Football: Team-by-team guide to the Premiership

ARSENAL

THE UKRAINIAN Oleg Luzhny and Brazilian Silvinho are the first stones imported as Arsene Wenger attempts the delicate task of reconstructing the Gunners' defensive empire. With Tony Adams injured and Steve Bould sold to Sunderland, last season's best defence in Europe will have a strange look. This is a transitional season for the 1998 champions, with a conundrum up front, following the probable departure of Nicolas Anelka. Dennis Bergkamp's fear of flying could render him a non-participant in some European ties, but unlike last season, following France 98, there should be no hangover and no excuses for a lethargic start in the Premiership. Complemented by the admirable Kanu, Bergkamp represents forward power to threaten any Premiership rearguard. However, Anelka, for all the problems associated with his Brothers Grim, is an asset who will not easily be replaced. Another title assault will depend on his compatriots Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit producing their most potent midfield form and keeping their suspect temperaments in check.

In: Silvinho (from Corinthians) pounds 4m; Oleg Luzhny (Dynamo Kiev) pounds 1.8m; Stefan Malz (TSV Munich 1860) pounds 650,000; Eric Chukwunyelu (St-Etienne) undisclosed. Total: pounds 6.45m.

Out: Kaba Diawara (to Marseilles) pounds 3m; Jason Crowe (Portsmouth) pounds 1m; Steve Bould (Sunderland) pounds 500,000; Michael Black (Tranmere) free; Stephen Hughes (Fulham) loan. Total: pounds 4.5m.

Championship Odds: 9-4.

Premiership form (Last seven seasons): 10/4/12/5/3/1/2.

Prediction: 3rd.

ASTON VILLA

EXCITING PACEMAKERS for half of last season, when the crash came at Villa Park it was of Wall Street proportions. Little transfer movement either way during the summer, with most interest concerning one notorious departure, albeit at this stage a temporary one. The loss to Fulham of Stan Collymore (on loan for now) should be more than compensated for by the stabilising effect it has on the remainder of the team. John Gregory, who has spent more than pounds 40m, has had more than his fair share of disharmonious spirits within the club and has coped well, but it is safe to assume that the chairman, "Deadly" Doug Ellis, will be expecting a European place via a cup or the league this season and excuses will fall on deaf ears. If Dion Dublin and Paul Merson demonstrate an appetite for goal and players like Lee Hendrie, who has already relished his few minutes of England fame, and the 18-year-old Gareth Barry progress as expected, Villa ought to be among those jostling for a top-five place. This is assuming, of course, that David James, who was bought to replace Mark Bosnich, does not commit too many of those howlers that marred his seven years at Anfield.

In: George Boateng (Coventry) pounds 4.5m; David James (Liverpool) pounds 1.8m; Naguan Garayeb (Hapoel Haifa) pounds 1m. Total: pounds 7.3m.

Out: Alan Lee (Burnley) pounds 150,000; Riccardo Scimeca (Nottingham Forest) pounds 3m; Simon Grayson (Blackburn) pounds 750,000; Stan Collymore (Fulham) loan. Total: pounds 3.9m.

Odds: 40-1.

Form: 2/10/18/4/5/7/6.

Prediction: 7th.

BRADFORD CITY

EVEN WITH his summer acquisitions, it is difficult to envisage Paul Jewell's season as anything but stressful, and the accent on defensive purchases - Andy Myers, David Wetherall and Gunnar Halle - suggests where the youngest Premiership manager's priorities lie. Jewell's most intriguing signing is the former England midfielder Lee Sharpe from Leeds (though he spent what must have been an illuminating few weeks with David Platt at Sampdoria last season). A little known fact is that in the deal that took Andy Cole to Manchester United, Newcastle's then manager, Kevin Keegan, initially asked for Sharpe rather than Keith Gillespie as the makeweight, but Alex Ferguson would not agree. When he eventually departed Old Trafford for Elland Road he cost pounds 4.5m. Now his talent lies fallow - hence the fee of pounds 200,000 - and at only 28, he has much to prove. If he does so, Keegan, surveying a dearth of left-sided players, could consider him for England. Like Barnsley and Charlton Athletic during the last two seasons, Bradford are the club all other supporters would like to see survive, though realistically they are unlikely to emerge unscathed from the relegation fisticuffs.

