sorry about my missing presence over the last couple of weeks from this particular thread, but it is holidays now so i have more time to spend here. Because i am bored i am doing a bit of a first half review.. should be done in about an hour so be watching then
---------- Post added 12-12-2010 at 06:35 PM ----------
We're Half Way through Gameweek 17 and the season is starting to shape up.. so i'm going to do a bit of a review by teams and some other stats so far this season.
The Ladder:
Played Points
Arsenal 16 32
Man City 17 32
Man Utd 15 31
Chelsea 16 30
Tottenham 16 26
Sunderland 17 24
Bolton 16 23
Newcastle 17 22
Liverpool 17 22
Blackpool 16 22
WBA 17 22
Stoke City 17 21
Blackburn 16 21
Aston Villa 17 20
Everton 17 18
Birmingham 16 18
Fulham 17 16
Wigan 17 16
Wolves 16 12
West Ham 17 12
*Note that the best team in the Premier League Man United and Blackpool have had one scheduled game cancelled because of a frozen pitch*
Team by Team Review-
Arsenal FC
Fairly Steady start to the Premier League season for the gunners but face a tough away game against Man United this week. Injuries have been a problem to them with Robin Van Persie missing a few months and skipper Fabregas also struggling with his troublesome hamstring. Surprisingly keeper issues haven't been Arsenal's major problems as reserve keeper Fabianski has been doing a fairly good job. If they keep going i think they will easily finish Top 3 but will have to defeat Chelsea, Tottenham and the Man City outfit second time around to cement themselves a secure spot in the top 3. This is the season where Arsenal can win themselves some silverware.
Leading Scorer: S Nasri (8)
Current Position: 1st
Aston Villa
Pretty average start to be honest. Need some improvement soon.
Leading Scorer: S Downing (5)
Current Position: 14th
Birmingham
16th spot surprised me to be honest. I think they have been better than this and their players are starting to show good signs. I think their top players this season have been Craig Gardner who has had his name on the scoresheet reguarly and ex-united shot-stopper Ben Foster who made a run of cleansheets through the middle, even against some of the Big 4. Promising signs but it is too little too late to do well and finish top 10 this season.
Leading Scorer: C Gardner (4)
Current Position: 16th
Blackburn
Disappointing start for them you have to say, last season they looked good but have seemed to drop off.. Not exciting to watch like they once were. For me confidence has dropped considerably since their 7-1 annihilation to the hands of United. If they continue this form they could find their selves in trouble but if they lift a top 10 finish is still possible
Leading Scorer: MG Pedersen (4)
Current Position: 13th
Blackpool
Promoted side Blackpool have got themselves off to a good start, currently in 10th position. New recruits such as Marion Harewood have helped them win matches. Not a Top 5 side obviously but will stay in the league.
Leading Scorer: M Harewood (5)
Current Position: 10th
Bolton
Good start from Bolton. Currently in 7th, liking the look of them so far and they are looking like a better outfit compared to the Bolton last year. Two players in the Top 20 Goalscorers so far so if they keep going on the scoresheet they should finish strongly in the Top 10 of the Premierleague
Leading Scorer: J Elmander (8)
Current Position: 7th
Chelsea
Lightning start to Chelsea this season with some huge wins but of late have started to drop off and lost games that they should of won easily. Two draws and Two losses in the last month haven't helped the cause to Chelsea's 2010/11 campaign. Another team that struggled with injuries to their star players, with Drogba, Anelka, Terry and Lampard having time off and missing games with their respective injuries. IF Chelsea can turn around their recent horror with a won against the improving Spurs their season may just bounce back on track and they could be a force to be reconde with. With 3 players in the Top 20 Scorers shows that they are capable of scoring goals, if they get back to where they were at, at the start of the season.
Leading Scorer: D Drogba & F Malouda (7)
Current Position: 4th
Everton
Real Horror start to the season for the Toffees. Recently have started the recovery but the Everton sides of past are placing around the Top 5 but Everton of current are placing terribly in 15th and need to improve quickly. Would of been wanting a Europa League spot this season as well but thats not going to happen now. The only positives so far have been Australian Tim Cahill and his 4th placing on the Top 20 scorers.
