Half Term Report Card (Part 1)

With 2008 kissing good bye tonight, it is a good time to look back at the season that has come half way through...a season which many have described as the most competitive and packed with more surprises than any we've seen in recent years.

Here I've drawn a report card of all the 20 teams fighting it out there. I'd start from the bottom of the league as of today.

West Brom

Many pundits described them as the best of the promoted side, and not without a logic. Not only were the baggies last year's Championship champions, but the way they achieved promotion was remarkable. The kind of flowing football which is slightly out of place in a league like the Championship, they won many hearts. Life in the top tier, however, has not been as rosy. Although they've kept the style of play, the end result has been eluding them for most of the season. Yet they are no Derby! With a couple of wins in last three games, confidence is back and they could well stay in the top flight if they could capitalize on the current form.

Verdict: relegation

Blackburn Rovers

Paul Ince was a gamble Rovers took at the start of the season, and it has certainly come off badly for them. Half way through the season they have only managed as many points as West Brom. Only the goal difference keeps them from the bottom position. An indifferent form of last year's sensation Roque Santa Cruz has not helped and suggestions are that his mind could be elsewhere. With a proven PL manager now at the helm, there is hope but it could soon wane if they keep throwing away two goal leads in the last seven minutes as seen against ManCity last weekend. A string of good results is what Blackburn need and soon. With Fulham away and Newcastle and Bolton at home as their next three fixtures, it doesn't look a particularly easy ride but one they would expect to get a few points from if they have to stay up.

Verdict: 17th

Stoke City

Only goal difference separate Stoke from 16th and 17th placed Spurs and Middlesbrough resp. Their physical style and Rory Delap's throw ins have given us a few surprise results like victory over Arsenal and Aston Villa but that apart, Stoke have been found wanting in many areas vital to stay in the top flight. Pundits described them as one of the candidates for relegation and I would not bet a fortune against it.

Verdict: relegation

Middlesbrough

Gareth Southgate's men over the past couple of years have done just enough to stay clear of the relegation dog fight. This season its different with the league being so competitive, they are just goal difference away from relegation zone while just 2 points away from their last season's 13th place finish. If the current form is anything to go by, they could well be in the mire this season. Sunderland and West Brom are the next two games and their chance to get points on board before they travel to Stamford Bridge.

Verdict: 15th

Tottenham Hotspurs

With their worst ever start to a season, Spurs have steadied the ship a little with the help of Harry Redknapp. But the results still do not guarantee survival. With Harry's honeymoon period long over, they have mustered just one win from their last six league games. Still the feeling remains that Spurs are just too big to go down. That said, they should act soon to get some results in the next few games because this season there is no guarantee. As little as 5 points separate the bottom half of the league and a couple of games here and there could turn it all around.

Verdict: 14th


more to follow...