We are only 8 games into the new season but, already, The Premier League prize appears like a hot potato that no one wants to grab hold of.
Manchester City
For us they have to be the most compelling challengers. On their day, they can beat anyone and everyone in this league.
But Manchester City have already lost back to back games against West Ham and Tottenham, before their weekend annihilation of Sunderland. They are superb at their best but doubts remain over their consistency.
Chelsea
Last season’s champions were almost universally backed to hold on to their title before a ball was kicked this season.
But they have had nothing short of a disaster having lost 6 games already, in all competitions, this season.
Normally, 8 points off the pace, you would say that they have no chance. But such is the manner of the season so far that Chelsea could still put a challenge together – stranger things have happened.
Manchester United
Every time they get up a head of steam they lose an important game again. Louis van Gaal has overseen some improvement at Manchester United, albeit at a huge cost, but they still aren’t anything like the finished article.
And you still don’t know what you are going to get from Manchester United from week to week.
Arsenal
Watching the way that Arsenal despatched Manchester United at the weekend you would have thought that the title is theirs for the taking this season.
But very little of the wise money is going on them to sustain a charge. Arsenal are another team who lack consistency.
Liverpool
They are only a few points off the pace but you imagine that it will take time for Liverpool to reassert themselves now that they have sacked Brendan Rodgers.
Tottenham
You may laugh that we have put them into the title contention hat. But, with the others labouring and Tottenham improving, they have to be considered dark horses for The Premier League. It would take a gargantuan effort and a lot more improvement.
But there are signs of a really good young side coming together at Tottenham.