The one-fifth review continues, this time with the top half of the table. Remember these are just the opinions of the author(but the author knows a ton about football(soccer), so don't question him).10. Blackburn- Paul Ince had a fairytale start with a win over Everton, but reality often gets in the way of fairytales. Victories over Newcastle and Fulham see them in tenth, but Rovers are also tied for the worst goal differential in the league. Their back line is more impressive in the other team's half, and Paul Robinson is a lot less convincing in goal that Brad Friedel. Long term injuries to Steven Reid and David Dunn will put strain on an already weak midfield, and an injury to Roque Santa Cruz has not stopped transfer rumors. Their fortunes depend on the front line, and while Jason Roberts and Matt Derbyshire have impressed so far, if Santa Cruz leaves then Paul Ince will probably find himself managing outside the Premiership again.
9. West Bromwich Albion- With a manager who looks like he should be in British gangster films, and an attacking style that doesn't befit a team that many thought would be relegated, WBA are a handful. They have a number of players who have played at the highest levels, including some who were part of their miraculous 2005 survival. Mowbray has built a team for the future, buying youngsters like Donk, Zuiverloorn, Morrison and Scott Carson. This has created a strong defense and WBA have not lost, or won, a game by more than one goal so far. The one downside has been their failure to secure a sponsorship deal, and it will be interesting to see what impact this has in the January transfer window. A top ten finish might be too much to hope for, but this team has class enough that they should stay above the relegation battle and be in the Prem for years to come.8. Manchester United- It's surprising to see the two-time defending champions this far down the table, but they do have a game in hand and have already played Chelsea and Liverpool. The club was unsettled by the summer transfer saga of Ronaldo, and it's clear that the best player in the world last season is still recovering from ankle surgery. Berbatov's last minute transfer has also affected team chemistry, and the international breaks have not afforded the Bulgarian the time to gel with his teammates. Their defense is still strong, with three clean sheets so far, and as soon as their offense gets going they should rocket up the table. However, I don't think they'll finish this season at the top.
7. Portsmouth- Harry Redknapp's side was unlucky to start the season against Chelsea and Man U, and the defense that propelled them last year now looks to be their Achilles heel. Redknapp called the 6-0 loss to Man City the worst of his career. Sol Campbell and David James are finally looking their age, and Lassana Diarra's second season at Pompey has not been as successful as his first. Muntari's desire for a transfer to Inter, and Kranjcar's injury have also cost the team. The good news has been front two, with Crouch and Defoe averaging more than a goal a game between them. There are questions about the club's ownership, and rumors that they are having trouble with their finances. Redknapp likes to spend money, so it will be interesting to see what happens in January. He should be able to tighten them up at the back, and hopefully get them back into the UEFA Cup, but I don't think there will be any silverware this year.
6. West Ham- They may be happy with their place in the table, but everything else is going wrong at West Ham. The collapse of Iceland's financial system is bad news for their Icelandic owner. They are trying to appeal a £30 million lawsuit from Sheffield United. They also sold off some of their best players, had their coach quit and have a number of injuries. The one positive has been their new manager Gianfranco Zola, who brought Steve Clarke from Chelsea and created a much more positive side. He realized that they will need to bang in the goals if they want to win. Ashton's injury will hurt the team, and they will need a number of players to get fit if they want to avoid another relegation battle. A lot will depend on the club's finances, but unless they have to sell their entire team they should be able to stay up.
5. Aston Villa- Martin O'Neill's side has been the one that looks closest to challenging the Big Four this season. Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young are knocking on Fabio Capello's door, and John Carew has done a great job of putting their crosses in the back of the net. The Gareth Barry transfer saga is over for now, though Barry has not looked the same player in midfield. The loss of Mellberg and Bouma's injury have hurt their back line, but Friedel's signing has filled the hole Carson left when his loan ended. O'Neill has built a strong side with depth, and both Milner and Sidwell will be hard pressed to get a start. O'Neill will be hoping to bring some silverware to Villa Park, and he has a strong shot in both the UEFA and FA Cups. If any of the Big Four slip up, Villa will be the club to slip in, but fifth place is where they should end the season.4. Arsenal- While everyone else was splashing out big money this summer, Arsene Wenger was more reluctant to open his wallet. There is no doubt that Arsenal have plenty of talent, but even Fabregas has spoken of their lack of experience. Flamini and Hleb have been replaced with Denilson and Nasri, but are still a few years from filling their shoes. Walcott has shown flashes of brilliance, but whether he can maintain that level of play for ninety minutes has yet to be proven. They have also been unlucky with injuries, with Bischoff, Eduardo, Rosicky and Diaby yet to play a minute this season. This means Van Persie and Adebayor have not been getting the same level of service, and they've been lacking goals. They have a lot of potential, but their youth shows in their inconsistency, and losses to Fulham and Hull show why the title will again be out of their reach.
3. Hull- If Blackburn had a fairytale start, than Hull have been Cinderella. Phil Brown's side has been incredibly impressive on the road, with players like Geovanni relishing the opportunity to play against big clubs and in front of big crowds. If 40 points is considered the safe number for staying up, they are already a third of the way there. They need all the points they can get now, because as the season drags on teams will be better prepared and the injuries will start to mount. Unlike Mowbray, Brown has signed some well known veterans with plenty of Premiership experience, but it is questionable if their legs will carry them through May. They should succeed in staying up this year, but I don't think their stay in the Prem will be for long.
2. Liverpool- Liverpool is in second because of goal differential, which is a change from the battle for fourth place they've been in the last few years. Rafa seems more focused on the Prem this year, which may not be surprising when you consider that Man U only trails Liverpool by one in total titles won. While there is still tension between the American owners, between the owners and the coach, and between the owners and the fans, things are going much more smoothly on the pitch(field). Liverpool have mounted a number of comebacks, and their last minute goals have turned losses into wins. There are some concerns, like the slow progress of the Keane and Torres partnership, and Skrtel's injury. However, they seem to have brought the same fighting spirit that was so successful in Cup competitions, into the Premiership. They may not add on to their lead over Man U, but don't be surprised if they finish ahead of them for the first time in years.
1. Chelsea- After last year's disappointing second-place Double, Roman Abramovich turned to the Mario Brothers(pictured joyously on the right) to change things around. With the addition of Bosingwa and Deco, Scolari has imprinted his style of wide play, with wingers and wing backs flying up the field. The beautiful football(soccer) that Roman Abramovich requested is now being played in Stamford Bridge, and victories have been included. The depth of the team is now being tested, with Essien likely out for the season, and Ballack, Drogba, both Coles, Ballack and even Petr Cech missing a few games. Scolari knows that there is no room to slip up in the Premiership, and now is when all the players collecting fat pay checks on the bench will have to earn their money. The sale of Sean Wright-Phillips shows you the depth of their midfield, and Abramovich's wallet might open in January to address any problems. The folks of West London should be in for a treat, and expect this team to be raising the trophy at the end of the year.