In: David Wetherall (Leeds) pounds 1.4m; Andy Myers (Chelsea) pounds 800,000; Lee Sharpe (Leeds) pounds 200,000; Gunnar Halle (Leeds) pounds 200,000; Matt Clarke (Sheffield Wed) free; Neil Redfearn (Charlton) pounds 250,000. Total: pounds 2.85m.

Out: Rob Steiner (QPR) pounds 215,000. Total: pounds 215,000.

Odds: 500-1.

Form: Div 2/Div 2/Div 2/Div 2/Div 1/Div 1/Div 1.

Prediction: 18th.

CHELSEA

WITH THE influential Didier Deschamps installed as midfield pivot and pounds 10m Chris Sutton leading the line, both adding an abrasive edge to Chelsea's flowing play, a heavy aura of expectation will be clinging to Stamford Bridge. Remember they finished within four points of United last season; how they were made to rue dropping those three points to West Ham and one to Leicester at home. Sutton, Gianfranco Zola and Tore Andre Flo, and maybe Pierluigi Casiraghi, represent a lethal cutting edge, and there will always be a scoring contribution from Gustavo Poyet, missed by Chelsea for too much of the season. Assuming the Uruguayan retains full fitness, Gianluca Vialli must have a real chance of claiming the title. Progress in the Champions' League could distract, but if there is a fissure in the Old Trafford battlements, then Chelsea have the invention, strength and technical fluency, allied to a steadfast rearguard, to exploit it, as long as Vialli retains the force of character to maintain unity at his club of nations should the going get tough.

In: Chris Sutton (Blackburn) pounds 10m; Didier Deschamps (Juventus) pounds 3m; Jens Hogh (Fenerbahce) pounds 300,000; Mario Melchiot (Ajax) free (Bosman); Carlo Cudicini (Castel Di Sangro) loan. Total: pounds 13.3m.

Out: Michael Duberry (Leeds) pounds 4.5m; Brian Laudrup (Ajax) pounds 2m; Andy Myers (Bradford) pounds 800,000; Dimitri Kharine (Celtic) free (Bosman); Eddie Newton (Birmingham) free (Bosman). Total: pounds 7.3m.

Odds: 4-1.

Form: 11/14/11/11/6/4/3.

Prediction: 1st.

COVENTRY CITY

BY THE Sky Blues' standards, finishing six points clear of relegation was a conspicuous success last season and it would be pleasing to see the perennial down-table scrappers give Gordon Strachan a relatively anxiety-free season, though relaxed and comfortable have never been in the Scot's vocabulary. A successful season is about as predictable as the Scot purring contentedly at the performance of officials, but if Strachan, approaching his third anniversary in charge of City, can blend his signings, including African player of the year Mustapha Hadji and Youssef Chippo, satisfactorily, Coventry could surprise. Obtaining the signature of the outstanding forward Hadji was a major coup for Strachan, who already boasts Noel Whelan and Darren Huckerby. It will be intriguing to see how Chippo fits in to Strachan's grand design, the Moroccan international having previously played for Al Arabi of Qatar and FC Porto, where the Champions' League, not league survival, is the priority. George Boateng's departure to Aston Villa will be a loss, but sufficient talent remains, not least in the manager himself, for Coventry to remain in the top division come the end of the season.

In: Mustapha Hadji (Deportivo La Coruna) pounds 4m; Youssef Chippo (Porto) pounds 1.2m; Stefano Gioacchini (Venezia) pounds 2m; Morten Hyldgaard (Ikast) pounds 200,000; Raffaele Nuzzo (Internazionale) loan; Antonino Caruso (Internazionale) loan. Total: pounds 7.4m.

