The league never lies? A weekly look at who is making the real moves during the season!
1) Chelsea - Boring, boring Chelsea. That chant went up at the DW on Saturday evening and it was probably a little more accurate than those singing it intended. Chelsea are the ultimate flat-track bully. They are always in good shape coming into a season and have little disruption. They buy who they need when they need it. They are out of most people's league and show it.
2) Arsenal - What looked to be a formality ended that way. To brush Blackpool aside will not win Arsenal a title. If Theo Walcott can emerge with greater poise than last year they may just be onto something. Still no Cesc Fabregas and still producing. A good sign.
3) Tottenham Hotspur - Spurs are becoming something of a credible title threat. It was feared that they may have a shaky start in Europe and be hit by injuries. They have had both and still done everything you would hope. Maybe the dreams start here.
4) Manchester City - Well, not too many saw that one coming. A solid performance against Liverpool will have worked wonders for confidence across the club. Workmanlike, solid and professional - all the things City lacked last season appear to have been introduced.
5) Manchester United - Dropping points against Fulham may have been acceptable when they were rolling to title after title. This year the contenders are strong. United without Rooney are not the same threat. Fulham could have won this. A worrying sign.
6) Everton - Fast becoming Arsenal-lite. Everton no longer seem to be able to push past teams who put men behind the ball and are allowed to put heavy tackles in. To be fair, Everton have done jut that to teams over the years. David Moyes has become victim of his own 4-5-1 fashion.
7) Liverpool - No team with title aspirations takes a pounding like this. Not just the scoreline, but the lack of drive and belief that the players showed. Against Arsenal, Liverpool looked combative and sharp. Javier Mascherano drove them on. If and when he leaves, the hole is massive. Maybe people saw on Monday night a glimpse of why Steven Gerrard never seems to be played in a central two. His lack of discipline in the centre let City dominate.
8) Blackburn Rovers - No reason for Rovers to be too down-hearted about this week. They were 'out Blackburned'. They were looking good for a while. Suggests that the away form may improve, and subsequently their league position.
9) Fulham - Two draws may not look much, but the manner of them will please Mark Hughes. Turns out that the Hughes formula is not too dissimilar to that of Roy Hodgson's. Pile the pressure on at home. Be difficult to break down away. A formula that pays in the Premier League.
10) Birmingham City - Coming from behind to win against Blackburn is quite a result. The Blues will not expect to repeat last year's magical run of results, but they will know the St. Andrew's is something of a fortress.
11) Aston Villa - The collapse that was predicted arrived just about on time. When you are looking to steady a ship, don't bring in Stephen Ireland. Villa did not need another ball player. They need a leader.
12) Sunderland - Steve Bruce is about to be put under serious pressure. Looking at their start Sunderland had good reason to get off to a flier again. Instead, the murky days of that run in the middle of last season will come to mind. Next week is crucial to keep the players with him.
13) Wolverhampton Wanderers - A great point at Goodison Park for Wolves despite being outplayed. They have the fighting spirit required, there is no doubt about that. They will hope Lee Mason referees a few more of their games this season.
14) Bolton Wanderers - Having moaned about the lack of goal threat from Owen Coyle's men, step forward John Elmander. Coyle looked as surprised as anybody about the win and the ease of it. You cannot help but feel that this said more about West Ham.
15) Newcastle United - I think that everybody concerned would take this position now. It is nice to see The Magpies attacking at will. A reminder of the late 90s. If Joey Barton can become the leader he sees himself as - there may just be more good days than bad.
16) West Bromwich Albion - This was a great win for The Baggies. No doubt. These type of results will keep them safe with room to spare. Scott Carson must be in the England squad.
17) Wigan Athletic - The Chelsea result was almost a formality. The performance was a little better than the scoreline suggested. Putting the boot into John Terry was a bonus. This was never going to be the week that Wigan turned it around. And it wasn't.
18) Stoke City - Tony Pulis will be looking over his shoulder sooner rather than later. Stoke haven't got too much to shout about in terms of creativity. What they have is on the bench. Send for Tuncay and give yourselves a chance.
19)West Ham United - This team is falling fast in these rankings. To be beaten by Bolton is one thing. To be outplayed is another. Where do the points come from? Expect them to bite when Spurs bid for Scott Parker nearer the deadline.
20) Blackpool - It did not take too long for the wake-up call to arrive. When Arsene Wenger says nice stuff about you - it is time to worry. This is the man who called Didier Drogba useless when he ran riot at The Emirates. You sense a pattern.
No comments:
Post a Comment