It's Prediction Time

Last updated : 02 July 2005 By Kev Robinson

Latics cannot be blamed for becoming anxious by the lack of transfer activity at the JJB this summer but you can trust Paul Jewell to bring in the right players to escape the drop. He has already shown that he is searching for quality and not just quick fixes by bidding for Scott Parker.

Miller: Signed for Sunderland

So when somebody (apart from Pollit) does arrive at Wigan you can rest assured that it will be somebody of fantastic talent that will help the relegation battle greatly. It is un.likely that Paul Jewell would have let players go if he was not confident of signing quality replacements and there is plenty of time yet.

Looking at the other teams likely to be battling out to stay in the top flight, only Sunderland have made many signings. Mick McCarthy will be hoping he can get the form out of Jon Stead that Blackburn fans enjoyed following his arrival at Ewood Park from Hudderfield Town, where he kept Rovers up almost single-handedly. Tommy Miller will also prove a hit at the Stadium of Light and Kelvin Davis’ signing from Ipswich will give the Black Cats a good solid goalkeeper to rely upon.

If I am honest, I cannot really see Blackburn battling the drop next season. Mark Hughes has done a great job since he arrived and took Blackburn from bottom of the table, where Souness left them, to being safe with weeks to spare and the signings of Ryan Nelson and Aaron Mokoena filled in the holes in their defence. It is looking ever likely that Shefki Kuqi will be heading to Ewood- not the big name signing Blue’s fans were waiting for, with Benni McCarthy in mind.

Fulham have yet to sign anybody and it looks like a ‘keeper will be their top priority following Edwin van der Sar’s transfer to Old Trafford- 36 year old Mark Crossley seems to think differently though. Latic’s target Heider Helguson seems Craven Cottage bound and it is hoped the Icelandic striker will give them the goals they have craved since Saha departed for Manchester United.

Shefki Kuqi: Blackburn bound

Portsmouth have made two shrewd signings from Newcastle and I suspect Laurent Robert and Andy O’Brien will help their fight to avoid the Coca-Cola Championship.

West Brom and West Ham have both moved to sign big-name goalkeepers so far. Chris Kirkland has rejected the chance to play for Celtic to join Bryan Robson’s Albion, where it is hoped he can go a season without an injury- pull the other one Baggies. I have always been an admirer of Kirkland and I feel that if it wasn’t for his injury-proneness he would be England number one.

West Brom’s form towards the end of the season, since Gary Megson’s departure, was fantastic and if Robson can carry on the improvements he has made thay may just escape relegation.

West Ham have a good young (with the exeption of Sheringham) squad but I am not impressed by the signing of Roy Carroll, who I do not rate. I think a few new signings are needed if the Hammers are to stay up.

Here is what I think the bottom of the table will look like

15. Portsmouth
16. West Brom
17. Wigan Athletic
18. Sunderland
19. Fulham
20. West Ham United

SO, that’s my relagation review over. Look out for my next column in two weeks time!

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