Arsenal:
What I said:
I had pointed out the lack of spending being more of the same from Wenger. Top four and a decent run in the Champions League is always in an Arsenal season but I actually thought the sides below Arsenal last season had the potential to overtake them this season.
Where Are They Currently?
Currently two points clear at the top of the table and nine ahead of that fifth place and missing out on Champions League for next season I had suggested. In the Champions League the Gunners initially struggled before pulling off enough points to qualify. Next up are Barcelona though and so they would have to be very good for the journey to continue.
Aston Villa:
What I Said:
I spoke of the difficulty for then manager Tim Sherwood to get anything from this season. The late losses of Benteke and Delph gave him no time to get quality replacements and I actually stated that he would be out of a job in October or November.
I ended the piece by saying it would be a long tough season for the Villa fans.
Where Are They Currently?
Tim Sherwood lasted less than three months in the Villa hot seat and was relieved of his duties on the 25th October. As for the tough long season, with the side cemented to the bottom of the league with only one win this season (opening day) they find themselves eleven points away from Premiership safety
Bournemouth:
What I Said:
I was torn on Bournemouth. It is too easy to say the newly promoted sides will become the first ones to be relegated and, luckily, I didn’t say that. I spoke of their signings and stated that if they had a decent points tally at the turn of the year then they could be more inclined to make more investment in January.
Where Are They Currently?
Four points above the relegation zone the last three games have set them back a little. No wins in three doesn’t sound great but one defeat against Arsenal combined with two goalless draws against two tough teams in Palace and Leicester shows that maybe they might have enough about them to survive. The acquisition of Roma winger Juan Iturbe certainly shows they believe they can make it happen.
Chelsea:
What I Said:
Top three for sure with the potential to retain their title.
Where Are They Currently?
It has been an unprecedented disaster of a title defense for Chelsea and the Special One. Now the Unemployed one, Mourinho has left the club in the worst position fans have seen for years. Currently 14th and 19 points behind current leaders it is all but certain they will not retain the title. Even a top four finish is not something most serious Chelsea fans believe can be achieved and so all blue eggs are now probably being put in the Champions League basket.
Crystal Palace:
What I Said:
I thought the Palace fans should be excited for this season and suggested that Palace would finish just outside the top ten with safety secured long before the season ends. All this, as I said, would show steady progress.
Where Are They Currently?
Well within the final position I had them, currently seventh they are four points ahead of the side in eleventh. After twenty games played they have a points total which is only nine away from the safety target of 40 most teams have at the outset. With the season as it is I think even another four or five points would be enough.
Jason is a Freelance Soccer Writer. You can follow him on Twitter @PACityboy and www.facebook.com/jasonbardwell1979
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