I know there's still the small matter of raising the Championship trophy after the game against Bolton this week-end and a final-dayA showdown with Hull. But, advertising and title already securely in the case, forgive me for already looking forward impatiently towards next time and what may be available for Malky Mackayas Cardiff City. As such, I watched Manchester Unitedas Premier League victory on Monday night with renewed interest, cheering on each of Robin vanA Persieas three goals against Aston Villa. Not because I wanted United to get the name, I will stress, more that I wanted to see Villa defeated and eventually directed. I should explain quickly here that I've absolutely nothing whatsoever against Aston Villa. Among my early football memories was of a, rampaging Andy Gray, detailed with mop of curly red hair, striking terror through weight defenders as he made his name in the game. What a centre-forward he was before the injury problem struck. I marvelled when Villa beat Bayern Munich in 1982 to get the European Cup, was delighted for Dean Saunders after he and Dalian Atkinson stunned Sir Alex Fergusonas double champions to help the Clarets raise the League Cup at Wembley in 1994. But this really is concerning the Bluebirds for me personally, perhaps not Aston Villa, and the fact remains I would rather Wigan keep their Premier League standing. Why? Since Cardiff would have a much better potential for finishing above them next year than they'd a Villa team who I expect you'll regroup and return a much stronger power, whether that take the Premier or the Championship. No-one really can predict what'll happen in 2013-14 until we all know who has authorized for whom through the summer move window. But already itas a reasonable guess to assume the department will pan out in to three split little leagues. You will see the usual suspects completing the most effective eight spots a Manchester United, Manchester City. Strategy, Chelsea, Tottenham, Everton and Liverpool. Then there will function as the next set of groups who wonat be powerful enough to challenge for Europe, but who will oftimes be too great to be drawn into a relegation fight. Newcastle and accommodation have tended to be the leaders in this second tier class, followed by Stoke, though for differing this time to reasons around they've each found themselves pulled down into trouble. Apartment and Newcastle, when they come through their current situation, can come back much more resilient next year. Therefore also, I assume, may Stoke, the trio probably joined by famous brands West Brom, West Ham and Fulham when it comes to mid-table protection. And then we have the ultimate batch of clubs, those who'll each kick-off the growing season hunting a specific points tally which will ensure they arenat directed and who will identify three others they may finish above. Malky Mackay is placed in the air by the jubilant Cardiff City participants Huw Evans Company In this type will undoubtedly be Wigan, as long as they, not Villa, find a way to keep their top-flight position in the coming months. You may also expect Norwich,A Swansea, Southampton, Sunderland and the marketed trio in the Championship to be in this combination, also. Including, of course, the Bluebirds. As if you, Iave heard the jokes that have been doing the rounds in recent days. aFootball commentators reckon Cardiff can last at least three seasons in the Premier League a' autumn, winter and spring!a Boom, growth. Rather funny, in a way. We do have to keep an expression of humour, I guess. Because you will see at the very least three groups they can end above however the Bluebirds can have the final laugh. Two of them will soon be their Championship colleagues who clinch marketing in the coming months. Hull, Watford, Bolton, Nottingham Forest, whoever. Cardiff have usurped every one of these year. They can do this again the next time out. My guess is Norwich will challenge poorly in 2013-14, while Southampton and Sunderland will still have plenty of work to do, regardless of the new manager impetus they have each just been handed. Swansea should be OK, because they have the outstanding leadership of Michael Laudrup and the goals of the outstanding Michu to fall back upon. Nevertheless they may lose skipper Ashley Williams to Liverpool come july 1st and the enormous impact the Wales leader has on the Swans, in terms of leadership and continuing superiority on the field of play, is likely to be noticed most when he has gone. We have observed with Newcastle this season what sort of ready side may struggle with the extra demands of the Europa League and that is something that may drag the Swans downwards next season. And then we have Wigan, where prior Swansea boss Roberto Martinez hasnat made the group effect expected. He has maintained the Latics in the top flight to date and, of course, splendidly got them to the FA Cup final. But there were some pundits who believed that Wigan would develop into a top-10 ensemble once Martinez introduced his own men and put his own stamp upon the staff. That doesnat seem like it'll happen, indicating Wigan seem likely definite relegation individuals. Cardiff fans should want them to win their battle against the decline inside their last five suits and hope that Norwich, presently ensconced in 13th location, arenat pulled into the bottom three. They are each clubs next season can be definitely targeted for a total of 12 points by the Bluebirds, edges Mackayas guys can definitely finish above. Anyone of Wigan, Villa, Newcastle, Stoke, Sunderland or Norwich might yet join Reading and QPR in shedding their top-flight status, as things stand. But when push involves shove, it'll probably come down to at least one of Wigan or Villa. Definitely Newcastle, their European rigours over and with the St Jamesa Park element and Papiss Cisseas objectives within their favor, have sufficient about them to make sure they're maybe not playing Championship soccer next period. Stoke had a huge win at QPR at the week-end that may give them an enormous fillip going forward. Paolo Di Canio has reinvigorated Sunderland. Norwich, for me personally, have probably hit above their weigh since increasing a couple of years back, but if they could secure one more win from their remaining four fits they must certanly be OK again. Meaning it boils down to a shoot-out between Villa and Wigan for the final relegation position. Apartment, in 17th, are three points ahead, but Wigan have a casino game in hand and a superior goal big difference. Martinezas team however have games against Spurs and Swansea at home and face West Brom and Arsenal absent. Apartment have Sunderland and Chelsea at home, and satisfy Norwich at Carrow Road. Then, on ab muscles last day of the summer season, Villa have to travel to the DW Stadium to get on Wigan. Talk about luck. As I say, I think that this is a small one-off season for a club of Villaas prominence and that under Paul Lambert they'll improve throughout the summer, refocus and have it right next time out. Nonetheless it could be too hard to prevent the slide within the next day or two. That will be great news for the newly-promoted Bluebirds, If so. Van Persie did them a favour on Monday evening. May Wigan on that tumultuous last day of the summer season?
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