Exciting, frustrating, nerve wrecking. An emotional rollercoaster is the Premier League Winter transfer window. It’s the twilight period at the beginning of a season whendecisions can spin the wheel for, or very much against a club. Three games in and the sun has set now. No room for excuses or bailouts. Time to get on with it.

Last week saw the closing of the window and with all the chess pieces now moved into position, I thought I’d briefly cover some of the smart and “WHAT the @#$! were they THINKING!?!” moves, starting with the bottom feeders.

20. Tottenham Hotspurs (0 points)

Harry Redknapp was a hero when he yanked Spurs from the floor by the scruff of their necks and helped them to a Champions League finish at the end of the 2009/2010 season. Ironically, he’s back where he started, not being helped much by the late market activity.

Good business: Emmanuel Adebayor and Scott Parker will both prove good business I’m sure, but when contrasted by Heurelho Gomes, picking up Brad Friedel on a free transfer was by far Harry’s tightest bit of dealing.

Risky business: Luka Modric has been instrumental in the success of Spurs thus far, but had Harry sold the want-away midfielder to Chelsea for the pretty pound he was overvalued at, he may have offered Spurs fans more than a miserable bottom of the table start.

19. Blackburn Rovers (0 points)

Rovers have had a tough run over recent years, but hey, at least they’re not last.

Good business: Scott Dann was heavily linked with a number of higher placed clubs, including the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool. Even though he managed to nick Dann from out of wealthier paws, Steve Kean stated that he was most happy at maintaining the services of skipper Christopher Samba.

18. West Brom (0 points)

If Roy Hodgson were to openly state that staying at Fulham last season would have been a better career move, it would be the smartest thing to come out of his mouth this year!

Good business: ummmmmm …Ben Foster? Hodsgon can easily be coined as a small thinker when it comes to buying players (as displayed at Liverpool last season), so having done most of his shopping in the Championship, it’s no wonder the Baggies are sitting in the dead-zone. Shane Long could prove to be a reputation redeemer for Roy, if the rest of the squad can bring him into the game when it matters.

17. Arsenal (1 point)

I’m sure shirt sales in North London have dropped dramatically. Arsene Wenger has had his ideology tempered to the max since the season kicked off with 3 red cards in 3 games, not to mention a growing injury list. The core of his squad sold off after much struggling and instability, and a host of youngsters and new comers who were far from prepared to fill the Gunner’s gaping holes.

Good business: Peter Mertesecker, hands down. Arsenal have been missing a strong, confident Centre Back for far too long and his presence will allow Thomas Vermaelen more attacking opportunities during set pieces where he’s most dangerous.

Silly business: Wenger failed the North London faithful by not motivating an earlier sale of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. The bigger part of the window was spent either trying to hold onto, or maximizing on the sale of these two and on the 11^th hour, Arsenal purchased a string of players they could easily have bought at the beginning of the transfer window anyway.

16. Fulham (1 point)

Are Fulham slowly progressing as a perpetual Europa contender, or will their story remain a hit and miss tale? Having started their third consecutive season with a new manager, one must wonder if they’re ever going to settle in properly. Martin Jol has had an up-and-down run in the Premier League before, but joining with a club sharing a similar bag of mixed fortunes might align their goals and prove beneficial in achieving some sort of consistency for both parties.

Good business: Bryan Ruiz – Jol impressed many at his new home by acquiring the services of the 26-year old Costa Rican international for £3million below the amount required by his buy out clause. A player that grabbed top goal scorer in his first season for Twente in the Dutch Eredivisie might be exactly what Fulham need to turn their habitual draws (top of table with 16 last season) into wins.

Risky business: The most concerning things about the Cottagers list of new signings is how few Premier League-ready players are on it. John Arne Riise is about it and he’s been out of the EPL since 2008

15. Swansea City (2 points)

Considering they were tipped to start and finish the league in last place, I’d imagine the Jacks must be equally as shocked as proud of their current position. 3 games into the season and sitting above the likes of Spurs and Arsenal does almost seem a bit far-fetched. Realistically, this will change, but if they manage to consistently stay above Blackburn and West Brom, they’ll have a fighting chance of a second consecutive EPL season.

Best business: Breaking into the Premier League is tough enough for any promoted club, let alone surviving the first season, so outbidding QPR to nick Danny Graham – top goal scorer in the Championship with Watford last season – was a smart move. How he’ll manage the defensive lines in the EPL is a different scenario all together, but Swansea cannot be faulted on proper preparation.

14. Norwich City (2 points)

While so many clubs will be motivated to attain silverware in the domestic cups this season, Paul Lambert has stressed that the league is of the utmost, if not the only importance, so keeping Norwich City in the top flight is his main priority. Smart man.

Best business: All new signings are players who have been playing in domestic leagues.

Risky business: Money is tight in the first season of promotion, but not buying ANY Premier League – ready players to layer the squads experience could prove detrimental to Norwich’s return campaign.

13. Sunderland (2 points)

If Sunderland don’t achieve a Europa spot by the end of this season, I’ll be mighty surprised. Sunderland have had an active visit to the market and Steve Bruce may have taken advantage of a good few free transfers, but when spending, he’s spent thoughtfully.

Best business: Pulling in established, but undervalued players like John O’Shea, Sebastian Larsson, Wes Brown and Niklas Bendtner seems typical of Bruce’s thrifty transfer policy. These may not be scale-tippers on paper, but adding players who are ready to redeem themselves to a squad who is eager to prove it’s worth will surely yield positive results for Bruce.

Risky business: Bendtner does have the tendency to overrate himself, despite being able to work a ball on a good day. If Bruce can’t curb his arrogance into humble confidence, he’d simply have taken the ‘sulky-Dane’ problem off Wenger’s hands and made it his own.

12. Queens Park Rangers (3 points)

Next to Liverpool, QPR have had one of the busiest shopping sprees during the this window. Not the strongest start from the Hoops, but they have showed spots of great potential and with the list of experienced names on their till slip, Neil Warnock looks hell bent on keeping the boomerang club in the Premier league for longer than a visit.

Best business: Joey Barton on a free transfer. He may be king of the misfits, but he’s a skilled, hard working player who will add a great deal to Warnock’s squad. He has the potential to shine in a leadership role, which is most likely where Warnock will place him.

11. Everton (3 points)

If David Moyes had even 50% of the piggy bank that Chelsea and Manchester City have, the Toffees would be a top four, silverware winning side – dispute this, I DARE you! Much like Fergie, Moyes has an acute ability to get a lot from a little. Losing Arteta in the 11^th hour on deadline day is a blow for the club (especially since he hasn’t exactly been replaced yet), but Moyes, although relatively quite during the market period, has added few, but interesting prospects to the new roster.

Best business: Royston Drenthe. He has an abundance of potential with few opportunities in recent times to prove it. He’s the type of player who can flourish under the guidance of Moyes. He’s strong and extremely pacey, and he will balance out the squad a little more since the departure of Steven Pienaar (who previously also occupied the favoured left-mid position).

Risky business: The Toffee’s new comers aren’t EPL conditioned, which could cost the them vital points while the fresh imports rush to settle in.

10. Bolton Wanderers (3 points)  

All beware the dark horse! Despite a hard knock from both Man City and Liverpool, Bolton have shown a degree of promise that will no doubt separate them from the tail enders at the later stages of this season. Owen Coyle appears to be a man with a head screwed on correctly. He has maintained stability of a squad that seems to be progressing steadily, as well inexpensively managed to add more depth to the Trotter’s attack after a cautious purchase period.

Best business: Managing to hold onto Gary Cahill after the ‘shoe-sale’ frenzy that surrounded his potential departure, after none of his would-be suitors met the valuation set by the club. Bolton have brought in more players on loan that what they’ve bought, suggesting that they aim to use the extra, more temporary depth to improve their stature in the league for now, allowing them to save the aggressive shopping for next season.

9. Stoke City (5 points)  

The Potters have put up with much criticism regarding their aggressive, less ‘distinguished’ style of football, but that has always been the essence of the English game. Rough, tough, by the scruff. Suck it up you simulating work-permit holders!! With limited resources, Tony Pulis has instilled a positive confidence in the club thus far with a consistent improvement in the squad’s growth and performance. Promoted in 2008, playing in the Europa League in 2011. That’s solid progress. Lets also not forget that it’s a squad with a predominantly English roster (remember those days?).

Best business: All of it. 4 of 5 new acquisitions are English. 5 of 5 are Premier League conditioned and no small names either: Palacios, Woodgate, Crouch, Upson, Jerome. Stoke may not be contending for a Champions League position, but they’re bound to piss off a good few clubs along the way who are.

8. Wigan Athletic (5 points)

The cats with 9 lives. Always starting strong – all too often they’ve narrowly escaped relegation. One has to commend their tenacity. Roberto Martinez may have left the bulk of his shopping a little late, but the international break would have given him the needed time to work the new boys in and hopefully build on his squad’s positive start.

Best business: Shaun Maloney. A versatile midfielder/ forward from Celtic, who has a had a short spell in the EPL previously with Aston Villa. He should present a needed dynamic to Wigan’s attack now that the vacancy has been left by Charles N’Zogbia’s exit to Villa.

Silly business: Rejecting a £9m bid for Charles N’Zogbia, only to accept the £10.8m bid to follow. Surely a player of his calibre was worth at least a £12m haggle?

7. Aston Villa (5 points)

Two seasons ago, Villa were looking like they could soon become a top four contender. Now, they seem nothing more than a breeding-farm for more prosperous clubs. Alex McLeish’s attempt at a change in fortune in the EPL hasn’t been helped by the departure of Ashley Young and Stuart Downing. Suppose there’s no such thing as ‘Luck of the Scottish’.

Best business: Considering the crater left by Young and Downing, Charles N’Zogbia would have to be the top of their import list, and at a fairly reasonable price too.

Silly business: £40.5m for both Young and Downing – Could they not have done a little more with the money (Given and N’Zogbia aside)?

