Newcastle United, earlier in the season, had a great run of form finding themselves in the Champions league places. However, with a recent defensive crisis on their hands they’ve sunk all the way back down to seventh, one point short of sixth placed Liverpool (even with a game in hand). Suffering heavy defeats at the hands of Norwich and Chelsea and a narrow home defeat to West Brom has seen them concede 13 goals in their last six matches. However, in my opinion, they have one of the league’s best finishers in Demba Ba.
One man can only score so many though, and unless Pardew manages to shore up the Toon defense, perhaps with a signing or two this window, I can see Newcastle being left behind in the race for Europe. However, should they stop leaking goals, and Ba continues to be in awesome form, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea would all have good reasons to be nervous.
During the summer transfer window I found myself becoming increasingly concerned about Arsenal’s chances this season. A concern that was justified early on, by embarrassing and memorable defeats to both Man Utd and Blackburn with what appeared to be a panic purchase of Mikel Arteta, seemed to do little to help. However, since these early defeats Arsenal have climbed to fifth, largely on the back of Robin Van Persie, who seems blessed with a God-like ability to score goals.
However, Gervinho looks to be a great purchase; his skill on the wing has cut several teams apart this season. With G.Cahill widely expected to join this window, and probably take Mertesacker’s place at the back (The German isn’t good enough for Arsenal), I expect more consistency from Arsenal and I expect them to challenge for fourth place.
Liverpool and Chelsea, have both been in the news for big money purchases over the last 18 months. The two clubs seem to be heading in different directions, summed up by Liverpool’s late win over them earlier in the season. The difference between them is largely not down to the playing staff but instead the teams’ respective managers. While Dalglish has got Liverpool playing some good football, just a little inconsistency, and AVB has yet to convince me that he’s right for the Chelsea job. He’s not been helped by Bosingwa and David Luiz being positionally diabolical, as can be highlighted against Wolves in their last game.
With additional rumors of dressing room unrest, AVB already counting them out of the title and any more big money signings will only put more pressure on AVB, I see Chelsea dropping out of all European qualification places this season with Liverpool potentially beating them to fifth place.
Finally Tottenham, who have played some truly fantastic football this season and are technically still in the title race and who seem to be the most likely to obtain Champions League qualification. As a Norwich City fan, I watched the likes of the super-composed Modric and in particular the rocket-boosted Gareth Bale giving NCFC a true footballing lesson in the second half of a comfortable win for Spurs. If Spurs maintain their performances, and keep Modric, Bale and Van der Vaart fit along with the other important first team names like Gallas and Assou-Ekotto (this is perhaps with no European exertions this year and which might give them an edge over Chelsea/Arsenal). I wouldn’t bet against them still being in the top three come the end of the season.
So here’s my prediction:
- Tottenham 4) Arsenal 5) Liverpool 6) Chelsea 7) Newcastle
I’m sure many of you will disagree, but this part of the league is so tight, it won’t be until the end of the season until we find out.
Written by Thomas BelshawFollow him on Twitter @04belshawt
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