You make some valid points Ranny. A good indication as to where the "top 4" presently stand at this point in time with 8 games played lends a lot to the first 8 fixtures each team has played so far.
Arsenal by all accounts have had the roughest ride so far, with mainly tough fixtures and mostly away from home so far. They have rode the storm well imo, and are right amongst it. Leaking goals yes, but popping plenty at the other end.
If you look at Chelsea, their first 8 fixtures have been ideal for a team looking to establish a new system under a new manager. On paper mostly weak opposition for their first 6 games. Ideal for a bedding in period whilst still registering decent points.
Man Utd up until the Sunderland fixture, posted one of their best starting seasons for many a year, and this is a team/club that have lost the talents of Ronaldo - Tevez. Also what a lot of people dont realise, is that last season, Man Utd, posted their lowest "goals scored" ratio since the birth of the premiership, yet were still crowned champions.
This was a team that included Ronaldo and Tevez who are now gone from the club. The 2 names always mentioned when talking about what Utd now miss. Where are all the goals going to come from now etc. Two seasons ago Ronaldo was the absolute business scoring 40+ goals. Tevez was doing his bit, scoring goals when it mattered. Last season it was different yet Utd still prevailed.
Now they are without these two giants yet continue to do what they have always done best in recent years............... get results.
Liverpool, hmmm, ughhhh, dohhhh who knows with them anymore. I feel that last season, they punched well above their weight by a long stretch and rode their luck and almost made it. I think they will struggle for a top 4 this season. So then we have the party poopers, Spurs, Man City, Aston Villa and maybe Everton etc. I feel that any one of those clubs can take a top 4 spot at the expense of Liverpool, but I guess time will tell.