Queens Park Rangers
League Position: 20th
Song: I started something I couldn’t finish – The Smiths
Tony Fernandes talked of his plans – his four year plan to get into the Premier League and subsequent five year plan once there. However, he started something he could not finish; for the time being at least. QPR’s season was by all accounts a shambles. Four wins was the return from the millions invested in new players and a new manager. Harry couldn’t emulate his namesake Houdini and make a great escape. Their squad contained great talents; Remy and Samba both highly rated. However, they lacked a team. Maybe a new plan of action is needed?
Reading
League Position: 19th
Song: Your visits are getting shorter – Bloc Party
A two year stint in the Premier League first time round wasn’t to be matched by Reading this season as they fell at the first attempt. After a lack of investment following their promotion they were widely tipped to be relegated and these beliefs proved correct. A lack of striking talent even with super-sub Le Fondre meant Reading never really looked like surviving at any point during the season.
Southampton
League Position: 14th
Songs: Standing in the way of control – The Gossip
Southampton has had an odd season. Surely their primary objective was Premier League security yet their chairman, Nicola Cortese, thought not. He was clearly standing in the way of control, of stability, and risked rocking the boat by hiring non-english speaking Pochettino. Was this a move to progress the club (past what Adkins could offer) or a hidden agenda? No one will know but himself. This move paid initial dividends. However, the end of the season saw them slip back into relegation fear. Yet this was avoided. Their attractive style of play gained them many plaudits and it will be interesting to see how Pochettino develops them for next season.
Stoke
League Position: 13th
Song: Stuck in a moment you can’t get out of – U2
Stoke were the epitome of a mid-table team. Consistently average they would grind out results, especially at the Britannia, while playing Pulis’ direct footballing style. However, clearly this style had become outdated in both terms of effectiveness and what the fans demanded. The direct football Pulis plays demands results as it is not that attractive to watch. When the results faded so did Pulis’ support and so subsequently he was shown the door (Or left by ‘mutual consent’; whatever you want to believe). Stoke were indeed stuck in a moment they couldn’t get out of without alleviating Pulis of his duties. Whether or not this will be a wise move only time will tell.
Sunderland
League Position: 17th
Song: 99 Problems – Jay Z
99 problems but derby day success isn’t one. Sunderland’s season hit a high after their 3-0 demolition of local rivals Newcastle. However, this result overshadows what was a terrible season on Wearside. Sacking Martin O’Neill, a lack of ability to find the back of the net, over reliance on Fletcher, injuries and anti-fascist demonstrations were just a select few problems Sunderland encountered this season. The gamble of bringing in Di Canio paid off; short term that is. His managerial career, although relatively successful so far, is limited to say the least. Next season will be a massive season for both Sunderland and Di Canio.
Swansea
League Position: 9th
Song: Charmer – Kings of Leon
Michael Laudrup is a charmer. Not only with style of play but also the way he goes about business. This was rewarded in abundance last season as Swansea won their first major trophy. In winning the cup they also smashed the record win margin in an FA cup final; running out 5-0 winners. Unfortunately there was no storming swan song for Swansea as they limped over the league line. However, this is irrelevant in comparison to the rest of the season. Not sure where Swansea can go from here – I think they may struggle with the Europa league and league next season. Hopefully they can learn from Newcastle’s mistakes of last season.
Patrick Gallagher: @paddygall26
shifting the goalposts 