Premier League Ponderings: The season so far
At the time of writing, all 20 clubs
in the Premier League had played
10 rounds, and for the second year
running, the table is looking a little
strange at this point. It’s another
season so far of unexpected results,
clubs punching above their weight
and other ones failing to meet and of
the expectations that were laid out
before them, and, in my opinion, the
league is all the more exciting for it.
As for the clubs that have been performing up to expectations so far, you can look toward both ends of the table, as preseason favourite Chelsea is currently unbeaten and six points ahead of who many thought would be its closest competitor, Manchester City, which is occupying third place.
The other clubs that are surprising nobody this year come in the form of the three newcomers to the Premier League; Leicester City, Queens Park Rangers and Burnley, all of which are occupying the relegation places, although long-time viewers of the league may see that as a surprise in its own right as usually one of the new boys come out firing and break into the mid table realms as opposed to all propping up the table.
Sandwiched between the two financial powerhouses and preseason favourites are perhaps the most surprise package of the season thus far. Southampton F.C. suffered an off-season dismantling, as its manager and several key players were scooped up by some of the league’s bigger clubs, yet the club sits in second place, just four points behind Chelsea and consistently getting results regardless of the opposition brought toward them so far.
Expected to tumble down the table after such key losses, the club is looking stronger than it has in years, though many will consider it a miracle if the team is still challenging come May.
Another club punching far above its usual weight is West Ham United, known for ugly football and surviving by the skin of its teeth every year, the club finds itself in the unfamiliar position of fifth place, having beaten the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool to get there.
The underachievers this year have some fairly elite clubs in their company, as Liverpool and Manchester United are both having woefully inconsistent seasons – despite money spent and individual brilliance throughout each club – the team finds itself dropping points in the most unlikely of places and finds itself thoroughly stuck in the midtable crowd, and neither looks like it is going to click anytime soon.
Liverpool can point to the loss of Luis Suarez, injury to Daniel Sturridge, and the need to bed in new signings, but last year’s runners-up look a shell of the club it was.
Manchester United is in a far different predicament, desperately spending money to overturn the embarrassment of last year, the new manager and new signing have failed to come to grips with the league, and even the prolific Radamel Falcao is struggling to find the net.
While the table is going to look drastically different in six months’ time, nearly a third of the season has expired and the foundations of the final standings have begun to take shape. Drastic shifts in form and results can always afflict any club, misfiring strikers may click and the new year will bring a whole new transfer season.
Bring on the final 28 games.
As for the clubs that have been performing up to expectations so far, you can look toward both ends of the table, as preseason favourite Chelsea is currently unbeaten and six points ahead of who many thought would be its closest competitor, Manchester City, which is occupying third place.
The other clubs that are surprising nobody this year come in the form of the three newcomers to the Premier League; Leicester City, Queens Park Rangers and Burnley, all of which are occupying the relegation places, although long-time viewers of the league may see that as a surprise in its own right as usually one of the new boys come out firing and break into the mid table realms as opposed to all propping up the table.
Sandwiched between the two financial powerhouses and preseason favourites are perhaps the most surprise package of the season thus far. Southampton F.C. suffered an off-season dismantling, as its manager and several key players were scooped up by some of the league’s bigger clubs, yet the club sits in second place, just four points behind Chelsea and consistently getting results regardless of the opposition brought toward them so far.
Expected to tumble down the table after such key losses, the club is looking stronger than it has in years, though many will consider it a miracle if the team is still challenging come May.
Another club punching far above its usual weight is West Ham United, known for ugly football and surviving by the skin of its teeth every year, the club finds itself in the unfamiliar position of fifth place, having beaten the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool to get there.
The underachievers this year have some fairly elite clubs in their company, as Liverpool and Manchester United are both having woefully inconsistent seasons – despite money spent and individual brilliance throughout each club – the team finds itself dropping points in the most unlikely of places and finds itself thoroughly stuck in the midtable crowd, and neither looks like it is going to click anytime soon.
Liverpool can point to the loss of Luis Suarez, injury to Daniel Sturridge, and the need to bed in new signings, but last year’s runners-up look a shell of the club it was.
Manchester United is in a far different predicament, desperately spending money to overturn the embarrassment of last year, the new manager and new signing have failed to come to grips with the league, and even the prolific Radamel Falcao is struggling to find the net.
While the table is going to look drastically different in six months’ time, nearly a third of the season has expired and the foundations of the final standings have begun to take shape. Drastic shifts in form and results can always afflict any club, misfiring strikers may click and the new year will bring a whole new transfer season.
Bring on the final 28 games.
