Co-Ord Round-up Part Three - 5th-8th

5th Aardvark Abacus (down three places on last season)
The first time outside the top three for Ady since we moved to a 16-team league ten years ago and it's also two years without a trophy now. A blip or evidence of a slide? The manager will point to just two defeats out of the last 13 matches as a sign that this team will still be a force next season but he may need to be braver in the transfer market. Asamoah Gyan and Marouane Chamakh did no more than ok,  but it's in midfield, where Luca Modric needs support, that the boss may look to strengthen.
Star Player: Vincent Kompany (15 cleans)

6th The Fabulous Artisans (down one)
One place lower and six points fewer for Ben but I don't think his season was as bad as it appears on the surface (check part five for some proof). Ben made Mario Balotelli his record signing at £27m and the Italian immediately knacked his knee and was in and out of the sick bay through the season. If Balotelli sticks around and stays fit I think the Artisans are a major threat. This is already surely one of the league's best squads and young with it. Perhaps not next year but Ben's time will come.
Star Player: Martin Skrtel (two goals, ten cleans)

7th The Cow-Faced Juniors (same)
While the likes of Claymore and the Phoenix had excellent second halves to the season the CFJs did the opposite. Four points behind the leaders after week 17, Chris's men won just three more games. Gareth Bale faded after electrifying the early part of the season and then £25m record signing Luis Suarez failed to strike up much of a partnership with Nicolas Anelka. The big issue this summer for the CFJs is replacing Edwin van der Sar, no easy task.
Star Player: Gareth Bale (seven goals, five cleans)


8th Claymore Athletic (up one)
This time last year I wrote about Clive's consistency. I'm going to repeat myself. In the six seasons following his second title win Claymore have finished no higher than 6th and no lower than 10th scoring between 39 and 47 points. Claymore at least hauled themselves back into the top half and were edged out in a Cup final. Wayne Rooney looked more his old self late in the campaign and the signing of David Luiz to join Branislav Ivanovic looks shrewd. Same again this time next year?
Star Player: Branislav Ivanovic (four goals, 16 cleans)