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Premiership Review 2010
Premier League End of Term Report: Top of the class or must do better? Soccerphile columnist Andy Greeves gives his assessment of the Premier League class of 2010
Arsenal
Grade: B
On their day, the Gunners are still capable of playing the most attractive football and the fact they remained in contention for the Premier League title up until the last few weeks of the season is to their credit. For the team to challenge for the top prize next season, greater experience is needed in the side, as is a striker capable of getting 20 plus goals.
Aston Villa
Grade: B
Having lost in the final of the Carling Cup and semi-final of the FA Cup, Villa were the ultimate bridesmaid this season. A sixth-placed finish and Europa League spot will go a long way to make up for trophy disappointment though. Overall, a very satisfying campaign for the Midlanders.
Birmingham City
Grade: A
The Blues are arguably the greatest overachievers of the season, having been promoted the previous campaign from the Championship to finish in the top ten this year. With money to spend and an excellent manager at the helm, bright times appear to be ahead for Birmingham City.
Bolton Wanderers
Grade: C
To a larger extent, Bolton Wanderers are delighted to keep making up the Premiership numbers each season and from that point of view, 2009/2010 can be deemed another success. Having finished just nine points above the relegation zone and a massive 24 points off a European spot, Wanderers will be disappointed to have spent another campaign looking over their shoulder though.
Blackburn Rovers
Grade: B
Rovers secured a highly respectable top ten finish in 2010, their fourth in five years. The club's form at home, which saw them lose just three games all season, made Ewood Park a real fortress.
Burnley
Grade: D
The Clarets got off to a flyer in their first season in the Premier League, winning their opening five league games at Turf Moor. Wins over Manchester United and Everton were not to be a sign of things to come however. Owen Coyle left the club in January to join Bolton and by May, Brian Laws side were relegated.
Chelsea
Grade: A
The Champions and likely double-winners come the FA Cup Final broke records left, right and centre this season. The Blues scored a staggering 103 goals in 38 games - becoming the first ever Premier League team to net over a century in one season. So much for the critics who have previously dubbed them 'boring'.
Everton
Grade: C
David Moyes blamed Everton's failure to make a European place this campaign on their terrible run of injuries. Had it not been for the Toffees poor start to the season, they would no doubt pushed far more strongly for a Europa League spot and can expect better things to come next year.
Fulham
Grade: A
The Cottagers became everyone in England's second favourite team this season, with their remarkable run to the Europa League final. Roy Hodgson was a deserving winner of the LMA Manager of the Season award and with only domestic issues to contend themselves next campaign, expect a top ten finish at least from Fulham.
Hull City
Grade: F
With the fewest number of wins all season (just six), Hull City became the latest victim of the Premiership's 'second season syndrome'. They survived their first ever campaign in the top flight last season, but repeating that act was a task too great for the Humbersiders. Without a manager and mounting debts, the Championship might not prove kind to the Tigers either.
Liverpool
Grade: F
By their great standards, a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League is catastrophic for Liverpool. With the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City investing large amounts of money in their squad, the Reds will find Champions League qualification difficult in the future. 2009/2010 was clear evidence that, by in large, the club's players are not top four material.
Manchester City
Grade: C
Despite their massive investment in players last season, 2009/2010 was always going to be a difficult season for Manchester City as they waited for their new talent to bed in. The sacking of Mark Hughes mid-way through the season was questionable as was the signing of Patrick Viera in January - a player who looks a shadow of his great self. With endless funds available again this summer, the sky really is the limit for City moving forward though.
Manchester United
Grade: B
Anything another than first position will always be viewed as failure by Manchester United and unfortunately the club fell just short of their brilliant best in the Premier League and Champions League this season. With some tinkering to the squad this summer, there's no doubt Fergie's men will come back with a fight next season.
Portsmouth
Grade: Unclassified
Having become the first Premier League team to go into administration and having to sell almost every player that played under Harry Redknapp's FA Cup winning team of 2008, it seems unfair to cast judgement on poor old Portsmouth.
The club would have still be relegated had they not been deducted ten points, signalling tough times ahead. The appearance at their second FA Cup Final in three years at least gave something positive for the fans during a worrying period for their side off the pitch.
Stoke City
Grade: A
Stoke City are the model that all newly promoted teams must surely look to aspire to. Tony Pullis' side finished eleventh in the league, which is a massive achievement for a club run on a relative shoe string by Premiership levels.
Sunderland
Grade: C
Had it not been for the 24 goals of Darren Bent, one wonders how much trouble Sunderland may have found themselves in this season. That said, the Black Cats finished a massive 14 points above the Premiership drop zone, suggesting a top ten finish rather than a relegation scrap will be on the club's hands next season.
Tottenham Hotspur
Grade: A
Having broken the monopoly of the 'big four' at the summit of the Premier League, Harry Redknapp and Tottenham must feel immensely satisfied with their season. Along with Manchester City, Spurs have created a 'super six' rather than 'big four' in the division now, all of whom have ambitions of the title next season.
West Ham United
Grade: E
Few neutral fans would have been that sad to have seen West Ham drop out of the Premiership this season, following the disgraceful treatment of Gianfranco Zola. The Hammers squad lacks real quality and another tough fight for survival will be on again in 2010/2011.
Wigan Athletic
Grade: D
Having beaten the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea at home, but then having lost 9-1 away to Tottenham and 8-0 at Chelsea, Wigan are the Premiership's ultimate Jekyll and Hyde side. For that reason alone, it's hard to predict with any degree of accuracy, how the Latics will fare next season.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Grade: B
It wasn't pretty but boy was it affective. Wolves survival in the Premiership this season inspiration to newly promoted teams that you can keep you place in the big league through sheer determination. Mick McCarthy isn't a manager to everyone's liking but massive credit has to go to him and his players for the eight point cushion they created to avoid relegation.
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