The 2016/17 season went the usual way. One of the BIG SIX winning the Premiership, as usual.
There was however quite a surprise with SPURS finishing in second place and LIVERPOOL creeping-in to snaffle the fourth place and a return to the Champions League. Man Utd failed to make the champions League, as did ARSENAL, for what seems like the first time ever. There were however two other surprises: BURNLEY and BOURNEMOUTH. Both punched well above their weight.
BURNLEY, considering they were in their first season in the top sphere for some time did exceptionally well. Being one of the bookies favourites to go straight back down they opened their season by beating LIVERPOOL. This, apart from a home draw with CHELSEA, was probably their best result. All told they played many tight games, both home and away. They were 6 points clear of relegation. When you consider there were as many as 9 teams within 6 points directly above them,this was a good effort.
The other surprise was BOURNEMOUTH. Who in their right mind would have backed them to finish in the top half of the table before the season started. They actually finished joint eighth with Southampton but with an inferior goal difference.
They finished the previous season just 5 points clear of relegation.
Their manager, Eddie Howe, is the youngest in the Premiership so perhaps some of his very evident enthusiasm must have rubbed off on the team.
They took 4 points off Liverpool and held Man Utd to a draw away from home.
Now we need to look froward to the coming season.
Will there be any surprise sides next season to compliment the two mentioned this season?
Can either of these two sides better last seasons efforts?
Burnley look to be the worst off of the two. Already some of their players are being mentioned for the coming season. Andre Grey and Michael Keane are both constantly mentioned as transfer targets for more than one Premiership side. However Sean Dyche is adamant the he wants to strengthen his side, not cash-in on their obvious talents.
Bournemouth on the other hand are ready to splash their cash. Amongst those mentioned by various newspapers is Nathan Ake of Chelsea. He spent the first half of last season at Dean Court. He will cost around £20 Million. Also in in their sights is Blackburn Rovers winger Connor Mahoney.
It does make people wonder how they can afford such large transfer fees when their ground holds less than 11,000 spectators. Obviously they must have some very good backers.
So will either of these sides better last seasons effort? I can’t see Bournemouth finishing higher than a clear eighth, This seasons top seven do seem to be in a slightly higher class. Mind you, this could have been said about the sides above them when the 2015/16 season ended.
