1. Manchester United
Man United have in some ways defied expectations with the season they’ve had. Sir Alex has outdone himself again, juggling his squad to near perfection and as a result bringing the Red Devils to the brink of winning another league and Champions League double. United don’t have a superstar squad but they are versatile in their approach, cunning in style and very hard to beat. Antonio Valencia’s timely comeback has also rejuvenated the team not only for their run-in but for the future as well. And with the reported promise of funds to bolster the squad, things are only looking up for the champions.
2. Manchester City
There is a bubbling sense of an upwards curve around the City of Manchester Stadium. Man City have the air of a volcano ready to erupt. Even the furore around Carlos Tevez’s future hasn’t been able to detract from the team’s achievements this season; in fact most fans are probably quietly confident Tevez will stay. Why would he leave, they say… City are going places... All of a sudden too Mancini is the perfect man for the clubs and the fans are loudly singing his name. The last three or so months have also seen a visible willingness from all squad players to perform, and with the funds City have they will be even more formidable going forward.
3. Stoke City
Even after their survival last season it wasn’t clear how Stoke City would fare this season, their third successive Premiership season. But not only have Stoke established themselves as a Premiership team they have also reached the FA Cup final. Stoke have one of the most fervent fan bases in England and they are improving as a team. Their style of football has been labelled as brutal – well, mostly by Arsene Wenger – but Stoke do try to play football and do have skilful players such as Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant in their team. That said, there is nothing wrong with playing to your strengths.
4. Liverpool
It would have been crazy to be positive as a Reds disciple at the start of the year but now surely all Liverpool fans can’t wait for next season to start. There is a real buzz around Liverpool. Luis Suarez is already one of the best forwards around. From what he has shown so far, he is right up there in the world-class bracket. Suarez doesn’t fear the moment, he is skilful and always seems to have time on the ball. The form of Dirk Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez and Lucas has also all of a sudden given Liverpool more options. And who knows what a good pre-season can do for Andy Carroll who was the Premiership’s most destructive centre-forward before his injury in December.
5. Tottenham
Spurs have had a funny season, maybe a disappointment to some. But Spurs have shown they can compete with the best teams not only in the league but in Europe. Who knows how far they would have gone had Peter Crouch not got himself sent off against Real Madrid in the Champions League? What is positive about Spurs is they are building a team of winners. Players like William Gallas and Rafael van der Vaart bring a winning mentality to the club which rubs off on other players. Although the loss of Champions League football is a massive financial setback, Spurs, on the field at least, are still in a very good position.
6. Wolves
It is, going into today’s last round, unclear whether Wolves will survive, but whatever happens they can be satisfied. Through their shrewd management Wolves have become a very stable club off the field. On the field they have been enjoyable to watch and apart from the hot-headed tackles of Karl Henry Wolves have been a wonderful advert for the English Premiership. Wolves have beaten three of the top four sides this season. Wolves also beat Liverpool at Anfield and took Spurs to the brink. Manager Mick McCarthy deserves credit.
7. Arsenal
Its not all doom and gloom for Arsenal but there are just so many question marks surrounding the Gunners. They almost all revolve around the manager Arsene Wenger. Wenger has done a wonderful job getting Arsenal where it is right now, but will he listen? The Arsenal manager never seems to be willing to admit mistakes and this campaign ends with Arsenal suffering from the same ills that were pointed out at the end of last season. This stagnation is dangerous with the emergence of Spurs and Liverpool. Will they make the top four next season?
8. Blackpool
The fact Blackpool are still in with a chance of survival is a minor miracle. Ian Holloway’s team have been thouroughly entertaining to watch this season and are an example of why the English Premiership is the best league in the world. Charlie Adam has been one of the true stars of the season and only champions United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City have scored more goals than the Seasiders this season.
9. Bolton
Owen Coyle has continued his fantastic work at Bolton. The Trotters reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and have been competitive all through the season. The thinness of their squad and the injury to energetic midfielder Stuart Holden however has badly affected them in the closing stages of the campaign. Still, Bolton are one of the Premiership’s real success stories.
