It’s been an enthralling season in the Barclays Premier League with some memorable moments and forgettable ones too. The season ended with farewells to Premier League legends Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba. There was the usual top four battle and relegation battle which went right down to the wire with Hull, Burnley and QPR being the casualties of the drop. There was the usual managerial changes in the second half of the season as well. Chelsea were worthy winners, with Man City, Arsenal and Man United rounding the top four. There were moments of magic – Thibaut Courtois may not agree – and also moments where you bow down your head in disgrace. All in all, it’s been typical English football.
I placed all teams in one class and with the teams set to go on break, I will hand them their report cards showing on how the fared this season.
Premier League End of Season Report Card Part I
Queens Park Rangers – E
QPR fans had to endure a very frustrating season where their team failed to turn up on several occasions. The West-London club had enough quality to survive relegation, but the attitude of the players failed them. Sometimes it’s not just quality that you need, but you need that heart, desire and spirit to help you cross the line as evidently seen in Sunderland and Leicester City’s run in to the end of the season. QPR need to rebuild from the scratch – letting go of some old players, restructuring their policies and giving their young players the opportunity. Relegation to the Championship for the second consecutive time is the wake-up call the R’s needed and in Chris Ramsey, they have a man capable of building the team from the scratch, however, I do not see them being promoted next season.
Burnley – C
Despite finishing 19th, Burnley gave a good account of themselves this season. Unlike QPR, they didn’t have enough quality but they kept fighting even till the final day. The Clarets, though a small club, are well organized with a stable management. Sean Dyche’s position as Burnley boss was never in doubt despite their struggles this season and such continuity helps in building a club. Unfortunately for Burnley, they are set to lose their top goal scorer Danny Ings whose contract expires in the summer. A swift return to the Premier League seems unlikely, however you know they’ll keep fighting to the last minute of the Championship next season.
Hull City– E
Hull City had a really poor season which seemed to have gone unnoticed. Steve Bruce’s side did some good business during the summer transfer window, bringing in Mo Diame, Abel Hernandez, Michael Dawson, Gaston Ramirez (loan) among other signings. However these players failed to deliver, most especially Hernandez, their record signing from Palermo. The Tigers were inconsistent this season and have suffered for it. They failed to match up to the intensity of the teams around them and lost many points to the teams in the relegation battle. The 1-0 defeat to Hull in their penultimate home game was the defining moment of their season as a win could have ensured their safety. However, Hull are capable of making a swift return to the Premier League as they have the ability to still keep most of their players. If they do not get automatic promotion, they would definitely make it to the playoffs.
Aston Villa – D
Aston Villa are yet another club guilty of inconsistency. Their League Cup run was halted by Leyton Orient yet they beat Leicester, West Brom and Liverpool en route to the FA Cup Final. In the Premier League, Villa had a great start to the season, picking up ten points from a possible twelve. That impressive run was halted by Arsenal, their first defeat of the season and they went on to lose their next five games albeit against some tough opposition (Chelsea, Man City, Everton, QPR, Spurs). Villa struggled to find the back of the net this season, scoring just 31 goals – only Burnley scored less with a mere 28 goals. Tim Sherwood’s appointment in March was the turning point in Villa’s season. In the ten league games under Sherwood, Villa won five and drew once representing a fifty percent win ratio. Villa are one of the top teams in England and should be closer to the top and Tim Sherwood will look to secure a top ten finish with the Midlands club next season.
Sunderland – D
Sunderland have had managers come in and guide them to safety in their past two seasons and this year was no exception. Dick Advocaat replaced Gus Poyet and led this club to safety. Much like Villa, Sunderland struggled to score goals and were involved in a staggering 17 draws this season. However, the spirit and fight they showed in their final games of the season was enough to see them over the line. Sunderland have been lucky to escape relegation for the third time and need to push on from there. They can’t keep flirting with relegation each season. I believe Advocaat will be given the job full-time and he can build a team for next season. Although, they may have a better campaign next season, I still see the Wearside club finishing in the bottom half of the table next year.
Newcastle – E
Shambolic, appalling, poor, mediocre – these are words which you could use to describe Newcastle’s season. They have been awful this season and a far cry from the team that finished fifth in 2011/12 season. Newcastle’s problem is not just on the pitch but off it as well with fans angered by owner Mike Ashley’s reluctance to invest
in the club. That should not be an excuse for the shambolic defending and the lack of determination from the Newcastle players. The Magpies lack quality in depth for a club of Newcastle’s size and stature. They are in the top 20 richest clubs in Europe and should be competing in Europe and not fighting a relegation battle. Newcastle need to rebuild this summer with some marquee signings which would provide a huge lift to the players and fans as well.
Leicester City – B
Leicester were relegation candidates even before the season kicked-off and they spent 140 days at the bottom of the table. A strong finish to the season saw them win seven of their last nine games which ensured they will be partying with the big boys next year. Even though Leicester had a poor run of results in the early part of the season, their performance was never in doubt. They gave in their all and were unfortunate not to pick up points in some of their games. There were rumours of Nigel Pearson getting sacked, but credit to the Leicester board for sticking with him. Leicester upset all odds by finishing 14th and the foxes could improve upon that next season. With some players getting used to the demands of the Premier League, Leicester could make a real push for a top ten finish next year.
West Bromwich Albion – C
If you find yourself in a relegation battle and you want to escape, the man to bring in is Tony Pulis. Yet again, Pulis has successfully guided a team out of the relegation zone ensuring their Premier League status. Pulis has never been relegated in his career and has the mental strength and character to escape the stressful battle of the drop with some calmness. West Brom brought Pulis in to replace Alan Irvine on New Years’ Day and the Welshman has picked up 26 points in 18 games. West Brom were always going to be in bottom half of the table and the fans won’t be disappointed with their 13th placed finish. Whether Tony Pulis will remain at the Hawthorns remains to be seen, but just as Jose Mourinho said before Chelsea’s penultimate game against the Baggies, “If I own an English club, I sign Tony Pulis. It’s as simple as that – he’s a guarantee to achieve what the club wants.”
West Ham – C
West Ham United confirmed after their final game of the season that they would not be renewing Sam Allardyce’s contract which brings an end to his four-year stay at Upton Park. West Ham began the season in blistering form and were projected to finish in the top half of the table. However, after the turn of the year, it’s been free-fall for the Hammers. They have lost nine league games since New Years’ Day after losing six times in the first half of the season. The Hammers won just two games since the start of February. The major cause of their poor run has been due to injuries and a lack of motivation as their Premier League status was guaranteed as at January. There will be a new manager at Upton Park next season, with Slaven Bilic rumoured to take over the helms at West Ham, and fans would expect a better campaign next year.
Everton – C
This season has been a learning curve for the toffees as they have had to combine domestic football with European action. Everton gave a good account of themselves in Europe this season at the expense of their league form. The Thursday night matches took a toll on Everton who have a small squad size. They also had to deal with injuries to some of their key players and despite their disappointing finish of 11th, I think it will do them a lot of good. Everton’s performances in the league after their Round of 16 defeat to Dynamo Kiev improved. With no European distraction next season, the toffees can focus solely on domestic football and are likely to finish in the top half where they belong. John Stones has been a revelation this season and Ross Barkley will be fresh next year after missing majority of the campaign through injury. Everton look set for a good season next year.