Out: George Boateng (Aston Villa) pounds 4.5m; Philippe Clement (Club Bruges) pounds 770,000. Total: pounds 5.27m.

Odds: 350-1.

Form: 15/11/16/16/17/11/15.

Prediction: 13th.

DERBY COUNTY

WHILE UNLIKELY that Derby will ever rediscover the success of those halcyon days at the Baseball Ground under Brian Clough, wily Jim Smith has already brought much pomp to Pride Park with shrewd investment in mostly foreign talent during his four-year tenure. With the departure of one of his most successful purchases, the lanky Costa Rican Paulo Wanchope, for Upton Park, the Bald Eagle has swooped for the much-vaunted England Under-21 midfielder Seth Johnston, a versatile performer who can also drop back into defence. Yet another product of Dario Gradi's nursery at Crewe, where they don't come any better tutored in the skills of the game, the 20-year-old will be determined to impress Kevin Keegan on this grander stage. Last season, the Rams exemplified moderation in all things - winning, losing and drawing in almost equal numbers - and one envisages a similar pattern this year, though Smith would love a tilt at a European competition before retiring to an eyrie. They are unlikely to achieve it from their league position, but could this be Derby's season for a cup run? Last season, they reached the FA Cup sixth round, only to fall to a late goal at Highbury. There wouldn't be a more popular manager to lead his side out at Wembley.

In: Seth Johnson (Crewe) pounds 3m; Esteban Fuertes (Colon de Santa Fe, Arg) pounds 1.9m; Andy Oakes (Hull) pounds 460,000. Total: pounds 5.36m.

Out: Paulo Wanchope (West Ham) pounds 3.5m. Total: pounds 3.5m.

Odds: 250-1.

Form: Div 1/Div 1/Div 1/Div 1/12/9/8.

Prediction: 9th.

EVERTON

A SUMMER of gloom at Goodison, which followed a season of discontent, has only been tempered by the eventual procurement of Kevin Campbell, whose goals brought salvation to the seemingly doomed Toffees. Just a shame that he has not been fit enough for pre-season friendlies, which does not bode well for the start of the Premiership. Otherwise traffic has been as one-way as cigars out of Cuba as the club attempts to set itself on a healthy financial footing. Walter Smith has recruited the experience of 37-year-old Richard Gough, capped 61 times by Scotland, on a free from San Jose Clash, which could lead to some entertaining quips (Do you know the way...) from the fans if the rearguard are breached as frequently as some predict, though surely there cannot be a repetition of the aberrations that marred some of last season's performances. Can there? Everton's plight, eased slightly by the return of John Collins, is exacerbated by the spending spree across Stanley Park, where expectation soars with every signing. This season will be a real examination of Smith's managerial acumen, as well as the character and progress of young England contenders, Francis Jeffers, Danny Cadamarteri and Michael Ball.

In: Kevin Campbell (Trabzonspor) pounds 3m; Richard Gough (San Jose Clash) free. Total: pounds 3m.

Out: Olivier Dacourt (Lens) pounds 6.5m; Ibrahima Bakayoko (Marseilles) pounds 4m; Marco Materazzi (Perugia) pounds 3m. Total: pounds 13.5m.

Odds: 250-1.

Form: 13/17/15/6/15/17/14.

Prediction: 16th.

LEEDS UNITED

CAN THIS David-come-lately to the managerial scene continue Leeds' resurgence? With a healthy balance of the home-grown, "babies" as O'Leary calls them, and foreign ready-prepared imports, there are many uncommitted who will wish the genial Irishman success. His brash, vibrant class of '99 are a welcome antidote to the venomous dislike with which many still regard Don Revie's successful teams. O'Leary's summer dealings have predominantly concerned reinforcing a defence already containing new England international Jonathon Woodgate with the acquisition of Danny Mills and the somewhat error-prone Michael Duberry for a combined pounds 8.5m, part-funded by the sale of David Wetherall and Gunnar Halle to Bradford. However, the sought-after Michael Bridges' arrival from Sunderland could be the most significant signing as Leeds strive for a Champions' League place at the very least. Much will depend on O'Leary's ability to keep Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, scorer of 20 goals last term, at Elland Road, and the wiles of Harry Kewell, who finished the season with gusto, if Leeds are to mount a serious assault on Manchester United's title.

In: Michael Bridges (Sunderland) pounds 5m; Michael Duberry (Chelsea) pounds 4.5m; Danny Mills (Charlton) pounds 4m; Eirik Bakke (Sojndal) pounds 1m. Total: pounds 14.5m.

Out: David Wetherall (Bradford) pounds 1.4m; Clyde Wijnhard (Huddersfield) pounds 750,000; Gunnar Halle (Bradford) pounds 200,000; Lee Sharpe (Bradford) pounds 200,000. Total: pounds 2.55m.

Odds: 12-1.

Form: 17/5/5/13/11/5/4.

Prediction: 4th.

LEICESTER CITY

ALL QUIET on the Filbert Street front in the close season, other than the departure of Pontus Kaamark, the arrival of Tim Flowers from Blackburn and the scratching of pens as several players signed new contracts. Doubts persist about the future of England striker Emile Heskey, and City will sell him if the price is right, which could leave manager Martin O'Neill in a precarious position unless the fee is reinvested quickly and wisely, given that those two marvellous veterans Tony Cottee and Ian Marshall have only a limited amount of wear left on their tyres. O'Neill's many astute acquisitions, including Neil Lennon, Muzzy Izzet, Matt Elliott and Steve Guppy, have served him admirably and such is his galvanising influence and the indefatigable spirit within the club it is difficult to foresee Leicester struggling. After three seasons in the top division, they know what is required for survival. However, Foxes supporters would have been more reassured had they seen reinforcements arriving and, despite reaching the Worthington Cup final last season, a sequence of indifferent Premiership results,should be a warning against any form of complacency that a mid-table place is theirs by right. One question: how long will it be before O'Neill is linked with a vacancy?

In: Tim Flowers (Blackburn) pounds 1.1m.

Out: Pontus Kaamark (AIK Stockholm) free (Bosman); Kasey Keller (Rayo Vallecano) free (Bosman).

Odds: 200-1.

Form: Div 1/Div 1/21/Div 1/9/10/10.

Prediction: 14th.

LIVERPOOL

ALL CHANGE at Anfield, where the attitude appears to be straightforward. Championship or bust. The bookmakers prefer the latter, naming Gerard Houllier as joint second favourite - with John Gregory - to be first Premiership manager to be sacked. However, Liverpool's victory over Feyenoord impressed many, with the Czech Republic international Vladimir Smicer in outstanding form until retiring hurt. Injuries have been the downside of an eventful Anfield summer. Michael Owen still looks unlikely to start despite Houllier sending the England striker to have his damaged hamstring treated in Munich by a German doctor, Hans Muller-Wohlfahrt, much to the chagrin of Liverpool physio Mark Leather. Being deprived of your best player is just another frustration for Houllier, who has also lost Steve McManaman to Real Madrid, although the over-priced Dietmar Hamann has provided compensation.

In: Dietmar Hamann (Newcastle) pounds 8m; Vladimir Smicer (Lens) pounds 4.2m; Sander Westerveld (Vitesse Arnhem) pounds 4m; Stephane Henchoz (Blackburn) pounds 3.5m; Sami Hyypia (Willem II Tilburg) pounds 2.8m; Titi Camara (Marseilles) pounds 2.6m; Dirk Heinen (Bayer Leverkusen) pounds 400,000; Erik Meijer (Bayer Leverkusen) free (Bosman). Total: pounds 25.5m.

