Best of the Rest
Another season is just about at its end and some regulars find themselves jostling for the tag of 'The Best of the Rest'.
Perennial Top 10 finishers Everton and Southampton have battled away for numerous seasons now, trying to crack into the Top 6 without great success. Everton have had a strong second half of the year and the same could be said for Southampton after a sluggish start.
This season, West Bromwich Albion has been a real surprise packet. Whilst their form has wained somewhat lately, they were flying high earlier in the season. Watford have had a late surge but the same case could be made for Leicester as they pull away from the Relegation Zone.
Everton // 7th // 54 points
The Toffees have been on-fire towards the backend of the season largely thanks to the Premier League's top-scorer - Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian powerhouse has found the back of the net 23 times so far and one can only think there's more to come. Astonishingly, Lukaku has scored in every one of Everton's matches at Goodison Park this campaign.
Ronald Koeman had a war-chest at the start of the season with new investment from Farad Moshiri and the record sale of John Stones to Manchester City. The Toffees invested that money into Yannick Bolasie,
Morgan Schneiderlin and former Swansea captain Ashley Williams.
Bolasie and Schneiderlin have had to contend with injuries for most of the season although when on the park they have shown their class.
Everton's battle moving into next season will be whether they can hang onto their talisman Lukaku, if they are able, and with investment around him, the Toffee's could start pressing into the Top 6 on a regular basis.
West Brom // 8th // 44 points
Tony Pulis' men began the season slowly but performed consistently banking points against their mid-table rivals. Although they haven't moved from this position since Christmas, the Baggies have continued their consistent form and are still a realistic chance of equaling their best finish in the Premier League - 8th.
Their consistency is something they need to build on if they are going to challenge for a Top 10 finish on a regular basis. To say that West Brom will be breaking into the Top 6 any time soon would be silly.
Pulis alway seems to find a way to get the best out of his players. He's
done this previously at Stoke and Crystal Palace to name a few. Nacer
Chadli was a great piece of business from Tottenham, with him assumedly jumping at the chance of more game-time at The Hawthorns.
Southampton // 9th // 40 points
With Ronald Koeman's defection to Southampton before the start of the season, many believed that The Saints would suffer this campaign. Southampton handed the reigns to Claude Puel, a well-journied Manager from Ligue 1.
The Saints have been continually picked apart part by the big hitters the Premier League and credit must be given to his predecessors Koeman and Mauricio Pottchetino in the way they have been able to maintain their success.
Even with the loss of Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Graziano Pelle (SD Luneng), Victor Wanyama (Tottenham) and Jose Fonte (West Ham), The Saints have managed to compile a mass of points. They have two games in hand on both teams in front of them and you'd be silly to bet against them overhauling West Brom with the current form they are in.
Fraser Forster has been the rock at the back keeping 11 clean sheets in the League and based on that stat, the fifth best in the competition.
Manolo Gabbiadini sharpened up their attack after his capture in January. His stellar form has seen him add 11 goals in 24 appearances across all competitions for the Saints.
By all reports, Southampton have the hardest task in hanging onto highly-rated central defender Virgil van Dijk come the opening of the transfer window. The big Dutchman has been on fire and has suitors lining up for his signature which could even top the fee paid by Manchester City for John Stones.
The Saints, along with Everton are the next two realistic chances of cracking the Top 6. This will only happen if they are able to hang onto their best players and build a team around them. If not, they will continue on as mid-table battlers for years to come.
Watford // 10th // 37 points
While not setting the world on fire, Watford still have a realistic chance of competing with West Brom with a game in hand and securing a Top 10 finish.
The shrewd capture of M'Baye Niang from AC Milan on loan has paid dividends with a cracking goal at the weekend highlighting his immense talent. Watford's win over mid-table rivals West Brom, helped them close the gap to just seven points.
Watford have never finished higher than 13th (last term) in the Premier League and with a host of clubs breathing down their neck, they are not yet assured of a Top 10 finish. If they were able to hang on, it would be a great launching pad into next season and justification for quality players like Niang to call Watford home.
