’Tis the season for reflecting

As we approach the halfway point of the Premier League season we reflect on the ups and downs, successes and failures of the last five months.

ARSENAL

Position: 6th

Points: 27

W7 D6 L4

For: 30 Against: 21

Top scorer: Alexis Sanchez 9

Star man: Alexis Sanchez

Under-performer: Nacho Monreal

One to watch: Calum Chambers

Fans rating: 6/10

“Wenger’s done a lot for the club and I still trust him. When we’ve got a fully-fit squad we’ll be one of the best teams in the league.” — Graham Clarke, Milton Keynes Arsenal Supporters’ Club

Examiner verdict: Arsenal remain a conundrum, and manager Arsene Wenger is beginning to polarise opinion like never before following a confusing start to the season.

On the positive side, the squad is certainly stronger thanks to the arrival of Sanchez, who has been a revelation, and Danny Welbeck.

But, and it’s a big but, the lack of cover — and lack of quality — at the back remains a serious concern, as does the club’s continued injury problems and a nagging fear that after so long at the same club, Wenger is struggling to get the best out of his players in big matches.

Recent fan campaigns urging Wenger to quit seem to have died down; but that underlying sense of frustration still lies in very shallow waters. It wouldn’t take much for it to come to the surface again. Things really could go either way for Arsenal.

ASTON VILLA

Position: 12th

Points: 20

W5 D5 L7

For: 11 Against: 21

Top scorer: Gabriel Agbonlahor/Andreas Weimann 3

Star man: Brad Guzan

Under-performer: Tom Cleverley

One to watch: Jack Grealish

Fans rating: 3/10

“Lambert has the backing of Lerner but not of 90 per cent of Villa Park. Yeah, we will stay up, but probably around 15th. which is not good enough.” — Tom Harrison, lifelong supporter.

Examiner verdict: It can’t be easy being a fan of Aston Villa, a club that has size and stature — and an expectation level commensurate with its history and stadium — but not the internal ambition or finance to match it. You never feel Villa are bad enough to go down or good enough to achieve anything; and this season is eerily familiar.

It looks like Villa have the spine of a good team running from Guzan through Vlaar, Delph, Agbonlahor and Benteke – and a decent manager. But it still doesn’t quite add up.

BURNLEY

Position: 18th

Points: 15

W3 D6 L8

For: 12 Against: 26

Top scorer: Danny Ings 4

Star man: Danny Ings

Under-performer: No-one

One to watch: Sam Vokes when fit

Fans rating: 7/10

“It took time for the team to get used to the Premier League and to feel they belonged, but now there is belief we could actually stay up. We have a fantastic manager.”— Alex Smithie, lifelong Burnley supporter.

Examiner verdict: The Burnley model is being watched very closely by smaller clubs in the Championship who hope to match their achievements.

After a tough start in the big league they are finding their feet, thanks to the leadership of Sean Dyche and goals from Ings. There is no doubt Burnley will remain in the relegation battle; but recent results suggest they won’t be whipping boys. Fans at Turf Moor are pretty happy with what they have seen so far.

CHELSEA

Position: 1st

Points: 32

W13 D3 L1

For: 38 Against: 13

Top scorer: Diego Costa 12

Star man: Diego Costa

Under-performer: Nobody

One to watch: Lewis Baker

Fans rating: 10/10

“This season has been a revelation, Costa has settled in immediately, and the football has been mesmerising. Maybe we can win both Premier League and Champions League this time!” — Derek Comerford, Kerry Blues.

Examiner verdict: Jose Mourinho’s reputation and ego could hardly be more bloated after years of constant success, but what he is achieving at Stamford Bridge in his second spell is truly remarkable.

Within a year he has taken a team that seemed disjointed, over the hill and stuck in its ways (one that a string of previous managers struggled to modernise) into a vibrant, confident side that already looks and smells like a champion.

The combination of John Terry and Gary Cahill’s dominance at the back, Cesc Fabregas’ orchestration in midfield, Eden Hazard’s magic and Costa’s ferocious finishing power make Chelsea title favourites — and worthy leaders. The only fly in the ointment is the occasional blip — such as defeat at Newcastle — or perhaps how they would cope without Fabregas or Hazard. But they look champions-elect.

CRYSTAL PALACE

Position: 17th

Points: 15

W3 D6 L8

For: 19 Against 27

Top scorer: Mile Jedinak 5

Star man: Yannick Bolasie

Under-performer: The strikers.

