West Bromwich Albion

Following what was a sticky period early on last season, Roy Hodgson arrived following a tough spell himself and guided the team up the table. After a troubled stint at Liverpool, the former Fulham manager went quite a way to rebuilding a broken reputation. Held in very high regard at the moment by Baggies faithful, he will be targeting last season 11th place as the benchmark this time round.

Goalkeeper

A little while ago you would have quite rightly stated that this could be troublesome, however following the arrival of Ben Foster on loan that is no longer the case. Despite being relegated last season, the Birmingham owned stopper is still held in high regard in the Premiership. Marton Fulop is also another new face, and will provide the back up.

Defence

Despite looking suspect in the early stages of last season, confidence was instilled when a new manager was in place and form started to turn around. Some of the rearguard did impress at the back end of 2010/11, with deputy captain Jonas Olsson a commanding presence, but Hodgson was taken into account some of the earlier failings and added a few more bodies.

Midfield

There's quite a nice mix of fearsome and creative in the middle of the park for The Baggies. Somen Tchoyi and Youssuf Mulumbu can do the tidying up, while players such as captain Chris Brunt and the highly rated Graham Dorrans provide the flair. Zoltan Gera has also returned to add to that, in a move that should also please the fans.

Forwards

Last season's stand out performer Peter Odemwingie now seems almost certain to stay, which is a huge relief to everyone at the club. There are plenty of other strikers at the club, Marc-Antoine Fortune, Simon Cox etc, but it remains to be seen who will be Odemwingie's partner or if rotation will be employed.

Manager

Hodgson could not have done much more to endear himself to the fans last season, and the first target this season will be to put enough points on the board to preserve their Premier League status. Beyond that building on 11th would be a huge achievement.

Areas to Strengthen

Getting in a top quality partner for Odemwingie would be ideal, but isn't exactly going to be massively craved. Building on the quality of the squad overall will be the main aim in the rest of the transfer window.

Expectations

Following the heroics performed by Hodgson in 2010/11, much will be expected this time. However neither gaffer nor fans will not be getting ahead of himself, and consolidation will appease the vast majority.

Odds

2000/1

Players in

Shane Long £6.5m (Reading) Marton Fulop free (Ipswich Town) Gareth McAuley free (Ipswich Town) Billy Jones fee (Preston North End) Zoltan Gera (unattached) Ben Foster loan (Birmingham City)

Players out

Borja Valero undisclosed (Villarreal) Scott Carson £2.1m (Bursaspor) Ishmael Miller £1.2m (Nottingham Forest) Marek Cech undisclosed (Trabzonspor) Pablo Ibanez undisclosed (Birmingham City) Abdoulaye Meite free (Dijon) Gianni Zuiverloon free (Real Mallorca) Giles Barnes free (Doncaster Rovers) Boaz Myhill loan (Birmingham City) Chris Wood loan (Birmingham City) James Hurst loan (Blackpool) Marcus Haber (all released)

Chaos at Manchester United!

Fourth place in the league is not what was expected by fans on the red half of Manchester prior to this seasons big kick off, but that is just where they find themselves.

Although still unbeaten and level on points with Arsenal, everyone connected with the club will be worried about how they just keep on throwing away leads.

Fulham, Everton and West Bromwich Albion have all recovered from going behind, while Liverpool also came from two down but couldn't hold on and Bolton Wanderers also put the frighteners on them by twice going ahead.

For a team and set of fans well used to winning this just isn't good enough.

And the rumours surrounding Wayne Rooney don't help at all.

It is looking increasingly likely that the former Everton hitman could well be on his way, sooner or later.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are possible destinations, with Chelsea and Manchester City also in the frame as it is known he is not keen on a move abroad.

The problems are centred round Rooney's new contract, which he is now demanding £200,000 a week, and the ankle injuries or lack of which have led to him being dropped lately.

Although it is no secret that he is disturbingly out of form, cashing in isn't an options for the club if they are to remain challengers on all fronts.

They still haven't recovered from the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo, so another prized asset going could be too much.

Especially if he just drifts across the city and joins the blue half of Manchester, who would certainly match his wage demands.

Added to the twist is the hype surrounding Sir Alex Ferguson, who could also leave the club if you believe such things.

This however seems way wide of the mark, after all he hasn't fully knocked Liverpool of their perch yet.

They are still clinging their by the skin if their teeth.

United will no doubt recover from this and be their by the end of the season challenging for honours.

Fergie will no doubt steer his ship through these choppy waters and emerge stronger than ever once more.