Stan Collymore's Verdict on All 20 Premier League Clubs so Far This Season
For his column this week, we asked former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore to give his verdict on all 20 Premier League clubs so far this season.
20. Burnley
I saw Burnley lose 3-1 against Everton last week, and there was plenty for the Clarets to worry about. Other than Danny Ings, who will score them goals, I think the board have left them short of the necessary quality up front. They'll 100 per cent go down.
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19. QPR
Harry Redknapp's team have improved in their last two games. I like Bobby Zamora and Charlie Austin as a strike pair, and QPR have undoubtedly got a squad of Premier League quality. They're just finding form at the right time, and I don't think they'll go down.
18. Sunderland
A lot of Sunderland fans think they'll go down, but I don't agree. They're capable of putting a run of wins together and are good enough to stay up.
They lack an out-and-out goalscorer, which is a problem, but once they find the right blend in midfield, I think they'll be OK. The Southampton game was a big wake up, but it was also a one-off. They've just about got enough to avoid relegation.
17. Leicester City
I worry about Leicester heading into the winter period. I had a chat with Nigel Pearson and the staff before the Swansea game, and I've noticed they've lacked a little intensity in the last couple of games.
They didn't keep the ball enough against Swansea, and it's vital they improve in that regard if they are to stay up this season. Get that part of their approach right and they could survive.
16. Crystal Palace
There were genuine issues before Neil Warnock came in, but things are now starting to look up for Palace.
The Eagles have arguably the best home support in the Premier League and should score enough goals with the likes of Fraizer Campbell up top. I think they'll be very difficult to beat at home and will nick the odd point away. They'll be in the scrap at the bottom, but they'll get out of it.
15. Aston Villa
Villa can't score, and they can't defend, which isn't a great combination when you're in the Premier League.
Christian Benteke's goals are vitally important for them; Villa will be in the relegation battle unless the Belgian really starts to fire. They look extremely vulnerable right now, and it's going to take some serious heroics to keep them up.
14. Newcastle United
I've said all along that Alan Pardew is a good manager who is working with his hands tied.
Essentially, Newcastle are buying cheap and selling their best players, which makes it a very difficult job for Pardew. However, he's never lost the dressing room, which says his methods on the training ground are working. I think they'll finish mid-table, which will represent a great achievement for Pardew.
13. West Brom
So much rests on the shoulders of Saido Berahino, and while he's a wonderful talent, it's not healthy for a club to be relying so heavily on such a young player.
It's not a great time for Midlands football right now, and it's all about survival for West Brom. Missing out on Romelu Lukaku was a big shame, as was letting the likes of Peter Odemwingie go. They've not filled that gap up front yet, which could cost them in the long run.
12. Stoke City
Roberto Martinez achieved the big turnaround last season, transforming Everton from functional to fanciful.
Mark Hughes is trying to do the same at Stoke. The problem they have is scoring goals. They're without a creative midfielder of class and a striker who can bag them 20 a season. Without them, you'll lose games and it's hard to make progress.
11. Tottenham
What do Tottenham want to be? A lot of Spurs fans were happy when they were breaking transfer records, but was that really the right thing to do?
None of those new players have settled particularly well. Roberto Soldado is still not working out, while neither Harry Kane or Emmanuel Adebayor can guarantee goals. That said, the biggest problem for Spurs is finding the man to unlock defences from advanced midfield.
10. Hull City
A lot of people would say 10th is a good achievement for Steve Bruce at Hull, at this point of the season, and I agree it should be seen as success.
With the quality they've got, they'll nick the necessary points away from home to stay up. They can dare to dream of finishing even higher, with a solid defence and good experience to lean on. They're difficult to beat and could finish inside the top half.
9. Everton
Everton had a dreadful start, conceding too many goals and making too many mistakes in defensive situations. Sylvain Distin is a cracking defender, but time catches up with all of us.
If Everton can get things right at that end, they have the goals up front to make a real move up the table. A lot depends on keeping clean sheets against the better opposition.
Everton will still be looking to finish between fifth and seventh this season.
8. Manchester United
United are still two teams. They were much better against Chelsea, but that was in a cup final-like atmosphere, and I'm still not convinced about their defensive-midfield options.
United will be the entertainers this season, losing some high-scoring games away and winning a few by large margins at home, but they need to get the balance right to finish inside the top four.
I expect a battle behind United and Liverpool for fourth, and with Liverpool struggling, United could just about edge it.
7. Liverpool
The biggest problem with Mario Balotelli is how much time Brendan Rodgers is having to spend talking about him. It becomes wearing and dominates the agenda, which is not helpful to what Rodgers and his team are trying to become.
If Liverpool want a free run in the second half of the season, perhaps they need to think of getting Balotelli out of the squad during the transfer window. Could they get Divock Origi back in January?
Liverpool's defence is average, Steven Gerrard is an ageing presence and they're not scoring enough goals. They're looking like the big losers of the opening stretch.
6. Swansea
Swansea should be aiming high this season. Much depends on keeping their key players fit. I was really surprised a big club didn't go for Wilfried Bony in the summer, and Swansea may receive an offer for the Ivorian in January.
If the Swans keep everybody fit, they're good enough to finish in sixth. They deserve to be in the Europa League mix—I just worry that squad depth could ultimately cost them.
5. Arsenal
In some ways, Arsenal have a lot to look forward to. They're in a good position in the pack.
I don't think losing Mesut Ozil will hurt them, based on his poor form, and the return of Theo Walcott will make a big difference. He's great on the counter and should dovetail very nicely with Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez.
I think Arsenal will finish in the top four, but they won't win anything this season. Will that satisfy their fans? I don't think so.
4. West Ham
It's time to give Sam Allardyce the credit he deserves. So many were calling for his head a year ago, but he's brought in some great players and made the Hammers look like a completely different team.
You have to give managers time, and Allardyce has proved you can turn things around given a little patience. Diafra Sakho, Cheikhou Kouyate and Enner Valencia have been revelations so far.
3. Manchester City
City's impressive squad will see them to a runners-up finish, but I wonder if Manuel Pellegrini is already under some pressure. Yaya Toure looks poor, they have defensive jitters and it's a group of players who appear to lack a bit of ambition in defending their title. I could see City in the market for a new manager in the summer.
2. Southampton
The Saints reinvested some of the money they made from summer sales and have demonstrated a consistent approach to deliver results.
It's a wonderful achievement to be just four points behind Chelsea at this stage. They won't stay there, but competing for a Europa League place is a realistic aim. Shrewd signings have impressed and Graziano Pelle looks an absolute star.
1. Chelsea
Chelsea are the only English team that can compete in the Champions League this season.
Jose Mourinho always seems to get it right in his second season. Cesc Fabregas looks multidimensional, Diego Costa is scoring goals for fun, they have a fine central-defensive partnership and will win the league by six to nine points.
Former Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Liverpool and England striker Stan Collymore is in his second season as a Bleacher Report marquee columnist and video analyst.