One to watch: Sullay Kaikai

Fans rating: 4/10

“Our manager is a throwback to a time when the workmanlike pro was of more value than the man who could score 30 goals a season. That sums it up.” — Henry Garwood, contributor to Red’n’Blue.

Examiner verdict: Crystal Palace know they will be in a relegation battle all season, but nevertheless there is an energy and a raw passion at Selhurst Park that suggests they will make a fight of it. Bolasie typifies the Palace brand and has been a breath of fresh air, while Mile Jedinak is a real leader. What they miss, however, is goals from up front — and that will make it a nervy finale. The atmosphere at Selhurst will help, but it will be close.

EVERTON

Position: 11th

Points: 21

W5 D6 L6

For: 27 Against 27

Top scorer: Romelu Lukaku 6

Star man: Steven Naismith

Under-performer; Steven Pienaar

One to watch: Luke Garbutt

Fans rating: 5/10

“Early results let us down, we let in unnecessary goals. But I like Martinez — and our Europa League performance have been outstanding.” — Kieran O’Sullivan, Everton Supporters Club.

Examiner verdict: Given the progress Everton made last season, it would be hard not to describe the first half of the 2014-15 campaign as a disappointment. Having signed Lukaku on a permanent deal, there were hopes that Everton would be serious contenders for a top-four finish this time; but in fact they have fallen well short. Defeats against the likes of Palace at home and most recently a capitulation at Southampton are confirmation of a team that has underachieved. It’s hard to see Everton finishing higher than eighth.

HULL CITY

Position: 19th

Points: 13

W2 D7 L8

For: 15 Against: 24

Top scorer: Mohamed Diame/Nikica Jelavic 4

Star man: Andrew Robertson

Under-performer: Hatem Ben Arfa

One to watch: Andrew Robertson

Fans rating: 5/10

“Our squad last season was all about passion, work-rate, and getting the job done. Not this year. It’s make-or-break time for Steve Bruce.” — Richard Graham, Chairman Hull City Southern Supporters.

Examiner verdict: Having reached their first FA Cup Final in 2014, raising expectations to a new level, there was always a concern that Hull would struggle to maintain momentum.

They remain a well-organised side but clearly lack goals, and the signing of Ben Arfa has failed to provide the extra spark needed to take them to the next level. The second half of the season may prove difficult.

LEICESTER CITY

Position: 20th

Points: 10

W2 D4 L11

For: 11 Against: 29

Top scorer: Leonardo Ulloa 6

Star man: Leonardo Ulloa

Under-performer: The team

One to watch: Riyad Mahrez

Fans rating: 3/10

“The performances were fine at the start, but now we begin games with a defensive outlook and can’t find the verve we began with.” — Kevin Wells, London Foxes.

Examiner verdict: A thrilling 5-3 victory over Manchester United must have got Leicester fans dreaming of a very special season. But all the evidence now seems to suggest it is going to be a battle for the Foxes to stay up. The form of Cambiasso, Ulloa and Mahrez are positives — but the team need more goals to stay up.

LIVERPOOL

Position: 10th

Points: 22

W6 D4 L7

For: 21 Against: 24

Top scorer: Steven Gerrard 3

Star man: Adam Lallana

Under-performer: Mignolet/Lovren/Balotelli

One to watch: Lazar Markovic

Fans rating: 5/10

“We’ve not been half the side we were last year, we’ve lost our arrogance and ability to control games. We need superstars to give us quality again. But I want Rodgers to stay.” — Dom Clark, Liverpool season ticket holder.

Examiner verdict: Liverpool are, undoubtedly, the biggest underachievers so far, having gone from title contenders to a team struggling not to drop into the bottom half.

Losing Luis Suarez to Barcelona, and Daniel Sturridge to injury, has underpinned that decline; but manager Brendan Rodgers — who got so much right last season — needs to take a share of the blame for the way his team has shrivelled so embarrassingly.

His summer transfer policy, spending over the odds on a string of players from Southampton and gambling on Mario Balotelli, has failed to impress.

Even more disastrous has been Liverpool’s defence, with Dejan Lovren a shadow of the player he was at St Mary’s and goalkeeper Simon Mignolet now dropped indefinitely. It is going to be a real tough battle to save Liverpool’s season.

MANCHESTER CITY

Position: 2nd

Points: 39

W12 D3 L2

For: 36 Against: 14

Top scorer: Sergio Aguero 14

Star man: Sergio Aguero

Under-performer: None — although Sagna and Fernando still settling in.

One to watch: Jose Pozo

Fans rating: 8/10

“We had a difficult start when our players suffered a World Cup hangover. But we’ve turned things around impressively. The 3-2 win over Bayern Munich was a watershed for the season.” — Ric Turner, Bluemoon fanzine.

