The English and Welsh football first division has a long and glorious history, and plenty can be reported on it. This report, however, will ambiguously speculate on the future of the Premier League.
The State of Play
At the time of writing, football has reached the centre circle on the season. 19 games through, the teams are amid a hectic Christmas period. Klopp’s Liverpool FC sit at the top of the pile, their 51 points puts them six and seven points clear of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City respectively. Spurs seem to be finding their groove, while City have stumbled unexpectedly, with all three of their losses in the last four games in the prem. Chelsea make up the top four, a capable team seemingly drifting through just enough wins.
Arsenal have looked very impressive this season, and should be capable of finishing better than their current Europa League spot. Lacazette and especially Aubameyang give them a star forward line, and they can create a sound supply chain of chances. Manchester United have parted with Marmite Mourinho, and Solskjaer has the questionably enviable role of regaining their season. These six teams all expect Champions League football next season, but if my maths is correct they can’t all get it.
Leicester City, Everton, West Ham, Watford and Wolves are the next five teams which all can play nicely but will ultimately need more funding or some creative genius to reach the top four. Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace have scuffed their shots this season, but look safe. Not so for Newcastle United, Southampton and Cardiff City who sit just outside the relegation zone.
Burnley are a surprise entry at 18th, a good side who had held seventh place last summer. This reporter would not expect to see them relegated. Fulham and Huddersfield are less surprising, though both, particularly Fulham, certainly have a chance to stay on the ball.
Football’s Goals
Large financial backing has been the tale of the last few years, and this seems to have been accepted. Big bucks means brill ‘ballers, and it seems too late to slide in and tackle this.
A new move is developing, which gained coverage when Man City’s through-ball sent them them in on goal. Signing Pep Guardiola was a great coup for them and has taken a side of money masters into an age of classy, creative, cash driven infamy. Last season’s record breaking side were stylish and swept aside almost all opponents. One who had repeated success against them is Liverpool, who have also become associated with a style of play. Their blistering attack, from the Suárez-Sturridge-Sterling line up, through Coutinho to the current squad has roused fans with many goals. The reputation may have been born out of a leaky defence but has flourished this season with better defensive backing.
Contrary to this has been Mourinho’s mixed couple of years in Manchester. The Red Devils have struggled recently and the Old Trafford faithful were less than content with the style of play, wanting excitement as well as success. The trend is exactly that, all clubs are demanding an attractive, enjoyable playing style as well as bountiful results.
Perhaps part of the reason for this is to give fans hope. A team that rarely concedes may do well, but once behind will struggle to put on a comeback. A side the scores many will expect to concede but have faith – and the confidence of the fans – in getting something out of the game.
Will this pattern endure? Or will it turn out to be an own goal for those who persist? Gone are the days of taking the nil-nil draw away from home, but perhaps a more pragmatic approach still has a place in the sport. For now though, a boring team feels like a soccer-punch to the fans.
What Grey Squirrels Are Thinking 