Premier League – Who’s Hot and Who’s Not?

  • Hot team
  • After the disappointment of Wednesday night’s Champions League exit, Chelsea had a tough game at the Emirates against an Arsenal side equally disappointed in Europe but resurgent and unbeaten in twenty-one games in the Premier League.

    You could have expected Chelsea to play with something of a hangover, but instead they were efficient and clinical. They looked dangerous whenever they went forward with Drogba and Anelka causing problems.

    Their 4-1 win was a fine performance and makes you wonder what may have happened if they had been more attack minded against Barcelona.

  • Not Hot team
  • There were some poor performances this weekend, Portsmouth, Villa, Wigan, you know who you are, but top of the tree has to be Hull City. Home to Stoke was their big chance to pick up the three points that might just keep them safe.

    Unfortunately for the Tigers they were out played, out thought and out fought by Stoke in the same way they have been by everyone else for several months. They could still be safe, but if either Newcastle or Middlesbrough win their game tonight, Hull will be on the way down.

  • Hot keeper
  • He has not been playing for West Brom this season because Tony Mowbray bought in Scott Carson to replace him. Dean Kiely must have considered hanging up his boots. I mean if someone thinks that Carson is better than you there is nowhere to go from there!

    Anyway, Kiely came in on Saturday and had a magnificent game, helping his team to pick up a valuable three points.

  • Not Hot keeper
  • Portsmouth and England keeper David James has not had the best of seasons. I don’t know whether he has suffered a temporary loss of form or whether at his advanced age, his career is starting its downward slide.

    He didn’t look good on Saturday in Pompey’s defeat at Blackburn and Fabio Capello must be desperately hoping that another English keeper starts to stake a genuine claim for the England goalkeeping slot.

  • Hot defender
  • Brede Hangeland has been a total revelation at Fulham this season. He has worked hard and produced consistently good performances. His contribution has been a major reason for Fulham having such a successful season.

    On Saturday, Hangeland was man of the match again as he comfortably dealt with Aston Villa’s quick and dangerous forward line.

  • Not Hot defender
  • I was worried that Mikael Silvestre was way past his best in his last few games for Manchester United. It was a shock therefore when Arsene Wenger brought him to the Emirates.

    There is no doubt that Mikael was once a fine player, but there is equally no doubt that he is no longer good enough to be a first choice centre-half for any team that aspirations of winning the Premier League or the Champions League.

  • Hot midfielder
  • Sorry to be boring with this choice but Stevie Gerrard was exceptional again for Liverpool at West Ham on Saturday. He scores goals, drives the team on, creates chances, tackles and wins the ball back and has a fantastic range of passing. When he is at his best there are few better.

  • Not Hot midfielder
  • Can anyone explain to me why Luis Boa Morte is a Premiership footballer? He sulks quite a lot. He does foul people and then protest his innocence. He doesn’t score or make goals and he doesn’t tackle.

    I don’t see him play all that often so I am probably being ridiculously harsh to him. If anyone can explain what he does, please let me know.

  • Hot striker
  • I’ve spent all season saying that Manchester United shouldn’t spend the thirty million pounds needed to keep Carlos Tevez. He has had, by his standards, a poor season. His hard working style has been there but the quality hasn’t been.

    On Sunday, against Manchester City that changed and he showed just how good he can be. He has given Sir Alex a problem. If he plays like that, he is worth the money.

  • Not Hot striker
  • West Ham striker Di Michele looked quite useful earlier in the season. He doesn’t now.

    Last 5 posts by Graham Fisher

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