Nearly third of the season gone by, which teams have proved their mettle and which teams have fallen by the wayside. We examine in closer detail.

 Expectations met:

Derby County:

Even before the season started Derby County was widely tipped to go down, and they haven’t surprised. They have been woeful this season. Not a single away goal in more than 10 hours of football. I’m imagining every team that is due to play them is rubbing their hands in glee, much like Lampard in front of table full of pies.

The question on everyone’s lips “Are they even worse than the last Sunderland team that went down?”.

 

Manchester United:

If there was a remarks section in the report card , this is what it will read. Expectations met. It might me a tad harsh on the team that is current second in the table, but that is a consequence of the standards that Manchester United set the last season. And  they could have got only stronger with talents like Tevez,Nani, Hargreaves and Anderson coming in. Scratch Anderson actually, he is a cheating,diving ,despicable git. Anyways, I digress. Struggled early on in the season with scratchy wins, but Utd fans will rightly argue that is that hallmark of Champion. They, now, have found their form recently with some spectacular wins. They will be challenging for the title right till the end.

The question on everyone’s lips “Is Carlos Tevez the ugliest man in world football?”

Hi-Flyers of the season:

Arsenal:

 

Written off by all and sundry even before a ball was kicked, Arsenal had everything to lose this season. If “experts” were to be believed, Arsenal will fighting it out with the likes of Blackburn and Spurs for the final Champions league spot. But, I think its fair to say that they have proved everyone wrong this season. Scored the maximum number of goals, taken the highest number of points ,they are flying high at the top of the table. People will still point to the skewed fixture list which has made Arsenal play a disproportional amount of home games, but when you can boss Liverpool at Anfield, you are surely made of sterner stuff.

The litmus test for the young gunners will be December, away ties at St.James’, Goodison, Villa Park and home ties against Chelsea and Spurs will test the depth of the squad and also the resolve of this team.

The question on everyone’s lips “When will this run stop and they implode in spectacular fashion?” The Answer “Ha! You wish!”.

Manchester City:

Things were looking rather downcast at the Eastlands at the start of the season. Couldn’t buy a win at home, about to be taken over by a Shady man with even seedier connections, and perhaps most worryingly a team that is going to be managed by an uninspiring manager.

A 100% home record, a team playing one touch football beautiful football, and a manager who seems as thought a burden has been lifted off his shoulders. Sven has been refreshing in his candour in his interviews , honest in his assessments and bereft of the moaning that plagues prem managers these days. And his team hasn’t too bad either, the likes of Petrov and Elano are contenders for buys of the season. Man City continue to confound critics and keep winning and my bet to finish in the top 5.

The question on everyone’s lips “How does Sven get to bed all the pretty blond chicks?”

 

Chumps of the Season:

Tottenham Hotspurs:

To say they have disappointed might be an understatement of gross proportions. Languishing at the bottom the table, a defence that is leaking goals, and 2 wins in 13 is hardly Champions league spot form.

And its fair to say they hardly covered themselves in glory in the way the whole Martin Jol affair. Farcical to say the least. Juande Ramos has a big big task in his hands. A club which probably has the most deluded set of supporters , its going to be a huge ask to turn this club around. Have they got their right man? Only time will tell, but he had Seville punching way above their weight, perhaps no one should be surprised if Spurs do the same.

The question on everyone’s lips “How much longer before we can laugh at them? Again”

 

Special Mentions:

Snores of the season:

Liverpool. To put it mildly, I’d rather watch my fingernails grow or paint dry. And don’t throw the Besiktas game in my face.

The forgotten team:

Why isn’t anyone talking about Chelsea anymore?