The ‘Real’ Premiership Table 2007-08
WITH the Premier League over and done with for another season, it is time for players, managers and supporters to have a look back on the highs and lows of a dramatic nine month campaign. With issues at top and the bottom mostly being decided on the final day of the season, the 2007/8 campaign will live long in the memory of all supporters for both good and bad reasons.
For the next couple of months that talk will be of the future and how each team will progress next season, but let’s take a retrospective look of how the Premiership finished...
For the next couple of months that talk will be of the future and how each team will progress next season, but let’s take a retrospective look of how the Premiership finished...
(1) Manchester United
Actual Position... 1st
Pre season expectations... After a season of success last year, Manchester United were looking to claim yet another Premiership title and stay ahead of their rivals both domestically and in Europe.
High point... Claiming the title at Wigan on the final day was without doubt the crowning glory of the campaign, but they may well look back at defeating Arsenal 4-0 in the FA Cup as the game the tide turned in their favour.
Low point... Losing two derby games to Manchester City will be forgotten because of their heroics in the title race but losing at Old Trafford may well have soured commemorations of the 50th anniversary of the Munich disaster.
Player of the season... Cristiano Ronaldo – 31 goals in the Premiership and a total of 41 in all competitions speak for themselves as the Portuguese star proved he has end product to his tricks and skills.
Biggest flop... Louis Saha – Yet another injury prone campaign for the striker will surely spell the end for the Frenchman.
How the manager has faired... Ten titles for Sir Alex and with a Champions League Final date with Chelsea in the future, his work to ensure that Manchester United stay at the top of the tree may have only just begun. Performances on the pitch and silverware in the trophy cabinet mean that just one more Championship going to Old Trafford will equal Liverpool’s current record of 19.
The season in summation... Comebacks at Middlesbrough and Blackburn were not only vital in ensuring that the title returned to Old Trafford but also summed up the spirit and quality of Manchester United.
Aims for the next campaign... To strengthen and ensure that in twelve months time, people are still talking about Manchester United playing good football and winning the Championship.
Overall verdict... Another thoroughly excellent campaign for Ferguson and his team ended in more silverware and gaining all the plaudits they deserved. The Scotsman’s team continue to set the standard and winning yet another back to back set of Championship’s shows that they are the team to beat.
(2) Arsenal
Actual Position... 3rd
Pre season expectations... The media had a much mixed opinion of how the Gunners were to perform over the coming season. After finishing in fourth place once more the previous year, Arsenal parted with Thierry Henry and many presumed that the North Londoner’s would struggle to keep pace with Manchester United and Chelsea.
High point... For a season which began with so much doom-mongering, topping the table by five points in February and beating AC Milan in the same week were without doubt the high points of an excellent season.
Low point... Losing the lead at Birmingham began a sequence of five successive draws which effectively stalled Arsenal’s title ambitions.
Player of the season... Gael Clichy - Despite Fabregas and Flamini picking up the accolades from the media, the Arsenal left back has been consistent and a major reason why Arsenal have been defensively stronger.
Biggest flop... Gilberto Silva – Many from the outside will suggest that the influence of Willam Gallas has been anything but positive but the Brazilian’s laboured performances in midfield have meant Arsenal struggling whenever the World Cup Winner has come into replace the departing Flamini.
How the manager has faired... Much has been said about Arsenal’s poor end of season run, but aside from deciding not to strengthen in the transfer window the Frenchman has once again guided Arsenal to success on a shoestring budget, the question is whether or not he can help his young side to win some silverware.
The season in summation... Being 1-0 up against Manchester United and losing the game 2-1 summed up the end of the Gunners season and their inexperienced naivety which may have meant the league title slipping away.
Aims for the next campaign... Pushing on further in Europe once more and helping to ensure the Premiership is an interesting three horse race.
Overall verdict... With hindsight looking back on the season, Arsenal can pick highlight where they lost the points which may have won them the title but if Wenger had been offered 3rd place and to still be in the title race until the final few hurdles he would definitely have taken it.
(3rd) Aston Villa
Actual Position... 6th
Pre season expectations... Under the stewardship of Martin O’Neill Villa were expected to finish in the UEFA Cup Spots and challenge for the League and FA Cups.
High point... A 6-0 victory over Derby followed by a 5-1 win over their old rivals showed how much attacking potential the Irishman’s team posses.
Low point... Losing 2-0 to Wigan in May put a dent in Villa’s UEFA Cup qualification hopes and demonstrated that they still have a lot if they are to be considered one of the top five teams in the country.
Player of the season... Ashley Young – Given his England debut, just a year after signing for the club, he deservedly claimed a place in the PFA team of the season and has become a firm favourite with the Villa favourite.
Biggest flop... Wayne Routledge – The midfielder only joined from Fulham on loan in the January transfer window but continued to show frustrating inconsistency which prevented him being a success at Tottenham.
How the manager has faired... Already regarded as one of the great managers in British football, O’Neil proved yet again that without a great deal of money he is capable of building a fantastic team.
The season in summation... The 4-4 draws with Chelsea and Spurs which show that as well as scoring plenty of goals, they still have trouble defensively.
Aims for the next campaign... First of all they must hold onto their captain and build a team which is capable of challenging in the top six again.
Overall verdict... Compared with recent campaigns,6th place is a fantastic finish for a Villa side who have flattered to deceive in recent seasons. A small squad has hindered them in their quest for European football and with some notable departures potentially taking place over the Summer they need to reinforce to ensure they are not left behind.
(4th) Portsmouth
Actual Position... 8th
Pre season expectations... Having performed admirably last season by sustaining a position in the top half of the league, Portsmouth were expected to be in the same position once again.
High point... Outside of the Premiership, reaching the FA Cup final was undoubtedly the high point of the season. In the league a 4-1 drubbing of Newcastle at St. James’s Park demonstrated just how strong they are.
Low point... After reaching the FA Cup final in April, Portsmouth failed to win a league game in five which prevented them from achieving a European position without winning the FA Cup.
Player of the season... David James – The veteran goalkeeper has not only returned to the England squad to become the nation’s first choice but was selected in the PFA team of the year and has save Pompey at least 10-12 points over the course of the season.
Biggest flop... David Nugent – Signing for big money in the Summer, Nugent came in with high hopes but has done little but tarnish his reputation as a quality striker.
How the manager has faired... Harry Redknapp yet again has achieved wonders with a Portsmouth team. Having turned them from relegation candidates into FA Cup finalists it has been a magical season for the South Coast side whether they win the seasons ending showpiece or not.
The season in summation... A 0-0 draw with Newcastle at Fratton Park in April was one of five 0-0 draws at home and demonstrated that the 7-4 aside, Pompey had trouble finding the net at home before Jermaine Defoe arrived.
Aims for the next campaign... To push up along with Everton and Aston Villa into making the Premiership top 7 extremely open.
Overall verdict... Presuming Redknapp’s men live up to their favourites tag in the FA Cup final and win the game, it will be one of the managers greatest achievements and a superb success for the team. In the league Portsmouth stayed competitive and adding Jermaine Defoe at the start of the season could have mean them finishing fifth.
(5) Blackburn
Actual Position... 7th
Pre season expectations... Having just missed out on a European place last season thanks to the form of Reading and Everton, Hughes’s men were once again expected to be chasing after a spot in the UEFA Cup place.
High point... A 1-0 win at Newcastle which pushed Rovers up into sixth spot and at that time it looked as if the Champions League may be beckoning.
Low point... A 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa at Ewood Park which the Midlands side won with embarrassing ease.
Player of the season... Roque Santa Cruz – A bargain at just £3 million, the Paraguayan striker has been a revelation for Rovers and added a goal scoring touch to a steely Blackburn side.
Biggest flop... Benni McCarthy – Unable to recreate the form of his debut season in England, the South African striker was eventually replaced by Santa Cruz who went onto excel which McCarthy struggled in a bit part role.
How the manager has faired... Considering the struggles Blackburn had before he joined the club, Blackburn have progressed more than adequately under the Welshman and have become a tough side to beat. Having added the goal scoring touch of Santa Cruz, he has assembled a team which is very much in the mould of the way he used to play.
