All three clubs are in much better shape than you. Spurs wont struggle re modric, as they have already signed Sig, and Modric will do what he did last year and get on with it anyway. Newcastle havent lost any players, and have signed, and still are a better side overall. Liverpool's biggest coup is the arrival of Rodgers, also they have signed Borini, and look good to sign Allen. all three are better bets than Everton for 5th.
Equally, however, Everton are the only side with any real continuity other than Newcastle. Villas-Boas is under huge pressure, arguably even more so than Chelsea, as if he fails at Spurs his hopes of securing a top-flight job any time soon takes a huge blow. Rodgers, too, is under pressure, not only to try and replicate his tiki-taka with a side unused to it but also to prove he isn't a one-season wonder.
Spurs still lack the most precious commodity in football, a proven goalscorer. A bit of wheeling and dealing from 'Arry brought in Adebayor who put in a sterling effort, but now he's back at City, leaving an inconsistent Jermain Defoe as Spurs' only recognised striker. There are other bits, too: Brad Friedel has been brilliant for over a decade and a half now, but he can only go on so long. Ledley King has retired, Michael Dawson is still sidelined, William Gallas is ageing fast and Sebastian Bassong struggled for Wolves last year, leaving a depleted defence. The wings ain't looking too rosy either, with Bale and Lennon short of backups and not exactly typical Villas-Boas wide men as it is.
Then take Liverpool. They may have solved their problem of goals up front with the addition of Fabio Borini - perhaps - and welcomed Lucas back into the fold, but there are still gaps, particularly on the flanks. With Bellamy off to Cardiff, Stewart Downing hilariously incompetent and the likes of Suso, Sterling and Pacheco too young to take on a starting role, it may come down to the mildly terrifying prospect of starting Joe Cole or Jordan Henderson on the right. Most importantly of all, though, is that Liverpool's ever-present Plan B, Steven Gerrard, can no longer be relied upon to pull a matchwinning performance out of his **** on demand. In fact, with his injury troubles, often it's all he can do to get on the pitch.
Finally, Newcastle, who look the strongest of the three so far mentioned. They have a wonderful spine up the pitch: Krul, Coloccini, Tiote, Cabaye and the Demba-Demba duo is as good as any in the Prem. The problem is the flanks: their full-backs leave a lot to be desired, Hatem Ben Arfa is talented but drifts in and out of games, and Jonas is a bustler rather than a magician. The other centre-back slot is far from nailed down, too, with Steven Taylor occasionally looking shaky. The worst bit, however, is easily the backup to the first teamers, or rather lack of it. The likes of Williamson and Perch are just not up to scratch. It could be a tricky season for Newcastle with all that pressure from last year on them.
And finally, Everton. A settled - albeit small - squad, the return of Steven Pienaar, immensely talented youngsters and a pretty even spread of talent throughout the team, the only real weak spot seems to be at right midfield, where Seamus Coleman can step up if necessary. Most of all though, Everton have the best manager of the lot, and Moyes has shown again and again he can produce the goods. With a buildup to the season incredibly smooth for once, perhaps Everton can actually get off to a good start this time round. If they can, then they're a match for anyone, and 5th is a very real possibility.
