This season’s climax- the most exciting one in recent history?
March 31, 2008 by Rob Scanlon
As the weather seems to be getting better (don’t say this to Chester fans!), it is clear we are edging towards the season’s climax and the most exciting part of the campaign. If you look across all four divisions, there are a lot of intriguing stories that are yet to be concluded.
In a rare occurrence, the race for the Premier League title and the coveted 4th place is still being hotly contested, with many of the teams involved yet to play each other. The Championship promotion chase is even more alluring, with teams often surrendering top spot within days of claiming it- the estimated £30 million prize money being tossed around with reckless abandon. In League One, it would seem the Swans will be playing Championship football at the Liberty Stadium next season, but who joins them is still very open. In League Two, the promotion spots are also not nailed on, though it seems MK Dons and Peterborough’s financial clout should see them through.
So let’s have a look in detail at each league, at what is a really exciting season’s end, with high attendances, lot’s of financial incentives at stake and (hopefully) glorious weather.
In League 2, the trap door is gaping, with Wrexham and Mansfield hovering anxiously over it, peering at the prospect of non-league football. Wrexham’s final day heroics last season appear to have only been a stay of execution, and their 87 year league existence looks to be at an end. How Brian Little must dream about the heady days of managing in top-flight football. The same might apply to their striker Michael Proctor- once an up and coming prospect at Sunderland, scoring the winner in the Premier League against Liverpool, now a 27-year-old striker at the football league’s basement side. Mansfield, or ‘Harchester’ as they will be known if one entrepreneur gets his way, look destined to join the Dragons, despite having Michael Boulding, who is the league’s 4th top goal scorer. It looks like Aldershot will replace them, as the Shots have racked up 90 points already- and could do very well next season too.
At the top of league 2, each team’s destiny is less clear. Peterborough and MK Dons certainly have the financial muscle not only to go up and stay up- but also possibly achieve successive promotions. Peterborough’s owner has the usual ambitious ‘vision’, but seems to have the money to back up his plans. The Dons, whatever football purists may think about them, have an impressive stadium, an exciting team and manager plus plenty of supporters- both now and in the future, as Milton Keynes continues to bulge.
The challenge for the play offs and third position is intriguing as the teams involved have played various amounts of games, meaning things could change rapidly. Rochdale, having scored 4 goals in 3 of their last 6 games, are one to look out for. Darlington, another team with a good stadium and manager, are hot on Hereford’s tail for the last promotion place. The deduction of Rotherham’s points tally means their play off spot is now up for grabs, along with a good chance of 3 points for the teams left to play them as the club seemingly, and very sadly, crumbles.
On a side note, Rotherham’s plight is a sad reminder of modern football’s reliance on money, it seems that it will take one club to actually fold before anyone takes any notice. Administration is now met with a shrug of the shoulders- it is becoming the norm, a couple of column inches at best.
League 1’s standings have also unfortunately been heavily dictated by administration points deductions. Though Leeds have coped due to having such a powerful squad, Luton and Bournemouth have been devastated by the penalties imposed. Both these sides are doomed, along with Port Vale, despite a recent resurgence. Gillingham, with mounting financial problems of their own, look quite likely to join them. It wasn’t so long ago the Gills were in the Championship- they are now in all sorts of strife.
Looking at the top of the league, Swansea are running away with it and have genuine quality in Jason Scotland- an outstanding finisher. Carlisle are benefiting from an imperious home record, but haven’t shaken off Doncaster just yet- and have to play Forest, the Swans and Leeds. The play off slots are very much up for grabs, though a Nottingham Forest- Leeds final would certainly be an attractive and lucrative occasion.
League One’s promotion race looks like it could be a photo finish- a late run from a team as low Leyton Orient in 11th could give them Championship football next season. This makes for an exciting climax- or a nervous one for someone like Colin Calderwood, who would probably be sacked, should he not deliver the goods.
