Rival fans preview 2011-12

Happy with your summer's work? Our captain appears to be on strike and there's total confusion about Nasri. On the upside, we've bought the lad from Charlton who managed to score a 30-yard own goal in pre-season. People are obviously happy with what they've seen of Gervinho.

How popular is the gaffer (out of 10)? There are a steady number of fans, especially the younger ones, for whom it's a 10. The club has marketed Wenger as a miracle worker and a lot of people have bought into it. Then there are an increasing number that are fed up with his apparent disinterest in the basics of defending, and his persistence with players of questionable impact. He's probably on a five or six with the rest.

Player to watch? Aaron Ramsey. Unlike Wilshere he has a goalscorer's touch - reminds me a little bit of Bryan Robson.

You love to hate... Most Arsenal fans will immediately say Xavi for his apparent part in trying to lure poor defenceless Fabregas to Spain. I personally think Fabregas is old enough to think for himself. Then there are traditional pantomime villains Ashley Cole and Mr Adebayor.

Top 4 in order? Man United (sorry), Man City, Chelsea, you or us.

Relegated? Norwich, Wolves, Wigan.

Favourite away trip? I always enjoyed going to Everton for some reason (sorry again, chaps). A close, compact, traditional ground with great noise.

Dream season? The title, obviously. With the double over Spurs and a win at Stamford Bridge. Even a cup would be nice. We just want a bit of a party. It's been a long time.

What does your head say? A bold start, with the annual March-May collapse.

Matthew Burnham, Arsenal Times forum

Happy with your summer's work? Not so much. We've lost two of our best players, Young and Downing, as well as Friedel, Reo Coker and Pires. At least we've bought in Given and N'Zogbia who are going to be two really strong signings.

How popular is the gaffer? McLeish came across from Birmingham - think Moyes to Liverpool. I'm going to say two out of 10 based on the fact he's bought in two decent signings so far.

Player to watch? Marc Albrighton.

You love to hate... Tough one now the likes of Gary Neville, Bellamy, Ronaldo and Diouf are all missing from the league. Balotelli is more of a comedy character, being that he believes he's the second best player in the world. Craig Gardner isn't well liked by Villa fans either.

Top 4 in order? City, United, Liverpool, Chelsea.

Relegated? Norwich, Wolves, Swansea.

Favourite away trip? City is a good one. West Brom is our nearest derby so that should be good too.

Dream season? A cup win. Top six finish would be nice too. Ambitious though.

What does your head say? Seventh. Behind the aforementioned top four as well as Spurs and Arsenal. Not too unrealistic really.

James Laishley, fan 

Happy with your summer's work? Not particularly. We've lost a number of players, including two first-team staples in Phil and Jermaine Jones, without any sign of replacements. The one silver lining is the fact Samba, Robinson and Hoillet are still here, though for how long I'm not sure.

How popular is the gaffer? Three-ish. It's not his fault but Steve Kean just doesn't have the experience necessary to appease fans at the moment. A good start could change that though.

Player to watch? Junior Hoillet. Very quick, technically gifted player who caused defences real trouble at the back end of last season - including Liverpool's.

You love to hate... Rio Ferdinand. Looking forward to watching Phil Jones take his place at Man Utd and England this season.

Top 4 in order? Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool, Man City

Relegated? Swansea, Norwich, Sunderland

Favourite away trip? Liverpool. Looking forward to Boxing Day.

Dream season? Obviously 94-95. I'd happily take mid-table mediocrity now.

What does your head say? Relegation fight, scraping to safety late on like last season.

Jordan Wilson, RoversFans.co.uk

Happy with your summer's work? We've lost only one game and we've brought in a few good players. I'm very excited about Eagles, and Petrov seems to be a different player.

How popular is the gaffer? Is it possible to give an 11? I honestly don't think our fans could love Owen Coyle more than we do - the man can do no wrong.

Player to watch? Definitely Eagles. This could be his time to shine in the Premier League.

