The new kids in town
Welcome to the clubs that have joined the Premier League for this season! Here's a brief introduction to each.
Coventry City
Coventry took the Championship by storm last season after narrowly missing out on promotion in the season before.
Manager: Frank Lampard
Great goalscoring midfielder though he undoubtedly was, Frank has split opinion as a Coach/Manager. He has certainly been parachuted into some high level situations but hasn't always succeeded. We shall see if his attacking ethos can work at the higher level.
Notable Players:
Ellis Sims, a big unit who started out at Everton, had a couple of successful loan spells and has finally found a home in the midlands where he has added goals to his strength and hold up play.
Victor Torp, an attack minded midfielder with plenty of goals in his locker. Capped by Denmark at all youth levels, he is now coming into his prime years and could well be a name for the future.
Jack Rudoni, a young man with American roots, Rudoni grew up in the South London heartland of Crystal Palace and hopes to make them pay for letting him go. Growing under Lampard, he runs hard in midfield and has the knack of arriving in the penalty area at just the right time.
Chances of Prem survival:
Nobody ever expects the promoted teams to do well but there is a feeling that Coventry have enough to survive at least the one season.
Ipswich Town
Ipswich have visited the Premier League much more recently. Their last showing was a decent effort but they probably lacked in attacking depth. They do have a lot of players making the return and that earlier visit couple with more experience should work in their favour.
Manager: Gary O'Neil
O'Neil returns to the Premier League with his third different team. His successes so far have been limited and his appointment was a surprise after Kieran Mckenna quit to take time off from football after securing his third promotion in four years.
Notable players:
Dara O'Shea, the inspirational Captain. A no nonsense stopper who will get plenty of set piece goals to add to his defensive points. A magnet for crosses in his own box, if someone gets a block in there you can almost guarantee it will be him.
Christian Walton, one of the best goalkeepers outside the Premier League for sometime. As Goalkeepers do he has improved with time and now at 30 is likely to showcase his talents in a very busy season.
George Hirst, following in his Dad's footsteps, and looking to be the focal point of the tractor boys attack, profiting from some clever wingers. At 27 he is entering his prime and is sure to be one to watch.
Chances of Prem survival:
A lot will depend on investment, which hasn't always been massive and the way McKenna's players respond to O'Neil. It may be another difficult season.
Hull City
Humberside gets Premier League representation again and it feels like it's been a while. Nobody really expected Hull to get promotion last season and they only did it through the playoffs...just remember what Sunderland did though.
Manager: Sergej Jakirovic
A bit of an unknown quantity, mainly working in his native Bosnia, Croatia and a short spell in Turkey.
Notable Players:
Lewie Coyle, a local lad who had made over two hundred appearances for the club. His versatility allows him to play at either full back role and even on occasion at centre back. A fan favourite always in the thick of it.
Liam Millar, a journeyman wide man who started his career at Liverpool without making a first team start. Last seen in the World Cup with Canada, a hard worker good for both goals and assists.
Oli McBurnie, sure to be Hull's focal point and probably top scorer. A very hard working frontman who has had spells in the Prem at both Swansea and Sheffield United. Never prolific he is nevertheless a danger in the box and maybe at 30 has the nous to do better this time around.