Club guide: Blackpool, Bolton, Chelsea and Everton


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Manager Ian Holloway (England) Last season Promoted via Championship play-offs. The only Premier League club that has not yet banned the controversial vuvuzela horn, little is expected of minnows Blackpool in their top-flight debut. Ian Holloway, the side's colourful manager, has been unable to bring back key loanees from last season's promotion-winning campaign and the squad is short of the sufficient quality to compete at this level. Holloway's comical insights will breath welcome colour at what will be a rocking Bloomfield Road. Away fans will enjoy the trip to the famous seaside resort. Key man Charlie Adam - The Scottish midfielder, also the captain, is dangerous from set pieces with a fine left foot. Key transfers None. If they were a movie ... Weekend at Bernie's - Based on the coast and laughs are guaranteed, but unlikely to have much in the way of staying power at this level. Prediction 20th

Manager Owen Coyle (Scotland) Last season 14th After taking over from the negatively-minded Gary Megson in January, Coyle's attacking brand of football won over the Bolton faithful. With little to spend, Coyle will need to be more successful than Sammy Lee, the former manager, in turning the club's traditionally physical style into a more aesthetically pleasing approach. Bolton have used loan market well in previous campaigns. Key man Kevin Davies - The physical striker spearheads Bolton's attack. Key transfers In: Marco Alonso (Left-back, 19, Real Madrid, undisclosed), Martin Petrov (Left-wing, 31, Man City, free), Robbie Blake (Forward, 34, Burnley, free), Ivan Klasnic (Forward, 30, Nantes, free). If they were a movie... Monty Python's Life of Brian - Depending on which part of Lancashire you come from, the lead in this production is either the saviour, or a very naughty boy. Prediction 14th

Manager Carlo Ancelotti (Italy) Last season Champions With owner Roman Abramovich craving European success, much is expected of Ancelotti's reigning champions, who completed their first-ever league and FA Cup double in the Italian's first season at Stamford Bridge. Ancelotti's team are a year older, but a year wiser. They will be in the hunt again, leaving their rivals hoping that a prolonged Champions League run will distract Chelsea. Key man Didier Drogba - The Ivorian striker scored 37 goals last season. Key transfers In: Yossi Benayoun (Midfielder, 30, Liverpool, £5.5 million, Dh32m). Out: Joe Cole (Midfielder, 28, Liverpool, released), Michael Ballack (Midfielder, 31, Bayer Leverkusen, released). If they were a movie ... Valentine's Day - Galaxy of stars guarantees success, but a central philanderer means they do not provide quite the warm and fuzzy feeling anticipated. Prediction 1st

Manager David Moyes (Scotland) Last season 8th A crippling catalogue of injuries badly affected Moyes's side last year, but an end-of-season renaissance saw the blue half of Merseyside beat Chelsea and Manchester United en route to finishing a credible eighth. Tight Goodison Park purse-strings have, once again, disrupted Moyes's transfer activity, but a fit and healthy playing staff could well see Everton surpass their heroic efforts of recent seasons. Key man Mikel Arteta - The Spanish playmaker is Everton's most creative player. Key transfers Jermaine Beckford (Striker, 26, Leeds, free), Joao Silva (Striker, 20, Desportivo Das Aves, undisclosed) Out: Dan Gosling (Midfielder, 20, Everton, released) If they were a movie ... Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Their name is associated with sweeties and most of their best workers are about as tall as Oompa Loompas. Prediction 6th

* The National