Hello there everyone and welcome to my review of the first quarter of EPL. In my last post I touched upon the 3 way battle between Man City, Man United and Juventus for the mercurial striker Robin Van Persie. In the end it was United who won the race to sign the supremely talented Dutchman. This was an extremely poignant moment in the title race even at this early stage. Man United put down a marker here that they are still able to challenge Man City not just on the field but off it too. It came as quite a surprise that he signed for the Reds as Arsenal players have an excellent record in recent years in joining the current Premier League Champions, Adebayor, Toure, Clichy and Nasri to name but a few. So far he has been sensational for United scoring 11 goals in his first 14 appearences, including a hat-trick away to Southampton, a winning goal at Anfield and it took him just 2 minutes to score against his former club, Arsenal. While this is fantastic viewing for the Man United contingent, it must be painful for Arsenal fans to watch him be so effective especially as their current plight is looking rather bleak. The return of Jack Wilshire could be the catalyst for their recovery to title challengers rather than Champions League also-rans.
Premier League Table as it stands 05/11/12
1. Manchester United
A very patchy start from the current runners-up. Hugely hampered by the horrific list of injured defenders, Vidic, Smalling and Jones. However, their strikers have made up for the defensive shortcomings in spades. Thus far United have conceded first in 6 out of the first 11 premier league games plus 3 out of 4 champions league games yet they are top of both respective leagues. Firepower!
2. Chelsea
After another Summer of what Michel Platini calls 'financial doping', Chelsea look irrepressible at times this season with the holy trinity of Mata, Hazard and Oscar all in sensational form. With Juan Mata being particularly outstanding with 4 goals and 6 assists in just 9 appearances. The loss of Didier Drogba cannot be overlooked and Fernando Torres has in all honestly struggled to lead the line with the same gusto as the Ivorian. Not through lack of trying mind. Roberto Di Matteo must be congratulated on a thoroughly excellent job since he took over a sinking ship from AVB.
3. Man City
Manchester City seemed to have exercised some prudence when it comes to forays into the transfer market this Summer. With Roberto Mancini particularly aggrieved with the lack of activity. I think someone needs to explain some rudimentary maths to the enigmatic Italian. You cannot spend 107% of your income on players' wages alone and expect to comply with FFP (Financial Fair Play). By and large City have been fairly unimpressive so far, like United falling behind on numerous occasions but relying on the super-sub prowess of Edin Dzeko. 6 goals from 9 appearances so far, 6 as a substitute. This is the kind of player you need if you are going to win titles. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Teddy Sheringham, Javier Hernandez.....
4. Everton
Everton have done fantastically well this season and no prizes for guessing their stand out performer, Marouane Fellaini. The Belgian is a huge handful, as Manchester United found out to their cost on the opening day of the season. Surely a big money move in January is on the cards, no disrespect to Everton but they can only match the striker's ambitions for so long. Obviously it has not been all about 1 man, their success has been built on a bedrock of solid defending with the England contingent of Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka in sparkling form.
5. West Brom
This season's surprise package. Fantastic job by Steve Clarke considering this is first attempt at being the No.1 rather than a No.2. A switch more commonly associated with failure rather than success. Just ask Brian Kidd or Steve McClaren. Much of their success can be attributed to their home form, winning 5 out of 6, including an extremely impressive 3 - 0 victory over Liverpool.
6. Tottenham
Interesting choice of manager in selecting Andre Villas-Boas to take over from Harry Redknapp. Something that still baffles the majority of observers. Again, they have been largely inconsistent. A fantastic win at Old Trafford one week followed by a toothless defeat at home to Wigan a few weeks later. Gareth Bale is without doubt world class and he is in a different league compared to the rest of his team. Similar to Marouane Fellaini, how long can they hold onto their talisman?
7. Arsenal
A sorry story for the Gunners, another Summer, another prolonged transfer saga involving their best player and captain. With the conclusion, Arsenal's benefactors coming out considerably richer. While United fans must have been delighted to sign arguably the best player in the Premier League, Arsenal fans must be tearing their hair out. In the last 7 years, the players Arsenal have sold have won a whopping 44 titles at other clubs between them. More trouble ahead I suspect with Theo Walcott stalling on a new contract, with him being eligible to talk to other clubs in January. Their form has been patchy at best with only 4 wins this season. They will struggle to fight off Tottenham and Everton for that 4th Champions' League place with United, City and Chelsea all looking far superior.
8. Fulham
Martin Jol showing he's still got it when it comes to managing in the Premier League. Similar to West Brom, their success has been built on good home form. However, to move onto the next step, their away form needs to be remedied. With only 1 win in 6, which is just not good enough.
9. West Ham
Decent start from the Championship play-off winners. Sam Allardyce knows how to be effective in the Premier League.
10. Newcastle
They were always going to struggle to replicate the success of last season. Expectation bears down on a club and it's only the best that can live up to it. They are clearly struggling to combine playing in both the Europa and Premier Leagues.
11. Swansea
Stunning start under Michael Laudrup but have fallen away in recent weeks. If they finish in this position they will have over-achieved.
12. Liverpool
Where to begin with Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers, an odd choice but bearing in mind the other candidate was Roberto Martinez, it was probably the correct appointment. His teams play football in the right way, pass, pass, pass. They often dominate teams but end up losing or in most cases drawing. 6 out of 11 so far. Their emphasis seems to be way too much on midfield with Liverpool only having one recognised 'out and out' striker in Luis Suarez. Without Suarez, Liverpool would only have 2 points and be bottom of the table. A problem that is not new to the Red half of Merseyside, Fernando Torres, Michael Owen for example. I expect them to be challenging for the Europa League places come the end of the season or Brendan will struggle to hold onto his job. The Americans have proven already that if you're not producing the results they want, you will be swiftly dispensed with, even if you are an Anfield legend. Just ask Kenny.
13. Wigan
Another Summer of transition for Wigan, losing their best players, Rodallega and Moses. Roberto Martinez has again done extremely well to keep his team off the bottom and would be very happy to finish 13th come the end of the season.
14. Norwich
The loss of Paul Lambert was always going to be a factor in Norwich's success, Chris Hughton is a very able successor but the Premier League is a very unforgiving place. I don't expect Norwich to be in this position come the end of the season. 14th or above and they will have over-achieved.
15. Stoke
Odd to see Stoke this far down, they have established themselves as a mid-table Premier League side with their own brand of 'Blood and Thunder' tactics. Their away form is a problem though, having failed to win unless they are on home soil. However, they have played Liverpool, Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal already this season so I expect them to adopt their customary 10th come the final whistle in May.
16. Sunderland
Under Martin O'Neill I do not expect them to be relegated. A solid mid-table finish.
17. Aston Villa
The team is somewhat unrecognisable to the one the McRelegator left to Paul Lambert. The results have been the same though and the performances nothing to write home about. Even Villa fans have lost interest. Too good to go down but a very dull season of self preservation in the offing.
18. Reading
A Championship side with a Championship manager, will do well to stay in the division.
19. QPR
Hugely underachieving. A vast array of established Premier League talent but yet to win a single match. That comes down to the manager, Hughes could be the first managerial casualty of the season.
20. Southampton
This season's Blackpool, great going forward, woeful at the back. They need a miracle to survive and I haven't seen anything from Nigel Adkins that indicates he can turn it around. Only a matter of time before Nicola Cortese lets the axe fall on the amiable Adkins.
