Football Season Is Almost Over

No, this is not a post I wrote a few months ago and am finally getting published. My writing is about world football and particularly the English Premier League. The English league is down to the last two weeks, and the title is very much in play. Unlike their US cousins, the end of the season marks the end of the season. There is no second chance, no play offs, no gimmicks to extend the play. To win the title you have to finish on top.

Chelsea, Manchester United, and to a lesser degree, Arsenal are in the hunt. At the time of this writing Chelsea and Manchester United are tied with 81 points. Both teams need to be on task this weekend and next to realize their football glory. If they slack off, they leave the door open for Arsenal to regain the top spot which they held for much of the season. This kind of play is refreshing as most US sports teams in this situation would be thinking past the last games of the season to do well in the only season that counts, the post-season. Coaches and Managers would be sitting some of their talent so that they would be well rested and ready to go. In the Premier league, there is no tomorrow, nothing past May 11th.

Nothing past May 11th also has ramifications for the bottom three teams. Those teams in the relegation zone will be sent down to the Champions League and will have to fight their way back. There is a huge difference in paydays between the Champions League and the Premier League. Being relegated could cost a team millions in lost media revenue. True to form the English have a battle here too. Four teams are battling to stay out of that zone. One team, Derby County (pronounced Darby) has already been relegated as they have only eleven points and no chance of lifting themselves out of the zone. Unlike the MLB, NFL, NBA or the NHL, teams in the Premier League have no right to be there; they earn it with their ability to win. If you wish to play in the English big leagues, you have to win, otherwise, there are any number of teams that would like your spot. Being a Kansas City Royals fan there is no telling what league we would be in if a system like the Premier League existed in Major League Baseball. We might be a AAA league, but more likely a AA League. This year the Royals might actually play acceptable standards and not close to loosing one hundred plus games.

As the season draws to a close, some will realize their football glory; others will pine for next season and another chance. In my case, it will be a little of both. The Blues have had a troublesome year with numerous injuries to John Terry and Frank Lampard. I wondered how they would finish. I love Chelsea and am looking forward to the next campaign. My other favorite sides, Everton and Wigin have done well, but can do much better. Wigin has already started that journey. Steve Bruce has made a huge difference with that side. My fantasy team is closer to the likes of Wigan or Everton than Chelsea. My team has had some great weeks, but are mostly just above average. Maybe next year!