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The Premier League Pack is Gaining…
Published by Ian John on October 19, 2009
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Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal had better watch out, because the pack is closing and seems to be gaining in strength…
After being told that the Premier League had, in effect, become a three tiered division, with the top four almost guaranteed to fight out who wins the title, the bottom 6-8 clubs all involved in a relegation dogfight, with the remainder of the teams trying to gain a UEFA Cup spot or consolodate in mid table, it now looks as if the league is beginning to open up again.
Liverpool’s poor start, beachball not withstanding, is well documented but the other top sides have looked far from invincible at times. Arsenal look wonderful going forward but still look very edgy defensively. Manchester United too have not been their majestic best as yet with defensive frailties a worry and without several late goals, they would not be in the position they currently hold. Chelsea have lost two games already this season and showed a worrying inability to pick up players at set pieces against Aston Villa at the weekend.
So we have the top four all having problems of varying degrees. Now we must add into the mix a rapidly improving Aston Villa side that looks superbly marshalled by Martin O’Neill and that has already defeated Liverpool and Arsenal this season. We have the money men at Manchester City and the very real prospect of Mark Hughes being able to add even greater quality and depth to the squad in January. Tottenham under Harry Redknapp have showed title form since he took over at the club and they too must be regarded as a real threat to the top four. Steve Bruce looks to have worked wonders in a short space of time at Sunderland although it remains to be seen if the Black Cats have the strength in depth to last the pace all season long.
In addition to this, the likes of Stoke, Birmingham, Bolton, Hull City and even Portsmouth are pushing these top sides very very hard during matches. There are no “easy” games anymore. No “gimme’s”. It’s all rather nostalgic to be honest, harkening back to an era when a team at the foot of the Premiership could go to Anfield or Old Trafford and get a win without it being a jaw dropping, earth shattering result. It happened because the teams were evenly matched and to get back to that makes me realise how much I’ve missed it.
So bring on defeats, bring on the losses. I want a few more of them. I want a title race between many, not a top four exclusive procession. I want to see the top four change, I want the status quo rocked and I want to see the wealth spread a little more evenly.
Image Courtesy of ***dalli58*** on Flickr.com
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Nabyl Charania on Tue, 20th Oct 2009 12:20 pm
It is a little more interesting this year, with the “BeachballGate” incident and with Tottenham, ManCity and Aston Villa pushing the traditional top 4 it is definitely more fun for the impartial EPL fans.