The season so far: The top 10 things we have learnt in 2009/10

With around a third of the season already gone, and no meaningful football on this weekend, I thought I’d take this opportunity to reflect on the past few months. So here’s my top 10 of the things we've seen, learnt and understood about this ridiculously awesome, if sometimes unfair, league of ours from 09/10’s first 3 months…





1. We are a different side without Ronaldo…not worse, just different.

The 4-4-2 has been adopted due to his departure and we are now able to play a more direct style of football: productive on the attack and solid at the back, with the attacking players being able to cover when the full-backs go forward...well that's the idea! It's fair to say it hasn't quite been perfected yet, but positives can definitely be drawn that you would hope and assume will only improve as the season develops. We have seen some great football from Rooney, Berbatov, Valencia, Evra (more independent in his free role on the left) and promising glimpses from Obertan.

Time's up fat man...

2. Liverpool are shit without Alonso…not different, just shit.

Ahh how we’re all enjoying laughing at the Scum. Their ‘slow start’ to the season, i.e. the season they were supposed to win it, is in serious danger of becoming a slow season. Even their ‘season turning’ victory against us hasn’t quite had the desired motivating effect as the poor results and even poorer performances continue. Obviously something beyond the departure of Alonso has happened to turn Liverpool’s title contenders of last season into Europa League hopefuls of this one. Possibly further turbulence behind the scenes? (even though Hicks’n’Gillett have openly backed the fat man), an over-reliance on Nando and Stevie Me? (though they can capably score and create chances from other areas of the field). Whatever the reason for this tremendous fall from half-decency, it certainly feels as though it has been signalled, if not caused, by the absence of such a key figurehead. But let’s remember, it’s still their year.



3. The overall standard of the top 4 has dropped; producing one of the most unpredictable seasons ever.

With us, although still just about ok and 3rd only on goal difference, we’ve shown obvious signs of deterioration and an inability to find an extra gear and score consistently. Arsenal have picked up momentum but are still vulnerable and at times struggle to hold on to a lead (us at OT and West Ham at Upton Park); Liverpool are just a joke; and Chelsea – everyone’s hands-down favourites – are subject to exposing gaps in their defence, and when the ever forceful Lampard and Ballack combo isn’t working and is closed down by some masterful opposition play (i.e. Anderson and Fletcher), then we see even their prolific strikers struggle. This year is not only open, it’s unpredictable, with each of these sides showing equal elements of quality and deficiencies in their game (…except the Scousers of course, who have just highlighted their deficiencies). So for people to rule out United, or even Arsenal for that matter, at this stage is plain stupid. No one should ever think they know in November what the outcome will be in May; especially not this season.



4. Or is it that the overall standard of the league increased?

Is there such thing as an ‘easy game’ in the Premiership anymore? The increasing quality of the 'other' teams not only elucidates my previous point, but it surely poses further, convincing arguments as to whether this is in fact the best league in the world. Maybe not in terms of exciting world talent (now Real have raped us of our best players), but just in terms of the overall standard of teams in this league. Real and Barca would rarely expect to face problems on an away-day to Getafe or Tenerife (apparently they have a football team as well as a resort where Brits go to embarrass themselves, have one night stands with random European girls and arrive home with an STD). Teams, and fans, are all wary of trips to Craven Cottage, the DW, St. Andrews, the Stadium of Light and this season Turf Moor. All the teams associated with these grounds have taken points off the big 4 this season and I don’t think anyone can call results like United 2-2 Sunderland or Fulham 3-1 Liverpool a ‘shock’ anymore; as to not appreciate or even ignore the threat of these teams is purely disrespectful.





5. Are the ‘City’ Arab Emirate a threat to the top 4?

Well, not really. Other than early signs of promise, there has been little ambition – other than spending £100mil – to show that they are going to buy their way, woops, I mean play their way into the Champions League. They are currently sitting in a less than desirable 6th place, have drawn their last 5 games and have been unable to capitalise on 7th place Liverpool’s poor season; where Tottenham (4th) and Villa (5th) have. It’s fair to say that if there is to be a break-up of the top 4 this season then the Scousers look the most likely to be out, and with the resources City now have you wouldn’t think anyone else would possess more potential to get in there; but they’re not taking their chance and are showing little sign that they genuinely could.

6. 'Controversial' seems to be this season’s buzz word.

Especially where the big 4 are concerned. Firstly this term, there were the shenanigans at home to Arsenal (Rooney ‘diving’ and Wenger being a clown), then the (totally legitimate) time-added fiasco in the derby; Fergie’s big mouth; United robbed at Chelsea; Chelsea banned from the transfer market…then NOT; and now Liverpool having to cheat their way to a point with Ngog’s penalty dive. Of course incidences of this nature always spring up to add a bit of colour throughout any Premiership season, but never have they come as thick and fast as this. Every weekend brings a new, ugly episode that has us all talking on Monday morning. Gotta love this league.

7. Ref’s aren't just bankrolled by United then?

I suppose this follows on from the previous point, and it’s blatantly just another excuse for me to feel sorry for myself at the injustice we suffered at the Bridge (no, I’m NOT over it!). The mythological view that United get all the decisions in their favour is hopefully understood as bullshit now, and something that ALL the top teams seem to be affected by. Along with Chelsea’s winner on Sunday and the overturning of their transfer ban (for no apparent reason), other incidences where the ref’s have seamed to favour the other big teams include Eduardo and Ngog’s penalty theatrics, as well as Carragher completely making up his own set of rules (which the FA clearly abide by) on ‘the last defender back’ law. In contrast, you have Fletcher (surely the most unlucky player in the world?) being shown a yellow against CSKA rather than getting a correct penalty decision. As for Ferguson? Although unnecessarily outspoken this season, he’s being so heavily scrutinised for every little thing he says that he’s being treated like some revolutionary rebel being monitored by the Stasi state. There have no doubt been other incidences of note, and probably more incidences that United have ‘gotten away with’ too, but the fact is that it isn’t just us that, as so many claim, get all the decisions in our favour.

8. Is Fletcher our most important player?

His gritty, determined performances are consistent and complemented by his creative and passing ability (‘anti-football’? Shut-up Wenger you turd). There aren’t many key, influential personalities in this side anymore (with Rooney, Berbatov and maybe Valencia being up there), but in terms of genuine leaders, there are even fewer. Fletcher could well be that missing experienced link that this improving side needs in order to develop; and now without the natural attacking movement we had so commonly with Ronaldo, his role as a holding midfielder who breaks up play and creates chances is even more essential.

9. We are not scoring enough goals.

So far this season we've scored 35 goals in all competitions (19 games), which averages at just under 2 goals a game. Not too bad, but compare that with Chelsea's 44 in all competitions and Arsenal's staggering 36 goals in 11 league games. Also, out of these 35 goals, 20 of them (57%) have come from our strikers – and that's not including goals by Nani and Giggs (2 each) who often play in advanced positions…plus it’s worth mentioning that 4 of our goals (11%) have been og’s! Not only therefore are the goals far from pouring in; we have a very limited and uninspiring route to goal. The danger then is becoming too over-reliant on our goalscoring strikers; so much so that when they stop scoring, WE stop scoring. So, in summary:





10. Think it’s time to dip into that £80mill... Aguero, Villa, Silva. Nuff said.