I'm going to try and stray away from my unusually unbiased nature that is Pro-Manchester United as I analyze the remainder of the Premier League Season which has approximately 11-12 games left. Maybe Just about enough to turn this table back on its head or back onto its feet, whichever one you prefer. I'd like to see us win obviously ( oops here I start... ) but I know or rather hope that It will be a close finish between the top 5 clubs. I think that the League is far from winding down and there are only more hurdles left to overcome faced by the competing clubs within close proximity. Whether its Manchester United having to still face Chelsea twice, Arsenal and Liverpool away, or Arsenal having to face Stoke home and away, Bolton, and Blackpool. Don't Laugh! This year's competition has been magnificent and the teams struggling to survive the fall have played with determination, will and more importantly, without fear. So I would not rule out the odd defeat to a West Ham or my personal favourite outside the top four or five; Wigan Athletic.
I had a look at the performance charts of Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea because, lets face it, these are the three top clubs that have got what it takes to win a championship. United began very very slowly drawing many of their away games and while they've only dropped two points at home they only won one game away from home in 5 attempts; that elusive first win coming against Stoke. They've been very sturdy in defense and When Chris Smalling has been called into action, to replace an otherwise magnificent Ferdinand, he's been excellent. So if United are not killing off teams, its only because we lack creativity and penetration in midfield, and under-confident finishing in the final third. Man united have not been at their best but have used that vital experience in containing the the opposition's offense most of the time and their never say die attitude to win the game from a losing position. It's worked for us at times this season and it is experience that will win United its 19th title, if they can contain the other teams.
Inspirational : Ryan Giggs.
Top Goal Scorer by the end: Dimitar Berbatov
Stepping up to the plate : Nani
Stand out Player : Nemanja Vidic
Needs to step up : Wayne Rooney
Arsenal began well I have to say, only second best to Chelsea but inconsistent performances at home to Newcastle, neighbours Tottenham Hotspurs, and lowly West Brom, have seen them forfeit that 1st place a couple of times only after two games each. Otherwise, they've performed well on the road but if they are to win this years competition, they have to first hold on to leads especially because they have the ability to win this year more than the previous seasons might have suggested. They play outstanding football, the best I've seen this year and were they to actually win the title, I wouldn't be too disappointed. But, that inexperience in holding on for the victory and loss in concentration in defending in the final 20 minutes of games might prove costly for them especially since they're only four points behind United, who I see slipping up again. They need to combine that flair for playing the beautiful game with maturity in seeing the matches out and ' get the job done '
Inspirational: Robin van Persie
Top Goal Scorer by the end : Robin van Persie
Stepping up to the plate : Alexander Song
Stand out Player : Samir Nasri
Needs to step up : Cesc Fabregas
I think we all thought that Chelsea would be run away champions after the first 7 games. Just one loss to Manchester City among 6 wins. But the loss of their talisman Frank Lampard for a very long spell proved to be the defining period of their campaign so far where they won just 10 points out of a possible 33. A thumping defeat at home to Sunderland would not only signal a loss of form but also, a massive loss of confidence. Even with Frank Lampard back, they did manage to win 3 back to back games but they still sit 12 points behind first place, sitting pretty uncomfortably in 5th, two points behind Tottenham. Adding Torres worth 50 million pounds for me was far from a great buy because he seems to be in the same mood that the rest of the team were in after that loss to Sunderland, as he was with Liverpool and thats just a waste of money for Abramovic. He's that desperate to win the Champions League I guess. I have ruled them out of the League after drawing against Fulham last night. They've all but conceded their title to either Manchester United or Arsenal.
Inspirational : Anelka.
Top Goal Scorer by the end : Didier Drogba
Stepping up to the plate : Anelka
Stand out Player : Ramires
Needs to step up : Frank Lampard
Spurs are outside favourites and I personally believe that Man City don't have the ability to go the distance simply because they as a team are very inexperienced and do just as well as the Blackpools and Wolverhamptons against the top clubs. Its the mental strength of the clubs that will see them push forward for some glory whether its the Championship or a Champions League spot. And I would tip Tottenham Hotspurs to win this battle. Remember that Manchester City are a team of players bought to win trophies and team chemistry isn't built upon in 2 years although it certainly has made them a threat to other title contenders. Spurs on the other hand have been a work in progress and Harry Redknapp has been their best manager in the last two or three seasons to have made a difference to the North London outfit by carefully buying his players and some great business made off the sales of Berbatov, Keane ( to Liverpool for 20 million and then buying him back for 10 - what a deal ), Michael Carrick, and there be more to follow. Coming back to the title race, They look more confident than City and less pressured into winning competitions although the drive and will to succeed does come from the manager and trickles down to the players and they play some brilliant football, and even get the results many people would have predicted otherwise. So even if Harry doesn't win anything year, he'll stay. Man City, on the other hand, has a lot more pressure to deal with; not to say that they aren't equally determined to win something but there's greater expectation there, but Mancini's days will be numbered if they don't progress after every game. Taking into account what Tottenham did at Manchester City last year to grab that UCL's spot, I see Spurs led by a revelation in the form or Van der Vaart, a lot more relaxed in pushing for some medals which is why I prefer the white outfit over the blues.
