I don’t know if the 2007/08 Premiership season has been the best ever – I’ll let you decide that but for a campaign that lasts the best part of nine months it was deliciously poised heading into the last of fixtures.

The number two would be the common denominator. For the first time since 1999 two clubs would decide the title, Manchester United and Chelsea. Everton and Aston Villa would battle it out the fifth spot and the UEFA Cup while two of three; Fulham, Birmingham City or Reading would fall through the trapdoor to the Championship.

With everything now decided it’s time to step back to August 11th2007 and those famed Webster predictions. Sure, the egg is running down my face on some of them but I’d like to think that I wasn’t too far off the mark – and hey while we’re at it…get your predictions out as well!

20th Derby: Webster predicted 20th

Stop the presses I’ll retire right now with a 100% rating. Look, before I wind myself with a healthy pat on the back, a blind, deaf and dumb Nostradamus could’ve predicted this. Has there ever been a team less equipped to survive in the top flight. Their record in the Premiership is the worst ever but we have to give the Rams credit – despite being crappier than most Chinese toys, their fans were unbelievable and with the American ownership prepared to invest, they should bounce straight back.

19th Birmingham: Webster predicted 17th

One season up, the next season down, the Blues better get hold of some Viagra because I’m getting dizzy and I’ve not even taken any. Parting ways with Steve Bruce was like asking Tiger to get rid of Steve Williams – a bone headed move because the man did bleed St. Andrews. The result was Alex McCleish, who would’ve been out of his depth in a paddling pool, four wins (two over Spurs!) a couple of police raids and the mother of all spankings in the Midlands derby. I’m not sure if they’ll be back. 

18th Reading: Webster predicted 15th

How could I have been so wrong!

The Royals will now join ‘second season syndrome’ sufferers Ipswich, West Ham and Wigan who shone so brightly in their Premiership debuts but then stunk it up like an overflowing diaper genie in the sophomore campaigns (that’s for all the dad’s). If rumors are to be believed, Steve Coppell, is wandering around the training ground mumbling like a ‘skid row’ resident. What I do know is that losing Steve Sidwell to Chelsea on a ‘Bosman’ before the campaign began was a monumental mistake - every team needs a heart and he was that.

17th Fulham: Webster predicted 18th

You wouldn’t ask Laurie Sanchez to mow your lawn let alone run a football team. It only took Mohamed Al Fayed until December to figure that out - perhaps he was distracted by the ‘trial’ but it nearly cost his club dear. I’m not even sure Roy Hodgson and his million pound ‘keep us up’ bonus’ was the answer however club captain, Brian McBride sure was. I guess the thought of Championship football or a return to MLS was the catalyst but he upped the stakes at just the right time.

16th Bolton: Webster predicted 16th

“Who said the table never lies?”

Seriously, this years standings must’ve been written by Pinocchio because Bolton were awful and in my opinion deserved to go down – the fact that they didn’t is a travesty. They played one memorable match (the Arsenal game) and did #### all for the rest of the season except sell their only decent player, Nicolas Anelka. From regular UEFA Cup contenders to 16th is some kind of fall and I suspect that somewhere, Sam Allardyce, is feeling smug…maybe not because he’s still UNEMPLOYED!

15th Sunderland: Webster predicted 14th

Roy Keane's debut season as a Premiership manager must be considered a success as he kept the Black Cats up with 3 points to spare but knowing the Irishman he'll be disappointed. I expect him to be highly aggressive when it comes to 'bombing' personnel out of the Stadium of Light – think Alf-Inge Haland but armed with pink slips instead of boots - it will be brutal. Niall Quinn seems like the kind of chairman who is willing to stick his neck out for his manager and I think we’ll see Sunderland in the top half next season.

14th Wigan: Webster predicted 19th

Wigan may be the most poorly supported team in the Premiership but whoever deems to show up at the JJB should be singing 'one Stevie Bruce, there's only one Stevie Bruce. Dave Whelan made the bold move of bringing the ex-Brummie boss to rugby league country but it has paid off in another year of Premiership football. Look back to the mid point of the season and the Latics were firm favorites to make the drop (making me feel like a genius) until the man with football’s most mashed up nose took over. You can't but help wonder that if Bruce was given the budget of a 'big 4' club what he could achieve.

13th Middlesbrough: Webster predicted 13th

I have a question for Boro Chairman, Steve Gibson..."can you adopt me". The Boro owner seems like a Santa to me, he's kind, cuddly and generous to a fault. He certainly gave Gareth Southgate the benefit of the doubt after a poor first year in the job and in all honesty his second year wasn't much better - but they are still in the top flight and they managed that without a striker until Afonso Alves arrived. With one of the best youth set up’s in the country, Boro could turn from the girl everyone shunned at the disco into phooaar material.

12th Newcastle: Webster predicted 7th

Along with Tottenham, the Magpies have caused me the most pain and embarrassment. I did predict it wouldn’t be dull at St. James’ though and I wasn’t disappointed as Big Sam came and went in the blink of an eye only to be followed by the Geordie Messiah himself, King Kev. Keegan’s first order of business was to put together an eight game winless streak before finally remembering how to win…slightly. With boardroom and backroom shenanigans the order of the day on Tyneside, Newcastle, are seemingly destined to remain a directionless ‘biggish’ club.

