Everton

David Moyes continues to defy all logic with his management of Everton. The Toffees have been long renowned for having not much cash to splash, and as a result one of the smallest squads in the Premier League. Something emphasised by just 20 players starting a Premier League game in 2010/11, the fewest throughout the league. However he still run neighbours Liverpool close, and gave them a mighty fright that he could topple them yet again. After just missing out though, a more than respectable 7th place was achieved.

Goalkeeper

Tim Howard has transformed himself since his move to Merseyside from Manchester United in 2006. He has proved himself to be once of the league most reliable, and could be partly thanked for keeping Everton surging up the league year upon year. In Back up, last years signing Jan Mucha still waits for a sniff of a chance.

Defence

There are some very solid performers contained within this back four, something that is emphasised by the persistent rumours linking many of them away. Joseph Yobo could well depart, but Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka are also getting the rumours treatment this summer. Tony Hibbert proves to be ever reliable and Phil Neville is still going strong, if Moyes can keep hold of these this shouldn't be too much of a problem next term.

Midfield

Another area that is strong, but similarly to the Defence it is all on the surface with strength in depth very questionable. Leon Osman continues to perform at the highest level, while Jack Rodwell and Marouane Fellaini are two more of this squad surrounding rumours they are soon to be off to pastured new. It is of no doubt though that Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill are the crown jewels of this side, their performances crucial to the success of the side. And as it looked like they could stay, Everton could be set for another good finish next term. Although Diniyar Bilyaletdinov still continues to divide opinion.

Forward

Possibly the weakest part of this side. Louis Saha, when fit is a tremendous striker, but that is all too rare. Jermaine Beckford performed OK after his free transfer from Leeds United, while Yakubu was farmed out on loan to Leicester City and doesn't seem to have a future at the club. Their are however some exiting youngster in the ranks, Joao Silva and Magaye Gueye are definite prospects.

Manager


David Moyes seems to have performed miracles here, and they should be thankful he loves the club so much that he continues to stay. The Scot is ingrained in the fabric of Everton now, and could be here for years to come.

Areas to Strengthen

If players leave they will definitely need to be replaced as numbers are thin, but apart from free transfers and nominal fees selling could be the only way to raise funds. A prolific striker needs to be added, an injury prone main striker and goals from Midfield can only get you so far.

Expectations

Despite the small squad and budget such is the job that Moyes has done at Everton, expectations continue to rise. The Premier League will be the most fiercely competitive for years, but a top half finish should definitely be achieved.

Odds

300/1 (Sky Bet)

Players In

Eric Dier loan (Sporting Lisbon) Royston Drenthe loan (Real Madrid) Denis Straqualarsi loan (Tigres)

Players out

James Vaughan £2.5m (Norwich City) Jermaine Beckford undisclosed (Leicester City) Mikel Arteta £10m (Arsenal) Yakubu undisclosed (Blackburn Rovers) Kieran Agard Free (Yeovil Town) Hope Akpan free (Crawley Town) Luke Dobie free (Middlesborough) Tom Donegan free (Fulham) Gerard Kinsella, Iain Turner, Luke Dobie, Daniel Murphy, Craig Nathan, Lee McArdle (all released) Joao Silva loan (Vittoria) Shane Duffy loan (Scunthorpe United)

Arsenal

The Gunners have huge title aspirations ahead of the new season, but after six seasons without a trophy and persistent rumours of exits is that realistic? One big name has already left, two more and mooted to be following and as yet Arsene Wenger doesn't seem too concerned. The Frenchman who a few years ago seemed invincible is starting to divide opinion, can he silence those critics in the 2011/2012 campaign.

Goalkeeper

It seem like this has forever been the troubled spot for Arsenal, with fans for the last couple of years blaming this as a lack of failure. Jens Lehmann brought back last year, with rotation/injuries seeming all three regular keepers, Manuel Almunia, Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski, all given chances to impress but failing to do so. A reliable man between the sticks is a must have for any side, and despite the stubborn 'I know best' attitude that Wenger seems to have adopted in recent times, unless he rectifies this situation his barren streak will continue.

Defence

 

With Thomas Vermaelen back this term after a lay off last season, what seemed a slightly leeky defence, especially from set pieces, could be slightly patched up. Although that doesn't take away from the fact new additions are needed, and fast. Defenders were already a priority before Gael Clichy headed up north, so now they are needed more than ever. Despite Wengers insistence that his defence held it's own last year, it was clear to see it simply did not. As already mentioned, conceeding too many from set pieces can be a huge problem. Continue the trend this season and trouble will undoubtedly follow.

Midfield

There certainly isn't ever a lack of creativity in the middle of the park at The Emirates, but two of the usual suspects could be off anytime soon. Samir Nasir seems to have been linked to everyone of note, Manchester City more than most, while Cesc Fabregas' on off move back to Barcelona wore thin years ago but could come to a head this summer. Add that to the other 'squad' players rumoured to be going and Arsenal could find themselves a little short. The wise old heads need a good season, and from and England perspective the contunine rise of Jack Wilshire wouldn't be too bad.

Forward

This doesn't seem to be a big problem, with no doubt one of the Leagues finest in Robin Van Persie, if they can keep him fit, gracing their front line. Ivorian Gervinho has also arrived, although he could operate out wide if needed, along with Marouane Chamakh who failed to replicate his early season from and drifted off. The Morrocan international certainly needs to find some form, and goals, this season. Nicklas Bendtner seems out of the door already, but it will be this postion which is bottom of the list for strenghthening.