You love to hate... Berbatov. Can't put my finger on why I dislike him so much (probably because he isn't playing for Bolton) but he's just someone I really love to hate.

Top 4 in order? Chelsea, United, City, Arsenal.

Relegated? Norwich, Swansea, Wigan.

Favourite away trip? It was always West Ham. We won there three years in a row and it was always a brilliant day out. This season I'm looking forward to QPR. I've never been to Loftus Road before so it should be an experience to say the least.

Dream season? I'd love to have another run to Wembley. Top six finish and Carling Cup winners please.

What does your head say? We might struggle a bit. We're so thin on the ground in terms of players. I really hope I'm wrong, for my poor heart's sake.

Emma Norris, season ticket holder

Happy with your summer's work? We've been quiet in the transfer market. It looks likely that Lukaku will be our third addition. Apparently he is the next Didier Drogba. I'm not so sure that's fair just yet, but he definitely looks like an exciting prospect and is a Chelsea fan. I don't really think we needed to add much. We had a lot of important players out last year including the underrated (as I'm sure you know) Benayoun, but another creative attacking midfielder wouldn't go a miss. 

How popular is the gaffer? It's too early really to rate Villas-Boas. I can definitely sense some excitement from the fans. Di Matteo returning as assistant manager is a popular appointment.

Player to watch? Josh McEachran. This boy is special. Every Chelsea fan who has seen him play will tell you.

You love to hate... Wayne Rooney.

Top 4 in order? Chelsea, Man Utd, Man City, Arsenal/Liverpool (depending on signings).

Relegated? Norwich, Wolves, Wigan.

Favourite away trip? Either of the teams in Liverpool, but there is no better away trip than winning at the Lane.

Dream season? The treble - it's nice to dream.

What does your head say? With our manager just arriving and being so inexperienced it isn't really easy to be sure, but I'm quite positive.

Max Saunders, fan

Happy with your summer's work? Like all Evertonians, I'm extremely disappointed the club has been unable to sign anybody this summer. However, we'll be fine if the squad stays together, and we've had an encouraging pre-season.

How popular is the gaffer? Eight out of 10. He's worked wonders at the club since joining us nearly 10 years ago and is loved by most supporters. There are a small number of fans, myself included, who sometimes bemoan his tactics. Fans get quite frustrated when we play a 4-5-1 at home against clubs in the wrong half of the table.

Player to watch? Magaye Gueye. Ross Barkley, who's come up through the youth ranks, also looks a promising talent.

You love to hate... I really disliked Balotelli when he first came to England because he seemed a bit of a trouble maker but I'm starting to warm to him now. He's a character, which is what the game is in need of. There aren't many Gazzas or Robbie Savages about anymore.

Top 4 in order? United, City, Chelsea, Arsenal.

Relegated? Swansea, Wolves, Wigan.

Favourite away trip? Manchester City has been our favourite away ground in recent campaigns. I also enjoy the away trips to Newcastle and Aston Villa.

Dream season? I'd love the club to win a cup. After a 16-year wait, it's about time the younger generation, of which I'm part, got to see the Blues lift some silverware.

What does your head say? Despite the lack of signings I'm still quite optimistic about the season. We can aim for a European place.

Ell Bretland, fan

Happy with your summer's work? Very. Six (so far) competitive games in the Europa, we look really sharp.

How popular is the gaffer? Martin Jol (@maarten_LOL) has started well. Everybody loves him, except Arsene Wenger. Popularity 10 out of 10. Sparky never mustered more than a 6/10.

Player to watch? Pajtim Kasami. A five-minute cameo against Split convinced me. Big, strong and skilful.

You love to hate... Generally Fulham fans don't do 'hate'. We're not keen on John Terry (bombastic) or Didier Drogba (flouncing) though.

Top 4 in order? Man Utd, Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea.

Relegated? Blackburn Norwich Swansea.

Favourite away trip? None because we never win anywhere, and we have the nicest ground in the nicest area in the league.

Dream season? Another run to the Europa League final, top-seven finish, and win the FA Cup.

