At last - competition in the Premiership (Football in General)

Name: gillyman

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Product:	Football in General
Date:	26/07/01 (20 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Interesting for the neutral, Not all over by Xmas

Disadvantages: Man U unlikely to be relegated

By this time last year. A certain team from a place just outside Manchester called Trafford had stormed to the top of the table. They stayed there until they won the title officially at around Christmas time (or so it seemed). BORING!

This year, if things proceed along the lines that they have been doing so far, the League will be a far more interesting competition.

10 games into the season and it really does look like it could be any one of the four top teams (with others lurking around the edges) who will be crowned next May.

A review of the season so far and my opinions on who'll win it.

Manchester started the season with a bump when they lost the opener to allow Liverpool yet another trophy. Irrelevant game and no harm done.

Following on from the Charity Shield it became very apparent that this was not the same United. Stam left or was kicked out depending on who you listen to and the defence has looked decidedly dodgy ever since (to say the least). In particular, the supposed wunderkind, Wes Brown, has looked awful and the supporting cast has hardly given him any help. Several howlers by Barthez have not helped things at all and it remains to be seen how long Sir Alex keeps the faith.

One of the best English players around, Paul Scholes has also struggled to fit into the new formation which has been constructed to fit him and the impressive Juan Veron into the same team. His bust up with Fergie this week does not bode well for the future.

That having been said, their recovery to beat Spurs 5 - 3 has been a highlight of the season. Veron, Van Nistelroy and an incredible David Beckham have all been superb and the draw in the Champions League suggests that they will do okay there - although this may prove an additional distraction from the league.

Fergie's admittance that he doesn't think that they have the same hunger may well be spot on - watching them lose to Liverpool (for th
e fourth time in a row) there was a very obvious difference in levels of commitment. My prediction is that they'll make the top three but will not be Champions.

Liverpool have made a great start to the season. A slip up saw them go out of the Worthington Cup. Unlike Fergie, Houllier got rid of his keeper when he slipped up and gave away a soft goal.

Otherwise, apart from a loss to high flying Villa, they have looked solid. Injuries at the back have not affected them with Jamie Carragher showing just how good he is in all the defensive positions. Gregory Vignal looked smart before picking up a knock and although Riise has looked better when playing in midfield he has covered well. Steven Wright also rose well to the challenge and even managed a goal (and a sending off!)

Across the midfield Gerrard has continued to improve, Riise has fitted in and scored some great goals, Danny Murphy ahs been a revelation and the supporting task has done a good job.

And up front Owen has not stopped scoring. Robbie Fowler when given the chance has also weighed in and although he hasn't been scoring Heskey has been a tower of strength.

Even Houllier's heart attack doesn't seem to be worrying them - 5 wins and a draw since are ample evidence of the team's mood. Being drawn in the group of death in the Champions League suggests that they may well be able to concentrate on the league (although they beat both Barca and Roma last year so nothing is final). I'll stick my neck out and put them down as Champions.

Leeds have got off to a flying start. Nigel Martyn has been fantastic and the back four of Ferdinand, Matteo, Mills and Harte has kept the ball far from the net. Harte has been weighing in with goals and assists as usual and I am a big fan of Danny Mills' style although admittedly sometimes he is overly combative to say the least.

Leeds' midfield will be hurt when Harry Kewell heads off to
play for Australia. He has been excellent but Bowyer and Dacourt have also continued where they left off last season. Bowyer has not been amongst the goals so much but that is a matter of time.

Up front Mark Viduka is hard to knock off the ball (that's not just a polite way of saying 'fat'!) and he keeps scoring. Robbie Keane is a phenomenal talent and Alan Smith will start knocking them in when he gets a decent run out.

David O' Leary has proven to be one of the best managers in the premiership. He has spent money wisely and it appears that there is plenty more to spend. Leeds will be back in the Champions League next year having finished as the runners up.

Arsenal have got problems. I saw a stat at the beginning of the '98 or '99 season showing that there were about 10 players in the Premiership who had been at their current club for 10 years. Amongst those players were Bould, Adams, Dixon and Winterburn. The great defence of the 90's is no more and the replacements are suspect to say the least.

Arsenal's problems start with the keeper's jersey. Seaman is old, currently injured and in need of a hair cut. His replacement, Richard Wright, of whom much was expected has not looked the part and was left exposed by his defence in the humiliation by Charlton on Sunday.

Despite pinching Sol Campbell from Spurs the back four looks weaker than last year. Ashley Cole, whilst great going forward, is not the best defensively. Sol has not fulfilled his potential but the real problem has been the lack of Tony Adams and no-one approaching his stature to replace him.

The midfield and forward line remains as exciting as it has been over the last few seasons with Pires, Ljungberg, Vierra, Henry and Bergkamp providing plenty of firepower.

I don't beleive that they have quite enough strength at the back and reckon that they'll finish in fourth - that still means a Champions Lea
gue berth next year.

Although I may have the order wrong I have no doubt that these will be the top four clubs.

Villa have made a tidy start but it won't last.

Chelsea can concentrate on the league after their loss to Hapoel Tel Aviv in Europe but I don't reckon they have any chance of becoming the first Italian club to win the Premiership.

Newcastle have been lively but lack strength in depth.

Have I missed anyone else out? Don't think there is anyone who's most ardent fan could claim have any chance.

Summary: