NEARLY a month now since the Premiership season finished. Here is my club-by club review in order of their finishing positions.
Manchester United
MANCHESTER United may have won another Premiership title and it is their 19th league championship, overtaking Liverpool at last. However, they came up short in the Champions League final by some distance and Sir Alex Ferguson will know that the squad must improve over the summer to become a European force again. At home, Old Trafford was a fortress, with only West Brom (2-2) in October stealing a point. Away from home was a different matter, with just five wins, the lowest of any side on their way to winning the title. Luckily, there were enough turning points which showed the class of champions. Fightbacks against Aston Villa in November, Blackpool in January and West Ham in April were the foreground for the title success, with a New Years Day away win at West Brom when they were comprehensively outplayed being another deciding factor. Edwin van der Sar and Paul Scholes have ended their glittering careers, whilst who knows where Ryan Giggs head will be at next season, after all the recent tabloid allegations. Javier Hernandez was definitely the signing of the season and Wayne Rooney was beginning to look like his old self by the season’s end, after an indifferent beginning, which nearly led to his departure. Marked improvements are needed, but no-one wins the title by accident and at the end of day, Manchester United looked head and shoulders above everyone else this season.
HIGHS: Comeback victories from seemingly definite losing positions against Blackpool in January and West Ham in April.
LOWS: Wayne Rooney's transfer saga, dodgy away form and having to cope with the retirements of Scholes and Van der Sar.
CARLO Ancelotti lost his job after a trophy less season at Stamford Bridge. How have things changed after the Double Winning season last time around. Unfortunately, Chelsea have an ageing squad, which needs significant rebuilding if they want to stay in the position of Manchester United’s closest pursuers. They were frighteningly good early in the season, but the loss of Frank Lampard to injury hit them hard, and it turned into a very bleak winter, which saw them tumble from dominant pacesetters to distant challengers. A mighty run-in gave them an unlikely sniff, but a shambolic first half display in the title decider at Old Trafford summed up their season and had Ancelotti heading for his P45. Didier Drogba didn’t look himself this season, Florent Malouda seems to have lost a yard of his pace and the signing of Fernando Torres in January for 50million will go down as the most expensive flop in transfer history so far. One goal only for ‘El Nino;’ Liverpool will feel like they’d won the lottery. Lampard was a thorn when he returned from injury, and Branislav Ivanovic had a very consistent campaign too. Despite a bumbling game at Old Trafford, David Luiz did look fairly solid and is a good acquisition. However, the new boss (probably Guus Hiddink) has a lot of work to do in West London and a clearout is necessary, without a doubt.
HIGHS: Beating Manchester United 2-1 in March and deadly early season form with 6-0 onslaughts of Wigan and West Brom.
LOWS: Being beaten twice by Liverpool, failing to turn up in the first half at Old Trafford and the signing of Fernando Torres.
Manchester City
AN FA Cup final victory and guaranteed Champions League football meant it was an excellent season and one to remember for Manchester City. They are only going to get stronger, so the rest of the opposition better beware. Highlights this season in results include home victories over Chelsea and Liverpool and impressive demolitions of Aston Villa and West Brom. The scoring form and consistency of Yaya Toure also has to go down as a major positive. However, Carlos Tevez seems really unsettled at Eastlands and if he departs, it will be a body blow for City. Roberto Mancini made some tactical errors this season, notably leaving David Silva and Nigel de Jong out, then crumbling 3-0 at Anfield in April, and he must also have some nightmares about Everton. He has come up against David Moyes four times, and lost on every single occasion. Ultimately, the 2-1 loss before Christmas at home was probably the night the fans realised it wasn’t going to be a championship winning season. Some signings haven’t gelled either. James Milner has struggled to live up to his price tag, whilst Mario Balotelli has a major attitude problem which needs urgent attention in the summer. However, it was a campaign of positives more than negatives and I’d expect a major assault at the Premiership title from Mancini’s men next season.
HIGHS: Champions League football guaranteed, Yaya Toure's unlikely scoring form and Emmanuel Adebayor's departure.
LOWS: Carlos Tevez unsettled, negative tactics against the top teams and Roberto Mancini's inability to beat Everton!
WELL, it’s the same old story for Arsenal; quality football, the best in the league by a country mile, but no silverware to show for their efforts. It is now six long years since Gunners fans saw a trophy head back to North London and time is starting to run out for Arsene Wenger. He has given the young guns enough time, and it is now time to bring in some experienced heads. Robin Van Persie had an incredible run of goalscoring form in the second half of the season, which might mean now an ultimate replacement for Thierry Henry has finally been found. Marouane Chamakh had to make do with a place on the bench and must improve next season if he is to fulfil his tag of goal-getter, which he was in France. The exciting emergence of Jack Wiltshire leaves hope and encouragement for the future, whilst Samir Nasri finally showed his full potential. However, Arsenal still have big weaknesses. The signings of Laurent Koscieny and Sebastian Squillaci were disastrous and the goalkeeping area is still a problem. Manuel Almunia is hopeless; Lukasz Fabianski is far too injury-prone and Szcenzy needs more time to develop before being thrown into the limelight. Arsenal also has a tendency to throw away advantages. Silly home losses against Newcastle and West Brom, combined with a 2-0 home lead chucked away in the North London derby and the 4-goal lead squandered at St. James Park in February still show up something that has plagued the Gunners for a while now. Wenger must deliver a trophy under new ownership next season, or face the consequences of the unthinkable, the sack!
