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Vital Blackburn Crystal Ball

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As the band Keane once sang – ‘Oh crystal ball, crystal ball’. But this time with embarrassing consequences no doubt

Yes, it is indeed that time of year again.

After thoroughly embarrassing ourselves during the summer World Cup you would have thought that we would give up and go home… but no.

I have rounded up the troops again to prove we are glutton for punishment and decided to pose ten teasers about the upcoming EPL season.

Who will cover themselves in glory and who will make some costly errors? Only one way to find out I guess…

1.) We will start with our very own, where do you see Blackburn Rovers finishing?

Bom Bom – IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE! That`s the main priority. Otherwise, barring an amazingly fast transfer of ownership, we should be settling for no less than 13-14th. If we get investment, I`ll say 7th, if we don`t, I`ll go 11th.

Mikey – I can’t see much being different in our current financial state. We aren’t that good that we can hit Europe despite what the players say but we aren’t bad enough to go down.

I call same finishing position as last time… 10th.

Sasman – As much as I would love to say we will push on from last season, I think it will be more of the same from Rovers. We will play exciting football at times, boring football at times, and miss a thousand chances unless we can snap up that mystery striker. So il say 9th through to 11th…

2.) Who will win the Rovers player of the season award?

Bom Bom – Who Saw N`Zonzi coming last season? A fit David Dunn would win it but I think this is the year of the Swede, Marin Olsson, barring any serious injuries. Phil Jones to win Young POTS with Linganzi to be in contention should he get the chance

Mikey – Difficult one to call. for me it all hinges on injuries.

Any of David Dunn, Martin Olsson, N’Zonzi again or even Jones could walk away with it.

But I will go left field and pick consistency and passion. Your Rovers player of the season for 2010/11 will be Chris Samba.

Sasman – Brett Emerton is primed for a massive season. Regained full fitness, had a strong world cup against some of the World’s best, and will be eager to make up on lost time. Im sure the local boy David Dunn will feature highly, but watch for my boy to have his best season so far.

3.) Who will win the big prize and be crowned Champions?

Bom Bom – Chelsea again for me, United haven`t done anything really to strengthen, Arsenal will challenge more this season and Man City will, I don`t see Spurs up there again, neither Liverpool.

Mikey –I know my prediction in the Observer caused a bit of a stir but I am going to stick with it.

Money talks in this day and age and some of the other sides around them have stood relatively still so I shall call Manchester City.

Sasman – With Manchester City now entering the frame as contenders, and Liverpool attempting to bounce back from a poor season, there will be a few contenders. However, I do think that Chelsea will take the title one more time, with Chelsea uninterrupted by the African Nations Cup this time round.

4.) Who is set for the trapdoor that is relegation?

Bom Bom – West Brom, Blackpool and probably, hopefully Newcastle, no cash to spend, they are going to struggle.

Mikey – There are about 10/11 sides that, given a poor run could face this doom and yes I include us in that group.

This is a tough call to make. Blackpool I am afraid are already relatively shafted.

I also have a funny feeling that Wigan could struggle as well, just a hunch as they like us can struggle on their travels.

My final pick is every bodies favourite yo-yo club West Brom.

Sasman – We all hope that Blackpool can make the cut, but I dont think that will happen. Bolton will struggle, as will West Brom!

5.) Which team across the Premier League spectre do you see exceeding expectations?

Bom Bom – Rovers with financing, otherwise, I can see Blackpool doing well initially but then struggling.

Mikey –I am going to say West Ham. They were woeful last season and their chairman are about as ‘un-likeable’ as Danni Minogue but they have an underrated manager.

They have made some shrewd signings such as the Mexican Barrera and Thomas Hitzelsperger and can expect to be well drilled now they have seemingly retained Scott Parker.

I don’t like them but they should do well.

Sasman – I think Newcastle will come back firing. They did have a relatively strong squad in the championship, and the few additions will add to that. Maybe a top 10 finish for the toon, at our expense

6.) Is there a new addition (player not team) to the league you see doing well?

