Every season Arsenal are in with a shout of winning the league,yet usually they mastermind their own downfall. The signing of Ozil has given them a much needed boost in creativity,though he has gone missing in the big games.
Giroud has found his scoring boots & while some believe he is only capable of getting ‘tap ins’ those were the chances that have been spurned in the past.
Wenger has done wonders with this current squad and should finish in the top 4; though the injury to Walcott may well show their lack of depth in the hunt for the title.
Key Player - Aaron Ramsey
Villa have come a long way from the team that struggled to survive last season. With the younger players now a little more experienced they have a team capable of a mid-table finish. Yet concerns with Benteke remain.
Since his injury he has looked a shadow of the man who put defences to the sword last season.
Lambert must consider bringing in a striker this window because a lack of goals from the Belgium & the fact Agbonlahor isn’t clinical enough may see them getting dragged into a relegation scrap.
Key Player - Brad Guzan
‘Rollercoaster’ the word most apt for summing up Cardiff’s first top flight season. Memorable moments, (3-2 win over Man City & 1-0 derby win over rivals Swansea) have come hand in hand with club turmoil.
Tan got rid of Mackay (in a move which played out in front of the media) and replaced him with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Odemwingie, Jones & Fabio are 3 of 5 new additions this January; fans will be hoping their experience will be enough to drag them out of the relegation zone by the end of the season.
Key Player - Steven Caulker
The ‘Special One’ has returned & it’s so far so good for Chelsea. They are in the title race & playing some decent football; though wasted chances may be a concern.
January has seen the side strengthed with the addition of Matic, who has shown plenty of promise since leaving in 2011 & Salah whose performances at Basel have impressed.
Eden Hazard has been world class this season & his performances along with Oscar may prove to be the key to any title win.
Key Player: Eden Hazard.
Season Grade B+
It was always going to be a hard season without their star duo from last year; Zaha & Glen Murray whose out injured.
Holloway overhauled the squad with 15 new players in the summer in a bid to avoid the drop. However they struggled to gel and were left rooted to the bottom of the table for much of the early season.
After resigning & being replaced by Pulis in October, the team have become a solid defensive outfit & with Chamakh finding the net more regularly they have incredibly move out of the relegation zone.
Key Player - Mile Jedinak
MID SEASON REVIEW
by Chris Lappin, Paul Hampton, Mike Valle, Chris Wilkerson & Owen Meek
As the Premier League season creeps past the mid way point it seems to be the most exciting in history. A 3 way race is emerging in the title hunt...Liverpool, Everton and Spurs chase 4th with Man Utd in disarray. Meanwhile at the bottom just 5 points seperate 20th - 11th. 6 managers have gone & the January transfer window is closing. So how have the teams fared up to the mid way point.
The V2 gathered to give their reviews and grade each clubs season so far.
C
B+
A-
C
D