Managerial Report Cards: Part 1

15 games in, how have the Premiership managers fared so far this season? We take a look…

1. Chelsea – ‘Big Phil’ Scolari

Up until a couple of weeks ago, there would have been no complaints. But after home defeats to both Liverpool and Arsenal in the last few games, along with stuttering progress (not yet secured) in the Champions League, serious questions are now being asked. Deco has gone off the boil, Lampard has not scored in five, and striking options are limited. Fortress Stamford Bridge has been impregnated – twice – are the wheels coming off? Taking stock, Chelsea are still top of the Premiership and on course for the CL knock-out stages – but all is not well at the Bridge. Chelsea, and Scolari, will hope this is a blip rather than a taste of what’s to come.
Overall – 8/10. Pushed up by a strong start, but the rating is falling fast…

2. Liverpool – Rafa Benitez

For the first season in living memory Liverpool are challenging for the title at Christmas, for which Rafa must take huge credit. They have beaten Man Utd and Chelsea, and won games they would not have in the last few seasons. Champions League progress is assured. However, all of this has been done without playing well! That could be seen as a good thing; but they’ll have to improve to actually win anything.
Overall: 9/10. But need to play better to get glory.

3. Alex Ferguson – Man Utd

The usual stuttering start from the Champions, but now only five points off the summit with a game in hand (although Liverpool go eight clear with a win tonight). They have looked assured in the Champions League, qualifying easily, and Christmas is traditionally their best period. However, there are concerns over Ronaldo, who despite scoring lots of goals has not looked his irrepressible self, and also over the effect Berbatov has had on Utd’s playing style. Nevertheless, they will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season, that is for sure. Whether Tevez will be there is another matter.
Overall 8/10. Will be disappointed to be slightly off the pace, but now clicking into gear like the well oiled machine they are.

4. Arsenal – Arsene Wenger

Should have a job for life for the remarkable job he has done over the last few seasons, yet the the short sighted and short memoried imbeciles have been calling for his head. Yesterday’s result did them a power of good – now only 7 points off Chelsea, whereas defeat would have put them 12 points back. Look unlikely Champions, and very much living up to the tag – ‘A team for the future but never today’.
Overall 7.5/10 - Defeats to Hull, Stoke, and Fulham are immensely disappointing, but beating Utd and Chelsea only reinforce the romanticism Arsene has instilled. Would be lower but for yesterday’s result.

5. Aston Villa – Martin O’Neill

The Irishman has done a fantastic job at Villa over the past couple of seasons, transforming them from mid-table also-rans to genuine top four contenders. Have struggled a little in the past few games for goals in the absence of John Carew, but 5th is a great achievement nonetheless. Slight question marks over his purchases – with the exception of Ashley Young, there is little genuine class – Shorey, Knight, Harewood, Routledge and Luke Young hardly screams a push for the Champions League.
Overall: 9/10. Superb so far – can he push to the next level?

6. Hull – Phil Brown

Surpassed all expectations with a phenomenal start. Have stuttered a little recently, but sitting in 6th with 23 points at this stage of the season would have been beyond their wildest dreams. Looking safe from relegation, but Brown will want to hit the 40 point barrier; despite being top six they are only eight points off the drop zone!
Overall: 10/10. Surpassed all expectations.

7. Everton – David Moyes

Now considered an established top 6 club, with all the money flying around elsewhere Moyes will be worried about Everton’s continuing ability to compete in the upper echelons of the table. Fellaini was his only major acquisition and now desperately in need of firepower with the loss of Yakubu and Saha.
Overall: 8/10. Disappointing start says it all, as they still sit 7th. A measure of the expections Moyes has created with his excellent work.

8. Portsmouth – Tony Adams

Seems to have Pompey back on track after an uncertain start to his reign. Rumours of a fire-sale in January won’t do anyone any good, nor will reports Harry Redknapp is set to raid his old club. Still early to judge – but some encouraging signs.
Overall: n/a. To early to judge Adams, his reign is only 5 games old. Drawing with AC Milan and a couple of other good results inspire confidence though.

9. Bolton – Gary Megson

Arguably the form side of the Premiership. Matt Taylor has found his Portsmouth form, Elmander is back scoring, and other acquisitions such as Gary Cahill and Fabrice Muamba look shrewd. Megson is yet to win over the Bolton faithful – but a comfortable top half finish will do wonders.
Overall: 7.5/10. Dodgy start, great improvement of late. Yet to convince the fans but there’s no better way to do that than winning games.

10. Fulham – Roy Hodgson

Hodgson has turned Fulham into a lean outfit, short on numbers but high on organisation and discipline. Andy Johnson is scoring, and the defence is not conceding. No longer a soft touch on the road, either, Fulham are an entirely different proposition under the erstwhile England manager elect. A fantastic transformation.
Overall 9/10; A miracle escape last season, and kicked on admirably this – but where does he take them from here?

Part 2 to come…