The season in summation... A 1-1 draw with Manchester United which saw the Champions equalise in the last seconds of the game. It showed how Blackburn were close, but just not close enough.
Aims for the next campaign... Despite a solid season Blackburn faded away from a European place towards the end and providing they hold onto their prize assets they should once again be aiming to finish in the top six.
Overall verdict... Always known as a tough team, physical team to beat Blackburn have built a strong stable squad which is capable of challenging Everton and Aston Villa for a place in the UEFA Cup. With Hughes at the helm, Blackburn can achieve great things if they can hold onto the best players and continue to improve.
(6) Everton
Actual Position... 5th
Pre season expectations... Claiming a UEFA Cup spot for the new season, Everton were looking get further than they did the last time around which same the exit at the first attempt. With some doubting the strength of the fight in Arsenal they were looking to capitalise on any slip ups.
High point... A 7-1 victory over Everton which pushed them up into fourth place above Liverpool and showed their strength going forward and their watertight defensiveness.
Low point... A 1-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool which ruled out their participation in the Champions League next season and summed up their struggles without Cahill and Arteta.
Player of the season... Joleen Lescott – Yakubu will claim many of the accolades for his excellent attacking displays but at the back the former Wolves man has been a revelation alongside Jagielka and has chipped in with some vital goals.
Biggest flop... Andy Van Der Meyde – Failed to play a game this season for Everton due to lack of fitness.
How the manager has faired... David Moyes has worked wonders yet again with Everton but hit the brick wall once again when it came to getting into the top four. The signing of Yakubu was a shrewed piece of business and gave hem attacking options going forward.
The season in summation... A 2-0 away win against Manchester City in which both Yakubu and Lescott scored summed up the efficient performances of Everton throughout the season.
Aims for the next campaign... To add to their attacking options when Cahill and Arteta are unavailable which will enable them to successfully chase down their ambling rivals in fourth.
Overall verdict... Another decent season for the blues which deservedly earned them a place in the UEFA Cup. Having clung in and around fourth place for so long their only disappointment is that they were not able to turn extend their consistency in the first half of the season.
(7) Chelsea
Actual Position...2nd
Pre season expectations... Despite losing out to Manchester United in 2006/7, Chelsea were expected to come back strong and challenge the Red Devils for the title.
High point... A 4-1 defeat of West Ham with 10 men at Upton Park which demonstrated their title class no matter who is at the helm.
Low point... Choose from the 4-4 draw with Spurs or the 1-1 with Wigan which with hindsight was the reason relying on Manchester United result on the final day left them with a mountain to climb.
Player of the season... Joe Cole – Despite a quiet last few weeks the Chelsea midfielder has been the stand out performer in a very changeable Chelsea side. With Lampard and Drogba having spent much of the time injured throughout the campaign Cole has helped to provide a spark to the team and chipped in with some key goals.
Biggest flop... Florient Malouda – The Frenchman came to Stamford Bridge with much promise but after a good start struggled to adapt to life in the Premiership and seemed an extremely expensive signing at £15 million.
How the manager has faired... Since taking over from the charismatic Mourinho, Grant has performed admirably in the face of adversity. His record contained just two defeats in twenty five and guiding Chelsea to within two points of the title whether he stays there next season or not the job he has done is admirable.
The season in summation... The 1-1 draw on the final day of the season not only summed up the reason why Chelsea failed to capture the Premiership but also injuries during the game to John Terry and Didier Drogba have also demonstrated their struggles.
Aims for the next campaign... Quite simply to win back their Premiership title and prove that their Championship ambitions still burn strong.
Overall verdict... Judging Chelsea’s season is often difficult with all the money which has been used to put together their extremely talented squad but having lost their influential manager to off the field matters they have recovered well and proved that staying strong in their team unit they can overcome the largest obstacles.
(8) Wigan Athletic
Actual Position... 13th
Pre season expectations... Escaping relegation on the final day of the season with a victory over Sheffield United, Wigan were expected to be amongst those battling to avoid relegation.
High point... A 5-3 victory over Blackburn in which the club played some of their best football of the season and showed resilience after being 3-0 ahead and being pegged back to 3-3.
Low point... A 2-0 defeat to Sunderland where Wigan struggled to create chances and looked to be heading in the opposite direction to their opponents.
Player of the season... Antonio Valencia – In midfielder Valencia has shown his quality for Wigan even through their early season struggles. The Ecuadorian player, with good skills and excellent crossing ability, is now chased by some of Europe’s top clubs after his performances.
Biggest flop... Titus Bramble – Brought in during the summer after leaving Newcastle to shore up the backline, Bramble scored two goals in two games and looked a reformed player until he began to look like slow and leggy and was then dropped for the seasons run in.
How the manager has faired... Since taking over at Wigan following his acrimonious departure from Birmingham, Steve Bruce has worked miracles as his side looked to get themselves out of trouble. As results began to improve, Wigan began to become a difficult side to beat and with the former Manchester United defender at the helm they will look to ensure safety once again next season.
The season in summation... The 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, which saw them get the deserved result and the point which ensured they would not suffer relegation.
Aims for the next campaign... Hitting the forty point mark as early as possible will give Wigan an opportunity to aim higher than 17th.
Overall verdict... In terms of their performance in the second half of the season, Wigan have picked up as many points as Portsmouth and Everton which is a great achievement considering they spent much of the early months below Derby. Not only have the team begun to play better football but with a good manager in charge who knows what they can achieve in the next couple of seasons.
(9) Manchester City
Actual Position... 9th
Pre season expectations... Struggling under Stuart Pearce last season, Manchester City were expecting another season of mid table safety with Sven at the helm.
High point... A well deserved 2-1 victory in the derby at Old Trafford.
Low point... A 2-0 defeat to Everton which effectively ended their hopes of European football through the Premiership next season.
Player of the season... Martin Petrov – Like Manchester City’s other big summer signing Elano, Petrov has been a major reason why the blues have done well this season. His pacey running from a wide left position and crossing accuracy have made him a favourite after just one season.
Biggest flop... Rolando Biancci – The Italian striker had a great start to life at City with two goals in his first three games including one on his debut but faded fast and was eventually replaced by Benjani and looks certain to be leaving over the summer.
How the manager has faired... Sven regained faith in his management with a good season in charge at Manchester City. Despite the views of his chairman, the club have performed extremely admirably in the league compared to last season and should be proud of their achievements.
The season in summation... A 3-2 defeat to Fulham in which they led 2-0 in the first half and fell away in the second which epitomised the whole season.
Aims for the next campaign... Presuming Eriksson is no longer in charge City must go again at sustaining a top half finish in the season. They must add to the quality and aim to sustain the form which saw them hold a top four position until December.
Overall verdict... A good start by City, but boardroom disruption caused by poor on the pitch results spoiled what was destined to be a great campaign. City once again became a tough side to beat and should be proud of their two victories over Manchester United and some of the football they played away from home.
(10) Sunderland
Actual Position... 15th
Pre season expectations... Despite winning the Championship comfortably in 2007, Sunderland were expected to struggle in the Premiership.
High point... A 1-0 at Villa in March which virtually guaranteed the Mackems will be in the Premiership next season.
Low point... A 7-1 drubbing by Everton early in the season which spelled out the gap in class between the sides at the top and bottom of the league.
Player of the season... Kenwyne Jones – Many scoffed at the fee which the Trinidad international was signed for but he has certainly been worth his weight in gold to the Sunderland boss who rates him extremely highly. Jones will be disappointed he was not able to score more goals in his first season but his ability to hold the ball up and play in those around him has been of great show of his quality.
Biggest flop... Kieran Richardson – Having come from Manchester United for a fee of around £5 million, the midfielder spent much time on the bench and has looked little like the player who represented his country in 2005.
How the manager has faired... In his own words, this season has been a ‘learning curve’ for Roy Keane. As when he was a player, Keane has given everything to the job and his opinions have been refreshingly honest. His first aim of keeping the club in the top flight was successfully achieved and his next will be to cement Sunderland’s place inside the top ten.
The season in summation... A 1-0 win over Derby thanks to a last minute goal illustrated how Sunderland never gave in till the final minute of the game scoring plenty of late goals and also shows that by beating the teams around them they managed to clamber to safety.
Aims for the next campaign... Sunderland’s primary aim should once again be to reach the magic 40 point mark, following that anything inside the league’s top twelve would be a success.
Overall verdict... Although they started the season well, Sunderland were never consistent enough to escape trouble completely but by beating the teams around them they successfully achieved their goal. In Roy Keane they have an ambitious manager who will be looking to push his side up the league though this can only be done with signings and if Keane is allowed funding, next season could be spent much higher up the league.
(11) Liverpool
Actual Position... 4th
Pre season expectations... Bringing in £23 million worth of striker in Fernando Torres, Liverpool were hopefully of sustaining a title challenge more than at any other time during the Premiership era.
High point... A 3-0 win over Newcastle at St James’ put Liverpool third in the league and demonstrated how far the team has come under Rafa Benitez.
Low point... The continuing board room struggles which have masked up Liverpool’s reasonably poor Premier league showing.
Player of the season... Fernando Torres – The Spanish starlet has excelled in his first season in the Premiership. On almost every occasion he scored Liverpool won and it takes a great effort to take the spot light away from Steven Gerrard.
Biggest flop... Harry Kewell – Set to leave the club at the end of the season after four dissapointing seasons at Anfield. This was no different to any other as after a good start, the Australian faded away with injuries.
How the manager has faired... The disharmony in the boardroom has taken away from some of the managers failings this season. At the beginning of the season Benitez’s decision to rest and rotate Carranger, Torres and Gerrard brought questions of his management but having settled the side down in the second half of the season, Benitez regained his reputation as a superb tactician as Liverpool claimed fourth place.
The season in summation... A 3-0 defeat by Liverpool followed by a 1-0 win at Everton demonstrated that they are better than those below them but not as good as those above them.
Aims for the next campaign... Maintain a title challenge and end their twenty year wait for a Championship.
Overall verdict... A nasty blip in the middle of the season halted Liverpool’s charge to the title and ending up further than 10 points away from Manchester United and not making it to the European Champions League final were not able to mask how badly Liverpool have done.
(12) West Ham
Actual Position... 10th
Pre season expectations... Having escaped relegation on the final day of the season in 2006-7, West Ham were expected to considerably improve under Alan Curbishley and were expected to finish mid-table.
High point... Beating Manchester United 2-1 in December saw the Hammers end the year on a high.
Low point... A 4-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United which demonstrated not only how far away they are from where they want to be in the top six but showed how their squad is stretched to the maximum.
Player of the season... Robert Green – The West Ham goalkeeper might not have been able to make his way into Capello’s England squad yet but for his club he has been fantastic. Pulling off save after save as his side struggled to be consistent throughout the season, Green was one of the reasons West Ham were never in danger of dropping into trouble.
Biggest flop... Freddie Ljungberg – The Swedish midfielder left Arsenal for a new challenge but has not been able to recreate the form he showed in two title winning seasons with the Gunners. Scoring one goal of the season, Ljungberg has been in and out of the team with injuries and looks more than likely to be leaving in the summer.
How the manager has faired... Many Hammer’s fans have taken a dislike to Curbishley as West Ham spent much of the season in the bottom half of the league. Compared with their struggles last season the club have pushed on but have still under-performed.
The season in summation... A 2-2 draw with Newcastle which saw them lose two players to injury and throw away a two goal lead summed up everything bad which has been bad about the clubs season.
Aims for the next campaign... The East London side much attempt to push up the league and head back to the UEFA Cup spots in a bit to appease their long suffering supporters.
Overall verdict... Inconsistent may be a very simplistic way of summing up West Ham’s season but their best run of three games in a row and successive defeats of three in a row demonstrate how they couldn’t quite get going. Unfortunate with injuries throughout the campaign the Hammers on their day could beat anyone but off it could also rather a soft touch for opponents.
(13) Middlesbrough
Actual Position... 14th
Pre season expectations... Spending most of last season in the bottom half of the table Boro were expected to push on and make their way into the top 10.
High point... An 8-1 victory on the final day of the season will have delighted their long suffering supporters who saw their team play their best football after being threatened with relegation.
Low point... The 1-0 defeat to Reading which saw Boro drop into the bottom five and needing to win games to avoid relegation.
Player of the season... Stuart Downing - Not only Boro’s most consistent player but their top scorer in a topsy-turvy season. The left winger has seemingly regained his confidence and remains the clubs main threat as an attacking force.
Biggest flop... Mido – The big striker was brought in from Spurs to bring power to the North East side but he has spent much of the season on the sidelines and has now been replaced by the more pacey Alves.
How the manager has faired... As the honest manager he is, Southgate’s assessment that he is learning as he goes along could not be more accurate. It has taken two seasons but the former defender appears to have got a grasp on life as a Premiership an should now be aiming to bring some success to his team by gaining consistency.
The season in summation... Losing to Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge was perfect example of Boro’s struggles to find the net, they missed chance after chance but were the better side throughout.
Aims for the next campaign... After two seasons in the lower reaches of the table, Boro should certainly be aiming towards the top half of the table and consistency in results against the bottom sides as well as those in the bottom half.
Overall verdict... Another average season for Boro glossed by the final few weeks of the season when they began to relax and play good football. They were never in danger of being relegated or winning enough games to make Europe and the club should be aiming to aim for the top ten at least.
(14) Bolton
Actual Position... 17th
Pre season expectations...Losing their long serving manager to Newcastle United, Bolton’s pre season expectations were dampened by the threat of instability.
High point... A 1-0 win over Manchester United in which they outplayed the Champions and thoroughly deserved three points.
Low point... Being 2-0 up against Arsenal and going onto lose the game 3-2. At that point it looked as if Bolton were resigned to relegation.
Player of the season... Kevin Davies – Big Sam may have gone but the point of the offensive triangle in his system was Bolton’s most effective player over a stop start campaign.
Biggest flop... Kevin Nolan – In terms of contribution Nolan will be pleased with his efforts, in terms of goal scoring the captain has failed to achieve the form of recent season which propelled Bolton into the top regions of the table.
How the manager has faired... In keeping Bolton up, Gary Megson has done an excellent job. The true test will be next season when he starts with his own team, his own system and his own players as to whether he can help Bolton push on or whether he remains a fixed term survival specialist.
The season in summation... Their final day draw with Chelsea which was one of ten draws throughout the season.
Aims for the next campaign... Start well and try to keep themselves out of trouble throughout the season.
Overall verdict... Although it took them until the penultimate weekend of the league to secure their status in the Premier League, Bolton showed in patches that they have enough quality to stay out of trouble next campaign. Their manager did a great job in keeping them up but whether he is the man to push Bolton forward once again is unknown.
(15) Fulham
Actual Position... 17th
Pre season expectations... Staying up with just two weeks of the previous season to go, Fulham were once again expected to be in the bottom half of the division, even with a new manager in charge.
High point... Without a doubt the high point for the lilywhites was holding onto their Premiership status in the final game of the season.
Low point... A 2-2 draw with Derby which saw them lose the lead twice and almost certainly consign them to relegation.
Player of the season... On their respective returns from injury, Bullard and McBride showed that with them in the side throughout the whole campaign, life might not have been such a struggle for them.
Biggest flop... David Healy – Despite becoming the top scorer in European Championship Qualification of all time, he failed to make the step up to the Premiership and prove his quality.
How the manager has faired... Roy Hodgson pretty much worked miracles with Fulham once he regained the services of Bullard and McBride. To keep Fulham up was a superb achievement for a manager who many presumed was being brought in to balance the books and guide the club back up from the Championship. The big test will be whether Hodgson can steer Fulham clear of trouble next campaign.
The season in summation... A 2-1 win against Aston Villa with the winning goal coming from substitute Bullard which showed that as in the rest of the season Fulham was poor without him but inspired when he became involved in the second half.
Aims for the next campaign... To show the same fight which pushed them away from relegation on a more consistent basis and not as in the last two seasons leave it until the last two weeks.
