must) bringing in quality guys like Sam Vokes and Henri Lansbury at the appropriate times.

Lambert likes his teams to play football; but he has also instilled in them that sense of steel he had as a player. His signings again have erred on the side of being shrewd rather than spectacular – Kyle Naughton (Spurs) and Richie De Laet (Man United) are two wise loan signings to shore up the defence – both are young men with much to prove to their parent clubs. Steve Morison should also provide Holt with some much needed competition up front.

In all, I think Norwich will stay up – with Lambert a young hungry manager with a group of young-ish hungry players, they should be OK – just.

18. Wigan Athletic

Wigan are afunny club – that a Premier League club survives in a Rugby League town, with 6 other sides within a 20-mile radius (including both Manchester clubs) is impressive. That Wigan has survived so long in the EPL is all the more impressive, but I think, unfortunately, this could be the year they finally escape through the relegation tunnel.

Not that I particularly want them to – I like Roberto Martinez both as a person and a manager. He seems particuarly determined that his sides play football in the correct manner, and his Wigan team is not entirely bereft of creativity, particularly with the likes of James McCarthy (please decide you’re Scottish again) and Hugo Rodallega.

Unfortunately, to my mind it just seems the competition will be too strong for Wigan