Half-Time Reports

Half-Time Grades

Arsenal:

Alexis Sanchez has been the best part of their season.  Signings are needed in January to ensure they don’t miss out on the top four.  They have been very inconsistent and continue to be hit by injury after injury to many key players.  Grade: C+

Aston Villa:

Good start which may have misguided fans that this season would be different.  But after defeat to Arsenal, 11 points out of a possible 45 has shown that things have only got worse.  12 goals this season is very worrying, trouble ahead.  Grade: F

Burnley:

Slow starters but finding goals in Ings and Barnes with Vokes returning as well is massive plus for Sean Dyche.  Battling spirit is a platform for survival.  Grade: D+

Chelsea:

Ignoring the blip at Spurs, Chelsea have been excellent and miles clear of the rest, signings superb and current crop stepping up.  In Eden Hazard they have one of the best players in world football, more cover for Matic and success should be guaranteed in May.  Grade: A*

Crystal Palace:

Pulis leaving put them in a difficult position, wins over Everton and Liverpool highs but need consistency, Pardew can steady the ship.  With his tactical know-how and experience, survival should be attainable.  Grade: D-

Everton:

Martinez’s style failing and ageing players running out of steam, Barkley and Lukaku yet to shine with team starting to resemble Martinez’s relegated Wigan.  Need to make Goodison Park a fortress again.  Grade: D

Hull City:
A shadow of the battling, feisty side of last campaign, signings not clicking, a lot of injuries to key players means lack of consistency.  Jelavic needs help with supplying goals but Steve Bruce should guide them to safety.  Grade: E+

Leicester City: D-,

Have shown in spells they can live with top teams but not enough goals and too many errors.  Can’t live on that 5-3 win and need to win more games against teams around them.  Grade: D+

Liverpool:

The loss of Suarez was never going to be easy to replace with signings not filling the void.  Loss of Sturridge has been key to slump, but need a striker who can deliver consistently and retain a working system. Grade: C-

Manchester City:

Outstanding Aguero has put them in a great position to challenge domestically and in Europe.  Yet, they’re weak at the back without Kompany and need to see games out.  Lampard loan could be key.  Grade: A

Manchester United:

De Gea covering for hopeless defending and injury crisis.  Attacking players starting to flourish together, Rooney in a deeper role impressive.  Defensive signings and with no European football whisper of a title push?  Grade: B-

Newcastle United:

Horrendous start but superb recovery.  Loss of Pardew is massive as they will struggle to find someone who will do as good of a job.  Signings have been hit and miss, they need to keep Sissoko. Grade: C

QPR:
Home form has carried them to just above drop zone, away form extreme concern as they are yet to earn a single point outside Loftus Road.  Their over reliance on Austin means they need more signings.  Grade: E

Southampton:

Incredible season considering the loss of players in summer.  Koeman has done a fine job improving success and quality of signings, especially Pelle and Tadic.  Retention of Schneiderlin pivotal to a European push.  Grade: B+

Stoke City:

Mark Hughes has transformed Stoke to a side that can play good football, Bojan can play on a cold night in Stoke.  Home form backed by improving away days, seen by win at Everton, easy mid table finish.  Grade: B-

Sunderland:  

Very inconsistent and a lack of goals with signings not working out.  Fletcher pivotal to survival and a considerable reduction in previous individual errors.  Grade: D-/E+

Swansea City:

Improved massively from struggle last year with Monk doing a terrific job.  Bony becoming one of the best in the league and relationship with Sigurdsson key to success, need to find alternative during his absence.  Grade: B

Tottenham Hotspur:

Pocchetino starting to improve team by giving young English talents chances, like Kane, Mason and Dier.  Considerable improvement in home form this year will see them push for European spots.  Grade: C-

West Brom:

Always going to be down there with inexperienced coach and lack of quality in team.  Cashing in on Berahino will create funds for Pulis.  His appointment a master-stroke which considerably boost survival chances.  Grade: E

West Ham:

A completely changed team with fantastic additions and now an array of quality attacking options.  Central defence could need possible improvement and keeping Cresswell and Jenkinson fit, European push?  Grade: A

This season is shaped for a dramatic and unpredictable end with up to three teams chasing the title, up to six chasing European football and just as many fighting for survival.  There were two sackings and a managerial departure within the space of a week last month, who's to say there won't be anymore.

Sam Tonks