What does your head say? Unlucky Euro exit to Atletico Spizz '80, nail-biting relegation battle, knocked out of the Cup by AFC Wimbledon.

 Matt Doherty, season ticket holder

Happy with your summer's work? Yes. Financial Fair Play was always going to stop us spending as heavily, but Aguero is an obvious thriller, and Stefan Savic is rated by those that have seen him play. All they have to do now is get rid of Tevez.

How popular is the gaffer? A nine for Mancini. It is difficult to convey to fans of other clubs just how meaningful that first trophy since 1976 was.

Player to watch? If you're looking for the next big thing, it might be either of the 'new David Silvas' in the youth system: Joan Angel Roman or Denis Suarez.

You love to hate... Tevez has not done himself any favours but we are all still grateful for his contribution. Him aside, most of us are not too keen on many of Stretford's finest.

Top 4 in order? Presuming Chelsea don't sign Modric: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal.

Relegated? QPR, Norwich City and Blackburn.

Favourite away trip? I will miss West Ham this year, but always enjoy Spurs and Fulham.

Dream season? Another trophy. Nothing else matters.

What does your head say? Progress on all fronts, but not enough experience yet to win either the league or the Champions League.

Jack Pitt-Brooke writes for The Independent

Happy with your summer's work? Our policy of identifying emerging talent is working pretty well (see Javier Hernandez), but we do desperately need a quality midfielder. We haven't replaced Keane, and now Scholes has gone too. I hope we sign Sneijder. There's a lot of money involved but we need to do it. Otherwise top quality teams like Barcalona will continue to be a bit too good for us.

How popular is the gaffer? Man, how long have you got? The answer is ten. He's the embodiment of Manchester United. A living legend. As a United supporter, how could you not worship him? Sir Alex is one of, if not THE greatest manager of all time. Think about this - 12 of United's total of nineteen league titles have been won under him. A truly amazing achievement.

Player to watch? Cleverley, Pogba and Tunnicliffe are ones to particularly look out for.

You love to hate... Any Chelsea player. Do you really want me to explain why?

Top 4 in order? United, Chelsea, City, Arsenal.

Relegated? Swansea, Wigan and Wolves.

Favourite away trip? I've always liked Goodison. Old-fashioned ground with a good atmosphere. Although I did once get bricks thrown at me as we left. I like Villa Park too, for similar reasons. No bricks there.

Dream season? The treble.

What does your head say? Last season our away form was terrible, but we still won the league and reached a European final and the FA Cup semi-final. So who knows? I think the European Cup is just a bit too much to ask right now, but we've got as good a chance as anyone of winning the league again.

Dan Sprague, fan

Happy with your summer's work? Not yet. We need at least one new striker, cover at RB and potentially a new LB as Enrique seems for the off. Soon to be pictured under the This is Anfield sign. We also need a replacement for Campbell as we are down to three centre-halves.

How popular is the gaffer? Very difficult to answer. I'd say 5/10 as everything Pardew has so far said will happen hasn't and as a PL manager he probably has less authority at his club than any of his peers. He won the pools getting the United job but maybe accepted too many limitations on the role when he accepted it.

Player to watch? A big season for Hatem Ben Arfa.

You love to hate... I'm not fond of Man City's Nigel De Jong. 

Top 4 in order? Man City (yawn), Man Utd (yawn), Chelsea (yawn), Arsenal (yawn).

Relegated? QPR, Swansea, Blackburn.

Favourite away trip? Goodison. Grand old stadium, proper working class local following.

Dream season? Defeat Man Utd in the FA Cup final after having beaten Sunderland in the semis (played at Old Trafford), who then go on to be relegated. Control of football is seized by a workers collective of fans who scrap the Champions League and televised football. Prices are reduced to £15 a game for the best seats. Players are paid a decent but not mental wage. All clubs are owned by their supporters. Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley, Kevin Keegan, Paul Gascoigne, Chris Waddle are all scientifically returned to being 25 and play in B&W stripes for a 50-year-old Sir Bobby Robson. A law is passed preventing anyone from supporting a football club outside of their home region unless they have permission of the Football Workers Council who give out 10 certificates a year allowing this to happen. Football phone-ins and The Sun newspaper are abolished due to lack of interest. The wearing of replica shirts for anyone over 16 is a crime. 

