The Premier League Season So Far - Part I

One game shy of 150 for the campaign, the Barclays Premier League 2011-12 season is fast approaching the midway mark for the term. It has been a roller-coaster ride with plenty of goal-mouth action and more than a few memorable moments interspersed with some mundane football. Manchester City‘s astonishing transformation, Arsenal‘s resurgence after a wretched start to the campaign, Newcastle United springing a surprise, home woes for Sunderland and Bolton.

At the midpoint of the season it’s time to put the boot in or hand out praise to Premier League players and managers. This is the half-term report.

Arsenal – Current Position : 5th

Expected to finish outside the top 4 after the departure of star players Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. Typically shrewd signings by The Professor have seen them bounce back after a woeful start.

Stars of the Show : The Flying Dutchman, Robin van Persie – Has remained fit throughout the calender year and the Gunners captain has enjoyed a magnificent year with 33 goals so far. Also, Aaron Ramsey has established himself as the new lynchpin in the midfield with his movement and a keen eye for a pass. Theo Walcott, Mikel Arteta, Alex Song, Wojciech Szczesny and Thomas Vermaelen have produced some solid displays.

Time for the boot : Per Mertesacker – Brings much-needed height to the Arsenal back-line but has been caught out more than once for his lumbering movement and slack positioning. Marouane Chamakh – Extremely disappointing, expect to see him leaving in January.

The Manager : There’s no one better – the club are safe in Le Gaffer’s hands.

Pat on the back : Back in the fight for the top 4. The 5-3 victory over rivals Chelsea at the Bridge. Qualification to the Last 16 of the Champions League.

And they’d like to forget : The mauling at Old Trafford that spawned a series of 8-2 jokes. Also, defeat to arch rivals Spurs and the League Cup exit to City will rankle the Emirates faithful.

Reinforcements : A quality full-back, perhaps Everton‘s Leighton Baines and a decent back-up striker for RvP.

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Aston Villa – Current Position : 9th

Pegged by many as dark horses for relegation follwing the departures of wingers Ashley Young and Stewart Downing to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively. Some fairly decent performances have seen them enter the festive period well placed in the top-half of the table. Europe remains a challenge though.

Stars of the show : Gabriel Agbonlahor – Rediscovered the form that led to his England call-up a few seasons back. Excellent work down the left channel, with 5 goals and 5 assists to show for it. Darren Bent and Stephen Warnock are the other standout performers in an otherwise average squad.

Time for the boot : Charles N’Zogbia hasn’t really lived up to the £9.5m price tag. There is still time for him to establish himself as a key player. Stephen Ireland – Needs to get his attitude right if he hopes to prolong his Villa sojourn.

The Manager : Long way to go before Alex McLeish can hope of winning over the Villa faithful due to his Birmingham ties and the dour brand of football his side are playing. Getting to Europe could certainly change that.

Pat on the back : Eke out results. Have picked up valuable points against the teams around them. In a good position to challenge for Europe if strengthened at the right places.

And they’d like to forget : Tame, dull draws and an inability to see out games from winning positions. Also the defeat at home to West Brom will not sit down well with the supporters.

Reinforcements : Villa lack the forward thrust at the moment and could do with a winger, someone like a Matt Jarvis to provide more service to Bent and Agbonlahor.

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Blackburn Rovers – Current Position : 19th

Things have gone downhill for Rovers since Big Sam was sacked and Steve Kean was installed as their head coach. An absolutely woeful start to their season has seen them prop up the table alongside Bolton and their style of football has done nothing to dispel the pre-season predictions of them going down.

Stars of the show : Yakubu Aiyegbeni – He has been the only spark of Blackburn’s season so far. 9 goals in 9 games including match-winning performances against Arsenal and Swansea. Chris Samba has been the usual rock in the backline and Ruben Rochina has made fair contributions too.

Time for the boot : It is hard to really pinpoint a weakness in a squad which, on paper looks balanced and more than a handful on their day. Rovers will be extremely disappointed to find themselves where they are.

