With the 2010/11Premier League just about at the halfway stage it is quite interesting to look back on what has been its biggest talking points and what team will be crowned champions in May and which three teams are already fighting losing causes.
Perhaps the biggest talking point amongst the media at least has been the controversial sackings of both Chris Hughton from Newcastle and Sam Allardyce from Blackburn. There has been plenty of sympathy showered on both men, due mainly to the simple fact that with meagre resources they were both doing brilliantly. Both clubs were enjoying mid-table positions and although the form of the two teams was sometimes inconsistent, they looked set fair to remain in the top flight thus fulfilling the seasonal remits of both managers.
Instead, Mike Ashley, the highly unpopular chairman of Newcastle and the new Indian owners of Blackburn have brought in managers with no positive Premier League track records. Alan Pardew, recently sacked by League One team, Southampton has been given the job at St James Park, while Blackburn has appointed a manager, Steve Kean, with no experience of club management. Kean had previously been the first team coach at the club, ironically appointed by Allardyce.
These appointments have not been welcomed by the supporters of either club, and with Blackburn managing only a draw with strugglers West Ham and a 0-2 home defeat by Stoke, since Kean took over and Newcastle losing their last home match by 1-3 to Manchester City, the disgruntlement of the supporters is sure to become louder.
The two teams currently have 22 points which is only six points off the relegation zone and both have had their relegation odds significantly shortened to be amongst those relegated this season.
While Blackburn and Newcastle head into uncertainty, Manchester United has been made the favourites in the Premier League Odds to win a 19th top flight title come May. Unbeaten after 17 games, United hold a two point advantage over Arsenal and Manchester City with games in hand over both. Admittedly the away form of the Red Devils is a little suspect, with only one win and six draws, but that will not worry Sir Alex Ferguson, who has already said that the title will be fought out between his team, defending champions, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Chelsea however is in an appalling run of form with rumours becoming ever stronger regarding the future of manager, Carlo Ancelotti. The
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