Earlier we looked at the top 5 teams on the EPL table. Now we look at the rest of the top half of the table with teams 6th through 10th early in the year.
The Epl so Far: 6th to 10th
The recent ascent of Hull City threatens to continue as the Tigers look to build upon a solid, impressive start to the new campaign. Snatching victory at Queens Park Rangers on the opening day was a very positive start for Steve Bruce’s men, which was of course built upon with the Stoke City draw last weekend. Much will of course depend on how they cope with the ‘Thursday, Sunday, Thursday’ routine that awaits them if, as expected, they make the group stages of the Europa League. Striker Shane Long’s shock £12 million move to Southampton made very good financial sense at a profit margin of one hundred per cent, but this transfer will only really be judged by City’s use of the Long money. If they can persuade Blackburn Rovers to part with the free scoring Jordan Rhodes this week, the Long departure would represent a deal well done.
Aston Villa are certainly living up to their reputation as something of an enigma in the EPL. They have made a steady start, with four points and two clean sheets already on the board. With a rigid game plan built upon sheer pace and counter attacking football, Villa will have more success on the road again this season. Behind the scenes though, it’s not all that rosy. Owner Randy Lerner is a man supposedly wanting out of Villa Park, which could well explain the meagre expenditure on new players so far this summer. Genuine investment is definitely required to let the club realise their true potential as a true English giant, but it would seem that current manager Paul Lambert is unlikely to be the benefactor of any such expensive forays into the transfer market, unless American tycoon Lerner sells out.
One would have thought Sam Allardyce had won the lottery, such was the size of the manager’s grin following West Ham United‘s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace last weekend. Two fine individual strikes from Mauro Zarate and Stewart Downing were the difference between the two sides, and emphasised the contrast between the more conservative Hammers of last season, and the more expressive team of this term so far. New striker coach Teddy Sheringham is receiving the plaudits for this change of style, but much credit must go to the greatly unappreciated Allardyce, who by all intents and purposes, gets the job done with minimum fuss. Any more new faces before the transfer window closes? Rumours of an ambitious bid for Manchester City’s Micah Richards have substance, and his quality at the back would certainly complement an improving Hammers team.
‘Another season, same old problems’ seems to be the overall consensus of Liverpool‘s EPL start this year. The Reds’ leaky defending last season certainly cost them the EPL title, and whilst it’s too early to judge if expensive recruits such as Dejan Lovren can take their defending to the next level, the early signs do not point that way. The opening weekend win over Southampton was expected, but Manchester City brought them crashing right back down to earth, ruthlessly exposing the frailties of Brendan Rodgers’ team. Have they swapped one bad boy for another too? Out goes Luis Suarez, in comes the allegedly reformed, mature Mario Balotelli. Suarez had to go, of course, but only time will tell if ‘Super Mario’ can successfully fill the large void the Uruguayan’s departure created. Don’t expect any more new signings, this has been a summer of transition already and Rodgers will realise that this team needs time to adapt to each other without further disruptions.
Two score draws has not represented the ideal start to the EPL season for Everton, but it hasn’t been a disastrous way to open their campaign either. Big things are now expected of Roberto Martinez’s side, and they showed some flashes of brilliance against both Leicester City and Arsenal, with record £28 million signing Romelu Lukaku looking particularly dangerous for the Toffees. If Martinez can secure the services of the experienced striker and free agent Samuel Eto’o, then the club should have the required strength in depth to compete both domestically, and in the Europa League. Everton can once again be the most legitimate threat to the ‘big four’, and this is why. Martinez is shrewd in the transfer market, a master tactician and sets his team up to play quick, attractive football. No more additions required, Everton are ready.
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