Premier League 2013/14 Preview: Club by Club Guide, Predictions, Expectations & Key Players

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Crystal Palace. Last Season’s Finish: Promoted. Expectations: Avoid Relegation. Predicted Finish: 20th.

As much as I love manager Ian Holloway, I just don’t think this squad has the quality to stay up this season, especially with how tough it is down at the bottom. The failure to recapture Wilfried Zaha on loan from Manchester United will take its toll on their attacking output this season, and their failure to replace him worries me even more. The have signed Dwight Gayle from Peterborough this summer also, a player who was playing non-league football two seasons ago, for £8million. That’s a lot of money to pay for an unproven forward.

Although he impressed at Peterborough before signing, I question whether this move will work out, and his failure to produce at the highest level could be their downfall. Defensively, I question `them. Holloway’s philosophy is to outscore your opponents, no matter how many you concede. We saw what happened to Blackpool last time he was in the league, they were relegated. The emphasis on attacking leaves them wide open at the back and they will be exploited.

Key Player: Yannick Bolasie will be pressured this summer to replace the creative influence lost when Zaha joined United. The tricky winger has his moments but lacks real consistency, which must change this season. The service to Gayle, Glenn Murray and Marouane Chamakh this summer must be spot on if they have any chance of survival.

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