What does your head say? 12th and out the FA Cup by round five.

Michael Martin, True Faith fanzine

Happy with your summer's work? We've gambled by signing players from the Football League but it's good to see the club think long-term with these signings - no one can be on Premier League wages. Naughton and De Laet will be useful loan signings.

How popular is the gaffer? 11. To take our club from its darkest days (23rd in League One) to Premier League football in two seasons is phenomenal. Our biggest fear is losing Paul Lambert.

Player to watch? Wes Hoolahan. He may be tiny but he shows great composure and skill on the ball. Perhaps this season's Charlie Adam?

You love to hate... Fortunately he won't be gracing the Premier League anytime soon - Kevin Muscat.

Top 4 in order? City, United, Chelsea, Liverpool.

Relegated? QPR, Wolves, Wigan.

Favourite away trip? Any of the big grounds will make a nice change from the last two seasons. Old Trafford, St James' and Anfield stand out.

Dream season? Norwich storm to eighth playing attractive football, Ipswich get relegated (or promoted to bring the Old Farm derby to the Premiership), Holt gets 20 and Lambert is knighted.

What does your head say? 17th would be just fine.

Manesh Mistry, fan

Happy with your summer's work? The summer has been pretty unremarkable. We've signed three players which have enriched our attacking options but we do not have the quality of defence to cope with the Premier League.

How popular is the gaffer? Neil Warnock is very near the top of the scale, so I'd say an eight or nine. You can't do much more with a club in your first year than win a league and his handling of Taarabt and dignity in some difficult working circumstances with our owners have further endeared his efforts to the fans.

Player to watch? Has to be Taarabt. Npower Championship Player of the Year and possessor of sublime skill. A difficult player to handle and a big test awaits him in the Premier League.

You love to hate... The majority of the Chelsea squad will come in for some long overdue stick. And Balotelli is just a prime example of the ills contributing to the modern footballer.  

Top 4 in order? Not easy to write this: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool.

Relegated? Swansea, Wolves, Newcastle.

Favourite away trip? Derby games with Fulham and Chelsea will be lively atmospheres and then the big away days you remember like Old Trafford etc.

Dream season? It's all about getting to that second year and looking towards things like stadium development. We have the smallest ground in the division and this is always going to dictate budget, wages etc.

What does your head say? First half of the season will be crucial. That bottom zone of the table is like quicksand.

Adam Wheeler, fan

Happy with your summer's work? I'd like to say yes, but so far we've only signed Woodgate and we need a good five players in. Stoke always do their business late, though.

How popular is the gaffer? 8/10. Pulis has taken us from bottom of the Championship to a secure mid-table Premier League team - but his style of play will always infuriate some supporters.

Player to watch? Ryan Shotton and Florent Cuvelier.

You love to hate... Mama Sidibe - a lovable donkey. Has a scoring ratio of about one in 14 but he loves this club.

Top 4 in order? Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool.

Relegated? Blackburn, Swansea, Norwich. Wigan always seems to escape.

Favourite away trip? Blackpool last season, but over the past few years West Brom.

Dream season? Top eight in the PL with a big win over one of the big clubs. Win a cup and get in the group stages of the Europa League. Sign three 'rock the city' players.

What does your head say? Another safe season, in between eighth and 14th. Get to the quarters of the FA Cup, get to the group stages of Europe. I think we can beat FC Thun!

Ryan Summerfield, season ticket holder

Happy with your summer's work? We lost the core of the team with Bent going in January, Henderson joining you lot and the loanees returning to their clubs, but O'Shea and Brown should provide a lot of quality and experience at the back, Vaughan looks solid, Larsson and Gardner should add creativity in midfield and up front we've added Connor Wickham and Ji Dong-Won. 

