The Case for the Prosecution

With Graeme a few short months away from embarking upon a new career in Law (with a bit of History thrown in for fun), I thought it was about time he stood trial for his Premier League predictions at the start of the season. Just for a bit of fun, let's see what he called correctly and what he got spectacularly wrong. Maybe once (or if, depending on Iceland's latest contribution to the atmosphere) he returns from his piss-up in Dublin, he may conjure up a passable defense. Here goes:

1st - Manchester United (predicted 3rd) - Graeme said: "The season where tired legs finally fail?" What actually happened: Proved they had the depth to maintain consistent results and win the league. The old-timers were some of the more excellent performers (on and off the field in the case of R*** G****)

2nd - Chelsea (predicted 1st) - Graeme said: "Bringing in a new face or two should seal the deal" What actually happened: They brought in Fernando Torres and David Luiz. Torres scored once and Luiz, whilst composed on the ball, looked blunder-prone.

3rd - Manchester City (predicted 4th) - Graeme said: "Still not good enough but 4th place is easily within their reach" What actually happened: They qualified easily for the Champions League but never looked like challenging the top two for the title. Calling Roberto Mancini a "good, but not great manager" looks a fair assessment also and he is on borrowed time next year without Carlos Tevez.

4th - Arsenal (predicted 2nd) - Graeme said: "Still too naive and Plan B isn't up to scratch" What actually happened: They played naively and without a plan B towards the end of the season, having dazzled early on

5th - Tottenham (predicted 6th) - Graeme said: "They've deluded themselves somewhat with their squad depth" What actually happened: Ran deeper than expected in the Champions League, before injuries to the likes of Gareth Bale cost them dearly in their campaign to get back into the competition.

6th - Liverpool (predicted 5th) - Graeme said: "Torres, Gerrard and Reina will win them games on their own" What actually happened: Torres left, Gerrard got injured and Reina became dodgy. Only the spirit from the return of King Kenny dragged the Reds to any respectability. But they should fare better next year if they NESV invest a bit.

7th - Everton (predicted 7th!) - Graeme said: "On paper they are very talented, but injuries and other issues always stop them realising their full potential". What actually happened: Exactly what Graeme said would happen. Except for Jermaine Beckford - he's still shit on paper.

8th - Fulham (predicted 13th) - Graeme said: "Mark Hughes is massively overrated and won't be taking Fulham above 10th anytime soon" What actually happened: They finished 8th

9th - Aston Villa (predicted 8th) - Graeme said: "I can't see them slipping that badly provided a good manager is brought in" What actually happened: They slipped very badly and flirted with relegation for a time before staging a Darren Bent-inspired recovery. But then they had brought in Gerard Houllier, so I can't blame Graeme for that one!

10th - Sunderland (predicted 10th!) - Graeme said: "I'm going for them to finish Top 10 with no real evidence to explain why" What actually happened: They actually did finish in the top 10 and, true to form, I cannot for the life of me explain how they managed it, such was their atrocious form after the turn of the year

11th - West Brom (predicted 18th) - Graeme said: "They do so little of interest when they are up, that they are dismissed" What actually happened: Showed a number of teams that they are actually a force to be reckoned with (Man United, Arsenal) and showed other teams just how good Roy Hodgson was as a manager (Liverpool). In Soman Tchoyi and Peter Odemwingie, they have the goals to put an end to the yo-yo years.

12th - Newcastle (predicted 17th) - Graeme said: "Not a good team by Premiership standards" What actually happened: In spite of losing their talisman at Christmas and being managed by Alan Pardew, they actually seem a pretty respectablt team by Premiership standards. Memorable wins over Sunderland and Villa at home make this a season to savour in parts.

13th - Stoke (predicted 15th) - Graeme said: "Are solid enough. Are dull. But not dull enough to get relegated" What actually happened: Played vibrant total football that stunned the wo... no they were dull.

14th - Bolton (predicted 12th) - Graeme said: "Owen Coyle should improve their chances". What actually happened: Secured safety early and tailed off thereafter. Are much more pleasing on the eye these days, for which a lot of the credit must go to Coyle.

15th - Blackburn (predicted 11th) - Graeme said: "Big Sam is still a good bet to keep a team safely camoflagued in mid-table" What actually happened: Big Sam did just. And then the new owners fired him and brough Steve Kean in. They survived relegation on the last day.

16th - Wigan (predicted 19th) - Graeme said: "Pretty passing football does not work if you are based in the North" What actually happened: It worked. Just. That and they brought Ali Al-Habsi in on loan and he managed to clean up Gary Caldwell's mess.

17th - Wolves (predicted 16th) - Graeme said: "You know the bubble will burst sooner or later" What actually happened: The bubble was just about to pop when Jamie O'Hara and Steven Hunt rescued them at Molineux. There's always next season though...

18th - Birmingham (predicted 9th) - Graeme said: "A side no-one wants to watch but no-one wants to play" What actually happened: Yes no-one wanted to watch them. But everyone wanted a piece of Alex McLeish's men and they sank into the Championship.

19th - Blackpool (predicted 20th) - Graeme said: "Basically, they are fucked". What actually happened: Eventually they were fucked, but not before entertaining us with some brave performances and a great team spirit that was greater than the sum of its' parts. They will be missed.

20th - West Ham (predicted 14th) - Graeme said: "Last seasons shambles will hopefully be forgotten". What actually happened: It was forgotten - but only because this season was even more shambolic. But hey, I won a tenner out of their misery and gloated to some very miserable Hammer fans. Who quite frankly need to get a grip of reality.

So all in all, a pretty solid performance from Mr Milloy with just a couple of howlers. And there rests the prosecution.
RM