6. Newcastle United (7 points)

With the departure of Kevin Nolan, Jose Enrique and Wayne Routledge, I really did expect a ‘Magpie-meltdown’, yet somehow they’ve managed to hold their own at the start of the season. However, Joey Barton did start with the squad before leaving for QPR and no disrespect to Alan Pardew, but Barton’s departure may affect the strength of their current momentum dramatically.

Best business: Pulling in Demba Ba and Sylvain Marveaux on free transfers. For a club with an owner whose wallet is tighter than a duck’s arsehole, these two are a score that will no doubt mature in value in seasons to come, which is perfect, because the Toon just ‘LOVE’ selling off established players.

Silly business: The mass exodus of players who helped regain the club’s Premiership pride should have dented alarm bells, yet excluding the free transfers; their transfer window activity has been disappointingly unambitious. Selling Andy Caroll for £35m was a MASSIVE score for a club who were still fresh off the Championship wagon. 6+ months on and they’ve re-invested that where exactly?

5. Wolverhampton Wanderes (7 points)

A positive, unbeaten start for Mick McCarthy’s men. The Wolves proved last season by clawing there way out of the drop zone that they’re a resolute bunch. McCarthy will no doubt want to avoid cutting things that closely again and improve on last season’s final log position.

Best business: Not being financially reckless. The Wolve’s approach may be to fatten up the coffers a little before spending unecessarily. If things look shakey, they can always sign a lifeline or two in January.

Risky business: As admirable the act of saving funds for a progressing club may be, Wolves were dangerously close to the chop last season and if McCarthy squad suffers any serious injuries, their current fortunes could go horribly awry.

4. Chelsea (7 points)

Always a danger, always a contender, but that hasn’t excluded them from a number of problems that André Villas-Boas will have to and is trying to address. The clubs most expensive goal-scorer can’t score goals. Frank Lampard’s confidence may have taken a slip after his exclusion from England’s Euro qualifier against Bulgaria as well as a new shipment of hungry midfielders. Also, Blues physical strength has become less of a plus factor with both Didier Drogba and Michael Essien on the sidelines with serious injuries. Nonetheless, Villas-Boas has a squad not lacking in depth and like a wounded animal, Chelsea may prove more dangerous when threatened.

Best business: Juan Mata. If anything is going to refresh Chelsea’s movement in attack, it’s the Spaniard. He’s already netted as many for the Blues as Torres and it only took him 24 minutes to do so. He’s the creative link that could revive both Lampard and Torres’s stale conditions, which already begins solving a number of the Blues concerns.

Risky business: Defence could be a problem later on in the season when injuries and fatigue begin to plague most squads. Not investing in a defensive contingency could be a pothole at too later stage to do anything about.

3. Liverpool (7 points)

These are exciting times for the Reds. It’s been a long and frustrating road for a once dominant dynasty, but pundits and non-believers alike seem to favour the odds of Liverpool’s return to winning ways. Less of an icon now and more a god of late, Kenny Dalglish has brought back something that has been missing from Anfield for all too long: Results! Good results. A large replenishment of mostly domestic players has added to the ‘good ‘ol days’ factor and whether or not they’re destined for glory, they certainly do look the part.

Best business: All of it? Ok, not fair. I was most excited at the prospect of Charlie Adam sporting the red shirt at the start of the season, but 3 games in and Stuart Downing is looking a deadly. Liverpool’s longest existing shortcoming has been their lack of pace on the flanks and Downing has so much of it he could bottle the run-off. The Reds have been criticized for the bounty paid for Downing, but he looks a sure bet to prove every pennies worth.

2. Manchester City (9 points)

It wasn’t too long ago that Roberto Mancini mimicked a rich-kid with daddy’s credit card. Those kinds of kids write off Beamers and burn houses down. Having money to spend doesn’t mean you understand it’s worth. So many of us want to see City fail, because it will hold true the ideal that money can’t buy victory. Ambition does, however, and they’re a team full of it. Look at their roster list and see how many of those players were winning trophies before joining City. Two maybe? Little brother got muscles and he’s ready to punch back.

Best business: There’s a lot of hype around Sergio Aguero and the giant he can become at City, but Samir Nasri is the better buy, especially at almost half the price. Nasri has been worn into the English game and if there’s one thing he’ll bring with him from Arsenal that’s of immense importance to City, it’s a strong possession play.

1. Manchester United (9 points)

After the purchase of Ashley Young, David de Gea and Phil Jones, United announced that they had bought who they wanted, and were done for the first half of the season. “Hold on. That’s not enough is it?” …And so the concerns from fans and snide remarks from rivals ensued, “Giggs is past his prime, Ferdinand is injured to often, Vidic is too depended on”. So what? Fergie fields a team of youngsters and gets a better start than last season anyway. This is worrying if you’re not a Manc.

Best business: David de Gea …just kidding! I don’t think there is any doubt about the quality that Young already adds to the Manc attack. I speak on behalf of other rival United fans when I say we all got a little worried when Fergie’s interest in Young was first announced. Phil jones is an excellent purchase for the future of the club, but Young is exactly what they need right now.

Now that the international break is done, this weekend holds first glance at money wasted and money well spent.

Nichol Hoekstra

@theKaptiv

pic: skysports.com