The Championship’s teams bids for the ‘promised land’ (or ‘continual thrashings land’, as Derby will testify) is possibly the most exciting in the domestic game. Bristol City, without a win in 5 prior to Saturday’s dramatic and emotional late strike from Steve Brooker, must have feared their faltering run would result in being overtaken. But Stoke, Watford and West Brom have stuttered badly, paving the way for Hull to make an incredible charge. Hull’s stadium is fit for Premiership football, but they have never, in their 104-year history, played in the top flight. It does seem odd that with the size of the cities of Bristol and Hull, they don’t have Premier League representation, and you feel they would cherish and celebrate every second of it, should they go up. West Brom should have the squad to go up though and with games in hand are still very strong favourites to get their act together. They do have a difficult run in however, and the F.A cup run seems to have derailed and distracted them at times. Bristol City’s Gary Johnson, a great character and brilliant for the game, has said he thinks it will go down to the last Sunday- May the 4th. All the kick-offs are 2pm and it should be a cracking day.
The last relegation spot is also very open, with some surprise names down there. Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton, two of the founding members of the Premier League in 1992, are firmly in the mire, but Wednesday have games in hand and a good goal difference in their favour. Like the scene at the top, the chances are it will go down to the last day- with bumper crowds in attendance.
The Premier League is covered a lot in the nations media so isn’t in need of too much exposure. Pundits and fans alike are generally in agreement now that the league is split into 3 divisions- top 4, middle ground, and relegation dog fight. The clamour for places at the top of the table is frenetic, with some mouth-watering ties coming up. Manchester United’s title retention is not nailed on, and the 4th place isn’t certain either, with Liverpool’s Champions League commitments to consider. The only disappointment is the probable lack of suspense surrounding the relegation places. Derby are down and Fulham and Bolton look pretty doomed despite big outlays in January. Tottenham and Newcastle have bucked their ideas up sufficiently now to allay any fears they may have had, and with the Trotters and the Cottagers clearly struggling for goal threat, they must fear the worst.
The last Match of the Day is normally always really exciting in terms of relegation (for the neutral anyway). The games are merged, adding to the tension as the programme takes you through the day, highlighting all the twists and turns. Will this year be the same, or a damp squib? Can you remember a season that was more exciting? Let me know what you think on this and the other issues I have mentioned!
Mammoth article Rob - but a good summary of the current situation.
After this weekends results it’s looking increasingly likely that the title will either go to Man Utd or Chelsea, with the deciding fixture possibly on the 26th April as the two face each other! What a fixture this could turn out to be.
As things stand at the top, Chelsea are 3 points behind Utd - but Man U have a far superior goal difference which could prove to be their saving grace.
If you look at Man U’s remaining fixtures (Arsenal & West Ham at home - Blackburn, Chelsea & Wigan away) you can easily pick the 2 key fixtures - Arsenal and Chelsea. Anything less than a win against both could hand the title to Chelsea.
Don’t forget though that Chelsea have the 2 games in 72 hours fiasco to get through yet. However, I’m sure they have a big enough squad to deal with this. Certainly not ideal circumstances though.
This season is far from over, but I do believe that the title is destined either for Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge. Sure we’ll get a few Arsenal fans disagreeing. I promise I’m not letting the fact I’m a Spurs fan affect my judgement!
Another point related to your article is the FA Cup. We only have 1 premiership club left in the tournament (Portsmouth - who scraped their way through to the final yesterday). They will, of course, either play Cardiff or Barnsley who kick off their semi in approx 1 minutes time!
Not forgetting that we also had the mighty Spurs (ha ha!! sorry - had to!) winning the Carling Cup as well. So, all round, it’s been a pretty open season, and one that is still far from finished!
[...] behind Man Utd with 4 games remaining following Monday’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Wigan. As previously mentioned here at CLDsport, Man U have a far superior goal difference. So, if Chelsea are going to win the [...]
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