Realistically who is in out Premier mini League next season

[West Acton]

Any points against the top 6 would be a major bonus and unexpected but it b begs the question which teams are we realistically competing against to stay out of the bottom three come May 2015

For me the sides we are competing with and need to finish above are three of the following

Villa
Burnley
Hull
Leicester
Newcastle
Southampton
Sunderland
WBA
Swansea

Can we finish above three of this lot?? Are there any teams you would add or remove??

If we had not gone up and I had to pick three to drop I would probably go Burnley, WBA and Swansea

[Kevin Mcleod]

Surely southampton will struggle after losing the manager and selling nearly a whole team?

[MattyRangers]

Despite losing the core of their squad, I can't see Southampton really being in a relegation scrap, they've pocketed decent dosh & willl invest wisely IMO - plus they've still some fantastic young talent at the club.

I think it'll be Leicester, Burnley, us, Swansea (Monk a terrible appointment for them IMO), WBA and Villa fighting against the drop. Hull will have a decent side, Long & Jelavic up top should, alone, be enough to fire them to safety.

[West Acton]

I know what you mean about Southampton Matty but added them as they have not only lost players but also there manager so its a total change around there. Big players sold with new managers ethos trying to be imposed spells trouble for me especially if he brings in loads of foreign players to upset the cart

Swansea and WBA made really odd managerial appointments and Villa have an owner who wants away and will not spend so think Villa defo could be closer to the drop come the last day of the season then previous seasons

Just like last season was a good season to get out the championship think this season could be an easier season to stay up then previous

[Suffolk]

I would add Palace and Stoke to the list with Everton flirting with the bottom six despite playing great football. I agree with Matty reference Southampton.

[QPR Richard]

All three promoted clubs will struggle IMO, and so will Villa and WBA.

Ideally, I'd love Swansea to go down to end Welsh participation in England's top division. They should be playing in the land of their fathers!

Edit: Southampton will probably net around £70m in sales this summer and may have up to £100m to spend this summer.

[West Acton]

I would add Palace and Stoke to the list with Everton flirting with the bottom six despite playing great football. I agree with Matty reference Southampton.

Pulis don't do relegation so think he will see Palace safe. I thought about Stoke and West Ham but think they will both have enough to keep themselves all through the season 6 or 7 points away from the scrap

You really think Everton could struggle??? I personally see them more of a side that wont challenge those above them but also wont get involved in the scrap below their the stereotypical middle table side in my book

[Kevin Mcleod]

All three promoted clubs will struggle IMO, and so will Villa and WBA.

Ideally, I'd love Swansea to go down to end Welsh participation in England's top division. They should be playing in the land of their fathers!

Edit: Southampton will probably net around £70m in sales this summer and may have up to £100m to spend this summer.

As we know, its the easiest thing in the world to just buy a whole new team to keep you in the prem.

[theblackmafia.]

If Swansea keep their better players like Vorm, Williams, Bony, Shelvey, Michu, Routledge etc, plus with Gomis now then they'll be ok. It's a bettr squad than ours.

[Ginger Ninja]

I would add Palace and Stoke to the list with Everton flirting with the bottom six despite playing great football. I agree with Matty reference Southampton.

Palace and Stoke I agree with but Everton?? No way mate, they'll be challenging for a place in Europe for sure.

[QPRDave]

Apart from the mancs both, the mickey mousers both, Arsenal, scum, and Spurs, every other club has the potential to be in "our mini league" imo. Every club is one bad season away from the championship

[Greg1882]

I would add Palace and Stoke to the list with Everton flirting with the bottom six despite playing great football. I agree with Matty reference Southampton.

Everton ? Really? Whaks you say that ? Nailed on top 7/8 possibly better

[stainrodisalegend]

We were the weakest of the promoted teams and all three promoted teams are considerably weaker than existing prem clubs imho. With our current squad i cant see us finishing anywhere but last as even teams like hull and swansea are much,much better than us. However, once more it will depend on whether we can bring in half a dozen motivated, fit and high calibre players.

[LoftusRoadLad]

Was gonna say Fulham ha ha

[Suffolk]

I believe the success of Everton last season was built on the Moyes foundations. I rate Martinez as a manager but expect his team to drop to a level commensurate with its ability (around mid table) flirting with the bottom six during the course of the season.