This season's surprise package

[dontcallme]

Most seasons there is one Prem side that really outperforms expectations.

Last season it was Leicester and the season before it was Southampton.

Just wondering who people think might be this season's team.

Despite losing Ashley Williams, who I feel is overrated, I am going with Swansea. I think Llorente will be a good signing. I only expect them to push for a top half finish but considering last season would be a good improvement for them.

 

[Rocksuperstar]

I don't think there'll be one this year. Last year was so mental i think this term will be quite dull and predictable, with only the odd shocker result here and there. The three that came up will fight against relegation all year, maybe one or two will survive on the last day, but generally i think the season will be quite normal.

If i had to pick one i would say Sunderland will make a fist of it. Januzaj + McNair will probably fit quite well and they're not going to be uprooting any trees, but i think a season of hovering around the bottom of the Euro places is not beyond them and a few good results could eek them into the top seven.

Everton are the team i think will, rather sadly, suffer this year. The club seems to be forever on the verge of "something", but the last couple of years has seen them stagnate a bit and with no real mind bending signings yet i can't see them making many dents.

 

[VertongHen]

I think it could be Hull City who'll smash all expectations and finish 19th instead of 20th.

 

[Yiddo94]

I'll say Middlesborough, they've made some good signings and think they'll give a lot of teams a tough match.

 

[Cornpattbuck]

Stoke. Very solid and settled team and thrown a couple more wildcards into their squad mix this summer.

 

[kr1978]

Palace- some good buys over the summer to add to the likes of Cabaye.

 

[slartibartfast]

Not a surprise but....

We'll win it :/
I've put £10 on us.
Last season in stadium. Written in the stars.
Few more pundits now starting to see beyond the Maureen Pep media bullshit and realise (ooh I forgot about Spurs).
We're not going to be worse this season but better. Lost no one and strengthened so is it really likey 3 teams with new coaches and new players are going to be stronger than us? 1 maybe. Poss 2. All 3? Not imo. Top 3 at least.
COYS

 

[Reprobate]

Palace- some good buys over the summer to add to the likes of Cabaye.

I can't make my mind up whether I expect them to be decent or not. Don't rate Pardew but they do have a decent amount of quality players.

 

[slartibartfast]

What dya mean optimistic? Lol

 

[VegasII]

Us.

 

[Cornpattbuck]

Palace- some good buys over the summer to add to the likes of Cabaye.

Certainly should be exciting on the break. Desperate for a striker still though.

 

[kr1978]

I can't make my mind up whether I expect them to be decent or not. Don't rate Pardew but they do have a decent amount of quality players.

That's kind of how I feel, I wouldn't be surprised if it all goes bad for them but I definitely think they could be a surprise package if it gels.

 

[kr1978]

Certainly should be exciting on the break. Desperate for a striker still though.

They seem to have the money if the transfer rumours are to be believed and if they get a benteke or similar then they will have decent players who can all do a job through the pitch.

 

[Annekcma]

Surely by guessing who the surprise package is, you make them no longer be a surprise?

 

[Rocksuperstar]

Palace- some good buys over the summer to add to the likes of Cabaye.

Haha, that's kinda funny, chatting to my mate, i just called Pardew as first to get the hook. I don't see them having the roaring start they had when he arrived, i think they are going to get routinely battered and i will laugh.

End of the season, they will be W2/D0/L36*

*the two wins obviously being Pardew chanting, shaking a cup of bones and biting a chickens head off, or whatever it is the smug wanker does every single time he sends a team out against us.

 

[Reprobate]

**Hull City**

 

[nailsy]

Everton should do better than last season, but I don't think that will be a surprise. Middlesbrough could be the surprise team of the season.

 

[kr1978]

Palace- some good buys over the summer to add to the likes of Cabaye.

Couldn't even beat West Brom at home

 

[ClintEastwould]

Arsenal to not finish in the top 4.

 

[Vincent30]

I think Everton will be this years surprise. Based on a few things.

Last year they massively under performed and even though they had the players, they just had poor direction and no confidence.

The ynow have an up and coming manager like Poch who has a plan, this guy got the second highest points total in the 2nd half of last season with Southampton. You compare teams on paper, are Southampton any better man for man, or are they just fitter and far more organised.

He has money to spend and a proven scout / DOF who has an eye or a player.

I think they will be in the mix, no European distraction, if they can replace Lukaku who's likely to leave they will be a very good team. They have the perfect players for Koeman's style which mirrored Liecester's in the second half of the season.
Experienced rigid defence - Williams and Jag will be a solid pairing, their FBs in Baines and Coleman if motivated are top tier. Then you have wealth of experience in Barry sitting in front of them with Mccarthy and Gueye. This will be an extremely organised and hard to break down team. Then they have flair in Mirallas, Deulofeu, Barkely, even Bolasie, they will sit back and hit you on the break.

This will be a very good team this year, they could easily be top 6 or even break the top 4 depending on their striker situation when the window closes.