Manager

It is of no doubt to any of the footballing world the massive impact Wenger has had on the English game, with his brand of football also a joy to behold. But the bottom line is good football only gets you so far, and trophies are what the paying fans, shareholders, owners and players crave. Another barren season and a man who is already starting to have his doubters, could just find himself out of a job.

Areas to Strengthen

Phil Jagielka is the latest of a long list of Defenders that has been linked with a move to Arsenal this summer, with one target in Phil Jones already having signed for rivals Manchester United and the Gary Cahill front going cold. Well for now anyway. But it could be unlikely that there will be a huge influx of activity until the futures of the aforementioned Fabregas and Nasri are sorted out. Defenders are certainly needed, a strong goalkeeper wouldn't hurt and if those two do go some midfielder dynamo's will have to be added.

Expectation

A title bid has become the norm of expectations nowadays, with good showings in both domestic and european competition craved. It could perhaps be a little early to just this side, with a month of the transfer window still left and a long of ins and outs expected. Although even at this early stage it does seem that a title tilt could be out of reach, as could, dare I say it, a place in the top four.

Odds
 
9/1 (Sky Bet)

Players in

Gervinho £10.5m (Lille) Carl Jenkinson £1m (Charlton Athletic)Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain £15m (Southampton) Jon Toral undisclosed (Barcelona) Hector Bellerin undisclosed (Barcelona) Andre Santos £6m (Fenerbache) Joel Campbell undisclosed (deportivo Saprissa) Park Chu-Young undisclosed (Monaco) Per Mertesacker undisclosed (Werder Bremen) Mikel Arteta £10m (Everton) Yossi Benayoun loan (Chelsea)

Players out

Gael Clichy £7m (Manchester City) Jay Emmanuel-Thomas £1.1m (Ipswich Town) Cesc Fabregas undisclosed (Barcelona) Samir Nasir £24m (Manchester City) Emmanuel Eboue undisclosed (Galatasaray) Armand Traore undisclosed (Queens Park Rangers)  Mark Randall free (Chesterfield) Roarie Deacon free (Sunderland) Jamie Edge free (West Bromwich Albion) Gilles Sunu undisclosed (Lorient) Denilson loan (Sao Paulo) Thomas Cruise (released) Wellington loan (Levante) Carlos Vela loan (Real Sociedad) Pedro Botelho loan (Rayo Vallecano) Henri Lansbury loan (West Ham United) Nicklas Bendtner loan (Sunderland) Joel Campbell loan (Lorient)

Ferdinand back as captain

Column inches have been filled with debate about the England captaincy, ever since Steven Gerrard stepped in for the injured Rio Ferdinand.

The Liverpool man gave Fabio Capello a huge headache by leading from the front, and proving an inspiration as he dragged England out of the mire and pulled the side forward.

However with the Manchester United defender back from injury, the decision has been made up ahead of Wednesday's game.

Rio will retain the armband, but it is hugely unlikely that the debate will end there.

If England do struggle against Montenegro at Wembley, both Ferdinand and Capello will once again be put under huge pressure.

But the most concerning of all will be the effect this will have on Gerrard.

He thrived as the leader of his c0untry, proving the talisman the country have always cried for from him.

This decision though could prove a huge confidence sap, and he could drift back into putting in mediocre performances.

A man who looks like he is well and truly shackled.

However this isn't the only problem concerning the England hierarchy.

Injuries have once again become took their toll, with Phil Jagielka's injury meaning it is likely Joleon Lescott will take a place in the starting eleven.

However Aaron Lennon and Darren Bent are also out, with Peter Crouch favourite to partner the out of sorts Wayne Rooney in attack.

Despite this though, the spotlight will no doubt be cast around Ferdinand and Gerrard as England look to build on their winning ways.

Time for England's new breed

Tomorrow night the World Cup flops who carried the hopes of a nation on their shoulders this summer, roll back into town and take centre stage of Wembley.

Fabio Capello's troops face Hungary, a side ranked significantly lower in the Fifa World Rankings and one that should be tossed a side with little complaint.

However there are new faces in this squad, players who given a good performance could replace some of the World Cup 'stars' on a permanent basis.

Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere are the most exciting of the new inclusions, with the Arsenal youngsters set to be main stays of the national side for years to come.

That is if they get enough game time for their clubs, which shouldn't be a problem give the fact that Arsene Wenger has rejected loan bids for some of his young stars.

Fellow Gunner Theo Walcott is also back, with Adam Johnson, Phil Jagielka, Joe Hart, and Bobby Zamora amongst others also getting a chance to impress the Italian.

Hart and Johnson are also future stars in the making, but the rest with have to put in a sterling performance to impress a deflated nation.

Hungary, boosted by Fulham man Zoltan Gera, aren't expected to do much in this game but secretly could just fancy their chance.

After all they are playing a side in disarray, deflated after a poor summer and further rocked by retirements of players called into the squad for this game.

What ever you think of Paul Robinson and Wes Brown though will be irrelevant come kick off, all eyes will be the Wembley pitch where a win is a must!

If either a poor display, a loss or both occur Capello really could have a problem on his hands with just a month to go until the European Championship qualifiers.