The List | 10 Things We Learnt From The First Half Of The Season
The List | 10 Things We Learnt From The First Half Of The Season
The hot points from an action packed first half of the season. 
To say the expression time flies seems a bit of an understatement when it comes to how quickly the first half of the season has gone. The Premier League this term has been better than ever. We have six teams in the mix for the title and the relegation battle will go down to the very last gasp as well.
La Liga is off to a flyer, Serie A has some rather different teams leading the pack and Bayern Munich are sweeping all before them. There have also been shock results a plenty with the anyone can beat anyone mentality in the Premier League this term. With that in mind, here are ten things we have learnt from this half of the season. 
Suarez is world class - He is Mr Liverpool at the minute and has shown exactly how good he is this season. To actually attempt to praise his character is brave indeed, but it is something that we are willing to do. The fact that he has gotten his head down and managed to put the many issues from last season behind him. Add to this his form and goal tally, and he is the reason Liverpool are sat at the top of the tree.
Spain s team of the first half of the season is Atletico Madrid - They are jointly leading the pack in La Liga, and have been sensational. From the young Koke to Diego Costa, we are raving about them week in week out. Their record at home is faultless, literally, and they have managed to record a derby win over Real Madrid to boot. Simeone may publically think the title is out of the question - but privately? 
Roberto Martinez has shown crÈme rises to the top - Everton have been simply sensational this term. They are playing better football, they are getting more points and people are seriously talking about them as real top four contenders. With David Moyes, there was a look at how well little Everton are doing type mentality, but Martinez has swept that away. Everton are no longer considered a small club, and nor should they be. 
Loan systems are under fire - Questions have always been whispered about the loan system, but the loan of Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku to Everton has pushed the issue front and centre. Chelsea literally have a weapon who cannot play against them but is available to take points from the opposition - and boy does he do that. Should teams even be able to loan to other Premier League sides? 
The managerial merry go round will never end - Perhaps the only secure manager is Arsene Wenger now in the Premier League. We have already seen a host of sackings and managers on the brink, some deserved, some highly questionable, but it seems that the constant hiring and firing will never end. 
It was never going to be a straight forward swap - Manchester United may have hand-picked the chosen one, but it has been a struggle. To replace a manager who has been at a club for as long as Alex Ferguson, not to mention been as successful and so involved in every single aspect of the club, takes a huge amount of time. Not to mention the fact that Ed Woodward has replaced the highly respected and efficient David Gill. Like it or not, top four would be an achievement for United this season. 
All is not lost for Arsenal - In the summer, and after the defeat to Aston Villa, it seemed that the club were in serious trouble. Questions over their transfer policy, their board and their manager were asked. Roll forward a few months and we have seen brilliant play, star players like Aaron Ramsey and points galore for the Gunners. A trophy-less season may actually be avoided this term. 
Bayern Munich are a powerhouse - One look at the Bundesliga table will tell you this. The club swept all before them last term and showed that they are the ones to beat. No team have retained the Champions League, but if you had to put money on a side, the Bavarians would most certainly be it. 
It has to be Ronaldo s Ballon d Or year - Results, goals, performances, the Real Madrid star has given it all. Dragging Portugal into the World Cup this summer, being the one that Real Madrid turn to time and time again, not to mention beating every single other player when it comes to his goal record means that if the award is done on merit, the man from Portugal will be enjoying his trip to Zurich for once - if he goes that is! 
Jose 2.0 has not gone quite as expected - A bore draw with Arsenal is not even the half of it. Dropped points on the road and at home, failure to score and sloppy defending. That does not sound like the Jose Mourinho of old. And it is not. But it is the Chelsea side he has inherited and that is something he is trying to work on. Eggs waiting to hatch may be his excuse, but how long that will wash is anyone s guess. 