Overall verdict... The first half of Fulham’s season was terrible and it would be as unfair to attribute their poorness to Sanchez as it would be to pin all their brilliance on Roy Hodgson. The way in which Fulham came back to save themselves when they were seemingly dead and buried but it shouldn’t be forgotten that before that they were quite inept.
(16) Reading
Actual Position... 18th
Pre season expectations... As the Premiership’s surprise package last season, the Royals were hoping to have a consolidatary year having not added to their promotion squad.
High point... Early on in the year their 0-0 draw with United was a fantastic performance at Old Trafford.
Low point... A 2-0 defeat to Fulham which started a great run by the Londoners’ and turned out to be an extremely vital result in the run in.
Player of the season... Dave Kitson – The tall striker missed much of the last campaign with a knee injury but found his scoring touch upon his return to the first team enough to make it to the verge of the England squad.
Biggest flop... Emerse Fae – Having hardly been a regular in the team, choosing to snub the reserves to gain fitness at a crucial time of the season was hardly the wisest move the African midfielder could have made.
How the manager has faired... Steve Coppell performed admirably in the face of adversity, particularly as Reading struggled for a period to win and then towards the end of the campaign when they could not find the back of the net. He was honest enough to assess that he needed to add more strength in depth in January and whether he stays or goes could be the deciding factor for his team’s chances of an immediate return to the Premiership.
The season in summation... The 7-4 defeat to Portsmouth and the 6-4 defeat to Spurs which illustrated Reading’s difficulties. Scoring four in the Premiership should be enough to win any game yet they were on the losing side both times. How they wish those goals would have spread more evenly later in the season when they needed them.
Aims for the next campaign... Persuading their manager to stay will be the most important and difficult summer challenge but with Coppell at the helm they should be looking for an instant return to the Premiership
Overall verdict... Reading’s relegation was harsh on a club who performed so well last season but their demise shows the need to add to the squad even then they are performing above expectations. As the club did go through two horrendous periods of time without winning and without scoring they can hardly argue that relegation was undeserved but to go down on goal difference was a crushing blow.
(17) Birmingham
Actual Position... 19th
Pre season expectations... Having been promoted from the Championship in the 2nd place, Birmingham were expected to struggle in to make the transition in the Premiership despite the experience of their team and their manager just three seasons ago.
High point... A 3-2 win at White Hart Lane in McLeish’s first game which demonstrated that Birmingham had the potential to decide their own fate in the Premiership relegation battle.
Low point... Dropping into the bottom there just after game 37, Birmingham had not been below 17th all season but chose the wrong time to struggle.
Player of the season... Sebastian Larsson – Outstanding in their promotion campaign last year, Larsson proved his quality with some superb goals and outstanding delivery throughout the season.
Biggest flop... Daniel De Ridder – The Dutchman struggled to integrate himself into a struggling Birmingham side when he could have provided the team with the extra bit of quality they needed to survive.
How the manager has faired... McLeish’s reign started with so much promise so it would be hard to suggest that because his team were relegated his performance was a letdown. Having only taken charge of half the season with a lot of players who were not his, next season will tell how good-a manager the Scotsman is in the English game.
The season in summation... A 1-1 draw with Derby when the bottom side equalised in the 90th minute. The blues had trouble at home throughout the campaign and drew far too many games.
Aims for the next campaign... An immediate return to the Premiership would be advisable is Brum wish to keep hold of most of their players and their manager.
Overall verdict... Unlucky. McLeish’s side only slipped into the bottom four after some title winning form from Fulham, his team will be much strengthened because of their experience in the Premiership.
(18) Newcastle
Actual Position... 12th
Pre season expectations... With a new manager in place, Newcastle were expected to challenge in the top eight of the Premiership with a view to gaining a place in the UEFA Cup.
High point... A 4-1 win over Spurs at White Hart Lane to claim Kevin Keegan’s first away win back in charge.
Low point... An embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Portsmouth which saw them out of the game in the first half in front of an angry St. James’ crowd or the humiliating 11-1 aggregate defeat to Manchester United over the festive period.
Player of the season... Steve Harper – Playing for long periods of time without their number one choice, Shay Given, through injury the experienced back up keeper stepped in to great effect and saved Newcastle countless points as they slipped towards the drop zone.
Biggest flop... Alan Smith – Brought in by Allardyce for his attacking qualities but in over thirty appearances he has failed to find the net and has been relatively poor in his contributions.
How the manager has faired... Since taking over Keegan has had an up and down start. Not even the messiah himself could halt a poor run of form which saw the club slip towards the relegation zone but since they beat a doomed looking Fulham they have only been looking up and will be hoping that a bit of the old magic from the three-times manager will bring them success next season.
The season in summation... A 1-0 defeat to Blackburn thanks to come poor defending in the final minute when a point would have been a good result. Under Keegan defensive stability will never been Newcastle’s strong point.
Aims for the next campaign... Definitely to get out of the bottom half, a UEFA Cup may be out of reach with some good teams establishing themselves in the Magpies former spot but more consistency and a return to having their home ground as fortress would be welcome.
Overall verdict... Thanks to a change of manager and a return to form of their best player, Newcastle scraped themselves out of a worrying hole but were never really in danger of going down. Depending on whether Keegan has money to spend in the summer or not Newcastle should be aiming to finish mid table once again or head for the dizzy heights of the top six.
(19) Tottenham
Actual Position... 11th
Pre season expectations... Having strengthened significantly, Spurs were expected to push Arsenal and Liverpool all the way for a top four position.
High point... Apart from handing out a drubbing to Arsenal in the League Cup before going on to beat Chelsea. A 5-1 win followed by a 6-4 win in the league was about as consistent as Spurs got.
Low point... A 4-1 defeat to Birmingham on the back of the Carling Cup final which brought their players back down to earth with a bump.
Player of the season... Robbie Keane – Though pundits continue to wax lyrical about Berbatov, Robbie Keane’s consistency in the past few seasons deserves credit. Alongside Berbatov his invention creates goals for the Bulgarian whilst his lightning quick reactions help him to make his way onto the end of what his strike partner creates.
Biggest flop... Darren Bent – Signed for a big fee in the summer and reportedly on wages which make him the 7th highest paid player in the world. Bent’s tally of 6 goals doesn’t go anywhere near paying back the 16.4 million fee he was purchased for.
How the manager has faired... Since coming to Spurs, Ramos has showed once again that he is the cup king leading Tottenham to their first trophy in five years. This masked a rather poor league campaign however as Spurs fell way short of the mark and even though it was not entirely his team, Ramos has had opportunities to bring in his own players but yet Spurs have continued to perform poorly.
The season in summation... Their 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in which they threw away a comfortable lead when they looked in no danger of losing the game.
Aims for the next campaign... Live up to their expectations as a top six club.
Overall verdict... Although they claimed silverware during the campaign, the Premiership season in general has been nothing short of a disaster. The club were far, far behind where their expected to be and with the talent which is at their disposal. It is highly doubtful that Ramos will rip up and start again with a new plan but throwing 31 points away from losing positions illustrates how flimsy the clubs backline is.
(20) Derby
Actual Position... 20th
Pre season expectations... Coming up into the Premiership through the playoff, Derby were in the conundrum of having less time to arrange their squad for the league season, they were however expected to struggle.
High point... A 1-0 win over Newcastle United way back in August was the only plus in a very negative season for the rams.
Low point... A 1-3 defeat to Blackburn which confirmed them as the least successful team in Premiership history.
Player of the season... Difficult to say with so many lacklustre performances. The award should go to their fans who, at times, have tolerated absolute rubbish.
Biggest flop... Giles Barnes – Due to injuries the one player of quality Derby posses had little time to prove his worth in the top flight and may wish he had when he finds himself involved in Championship football next season.
How the manager has faired... Paul Jewell didn’t exactly cover himself in glory. In short, Derby were woeful and claimed less points with him in charge than with Billy Davies at the helm. His honesty in post match interviews however was refreshingly honest.
The season in summation... A 6-0 defeat to Aston Villa which was marred by bad goalkeeper, poor defending and shambolic attacking which could have represented any of their seasons 29 defeats.
