EPL: Upsets provides window of opportunity for underachievers

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 10: Edin Dzeko of Manchester City reacts during his side’s loss against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on November 10, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)

Often fleeting in nature and without a long-lasting impact, upsets in England’s most loved division are seen as an unlikely subversion of the long-established balance of power that has existed over time.

This season, however, fans have already witnessed a disproportionate amount of shock results and unimaginable performances from the so-called minnows in the league; already there have been more surprises than you can shake a stick at as the underdogs have seized the right opportunity to catch the pre-season favourites off guard.

Truth be told, so far it’s worked a treat as a flurry of matches have flashed by with all of the top four having amassed a combined total of 11 losses – something very few coud have predicted in the build-up to the new campaign.

Somehow, a revamped Everton – who currently sit in fifth position – have only lost one match, yet have drawn seven, while Manchester United who reside in ninth place have fallen to defeat on five ocassions. Arsenal, on the other hand, sat in fifth pace at the end of December in 2012, whereas now they rest proudly at the top with others doing their best to chase them down.

Is there a common denominator to all of this change?

Surely one very important factor that goes some way to explaining why so many giant-killings have come about is that the merry-go-round of managerial changes before the season finally kicked into action has had a very destabilising effect on many of the teams in the nascent stages.

Before they had time to implement their changes properly, teams such as Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea were all thrust into competitive action in the league. And while some of these sides have taken advantage of their new-found sense of self, some have faded considerably amidst the furore.

To say that any of these clubs don’t possess squads capable of challenging for the title would be grossly unfair, but nonetheless the mayhem and wilderness of the new Premier League landscape has certainly inspired the smaller clubs into affirmative action.

As a result, a window of opportunity has been opened, and it’s now time for the underachievers to ensure they make the most of it.

One great example can be seen in Liverpool. Despite their billing as a prestigious, top-shelf side, it’s fair to say that they have over-achieved, even in the early stages of the season. Credit must surely go to Brendan Rodgers for the way in which he has used his side’s lack of recent success to their advantage.

Disregarded unfairly by many at the beginning of the season due to the mayhem Luis Suarez was supposed to cause on his return, the Reds have transformed that negative feeling into something positive; they’re now using it as an effective weapon against others.

It’s this very inventiveness that could prove crucial if they are to sustain their good form to date.