Elite three will be slow to start

THE MOST encouraging indicator for the pack chasing the Premiership’s “elite three” is that Arsenal, Man Utd and to a lesser extent, Liverpool, will hardly be in a position to blast off from the start for the new season.

The champions and double winners have lost the leadership and industry of Tony Adams and Lee Dixon, and the creativity in midfield of Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg and Gio van Bronckhorst. It may be November before Arsene Wenger’s side are properly functioning.

Man Utd’s predicament is arguably worse, particularly in defence, where stability is more precious than in any other sector.

Neville, Ferdinand and now Wes Brown will all start the new season in treatment. Roy Keane has stirred a hornet’s nest, and if, as Alex Ferguson claims, Nicky Butt is a certain starter, what chance of resolving the Juan Sebastian Veron conundrum?

Liverpool’s new additions may take some time to bed in, and while the consistency of their defensive formation is a big plus, the failure to inject the expected dimension and width to their play is not.

Having worked with Terry Venables, I’m aware how shrewd he is as a manager, but he will do well to push for a Champions League place. Certainly they will be more astute than they were under David O’Leary.

Newcastle still look the most likely to win the handicap Premiership (those outside the top three).

Living in Bobby Robson’s ear during the World Cup for ITV, I know he really believes he has pulled off a coup by signing Hugo Viana from Portugal.

Arsene Wenger believes Middlesbrough will be the surprise packet, but losing Juninho for the season is an absolute disaster.

Around the midlands, people are kidding themselves if they believe Villa are a serious Champions League challenger. Graham Taylor has a marvellous opportunity to make his mark because Doug Ellis came looking for him. The chairman is public enemy No 1 around Birmingham, but don’t expect Villa to be pretty.

Gary Megson’s West Brom will dig in for points and probably do better than neighbours Birmingham, where Steve Bruce will try to play football. Megson won’t worry about such irrelevancies.