Seeing the Blues!

While many did not get the white Christmas they dreamed of, we have heard more about the blues during first half of this Premier League season than anyone could have asked for.

“The blue moon rising” in Manchester has dominated headlines as City won the plaudits for their high pressing game, slick passing orchestrated by Silva and flurry of goals featuring the strange Balotelli character. Despite threatening to break every record in the league, those in the blue half of Manchester must be wondering what it takes to shake off the shadow of their red neighbours. Entering the New Year, it is shocking that the two Manchester clubs are level on points regardless of critical headlines about United’s unimaginative midfield and defence that looks so porous in the absence of inspirational Vidic.

Across in London, Man City’s wealthy blue cousin that microwaved their way to success over the last decade have a less revered story to tell about this season. Despite enjoying the most eye catching start to a managerial career, Villa Boas has at times demonstrated that he is still in “managerial diapers.” While qualification to the Champions League’s next round and ending Man City’s unbeaten start to the season are very impressive feats, some of Villa Boas’ decisions during the draw at Wigan’s DW Stadium were so naïve it calls for the highest level of optimism to believe in a Chelsea title for this season.

The pauper blue cousin in Mersey side has endured a very frustrating first half of the season as their brilliant manager continues to be crippled by budget limitations. Qualification for the Europa League is now viewed as “the good old days”! Everton fans are irked with envy as their red Mersey side rivals spend on an array of talent that makes them look like genuine contenders for a Champions League place.

The bottom end of the table has also featured its blues tale with Wigan and Blackburn battling to escape relegation. While both have recently enjoyed some impressive results against the so called traditional big four, it is consistency against the less illustrious bottom half of the table teams that will shape their destiny. What Martinez lacks for in financial resources has at least been compensated for with unity and support from the Wigan fans and owner. Blackburn’s Kean on the other hand has been hangout to dry by the club owners who have chickened out in the face of more viscous fan protests. Despite blowing a lot of hot air with talk about marquee signings at the start of their reign, no serious professional will be looking to join Blackburn’s relegation dog fight under owners that evidently have very limited knowledge about football.

My prediction about Wigan is that they are a cat with many lives and will enjoy another last day of the season escape as Rolladega and Dos Santos form an incredible striking partnership. Blackburn on the other hand have so much negative energy to contend with, not even Yakubu’s scoring feats will enable them to swim upstream. As they sink into the Championship, Big Sam will jubilantly wave at the Venky’s as he leads West Ham back to the Premiership.

While many of those craving a white Christmas were disappointed, the Championship will welcome two whites along with Blackburn. Bolton knew at the start of the season that they would struggle to make up for Elmander and Sturridge’s goals. Their defending has however been so awful, Bolton may as well cash in on Cahill, raise the white flag and start rebuilding for an immediate return from the Championship. As Wigan makes their dramatic last day of the season escape, it will be the swan song from the solitary Welsh side in the league. Formidable as their home record has been during the first half of the season, Swansea like Burnley a couple of seasons ago, play too pretty to mix it up in a relegation dog fight.

Have your say on which colours are likely to hug the headlines during the next half of the season. Whether your choice is blue, red, white or whatever other colour, for you, it is a special wish for a very prosperous 2012!