‘Big 4′ victims of their own success
‘It’s a mad league’ said Wayne Rooney after his side’s hard-fought 3-1 victory of Hull at the KC stadium, ‘There are a lot of teams dropping points and it’s really close.’The EPL has garnered an unpredictability in the 2009/10 season that seems to allude to the halcyon days of football when money was not the sine que non of its existence.
The emergence of clubs such as Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester City appears to have distorted the league’s traditional ‘top 4′ nature. Part of the reason for this has to do with the emergence of these super investors who are seeking admiration, worldwide fame, and the thrill of challenging an established order by ploughing money into clubs not already in the champions league.
But surely, you cry, that would make the league even more top heavy? Football can, and always has, allowed for an unpredicatability that can see teams such as Greece win the European chamiponship – it’s part of what makes it such a fascinating game – but the recent trend toward irregularity in the EPL is a by-product of an identifiable symptom: the trickle down effect.
As squads at clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham, and Manchester United have grown ever more bloated over the last few years, cast offs and players who, although at one time were hotly tipped for stardom, have been unable to make the grade at these type of clubs, are turning to smaller teams. The money on offer and the profile has meant that rather than go abroad players are remaining in this country to resurrect their careers.
This allows teams like Portsmouth, even though they are bottom of the league, to boast young talents such as Jamie Ohara and Kevin Prince Boateng. Moreover, in the case of players such as Ohara, the big teams see the value in letting young talent go out on loan to other clubs, which is why we might see Jack Wilshere at Burnley in the New Year.
The integration of more and more players in to the league and the spending power of many of the clubs has eventually caused this evolution and the big four are now victims of their own continued success. They have raised the profile of the EPL and its standard to such an extent that it is now almost to their detriment. Long may it continue.
Topics: English Premier League
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Couldn’t agree more. Another point, which you haven’t mentioned (and maybe haven’t thought about either) but with regards to this season, we have seen a downfall in performances by the big 4 that is largely due to complacency. Some teams quietly improved over the summer (Tottenham, Villa) and others not so quietly (City), but either way, the threat from these second tier teams is immense and far more dangerous than it ever has been. United and Liverpool have failed to sufficiently replace the loss of their player’s over the summer and rather ignorantly thought they didn’t need to…now look how they casually lose points to those ‘second tier’ teams. Obviously the loss of Ronaldo and Alonso aren’t the only differences to their side’s, but there is an evident lack of resolve that means they will struggle – as will Chelsea and Arsenal, who have both also dropped too many points this season.
December 29th, 2009 @ 15:18Man City, Spurs and Villa are making difficulties for the top 4. Its a good thing, like in Spain any team is capable of defeating any team (including Barca and Real). This makes the game more flexible…
December 30th, 2009 @ 06:20@Pos: “United and Liverpool have failed to sufficiently replace the loss of their player’s over the summer and rather ignorantly thought they didn’t need to…”
More in-depth analysis may reveal that financial reasons or possibly, in Utds case, the manager’s belief in his squad and young players were the reasons…as opposed to ignorance. Whether that judgment was well founded or not is not the point. Suggesting ignorance is just a poor argument.
And: “now look how they casually lose points to those ’second tier’ teams.”
I believe Utd beat both City and Spurs (with good performances on both occasions) and, with defensive problems were slightly unlucky to lose to Villa. Doesn’t sound too ‘casual’ to me!
And finally: “but there is an evident lack of resolve that means they will struggle – as will Chelsea and Arsenal, who have both also dropped too many points this season.”
Yes, Pos, never a man to let facts get in the way of YOUR perception.
The facts are these: Chelsea have dropped 1 point less than at the same stage last season; Utd 1 point more and Arsenal are 8 points better off. Let me remind you that these were the teams that finished 1st, 3rd and 4th last season…with no threat to the Top 4 status.
As one who writes regularly about Utd and the top of the PL you either choose to misrepresent the facts OR you are unaware of them and can’t be bothered to do the (very basic) research. I’m not sure which is worse.
But maybe your perception is that they have dropped too many points regardless…in which case I’d be fascinated to know why…or for just once…to have something substantive that supports that, thus enabling a debate on something concrete….as opposed to just your unswerving ‘perception’.
December 30th, 2009 @ 12:42well said Condell.. couldnt agree more..you used all the correct words
January 1st, 2010 @ 04:41