The positions in brackets indicate the positions I predicted
before the start of the season in “Premier
League 2012/3: Predicitions”.
1st Manchester
City (2nd)
First time out, I genuinely agonised over whether to go for
United or City to win the title. In their first three games, City have
convinced me they should have been top. They haven’t actually played very well,
but they have found a way to win games, or draw in the case of Liverpool. They
maybe didn’t strengthen as much as hoped on deadline day, but the squad is
still strong and deep and you would back them to add in January.
2nd Chelsea (3rd)
Atletico Madrid showed that this Chelsea team still has a
way to go, beating them 4-1 in the UEFA Super Cup. But Chelsea have looked
strong in the Premier League. Eden Hazard has been a sensation. Whether this
will last is uncertain, but Chelsea still have quality elsewhere in midfield.
Juan Mata has been stifled by Hazard so far, but one suspects he might come
good if Hazard has a dip in form. Importantly, Torres has been scoring goals
and looking more like his former self.
3rd Manchester
United (1st)
United fans couldn’t have hoped for much better from Robin
van Persie in his first few games for the club. But the performance of the rest
of team has left doubt as to whether they can win the title this year. The
defence has looked shaky, with full backs who can go forward but can’t defend,
and Rio Ferdinand looking in decline. Meanwhile the midfield was lightweight against
Southampton, until Paul Scholes was brought on to provide quality. Reliance on
older players like Scholes isn’t a formula for season-long success.
4th Arsenal
(4th)
A year can make a huge difference, and for Arsenal it
certainly has. Without van Persie, goals have been harder to come by, but the
defence has so far been impenetrable. It seems long ago when Manchester United
put eight past them. Santi Cazorla has been particularly impressive so far,
settling straight into the Premier League. I thought before the season Arsenal
would be a clear fourth, not challenging for third or being challenged by
fifth. The start of the season makes me think this even more.
5th Swansea
City (18th)
I’ve decided to be bold here. Coming into the season, little
was known of what to expect of Swansea. But the arrival of the classy Michael
Laudrup has reinvigorated the team, while the addition of unheralded players
like Michu mean that this Swansea team looks stronger this season, despite the
loss of manager Brendan Rodgers and two star players, Scott Sinclair and Joe
Allen. Couple that with teams just outside the top four looking more likely to
fall away, and Swansea could be a force.
6th Everton (8th)
After an impressive win over Manchester United, Everton will
have been disappointed to taste defeat against West Brom. They have a tendency
to challenge the big sides but drop points to teams lower down in the table. A
strong squad, with key players from last year held on to and a few key additions,
means this could be one of Everton’s best years in the Premier League. Credit
to David Moyes who has patiently assembled a very strong team who will be tough
to beat.
7th Newcastle United (7th)
The Magpies will have been delighted not to lose any key
players in the transfer window, but they also failed to add significantly. They
will still be strong, with Hatem ben Arfa in incredible form to start the year.
But the lack of goals (and general struggles) from previously potent frontmen
Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse will be a concern. The Europa League could act as a
distraction, though the draw has ensured no long trips in the early stages.
8th Tottenham
Hotspur (5th)
Andre Villas-Boas has still yet to convince as a Premier
League manager. Spurs were poor against Newcastle, before throwing away two 1-0
home leads to sit winless. The loss of Luka Modric was expected, but to let
other players like Rafael van der Vaart leave is a big risk. The addition of
Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele is more encouraging, but Villas-Boas is a
manager who seems keen on establishing his own authority, with mixed results.
In sum, Spurs look unlikely to progress form last season.
9th Sunderland
(11th)
Sunderland made the important addition of a goal-scorer in
Steven Fletcher, who got off to the best possible start with two goals against
Swansea. Coupled with Adam Johnson’s signing, and the new contract for livewire
Stephane Sessegnon, and Sunderland are another team who will have been pleased
with their summer dealings. Though still maybe a little short up-front of what
would be ideal, a strong defence should see Sunderland improve on last year.
10th Liverpool (6th)
I expected this year to be transitional for Liverpool, but
even so this squad looks like European qualification would be a great achievement.
I’ve written of late about the need to avoid changing things too radically. At
the moment, Liverpool seem to be struggling to adapt to Brendan Rodgers’ style
of play. Without doubt the quality of some of Liverpool’s squad will see them
still challenge for European spots, but overall I can’t see them getting there.