10. West Brom
West Brom have been superb since January and credit goes to Roy Hodgson for quickly turning around a relegation bound ship. They play a watchable style of football but at the same time are well organised. West Brom also have some very good players such as Graham Dorrans, Chris Brunt and of course Osaze Odemwingie who has been a revelation.
11. Aston Villa
Somehow, despite the dramas and lows at Villa Park this season, things really aren’t too bad at Aston Villa. They have bunch of very talented players. Stuart Downing and Ashley Young have been two of the best this season while Darren Bent has been the best out-and-out striker in the league since his January move, although United’s Javier Hernandez and Odemwingie might have something to say about that.
12. Everton
Could it be that David Moyes has hit the ceiling with Everton? There has still been no promise of funds to help him out and its hard to see where the injection of life Everton need will come from. No doubt, Moyes has done a fantastic job at Everton, but the English Premiership is becoming more cruel with each passing season. Other teams are spending and any stagnation can be very costly for a club. There are question marks too; Leighton Baines is a much admired leftback and there will certainly be several clubs after his services. Playmaker Mikel Arteta’s injury problems are also a concern, while Tim Cahill has shown signs of fatigue.
13. Birmingham City
Birmingham won the Carling Cup beating Arsenal in the final. While that was a great achievement its clear there will be serious work needed to reinforce the side, if they do survive the drop. Captain Stephen Carr is getting older; Lee Bowyer lacks the bite he had alongside Barry Ferguson in midfield last season. The team’s limited style of football also doesn’t win them any extra points.
14. Fulham
There is a pleasant homely feeling at Fulham. They have a core of good players that are loyal to club and Fulham as a team have evolved into a competitive Premiership side. They have a loyal and enthusiastic fan base that comes out to support the team each week, and the team itself hasn’t disappointed, playing some reasonable football.
15. Wigan
Roberto Martinez has done a pretty good job. Wigan were written off a lot of times and even ridiculed for sticking to their passing football. But they kept with it and kept plugging away. Pity about the half empty stadium every time they play – probably the only reason why Wigan wouldn’t be a miss in the top-flight.
16. Newcastle United
Newcastle United have in the end comfortably survived but in truth they haven’t set the Premiership alight in any way… definitely not as much as they could or should have. Newcastle have had two of the most memorable displays of the season – the 5-1 thumping of Sunderland and the second half 4-4 comeback against Arsenal – but that’s about it.
17. Sunderland
Sunderland have had bad luck with injuries but they were already showing signs of being unable to build on their good start to the season. Sunderland will definitely have to sign another striker, given the injury problems of Asamoah Gyan, and the fact that there is no guarantee he will stay at the Stadium of Light if he receives a “big” offer. All in all, they have been too one dimensional this season.
18. Blackburn
Blackburn are team that adds very little to the English Premier League, they are terribly boring to watch and have a lazy fan base. Rovers were already limited as a team however the sacking of Sam Allardyce just because the team wasn’t playing sexy football and then replacing him with an unproven assistant coach is already a worrying sign of a knee-jerk board. If things don’t change it’s only a matter of time until Blackburn are relegated, if they aren’t today.
19. Chelsea
Chelsea have had a terrible season, full stop. The 50 million signing of Fernando Torres is already looking like a huge headache. You can’t really sell Torres… but is he really worth keeping? Chelsea may need to be redefined for him to fit in, which means more spending and more changes. Does Nicholas Anelka stay? What’s the future like for Drogba, a player known to be sulky and troublesome when things don’t go his way? And although captain John Terry and Ashley Cole have been consistent and committed warriors they have clearly lost pace.
20. West Ham
West Ham in retrospect have really been the worst team in the league. The Hammers kept faith with a clearly inept manager who looked short of ideas and sometimes short of the players’ total commitment. With the squad of players and passionate fan base West Ham have they should have been a mid-table team at least. West Ham deserve to be relegated.
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