EPL SEASON REVIEW
12.05.03 Previous Page Next Page
Finally another season is over. Here are some the accolades that I have given to some of the teams. Feel free to drop in a comment.
Note: (*) denotes league position.
Comeback Of The Season: Manchester United (1)
(Champions once again)
Yes, yes, yes, they are the Champions again (yawn!). But as much as I hate to say it, they do deserve it. For much of the season, they have been virtually written off after one untypical Man U result after another. And with Arsenal off to such a spectacular start, the writing has been on the wall that the Gunners will win the title hands down. But what is unique about the Man U spirit is that they never know when they are beaten until they reach the finishing line. Just ask Newcastle. Or Bayern Munich. And the most spectacular thing about this team is that they delivered the desired results week in week out in the title run-in, including thrashings (note that they did not only win but humiliated their opponents) delivered to Champions League contenders Liverpool and Newcastle.
And for their never-say-never spectacular team spirit they are worthy champions. And I cannot imagine what could have happen next season if Fergie were to strengthen his squad with more world-class talent.
Spectacular Fall-Out Of The Season: Arsenal (2)
I never liked teams to be sprinters in a marathon race. I always realize teams like those tend to fade away badly when the finishing line nears even if they got off to a spectacular start. Perhaps it is fatigue. Perhaps it is the pressure. But to turn an eight-point lead from the start of April into a five point deficit (that’s a massive 13 points!) really shows how Arsenal have faded away badly. And Wenger gave the following inexcusable excuses:
1. Injuries and suspensions - although the missing of key players proved to be a critical turning point in the title race, this clearly shows that Arsenal do not have depth. Wenger better do something about it if he does not wish to see such scenario again.
2. Fatigue - after a spectacular hard season, players definitely get tired. But Arsenal is not the only team with seasoned internationals. I think is it the little extra motivation that they lack that proved the difference between champions and failure.
3. Pressure - This is no excuse as most of them are seasoned professionals (even world Cup and European Champions) and they should be able to handle all these pressure. But I guess the pressure exerted by Man U has proved to be too much.
Although Mr Wenger stilled believe that Arsenal are still the best team in England, deep down inside I know that he has to concede that his team was beaten to the finishing line by a better team. The League Table don’t lie. And Man U has qualified for the quarterfinals of the Champions League - a competition in which Arsenal failed so miserably. Although it is no use crying over spilt milk, at least they can still end the season on a high by winning the FA Cup. And Mr Wenger, do take heart that your team did beat Man U at Old Trafford this season. So I do believe you can do it again to Man U next season. But please, please, improve on your squad’s depth next season.
Worst Team Of The Season: Tottenham (10)
Another mediocre season for the White Hart Lane faithful. To me the club seemed again to lack ambition. Hoddle seem to be unable to perform the sort of beautiful miracle that he was able to do as a player of Tottenham. After confirming their status in the Premier League, they have simply fallen apart, picking up only 7 points from a possible 21 (including two thumping 4-goal defeats in their last two games) and failing miserably to qualify for Europe. This is simply not good enough for a club of Tottenham’s tradition and stature. And to add to this came disputes with players, most notably with Sherwood and Rebrov. And to rub salt to wounds, they decided to release Sheringham, one of their best and most loyal players on a free transfer!
Hoddle oh Hoddle, what are you trying to do? If this goes on, I expect Spurs to be languishing in mid table mediocrity next season, provided he doesn’t get sacked first!
Bravery Of The Season: West Brom (19)
Nobody gave Megson’s men a ghost of a chance when they came up last season. But still for much of the season they battling spirit gave their fans lots to shout about and did Megson’s CV on harm at all. But perhaps a lack of top-flight experience and top class players proved to be WBA’s demise. But this is a good learning curve for them and who knows, perhaps one day WBA can become another Charlton. But I’m sure they would have enjoyed their season at the top and they will certainly want to be back for more!
Most Improved Team Of The Season: Everton (7)
Frankly speaking, Everton were my dark horses for relegation before the start of the season. A financial crisis and a seemingly lacked of ambition (imagine signing two Chinese players) convinced me that this going to be another season of struggle against relegation. But David Moyes, once touted as Fergie’s successor came with a reputation to protect and he has certainly gave all Everton fans a season they would never forget. Although their players might not be household names, their ‘dogs-of-war’ spirit not only ensured relegation was the last thing on all Toffeemen’s minds, but it lifted them to the dizzy heights of the brink of Champion’s League qualification. And to think that Everton were able to achieve all these without the financial might of Man U, Arsenal or even neighbours Liverpool. Although 4 defeats in their last 5 matches meant that they could not even qualify for the UEFA cup, at least Everton fans need not have to bite their fingernails and hope that their team would not be relegated at the end of the season.
For that I hope Moyes would win the Manager of the Year award. And I certainly hope Everton can continue their fairytale run next season.
Surprise Of The Season: Birmingham (13)
For sides that came out via the playoffs, most of them have been relegated after only one season. And that was certainly what I expected of Birmingham. But not only did they dispel off any relegation fears at an early stage of the season, they even surpassed all expectations by finishing in 13th position - something which I certainly did not expect. Not only that, they also finished above powerhouses Leeds and most importantly, Aston Villa in the table. And coupled with two wins over Villa in the league this season, this certainly gave all Birmingham fans bragging rights as to who is the best team in Birmingham.
Keep up the good work Mr Bruce!
Disappointment Of The Season: Liverpool (5)
Every year I expect and every year they disappoint. But this season was different. I could feel that perhaps this was going to be Liverpool’s year. With mature players like Owen, Riise, Hyppia, Gerrard, Murphy, Hamman etc etc and exciting new talent, most notably in Diouf and Barros, perhaps this would be the season where Liverpool would finally live up to expectations and be a serious contender for the title.
But once again, they proved to be a horrible disappointment. They not only crashed out in the Champions’ League at the first Group stage, their failure to turn draws into wins meant that they were already out of title contention even before we reach 2003. A late surge meant that Liverpool could perhaps sneak into the Champion’s League but alas, it proved to be false hope as a last day 1-2 defeat against fellow Champion’s League contender Chelsea meant that they would have to be content with the UEFA Cup next season. Finishing 5th in the league is simply not good enough for a team of Liverpool’s stature. Not even winning the League Cup and in the process beating bitter rivals Man U can be of any consolation. And after so many seasons of disappointment, I will never subscribe to the believe that they will ever be serious title contenders until they lead the league table by four points with one game to go.
A Season To Forget: Leeds (15)
Money problems, broken promises and the sale of key players meant that this would be a season all Leeds fans will want to forget. More that once Peter Ridsdale promised that no key players would be sold. And one by one, Leeds fans saw Ferdinend, Fowler, Keane, Bowyer, Dacourt, Woodgate leave Elland Road. Even a man of Venables’ reputation could not save Leeds from sliding precariously close to relegation. Although a late surge under caretaker boss Peter Reid ensured the unthinkable did not happen, money problems still continue to haunt Leeds. And with so much talent in the team, who can ensure that the vultures of Man U, Arsenal Newcastle and Liverpool would not strike again to steal away the remaining ‘crown jewels’? And whether Peter Reid is a good enough manager to bring Leeds back its glory days remains to be seen.
I fear for Leeds.
Football Junkie (Guest Writer)
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