HIGHS: More quality football, the goalscoring form of Robin van Persie and Jack Wilshire's emergence.
LOWS: Failing to win a trophy, AGAIN!
Tottenham Hotspur
TOTTENHAM had a season full of highs, but ultimately, 5th place will be seen as a disappointment to their fans. However, this does highlight the sensational progress they have made under Harry Redknapp. They had a fantastic run to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but it will only be UEFA Europa League football next campaign. The Premiership highlight of the season was undoubtedly coming from 2-0 down to beat Arsenal 3-2 at the Emirates in November. They looked dead and buried at half-time, but came back with one of the greatest Premiership comebacks of all time. There was an impressive double over Liverpool too for the first time in Premiership history. However, their form at the end of the season nearly cost them another European adventure. Dropped points at Wigan and home draws with West Brom and Sunderland ultimately cost them a shot at the top four. Redknapp has already strengthened for next season, with the capture of dependable Brad Friedel on a free transfer from Aston Villa. Does this mean the end for the bumbling Hereulho Gomes? Once again, Gomes produced some stunning performances, together with shots that a three-year old could save in his back garden! If Gomes was seriously error-prone, Gareth Bale was sensational and deserved to win PFA Player of the Year. If the Welshman can continue his development next season, we could be looking at Wales’s next biggest talent – now Ryan Giggs has shown his true colours!
HIGHS: A fantastic Champions League adventure, beating Arsenal at the Emirates and Gareth Bale's sensational form.
LOWS: Hereulho Gomes and failing to reach the top four, due to a lacklustre finish to the campaign.
Liverpool
AS SOON as the Liverpool fans found out Kenny Dalglish had been turned down for the Liverpool job last summer, Roy Hodgson was a dead man walking. His transfer business last summer was terrible and ultimately, poor results cost him his job in January. There is no doubting Hodgson is a quality manager; he was just the wrong man at the wrong time for Liverpool. There were very painful home defeats in the league to Wolves and Blackpool and pitiful away displays at Manchester City, Stoke and Blackburn. In fact, Liverpool looked to be in a relegation battle at the turn of the year, so sixth place is some achievement at the end of a tricky campaign. Kenny Dalglish eventually returned to manage his beloved club, and he guided Liverpool to stunning victories away at Chelsea and at home to both Manchester United and Manchester City. Dalglish also sold Fernando Torres to Chelsea and not even El Nino’s departure could dampen the spirits. Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll came in and both look world class already. If Carroll can stay injury-free, it could be a very fruitful partnership. Liverpool’s academy looks like blossoming too, with Jay Spearing, Martin Kelly and Jack Robinson all showing signs of a promising future. Dirk Kuyt had his best season yet and Raul Meireles looks like somewhere near his 2010 World Cup pedigree, which makes up for the dire signings of Christian Poulsen, Joe Cole and Paul Konchesky. Ultimately, Liverpool missed out on European football and won’t be playing in a continental competition for the first time since 1999. However, it might be a plus for Dalglish, as he aims to build a new dynasty of young and emerging talent. A dark campaign in general for Liverpool, which ended with lots of light at the end of the tunnel.
HIGHS: The return of King Kenny, stunning victories over Chelsea and Manchester United and the signing of Luis Suarez.
LOWS: Roy Hodgson's reign in charge at Anfield and being beaten at homes by Blackpool and Wolves.
SEVENTH place was an improvement on last season for Everton, but they will feel it was a season of missed opportunities. Like Liverpool, the Toffees were embroiled in the relegation scrap for the majority of the season, with the nadir being a 2-0 loss at Bolton on February 13. That left David Moyes side only two points above the danger zone. After that, Manchester United and West Brom were the only clubs to beat Everton, with a run of form that would have seen the Blue half of Merseyside challenge for a top four position. Yet again, there was an impressive double over Manchester City, with their 2-1 win before Christmas at Eastlands one of the performances of the whole season. Goodison Park was as tough as ever, with Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea all being beaten. In fact, four points off Liverpool means local pride belongs to Everton this season. However, Moyes will know that the lack of goals is hurting his side. Once Tim Cahill disappeared to the Asian Cup in January, there was no regular source for goals. Jermaine Beckford scored ten in his debut season in the top flight, which was a solid tally, but there needs to be more back-up. Louis Saha misfired all campaign, and Yakubu became so bad, he was loaned out to Leicester City for the second half of the season. With no major finance to strengthen the squad again, it could be the same story next season and Moyes will do well to hold onto the likes of Jack Rodwell, Leighton Baines and Mikel Arteta. However, Maroualine Fellani’s loss of confidence and form will be a worry. The Belgian has immense talent, but seems stagnated at Goodison Park and maybe a move would be best for both parties. If Everton make a better start next term, I’d expect them to be right in the European shake-up at the end of the campaign.
