Running the Rule over BPL Contenders

Now that the transfer ruckus is over and hopefully the dust settled, let’s look at the top teams and how they fared…

1. Arsenal – Early results aside, this team has enough talent to challenge for top 4 when fit, but the squad feels lean in the absence of so many quality departures. I am keen to see how Arteta gels with Jack Wilshere in the centre of the park. Andre Santos and Per Mertesacker add some options to the back but I am not convinced that injury prone Van Persie will be able to play as many games as Wenger would like while Gervinho is good, perhaps not great. If they do keep their top 4 place, it will be due largely disappointments at Anfield and White Hart Lane.

2. Chelsea – Having missed out on Modric, I am not sure that Raul Meireles is better than the midfield that they already possess. Juan Mata on the other hand gives them a creative wing one hopes, with a bit more consistency than the likes of Malouda. If that happens, Torres may be in a happier state as this team learns to play on his strength rather than Drogba’s. An aging team that will start well, but may not last the pace.

3. Liverpool – No one doubted Kenny Dalglish’s managerial abilities and any lingering thoughts about his motivation are largely gone. He has pruned the team and added some quality in the side. His best signing after Suarez may well be Sebastian Coates, although adapting to the pace of the league may well take time. Bellamy offers pace on the wings and in the short term at least, I think the loss of Meireles may not be as significant as first thought. If they play up to expectations, I think it will be neck and neck with the Gunners and Spurs all the way to till March when the squads start feeling the strain and here I expect Dalglish and Redknapp to make full use of their midfield numbers to good effect. If I were a betting man, I’d say top 5.

4. Manchester City – At the start of the 20th century, the blue half of Manchester had the most potent attacking team in the league with the likes of Welsh wizard, Billy Meredith. Financial impropriety led to their best being snared by Ernest Mangnall resulting in Manchester United’s maiden league title. In a resurgent Dzeko combining with Aguero, Tevez and David Silva, to name a few, City have assembled arguably the most potent forward line in the world – yes, I must admit. The key for Roberto Mancini will be managing those egos and developing a winning mindset – easier said than done. Top 3 almost certain given the strength and quality of their squad.

5. Manchester United – Nothing to say that’s not already been eulogised which is an irony since this young team has not achieved any honours as of yet. What excites though is where these kids are at the moment and where they can go from such lofty heights. Consistency will be the key for this team and if that happens, I can only see Manchester City challenging for the BPL.

6. Tottenham Hotspurs – Keeping Modric is their best business of the season. Signing Parker is a close second. Scott Parker will do what Palacios failed to do and free Modric to weave his magic. I honestly think losing Crouch is not a loss and getting Adebayor will give them muscle with purpose upfront. Brad Friedel offers more certainty between the posts but I am sure he would sleep better with more defensive cover – something the big teams will take note of. City and United will be happy to have played them before these new additions. I think a top 4 is possible with Spurs clinching the last spot in that exclusive ladder.

Finally, here is now it may end up: 1. Manchester United, 2. Manchester City, 3. Chelsea, 4. Tottenham Hotspurs, 5. Liverpool and 6. Arsenal.

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United Kop Out of Anfield

Admittedly the higher you go, the further you fall... and in this case, the loss at Anfield was triply hard to take because not only were we the weaker side in a game we expected to win, we deserved to lose this!

With the possible exception of Hernandez who battled on to score a consolation goal, no one in the white away jersey did anything to warrant defending. And talking about defending, Wes Brown showed just how rusty he has become and may well have been the biggest selection mistake of the night. O'Shea may not be a natural central defender, but at least the lad has seem some serious action in recent weeks. Deprived of the talents of Vidic, Ferdinand, Evans and to an extent Gary Neville, this was always going to be the chink in the armor that Liverpool could exploit.

This game also exposes the worst kept secret in the Barclays Premier League - that Wolves has a better midfield that ours! Why did we start with Carrick and Scholes? Fletcher hasn't exactly been delivering despite his best intentions, while Anderson is out injured. Giggs too has been a pale shadow of himself in recent weeks, while Rooney, Berbatov and Nani flattered to deceive. In fact, at one point, I was even doubting the mercurial w(h)inger's injury, expecting him to return to play... but that never materialized... and so we lost, to a better team last night.

But all is not lost... yet. We need to refresh the team a bit, try to channel our strengths into a winning team effort. I think despite his hotheadedness, Rafael is good for the team... he is a reminder that we do not like to lose. I'd stick with Smalling and play him alongside O'Shea if Vidic is out. As soon as we can, I'd like to see the return of Danny Wellbeck. We need new blood, and we need it soon or we are going to lose this title chase in a very painful manner...