11th Tottenham: Webster predicted 4th

I said that Martin Jol would be under the spotlight immediately and so it proved as he barely lasted the time it would take to make a cuppa. With Juande Ramos at the helm results improved somewhat but this campaign despite the Carling Cup triumph must go down as a huge disappointment. I honestly thought Spurs were ready to push on after two consecutive 5th place finishes – I was very wrong. Where do they go from here – I imagine more Cup wins as that is Juande’s specialty. Ultimately though if I were a Spurs fan I would be asking for a season ticket refund.

10th West Ham: Webster predicted 11th

Alan Curbishley guided West Ham into mid table mediocrity after six weeks and from that point they refused to move. It was like they’d found the womb of the Premiership – it was warm, fuzzy, safe and after last seasons terrifying flirt with danger a place that screamed comfort. Unfortunately it was incredibly boring and considering the payroll coming out of Upton Park, not good enough. Curbishley can look to injuries but in all honesty he’s lucky to be in a job and I wouldn’t be terribly surprised if he was eased out before August.

9th Manchester City: Webster predicted 12th

City owner, Dr. Thaskin Shinawatra, reminds me of a James Bond villain – he’s got a touch of Dr. No mixed with Goldfinger. In other words he’s got the money, the power, is intent on world domination but will inevitably make one fatal mistake – firing Sven Goran Eriksson is that mistake. The Swede has done a decent job in giving Manchester’s other club some belief including doing the double over United. I’m sure the prospect of yet another monster payout will soften the blow for Svennis as he departs with pocketfuls of cash. Its typical City really culminating in the most embarrassing score line of the season!

8th Portsmouth: Webster predicted 10th

Other than David Nuggent, Harry Redknapp, was he usual wheeling-dealing self in the transfer market and it paid off as Pompey were always in with a sniff of automatic UEFA Cup football. Throw in the FA Cup Final and they’ll be few complaints down Fratton Park way however I do think it has been bittersweet for Redknapp. He wanted the England job after the Steve McClaren fiasco but never had a chance after being arrested and subsequently released by the  police over corruption charges.

7th Blackburn: Webster predicted 8th

Rovers are so consistent they’re almost becoming boring. They can’t beat the big boys but rarely lose to the small fry, so any position between 6th and 10th is a given. I can’t blame Mark Hughes as he consistently turns vinegar into wine and you can’t point the finger at the boardroom either because they haven’t got the money to compete with the elite. They key at Ewood Park will be to retain the services of Hughes whilst unearthing two or three cheap nuggets along the line of, Roque Santa Cruz, the undoubted buy of the season.

6th Aston Villa: Webster predicted 6th

I look at this Villa team and think that they could compete with ‘B4’ but it is obvious that they are two or three top quality players away from that level. So basically it comes down to the willingness of American owner, Randy Lerner, giving the Irishman $60 million to spend. Top quality acquisitions could have made sure that stupid home losses to Sunderland and Wigan, which ultimately cost them European football would not have happened.

5th Everton: Webster predicted 9th 

David Moyes has cemented his reputation as the best manager outside of the ‘B4’ with another season of excellence but he must be getting frustrated at his clubs lack of financial clout. Someone needs to tell the Toffees that you 'can't take it with you' - give the man some serious money - let him bid and buy the best and see where the chips fall – and to be fair his record in the transfer market isn’t that bad. If the Goodison Park moneymen don’t start splashing, Moyes, will have no option but to split town.

3rd Arsenal: Webster predicted 5th

The Gunners played the most attractive football we've seen in years this season -it wasn't enough! Arsene Wenger is a legend, he's built three different teams but I believe his ego is getting in the way of Arsenal ever winning another League title. Why he didn't spend big in the transfer windows is a mystery and ultimately was the difference to winning and losing the BPL along with the Champions League. They were about as deep as a paddling pool and despite showing glimpses of character here and there, you couldn't help but feel that there was something fundamentally wrong in the dressing room. A strong personality is needed and Wenger must be able to power share.

4th Liverpool: Webster predicted 3rd

I'm glad I'm not a Liverpool fan because other than the success of, Fernando Torres, this must rank as the most embarrassing campaign in recent memory - in fact I'm longing for the days of Roy Evans when the Reds were a 'real' team. The gap between them and United was ultimately 11 points but if we're honest it was a million miles. The squabbling between the owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett was akin to a playground fight but what the two of them can't figure out or choose to ignore is that they’re hurting millions of fans. For sure they may own the club but they don't OWN the club - the fans own Liverpool, always have and always will. Until this mess gets sorted out and Rafa Benitez stops messing around with line-ups, the Reds will only be able to day dream about winning the one title that does mean excellence - the league title and not Cup competitions.

2nd Chelsea: Webster predicted 2nd

The seismic shift that occurred in September can still be felt today at Stamford Bridge. When Jose Mourinho was given his marching orders by Roman Abramovich the goal posts were shifted and not in the Blues favor. Sure the money and world-class players are still there but you can’t buy mentality. Mourinho may have been an obnoxious git but he was a winner, Roman’s mate, Avram Grant is not. In fact who is AG and what qualifications does he have? If any of you can answer that I suggest you send your resume to the Bridge because you’ve got the same chance of getting the same results out of the finest collection of footballers on the planet.

1st Man United: Webster predicted 1st

Despite the odd hiccup along the way was there ever a doubt. United scored the most goals, conceded the least goals, won the most games and kept their nerve when it mattered. Sir Alex Ferguson has built a team to rival the treble winners of ’99 and I believe much to my chagrin that they’ve just got started. With the bookies already installing the Red Devils as next season favorites we can only hope that SAF retires once he ties Liverpool for 18 league titles. Glory, glory Man United, you deserved it.

Until the next Premiership season, I’ll see you at the far post.