Premier League Season so far

I would like to touch upon the Premier League season so far. At the moment, Manchester United and Manchester City look like the teams to beat, whilst Blackburn Rovers on the other hand, look like they are in for a long old season.

Boss Steve Kean, has seen his side win just three times this season. Arsenal 4-3 in the league and Carling Cup ties against Sheffield Wednesday and Leyton Orient (both at home). It interests me to also see that Blackburn have picked up 17 yellow cards and 1 red already. The next 5 games are crucial for Blackburn and Steve Kean, should he remain in charge. QPR (a), Spurs (h), Norwich (a), Chelsea (h) and Wigan (a) are all tricky games for a team seemingly low on confidence.

Next, I would like to touch on the promoted teams, QPR, Norwich and Swansea. All three teams sit 9th, 10, and 11th after seven games all on 8 points. All teams have started fairly brightly and look like they could maintain their survival. QPR must bounce back from the 6-0 defeat against Fulham, if they want to maintain there start to life back in the Premier League.

All credit must go to Swansea so far, the first Welsh team in the league. I watched them twice last season whilst watching Bristol City, away when Bristol City won 1-0 and at Ashton Gate which we lost 2-0. I must say Swansea blew me away with the football they played. All one touch, quick, sharp passes, which were very direct, and they still play it in the Premiership.

Norwich have surprised me, with some good football, and were unlucky not to pick up at least a point at Old Trafford at the weekend. The quality of the champions, coming through at the end of a tough game.

Bolton and Arsenal have both struggled for different reasons so far this season. Bolton sit bottom with Arsenal 15th. Not where Arsene Wenger would want them going into the international break. Bolton have had a tough run of fames, including Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal. These are tough games in themselves, but they are usually a very tough side to beat at home, and have so far shipped 15 goals in the 4 home games they have played.

Arsenal for me have been playing some decent football, but lack the midfield support and the final cutting edge. The departures of Nasri and Fabregas have been key, and I think they need to replace these players. Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun are fantastic players, but it is a big ask to replace £50 millions worth of talent. I think this International break will do wonders for them.

Newcastle are the biggest surprise this season. 7 games played and in the top 4. This is more than Alan Pardew could imagine, and shows the spirit in the Newcastle United dressing room right now. They are all on a high, and battle hard for each other and the manager. This is a factor why they are one of four teams unbeaten this season. The others being the two Manchester clubs and Aston Villa. Demba Ba has scored 4 goals this season, both in his last two games, and Leon Best has found his feet in the Premiership, and has scored 3 goals himself.

I am just going to leave you now with a current team of players I believe to be on form this season. Some players you may agree with, others perhaps not but this is my opinion and I welcome yours. I will go 4-4-2.

Goalkeeper - Shay Given

Defenders - Kyle Walker
                    Phil Jones
                    Fabricio Coloccini
                    Jose Enrique

Midfielders - Ashley Young
                      Frank Lampard
                      Sebastian Larsson
                      David Silva

Strikers : Wayne Rooney
                Sergio Aguero

Bench: Tim Krul
            Ashley Williams
            Vincent Kompany
            Nani
            Rafael Van Der Vaart
            Luis Suarez 
            Danny Welbeck