Out: David James (Aston Villa) pounds 1.8m; Jean Michel Ferri (Sochaux) pounds 1.5m; Paul Ince (Middlesbrough) pounds 1m; Sean Dundee (VfB Stuttgart) pounds 1m; Tony Warner (Millwall) free; Steve McManaman (Real Madrid) free (Bosman); Danny Williams (Wrexham) free. Total: pounds 5.3m.

Odds: 14-1.

Form: 6/8/4/3/4/3/7.

Prediction: 5th.

MANCHESTER UNITED

IT IS an old adage that all the best teams add to their squad in the close season, if only to introduce an edge, some creative tension. Possibly the most curious fact of the summer is that Alex Ferguson's additions number just one. Bosnich for Schmeichel. It could be said that Treble winners, with a squad deep enough to produce two teams, don't need reinforcing and, anyway, chairman Martin Edwards had already emphasised that the coffers are depleted. There is just a suspicion that if there was a season when United could be vulnerable to a sustained Premiership challenge from a team that has acquired new personnel, this could be it. Despite their players' claims to the contrary, there is a genuine concern that the new season could be anti-climactic. Can United also remain as relatively injury- free, or possibly enjoy the fortune, that aided their FA Cup semi-final victory against Arsenal and enabled them to secure the Premier League by one point, not to mention snatch that remarkable Champions' League final triumph? You would suspect not, but then, even with such distractions as the World Club Tournament and Roy Keane's protracted contract negotiations to contend with, nothing appears beyond Sir Alex and his trusted squad, nicely honed to sharpness by a lucrative Australian and Far East tour.

In: Mark Bosnich (Aston Villa) free (Bosman).

Out: Peter Schmeichel (Sporting Lisbon) free (Bosman).

Odds: Evens.

Form: 1/1/2/1/1/2/1.

Prediction: 2nd.

MIDDLESBROUGH

GIVEN BRYAN Robson's penchant for acquisitions, there had been a surprising lack of movement in or out of the Riverside Stadium this summer, only enlivened over the past two days by the arrival of Paul Ince, having been jilted by Liverpool, and Milan's Christian Ziege. In the circumstances, it is difficult to imagine Boro improving on their final placing of last season when they exhibited both riches - notably the defeat of Manchester United at Old Trafford in December when 18-goal Hamilton Ricard was scoring with abandon - and the paucity of displays that followed it. That miserable run alone is hardly conducive to an encouraging prophecy, but Ince's presence should prove a significant one and, with Andy Townsend alongside him, there will be no lack of midfield steel and experience to complement the vision of Paul Gascoigne. The question remains, however, whether the once peerless Geordie will respond to Kevin Keegan's encouragement and maintain the fitness and level of performance that could earn him a recall to the England squad at the age of 32. Certainly Robson believes he can, though all the evidence is that his day has passed. Chairman Steve Gibson's wealth will at least guarantee a quality successor should Gazza finally fall by the wayside.

In: Christian Ziege (Milan) pounds 4m, Paul Ince (Liverpool) pounds 1m; Paul Connor (Oldham) free. Total: pounds 5m.

Out: None.

Odds: 150-1.

Form: 21/Div 1/Div 1/12/20/Div 1/9.

Prediction: 11th.

NEWCASTLE UNITED

CAN THIS be the season in which Ruud Gullit wins his black and white stripes? After an indifferent start at St James' Park, in which the adopted Geordie looked like a Dutchman in a land of towering peaks, Newcastle's participation in the FA Cup final, albeit a pretty wretched one, suggested that prospects were looking auspicious again on Tyneside. A summer in which Gullit purchased pounds 17m worth of talent, including Ipswich's gifted midfielder Kieron Dyer, and two resourceful international centre- backs, the Spaniard Marcelino from Mallorca and Frenchman Alain Goma from Paris St- Germain - together with Alan Shearer declaring his commitment to the cause by signing a new contract, not to mention confirming his management and coaching ambitions should Gullit happen to blow it - added to the feeling that their odds could be on the generous side. The loss of Dietmar Hamann to Liverpool leaves them without a strong-tackling midfielder but at least there is money in the bank, the coffers being swelled by the sale of shares in the club which will allow Gullit to strengthen further if he desires.