HIGHS: Another league double over Manchester City and impressive wins at home to Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea.
LOWS: The lack of goals, no finances to strengthen and Maroualine Fellani's loss of confidence.
Fulham
THE sudden departure of Mark Hughes after just one season at Craven Cottage spoilt Fulham’s end of season form, which bought their second ever highest league finish, and qualification for the UEFA Europa League via the Fair Play route. Hughes insists he wants a bigger challenge, but he was developing something good in West London, so his resignation was a real surprise. However, Mohammed Al-Fayed has moved quickly and by appointing ex-Tottenham and Ajax boss Martin Jol, he has definitely found a very shrewd replacement. Fulham’s season looked to be in dire straits once Bobby Zamora broke his ankle in their 2-1 win over Wolves in September. Goals and confidence became a real problems, and after a shock 3-1 loss at home to West Ham on Boxing Day, the Cottagers were in the bottom three. Zamora’s return to fitness, combined with the consistency of Brede Hangeland, Danny Murphy and Clint Dempsey allowed for a very strong second half of the season. It was also nice to see Andy Johnson return to fitness and find the net again occasionally, even though Moussa Dembele was a real disappointment. Jol will have finances to spend and as long as they can hold onto their key players, Fulham certainly have the capability to break into the top seven on a regular basis.
HIGHS: A strong second half of the season and Brede Hangeland's consistency.
LOWS: Mark Hughes's sudden departure and Bobby Zamora's broken ankle, which ruined the Cottagers season.
Aston Villa
THERE can be no doubt that this was a messy season for Aston Villa and the summer doesn’t seem to have improved things. Once Martin O’Neill walked out on Randy Lerner days before the start of the season, Villa were destined for a scrappy campaign and that’s what happened. In fact, they flirted with relegation more often than not, and only a strong end to the season under Gary McAllister got them into the top half. Kevin McDonald stepped into the breach after O’Neill left, but a 6-0 slaughtering at Newcastle finished his hopes of getting the job on a permanent basis. To the fans surprise and dismay, Gerard Houillier returned to Premiership management and despite an opening win under the new regime at Wolves in September, things never improved afterwards. Gabby Agbonlahor scored one goal all season, Emile Heskey looked as worse as ever and John Carew couldn’t hit a barndoor if his life depended on it, so he was farmed out to Stoke on loan. The only plus of Houiller’s appointment was the signing of Darren Bent from Sunderland in January. Yet again, Bent found the net on his debut in the win over Manchester City at Villa Park and couldn’t stop scoring in a Villa jersey. Eventually, a heart scare forced Houillier out of the role and ultimately, out of the job. Lerner’s pursuit of a new boss has been poor too. Rafa Benitez was refused money, Roberto Martinez opted to stay at Wigan and now, a messy situation with Alex McLeish and Birmingham City faces up with the possibility of an autumn court case with the lawyers. With Ashley Young and Stewart Downing destined to leave, plus a lack of team harmony around the dressing room, a bleak future looks like being the way throughout the Midlands. This was a totally wasted and shambolic campaign for Aston Villa.
HIGHS: Darren Bent's signing.
LOWS: The appointment of Gerard Houillier and basically no goals upfront from their strikers (excluding Bent)
Sunderland
A TOP half finish for Sunderland was a solid result, but it could have been so much better. For two-thirds of the campaign, Steve Bruce and his players looked capable for a shot at European qualification via the league. However, a run of one point in 11 games almost cost them their Premier League status and it must have been a relief to Bruce to see the Black Cats recover and win three of their last four games that kept them comfortably afloat. Beating Newcastle in the league will also satisfy the fans. They won’t want to be reminded of a terrible day on Tyneside in October, when bitter rivals Newcastle dismantled them 5-1, which was the only black spot on a brilliant first half of the season. That included a 3-0 demolition of champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in November, which for me, is the performance and shock result of the entire campaign. Asamoah Gyan came in on deadline day in the summer, and bought his World Cup flair to Wearside, whilst the loan signings of Danny Wellbeck and Nedum Onuoha were shrewd pieces of businesses. Unfortunately, the club were afflicted with players ending up more likely to be on the treatment table, rather than the training ground. Darren Bent’s departure to Aston Villa in January seriously hurt them, as did Lee Cattermole’s lack of discipline and the unsettled goalkeeping position, with both Craig Gordon and Simon Mignolet lacking a consistent run of games. Jordan Henderson may have departed for Liverpool, but now Sunderland have money to spend on improving the squad and they could be a dark horse to watch next season. The potential is there for the Black Cats to deliver something special, so there can be no excuses from Bruce and the board next campaign.
HIGHS: A 3-0 demolition of champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in November.
LOWS: Horrific form from February/April which nearly cost them Premier League status and a 5-1 spanking at Newcastle.
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