The final in a five part series on the 2013/14 English Premier League looks at the sides whose sole aim for the season will be simply to avoid relegation.
Norwich City
The Canaries have been a major success in the top flight thus far, especially playing under two different managers in two seasons, which is generally hard to come by for the newly promoted clubs.
Chris Houghton has laid down the marker, releasing 11 players from his 25 man squad and bolstering it with the likes of Javier Garrido and Gary Hooper from Lazio and Celtic respectively.
This club may surprise a few pundits as they did last campaign, however it all depends on if they can keep these top players fit and firing.
If not, they could be in real danger and a third season may be one too far.
Prediction: 17th
Player to watch: Gary Hooper –the Scotsman might just flourish at Carrow Road.
No pressure, unlike his previous employees, if he can remain calm, I wouldn’t be surprised if he finishes in the top ten goal scorers of the campaign.
Hull City
The new boys will have their work cut out for them this season; it’s never easy coming into the Premier League and asserting your status.
Steven Bruce has purchased some talent this summer, such as Maynor Figueroa, as well as bringing in striker Danny Graham on loan.
The last time this club were promoted in to England’s promised land, they were sitting in a Champions League spot after ten rounds, but it won’t happen again this campaign and I cannot see this club surviving – even if it knocks off some big scalps in the process – not with the squad they have.
Prediction: Relegated
Player to watch: Danny Graham – brought in to score goals for the chances that arrive to his feet, he needs to score, simple. If he makes this a habit, who knows.
Cardiff City
Generally every new season there is one newly promoted club that stuns a few watchers and has a massive impact on the league. If it’s any team out of the promoted three, it will be Cardiff.
The Bluebirds already have a solid roster, hence why they haven’t acquired many new talents; Steven Caulker from Spurs on a loan was the big one so far.
Will this be enough for the men at Cardiff City Stadium to survive? Malky Mackay thinks so – but I’m not sure if this is true.
They need to gain as many points as they can in the first half of the campaign or this second Welsh side in the Premier League will find themselves down before they know it.
Prediction: Relegated
Player to watch: Fraizer Campbell – the man who signed only in January netted seven goals in 12 appearances for Cardiff last campaign, and the supporters will be expecting more.
He will definitely need to add to that tally.
Crystal Palace
The third and final new boys to arrive in the English Premier League, the Eagles will also have their work cut out for them this campaign.
Not much is happening in the transfer market at Selhurst Park, despite Ian Holloway promising his supporters some new talent.
His experience in the top flight with Blackpool in 2011/12 shows he can make the right purchase, but he needs to act quickly. Time is running out fast and, with the start of the new season not so far away, his rivals are looking ahead of him.
Don’t discount this squad, they had an astonishing second half of the season in 2012/13, but I don’t think this crop of players will be enough to get them through and away from the relegation battle.
Prediction: Relegated
Player to watch: Mile Jedinak – the Australian flourished under Holloway’s guidance last season, eventually captaining the squad towards the end and through the playoffs.
A solid midfielder who can be tough to stop, If he can lift his game a touch or two, he might be able to help guide his club to a few surprises. But that’s a big ‘if’.
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