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Half Season report - The Independent
Quote:
The Premier League half-term report 2008-09
Compiled by James Mariner
Arsenal
By Danny Grimes, Season-ticket holder
How has the class done?
Consistently inconsistent. Good performances were wasted.
How has the teacher performed?
That fans question Wenger reflects the win-at-all-costs nature of the Premier League. He will never compromise principles, surely something to be admired.
Top of the class?
Nasri has settled in quickly and scored important goals. Djourou also looked assured.
Class dunce?
Despite Gallas and the ridicule of Eboué, it's Adebayor's dummy spitting which unsettled us.
Best performance against you?
Agbonlahor and Robinho were excellent but as a team Hull looked like a well-drilled Serie A side.
Aston Villa
By Barney, Season-ticket holder
How has the class done?
I am pleased with the progress and how the team has gelled but we're still short of a regular goalscorer.
How has the teacher performed?
The teacher has been excellent, his policy of an English backbone will attract home-grown talent for years to come.
Top of the class?
For me Laursen, Agbonlahor, Young (A) and Barry, but close to them are Sidwell and Petrov.
Class dunce?
A tie must go to Marlon Harewood and Zat Knight, who are just not really at the party at all.
Best performance against you?
I hate to say it as he's vastly overrated but possibly Downing, although Chelsea were impressive.
Blackburn Rovers
By Stephen Pilling, Life-long supporter
How has the class done?
Pretty awfully. After a bright start to the season, things have been depressing.
How has the teacher performed?
Which one? Big Sam ....marvellous, Incey .....washed down the drain.
Top the class?
Brett Emerton always gives a professional performance, the rest are potential candidates for the next question.
Class dunce?
Take your pick! Roque and Warnock play as if their heart is somewhere else. Nelsen has not been the same since his injury.
Best performance against you?
Man United looked a cut above – whatever happened to our ability to get in their faces?
Bolton Wanderers
By David Blackburn, Season-ticket holder
How has the class done?
We picked up after a disappointing start. The team is playing with confidence – it's amazing what a couple of clean sheets and goals can do.
How has the teacher performed?
Megson is getting things right, he will not get us relegated. I am looking at 10th place at least.
Top of the class?
Jaaskelainen saved us on more than one occasion – who could ever forget the Hull game?
Class dunce?
I still don't know why we signed Tamir Cohen. Heidar Helguson was shipped to QPR – say no more.
Best performance against you?
Theo Walcott was unplayable, and Geovanni – only Jussi knows how he didn't score four.
Chelsea
By Paul Lagan, Editor of Chelsea Mad website
How has the class done?
They are performing above national average but must concentrate and stand up to bullies who try and take over the playground.
How has the teacher performed?
Mr Scolari is not preparing for classes as he should and that shows in erratic behaviour from pupils.
Top of the class?
Nicolas Anelka has revelled without the competition from class king Didier Drogba.
Class dunce?
Florence Malouda is not doing well at dribbling classes and Salomon Kalouless also disappoints.
best performance against you?
Robin van Persie excelled in shooting practice, making Petr Cech look like Mr Clumsy.
Everton
By Patrick Hart, Season-ticket holder
How has the class done?
Above average, although they found it hard to settle to the task this term.
How has the teacher performed?
Moyes started the season nursing a hangover from summer. We should be grateful he signed his new deal, because he continues to get results.
Top of the class?
Phil Jagielka kept his head earlier in the campaign when few looked like stars.
Class dunce?
Injuries have affected a number of players, among them Louis Saha who is still to get into a rhythm.
Best performance against you?
Liège were the toughest Uefa Cup draw imaginable. Liverpool, and Kuyt, did well at Goodison.
Fulham
By Mike McCarthy, Season-ticket holder
How has the class done?
Pretty well. Punching above their weight with a squad containing no real superstars.
How has the teacher performed?
Hodgson is terrific. He exemplifies applied intelligence. Has given the team the confidence and belief to play a passing game.
Top of the class?
Mountain-man centre-half Brede Hangeland. Nothing gets past him. I hope other clubs don't come in for him.
Class dunce?
Ki-Hyeon has an alarming tendency to think he can dribble.
Best performance against you?
Redknapp's revitalised Spurs – apart from butterfingers Gomes who gifted us the first goal.
Hull City
By Tom Collins, Writer for Hull City online
How has the class done?
Foolish governors claimed our group were set to be bottom, but amazing results have been achieved through hard work and flair.
How has the teacher performed?
Mr Brown has been quite literally a glowing success, masterminding amazing results.
Top of the class?
Geovanni has taken headlines, but Michael Turner has quelled some of the country's most talked about pupils.
Class dunce?
Wayne Brown has struggled after moving up a set.
Best performance against you?
Frank Lampard transformed my opinion that he was a fat waster who could not finish.
Liverpool
By Al Campbell, LFC Online news editor
How has the class done?
Pretty well. Can't really complain when we're usually 15-20 points behind the leaders at Christmas.
How has the has the teacher performed?
He made some poor buys but addressed the lack of width. He's not rotating for the sake of it as much either and that's helped.
Top of the class?
Xabi Alonso put the transfer uncertainty behind him to become our best player.
Class dunce?
Keane. He might complain about being subbed but it's only when the fourth official raises the board with his number that we usually realise he's on the pitch.
Best performance against you?
Simão had good games against us.
