EPL midseason surprises and disappointments
The winter frost bit hard in the United Kingdom and the English Premier League was hit with a slowdown as a host of fixtures were canceled in light of the inclement weather.
Yet amid the chill there was the realization that, at the midway point, the 2010-11 season is one of the most hotly contested in recent memory – and that there is every chance of the kind of thrilling finish that every fan wants to see.
Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea side could end the year out of the Premier League's top four.
(Michael Steele/Getty Images)
It is time to run the rule over the class of 2010-11 as we hand out our annual midterm report card:
CLUB GRADES
1. Manchester United: B-minus
It has been a strange and confusing season at Old Trafford, and Sir Alex Ferguson must be wondering just how his stuttering side has reached this point still atop the EPL table. The good vibes which followed Wayne Rooney’s U-turn and new contract were tempered by a bewildering run of road form that has seen the team draw seven of its eight away games. United is still undefeated, though, and remains the team to beat in this most unpredictable of campaigns.
2. Arsenal: B-plus
Arsene Wenger’s youngsters were widely dismissed as being too lightweight to mount a serious challenge for the title, but they are simply refusing to go away. Just as defeat against United in mid-December seemed to dent their championship hopes, a festive triumph over Chelsea got them back in the hunt. As a result, optimism in this corner of North London is extremely high. The depth of experience to win it all may be missing, but things are very much going to plan.
3. Manchester City: B-plus
The sheer weight of the millions thrown into the City squad by the club’s billionaire owners is starting to be felt. Despite some annoying blips, the blue half of Manchester is firmly in contention to end the season as champions. More big spending can be expected in January, although more pressing issues lay closer to home, with superstar duo Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli both keen to move on to new pastures.
4. Chelsea: C-minus
That spectacular start of five straight wins and 21 goals scored to one conceded is a distant memory; Chelsea is now confirmed as a club in crisis. The bizarre midseason sacking of assistant coach Ray Wilkins coincided with a devastating form slump, so much so that Carlo Ancelotti’s team could end the year out of the top four positions. Given the aging squad and its dwindling confidence, a revival looks unlikely.
5. Tottenham: B-plus
It has been a groundbreaking season for Tottenham, with a fun foray into the Champions League still rolling as the knockout rounds approach and domestic form being strong enough to keep the big boys within sight. Boss Harry Redknapp suggested this might be the year for an underdog to break through and win the EPL, but his team has shown just enough inconsistency to make that a major long shot. However, the emergence of Gareth Bale and the brilliance of Rafael van der Vaart have given Spurs fans plenty to smile about.
6. Liverpool: D
Months of misery have put Roy Hodgson’s job in severe doubt. If you wondered just how bad things were, consider this: Many fans want Rafa Benitez back in charge. Uncertainty over the club’s ownership situation created turmoil and eventually ended with John W. Henry’s takeover, but Hodgson’s squad has still turned in some dire performances. A resurgence in the season's second half would only mask some deep-rooted problems.
The sterling first-half play of Bolton striker Johan Elmander demands special attention.
(Michael Regan/Getty Images)
7. Bolton: A-minus
Owen Coyle’s version of Bolton is a world removed from the dour, direct style that the club used effectively for so many years. American Stuart Holden has broken through as an important cog in this well-drilled and entertaining machine, which is built on quick-thinking, fleet-footed midfielders and a refreshingly positive mindset. Some are expecting a late-season crash – don’t bank on it.
8. Everton: C
Everton could use Landon Donovan more than ever but won’t have the American forward to call upon this winter after he opted to rest in sunny California instead. David Moyes’ side has suffered from a lack of firepower in attack, resulting in dismal home form (just two wins from nine games at Goodison). A decent level of overall talent hasn’t translated into points, and there are signs of a lost campaign.
9. Sunderland: B
Sunderland is as confusing as ever, often looking exceptional at home and equally inept on the road. Despite a shock setback against Blackpool this week, Sunderland's ability to churn out wins on its own field should be enough to maintain a comfortable midtable position. Plenty of critics use the club's progress as proof that the EPL has little depth; others credit the resilience of Steve Bruce’s inconsistent team.
10. Newcastle: B-minus
Owner Mike Ashley does things his own way, but booting boss Chris Hughton and replacing him with Alan Pardew was odd even by his standards. Hughton was keeping Newcastle’s head above water, the best that could realistically be expected in the club’s first season back in the league. Matching that will be the first challenge for Pardew – though whether that is enough to satisfy Ashley’s idea of acceptable success remains to be seen.
11. Aston Villa: C-minus
Martin O’Neill’s sudden resignation just days before the start of the new season threw Villa into chaos, and the repercussions are still being felt. Owner Randy Lerner took his time in appointing a successor, but Gerard Houllier has done little to suggest he was worth the wait as the club hovers dangerously around the relegation zone. The Villans have too much ability to go down, but Houllier is already starting to feel the pressure.
12. Blackburn: B-minus
Sam Allardyce is gone, bombed out in December in the first major personnel move made by the club’s new Indian ownership group. In comes Steve Kean as caretaker boss, largely unknown but with a savvy soccer mind and confidence he can maintain solid momentum. Kean will have a few million to throw around in January and a couple of key acquisitions should provide a back-end boost.