In: Kieron Dyer (Ipswich) pounds 6.5m; Marcelino Elena (Mallorca) pounds 5m; Alain Goma (Paris St-Germain) pounds 4.7m; Franck Dumas (Monaco) pounds 500,000. Total: pounds 16.7m.

Out: Dietmar Hamann (Liverpool) pounds 8m; George Georgiadis (PAOK Salonika) pounds 500,000; Philippe Albert (Charleroi) pounds 600,000; David Terrier (Nice) free; Paul Barrett (Wrexham) free; Peter Keen (Carlisle) free. Total: pounds 9.1m.

Odds: 40-1.

Form: Div 1/3/6/2/2/13/13.

Prediction: 8th.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY

HAVING SEEN the back of one wayward spirit in the Italian Paolo Di Canio, Danny Wilson appears to have introduced another potential threat to harmony to Hillsborough in the former Belgian player of the year, forward Gilles de Bilde, who while at Anderlecht was banned for three months after breaking a defender's eye socket. If he concentrates on his striking, in the positive sense of the word, De Bilde should prove a valuable addition, together with the club's free transfers from Celtic, Phil O'Donnell and Simon Donnelly, together with Gerald Sibon, who failed to establish himself at Ajax after displaying potential at Twente and Roda JC. Mid-table anonymity seems to be the best Wednesday can aspire to, although with such an able manager in charge you would not put it beyond the Yorkshire side to challenge for a place in Europe, through a Cup or league position. It was only eight years ago that they were defeated finalists in both knock-out tournaments and on their day are capable of defeating the best, or capitulating to the most abject opponents. The problem is that consistency and Danny Wilson's team don't sit easily together. Until they do, Premiership success looks beyond them.

In: Gilles de Bilde (PSV Eindhoven) pounds 3m; Gerald Sibon (Ajax) pounds 2m; Phil O'Donnell (Celtic) free (Bosman); Simon Donnelly (Celtic) free (Bosman). Total: pounds 5m.

Out: None.

Odds: 250-1.

Form: 7/7/13/15/7/16/12.

Prediction: 12th.

SOUTHAMPTON

MATTHEW LE TISSIER should receive some sort of award for Most Talented Player to Remain Loyal to Least Successful Premiership Club. This will be his 13th season at The Dell, during which he has often won league matches with one bewitching touch of the ball, yet won a mere eight England caps. Better a big fish in the Solent than a small fish in the North Sea appears to have been his philosophy. Manager Dave Jones used him selectively and effectively last season, but the Saints cannot depend on "Le Tiss" for ever more, and at some stage something has to give. Their Premiership record says it all about the great escapologists and this season does not hint at any better than the previous seven despite the signing of the injury-prone centre-back Dean Richards from Wolves, Milen Petkov from CSKA Sofia and Bruno Leal from Sporting Lisbon. Last season, home form saved Southampton (away, they won just twice and scored a mere eight goals) from relegation for the first time since 1974 and, while The Dell is the most antiquated ground in the Premiership, it remains a veritable fortress where the club's league status is concerned.

In: Bruno Leal (Sporting Lisbon) free (Bosman); Dean Richards (Wolves) free (Bosman); Milen Petkov (CSKA Sofia) free; Marco Almeida (Sporting Lisbon) loan.

Out: Steve Basham (Preston) tribunal; Mark Paul (Hull) free; Michael Stensgaard (FC Copenhagen) free; Phil Warner (Brentford) free.

Odds: 500-1.

Form: 18/18/10/17/16/12/17.

Prediction: 20th.

