January has always been the month that has sorted the wheat from the chaff, the men from the boys and quality from, well, just plain rubbish! This season has proved no exception for teams in the English Premiership.

From teams flying high in the top-spots to teams languishing low in the Premiership's dreaded trap-door, the Christmas period and into January and the New Year has usually been an accurate indicator on how teams will perform when it comes to the months of February, March and so on.

Let's start from the top. Last season, under the guidance of Claudio Ranieri, Chelsea were on the top-spot around this time but always looked vulnerable and a slip-up waiting to happen. However, despite all what Manchester United could do, Chelsea were overtaken by an unbeaten Arsenal side who went on to take the title.

Could this year be almost identical to last year's events?

This Year's Top 3

Jose Mourinho's side look impeccable and disciplined enough to be Champions but will they slip up and be overtaken by Arsenal or United? Arsenal have gone through a bad patch this term, so too the Red Devils, but have both bounced back with vengeance. Promising Everton are now going through their bad spell all thanks to the taxing January/Christmas/New Year schedule.

The Gunners and United have both had the quality to bounce back from their dry spells, but, due to their relatively small small squad, can the Toffees get past their spell? Unless they bolster their squad, it may be a long, dark winter for them.

Anyway, moving steadily down the table, it seems, like always, a sub-table I like to dub "The Europe Table" has clearly emerged. Liverpool, Spurs, Middlesbrough, Charlton and now Everton all have points over the 30 mark and are in contention for European slots already. Decent performers like Man City, Villa and Pompey aren't too far off. Newcastle have normally been involved but just haven't performed under Graeme Souness.

The Europe League

Now, the relegation battle. Whoever has been bottom at Christmas has always been relegated, but will West Brom deny fate this season? Southampton have appointed 4 managers in 2004 and that has showed off this season, lying 2nd from bottom. Teams new into the Premiership fresh from the First Division (or Championship) like Crystal Palace and Norwich both find themselves fighting for survival. Maybe it's a manager thing. Gary Megson was chopped from West Brom and look where they are. And I've already talked about the Saints!

Relegation Battle

In the words of Sir Alex Ferguson "Football - bloody hell!"... maybe we can say Chelsea slipped up in a few months or that West Brom escaped relegation.

It's football... who knows?