All three promoted sides from last season, Newcastle United, West Brom and Blackpool are all on 19 points and not in any relegation trouble – at least at the moment.
But it’s not only the success of the three promoted teams, but the way they play attacking football that seems to have reinvigorated the Premier League this season.
And each of the three promoted sides have put in some great performances, with the emphasis on great.
Newcastle have beaten Chelsea away in the Carling Cup and beaten Arsenal away in the league, and have demolished Aston Villa and Sunderland 6-0 and 5-1 at St. James’ Park.
West Brom beat Arsenal away 3-2 after being an amazing 3-0 up in that game, drew 2-2 at Old Trafford, and hammered Everton 4-1 over the weekend at Goodison Park.
And Blackpool have been the surprise team of the season, and probably the team supported most by the neutral fan, as they continue to produce miracles this season, even though they are still odds-on favorites to be relegated.
Blackpool beat Wigan away 4-0 in their first league game, and then beat Newcastle 2-0 away and beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield and then were 2-0 at Bolton last weekend before ending up with a 2-2 draw.
But it’s the way these three sides play the game, with attacking enterprise and significant guts and courage, which has made them popular sides in the Premier League.
To hear Ian Holloway talk about how his side will attack Liverpool at Anfield, and then go and do exactly that, and get the win, is like a breath of fresh air.
They are so different to teams like Blackburn Rovers, as just one example (sorry Sam), who are willing to grind out results every week with their negative play, and even grind out 7-1 hammerings like on Saturday at Old Trafford, where they were not only boring, but also looked hopeless.
All three promoted teams have good managers in Hughton, Di Matteo and the incomparable Ian Holloway, and their success so far this season will give significant hope to all Championship sides, that they can indeed make the jump and compete in the Premier League.
Comments welcome.
7 comments so far
G
Nov 29, 2010 at 10:50 AM
Comment #1It would be very weird if none of the promoted sides got relegated? Would I be right in thinking that that has never happened in the Prem before? Besides, going of current statistics, WBA are the only promoted side who should be worried. Seems that you are not allowed in the bottom 3 unless your club name begins with W.
Brisvegas
Nov 29, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Comment #2Good post, Ed.
There isn’t that much difference between the top of the Championship and the bottom of the PL. And this season it seems that the gap between the top and bottom of the PL is closing.
It’s also good to see a change in football style. I think the much maligned World Cup had a lot to do with that, where the fast passing game won the day.
Here in Australia the top team at the moment is just such a fast passing, movement oriented team. They were plodders last year and came second bottom, but they are unbeatable this year.
The day of the hoofers is gone.
Soren
Nov 29, 2010 at 11:49 AM
Comment #3There’s also a difference this year. WBA, Blackpool and Newcastle are actually playing football. Blackpool is very much gung-ho style and are not afraid of playing it away either. WBA is a good passing team set up by Di Matteo, and Newcastle are playing succesful winning fooball for most of the time. But we are nowhere near the likes of Stoke, Blackburn and Wolves.
Also Brisvegas question for you: Is Shannon Cole of Sydney FC any good? I have read some say he is a good talent capable of playing on both side of defence/midfield.
spanishtoon
Nov 29, 2010 at 12:02 PM
Comment #4Bemoaning or Moaning the quandry of football managers – http://wp.me/p1cykJ-2C
great piece, chrissy hughton is neither!!
davcon22
Nov 29, 2010 at 4:12 PM
Comment #5shit website above!!
Marty-Toon
Nov 29, 2010 at 6:02 PM
Comment #6Nice one ED,think it gives hope to other teams but you gotta say that this season is not a regular season with Liverpool,Everton,Chelsea and Man Utd all playing poorly to their standards.
Other teams have definitely got much better with a couple of wise buys like Bolton and Fulham have done.
A couple of players back for us from injury and things will look a lot better.
The likes of Ben Arfa and Nolan along with Vukcic and an up to speed Guthrie will help with creativity
Brisvegas
Nov 29, 2010 at 11:21 PM
Comment #7Soren @ 3
Shannon Cole, like many players in Oz, has some talent. I don’t think he is anything to write home about, and he plays in a crap team. He’s got a good shot on him, defends well and does some neat wing play at times, but he’s no better than a host of others.
Until the A-league raises its standards (which is happening every season), he’ll have to go overseas before he can progress. That’s what most do. A lot come back though, not having succeeded, or get bogged down playing in the Scottish 2nd level or some European reserve level. Very few make it to the top. I can’t see Shannon Cole being one of them.
If you want to watch a young defender, Luke DeVere of Brisbane is the guy to watch. And a forward is Matthew Leckie of Adelaide. I think they could make it – the former more suited to Spain than England.
The A-league is probably about on a level with the Championship mid-regions. Although I think Brisbane could do well against a few PL teams.