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Optimists and pessimists

In a survey conducted by The Athletic this week (before the developments on Thursday and Friday which brought the transfers of Moises Caicedo and Harry Kane closer to being completed), we asked how supporters of each of the 20 teams are feeling about the new season. Ninety-nine per cent of Villa respondents said “optimistic”, making them the most positive bunch in the division.

They’re far higher than fans of treble-winning Manchester City (83%), higher than big-spending Newcastle (91%, down 5% on last year), who they play first, and a world away from Tottenham (79%), who they finished a point above last season.

Emery is one of three Basque managers in the Premier League this season, with followers of Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth (97%) and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal (90%) also in high spirits. There was a fourth until Tuesday evening, when Julen Lopetegui left Wolves. He had spent much of the summer agitating about his position and has now been replaced by Gary O’Neil. All of which explains why Wolves’ optimism levels (40%) are so low.

Transfers play a key role in shaping how fans feel about their team’s chances and that is certainly the case at West Ham, where only 8% of supporters say they are optimistic about the new season. 

Only 26% of Everton supporters feeling optimistic about the season ahead.  While fellow arrivals from the Championship Luton (90%) and Burnley (86%) are feeling pumped, only 17% of Sheffield United fans feel optimistic.

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