Aims for the next campaign... To prove to everyone everywhere that the step up for them was just too great. Winning the title or gaining promotion next season will render the 2007/8 nightmare partially forgotten.
Overall verdict... Derby have quite simply been very very bad.
Actual Position... 1st
Pre season expectations... After a season of success last year, Manchester United were looking to claim yet another Premiership title and stay ahead of their rivals both domestically and in Europe.
High point... Claiming the title at Wigan on the final day was without doubt the crowning glory of the campaign, but they may well look back at defeating Arsenal 4-0 in the FA Cup as the game the tide turned in their favour.
Low point... Losing two derby games to Manchester City will be forgotten because of their heroics in the title race but losing at Old Trafford may well have soured commemorations of the 50th anniversary of the Munich disaster.
Player of the season... Cristiano Ronaldo – 31 goals in the Premiership and a total of 41 in all competitions speak for themselves as the Portuguese star proved he has end product to his tricks and skills.
Biggest flop... Louis Saha – Yet another injury prone campaign for the striker will surely spell the end for the Frenchman.
How the manager has faired... Ten titles for Sir Alex and with a Champions League Final date with Chelsea in the future, his work to ensure that Manchester United stay at the top of the tree may have only just begun. Performances on the pitch and silverware in the trophy cabinet mean that just one more Championship going to Old Trafford will equal Liverpool’s current record of 19.
The season in summation... Comebacks at Middlesbrough and Blackburn were not only vital in ensuring that the title returned to Old Trafford but also summed up the spirit and quality of Manchester United.
Aims for the next campaign... To strengthen and ensure that in twelve months time, people are still talking about Manchester United playing good football and winning the Championship.
Overall verdict... Another thoroughly excellent campaign for Ferguson and his team ended in more silverware and gaining all the plaudits they deserved. The Scotsman’s team continue to set the standard and winning yet another back to back set of Championship’s shows that they are the team to beat.
(2) Arsenal
Actual Position... 3rd
Pre season expectations... The media had a much mixed opinion of how the Gunners were to perform over the coming season. After finishing in fourth place once more the previous year, Arsenal parted with Thierry Henry and many presumed that the North Londoner’s would struggle to keep pace with Manchester United and Chelsea.
High point... For a season which began with so much doom-mongering, topping the table by five points in February and beating AC Milan in the same week were without doubt the high points of an excellent season.
Low point... Losing the lead at Birmingham began a sequence of five successive draws which effectively stalled Arsenal’s title ambitions.
Player of the season... Gael Clichy - Despite Fabregas and Flamini picking up the accolades from the media, the Arsenal left back has been consistent and a major reason why Arsenal have been defensively stronger.
Biggest flop... Gilberto Silva – Many from the outside will suggest that the influence of Willam Gallas has been anything but positive but the Brazilian’s laboured performances in midfield have meant Arsenal struggling whenever the World Cup Winner has come into replace the departing Flamini.
How the manager has faired... Much has been said about Arsenal’s poor end of season run, but aside from deciding not to strengthen in the transfer window the Frenchman has once again guided Arsenal to success on a shoestring budget, the question is whether or not he can help his young side to win some silverware.
The season in summation... Being 1-0 up against Manchester United and losing the game 2-1 summed up the end of the Gunners season and their inexperienced naivety which may have meant the league title slipping away.
Aims for the next campaign... Pushing on further in Europe once more and helping to ensure the Premiership is an interesting three horse race.
Overall verdict... With hindsight looking back on the season, Arsenal can pick highlight where they lost the points which may have won them the title but if Wenger had been offered 3rd place and to still be in the title race until the final few hurdles he would definitely have taken it.
(3rd) Aston Villa
Actual Position... 6th
Pre season expectations... Under the stewardship of Martin O’Neill Villa were expected to finish in the UEFA Cup Spots and challenge for the League and FA Cups.
High point... A 6-0 victory over Derby followed by a 5-1 win over their old rivals showed how much attacking potential the Irishman’s team posses.
Low point... Losing 2-0 to Wigan in May put a dent in Villa’s UEFA Cup qualification hopes and demonstrated that they still have a lot if they are to be considered one of the top five teams in the country.
Player of the season... Ashley Young – Given his England debut, just a year after signing for the club, he deservedly claimed a place in the PFA team of the season and has become a firm favourite with the Villa favourite.
Biggest flop... Wayne Routledge – The midfielder only joined from Fulham on loan in the January transfer window but continued to show frustrating inconsistency which prevented him being a success at Tottenham.
How the manager has faired... Already regarded as one of the great managers in British football, O’Neil proved yet again that without a great deal of money he is capable of building a fantastic team.
The season in summation... The 4-4 draws with Chelsea and Spurs which show that as well as scoring plenty of goals, they still have trouble defensively.
Aims for the next campaign... First of all they must hold onto their captain and build a team which is capable of challenging in the top six again.
Overall verdict... Compared with recent campaigns,6th place is a fantastic finish for a Villa side who have flattered to deceive in recent seasons. A small squad has hindered them in their quest for European football and with some notable departures potentially taking place over the Summer they need to reinforce to ensure they are not left behind.
(4th) Portsmouth
Actual Position... 8th
Pre season expectations... Having performed admirably last season by sustaining a position in the top half of the league, Portsmouth were expected to be in the same position once again.
High point... Outside of the Premiership, reaching the FA Cup final was undoubtedly the high point of the season. In the league a 4-1 drubbing of Newcastle at St. James’s Park demonstrated just how strong they are.
Low point... After reaching the FA Cup final in April, Portsmouth failed to win a league game in five which prevented them from achieving a European position without winning the FA Cup.
Player of the season... David James – The veteran goalkeeper has not only returned to the England squad to become the nation’s first choice but was selected in the PFA team of the year and has save Pompey at least 10-12 points over the course of the season.
Biggest flop... David Nugent – Signing for big money in the Summer, Nugent came in with high hopes but has done little but tarnish his reputation as a quality striker.
How the manager has faired... Harry Redknapp yet again has achieved wonders with a Portsmouth team. Having turned them from relegation candidates into FA Cup finalists it has been a magical season for the South Coast side whether they win the seasons ending showpiece or not.
The season in summation... A 0-0 draw with Newcastle at Fratton Park in April was one of five 0-0 draws at home and demonstrated that the 7-4 aside, Pompey had trouble finding the net at home before Jermaine Defoe arrived.
Aims for the next campaign... To push up along with Everton and Aston Villa into making the Premiership top 7 extremely open.
Overall verdict... Presuming Redknapp’s men live up to their favourites tag in the FA Cup final and win the game, it will be one of the managers greatest achievements and a superb success for the team. In the league Portsmouth stayed competitive and adding Jermaine Defoe at the start of the season could have mean them finishing fifth.
(5) Blackburn
Actual Position... 7th
Pre season expectations... Having just missed out on a European place last season thanks to the form of Reading and Everton, Hughes’s men were once again expected to be chasing after a spot in the UEFA Cup place.
High point... A 1-0 win at Newcastle which pushed Rovers up into sixth spot and at that time it looked as if the Champions League may be beckoning.
Low point... A 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa at Ewood Park which the Midlands side won with embarrassing ease.
Player of the season... Roque Santa Cruz – A bargain at just £3 million, the Paraguayan striker has been a revelation for Rovers and added a goal scoring touch to a steely Blackburn side.
Biggest flop... Benni McCarthy – Unable to recreate the form of his debut season in England, the South African striker was eventually replaced by Santa Cruz who went onto excel which McCarthy struggled in a bit part role.
How the manager has faired... Considering the struggles Blackburn had before he joined the club, Blackburn have progressed more than adequately under the Welshman and have become a tough side to beat. Having added the goal scoring touch of Santa Cruz, he has assembled a team which is very much in the mould of the way he used to play.
The season in summation... A 1-1 draw with Manchester United which saw the Champions equalise in the last seconds of the game. It showed how Blackburn were close, but just not close enough.
Aims for the next campaign... Despite a solid season Blackburn faded away from a European place towards the end and providing they hold onto their prize assets they should once again be aiming to finish in the top six.
