Thirteen games to go and mid-season signings starting to bed in, we are clearly gearing up for the business end of the season. Cue for business men who own clubs that are not meeting their lofty expectations to take over training sessions.
Two games after Wolves’ otherwise considered reasonable owner gave his players a dressing down; Mick McCarthy was out of a job. Still at Chelsea despite recent training sessions under the watchful eye of ruthlessness Abramovich, Andre Villas-Boas knows that a successful career playing Russian roulette awaits once he is done with football management.
While Andre Villas-Boas surprisingly avoids seeing red, Chelsea fans may have to bear the pain of watching red Arsenal snatch that last Champions League place at their expense. Of course Liverpool, the christened Reds will want to have their say in the fight for that coveted fourth place finish.
With Tottenham not looking like they will relinquish their place in the top three, unfortunately for two of these traditional big four, Europa League may turn out to be esteemed reward. That Man United, Europe’s second most successful club of recent seasons, has graced this season’s competition may add glamour to the Europa League after all. Some rivals may find themselves in the unusual position of rooting for United to make it to the final, just to add spark to a competition that is likely to absorb their clubs next season.
Given that off-the-field events have recently made sports headlines, one can’t help but fear that such events will determine which of the traditional giants misses out on Europe’s most prestigious contest next season.
Even before he fires Andre Villas-Boas, there is no doubt that Abromavich’s presence at Chelsea’s training sessions has polarized the dressing room to create recipe for failure. After watching the players openly challenge their manager’s tactics, it may not be long before Abromavich is sat in the dugout and making real on his play station fantasy. I have a feeling Gary Neville will be quick to remind us of his early season assessment of David Luiz’s defending.
Liverpool on the other hand may struggle to motivate two of their most influential personalities following a PR disaster called out by the NY times and major sponsor Standard Chartered. King Kenny and his pampered heir to the jersey #7 may not take being forced to make public apologies very kindly. Having watched events with Carlos Tevez over the past few months, it is obvious that South Americans and apologies do not get along. Given that the entire Liverpool squad was willing to blindly stand by Suarez when he faced investigation for racial abuse, a sulky #7 may just turn out to be the rotten apple that poisons the expensively assembled pie. Of course the silver lining of two great cup runs could yet rejuvenate Liverpool’s season if as expected they win at least the Carling Cup.
Despite the relative calm that seemed to be returning to the Emirates after their early season woes, recent displays against Milan and Sunderland will be causing the Arsenal hierarchy sleepless nights. It will not be long before unrest descends as choruses of “In Arsene we trust” are transformed to “Please Arsene burst”. A seventh trophy-less season is now the least of worries for fans and board members, as Arsenal braces itself for pre-season vultures circling for their irreplaceable marks-man. The big question is can Arsenal avoid their traditional end-of-season collapse to even stand a chance of retaining Robin van Persie’s services?
While the Europa League may turn out to be consolation for two traditional giants, former giant Newcastle will be enchanted by the achievement. Given that they are currently placed sixth in the league, and have recently added another impressive Demba to their striking line, Newcastle may just overhaul the one point that stands between them and the Champions League.
At nine points adrift, it will take a drastic collapse by either of the previously discussed falling giants for resurgent Sunderland or Everton to sneak into the last Europa League place. Have your say on what you think will be the reaction of these heavy weights if the Europa League is their end of season prize.
