Top Half of the Table

Ordinarily finishing in the top half of the table is not an achievement to write home about. The merit payment reward structure of the English Premier League has however motivated teams to fight for a finish in the very best possible position, if not for pride, the financial benefit that comes with each higher position.

Given the events that clouded Liverpool over the last few weeks, I started to strongly question my prediction that they would squeak into the Europa League places. The new ownership at Liverpool would however surely provide just the tonic needed to spark them into a run that would close out the challenge of Aston Villa and Everton.

Liverpool’s revival was not helped by their loss to Mersey rivals Everton during the week of their take over but as long as the owners remain patient with Manager Hodgson, they still stand a good chance of climbing up the table.

Everton have had their traditional slow start to a season but they now seem to have turned around the corner to mount a serious challenge for the Europa League places. This should be a season where the Mersey rivalry will be as bitter as ever, as Everton fiercely battle for that last Europa League place against Liverpool. If Roy Hodgson is given time to mold this group and the funds to make a couple of smart additions in the January transfer window, Liverpool may just nick this battle.

Aston Villa have played well in spells but the signing of Gerard Houllier as Manager has not moved them up a level as the owners must have expected. In fact the owners may be starting to wonder whether they should have given assistant manager, Kevin MacDonald the chance he craved to have a crack at the job. Villa should still finish in the top half of the table although the fans will be disappointed not to mount a challenge for Champions League places, as they have got accustomed to over the last couple of seasons.

It is that last place in the top half that will have the most captivating battle. Sunderland and Birmingham have over the last couple of seasons invested heavily into their squads. Fulham has a very experienced squad and capable manager in Mark Hughes who will want to sustain the success enjoyed under previous manager, Roy Hodgson.

Stoke has also invested in some flair players to make them less of a one dimensional physical team which relies on Rory Delap’s long throw. Bolton too has added quite a bit of silk to their steel under manager, Owen Coyle. All three newly promoted teams have also had quite a decent start to the season and it would not be too much to expect one of them to crack into the top half. West Brom particularly looks disciplined and show signs of improving with every game while Blackpool is a very adventurous outfit which is a breath of fresh air to a league where the lesser teams often preach caution and are characterized by a very cagey style.

Tough as it is to call, I will bank on Sunderland’s depth, experience and extra quality in the striking department to eventually come good and fire them to the top half. Darren Bent is a constant goal threat and he now has quality back up in Asamoah Gyan who will improve with each game.

If you learned in school that being average was a sign of complacency, this EPL season’s fight and the challenge to sustain middle class quality of life in these tough economic times will soon make you change your mind.