Overall verdict... Always known as a tough team, physical team to beat Blackburn have built a strong stable squad which is capable of challenging Everton and Aston Villa for a place in the UEFA Cup. With Hughes at the helm, Blackburn can achieve great things if they can hold onto the best players and continue to improve.
(6) Everton
Actual Position... 5th
Pre season expectations... Claiming a UEFA Cup spot for the new season, Everton were looking get further than they did the last time around which same the exit at the first attempt. With some doubting the strength of the fight in Arsenal they were looking to capitalise on any slip ups.
High point... A 7-1 victory over Everton which pushed them up into fourth place above Liverpool and showed their strength going forward and their watertight defensiveness.
Low point... A 1-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool which ruled out their participation in the Champions League next season and summed up their struggles without Cahill and Arteta.
Player of the season... Joleen Lescott – Yakubu will claim many of the accolades for his excellent attacking displays but at the back the former Wolves man has been a revelation alongside Jagielka and has chipped in with some vital goals.
Biggest flop... Andy Van Der Meyde – Failed to play a game this season for Everton due to lack of fitness.
How the manager has faired... David Moyes has worked wonders yet again with Everton but hit the brick wall once again when it came to getting into the top four. The signing of Yakubu was a shrewed piece of business and gave hem attacking options going forward.
The season in summation... A 2-0 away win against Manchester City in which both Yakubu and Lescott scored summed up the efficient performances of Everton throughout the season.
Aims for the next campaign... To add to their attacking options when Cahill and Arteta are unavailable which will enable them to successfully chase down their ambling rivals in fourth.
Overall verdict... Another decent season for the blues which deservedly earned them a place in the UEFA Cup. Having clung in and around fourth place for so long their only disappointment is that they were not able to turn extend their consistency in the first half of the season.
(7) Chelsea
Actual Position...2nd
Pre season expectations... Despite losing out to Manchester United in 2006/7, Chelsea were expected to come back strong and challenge the Red Devils for the title.
High point... A 4-1 defeat of West Ham with 10 men at Upton Park which demonstrated their title class no matter who is at the helm.
Low point... Choose from the 4-4 draw with Spurs or the 1-1 with Wigan which with hindsight was the reason relying on Manchester United result on the final day left them with a mountain to climb.
Player of the season... Joe Cole – Despite a quiet last few weeks the Chelsea midfielder has been the stand out performer in a very changeable Chelsea side. With Lampard and Drogba having spent much of the time injured throughout the campaign Cole has helped to provide a spark to the team and chipped in with some key goals.
Biggest flop... Florient Malouda – The Frenchman came to Stamford Bridge with much promise but after a good start struggled to adapt to life in the Premiership and seemed an extremely expensive signing at £15 million.
How the manager has faired... Since taking over from the charismatic Mourinho, Grant has performed admirably in the face of adversity. His record contained just two defeats in twenty five and guiding Chelsea to within two points of the title whether he stays there next season or not the job he has done is admirable.
The season in summation... The 1-1 draw on the final day of the season not only summed up the reason why Chelsea failed to capture the Premiership but also injuries during the game to John Terry and Didier Drogba have also demonstrated their struggles.
Aims for the next campaign... Quite simply to win back their Premiership title and prove that their Championship ambitions still burn strong.
Overall verdict... Judging Chelsea’s season is often difficult with all the money which has been used to put together their extremely talented squad but having lost their influential manager to off the field matters they have recovered well and proved that staying strong in their team unit they can overcome the largest obstacles.
(8) Wigan Athletic
Actual Position... 13th
Pre season expectations... Escaping relegation on the final day of the season with a victory over Sheffield United, Wigan were expected to be amongst those battling to avoid relegation.
High point... A 5-3 victory over Blackburn in which the club played some of their best football of the season and showed resilience after being 3-0 ahead and being pegged back to 3-3.
Low point... A 2-0 defeat to Sunderland where Wigan struggled to create chances and looked to be heading in the opposite direction to their opponents.
Player of the season... Antonio Valencia – In midfielder Valencia has shown his quality for Wigan even through their early season struggles. The Ecuadorian player, with good skills and excellent crossing ability, is now chased by some of Europe’s top clubs after his performances.
Biggest flop... Titus Bramble – Brought in during the summer after leaving Newcastle to shore up the backline, Bramble scored two goals in two games and looked a reformed player until he began to look like slow and leggy and was then dropped for the seasons run in.
How the manager has faired... Since taking over at Wigan following his acrimonious departure from Birmingham, Steve Bruce has worked miracles as his side looked to get themselves out of trouble. As results began to improve, Wigan began to become a difficult side to beat and with the former Manchester United defender at the helm they will look to ensure safety once again next season.
The season in summation... The 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, which saw them get the deserved result and the point which ensured they would not suffer relegation.
Aims for the next campaign... Hitting the forty point mark as early as possible will give Wigan an opportunity to aim higher than 17th.
Overall verdict... In terms of their performance in the second half of the season, Wigan have picked up as many points as Portsmouth and Everton which is a great achievement considering they spent much of the early months below Derby. Not only have the team begun to play better football but with a good manager in charge who knows what they can achieve in the next couple of seasons.
(9) Manchester City
Actual Position... 9th
Pre season expectations... Struggling under Stuart Pearce last season, Manchester City were expecting another season of mid table safety with Sven at the helm.
High point... A well deserved 2-1 victory in the derby at Old Trafford.
Low point... A 2-0 defeat to Everton which effectively ended their hopes of European football through the Premiership next season.
Player of the season... Martin Petrov – Like Manchester City’s other big summer signing Elano, Petrov has been a major reason why the blues have done well this season. His pacey running from a wide left position and crossing accuracy have made him a favourite after just one season.
Biggest flop... Rolando Biancci – The Italian striker had a great start to life at City with two goals in his first three games including one on his debut but faded fast and was eventually replaced by Benjani and looks certain to be leaving over the summer.
How the manager has faired... Sven regained faith in his management with a good season in charge at Manchester City. Despite the views of his chairman, the club have performed extremely admirably in the league compared to last season and should be proud of their achievements.
The season in summation... A 3-2 defeat to Fulham in which they led 2-0 in the first half and fell away in the second which epitomised the whole season.
Aims for the next campaign... Presuming Eriksson is no longer in charge City must go again at sustaining a top half finish in the season. They must add to the quality and aim to sustain the form which saw them hold a top four position until December.
Overall verdict... A good start by City, but boardroom disruption caused by poor on the pitch results spoiled what was destined to be a great campaign. City once again became a tough side to beat and should be proud of their two victories over Manchester United and some of the football they played away from home.
(10) Sunderland
Actual Position... 15th
Pre season expectations... Despite winning the Championship comfortably in 2007, Sunderland were expected to struggle in the Premiership.
High point... A 1-0 at Villa in March which virtually guaranteed the Mackems will be in the Premiership next season.
Low point... A 7-1 drubbing by Everton early in the season which spelled out the gap in class between the sides at the top and bottom of the league.
Player of the season... Kenwyne Jones – Many scoffed at the fee which the Trinidad international was signed for but he has certainly been worth his weight in gold to the Sunderland boss who rates him extremely highly. Jones will be disappointed he was not able to score more goals in his first season but his ability to hold the ball up and play in those around him has been of great show of his quality.
Biggest flop... Kieran Richardson – Having come from Manchester United for a fee of around £5 million, the midfielder spent much time on the bench and has looked little like the player who represented his country in 2005.
How the manager has faired... In his own words, this season has been a ‘learning curve’ for Roy Keane. As when he was a player, Keane has given everything to the job and his opinions have been refreshingly honest. His first aim of keeping the club in the top flight was successfully achieved and his next will be to cement Sunderland’s place inside the top ten.
The season in summation... A 1-0 win over Derby thanks to a last minute goal illustrated how Sunderland never gave in till the final minute of the game scoring plenty of late goals and also shows that by beating the teams around them they managed to clamber to safety.
Aims for the next campaign... Sunderland’s primary aim should once again be to reach the magic 40 point mark, following that anything inside the league’s top twelve would be a success.
