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The EPL End of Term Reports…Part Two

Published by Ian John on May 6, 2010

The next article looks at the teams currently from 6th to 10th in the Premier League and begins with the charges of the gamboling Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill.

ASTON VILLA (Martin O’Neill)
All in all, it’s been a decent year for the Villains. A strong showing in both cup competitions and signs of continued improvement in the league. Martin O’Neill’s young team has plenty of scope for improvement in the future and has already laid claim to a Europa League berth next season. Consistency issues have plagued the team from time to time, and being beaten by seven goals at Chelsea is never a great advertisement for a team hoping to break into the top four, but Villa fans will be reasonably pleased with what they have achieved this season and the fact that they are now well set up to build on this and push very hard for a Champions League place next season. OVERALL SEASON GRADE : B+
AREAS TO IMPROVE?
Consistency is the key. Villa now need to prove they can win the big games against the top four teams. The squad is very talented and young and should improve. Overall though, Villa are improving nicely as they progress under O’Neill and the best move they could make would be to tie him to a longer term contract.

LIVERPOOL (Rafa Benitez)
Yuk. To describe Liverpool’s season as anything less than an unmitigated disaster would be a kindness. Let’s face it, at the start of the campaign many were tipping Liverpool to go one better this year and claim the league title. However the problems began in pre-season and have continued ever since. The sale of Alonso, the signing of Aquilani, poor form, injuries, behind the scenes turmoil, financial strife, players having outbursts about the club, managers linked with the sack or leaving, top players linked with being sold due to financial problems and the owners now want to sell. In the annals of Liverpool football club’s rich history, this season will go down as one of the ones to forget. OVERALL SEASON GRADE : E
AREAS TO IMPROVE?
Everywhere. However all that will be academic until the owners sell the club and new owners are brought in who share the vision and aspirations of Liverpool fans and players. Util that happens, any perceived improvement will simply be a papering over the cracks.

EVERTON (David Moyes)
Another excellent season for the Toffeemen, despite a torrid start to the season and a lengthy injury list which robbed them of key players for most of it. Despite that Everton have bounced back and proven that they are a genuine top six contender side under Moyes. A better start and they may well have edged Liverpool out of the Europa League places. Bill Kenwright has laughed off speculation that Moyes would be allowed to leave Goodison Park to take over at Old Trafford when Sir Alex calls it quits. That may be the best news Evertonians have had for some time. OVERALL SEASON GRADE : B-
AREAS TO IMPROVE?
Everton need financial assistance off the pitch. Kenwright, needs investment in the club and the new ground in order for Moyes to build upon the solid foundations that he has at Goodison Park. Without that, then the Europa League is probably the best that Everton can hope for at the present time.

BIRMINGHAM CITY (Alex McLeish)
My tip for relegation this season, which goes to show what I know eh? A fantastic season for the Blues and manager Alex McLeish. Admittedly their form has tailed off somewhat of late, but that should not detract from a fine season for the Blues who not only can celebrate their highest Premier League finish, but also a new owner, apparently with money to spend, and a summer where they can realistically build on this excellent showing to become one of the mainstays of the top half of the Premier League table and perhaps push on for European qualification. OVERALL SEASON GRADE : B+
AREAS TO IMPROVE?
McLeish has a fine squad, but just needs to tune it now by bringing in some quality additions to add to the fine nucleus of talent he has at the squad. A proven goalscorer would be a huge bonus as despite their efforts this season, Jerome and Benitez don’t look likely to grab the same number of goals in the Premier League as someone like Darren Bent.

STOKE CITY (Tony Pulis)
Another side who have punched well above their weight this season but Tony Pulis side have deservedly earned their place in the top ten on the back of some hardworking performances. Their style of play may not be everyones cup of tea, eh Arsene? But there is no doubt that Stoke are powerful, superb defensively and very effective at what they do. The unfair focus on Delap’s long throw also takes away from the fact that Stoke have some very talented players who would no doubt be lauded if they played at a more glamorous club. OVERALL SEASON GRADE : B+
AREAS TO IMPROVE
A goalscorer would be a positive boon for Stoke but finding one who can grab the 15-20 goals a season at the highest level is often a long and expensive process. It is also key that Stoke hang onto their better young stars at the end of the season as if they lose them, then they may well find themselves going backwards next season.

Part Three to follow shortly…

Image Courtesy of Alvaro Arbeloa on Flickr.com

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