SUNDERLAND

A SPLENDID stadium, occupied by disciples rather than fans, a much-vaunted manager, now also England Under-21 coach. Surely this time Sunderland will establish themselves in the Premiership if you don't inspect the personnel, now deprived of Lee Clark and Michael Bridges, too closely. Peter Reid is not without his detractors within the Stadium of Light, but there will be approval for his signing of ex-Arsenal midfielder Stefan Schwarz. However, his reputation has not been enhanced by the purchase of three defenders, with an aggregate age of 101, though Steve Bould, even at 36, has a good season left in him. The veteran Thomas Helmer, signed from Bayern Munich, will get short shrift from Reid if he attempts the same critical gestures he brandished at Ottmar Hitzfeld while on the bench in the Champions' League final. Sunderland's fortunes will depend greatly on how England newcomer Kevin Phillips, signed from Watford for a mere pounds 300,000 two years ago, adjusts to his new environment. Much will also hinge on how much Reid learned from the last promotion; please avoid expletive-loving documentaries.

In: Stefan Schwarz (Valencia) pounds 4m; Carsten Fredgaard (Lyngby) pounds 1.8m; Steve Bould (Arsenal) pounds 500,000; Michael Ingham (Cliftonville) pounds 30,000; Thomas Helmer (Bayern Munich) free (Bosman). Total: pounds 6.33m.

Out: Michael Bridges (Leeds) pounds 5m; Lee Clark (Fulham) pounds 3m; Andy Melville (Fulham) free (Bosman); Matthew Pitts (Carlisle) free. Total: pounds 8m.

Odds: 100-1.

Form: Div 1/Div 1/Div 1/Div 1/18/Div 1/Div 1.

Prediction: 15th.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

GEORGE GRAHAM'S rebuilding programme of the stricken giant of north London continues steadily, rather than apace, with Chris Perry the most significant capture. The former Wimbledon defender has been bought to play alongside Sol Campbell as the Scot sets out to create the second best defence in the Premiership. European competition will give his squad an extra dimension to exhibit their talents, and offer a frisson of excitement for a demanding but, of late, rarely satisfied supporters. One of Graham's great talents is in extracting the optimum performance from every player - witness the improvement of defender Stephen Carr last season - and though, on paper, Spurs are lacking strength in all areas of the field to match that of the likes of Campbell and David Ginola, it would not come as a big shock to find his team making a challenge for the Premiership. One would question their ability to maintain the momentum, however. It will probably be next season before Graham gathers a harvest for his efforts in terms of the championship, and the domestic cups appear the most likely competitions to offer immediate reward.

In: Chris Perry (Wimbledon) pounds 4m; Willem Korsten (Vitesse Arnhem) pounds 1.5m. Total: pounds 5.5m.

Out: Rory Allen (Portsmouth) pounds 1m; Andy Sinton (Wolves) free (Bosman); Roger Nilsen (released); Clive Wilson (released). Total: pounds 1m.

Odds: 33-1.

Form: 8/15/7/8/10/14/11.

Prediction: 6th.

WATFORD

BACK IN 1982, under Graham Taylor, the Hornets succeeded in their improbable assault on the First Division, having started out at base camp, Division Four. The following season they finished runners-up to Liverpool, with Manchester United third. A year on, and Sir Elton shed a tear at Wembley after the FA Cup defeat by Everton. Even with Taylor's ability to conjure the seemingly impossible at Vicarage Road a repeat of such feats must remain in the realms of fantasy. Sir Elton's got his pacemaker but we shouldn't expect Watford to be pacesetters. Three free transfers are the sum total of his summer arrivals, and much responsibility for the club's fate will rest on the shoulders of such players as Peter Kennedy and Micah Hyde, members of the squad that won Watford the First Division play-off final. It is difficult to imagine them as any more than easy prey for the elite as they attempt to acclimatise to their new surroundings, but if anyone is going to galvanise them to safety it is Taylor, a master at cutting and sewing cheap cloth into a suit smart enough to dine out with the best. Nobody should expect great panache in terms of technique but, equally, his team will be nobody's stooges.

