By Dapo Ajala

At this stage of the season, the league table does make strange reading with 6 points separating the 6^th and 18^th-placed teams. The topsy-turvy state of the table is likely to continue till the end of the season, no doubt causing a lot of headaches for our fantasy football players, and we could see teams being relegated this season despite achieving the magic 40-point mark.

 

Considering Chelsea’s 85 points accrued last season was the most point gained in a season without securing the title, plenty more surprises should be expected for the 2^nd half of this season. Whoever you support, the Premiership promises a fantastic finale this season.

 

The “Big Four”

 

Manchester United

The defending league and European champions seemed to have faltered with a loss against Liverpool early in the season but have been steady if not spectacular since then.

With the purchase of Bulgarian hitman Dimitar Berbatov, much was feared by opponents about the potential to improve the already-potent front-line; safe to say that the new-forward line is still work-in-progress

Much was made of their recent and successful trip to the FIFA World Club Championship in Japan, but Fergie has never been one to rest on his Laurels. With Cristiano Ronaldo returning to full fitness, other teams will do well to stop the Red Devils.

Rating: 8/10

Key player so far: Wayne Rooney. Steady in production and keeping United attack line ticking in absence of the 2008 Ballon d’Or winner.

 

Chelsea

Still seem to be struggling with a post-Mourinho hangover despite being on their 2^nd manager since “the great one”. Big Phil is slowly imposing his style but with two defeats at Stamford Bridge in the current campaign, things are not as well as they could be despite the array of talents within the squad.

 

Bad luck with injuries so far has hindered Chelsea’s assault on the Premiership title but talisman Drogba’s recent return from injury and suspension is perfectly timed for a customary battle for the title after the festive period.

Rating: 7/10

Key player so far: Nicolas Anelka. Leading the league in goals scored. He has reliably and impressively led the line in the Ivorian’s absence.

 

Arsenal

Puzzling denials by the boss in terms of need for reinforcements in certain areas of the team, in-fighting in the early stages of the season leading to the sacking of the captain, and bad luck with injuries have contributed to the Gunners demise this season. Losing Cesc Fabregas at a crucial time this season will not be an easy blow to deal with either.

 

This team’s football is reminiscent of a carefully composed symphony when they are allowed to play, sometimes though sacrificing efficiency for a beautiful and clinical game. However, never count out Arsene Wenger’s young and talented side, even with the current gap to the leaders.

Rating: 6/10

Key player so far: Emmanuel Adebayor

 

Liverpool

Morale-boosting win over the current holders of the title earlier in the season got everyone noticing Liverpool, the only difference this time is that there are less doubts than previous seasons as to whether they can sustain the pace and win the top-flight league title for the first time in 18 years. Many teams will pay to be in Liverpool’s position right now, certainly easier being ahead than chasing.

 

Interestingly, Rafa Benitez is not employing his squad rotation as much as previous seasons; perhaps he is finally embracing a philosophy of stability and employing one’s best 11 for every game. This could indeed be their season.

Rating: 9/10

Key player so far: Xabi Alonso. Nearly sold before the start of the season, but Rafa must be thanking his lucky stars that deal was never finalised.

 

The Pretenders

Aston Villa

So far the only team seriously threatening to displace Arsenal from the “Big Four” clique this season. Their all-out, fearless attacking style, coupled with a steely defence is certainly making everyone to take note and show more respect. Expect them not to tail off like they have in previous seasons.

Rating: 8/10

Key player so far: Ashley Young. Tormentor extraordinaire, who has given every opposition defence a torrid time, has not been found wanting at all so far this season.

 

Hull City

Surprise of the season so far with our fantasy football players having picked up loads of bargain players who are now outperforming other expensive flops in the standings. Phil Brown’s team has embodied hard work and sheer determination, their apparent lack of talent has not been too evident.

Very good candidates for survival in the Premiership, especially after handing out home defeats to North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham.

Rating: 9/10

Key player so far: Deiberson Geovanni. Famously scoring the goal that handed Manchester United the derby defeat last season and surprisingly released by Manchester City in the summer. Found a new lease of life at The KC Stadium and his 6 goals so far has kept The Tigers dreaming this season. There was a reason Barcelona paid €18 million for his services in 2001.

