It’s hard to get into the Premiership, even harder to stay there. Last season, Leicester and Wolves went back from where they had come but Portsmouth showed there is a way to survive.

This term’s new-boys have all been busy in the transfer market with defence very much an issue.

Gary Megson’s West Brom have always been built on being mean at the back and Darren Purse has been signed to reduce the goals against column.

Crystal Palace have gone around Europe to sign their eight players but Fitz Hall may prove the best acquisition from Southampton.

Norwich have enlisted Danish international Thomas Helveg from Milan and will hope Darren Huckerby can carry on up front where he left off.

Portsmouth will rely on Yakubu’s goals for a second survival campaign while Everton’s summer of turmoil has them marked down by some pundits as the big club likely to be sucked into trouble.

The Survival Contestants 

CRYSTAL PALACE

Last season: 6th (Division One)
Bookies prediction this season: 20th
Summer revolving door activity: 8 in (£3.55m), 5 out (£0m)

Reasons to be cheerful – Iain Dowie is one of the greatest motivators around and anyone wearing the Palace shirt will believe they can stay up, even if nobody around themdoes.

In Andy Johnson, they have a striker whose goals could spell survival.

Question mark – Palace have scoured far and wide to bring in new blood, signing the likes of Gabor Kiraly (Hertha Berlin, free), Julian Speroni (Dundee, £500,000), Joonas Kolkka (Borussia Moenchengladbach, £300,000) and Sandor Torghelle (MTK Hungaria, £750,000). But how quickly can the untried and untested settle in?

What the gaffer says - "Clearly there is a gulf in the ability of players we had and the quality of players other teams are buying" – Iain Dowie.

Top arrival – Defender Fitz Hall is a star of the future and Iain Dowie knows his qualities when they were together at Oldham.

Key departure – Julian Gray was one of Palace’s best players last season and his decision to join Birmingham is a blow.

Star man – Andy Johnson. Scored 32 times last season, half that amount again will do nicely.

Something to prove – Mark Hudson never won a regular first-team place at Fulham.


EVERTON

Last season: 17th
Bookies prediction this season: 15th
Summer revolving door activity: 4 in (£2.4m), 10 out (£3.25m)

Reasons to be cheerful – Adversity sometimes bring out the best in terms of team spirit and the likes of Kevin Campbell, Alan Stubbs and David Weir will ensure Everton won’t roll over. At the moment, Wayne Rooney is an Everton player and his return from injury will be a massive boost.

Question mark – The squad is wafer-thin with steady performers like Tomasz Radzinski, Tobias Linderoth and David Unsworth gone. Without Rooney, they lack options up front with Campbell and Duncan Ferguson coming towards the end of their careers.

What the gaffer says - "There was nothing positive to take out of last season" – David Moyes.

Top arrival – Marcus Bent’s goal tally was double figures last season even though Leicester were relegated

Key departure – Tomasz Radzinski was a natural finisher but his speed stretched opposition defences.

Star man – Wayne Rooney is the most wanted young player in Europe so Everton must be delighted he is with them.

Something to prove – James McFadden is a Scotland international but needs to find his best position at Goodison Park.


NORWICH CITY

Last season: 1st (Division One)
Bookies prediction this season: 19th
Summer revolving door activity: 7 in (£2.15m), 7 out (£0m)

Reasons to be cheerful – Nigel Worthington has a solid unit from last season and has added international calibre in Thomas Helveg and Mattias Jonson, a Swedish international forward from Brondby.

Robert Green is tipped as a future England goalkeeper.

Question mark – Jonson will have to hit the ground running as Norwich can’t expect Darren Huckerby to repeat his 14 goals last season.

Malkay Mackay, Adam Drury and Gary Holt were all terrific in Division One but it’s a big step up to the Premiership.

What the gaffer says - "There is one thing you can say about us, we are determined" – Nigel Worthington.

Top arrival – Mattias Jonson has cost a club record fee and impressed for Sweden at Euro 2004.

Key departure – Iwan Roberts was Mr Carrow Road and it will be strange to see the place without him.

Star man – Thomas Helveg has been a stalwart of Serie A with both Milan clubs and been to World Cups with Denmark

Something to prove – Darren Huckerby hasn’t lit up the Premiership with Manchester City or Leeds. Now it’s a chance to make it third time lucky.


PORTSMOUTH

Last season: 13th
Bookies prediction this season: 17th
Summer revolving door activity: 5 in (£2.05m), 8 out (£0m)

Reasons to be cheerful – Wheeler-dealer Harry Redknapp is a survival expert from his days at West Ham and now at Fratton Park. He likes teams with plenty of goals in themand Yakubu and Loma Lua-Lua will stretch teams with their pace. Eyal Berkovic is still a class act in midfield.

Question mark – A lot of the most experienced players have left and the knowhow of Teddy Sheringham, Tim Sherwood and even Alexei Smertin will be missed.

What the gaffer says - "Until we’ve got money and new stadium, it will be a fight for survival" – Harry Redknapp.

Top arrival – Lomano Lua-Lua was loved by Portsmouth fans during his 15-game cameo last season. Now they have him full-time.

Key departure – Teddy Sheringham’s goals in the early part of last season proved crucial.

Star man – Yakubu Ayegbini was coveted by Middlesbrough and other Premiership teams in the summer.

Something to prove – David Unsworth didn’t settle last time he played outside Merseyside.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

Last season: 2nd (in Division One)
Bookies prediction this season: 18th
Summer revolving door activity: 7 in (£6.275m), 11 out (£0m)

Reasons to be cheerful – Gary Megson didn’t splash out on new blood last time and Albion were relegated but this time they have been the biggest spenders of the new boys.

Martin Albrechtsen, Jonathan Greening and Zoltan Gera have all cost seven figures.

Question mark – Albion were woeful in front of goal last time and this will be a big challenge for Rob Hulse, Scott Dobie and Kanu, none of whom have hit the net regularly at the top level.

What the gaffer says - "Wecan say we’ve got a real chance this time" – Gary Megson.

Top arrival – Defender Martin Albrechtsen is Albion’s record signing and has just won the Danish Double with FC Copenhagen.

Key departure – Last season’s top scorer Lee Hughes has been sent to prison and had his contract terminated by Albion.

Star man – Russell Hoult earned high praise last time Albion were in the Premiership for his form between the sticks.

Something to prove – Kanu is an idol in Nigeria but needs to show more consistency in the Premiership to go alongside his outstanding ability.