Apart from the inevitable doom that befell Portsmouth, nothing was predictable in the 2009-10 Premiership. Most teams had matches of some relevance right up until the end of April, with battles for the title, 4th place and that to avoid relegation seemingly involving all of the 20 teams at one time or another. However, for me, rather than indicating an exciting, high quality league where anything can happen, I would prefer to take the standpoint that this season has been one where teams have been their own worst enemies and have failed to seize the initiative at crucial times. The best and worst teams got their just rewards in the end but they generally took a rather torturous route to get there.
We can start with the title race. Manchester United were looking to clinch a 4th consecutive title and finally shut Liverpool fans up by taking a record 19th league championship in all. And, when you look back over the course of the season, they can reflect on plenty of results that got away from them. Defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor in August (a time when many looked on Brian Jensen as a great shot-stopper as opposed to the reality - a fat bastard) was a prime example. Also the 2-2 draw with Sunderland, when Fergie seemed more interested in the fitness of Alan Wiley, and the stalemate at Ewood Park coming after defeat to Chelsea - what turned out to be the fatal body blow. However, the fact of the matter is that Man U are a team in transition, carried in the big games by the bulldog-like approach of Wayne Rooney (a description usually reserved for Carlos Tevez on FIFA) and a Scotsman. The Glazer fiasco means they are no longer the most attractive prospect for Europe's finest players and must make do with what they have, something that becomes a struggle when you factor in all the time the first choice defence spent with the physio.
Chelsea deserved the title, but they too were guilty of spurning the opportunities to run away with it. After beginning the Ancelotti era with 6 wins out of 6, they promptly lost to Wigan (who would definitely be schizophrenia if they were a medical condition. Maybe nephrotic syndrome - they let everything through!). Then came the horror run which included their dumping out of the Champions League to Inter, allowing both Man U and Arsenal to gain an edge, coincidentally the same time that John Terry and Ashley Cole were giving the red-tops something to write about other than immigrants taking our jobs. It took a roasting from Ancelotti and Abramovich (in which the words Christmas, Party and Cancelled must have been mentioned) for the tide to turn and they finished with aplomb. Arsenal, as per usual, looked great for little return. A 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in November had Arsene Wenger writing them off but a great run into the New Year saw them back into the running. Then they cocked it up again. They are a lovely team - Fabregas, Arshavin and Nasri all have phenomenal talent, but they are too lightweight to cope against the likes of Stoke and West Ham, who will basically try and kick you up in the air, as Aaron Ramsey will testify.
The race for Europe and all its infinite riches also provided plenty of competition. This time, Tottenham managed to keep their dinner down and see off Man City, thanks to some generous keeping from Marton Fulop, formally of Spurs. I actually really enjoy watching both of these teams, as well as Aston Villa, and it is great to see the monopoly of the "Big Four" being so comprehensively broken. Especially when Liverpool are the ones made to suffer! Again, that fourth spot changed hands so regularly as no-one seemed keen to make it their own until the very last minute - I wouldn't place much hope on Spurs progressing too far in the Champions League with this kind of consistency, although they will be able to invest in new talent over the summer, a luxury that City will also have but Villa will not. Big Five anyone?
Relegation was a clear cut matter. West Ham, Wigan and Bolton may all be a bit shit but they at least have players like Scott Parker, Hugo Rodallega and erm... Matty Taylor who can turn a game. Less so Burnley, who never had the resources to sustain Premiership status and Portsmouth, who are grateful for a player, let alone one who can turn a game. It was Hull who disappointed me most. Guys like Ghilas, Altidore, Geovanni and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink promised much up front. They didn't deliver and deserved to go down, although Phil Brown must have a lovely garden by now.
While I think of it, aside from Rooney and maybe Joe Hart and James Milner, can anyone name an England player who seriously enhance their case for inclusion for the World Cup? And please don't say Adam Johnson or Ledley King, the man with the knees that can be seen from space, they will be squad players at best. This has been a year where it's been more about the team and less about the individual - a lesson which Capello would do well to learn from when choosing his team for South Africa. I fail to see the point in playing a fading player like Steven Gerrard when a guy like Milner or Barry would fit a system more effectively.
Anyway, enough tips to England from me or I'll be driven out of Edinburgh!
RM
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