For Tottenham Hotspurs,
For Manchester City
I had a look at the performance charts of Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea because, lets face it, these are the three top clubs that have got what it takes to win a championship. United began very very slowly drawing many of their away games and while they've only dropped two points at home they only won one game away from home in 5 attempts; that elusive first win coming against Stoke. They've been very sturdy in defense and When Chris Smalling has been called into action, to replace an otherwise magnificent Ferdinand, he's been excellent. So if United are not killing off teams, its only because we lack creativity and penetration in midfield, and under-confident finishing in the final third. Man united have not been at their best but have used that vital experience in containing the the opposition's offense most of the time and their never say die attitude to win the game from a losing position. It's worked for us at times this season and it is experience that will win United its 19th title, if they can contain the other teams.
Inspirational : Ryan Giggs.
Top Goal Scorer by the end: Dimitar Berbatov
Stepping up to the plate : Nani
Stand out Player : Nemanja Vidic
Needs to step up : Wayne Rooney
Arsenal began well I have to say, only second best to Chelsea but inconsistent performances at home to Newcastle, neighbours Tottenham Hotspurs, and lowly West Brom, have seen them forfeit that 1st place a couple of times only after two games each. Otherwise, they've performed well on the road but if they are to win this years competition, they have to first hold on to leads especially because they have the ability to win this year more than the previous seasons might have suggested. They play outstanding football, the best I've seen this year and were they to actually win the title, I wouldn't be too disappointed. But, that inexperience in holding on for the victory and loss in concentration in defending in the final 20 minutes of games might prove costly for them especially since they're only four points behind United, who I see slipping up again. They need to combine that flair for playing the beautiful game with maturity in seeing the matches out and ' get the job done '
Inspirational: Robin van Persie
Top Goal Scorer by the end : Robin van Persie
Stepping up to the plate : Alexander Song
Stand out Player : Samir Nasri
Needs to step up : Cesc Fabregas
I think we all thought that Chelsea would be run away champions after the first 7 games. Just one loss to Manchester City among 6 wins. But the loss of their talisman Frank Lampard for a very long spell proved to be the defining period of their campaign so far where they won just 10 points out of a possible 33. A thumping defeat at home to Sunderland would not only signal a loss of form but also, a massive loss of confidence. Even with Frank Lampard back, they did manage to win 3 back to back games but they still sit 12 points behind first place, sitting pretty uncomfortably in 5th, two points behind Tottenham. Adding Torres worth 50 million pounds for me was far from a great buy because he seems to be in the same mood that the rest of the team were in after that loss to Sunderland, as he was with Liverpool and thats just a waste of money for Abramovic. He's that desperate to win the Champions League I guess. I have ruled them out of the League after drawing against Fulham last night. They've all but conceded their title to either Manchester United or Arsenal.
Inspirational : Anelka.
Top Goal Scorer by the end : Didier Drogba
Stepping up to the plate : Anelka
Stand out Player : Ramires
Needs to step up : Frank Lampard
Spurs are outside favourites and I personally believe that Man City don't have the ability to go the distance simply because they as a team are very inexperienced and do just as well as the Blackpools and Wolverhamptons against the top clubs. Its the mental strength of the clubs that will see them push forward for some glory whether its the Championship or a Champions League spot. And I would tip Tottenham Hotspurs to win this battle. Remember that Manchester City are a team of players bought to win trophies and team chemistry isn't built upon in 2 years although it certainly has made them a threat to other title contenders. Spurs on the other hand have been a work in progress and Harry Redknapp has been their best manager in the last two or three seasons to have made a difference to the North London outfit by carefully buying his players and some great business made off the sales of Berbatov, Keane ( to Liverpool for 20 million and then buying him back for 10 - what a deal ), Michael Carrick, and there be more to follow. Coming back to the title race, They look more confident than City and less pressured into winning competitions although the drive and will to succeed does come from the manager and trickles down to the players and they play some brilliant football, and even get the results many people would have predicted otherwise. So even if Harry doesn't win anything year, he'll stay. Man City, on the other hand, has a lot more pressure to deal with; not to say that they aren't equally determined to win something but there's greater expectation there, but Mancini's days will be numbered if they don't progress after every game. Taking into account what Tottenham did at Manchester City last year to grab that UCL's spot, I see Spurs led by a revelation in the form or Van der Vaart, a lot more relaxed in pushing for some medals which is why I prefer the white outfit over the blues.
For Tottenham Hotspurs,
Inspirational : Gareth Bale
Top Goal Scorer by the end : Van der Vaart
Stepping up to the plate : Michael Dawson
Stand out Player : Van der Vaart
Needs to step up : Jermaine Defoe
For Manchester City
Inspirational : Carlos Tevez
Top Goal Scorer by the end : Carlos Tevez
Stepping up to the plate : Vincent Kompany
Stand out Player : David Silva
Needs to step up : Adam Johnson
There you have it. Just an analysis of the Premier League until date and who are the contenders and who look close-to-defeated. Still, there are a lot of twists and turns ahead. Twelve odd games to go. Any match can bring about an unexpected result. Its hard to say who's going to win, and who's going to get relegated. If you have any opinions of your own, feel free to comment.
Thanks for reading up. Enjoy the rest of the season :)
I don see manchester city or tottenham having what it takes to fight for the title. Chelsea after yday's draw, I think its going to be really hard for them , even if they beat manchester united twice(fingers crossed:))
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