Fantasy Premier League

Sat May 10 11:05PM by Neal Thurman

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What a strange Saturday, after having something to do for every Saturday for most of the last 9 months or so, I find myself with a lot of time on my hands today.  A little bit strange but it certainly gave me some time to think about where we've been and what it might be leading to next year.

There are three interesting themes that I took away from this season:

1) It was a year of transition - ManYoo traded out key components of their core and managed to do it while excelling - Anderson and Nani aren't exactly Scholes and Giggs at their prime but they showed excellent potential just in time for their elder teammates to start a serious fade into the sunset.  Arsenal were contenders for the double into March when common wisdom had them struggling to hold Spurs off for the 4th Champions League spot when the season started.  Chelsea changed managers and has been quietly transitioning some of their major pieces (Ballack vs. Lamps and Anelka vs. Drogs).  Citeh, Villa, and Pompey made major transitions into serious contenders for 5th and Spurs made two or three separate transitions over the course of a single season.

The best thing about all of the above?  Well, we have two teams contending for the crown on the last day this season, with more talented and accomplished teams evolving next season, it wouldn't be shocking to see even more teams bunched near the top.  The second tier of teams (Everton, Rovers, Villa, Spurs, and Pompey for sure and maybe Citeh if they don't implode) seem well positioned to take more points off of the "Big Four" than they did this year.  Throw on top of that the financial concerns at ManYoo (mounting debts in a bad credit market) and Liverpool (who knows who is running that ship?) and you could have an all-out dog-fight for the title.

Good times for everyone.

2) There is no formula - Two seasons ago, West Ham unexpectedly rocketed to the top of the Prem with a core of young English up-and-comers.  Last season, they spent a lot of money to try and consolidate their place and challenge for Europe and they barely stayed up.  This season they bought some more and they were mediocre at best (but improved over last year). 

Seeing this example and understanding their financial limitations, Reading followed a different path.  The Royals had a similar run of form last season led by another group of young English (and Irish) up and comers.  Rather that spending beyond their means and destroying the chemistry that got them there, the Royals stayed pat and didn't buy much.  Well, we approach the last day of the season and the Royals are in exactly the same place as the Hammers were a year ago. 

So, when you start reading the advice found here and elsewhere for the likes of Wigan, Sunderland, and whomever else manages to stay up just remember that there is no magic formula for getting up and staying up in the Premier League.

3) Money guarantees nothing - ManYoo spend huge and they got results.  Chelsea didn't spend this time around and they did alright as well.  Arsenal never spends and they outperformed expectations.  Liverpool spent a ton and finished in the same spot as last year (minus a Champions League finals appearance).  Citeh spent and were better.  Rovers didn't spend and were better.  Spurs spent and stunk the place up with the exception of the Carling Cup.

The same can be said for individual players and the purchases of SGE best sum up the experience of the entire league.  Sven spent middling amounts of money on a number of players - Elano, Petrov, Bianchi, Corluka, Garrido, and Bojinov and he got a decidedly mixed bag of results.  Petrov was great, Corluka was very good, Elano was great at times and certainly very good, Garrido was OK at best, and Bojinov and Bianchi were complete busts.  If you look at the length and breadth of the table, you'll find the same thing.  Plenty of over-priced busts (hello, Darren Bent) and a number of guys worth the money (hello, 'nando Torres) and a some who surprised for very little money (hello, Antonio Valencia). 

With the first big purchase of the close season already completed in the form of Spurs attacking midfielder Luka Modric, next year looks to be equally compelling.  Will Huntelaar arrive on English shores? David Villa? Arfa Ben Hatem? a new right back for Chelsea? a new keeper for Spurs? a couple of wings for Arsenal and maybe Liverpool too? an entire new defence for Newcastle? A replacement for Gareth Barry at Villa? Lots of questions to be answered in the summer.  Should be almost as much fun as the actual games (well, if you like that sort of thing at least).

Speaking of changes that will happen over the summer, the next time a Premier League team kicks a ball in an official match, I'll be a married man.  Hope your summers hold as much excitement as mine.

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