Overall verdict... Although they started the season well, Sunderland were never consistent enough to escape trouble completely but by beating the teams around them they successfully achieved their goal. In Roy Keane they have an ambitious manager who will be looking to push his side up the league though this can only be done with signings and if Keane is allowed funding, next season could be spent much higher up the league.
(11) Liverpool
Actual Position... 4th
Pre season expectations... Bringing in £23 million worth of striker in Fernando Torres, Liverpool were hopefully of sustaining a title challenge more than at any other time during the Premiership era.
High point... A 3-0 win over Newcastle at St James’ put Liverpool third in the league and demonstrated how far the team has come under Rafa Benitez.
Low point... The continuing board room struggles which have masked up Liverpool’s reasonably poor Premier league showing.
Player of the season... Fernando Torres – The Spanish starlet has excelled in his first season in the Premiership. On almost every occasion he scored Liverpool won and it takes a great effort to take the spot light away from Steven Gerrard.
Biggest flop... Harry Kewell – Set to leave the club at the end of the season after four dissapointing seasons at Anfield. This was no different to any other as after a good start, the Australian faded away with injuries.
How the manager has faired... The disharmony in the boardroom has taken away from some of the managers failings this season. At the beginning of the season Benitez’s decision to rest and rotate Carranger, Torres and Gerrard brought questions of his management but having settled the side down in the second half of the season, Benitez regained his reputation as a superb tactician as Liverpool claimed fourth place.
The season in summation... A 3-0 defeat by Liverpool followed by a 1-0 win at Everton demonstrated that they are better than those below them but not as good as those above them.
Aims for the next campaign... Maintain a title challenge and end their twenty year wait for a Championship.
Overall verdict... A nasty blip in the middle of the season halted Liverpool’s charge to the title and ending up further than 10 points away from Manchester United and not making it to the European Champions League final were not able to mask how badly Liverpool have done.
(12) West Ham
Actual Position... 10th
Pre season expectations... Having escaped relegation on the final day of the season in 2006-7, West Ham were expected to considerably improve under Alan Curbishley and were expected to finish mid-table.
High point... Beating Manchester United 2-1 in December saw the Hammers end the year on a high.
Low point... A 4-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United which demonstrated not only how far away they are from where they want to be in the top six but showed how their squad is stretched to the maximum.
Player of the season... Robert Green – The West Ham goalkeeper might not have been able to make his way into Capello’s England squad yet but for his club he has been fantastic. Pulling off save after save as his side struggled to be consistent throughout the season, Green was one of the reasons West Ham were never in danger of dropping into trouble.
Biggest flop... Freddie Ljungberg – The Swedish midfielder left Arsenal for a new challenge but has not been able to recreate the form he showed in two title winning seasons with the Gunners. Scoring one goal of the season, Ljungberg has been in and out of the team with injuries and looks more than likely to be leaving in the summer.
How the manager has faired... Many Hammer’s fans have taken a dislike to Curbishley as West Ham spent much of the season in the bottom half of the league. Compared with their struggles last season the club have pushed on but have still under-performed.
The season in summation... A 2-2 draw with Newcastle which saw them lose two players to injury and throw away a two goal lead summed up everything bad which has been bad about the clubs season.
Aims for the next campaign... The East London side much attempt to push up the league and head back to the UEFA Cup spots in a bit to appease their long suffering supporters.
Overall verdict... Inconsistent may be a very simplistic way of summing up West Ham’s season but their best run of three games in a row and successive defeats of three in a row demonstrate how they couldn’t quite get going. Unfortunate with injuries throughout the campaign the Hammers on their day could beat anyone but off it could also rather a soft touch for opponents.
(13) Middlesbrough
Actual Position... 14th
Pre season expectations... Spending most of last season in the bottom half of the table Boro were expected to push on and make their way into the top 10.
High point... An 8-1 victory on the final day of the season will have delighted their long suffering supporters who saw their team play their best football after being threatened with relegation.
Low point... The 1-0 defeat to Reading which saw Boro drop into the bottom five and needing to win games to avoid relegation.
Player of the season... Stuart Downing - Not only Boro’s most consistent player but their top scorer in a topsy-turvy season. The left winger has seemingly regained his confidence and remains the clubs main threat as an attacking force.
Biggest flop... Mido – The big striker was brought in from Spurs to bring power to the North East side but he has spent much of the season on the sidelines and has now been replaced by the more pacey Alves.
How the manager has faired... As the honest manager he is, Southgate’s assessment that he is learning as he goes along could not be more accurate. It has taken two seasons but the former defender appears to have got a grasp on life as a Premiership an should now be aiming to bring some success to his team by gaining consistency.
The season in summation... Losing to Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge was perfect example of Boro’s struggles to find the net, they missed chance after chance but were the better side throughout.
Aims for the next campaign... After two seasons in the lower reaches of the table, Boro should certainly be aiming towards the top half of the table and consistency in results against the bottom sides as well as those in the bottom half.
Overall verdict... Another average season for Boro glossed by the final few weeks of the season when they began to relax and play good football. They were never in danger of being relegated or winning enough games to make Europe and the club should be aiming to aim for the top ten at least.
(14) Bolton
Actual Position... 17th
Pre season expectations...Losing their long serving manager to Newcastle United, Bolton’s pre season expectations were dampened by the threat of instability.
High point... A 1-0 win over Manchester United in which they outplayed the Champions and thoroughly deserved three points.
Low point... Being 2-0 up against Arsenal and going onto lose the game 3-2. At that point it looked as if Bolton were resigned to relegation.
Player of the season... Kevin Davies – Big Sam may have gone but the point of the offensive triangle in his system was Bolton’s most effective player over a stop start campaign.
Biggest flop... Kevin Nolan – In terms of contribution Nolan will be pleased with his efforts, in terms of goal scoring the captain has failed to achieve the form of recent season which propelled Bolton into the top regions of the table.
How the manager has faired... In keeping Bolton up, Gary Megson has done an excellent job. The true test will be next season when he starts with his own team, his own system and his own players as to whether he can help Bolton push on or whether he remains a fixed term survival specialist.
The season in summation... Their final day draw with Chelsea which was one of ten draws throughout the season.
Aims for the next campaign... Start well and try to keep themselves out of trouble throughout the season.
Overall verdict... Although it took them until the penultimate weekend of the league to secure their status in the Premier League, Bolton showed in patches that they have enough quality to stay out of trouble next campaign. Their manager did a great job in keeping them up but whether he is the man to push Bolton forward once again is unknown.
(15) Fulham
Actual Position... 17th
Pre season expectations... Staying up with just two weeks of the previous season to go, Fulham were once again expected to be in the bottom half of the division, even with a new manager in charge.
High point... Without a doubt the high point for the lilywhites was holding onto their Premiership status in the final game of the season.
Low point... A 2-2 draw with Derby which saw them lose the lead twice and almost certainly consign them to relegation.
Player of the season... On their respective returns from injury, Bullard and McBride showed that with them in the side throughout the whole campaign, life might not have been such a struggle for them.
Biggest flop... David Healy – Despite becoming the top scorer in European Championship Qualification of all time, he failed to make the step up to the Premiership and prove his quality.
How the manager has faired... Roy Hodgson pretty much worked miracles with Fulham once he regained the services of Bullard and McBride. To keep Fulham up was a superb achievement for a manager who many presumed was being brought in to balance the books and guide the club back up from the Championship. The big test will be whether Hodgson can steer Fulham clear of trouble next campaign.
The season in summation... A 2-1 win against Aston Villa with the winning goal coming from substitute Bullard which showed that as in the rest of the season Fulham was poor without him but inspired when he became involved in the second half.
Aims for the next campaign... To show the same fight which pushed them away from relegation on a more consistent basis and not as in the last two seasons leave it until the last two weeks.
Overall verdict... The first half of Fulham’s season was terrible and it would be as unfair to attribute their poorness to Sanchez as it would be to pin all their brilliance on Roy Hodgson. The way in which Fulham came back to save themselves when they were seemingly dead and buried but it shouldn’t be forgotten that before that they were quite inept.
