AFC Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich – Will they survive Relegation?

Final Standings – The Championship 2014/15 Season

1 – AFCBournemouth(90 Points)

2 –Watford(89 Points)

3 –NorwichCity(86 Points)

AFC Bournemouth

Four points separated the three promoted sides from last seasons’ championship. Deservedly the winners were AFC Bournemouth, a small club on the South Coast with one of the smallest budgets in the league, managed by Eddie Howe. At 37 he’s gathering a reputation as one of the country’s best managerial prospects.

Scoring the highest amount of goals in the division last season (98), with more of them coming away from Home (50), Bournemouth’s’ principles and philosophy is built on attacking, free flowing football, which is very attractive on the eye. Defensively, more vulnerable at home, Bournemouth fared better away from home, conceding only 20 on the road last season, which resulted in only 5 defeats and 13 wins, which in the hustle and bustle of the Championship is very impressive.

The stats are already eye opening, a solid defence combined with a dangerous attack, shows balance, organisation and creativity – a healthy blend. The question is, can they replicate their style and success in the Premier League – can they survive?

YES

Attune to their managers philosophy and methods, combined with their fearless approach in fixtures, AFC Bournemouth can go toe to toe with most sides in the Premier League on their day. A possession based game plan, with the squad full of players with high levels of technique, there is no doubt Bournemouth will dominate the ball in 70% of the matches they play.

In Matt Ritchie, they have a creative spark on who can be a game changer, cutting in from the right hand side; he has the ability to score from long range, link with the forward players and provide a cutting edge play with his clever assists. Survival will be dependant on a former Coventry City academy Graduate – Callum Wilson. Blessed with ferocious speed and acute finishing, Wilson will be a threat behind Premier League defences and will help his side slide up the pitch on the counter attack. If he accomplishes this Bournemouth will avoid the drop.

NO

With the vast majority of the playing squad untested at Premier League level, doubts surface as to whether the players can adapt to the speed and intelligence of the Premier League.

The Centre Back pairing of Steve Cook and Tommy Elphick will need to play their maximum, every game for Bournemouth to compete. The Premier League is ruthless, one small mistake will be punished by Elite Players at any given moment. If Eddie Howe persists with a 4-4-2 formation, AFC Bournemouth could find themselves outnumbered in Central Midfield, which against the top sides, could prove crucial. Arter and Surman are not specialists in the holding role so it’s an area for concern.

The Signings of Max Gradel and Christion Atsu increase depth but neither will terrify defences in my opinion. The signing of Distin will add experience and knowledge but the last 18 months proved a difficult time for Distin and his legs are on the way out. Lee Tomlin will add creativity but he lacks pace and stamina, crucial attributes in the Premier League. If Callum Wilson struggles to adapt to Premier League life and the defence is left isolated, it could be a repeat of Blackpool’s first season in 2010/11, winning plenty of admirers but just falling short at the final hurdle.

PREDICTION: 19^TH – RELEGATION

Watford FC

Runners up in the Championship table, Scoring 91 goals and conceding 50 in 46 games. A healthy return on what was a very successful season for the football club amid a managerial merry-go-round, which resulted in 5 different first team managers in 18 months. With such instability it is a miracle Watford achieved promotion and full credit to the players for adapting so well to many different changes.

Blessed with a wealth of attacking talents, flair , and a more direct style, Watford have weapons ready to attack the Premier League and under the watchful eye of a new manager, Quique Flores, Watford have a tactically astute manager who will continue the good work left behind by Salvisa Jokanovic – can they survive?

YES

Not short on numbers, Watford have a deep squad with the with the recent additions of Vala Behrami and Ettiene Capoue, who both have Premier League experience. They have a solid foundation to build upon. With a flux of foreign talent flooding the squad, they are not short on technical ability, players like Abdi, Anya, Vydra, supply the lethal frontline of Ighalo, and Captain Troy Deeney. The Birmingham born striker provides power, pace and aggression. His strengths are his hold up play. Penalty area movement and finishing pieces from within 25 yards, Watford FC play with high tempo, can play direct to Deeney but are also comfortable probing teams in and around the penalty area. The mixture of styles will enable them to adapt tactfully.

Playing on the weakness of the opposition will see Watford safe, entertaining neutrals with lots of goals along the way.

NO

With a mix of personalities and nations in one dressing room, players being imported from all over Europe and the fact that most of the squad have little playing Premier League experience, the first season could be a mixed bag for Watford FC. Could the instability of changing managers finally catch up on the club and divide opinion in the dressing room?

The new signings could find it hard to adapt to the pace of the Premier League, especially in defensive areas. If Deeney struggles for service or has injuries, will the attacking threat dry up, Vydra struggles to adapt during his spell at West Brom so the jury is out whether Watford can cope with their Captain.

PREDICTION: 14^TH – SAFE

Norwich City FC

Gained promotion via the playoffs with a dominant display against the failed Middlesbrough side. Changing the manager half way through the championship promotion campaign proved a masterstroke by the Norwich board. Replacing Neil Adams with the 34 year old Scot Alex Neil, saw Norwich charge up the table.

The hardworking new manager added security and a presence to the football club. The playing squad quickly responded to the change becoming resilient defensively and producing a remarkable, unbeaten, away record on 27 successive games without defeat on the road. Scoring the most goals at home in the division last season (50) in parallel with the brilliant away from, Norwich City  certainly have momentum and are expecting Survival – can they survive?

YES

The players clearly play for their manager. The squad in general is the same squad of players who played in the Premier League 2 seasons previous, they are familiar with one another’s games and attributes, and that makes it easier for partnerships to be struck up all over the pitch.

Scoring goals from Midfield was a huge asset last season, with the hardworking duo of Bradley Johnson and Jonny Howson chipping in and the livewire that is Nathan Redmond being supplied by the creative sparkle of Wes Hoolahan makes for an interesting yet productive mixture. Staying defensively compact is key to survival, if they can adjust to playing on the counter attack through Redmond and Jerome, Norwich can sneak over the line.

NO

Doubters will argue that the same group of players relegated the club 2 seasons previous, and the players are ageing – this is true, the playing staff are similar and have their limitations from a technical point of view. My worry for Norwich is do they have ammunition to pose a regular goal threat? Jerome, Hooper and Von Wolfswinkel have all been successful in lower divisions, but are yet to set the world alight. Without the goals from Midfield and the structured set pieces, I can see it being a very long season holding out for scrappy wins by the odd goal.

The unreliable defence of Bassong and Martin against Premier League attacks doesn’t look promising. With inactivity in the transfer window to date, relying on team spirit and cohesive team play may not be enough come the last game of the season.

PREDICTION: 20^TH – RELEGATED