QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Mark Hughes has had a good summer so far bringing in Park Ji-Sung, Junior Hoilett, Robert Green, Jose Bosingwa, Andy Jonson, Ryan Nelsen, Fabio Da Silva and Samba Diakite They all have Premier League experience and I don't think QPR will be caught up in a relegation battle like last season.
It looks as though Joey Barton is set to move on this summer with reports suggesting he will spend the year in France with Marseille. Barton is a decent player when he puts his mind to it, which isn't as often as it needs to be for such a well paid player.
Key Man : Jamie Mackie - When on form Mackie is a very good player. He missed the start of last year through injury but I'd expect him to be a regular this season and most likely reach double figures in goals.
A Player I'd Sign : Ki Sung-Yueng - As a Celtic fan I know plenty about him. He is a decent player and very good technically. I think a continental side would suit him better but QPR appear to be leading the chase for his signature.
Prediction - 10th
READING
Last year's Championship winners have invested wisely in the summer. Chris Gunter, Adrian Mariappa, Garath McCleary, Danny Guthrie, Nicky Shorey and Pavel Pogrebnyak have all came in and I'd say they are six good signings.
In recent seasons the promoted teams have done quite well and I'd expect Reading to be another team to get at least a second year in the Premier League.
Key Man : Pavel Pogrebnyak - Pogrebnyak is a fantastic signing for the Royals. He came to England on loan at Fulham last year and got off to a flyer. He ended up scoring 6 in his 12 games and if he can average close to 1 in 2 next year it would go a long way to keeping Reading in the Premier League.
A Player I'd Sign : Christophe Berra - Rumours are circulating that Reading are in the market for a new centre-back and after Wolves got relegated, Reading may be able to tempt Berra to the Madejski. Berra is a solid centre back with international experience and can do a good job at this level.
Prediction : 13th
SOUTHAMPTON
The Saints are another of the promoted clubs and like Reading they have bought well. Another of the ex-Rangers contingent, Steve Davis has came in. Davis is a very good player. He was always a thorn in the side of Celtic and is a player I have a lot of respect for. Another good signing is Jay Rodriguez from Burnley. Rodriguez has improved a lot in the last two years. He scored 21 goals last season and is now making the step up to the next level. It appears Southampton are on the verge of bringing in Uruguay international winger, Gaston Ramirez. Ramirez had two good seasons at Bologna and now moves to the Premier League hoping to make a similar impact.
Key Man : Rickie Lambert - The 30 year old finally gets his chance to prove himself at the highest level in English football after years of goal scoring in each of English footballs divisions. Lambert has scored 88 goals in his 3 years at Southampton and if he can keep up that level of form then he could be a man to watch.
A Player I'd Sign : Matt Phillips - Saints have been linked with the highly rated Blackpool winger. He has already been capped by Scotland and at 21 he is a good age to make the step up.
Prediction : 17th
STOKE CITY
Stoke have had a quiet enough summer bringing in just two players. Jamie Ness from Rangers and Michael Kightly from Wolves are the men Tony Pulis has brought to the Brittania. Jamie Ness I was never really a fan of. He did famously score a great goal in a Scottish Cup tie against Celtic but other than that his Rangers career was some what forgetable. He did suffer from some injuries but the jury is still very much out on Ness.
The other signing Michael Kightly is definitely a much more proven talent. Kightly is 26 now and has always been highly rated. If he is ever going to prove himself as a Premier League performer he needs to make the most of this opportunity.
Key Man : Jonathan Walters - The Irish internationals career has taken off in a big way in the last two seasons. He is 28 now and had been a bit of a journey man until he moved to Stoke two years ago. He has became a first team regular and has scored in double figures in his two seasons. 15 goals is not out of reach for him.
A Player I'd SIgn : Jermaine Defoe - Stoke appear to be in the market for a new striker and Defoe may be available. Owen is another option but if given the option of bringing in Owen or Defoe, my choice would be the Tottenham man.
Prediction : 12th
SUNDERLAND
Yet another transfer window were we are going into the last few weeks and Martin O'Neill is leaving all his business until the last minute. He always done this at Celtic and was often guilty of it at Aston Villa. I've no idea why he does it as surely it would benefit his teams more to get to gel in pre season but for whatever reason O'Neill disagrees with this philosophy.
So far his only signing has been Carlos Cuellar from Aston Villa. Cuellar is a decent defender and should fit in well at Sunderland but it is difficult to judge how Sunderland will do until O'Neill finishes his transfer business.
Sunderland have been trying to bring in Wolves striker, Steven Fletcher. Fletcher is a decent player but not at the price Wolves are looking. He has put in a transfer request so it will most likely be a case of Fletcher will end up at Sunderland but the price will be determined by whoever blinks first.
Key Man : James McClean - The Irish winger has been flying since his move from Derry City last year. He scored 6 in 29 games last year and with a full preseason behind him I'd be surprised if he doesn't hit double figures this year.
A Player I'd Sign : Javier Hernandez - Following Van Persie's signing from Arsenal, Hernandez has been linked to a whole host of clubs. He's a better striker than Fletcher and with the daft figures being quoted for the Wolves man Hernandez could end up being affordable.
Prediction - 11th
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