(16) Reading
Actual Position... 18th
Pre season expectations... As the Premiership’s surprise package last season, the Royals were hoping to have a consolidatary year having not added to their promotion squad.
High point... Early on in the year their 0-0 draw with United was a fantastic performance at Old Trafford.
Low point... A 2-0 defeat to Fulham which started a great run by the Londoners’ and turned out to be an extremely vital result in the run in.
Player of the season... Dave Kitson – The tall striker missed much of the last campaign with a knee injury but found his scoring touch upon his return to the first team enough to make it to the verge of the England squad.
Biggest flop... Emerse Fae – Having hardly been a regular in the team, choosing to snub the reserves to gain fitness at a crucial time of the season was hardly the wisest move the African midfielder could have made.
How the manager has faired... Steve Coppell performed admirably in the face of adversity, particularly as Reading struggled for a period to win and then towards the end of the campaign when they could not find the back of the net. He was honest enough to assess that he needed to add more strength in depth in January and whether he stays or goes could be the deciding factor for his team’s chances of an immediate return to the Premiership.
The season in summation... The 7-4 defeat to Portsmouth and the 6-4 defeat to Spurs which illustrated Reading’s difficulties. Scoring four in the Premiership should be enough to win any game yet they were on the losing side both times. How they wish those goals would have spread more evenly later in the season when they needed them.
Aims for the next campaign... Persuading their manager to stay will be the most important and difficult summer challenge but with Coppell at the helm they should be looking for an instant return to the Premiership
Overall verdict... Reading’s relegation was harsh on a club who performed so well last season but their demise shows the need to add to the squad even then they are performing above expectations. As the club did go through two horrendous periods of time without winning and without scoring they can hardly argue that relegation was undeserved but to go down on goal difference was a crushing blow.
(17) Birmingham
Actual Position... 19th
Pre season expectations... Having been promoted from the Championship in the 2nd place, Birmingham were expected to struggle in to make the transition in the Premiership despite the experience of their team and their manager just three seasons ago.
High point... A 3-2 win at White Hart Lane in McLeish’s first game which demonstrated that Birmingham had the potential to decide their own fate in the Premiership relegation battle.
Low point... Dropping into the bottom there just after game 37, Birmingham had not been below 17th all season but chose the wrong time to struggle.
Player of the season... Sebastian Larsson – Outstanding in their promotion campaign last year, Larsson proved his quality with some superb goals and outstanding delivery throughout the season.
Biggest flop... Daniel De Ridder – The Dutchman struggled to integrate himself into a struggling Birmingham side when he could have provided the team with the extra bit of quality they needed to survive.
How the manager has faired... McLeish’s reign started with so much promise so it would be hard to suggest that because his team were relegated his performance was a letdown. Having only taken charge of half the season with a lot of players who were not his, next season will tell how good-a manager the Scotsman is in the English game.
The season in summation... A 1-1 draw with Derby when the bottom side equalised in the 90th minute. The blues had trouble at home throughout the campaign and drew far too many games.
Aims for the next campaign... An immediate return to the Premiership would be advisable is Brum wish to keep hold of most of their players and their manager.
Overall verdict... Unlucky. McLeish’s side only slipped into the bottom four after some title winning form from Fulham, his team will be much strengthened because of their experience in the Premiership.
(18) Newcastle
Actual Position... 12th
Pre season expectations... With a new manager in place, Newcastle were expected to challenge in the top eight of the Premiership with a view to gaining a place in the UEFA Cup.
High point... A 4-1 win over Spurs at White Hart Lane to claim Kevin Keegan’s first away win back in charge.
Low point... An embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Portsmouth which saw them out of the game in the first half in front of an angry St. James’ crowd or the humiliating 11-1 aggregate defeat to Manchester United over the festive period.
Player of the season... Steve Harper – Playing for long periods of time without their number one choice, Shay Given, through injury the experienced back up keeper stepped in to great effect and saved Newcastle countless points as they slipped towards the drop zone.
Biggest flop... Alan Smith – Brought in by Allardyce for his attacking qualities but in over thirty appearances he has failed to find the net and has been relatively poor in his contributions.
How the manager has faired... Since taking over Keegan has had an up and down start. Not even the messiah himself could halt a poor run of form which saw the club slip towards the relegation zone but since they beat a doomed looking Fulham they have only been looking up and will be hoping that a bit of the old magic from the three-times manager will bring them success next season.
The season in summation... A 1-0 defeat to Blackburn thanks to come poor defending in the final minute when a point would have been a good result. Under Keegan defensive stability will never been Newcastle’s strong point.
Aims for the next campaign... Definitely to get out of the bottom half, a UEFA Cup may be out of reach with some good teams establishing themselves in the Magpies former spot but more consistency and a return to having their home ground as fortress would be welcome.
Overall verdict... Thanks to a change of manager and a return to form of their best player, Newcastle scraped themselves out of a worrying hole but were never really in danger of going down. Depending on whether Keegan has money to spend in the summer or not Newcastle should be aiming to finish mid table once again or head for the dizzy heights of the top six.
(19) Tottenham
Actual Position... 11th
Pre season expectations... Having strengthened significantly, Spurs were expected to push Arsenal and Liverpool all the way for a top four position.
High point... Apart from handing out a drubbing to Arsenal in the League Cup before going on to beat Chelsea. A 5-1 win followed by a 6-4 win in the league was about as consistent as Spurs got.
Low point... A 4-1 defeat to Birmingham on the back of the Carling Cup final which brought their players back down to earth with a bump.
Player of the season... Robbie Keane – Though pundits continue to wax lyrical about Berbatov, Robbie Keane’s consistency in the past few seasons deserves credit. Alongside Berbatov his invention creates goals for the Bulgarian whilst his lightning quick reactions help him to make his way onto the end of what his strike partner creates.
Biggest flop... Darren Bent – Signed for a big fee in the summer and reportedly on wages which make him the 7th highest paid player in the world. Bent’s tally of 6 goals doesn’t go anywhere near paying back the 16.4 million fee he was purchased for.
How the manager has faired... Since coming to Spurs, Ramos has showed once again that he is the cup king leading Tottenham to their first trophy in five years. This masked a rather poor league campaign however as Spurs fell way short of the mark and even though it was not entirely his team, Ramos has had opportunities to bring in his own players but yet Spurs have continued to perform poorly.
The season in summation... Their 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in which they threw away a comfortable lead when they looked in no danger of losing the game.
Aims for the next campaign... Live up to their expectations as a top six club.
Overall verdict... Although they claimed silverware during the campaign, the Premiership season in general has been nothing short of a disaster. The club were far, far behind where their expected to be and with the talent which is at their disposal. It is highly doubtful that Ramos will rip up and start again with a new plan but throwing 31 points away from losing positions illustrates how flimsy the clubs backline is.
(20) Derby
Actual Position... 20th
Pre season expectations... Coming up into the Premiership through the playoff, Derby were in the conundrum of having less time to arrange their squad for the league season, they were however expected to struggle.
High point... A 1-0 win over Newcastle United way back in August was the only plus in a very negative season for the rams.
Low point... A 1-3 defeat to Blackburn which confirmed them as the least successful team in Premiership history.
Player of the season... Difficult to say with so many lacklustre performances. The award should go to their fans who, at times, have tolerated absolute rubbish.
Biggest flop... Giles Barnes – Due to injuries the one player of quality Derby posses had little time to prove his worth in the top flight and may wish he had when he finds himself involved in Championship football next season.
How the manager has faired... Paul Jewell didn’t exactly cover himself in glory. In short, Derby were woeful and claimed less points with him in charge than with Billy Davies at the helm. His honesty in post match interviews however was refreshingly honest.
The season in summation... A 6-0 defeat to Aston Villa which was marred by bad goalkeeper, poor defending and shambolic attacking which could have represented any of their seasons 29 defeats.
Aims for the next campaign... To prove to everyone everywhere that the step up for them was just too great. Winning the title or gaining promotion next season will render the 2007/8 nightmare partially forgotten.
Overall verdict... Derby have quite simply been very very bad.