How popular is the gaffer? At times last season, such as the Chelsea win, you'd say 10; on the other side of the coin, after the Newcastle game for example, there weren't many people less popular than Steve Bruce. Right now, I'd say a seven or eight. 

Player to watch? Wickham is the obvious one. Jack Colback is another - he's a young midfielder who broke through last year and looks a good prospect.

You love to hate... Any Newcastle player. That goes for ex-Mags too, like Kevin Nolan. El-Hadji Diouf is a former player of yours and ours, and I don't think anyone, not even his family, are too fond of him. 

Top 4 in order? Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool.

Relegated? Wigan, Norwich and Swansea/QPR.

Favourite away trip? You could be in Hawaii but if you get beat 5-0 you aren't going to enjoy it. It's always nice to go to grounds like the Emirates, though. 

Dream season? Win the league, the FA Cup, hammer Newcastle home and away. I won't say League Cup, I'll not be greedy. 

What does your head say? An improvement on last season. We finished tenth, so I'd be looking for a top-eight finish this time around.

James Hunt, A Love Supreme fanzine

Happy with your summer's work? Very. I think Rodgers has bought reasonably well and we finally have competitive cover for our two wingers in the shape of Routledge.

How popular is the gaffer? 10! Easily up there with Toshack as the best manager this club has ever had. He really buys into the philosophy and mindset we have down here.

Player to watch? You all know about Dyer and Sinclair and Danny Graham made a name for himself last year with Watford. But for me Joe Allen screams class. At 5'6 he reminds me of a Xavi or Iniesta type player. 

You love to hate... Michael Chopra. I hate him for several reasons, firstly because he is an ex-Bluebird.

Top 4 in order? Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool.

Relegated? QPR, Wigan, Newcastle.

Favourite away trip? I'm going to say Anfield. To see the Kop from the away end would be a dream come true. If you look at the history of that ground it holds special connotations and with the deep links between the Swans and the Reds I think that will be a special atmosphere. I hope you have been practising your singing in the off-season because Hymns and Arias will easily drown out YNWA. One thing we do well in Wales is put the rest of the world to shame in the signing stakes.

Dream season? Safety.

What does your head say? I'm sure we will get battered in some games and get taught the harsh reality of the Premier League, but we are a far better side than Blackpool were and we pass and move the ball better than most Premiership teams. I think we will do it.

Tom Rees, fan

Happy with your summer's work? Our summer has been dominated by a certain Croatian. Dan Levy's admirable insistence to make a player honour a six-year contract he signed a year ago is welcome, but I fear the Modric situation has taken up time that could've been better spent looking for a striker. 

How popular is the gaffer? Fans are utterly split. Finishing fifth and reaching the last eight of the Champions League would've been an acceptable return but the manner of our failure to get another crack at the big time was a black mark against Redknapp. Plus his schtick of talking about title challenges one day and the next insisting that competing with all these rich chaps 'is just impossible really, isn't it?' is starting to grate. In summary then: five. And a half.

Player to watch? Sandro.

You love to hate... David Bentley for the astonishing gulf between his opinion of himself and his usefulness. And, most importantly, for his hair.

Top 4 in order? Man United, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal.

Relegated? Norwich, Swansea, Bolton.

Favourite away trip? Fulham's always been a favourite of Spurs fans. Big allocation, nice day out by the river. Splendid.

Dream season? Genuine title challenge lasting into the New Year before eventually finishing in the top four again, and a lovely shiny cup.

What does your head say? Fighting with you lot for fifth and sixth, a depressingly chunky distance behind the New Big Four. Modric sold in January when it's clear we won't be top four. Redknapp successfully downplays ambitions at Spurs enough to mean that finishing sixth is still good enough for him to get the England job on the back of a sustained tabloid campaign.

Dave Tickner, Sporting Life

Happy with your summer's work? So far not particularly. We've signed a couple of free transfers from the Championship who are well respected by their former clubs but it's a big step to the PL. Gera coming back will be a good addition, he is generally rated by Albion fans and I have to admit he was a favourite of mine.

