So Leicester City ‘drop’ two points at the hands of lowly West Bromwich Albion, and Arsenal, Spurs and even Manchester City fans are clapping their hands in glee.
The opportunity is there for them to now go and win the Premier League.
NO, NO, NO.
The league title is not decided with ten games to go when there is just eleven points separating the top six teams.
The media are an absolute pain in the backside when it comes to writing headlines. For instance, on Tuesday night at 10pm it was Arsenal’s title to lose. On Wednesday night at 10pm they had no chance, in fact they better manage a couple more wins or they might be in for a relegation battle.
Even worse than the ridiculously over reacting media are the often unhappy whingey Gunners fans on your social media platform of choice.
The so-called big clubs, not Leicester City and West Ham United, I mean the ‘real’ big clubs , you know, the ones with a God given right to win against all of the inferior little teams in the Premier League, need to take their medicine. At times, they will lose football matches. Do fans of these clubs not realise how boring it would be if they trampled on every West Brom, Bournemouth and Swansea in their path? Not only boring, it is unrealistic for the supporters of these teams to expect victory every time out, no matter how significant the game.
It almost shows a lack of knowledge in the sport for me. There are so many ways that the little fish can out-do the big fish, it is what keeps us entertained. And as I have said before, the whole top flight has money, and plenty of it. Players of top class quality are finding a different path to success through the smaller clubs nowadays.
Arsenal fans are clearly unhappy with Arsene Wenger. Yes, to a point, they have reason to be slightly miffed. They have spurned opportunities. But they are at least in a position where they have those opportunities. Things could be a lot worse. But yes, they could be better. The team do appear to lack bottle, they do also appear to not fancy a battle at times. But they also play some magical football too. This often goes unrecognised. They are on course to win the FA Cup three years on the bounce. There are twenty teams in the Premier League and there can be only one winner. What happens when Wenger’s eventual successor misses out to a Chelsea or a Manchester United? Every single one of the elite clubs thinks the title is something they should win. But only one club can.
A moment of reflection is required, the club and their supporters also need to be together in order for the team to be a success. The Emirates Stadium is the quietest in not just the league, but probably in all of England’s professional leagues. You can hear a pin drop, even worse so when the team are not entertaining. Dare any Arsenal fan challenge me on that either.
Perspective is required, one defeat does not signify the end of the world as we know it, nor does one victory mean everything on the planet is great.
The overreaction and bitterness from Arsenal supporters towards their manager is no doubt a point of embarrassment for your average true Arsenal fan. There are ways to show displeasure but some of the vile things I have seen written about Wenger are way, way over the top.
I hope Leicester City win the league this year. A group of fans who make plenty of noise, who appreciate the teams efforts, who are together with their manager and a fan base who have such a sense of pride for their club that it would not matter if they failed between now and the end of the season.
For something different this week I am going to rate each team out of ten for their performances at the weekend and in midweek. Let me know if you agree or disagree.
AFC BOURNEMOUTH – A draw away at Watford followed by a home victory over South Coast rivals Southampton means Bournemouth are in with a very good chance of avoiding the drop. Eight points clear of eighteenth spot. 8
ARSENAL – A horrible few days for Arsenal. Had they won at Old Trafford and beaten Swansea are their own patch they would be joint top of the league now. Instead they trail Leicester City by six points. Bottlers. 2
ASTON VILLA – I am already looking forward to next season when we can avoid talking about this lot. Defeat at Stoke followed by defeat at home to Everton leaves them languishing at the bottom. 1
CHELSEA – Twelve games without defeat for Chelsea who have more than turned the corner under Guus Hiddink. These latest two were both 2-1 wins, over Southampton and Norwich. A late charge for the European spots? 8
CRYSTAL PALACE – Just about the same time Chelsea started to pick up, Palace have gone on a run of eleven matches without victory in the Premier League. A late Sunderland equaliser denied them after defeat at the Hawthorns on Saturday. Things will pick up soon I am sure. 3
EVERTON – Only one game in the past few days due to the League Cup final. A solid 3-1 victory over Aston Villa. 7
LEICESTER CITY – A good few days at the King Power. An adrenalin filled last minute win over Norwich City was followed up by an entertaining draw with West Brom. Many thought the point against the Baggies would be a slip up but it has in fact increased their gap at the top of the table due to others now taking advantage. 7
LIVERPOOL – We will not judge teams for their cup exploits, so their 3-0 win over Manchester City goes down as a cracking result. 9
MANCHESTER CITY – Their heavy defeat to Liverpool leaves the blue half of Manchester almost clinging on to the fourth Champions League spot. 2
MANCHESTER UNITED – Marcus Rashford. Nothing more needs to be said. Two wins in two and Van Gaal is not quite the demon everybody though he was. 8
NEWCASTLE UNITED – No game on Saturday but a defeat away at Stoke. Newcastle need wins ASAP. McClaren could soon be without a job. 2
NORWICH CITY – Narrow defeats at Leicester and at home to Chelsea but defeats none the less. Stuck down the bottom with Newcastle, Sunderland and Villa. 3
SOUTHAMPTON – Before the weekend Southampton were six without defeat (five wins). A minor blip, two losses. They will bounce back. 3
STOKE CITY – Stoke have had a couple of favourable fixtures in that they have faced the current bottom two over the course of a couple of days, both at home. Two wins. 8.
SUNDERLAND – An expected defeat at West Ham was followed up by a last gasp draw against Palace, after a pretty traumatic week off the field. 4
SWANSEA CITY – There appeared to be only a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for Swansea before their midweek game at Arsenal. But they only went and won it! Superb. However, defeat at home to Spurs before that leaves them with a 7
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR– A win at Swansea, defeat away at West Ham. Could be better, could be a lot worse. Plenty of games to go. 6
WATFORD – No goals in the last two. A draw at home to Bournemouth and defeat at Old Trafford. You cannot knock them though. What a superb season so far. 6
WEST BROMWICH ALBION – The Baggies scores three for the first time this season in beating Palace and then followed it up with a point at table toppers Leicester. Not bad. 8
WEST HAM UNITED – Sunderland and then Spurs suffered 1-0 defeats at the Boleyn. One point off the top four. 9
Thanks for reading.
