Prem Players to watch

A week and a half away from the start of the season; let us speculate.

Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

We obviously all know who this young winger is but his campaign last year was one he'd rather forget. Theo scored only 4 goals in all competitions and injury setbacks saw him struggle to hold down a run in Arsene Wenger's first XI. Despite this we could well see the young Gunner prove his worth this season especially with the added motivation of proving to fans around the country why he shouldn't have stayed at home this summer. With his electrifying pace and direct style Walcott may also be key to adding some much needed variety to Arsenal's stylish but often unpenetrative attack.

Javier Hernandez (Man United)

I must confess that before this transfer and the World Cup Javier had slipped through my usually sad, watchful eye on world football! A lot of noise has come from Old Trafford about this lad's potential not least from the legendary Bobby Charlton. If Sir Bobby says a player is two footed, he's two footed - becaused he didn't know the meaning of the phrase 'weak foot' during his playing days. With 9 goals in 16 international appearances at the age of 22. This sharp looking poacher could well be what United need to be bringing off the bench or indeed starting with Wayne Rooney in their challenge to Chelsea's Premier League title.

Steven Fletcher (Wolves)

We're at the lower end of the scale here but one player who surprised many last year was Burnley's Steven Fletcher who in a relegated side notched up 12 goals in all competitions. The mobile forward will be pairing with the exciting Kevin Doyle who himself is a star in the making and approaching his peak should he be angling for a big money move. In what I would like to think was a slightly more creative side than The Clarets the Shrewsbury born Scotsman could turn a few heads should he score the goals that the Molineux faithful saw very little of last season in their successful survivial campaign.

Graham Dorrans (West Brom)

The PFA Championship Player of the Year last year will bid to make the step up and lead Albion to survivial in the Premiership after bouncing back convincingly after relegation in 2009. He scored 13 goals for the Baggies last year and is noted for being a set piece specialist and a composed figure in their otherwise strong midfield. Dorrans is one of a couple exciting young midfielders in this side with Christ Brunt and James Morrison alongside him. What Albion lack is a man to put the ball in the net and make the most of the good service they provide. Without that, Dorrans may still find it difficult to be noticed at the top level.

Jerome Boateng (Man City)

I'm going to stick my neck out and say that the German international will be the pick of Man City's summer signings despite the millions they have spent and will spend. The modern defender will sustain City's defence due to his ability to cope with the physical side of the Premier League and being born and raised in Germany will pay its dividends when it comes to meeting with the standard of composure and footballing competence required. Mancini wasted no time in snapping up the former Hamburg defender who can play confidently at full back or centre half. Ironically Boateng could be compared with City's own Micah Richards - the advantage he has over Micah is his ability to play regularly without the plague of injury.

Revolution or Reprisal?

In Roy Hodgson Liverpool have employed their first British boss since Roy Evans departed Anfiled in 1998 and opinions on his appointment are inevitably varied. It appears to potentially mark a step backwards in terms of the club's ongoing treasure hunt and a decision based on business rather than ambition. Despite these claims there are reasons for Reds to be optimistic regarding Roy's reign and if his early movement in the transfer market states anything; its ambition.

The immediate sales of Albert Riera and Fabio Aurelio plus the lack of zeal to fend off any moves for Javier Mascherano indicate Hodgson's will to change. It is likely that the so called 'Spanish Armada' assembled by predecessor Rafael Benitez will be dismantled further as old favourites such as Lucas (Brazilian) and Insua (Argentinian) may fall out of favour. The signing of Joe Cole and near-signing of Luke Young also define a particular transfer policy from Hodgson as well as meaning Liverpool should have no problems with the new regulations regarding the home-grown players, etc. Ambition does not always have to involve a £150m bank loan.

Whilst I believe Hodgson's mission statement may well be to stabilise the clubs financial future by slashing the wage bill and signing youth he won't last five minutes at Anfield unless he teases the fans with the prospect of silverware. With that said the former Internazionale boss dragged a Fulham side built on a shoe string to the UEFA Cup final last year and Liverpool's European record is of course second to none. The 4th spot is vital for the Reds not least for the pomp of the Champions League but also the money.

Gillette and Hicks deflected the negative attention from Benitez last season and purist scousers don't lie down to easily. Hodgson isn't a youthful maverick these days but he may well be the man Reds will reel around to end the reign of the American tyrants. His matter of fact attitude may just be what the internal politics are missing since the absence of former assistant-manager Phil Thompson. In Liverpool's post-modernist age it may be time to embrace their English roots once more rather than rebel against them and 'Keep Things Scouse'.

The impact of a new manager can be profound and we have seen time and time again different bosses getting different results with the same personnel. At Fulham Hodgson  managed to coax stable runs of form out of players typically ravaged by injury such as Damien Duff and Simon Davies. People conveniently forget that Liverpool's dangerman spent large periods of last year sat in the stands and whilst he appears set to start the new season in them; Roy's apparent healing touch could hand Liverpool a lifeline in one of Europe's most prolific marksmen.

Roy brings little in romance but much in experience. Whether statues of him are going to be erected of him opposite the Shankly Gates I'm not sure. However in a footballing recession when your business is bust a steady head is indespensible. As far as I'm concerned what Hodgson as inherited are the ashes of a great phoenix. Time will tell what rises from them.