A tale of two cities
Roberto Mancini deserves real credit for the way he has taken his team. He may have money to spend but it takes serious managerial quality to turn the turgid defensive City side of last season into this year’s Barca-style free-scoring model. And look at the way he handles difficult players like Mario Balotelli and Adam Johnson. Going out of the Champions League is the only reason he doesn’t get 10 out of 10.
Score: 9/10.
Star man: David Silva – but you could pick eight or nine others.
Flop: Carlos Tevez; what an idiot.
Prospects: Favourites for the title.
It’s been a strange season for United so far; loads of early promise, including eight goals against Arsenal, followed by that 6-1 defeat against City and some dire performances in the Champions League. Question marks remain over the defence but somehow United are still up there in the Premier League and scoring goals again; so who are we to judge Fergie? Even so, Thursday night, Channel Five in the Europa League? It’s not right...
Score: 6/10.
Star man: Nobody has been truly consistent but Rooney does look on the up.
Flop: It would have been Berbatov before his recent goal spree; but David De Gea still looks dodgy.
Prospects: Will challenge for the title but miss out.
Good old ‘Arry. Nobody is sure how he does it but he’s been one of the best managers for years and the job he’s doing at White Hart Lane is top class. Signing Adebayor was a masterstroke. But Tottenham could be serious title contenders because they aren’t just entertaining, they are competitive too and their squad is as strong as anyone bar City’s. Expect them to run the big two very close indeed.
Score: 9/10.
Star: Gareth Bale is emerging as real proper player; there’s far more to him than just running up the wing, as recent displays through the middle prove.
Flop: What’s happened to Stephen Pienaar?
Prospects: Dark horses for the title.
New Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas divides opinion and seems to divide his squad too; is he managerial genius or he is managerial geek? Early season results suggest the latter but recent decisions – including bravely dropping Lampard and axing Anelka and Alex – give reason for hope. Could he maybe come good in the end? Not this season, I’m afraid.
Score: 6/10
Star: It’s still Didier Drogba when he’s in the mood – and if he’s given a contract
Flop: There’s a few contenders. We’ll go for Jose Bosingwa, a complete liability at right-back.
Prospects:Will be lucky to make top five unless new signings arrive.
It’s just as well they don’t write quarter-term reports or Arsene Wenger would have been in detention. But you have to admire the way he has stuck to his guns and steadily improved Arsenal since the 8-2 defeat at United. It’s unlikely the Gunners are good enough to win the title, but the signings made in August – which were described as panic buys, have proved canny; with Arteta in particular proving admirably consistent. There’s more to come from this team and maybe Thierry Henry could bring it out.
Score: 7/10.
Star: There’s only one Robin van Persie; and at times he’s been a one-man team.
Flop: Marouane Chamakh; the powder-puff striker is heading for the African Nations Cup but will anyone notice he’s gone?
Prospects: Encouraging; will definitely earn a Champions League spot.
Every week it seems Liverpool are on the verge of something special – and then they prove otherwise. Home results have been disappointing and it can’t all be down to opposition goalkeepers having blinders as Kenny Dalglish claims. He must know now £35m was way too much for Andy Carroll and Liverpool, without Luis Suarez – which they will be potentially for eight games – is not a pretty sight. As usual, a lot rests on Steven Gerrard in the next few months, although re-signing Craig Bellamy has been a real plus.
Score: 6/10
Star: Luis Suarez is a wonderful player in the tradition of Liverpool number sevens and a joy to watch
Flop: Andy Carroll needs to do something to justify his price tag – and soon
Prospects: Top six but Europa League at best
Alan Pardew has played a blinder. The wage bill has been slashed, the likes of Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan have left, but in Tim Krul, Yohan Cabaye and Demba Ba they have three of the best players of the season so far. Impressive.
Score: 9/10.
Star Man: Demba Ba. Scores goals for fun and cost £35m less than Andy Carroll.
Flop: Mike Ashley, for renaming St James’ Park the ‘Sports Direct Arena’.
Prospects: Would be a major achievement to make top six; may just miss out.
Stoke have coped with the dual demands of Europe and domestic football well. Never pretty, often effective, Tony Pulis’ side are hardly subtle, but Man United, Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool have failed to win at the Britannia.
Score: 7/10.