 

The Stragglers

Tottenham Hotspur

Serially touted to break the “Big Four” hence to describe this season as a disappointment would be a gross understatement. Change of managers has brought a change in fortunes but the state of the league so far has meant that they are still down at the wrong end of the table despite a decent run of form. Many fantasy football players gambled on Tottenham players at the start of the season but those same players were traded more than most in the first few weeks of the football season.

 

Having a key player such as Ledley King only available every 4 games through injury is a handicap but selling the free-scoring duo of Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov at the beginning of the season hasn’t turned out to be a clever move either. Look out for reinforcements when the transfer window opens.

Rating: 4/10

Key player so far: Luca Modric. The creative Croatian is now starting to look like the player the Spurs hierarchy saw when they forked out so much for him during the summer. The team will climb up the table if his recent form continues.

 

Man City

All wins so far this season have been by three goals or more and consequently lie just above the relegation zone with a positive goal difference. Inconsistency has marred their season so far as Mark Hughes seeks the winning formula and more importantly build a team around Robinho. City possesses incredible talent with the likes of Ireland and Shaun Wright-Phillips, but the potential will remain there until reinforcements are shipped in during the coming transfer window.

 

Just in the way the old Beatles song reminds us that money can’t buy you love, it seems that money can’t buy you the title in a short space of time either. Manchester City are a work in progress and to expect miracles this season will be like waiting for the next sailing of the titanic. Definite pretenders, there is always next season though.

Rating: 5/10

Key player so far: Shaun Wright-Phillips. Back to his previous best that convinced Chelsea to pay over the odds for him three seasons ago. His mazy runs in midfield are creating the space Robinho needs to display his talents.

 

The promoted hopefuls

Stoke City

Have amassed five points more than West Brom, still one of the favourites to go down despite many gritty performances.

 

West Brom

Propping up the table, no major surprises there but haven’t embarrassed themselves in fairness. The league will be tough this season.

The concept of a transfer window was an idea that sought to protect the small clubs in football i.e West Bromwich Albion, Torino, Almeria et al. The small clubs thought that if a big club was allowed to acquire a player’s service all year long, they could come in at any time and entice their favourite academy graduate. Therefore the transfer window in itself gives them a window (or two) of opportunity to try to convince their starlet to stay at the club by dangling a “carrot” in his face and promising him perhaps the captaincy he doesn’t deserve and things they wouldn’t ordinarily do to any other player, all in a bid to make him stay a bit longer  before the inevitable switch to a bigger club.

The transfer window was adopted in England a few years back. Transfer deadline day is always nervy, wheeling and dealing is done on a scale not previously seen when the window is just open. Clubs with willpower will conclude deals at the snap of a finger all in a bid to meet up with the deadline at midnite and to make sure their player (newly acquired) is eligible to play in the next game. Should there really be a transfer window in football. Should players be allowed to move clubs with unfailing regularity subject to honouring certain portions of their contracts? Players are professionals now, hence the term “pro league” they are governed by the same employment laws as lawyers, accountants and doctors.

Here’s a thought, if clubs are allowed only a window (or two) of opportunity to recruit playing staff, should there be a regulation as to the recruitment of non-playing staff i.e the gaffer. I wonder what the world of football would be if clubs could only recruit managers during the pendency of the transfer window. That being said, Tottenham would not have been able to recruit Harry Redknapp after the sacking of a certain Juande Ramos. They would have been stuck with Ramos until January or sacked him and installed Gus Poyet as caretaker until Jan 2009.

Just think of it, Fabio Capello would bid his time at a club or country FA HQ before making his move to another club or country. A physio like Gary Lewin (Arsenal and England) would not be allowed to move to another club if say, the physio at Inter Milan suddenly reached retirement age or resigned his appointment. The football world could be in turmoil. As much as there is need for regulation (did you say deregulation), there is need for guaranteed freedom of movement of players and non-playing staff.

The world of football is as dynamic as culture, as unpredictable as fashion. What would the football world be without regulations, drama and artistry. Let me know what you think. Have your say. As always, One Love, One passion, One Game.

V O Munis