13. Stoke: B
Tony Pulis neither asks nor gives any quarter, and Stoke is a team built in his mold. The goal-scoring burden has been shared, with defender Robert Huth joint top-scorer on four. Time and again, though, Pulis just finds a way to get it done, to get the results he needs and to steer clear of that dreaded drop zone.
Ian Holloway takes delight in proving Blackpool's critics dead-wrong.
(Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
14. Blackpool: A
Ian Holloway’s side was totally written off, with some predictions claiming the Lancashire club could break the record for fewest EPL points in a season. Holloway has taken great delight in proving them wrong, as Blackpool has been a breath of fresh air for the division. Blackpool’s five away wins are as many as United, Chelsea and Liverpool combined. Despite these heady days, survival remains the primary focus – and rightly so.
15. Fulham: C-minus
There hasn’t been much to smile about at Craven Cottage since Roy Hodgson up and left, with replacement Mark Hughes now among the favorites to be the next manager sacked. Hughes’ teams always seem to draw a lot of games, and Fulham has finished all-square in 10 of 19 this season – making the threat of relegation very real and killing off the positive vibes of last season.
16. West Brom: B
An outstanding run through September and October has given West Brom breathing room and set up what could be a very solid campaign. Peter Odemwingie has added much-needed firepower and there are times when Roberto Di Matteo’s side can match any team in the division. Wins at Arsenal and Everton sent optimism soaring, but the good times have been tempered by home thumpings at the hands of Stoke and Blackburn.
17. Birmingham City: C-minus
This time last year, Birmingham was flying high, Alex McLeish was an early contender for manager of the year and all was well at St. Andrews. Twelve months on and McLeish’s side is in deep trouble, having lost its confidence and its swagger. No surprise there: Just three wins all season (no team has won fewer) will do that to a squad. A long and painful battle against the drop appears to be in Birmingham's future.
18. West Ham: D
The bold ambitions of new owners David Gold and David Sullivan – reaching the Champions League before the end of the decade – are laudable but don’t look especially realistic at this stage. Avram Grant has been unable to create any momentum, and though Gold and Sullivan historically like to give their managers time to succeed, the Israeli is on a short leash.
19. Wigan: C
Head coach Roberto Martinez tries to do things the right way, and the EPL would be better off with more enterprising thinkers like him. Sadly, though, he just doesn’t have the right resources to play such an open, attacking style, and Wigan pays the price for its endeavor far too often. An escape act toward the end of the season is certainly possible, but nervous times beckon.
20. Wolves: D
The neutral fan won’t be sorry if Wolves’ EPL stay comes to an end in May, and that eventuality is looking ever more likely. The physical and rugged style endorsed by Mick McCarthy isn’t pleasing to the eye and hasn’t been particularly effective either. A few decent home wins have given some cause for hope, but one point from a possible 24 on the road tells its own story.
HONOR ROLL
Whereas last year’s version of the midseason Best XI was packed with some of the biggest names in the game, this year’s selection is more about substance than celebrity.
Ben Foster’s Birmingham side has struggled all season, but things would have been a whole lot worse if not for the efforts of the athletic goalkeeper, who is pushing hard for England recognition.
Everton's Leighton Baines narrowly missed the midseason call at left back.
(Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Ashley Cole is the only Chelsea representative, edging out Leighton Baines from the left-back slot, while Nani, free-scoring Tim Cahill and the outstanding Samir Nasri and Gareth Bale fill the midfield positions.
In attack, it was tough to leave out both EPL scoring leader Dimitar Berbatov and the permanently impressive Andy Carroll, but the overall efforts of Carlos Tevez and Bolton’s Johan Elmander simply demanded inclusion.
Goalkeeper: Ben Foster (Birmingham)
Defenders: Nedum Onouha (Sunderland); Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United); Vincent Kompany (Manchester City); Ashley Cole (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Nani (Manchester United); Tim Cahill (Everton); Samir Nasri (Arsenal); Gareth Bale (Tottenham)
Forwards: Carlos Tevez (Manchester City); Johan Elmander (Bolton)
AWARDS
Best player: Samir Nasri (Arsenal). The lively French star helped the Gunners survive Cesc Fabregas’ injury woes and has kept them firmly in the title race.
Best coach: Ian Holloway (Blackpool). Holloway is an intriguing character who always speaks his mind, and his achievement of taking Blackpool into the top half on a tiny budget is nothing short of spectacular.
Best goal: David Jones (Wolves). Jones made sure Wolves began the season with a win, thanks to his spectacular strike on opening day. Karl Henry rolled a free kick three feet backward and Jones flicked it up with his left foot before smashing it over the wall and into the Stoke net.
Best signing: Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham). The Dutchman has added spice and flair to the Spurs midfield and has performed strongly in both EPL and Champions League play. Having seen his career stall after moving to Real Madrid in 2008, van der Vaart finally seems ready to establish himself as one of Europe’s best midfielders.
