August’s Premier League Report Cards: Sunderland – Wigan

By Brian Lofrumento | 11th September 2008

August's Premier League Report Cards: Sunderland - Wigan | read this item

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With one month of Premiership action out of the way, Premiership Talk reviews all twenty teams and grades them based on their early season performances.

Sunderland

The Black Cats have quietly put together a good side up north, and fans plan on avoiding the relegation battle that they saw last season. After a promising display against Liverpool that ended in defeat, Roy Keane’s men rebounded with a fantastic away victory against Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Things were looking up, until Manchester City embarassed Sunderland in a 3-0 result. Djibril Cisse, El-Hadji Diouf and co. are much better than 18th place, and they’ll be depending on a strong September to move up the table.

Report Card Grade: B-

Tottenham

Every year Tottenham look to be the fifth strongest team in the league on paper. Every year Tottenham are also the most disappointing team in the English Premier League. This year is no different – two defeats and one draw in the opening month of league action leaves the London club in 19th place. There is no pretty way to put it, Tottenham’s situation is pretty dire. Their wealth of riches should see them challenge the top four this year, but the likes of Luka Modric, Gio dos Santos, Ledley King, and Darren Bent can’t get more points than West Bromwich Albion. In fact, the side from White Hart Lane collectively only have one more point than you and I do. September needs to see massive improvement by Juande Ramos’s men.

Report Card Grade: F

West Bromwich Albion

If you told me before the season that West Brom would be even on points with Tottenham after August, I’d say you were crazy. While this sounds like an incredible feat, it’s more a testament to Tottenham’s underachivement rather than West Brom’s brilliance. Nevertheless, West Brom have performed just as most pundits thought, so you can’t fault them for being bottom of the table. They had a valiant display against Arsenal to open the season, but then went on to lose to Everton at home. They closed the month with a 0-0 draw with Bolton at the Reebok. Sitting at the bottom of the table, West Brom will just enjoy their season in the Premiership.

Report Card Grade: C

West Ham United

Since the end of August, West Ham have already hired a new manager in Gianfranco Zola. Regardless, their August performance was phenomenal. It did, however, come at the expense of one day of huge letdown against Manchester City, but their other two matches were extremely positive. The re-emergence of Dean Ashton has helped the Hammers and he was one of the most impressive players in the month of August. A fifth place spot in the standings for the club from West London is a fantastic return.

Report Card Grade: B+

Wigan Athletic

Wigan aren’t the most exciting club in the league, but if they can hang around 13th place in the table then that won’t worry fans too much. The club is just looking for survival, and spectators can only grade them based on that objective. For that much, they’ve done a stellar job. The JJB Stadium now boasts some exciting players in Antonio Valencia and Amr Zaki. While they have two losses already, getting a win under your belt early in the season can go a long way – and Steve Bruce’s side have done exactly that. Overall, Wigan had a decent August and find themselves well clear of the relegation zone.

Report Card Grade: B-

Here’s to an exciting September in the world’s greatest league…

Live Football says:

September 14, 2008 at 8:16 am

I’d say Wigan have a pretty decent team, look very good up front so far, butI do worry that they are weak at the back.

Think Sunderland will do ok this year, can’t see them going down, as they’ve got players who can score goals up front, and with Anton Ferdinand at the back will be conceding less.

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