Bournemouth
Strengths Bournemouth’s passing and movement deservedly hold the attention but their pressing off the ball, led ferociously by an energetic front four, has been a major factor behind their success and their impressive possession figures owe plenty to the fact they rarely lose it for long. A core of clever, technical footballers – added to carefully by Eddie Howe – has come through the divisions together and are perfectly attuned to their manager’s way of working.
Weaknesses The centre-back pairing Steve Cook and Tommy Elphick will be targeted by sides aware they are untested at this level, and the addition of Sylvain Distin may not prove to be adequate cover. There is also the concern that, although the central midfielders Harry Arter and the slightly deeper Andrew Surman are an intelligent pivot around which much of Bournemouth’s play is based, they lack a specialist holding player and may find themselves exposed by sides who break slickly.
Summer business They held a potent threat from wide areas last season and perhaps that is why Howe has sought to add depth in that department with Max Gradel and Christian Atsu. At left-back, Tyrone Mings has rough edges but huge potential; Distin’s experience may not make up for his creaking legs. Lee Tomlin’s free-roaming approach looks more of a gamble and Josh King, from Blackburn, is a harmless punt as a backup striker Howe can develop. Key to survival Attacking intent is one thing but Bournemouth must be clinical if they are to avoid trouble and much will rest on Callum Wilson’s shoulders. Few in the division will be quicker than the striker, who scored 20 Championship goals last season, and he will be a useful outlet to relieve pressure when other sides are dominating the ball. If he can convert with anything like the regularity of 2014-15 then Bournemouth will find their acclimatisation comfortable.
Norwich City
Strengths Norwich became a compact, snappy unit under Alex Neil and their midfield was an obvious strong suit as last season drew on. Jonny Howson and Alex Tettey are a solid, hard-running central pair with the former’s late runs into the box a menace and the latter an effective holding player in their last Premier League spell. Bradley Johnson, coming inside from the left, is another powerful presence and – as last season’s 15 goals showed – a genuine goal threat.
Weaknesses Central defence is a concern, with the partnership between Sébastian Bassong and Russell Martin lacking pace and poise in possession. Cover for the full-backs Steven Whittaker and Martin Olsson seems thin too. Cameron Jerome scored 21 goals last season but it would seem brave to gamble on a prolific return in the Premier League; it will surely be too much to ask for the returning Ricky van Wolfswinkel to help out and an addition seems likely – the No9 shirt has been left vacant.
Summer business The former West Bromwich midfielders Graeme Dorrans and Youssouf Mulumbu were the first two arrivals and add depth to an already strong midfield. Dorrans, who spent the final three months of last season on loan at Carrow Road, will be a versatile alternative in wide and central areas; Mulumbu will miss the start of the season through injury. Robbie Brady, the left winger signed from Hull, looks their most important arrival – he will add balance, especially if Nathan Redmond is subdued on the right, as well as wicked deliveries.
Key to survival Neil is an impressive character who, at 34, already has something of an aura around him. His presence alone will give Norwich a fighting chance but further arrivals seem necessary if they are to aim at lower mid-table. Norwich have more Premier League experience and arguably a more solid-looking spine than the other promoted teams and those facets should keep them in most games, but they are still to add the quality that many around them have been able to attract.
Watford
Strengths Watford do not lack depth and are particularly well served going forward. The captain Troy Deeney has arguably been the Championship’s best player for a couple of years; Odion Ighalo and Matej Vydra score almost as freely, although there may be pressure on the latter after an underwhelming spell in the top flight with West Brom two years ago. They have added international quality to these star performers from their promotion and can expect more from the Pozzo conveyor belt if required.
Weaknesses It was a shame that Slavisa Jokanovic, who had made sense of chaos to take Watford to a well-managed promotion, did not stay on and his successor Quique Sánchez Flores has – put kindly – a mixed track record since winning the Europa League with Atlético Madrid in 2010. He needs to create a cohesive unit quickly from a revamped squad whose biggest issues may simply be unfamiliarity and bloatedness. There are, at least, two clubs to which malcontents could probably be moved on if necessary.
Summer business Alessandro Diamanti will be the 11th summer addition but the Italian will probably be peripheral. More important will be the midfield partnership of Etienne Capoue and Valon Behrami who look excellent signings from Tottenham and Hamburg respectively. The centre-backs Sebastian Prödl and Miguel Britos add depth in a potential problem area and the playmaker José Manuel Jurado, once such a prospect at both Madrid clubs, is an interesting addition after a fine spell at Spartak Moscow. Allan Nyom, from Udinese via six seasons on loan with Granada, will slot in at right-back.
Key to survival That Capoue-Behrami partnership looks better than many on paper and if they click, allowing those in front of them to express themselves, then Watford should fare well. It will be important for Sánchez Flores to keep a consistent core; Watford have considerable talent but an element of continuity will be necessary and the good form of Deeney, whose attributes seem perfectly suited to the division, looks particularly important.