In: Dominic Foley (Wolves) free (Bosman); Des Lyttle (Nottingham Forest) free (Bosman); Mark Williams (Chesterfield) free (Bosman).

Out: Darren Bazeley (Wolves) free (Bosman); Tony Daley (Walsall) free.

Odds: 1,000-1.

Form: Div 1/Div 1/Div 1/Div 1/Div 2/Div 2/Div 1.

Prediction: 17th.

WEST HAM UNITED

TOOK THE occasional hammering last season, but Harry Redknapp's men finished with sufficient clout to claim fifth position and a prized place in the hitherto derided but suddenly deadly serious Intertoto Cup. It was a remarkable achievement considering the tendency to self-destruct off the field, with the John Hartson incident poorly handled by the club (significantly, both he and Eyal Berkovic have now moved on), the sale of Andrew Impey to Leicester over Redknapp's head, followed by the departure of director Peter Storrie, who handled the club's transfers. All eyes will be on young Joe Cole, already believed in the vicinity of Upton Park, and beyond, to be the best England prospect for many a year. Although the Hammers will undoubtedly miss the creative value of Berkovic, Cole should more than compensate. Paulo Wanchope is an astute signing, though the failure of Everton's Slaven Bilic, an old Upton Park favourite, to pass a medical is a blow. Despite the traditional fervour of their home crowd, West Ham could struggle to improve on last season, with several clubs below them - notably Liverpool - having invested greatly in the summer.

In: Paulo Wanchope (Derby) pounds 3.5m; Jermaine Defoe (Charlton) free; Rob Jones (Liverpool) free (non-contract). Total: pounds 3.5m.

Out: Eyal Berkovic (Celtic) pounds 5.75m; Stan Lazaridis (Birmingham) pounds 1.5m; Lee Hodges (Scunthorpe) pounds 130,000; Scott Mean (AFC Bournemouth) free (Bosman); Joe Keith (Colchester) free; Javier Margas (contract terminated). Total: pounds 6.38m.

Odds: 66-1.

Form: Div 1/13/14/10/14/8/5.

Prediction: 10th.

WIMBLEDON

JOE KINNEAR'S remarkable seven years with the Dons ended in a heart attack, from which he has made a welcome recovery, and a mass seizure by his players. That dire end of season series of results does not bode at all well and the departure of Chris Perry removes a vital defensive component. Suddenly, the Dons are confronted by a new manager, in the Norwegian Egil Olsen, and new practices which players, reportedly, have not found easy to adapt to. Diet sheets - commonly used elsewhere, from Chelsea to Walsall - and the like have, apparently, not been digested well. What would Vinnie Jones have made of it all? There is also a new look to the side, with Olsen introducing at least five players for what could be a bargain pounds 2m, most notably the Eintracht Frankfurt defender Tore Pedersen. It will be intriguing to discover whether the spirit of the perennial underdog survives and whether the club continue to extract little nuggets of talent from within their own mines. In the past, many pundits have been made to look fools by prophesying the Dons' demise, but this season you truly fear for their safety.

In: Egil Olsen (manager); Walid Badir (Hapoel Petach Tikvah) pounds 1m; Kelvin Davies (Luton) pounds 600,000; Chris Willmott (Luton) pounds 350,000; Kjetil Waehler (Lyn Oslo) nominal fee; Tore Pedersen (Eintracht Frankfurt) free (Bosman). Total: pounds 1.95m.

Out: Joe Kinnear (manager); Chris Perry (Tottenham) pounds 4m; Mark Kennedy (Manchester City) pounds 1m; Peter Fear (Oxford) free. Total: pounds 5m.

Form: 12/6/9/14/8/15/16.

Prediction: 19th.

ASSESSMENTS BY NICK TOWNSEND