Premier League's Big 6: The season so far (Part 1)

A great start doesn’t guarantee a successful season, at least not in Premier League football. Although, what it does so well is that it creates a much needed platform before you can set your season end targets. It helps your new players get used to the English game’s searing pace and feisty environment, and your experienced lot to get back to their menacing best. Not many would argue the fact that the early season battles are all about creating a foothold, monitoring the collective flaws and most importantly, gaining early momentum. It’s been a treat to watch the sheer intensity coupled with a fair share of drama in what is turning out to be one of the most entertaining seasons in recent years. And as we are well into the eleventh week of this blockbuster, it looks like a perfect time to analyze the purported ‘Big Six’ who are favourites in most books to complete the top six of the table.

1. MANCHESTER CITY (P 11, GD 29, 31 Pts)

David Silva: the heartbeat of City's midfield

Top Scorer: Edin Dzeko (10 goals)

Early season footballing approach: No holds barred, demolishing style of play

The journey so far:

After ending their trophy drought last season with a domestic cup win and qualifying for the Champions League, Roberto Mancini’s men were tipped to make a huge impact in this edition of Premier League, and they have come out guns blazing to prove a point. With the amount of attacking firepower and midfield creativity up for disposal in the team, the manager has been largely satisfied with his side’s ability to score at will this season. They have maintained a goal scoring rate of more than 3 goals which is highly contrasting as compared to their subdued methodology employed for most periods in the last season. The defensive line, marshaled by Kompany has been ever so effective, while the forward trio of Dzeko, Balotelli and Aguero has been equally impressive. But, the most important aspect of their game has been their mesmerizing midfield combination. David Silva, by far the player of the season so far, has been the architect of numerous chances in the attacking half for City. His passing range and the ability to control the pace of the game have defined almost every forward movement of this destructive City side.

Transfer hits and misses

You can spend millions on the brightest prospects, but it’s the player’s ability to adjust quickly to the testing English environment that makes him an instant hit or a flop in modern football. Sergio Aguero has been simply stunning right from the start, scoring on debut from the bench against Swansea, and continuing to be a force to be reckoned with. The Arsenal duo of Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri are familiar to the English game but are still struggling to make an immediate impact due to limited chances given to them by the manager. Other signings like Stefan Savic and the promising goal keeper Costel Pantilimon are still trying to earn a consistent starting position, while Owen Hargreaves is again sidelined by injuries after an impressive debut in the Carling Cup.

Tactical Dilemma

Considering the team’s flying run in the league, Mancini has hardly committed a mistake this season. But, it will be interesting to see the formation changes he will make to fit Samir Nasri in the scheme of things. It could well disrupt his defensive organization, but could bring some more fluency to their attacks, especially in the games against their title rivals.

2. MANCHESTER UNITED (P 11 GD 16, 26 Pts)

Wayne Rooney has adapted well to his new role in the midfield

Top Scorer: Wayne Rooney (9 goals)

Early season footballing approach: Adaptive style of play

The journey so far:

It’s been a topsy-turvy start to the season for Manchester United considering their emphatic ability to switch gears at the right time. The season started with some fresh faces, highly experimented line-ups which put on display some delightful football with immaculate precision. They dismantled the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham at home, thanks to their goal scoring talisman Wayne Rooney and also showed their formidable side in a difficult trip away at the Merseyside to contradict their image of slow starters in the league. Then came the massive setback as they lost to their local rivals, 6-1 at home, which has already sparked several debates about the apparent shift of power in the city of Manchester. However, moments like these have only strengthened United in the past, and their rivals are very much aware of that. Sir Alex and his lads thrive on moments of pain, using them as tools of motivation to rise again. This time the manager has employed a conservative approach, which has always been a handy option for his side, just to calm their nerves and also stay away from the headlines. This approach may not have many fans supporting it, but has been very effective in attaining the much needed three points even on the most difficult days in the campaign, as was the case against Sunderland on Saturday. And that’s what separates United from the rest of the title contenders.

Transfer hits and misses

United have probably got the best deals in the transfer market this season. Phil Jones could easily be one of the young players of the season, as his on field ability to cover every possible yard is terrific. David De Gea has adjusted incredibly well after some early season concentration lapses. Ashley Young started off brilliantly by filling the left wing void effectively, but has worryingly regressed.

Tactical Dilemma

Sir Alex still has plenty to worry about when it comes to deciding a midfield combination against the better opponents. United haven’t had the luxury of a well settled central midfield pair, and are lacking those moments of sheer inventiveness for which Scholes was famous for. Rooney has been playing in the attacking midfield position for the side in the recent games, and he looks comfortable in that new role. However, it reduces the overall attacking threat posed by United, which is not the way Sir Alex would want his side to play.

3. CHELSEA (P 11, GD 9, 22 Pts)

Frank Lampard is back to his best after a stuttering start to the campaign

Top Scorer: Frank Lampard (6 goals)

Early season footballing approach: Innovative upfront with streaks of indiscipline at the back

The journey so far…

Chelsea manager, Andre Villas Boas looks to be already struggling with heavy expectations. Personally, I have loved the way AVB is trying to change the scheme of things at Stamford Bridge. Right from his encouragement to use the flanks, or his use of advancing full backs to compliment the attack, Chelsea’s attacking fluency is now comparable with those of Europe’s elite. However, it is difficult to manage change and retain consistency at the same time in this highly competitive league of football. AVB did start off well, and we saw some glaring changes in terms of increased ball possession rate and penetration in Chelsea’s game. The results were also flowing at a decent pace, but the indiscipline from the side, which brought some untimely suspensions, as against QPR, and some irresponsible defending have made things difficult for AVB in recent weeks.

Transfer hits and misses

The new manager has tried to impose his philosophy on the side by bringing in some creative elements in the side. Raul Merieles has been riotous with his penetrating balls, while Juan Mata has been pivotal to some massive improvements in the wing-play of the Chelsea side. On the other hand, Lukaku has got little game-time to prove his worth in his new team, while the Barcelona academy graduate Romeu looks an intriguing prospect for the Blues and still could play an important role this season.

Tactical Dilemma

AVB needs to resolve some of the most highlighted flaws in his defensive unit. His attempts of evolving a more advancing quartet of defensive line is certainly not paying dividends as the likes of Terry and Ivanovic have been slack with respect to their marking responsibilities. Probably, the only way to negate the recent goal-glut from the opposition is to restore the old guard, and maintain the predominant discipline in the defense. Overall, a decent use of funds by the newly appointed Portuguese manager, though he’d love to get a decent holding midfielder in the January transfer window to boost their title aspirations.

I would love to know your opinions about how you think your team can play with their maximum potential and the players you think can make a difference in the latter stages of the league. Also stay tuned for Part 2.