Hull City, Crystal Palace and Cardiff City all secured their spots in the Premier League for the upcoming campaign through the toil of an arduous 46-game league season (plus three more for play-offs victors Palace). Now they get to enjoy the spoils from their endeavours when travelling to such famous stadiums as Old Trafford, Anfield, Stamford Bridge and the Emirates to face some of the best clubs in Europe. All three have been furiously pursuing new signings to augment their squads for the challenges that lie ahead, but which side are best equipped to succeed in the top-flight?
Firstly, the managers at the helm of each club will have a huge role to play in keeping their players motivated and mentally prepared for the difficulties they'll encounter when playing in arguably the world's finest league competition. Hull boss Steve Bruce, Palace supremo Ian Holloway and Cardiff manager Malky Mackay all hold significant experience at the helm of a football club, but Bruce stands out when it comes to the rigours of the Premier League.
The former Manchester United centre-half led Wigan Athletic, Birmingham City and Sunderland in the top division previously, while adding the name Hull City to the list of sides he's helped elevate from the Championship. Wigan were comfortable in mid-table under the Geordie manager and so too were Birmingham and Sunderland for spells, before the wheels came off somewhat at both clubs. Bruce can call upon fifteen years of football management, as well as the momentum he's built up with current side Hull during their run to automatic promotion behind champions Cardiff City.
Meanwhile, Palace put their trust and faith in former Blackpool boss Ian Holloway when previous incumbent Dougie Freedman chose to switch to Bolton Wanderers in October 2012. The Eagles were handsomely rewarded for that decision when the entertaining Bristolian took them to Wembley play-off glory with a win over Watford to seal promotion to the promised land.
Holloway is a massively respected figure and has some knowledge of the Premier League from his time at Blackpool, but mainly he's managed below the very pinnacle and couldn't save The Tangerines from the drop on his last attempt at the big-time. He likes to get his teams playing open football, but it was defensive mistakes that ultimately cost Blackpool their place in the top-tier and the effervescent 50-year-old will be wary of leaving his team so exposed at the back this time around.
Over in Wales, big Scotsman Malky Mackay managed to deliver promotion to a side that'd often come tantalisingly close before his arrival, without ever quite getting over the finish line. What's more, he did it in only two seasons, following a decent stint in charge of Watford. Mackay hasn't any time-served at the Premier level as a manager, but has impressed at Cardiff in the relatively short period he's been there and been placed among a few of the most highly-rated young managers in the British game by many observers.
Championship winners Cardiff have struck the biggest deals of the transfer window so far, including breaking their record for fees paid three times already this summer. Danish striker Andreas Cornelius was the first major signing through the door for £7.5million from FC Copenhagen and then England international defender Steven Caulkner pitched up surprisingly from Spurs to strengthen the centre of defence, before Sevilla midfielder Gary Medel came in for just over £11m. The 'Pitbull of Seville', as he's known, will hand Mackay plenty of steel in the defensive section of midfield, where he can protect a back-four marshalled by the reliable Caulkner.
The Welsh club already had plenty of young stars within the squad and further enhanced their options by bringing in those three. Mackay has an enthusiastic bunch and some real quality in the shape of dead-ball specialist Peter Whittingham, striker Fraizer Campbell, defender Ben Turner, plus attack-minded talents Joe Mason, Craig Noone and Craig Conway. Knitting it all together is elder statesman Craig Bellamy giving his all to the cause for his hometown team. It's an exciting blend of youth and experience that has potential to cause plenty of upsets against much more illustrious sides along the way.
Steve Bruce has also been burning the midnight oil in the quest for quality additions to his well-drilled side, while tying up permanent deals for last year's loan stars George Boyd and Ahmed Elmohamady. Completely new buys include Scotland international goalie Allan McGregor, defenders Maynor Figueroa and Curtis Davies, powerful forwards Yannick Sagbo and Danny Graham (on loan), as well as Steve Harper from Newcastle as back-up to McGregor.
There's no doubting that the Tigers have plenty of threat down the flanks and will be rigidly organised at the back by former defender Bruce, but the jury is out on the arrivals up-front. Graham looked lethargic and disinterested in an ill-fated six-month spell with Sunderland, so has a long way to go to show his mettle. Sagbo is not well-known in England, but did reasonably well with Evian in Ligue 1 last season and could prove to be an ace in the pack for the manager.
South Londoners Palace have been busy in the market, too. However, so far it appears a little too much quantity over quality with eight new faces amassing little in the way of top-flight experience. Striker Dwight Gayle was signed from Peterborough and is an exciting prospect; he'll benefit hugely from having veteran campaigner Kevin Phillips alongside him after he turned his loan move into a permanent deal this summer.
Another to complete a permanent switch to Selhurst Park following a loan spell is forward Stephen Dobbie, while Ian Holloway also brought in Elliot Grandin, Jerome Thomas and Sevilla midfielder Jose Campana, who is something of an unknown on these shores, having only played 20 league matches for the Spanish club.
The biggest signings thus far for the Eagles are probably Marouane Chamakh from Arsenal and Bordeaux left-back Florian Marange. Chamakh faltered at the Emirates and still has a lot to prove at Premier League level and Marange is completely untested in the division.
Back-up keeper Neil Alexander from Glasgow Rangers rounds off the incoming transfers at this stage, but the manager knows he requires more Premier League nouse within a thin-looking squad if he's to keep them up this season and has publicly stated his intention to find six more new players by deadline day. They've gone in for some tried-and-tested names at times, but been rebuffed on each occasion; the latest occurrence came yesterday when England striker Darren Bent began a medical with Fulham after coming close to an agreement with Palace. It's difficult to attract established stars when you've just been promoted and are existing on a shoestring budget in comparison with many other teams.
All in all, Cardiff look best equipped to do well this campaign, with a good side in place on confirmation of their promotion and a selection of excellent signings this summer to supplement the squad. They were organised at the back and dangerous going forward on their way to the title in the division below and will be even more of a problem for opposition sides to cope with this term. Mackay is a manager on the up and he'll further enhance his growing reputation if he manages to pull off a mid-table finish for the Welsh side.
Hull City will be well-drilled, but are expected to rely on one man up-front for the majority of games in an effort to keep tight and nick results by the odd goal. The bottom six beckons for the Tigers, but their organisation and team spirit may be enough to keep their heads above water. Hull are also looking at more recruits, which could hand them an even greater chance of survival.
At this point, even with time to spare before the transfer window closes, Crystal Palace don't look strong enough in almost every department to stave off relegation. They'll most likely employ an attractive style of play and with Phillps, Murray and Gayle up top, they do have potential to get on the scoresheet. However, they'll also leave holes at the back and better Premier League sides will happily exploit those at will. I fear for Holloway's boys and would have to suggest them as relegation certainties once the season draws to a conclusion.
Twitter: @davewh1980
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