The Manager : It looks like the writing is on the wall for Steve Kean. The results haven’t come and the fans’ protests are getting louder. Then there is the question of who would replace him.

Pat on the back : Very few positives. The 4-3 victory over Arsenal was a shock as no one was expecting them to get a result out of the game even with Arsenal’s poor start.

And they’d like to forget : Their remarkable tendency to capitulate. Have repeatedly spurned golden opportunities to take control of games. The Everton game comes to mind.

Reinforcements : This one is a dilemma for the owners. Do they provide a man who has lost the fans’ trust with a sizable transfer kitty or watch the team struggle without any significant investment.

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Bolton Wanderers – Current Position : 20th

This is a surprise. Not many would have pegged Owen Coyle’s men as relegation contenders but a woeful run of games at home has seen them enter the festive period bottom of the division.

Stars of the show : Chris Eagles and Ivan Klasnic have played a big part in ensuring Bolton’s chances of getting off the foot are the table are still alive. Jussi Jaaskalainen has been decent too.

Time for the boot : Gary Cahill – Has had a really poor season and his value has dropped considerably. Expect to see him leave in January. Tuncay and Kevin Davies haven’t provided any fireworks either.

The Manager : Even with Bolton’s position, the club cannot afford to sack Owen Coyle. He hasn’t done a bad job and under him, Bolton have gone from a punt-the-ball-in-the-air side to one which is capable of playing some decent football.

Pat on the back : The 5-0 victory over an in-form Stoke City. Would have boosted confidence and morale. Also the 4-0 win at QPR on opening day.

And they’d like to forget : Their wretched form at the Reebok. A solitary win in 9 home fixtures is indicative of their current position.

Reinforcements : Haven’t really replaced Johann Elmander and David N’Gog hasn’t impressed. Also a replacement for Cahill if they decide to cash in on the centre-back.

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Chelsea – Current Position : 3rd

Another season for the Blues starting with a managerial change. This time, it was the Treble winning former Porto head coach André Villas-Boas. Spending heavily on young players, the indication was that this season could see a change of the old guard at the Bridge. And the Chelsea fans can’t really have many complaints.

Stars of the show : Juan Mata – the diminutive Spanish winger has settled in remarkably well in a very short period and has earned rave reviews. Already a key player for the Blues, his performances will be crucial to Chelsea’s title ambitions. Daniel Sturridge is another youngster who has stamped his mark on the first team and is Chelsea’s top scorer this term. Expect to see a lot more from this duo.

Time for the boot : The entire back line. Over the seasons, Chelsea were renowned for being miserly at the back. This season, they have let in 18 goals, 3 more than they did in the entire 2004-05 season. David Luiz and John Terry look shaky together and have been constantly found wanting while Petr Cech isn’t having a great time either. Not to mention a certain £50m Spaniard who is currently keeping the bench warm.

The Manager : AVB is officially the most expensive managerial signing in football history. And the youngest in the Premier League. He has wasted little time in adapting and has stamped his authority on this squad. Having an opinion on almost every happening and taking on the media – the traits of his mentor, Jose Mourinho. Could he be The Special One come again?

Pat on the back : Have kept pace with the two Manchester clubs. Victory over City last weekend showed they are still in with a chance for the title. Qualification to the Last 16 of the Champions League will have brought a smile to owner Roman Abramovich’s face.

And they’d like to forget : Defeats to rivals Arsenal and Liverpool at home. Also, they would hope their defence sorts itself out.

Reinforcements : With Didier Drogba reportedly unhappy, Nicolas Anelka confirming his move to China, and Fernando Torres looking a pale shadow of his former self, Chelsea would hope Romelu Lukaku lives up to his potential. Also, a centre-back to replace Alex.

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Stay tuned to for the next installment of The Premier League Season So Far, and find out if your opinion of how your club has performed this term is matched by fellow fans.