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The
Premier League is almost at the halfway stage, making this the ideal
time for filing the first batch of half term reports. Let’s
start with the swots, the teacher’s pets, the kids who are
always at the top of the class.
CHELSEA
Very much as expected, Jose Mourinho continues to excel in all lessons,
although some surprise slackness in modern European languages could
have longer term implications as the year goes on, requiring Chelsea
to sit a stiffer examination at the quarter-final stage than might
otherwise have been
the case.
Failure to overcome Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League
will mean that even if they come top of the class domestically,
the season will be judged a failure.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Oddly, the same is not true for the Duke of Salford. Two seasons
without getting his hands on the Premiership trophy means that if
it goes back to Old Trafford in May, even the early demise from
the Champions League will be forgotten, the more so since United
are now facing the sternest competition they’ve ever faced
in the shape of Chelsea.
United are still capable of playing the most breathtaking football
in the land even if they don’t always muster the efficient
ruthlessness of the Londoners, nor even Liverpool,and
for that reason, more people are willing to root for a United triumph
than you might otherwise imagine.
LIVERPOOL
Wayne Rooney isn’t old enough to really recall the last time
Liverpool won the Premiership, but for the first time in his living
memory, the Reds do have a chance of showing him what it was like.
Rafa Benitez is constructing Liverpool according to the Mourinho
blueprint, making them hard to break down, building upon granite
defence and then relying upon some midfield inspiration – for
Lampard read Gerrard – to turn draws into wins.
Their best mid-term report in years, Liverpool stick look a better
bet for retaining the Champions League than for winning the Premiership,
but even if they don’t win in Europe, qualification for next
year’s competition via a league placing is a certainty.
ARSENAL
The same cannot be said for Arsene Wenger’s side who are struggling
to come to terms with a post Patrick world. So far, United have
adapted to life without Keane better than Arsenal have to a Vieiraless
landscape, and Arsenal’s away form is frankly embarrassing.
With a new stadium to fill next season, failure to get into the
Champions League would be unacceptable, but unless they can do it
the Liverpool way, they could well miss out.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Even worse, they might fail to get there because Tottenham get there
first. Martin Jol’s side has played some magnificent attacking
football this year, the side secured by Robinson in goal, fuelled
by the power of Davids and Carrick in the middle while in Keane
and Defoe, they’ve a lethal couple of goalscorers who will
get somewhere near 40 between them by season’s end. Jol has
invested heavily in youth and the appetite and energy of the likes
of Jenas and Dawson means that Spurs are going to be a force to
be reckoned with for many years.
WIGAN ATHLETIC
You wouldn’t have found many people saying that about Wigan
back in August when they were certainties for the drop. 31 points
on Boxing Day means they’re three wins away from safety already,
and their resilience means that that really is a certainty. After
their surge up the table early on, they lost five in a row as they
took on Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and the like in short
order. But by responding immediately via the “easier”
fixtures against Charlton and Manchester City, they have ensured
their status as the year’s rising star.
WEST HAM UNITED
In most Premiership seasons, that tag would apply to West Ham but
the fact that Wigan are grabbing the limelight has worked in favour
of Alan Pardew’s team who have been allowed to quietly accumulate
points in the shadows.
Their success is every bit as surprising as Wigan’s because
on paper, their defence looks as suspect as it gets – Repka?
Dailly? – but Pardew’s belief in attacking football, allied
to his shrewd use of Teddy Sheringham in the key games has the Hammers
all but safe as well.
BOLTON WANDERERS
Still the most underestimated side in the top flight, Bolton, like
Spurs, are on the verge of an amazing Champions League placing.
Physically strong, technically and tactically on the cutting edge
of football thinking in terms of player fitness and utilisation,
Bolton are the Karl Rove of the Premiership – ugly, unpleasant
opponents who get the job done.
But just as things might be taking a turn for the worse for Rove,
so the impending African Nations Cup might see things unravel for
Wanderers too - UEFA Cup qualification remains a possibility, but
the top four will be beyond them. Another solid half term of progress.
MANCHESTER CITY
The oddest team in the division, a side with tremendous potential,
but severe behavioural difficulties which are leading to terrible
underachievement. One week they look as lethal as any in the division,
the next their discipline is in the toilet, they’re letting
goals in by the bucketload and they’re having a competition
amongst themselves to see who can get sent off and a detention from
headmaster Pearce. Peculiar lot, they need a word with the school
psychiatrist.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Oddly, they could take the title of the most improved side in the
division, at least since the end of August when they looked like
being demoted to a lower class. Star pupil Michael Owen has made
all the difference, proving that if you can select your intake,
you came guarantee better results. Others might look to woo Owen
in the summer, but becoming head boy after the departure of Alan
Shearer might be enough to keep him.
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