10th. I Smell Success (Hank) 1183 (odds 100/1)
Assistant turned Manager for this upcoming season, Hank won’t have it easy in his maiden season at the helm. A wonderful maverick on the sidelines but he’s got a tough squad to manage. Bringing the likes of Nolito, Success, Batshuayi and Musa to The League for their debut seasons is a tough ask, how will they all integrate and will Hank be able communicate in all the different languages. Also starting the season with a crocked left back doesn’t bode well. But we all know that this will only fuel Manager Hank to do the unthinkable. To do a Leicester.
9th. Left Back Friend (Jonny Wild) 1231 (odds 66/1)
Shocking to see him this low??! Not really. Manager Wild is an eccentric manager who you feel never really knows what he’s doing. He surprised a few people last season with a 4th place finish (good on him!) to qualify for the European Cup this season, but this draft hasn’t fallen well with predicted scores. A few picks that haven’t gone down well with the cold-handed homeless fans (aka the 75 Harcourt Rd John brigade)… but then again who knows what Manager Wild might be able to produce now ‘Fingers’ is his team mascot. A lot depends on George Friend and how he can lead the troops. Is he Manager Wild’s new Deeney?? Well Rooney certainly isn’t…
8th. Bertrand’s back alright (Colin) 1254 (odds 50/1)
Stale. The board isn’t happy. The fans aren’t happy and there’s an air of disappointment in Manager Barker’s team selection. Early picks for Hart and Rashford shocked the draft but it’s the lack of excitement in unproven players (Gudmundsson the exception) that hasn’t gone down well. Where has the Barker from previous season’s been? Certainly cutting back on his scouting abroad. But then we all know… ‘There’s only One Colin Barker’ and anything can happen. It’s a long season and he may still surprise a few.
7th. At home with the Susans (Mike) 1270 _(odds 40/1)
Manager Mike certainly won’t mind being predicted to come 7th especially as that was the prediction last season and from there he ended with a 3rd place finish. Can he repeat this feat this season?! There’s certainly reason to believe so but it’s whether he can galvanise the side and get the likes of Mahrez, Susan and Ayew to pull the strings in midfield. We expect him to have another good season ahead but whether he’ll be up there at the business end of the season we’re not convinced.
6th. The Mido Touch (Gurj) 1283 (odds 40/1)
The most celebrated manager in The League’s history but possibly the toughest season ahead of him. No Yaya like in the first season. No Payet like in the second season. Where is his man for this season? Does he even had one?! A fairly ancient back line together with a rather sluggish team ahead of them doesn’t set the tone we’ve come to expect from a Singh selection. A lot will be expected from this big club but we believe they’re in for a long hard season ahead. The fans don’t feel overly optimistic about the season ahead and we’re backing that right the way through to May 2017. A lot rests on the shoulders of Sanchez and Costa…
5th. Team Sick Note (Will) 1322 (odds 18/1)
The other newbie Manager who we welcome with open arms into The League, is predicted a top half finish and that would be seen as an excellent first year in The League. However we’re hearing rumours that Manager Coulter (aka the Lurker) is expecting to go further with this assembled team of unpredictable misfits. A lot of the season will be spent keeping Sturridge wrapped in cotton wool, remembering Yaya’s birthday 5 times during the season, ensuring Hazard doesn’t fall into a sulk, making Townsend pass the ball every now and again. Etc. Etc. It’s interesting to see how this team gels, how hands on Coulter will be, and how he adjusts to the gruelling season ahead. A good start is needed to give Manager Coulter a chance to make next season’s European Cup and if that was achieved then he’d be amongst the Manager of the Year favorites…
4th. 50 Shades of Black (James) 1329 (odds 16/1)
One of the perennial underachievers in The League, Manager Bingham enters the 2106/17 full of optimism. A team built around the front 2 of Kane and Deeney (both whom were excellent last season) suggest this team could go far. A fairly strong draft from Mr Bingham has allowed for a well balanced side who have looked good in pre-season and seem ready for the challenge ahead. Sensible decisions on back room staff have added to the excitement of the season ahead and we’re looking forward to seeing how Hojbjerg adjusts to The League. One thing the fans still want to know though is how the old team badge will be adapted for the new season. The big question… is this the season we see a smile on Manager Bingham’s face with a trophy in his hands?!
3rd. Pulis in disguise (Rik) 1378 (odds 6/1)
Last season’s Champions… it would be wrong to rule them out of back-to-back titles especially with this impressive draft. Manager Whitham definitely knows how to work the magic in the transfer market and must be happy with his assembled team with no apparent superstars to disrupt the dressing room. Sigurdsson, Alli and Payet will be a midfield trio of delight but it’s the unknown of Wilson and Rondon upfront that might just let this team down come the end of the season. Whether those strikers are still there though is another question – Whitham doesn’t suffer fools lightly. Expect big things again from Manager Whitham. Could he be the first double league champion? We’re not ruling it out.
2nd. Mr Chatty Man (Ben) 1395 (odds 4/1)
Manager of the Year in 2014/15 but still with no team trophies to show for it. Is he just a selfish man in it for himself? Where’s the team ethos? Is he a Manager who just bottles it when it gets to the business end? Does the whole team sleep in the camper van? All questions that have been asked before. Manager B.Wild is second favourite for the season ahead and with the pairing of Lukaku and Ibrahimovic most people aren’t surprised. Backed up with a solid defence and creative midfield there is high optimism around the camp. But the question ‘Can Ben Wild deliver when it really matters?’ will always ring around this club until a trophy is delivered. This season certainly looks a strong probability.
1st. #thefavourite (Jonny Breeze) 1470 (odds 2/1)
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