Half Term Report 2008/9

By: Rob | December 29th, 2008

So, we’ve reached – roughly – the half way stage, and I thought It might be time to cast an eye over the season so far. This will include a hilarious look back at how wrong my pre-season predictions were, along with suggestions for each club during the transfer window. Each club will be graded, and we can have a look-see at who has pound-four-pound been having the best, and worst of seasons.

Arsenal

My Pre-Season Prediction - 3rd
Current Position – 4th

So far - Arsenal have had one of the most inconsistant seasons of recent times. Beating Man United is all well and good, but if you also loose to sides in the lower reaches of the table, you’re in trouble.

Defining Moment So Far - Gallas stripped of captaincy for being a jerk.
In the transfer window - Arsene has been talking up buying experience at long last, and apparently Andrei Arshavin is in the frame.

Aston Villa

Pre Season Prediction – 7th
Current Position – 5th

So far - Villa have been doing well, and Martin O’Neill’s magic is finally rubbing off. Despite my worries about their small squad meaning I somewhat underestimated them, they’ve been jostling with Arsenal for that final Champions League spot.
Defining Moment - Beating Arsenal to jump into 4th.
In the transfer Window - Just get some bodies in, a striker would be good, Carew hasn’t made himself popular with anyone but strip bar owners this year.

Blackburn Rovers

Pre Season Prediction 10th
Current position 19th

So far - Oh dear. Paul Ince struggled to find any cutting edge, or indeed his best XI as Blackburn fell down the table like a pair of concrete knickers. He was sacked and replaced by Sam Allardyce.

Defining Moment – Ince being sacked, I guess.
In the Transfer Window - Big Sam will undoubtedly bring in some aged former superstars on short term moves.

Bolton

Pre Season prediction - 15th
Currently - 11th

So Far – They took awhile to find their feet this term, looking a bit shakey early on, but have now climbed to the top of the many teams looking over their shoulder.

Defining Moment - Nothing jumps to mind if I’m honest.

In the transfer window - Don’t expect too much activity really.

Chelsea

Pre Season Prediction - 1st
Currently - 2nd

So Far – Looked magnificent at the start of the season, Deco fitted in straight way, and they looked like they’d win the league at a canter. Then the home form seemed to vanish, and with it, that huge unbeaten run. To Liverpool, no less.

Defining Moment - That loss at home to Liverpool, for sure.

In the transfer window – Will be interesting, Roman has said they’ll work on a one-in one-out basis. Most of the season has been spent talking up buying a new striker, but Anelka seems to have decided he wants to play, and is top scorer.

Everton

Pre Season prediction - 6th
Currently – 6th

So far - Started off a bit all over the place, but have found their form of late, and charged up the table.

Defining Moment - David Moyes signing a new contract seems to have made the difference.

In the transfer window - Everton really could do with a couple of players to really kick on, but the credit crunch and the dedication to a new stadium means they likely won’t.

Fulham

Pre Season Prediction - 17th
Currently - 9th

So Far - From certs for relegation last season, Fulham suddenly look like a half-decent side. They got a draw from rivals Chelsea yesterday too.

Defining Moment - May well be that Chelsea draw.
In the transfer window – Probably loan signings to be honest.

Hull City

Pre Season Prediction - I said I’d love to see them “Do a Reading” and shock everyone for a season, but didn’t see it, and predicted a prompt return to the Championship.
Currently - Doing a Reading and sitting 8th

So far - They’ve been the surprise name on everyone’s lips, and after last seasons destruction of Derby County, it is exactly what the league needed.

Defining Moment - Week 8, where they held a Champions League spot

In the transfer window - They need to hold on to what they have.

Liverpool

PreSeason Prediction - 4th
Currently - Top

So far - Have proved that they didn’t need wingers afterall, or their 20m striker to actually be any good to somehow top the league, despite not looking any different from last season.

Defining Moment – Take your pick – beating Man United and then following it up by taking away Chelsea’s home record.

In the transfer window - Probably not much activity, unless Rafa gets shot of Robbie Keane.

Manchester City

Pre Season (and pre-billionaires) prediction – 9th
Currently - Very rich, and er, 13th

So far - Shocked the football world by becoming the richest club on earth on deadline day, nicking Robinho off of Chelsea, and nearly nicking Berbatov off Man United. On the pitch, they’ve been all over the place, looking great going forward, but dreadful at the back.

