Matt Jones

Alongside Bournemouth, Watford were the other team to be automatically promoted from the second tier last season. But the Hornets couldn’t have done things much more different to Eddie Howe’s side and as they gear up for a campaign under new manager Quique Flores, this team is very much an unknown quantity. Indeed, Flores is […]

It was the same old story for Sunderland in 2014-15; start with a vibrant manager with momentum from the previous campaign, fall into a mid-season lull, bring in someone new, regroup, stay up. As the Black Cats begin this season with Dick Advocaat at the helm, there’s a sense things could be a little different […]

Southampton received plenty of praise for their unexpected seventh place finish last season, but Swansea City, who were much less lauded, were only four points off Saints in eighth position. Perhaps the fact more people weren’t heralding the Welsh outfit’s top half finish is a measure of their astounding progress in recent seasons. Indeed, manager […]

Tottenham Hotspur enjoyed an intriguing first campaign under the tutelage of Mauricio Pochettino, with the club eventually finishing in a respectable fifth place. But there was an underlying sense that for Spurs, the campaign could have yielded so much more. After all, not only did the north Londoners lose a League Cup final, they were […]

In his two years at the helm of the Britannia Stadium, Mark Hughes has made understatedly excellent progress with Stoke City Taking over from Tony Pulis, who forged the side in his own gnarly image, was never going to be an easy task. But Hughes has preserved the pragmatic principles that were instilled by the Welshman […]

After a one-year hiatus from the top flight, Norwich City are back in the big time. And after beating local rivals Ipswich Town and then Middlesbrough in the final of the playoffs, the Canaries have returned to the Premier League in the most desirable way possible. They’ll fancy their chances of making a much better fist of […]

Is ever really wise to do a season preview for Newcastle United? After all, the only things we can really say with any certainty is that the team will play in black and white stripes, their crowd will be passionate—whether for the team or against the owners—and there will, at some stage, be some sort […]

Southampton’s story last season was one regularly recited; and rightly so. The club’s ability to sell and sign genuine quality was an inspiration to those teams a little short of the elite level. Granted, they did fall away late on, but Ronald Koeman’s side would have been delighted with a seventh place finish. In 2015-16, more challenges […]

In his first full season in charge at Old Trafford, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal was given an easy ride in the eyes of many. But after another summer of significant transfer activity at the club, the Red Devils boss will be acutely aware that some progress must be made this season. The Dutchman has […]

For the second consecutive summer, Liverpool’s squad has had a major facelift and the team that begins the season at the Britannia Stadium on the opening day is likely to be far removed from the XI players infamously whacked 6-1 by Stoke City as the curtain came down on 2014-15. With that result considered, Brendan Rodgers […]

Manuel Pellegrini wasn’t expected to make it past this summer after Manchester City finished the 2014-15 season with no silverware to show for their efforts. But the club’s owners have backed the Chilean coach, as he looks to secure a second Premier League title in three years as manager. Although City still possess some of […]

After finishing the 2014-15 season with momentum firmly at their backs, Leicester City should be positive going into their second consecutive Premier League campaign. But there’s a sense of foreboding about the King Power Stadium after a summer of significant change. The manager has gone, for starters. Nigel Pearson may not have been to everyone’s […]

Dave Clark Five's "Glad All Over" is a tune that regularly blurs out from the tannoy system at Selhurst Park. But the song synonymous with Crystal Palace has never been quite as relevant on the cusp of the 2015-16 season, with the club’s supporters itching to get started. Alan Pardew oversaw a fine end to the previous […]

After one season which yielded so much promise and another which was an unmitigated disaster, the upcoming campaign is a vital one for Everton boss Roberto Martinez. An appalling pre-season paved the way for a terrible start to 2014-15. The domestic calendar was interspersed with Europa League football at Goodison Park and with regular injuries […]

Teams that win championships rarely make wholesale changes going into the campaign after and after cantering to the Premier League title last season, there’s a very familiar feel to the Chelsea squad bidding to secure back-to-back triumphs. At the time of writing, aside from the acquisitions of Nathan, Kenedy and Asmir Begovic as back-up goalkeeper, there’s […]