Following the shocking starts Manchester United and West Ham United have made, the chance to be "best of the rest" is open to a number of clubs. While the top 5 looks a closed shop of Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal, the "potential European places" of 6th and 7th - held last year by Man Utd and West Ham - are up for grabs.
For Newcastle United it could be the dream opportunity. Contrary to expectations, they haven't gone on a mad spending spree, but bought well (Pope namely). If they can get Europe this season, ahead of schedule perhaps, it will be a great building block.
Brighton and Hove Albion are now established in the Premier League, and posted their first top half finish last season. Despite losing Bissouma and Cucarella, they started the season with a win over United and a draw yesterday.
Leeds United? After survival late last season, they have begun this season unbeaten. Could it be a return to the glory days of early 21st century for the Whites?
Could Stevie G take Aston Villa back to the continent? After a disappointing defeat to Bournemouth on day 1, they beat Everton yesterday. Could the former European Champions get back?
Beyond the top 5 there looks to be a lot of bad teams out there. Southampton look in disarray, Leicester are a mess, Wolves don't look to have much attacking threat as their boss tries once again to move to 4 at the back, Everton look relegation battlers again, and the promoted teams must look at it and fancy their chances this season.
Best of the rest
posted on 14/8/22
Leeds need a few tweaks at the back and a CF. Get those and we'll be tricky side this season but wouldn't have us best of the rest. Id say Newcastle are a good shout with Wilson, ASM, Guimares and future additions
posted on 14/8/22
There's a lot of teams in trouble right now.
Leicester are under a lot of pressure. Rodgers has tried to blame owners and its gone down very badly with fans and they don't look like they can defend at all.
West ham have a poor start but will start grinding.
I think palace are a side that are under rated and under the radar. Not great but if the rest are turning to muck they could be one option.
Southampton are right in it. Look poor
Brighton are one thst are just not getting enough goals but could be really good if they solved it. They missed out this weekend
posted on 14/8/22
Well, the battle for "best of the rest" is, I suppose, a sideshow of sorts.
But let's take some solace from this simple fact:
At this stage, MUFC - one of the three greatest sports clubs on the planet - having witnessed one of it's worst league starts, are still ONLY 1 league point behind the second most successful league team from lancashire.
posted on 14/8/22
Villa aren't doing a thing imo. Gerrard looks a chit manager.
posted on 16/8/22
I reckon Newcastle will finish 6th as it stands. If we have a stunning end to the window I’ll change my opinion but the Geordies have a calmness around them that might see them pull off quite a few wins.