Monday morning, hungover and sick of biochemistry. So let's talk some football shall we. Now, this is the top 8 as things stand in correct order: Arsenal, Liverpool, Southampton, Chelsea, Manchester United, Everton, Tottenham, Manchester City. Two things. Firstly, for me this highlights how competitive this league really is, and secondly I do think these teams will remain in the top 8, with maybe Newcastle nipping in in-place of some one else. But what order? Each team has it's flaws and strengths which makes things incredibly interesting. Just a brief summary from my own point of view quick.. Arsenal. Despite their customary loss at Old Trafford yesterday, they have been far the most impressive team thus far this season hence being top. Strangely their previous weaknesses in past seasons aren't really evident, Mertersacker and Koscienly (spx2) have come in to good form for them, with Flamini also added something else to their spine. Weakness is arguably their back-up in defence and attack. Liverpool. Weakness is arguably our midfield, which isn't as good as the top teams (still not bad, mind), and squad depth. But we're smashing the teams we should beat which makes a huge change, we're starting to score for fun but our tougher tests are still yet to come. Southampton. The surprise package. They did extremely well in the Summer, they have a fantastic defensive record to build on and some underrated attacking players. Squad depth is still in question - Will they drop off as the season goes on? Chelsea. A strange one, still just 3 points off top but haven't really put to bed the games against the "smaller" sides. No doubt they'll add further options in January, and they'll always be up there purely because of their manager and squad. Manchester United. They had a tough start, paired with some uninspiring home defeats but the win against Stoke could well of been a catalyst for their season, they're now in and among the teams at the top of table and they'll be looking to push on from there. A bit like us in a sense that we both heavily rely on our forwards to get our goals. Everton. They've now added a top striker to their team and have beat some good teams already this season. They seem to have trouble against teams who park the bus, but they're a very solid team who now have that attacking edge up front in Lukaku. Tottenham. Solid defence, solid midfield but 9 goals in 11 games is pretty terrible considering a good £60m has been spent on attacking talent this Summer. They play with Soldado as a lone striker and he often gets isolated, with 2 wingers either side of him who often drop back in to midfield making it a line of 5 of the ball. Manchester City. Unstoppable at home, an shambles away from home. Is Pelligrini the right man for them? I guess time will tell, but he desperately needs to do something about City's away performances. Let's be honest, the way this season is going any four teams could finish from 4th-8th. Most unpredictable season in the history of the EPL? I think so.
good post Usual top 4, the pretenders will fade away in the business end of the season. December will put a few to the sword as well as it often does.
Disagree. Everton and Southampton have absolutely no chance of top 4. Chances are 4th will be between Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs (and I just about include Spurs in with Arsenal and Liverpool but pretty soon will rank them along with Everton and Southampton as no-hopers).
Re Everton. They were in and around the top four places for the whole of last season, have they improved from then? Yeah! They've added two good solid midfielders and a 20-goal-a-season striker. It's debatable whether or not Spurs have improved. Include that all teams are taking points of each other I don't see why it's completely unrealistic for Everton to sneak in.
Everton, Southampton, Spurs and Liverpool will make up the 4th - 8th positions. Not in that order mind.
I reluctantly agree with you there mate. Still, I never expected us to be in the position we're in now so I'm happy to be proven wrong, I do think Newcastle and Swansea are capable of putting a run together and perhaps sneaking in to 7-8th. I think we haven't seen the best of Tottenham this season though, it's very surprising how toothless they've been so far this season, yet they still sit 3 points of top. They're very robust and solid, will dominate most teams.. You expect them to have more attacking intent with players like Eriksen, Soldado, Townsend, Lamela in front of their midfield. I do think it goes to show that supposed "big" names aren't everything in football, when you look at the impact players like Sturridge, Coutinho, Toure and Mignolet have had with us when they arrived for pennys. Many expected Spurs signings to hit the ground running (me included). I still think they'll come good though.
They were vying for 4th spot up until the 35th game mate. We know this because Tobes wouldn't stop bringing it up
HIAG will you just go away You are right even less often than HIAG actually and when you are proved to be talking complete bollocks you just disappear
