In the early years of the Premiership many clubs could go into the new season with genuine hope of challenging for the championship. In the inaugural season of the competition, it was Norwich City that were the pacesetters, five points clear of the rest in December. But eventually a good run at the end of the season would see Manchester United win the division by ten points.
That term, Norwich would take third spot in the table; Queens Park Rangers would manage the lofty heights of fifth. Other long-forgotten sides in the top flight back then were Sheffield Wednesday (7th), Wimbledon (12th), Sheffield United (14th), Coventry City (15th) and Oldham Athletic (19th). Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace would go down.
A lot has changed in ten years, and these days only a handful of teams can dream of being involved in the championship race come May.
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It's hard to imagine there being much of a change up at the top. Sir Alex Ferguson will be desperate to wrestle the Premiership crown back off Arsenal, and as Manchester United have never gone consecutive seasons without winning the Championship, history is on his side.
The addition of Rio Ferdinand for £27.3million has strengthened what was a very dodgy defence last season. A catalogue of errors in the early part of their campaign cost the Red Devils dear, a more sturdy defence would surely have handed Sir Alex his eighth title.
The midfield remains as strong as ever, and although a fourth striker has to be top of the agenda after the departure of Dwight Yorke the goals will continue to flow throughout the side. Fergie's back, there's no talk of retirement and the boss is determined to return to former glories. If the defence comes together they'll be a tough nut to crack. The potency of Manchester United will return them to the top of the pile.
Only Manchester City have strengthened more than Gerard Houllier this summer. The Liverpool boss' fascination with all things French continues, but in Salif Diao, Bruno Cheyrou and El Hadji Diouf he could have three real gems.
The Anfield faithful demand that they keep pace with Manchester United, and much is expected, but again they will fall just short. This may not be down to any real fault of their own, but United will have a real passion back this term and will prove too strong for the rest of the pack.
Some will be surprised to see Arsenal down in third spot - which would be the lowest placing under Arsene Wenger. Both the Gunners and Liverpool will be very close - there's not a great deal to choose between them.
But question marks must hang over David Seaman, even if his World Cup was generally a successful one. There are so many goals in the side, but perhaps the loss of Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg for the early part of the season could prove crucial. Third place for the Gunners.
The final Champions League spot is up for grabs to a certain extent. There are a number of clubs who could conceivably claim fourth place in the table, but it could be Kevin Keegan's Manchester City who make a surprise surge.
Everybody remembers the impact that Keegan's Newcastle had on the Premiership, and although the division is a lot tougher these days they have the confidence in the ranks to make an impression.
It's true that Keegan treats defending as a mere bagatelle, but I'm prepared to stick my neck out and tip his men to surprise a lot of people.
Newcastle United's exploits in the Champions League, plus the loss of Laurent Robert for at least two months of the season, could hamper their progress. The Magpies will remain a threat, but fatigue could take its toll as we reach the end of the campaign.
Many people are waiting to see the demise of Leeds United as financial turmoil takes hold, but the sale of Ferdinand has loosened the purse strings and in Terry Venables they have a top-notch coach. This season could be one of transition and a sixth place finish.
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Arsenal: The current champions
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Middlesbrough have made some impressive signings over the last few weeks, and we should see a dramatic improvement from Steve McClaren's men. With virtually a brand new midfield there is finally some creativity in the ranks which Massimo Maccarone will gladly latch on to.
Meanwhile, West Ham United have had something of a clear out with 11 players shown the exit door over the summer. Glenn Roeder surprised many last term after being tipped for the sack early doors, there is still a substantial amount of rebuilding to be done but it should still be a good season for the Hammers.
Another side that are making strides in the right direction are Blackburn Rovers. Graeme Souness has, so far, managed to hold on to Irish star Damien Duff, and Andy Cole showed towards the end of last season that he could score goals away from Old Trafford. If the partnership with Dwight Yorke catches fire again a top half finish is a certainty.
Sam Allardyce is proving to be one of the most astute managers in England - just how he tempted the likes of Youri Djorkaeff and Jay-Jay Okocha to the Reebok will remain a mystery. Bolton Wanderers will have no troubles this term, but much may depend on Michael Ricketts rediscovering his form after failing to score since mid-January.
This could turn out to be a hard season for Chelsea. No money to spend, big debts and star strikers Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Eidur Gudjohnsen on the brink of leaving Stamford Bridge. It's hard to see how the club can move forward after so many years of ill advised over spending on over-rated, ageing foreign stars. Bottom half and the blues for the Blues.
It's hard to gauge Glenn Hoddle's Tottenham Hotspur in the coming campaign as they continue to nearly sign the world's biggest stars. Just how much harmony there is within the camp is uncertain, and it could be a lack of goals that costs them dear. With only Les Ferdinand, Teddy Sheringham, Sergei Rebrov and Steffen Iversen named in their first team squad it would appear a little threadbare.
Everton have spent very well this summer, without actually shelling out that much money, and David Moyes can expect to see his new side start to come together. It may take this season for the former Preston boss to brush away the cobwebs and begin to mould the side in his own vision, but it's a step in the right direction for the Toffees.
Charlton Athletic will welcome back a host of stars that were missing at times throughout the 2001/02 season - many fans feel it will be like signing a host of new players. But it's still hard to see much improvement from what is a real team rather than a team of stars.
Gordon Strachan's Southampton will probably still be trying to find out where Augustin Delgado is this time next year, such is the expertise in knee surgery over in Ecuador. Not a lot to shout about over the close season down on the south coast, nor will there be over the coming months.
A team in real trouble is Aston Villa. Graham Taylor may have a proven track record of picking out good Nationwide League players, but it's not the early 90s now and it's hard to see that tactic working - especially when many of your true stars are itching to escape from the club. A tough season for Villa, but they should just survive.
Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce has made some astute purchases since claiming a Premiership place with the likes of Robbie Savage, Kenny Cunningham, Aliou Cisse and Clinton Morrison. It would be insensate to think they will not find it hard to prolong their stay with the big boys but, with a modicum of luck, they will just hold on.
There are problems behind the scenes at Fulham. Jean Tigana is talking of walking at the end of the campaign with Franco Baresi waiting in the wings. The club is continually senn to agree deals for new stars only to pull out at the last minute, which will leave a bitter taste with those on the continent. If they don't cure their goal scoring ills then a return to Division One could follow.
Many pundits must be waiting with interest to see how Sunderland start the new campaign. Unrest is growing among the supporters with manager Peter Reid one of the favourites to be the first to get the chop. With little movement in the transfer market and still no new face to partner Kevin Phillips it is looking bleak. Their play has become very torpid, making the Black Cats perfect relegation fodder.
And last but not least we have West Bromwich Albion, a side that did so well to get to the top flight on what seemed to be a never ending run of 1-0 wins. Just where the goals will come from is a mystery as the Baggies prepare to mix it in the top flight. They will doubtless cause a couple of real upsets, but are destined to finish bottom of the pile.
