Now coming to the top half of the table, we have a couple of interesting ones here. A small club venturing in the unknown arena and Hull City to name just two!
West Ham
Zola has been the only rather inexperienced manager to be doing a decent job with his club. Paul Ince and Tony Adams are the others in the category and both have struggled, the former losing his job before the turn of the year. Zola's assistant Steve Clarke's hand in the whole picture cannot be doubted. The latter's experience as an assistant coach in the top flight is second to none. Its ironical that two of Chelsea's biggest legends are working for one of Chelsea's rivals and doing a good job. Hammers are destined for mid table anonymity at best, at worst they could lose a couple of key players in the Jan transfer window due to the financial crisis the club is going through, and their season could fall apart.
Verdict : 9th
Fulham
Roy Hodgson was one of the best managers of last year. When he took over, Fulham were in deep mire with relegation looking directly in their faces. He not only turned it around in the last game of last season, but has also managed to take them to 9th place by the end of the same calender year, a remarkable achievement by all means. Fulham are pushing for UEFA cup places but with Wigan, Everton and Aston Villa apart from the four usual suspects definitely better than them, it will be a near impossible task.
Verdict: 13th
Hull City
Hull City have been one of the stories of the season. With almost everyone predicting struggle in the club's first ever adventure in the top flight, they have not only defied the odds but also done it in style. Last couple of months have seen them struggle a bit and they've slipped a couple of places but another run of good results is long due and that could well see them in a UEFA cup spot....icing on the cake one has to say! But whatever the tigers achieve this season, they can hold their heads high and look forward to avaoiding the second season syndrome for promoted clubs next season.
Verdict : 8th
Wigan
Another club which has achieved an overturn of fortunes in a calendar year is Wigan. Struggling in the relegation zone at the start of 2008, they have their sights on UEFA cup at the end. Enjoying an excellent form of late(5 wins in last 6 games), the FA cup break might have come at hte wrong time for them. Still they should be good enough to give the likes of Everton and Hull a run for their money in the battle for UEFA cup spot.
Verdict: 6th
Everton
Without a recognized striker for a good few weeks, toffees have tremendously well to be where they are now. David Moyes should be in the look out for a recognized striker in the transfer window if only on loan, but recent form suggests he can as well manage without one. Hull, Liverpool and Arsenal are their next three opponents and 3 points or above is what they should be aiming at to put pressure on Arsenal and Aston Villa for the automatic UEFA cup place.
Verdict : 7th
the final bit to follow soon...
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5 comments:
Wigan at 6th ?? With zaki probably following his way out soon..it definitely doesn't look promising for wigan !
he is on load till end of season
Wigan is not just about Zaki, in fact Zaki has not scored from open play since Nov when he got a double against pool, but Wigan are riding high. 6 wins from last 7 games is an achievement for the likes of Pool and Arsenal let alone Wigan.
Valencia, Palacios, Taylor et al are having the season of their lives.
by the way last comment was by me...in case any doubts arise!
palacios has left, so will zaki..
No way will they finish above Everton..Still think Arsenal will finish 4th with everton pushing villa for the 5th spot..
Trusting villa to go down hill from here on!
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