.
Quote:
The Premier League half-term report 2008-09
Compiled by James Mariner
Arsenal
By Danny Grimes, Season-ticket holder
How has the class done?
Consistently inconsistent. Good performances were wasted.
How has the teacher performed?
That fans question Wenger reflects the win-at-all-costs nature of the Premier League. He will never compromise principles, surely something to be admired.
Top of the class?
Nasri has settled in quickly and scored important goals. Djourou also looked assured.
Class dunce?
Despite Gallas and the ridicule of Eboué, it's Adebayor's dummy spitting which unsettled us.
Best performance against you?
Agbonlahor and Robinho were excellent but as a team Hull looked like a well-drilled Serie A side.
Aston Villa
By Barney, Season-ticket holder
How has the class done?
I am pleased with the progress and how the team has gelled but we're still short of a regular goalscorer.
How has the teacher performed?
The teacher has been excellent, his policy of an English backbone will attract home-grown talent for years to come.
Top of the class?
For me Laursen, Agbonlahor, Young (A) and Barry, but close to them are Sidwell and Petrov.
Class dunce?
A tie must go to Marlon Harewood and Zat Knight, who are just not really at the party at all.
Best performance against you?
I hate to say it as he's vastly overrated but possibly Downing, although Chelsea were impressive.
Blackburn Rovers
By Stephen Pilling, Life-long supporter
How has the class done?
Pretty awfully. After a bright start to the season, things have been depressing.
How has the teacher performed?
Which one? Big Sam ....marvellous, Incey .....washed down the drain.
Top the class?
Brett Emerton always gives a professional performance, the rest are potential candidates for the next question.
Class dunce?
Take your pick! Roque and Warnock play as if their heart is somewhere else. Nelsen has not been the same since his injury.
Best performance against you?
Man United looked a cut above – whatever happened to our ability to get in their faces?
Bolton Wanderers
By David Blackburn, Season-ticket holder
How has the class done?
We picked up after a disappointing start. The team is playing with confidence – it's amazing what a couple of clean sheets and goals can do.
How has the teacher performed?
Megson is getting things right, he will not get us relegated. I am looking at 10th place at least.
Top of the class?
Jaaskelainen saved us on more than one occasion – who could ever forget the Hull game?
Class dunce?
I still don't know why we signed Tamir Cohen. Heidar Helguson was shipped to QPR – say no more.
Best performance against you?
Theo Walcott was unplayable, and Geovanni – only Jussi knows how he didn't score four.
Chelsea
By Paul Lagan, Editor of Chelsea Mad website
How has the class done?
They are performing above national average but must concentrate and stand up to bullies who try and take over the playground.
How has the teacher performed?
Mr Scolari is not preparing for classes as he should and that shows in erratic behaviour from pupils.
Top of the class?
Nicolas Anelka has revelled without the competition from class king Didier Drogba.
Class dunce?
Florence Malouda is not doing well at dribbling classes and Salomon Kalouless also disappoints.
best performance against you?
Robin van Persie excelled in shooting practice, making Petr Cech look like Mr Clumsy.
Everton
By Patrick Hart, Season-ticket holder
How has the class done?
Above average, although they found it hard to settle to the task this term.
How has the teacher performed?
Moyes started the season nursing a hangover from summer. We should be grateful he signed his new deal, because he continues to get results.
Top of the class?
Phil Jagielka kept his head earlier in the campaign when few looked like stars.
Class dunce?
Injuries have affected a number of players, among them Louis Saha who is still to get into a rhythm.
Best performance against you?
Liège were the toughest Uefa Cup draw imaginable. Liverpool, and Kuyt, did well at Goodison.
Fulham
By Mike McCarthy, Season-ticket holder
How has the class done?
Pretty well. Punching above their weight with a squad containing no real superstars.
How has the teacher performed?
Hodgson is terrific. He exemplifies applied intelligence. Has given the team the confidence and belief to play a passing game.
Top of the class?
Mountain-man centre-half Brede Hangeland. Nothing gets past him. I hope other clubs don't come in for him.
Class dunce?
Ki-Hyeon has an alarming tendency to think he can dribble.
Best performance against you?
Redknapp's revitalised Spurs – apart from butterfingers Gomes who gifted us the first goal.
Hull City
By Tom Collins, Writer for Hull City online
How has the class done?
Foolish governors claimed our group were set to be bottom, but amazing results have been achieved through hard work and flair.
How has the teacher performed?
Mr Brown has been quite literally a glowing success, masterminding amazing results.
Top of the class?
Geovanni has taken headlines, but Michael Turner has quelled some of the country's most talked about pupils.
Class dunce?
Wayne Brown has struggled after moving up a set.
Best performance against you?
Frank Lampard transformed my opinion that he was a fat waster who could not finish.
Liverpool
By Al Campbell, LFC Online news editor
How has the class done?
Pretty well. Can't really complain when we're usually 15-20 points behind the leaders at Christmas.
How has the has the teacher performed?
He made some poor buys but addressed the lack of width. He's not rotating for the sake of it as much either and that's helped.
Top of the class?
Xabi Alonso put the transfer uncertainty behind him to become our best player.
Class dunce?
Keane. He might complain about being subbed but it's only when the fourth official raises the board with his number that we usually realise he's on the pitch.
Best performance against you?
Simão had good games against us.
.