Bom Bom – Ramires, if he gets to Chelsea, will be a good player, Faty, should he sign for us, will do well also.

Mikey – Javier Hernandez or Chickpea or whatever the flaming swiss army knife he is called.

He was touted about a bit as a future star and from what I have seen of him he looks class.

I expect him to be this seasons breakout star.

I can also Milan Jovanavic of Liverpool and Jelle Van Damme of Wolves having a good season.

Sasman – One of the few big players making a big move is David Silva. (note its the 4th of August, any future signings are declared null and void and ineligible to be accounted for :P) I think his flair and ability will be something to look out for, and could propel Man City higher in their ambitions.

7.) Which player will flop big time?

Bom Bom – Joe Cole at Liverpool, unfortunately and I don`t think Yaya Toure is all that he`s made out to be either.

Mikey – The big flop I predict will be Laurien Koscienly.

Only purely because of the money Arsenal spent on him and the fact that Arsene Wenger and defenders haven’t always been the easiest of blends.

Yaya Toure won’t be terrible or anything just not worth anywhere near the kind of money Manchester City have spent on him.

Finally, Titus Bramble and Sunderland is a disaster waiting to happen.

Sasman – Nikola Zigic. The man is big, but was often made to look good by some softer Spanish defending. Just because you are big, doesn’t mean you will stand the test of the English Premier League, he will be shown up by much stronger central defenders, especially the likes of Ferdinand, Terry, Samba and Jones 😀

8.) Who will win the sack race?

Bom Bom – Chris Hughton at Newcastle, possibly Tony Pulis at Stoke, should they struggle early doors.

Mikey – Chris Hughton at Newcastle.

If they start slowly then expect Mike Ashley to get trigger happy and forget all the good work done by Hughton in the Championship.

Sasman – Owen Coyle. Simple really. His team is crap. The only reason they stayed up last season was because there were 3 teams who were even worse. Coyle will go, followed by Bolton.

9.) You have £10 million to buy the greatest striker in the world to fire Rovers up the table… who do you buy and why?

Bom Bom – Only 10 Million? Who are you, a trustee?? (Joke especially for Vinjay there ;)) Id sign Someone with pace, we miss that attribute at the top of the formation, someone like Walcott but that can actually finish consistently, I`d be happy with Lukas Podolski, as an example.

Mikey – It is difficult for me to look past Craig Bellamy. There are plenty of strikers around the world that could fit the £10 million bracket but Craig stands out for me.

He has pace which we need and Craig also has the valuable aspect to him that we know what we would be getting.

We won’t be able to afford him but it would be nice.

Sasman – I think we have to be realistic with what 10 million pounds can buy these days. Personally, I would go with the tried and tested, Craig Bellamy. On the outer at City, we know he can score goals, he has pace, has the turn, and would work brilliantly with Dunny providing him the neat through balls. Is also a poacher and a work horse, most importantly, a finisher. Would also leave us with a bit of change to sign an unknown 20 year old from Angola.

And finally…

10.) Can you name me the PFA Premier League team of the year for this season…

Bom Bom –

1) Reina

2) J. Boateng

3) Terry

4) Samba

5) A. Cole

6) N`Zonzi

7) D. Silva

8) Lampard

9) Fabregas

10) Rooney

11) Torres

Mikey –

1) Huerelho Gomes (Spurs)

2) Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)

3) Phil Jagielka (Everton)

4) Nemanja Vidic (Man United)

5) Alexandar Kolarov (Man City)

6) Luis Valencia (Man United)

7) Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

8) David Silva (Man City)

9) Samir Nasri (Arsenal)

10) Marouane Chamakh (Arsenal)

11) Wayne Rooney (Man United)

Sasman –

1)Petr Cech

2)Richard Dunne

3)Rio Ferdinand

4)Thomas Vermaelen

5)Patrice Evra

6)Arshavin

7)Joe Cole

8)Frank Lampard

9)Nicolas Anelka

10)Didier Drogba

11)Carlos Tevez

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