MID SEASON REPORT CARD. (BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE) Part 2

Yesterday was for the top 4 this season... On to the assessment of the next 4 clubs on the table..

LIVERPOOL

Coach: Brendan Rogers

Current League Position: 5th (36 pts)

Position at This stage last season: 10th (25 pts)

Best Player So Far: Luis Suarez

Worst Player So Far: Iago Aspas

Liverpool have been one of the most delightful sides to watch in Europe this season. Clouds of doubts hung over the club at the beginning of the season with pundits predicting a Europa League spot as the best come May 2014. All these doubts have been seemingly dispelled with the early season form of Daniel Sturridge and the current form of Uruguayan hit man Luis Suarez. Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva's form in the middle of the park have maintained balance in the team. Also, Mahmadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel's defensive awareness (and sometimes attacking ventures) have aided the side at certain times in the season and kept the in the title race. Their push for the title will be further enhanced if Sturridge rediscovers his early season form and Suarez is kept out of trouble. Also Brendan Rogers and the fitness team must aim at maintaining the fitness of stalwarts such as Gerrard, Lucas, Sakho and Coutinho.

TEAM RATING: 7.16/10

GRADE: B+

MANCHESTER UNITED

Coach: David Moyes

Current League Position: 6th (34 pts)

Position at this stage last season: 1st (49 pts)

Best Player So Far: Wayne Rooney

Worst Player So Far: Wilfried Zaha

Manchester United have not had the best seasons so far. David Moyes in the early stages of the season seemed to have no ideas as to what he was doing but in the last few games, he seems to have found the formula Sir Alex used to get the best out his side. The form of Wayne Rooney has been very impressive playing out of position but playing there well. Also Patrice Evra, Van Persie and Phil Jones have impressed in a seemingly ordinary United side. Talk of mounting a challenge for the title seems far fetched but United may just have a say in the final outcome in May. Moyes must get the best out of the entire side and also get the best out of Marouane Fellaini who hasn't as bad as thought. The defense must close up shop as they have conceded 22 goals so far. 

TEAM RATING: 6,95/10

GRADE: C+

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Coach: Tim Sherwood

Current League Position: 7th(34 pts)

Position at this stage last season: 3rd (36 pts)

Best Player So Far: Andros Townsend

Worst Player So Far: Erik Lamela

Spurs have been by far one of the poorest top sides in Europe this season. With the amount of money spent in the off season and the kinds of performances displayed on the pitch, it can be said that yes they have been horrible. This stems from Andre Villas Boas's inability to replace Gareth Bale adequately. Also the inability of the forwards to bang in the goals regularly and the porous nature of the defense. AVB's dismissal seems to have improved the output of the side so far (no disrespect to Tim Sherwood's abilities as a manager). The best Tottenham can hope for now is a Europa league spot for now.

TEAM RATING: 6.85/10

GRADE: C

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Coach: Alan Pardew

Current League Position: 8th (33 pts)

Position at this stage last season: 15th (20 pts)

Best Player So Far: Mathieu Debuchy

Worst Player So Far: Gabriel Obertan

Good times seem to have returned to the Magpies camp this season but on a stop-start basis. They had a good month in November with a 100% record. Alan Pardew seems to have improved the attacking aspect  of the team to the detriment of the defense. The record of conceding 24 goals in 19 games is more than enough evidence . Yohan Cabaye and Yoan Gouffran have been outstanding for the Magpies in their various positions this season. Loic Remy seems to be enjoying himself upfront with 10 goals in 16 appearances. Mr. Pardew must improve on his defense and keep his forwards sharp and a Spot in Europe will be guaranteed.

TEAM RATING: 6.92/10

GRADE: C+

MID SEASON REPORT CARD. (BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE)

The English Premiership. The greatest league with some of the best teams, exceptional players, great goals, crunching tackles, wonderful saves, colorful managers, passionate fans, filthy rich owners, epic moments and the inability to predict seemingly predictable matches. Yes, that's what the Premiership is about and we've been through half of it. At the halfway point, clubs are getting ready to assess themselves in order to make plans for the penultimate part of the season and I'm here with my Report Card of each club (Plan on assessing 4 clubs daily). 

ARSENAL

Coach: Arsene Wenger

Current League Position: 1st (42 pts)

Position at This stage last season: 5th (33 pts)

Best Player So Far: Aaron Ramsey

Worst Player So Far: Yaya Sanogo

The Gunners so far this season have certainly overachieved by their standards and find themselves at the top of the pile at the halfway point of the season. A horrendous start to the season with a 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa threatened to be like other seasons if not worse, but the deadline day signing of Mesut Ozil, the early season form of Olivier Giroud, defensive stability and the current form of Aaron Ramsey have led to their current standing in the league. Ability to grind out results and resort to the not so nice side of football to get the results also count for that. In order to maintain this position and grab the ultimate in May, they've got to keep their players fresh and free of all injuries and the signing of a clinical striker to help in their charge for the title.

TEAM RATING: 7.07/10

GRADE: B-

MANCHESTER CITY

Coach: Manuel Pelligrini

Current League Position: 2nd  (41 pts)

Position at this stage last season: 2nd (42 pts)

Best Player So Far: David Silva

Worst Player So Far: Stefan Jovetic

Manchester City have been having a sort of season no one can as yet describe. A perfect record at home and a very horrible away record by their standards (3 wins 2 draws 4 losses). The ability to maintain the  form of forward Sergio Aguero and keep him fit is essential in their charge for the title. Also, an improvement in away form and the ability to keep key players happy and fit will guarantee consistent performances. Manuel Pellegrini should help Joe Hart regain his form and confidence and City may be crowned Champions come May 2014.

TEAM RATING: 7.11/10

GRADE: B+

CHELSEA

Coach: Jose Mourinho

Current League Position: 3rd (40 pts)

Position at this stage last season: 3rd (38 pts)

Best Player So Far: Eden Hazard

Worst Player So Far: Demba Ba

The return of the Special One to Stamford Bridge was supposed to work wonders for Chelsea but so far they look and ordinary side based on performances and results. Toothless performances from Forward line makes their hardworking midfield look redundant. Also Jose Mourinho's refusal to play Juan Mata on a regular basis is a bane to Chelsea's progress this season. Eden Hazard and the entire Defense of Chelsea has been the bright spots in an otherwise underwhelming campaign. To improve performances , Juan Mata MUST play and Jose must get the best out of his forwards.

TEAM RATING: 6.96/10

GRADE: C+

EVERTON

Coach: Roberto Martinez

Current League Position: 4th (37 pts)

Position at this stage last season: 6th (33 pts)

Best Player So Far: Seamus Coleman

Worst Player So Far: Nikica Jelavic

The Toffees so far this season have performed beyond expectations going as far as venturing into uncharted territories of the top four. The form of Romelu Lukaku and Seamus Coleman have been a factor in their rise coupled with Roberto Martinez's tactical ability. Their defense is one of the meanest this season (joint first with Arsenal) conceding 18 goals in 19 matches . The performance of Gareth Barry in front of the back line ensures this statistic. Their ability to keep fit and maintain these performances will go a long way in the push for a return to Europe .

TEAM RATING: 7.03/10

GRADE: B-