English Premier League Table, Half Way Through

Observations

• The league would be a lot more interesting if Chelski weren’t in it. Anyone with any sense whatsoever knows the title race is over. In order for it not to be over, both Man Utd and Liverpool would more or less need to have a perfect second-half of the season and Chelski would have to suddenly start losing. In 1.5 seasons now, they’ve lost twice. I don’t see them losing even two or three more times this year, and even if they would I can’t see Man Ure or Liverpool being perfect. The race for second place will be good though, as will the fight for third through sixth.
• The death of Manchester United has been greatly exaggerated. If they have the same exact form through the second half of the season they’ll finish 24-10-4 with 82 points, exactly one point less than they got in the 2002-03 season when they won the league. The whole “bombing out of Europe at the first hurdle” thing is a bit disconcerting for Man Ure fans but it’s hard to say the team is collapsing.
• The death of Ars*nal is happily not exaggerated. Well, that’s not quite fair but this team is a shade of what they used to be. Take Henry out of the side and they’re positively average. They sit in sixth at the half-way point and I can’t remember the last time they were so low. :razz: Still, they’ll probably put a good run of form together and get back into the top three before the spring.
• The ascent of Tottenham is sort of flattering. Spurs are getting quite a few games aired on this side of the pond so I’ve seen them play a number of times. They’re doing what they need to do to win but they can’t seem to keep the tempo for more than forty-five minutes. I think they’re a player or two away from having a real quality side that can make a regular push for the top five. The big question is whether they can maintain their position over the next nineteen games and I rather doubt it. Fingers crossed.
• Middlesbrough is proving that has-beens are has-beens for a reason.
• I’m not a huge Man City fan but I love Stuart Pearce as manager. When his team plays like crap, he says so. It’s refreshing to hear him talk about his team’s shortcomings as opposed to the constant whinging from that “other” team in North London.
• I didn’t expect Sunderland to be that bad. And they really are that bad.

Current Mood – Work Should be Abolished|
Currently Listening To – The Clash – “London Calling”