11th West
Bromwich Albion (16th)
West Brom stand unbeaten after three games and, although
that doesn’t mean a massive amount in the long-term, they have shown the
ability to steer clear of relegation troubles this year. Steve Clarke, a
popular coach, has proved any doubters wrong in masterminding early wins
against both Liverpool and Everton. It is encouraging that they have beaten two
of the stronger teams in the league, and have yet to play any of the teams
expected to be at the bottom.
12th Fulham
(12th)
Fulham’s brilliant start has been somewhat overshadowed by
the loss of two star players, Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey, to Tottenham.
This will harm the team, but as I’ve said previously I’m impressed by the level
of quality players in the squad, in all positions. They are unlikely to be able
to recreate the performances in their first two games every week, but they will
come round often enough to ensure that Fulham are well clear of relegation
trouble.
13th QPR
(10th)
QPR undoubtedly have one of the deepest squads in the
league, and one sprinkled with star quality. These should keep the team out of
relegation trouble. True their start has left much to be desired, and at the
moment they look less like a team and more like a set of individuals. But the
ability to call on innumerable talented individuals and undoubted match-winners
should give them enough. They are also certain to avoid injury crises, die to
their large squad.
14th West Ham United (14th)
Sam Allardyce and Andy Carroll are a match made in heaven.
West Ham are a team that know exactly what they are, and they work to that
formula. Carroll fits into this perfectly. Two wins in three is a strong start,
though there will be difficult hurdles ahead. But looking at the side as it
stands, I can’t see West Ham being in trouble with relegation come May. They will
score goals and will be a tough team to beat.
15th Wigan Athletic (15th)
Wigan are usually slow starters, but they have gotten out of
the blocks well this time around. The key games for Wigan are those against
teams likely to be around them come the end of the season, so a win against
Southampton was much welcomed. The performance against Chelsea in game 1, excluding
the first seven minutes in which they went 2-0 down, was promising. Wigan are a
team that can play nice football and I still shy away from ever predicting them
to be relegated.
16th Reading
(17th)
No doubt Reading will be heartened by their early season
performances. They could have taken all three points at Chelsea, before the
hosts went up a gear at the end of the game. Meanwhile they worked hard to
salvage a point at Stoke. But the Royals were fairly quiet late in the transfer
window, and remain with one of the weaker squads in the league. Other teams
have shown more which is likely to concern, but Reading will still be in a
fight at the bottom.
17th Norwich City (9th)
The Canaries got off to a terrible start with defeat to
Fulham, but a late point at Spurs will encourage them. They have struggled to
strengthen over the summer, and key players from last year (particularly Grant
Holt) have yet to deliver this season. I have previously praised Norwich’s
creative midfield, and it still appears the most likely thing to keep Norwich
out of the relegation places. Teams that score goals usually do ok in the
Premier League, and Norwich have the potential to do so.
18th Aston
Villa (13th)
Villa are a team in crisis. A point against an underwhelming
Newcastle team on Sunday merely papers over the cracks. But for a couple of
star players, Villa have a weak squad and while their rivals went about adding
quality on Transfer Deadline Day, Villa were rebuffed in their attempt to
attract Clint Dempsey and were made to settle for signing lower league players.
This is the formula for trouble. Villa’s long stay in the Premier League might
be coming to an end.
19th Southampton (19th)
Rickie Lambert has got off to a goal scoring start, which is
crucial if Southampton are to stay up. But also crucial is the ability to hold
on to leads. Southampton have relinquished 2-1 leads in the second half to both
Manchester clubs, losing 3-2 both times. These are soul-destroying defeats.
Though they wouldn’t have expected any points in those games, they would have
hoped for better at Wigan, where they lost 2-0. No team has ever stayed up
after losing its first three matches.
20th Stoke City (20th)
No change here, as Stoke have yet to convince me that they
are likely to stay up. In actual fact, two away points and another one at home
to Arsenal, leaving Stoke undefeated (albeit with three consecutive draws) has
been a strong start for the Potters. But the addition of Michael Owen smacks of
desperation. I feel in general they haven’t strengthened enough. Charlie Adam’s
signing tells me Stoke are having an identity crisis. Without their
characteristic iron-clad game plan, Stoke may struggle.
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