of Football. Harry Redknapp left and were close to being relegated. However a 4-1 beating of Southampton maintained their security in the Premiership. Southampton- A season of misery for them. 3 different managers in 1 season as well as looking to survive after 45 minutes on Survival Sunday but a Van Nistelrooy goal saw that all come to an end. Its been 27 years since Southampton weren't in the top division but that has all come to an end now. The fans are distraught to have seen this. Tottenham- With around 20 new players as well as a whole new backroom staff Tottenham were a changed team. It was all going for so well for them and Uefa Cup football looked a certainty. But were unlucky to miss out finishing 9th. West Bromwich Albion- Some big name signings made people think that WBA had a chance. They were last on Christmas day as well as going into Survival Sunday but somehow managed to beat Portsmouth to stay in the Premiership for one more season. |
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