A few months ago, on the eve of the Premier league season, I predicted each position.
1) LIVERPOOL - Erm. Way off here, currently sitting in 6th place, a mile off the pace [15 points] and don't look the same team, perhaps playing every possible game last season has got to them a little bit but even with Klopp at the wheel, you wouldn't expect this much of a drop off.
2) Manchester City. Currently sitting in 2nd. I got one right! Signed a cheat code in the off season and he's been every bit as good as people thought he would be.
3) Tottenham . They're sitting just a point under 3rd place with 29 points in 4th, and it's what i thought with Spurs. Despite the talks that Conte isn't in it long term, he's still there as I type this, and could just kick on a bit after the break.
4) Arsenal. Currently top of the table at the break. I don't think anyone saw them playing this well, but how will they handle the break? Credit to Arteta, whom is a manager i openly said this about "He's not up to the job, and he's just a pretender" Then he managed Aubameyang out of the door.
5) Chelsea . They are actually sitting in 8th, and having appointed a new manager, seeing off Thomas Tuchel [i called it] ! So im claiming that as another point,
6) Leicester . Oh dear. Languishing down in 13th after an absolutely rotten start to the campaign. and want away players, have steadied the ship somewhat in the last few weeks. Big winter ahead, and an even bigger transfer window, can they reinvest the Fofana money ?
7) Manchester United. Actually sitting in 5th as we read this [November 19th] and ETH has a massive problem called Ronaldo. Famously stormed off when they played Spurs, and has been talking to his new best friend, Piers Morgan lately. No idea if they can sustain their start, but if they can then ETH naysayers may be quiet.
8) Aston Villa. Next! Ok, Sitting 12th, feels like a European place, given where they could have been lying, and Gerrard ball didn't work, and in came Emery Ball. It feels different now, the team feel like they have an identity, and hopefully with a few solid addidtions in January, perhaps the 2nd half of the season leaves them closer to this position.
9) Newcastle. Next! Ok. Actually in 3rd. That's a ridiculous statement to make, but Eddie Howe's army have really showed up for the Gallogate. Can they keep it up?
10) Wolverhampton Wanderers. Oh Dear. Bottom, without a manager, until recently, another former La Liga manager has taken the reigns, a mere 6 years after the Wolves hierarchy first wanted him. Hope hes been worth the wait.
11) Crystal Palace. Currently sitting in 11th! Yes! Another point! Can i hold on to it, and can Palace carry on being the fortress its become?
12) Brighton and Hove Albion. Nope. Their actually 7th, but after Graham Potter went to go and play FM at Chelsea performances have been pretty good, and not always getting the results they deserved.
13) West Ham United. Some thought this harsh, but their current position is... 16th. They've overachieved of late, and this season is bringing them back down to earth a little bit, but they still have a European conference trophy to win.
14) Southampton. Currently in the relegation places, and are another club, that have parted ways with their manager, Incoming Nathan Jones [his first game against Liverpool wasn't aa fair reflection on the job he's done at Luton, but if he fails again, he might well end up in the rubbish for everyone but one club, Still, i think he'll be ok for a couple of seasons at least.
15) Everton. Almost! A point and a couple of goals in it, so im looking ok , but is Frank Lampard looking ok? Will he keep his job, and will he be able to mould the team in his will going forwards?
16) Brentford. Sat 5 points above this position, in 10th, but is a very tight mid pack as predicted. Thomas Frank looks like hes up for the fight, but too often his team have been found wanting,
17) Nottingham Forest. An absolutely shocking start, that had them on pace to being the worst premier league team ever [Derby] but some incredible results of late have given them a new life, and perhaps the 222222 new signings are finally jelling, and have harmony.
18) Leeds United. Currently 15th. They could stay there, i see a much-improved side, but they [like brighton] haven't always gotten the results they perhaps deserved, but this should be a highlight every weekend on MOTD.
19) Bournemouth. Technically, don't have a manager as we sit, just an interim, and they are sat in 14th, but just 3 points above the drop zone.
20 ) Fulham. Finally, having beaten Villa 3-1, and costing Gerrard his job, Fulham sit in the top half. This is such a mental season, and anything can happen after the World cup. Kudos to Marco Silva, who seems to have figured out the Premier league, in his 3rd go at it.
So, there we have it, as the premier league sits heading into the World Cup which begins tomorrow, and I'm not looking forward to it. I have no passion for it and I have no real interest in it.
