The Big Blog is Back

Liverpool keep on winning and no team has had such a big a lead in the Premier League this early - 5 points already.

The win at Chelsea was exactly the kind of result champions are able to grind out, showing they have the steel to go with all that silk. Manchester City can be breathtaking as Watford found out in that 8-0 hammering.

But the sensational loss the previous week at an injury-hit Norwich rather underlined the point that of the two title rivals, City look the team more likely to make the odd mistake.

Remember last season they lost to Crystal Palace, Newcastle and Leicester as well as Chelsea yet still lifted the crown. With the defence looking short on numbers, City will do well to make it three titles in a row.

As expected, the other four clubs in the usual Big Six are proving erratic.Spurs contrived a home defeat to struggling Newcastle, Arsenal‘s defence remains suspect, a young transitional Chelsea are yet to win at home, and Manchester United are short of a natural goal scorer and a flair player at No10.

It is hard to argue with TV pundit GRAEME Souness who says: ”This is the worst United team for 30 years.”

The holes in the big clubs certainly opens the way for the likes of Leicester and a very decent looking West Ham to get involved in the top six argument.

Bournemouth have started well - but they did last season and faded. Everton’s Marco Silva could be looking over his shoulder soon unless results improve. They continue to frustrate their fans and look sloppy. At the bottom, Watford’s harsh sacking of Javi Gracia was followed by that 0-8 defeat two weeks later. Embarrassing for the returning Quique Sanchez Flores. But I think the Hornets have enough decent players to climb. Likewise Wolves, whose European exploits are damaging their league form.

Steve Bruce will struggle to get enough goals from this Newcastle team. They could go. I think the three promoted clubs have all shown they are capable of staying afloat, witness Norwich beating City and Sheffield United winning at Everton.

Aston Villa have blown some promising positions in games, which is worrying. But they do not look a bad side. The relegation battle could end up involving half the table and go to the final day.

Signing out, Ian