Back in August I made my predictions for the coming premier league season, so now at the half-way stage it’s a good time to see how things are going and to revise as necessary:
1. Man Utd – no reason to change anything here, although United do need to improve away from home in the second half of the season (as they usually do)
2. Chelsea – at least Mourinho was entertaining even if his teams weren’t
3. Liverpool – they could be 10 points clear of United in January, but still Rafa and little Sammy Lee will somehow mess it up, but could still pip Chelsea….
4. Arsenal – not looking good for the Gooners so far and could miss out on Champions league spot
5. Portsmouth – Redknapp’s departure after a poor start leaves them looking vulnerable now to a relegation scrap
6. Man City – consistent goalscorers and entertainers thanks to Robinho and Steven Ireland in particular, a lot will depend on who they buy next month, but can’t make top six now, maybe top ten still
7. Spurs - with Ramos and Berbatov gone, Spurs look on target to make top ten still especially if ‘Arry gets the striker he wants
8. Everton – with all their strikers injured still doing remarkably well and can get up to sixth
9. Aston Villa – they kept Barry from warming Liverpool’s bench and I failed to see the quality and development of Ashley young, Gabby Agbonlahor et al. Can make Champions League now
10. Newcastle – poor old Toon
11. Fulham – well done Roy Hodgson and now they can push on to top ten finish
12. Sunderland – disappointing start all round and now face another relegation battle even with a new manager
13. West Ham – Curbs walked before he was pushed it seems, now Zola is trying to run before he can walk…
14. Blackburn – sorry to be right about Ince, but everyone seemed to think so except the Blackburn board. Should show big improvement under Big Sam, but it will stil be nail-biting stuff at the end
15. Hull – they could easily get relegated still, but just for what they’ve achieved so far I really hope they can do enough from now on to stay up
16. Wigan – after some bad luck and a poor October Wigan are on course for top ten finish now
17. West Brom – poor start means they have too much to do now to stay up
18. Stoke – lot’s to admire about their effort so far, but I can only see things getting worse
19. Middlesbro – I forgot about ‘Boro’s quality going forward – Tuncay, Alves and Downing – but it’s not enough to save them
20. Bolton – Megson has surprised and impressed me in a difficult job and I think they will be safe in lower mid-table
2. Chelsea – at least Mourinho was entertaining even if his teams weren’t
3. Liverpool – they could be 10 points clear of United in January, but still Rafa and little Sammy Lee will somehow mess it up, but could still pip Chelsea….
4. Arsenal – not looking good for the Gooners so far and could miss out on Champions league spot
5. Portsmouth – Redknapp’s departure after a poor start leaves them looking vulnerable now to a relegation scrap
6. Man City – consistent goalscorers and entertainers thanks to Robinho and Steven Ireland in particular, a lot will depend on who they buy next month, but can’t make top six now, maybe top ten still
7. Spurs - with Ramos and Berbatov gone, Spurs look on target to make top ten still especially if ‘Arry gets the striker he wants
8. Everton – with all their strikers injured still doing remarkably well and can get up to sixth
9. Aston Villa – they kept Barry from warming Liverpool’s bench and I failed to see the quality and development of Ashley young, Gabby Agbonlahor et al. Can make Champions League now
10. Newcastle – poor old Toon
11. Fulham – well done Roy Hodgson and now they can push on to top ten finish
12. Sunderland – disappointing start all round and now face another relegation battle even with a new manager
13. West Ham – Curbs walked before he was pushed it seems, now Zola is trying to run before he can walk…
14. Blackburn – sorry to be right about Ince, but everyone seemed to think so except the Blackburn board. Should show big improvement under Big Sam, but it will stil be nail-biting stuff at the end
15. Hull – they could easily get relegated still, but just for what they’ve achieved so far I really hope they can do enough from now on to stay up
16. Wigan – after some bad luck and a poor October Wigan are on course for top ten finish now
17. West Brom – poor start means they have too much to do now to stay up
18. Stoke – lot’s to admire about their effort so far, but I can only see things getting worse
19. Middlesbro – I forgot about ‘Boro’s quality going forward – Tuncay, Alves and Downing – but it’s not enough to save them
20. Bolton – Megson has surprised and impressed me in a difficult job and I think they will be safe in lower mid-table
First to get the sack or resign (in no particular order):- Curbishley
- Benitez – seems safe now
- Hughes – still very vulnerable- Keegan
- Hodgson – seems safe now- Ince
- Southgate – vulnerable, although Gibson likely to stick with him
- Megson – safer than he was, but things can change quickly
- Ramos, Redknapp and Keane – didn’t foresee any of these comings and goings!
- Wenger – may decide he’s had and done enough