How popular is the gaffer? I'd go with an 8.5. I remember commenting a year or so ago that Roy Hodgson would make an excellent manager for you and unfortunately it didn't work out for whatever reason. Maybe he's found his level.

Player to watch? Everyone knows about Peter Odemwingie now, Mulumbu is a fantastic player but I hope Dorrans can start the season fully fit as the PL hasn't seen what he's capable off yet.

You love to hate... I personally dislike Karl Henry (Wolves captain). He typifies everything that Mad Mick (McCarthy) stands for: fouling, moaning, intimidation, hoofball etc. I actually dislike Villa more but he really boils my blood...

Top 4 in order? Man Utd, Chelsea, City, Arsenal. Apologies!

Relegated? Swansea, Wigan, Norwich.

Favourite away trip? Wherever we get three points. I really enjoyed Anfield last year but not the result, I'd have to go for St James' though - fantastic city and we have done okay in the last couple of years.

Dream season? Top half, getting a bit of recognition as being something better than a 'yo-yo club' and finishing top of the Midlands. I have personally seen us beat everyone in the PL at some point apart from Chelsea, so beating them would be sweet.

What does your head say? 14th.

Ben Ruhrmund, fan

Happy with your summer's work? I'm pleased. We knew N'Zogbia was going and we secured a respectable fee. I would expect to make a decent signing before the close of the window to replace him.

How popular is the gaffer? Roberto Martinez underwent some rocky times with some supporters last season but he is very much a fans' favourite amongst the die hards (including myself). He has the club's best interests at heart. 

Player to watch? This season should be the year where Victor Moses is given the chance to shine, particularly now that N'Zogbia has left.

You love to hate... Jordi Gomez because he's bone idle and useless. Otherwise, any of the whinging Arsenal players who feel they should win everything with their so-called lovely football.

Top 4 in order? Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal.

Relegated? Norwich, Wolves, Bolton.

Favourite away trip? The trip to Wales will be enjoyable, particularly given the ties relating to Martinez. Normally the short trip to Horwich to face Bolton is a favourite, purely to see our neighbours. A victory at the Reebok always feels sweet.

Dream season? A season away from the bottom three with a good cup run thrown in.

What does your head say? It will be another difficult season, particularly if we do not replace N'Zogbia, but Martinez is building a good young squad and İ feel we have enough to stay in the division. 

Paul Farrington, Wiganer.net

Happy with your summer's work? Extremely pleased with Roger Johnson, especially for just £4m. Tremendous business, as is tying down Jamie O'Hara permanently, his touch of class will go a long way to improving the midfield. De Vries is a decent signing also. Still in need of a decent left-back and perhaps an athletic, powerful central midfielder. 

How popular is the gaffer? Supporters love the honesty of McCarthy and the direction he has taken the club in. Five years ago after Hoddle the club was a mess with only eight senior pros tied down to contracts. McCarthy came and put pride back in the place.

Player to watch? Wayne Hennessey in goal has the makings of a truly top-class goalkeeper.

You love to hate... Anyone who pulls on a West Brom shirt for obvious reasons. Kevin Phillips as he always scores against us. Craig Bellamy, an animosity going back to his Norwich and Newcastle days.

Top 4 in order? Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool.

Relegated? Swansea, QPR, Wigan.

Favourite away trip? Fulham is always good for the mixed zone, and matches at Villa Park always tend to be good games. Favourite trip has to be going to Birmingham though. What do you mean we don't have to go this season? Oh...

Dream season? A secure mid-table finish, 40 points achieved with relative comfort and a run in the FA Cup all the way to the final, where we edge one of the big boys in a 4-3 thriller on a sunny day in May.

What does your head say? If key players like Doyle, Hunt, O'Hara and Fletcher can remain fit and firing then the side can escape a relegation battle and finish in mid-table security.

Alex Richards, season ticket holder and freelance journalist

This story does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

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