Leading Scorer: T Cahill (8)
Current Position: 15th
Fulham
Shocking start from Fulham. 17th place is not Fulham. Europa League finalists and Runners-Up last year. Now in 17th Place and in huge trouble. the Relegation Zone looms but i have a funny feeling they will pull themselves out of this massive hole and finish just out of it. Until Next Season.
Leading Scorer:
Current Position: 17th
Liverpool
Their in 9th Place but are riding a bumpy road. At the start of the season they were in the relegation zone, now, staged a bit of a recovery to find themselves in the Top 10. Their stars really haven't done much i believe. Torres, when he's not injured, hasn't been overly impressive so far, scoring 5 goals i believe but a part from that has really made no impact. And Stevie G? I have barely heard his name this season. Pepe Reina NEEDS to be replaced. His error-rate has been way too high. Start digging now Liverpool.
Leading Scorer: F Torres (5)
Current Position: 9th but just holding on.
Manchester City
Promising start but Roberto Mancini and the City faithful won't be looking forward to January, with their star player Carlos Tevez handing in a transfer request to the club, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona reportedly interested. Apart from that they have been good, Joe Hart has silenced his critics and has got his Number 1 spot in the Starting XI as a keeper. Shay Given is gone in January- Arsenal's Saviour?. I hate you City but you are great to watch so keep it up. I'm thinking a Top 4 finish for sure. Europa League- maybe even CHampions League spot up for grabs next year.
Leading Scorer: C Tevez (10)
Current Position: 2nd
Manchester United
Another solid start from the Red Devils, without the help of Wayne Rooney as well.. Some good wins but from a supporters perspective this is what i have to say:
Man United are fast starters in matches but are slow finishes, majority of games are lost or drawn by United in the final 10 minutes, we have to be able to last out on that pitch for the entire 90 minutes to do well and win this year. Cheap losses and draws could cost the season for us. Berbatov has been solid in place of Wayne Rooney this season and some promising signs from youngsters such as Hernandez and Nani have impressed as well. Injuries have played a part in the season as well. No Losses yet for the United outfit, but draws can be costly and they have to watch out because in the long-run they can do damage to our points. Some tough games coming up...
Leading Scorer: D Berbatov (11)
Current Position: 3rd (with 2 games in hand)
Newcastle
Another solid start by a promoted team, currently in 8th and playing well. Andrew Carroll has been the highlight for the magpies so far this season, with a solid 10 goals to his name. A strong start needs a good finish so im hoping that they can finish strong and knock Liverpool down the table.
Leading Scorer: A Carroll (10)
Current Position: 8th
Stoke City
Reasonable start for Stoke this season. Not much to say but if they keep it up a Top 10 finish is there for them.
Leading Scorer: K Jones (4)
Current Position: 12th
Sunderland
Great start from Sunderland this season. Some young loan-in players including Danny Welbeck have been great additions to the squad and have made their mark on the scoresheet as well. In a solid 6th place, they need to keep up their start and finish off strong to make a Top 6 finish which would be a huge finish for the club.
Leading Scorer: D Bent (7)
Current Position: 6th
Tottenham
In my opinion the most exciting team to watch in the comp. A few years ago you could never predict that such a young team could do what they are currently doing. To defeat a team like Inter Milan, you need to be good, you need to be experienced and you need to be smart, the Spurs are all of these combined. Summer addition Rafael Van der Vaart has been the Top Scorer for the Spurs, closely followed by Welshman Gareth Bale, who has been hailed as one of the best young players of 2010. This boy has a future and it will, with not much doubt, be like Barcelona Ace Lionel Messi's start. Spurs should finish Top 4 this season, if not it will be a huge disappointment for them.
Leading Scorer: R Van der Vaart (6)
Current Position: 5th
West Brom
Decent start for West Brom, they will be hoping that they can keep this up for the rest of the season.
Leading Scorer: P Odemwingie (6)
Current Position: 11th
West Ham
Very disappointing for West Ham who were expecting a Top 10 finish this season. This is not their season. Next year in the championship i would say.
Leading Scorer: S Parker (4)
Current Position: 20th
Wigan
Disapointing compared to last season. Relegation Zone..
Leading Scorer: H Rodallega (4)
Current Position: 18th
Wolves
Another team that has disappointed, but was expected. Will face relegation this season.
Leading Scorer: S Ebanks-Blake (4)
Current Position: 19th
