Review of the season 2008/9
So, Man Utd win it again, but this was certainly not their strongest title win in the Premier League – and one can’t help feeling that they won it by default rather than off their own back. Liverpool were the team of the season, but they blew it with a poor run over Christmas. Elsewhere, little was new in the Premier League last season. Aston Villa started well and challenged the top four’s dominance, but in the end their small squad saw them fade away. Further down Stoke impressed at home and were the pick of the promoted teams, while Hull had a storming start to the campaign but in the end only have Newcastle’s pitiful demise to thank for saving them from the drop. West Brom were disappointing in last place, while Middlesbrough finally returned to the second tier.

The top four
Man Utd won again, Liverpool flattered to deceive in the end, Arsenal suffered the injury curse while Chelsea finished strongly after a turbulent season. Chelsea’s new manager is a major plus, while Man Utd may find life without Ronaldo increasingly difficult. Is this Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season?

Significant summer signings
The biggest news thus far is the departure of Ronaldo from Man Utd to Real Madrid. Man City have struck in the transfer market, grabbing Carlos Tevez from

Relegation tussle
The three arriving in the Premier League – Birmingham, Wolves and Burnley – are obvious targets for the drop, but there are other significant candidates for a trip to the Championship.

What to watch out for
Manchester City will be an interesting aside to the season and, while they may not challenge for the title, they could make it into the Champions League places at the expensive of one of the top four. And, quite frankly, it could be Man Utd.

Champs
It is four years now since anyone has enjoyed winning the Premier League trophy other than Man Utd. Can anyone wrestle it from them again this year? At this early stage it is impossible to see how Man Utd will place

Chumps
Burnley won’t be easy to beat, but eventually they will succumb. Hull City look dead and buried to me – it is difficult to see them survive in any way shape or form. Portsmouth are certainly going to struggle to start with because the ownership issue is unsettling. However, if they get that sorted, there is no reason why they can’t keep their Premier League status.

West Ham, however, will have to tread very carefully. Little money and a thin squad make them very vulnerable. Bolton will struggle as always.