Defining Moment - Obviously the signing of Robinho.

In the Transfer Window - They’ll try and get absolutely anyone and everyone. I’ll be interested to see if they are successful, because its gonna be a couple of years before they get in the Champions League I would think. Expect slightly lesser, or older, quality.

Manchester United

Pre-season prediction - 2nd, but if they got Berba they were in with a shout
Currently - with Berba, and 3rd.

So Far - Looked slow to start as always, and Fergie seemed unsure what to do about the masses of attacking power he now has at his side. They’ve regot their form back, won the World Club Cup and have three games in hand (one played tonight against Boro), on the top two. Meanwhile C-Ron has won, everything.

Defining Moment - The loss to Liverpool will hurt the most.

In the Transfer Window - The press are talking up a move for Karim Benzema, but I don’t see Fergie buying anyone to be honest.

Boro

Pre Season prediction - 12th, like every year.
Currently - 17th

So Far - Have carried on being the exact opposite of local rivals Newcastle – ie dull and inoffensive, but haven’t had very much luck, and are begining to struggle. They are very much in the relegation dog-fight.

Defining Moment - Boro aren’t that sort of team.
In the Transfer Window - probably a few decent Championship players, but not much.

Newcastle United

PreSeason prediction - 11th
Currently - 14th

So Far - Well after my predictions, it all kicked off. Newcastle looked great in holding Man United to a draw on the opening day, then Mike Ashley and Kevin Keean fell out spectacularly, Keegan walked out (again), Mike Ashley tried to sell the club, there was that pesky Credit Crisis, Ashley bought in Joe Kinnear, who was laughed at by the press, He responded by breaking the world record for uses of the F-word in a press conference, actually turned the team around (eventually), pulling them off bottom of the league. Now Ashley has said he isn’t selling, and Jokin’ Joe has a job for good.

Defining Moment - Too many. But Keegan walking away is probably the biggest.
In the transfer window - Joe wants some money, but not sure how much he’ll get. Mickey Owen has said that he’ll honourably see out his 70k a week contract before movin on.

Portsmouth

Pre Season prediction – 8th
Currently - 12th

So Far - Looked to have picked up where they left off, then Harry Redknapp sodded off to Spurs. Tony Adams has frankly struggled to fill Redknapp’s boots, but he’s been funny in post-match interviews.

Defining Moment - Redknapp walking away. And after Peter Crouch made that fuss about wanting to reunite with him too!

In the transfer window - Probably not too busy to be honest.

Stoke City

Pre Season Prediction - 19th
Currently - 18th

So Far - Despite Rory Delap’s massive throw-in’s Tony Pulis has still got a massive job on his hands to keep Stoke in the Prem. It is very close at the bottom though.

Defining Moment - Dean Windass standing in front of Rory Delap said it all, no?

In the transfer window - Frees and loans.

Sunderland

Pre Season Prediction – 15th
Currently - 15th

So Far - Looked like they were very much in the bottom sides all jostling for position, then Roy Keane grew a beard, and soonafter left the club. Niall Quinn has hardly rushed to replace him.

Defining Moment - “Everyday I look in the mirror…”

In the transfer window - Maybe they’ll bother getting a new manager?

Spurs

Pre Season Prediction - 5th if they kept Berba
Currently - 16th

So Far - Ouch. I did cringe at my prediction there. A start so bad, that Harry Redknapp seems to have done a good job getting them to 16th. Juande Ramos first lost Dietmar Berbatov, and then struggled for goals. He was soon sacked with Spurs in the drop zone.

Defining Moment - Getting in Harry for sure.

In the transfer window - I’m sure Redknapp will do a bit of wheeling and dealing.

West Brom

Pre Season Prediction - 16th
Currently – 20th

So far - despite their fun attacking football, the Baggies have looked a bit out of their depth in the Prem. To make matters worse, Wolves are winning The Championship at a canter.

Defining Moment - Not too many.

Transfer Window - Trying to get some cheap players to stop the rot

West Ham

Pre Season Prediction – 10th
Currently - 10th

So Far - Started off brilliantly, then Curbs walked away, and was replaced with lovable Gianfranco Zola, who is learning on the job, its fair to say.

Defining Moment - Getting something out of both Liverpool and Chelsea

In the transfer window - Zola won’t have any money, it seems.