Liverpool ‘C’, Portsmouth ‘F’, Manchester United ‘A-’: Premier League 09/10 Mid-Term Reports (cont.)

After handing out mid-term reports to the first half of the Premier League class, Marshall Norbal returns to grade the rest of the class:

Liverpool

Underachieving again, as the team that flatters to deceive the most in the Premier League. After a very good 08-09 season (which they should have won the league) Liverpool’s expectations were high and have proven unrealistic. Too much reliance on G&T; – not the drink, but Gerrard and Torres. Glen Johnson has been a good signing, Reina is very reliable but the depth isn’t strong enough. Kuyt on the right? Lucas in midfield? Clearly haven’t replaced Xavi Alonso, but despite all the problems, with G&T; fit they can still get 4th spot.

Grade: C
Teacher’s Pet: Pepe Reina – top class goalkeeper with a shaky back four. Despite not playing many games Fernando Torres still has 12 league goals.
Detention: Carragher – probably his worst season in his career, Babel needs to show his worth although he has been limited with starting opportunities.

Manchester City

The Premier League big spenders, who are proving to be real contenders for a Champions League spot. Quality throughout the squad – the question is what is City’s best line up and will Robinho go in the transfer window? Still a bad smell in the air over the handling of the Mark Hughes dismissal and Roberto Mancini will need time, something he may not get. Only guarantee is that they can and will spend in the transfer market.

Grade: B
Teacher’s Pet: Craig Bellamy has been showing the form that earned him so many big money moves. Shay Given is arguably the best keeper in England and Stephen Ireland should consider playing for Ireland again.
Detention: The back four – Given would get better protection from anti virus software.

Manchester United

Proving this year that they’re beatable, suffering 5 defeats already this season, but as always in the hunt for the title. Injuries have hit United hard; especially defensively with Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Neville, Fabio and Rafael have all had spells in the treatment room. Defensively they are suspect – (just ask Leeds fans) Valencia is looking to be a good buy and Rooney is having his most productive goal scoring season to date. More needed from Berbatov, and Owen simply needs more game time. Opportunities for silverware beckon.

Grade: A-
Teacher’s Pet: Wayne Rooney has matured to lead the line and Darren Fletcher is Ferguson’s first choice midfielder.
Detention: Berbatov wins this battle, a class act but his lazy style makes him the first to feel the criticism once things aren’t working as they should be, closely followed by Nani and Anderson.

Portsmouth

A team that are in real trouble both on and off the pitch. Players not paid on time for three months and a recent fan protest to the ‘get the board out’ to boot. Bottom of the Premier League but only 4 points off safety and recent performances against Man United, Liverpool and Burnley suggest that progress is being made. But they are deep rooted in financial trouble and with five players away on African Nations duty (Dindane, Belhadj, Kanu, Yebda and Utaka) Avram Grant will need to wave a magic wand.

Grade: F
Teacher’s Pet: Avram Grant for taking on the challenge of trying to save Portsmouth and good luck to him! On the pitch, Younes Kaboul has showed the most heart and desire to succeed this season.
Detention: The board for the financial difficult the club are in.

Stoke City

Last season’s surprise package are proving it was not a fluke. They are a serious Premier League outfit with a tactically astute manger in Tony Pulis. Strong defensively, being led by Ryan Shawcross and Robert Huth, the threat of dead ball situations from Rory Delap and an intimidating venue at Britannia Stadium gives them more than enough threats to pose teams despite a recent dip in form.

Grade: C
Teacher’s Pet: Matthew Etherington is now showing consistency and Ryan Shawcross is tipped for England honours.
Detention: James Beattie for his spat with Tony Pulis, also Ricardo Fuller’s performances have been below par.

Sunderland

A solid team that have improved slowly under Steve Bruce, growing a tendency to throw away points in late stages of games, notably against Birmingham, Everton and Portsmouth. In Darren Bent, alongside Kenwyne Jones Sunderland have real match winners – keeping Lee Cattermole fit will be the key as to whether they move up the table or get drawn into a relegation fight.

Grade: C
Teacher’s Pet: Darren Bent for his performances and goals, closely followed by Lee Cattermole for adding some much needed ‘bite’ in midfield.
Detention: Kieran Richardson – plenty of talent but needs more end product, i.e. goals.

Tottenham Hotspur

Along with Manchester City and Aston Villa, the best equipped side to try and
break the strangle hold of the ‘big four’. They have real depth across the full squad and especially in midfield and upfront including Lennon, Kranjcar, Modric, Defoe, Crouch and Keane. Spurs have tightened up defensively as well. With four consecutive clean sheets – they will be well in the mix for 4th, but can they last the pace? The key will be keeping a centre back pairing fit as King, Woodgate and Bassong have all suffered injuries this season.

Grade: B+
Teacher’s Pet: Jermain Defoe, Aaron Lennon, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Tom Huddlestone all having excellent seasons
Detention: Roman Pavlyuchenko – Fourth choice striker at Spurs behind Defoe, Crouch and Keane. The exit door waits during the transfer window.

West Ham United

Put simply West Ham are in a right 2 and 8! Struggling near the bottom of the league, no money to spend, likely to have to sell before they can buy, combined with a team that is hit by several injuries (including top scorer Carlton Cole) and suspensions. Main difficulties will be the small squad and inability to keep clean sheets. A tough remainder of the season for the claret and blues.

Grade: E
Teacher’s Pet: Scott Parker – similar to Jimmy Bullard at Hull, with him in the team they have a chance, without him it will be tough going. Carlton Cole has also impressed whilst leading the line this season.
Detention: The injury list – including Parker, Dyer, Boa Morte, Carlton Cole and Gabbidon. But the biggest lost is unquestionably Dean Ashton.

Wigan Athletic

Another team who will be watching the trap-door this season. Wigan concede on average nearly three goals a game, the highest in the Premier League and have only one win in eight games. In Hugo Rodallega, Wigan do have a goal-getter but defensively The Latics need to improve at the back and get more from players such as Scharner, N’Zogbia and Koumas.

Grade: F
Teacher’s Pet: Hugo Rodallega – scores goals and very good ones at that.
Detention: The entire defence – 9-1 defeat to Tottenham, shocking!

Wolves

Similar situation to Wigan, survival is the number one priority. Manager Mick McCarthy was heavily criticised for resting 10 players on a recent visit to Old Trafford saving for a big ‘six pointer’. 3 wins in their last 6 games prior to the new year is the kind of form that will keep them in the top flight but they have only scored 17 league goals this season, the lowest in the Premier League. May suffer the same fate as West Ham.

Grade: E
Teacher’s Pet: Jody Craddock – reliable and solid defender and is also joint top scorer with 4 goals.
Detention: Mick McCarthy – for not playing his best eleven against Manchester United in a game that they could have got a result from. Just ask Leeds fans. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has also struggled to re-kindle the form that got Wolves promoted.

English Premier League, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Portsmouth, Stoke City, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers