Are six clubs really involved in the Premier League title race?

According to Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson there are six teams in the race for the Premier League title this season.

I hate to disagree with the legendary Scot but I really can’t see six teams capable of challenging for the league title.

Six

Sir Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports News: “I think you could say that five or six teams will be involved,”

“It’s always hard to win the league. It’s a league that if you look at it, in the south you have the London teams like Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea and then you have ourselves, Manchester City and Liverpool in the north. It’s a really, really difficult league to win.”

I do believe he’s right in the fact that the Premier League is a hard league to win. However I don’t think the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool are good enough to challenge for the Premier League.

Arsenal

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger still has a major rebuilding job on his hands despite some deadline signings. However even before the likes of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas the Gunners needed to strengthen their squad.

They have signed some decent players but they are not of the same quality as the players that have departed. This is not me Arsenal bashing, its just me telling the truth. Even as a neutral Arsene Wenger’s stubbornness really does frustrate me.

Tottenham

Arsenal’s North London rivals Tottenham are not quite good enough either. The current Tottenham team has struggled for goals and Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp knows there is need for a striker at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham have brought in former-Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor on-loan but the Togolese striker blows hot and cold. On his day he can be the complete forward. On the other hand though he can look completely uninterested.

Tottenham are currently bottom of the Premier League table, having lost both of their two league games so far. At the moment they don’t even look like a threat to the top six, never mind title challengers. No doubt Tottenham’s form will improve but it’s hard to see them as realistic title challengers.

Liverpool

The Reds have started the season in good form. They have gone from sixth place last season to Premier League title challengers. I just don’t see it I’m afraid. Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish’s aim this season would have been to get back into the top four.

There is a sense of optimism at Anfield and a feel good factor. This sense of optimism will probably be enough to get them back into the Champions League spots but I believe its too soon for talk of a title challenge on the red half of Merseyside.

Games

Sir Alex Ferguson is the king of mind games and I think this is probably part of his mind games. I’m sure he knows exactly which teams will be the real threats to his teams chances of winning the Premier League.

Three

I’m sure it will come as a big surprise to Fergie if it is anybody else other than their noisy neighbours and the boys from Stamford Bridge who threat their Premier League crown. I think it would be a surprise to everybody else as well if the title didn’t end up at Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge or the Etihad Stadium.

Strong

I have no doubts in my mind that last seasons Premier League top three will be this seasons top three. As a neutral it would be nice to see another team lift the Premier League trophy but Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are currently just an echelon above the rest of the Premier League.

If one team is to break up the top three then I believe it will be Liverpool. There is an atmosphere around the club and the city that the club are making really progress under club legend Kenny Dalglish. I think it would still be a surprise if Liverpool did finish in the top three though.

Exciting

This seasons race for the Premier League title is set to be exciting. I fully expect the battle to go all the way this season, rather than just one team running away with the league. A six horse race though Mr Ferguson, I don’t think so!

Is the Premier League title race really a six horse race?