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Hopefully I’ve saved myself a bit of face down the track as this article was delayed until after the latest round of fixtures. Here are positions 11-15.
You can check out Part 1 and Part 2 of my look at each Premier League team’s performances so far.
Swansea City
This well run club has yet to fully find its gears so far this season despite strong home form. Another solid off-season including the coup of Andre Ayew – who has hit the ground like Usain Bolt – has allowed Garry Monk to enter the new season full of confidence.
Spirits were not dampened after an entertaining draw at the home of last season’s champions Chelsea as the Swans soon recorded their first win with an impressive 2-0 result over Newcastle.
This was all before a great come-from-behind win over the previously unbeaten Man United in which Ayew once again displayed why he may be the signing of the season. Unfortunately, since departing August, Swansea have been unable to record another win – yet remain unbeaten at home. A disappointing loss at home to the newly promoted Watford, and an anxious goalless draw while hosting Everton, was not ideal to welcome the rejuvenated Southampton.
Where Monk’s men had previously flourished in front of the net, they had to bring the barn doors to find any way to get a shot on target, recording only one goal in their last three games – and that from the penalty spot. Ayew reversed that trend in their latest fixture against Tottenham.
Despite no win outside of Wales this season, with a determined squad dedicated to their manager, Swansea are likely sit comfortably in mid-table come the close – especially with their talented attack.
Norwich City
Despite starting with a relatively kind draw, the Premier League returners have failed to hit any sort of consistency. Maintaining largely the same squad which triumphed in the Championship play-offs, the Canaries have been tipped by many to retain their Premier League status for the 2016-17.
However, they didn’t make any of those bets feel safe as they succumbed 3-1 at home to Crystal Palace on the opening day.
Bouncing back in their next two fixtures, they then rolled over to Southampton at the end of September to leave Alex Neil scratching his head as to how to get his squad forming some steady results.
Fortunately, the team responded, disposing of fellow new boys Bournemouth, and managing two commendable draws against Liverpool and high-flyers West Ham. A tough loss to Leicester, in which the Canaries couldn’t even flirt with the defensive wall, let alone penetrate, has dented progress somewhat but they should be safe with elevator results against similar reputation sides. Just don’t expect them to lie down for the big boys.
Watford
With so many changes, how does a team stay functional? Ten summer signings, five managers in 12 months and 22 nationalities in their senior squad – yet the Hornets have put together some impressive results.
From an entertaining 2-2 draw with Everton to open proceedings, Watford was dominant against West Brom but couldn’t get the defining goal to bring their first Premier League win since 2007.
Goals to bring Quique Sánchez Flores’s side their first victory didn’t follow until they finally upset Swansea at the start of September before trekking to St James’ Park to dispose of Newcastle
Their next win hasn’t been forthcoming though, even with admirable spirit shown by Flores’s troops – going down to Crystal Palace and escaping with a draw against Bournemouth in their last fixture. If Watford can maintain their fighting ability – particularly against sides in similar positions – I foresee a campaign that may be riddled with challenges but will ultimately end in survival.
Chelsea
One word: appalling. From Jose Mourinho’s ridiculous accusations to Branislav Ivanovic wishing to spend more time with his family by doing everything to avoid selection – Chelsea have been shocking.
Many were tipping the Blues to make it back-to-back titles, and it was a tough declaration to debate given their dominance last campaign. But this side may have been celebrating the off-season a little too heavily, failing to spark against Swansea as they finished with a 2-2 draw. In the aftermath Mourinho cast ludicrous blame upon his medical staff and Thibaut Courtois’s red card.
Next was a mouth-watering tie at the Etihad, where Chelsea were dismantled 3-0. Mourinho again overshadowed the proceedings by lamenting it as a “fake” scoreline. Finally, the defending champions played like their status as new man Pedro – the first big name to arrive all summer – inspired his side to victory, although John Terry highlighted more Chelsea defensive weaknesses by getting himself sent-off.
Maybe with that victory the team could push on?
No, they slipped straight back with a home defeat to Palace and an away loss against Everton, Steven Naismith bagging himself a perfect hat-trick in the process. With Arsenal up next Chelsea predictably bounced back – losing to Arsene Wenger would be too much for Mourinho – but a draw to the underwhelming Newcastle and another home loss has led to Stamford Bridge being swamped by blue blood.
Abysmal defensive performances have cleverly been eclipsed by Mourinho’s outspoken antics (he’s not that stupid) but if they don’t get going soon that revolving door could be set to turbo.
Interestingly, the highest a side has placed with this many points after eight games has been fifth – Chelsea will be lucky to get that high.
West Bromwich Albion
Not really that much to say about West Brom, they’re doing what everyone expected. Not a massive transfer window, with some solid rather than spectacular signings, has allowed Tony Pulis to enter the campaign in a comfortable space in the Baggies’ fifth consecutive season back in the Premier League.
A tough opening against Man City predictably ended in defeat but they held on against Watford before tasting their second defeat at the hands of Chelsea.
Since then, a couple of tight 1-0 wins and a goalless draw have hinted towards a lack of goalscoring quality, hence why the retention of Saido Berahino was their most important summer activity.
Two losses in their two most recent fixtures support this assertion, but Pulis is a good enough manager to turn it around and West Brom should finish in lower mid-table.
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