Three games gone and already it’s getting exciting. Most sides have only played 270 minutes of football (I appreciate that Liverpool didn’t bother to play for 90 of those last night), but what have we learned about this year’s Premier League season from these opening encounters?
The League hasn’t improved
For the first time in probably a decade, a summer has passed and the league hasn’t collectively improved. It’s lost the ‘best player in the world’ (all rights reserved) and Xabi Alonso, and none of the big clubs have made eye-catching additions. Man City predominantly buying players from English clubs has the effect of redistributing talent a little and meanwhile, established Premier League clubs like Middlesborough and Newcastle aren’t here anymore. It’s not time to hit the panic button yet, but a quick scan of the table and some of the strange early season results might give the ‘best league in the world’ (trademarked) cause for concern.
It’s still impossible for a Utd player to get sent off
Manchester United in preferential treatment from referees shocker. In Saturday’s game against Wigan, Vidic was very clearly seen to flick/ hit/ strike/ thump Rodallega, and yet the referee (the venerable Howard Webb) only decided to have a chat with the Wigan striker for daring to be a bit peeved. The Match of the Day presenters didn’t bother to mention Vidic’s behaviour either – despite reviewing the incident. Come to think of it, Utd’s players getting overly aggressive during the Charity Shield wasn’t mentioned either. I’m no conspiracy theorist (and apparently the FA might be looking at the incident), but if it were John Terry…
When Arsenal play well, they play very well
Unfortunately for them however, we all know what happens when they play badly and, trust me, it won’t be too long before they start to fall apart. For now though, you have to begrudgingly admit that they’re in scintillating form and will probably sit at the top of the table (ish) for the next couple of months.
And Spurs actually look quite good
There. I’ve said it. Yes, it’s actually something that’s been said at the beginning of many a season, but this time I think good ol’ Harry Redknapp might have actually built a squad that can challenge for a top six spot, if not top four. They have plentiful options up front and, with the addition of Palacios, a bit of steel in midfield. A massive shame for them that Man City are improving so rapidly at the same time…
The sides that we thought might challenge the big four, won’t
Everton and Villa improved so much last season that it was widely claimed that they might push for a top four slot this time around. The reality is that Villa – despite an immense win at Anfield last night – haven’t played well for months and Everton haven’t strengthened sufficiently over the summer. Meanwhile, Spurs have come up on the inside and Man City have leapfrogged everyone. Last season may well have been Villa and Everton’s only chance for a while.
It’s less than predictable at the bottom
There are a large number of teams that, on paper, look like they might struggle this season. Portsmouth will be lucky to win a point this side of Christmas and Wolves, Wigan and Bolton look average. Meanwhile, Burnley have started like a train and Birmingham don’t look awful. Early signs aren’t telling us anything much about who might be going down except that there’s a very real chance some more established names might be joining Boro and Newcastle in the Championship next season.
Early season internationals and European qualifiers are annoying
Why on earth arrange an England friendly – that’s right, a game that doesn’t matter – immediately before the first set of Premier League fixtures? It wouldn’t be the first time that pointless international games have disturbed the early parts of the season. Come on FA, save those games for later in the year. You know we care more about club football anyway.
No team will score 90+ points
Here’s one prediction for the season – the ‘big’ clubs won’t win as many games as before. Yes, there’s perhaps some fodder in there that will be despatched easier than ever before, but there’s a growing cluster of middle-tier clubs primed to take points off the big guys, and some ambitious smaller clubs too. Evidence: witness the three hilarious defeats suffered by United and Liverpool so far (and it’s only 25th August).
This year’s Hull is Burnley
There’s always one ‘Hull’. In previous seasons it’s been Reading, Norwich…the list goes on. Expect Burnley to continue riding the crest of their wave for the next month or so but remember that, most of time, it almost always ends one way…
Chelsea’s diamond can work
But mostly when it’s actually a Christmas Tree. Or a 4-3-3. Or when we buy some wingers. Oh, and when Drogba tries and when Essien’s fit. There’s a point in there somewhere…
You might also be interested to read:
- 10 reasons why Chelsea will win the league
- Season previews of Chelsea’s main rivals – Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City
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