Star Man: Jonathan Walters. Has continued the positive impression he made last season.
Flop: Matthew Upson has failed to convince.
Prospects: Solid as usual, top 10.
Roy Hodgson and West Brom feel like a perfect fit. He has made them disciplined and organised – now the challenge is to get Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie playing together.
Score: 6/10.
Star Man: Shane Long’s cost €7.78m but it has been money well spent so far.
Flop: Peter Odemwingie hasn’t hit the heights – but he will.
Prospects: Just above the relegation zone.
No money, no Mikel Arteta and no goalscorer. It’s a frustrating time to be an Everton fan, with David Moyes admitting this has been his toughest season at the club.
Score: 5/10.
Star Man: Leighton Baines – consistently excellent.
Flop: Tim Cahill now hasn’t scored in over a year.
Prospects: It could be nerve-racking at the death.
A swift adaptation to life back in the top flight, with passing football bringing the good times back to Carrow Road as Paul Lambert’s side impress.
Score: 8/10.
Star Man: Goalkeeper John Ruddy was touted for an England call-up earlier this season.
Flop: Andrew Surman has disappointed slightly.
Prospects: The second half of a season is always tougher — must learn from Blackpool last year.
The manager the fans didn’t want is playing bland, turgid football no-one wants. Alex McLeish is not a popular man on the Holte End, and Villa are a club in trouble.
Score: 4/10.
Star Man: Gabriel Agbonlahor has looked back to near his best.
Flop: Take your pick, but Stephen Ireland posing for a photo with a drink and a shisha pipe was particularly idiotic.
Prospects: Looks gloomy; thank goodness for Darren Bent
Martin Jol has fallen out with Bobby Zamora and broken up the Brede Hangeland – Aaron Hughes centre-back pairing that underpinned Fulham’s recent success. Questionable calls in a difficult time at the Cottage.
Score: 6/10.
Star Man: Clint Dempsey oozes class.
Flop: Philippe Senderos has been exposed on occasion.
Prospects: Too good to go down, too bad to do anything more.
An impressive start, but they still aren’t far from the relegation zone. Attractive, passing football where possession is nine tenths of the law, Brendan Rodgers deserves credit so far.
Score: 7/10.
Star Man: At €1.79m, goalkeeper Michel Vorm is a stunning buy.
Flop: Luke Moore hasn’t made much of an impact.
Prospects: Will need more goals to stay up.
The arrival of Martin O’Neill in place of Steve Bruce has reinvigorated the entire club. That said, Sunderland still have more players on bail (three) than home wins (two).
Score: 5/10.
Star Man: Sebastian Larsson is their top scorer from midfield.
Flop: Nicklas Bendtner simply isn’t as good as he thinks he is
Prospects: Up into the top 10 under O’Neill.
Heavy spending has not been matched by results. Expect more arrivals in January to steer the club away from relegation.
Score: 5/10.
Star Man: Heidar Helguson has a new lease of life.
Flop: Joey Barton hasn’t produced on the pitch.
Prospects: Depends on the transfer market — it will be tough
Fine early season form has tailed off. Escaped relegation in the final minutes of last season, and it could be the same again.
Score: 5/10.
Star Man: Wayne Hennessey is building an excellent reputation.
Flop: Roger Johnson has disappointed badly.
Prospects: They always fight — and they’ll need to.
Have shown recent signs of coming to life, but do they have the quality to survive?
Score: 5/10.
Star Man: Ali Al-Habsi has produced some outstanding saves.
Flop: Hugo Rodallega has gone badly off the boil.
Prospects: Tough to write off, but is this one season too many for Wigan?
Its been a horrendous few months for Owen Coyle and Bolton. No Premier League side has ever lost eight of their first nine home games in a season. It’s looking desperate.
Score: 2/10.
Star Man: Nigel Reo-Coker has been the best of a bad bunch.
Flop: Kevin Davies has disappeared when his team needed him most.
Prospects: They need a miracle.
What a shambles. Formerly a byword for stability, Steve Kean and Venky’s side are a sorry sight. Relegation is seemingly inevitable for a team that is far less than the sum of its parts.
Score: 1/10.
Star Man: Yakubu has somehow scored 10 goals for the club.
Flop: Venky’s and Kean, ultimately.
Prospects: Depends on who the next manager is; but doesn’t look good.