Examiner verdict: City don’t always get the credit they deserve for their consistency. Perhaps it is because they are perceived to have ‘bought’ success or perhaps it is because they still don’t have the air of glamour of some of their closest rivals; and yet there is much to admire in terms of the growing team spirit of Manuel Pellegrini’s team and the football they play. Aguero is undoubtedly one of the world’s great strikers; and having won two titles in three years City, now recovered from early-season defeats by Stoke and West Ham, have the experience to push Chelsea all the way — especially as David Silva is fit again and Samir Nasri finding top form. Top two for certain.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Position: 3rd

Points: 32

W9 D5 L3

For: 30 Against 18

Top scorer: Robin van Persie: 7

Star man: David De Gea

Under-performer: Anderson

One to watch: James Wilson

Fans rating: 6/10

“Now we are free of Moyes we can only get better. The team look like a team; and while there is a long way to go, it no longer looks like a journey without a paddle. 2015 will be better.” — Barney Chilton, Red News.

Examiner verdict: Manchester United may not be ready to recreate the glory days just yet, but under showman Louis van Gaal there is at least a belief the club is on the way back. Some of their performances remain alarming — the defence is porous, the central midfield unable to retain possession — but United are slowly regaining the stature and swagger of champion They already have a front five that measures up well against any rival and a manager with the gravitas to take them to the next level. So despite a disastrous start to the season, including that infamous defeat at Leicester, recent results suggest United will be contenders for the top four this season and no doubt the title next year when van Gaal’s team building is completed.

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Position: 9th

Points: 23

W6 D5 L6

For: 18 Against: 23

Top scorer: Papiss Cisse 7

Star man: Daryl Janmaat

Under-performer: Remy Cabella

One to watch: Ronaldo Aarons

Fans rating: 6/10

Examiner verdict: Predicting where Newcastle will finish is no easy task; they have recovered well from a poor start — when Pardew appeared on the verge of the sack — but retain the tendency, as against Sunderland at the weekend, to throw in a bad result when you don’t expect it. Given that Pardew made so many signings, most of them from abroad, it was always going to take time for his new team to gel and he will expect them to improve over the second half of the season. Top 10 is about right.

QPR

Position: 16th

Points: 17

W5 D2 L10

For: 20 Against: 32

Top scorer: Charlie Austin 11

Star man: Charlie Austin

Under-performer: Rio Ferdinand

One to watch: Jordan Mutch

Fans rating: 5/10

“Thank goodness for our home form but we need to work on our away performances to stand even a chance of staying up. But he fans are still behind Harry at the moment.” — Mick Jones, season ticket holder.

Examiner verdict: When you consider QPR have lost every single one of their away games in the Premier League this season it would take a brave man to say with any certainty they will stay up. Much better home form — and 11 goals from Austin — provides hope. But Austin needs help — Eduardo Vargas is second-top scorer with two goals.

Time for Jermain Defoe?

SOUTHAMPTON

Position: 5th

Points: 29

W9 D2 L6

For: 28 Against: 13

Top scorer: Graziano Pelle 8

Star man: Nathaniel Clyne

Under-performer: No-one

One to watch: All the youth team!

Fans rating: 8/10

“It’s been so much better than anyone was expecting; and it says something that Saints fans are actually disappointed to be only fifth after a few bad results! But we are only going to get better.” — Steve Benedict, lifelong Saints fan.

Examiner verdict: After losing their manager to Tottenham and selling 10 players — worth more than €100m — in a frantic close-season, Southampton were tipped for the bottom six not the top six. But in Ronald Koeman they have found a new leader who has transformed expectation and proved the Southampton model can survive just about anything, including a recent dip in form. New boys Pelle, Tadic and Forster are all big hits — and a top eight finish looks a certainty.

STOKE CITY

Position: 13th

Points: 19

W5 D4 L8

For: 18 Against: 23

Top scorer: Peter Crouch/Jonathan Walters 4

Star man: Bojan

Under-performer: Mame Biram Diouf

One to watch: Oliver Shenton

Fans rating: 5/10:

“It’s been a mixed bag so far but I think overall Mark Hughes is doing a good job. He’s got a plan about how he wants the team to play and he’s made good signings.” — David Shenton, Stoke Supporters Club.

Examiner verdict: Stoke are a work in progress for Hughes. There have been some outstanding performances away at Man City, at Spurs and home to Arsenal, but some poor ones against lesser teams. The good news is Bojan looks an exciting player, Walters and Crouch are on form, and Hughes is slowly changing the style of the team. Stoke are aiming for top half rather than a relegation battle.

SUNDERLAND

Position: 14

Points: 19

W3 D10 L4

For: 15 Against: 24

Top scorer: Steven Fletcher 4

Star man: Lee Cattermole

Under-performer: Jozy Altidore

One to watch: Ricky Alvarez

Fans rating: 6/10

Examiner verdict: “The biggest problem we have is scoring goals. Once we get a proven goalscorer to help then things will improve. But I back Gus Poyet all the way.” — Eve Sayers, A Love Supreme.

Examiner verdict: After losing 8-0 at Southampton, Sunderland’s season looked over. But Gus Poyet seems to have pulled them back from the brink and suddenly — after winning yet again in the North East derby — confidence is returning. The return of Fletcher is key, but so too Cattermole’s growing maturity. Expect Sunderland to improve further in the second half of the campaign.

SWANSEA

Position: 8th

Points: 25

W7 D4 L6

For: 22 Against: 19

Top scorer: Wilfried Bony 8

Star man: Wilfried Bony

Under-performer: Bafetimbi Gomis

One to watch: Jefferson Montero

Fans rating: 7/10

“It’s a good time for the Swans. The fans are right behind the manager and there’s great unity. The team is becoming more difficult to beat and as long as we keep Bony it should be a great season.” — Dave Jones, lifelong Swans fan.

Examiner verdict: With Bony up front, winger Montero improving by the week, and Gylfi Sigurdsson providing assists, Swansea continue to impress. Manager Gary Monk has added an edge of steel to his team, too, which should augur well. It would be a surprise to see them slip below halfway.

TOTTENHAM

Position: 7th

Points: 27

W8 D3 L6

Top scorer: Christian Erikssen/Nacer Chadli 6

Star man: Christian Erikssen

Under-performer: Andros Townsend

One to watch: Harry Kane

Fans rating: 7/10

“I think many fans wrote off this season pretty quickly — but actually there are signs that things are starting to click under Pochettino. We have a great chance of getting to a cup final and the top four is still possible. It could actually be a great season.” — David Swarc, lifelong Spurs fan.

Examiner verdict: If Tottenham’s half-term report had been written in November then you can be pretty sure some serious questions marks would have been placed over their progress. But in recent weeks there are signs that Mauricio Pochettino is beginning to make an impact.

It has been hard work to introduce the kind of high-paced pressing game that he used so successfully at Southampton. But things are changing. Moreover, in Erikssen they have one of the most and impressive performers in the Premier League so far this season, and in Kane one of the most exciting newcomers. Top eight, however, not top six, is probably the reality.

WEST BROM

Position: 15th

Points: 17

W4 D5 L8

For: 17 Against: 23

Top scorer: Saido Berahino 7

Star man: Joleon Lescott

Under-performer: Ideye Brown

One to watch: Saido Berahino

Fans rating: 6/10

“It has been a mixed bag of a season. The defence is more solid but midfield lacks pace and a creative spark. It looks like another relegation battle.” — Eolan Allen, irishbaggies.com

Examiner verdict: They are a complicated team to work out, West Brom. Capable of abject mediocrity on a bad day but occasionally, and especially when Berahino is at his most vibrant, capable of pulling a performance out of the bag when you least expect it. The big worry for manager Alan Irvine is the lack of goals from other areas of the team — and how to hang on to Berahino. Bottom six looks likely.

WEST HAM

Position: 4th

Points: 31

W9 D4 L4

For: 29 Against: 19

Top scorer: Diafra Sakho 7

Star man: Alex Song

Under-performer: Mauro Zarate

One to watch: Diego Poyet

Fans rating: 8/10

“It’s been a great season so far, we are fourth and more important there because we’re playing ball. The general feeling around the supporters’ club is that it’s down to Teddy Sheringham, not Big Sam. But from a Dublin Hammers perspective we are enjoying it, the fun is back and Brannigans Pub on Cathedral Street gives all Hammers a welcome!” — Jim Conway, Dublin Hammers

Examiner verdict: Who would have thought it? West Ham in the top six, playing attractive football and with Sam Allardyce still at the helm.

The transformation has been remarkable, sparked by a string of clever and successful summer signings who have all made an impact. Striker Sakho in particular has been breathtaking, not just for his finishing but also his power and sheer energy. But Song — on loan from Barcelona — has been equally influential, while Stewart Downing has been revitalised.

The fly in the ointment? Well, the Hammers will lose Sakho to the African Cup of Nations in January.